Harry Potter Gift Guide for the Harry Potter Lover

A Harry Potter gift guide for the Harry Potter fan in your life. Find plenty of ideas for birthday presents, holiday gifts, or "just-because" treats to give your Harry Potter obsessed friends and family.

She Deserves More: A Mother's Day Gift Guide

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When I think back over my childhood, I think of trips to the beach, reading fun chapter books in bed, playing basketball in the yard, riding my bike through the neighborhood, and lots of time watching Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys. And you want to know what all of those things have in common? My mom was a part of every single one of those moments.

My mom didn't mind watching Rugrats- she laughed along with me. My mom didn't try to shorten our beach trip so she could go home and finish housework- she packed a picnic so we could stay longer. My mom didn't tell me to go read in my room- she let me crawl in bed beside her as we each read our own book.

Me and my mom's relationship obviously looks different now. I'm married and have my own house to take care of. Visiting my mom requires an hour drive instead of a quick shuffle into her room. My mom has a bazillion things on her plate. She's a farmer, she tends the garden, she runs an Etsy Shop, and she still takes awesome care of my dad, my brother, and my Nana. She cooks, she cleans, she tends to her farm animals, the farm dogs, the house dogs, etc.

But with all her busyness, my mom and I still talk every day. We see each other a couple times a month and that time is cherished. My mom is one of my very best friends and I am so thankful for her. And in all honesty, she deserves a lot more than just a gift from Amazon or  a local shop. She deserves more than I could give her. But when Mother's Day comes around, I always want to do my best to find her something she will love.

A good Mother's Day gift can be hard to decide on because not only do they depend on our mom's personality, but they also seem so feeble when we think of all our mom's have done for us. But I know our Moms appreciate it when we put thought into their gifts. I also know that it shows when we wait until the very last minute.

So with Mother's Day just around the corner (May 14th), I have put together a gift guide so you can get your shopping done on time. You're welcome! 😘

At Home Spa "Package"

If your mom is anything like mine, when all the work is done, the last thing she wants to do is leave the house. She would much prefer that whatever she do be within the comfort of her own, cushy chair. She just wants to relax.

So what about this: Instead of buying your mom a trip to a nail salon or an expensive massage session (my mom wouldn't even enjoy that), why not buy her a budget-friendly foot bath, a few essential oils to add to the water or an Epsom salt and Tea Tree Oil soak, and a nice, moisturizing lotion. She can sit in her chair while soaking her feet and breathing in the relaxing oils. When she's done, she can apply the lotion for the extra moisture.

Garden Cuteness

Mother's Day being in the Spring is pretty dang serendipitous if you ask me. A lot of Moms love to garden, love to spend time outdoors, and love decor in their homes that reminds them of the beauty they see in God's creation. Think things like herb and flower prints, farm-house-y, silk floral arrangements, or some adorable little succulents. You could even create her a little "garden basket" complete with cute gloves, a shovel, and a hat, all sitting in a pretty new flower pot.

Support Her Hobbies/Passions

Does your mom like to craft or DIY? Does she love making things with her hands? Why not support her interests by buying the supplies she needs for for projects. Things like buttons, lace, paints, brushes, or yarn. These are easy things to find, usually inexpensive, and if your mom is a crafter, I am sure she would appreciate you taking that into consideration!

Books

If your mom loves to read, adding to her library is a great gift idea. I know for my mom, The Magnolia Story is at the top of her list. But again, this is completely subjective. It depends on your mom's interests. If she hates non-fiction, then The Magnolia Story probably isn't the best choice. If she likes crime/mystery books, it's probably best to leave the rom-coms on the shelf. But there is so much out there to choose from and there is something for everyone.

Magazines

Another idea is to get your mom a year's subscription to her favorite magazine. You can do this by going straight to the magazine's website or you can go to places like Recycle Bank to earn points, which you can use to get free subscriptions to magazines, gift cards, and more. It doesn't take long at all to earn points and that particular website is dedicated to trying to care for the planet which is definitely a bonus!

No matter what you do for Mother's Day, try not to stress. If you have a good relationship with your mom, I am sure that she wants to spend time with you more than anything else. Get her something special for Mother's Day, but don't get caught up in the gift. Remember that the reason you even care about her gift is because you love her and know that she deserves the world. And for that reason, the most important thing you can do this Mother's Day is let your mom  know how much you love and appreciate her. A present is secondary.

Picking the Perfect Gift for Your Loved Ones

This post has been sponsored by Groupon Coupons. All opinions are my own.

I have always been a gift-girl. I feel loved when I receive thoughtful gifts from those I'm closest to, and I show my love to them by putting thought and effort into the gifts I give to them. Gifts have always been a part of my love language, and though I show my affection in all sorts of ways, I tend to revert back to gift-giving as my go-to way to show the wonderfuls in my life that they matter.

However, as much as I love giving gifts, sometimes it can be a challenge to find the perfect gift for the people we cherish most. But there's always something awesome we can find to give if we just know how and where to look.

3 Ideas for Picking the Perfect Gift

Make it Yourself

I know that some people don't feel "crafty", but friend, you can do it. If you would like to make your loved-one something special, but you've always been too scared to try, now's the time! There are all sorts of tutorial videos on Youtube, detailed projects on Pinterest, and supplies galore at places like Michael's, A.C. Moore, and Hobby Lobby!

Personally, since I make jewelry and candles, I love to give those things as gifts because I can use something I am good at to show love to friends and family.

But whether you are crafty or not, I hope that you'll give handmade gifts a try. There are very few people who just can't do it!

Give Time Instead of Stuff

When I was younger, I would give away my time by making "coupons" for "Mommy-Daughter date night", or "a day of shopping" with my best friend. These "coupons" could be cashed in at any time and were a fun gesture.

It may sound cheesy (ok, I know it sounds cheesy), but I still think these are a great idea- especially for those of us who have a shoe-string budget.

Think about it- how often do you get to see your dad? How often do you have lunch with your sister? Why not make them a "coupon" as a gift? Promise them lunch at any restaurant of their choosing (your treat), or a commitment to seeing the newest superhero movie with them (no matter how much you hate super-heroes).

Most recipients will appreciate the gesture and be very glad to have some extra time to spend with you!

Be Helpful

I think one of the best gifts in the world is one that has been thought out and is helpful to that specific individual. For example, right now I am reading Wild and Free and I am finding it incredibly helpful and encouraging. I'm only three chapters in, but I already have three different friends who I would love to give this book to. But alas! Unfortunately, paying full-price is a hard thing to manage at this point in life. Thankfully though, Groupon Coupons allow me to find awesome deals at places like Barnes and Noble, making it feasible for me to order these books for my wonderful friends!

It doesn't have to be books though. Groupon Coupons let you find deals at a variety of places like:

Sephora

Foot Locker 

Bed, Bath & Beyond

And many more!

This way, if your bestie is almost out of her favorite makeup, you can search Groupons for Sephora and find discounts on what you already know she needs. If your mom's bedspread has bitten the dust, you can search to see if there are any bedding deals at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Now you can use your gift-giving talents to show love and be super helpful at the same time!


Are you a natural gift-giver, or do you struggle to find a present when birthdays and holidays roll around? Comment below.