personalized gifts

Showing posts with label personalized gifts. Show all posts

Personalized Pencil Pouch

I know it's a little late for back-to-school, but I love this "Elephant Pouch" Pencil Case I found at Etsy (it is also described as a possible EpiPen carrier, which I guess is a sign of the times). For just $10 this makes a very sweet handmade gift for a young (or even not-so-young) student. The entire A.E. Wilder Etsy shop is full of delightful hand-embroidered items, so check it out.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Brag About It

One of my best friends just celebrated her 40th birthday and I wanted to send her something special but within my budget. It also needed to ship to Canada, so I used the "shop local" feature on Etsy to find a shop in the Toronto area. I stumbled onto Brag About It, a storefront featuring sweet hand-stamped jewelry, and chose this 2-Disc Hand-Stamped and Bubbled-Up Sterling Silver Custom Name Necklace ($30). My friend has 2 beautiful boys and though the necklace arrived a tad late for her own birthday (mea culpa) it happened to be delivered on her younger son's 1st birthday. She said she's getting many compliments, and that it arrived beautifully wrapped, too. The necklace can be made wtih a 16" or 18" chain and each 5/8" disc is personalized with funky lower-case typewriter font. You can also choose Swarovski crystals or pearls for added bling. At $30, it's a very affordable piece of jewelry to buy a friend (or yourself). Visit Brag About It.

Win it! After I placed my order at Brag About It, the shop generously offered to give one of my readers the same necklace ($30 value) with 2 personalized discs and Swarovski crystals or pearls. This contest is open to BOTH U.S. and Canadian readers. Here are the contest rules:

1) Visit Brag About It and tell us what your favorite item is (it does not have to be the giveaway item). Leave your comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, October 3rd.
3) You may leave up to 3 separate entries- 1 entry with a comment as described in #1, 1 entry with a link to where you have blogged about this giveaway, 1 entry with your Twitter name if you have tweeted about this giveaway.
4) One winner will be chosen at random (using Random.org) and announced on Monday morning, October 4th.
5) NOTE: If you wish to be contacted by e-mail if you win, please include your e-mail address in your comment. Otherwise you must check back on Monday morning, October 4th. If the prize is NOT claimed within 48 hours, the next random winner (using Random.org) will be contacted.

GOOD LUCK!

Step Up From Staples

Considering that I write a shopping blog about kids' products, I'm a little embarrassed that I bought my daughter the plainest folders imaginable at Staples less than 24 hours before school started. But, hey, we had already spent (gulp) $60 on everything on her 2nd grade school supply list and with SIXTEEN folders still left to go (16 folders for 2nd grade!) I am glad that we were at Staples where we got them all for just over $2. That being said, had I planned ahead more (and had a larger budget), I would have loved to have ordered her at least a few of these much groovier Personalized School Folders from our affiliate Frecklebox. At $4.95 apiece, they ain't cheap (at least compared to Staples), but for a special back-to-school treat, I think one or two are perfectly reasonable. And I like that Frecklebox has widened its range of designs (click here to see just a few)- the new "Tweety Peety", "Purple People Eater", and "Cars" are some of my favorites. So if you haven't crossed folders off that supply list yet, consider taking a look at Frecklebox.

Arriving Next Year

Going to a baby shower this fall or winter? Score major points for most original gift with these Copyright Name 2011 or Copyright Name 2010 tees or onesies by mitetees. Each is one-of-a-kind, highlighting the tike-to-be's birth year and last name (if you know the gender, you can choose blue or pink text; if it's a surprise, opt for orange or green). They're on sale through September 5th; onesies and tees are both selling or $19.50 (regularly $26). The tees even go up to size 6 and you can enter an earlier birth year at check-out, so you can order one for a big sib as well. Visit mitetees.

p.s. Check out mitetees' patent tees, too. S. has one and we got lots of compliments.

