Christmas Gift Ideas for Him

Freedom Channel

Finding what to buy the man in your life can definitely be a struggle and many of us succumb to buying socks or gift cards. Despite this, gifts such as these can seem impersonal and many of us are in search of something more. We’re edging closer and closer to Christmas and time is wearing thin to find the perfect gift. So, what should you be on the hunt for ahead of Christmas day?

A Bracelet

Usually, your mind won’t go straight to jewelry when tracking down a gift for a man, but a bracelet is a present with great potential. Men’s bracelets are becoming increasingly popular and act as a great feature of any outfit. Leather bracelets and silver cuffs are ideal candidates as they’re minimal, simplistic, and won’t overwhelm a jewelry novice. Even the most macho of recipients can appreciate a jewelry gift as the connotations of such are no longer feminine. Jewelry is for everyone, and a bracelet gift is a great way to introduce your man into the world of accessories.

A Cozy Jumper

What’s not to love about a fuzzy jumper in the midst of winter? A lot of men won’t think to regularly replenish their wardrobe and may still be wearing a ten-year-old jumper. No matter the amount of fabric softener, a jumper’s softness will not be able to withstand years of wear. Therefore, a new cozy jumper is a thoughtful gift that shows someone you’re concerned about their comfort. Additionally, you can be sure that the recipient will get ample wear out of the item for years to come, especially across the festive period.

Aftershave

Scents are extremely personal; in fact, smells, memories, and emotions are interwoven. Scents are dealt with by a structure at the front of the brain and are directly sent to the areas that handle memory and emotion. Therefore, you will associate certain scents with loved ones and these smells will trigger emotional responses. Whether you opt for a fresh, floral, spice, or woody smell, you’ll be gifting someone with a deeply thoughtful present.

An Electric Toothbrush

Not only is an electric toothbrush a gift of convenience, but also a luxury. A lot of people won’t think to invest in an electric toothbrush as their standard alternative suffices. Additionally, an electric toothbrush comes at a much higher cost that many people don’t want to fork out for. However, electric toothbrushes are much better for your oral hygiene and leave you with a much cleaner feel. Not only will this gift display your appreciation for your recipient, but it’ll greatly benefit them from a health stance.

A Smart Watch

Smart watches are great gifts that allow you to combine the functions of a smartphone with the compact convenience of a watch. A smart watch allows you to make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages, utilize apps, and, of course, tell the time. To personalize the gift slightly more, you can even purchase straps of different patterns and colors. This will give your recipient the opportunity to match their watch to their outfit from day to day.

A Small Pizza Oven

Outdoor pizza ovens are no longer bulky and fixed to the floor; you can now purchase portable appliances that weigh as little as 10 kg. Not only will these cook delicious pizzas in as little as a minute, but their setup is effortless. The man in your life is sure to enjoy a pizza oven, producing restaurant quality pizza at a fraction of the price. This gift will ensure minimum effort and maximum satisfaction.

Continue Reading

A First-Time Parent’s Guide to Planning a Kid’s First Birthday Party

Entertainment

As first-time parents, we tend to celebrate all our child’s achievements, from their first word to their first steps, so it’s only expected that their first birthday is given the importance it deserves.

If you have experienced planning a birthday party before, this should be no different, but if you haven’t, there’s no need to worry. This article is here to help. We’ve created a timetable to make the whole process easier for you.

3 to 2 months before the party

  • Set a date. The birthday party doesn’t necessarily have to be on the date itself, especially if it lands on a weekday. Most parties are held on weekends to accommodate parents and other guests who have school or work.
  • Decide on a theme. While this isn’t required, it may help guide you to decorate the venue and make the whole party seem more cohesive. If your child expresses a preference for certain cartoon characters or colours, you can pick them to be the central theme of the party.
  • Decide on the guest list. Early on, you must decide how many people you’ll invite, as it could limit which venues can accommodate you. 
  • Book a venue. If you’ll be holding the party in a restaurant, resort, or other such locations, it’s a good idea to call in early to ensure you get your desired date. Popular locations tend to be fully booked months ahead, so it’s prudent to start planning early. 
  • Invite the guests. Once you have the venue secured, you should contact the guests as soon as possible to confirm their attendance. Include the time start and end time, venue, and other pertinent details.

