Best Gifts for Preschoolers

If you need a great gift for a preschooler in your life, you are going to appreciate this list! It is filled with fun ways to engage preschoolers while encouraging them to learn via play. From games to building kits, these are some of my favorite gift ideas for the 2019 gifting season.

Samples were provided for original photography. Affiliate links may  be used.

Challenge preschoolers with this engaging brain train. Kids will be sorting shapes and practicing their sequencing skills with this train learning tool by Smart Games. Find it from Fat Brain Toys and retailers like Walmart for about $30.

Toddlers will love adding a realistic element to dramatic play with this recycling truck by Green Toys. This is so much fun for kids and it introduces the idea of recycling as a part of daily life. The truck is super durable for curious hands. Get one online or at select retailers for about $30.

This Sizzling Smart BBQ from Leapfrog gives kids a chance to cook out anytime they want! Including 8 play foods to keep the fun sizzling, this interactive toy keeps toddlers learning colors, shapes and more. Add one to the Christmas list and cook up a smile with your favorite toddler. Retailing at $40, get it from select nationwide retailers or online.

Send your favorite preschoolers on high seas learning adventure with some engaging Vtech friends. The Treasure Seekers Pirate Ship gives toddlers a chance to develop and improve fine and gross motor skills while having an adventure fit for any thrill seeking pirate! Find it from select retailers like Target, Walmart and Amazon for under $35.

If you want to find the perfect gift for a preschooler that loves unicorns, Myla the Magical Unicorn by Vtech is the perfect option. She lights up, changes colors and sings to the delight of preschool girls. Find Myla at select retailers like Walmart, Kohl's and Buy Buy Baby for under $60.

Give your preschooler a chance to enjoy their tablet time and favorite music at a kid safe volume with Buddy Phones. These are comfortable, wireless, and ideal for the long car trips that often occur during the holidays. Starting at $50, these are a gift the entire family will appreciate and that can be used in daily life, including at school.

The PBS Kids VR Viewer makes for a fun way to make more out of time with mom or dads phone. This VR viewer holds the average smartphone to give preschoolers a virtual reality viewing experience. This retails for about $10 and can be found at Walmart.

Give kids a really friendly introduction to a classic game with Story Time Chess. With large friendly pieces, this revolutionary approach to chess makes it simple to teach kids as young as three the art of the game. Find this must get game online for $50 for fun that keeps going well past the holidays.

Send your preschooler on a learning voyage without ever leaving the house with this World Village Ireland Play Set Kids will love exploring a new culture in a hands on method with this play set. Retailing at under $60 this is a perfect option for curious kids this holiday season. Order from the Whole Wide World website.

Give curious kids a chance to explore the whole wide world with this Happy World interactive map. It gives kids a chance to dive into geography with a map they can write on or stick some reusable stickers on. Buy it online at the Whole Wide World website for under $20 this holiday season for a learning experience that they will keep coming back to.

Give kids who love to build a chance to imagine and design their own creations with Brackitz.
This is a building kit for kids that combines math, science and hands on fun to create a recipe for fun that kids 3 and up won't be able to get enough of. This is my favorite STEM option for preschoolers this year. Order it online from the Brackitz site for about  $60. Come back to visit again once our holiday giveaways kick off for your chance to win one.

Find all of my gift guides here.

Gifts for Babies and Toddlers

Shopping for baby can be a challenge. What do babies really need besides diapers and their parents? Well, let me take the guess work out of what to buy for a sweet baby this holiday season. Here are some of my favorite gift ideas for babies and toddlers this Christmas.

Product was provided for original photography and affiliate links may be used.

Baby Magic has been a must have for mothers and babies for decades. Keep the tradition going for the most delicate skin this holiday season. Available in several delightful scents and always gentle for baby. Find it online or at retailers nationwide.

Rash happens, so this winter why not give baby the gift of comfort and protection with Boudreaux's Butt Paste? This is an effective tool to have at anyone's disposal to keep baby really comfy. Find it online or in stores nationwide.

