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It happens to almost everyone.  Perhaps you forgot Aunt Bertha, or maybe you just didn’t realize you would run into that person that you only see during the holidays.  No matter the reason, you didn’t get that person that you have to get a gift for anything.

A way around forgetting (or, at least making it obvious you forgot), is to keep some cards and gift cards at the ready.  Worse comes to worse, you get to use (or, if you are feeling more charitable- donate) any unused gift cards.

Aim for a few in smaller denominations, depending on your own budget.  Also aim for stores that most people would go to (groceries, book places, and even Amazon are among the great options).  All the cards can be quickly found in most grocery stores, around my area the local Stop and Shop has as many options of gift cards are there are people that anyone is likely to have friends.

Either wrap up the gift cards in some creative dressings (here’s one link with ideas) ahead of time, especially if you (like me) are of a more forgetful nature.  Have it all set up (card and all) ahead of anyone popping in, or going anywhere.

While, sure it may seem a bit sneaky- it happens.  We all have the ability to forget, and this is a good way of avoiding hurt feelings.

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No matter what occasion you may be celebrating from new births to new unions, it is always an extra special touch to have a customized invitation or announcement. 

From brand new additions to the family to seemingly any other special occasion, Naptime Cards seems to have a completely custom solution for you.  All of which are completely adorable and can really create that extra special occasion that much more special. 

You can easily add in your very own image and general theme to their selection to create that spot on and special card for your special occasion.  The websites setup is incredibly user friendly and very easy to use.  That’s not even mentioning the amazing design choices you will have! 

Looking through their website’s choices it really does seem that they have something for almost any taste, and then some.  As for the themes? From Christmas to Baby Showers, they do seem to carry an impressive listing of different occasions.

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It can be hard at times to find truly one of a kind and amazing goodies for children.  Great Kids Corner solves that issue by stocking all of the fabulous goodies all in one easy place.  The online store features a ton of award winning gifts and goodies for children.

Out of all the brands featured is called Levels of Discovery, a brand that has received a huge amount of awards for quality and creativity, including 1st Place Winner for their Toy Chests, Family Choice Award, National Parenting Publications Gold Award, CreativeChild Magazine Top Choice of the year and Seal of Excellence, and iParenting Media Awards.

Another brand carried is E.M. Winston musical instruments have been recommended by top music schools including The Julliard Music School in NYC.

All of the fabulous products featured would make a fabulous gift for any lucky kid.  The website has such a huge assortment of goodies that it would be easy to find the best possible gift.

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It’s not too often that I see some kind of novel new idea and seriously go buts over it.  This idea however is absolutely brilliant, and so, so cute!

The company is aptly named, The Baby Bunch and they create some of the most creative arrangements of baby clothing seen in a bit.  It’s an incredibly wonderful idea for a gift for a baby shower (and can you imagine the look of everybody’s faces when you say that those ‘flowers’ are actually clothes).

The items are all so cute, and come in a bunch of creative display options.  They carry ‘lollypops’, ‘cupcakes’, and a few others.

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What really counts on Mother’s Day? Flowers?  Expensive jewelry? 

What does mom really want though?  A bunch of flowers, or the companionship of her children.

My mom recounts many of the gifts my brother and I made for her when we were children as her favorite gifts.  Never does she so much as mention anything store bought, not that she doesn’t appreciate the thought, but because it just doesn’t hold the same place in her memory to her.

Yes, I’ll still admit a lot of these holidays are more so ‘greeting card days’ for things we should be celebrating everyday anyway.

Mother’s Day is the one day a year that we honor the woman that raised us, and the time of year the flower advertisements are in full bloom (pun intended).  But what good are a bunch of dead flowers, that are going to wind up in the trash bin?  

While you don’t have to go all out to channel your inner Martha Stewart, there are some little things you (or anyone) can make Mom that she’ll love and treasure.

When I’m having some trouble with inspiration I tend to browse around online, websites like this one are usually fantastic inspiration. This article also had quite a bit of ideas in it as well. 

Some more tips:

• Think about what your mom (or whomever you are making something for) and what she likes, and work off that.
• Grab inspiration from the web and run with it.
• Use things from childhood memories, use them as a base for a card or gift. 
• Try using older or unused items from your home, for example small pieces of wood turned into a photo frame.
• Browse ‘handmade’ types of web shops or one of the many Do It Yourself websites for inspiration.

 
Handmade card image source.