Ladybugs shadow box has a home - found lots of insects

When we found our PAYLOAD of ladybugs at Loyola beach this summer, I already had a plan in the back of my mind to display them in some interesting (to me) way. We did label almost 50 of them when I remembered that I had a shadow box at home that I could use to make a display for them. Nice enough that husband would like seeing it on the wall.

The box needed some TLC, the walls holding the glass needed to be wiped down and glued in place. It's a thrifty find, so I also pulled out (okay, just ripped) the ceramic tiny vases it displayed. I also washed and dried the glass. Then I pulled out the velvet backing and added a styrofoam layer to hold the pins more securely. Then, to be sure I didnt out in all this effort and have to make changes to the design and layoutlater, I added a few pins on each corner as a test if I could anchor the box where the backing "slips in" and have the lady's go into the box undisturbed also. Once I determined how much room I needed on each side, I only had to sketch out my design for the pin layout. That was a fast drawing since I saw the layout in my minds eye already.

Ladybugs shadow box has a home - found lots of insects

At first, I added both the pinned and card point ones, however the white of the card points stood out too much against the black velvet background. I first took one lady off her card point, then easily removed another, and another. One may have lost a leg, but for the most part they "came off" easily. It's clear nail polish that we use as their glue. I could've applied effort and use nail polish remover and a q-tip, however I was so excited and in the moment I couldn't pull myself away (and I had to get the kids to bed in 30 minutes and a meeting in the morning, so... No polish remover!).

Mommy made Childrens Book Inscription for a First Birthday gift

I love making handmade gifts for family and friends. I especially love making things for little kids because you often can get a glimpse of their genuine appreciation of the gift. Their innocence, their simplicity, their truth - because if they don't like you, you'll know! Same goes for the gift! My go to birthday gift is books. For the last baby shower I attended I gave baby to be a "library starter set." For my little twin cousins first birthday I chose a the classic children's book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. The rest of the Handmade Gift is here, as the handmade card.

Mommy made Childrens Book Inscription for a First Birthday gift

I'll be honest, when I first read "The Giving Tree" I didn't appreciate it. I felt so empty inside after I read it. Perhaps like most people who initially read this book, on the surface level we think "that poor tree, she gave everything of herself to that little boy." But I'm thinking like a mom. As I've evolved I've come to realize the try generosity of the tree. It doesn't hold back in any respect. It gives every bit of itself. How romantic the idea of providing what the boy needs during every phase of his life. When the boy needed a playmate, the tree was there. When the boy needed sustenance, the trees apples were there. When the boy needed shade, the trees leaves were there... And on, and on.

Can you imagine giving completely of yourself as a mother during every phase and changing need of your child's lives? Initially I'd like to think I'm that mom. Always providing every need, fulfilling any request, everything (every demand of a child frankly), but in reality I'm not that mom.

Now while I work actively to be a good mom, always giving, always providing, I don't truly give everything of myself (and neither do you). We CAN'T as mothers give absolutely everything of ourselves because frankly there would be nothing left! Not for ourselves or for our kids. We've all heard that we Mom's need to take care of ourselves first, because if moms not well, nobody's happy.

Mommy made Children's Book Inscription for a First Birthday gift, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.
And so is my assumption of the true meaning of "The Giving Tree." True limitless giving, without holding back, with no cost, can you imagine how much we could solve with his type of giving.

Mommy made Children's Book Inscription for a First Birthday gift, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

My inscription to my cousins book was inspired by a few photos I found for hand sketched names.

"Happy 1st Birthday:

May you always know
The Joy if Giving...
Gifts that never cost,
That don't limit,
And which will be there for
Every phase of your long lives."

I hope this inscription captures my love for these kids in their young lives.

I added some decorative elements. Not pictured - each child's names first letter matches the Font of the Cover Page - double lined. But the rest of their name is in cursive, a little fanciful that way.

I also sketched in long vines at the start an ends of words and added leaves with mini branches in between. All the letter "i" are triple dotted, just to be fanciful.

I hope they enjoy reading their book for years to come.

As a separate blog post is the remainder of our gift holder a handmade card.

NEW UPDATE :: YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT BLOG

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Make mistakes - breathe, reflect, and Laugh. Out. Loud!!

