Yearly Archives: 2015

Back-to-School 3D Food Pencil Cases

Queen Darlene - August 6, 2015 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids, Party Favors

I remember as kids the excitement of getting new Back-to-School clothes and school supplies.

Mom enjoyed taking us shopping. Looking back I think she was like every parent, happy and ready for school to start!

Some of you may remember buying shoes at Payless where you could purchase two pairs for $5. That was their big campaign slogan a long long time ago.

Purchasing three-ring binders, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, #2 pencils, Bic pens and folders with pictures of a popular TV show were the main school supply staples of the baby boom era during which I grew up.

I’ve gotta tell you, there’s a lot more fun things to choose from now! I found a back-to-school item that will keep things organized AND that kids will think is cool – a 3D Food Pencil Case!

You can buy pencil cases that look like pizzas, ice cream sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream cones, bagels, bananas, pita breads, and cookies to mention a few. Sorry these items are no longer available. You can still get cute food pencil cases through Amazon.com

M&Ms Money Jar

Queen Darlene - August 5, 2015 - Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Graduation, Kids, Money

Did you know M&Ms go with anyone’s diet? It’s true when money is hidden within the M&Ms!

Giving money in a creative way and as a surprise will always make the gift memorable. If it’s impressive and simple, many times the recipient will use the gift idea for someone else!

You’ve heard that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” I love hearing that someone copied one of our gift ideas. That’s Sunburst Gifts at its finest!

I’m hoping the M&Ms Money Jar becomes a gift people will use over and over again.

Items you will need for this money gift:

M&Ms
A canning jar with lid
Toilet paper roll
Cash
Wrapping paper

Personalized Notepads & Sticky Notes | Teacher Appreciation Gift

Princess Diana - August 4, 2015 - Teacher Gifts

I have good news. This teacher appreciation gift can be used for both male and female teachers!

Teachers regularly write notes to send home with their students. You have the opportunity to make that task more fun and stylish with personalized notepads and sticky notes. You’ll even save them time by not having to sign their name!

personalized-notepads-sticky-notes-teacher-appreciation-gift

Male and female teachers will enjoy receiving personalized notepads can they can use all year long.

For a unique teacher appreciation gift, give notepads or sticky notes with the phrases “A Note From” or “From the Desk of” and the name they’re called by their students. It could be Mrs. Brown, Ms. Laura or Mr. Brownlee.

A personalized notepad or sticky note (Post-its) with just their name looks great too. It’s up to you!

Lovebirds, A Pair of Lovers | Wedding Gift Idea

Queen Darlene - July 30, 2015 - Anniversary, Valentine's Day, Wedding

My high school friend Becky found true love and will soon get married. Only this time, her grandchildren are going to be there. So what do you get a couple who has lived a life time already and has every thing?

I spotted a picture of lovebirds when shopping in a craft store. Immediately, Becky and her soon-to-be husband came to mind. Her stories of him and how much they love each other sounded just like a couple of lovebirds.

Bill works as a truck driver and every time he returns home, he always brings one, two, three or more flower bouquets for her. He has brought her flowers every week for three years!

Now, he knows what romance is all about. Sounds like a keeper to me! No wonder she is head-over-heels crazy in love.

I purchased the picture of love birds and for that “thoughtful twist” explained the special meaning behind why I chose it. After researching the definition of lovebird and finding some interesting facts, I typed the following information, and taped it to the back of the picture. Continue Reading

Money Bag | Two Gifts in One

Queen Darlene - July 29, 2015 - Birthday, Christmas, Graduation, Money, Mother's Day

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words “Money Bags?” Someone with lots of money, right? Well… here’s a gift idea for a Money Bag (singular) that will fit anyone’s budget.

This gift is a “twofer” as my husband would say.

Purchase a purse with lots of pockets and zippers. (For the guys, use a backpack.)

The more pockets and zippers to hide cash and coins, the more fun and surprised the recipient will be. You can either insert the bills so they are hidden or visible the moment they open their gift.

Fill the middle part of the purse with as many crumpled dollar bills needed to make it look full. Of course, the amount of cash is up to you. (When using a backpack, you may want to just fill the outer compartments with cash to make those look full.)

There you have it! A Money Bag full of money! Two gifts in one!

A beautiful purse or cool backpack and some spending cash is a memorable gift for birthdays, Christmas, graduations or Mother’s Day.

In suggesting gifts: Money is appropriate, and one size fits all. – William Randolph Hearst

Best Way to Come Up With a Going Away Gift

Princess Diana - July 28, 2015 - Going Away

There are few thing harder than saying goodbye to a friend. An exception might be picking out a going away gift.

