Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to get started on your search for the perfect gifts to celebrate the amazing women in your life. Whether you’re shopping for your mom, your aunt, your grandma or any motherly figure in-between, your gift doesn’t have to be over-the-top to let them know just how much you appreciate them (though let’s be honest, they deserve the world).
If you have to come up with a gift for a 4-year-old and you’re stumped on what to get them, we’ve got some expert advice to help you.
The best gifts and toys for four-year-olds help their imaginations come alive. As they leave age 3 and turn 4, little ones are enthralled by storytelling, pretend play and exploration. They are also immersed with friends and start playing collaboratively instead of just playing side by side.
“They tend to have clear preferences on what they like or want to do,” said Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “How Toddlers Thrive.”
Their pretend play is a little more complicated as they come to understand narratives and differentiate between fantasy and reality, said Marie Conti, the head of The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the American Montessori Society. Capes and dress-up props, as well as outdoor toys or science gadgets, allow them to explore their world.
This holiday season, we rounded up the best gifts for 4-year-olds that will keep their minds and their bodies moving.
Here are our faves!
Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set
Made with high-quality silicone and innovative suction construction, these little suckers make bath time so much fun.
Did you miss someone on your Christmas list this year?
Fortunately, we live in the era when e-gift cards and virtual gifting is now a very regular thing!
I’ve curated a list of nine stores that offer amazing virtual gifts you can simply email your child’s teacher:
Starbucks e-Gift Card
With the digital Starbucks card, your coffee lover fam or friend will get a code that she or he can add to her/his mobile device and order enough hot cocoa to sip and chill all Winter break long, depending on how much of a cocoa fan s/he is.
Send your fave a sugar rush this Holiday season with the popular Sugarwish treats delivery service. Send him or her an invite to choose their favorite flavors of candy, cookies or popcorn and it will get delivered to them. Prices start at $19.98.
Since we all will be home anyway this Winter, your gift recipient can catch up and binge watch all those TV shows trachers missed during the semester! A Netflix membership for a month or two will do it!
Fathers are often the after-thought every Christmas. People buy their dads or husbands generic “dad” gifts but not stuff their guy or dad really want.
This year, I curated a list of gifts for every type of guy that they will
Dog Dad Who Runs
Sparkly Pets
If your partner, husband or dad is the one who walks the dog and uses that time to get in a good run or catch up on his fave audio book, then he would love SparklyPets hands-free leash. He can attach it to his waist belt and then have his hands free to scroll his phone, eat, or jog.
Gift dad the joy in creating his own concotions and libatiosn with a monthly cocktail box delivering original recipes plus all the ingredients need to make them!
Each month, he’ll get 3 unique recipes by top bartenders + everything you need to make 12 drinks (4 from each recipe) other than the liquor—syrups, bitters, mixers, garnishes & more.
Dad will be exposed to new flavors & combos, and look at your liquor cabinet in a whole new way.
Tile is great for that dad who is always losing his phone, keys, walled or gym bag. He attaches these tiny trackers to the frequently misplaced item, register it and the device will emit a small sound when triggered.
If the Tile is within the 300 feet Bluetooth range, it will play a loud tune until you find it.
If your husband or dad has cold feet, literally, not figuratively, he may love this ergonomically designed toe warmer to keep under his desk at work or home office.
This device provides direct heat, warms cold feet and legs most efficiently with its 2-heat setting, choose between two different heat levels for optimal comfort
From the product page: Age Defender Eye Repair is a lifting, anti-wrinkle, dark circle-reducing eye cream for men, visibly correcting aging skin around the eyes to firm sagging and visibly resurface crow’s-feet for a smoother, more youthful appearance.
The multi-action formula contains rye seed extract, which helps visibly strengthen skin for a recharged look, leaving the eye area with a more lifted appearance.
A guy who loves to ride his bike and safely listen to his fave tunes while doing so will love to receive Air Wireless Bone Conduction Open-Ear Headphones by After Shoks. They are super light weight and comfortable.
If you have a Sam’s Club membership, you can get it for $40 off this year.