A Gift of Strength and Endurance for my Husbands Month Long Training Away from Home with a Mommy Made Homemade Gift

When my husband was going to be away from us (at the time my Older and Younger son) for nearly a month, we were struggling with the thought of being apart so long. We had never been away from each other longer then a few days when I traveled for work. When I was in Minnesota at a Native American reservation with my Older and Younger son, we had seen these types of "gifts" for sale. It would be a silver, or plastic, Indian symbol and then some detail written about the beautiful object, its significance, its symbolism, and how it gave inspiration to the person receiving or wearing it. This was a mommy made inspiration a long time coming.

I really wanted to give him something inspirational - to remind him of his own courage and strength. He was going to be away for so long, it would be easy to forget why we are working so hard for, while we are so far away from home.  

I have many beautiful silver and turquoise pieces from my travels as a child with my dad to the South Western states. This silver and turquoise eagle was in an earring set. Its about 1 1/2" tall. I mearly needed to polish it for this display.

A Gift of Strength and Endurance for my Husbands Month Long Training away from Home Gift, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

I went ahead and looked up the symbolism of eagles. Mostly Native American inspirations came up in my search. There was such specific detail - down to a West or Eastward facing eagle. This one faces East.

I edited down a section of inspiration to fit the frame in MICROSOFT WORD. I set up the page size to match my photo frame. This helped with the editing down of what the final inscription would say, Then I changed the color to match the turquoise in the earring. Color of course also comes with its own symbolism. I made a TEXT BOX for the eagle earring to sit in, then it was much easier to frame the words around the box in word.

I already had this deep photo frame in my stash from my many thrift store excursions. I loved making this gift for my husband. He later sent me a photo, it was on his bed ledge next to the photo of us.

Make Mistakes. Breathe, Reflect. and Laugh.Out.Loud

Mommy Made Hand Assembled Toddler Hospital Homecoming Gift

Our little cousins had surgery recently. As a home coming gift for him and his siblings we assembled a hospital homecoming gift.

Kids are stellar in play based learning. Kids understand the basics if what's happening to them and these ideas are solidified in play. This was a mommy made gift when I didn't find much in ideas online. I wanted something simple that the kids could play with based on their understanding of the experiences that were happening not only to the sick nearly one-year old, but for his brother and sister, who were also experiencing this illness crisis (because when our kids are sick it really is a crisis).

This little Hospital Homecoming kit makes a fun gift, but it's also a fun simple kids activity to assemble at home too.


Handmade Kids Birthday Gift and Hospital Homecoming, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Our Homecoming from the Hospital Kit:

- A new Elmo doll
- Elmo wrapped in a stretchy piece of bandage (from home)
- a bandaid on the bandage
- a box / container for our Doctor supplies: a small sponge square, an empty travel size shampoo container (which we use in the tub so we have plenty), a small notebook for writing down symptoms and a pen, get better stickers, pill bottle, bandaid box with 5 real bandages, and a small cup for water or syrup sipping.

Some parents feel children shouldn't open pill bottles, we advocate for teaching responsibility and never playing with real syrups and medicines. Also, parental supervision should be included so the blue bandage which is removable doesn't go around a toddlers neck.

Of course my kids made a handmade get well card too. We don't feel spending loads of cash is necessary to make fun, heartfelt gifts.

Make Mistakes. Breathe, Reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

Being a Mom, Sometimes I just wanna Scream

Sometimes I feel like this... Being a Mom, I just want to Scream. Let it all out. Just because the day isn't going well. Or I am frustrated, or tired, or I just can't... [INSERT MOMMY ISSUE HERE]. This is the picture that hangs in my spice cabinet. In 2009 I spent some of the day coloring with my older son. It's Lucy from Charlie Brown, just letting go. I colored this picture during our coloring time.


Being a mom Sometimes I just wanna scream, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

And then, "for no reason" my older son brought home a note for me from Kindergarten. It was not an assignment. It was written during free time.

"Dear Mom,

You have love that is unstoppable from getting to me

Love (older son)"
Written in Kindergarten 2009

This note hangs above my screaming picture...in the spice cabinet. And when I just look at it, intentionally or not, I really do feel better.