They can be tricky. That’s probably why Hallmark doesn’t have a “Going Away Gifts” aisle in its stores.

Here’s my #1 rule for going away presents – give something that means something.

If your gift item doesn’t hold special meaning, then there’s no point in giving it. Your friend doesn’t need more stuff to haul in the moving truck. It’s full as it is!

The best way to come up with a meaningful going away gift is to reflect on your friendship and HOW you spent time together.

What was your “thing?’ Did you bond by going to the movies, eating at new restaurants or attending your favorite team’s sporting events?

Now, think of a gift that ties in with what you enjoyed doing together.

If you liked going to the movies or out to eat, you could get a gift card to a movie theater or a popular restaurant where he or she will be living. If you liked attending sporting events, you could get him or her new fan gear, maybe even buy yourselves matching shirts or hats! You could also frame a photo of the two of you at a game.

My friend Beth and I loved dressing up to go out to eat, drink and dance. We also bonded by volunteering with Girl Scouts.

Money Treasure Dig | Fun Gift for Kids

Princess Diana - July 27, 2015 - $20 or Less, Kids, Money

Kids love to dig for treasure in the sand. Kids also love money.

Combine those two things and you’ve got yourself a Money Treasure Dig that is a perfect money gift for younger children!

All you need are a Plastic Beach Pail and Shovel, Play Sand, and money coins.

Pour a layer of sand in the bucket and then drop a few quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. Pour sand on top of the coins until they’re hidden. Add more coins to the bucket and then add another layer of sand.

Send an Easy Peasy Video Get Well Message

Queen Darlene - July 23, 2015 - $20 or Less, Get Well

You’ve heard that a friend or family member is ill. You’re going to stop and pick up a get well card on the way home from work. Oops, life gets in the way and you’ve forgotten – again!

A video get well message is so much better than a get well card!

Don’t sweat it. I have a thoughtful and entertaining solution that works even better than a get well card. I know because it happened to me.

I was home recuperating from surgery when I received a message on my cell phone. It wasn’t a text, and it wasn’t voice mail. It was a video get well message from several of my cousins! TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

I played the 10 second video over and over again because it made me laugh and grin from ear to ear. My cousins’ “thoughtful twist” of sending a video get well message instead of a get well card was both impressive and unexpected!

An easy peasy way to send a get well message is to pick up your smart phone, make a quick video and send. You’re done. No trying to remember to stop at the store to get a card.

Dropping Off Meals for New Parents | Easy Chicken Tacos Recipe

Princess Diana - July 21, 2015 - $20 or Less, Baby Shower, Congratulations, Food & Drinks

After having my first child, I felt so thankful to friends and family who came and visited bearing gifts of prepared meals. Between breastfeeding and let’s see… more breastfeeding, there was no time for anything else!

Drop off this ready-to-eat meal for family and friends with new babies. It’s easy to make and it will provide them with several hot meals!

Just by popping the food dishes we received straight into the oven or microwave, my husband and I could eat lots of hot meals with very little work. It was a blessing I tell you!

Our favorite dish came from one of our family members, Terri, who dropped off shredded chicken tacos and everything we needed to go with it.

Not only was it delicious, but we were able to get two dinners and two lunches out of it which was awesome because those were four meals we didn’t have to worry about at all.

I asked Terri for her chicken tacos recipe, and she happily shared it with me. Thanks Terri!

EASY PEASY CHICKEN TACOS

What Gift Should You Get for Someone With Cancer?

Queen Darlene - July 16, 2015 - Get Well

I was diagnosed with breast cancer February 27, 2015. No, I did not smoke. No, breast cancer does not run in my family. As a matter-of-fact there has never been any cancer in my family, period!

cancer-patient-calendar-thoughtful-gift-idea

Love the inspirational quotes & beautiful calendar to keep track of dr. appts.

I slowly began to tell family, friends and co-workers as I learned about my cancer, surgery and treatment. After the initial shock, everyone moved in orchestrated concert to give me their support. It was amazing!

I didn’t know what I needed but each phone call, text, video get well message, get well card, candy, hug, calendar, quote on canvas, journal and flowers were gifts that made me smile.

My co-workers immediately took over my duties and assured me they would handle it. They said, “Get well and don’t worry.”

My high school best friend took off from work and drove 2.5 hours to spend the day and take me to lunch. It had been years since we spent that much time together. It was like going back in time when we would talk non-stop about everything!