This time of year can be stressful. While I can’t help you out with your family obligations or busy holiday schedules, I can do my part to share just a few of my favorite gift ideas for this season. As an added bonus you’ll find a giveaway for $100 cash giveaway to give a lucky reader a little extra holiday spending cash! All of these items we own and have purchased ourselves this past year.
Brightech Scorpion Car Jump Starter and Battery Charger ($79.99)
We had some issues with our van’s battery this past year. While the battery wasn’t old and seemed to charge fine, I found myself in need of a jump several times. It was super frustrating until one day, a passerby offered to jump it with a portable car jump starter like this one. Not only will it jump your car battery, it also works as great external battery. It is perfect for travel and can charge anything from the new or old iPhone to a tablet to a laptop. It is amazing and I can’t tell you how many time this has come to our rescue. Great gift for anyone!
Ticket to Ride by Days of Wonder ($40+)
I purchased this gift for my son’s 9th birthday who loves trains. While he enjoys it, I think my husband and I love it even more. It is a great game for all ages. The goal of the game is to claim specific train routes around the United States. I definitely want to get the expansion pack for my husband for Christmas.
Giant Microbes ($10+)
My nine year old son has always enjoyed science and loves Giant Microbes which are stuffed animals based upon common diseases and maladies, including the common cold, flu, cancer, HIV, allergies and athlete’s foot, at a million times actual size. All my kids love these plush and my 3 year old especially adores mad cow. Each comes with a card to explain more about them and show exactly what they look like. This gift would not only be great for kids but anyone who is suffering from one of these diseases or sickness. Also perfect for a teacher or anyone in the healthcare field! They can purchased individually or a set as shown here.
Magformers Magnetic Construction Sets ($20+)
First introduced to us in our preschool, Magformers are award winning magnetic construction sets. We have many different sets and all are very much loved. This is a toy that my 3 year old and 9 year old still use daily. This toy offers so much open ended, creative play that I love. With no batteries required, this toy can be used to make anything from a barn and fence for animals to a space rocket! The possibilities are endless. If you are on the fence because of the price, know they are worth every penny!
Calvin & Hobbes Complete Box Set ($60+)
My 9 and 7 year old boys love this boxed set of Calvin & Hobbes. Featuring the entire series of the beloved comics, this set has been read over and over and over again. As a mom, I appreciate not having to worry whether it is age appropriate. These books have given us all so much joy! This is a great gift for all ages.
Fallout 4 ($60)
While definitely not recommended for young kids, Fallout 4 is an amazing gift for older gamers. My husband, Joe, was familiar with the series since we already own Fallout 3. This latest version has him in awe. Joe hasn’t been able to stop talking about this game which hasn’t happened to him for a long time. Stunning graphics and tons of open-ended play keep him coming back for more. Available for the PC or gaming systems such as Xbox and Playstation.
Giveaway
I’ve partnered with four other bloggers to bring you the opportunity to win $100 paypal for some extra spending cash this holiday season!
(This is not a sponsored post, however affiliate links are used. Thank you for your support!)
Lisa Brown says
November 30, 2015 at 3:37 amIt would go towards a stand mixer of some sorts.
April V says
November 30, 2015 at 7:24 amMy son an Xbox One.
Jennifer Odom says
November 30, 2015 at 9:30 amThis would buy magformers and a bow and arrow set for our boys! 🙂
Kristine Barrett says
November 30, 2015 at 9:56 amI would use it on our Disneyland trip for the holidays/my girl’s birthdays! Thank you for the opportunity!
Seyma Shabbir says
November 30, 2015 at 9:57 amIt will go toward the new skylander game and characters!
Kristine Barrett says
November 30, 2015 at 10:40 amMy favorite holiday foods are whole fresh turkey (we don’t bother to make it any other time of year), and cherry pudding (it’s a cake-y thing my mom makes) that she hardly ever makes! I practically have to beg her to make it for Christmas! I think I just need to snag the recipe from her!