As seen on Shark’s Tank, Good Morning America and other shows, Phonesoap is the first UV-C Sanitize and charger. It houses two scientifically proven germicidal UV-C bulbs that completely sanitize your entire phone, killing 99.99% of all bacteria and germs.
In addition, the unit offers one USB port and one USB-C port for charging.
“Laid to rest for 16 years in handmade oak casks, this enriched offering is finished in first fill Oloroso sherry casks to impart a subtle fruitful nature and a roundness to the whisky. Soft notes of honey, freshened with citrus, which gives way to spiced pears, studded with cloves, and drizzled with caramel. On the palate this well balanced dram is at first sweet and rich like fruit cake, but ends satisfyingly with a hint of dark chocolate.”
Outdoor Voices makes the “All Day Sweatpants” which it touts to be the softest sweats you’ll ever wear. It’s just the perfect amount of slouch and slim for dad.
It has great reviews for being comfortable and truly wearable all day for weeks on end!
Experience an immersive acoustic performance with these Sony XB Extra Bass wireless headphones. The noise-isolating fit mutes ambient noises, while the lithium-ion battery offers up to 30 hours of playtime, keeping you entertained during long-distance travels.
These Sony XB Extra Bass wireless headphones have a touch sensor for convenient control. These wireless headphones are an outstanding option for a comfortable listening experience at home, traveling or in a noisy office, one reviewer said.
A dad who is a fan of astroloy, Super Moon or birds would appreciate a pair of binoculars.
From the product page: Pairing a relatively low magnification with large objectives, Nikon’s black 7×50 Aculon A211 Binoculars are outfitted with enhanced light-gathering capabilities, a large exit pupil, and long eye relief, which work together to produce an optic that is optimized for use in challenging light conditions.
From the product page: Long-lasting, all-weather doormats handwoven in Maine using some of the toughest nautical rope around. Designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the ocean, these polypropylene doormats are water-resistant, mold-resistant, and mildew-resistant. Because water runs through them they’ll never harbor odors. Added UV protection against fading.
This is one hard-to-beat, long-lasting doormat. Great for boats and campers, too. Only use on non-skid surfaces. Handwoven in Maine using imported nautical rop.
The best thing about Cuisinart’s compact Air Fryer is the window that lets you see its specially engineered motor fan and heater deliver powerful airflow and high heat for perfectly fried food.
Dad will love to join this new kitchen gadget food trend.
The miracle of the Ember mug’s tech is that it keeps hot drinks the perfect warm temperature for up to 1.5 hours. Designed for home or office, the new Ember Mug² does is the perfect smart mug.
For all the jokes about dads being always given wallets for Father’s day, their birthday and all other holidays, some dads really need a new wallet.
The Paul Smith buffed hide wallet is sleekly designed and simple yet exquisite and would make a great traditional dad gift with its style and sophistication.
High School students are having virtual, abbreviated, drive by and partial graduation ceremonies. More important than graduating is being prepared for this next stage of life, whether it is college, the military, work, apprentiship or otherwise.
No matter what comes next, financial literacy and being able to balance earnings, and money with life is essential.
SECU, a credit union in Maryland recently shared its gift ideas in support of financial literacy and wellness as part of their ongoing commitment to enable the financial well-being of the communities in which they serve.
Here are its 7 tips on how you, yes you, can help impart financial literacy with a new Class of 2020 High School graduate:
Write a personalized note on the inside cover of a helpful finance book that offers basic personal finance knowledge. SECU’s top reading recommendations include:
Cary Siegel’s “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?”
A year of budgeting software to help the recent graduate better understand their income and expenses so they have a more complete picture of their cash flow and can better identify and articulate their needs.
Here are some free ones with upgrades and in app purchases:
Mint – is an all-in-one resource that allows you to make budgets, track spending, pay bills and keep track of your investment portfolio
Clarity Money allows you to set savings goals, make budgets, check your credit score, and track your spending.
Albert analyzes your finances, spending habits and savings goals and creates a plan based on them.
You Need a Budget – Gives you a “job” for every dollar so you know exactly howmuch you have available for purchases.
