gift ideas

10 Really Cool Gadgets I Found On Amazon

Cool Gadgets

Rustic Leather Key Chain & Headphone Wrap – perfect and classy way to wrap up your headphones to store in your car when you travel or at home.

Picture Keeper Pro – such a simple automatic backup for the things you love the most on your computer. Save your photos, videos, music and more!

Dodow Sleep Aid Device – a metronome with a light system; it teaches you how to fall asleep naturally without medication.

YnM Weighted Blankets – BEST SELLER! This blanket, designed to provide a good night’s sleep every night for those suffering with insomnia, anxiety, stress, Autism and more. Comes in a variety of sizes and weights in 12 different colors!

Fossil Men’s Smart Watch – stainless steel and leather touchscreen smart watch. Blue brown – check out the side and you can see the blue. Very classy!

Anker Powercore High Speed Charger – high speed charging technology for IPhones, Samsung Galaxy and more! Remarkably compact.

Wooden Docking Station – a very attractive desk organizer for smart phone, tablet, wallet, keys, glasses, coffee mug and more!

Peeps Eye Glass Cleaner –

Furbo Dog Cam

Sound Amplifier Bowl for Cell Phones

And here is Gadget Number 11!
This may not seem like much of a gift but if you work in a cubicle with fabric wall partitions, think of how handy these ☑️ Cubicle Clips will be! They stick to fabric or cork board without damaging the material they attach to. Get an assortment and have fun organizing your work space!

10 cool gadgets to give as great gifts and you can find them on Amazon! #ad #giftideas #tips Share on X

So, got any nifty gadgets you have found?

We’d love to hear about them!

Enjoy!

7 Best Accessories For Those Who Write All Day Long

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Do you know someone who sits at a computer all day long? Maybe it is you! Perhaps you are a blogger or maybe you are a virtual assistant, freelance writer, or a graphic designer. There are so many careers that require sitting at a computer, either at the office or working from home. For sure, writers sit at their computers for many hours at a time.

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Working from home can be a dream come true but any profession that requires sitting for 8 to 10 to 12 hours a day, or more, has its health hazards. Sitting in one position for too long is a strain on your frame. It cuts the circulation. If you work long hours at a computer, you need a strategy for getting up and changing your position regularly.

Best Accessories For Writers

As a blogger, I sometimes work at a desk, sometimes at the kitchen counter or at a table outdoors on the deck. Then, in the evening, I move to the family room where I can work on my laptop so that the whole family can be together. Those evening hours are often used to schedule social media shares. It is less work but, again, I am sitting! It has been recognized that standing, while you are working at a computer, is an excellent alternative. You can stand some of the day and sit at other times.

View the best selling standing desks on Amazon with lots of real customer reviews=>> ☑️ Best Selling Standing Adjustable Height Desks

So here are some gadgets that I found to help minimize the toll that a writing career can take on you. These accessories can make a world of difference to your overall health and vitality…

7 Best Accessories To Help Those Who Work At Computers All Day Long

Standing Desk – neither sitting nor standing for hours on end is good. The healthy trend is to include adjustable standing desks in the office and at home. My brother purchased one for each of the designers in his company, so I have seen them in action. They can be installed right on your existing desk. It is a breeze to adjust the height so that you can stand for a while and then sit down again. What a great invention!

Anti Fatigue Standing Mat – whether you have decided to step into “standing desk world” – or are doing what I do which is to clear a section of the kitchen counter where I set up my laptop – you need to cushion those feet! My kids bought me a pad to stand on in my kitchen and it really reduces the shock to my hips, knees, ankles and feet. I always use it when I write at the counter. I also use it when I am standing at the counter to cook. (Note: wearing great athletic shoes and socks helps, too. Wear anything that can provide comfort, support and reduce shock.)

Ergonomic Mouse – they are scientifically designed mouses (mice?) that allow for easy motion and reduced stress.

Laptop Pad – for those who like to work while sitting on the sofa or lounging in bed, a laptop pad or couch table is a great help. Laptop pads shield your legs from the heat of the laptop, are anti-slip and many styles include a mouse pad tray. I just bought the Max Smart Laptop Pad after a couple of silly years of using a cardboard beverage tray from the local fast food restaurant to keep the laptop off of my lap. Oh my goodness, what a joy to have this pad!

Office Foot Rest – Take some of the strain off your hips and legs by using an ergonomic foot rest while you sit at your desk.

Keyboard and Mouse Wrist Rests – prevent fatigue and damage to your hands, wrists and arms as you work long hours at the computer by using specially designed rests. They are not expensive, as things go, and the benefits will save you a world of hurt

Comfortable Desk Chair – if your desk chair is uncomfortable, it is time to invest in a new one. There are many ergonomic designs. I was fortunate enough to try a new chair at the design company where I work that is perfect for me. Though this chair was not described as “ergonomic,” I can sit at my desk for hours and feel great.