Mami2jcn says
November 30, 2015 at 12:04 pmIt would go towards a Furreal unicorn for my daughter.
Christina says
November 30, 2015 at 12:04 pmI would use it for a kids kindle bundle for my daughter!
Heather Eavers says
November 30, 2015 at 12:08 pmFormula or diapers!! Baby needs practical for Christmas 🙂
Brandy says
November 30, 2015 at 12:15 pmHoliday sugar cookies are my favorite; I just love them!
Betsy Rubendall Barnes says
November 30, 2015 at 12:31 pmIf I won, this would be going towards a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. It is on the top of my wish list! 🙂
Dandi D says
November 30, 2015 at 1:17 pmMy favorite holiday food is sweet potato casserole.
Tara O. says
November 30, 2015 at 1:32 pmThis money would go towards the Barbie house my daughter wants for Christmas!
Sandy Klocinski says
November 30, 2015 at 1:33 pmThis will be going toward eBooks for hubby
HS says
November 30, 2015 at 1:47 pmThis money will be going towards a new TV.
Colleen Inman says
November 30, 2015 at 1:50 pmSO many choices, but I have had my eye on an applewatch!
Lisa Weidknecht says
November 30, 2015 at 2:02 pmWe need a TV
Debra Hall says
November 30, 2015 at 2:19 pmit would go towards new boots for my son
Debra Hall says
November 30, 2015 at 2:24 pmi look forward to eating bread pudding with warm lemon sauce
Melissa M says
November 30, 2015 at 4:06 pmA new camera for my son.
shelly peterson says
November 30, 2015 at 4:57 pmThis would go towards a game system for my son.
alicia szemon says
November 30, 2015 at 5:24 pmwe always make home made cannoli’s for christmas and i love hot chocolate as well!
Kimberly Hilbert says
November 30, 2015 at 5:29 pmWe already have fallout 4 so probably we’ll get the book to go with it.
jacqueline v says
November 30, 2015 at 5:53 pmthis will go toward paying for an ipad mini for my son 🙂
Natalie J Vandenberghe says
November 30, 2015 at 5:59 pmThis money will go towards a new smartphone. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jenna Kirby says
November 30, 2015 at 6:04 pmThe big gift this money will go to is a bike for my 3 year old! He will be so excited on Christmas morning!
Kelly O says
November 30, 2015 at 6:05 pmMy favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing. Not just any stuffing but my Grandmother’s stuffing recipe. For Christmas I am open to anything. I really like Christmas cookies but not sure that is considered a food 😉
Ann Fantom says
November 30, 2015 at 6:33 pmIf I won, I would put the money towards a new laptop for my daughter
Margaret Smith says
November 30, 2015 at 6:33 pmThis would go towards 2 xbox one games that my sons would love, Halo 5 and Fallout. Thanks so much.
Maribel Figueroa says
November 30, 2015 at 7:24 pmShoes from y daughter
Terri S. says
November 30, 2015 at 8:27 pmI would use the money to buy toys for my 2 grandkids for Christmas.
ron schnell says
November 30, 2015 at 8:39 pmA new TV!
sus says
November 30, 2015 at 9:20 pma tablet
Pamela Gurganus says
November 30, 2015 at 10:10 pmMy favorite holiday food is fruitcake!
Rebecca Orr says
November 30, 2015 at 11:44 pmI really look forward to eating pie and homemade cookies during the holiday season! And my uncle peanut brittle!
Sarah L says
December 1, 2015 at 1:42 amI most like eating stuffing with lots of gravy.
Thanks for the contest.
Eileen Richter says
December 1, 2015 at 2:45 amMy daughter really wants a new softball bat and they are so out of reach financially. Who knew a metal object to hit a ball could cost SO much? Geesh!
Stephen Saunders says
December 1, 2015 at 5:10 amit will go towards trying to upgrade my nephew’s computer so that he can play better games.