MAM teething rings are loved by both parents and babies for good reason. They are effective. Every baby teethes and these are helpful. These teethers are afordable too making them an all around good choice for baby this holiday season. Add one to a stocking, or grab a few for an excellent gift that will be used! Get them from amazon or nationwide retailers for under $10.

Give baby the gift of comfortable transport with the Moby Sling Ring. Offering both hip and front carry options this woven cotton wrap carrier is going to make going here, there, or just being worn at home will be super comfy for little ones as they grow. I love that this one is under $50 and can be used up to 33 pounds. Get it online or in select stores.

Diaper changes are a fact of life for any parent of a baby, and they will be for quite sometime now. Add a stylish Petunia Pickle bottom Diaper Clutch Changer to make a quick change anywhere more comfortable for baby. This folds up nicely to fit in a diaper bag, or just be carried like a clutch bag. Retailing at about $30, this is a must have for mom and baby.

Let toddlers leap into learning with this awesome interactive building kit by Leapfrog. The Leap Builders kit has building blocks, learning blocks, friendly faces and can make 170+ sounds and phrases to help build connections via play for little learners. Find this and an assortment of other Leapfrog toys that encourage a love of learning at retailers nationwide or from amazon.

Introduce curious little ones to computers with the help of everyone's go to green dog, Scout. My Peek A Boo Lap Pup by Leapfrog is a fun way to work on shapes, colors, numbers and rhymes for infants and toddlers. Get it for about $15 and gift early learning through play this holiday season. Find it online, at nationwide retailers or from Amazon.

The Swaddle Sack by Swaddle Designs is a great gift for baby and parents. It will help baby sleep and feel secure, and it is comfortable and cute too. Find several styles online starting around $28.

Tactile teething rings by Moluk make for a fun experience for little ones. They can chew on them, touch them, toss them and so much more all while building tactile skills and finding some relief from teething pains. Find them from Play Monster toys for about $15.

Add a touch of Mickey flair to the stroller and keep the diaper bag handy and secure with this adorable Mickey Mouse Stroller Hook from Petunia Pickle Bottom. It retails at $15 and is a fantastic accessory for the family who loves Disney and walks with the stroller.

Keep baby cozy and wrapped in love with this Bible Verse Quilt. It is available in both pink and blue and has been a big hit with grandparents as a gift for several years.  The quilts are well made and are really cute. Get one from amazon  for about $46.

Little Mix Ins is a good way to add nutrition to a stocking for a little one. This adds egg and nut products to babies diet early to help prevent them. Learn more and purchase at Little Mixins website.

Give little ones a way to make tummy time loads of fun with this Tiny Love Black and White Gymini. This activity mat includes a developmental book as well as plenty of toys to engage developing minds and senses. Get it online or from a variety of retailers like Target, Walmart or Bed, Bath and Beyond for under $50

 Keep pacifiers, teething toys, bottles and more squeaky clean with this super handy all in one uv sanitizer and dryer. It is easy to use, is compact and keeps your little ones items sanitary with the touch of a button. Get it online at the CoralUV website, or from Amazon for about $170.

Baby Says Chalkboard Shoes are a perfect way to give your baby a fashion statement that can change as many times as you want. I love these for all of those first year photos. Get them online from Baby Says for under $40. They have a ton of colors and assorted styles available.

Looking for more gifting inspiration?

Find all of my gift guides here

12+ Cranberry Sauce Recipes to Crave

If you want to step up from canned cranberry sauce, you are in the right place! I found 12 of the best cranberry sauce recipes to share with you. 

I have never even tried cranberry sauce before. I am a 40 year old woman.

Growing up, it was not a dish to be found at a single Thanksgiving meal I attended. I can't recall ever seeing my mom ponder a can of cranberry sauce at the store, and certainly she never bought fresh cranberries. I don't even think those could be found in my tiny town growing up.

My mother in law likes it though. Over the years she seems to have figured out that cranberry never occurs to me when I am preparing the meal. She has been bringing a can of cranberry along hopefully for years.

Canned cranberry sauce looks gross though. It reminds me of beets, which I also don't like. HA! I used to pride myself on not being a picky eater, but this post might prove otherwise.