Wally allows you to track your daily, weekly, and monthly expenses against your overall income to see where money is coming in and going out.
Acornssaves money automatically by rounding up purchases on linked accounts and moves the differences into savings.
Prism is a streamline bill payment system that shows all account balances, bills and payments to creditors in one platform
Digit tracks all your loans in one place, along with your payment due dates and debt amounts
Settle up keeps track of your shared expenses to show all money owed and who you should pay next
Help jumpstart the recent graduate’s emergency fund so they aren’t tempted to turn to pricier financial cushions in an emergency, such as credit cards.
4. Offer to pay down a debt such as making a payment or set amount of payments towards their student loan or their highest interest credit card.
5. Designate a cash gift that can be used to help them create a retirement account. Thanks to compound interest, it’s the gift that will continue to grow well into the future.
6. Give a financial contribution that can be used to create an investment fund or that can be added towards an existing fund.
7. Become a mentor to help the graduate transition from school to the workforce and to support them in their job search.
It’s never too late or early to start being more financially literate!
As any brand new expecting couple understands, the process of starting a family is daunting, from conception, to appointments, to dietary restrictions, to the unsolicited advice to the actually prep for getting ready to add a brand new member of the family.
It’s a good thing that there is a lot more technology these days that is taking the headache out of some of the items on the long to-do-list.
In my day, over a decade and more ago, if you wanted to create a baby registry for your family and friends who wanted to help you out with your initial childcare expenses, you had to load yourself and your growing girth in the car, stand in line for a clerk who’d give you a scanning gun and then, you’d have to waddle all over a big box store like Target or Walmart scanning items to add to your list. After that, you had to go back in line and have another clerk upload the list. Phew!
Got to the Amazon Baby Registry landing page and click the “Create a new Baby Registry” button. You’ll be directed to a page with questions you need to answer, enter the address to have gifts sent to and then create the registry.
After that, you can start adding gifts you want. As you probably already know, Amazon has the Earth’s Biggest Selection of products to fill your house with all the right baby things.
Now, here is a bonus that you get with Amazon that you won’t get with other one off stores, if there is a product that isn’t carried or available on Amazon, you can add it using the University Registry option. It’s a browser plug in and you can add items from any site to your registry.
Mobile On the Go
If you are not at your desktop and you think of something to add, you can do it via the Amazon app on your phone. It allows you to access and update your registry whenever you want, from wherever you are.
Instant Organization
Once you’re done with your registry, Amazon works its magic and organizes it by categories to make it easy for your family and friends to search and decide what they want to buy.
Publish It
Once you’re done, you can decide if you want to make your registry public so anyone can find it by searching your name.
You can also limit your registry so that only people with the link can access it. Or you can make it totally private to yourself only as you build it out and before it’s ready for public consumption.
Gifts for Parents Just for Creating the Registry
When you sign up, Amazon sets you up with a welcome box with up to $35 worth of baby products. Yay!
Option for Group Gifters
When your co-workers, or college friends want to go in on one large expensive gift like a stroller, glider or car seat on the list, they can utilize the Amazon group gifting option.
Friends and family or coworkers and associates can pitch in towards the purchase of one costly item.
The average annual cost of diapers for the first year of life for an infant is $550.
Another option for friends who want to help offset the expense of a new baby is for them to contribute to Diaper Fund. Friends and family can contribute any amount of money, up to $550 total, toward diapers.
You’ll get this money in the form of an electronic Amazon gift card, which can be used toward diapers and a variety of other eligible baby products as well.
For Gift Givers
All you have to do is go to the Baby Registry search page and look for the name of the mom-to-be, pick gifts, then check out. You can opt to pitch in towards a large group gift or contribute to the Diaper Fund.
If you don’t have Amazon Prime, you’ll have to spend at least $25 to be eligible for free shipping. If you have Prime, you’ll get the regular, two-day free shipping rates you’ve come to know and love.
What happens if you don’t get all the items on your list
Once you’re registry is closed, or after baby is born, you can go back and order items unpurchased for 10% off or 15% off if you are an Amazon Primemember.
