Yes, You Do Need to Start 2021 Christmas Shopping Now

I’ve always been a proponent of getting your Christmas shopping done by Black Friday at the latest, but 2021 Christmas shopping is proving to be even more challenging.

You’ve likely heard reports from the news about toys possibly running out. As much as you want to believe news organizations are just exaggerating, that is not the case. There is a very real possibility that popular items, even clothing, will run out.

This is all because producers and retailers are still dealing with lingering supply chain issues. Those issues aren’t going to be solved by Christmas.

This is what you need to do to get your 2021 Christmas shopping done early.

Major Shipping Delays

There will be major shipping delays across the country. In fact, there are huge shipping delays even getting stock into the country.

According to Andy Harig of the Food Marketing Institute, “The wait to get into the port at Long Beach [in California] is almost eight days, and we have 56 ships backed up at any given time. There are reports of container ships turning around and not even waiting to get refilled.”

Within the U.S., shipping companies are facing major setups, as well. For instance, the Portland Oregon FedEx facility is currently 65% staffed. They are having to reroute 25% of the volume from its hub by using third-party transportation, which raises costs all the way around.

You also should not expect Amazon's two-day delivery services to work like normal.

Shop online early to guarantee your gifts will make it on time.

Price Hikes

The cost of shipping is forcing retailers to also raise their prices.

ABC 7 NY reports, “Toymaker Mattel whose brands include Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and American Girl, said in an earnings conference call on Tuesday that it is raising prices in the second half of the year in the run-up to the holiday shopping season.”

What that means for moms and dads is that we shouldn’t wait for a big sale to shop for Christmas presents. Prices won’t be slashed like normal.

It’s a better idea to purchase that hot item when you see it rather than waiting for the price to drop.

Things to Consider When 2021 Christmas Shopping in October

For most of us, it seems early to start 2021 Christmas shopping. But, as you see, this year it is a must. Here are some things to keep in mind as you start shopping for Christmas before Halloween.

• Check Out 2021 Christmas Shopping Guides – Many of the Christmas wish list guides have already been published. These guides highlight what will likely be the items your kids want that may run out. Start with Amazon’s Toys We Love List.

• Consider Out-of-the-Box Options: Since the shelves may be empty, consider out-of-the-box options, such as season passes to the zoo, enrollment in an Outschool course, or gift cards to your child’s favorite shop.

• Think About Storage: One of the issues with shopping this early is having to keep the gifts hidden until you are ready to put them under the tree. Go ahead and have a plan for where you can safely store the gifts until the time comes to pull them out.

• How to Handle Late Santa Requests: Kids don’t care about supply chain issues. They want that special toy. This year, they may not be able to get it. Start thinking about how you will handle late Santa requests, such as telling your kids the elves had to quarantine and can’t make that gift in time.

10 Teacher Appreciation Gifts During Quarantine

If you think suddenly substitute teaching your kids at home is hard, imagine how hard it has been on their teachers! Many teachers are not only having to continue creating lesson plans and providing learning resources, but they also have to teach parents how to follow the curriculum and use technology. Plus, many teachers also have to be their own kid’s substitute teacher at home!

Even though teachers are not in the classroom with your kids are teaching like they wish they were, let’s not forget to celebrate them during Teacher Appreciation Week. Hint – Teacher Appreciation Week is THIS week. With the COVID-19 quarantine orders, it makes purchasing teacher gifts a little different. To help you find a way to show your gratitude, here are ten teacher appreciation gifts you can still give during the quarantine.

1. A Homemade Card

Nothing beats a homemade card. Bonus – If you make your kids make the card, this will take up some of those extra hours you have during the day. Just be sure the card shows your child’s teacher how much he/she is appreciated and missed. If you don’t have the teacher’s home address, you can send the card to the school and address it to the teacher. Along those same lines, a simple email “thank you” from you will be appreciated, especially during such a crazy school year.