This year I am going to go out of my way and attempt to make a real proper cranberry dish to wow my mother in law this Thanksgiving. I found 12 recipes that look amazing. So much better than a blob of canned cranberry!

Easy Citrus Cranberry Sauce by Spend with Pennies
Best Ever Cranberry Sauce by Mom on Time Out
Homemade Cranberry Sauce by Sugar Spun Run
Ten Minute Cranberry Sauce by Swanky Recipes
Sugar Free Orange Cranberry Sauce by Make Life Lovely
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce by A Mom's Impression
Homemade Cranberry Sauce by All She Cooks
Fresh Berry Cranberry Sauce by My Turn For Us
Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce by Cincy Shopper
Cranberry Chutney by Mom Foodie
Grape Cranberry Sauce by Cindy's Recipes
Gran Mariner Cranberry Sauce by The Kitchen is My Playground

Which of these recipes sound best to you? And please! Someone tell me exactly how you prepare a can of cranberry sauce.

Find all of my Thanksgiving posts here

Easy Cornucopia Treats

Stocking Stuffers for Adults

Grown ups like stockings on Christmas morning too! If you are looking for some unique ideas to help spread Christmas cheer, check out this list of awesome stocking stuffer for adults ideas!

This list contains items sent to me for inclusion and or affiliate links.

Paint It Decorating Pens are a great stocking stuffer for anyone who likes to get crafty and creative. These pens are easy to fill with any acrylic paint for mess free paint projects on wood, canvas, acrylic, glass and more. Get them online for about $20.

Touch Up Paint Pens are a great stocking stuffer for anyone who is doing some DIY projects at their house. Touch up little areas with ease, and know the paint you fll the pen with will stay fresh for years.
Get them from Slobproof for about $10.

Tweexy is a stocking stuffer must have for girls, tweens, teens and ladies who love to paint their nails. This lets you wear your polish without spills for easy at home manicures. Get it and a great glass file from Tweexy. The tweexy is $10, while the file is $8.

Beesential lip balms are perfect for stuffing stocings and giving the gift of healthy lips this winter. Get a 5 pack online of some amazing good flavors. Give them all to someone special with a tin, or split them up among a few stockings for a great gift at under $13.

Add an Amogha Collections Gift bracelet to a stocking and see a face light up. These are delicate, dainty and perfect for daily wear, or as an eye catching accessory on a special night out. Made with a real pressed flower with gemstones, any lady will love it. Get it from amazon for about $37.

Unique, handmade and full of heart, a Luc and Bell bracelet is as unique as can be and add a great touch to any outfit. I love these as a stocking stuffer for their heartfelt message. Get them from Etsy for $15.

Biofit 360 offers a variety of supplements to make anyone calmer, sleeping better and feeling less pain. Add tinctures, gummies, balms and drops to a stocking for a well balanced holiday season with fewer medications needed. Prices vary from $22 to $90.

In this political climate, all one can do is smile. Grab a deck of cards from Sweet and Sour Politics and give your favorite political person a one of a kind gift. From Sweet and Sour Politics. Get it on their website or from amazon for about $13.

Stuff the stocking of your favorite home repair person with a handy little wall repair kit from Slob Proof. This kit has everything you need to repair imperfections in walls. It was made by a mom so you know it works too! Get it for  about $20 from the website.

Add organic skincare to the stocking of someone special with Moon Mag. Specially designed to eliminate pain in minutes, this brand gets rave reviews for performance and quality. Order from the moonmag website. Prices start around $10 and they offer so much more than just effective pain relief.

Hair ties are always a safe bet for a stocking stuffer. This tin has 25 classic black ones with a bit of snark. At about $9, this is a great filler gift for any lady with long hair. Get it from Cricket Co or in select stores.

If you want to stuff a stocking with awesome for an ambitious woman this holiday season, get her a set of statement cards right away. She will adore getting to share her statement with her other empowered friends all year long. Cards are $5 each and can be found online.