Being a mom Sometimes I just wanna scream, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Make Mistakes. Breath, Reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

Crib Converts to a Junior Loft Bunk Bed for Younger Son

Younger Son wanted a bunk bed for his birthday. And then Older son wanted one too. We started talking more and more about his birthday and we decided we would celebrate on our trip to Jamaica (which you can read about our Packing Guide for Travel with Kids on that trip here).  We tabled the bed discussion so I could start my mommy homework. A low cost bunk bed option. I never want to spend a lot of money. And, soon, I'll start posting all the furniture - PERFECTLY GOOD FURNITURE - that people put in there alleys around Chicagoland. I have a few pieces in my home, sshhh, don't tell husband.

I first looked online at retail ideas. So I could see what's trendy, price ranges, and get inspired. After reviewing simple loft beds, I felt guilty spending even one penny let alone $200 when we have great perfectly good beds at home. My older son has a beautiful hand me down wood frame, younger son has his fire engine bed, found in said alley, and baby girl has her crib (a family hand me down from when my Older son was born).


This is the original crib assembled as a crib. The photo is from when my young son was a baby and the mattress support was attached high on the support beams. 

I didn't include traditional wood option bunk beds because those were waaayyyyy out of my budget. I did save birthday money for some time and had about $500. . . however, we have perfectly good beds at home. Also the wood options are bulky chunky and take up way too much room. I also wanted to take advantage of the high 9 foot ceilings we have in the bedrooms.

Then I hit Pinterest for more ideas. And then Amazon, and then Ikea. I did find some nice simple steel framed Bunk and Junior Bunk Beds for $100 each. Again, the rather specific mom that I am, some would say very Type A, I would want new mattresses (latex of course) and now we are paying $500 PER mattress on sale at my wholesale find price.

UGH! I realized this is not the right decision to buy BRAND NEW BEDS when we had perfectly good furniture at home. What a HYPOCRITE I am trying to be cost conscious, environmentally aware, recycling, blah, blah, blah and here I am shopping.

I did find a few ideas on Pinterest, dresser conversion to changing tables, parents who built frames for bunk beds they wanted. Even craigslist had some great gently used versions. But - still NO - spending too much.

Then it was bedtime one night, mundane usually. I was changing baby girls diaper and my older son was hiding in the "dungeon" under her crib. I was already starting the consider the time I'll need to convert her crib into a toddler bed. This was a selling option of the crib a few years ago. And it hit me - as I thought through the toddler bed conversion instructions - to "reverse engineer / assemble the crib."


Crib Converts to a Junior Loft Bunk Bed for Younger Son, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

How I Set Up My Junior Bunk Loft Bed from a Crib:
(basically I assembled the crib upside down)

- I could simply flip the crib upside down,  
- reverse the bed base upside down
- install the crib rail upside down

This would basically reverse assemble the crib upside down, elevated off the ground to a "Junior Bunk Bed Size."

Looks like a young boy sleeping in his crib. It's actually our Younger 5 year old son sleeping in his new (to him) converted crib to bunk bed. Super sturdy and safe!

So Now all we need is a ladder. See this post on how I made our Junior Bunk Loft Bed ladder for under $8.

NEW UPDATE :: YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT BLOG

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Originally Published on February 1, 2014

Make Mistakes. Breathe, Reflect. and Laugh.Out.Loud

Ideas for Children Gifts... Sorted by Age

Over the years my kids have received some fab gifts, and some not so great ones too... Here's my list that I keep in my phone so it's always at my fingertips when shopping for gifts.

I always try to buy better quality toys made from wood versus plastic. And if it is plastic, we check that it's not cheaply made...

When giving a Shower Gift or a Wedding Gift I keep it simple and give something unique. HOw many tea sets are given now a days? Or baby time capsules for mom? Really unique goes a long way. And give it often - so you dont have to rack your brain for a new gift every time an occasion comes up.

As for the books: Giving Books is critical. Kids need to be surrounded by books inorder to become avid readers. Believe me, give enough books and the kids will start to look forward to them. In the early years, giving rhyming books, or early poetry. Its important to help build the basic skills for phonics and word rhymes - a basic foundation skill to learn how to read.

