gifts

Earn Gift Cards with Surveys on MyPoints.com!

Abby H.

Last week was a no-work week for me, which is why you saw a lot more posts from me. At my 9-5 job, when we are closed, we don’t work, which means….. I don’t get paid.

Except for the holiday and the day after (it’s a floating holiday), that means I had 3 unpaid days off last week. What’s a girl to do, besides clean out the closets, steam clean the couch, take the kids to the zoo, and visit the eye doctor?

SURVEYS!

I spent my time between loads of laundry/meal prep/dishes and at 6 am every day (the cat doesn’t understand days off) doing surveys to earn a little extra money for the holidays. And Groceries.

I completed most of the surveys on MyPoints.com, which, in addition to offering a large number of surveys, also helps you save and earn money shopping online.

Here are some of the surveys available as of Monday night that I qualify for. 

 

For reference, 1600 points are equal to a $10 gift card. I usually get gift cards to stores where I can buy groceries, or I get gift cards that I can give as gifts.

I also completed surveys on Verasight, where I cashed out $10.00, and Paid ViewPoint, where I cashed out $15.00. I completed a few other misc. surveys I had in my email, including 4 software reviews on G2. Those pay $10 each. I was able to cash out about $90.00 in gift cards from My Points.

I didn’t get paid for any of the following, but I might later down the road if I get picked for a PRC research study. I post about those about once a week, or when they send me emails. They have a lot of various research studies available for people all across the US. Here are some I posted last week.

Today ONLY: Save 10% off TARGET GIFT CARDS!!

Abby H.

This is a freaking RUN deal!

Though today, score 10% off Target Gift Cards- In Store or online. Make sure to add the Target offer to your app.

And if you are a RedCard holder, you’ll get your usual extra 5% off.

There is a limit of $500 in gift cards, it’s an amazing deal.

If you haven’t checked out Target Circle lately, there are all sorts of great deals, especially on toys ($10 off $50 and $25 off $100), and all sorts of gift deals for big people too.

Click here to get started!

Two Very Practical Gifts for Busy Families!

Abby H.

I was texting with some relatives yesterday, and they had gone through everyone’s Amazon Wishlists and didn’t like anything on the lists. The wishlist didn’t have anything “Exciting”.

So they asked me what I thought these adults with kids would want for the holidays. First of all, If it’s on someone’s wishlist and it’s not super expensive, just buy it. It doesn’t have to be something exciting. It doesn’t matter if the gift giver likes it or thinks it’s “Exciting”, it’s what the recipient wants.

I’m an adult for Pete’s sake. For me, an exciting gift is a nice new set of sheets for my bed or a box of produce on my doorstep.

If you are looking for a gift that will WOW the adults in your life, here are some suggestions:

Meal Plan/Meal Prep: Seriously. Do you know what’s exciting? Not having the decide what to eat every single day of my life. For those of you who live near Dream Dinners, They have many different gifting options. There are locations all over the US, and many locations will ship if you are too far/busy to visit a location.

Another Meal Prep option is What a Crock. They have locations all across the Mid-Atlantic, and they also ship as well.

What I like about What A Crock is that you choose how many portions of each Entree you want. They also have holiday bundles and even gift cards!

 

If your gift recipients live in San Diego County and meal prep isn’t what you are feeling, produce boxes are it! I love Yasukochi Family Farms CSA boxes. We’ve been getting them for about 2 years, and it’s the perfect gift in my opinion. Locally grown fresh fruits and veggies are delivered to the gift recipient’s door each week. You can contact the farm here and find out more about ordering boxes as gifts!

If you aren’t a San Diego, Ca local and are interested in CSA or farm boxes, my recommendation is that you visit your local farmer’s market and ask some of the farmers if they offer one. I am not a fan of some of the farm boxes that are advertised online, as they are not from local farmers.  As the great-granddaughter of a farmer, I fully support local farms.

 

Talk Back: What’s on your Amazon Wishlist?

8 Gifts for the Sensory Seeker on Your List

Abby H.

There are a lot of reasons people are sensory seekers- For the most part, Fidgets and the like keep their bodies busy and it allows their brains to focus. People with ADHD, ODD, ADD, ASD, or simply those who are very stressed, may “fidget” to help focus.