Give the gift of organized everything with Packbands. These are perfect for saving space on trips, or getting things together around the house, the easy way. Add a pack to a stocking this holiday season for easy organization. Prices start at about $20. Order them online.

Make peeling boiled eggs a breeze by adding the Negg to a stocking this Christmas. This is a handy tool for the kitchen that takes the work out of getting the shell off of boiled eggs. Order it online or from amazon for about $15.

Make self care an easy and pain free process with the Kaire tool crystal sculpting tool. This is great for reducing cellulite, while sculpting the face. Get it online for $165 and avoid all of the nips, tucks and procedures that you might pursue to get a useful appearance.

A good night cream is a great way to stuff a stocking this holiday season. Block Island Organics makes a really effective option for about $30 that is packed with great ingredients that keep the skin healthy and free of harmful chemicals. Find it online for fuss free skin care.

Find all of my holiday gift guides here.

Leaf Window Clings

Crafts are always a great way to spend time together on a chilly fall day. This easy leaf window cling craft is perfect for adding some color to your space. This craft is so easy even little kids can do it and best of all, you can get everything you need at Dollar Tree for $2.

We love to craft together. Now that both kids are in school all day, it is the thing I miss the most about Harper being home. We don't have time to make something fun everyday anymore. But, sometimes I can get the kids to take a break from their after school social life to make something fun with me.

This leaf window cling is perfect for adding some color to your house in  between Halloween and Christmas. It is made with 2 simple supplies to create something cute and colorful. I got the supplies at Dollar Tree, and you can literally make dozens of these for $2.

Supplies

Precut squares of tissue paper in red, yellow and orange

Transparent clear contact paper

Scissors

Sharpies if needed

Directions

If needed trace the shape of leaves on one section of contact paper, to cut or just cut the shapes out.

Peel the paper off and lay the contact paper sticky side up.

Begin layering contact paper on the sticky contact paper. Leave just a few tiny spots uncovered to attach to the window.

Press to the window firmly to attach.

Remove when the season ends.

You can find all of my other window cling ideas here
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20 Gourmet Mac n Cheese Recipes

I have a serious love affair going on in my life these days. I am committed to mac & cheese and I am positive that this will be a lifelong relationship.

In all seriousness, I have rounded up 20 of my favorite mac and cheese recipes to share with you.
There is something on this list for everyone. I think the crab cake mac n cheese sounds amazing. I can't wait to hear which you will try first!

My mother in law is so generous. She often times thinks of us and buys a log of cheese from the Amish Country. Having 6 or more pounds of fresh cheese in the house is a great reason to make homemade mac and cheese! I usually toss it in the crock pot and forget about it, but this time, I am going to try some new recipes.

Beer Bacon Mac & Cheese by Centsless Deals
Slow Cooker Mexican Mac and Cheese by Today's Creative Life
Seafood Baked Macaroni and Cheese by It Happens in a Blink
Jalapeno Bacon Mac n Cheese by Savory Experiments
Brisket Mac & Cheese by The Tiptoe Fairy

Spicy Jalapeno Mac n Cheese by Domestic Superhero
Garlic Mushroom Macaroni and Cheese by Amuse Your Bouche
Italian Mac & Cheese by Who Needs a Cape
Crab Cake Macaroni & Cheese by The Foodie and the Fix
Cauliflower Mac n Cheese by Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Gouda and Sriracha Macaroni and Cheese by Savory Experiments
Southern Macaroni Pie by Pint Sized Treasures
Chicken Fajita Mac n Cheese by One Mama's Daily Drama
Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese by Organized Island
Jalapeno Artichoke Mac n Cheese by Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Bacon Truffle Oil Macaroni and Cheese by Atta Girl Says
Chicken Alfredo Mac and Cheese by Happy Go Lucky
Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese by Eclectic Mom Sense
Bacon Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese by Baking Beauty
Buffalo Cauliflower Macaroni & Cheese by Hello Little Home

Find more favorite recipe ideas here.

