Let’s admit it. The winter has been long, with hardship, war and strife all over the media. Politics seems messy. Grocery prices are off the charts. And social media seems to drag us all down even further. Oh – I forgot about AI completely changing the narrative (either deep fake or simply with processes at work). So this Valentine’s day I think it’s worth focusing on gifts that heal, soothe and put people in a positive frame of mind (whether or not you may had a date on the 14th).
As a daughter with only a basic understanding of the XY set, trying to find the perfect gift for the Dad who has, literally, everything can be a challenge. We scoured the malls, boutiques and the internet to come up with the top 5 items that ANY Urban Daddy would be proud to call his very own.
Me, you say? Bwa ha ha!!! No, my brother-in-law just did a full Ironman and even the nephews are doing races for kids! I can badly swim, bike and run, but I turned to the experts for help on this guide to gifts for triathletes. (I’ve been known to run in heels).
I was a tennis player when I was young and have recently taken it up again. All of a sudden, badminton and squash are also accessible! I just love hitting anything with a racquet, and sports are a great way to spend time with the whole family. We’ve surveyed a few people in the know, and have come up with quite the list of gifts for racquet sports lovers. Bet you are going to want to pick up a ping pong paddle or play with a shuttlecock after reading this!
My boys and family are super into sailing, so putting this gift guide together is helping me a ton!! The best thing about sailing and yachting gifts is that the quality is always excellent, even if the prices can be hard to stomach..
I know every word to the theme song for Paw Patrol. I can recite Goodnight Moon forwards, backwards, upside down, and inebriated. I spend the majority of my days creating with play dough, kicking balls, singing nursery rhymes, and playing make believe games with plastic toys. There are a myriad of reasons behind my participation in all of these activities, the most important being that they interest my children. I repeat. They interest my children. When the sun goes down and the babies are tucked in to bed, you will not find me re-reading Goodnight Moon for the kajillionth time. As it turns out, I have a few interests of my own and none of them involve pups who save the day.
I try not to think about it, this aging business. It’s not easy. You think that the shock, after that first time you are called “Ma’am”, or when you realize the cute guy at the gym isn’t hitting on you (he’s trying to help you because you remind him of his mom) will wear off, and you won’t be quite as sensitive. You think that your skin will get thicker and you won’t notice. But you’re wrong.
I can’t think of anything more fun than getting ski and snowboard gifts for the holidays! But… what to choose? My personal list is quite lengthy – and includes attire for gaper day! These slopeside finds help inspire you to enjoy the outdoors, staying fit and active while you breathe the fresh air. We have a few affiliate links included, which help support the work we do if you choose to purchase anything through them. Enjoy the snow, and dream of powder days!
Kids don’t play outside like they used to, and there are, unfortunately, many reasons for that. Among them include the many fun technological devices that kids can use to level up their skills and entertainment. Kids spend on average of 60 hours a week on devices, and just 60 minutes a week playing outside. So sad! It’s time to restore some balance to that equation. There is much critical enrichment for kids who get to enjoy the simple pleasure of playing outside. Below are a few photos of special outdoor play with my own boys, including a special treasure ‘chest’ collected a few years back. The memories were so positive and powerful, I haven’t been allowed to throw it away!
The start of September means different things for different people. For some, it means the start of another school year, for others it means the commencement of crazy schedules, and for many it means that winter is becoming increasingly imminent.
For me, September has always been a New Year of sorts. This is likely because I have spent almost my entire life immersed in the world of education; regardless, the end of summer seems to go hand-in-hand with new beginnings and September feels full of blank pages that are just waiting to be filled.