MyMomShops Giveaway, BlogHer Swag Part 1: Mabel's Labels

As promised, I have some BlogHer '10 swag to share with you.

First up, I've got two (2) gift certificates which each entitle one winner to a FREE pack of Mabel's Labels' famous Colourful Label Out Loud Sticky Labels (retail value $21). These are Mabel's newest designs in bright, fun colors and new designs; my own kids got these for camp these past summer and they worked great on everything from clothing to water bottles to shoes (your pack will include an assortment of different shape and size labels). Perfect for back-to-school season.

Here's the thing. These gift certificates are valid through tomorrow night (Tuesday, August 31st) only. So I'm conducting this giveaway quickly, and a little differently. Please read the rules below carefully.

To enter this contest:

1) Please leave a comment below (click on "comments") indicating what your favorite product is from Mabel's Labels is.
2) You may leave up to THREE entries- one regular entry (as described above), one entry indicating that you have tweeted this giveaway (please leave your Twitter name), and one entry indicating that you have blogged about this giveaway (please provide a link). You MUST include a valid e-mail address or I can not contact you with the gift certificate code if you win!
3) The two winners will be chosen randomly.
4) This giveaway is open to U.S. AND Canadian residents. Yippee!!!
5) You must enter by 12 midnight tonight, EST. A winner will be announced (and notified) at 8am tomorrow morning, August 31st. Then you must use your gift certificate by midnight EST that same night. Got it? Good!

Good luck!!!

Personalized Masterpieces

My friend Cathe at Feterie e-mailed to tell me about this great back-to-school product that the shop has just introduced. It's a Retro School Drawing Pad. Each standard-sized drawing pad has 53 sheets printed with your little one's name at the bottom in practice "dots" style, so they can sign each masterpiece that they create. It's a gift that will keep giving...just think of all the finished products you can send along to the grandparents! It costs $25.50 (includes personalization) at Feterie.

Personalized Birthday Plates

R. had a wonderful birthday (thanks everyone for your well wishes). I forgot to mention that this morning (as well as on S's birthday 12 days earlier), both kids enjoyed their breakfasts on the hand-painted ceramic plates shown above. They got these last year as homemade birthday gifts from my best friend/college roommate and her kids (then ages 8, 6, and 4) who made them especially for R. and S. at The Kids' Place, an arts & crafts studio in Needham, MA. Isn't this a thoughtful gift? I've seen personalized birthday plates for kids before, but never thought to buy them, and I think these are much more meaningful. I was really touched that my best friend's children took the time and precision (down to hairstyle and eye color) to make these for my little ones. I know we will enjoy them for many birthdays to come!

Thanks H, S, and A!

The Only Thing Cuter than a Diapered Baby...

...is a baby wearing a monogrammed diaper. You know that "customized" diapers are all the rage now (I reported on the Huggies jeans diapers and Cynthia Rowley diapers for Target). But these Designer Diapers with Initials at Baby Chix are, by far, the cutest entry in the category. Are these the ultimate new add-on baby gift or what? Sure, they cost $1.50 per diaper (one size only, 8-14 lbs), but buy one or two of them to include as part of a gift package and the new mom will be thrilled. Imagine the photo ops! Buy them in pink or blue at Baby Chix.

Bargain Alert: Lillian Vernon Kids' School Box

These new personalized "school boxes" caught my eye in the latest Lillian Vernon catalog. While they don't contain everything that even my 2nd grader needs, they are a fun add-on gift or back-to-school treat for any young student. The sturdy hardboard box with elastic loop closure contains lots of goodies like mini colored pencils, a glue stick, rounded safety scissors, an eraser, and a 2-in1 stencil with ruler. And, as with most kids' products at Lillian Vernon, personalization is free. It's a bargain at $6.49 (was $12.98) so stock up on a few for birthday gifts, or even holiday gifts far in advance.

Psst! Enjoy Back to School Savings at Lillian Vernon; get 10% off orders of $40+, or 15% off orders of $50+ with code "720850100". Offer expires August 31st.

