Best Gifts For Mom This Christmas for Under $50

Getting a Christmas present for Mom can be a challenge; finding a unique gift for such an important person in your life definitely takes a lot of time and thought. However, with Christmas only 13 days away, time to find that perfect gift is running out. Thankfully, Rebecka Schumann from International Business Times has crafted a list of 10 unique and special gifts for Mom this holiday season, all of which are under $50. Another feature that sets this list apart from others is that the gift ideas are broken down into categories depending on her hobbies and personality. Scroll below to see Rebecka Schumann’s original list of 10 Christmas gift ideas for Mom:

1. For the Homebody: Victoria’s Secret Sleepover Knit Pajama Set- $39.50

What homebody wouldn't love a comfy new pair of pajamas?

2. For the Makeup Lover: Lori Greiner Spinning Cosmetic Organizer- $39.99

Makeup can be so hard to keep track of, so help Mom keep her collection together with this new spinning organizer. 

3. For the Writer: The Q&A A Day 5-Year Journal from Barnes and Noble: $16.99

Give the writer in your family this new writing challenge as a gift this holiday season. The journal asks a different question for each day of the year, repeating the same questions over the course of the next 5 years. It is a unique and creative way to in writing how things change (or don't) over time!

4. For the Gardener: Butterfly Puddler, Uncommongoods.com- $40.00

Made from recycled glass and homemade stoneware, this unique product the natural minerals from dried up water to attract wild butterflies to Mom's garden. 

5. For the Athlete: The WeGo Elite Activity Tracker- $39.99

This product is similar to the popular FitBit but without spending all the money. The WeGo includes a 30-day memory and the ability to track calories, fat burn, distance, and steps.

6. For the New Mom: the Wet Brush Detangling comb- $8.99

As anyone who is or has been a new Mom knows that they are constantly on the go, leaving very little extra time for anything, especially styling their hair. Make their busy life move a little faster with the new detangling comb from Wet Brush.

7. For the Person Who Has Everything: Visit BlindSurprise.com- $25.00

These people can be the most difficult to buy for of all. When asked about a gift they would want they can't come up with any ideas and when you brainstorm, you can't really either. So leave it up to BlindSurprise.com. Just fill out information about your Mom and her hobbies and this site will send an awesome gift handpicked just for her. 

8. For the World Traveler: Scratch Map from Uncommongoods.com- $20.00

This is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to travel or has traveled a lot already. The map comes with coins that allow you to scratch off all the countries you have visited.

9. For the Reader: membership to Audible.com- $45.00

Busy moms know that it is hard to find time to curl up with your favorite book, so help her keep reading with a subscription to audible.com, a site that provides hundreds of audiobooks that can be downloaded to iTunes for listening on the go.

10. For the DIY Queen: Lorran Oils Lip Balm Making Kit, WilliamsSonoma.com- $34.95

If your mom is glued to Pinterest or loves making everything from scratch, this is definitely the perfect gift for her. 

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

Creative Kid's Halloween Costume Ideas Courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres

Halloween is next week so if you are still looking for a cute and creative costume for your little one, look no further! 

Ellen DeGeneres has complied a list of kids costumes for everyone trying to do something a little different for their children this year. And trust me, these suggestions are as adorable as they are unique! For all our procrastinators out there who save costume-making for the last minute (something I am guilty of this year), no need to fret because some of these costumes are incredibly easy to put together at a moment’s notice. 

1. Flower in a Pot

Just some fake flowers, a headband, brown pants or skirt, and a plastic container are needed to put together this super cute costume.

2. Baby Einstein 

This was one of my favorite ones on the list. @ellieperillo transformed her son into a miniature Einstein using just a white onesie, a fake mustache, and some fake gray hair coloring. 

3. Little Pilot

For all arts and crafts lovers, this is the perfect costume. If you aren't good with crafts or don't have time, you can forgo the cardboard plane and put together an outfit using a hat, scarf, leather jacket, and the signature goggles. 

4. Pretty Peacock

The nice thing about this costume idea is that it can range from quick and simple to really detailed depending on how much time and energy you have to put into it. All you need for the basics are purple tights, a blue tutu, blue shirt, and a feather tail. The rest is up to you!

5. Cuddly Koala

Ellen loved this submission by @tsmurray that she added it to her list of best costumes- and we don't blame her! This little koala couldn't be cuter. 

6. Cabbage Patch Kid

All this clever costume requires is a pink shirt with a denim dress and a wig.

7. Instagram 

As a fan of social media, I obviously had to include Felicia R's clever submission from Ellen's list! 

8. A Spelling Bee

 

This was one of the most creative ones I came across, and not too difficult either!

9. The Simpsons

An awesome idea for family costumes!

10. Wizard of Oz

Such a cute idea for siblings. Thanks to @sefull7 for submitting this to Ellen's list!

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

The Most Creative Ways Moms Can Sneak in Workouts

One of the trickiest aspects of parenting is finding time for oneself, meaning time away from the kids and the spouse. To many moms, going to the gym and working out falls under that category. If you ask me, running around after kids is a workout in itself but for the moms out there who were looking for something a little more than that- there are some ways you can creatively sneak in some exercise between (or during) working and parenting. 

1. Walking the dog

One of the best ways to sneak away from the house for a little while, with a good excuse, and get some exercise is to go for a power walk with the dog. It can be in the early morning or evening time, whatever fits best with your schedule. If you have little kids that can’t be left unattended- take them with you! Pushing a stroller in front of you while you jog or power walk just amps up your workout and burns more calories.

2. Squeeze in a yoga or Pilates class

Even if it means getting up earlier to make this work, attending a class a few times a week can do wonders for your body- and your mind. Yoga not only makes you sweat, it also can be that one hour a day to completely relax, get that to-do list off your brain, and focus on yourself. Plus, it is the perfect place to meet other moms who are there doing exactly the same thing as you.

3. Biking with the kids in tow

This doesn’t quite get you that much coveted time alone, but it does offer one hell of a workout! If you have young children, biking while pulling them behind you is fun and entertaining for them while giving you that leg/butt workout you’ve been searching for. Everybody wins. 

4. Taking the stairs at work

Instead of waiting in line for the elevator alongside everyone else, try taking the stairs at work instead! It might be the last thing you want to do early in the morning or at the end of a long day, but taking the stairs every day adds up to become a great leg work out.

5. Doing crunches during every commercial of your kid’s favorite show

Commercials are back on? Cue the crunches! This idea combines spending time with your kids, an ab work out, and breaks all into one beautiful 30 minute period. 

6. Park farther away at the grocery store

Instead of fighting for the closest spot to the door every week at the grocery store, park farther away from it and walk instead. It seems like a small thing but it’s a great way to burn a few calories and not stress over a parking spot. 

7. Forget hiring a swim instructor and teach your kids how to swim yourself

Unless you are a truly terrible swimmer, everyone wins in this situation! Swimming is a fantastic workout and, more importantly, a lot of fun. Even if you don’t have a pool, hit up your local country club/rec center/or public pool with the kids during the summer and give personal lessons a try. You’re spending time with your kids, saving money, and getting a killer workout all in one. What could be better?

8.  Give gardening a try

Digging and planting in the hot sun is definitely a work out, and not to mention, a good hobby. It can be done at home and while watching the kids. Have them come outside to play in the backyard for a few hours while you work on your garden. 

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books