7 Hidden Gems Of New York City

New York may not be the capital city of the United States of America, but it's certainly the American city that captures imaginations right across the globe, including in its neighbouring country of Canada. Walking the streets of New York can take the breath away, and it can seem that at every turn you're confronted by an iconic building or location. The Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park; these are among the most famous tourist destinations in the world, but whilst these are all great places to see, there's more to New York City than just the cliched images of a thousand movies. By exploring the hidden or lesser known gems of New York City, you can get a true picture of this incredible, vibrant and diverse city, and have a vacation you'll never forget.

How to Get to New York City

One of the things that makes New York so popular is that it's incredibly easy to get to, with a fantastic infrastructure and three airports within its metropolitan area. As it's in the north of the United States it's particularly quick and easy to reach from Canada, which is why over three million Canadians visit the state of New York every year. Porter Airlines are the specialists in great value flights to New York from Toronto, as well as to locations across Canada. They not only provide quick and regular flights to New York at a great price, but they also pride themselves on providing a high-quality flight experience to all their passengers, including the provision of free beer, wine and snacks during the flight. That means you can touch down in New York City relaxed and refreshed, and ready to explore these seven delightful attractions.

The Whispering Gallery

New York has to be one of the most romantic cities in the world, so it's a perfect place for a honeymoon or anniversary vacation, or as a place to propose to the one you love. It's such a popular and bustling city, however, that you may not get the chance to whisper in your beloved's ear, and you can't easily shout romantic words. Fear not, for the Whispering Gallery allows you to utter words of love that only your significant other can hear. The whispering gallery is in the magnificent Grand Central Station, adjacent to the Oyster Bar, a fantastic place for travelers to dine. Simply stand at opposite ends of the archway and whisper, and by the magic of architecture and acoustics the person at the other end of the archway will be able to hear what you whisper perfectly. It's a lot of fun that can lead to a lifetime of memories.

The Flatiron Building

New York is famous for its skyscrapers, so of course we have to mention the Ground Zero memorial here - it's an incredibly moving sight. If we look further back at the history of skyscrapers however, our thoughts probably turn to the Empire State Building, with or without King Kong at its summit. There's another skyscraper which in our opinion is even more beautiful and which should be just as iconic, but you won't find the same crowds around it: The Flatiron Building, or to give it its official name, the Fuller Building. Dating from 1902, this 22-story building is one of the world's oldest skyscrapers and it's certainly one of its most beautiful high-rise structures. Once seen up close, its unique wedge shape will stay in your memory forever.

Off-Broadway

Broadway has become synonymous with high quality, large cast, expensive production musicals, and you'll certainly enjoy a night watching just about any show there. Watching a blockbuster production can be highly entertaining, but New York City also does some of the best radical theater in the world, and you can find something to suit all tastes at Off-Broadway theaters. These intimate theaters allow you to get closer to the action, not to mention having tickets that provide exceptional value for money. You'll find everything here from classics of world theater to brand new productions from tomorrow's stars, so you never know who you might see on an Off-Broadway stage.

The Elevated Acre

We all know of Central Park - wherever we live, it's the green urban space that our park aspires to, but whilst any trip to New York simply has to include a sojourn there, for something excitingly different and yet relaxing at the same time, it's hard to beat the Elevated Acre. It's an acre of green and pleasant land that's perfectly cultivated, but as its name suggests, it's high up in the sky. Located on Walter Street in the heart of Manhattan's financial district, it's suspended between two skyscrapers and that means that it provides incredible views over the Hudson River, Brooklyn Bridge and more. It's a great place to lie back and pass an hour or two, and if you feel a little thirsty, it even has its own beer garden area featuring some of New York's finest craft beers.

The Smallpox Hospital

You may not think that seeing a smallpox hospital could be the highlight of a visit to the United States' most exciting city, but once you've visited the Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island, you'll see what all the fuss is about. It's a shell today that nature is beginning to take possession of once more, but what a marvelous ruin it is. This is a historically significant building, as it was at the forefront of New York's battle against smallpox until it closed in 1956, exactly a hundred years after it opened. This is unlike any other building you'll see in New York, and it resembles a cross between a medieval European castle and the kind of Gothic house of horror you'd see in a movie. Above all, it's a fantastic location to take some unique shots to impress your friends on social media with.