Need Another Summer Hostess Gift?

I've been admiring these Linen Hemstitch Guest Towels by Pottery Barn all summer. They're priced at $19 for a set of two plain towels (you have to order monogramming to get the graphic, though). So I suggest that you spend the extra $6.50 for the graphic plus personalization. Shipping is free, after all, so it's still a good deal. I like the Adirondack chair design best- it's the perfect gift to take to someone's beach or lake house. Buy them at Pottery Barn.

Baby Takes a Map

I read about these baby "soft maps" made by Brooklyn architect Emily Fischer in yesterday's New York Times. They're a labor of love- each is hand-embroidered and hand-knotted, and shows a child's city or neighborhood which can be personalized further with the child's name, birthday, home, and favorite local sites. Choose from a handful of city "soft maps" (including San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago and Miami) or, closer to my heart, New York City neighborhood "soft maps" (Brooklyn moms, rejoice...these are for you). Shown above: the Prospect Park soft map. For an amazing custom gift like this, the price is about what I'd expect: $125 for a ready-made blanket, or $150 for a blanket with personalized details and locations. Check them all out at Haptic Lab.

Another Birthday Tee

I recently answered a reader's question about kids' birthday shirts, and since that post I also found a cute personalized birthday tee ($28, sizes 2-14) from CWD Kids. A girs' version ($28, sizes 2-14) is available, too. Personalization is included in the price, but note that the shirts don't indicate the child's age; if you want a "number tee", check this one at CWD Kids instead.

Bargain Alert: Monogrammed Birthstone Necklace

If you subscribe by e-mail to Red Envelope, you'll get announcements of special one-day deals every Thursday. Today's deal caught my eye; it's a monogrammed birthstone necklace that has been reduced from $99.95 to just $29.99 (that's 70% off). Inspired by wax seal monograms, each sterling pendant is surrounded with faceted gemstones and hangs from an adjustable lobster clasp chain. If you don't fancy your particular birthstone, feel free to choose another (April's "white sapphire" could pass for diamonds, you know). Buy it for a mom, sister, best friend or yourself at Red Envelope.

Ask MyMomShops: Birthday Shirts

Dear MyMomShops,

It's almost that time of year again when our kids will be having another birthday. Where does the time go???? Can you recommend a few sites for birthday shirts? I looked at Chasing Fireflies, but they are kind of expensive.

Jennifer (mom of Charlie and Aaron)

Dear Jennifer,

Oh, you know this is one of my favorite items to "research"! I've posted lots of birthday tee ideas before (keep scrolling down after you click that link) which are worth checking out because some are still available. But I want to show you some newer designs that I've bookmarked, too. Tell me which ones you like.

Happy Birthdays to your little ones!

Best,
MyMomShops

1 2 3 4 5 tees ($21 at Babesta)

Numbers' Tee ($24.99 at CWD Kids)

Birthday Raglan Shirts ($16) by Happy Family

Custom Birthday Tee ($24 at Psycho Baby).

"Kapow" Birthday Tees ($25 at Paper Lili)

Personalized Name and Birthday Number T-shirt ($18 at Etsy)

How Old Am I? tees ($29.95 at Fliggity)

Boys' Birthday Tee ($30 at Company Kids)

Highway Number Birthday Tee ($39.95 at Liliputians)

Personalized World Cup Tees

I love this idea. Psycho Baby is selling Custom World Cup Tees in sizes 6 mos through 6/8 years. Choose from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, or the U.S. (of course, some of these are irrelevant now- I'm looking at you, France). Add your junior soccer star's name on front (and optional number on back) and let the compliments fly in. Best of all? It only costs $18. Check them out at Psycho Baby.