Cheryl says
December 1, 2015 at 6:39 amThis money will be going towards an iPhone 6s Plus.
michelle garrity says
December 1, 2015 at 7:25 ama new TV
Audra O'Hara says
December 1, 2015 at 7:41 amThis would go towards an Xbox 360 with Minecraft for my daughter.
DJ says
December 1, 2015 at 10:21 amMy favorite holiday foods are pecan pie and sweet potato casserole.
Marcie W. says
December 1, 2015 at 10:30 amDuring the holidays I love my dad’s green bean casserole and all of the cookies my mom bakes!
Meghan Malicoat says
December 1, 2015 at 10:32 amI would put this toward the laptop my daughter is dying to get for Christmas this year.
Jen F says
December 1, 2015 at 12:40 pmMy daughter has been asking for a telescope! If I won, I would put this towards getting her one for Christmas!
laurie damrose says
December 1, 2015 at 4:39 pmMy favorite holiday food is various cookies.
shelly peterson says
December 1, 2015 at 5:14 pmAt Thanksgiving I look forward to the stuffing but at Christmas I look forward to all the cookies and candies.
Barrie says
December 1, 2015 at 7:57 pmMy favorite holiday food is Russian teacakes. I have my grandma’s recipe but somehow they just don’t taste as well as when she made them!
vickie couturier says
December 2, 2015 at 7:30 ammy favorite holiday food is homemade applespice stack cake
Kris I. says
December 2, 2015 at 11:04 amI would buy my daughter an ipod for Christmas!
Anita says
December 2, 2015 at 12:39 pmThis would go to buy new bedding sets for my kids. They’ve not had matching sheets since they were babies, and they’re teenagers now. 🙂
Jeanine says
December 2, 2015 at 1:49 pmWe make Christmas breakfast together as a family! I love it more than anything!
Melissa S says
December 2, 2015 at 8:23 pmIt would go towards Fallout 4 for the pc, my son put it on his list.
Fiona N says
December 2, 2015 at 11:06 pmI would love to win and save this awesome prize for a new car seat for my son
Thank You for the chance!
Aimee Trader says
December 3, 2015 at 1:33 pmhands down Pumpkin Spice roll is the bees knees to eat around the holidays!
Cassandra Holdeman says
December 3, 2015 at 4:13 pmThis money would go towards new lighting for our living room we just had repainted.
Jessica Herring says
December 3, 2015 at 5:44 pmMy favorite holiday food is a german chocolate roll that is a recipe my grandma makes!
chickie brewer says
December 3, 2015 at 5:49 pmThe big gifts might be something having do with crafts or science for kids.
Tatum says
December 3, 2015 at 9:11 pmMy favorite food is gingerbread cookies!
Maddy says
December 3, 2015 at 10:09 pmMy favorite holiday food isPUMPKIN PIE!!!! MMMM
mita says
December 4, 2015 at 12:22 pmThis money will be going towards a new Kindle
Eileen Richter says
December 4, 2015 at 2:12 pmOh my gosh, holiday favorite food would have to be home made toffee with almonds!
Molli Vandehey says
December 4, 2015 at 2:20 pmi love stuffing so much… and i just remembered i have some!
ellen beck says
December 5, 2015 at 1:44 amMy favorite Holiday food is homemade divinity. It is so light and so wonderful. I only eat it once a year!
Mary Calabrese says
December 5, 2015 at 8:05 pmIt would go towards something for our new grandson.
Amanda Alvarado says
December 5, 2015 at 8:41 pmMy favorite holiday food are Monster Cookies and eggnog!
Amie says
December 6, 2015 at 12:19 amIt will go towards Christmas shopping online
Betsy C says
December 6, 2015 at 4:46 pmI’m not sure if this is where I’m supposed to leave the comment about what my favorite holiday food is: but here it is anyway! Lol
My favorite food I look forward to every holiday is the holiday jello I make every year, with one layer of strawberries,another layer of cream cheese & sugar, and a layer of sweetened pretzels. Can’t WAIT to make and eat this and indulge! What holiday diet?
