Family Trees

We all seem to have one or two people on our gift lists that are difficult when it comes to finding the right gift.  Often these are our grandparents or parents!  When I saw the beautiful Family Tress offered by LoviDay on Etsy I knew they would make a great gift for these members of the family!  Your Family Tree is an illustration of the amazing family they have helped create and what a wonderful gift for them to display in their home.

The names of the family members are randomly placed on leaves of the tree - love this!

Are you more of a DIYer?  LoviDay offers a Family Fingerprint Tree that includes a printed 'bare' 11" x 14" poster and 2 ink pads (1 light and 1 dark green) for you to create your own custom tree.  This would be a fun family activity on Thanksgiving or any of the upcoming family gatherings!

Looking for something for your little family?  LoviDay also offers a Whimsical Family Tree that has the parents names at the bottom and their children's names beautifully illustrated n the leaves of the tree.

LoviDay also has a wonderful selection of Guest Book Alternatives for weddings, baby showers, etc.

Total processing and delivery is typically 2-3 weeks, so keep this in mind when ordering for the holidays!

Free shipping for the holidays!! Use coupon code HAPPYHOLIDAYS.

Have Yourself a Merry LIttle Christmas {from Barn Owl Primitives}

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I've shared my love for Barn Owl Primitives before, and I'm back to remind you that Christmas orders must be placed by November 15th.  Only two weeks away!  So get out your Gift List and decide if a lucky someone will receive a Barn Owl Primitives sign this December!

Family Rules

I'm one of the lucky ones - my wonderful parents treated me to a Family Rules sign last year.  It hangs in my kitchen and I smile each time I read it!

Location Signs

I've also given signs from Barn Owl Primitives - my BIL loves his location sign!

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Don't forget - snag one of these amazing hand painted signs for someone special in the next two weeks!  I promise they will LOVE it!!

momAgenda - sprial planners at Staples

I've been using a momAgenda desktop planner for years now (see my post last year around this time)! I love my momAgenda desktop but each year money seems to get tighter and tighter and I struggle with the product price ($43) and shipping costs. Last year I was able to use a free shipping code but this year they are not offering free shipping for Back to School and wanted to charge me $8.95 shipping - ouch!

I decided to go with the 'new' spiral momAgenda ($24) because its cheaper and has the same functionality that I love in the desktop {but it doesn't have the fun color cover - boo!}. I went as far as I could to cut my cost by emailing the customer service rep and got a special shipping quote of just over $5. But before I ordered I was paging through the momAgenda FB page and noticed an older post about Staples carrying their products. I promptly went to Staples.com and discovered the wall calendar was almost half the cost at Staples! But they didn't list the spirals online .... so I stopped into a local Staples today and scored a spiral momAgenda for $19.99 - $10 less than I would have paid through the customer service rep and over $30 less than I would have paid if I purchased the desktop!

I saved money and I still have all of the functionality that I need to keep myself organized for the next year - YAY!! I'm off to write down all of our August and September events in my crisp new planner!

Sailor Tote Bag

Everything about this Sailor Tote Bag from Bayan Hippo says SPRING to me!

This tote has four inside pockets and a swivel clip for keys, and is lined in cotton.  Oh, the Sailor Tote Bag is really big and roomy and perfect for lots of different uses.  Everyday purse, Diaper bag, Weekly shopping, Book or magazine tote, and or course Beach bag.
 
Find it at Bayan Hippo's Etsy shop for $33 (plus $9 shipping). 
 
I have my eye on one of the Bella Bags too!

Headbandz

Well, I thought I was done with my Christmas shopping.  

Until I was told Headbandz is the hot new toy/game! 

I ordered it from Amazon (gotta love Amazon!) for under $15. 

Thanks to my Amazon Mom / Prime membership it should be here before the big day.

Thanks Tracey!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

I love the new Glee Christmas album but my Christmas season isn't complete without listening to A Charlie Brown Christmas at least once.  Its a timeless classic.

A Charlie Brown Christmas CD would make a perfect hostess gift, as well as a great addition to a family gift.  Priced under $17 from Amazon.

2010 Holiday Ornament from The Rusted Chain

There is something about annual Holiday Ornaments that catch my attention.  I love this one from The Rusted Chain because it is simple and beautiful.  Each one is stamped with their exclusive swirls, topped with a sparkling crystal and strung with silvery pewter velvet. 

The ornament can be completely personalized (up to 22 characters).  Here are some suggestions outside the the traditional 'Christmas 2010' and 'Baby's First Christmas':

~Merry and Bright 2010

~Peace Joy Love 2010

~Blessed 2010

Priced at $20 (plus shipping) but use the Penguin's Gift exclusive discount code penguin20 for 20% off through November 30!