2 to 1 month before the party

  • Shop for party favours. Party favours are a great way to thank guests for coming. A candy bag would be a budget-friendly choice for a mostly-kid guest list.
  • Order the cake. Before contacting the bakery, decide what you want the cake to look like. Send them photos of what you want the cake to look like instead of describing your vision through text.
  • Think of games or activities. Some venues have a party host included in the package. If not, you’ll have to think up ways to entertain the guests. You can hire a clown or a magician or plan a scavenger hunt.

4 to 2 weeks before the party

  • Shop for gifts. A birthday party requires a birthday gift, and your child deserves the best. Get them a trendy toy like a Playmobil Ambulance or a big doll house.
  • Ensure everything is finalised. Talk to the venue staff and the cake shop so you’re sure everything is ready.

There’s plenty that must be considered when planning a children’s birthday party, but by breaking down the larger tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks, you won’t get overwhelmed and you can plan things out more smoothly. Ask for help if you need it, and stay organised so you don’t lose track of any important tasks.

Continue Reading

Virtual Holiday Party Ideas

Love

The holiday season is upon us, and this year it is unlike any other we have ever experienced. The COVID-19 pandemic has completely altered the way we live our lives, drastically altering the way we experience the holidays. The CDC and other experts have advised not to travel to friends and family this year, leaving holiday events in a precarious situation. Thankfully, there are always virtual events, something that can connect family members from across the country. As a result, you can connect with your family through virtual means, regardless of whether they just closed on one of the Pittsburgh houses for sale or live in Seattle real estate. Unfortunately, coming up with a good virtual holiday party idea can be quite the hassle. So what should you look towards for inspiration? Here are some great virtual party ideas that you can use this holiday season.

Gift Exchange

One of the most important parts of the holiday season is the gift exchange. We all have memories of waking up early on Christmas morning, seeing what kinds of presents we received. While adult gift exchanges aren’t quite as magical, they do hold a lot of significance. Unfortunately, the pandemic makes gift exchanges quite different this year, but they still can be pulled off. Simply mail your gifts out ahead of time or order them to the recipient’s location. 

You can then open your gifts while on a video call with all your loved ones, giving you a chance to see their reactions live. While it may not be the same as opening gifts together in person, it still allows you to have a semblance of normalcy in these trying times. 

Cookie Decorating

An extremely cute way to celebrate the holidays this year is with virtual cookie decorating. Making Christmas cookies has been a long-standing tradition during the holiday season. While making and decorating cookies in a virtual environment is certainly a change of pace, you can still pull the tradition off. Have each household bake their own batch of cookies, decorating them how they see fit. You can even have a friendly competition if you want and see who can come up with the best -decorated cookies. Virtual cookie decorating is a great way to hold on to a classic holiday tradition and can allow you to connect with your family members, even with a great amount of distance. 

Paint and Sip

One of the more adult options for a holiday virtual event is a paint and sip. Paint and sips are extremely simple to pull off, but they always seem to be a blast. All you need to do is have a painting to emulate and casually sip while everyone paints. A paint and sip is a great way for everyone to catch up and communicate, and you don’t even need to be artistic to pull it off. Just like with decorating cookies, you could even turn this into a friendly competition to see who can create the best painting. If you want a unique and fun way to connect with your loved ones this holiday season, then this could be a very solid option.

Party Games

Another great way to celebrate the holidays virtually this season is with party games. We all have family games that we love to play with our loved ones around the holiday season, and although they might not translate to a virtual environment, there are some alternatives. You could set up a game of virtual Jeopardy or even Family Feud. In addition, classic family games like charades are still an option as well. Playing games and making memories with loved ones is an important part of the holiday tradition, so why not try to pull it off in a virtual environment.

Continue Reading