10 Great Gifts For Elementary Age Boys

Sometimes it can be really difficult to shop for elementary age boys. Having one of my own I know how hard it is. He has things he loves but I don't want to get him the same type of gift every single holiday. I also want to get him things that are fun, but will require using his imagination and his brain while he plays.

1) Kinex Sets

Kinex sets are an amazing gift for elementary boys. My son got his first set around the age of 5 and has loved them ever since. He now builds complicated projects and all kinds of simple machines with them. There are a wide variety of Kinex sets from simple sets to fancy sets that allow you to build roller coasters.
You can buy Kinex Sets here for $17 and up.

2) Lego Sets 

We all know kids love Legos and there are some amazing and fancy Lego sets out there. There are also some really great inexpensive Lego sets. Kids can sit and play with Legos for hours building all kinds of fancy and imaginative creations. We really love the Lego Creator sets because they have instructions to build 3 different things from one set of Legos.
You can buy Lego sets here for $4 and up.

3) Books

There are so many books that are great for elementary school kids. My son has loved The Indian in the Cupboard, Pippi Longstocking, many of Beverly Cleary's and Roald Dahl's books, The Magic Treehouse series, and so much more. Reading opens the doors to the world. It gives children insights to the world and how things work, as well as teaching them fact and fiction. The world of books opened my eyes and my imagination so much as a child. 

You can buy books on amazon.com new and used for $4 and up. 

4) Sticky Slugs

We have all had sticky hands and enjoyed them, but sticky slugs are even better. They are fun. They are sticky and they are just plain awesome.
You can buy a pack of sticky slugs here for about $7.

5) Nerf Guns

This Nerf N-Strike Elite Target Set comes with a Nerf gun and a target. I love this set because of the target. I love a good old fashioned Nerf gun fight, but frankly, as a mom, it is nice when my kiddo has something else to shoot at.
You can buy this Nerf gun set here for approximately $20.  

6) Science Kits

This Mindblowing Science Kit is pretty awesome. It comes with everything you need for several experiments. The kit has great directions. It does recommend adult supervision, but they are really fun experiments to do with younger children and older kids will enjoy them, too.

You can buy the science kit here for about $10.

7) Stomp Rocket 

Stomp Rocket is awesome. My son has a blast with it. He can play with it for a long time by himself until he gets all the rockets stuck on the roof or in a tree. The wind always blows them off so he can play and have more fun. 

You can buy stomp rocket here for about $15. 

8) Minecraft

Minecraft is a fantastic game, even though it can quickly become an obsession for kids. It requires, skill, critical thinking, imagination, and logic to make things work properly. My son LOVES Minecraft. In the last year, he has become a huge fan and would play all the time if we would let him. It can be played on numerous platforms including PC, Xbox, and Playstation.
You can buy Minecraft here for  $13 and up.

9) Art Kit

If you have a little artist in your life, an art kit and some paper is a great gift. Most art kits come with a huge variety of mediums, including paints, colored pencils, markers, and pastels. These give kids a variety fo tools to work with to create their own masterpieces.
You can buy a great art kit here for around $30. 

10) SnapTite Model Kits

SnapTite makes great models for both beginners and more advanced model builders. One of the best things is they have some really great models that kids will love. They have Star Wars models, cars, planes, trucks, ships and more.

You can buy SnapTite Models here for $10 and up.

10 Gift Ideas for Herb Lovers

We all know someone or are someone that people could call crunchy or hippie. (I really hate those terms, especially since I can sort of fall into those categories) I mean someone that loves whole foods, herbal and natural remedies. I love herbs, home remedies, aromatherapy, and homemade beauty products. I know my husband can find that my hobbies make it hard to shop for me so here are 10 great ideas.

1) Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health 

This book by Rosemary Gladstar is one of my favorite herb books. It has recipes for everything. The information in this book gives you a wealth of knowledge that can be carried into so many other applications. This book has recipes for more than you can imagine. It has recipes for adults and children both. You can buy this book here for under $15. 

2) Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health by Roberta Wilson

This book by Roberta Wilson is a great book for aromatherapy. It has recipes for a plethora of issues from A to Z. It is laid out in an easy to follow format. This is one of my go-to books for essential oils. There is a newer edition of this book, but this one is typically the one I grab first. If used books are okay with the person you are shopping for buying this book used is a very inexpensive and useful gift.
You can buy this book here for under $15 new and under $5 used.

3) Essential Oils and Blends 

Essential oils are essential for many home remedies. They can be diluted and used topically, used in baths, and used in an aromatherapy diffuser. They can also be added to soaps and other beauty products. Lots of people have favorites. Some of my favorites are Plant Therapy's KidSafe line. Their Germ Destroyer blend is used all the time in my home. It has helped us survive cold and flu season, mostly unscathed, the last couple of years.  I also love lavender and tea tree because these oils have many uses in the home. 

You can buy Plant Therapy Essential Oils here. Prices are from $6.95 and up depending on the essential oil and the size. 