--Handmade gifts are great!!
I have made thos easy to cut and tie fleece blankets and pillows; painted christmas ornaments; cloth covered composition note books with themes the kids would like (and then used felt pieces to highlight some of the designs & write their names), even the youngest kids like these notebooks; "baking kits" printing out easy kid recipies and gifting the ingredients; art projects: same idea, print out the intructions and gift the stuff; give a bird house to paint, bird seed and paint.

* Buy an experience!!!
- tickets to the zoo, or a family pass
- tickets to the museum,
- tickets to the theatre, especially children's plays!!
- tickets for an activity or play land
- a bowling alley certificate
- make a handmade coupon for an outing to your local ice cream shop

- a date with grandma coupon


These experience gifts are unique and always appreciated! I cannot say enough how far an experience gift goes, truly a wonderful idea.

Where to shop? 

Shop at discount stores: Big lots, TJ Maxx, Marshall's and Ross dress for less always have below retail prices, and they get lots of overstock. Start early, October is a good time for gifts because there is still ample stock.

Shop at Michaels or hobby lobby for craft kits (many available under $10). They carey wood pieces for painting, like the painted bird house idea.

A little blurb on Baby & toddler shoes:  Theres some great kids shoes on the market. Don't but those hard sole shoes for kids. I let my kids be barefoot often when the weathers agreeable. Otherwise, flexibility is great for the kids ability to learn to walk without having to manage bulky shoes. 'Ive discovered Robeez and Flexes shoes. Gifting this to a new mom who hasn't discovered these shoes yet is a neat surprise for her and baby.

Another blurb on BABY SHOWER GIFTS::
I ALWAYS give a book, Touch and feel books, single picture animal books with one word on the page. See my handmade "Starter Library" gift blog post for an amazing unique baby shower gift. Moms get PLENTY of cute baby outfits, but babies want to hear moms voice, give the gift of books.

I ALWAYS give diapers, any size except newborn. Diapers, diapers, diapers!!! Any size.

-- Age 12 months and older outfits are a must (trust me moms get enough newborn cloths). After 9 months the moms shouldn't have to go shopping.

-- Baby ear thermometer

-- Baby rattle and small black and white or hanging safety toys for the stroller.

-- Leap frog caterpillar - a nice musical toy for all ages.

-- Early Rolling ball/ baby crawls to follow it.

-- Leap Frog -  Rex Dog sings with ABC and preschool songs. My 5-year old younger son just rediscovered his and uses the "2-minutes of nighttime music" to fall asleep at night.

-- Solid wood blocks, not painted! High quality wood blocks will see years of fun!

Unique ideas for special Christening or Baptism Gift ideas:
-- buy baby's gown
-- crochet or knit baby's booties and headpiece
-- pay for the luncheon
-- buy babies luncheon outfit
-- make baby's gown from the mothers wedding dress
-- have the same flowers from the wedding on the luncheon tables.

For the Godfather:
--Picture frame engraved "My Godfather and Baby's Name"
--a clock or watch on a chain engraved "Godfather for a lifetime"
-- a silver bookmark, engraved "My Godfathers words will guide me"

For the Godmother:
-- a water globe with an angel inside or a special word, or room for a picture. Engraved with "A Godmothers Love."
-- a mirror compact for her purse, engraved with "Godmothers Guidance" or "My Godmothers reflection"
-- a lipstick case with a mirror inside "A Godmothers kiss and Baby's Name"
-- a silver bookmark, engraved "My Godmothers words will guide me"

Long lasting Wedding gift::
My go to gift is a Crystal vase or Tea set. Young Ladies often dont know theyll need a go to vase for flowers received in their lifetime. And a nice tea set is great when guests pop in for coffee or tea, and to feel a little fancy! (Put that in their note too.)

I love giving unique gifts, and Mothers Day is no different. 

My mother, grandmother, stepmom and aunt all receive a corsage on Mothers Day. So they can feel special wearing it all day, even in casual clothes and sitting around the house.

For mothers day:
--Quote in the card: "Moms, proof that not all super heros wear capes."
--"your insistence on 2 hours homework every night = Name of College. Thanks mom"

Gifts by Age for Birthdays, Holidays, Christmas, and any occasion.

In general I try to stick to quality gifts. My criteria is it is made of wood, or and educational toy or the child is really wanting / collecting that item. I'm not a fan of cheap "throw away" toys!