The Museum of Ice Cream

New York is a city of contrasts temperature wise, so whilst you'll need to wrap up warm in winter, you're sure to find warm, sunny days in summer. It doesn't matter how old we are, when the heat rises, we all want an ice cream, so why not head to the Museum of Ice Cream in Soho? It's one of New York's newest attractions, and it's sure to be popular for years to come. Don't expect a boring istory lesson, but do expect lots of interactive exhibitions that encourage you to get right to the heart of the ice cream fun. This is a museum that really does make learning cool, and there are plenty of gorgeous ice cream treats to enjoy as well.

The Berlin Wall

No single structure came to symbolise the second half of the 20th century as much as the Berlin Wall. It divided east from west, capitalism from communism, and when it was finally torn down in 1989 the world would never be the same again. You don't have to go to Germany to see remnants of this once fearsome wall, because there's a section of it to be found on New York's Madison Avenue. It's an art installation comprised of slabs from the Berlin Wall, but they've been transformed into an exhilarating mural by Kiddy Citny and Thierry Noir, two of Germany's leading contemporary urban artists.

From the Berlin Wall to a sky-high park and a spooky abandoned smallpox hospital, you'll be amazed what you can find in New York City when you head off the beaten track.With best luggage brands to get you there in style and thanks to airlines like Porter, it's never been easier to reach the big apple, so make this the year you enjoy a big New York vacation.

Spooky Pallet Sign

Need a last minute Halloween decoration? These spooky pallet signs are perfect for a quick craft that adds a lot of character to your space.

I have been making lots of stuff with pallets. From my cute reclaimed black cats, to some sweet serving trays to share with friends. I also made a slew of these spooky signs and shared them with a few neighbors.

These are so easy to make.  You need no skills and no special tools.  You can truly create them completely from scrap materials. If you are able to find scrap wood in a 12-18" size, that would ideal. If not, a hand saw or circular saw will be useful  in cutting down a pallet to the size you want to use.

Supplies:
An MFD board
Paint in several colors
A small paint brush
A soda tab
A screw
A screwdriver.

Directions:
Place a soda tab in the center of the board, line it up so it is even with the board at the top.
Screw it in.
Flip the board over and paint it the color you desire. I went with a light orange.
Allow to dry.
When the base coat is dry, paint Spooky on the board. I did this by hand, but you can use a stencil to get perfect letters. I was going for a creepy look, and perfection wasn't needed.
When the spooky letters have dried, dip a paint brush in another color, like green, or purple.
Extending an index finger, tap the paint brush against the finger to create splatters on the sign below.
Repeat as desired.
Allow to dry before displaying.
If you are displaying outside, spray with a sealant.

Make a few in a variety of creepy phrases and decorate your space in spooktacular, splendor without spending a cent! You can make this sign in only about 15 minutes, asides from the waiting for the paint to dry. 

If you liked this easy pallet project you might want to check out more of my favorite DIYS!

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Play Doh Pumpkin Faces

Play Doh Pumpkin Faces are perfect for hands on play on a fall day.

My kids want to carve a pumpkin or two every day. It becomes a whole thing. From the face, to the roasting of the seeds and then displaying. They really take things seriously at Halloween.

While I love to do pumpkins with them, I don't always have time to carve a pumpkin a day. This year I found a way to give them what they want anytime they want it with these play doh pumpkin faces!

This post contains affiliate links. I will earn an advertiser fee if you make a purchase. Thanks!

This is such an easy activity! All you need are 2 cans of play doh and a sheet of black paper and you are in business.

First, invite your child to cut out various shapes for the pumpkin face. Ovals, triangles, squares and creepy teeth are perfect.

Then invite your child to smash the orange play doh into the shape of a pumpkin.

Use green play doh if you desire a stem.

Now, let your child make as many faces as they want.

This is a fun way to keep them busy and happily making pumpkin faces for hours.

If you liked this Halloween activity, check out all of my Halloween ideas.

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DIY Pumpkin Window Clings