Fidget spinners, doodling, and tactile small toys are all great. Some people who are sensory seekers (whether they know it or not), require more such as deep pressure or being bundled up. Regardless of whatever type you have, here are some of our favorite gifts that have helped our family:

Remember the Bop It toy from the 90’s? Twist it, pull it, bop it? This Fidget cube is the smaller, more discreet version. With 6 different tactile fidgets, it’s a great way to discover whatever kind of sensation works best.

If you are looking for something bright and colorful, a little more engaging…
These “snake” fidgets as we call them, are IT.

We have some in the sensory box, my car, and the kids’ backpacks. They are fun- you can make a circle, or a snake, my son likes to bend them in weird ways and pretend it’s his mustache.

If you are new to the world of fidgets and sensory toys, this is a great “starter pack”.  It has all sorts of great small toys. They are discreet too.

Some people need sensory items to help them decompress. Items like weighted blankets are great for this type of need. Weighted blankets act like a hug and release feel-good hormones in your body, and help quash the stress hormones like cortisol (1). Weighted blankets for adults should be 10% of their body weight. For growing kids, it should be 10% of their current weight, plus 1-2 pounds to allow for growth (2). I really like this weighted blanket, especially since it has a removable cover. It comes in 2 sizes and 4 different weights.

My big kid loves being wrapped up in a blanket, almost like being swaddled. That gets exhausting after a while, so I took to the internet to find a solution.

Hug Sleep, Sleep Pod is perfect. Especially with a weighted blanket on top!

For fun time, when rolling around and being silly, we’ve found that this stretchy sack is tons of fun, and helps him regulate. And yes, these type of sacks come in adult sizes too!

The next item, while not a toy or fun doodad, is essential in my mind. Not just for sensory seekers, but for those that just need a break from sounds. Loop Earplugs are a life changer. My big kid is easily overwhelmed by sounds, especially out in public, or when his sister is having a hard time herself and is vocal about her troubles. They are discreet too, which is important for tweens and teens.

The last two items are both in my car at all times.

Some sensory seekers chew. Were you a pencil chewer as a kid? Always have gum at your desk? “Chewelry” or silicone jewelry that’s meant to chew on keeps your pencils and fingernails safe.

My big kid has these sweet shark tooth necklaces. There is one in my car (and one in his backpack). He informed me that all the cool kids at school have them. He also told me some junior high girls have pacifiers- which was popular when I was in high school…

And finally, these Liquid Motion Bubblers are great for helping kids (and adults) calm down and center. Remember a few years ago when DIY calm-down jars were all the rage? These are a much better idea- They aren’t going to open and get everywhere. One of these lives in my center console for when kiddos need to listen to some quiet music and re-center themselves.

2022 Holiday Resources

Abby H.

I will be updating this post as more information becomes available.  This year is very light on programs that are open to anyone, so I recommend that you lean on your community resources:

  • If you receive WIC or SNAP benefits, check in with your social worker to see if they have any information on holiday help programs. Events like Toys for Joy are being held on a referral basis only. You have to receive an invitation from the event to attend. These are being given out by social workers and those with connections to the group.
  • If you attend church/synagogue/mosque, check with your religious leader or the secretary/office staff. They may have referrals to programs offering holiday help.
  • Check with your kids’ school. Talk to the school counselor, resource teacher, or school secretary.
  • If you frequent local food charities or co-op’s, they may have some resources on holiday events or toy giveaways.

Here is my monthly list of free food opportunities within San Diego County. Many of the food pantries also have special holiday distributions, so it is worth a call to find out of any additional food or gift distributions will be done.

As of now, I am not aware of any free Christmas tree giveaways, however, as I gather more information, I will update this post.

  • The Salvation Army does an Angel Tree program to gather gifts for children in need. For more information about this program, contact your local Salvation Army location.
  • 211 San Diego has a listing of all sorts of holiday assistance from food to toys, and events- all free. Some programs/events require proof of need, but not all.

santeesantas.pngIf you live in Santee and need help with food and gifts for the holiday, contact Santee Santas. You can download and print forms, check into eligibility (it is income-based and they are very strict from what I’ve been told), and see what forms you need in addition to the application here.

The window to apply for Santee Santas is closing in a few weeks, so if you want to apply, I recommend checking their website TODAY and apply ASAP.

Talk Back: If you know of any CONFIRMED free local holiday events in 2022, please leave a comment. 

 

Deal Alert: UNLIMITED 11×14 canvases for $9.99 each from Easy Canvas Prints

Abby H.

Easy Canvas  Prints is a company that takes digital photos and prints them on canvases. I love them because I can print really great summer pics of the kids and give them to relatives that live far away. I think that photo gifts are great for grandparents and great-grandparents.

This brand new Easy Canvas Prints deal offers UNLIMITED 11×14 canvases for $9.99 each! That’s 90% off of the original price. All other canvas print sizes are still 85% off. What a great deal!

You can have them directly shipped to the gift recipient too! To check out this deal, and the other deals on their site, visit Easy Canvas Prints.

Looking for a Holiday Gift? Give the Gift of a Stress-Free Meal!

Abby H.

There are some people who are impossible to shop for. They either have everything, or they don’t need/want stuff.  Well, I’ve got a great solution!

Everyone has to eat! Gift your family and friends near and far with easy, delicious meals from Dream Dinners. There is nothing better than filling their freezer with meals and giving them a break from the kitchen.

You have a couple options:

  • Have Dream Dinners Delivered: Ship four delicious dinners directly to their home. *Available in select states and zip codes.
  • Dinner for the Night: Add an extra meal or two to your monthly order to gift to friends and family.
  • Gift Card: Not sure what meals they would enjoy? A Dream Dinners gift card is the perfect solution.

And if you’ve never tried Dream Dinners, now is a great time! January time slots are filling up fast and there are a lot of great options in January’s menu (including lower-calorie options if part of your 2022 plans includes losing weight/eating less).

I’ll be writing more about Dream Dinners later this Month and into January. I’m really excited that they have more vegetarian options! If you are a San Diego, CA area local, keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook page for more information about a Dream Dinners event in January at the location in La Mesa, CA. 

2021 Holiday Resources

Abby H.2 Comments

I usually do these types of posts before Thanksgiving, but I’ve been looking for as many resources as possible to help those in need.

Much like last year, there aren’t a lot of free events, and most resources are stretched thin, as 2021 was as hard as 2020 for a lot of families.

The holidays are more than food and gifts, but no one should go hungry any time of year!

Here is my post with a list of food banks/pantries in San Diego. Many of the food pantries also have special holiday distributions, it is worth a call to find out of any additional food or gift distributions will be done.

As of now, I am not aware of any free Christmas tree giveaways, however, as I gather more information, I will update this post.

Toys for Joy will not be holding their annual event this year, instead, their site sends you to other resources such as The Rock Church for food, and The Salvation Army for other additional resources. The Salvation Army does an Angel Tree program to gather gifts for children in need. For more information about this program, contact your local Salvation Army location.

Sunday, December 19th, 2021 from 11am-2pm  is the annual H.O.P.E. event hosted by New Vision Church. Every child ages 0-11 will get a free toy! This is an all-free family fun event filled with free toys, carnival games and prizes, a live petting zoo, big bike giveaways, food, haircuts, jumpers, arts and crafts, live performances, DJ, and a whole lot more! The event will be held at both New Vision Church and Colina Del Sol Park and Recreation which is directly across the street. The entrance is at 5310 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92115.

Hope Leadership Academy is hosting an Event, Toys for Hope on December 18, 2021,9:00am – 1:00pm at the King Chavez School: 415 31st St. San Diego, CA 92102. Toys for Hope will be a walk-thru experience this year! Free toys for kids 13 and younger, free groceries, and bike raffles!

211 San Diego has a listing of all sorts of holiday assistance from food to toys, events- all free. Some programs/events require proof of need, but not all.

santeesantas.pngIf you live in Santee and need help with food and gifts for the holiday, contact Santee Santas. You can download and print forms, check into eligibility (it is income-based and they are very strict from what I’ve been told), and see what forms you need in addition to the application here.

The window to apply for Santee Santas is closing in just a few days, so if you want to apply, I recommend checking their website TODAY and apply ASAP.

Talk Back: If you know of any free local events, please leave a comment. 

Gallery glass DIY: easy faux stained glass window clings!

Abby H.1 Comment

About 10 years ago I was gifted a beautiful set of glass dishes from a friend. They were painted with my SCA device/badge (they are blue and white with blue and white Fleur de Lis). I still have them, what I love about them is they look like they were made from stained glass.

The person who gave them to me used Gallery Glass, which is a glass paint that looks like stained glass once it dries.

I have played around with this medium myself over the past few years, and recently I wanted to decorate the kid’s windows, a mirror, and make some window clings/fake stain glass for some friends.

Before we start this DIY, all of the items that you need to make these projects, as well as some more kid-friendly sun catchers can be found here in my Amazon storefront.

I do earn a small commission when you purchase items through my Amazon links, Think about it as buying me a cup of coffee, or a taco.

Using Gallery Glass is very simple. If you have ever used puffy paint or fabric paint, you can use gallery glass. You can paint on glass, you can paint on mirrors, or any sort of clear glass dish/cup/bowl, or you can make window clings like I will be showing you below.

For the window clings, I start with a high-quality heavy-duty page protector.

Find an image that you wish to make into a window cling. I’ve done Celtic Knot Bears, prehistoric fish, unicorns, mandalas. Whatever speaks to you!

Slip the printout/drawing of what you want to make into the page protector. You’re going to use the faux leading (if you run out of this and can’t find more in town, sometimes in a pinch I will use black fabric/puffy paint). If your image is all straight lines, you can use the peel and stick leading (found here).

For this project, I used white puffy paint on a glass picture frame. The black leading wouldn’t have “popped” as much, and the white gave me the detail I wanted.

You will outline your image with the faux leading, and allow it to dry. Depending on the weather/humidity it can be as little as a few hours, or it can take overnight to dry properly.

Finished project- Gift for my dad

Once the leading has dried, select your colors of gallery glass and fill in the leaded “panes“ and allow your creation to dry. I usually let them sit for 24 to 48 hours to dry all the way, and cure a little bit so they’re not tacky. Once that time has elapsed you can make it a permanent window cling by gently peeling your creation off of the page protector and applying it to the window/glass as needed.

If you want something you can move around, then you will remove the paper from the inside of the page protector, and cut the image out of the page protector. And then place the creation on the window. The side with the page protector adhered to it will be facing outwards/not against the glass.

If you were looking for ideas for different art styles or creations for your stained glass/window cling project, check out my Pinterest board here. This is a project that anyone can do. It is a fun project, it is not necessarily good for small children, but I would say anyone probably ages 10 and up can handle it. It does take a lot of patience. And a fairly steady hand. This is why I tend to get Suncatcher painting kits for the little kid to do while I work on these. She can sit and do her “Stainglass“ craft while I do mine. These make great gifts. And they are absolutely beautiful.

The supplies can be a little expensive, but once you have them, a bottle of gallery glass will last you between 5 to 10 projects, depending on what size, and how many other colors you’re using in your project. Some local craft stores sell gallery glass products in their stores, so before you buy them on Amazon, you might try your local craft store.

My next big project is a Pride Flag for my nibling. I’ll be using a piece of clear acrylic (18×24) and the peel and stick leading, since it’s all straight lines.

$20 Referral bonuses from BitmoPerks!

Abby H.

Bitmo is an app that I don’t use too often, but when I do, I save money and it makes me feel good!

It’s an app that you can use to send and receive gift cards.

You can also earn rewards when you shop through the app at specific retailers, like a lot of other apps (Dosh and Ibotta to name a few).

And one other thing that Bitmo does is it donates 2% of your gifting spend (that’s how much you spend on gift cards for others) to a charity- there are currently eight, including the San Diego Zoo, Rady’s Children’s Hospital, Feeding America, and The Salvation Army.

Right now they are offering bonus points when you refer new friends. 20,000 bonus points (that’s a $20 gift card) for everyone that joins, connects a card, and does a transaction. THey run referral bonuses a few times a year, but it’s usually for a $2-$5 Dunkin’ gift card or something small- Never a $20 bonus! And as far as I can tell, there is no limit on how many bonuses you can earn!

They are a San Diego, CA area business too. It’s cool to support local businesses, especially right now when a lot of small, local businesses could use the help.