Age 1::
Books, Books, Books

Give an experience, like a trip to the zoo
Leap Frog Rex talking dog
Leap frog caterpillar singing
Rolling ball
Touch n feel books,
Peek a boo book
Kisses book
Little people Noahs ark
Talking like the rain book - children hearing the rhyming of poems is very good for reading skills development
Nursery rhymes encyclopedia
Eric Carle animal rhyme books
Goodnight moon/Gorilla
Square circle hole set
Hammering pegs wood set
1st wood train
1st wood stacking toys / cups

AGE 2::
Books, Books, Books

Give an experience, like a trip to the zoo
Bubbles!!
Talking phone
Fridge magnets: letters or animals
Leap Frog Word Whammer - Refrigerator Magnet Letters, but better!
Pop up tent
Thick crayons and Coloring books
Wooden Puzzles 4-9 pieces
Wooden musical instruments - zoo instruments
Big wooden blocks
Fire engine talking lights sounds (one of the few plastic toys we love thru age 8)
Wooden Train set
Etch a sketch
Richard Scarrys my first word book
My first Spanish word book
Ceiling hanging night light
Cups with lids, preferably BPA free
Small chair
Balls
Pool
Fun plates - reusable, with animal faces. Preferably not movies.
Mother goose numbers on the loose book
Corduroy, the book and stuffed animal
Wall posters animals
Rocking horse/stick horse
Wooden trucks
Wooden letter blocks
Bathtub letters

A "real" small durable binocular

AGE 3 (plus same as age 2) ::
National geographic magazine. Age 2-3
Give an experience, like a trip to the zoo

(And see experience gifts at the top of this post)

Pop up tent

Lego sets
Pretend play clothes (homemade hero capes and masks are fun).
Finger puppets
Dress up
Bubbles
Ring toss - yard
Wooden Birdhouse kit, buy a birdhouses, acrylic paint, sealer, brush and bag of bird food
Large ball

A "real" small durable binocular

A "real" flashlight, with instructions hand made to "remember to turn me off so I work the next time you want to play." Chair, small for kids
Hard Animal figures
Beading/stringing/lacing set
Pretend play mask, doctor kit or Tool kit
Ninja headband / bandanas or pirate hat (both are for girls options too)
Playdoh set - with cookie cutter shapes, but not the too plastic "creative taken out of it" for you kit. Kids should create on their own, not in premise molds.

Ingredients in a jar for homemade salt dough, "just add water" is on the note.
Wooden Puzzle 10-25 pieces
Wooden Building blocks
Wooden Music instruments
Paint set
Finger puppets
Wall posters of gentle animals
Bed time story book series
Piggy bank with sound
Leap frog (double duty as a reader and magnetic letter) Word whammer fridge alphabet pieces
Paint bird house, paint and seeds
Bug kit - book and jar with holes premade in the lid for kids to collect bugs outdoors.
Kitchen play food kit
Character lunch bag

Seed packet and small kids shovel and gloves for planting. Add a pot for apartment dwellers.

AGE 4 (plus same as age 3) ::
(And see experience gifts at the top of this post)

Books! Theme books on what the child is interested in (Daniel Tiger, Elmo, Construction trucks, etc.) 

Lego set
Animal figurines to pretend play
Cooking aprons
Pretend play

Seed packet and small kids shovel and gloves for planting. Add a pot for apartment dwellers.Finger puppets
Dress up clothes and masks
Early Microscope kit
Birdhouse, acrylic paint, sealer, brush and bird food
Echo microphone or other musical instruments
Dr Seuss series
Crafts kit
Lacing/beading supplies
nail polish
Word whammer magnetic letters/word builder (for the fridge)
Character lunch bag

Play doh

AGE 5 (plus same as age 4) :: 

(And see experience gifts at the top of this post)

Books! Theme books on what the child is interested in (Ninjas, airplanes, a Disney movie, Construction trucks, etc.) 

Real Flashlight, binoculars or and explorer set for a real hardware / sports store.

Sight word books
Materials for simple arts and crafts
House play props such as dishes and a table for parties
School play props such as dry-erase board and worksheets
Simple construction toys and science kits
Skate board with helmet
Early science kits for making safe explosions, fizz and bursts
Simple board and card games, puzzles

A cardboard box cut into a shape of a boat, car or house and a set of markers to color.