So I bought one for my home office=>☑️ see my FAVORITE desk chair ever!

7 best accessories and gadgets to help people who sit at their computers all day long! #giftideas #healthy #tips Share on X

Have you come up with any great ideas for promoting good health on your job?

We’d love to hear about them!

Enjoy!

8 Great Gift Ideas That Will Make Dads Smile

Teacher Appreciation Week

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National Teacher Appreciation Week is in early May every year. This year it is May 7-11 with Tuesday May 8th being “Teacher Appreciation Day.” I have had the great pleasure of being a high school guidance counselor, PreK – 12 school office administrator and a preschool teacher and I can tell you that teachers and support staff need a big salute once in a while. They all love what they do for a living but the pressure is great. A little “tender loving care” is a big boost to morale.

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Having worn so many hats in the education world, I can tell you that there are so many ways for you to bless a teacher. There are some very cute coffee mugs for teachers as well as desk accessories made just for them.

Now here is a tip: young elementary school teachers NEED to have their own laminator at home but may not have one. If the teacher you want to recognize with a gift does not have one, get her (or him) one. I use mine all the time! Laminating sheets go fast, too. Extra sheets are a huge blessing. [It is rare for a school to be able to pay for everything that a teacher needs for the classroom. Truly, extra sheets are a great gift!]

Here is a list of some excellent gift ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Note: If your teacher has a special hobby like crafting, gardening, decorating, sewing, cooking or sports you can really stretch your imagination in your gift giving. And don’t forget that teachers could use a night out on the town. A gift card to a restaurant is not only a treat, it is a meal that she doesn’t have to cook at home. Give a teacher a night off from the kitchen!

Don’t skip the extravagant gifts, either. If you want to get her/him a Cricut DIY cutting machine or something else a little pricey, get some other parents together to pitch in. What a great surprise that would make!

Scotch brand laminator – this is the brand I use and I absolutely love it!

Laminating sheets – the more sheets the better. They go fast!

Desk Clocks – here are some very classy designs.

Cricut Bundle Set – such a cool tool for the “crafty teacher”

Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon – great for sports equipment, playground balls and toys, etc.

Succulent Planter – artificial works for the classroom. Schools are hurting for outdoor light. Artificial “like real” plants are perfect.

Wall Art – administrators have offices and a change in wall decor is such a nice idea. How about a state or world map for their wall?

Teacher Totes – teachers haul a lot of things to and from school. A trendy tote bag is a perfect gift! Check this out: 2-1 insulated cooler lunch tote bag for teachers (great for busy moms too!)

Got any great Teacher Appreciation Week gift ideas?

We’d love to hear about them!

A bevy of great ideas for showing your heartfelt appreciation for #teachers #giftideas Share on X

Enjoy!

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited Is All Kid Stuff – Nothing Grown Up!

How To Make A Bean Bag That Will Be The Best Gift They Ever Got!

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I kid you not – this bean bag could easily be the best gift you have ever given! I received a bean bag as a Christmas gift one year when I was a high school guidance counselor. Our receptionist gave it to me as a holiday gift and I still count it as one of the best gifts I have ever received!

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This bean bag is not a toy and is for use by adults. It is a heatable pillow filled with corn and it makes life so much nicer. You can place the bag in your microwave, heat it for 1 -2 minutes and use it to warm your hands, your feet or anyplace else that needs to be warmed. *Always supervise the heating of a bean bag in a microwave. Do not ever leave it unattended.

I did not have any aches or pains at the time I received mine but I was working in an environment where our office got extremely cold during the winter. The school building was circa 1939 and the chilling winter wind would whip right through the large room. I could barely type on my keyboard, it was so cold. So, I would bring that bean bag to school every day, nuke it and keep it on my lap. As my hands got too cold, I would slip them under that delightful little gift to get the feeling back in my fingers. I never left it at school, though. It always came home with me so that I could use it as a bed warmer. I placed that heated bean bag under the covers, right where my feet would be. They stayed toasty warm all night long!

After many years and many washings (it has a washable outer cover) the kernels inside the bag disintegrated. It was time to learn how to make one myself!

Making a bean bag proved to be easy to do. In fact, it was fun to make. So, I made a whole bunch of them as holiday gifts. My niece still uses hers today. My second bag lasted another 5+ years. We’d still be using it now but it disappeared. I have no idea how you lose such a valuable tool of comfort but it’s gone!

Just this week, my hubby was experiencing some very sore shoulders and asked where ours had gone. It truly had vanished. I have no clue where it went. He really needs a couple of them so I made two and I photographed the process for you so that you can make some, too.

These “bean bags” are more precisely “corn bags” because they are filled with whole corn kernels. They are the kind of corn kernels that you use for feeding livestock and can be purchased at your local feed store or possibly a garden or pet store. You can also order them online from Amazon, which is as easy as it gets!