Returns are Generous and Easy
If you have to return an item, don’t worry about rushing because Amazon gives you an entire year to return items from your list! That’s the best part if you ask me!
And you have no store to drive to, just print out the return label and drop it off at an Amazon location or ship it back through regular carriers like USPS.
This gift guide for expecting moms is still current and good to use as a reference as you do some last minute holiday shopping for the mom-to-be on your list:
3.Tom’s Slippers in Birch Glow in the Dark Tree Lights ($59.99) You cannot go wrong with this warm and comfy slippers to ease an achy pregnant and constantly expanding feet!
4.The Bump Pregnancy Journal This photo album is filled with blank pages that moms can fill with sonogram photos, bump updates, and other baby mementos. Get it at Amazon for $22
5.Spa Gift Card Any expecting mom could use a massage, facial and some good old fashioned pampering while she waits for her bundle of joy ($25+)
6. Uggs Dakota Slippers ($99) For a slightly higher price point, an expecting mom would really appreciate these plush puppies from a known quality brand!
7. Leachco Snoogle Original Maternity/Pregnancy Total Body Pillow If you know how uncomfortable sleeping can be while pregnant, you’d know that this pillow is heaven sent! It allows you to position your body and belly, neck and back in a way most comfortable for a restful night’s sleep. Your expecting family member or friend will LOVE you for getting her this gift! Get it at Amazon for $59.99
8. At Home Spa Gift For moms on bed rest, an at home spa gift basket would be perfect. This basket from an Etsy shop includes belly butter, magnesium lotion, anti-nausea tea, and a bath soak. Nice!($45.99)
Toddlers are so fun to shop for! I’m a big fan of exploratory toys that incorporate learning into play and for this reason, I scoped out some pretty fun, creative, inventive and innovative offerings for your little one in this guide!
To purchase any item on this list click the links (affiliate links included) or use it as inspiration as you’re putting together your list.
100 First Words for Little Geeks – Since they’re way beyond “milk” and “ball,” teach them words they really need to know: dragon, android, cyborg, wormhole, and other vocab you need to get them into sci-fi and fantasy. ($10)
Baby Alive speaks to her mini mommy or daddy in either Spanish or English. Baby Alive‘s realistic, adorable phrases include childhood classics like “Time to go potty!” and “Yay, I did it!” ($36)
Kinetic Sand Beach Sand Kingdom Playset -This feels like wet sand and won’t dry out, even if you leave it out on the table overnight. (But yes, you might have to vacuum it out of the carpet, so invoke your home’s Play-Doh protocol and only allow it on the table.) ($20)
Parents may want to use this opportunity to give their child’s teacher a nice gift as a thank you for the school year so far.
In a lot of school systems, it may be not permissible to spend too much money on a gift so I curated a guide of 9 unique and thoughtful novelty gifts, all under $20, that would put a smile on the face of your child’s fave teacher and may be used in the classroom for years to come, even…
This funny mug by Tekoware is microwave and dishwasher safe and is a clever take off of the “tears” drinking-memes in the Internet e.g. drinking the tears of someone who is whining or complaining. Typically, it is short for “save it! I’m not falling for it.” A teacher with a good sense of humor would appreciate this mug.
This unique clock signals the time with a simple math equation that equals the number that would ordinarily be on an average clock. This novel gift would warm your kid’s math teacher’s face and make a fun classroom ornament.
Any teacher would appreciate this eco-friendly handmade leather cover journal by The Great Indian Bazaar. It is not lined so it can be used to jot down notes, doodle, sketch, as a recipe book, organizer or travel journal. It is unisex and can be given to a male or female teacher. It has an old world charm to it.
The art or photography class teacher will just love this linen cotton covered pillow featuring an old time camera on it. The 100% natural blend pillow by Monkeysell is 18×18 shaped and is a delightful and attractive home decor item that can also be used to support teacher’s back during a long or late afternoon class.