A bug kit (have a holes in the top and a net).
Legos
Puzzles with 20-50 pieces

AGE 6 and Age 7::

(And see experience gifts at the top of this post)

Books! Theme books on what the child is interested in (a recent movie, their favorite book/collection, Construction trucks, etc.) 

A calendar in their favorite theme ( like cars, horses, trains and airplanes, even about buildings, or traveling around the world).

A book on making paper airplanes
Kids get more responsible at this age. Helping parents with a responsibility chart might be fun. So would a chia pet (remind kids to water as directed).
Books, chapter books are big at this age.

National geographic magazine
Highlights magazine
Zoo - magazine
Materials for simple arts and crafts
House play props such as dishes and a table for parties
School play props such as dry-erase board and worksheets
Simple construction toys and science kits
Skate board with helmet
Early science kits for making safe explosions, fizz and bursts
Simple board and card games, puzzles
Age-appropriate video games
Dolls and doll accessories
Stuffed animals and puppets
Beginning sports equipment such as balls, golf clubs, t-ball sets, and basketball goals/backboards
musical instruments
Bicycle
Play tents
Swing set or outdoor gym set


AGE 8-9:: (see age 7 as well)

(And see experience gifts at the top of this post)

Books! Theme books on what the child is interested in.

Tickets to a musical/play
Kids theatre / tickets to a play or kids concert
Cooking supplies for cupcakes, cookies
Kids cookbook with supplies
Crafts/models from Michael's
Hoodies
Cool Tshirts 

Face for tree (concrete faces)

Bow and arrow set - when taught proper stance and safety first its a great gift

Soccer nets / sports gear / jerseys

AGE 10-14::
Fleece blanket n pillow

T shirt with a favorite character.

Make a t-shirt with their favorite saying
Fleece theme scarf
Most Dangerous Book for Boys/Girls
Lego building sets (yes still)

Their favorite magazine subscription
Mix cd
Demonata book series
Harry potter book series
Goosebumps book series
Animal encyclopedias
How things work series
Arts n crafts kit
Drawing set
Paint Set

Face for tree (concrete design)

Bow and arrow set

Soccer nets / sports gear / jerseys

Gifts ages 14 and up::

A word about Young Adults and Teenagers: Encouraging passion for SOMETHING is very important at this age (at any age). Following our passions makes for a happier life. Hopefully forming life long love of doing things. Along these lines, kids do have their passions. This teenage years are no different, its just sometimes harder to get the information outta the kid! 

The other thing I have noticed is we often treat teenagers as adults. They are still kids! They still like candy, lollipops, t-shirts, hoodies, and toys! Yes toys! Don't take these last childhood moments and years away from them.

Consider what the child is interested in? Do they love music? Maybe a cool music store gift certificate or itunes gift card?

Do they collect something? Coins, an action figure, model trains / toys? If you don't know which pieces they own already, give a note acknowledging their love of collecting. Include a coupon for a trip with you to go and buy what THEY want to add to the collection. 

I've personally gone online at amazon checking out popular gifts. Remote control helicopters and flying dinosaurs ROCK!

Perhaps a years magazine subscription to what they love - yes even gaming. There really is a magazine for everything available nowadays. Google "magazine" and the key words of interest.

Personal Gifts I have given to older kids:

- A handmade sign, felt covered, says: SKI as room decor for my brother who was a ski fanatic!

- painted a wall mural for a Chicago Bears Fan

- A Mommy-Date Coupon: spent a day with my older son one-on-one mommy date after the youngest baby girl was born. It was 3 hours at a burger lunch and a candy shop. Then we went to the park... Yeah, that easy

- I collect coins all year long for my brothers' coin collection. I just look thru pennies for anything pre-1940 and post 2010 pennies (cause he wanted those). I then felt covered a binder in $ symbols. Inside the binder were coin holder pages. 

Low cost High Value gift!

- I've made felt pillow covers with the material in the theme of the teenager. Sports teams, snowflakes, Favorite colors, etc.

- I found loads of Pokemon cards at the thrift store for my son.

Happy shopping

Make Mistakes. Breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud!