Mother’s Day Gift Guide

One of my favorite pictures of my mother and I.  Coming out to support me at yet another race. Right between H's birthday and mine sits Mother's Day. I feel like if I don't get a jump on it while I'm planning his birthday then nothing will be available and no matter how wonderful or totally unique a gift is there won't be time to ship it to my own mother or his for Mother's Day. Which is May 10th this year in case you were also banking on having a lot more time just like me.  "I made these for you Mommy!"  While flowers are nice and will always work in a pinch I like to find something that is more personal, creative and offers value to the world and not just the recipient. Homemade wins hands down.  But what if you aren't the crafty sort? I found that just like I do over the … [Read more...]

American Girl Holiday Gift Guide

The holidays are all about being personal.  I don't do that very much on TMC, at least not anymore.  Call me nostalgic but I get that way about American Girl. When American Girl, then Pleasant Company, debuted in the mid-80's I was ten years-old. My Dad knew that my love of history and dolls would just swoon over the catalog. He was right. It was love at first sight. I earmarked the Samantha pages but loved reading the details about all the dolls, which at the time was only three.  My wish for more than a few Christmases was for the Samantha doll.  It's one of the many reasons I do an American Girl gift guide each holiday season. Source: museumofplay.org See that girl reading to her Samantha doll?  That was what I wanted many a Christmas morning. … [Read more...]