Whether it’s a teacher retreat or planning day or a continuing education lecture, every teacher needs to organize and chronicle her mental notes into some nice space. This 3-pack of field notes journals is perfect and functional. Show your fave teacher that you got her back!
Though every teacher considers his/her students to be perfect angels, there is no doubt that s/he need some pampering and self-care time to decompress after challenging lesson or after grading 30 papers on the Gettysburg address. Phew!! Give her some eye relief with these aloe-vera eye gels that can be cool or hot.
The one thing that is on every school supply list every year is a composition book. And wouldn’t it be cute to gift your teacher this 100% cotton tote made of a print like that same book? The company “Out of Print” makes this bag and gives to charity one bag for each bag purchased. Your gift to teacher would also give back! How perfect! With this gift, your teacher will be the talk of the next teacher convention or retreat!
These fun socks by Socks n Socks come with science, nature studies and other school subject themes printed on them. They are a zany but fun gift for any teacher. They have spandex in them and can fit anyone wearing men shoe size 7 -12.
During the busy school year, your teacher may not realize sitting in a room while a scented aromatherapy candle burns may be just the therapy s/he needs after a rough semester. You can come to your fave teacher’s rescue by gifting her/him Chesapeake Bay candle company’s Peace and Tranquilty candle from its Mind and Body collection. If permissible, teach can burn this candle after recess to get rid of that gym class funk! ha!
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start making those gift purchases for the special Moms in your life. Finding the perfect present for these ladies can be a challenge; here are a few tips to help ease the stress of coming up with something a little more lasting than breakfast in bed.
Gift Baskets – While there are certainly a staggering array of pre-made gift basket options, putting one together yourself is both surprisingly easy and the best way of ensuring that each and every item is handpicked for the guest of honor.
Personalized Gifts – It’s possible to personalize almost any gift you can come up with; adding a birthstone, a monogram or any other signifying features is one of the best ways to give your selected item a personal touch.
Jewelry – There are entire lines of jewelry, all with varying price points, designed for the Mother’s Day gift-buying set. From necklaces with charms to symbolize each of her children to bracelets with each child’s birthstone, there’s definitely no shortage of precious adornments created with Mom in mind.
Flowers – Though it might be so common that it’s almost a cliché, flowers are the perfect gift for a friend or relative with children. While you might want to step it up a bit for your own mom or the mother of your children, they’re a time-honored tradition for moms that aren’t immediate family.
Day Spa or Salon Gift Certificates – The frantic pace of today’s world makes it difficult for women to fit a day of pampering and preening into her schedule. A gift certificate for just such a thing makes a spa day seem like less of an indulgence and more of a treasured gift.
Gifts Tailored to Her Specific Interests – Everyone is different, and harried moms are no exception. Taking your special lady’s interests and hobbies into account when selecting your gift is a good way to go the extra mile and provide her with something that she’ll actually use and appreciate.
Family Tree Artwork – Artwork that incorporates genealogical information can range from minimalist and sparse to very ornate, so there’s a style to suit any décor. Moms are sure to love a family tree painting or print, and there are several retailers, both online and brick-and-mortar, that specialize in them.
Luxury Items – “Luxury” items don’t have to be big-ticket purchases; they’re simply things that Mom might want but would never get for herself. For families that have been forced into serious belt-tightening by the economic climate of the last few years, a luxury item can be something as simple as a more-extravagant-than-usual dinner or a bottle of her favorite perfume.
Handmade Gifts – Moms of small children are sure to be moved to tears by a gift they helped to make, so giving little ones a hand in creating her gift can be a big hit. However, handmade gifts aren’t restricted to the smaller set; crafty or artistic grownups can get in on the fun, too!
A Day Off – Though it might seem simple, often the best gift that a mother can receive is to spend her special day alone, pursuing her own interests with no responsibilities. Sending her along the way with reassurances that the kids and household will be well looked after in her absence will give her a break that is likely to be much-needed.
Just as there’s no one-size-fits-all Mom, there are no one-size-fits-all gifts. Take the interests and tastes of the Mom in your life into account when choosing her gift, rather than falling back on the old standards. Even a small amount of effort will go a long way!