4) Aromatherapy Diffusers

An aromatherapy diffuser is a great gift. They are easy to use. You add water, a few drops of essential oils and they are ready to go. A good diffuser can run for around eight hours. Most aromatherapy diffusers are ultrasonic cool mist diffusers. You may not always smell the essential oils in the air but that does not mean they are not working. The essential oils healing properties will be dispersed in the air whether or not you can smell them.  Many aromatherapy diffusers have colored LED lights and different mist settings.
You can buy a diffuser here for under $20. 

5) Stainless Steel Aromatherapy Diffuser Necklace 

Stainless Steel aromatherapy diffuser necklaces are both beautiful and beneficial to your health. The necklaces come with felt pads. You place 1-3 drops of your favorite essential oil on the necklace then put it on. You can put calming essential oils like lavender or germ fighting blends. The possibilities are endless. This gift of jewelry is a great idea to bring beauty and aromatherapy together. 

You can find a stunning diffuser necklace here for under $10. 

6) Elderberries

Elderberries are a great addition to any herbalist's pantry. They are great to make elderberry syrup and other cold and flu remedies with. Elderberry syrup is an easy thing to make. Elderberry syrup can then be added to other recipes to make elderberry gummies, cough syrup, and more. Elderberries can also be a great ingredient in herbal teas to help the immune system. 

You can buy elderberries here from $2.50 and up.  

7) Calendula Flowers

Calendula is an excellent herb for bruises, sunburns, eczema, and many other skin problems. The dried calendula flowers can be infused in oil. The oil can later be used in salves, lotions, and more. The dried flowers can be used as an addition to soaps and bath teas. 

You can buy dried calendula flowers here.  

8) Beeswax Pastilles 

Beeswax is an essential ingredient in many herbal preparations. It is used in soaps, lotions, salves, lip balms, and more. Beeswax can be found in large blocks and in pastilles. These little pastilles are much easier to use than the blocks of beeswax, which are difficult to cut or grate. 

You can buy beeswax pastilles here for $17 and up.  

9) Amber Roller Bottles

Good roller bottles are essential for making many topical essential oil preparations. These roller bottles need to be a dark color such as amber. This keeps your essential oils from going bad quickly. A clear bottle can ruin the integrity of your essential oils. 

You can buy amber roller bottles here for around $10. 

10) Dropper Bottles

Another important bottle aromatherapy tool is good dropper bottles. They also need to be dark colors. They work perfectly for blending your own essential oils. The droppers make it perfect for dropping into carrier oils or diffusers. 
You can buy a 6 pack of dropper bottles here for around $10. 

 

10 Gifts For Your Favorite Cook

Images from Amazon.com

Every year there are new gadgets and tools for the kitchen. Sometimes home cooks love them and other times they are a waste of space and time. If you know someone that loves to cook here are ten great ideas for your favorite home cook.

1) Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook

This is easily the cookbook I use most in my kitchen. My mother gave it to me as a gift when I moved out of her house at 21. I have used it for years. If I ever have a question or am looking for a basic recipe I go to this Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook. It's red plaid cover is classic and will give you a wealth of basic cooking information and recipes. 

You can buy this cookbook here for about $30.

2) Knife Set 

I love ceramic knives. They are sharp and easy to clean. The last for ages as long as they are cared for properly. They also do not need to be sharpened as often as steel knives. The blades of ceramic knives are extremely sharp but need to be used and cleaned with care to avoid chipping them. They are much better than other knives in the same price range. 

You can buy ceramic knives here for under $20. 

3) Silicone Utensil Set 

Silicone utensils are extremely easy to clean. The problem is sometimes they are really expensive. This set is a great price and has a huge variety of utensils. It comes with a total of 8 pieces. It gives you basically everything you need to serve food and comes in fun bright colors. These silicone utensils are a favorite in my kitchen. 

You can buy this silicone utensil set here for around $25.

4) The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook

For people who love to bake or are interested in learning to bake "The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook" is an amazing book. It has lots of information about baking. It also has a wide variety of recipes. The recipes in here range from cookies, bread, pastry, and more. It is really an amazing baking guide. I use it often in my house. It comes in hardback, paperback, and flexibound. 

You can buy the book here for anywhere between $12 and $40 depending on the binding.  

5) Stock Pot 

Every kitchen needs a good stock pot. Stock pots are great for making stock, soups, huge batches of chili or spaghetti sauce. There are so many uses for a good stock pot. I love an 8 quart stock pot. It is a great stock pot without being too huge or too small. You need a good pot that is not too flimsy. If your favorite cook cans a larger stock pot may be better. 

You can buy a good stock pot here start at $25 and going up to $35 depending on the size. 

6) Grill Pan

A good grill pan can be a huge deal. There are lots of varieties of grill pans. You can get cast iron grill pans and non-stick grill pans. You also have choices of round and square shaped pans, as well as pans that are oven safe or not. When looking at grill pans, I wanted one that is non-stick and can be used on my glass top stove as well as in the oven. This grill pan is my favorite because it is dishwasher, oven, and stove top safe. It is easy to clean and can hold quite a bit of food. 

You can buy this 11 inch grill pan here for around $35. 