2. Gift Cards

You know what teachers really want? Gift cards. No more personalized apples. Think about it - If they got an apple or teacher mug from every child, they would have hundreds upon hundreds. Instead, get them gift cards to use at stores they love. Bonus – Choose gift cards that allow them to shop online since going to stores isn’t easy right now.

3. Restaurant Delivery

Treat your child’s teacher to lunch or dinner by having a meal delivered via Uber Eats or GrubHub. Or, give your child’s teacher a gift card to use at their favorite local restaurant.

4. Donate to Their Classrooms

Make their day by donating to their classroom. Many teachers keep ongoing Amazon Wish Lists for their classrooms or share project needs on DonorsChoose.

5. Flowers

A lovely way to show appreciation is with a bouquet of flowers. If florists are opened where you live and floral delivery is available, this is a great choice.

6. Donuts on the Doorstep

If you know their address, show your appreciation by leaving them some donuts on the doorstep. This is a sweet way to say thank you and practice social distancing.

7. A Video Message

If you don’t know by now, teachers love your kids. They miss seeing them and are heartbroken they don’t get to instruct them face to face. So, the next best thing is “seeing” them online. Have your child record a video message telling them how much they appreciate them and email the video to your child’s teacher.

8. Say It in Chalk

Bust out the sidewalk chalk and tell the world how much you love your child’s teacher. You can do this on your own driveway, your child’s driveway, or even the sidewalk in front of the school.

9. Give Them a Parade

If you can coordinate with other class parents, plan a surprise teacher appreciation parade. In separate vehicles, ride past the teacher’s house in decorated cars with kids waving and yelling, “thank you” from the windows.

10. Quarantine-Themed Gifts

And, last but not least, consider a quarantine-themed teacher gift from an Etsy seller.

What to Get Your BFF for Christmas

The older I get, the more I value my friendships. As we build our own lives and families, our friend circle grows smaller and smaller. But, I can’t imagine my life without those friends who have stuck by me through all the different seasons of life. That’s why I think it is important not to overlook them during the holidays.

As Mandy Hale writes, “Celebrate the people in your life who are there because they love you for no other reason than because you are you.” What better way to celebrate your best friend than to give her the perfect present at Christmas? Here are some ideas to help you find a gift that will show your BFF just how much she means to you.

Something Personal & Fun

You and your BFF likely have tons of inside jokes. You know what makes her laugh more than anyone else – possibly even more than her husband. So, look for a present that is personal and fun, such as a coffee mug with a funny saying from her favorite television show. What does she love? What makes her laugh?

Something Memorable & Meaningful

If your gal pal is sentimental, then look for a gift that is memorable and meaningful. For example, frame a photo of the two of you from when you were younger or give her a bracelet with a special message (such as “You’re my person”). You may also want to consider personalized items.

Something for the Two of You

Instead of giving her physical present, consider giving her an experience gift that the two of you can enjoy together. For instance, book a spa day for the two of you, take a winery tour, or get tickets to a concert. Just make sure the experience is what she wants to do and not just what you want.

Something She Needs But Won’t Ask For

You know her better than anyone, which means you also know what she really needs even if she won’t ask for it. Use this information to give her something special. This may not even be a gift you can wrap. For instance, your friend may need a date night, so offer to babysit her kids. Or, your friend may be overwhelmed with the current state of the laundry, so offer to help her get it all done.

Something She Can Use Over and Over Again

Instead of giving her something that ends up collecting dust, choose a gift that keeps on giving. For example, purchase a year-long subscription for Hulu or Netflix, a subscription for People magazine, or a subscription for FabFitFun. These are gifts she will get to enjoy over and over again.

Something Priceless

Ultimately, the best gift you can give your friend is to be a friend. Give her your time and attention. Listen to her, laugh with her, and give her a shoulder to lean on. Sometimes it is more important to simply “be there” for your friend than it is to arrive with something new and shiny.

Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas for the Procrastinators

"A father carries pictures where his money used to be." - Steve Martin

Yikes! Father’s Day 2019 is THIS Sunday! Are you prepared? While we all want to do something nice to show our partner-in-parenting-crimes he is appreciated, life gets in the way. Father’s Day can sneak up on us – especially at the end of the school year and start of summer. If that sounds familiar, I’ve got you covered. Today I am highlighting some last minute Father’s Day gift ideas that you can put together in little to no time. Even better – these are all gift ideas that men love!

All Hail Gift Cards!

I know sometimes gift cards get a bad rep. And, let’s be honest, you can tell when someone just doesn’t know what to get you, so they give you a random gift card. Hear me out – I am not suggesting you give the father in your life just any ‘ole gift card. Just the opposite. Get him a gift card to his absolute favorite place. This will show him that you know him and love him.

Homemade Gifts He Will Truly Appreciate

If the dad in your life is sentimental, then it is perfectly acceptable to give him something homemade. Many men love homemade gifts because they show you took time to create something special just for them. Plus, since it is Father’s Day, your kids can get involved in the crafting process, making it something even more precious. Check out Good Housekeeping’s list of homemade Father’s Day gifts.

A Meal He Doesn’t Have to Cook

As the saying goes, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Whether the dad in your life does some of the cooking or none at all, a good meal is a great gift. Depending on his preferences and your schedule, you can choose between breakfast in bed, a backyard grill-out for lunch, or a fancy dinner.

Sign Him Up for a Subscription Box

I recently raved about my love of subscription boxes (FabFitFun and Daily Look), but subscription boxes are not just for women. There are tons of really cool masculine subscription boxes available offering everything from beard stuff to vinyl records to grilling tools. The fun thing about a subscription box is that it is the gift that keeps on giving. Rather than Dad receiving one gift on the holiday, he will get the subscription boxes throughout the year for whatever duration you select.

Note – Since it is too late to get the first box to him on Father’s Day, print out a picture and a description of the box so he can wait in excited anticipation.

A Day Off

If all else fails, give Dad a day off. While this looks different for every family, it basically means give him a day to do what he wants. This may mean lounging in a recliner with a beer watching sports all day, or it may mean heading to Lowe’s to peruse the aisles. Other men may simply want a day of fun with their family, so load up the car and head to the park or a nearby theme park.

Why Grown-Ups Should Make Christmas Wish Lists Too

Have you ever received a bad Christmas gift? Or a duplicate gift? Or a gift that made it seem like the gift-giver did not know you at all? This happens all the time! I have received questionable gifts even from the people who know me best! This is just one of the reasons I believe we should keep making Christmas wish lists – even as adults!

After years adulting, I am at a place in my life where I basically have all I need. And, I often just got to the store or online to buy the things I want. I’m definitely not the only one! Our generation is used to getting the things we want when we want them – without waiting for Santa to place it underneath the Christmas tree.

But, this kind of takes the fun out of receiving gifts at Christmas time. Not only does it make it especially difficult for others to buy you gifts at the holidays, but it also takes away the fun of receiving gifts. Instead, I have started making my personal Christmas wish list alongside my daughters each year. Here’s why.

Your Wants Change Overtime

As the years go by, what you want as a gift will change. When you are just starting out, you will want to fill your home with the basics. When your home has all the basics, you’ll want things that are more personalized. And, when your home is simply filled with things, you’ll want fewer things and more gifts of experiences (such as tickets to Paris). To help the people in your life know what you want this year, fill them in!

No More Guessing

Having a Christmas wish list takes guessing out of the equation. If you are married or in a relationship, you have no doubt hinted at the things you want for Christmas. But, as any woman can tell you, just because you hint doesn’t mean your man is going to get it. You know what he will get? A wish list in writing.

No More Filling Your Home with Stuff You Don’t Love

I try to fill my home and closets with things I love. However, at Christmas, I receive gifts that I am less than crazy about, but then I feel guilty about not using them. This is another reason why I craft a wish list that covers a small variety of things I truly love to share with my family and friends. This helps them find something I will love and use rather than having to guess and purchase something that isn’t my taste.