I bought my corn kernels at a feed store. They told me that many crafters come into the store but they often buy flax seed, because it is less moist. Wanting to stick with what I know, I solved the moisture problem by slow-baking a big baking tray full of the corn feed on a baking sheet. I started it at 350° and set my timer for about an hour. Then I reduced the heat to 225° and left it for another 4 hours. It did not damage the corn* and the corn dried it out nicely. Cool the corn kernels completely before stuffing your bean bag.

Tip: keep an eye on the corn while in the oven. If you see it starting to “toast” you will want to reduce the heat right away.

How To Make A Bean Bag

The parts of your bean bag consist of an inner bag, which will be completely sown closed after it has been filled with the corn kernels, and an outer bag. The outer bag is a cover, like a slip cover, that has an opening to allow you to remove it for washing. Be sure to use durable, washable fabric. In this instance, I used a brand new white pillowcase that I cut down to make two inner bags. The outer cover is made from cotton or flannel fabric. The cover on my original bag was a pretty flannel so it was very soft.

Tools & Supplies Needed For Making A Bean Bag

1 cotton pillowcase

1 yard soft washable printed fabric (cotton or flannel)

3-4 cups whole kernel corn feed for animals

Sewing Machine

Directions

Pre-wash the fabric and dry it to assure that there will be no shrinkage when you wash the outer cover in the future.

Cut the printed cotton or flannel fabric in a rectangle. I used an 8 1/2 X 11 inch piece of copy paper as a pattern. This will be the outer slip-cover for your bag.

Utilizing the already sewn sides and bottom of the pillowcase, cut two internal bags. They should be approximately 7 1/2 X 10 inches. All you have to do is take that copy paper and a ruler and cut 1 inch off one short end and one long end of the paper and you will have the pattern for this internal bag.

The inside bag gets totally sown on all sides. First, sew three sides and a couple of inches of the fourth. Leave a long section open so that you can turn it right side out and fill it with the prepared whole kernels of corn.

Now, sew the remaining open part so that the corn is securely inside. Next, it is time to make the pretty outer cover.

Fold over the two long sides of the rectangle of fabric about an inch and sew them to finish them. They will become the open “envelop” part of your slip cover.

Fold the rectangle in thirds so that the finished parts overlap each other about an inch.

Pin the ends and sew them.

Turn the slip cover right side out and stuff it with the bean bag

You are done!

How to make a bean bag. It provides comforting warmth and makes a perfect gift! #DIY #giftideas #crafts #healthy Share on X

Whole Kernel Corn Feed For Animals

Using Your New Homemade Bean Bag

IMPORTANT: Every microwave is different so it is important that you test it out on yours. It is very important to know that heating this non-food item in a microwave could be dangerous if it gets too hot and could even be a fire hazard if heated too long. Start with 1 minute and work your way up, if desired. Make sure the bean bag can still easily be handled in your bare hands and is not too warm. ALWAYS stay right by the microwave while it is heating. Stop the microwave if you detect any problem. Do NOT use for young children.

*This author is not responsible for the use or misuse of this craft. Please do not allow children to operate a microwave or use a bean bag.

Enjoy!

Painting Rocks Is Fun And They Make Great Gifts

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If you are looking for a different kind of craft to make with your kids, try painting rocks. It is fun and full of possibilities for gift giving. Painted rocks make great paper weights, accents for gardens, even game pieces for tic tac toe! What other ways can you think of for using painted rocks?

How to Paint Rocks

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1. First, find some smooth stones or rocks. You may have them right in your own backyard but, if you don’t, stop by your local Dollar Tree and buy some. They often have collections of rocks in their craft section and it costs, you guessed it, a DOLLAR!

2. Next, wash and dry the stones.

3. Paint each stone with a base color that will be your background. Use Acrylic Outdoor Paints. For texture, you can dot the paint with a dry sponge. Allow each rock to dry well before proceeding to the next step.

4. Now, lightly draw the outline of your design onto the rock. You will use it as a guide for the paint. Chalk or pencil work well for drawing the pattern or words on.

5. Carefully paint the design, using a different brush for each color. Again, allow the paint to dry unless it is your intention is to blend colors. If so, go for it and mix away!

6. Finally, paint the whole rock with a clear sealant such as Modge Podge to protect the color.

Tip: if you will be layering colors, dry each layer well before adding the next one.

River Rocks for painting!

Rocks and stones can also be purchased at local hobby shops or delivered right to your door by ☑️ Amazon.

“A heartwarming storybook about a little stone who was able to spread kindness to the world!” ad

Delightful Design Ideas for Rock Painting

Here are some delightful design ideas for rock painting. Do not let the artistic expertise scare you. Some of the cutest little rock paintings have been made by amateurs like you and me! How about making pet rocks or pet CACTUS rocks [pictured below!] Cutest idea ever!