***Keep in mind everything from The Rusted Chain is created/stamped by hand.

Order soon to ensure Christmas delivery!***

Location Signs and more {from Barn Owl Primitives}

In September I was doing some Etsy research on Halloween items and discovered Barn Owl Primitives.  There are lots of great Etsy stores but sometimes you just find yourself swooning over a certain store and their products.  That is how I felt about Barn Owl Primitives!  I went gaga for their Autumn sign that was featured on my Halloween Gifts post.  I hope to have one displayed on the mantle of my freshly painted family room next year!



Location Signs

Barn Owl Primitives School Location Signs ($30 plus shipping) caught my eye as well.  My BIL grew up in the town of his alma mater, most of his family still lives there, and he has a strong connection to the school.  He, like most of the men on my gift list, is very difficult when it comes to gift ideas.  So when I saw the Location Signs I knew it would be a perfect gift for him!  I let my SIL in on the gift idea and she already has a spot in his home office for it!!

This would also make a great graduation gift for all the December grads!

Location Sign

I also love the Location Signs that are customized by town and state ($30 plus shipping).  Again, this would be perfect for someone that is no longer living in their hometown or has a strong connection to a certain city.

Family Name Sign

These Family Name Signs ($45 plus shipping) would make a great family gift!  I love group, family gifts.  I can see one hanging in the foyer or the living room.  And of course over the mantle!

Family Rules Version III

Want to know which Barn Owl Primitives sign is on my Christmas list?  Its one of the Family Rules signs!  I'd love to hang it in my kitchen!!

Pop over to Barn Owl Primitives' Etsy shop and do some swooning of your own!  Be sure to 'like' them on Facebook so you won't miss out on any fun news!  

***Keep in mind all of these signs are handmade and take a few weeks to create.  Order soon to ensure Holiday delivery!***

momAgenda {free shipping}

Something new here at Penguin's Gift - I'll share some of my favorite online deals.  If you know me, then you know I *love* to shop online and have been almost exclusively buying online for years.  You'll also know that I love free shipping codes!  And of course, discount codes!!  So when I come across a promotion code and it is gift-related (and sometimes that could mean BUY THIS FOR YOURSELF!  You deserve a gift now and then, too) I'll be sure to share it with you!

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Back to School also means its time for a new planner.  I have used the momAgenda Desktop for three years and I love it!  The Desktop is a week-at-a-view which works great for me (they also offer a Daily that is smaller with a day-on-a-page layout).  The planner isn't too big to haul around if you like to have it with you (I leave mine at home on the table or near my computer) and has plenty of room for your appointments, activities, and a few date specific to-dos. 

The best part is momAgenda knows we need to organize our children's schedules as well!  They leave four rows for your child(ren) and their various appointments and activities.  Its a great way to keep the entire family organized!

I also use the bottom row titled 'dinners' for my meal planning.  I plan at least 5 meals a week and jot them at the bottom while I make my grocery list.  As I prepare a meal for dinner I easily cross out that meal idea.  This would work great if you meal planned by specific days.

No children to keep track of?  Then check out the myAgenda planners!

I've been holding out on buying my 2010-2011 momAgenda (the Desktop is an eighteen month planner) because the shipping charges are so high (my *only* negative about momAgenda).  Well, today is our lucky day!  momAgenda just released a free shipping code (FREEMOM) -- yipee!  Good through the end of Monday, August 1st.

I just ordered my Desktop in Ruby ♥!

Family Tree

This Family Tree from Naturally Meg's Etsy shop is one of many brilliant handmade creations on Etsy.  But who would have thought of putting together these elements.  Certainly not creatively-challenged me!

Fabric + cardstock + hand stitching =

a gorgeous piece of artwork to celebrate your family

The fabric tree is sewn onto 8x10 textured cardstock then the initials of parents and children are stitched onto the tree with a "carved tree" look.  You can request a removable mount so that additional initials can be added in the future.  Also, how about requesting hand stitching of two names.  Wouldn't a 'Jack + Diane' look so cute!  Great gift for an anniversary.

Be sure to check out her shop!  Naturally Meg offers these beautiful trees in a few different styles:  Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring and other fun patterns like dots, blossoms, and ones with a bird nest.  Priced at just $25 (plus $3.50 shipping).

Really Cute Stuff GIVEAWAY -- closed!