No More Unnecessary Stress

I love to shop, but Christmas shopping can be stressful. As a shopper, I love to shop and find the perfect presents for the ones I love. But this is a busy time of year and the less time I have to spend browsing the racks to find the perfect present, the better. If someone gives me a wish list, it makes my holiday shopping so much easier. I figure I am doing the same by giving my loved ones a wish list.

The Best Ways to Make a Grown-Up Christmas List

Now that you understand my reasons let’s talk about the appropriate ways to make a grown-up Christmas list.

1. This is not a kid’s wish list. It should be tasteful and brief. Do not list a ton of things. Stick to the items you would really love to receive as a gift.

2. With that being said, try to cover different budgets and leave the more extravagant items to those you know can afford it and are likely to make these types of big purchases.

3. It is perfectly acceptable to ask for gift cards, but you should specify the stores or restaurants you frequent (or those you wish you could).

4. Use a service such as Giftster. Giftster is a free online gift registry that makes it easy to share your wish lists with family and friends. (Plus, this service can be used for any occasion – think birthdays, too!)

The Hottest Toys This Holiday Season

As a mom, there are few things I love as much as seeing my daughters’ imaginations run wild. And, when I purchase the right toys, I know I am providing my daughters with endless possibilities for them to have fun and be creative. I’ve learned as a mom that the best toys provide hours of entertainment. Plus, the right toys mean mom gets a break, too.

My Visit to eBay Toytopia

Last week, my family went to the eBay Toytopia pop-up in Chelsea Market. This unique pop-up event showcased the hottest toys of this holiday season. Guests got to see what toys are currently trending, and I got to see what toys my daughters are most hopeful they will receive this Christmas. Kids even got to play with the most wanted toys! It was so much fun to see my daughters playing and feeling excited about the upcoming holiday.

I attended the eBay Toytopia event, and now I am prepared to fill you in on which toys are expected to be the biggest toys of the year. Having my daughters alongside me also helped me see which toys my little princesses are really hoping Santa brings them this Christmas – and it gave me an inside look into which toys your kids are most likely to want, too. For instance, Fingerling Hugs were a big hit with the whole family, as well as a cool electric guitar designed for kids. You can hop over to my Instagram to see my daughter rocking out.

The Surprise Toy Hits for the 2018 Holiday Season

Every year there are some surprise toy hits that all kids want for Christmas. Often, they are so popular that they run out leaving parents searching frantically to find them before Christmas morning. To help you avoid this mess, here are three of the surprise toy hits for 2018.

• WowWee Fingerling Hugs – Fingerling Hugs are bigger, huggable, interactive stuffed versions of last year’s popular fingerling toys. These swinging monkeys make the cutest sounds when you play with them and come in bright colors. My daughters love them!

• Feisty Pets – If your kid has not mentioned Feisty Pets yet, they will soon. Feisty Pets are cute stuffed animals until you squeeze them, and their feisty side comes out – complete with scary faces.

• Soggy Doggy Board Game – Last year was all about Pie Face, this year expect your youngest kids to want the Soggy Doggy Board Game.

You can find all of these at eBay Toytopia.

The Toys You Won’t Feel the Least Bit Guilty About Giving

While I am all about giving my girls toys that are simply fun and encourage imagination, I am even more excited to give them a toy that helps them learn. Thankfully, parents don’t have to look far. There are so many STEM toy options designed to help kids play and learn at the same time. For instance, my girls loved the Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot. There are several STEM coding toys on the market now, and your kids will love these fun challenges.

The Toys That Never Go Out of Style

At Toytopia NYC, I was also happy to see that there are some toys that will never go out of style. While they are continuously being improved from one generation to the next, some toys will always be well loved by children. Kids will always love playing with dolls and action figures (whether they are Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes, or Transformers), LEGOs, and game systems (such as PlayStation).

What toys are on your kid’s wish lists this year? What wish list items surprise you?