Mabel's Labels...And Free Coupons Coming Soon

If you're about to send a kid to summer camp, I don't have to tell you that labelling the belongings can turn into a massive chore. At S's camp, every article of clothing needs to be labelled, right down to socks and underwear. Not to mention towels, lunch bags, water shoes, etc. Last summer, I had ordered a classic camp pack ($34.50) from label-maker extraordinaire Mabel's Labels, which included 15 Sticky Labels, 8 Shoe Labels, 2 Bag Tags, and 50 Tag Mates™ labels . And this summer, I am grateful to Mabels' Labels for giving me the chance to try out their brand-new Label Out Loud (LOL) camp packs, which include those same items, but in brighter new color combinations and with your choice of 20 fun design motifs (S. picked trains, R. picked butterflies). I happen to like these more colorful labels better (plus I like their new packaging and the company's spiffy re-designed website. My all-time favorite item? The Tag Mates™ (tiny peel and stick labels) which I affix to the inside of the kids' clothing. They never fade or fall off in the wash, and my kids (who sometimes dislike tags) don't even notice they're there. And for me, they make labelling a camp wardrobe a real snap (how my mom sewed all those name labels for years and years, I'll never know).

Need some labels in a jiffy for camp? Visit Mabel's Labels.

Psst! I've got 12 separate Mabel's Labels coupons to give away. I'll be sending an e-mail tomorrow to our newsletter subscribers ONLY to offer them to the first 12 readers to reply. Not a subscriber yet? E-mail me so you can be included in this and other special offers!

A product sample was provided for this review. All views expressed here are exclusively those of MyMomShops.

A Gorgeous Gift, No Doubt

Even though my children have long passed the baby blanket stage, I still find myself admiring items like this super-luxe, taggie-trimmed Personalized Ultimate Puppy Blanket. Not just because a celeb mom like Gwen Stefani has been snapped using one, but also because I love any soft, plush, too-expensive-to-buy-for-yourself baby gift. Particularly one that's personalized. But I recently got a coupon code from our affiliate GoToBaby.com- which sells this and other baby blankets, so I thought I'd pass it on to you. Enter code "BABY10" now through July 1, 2010 to receive 10% off your entire purchase at GoToBaby.com. And check out the pink girls' version of the blanket, too.

Bargain Alert: Fun Finds at Michael's

I paid my first visit to craft superstore Michael's recently at its gleaming new Columbus Village location (on the Upper West Side of Manhattan). While I enjoy browsing aisles of scrapbooking materials, in reality I'm not a particularly crafty person. So I was more interested in finding some inexpensive "ready-made" gifts, and I hit the jackpot with the above items. I found them all in the "Fun Finds" section near checkout. The monogram luggage tags and monogram notecards from the "Typeset" collection cost just $2 and $1, respectively; the Lilly-Pulitzer inspired stationery sets from the "Country Club" collection also were just $1 each (envelopes included). If you bought items like these online at other stores, you'd expect to pay about 10 times as much. I scooped up a bunch of them to use as teacher gifts, hostess gifts, birthday gifts, or last-minute gifts. You can't buy them online, but if you have a local Michael's store, look for the "Fun Finds" section; I have a feeling inventory changes frequently.

Personalized Picks from Giggle

I got my 1st Giggle catalog in the mail recently and was impressed with several of the personalized baby gifts, including these:

Personalized Bank ($48; blue, pink, or green)

Personalized Cup & Bowl Set - Bunny ($60; also available in light blue/car design)

Monogrammed Jersey Sweater ($60; navy or fuschia)

Use code "SHOPSMART" for free shipping on orders over $75 at Giggle; limited time only.

Top Pick for Teacher Notecards

I clicked over to Inkspot Workshop so I could re-recommend the personalized teacher's note cards that I gave R's kindergarten teachers last year. Lo and behold, one of the product photos (at left) is the very card we had made for one of R's teachers, Debbie. This color combination (kiwi and chocolate) is one of my favorites. You can by 12 notecards for $18.50, but hurry, the last day of school is almost upon us. Buy the cards here.