Elizabeth Turner says
December 6, 2015 at 7:42 pmIt’ll go towards our anniversary just after the holidays!
Julie Lundstrom says
December 7, 2015 at 4:18 amI like the Christmas cookies and fudge. I also like ham and Hash brown casserole for dinner.
Rose Reeder says
December 7, 2015 at 5:02 pmPecan pie.
Tammy Woodall says
December 8, 2015 at 11:42 amMy favorite holiday food is Turkey & Southern Style Cornbread Dressing.
Brandy c says
December 11, 2015 at 7:29 pmA game system for somebody I know who will be happy.
Crystal Gomez says
December 12, 2015 at 9:24 amMy favorite holiday foods are all the sweets I get to eat! I especially love all the cookies!
susan smoaks says
December 13, 2015 at 1:12 pmi would put this towards an xbox one
Gina M says
December 13, 2015 at 3:03 pmMy favorite is fudge!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Natalie says
December 13, 2015 at 5:26 pmMy favorite holiday food is haystack cookies!
Kaitlin Mark says
December 13, 2015 at 8:10 pmMy aunt makes an OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD bread bowl spinach dip, that is literally TO DIE FOR, but she only makes it for Christmas, so that’s what I look forward to the most!
Kim Keithline says
December 13, 2015 at 8:30 pmI would put this money towards a new refrigerator
Krissy Higgins says
December 14, 2015 at 9:47 amMy son has been BEGGING for a Wii U! I already have some gift cards to Best Buy, and this would finish it up – he’d so freak out Christmas morning!
Carolyn Daley says
December 14, 2015 at 4:23 pmThis money would go towards a new tablet ereader.
Lisa says
December 14, 2015 at 6:20 pmWe do not need any big gifts this year so I would probably get a new microwave!
Stephanie Larison says
December 14, 2015 at 7:12 pmIt would towards a new car seat for the new baby girl coming in April.
Aaron says
December 14, 2015 at 11:48 pmThis money will be going towards Christmas dinner groceries.
Shakeia Rieux says
December 15, 2015 at 12:34 amMy favorites are ham and candied yams
cynthia dawson says
December 15, 2015 at 8:12 amMy daughters birthday is after Christmas so this will go to her first big girl bike!
Richard Hicks says
December 15, 2015 at 8:32 amI think I would use it for a new garmin gps for our car
Richard Hicks says
December 15, 2015 at 8:36 amOne of my favorite foods is fruit cake
Karen Drake says
December 15, 2015 at 10:08 amI can’t get an Instagram account because I don’t have a smartphone or tablet so I guess the one entry I did is void. It is too bad you don’t have giveaways that everyone could enter.
Casey B says
December 15, 2015 at 11:23 amMy daughter wants a frozen castle and those things are ridiculous!
Tara Woods says
December 15, 2015 at 11:54 amThis would go towards a new laptop or tablet.
Tina Reynolds says
December 15, 2015 at 11:55 amI would put it towards lego dimensions that my kids want
melody hodge says
December 15, 2015 at 1:03 pmMy favorite food at Christmas time is a good ole Virginia Baked Ham. We have it every year.
Tanya White says
December 15, 2015 at 2:28 pmI want to get a recliner, all year I have been wanting one and this would be great to help me get one.
Amy Deeter says
December 15, 2015 at 7:26 pmi would love to put this toward a Xbox one.Been wanting a new game system for quite some time now .
Bryan E. says
December 15, 2015 at 8:40 pmThank You for the giveaway…we would use $$$ towards a new laser printer for our niece !
Amanda Whitley says
December 15, 2015 at 9:44 pmi would love to put this towards a barbie dreamhouse for my daughter.