I was so happy to stumble upon Really Cute Stuff a few weeks ago.  Once I read their line 'Put the Fun Back into Hand Written Notes with Our Line of Custom Note Cards' I was hooked!  I've shared my love for note cards here before, especially personalized note cards, and I love an affordable gift idea.  These note cards can easily be customized with font and color of your choice.  For me, note cards are a no-fail gift idea.  From babies (so cute to see a new baby's name on stationary!) to small children to young adults to grownups, personalized note cards are perfect!

Really Cute Stuff has four different designs of note cards all sold in sets of 15, priced from $10-$15.

Signature $10 Note Cards

You can have lots of fun with the font and color choices on these cards!

The Color Collection
What a great selection of vivid complimenting colors to choose from.

Family Style Note Cards

Think outside the box with these. 

I love the suggestion of Teacher Cards with the name of the school in the background.  Also great for Summer Camp teachers as well as Swim Lesson teachers (name of pool in background).

Monogram Note Cards

(not yet pictured but available!)

A classic.  You can't go wrong with monograms!

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Today we kick off another great GIVEAWAY here at Penguin's Gift! Becky and Sally from Really Cute Stuff have generously offered my readers a chance to win one set of 15 super-cute note cards! If you are the lucky winner you can pick the personalized note cards set of your choice along with the color and font, all shipped directly to you from the lovely ladies at Really Cute Stuff.

You have 5 chances to WIN! Make sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry, and leave your email address if it is not easily visible on your profile or blog.

1. Hop over to Really Cute Stuff and leave a comment on this post telling us which of the wonderful note cards are your favorite (remember, the monogram note cards are so new they haven't made it to the store yet!).

Bonus Entries:

2. 'Like' Really Cute Stuff on Facebook.
Already 'like' Really Cute Stuff on FB?  You are eligible too!

3. 'Like' Penguin's Gift on Facebook.
Already 'like' Penguin's Gift on FB?  You are eligible too!

4. Subscribe to Penguin's Gift via blog reader or email subscription.
Current subscribers are eligible also!

5. Post/Blog/Tweet about this giveaway on Facebook, your blog, or Twitter and post a link with your comment.

This giveaway will close on Tuesday, July 27th. Please leave all of your comments by 10:00 p.m. on that day.  Good luck!!

Letter Banner

I have been obsessed with banners lately.  Remember my daughter's birthday banners?  Well they are now hanging in her room (and her sister's birthday banner from January is still in her room!).  Currently hanging over our fireplace is a beach ball banner spelling SUMMER! from Pumpkin Petunia. 

A few weeks ago I saw the Letter Banners made by Karina, Ink featured as a giveaway by mary elizabeth and fell in love.  Each letter is hand cut from beautiful coordinating cardstock and strung with ribbon or twine or raffia.  I think having a name (first or last) or an important/inspirational word banner would be so fun!  Great gift idea for the family that has it all.  Or to welcome a new baby.  Or a funky graduation gift.

Fortunately for all of us Karina, Ink has re-opened her Etsy shop and is now selling these beautiful letter banners.  Just $2.50 per letter with $4 shipping.

Disclaimer:  I featured these Letter Banners for a chance to win one myself.  Although I've wanted to featured them anyway after seeing them on the giveaway in May because I really do love them ... and I have thought about giving one to a new little bundle of happiness and now I can since the Etsy shop is open!

Melissa and Doug Sand Cupcake Set

A month or so ago I was shopping with friends and saw the Melissa and Doug Sand Cupcake Set.  I thought my girls would love it - sand and cupcake making sound like a perfect beach match.  But for some crazy reason I did not buy it.  And I've regretted that decision many times. 

Amazon came to my rescue!  It was delivered last week!  My girls have clocked hours playing with the cupcake set yet it hasn't touched a grain of sand!  Once we get it onto the beach I am sure they will have LOTS of cupcake making fun.

For around $14 this is a great gift idea.  I wish I had ordered more from Amazon (and ordered few weeks ago) so that we could have given these to a few of the birthday girls parties on our May/June calendar.

Rent Mother Nature

The last month or so has been a frenzy of activity - preparing for my daughter's birthday party, two or three birthday parties each weekend, and end-of-school activities.  Now I find myself in an unpredictable summer schedule with two little girls that want to cram everything 'summer' into each afternoon.  I think we've had the pool or sprinkler out every day!

With all the craziness I overlooked Father's Day gift ideas.  Until I received an email from Rent Mother Nature (remember my other post about Rent Mother Nature here?).  The email featured their Pistachio Lease which like all of the leases is really fun and yummy.  Receive 3 or 1.5 pounds of pistachios from an Arizona farm this fall.  While you are waiting for your shipment you'll receive three progress reports and one picture (if you opt for it) of your tree and the harvest.  Also, your recipient will receive a personalized lease document and folder describing the gift.

Rent Mother Nature offers you a chance to support small, family farmers while you give a truly unique and tasty gift.  And enter code 35FD3110 in the 'discount' field when placing your order to receive 10% off.

Want more Father's Day gift ideas?  Let a comment or email me.  I'd love to gather more ideas if you are interested!

snackTAXI

Earlier this week I read Kimberly's Earth Day post at Tippy Toes and Tantrums. I've been meaning to buy reusable sandwich and snack bags but hadn't done the research myself. My husband has been using these sandwich keepers from Tupperware for almost two years and has been very happy with them. Yet I still used plastic for my kids occasional sandwiches during the week. And a little plastic snack baggie nearly every day.

Well, after going to Kimberly's link to snackTAXI I decided that now, Earth Week, is the best time to make the switch from using the little plastic bags daily. Two cute sandwich bags and two adorable snack bags are one their way to me very soon!

Use promotion code EDAY2010 to get 20% off your order (shipping rates are reasonable).

Give a gift to Mother Nature, go reusable!

House of Wisdom

Remember this post about my love of giving prints? Well, I can finally share with you the print that was waiting to be given ... its from hope ink on Etsy.

We gave the House of Wisdom print (8x10 for $25 and free shipping) to my husband's sister and her family as a housewarming gift. Needless to say they love it! I think its perfect for a newly built home as well as one that has been established by loving family for many years. This would also make a great Mother's Day gift because really, every mom is proud of the home she has created for her family.

While you are visiting hope ink's Etsy shop be sure to check out their other wonderful prints, including the Sweet Flower print that was featured here in February.

Cloth Napkins

Last year a friend remodeled her kitchen. They gutted the entire room down to the studs, moved the pantry, relocated appliances and light fixtures. Not only was it a huge investment of money but also a sacrifice for her family during the remodel. To help her celebrate the completion of her beautiful new kitchen I gave her a lovely cookbook and a set of cloth napkins.

Gifts that mark a milestone in our lives are not limited to birthdays and anniversaries. Try to mark the other life events in some one's life with a little present. Or just a note. Sometimes its as simple as writing a few sentences in a card and dropping it into the big blue mailbox, you know the old fashion way!

The napkins I sent my friend were from Little Birds Boutique on etsy ($18 for a set of 4 - 15 inch square napkins). Stop by their shop and check out all of the beautiful items they have in addition to napkins ... little girl hair clips, keychain wristlets, and reusable fabric Happy Birthday banners.

Pink Bunny Bum Note Cards

Sometimes I wish I wasn't an adult so I could still receive an Easter basket (and Christmas stocking). If I was getting a little basket this year I would want these Pink Bunny Bum Note Cards inside. So cute!

Theses cards would be perfect for sending to the friends and relatives that are far away and you cannot celebrate the Easter holiday with in person. They would also be a great thank-you note for the host of your Easter dinner and/or festivities.

And don't forget the kids! Sending notes of gratitude starts early in our home. If your children receive gifts from friends or relatives in the mail then these Bunny Bums would make great thank-you notes. I can envision my daughter's handwriting on them ... it has been so fun to watch her penmanship develop.

Find the Pink Bunny Bum note cards at Crafted By Lindy's Etsy shop (set of 8 for $10.50, plus $2.50 shipping).

LEGO Army Men on Patrol

Both of my daughters received LEGOs for Christmas. It has been so much fun sitting down and building things together as a family. But stepping on the little peices in bare feet is not so fun!

When I saw this new set from LEGOs I fell in love! Toy Story is one of my favorite kids movies. I remember going to see it in the theaters with my now 19-year-old nephew. The little green army men were so funny. The LEGO set includes 90 pieces to build three soldiers, one medic, and one Jeep. And fun accessories like a mine sweeper.

This would be a great birthday gift for classmates, or your child's Easter basket.

Find it here on Amazon for $10.75.

Some Kind of Magic

This 5 x 5 print from Wren & Chickadee etsy shop captures my thoughts for spring 2010 - bright, beautiful, blooming.

'Some Kind of Magic' print in a simple frame is the perfect reminder of spring and how the season renews our hope at the end of each winter. Great gift to brighten a friend's mood, and the perfect size to tuck into just about any little space throughout an apartment or home.

Find this ($13.50 and free shipping) and other prints here. Check out the cute cupcake papers photo print as well!

... 25 days until spring ...