7) Spice & Seasoning Sets

Food Lovers are often open to trying new spices and seasonings. There are so many great seasoning mixes out there that cannot be found at your local grocery store. You can find some lovely spice gift sets with a wide variety of spices. These spice sets come in family favorite spices, with both sweet and savory spice mixes, a grilling spice set, a set of flavored salts, holiday seasonings, and even a spicy set. The best thing about these is they are made in the USA.

You can buy some great spice mixes here for between $25 and $30. 

8) A Recipe Journal 

At some point most cooks come up with at least a recipe or two of their own. When they do they need a place to write it down, besides a scrap of paper that will get lost soon. A recipe journal is a great place for that. It will also make a great item to pass down in the future. 

You can buy a recipe journal here for around $5.

9) Cookbook for Kids

Cooking with kids is often hard, but some of the best memories are made cooking with your children. Many of my treasured memories are cooking with my mom and many of my favorite recipes are things I learned to make with my mom's help and have tailored into more adult recipes now. Kid's cookbooks, such as "Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat!)", have great skills and lessons in them as well as recipes written to make cooking easier and more fun for children. Learning to cook also teaches kids math, reading, hand eye coordination, and helps them learn to follow directions. 

You can buy this cook book here for under $15. 

10) Chip and Dip Serving Set

If your favorite cook loves to entertain a chip and dip serving set is a great gift idea. This chip and dip set by Le'raze also can be used as a cake stand which makes it multi-purpose and awesome. It is great for entertaining at sports parties, holiday gatherings, and family events. 

You can buy this chip and dip set here for around $30. 

A Book Lover's Gift Guide

Images from Amazon.com

Every year my sweet Popeye has a hard time shopping for me. A couple of years ago I started making wishlists on Amazon to help him out a little. Since then I have gotten some really great gifts. Some purchased from my wish list and others that are just items based off of things I put on my list. Having a gift guide can be a huge help to people that feel lost when shopping. Lately, I have been reading up a storm so here are ten gifts for book lovers.

1) Reading Journal 

This little journal is a hardcover journal that has pages inside to fill with information about the books you read. You can write in here about your favorite book current books you are reading. There are pages to list the title, author, and other information about each book. Each of these is accompanied by sections that you can record your thoughts and feelings about the book. 

You can buy the journal here for under $10.

2) First Lines of Literature Coffee Mug 

This coffee mug is awesome. Most of the book lovers I know, including myself, love to sit and read with a cup of coffee or a cup of tea. This mug is covered with amazing first lines from classic literature. Best of all it is a huge mug that holds a whopping 16 oz of your favorite drink.

You can buy the mug here for around $15. 

3) Antiquarian Bookplates

For book lovers like me who love to have actual books, these bookplates can be a wonderful addition to their home library. This set comes with 53 bookplates in a variety of sizes. Many of these bookplates have nice quotes and beautiful images on them. 

You can buy bookplates here for under $10. 

4) The Book was Better T-shirt

We all know book lovers say "the book was better" regularly. Let's face it, the book is usually better. What book lover would not love a t-shirt that says it for them? These shirts come in a variety of colors. The best thing about these shirts is they come in men's, women's, and youth sizes. 

You can buy the t-shirt here for $20 and up. 

5) Book Tissue Box Cover 

This tissue box cover is perfect for all the times a tissue is needed while reading. This means the times when a beloved character dies and it feels like you've lost a friend. Don't deny it... All true book lovers have been there. 

You can buy the tissue box cover here for around $15.

6) Book Light 

Lots of book lovers enjoy reading in bed, long past the time they should be asleep. I know my husband hates when I leave the big lamp on my nightstand on so I can read while he saws logs. This little book light will give just enough light to read a book without illuminating the entire room. It is small and lightweight, also, which makes it easy to take when you travel.
You can buy this book light here for around $10.

7) Bookends

Bookends can come in really handy sometimes, like the times when you just got a new bookshelf and haven't had a chance to buy more books yet. They are also great when you have books on top of a shelf and want to decoratively display them. Bookends can be really simple or extremely ornate. This set is simply lovely. 

You can buy these bookends here for about $15. 

8) Kindle Paperwhite

If your book lover does not have room for a million books, a Kindle Paperwhite may be the perfect solution. It can hold hordes of books and is lightweight and easy to carry around. Kindle Paperwhites have the option of a black or white tablet. They are great for reading on the go.
You can buy a Kindle Paperwhite here for $119.99 and up. 

9) A Great Book Set 

Everyone who loves books has a series or an author they really like. Many times these books can be bought in a beautiful box set. Whether their fancy is Jane Austen or "The Lord of the Rings" or Harry Potter a nice looking box set can be a fantastic gift.   

10) Amazon Gift Card 

I know gift cards are often seen as a lazy person's gift, but for a book lover they can be an amazing gift. They can buy many real books or kindle books. Amazon's gift cards can be bought for any amount you chose. They can be sent as an actual gift card or via email making these a great easy gift for someone who lives far away. 

Amazon gift cards can be bought here for any amount you chose.