My daughters birthday is coming up, and with the holidays just leaving us and trying to find gifts for her, I’ve got that big question in my head “What the heck am I going to get her THIS year?” She’s already got a billion toys, I guess she could always use more clothes, I could go on and on, the list of ‘thoughts’ of what could I get her for a birthday gift could go on forever and I still probably would change my mind a million times!

At least she’s only turning 6, I’m sure I’ll figure something out, it’s not a huge problem. But gift giving seems to be a problem for just about everyone, you always have that “what should I get them” question no matter the occasion or the person.

The key factor to gift giving is KNOWING that person. What would they like to have that they won’t buy for themselves? But it’s not always that easy, sometimes we’re not that close to the person, sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to learn about them as much as we’d like to, so that’s when you need to depend on someone else to help you out. Sure there’s still effort, and you’ll have to think, but it may be a lot easier than thinking on your own and trying to figure it out.

When we get into the situation that I’m in, a gift for a child you have to remember their age. Age appropriate gifts are a must for children. Think of things they currently play with, or hobbies they have. Think of when you were a kid, what did you like? Bigger, colorful gifts. With kids, visual impact is everything!

Anniversary gifts are another struggle for people. What to get your spouse for that special day, or maybe it’s a friend you need to get a gift for. You could go by the age old ‘year of the anniversary’ gift, but those are sometimes hard to come by and could get expensive. Be creative! Think of the person, or the couple, what are they into? Hobbies? Anything special they like to do together? Couples gifts can be a surprising great gift for an anniversary no matter who it’s from.

Don’t let gift giving be stressful. It’s always the thought that counts, and hey, if they don’t like it, they’ll appreciate that you actually thought to give them something anyways. What are your best gift buying tips?

So, I’ve found a new time wasting site, as I’m sure many of you have. No longer am I wasting my time solely on Facebook, but now it’s more of wasting my time on Pinterest!

I’ve found so many great recipes, and although I’m not a ‘crafty’ person by far, I have so many new ideas for do it yourself home décor thanks to Pinterest! I think soon, my husband is going to kill me with all of the new projects I want to do…

Thing is, as much as I want to do, if I did it professionally, or by buying the actual décor items, I’d be spending massive amounts of cash! So instead, now I’ve found some creative outlets that will let me turn everyday items into amazing décor pieces.

With the ideas below, I just have to get some simple craft supplies from a place like Factory Direct Craft and I’m on my way to creating some amazing pieces. Some examples of some things to do on your own are below:

Turn an old picture frame into a vanity tray -  Whether you keep the frame “as is” with old photograph and all or insert patterned gift wrap in the frame, picture frames make a terrific vanity tray. The frame edges keep items from sliding off, while the glass top can be easily cleaned. Try painting the frame if you need a quick color boost.

Re-use a sleek wine bottle as a vase – Once you’ve enjoyed your favorite wine, turn it into a great home décor piece for fresh flowers. Bonus: Try adding champagne colored stones into an empty VOGA Moscato bottle to match the gorgeous champagne colored detailing.

Turn cake pedestals into decorative displays – If you think cake pedestals look gorgeous with a tasty Red Velvet cake on top, try using them as a decorative piece for candles, flowers and more. You’ll free up a ton of space in your kitchen cabinet, while adding an exciting touch to any rooms’ décor.

Turn old clothing into throw pillows – Turn outgrown, outworn or stained clothing into great throw pillows. Just because the elbows are worn on that flowered top you love, or those lipstick red skinny pants no longer fit you, doesn’t mean they should hit the can. Cut two squares of equal size from your clothing of choice, sew the edges and fill with pillow stuffing.

Reuse glass bottles as soap dispensers – Use a glass soda bottle, wine bottle or liquor bottle to dispense your hand soap, body oil or body wash. Opt for your favorite liquor bottle for an edgy feel or try a basic clear bottle for a clean and fresh touch.

Turn old jam jars into hanging candle holders – You’ll be reminded of your childhood days chasing fireflies. For an elegant, yet fun touch to your indoor or outdoor décor, wrap wire around the lip of old jam jars and create a hanging loop. Display under porch beams, curtain rods or anywhere you need a playful touch.

Some amazing ideas! And that’s just the start!

Well, it’s been a while now hasn’t it… I just had an amazing weekend for once… It involved no children, it involved a night with no hubby.. It involved a girls night, and a date night!

For those who know me well, I’m sure their eyes are bulging out of their sockets right now with the surprise! Nope, mom and dad weren’t in town.. I actually had an actual babysitter one night! YUP ITS TRUE!

