You have probably noticed with all my recent Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas and posts, I love making things personal. I like to find unique ways to showcase pictures, keepsakes, etc and share them with loved ones. This past week, I have been playing around on a new (to me) website called Animoto. I am seriously hooked. Within minutes, you can create a personal video with your own photos, videos, music and text. The best part, you can make unlimited 30 second videos for free! It is a great last minute gift that will be sure to please that special someone. With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, consider making a Video Love Letter.
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Thoughtful DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Loved One
My favorite gifts aren’t the ones that cost the most or are the biggest. They are always they ones that have the most thought behind them. It could be something as little as a picture in a frame or a fitting greeting card. I also love making homemade gifts for loved ones. If you are stilling trying to decide what to get your loved one, or if you want to add a personal gift made with love, here are my favorite from me and other awesome bloggers.
52 Things I Love About You – Deck of Cards or Album
A few years ago I made my husband this ’52 Things I Love About You’ Deck of Cards. He truly loved it. You can get the template I used from Peppermint Creative for FREE. For each card, there is a reason why I love my husband. You can also do just a little book or put all the reasons on pieces of paper in a nice jar. See more tips and a list of over 100 ‘Things I Love About You’ ideas from me and my readers.
Valentine’s Day Dinner and Treats from Whole Foods Market
A nice dinner, such as a Valentine’s Day dinner, doesn’t always have to be at a restaurant or cost a fortune. It can also be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home. Since Valentine’s Day is on a week day this year, it may not be feasible to make it to dinner reservations or spend hours cooking a homemade meal. With three little ones running around all day, I know I won’t have time to make an extravagant meal, but Whole Foods Market has some new great frozen product lines that are perfect for an intimate Valentine’s Day meal.
6 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For that Special Someone
Are you still looking for something to get for your loved one on Valentine’s Day? Or maybe you are just wanting to buy a great gift for yourself (because we all deserve a gift to ourselves every now and again). Either way, I wanted to let you know about some great products that could make some awesome gifts. I am also working on gathering my favorite homemade gifts and I will be continuously adding products to my Gift Guide.
Personalized Video Love Letter
Here’s a great personal gift that you can make for FREE! Animoto allows you to upload pictures and video clips, add them to a styled video, select music and add your own text. I have been playing around with the site a little bit and next week I will share more thoughts on it, as well as a video I am putting together. Until then, view this sample Valentine’s Day video. It is super cute. Creating an account is free, quick and easy then you can start making your own video.
Holiday Gift Guide Featuring HP, PetSmart, Hallmark & More
Can you believe Christmas is next week!?! I am finishing up some last minute shopping online and we going to venture out to a few stores late this weekend, UGH. Have you finished your shopping yet? I just wanted to remind you of my Holiday Gift Guide I put together this year that features some great products that I recommend for stockings, kids and that special someone. Some of the products you will find include an HP Portable Bluetooth Speaker, PetSmart’s Luv-A-Pet collection, and great holiday gifts from Hallmark.
The HP Portable Bluetooth Speaker was the perfect pick for my husband. Apple? Android? PC? It doesn’t matter as long it has Bluetooth capabilities, it will work with this speaker! It is small and light-weight with a sleek design. I love that I can easily move it from room to room in my house with no cords to mess with. It can be conveniently be placed anywhere and is great for the garage and patio. And the performance is superb, filling the room with a quality sound. Learn more at HP.com.
Do you have an animal lover in your life? Give a gift that gives back with PetSmart Luv-A-Pet products. The line includes plush animals, ultrasoft microplush blankets, and ornaments. With every product purchased, PetSmart donates 10% of the price to PetSmart Charities to help save homeless pets. How cute is this Bret Michaels Pets Rock Plush? View the collection on PetSmart.com.
Don’t forget to pick up greeting cards, ornaments, gifts and keepsakes from Hallmark. They have so many great products, I keep going back for more. Check out my review here of some of their holiday products.
Click here for my full 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I received samples of the mentioned products and was in no other way compensated. All opinions are 100% my own.
Bring the Holidays to Life with Hallmark + Holiday Prize Pack Giveaway
No matter what season it is or holiday is approaching, I frequently shop at Hallmark. I know a lot of people just think of greeting cards when they hear ‘Hallmark’, but it is much more than that. From books to movies and ornaments to games, they have something for everyone. When the holidays roll around, you can find products to create new memories, traditions and warm that special someone’s heart. My Holiday Gift Guide would not be complete without some wonderful products from Hallmark.
IKEA Soft Toys for Education – Gifts that Give Back
If there was one store I wish we had in St. Louis, it is definitely an IKEA store. They have so many unique products and gifts at amazing prices. I could literally spend hours browsing their store online finding new fun products. During the holiday season, one of their hottest items are their soft toys. They offer countless different soft toys starting at just $0.49. This year, they have made their way onto Nifty Mom’s Holiday Gift Guide for obvious reasons.
We have been enjoying non-stop play with a soccer ball, TORVA Carrot and a basket of veggies. I fell in love with each of them immediately and my kids love playing with them all. The soccer ball is perfect for my 2 & 3 year old sons. When they see a ball, any ball, they HAVE to throw it. No matter what. Well with the soft toy, they can do it without breaking anything or hurting anyone. A huge plus for me!
As the boys pulled veggies out of the basket, we played a ‘What’s That’ game with them naming each one out loud: carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms and peas. These are great toys to play pretend and for healthy food education. I like to get them out when I am making dinner and let them ‘help’ me and make dinner as well. The large carrot is part of the TORVA soft toy collection. Even though I love all the soft toys, this one is my favorite. It is extremely soft, huggable and as big as my 10 month old. He just adores it. These are high quality soft toys, tested to prove durability and to withstand rough play by my sons!
During November and December, for every soft toy purchased, the IKEA Foundation donates €1 (approximately 1.29 USD) to Save the Children and UNICEF, and is spent on children’s educational projects. Last year, they were able to donate €12.4 million! The Soft Toys for Education Campaign started in 2003 and since then has raised $61.75 million, supported over 70 projects in nearly 40 countries, and helped more than 8 million children receive a better education. That’s amazing! I love a great company that gives back.
For the latest updates, stay connected by following IKEA on Twitter, Facebook, and the IKEA Foundation on Facebook.
I received the named product at no cost to conduct this review and was in no other way compensated. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.