Lip Balm
I love a good lip balm, especially in the colder months. Just in time for the holidays, Eco Lips introduces a holiday line which includes Candy Cane, Raspberry Truffle and Gingerbread. They are the perfect treat for your lips to combat the cold and dry air, making your lips feel smooth and hydrated without being too waxy. And, they have just the right amount of scent and flavor. Perfect for stuffing those stockings! EcoLips.com
Puzzles
A few years back we started a tradition of completing a puzzle or two during the holidays. This year we’re excited that our puzzle of choice has a local flair. Featuring art by folk artist Eric Dowdle, the Kansas City wooden puzzle by Dowdle Folk Art brings together our love of our hometown and our love of puzzles! These high-quality puzzles have so many different images to choose from, you’ll want to order more than one! DowdleFolkArt.com
Games
Board games, word puzzles, card games, arcade and video games--I love them all! My younger enjoys games and is typically up to joining me, although my hubby and older don’t share the same fondness as I we do for the pastimes. But over the holidays, I can usually get them all involved in at least one game night. I’m excited to have some classics to add to our mix this year. Sequence, Mastermind and Rummikub Classic are perfect additions and fun for all ages! Amazon.com
Books
When my girls were younger, we saw Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove perform on several occasions. His high-energy, kid-inspired lyrics always got everyone clapping and singing along. He’s taken some of those songs and made them into books so that now kids can enjoy the songs and characters they love in print, as well as in song! Check out Sullen Sally, Bop Bop Dinosaur and Hark! It’s Harold the Angel. Perfect gifts for kiddos! JimCosgrove.com
Weekly Planner
I’ve been trying to do a better job of keeping a journal. Knock on wood, I’m doing a fairly good job. To keep that momentum going in the new year, I’m excited to break out the Flow Calendar from Workman, which combines my love of a paper calendar with my new hobby of journaling. Each week has a nice space to fill in with events and then next to each week is a blank page with a starter question, perfect for reflections and memories. Workman.com