Saturday night was girls night, we went out to an amazing Mexican restaurant, had some eats (I was kinda good, had a fajita salad) and then it got bad as I drank 3 large glasses of a Peach/Mango margarita.. OH SOO GOOD!! Hubby watched the girls that night.. I was feeling great! Good friends, good drinks, good times! We went out to a bar afterwards for another drink, and well at that point in time I think my short self could have played some ball and made an all time high of basketball goals I was flying so high with happiness!

Sunday night we went out on a ‘date night’ with some friends. Stand Up Toledo, it was a local show full of local comics and it was HILARIOUS!!! I just wish I was as smart as my friend Cheryl who decided to spike her mountain dew! No alcohol in the theater, bummer!! (No, I don’t always drink like this, this is a one in a lifetime event for me lol).

Sunday night the girls actually had a babysitter. A teenage babysitter! SHOCKING!! Yes, the one who said I’d never let a kid watch my kids actually let one do it. And you know what? Everything was fine, they had a blast and I’m looking forward to doing it AGAIN!

It’s taken us 8 years to get out as adults, have sitters who aren’t their grandparents and wow, did I enjoy it!!

Although, my weekend high all comes to a halt as of Monday morning when my youngest daughter woke up with a fever of 102. Sigh. It all can’t last can it? She’s a bit better today, we’ve got the fever under control with meds, and she’s her usual happy self today, I just wish this darn fever would go away…

So that was my eventful weekend. Since I didn’t get to the gym Monday or Tuesday it looks like Wed. – Fri. I’ll be working my ass off! (Literally!)

A friend of mine on Facebook had a status update I found interesting. Since it was from my home town, I had to take a peek and see what was going on… What I read was so sad and appalling how anyone could treat a customer this way, especially a little boy!!!

From Facebook:

We were at Eastgate Mall in Hamilton and decided to get something to eat. My two grandson’s ordered subs not toasted. When my grandson opened his it was toasted.. He has difficulty eating sometimes because of his cancer. I took it back and told the man this is toasted so could you please give him another bun. He said I only make what is ordered. I told him he never ordered toasted cause he can not eat it that way. Well not only did he not change the sub, he kept the sub and his money.

They paid $21 for 2 subs and 2 small drinks. I totally lost it on this guy and he just laughed. This is the owner of subway in Eastgate mall. Everyone was coming over and offering to buy him food including the security officers that this guy called. The next day my grandson was admitted to hospital because of his cancer. I phoned subway and all he got was don’t do this again and they gave me a $20 gift certificate.

This man should not be in business and my goal is to see he is not…I have received a lot of feedback from other people about this man. I would like to hear from everyone, your opinions and from anyone that has had a bad encounter with this man. I want this to go to the top.

Since Subway just swept this under the rug, I thought this needed some more exposure. Retweet, send @subwayontario a tweet, post it on your blog, and go “Like” the Facebook page. Not only was this man rude, but regardless of a little boy having cancer or not, how do you treat ANY of your customers this way????  This Subway is located in Eastgate Square in Stoney Creek Ontario (75 Centennial Pky N East Gate Square Hamilton ON L8G 2C7  Tel: 905-573-8836).

Please share this story with others, let’s get Subway to do something about this….

We all know once the holidays are over, it’s one of the best times to travel! January and February prices drop, people are back to work and it’s probably one of the best times to take a vacation. So if you have those vacation days saved up, and are looking to get away, now is the best time to do it, but how can you make sure you’re getting the best deal on a local, national or international flights? LOOK ONLINE! 

Twitter and Facebook can be a life saver or rather money saver for so many different things including travel.  For instance if you’re looking for a New York accommodation take a peek at social networking sites, you may find twitter only deals that not everyone knows about, or only last for an hour or two. Don’t forget to sign up for alerts as well. Email newsletters from airlines, travel agencies and online travel booking sites can send you deals and coupons that you may not find anywhere else. A lot of online sites have specials on round-trip flights that only go out to their email subscribers.

Web sites can be a great service, if you have some time, and really want to get away but just aren’t too sure where to go, or maybe you’re not picky check out all the deals on travel sites. Do a search for everywhere rather than a specific location. You’d be surprised at some of the cheap packages you can get for places you might not have even thought about taking a vacation to.

Also remember, there are times to buy and times to not buy. The best days to travel (if you’re looking to travel cheap) is on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive and busiest, so if you can do travels on an ‘off’ day you’ll not only be more comfortable and less ‘hurried’ but you’ll also get the cheaper rates.

Don’t forget those frequent flyer programs as well, sign up, even if you don’t travel a lot, sometimes you’ll find a surprise email with promo codes and coupons for the next time you might want to travel.

What are some of your own tips you’ve used for booking a trip? Any favorite sites you go to? Best places to find great packages and prices? Share them with the rest of us!

Post is only by the opinion of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy, other views and opinions may vary, please see my disclosure policy for more information.