[/caption]
[/caption]
[/caption]
Now...if you want to follow our blog, you are more than welcome to do so. If you'd like to invite your friends, co-workers, cousins, distant relatives and long lost high school buddies to 
[/caption]
Okay - don't forget to comment in order to enter for the 
[/caption]
[/caption]
Our little mini human #2 sleeping on the kitchen floor in her NapPack (CraftyBaby.com).
Okay – I promised I’d come good on telling you what I bought from the Mommy Perks 2009 Gift Guide – and here it is!
My husband and I talked in depth about supporting our Gift Guide partners this year, rather than buying from large chain stores, “Made in ____” products, etc. We really wanted to put our money where our mouths are. We both own small businesses and we know that the only way our family can function is when others support us. It’s no different for anyone else running a business from home. They also only function when others are buying from them.
Now – many people will say, “Oh, you can encourage, send good wishes, network together, etc. It all helps!” Sure it does. But when the bills hit the table, no small business owner can call the bank and say, “We don’t have any money this month because no sales came. BUT!! We did network with others really well! Does that count?”
Sadly, no.
I really didn’t have to convince my husband. He quickly said, “Of course we can do this. I know you only list great businesses on your site, anyway, so we’ll end up with really great gifts.”
My parents came for Christmas this year. With each gift they asked, “Where did THAT come from? It’s so cool! That didn’t come from a regular store, did it?”
Kissing her hand-made Raggedy Ann dolly, made with love by Lori (PrimnPurdy.com).
Ha! Of course not 
I had to chuckle a bit this year when I saw several people tweeting things like, “Don’t buy any gifts this year! Cut back! No one needs more STUFF!” I do agree that Americans WAY overspend. Not just at Christmastime, though – year round. Our family made a choice to move to a small home about a year ago. We gave away or donated most of our belongings and simplified our lives. Every time something new comes in, something else goes out (donated, given to a friend, etc). We are not big spenders. Our goal here was to buy items we’d USE and items that would NOT end up in a landfill 3 hours after opening them.
I also found it quite humorous that most of the people telling others not to buy anything – were people who sell a product. I’d be interested to know if they shut down their product or book sales over the holidays, telling consumers, “No, please do not buy my item(s). We want you to cut back. Thanks anyway!”
Doubtful, eh?
Let’s get on with the list!!
Some of the items I purchased were given as birthday gifts and some as Christmas gifts. (All of our kids were born between November and January.)
Wanna know what I ordered? Well, here ya go!
- 4KidsEnterprizes: One craft mat (for my kids to draw and color on – develops fine motor skills and creativity). The mat can be taped to the table for easy use and wiped clean because it’s laminated.
- Prim ‘n Purdy: One hand made, hand sewn Raggedy Ann doll (old fashioned gift that will be cherished for years to come). My daughter has been dressing her up and carrying her around saying, “She is soooo cute. Soooo cute.”
- The Boy’s Store: I bought 3 shirts: one for my son and two for relatives. Suzanne’s clothing is always top notch, lasting and can be handed down to future kids. To me, that means more value for my money.
- All Things Mint: 2 batches of home made fudge (I cut this up and shared some of it with neighbors and friends, making them each a “goodie platter”).
- Katey Jades Baby Boutique: One poinsettia apron (so, so cute – I HAD to have it! I love to cook and bake so it will be used year after year after year).
- Bugalug: 6 Pony Loops (she tossed in a free headband because my purchase was over $20). These are all made with care and love, by a work at home mom. I’d much prefer to support her efforts than buy cheap clips (or ties) at a chain store that break after two or three uses. In turn, that takes up space in a land fill and also wastes my money.
- Your Name University: 1 pair of sweats for my son with his name on them. 1 pair of sweats for my hubby that say, “Property of Shara.” LOL. Yes – joke sweats but they are soft and warm; we live in a cold climate so they will be used often!
- Dawn (Shaklee): I ordered 2 tubes of organic toothpaste from Dawn, however, they were sold out. The paste is on back order for me. Many of you know that Oprah endorses Shaklee items as do the Olympians. So…they sell out quite often. It’s frustrating but understandable – organic and safe = better way to spend our money!
- Jubilee Jam: My kids are too old and too young to use their website right now so…I ordered one book and one bottle of Kosher vitamins. My kids have nearly finished the vitamins now. They LOVE them and BEG me to eat them several times a day. I only let them have 1 each, per day, but they try to talk me into more.
- AVON (Lisa): I purchased 13 stocking stuffers for 18 bucks! Chapsticks, lotions, bath paints and bubble bath. I also bought a pair of slippers (LOVE LOVE LOVE them) and a pair of boots for our babysitter. She was so thrilled. She wore them the next day, talking about how much nicer they were than her other boots (bought from a large chain store). The boots kept the snow out and her feet warm. We wanted her to have a nice, good quality pair.
- Peacock Pottery: I bought 4 bubble mugs for my parents. Every time they have come to visit us, they comment on our bubble mugs. “Oh, those are so lovely! I wish we had something that unique and special!” So I knew they’d LOVE a set of 4 – to use back home when welcoming guests, etc. Eating and drinking have long been a great way to engage with friends, welcome people into your home, etc. I wanted my parents to have these special mugs to use when they engage in hospitality – something they are so good at!
- Crafty Baby: We got one NapPack. Our daughter loves to pitch a tent in the living room to sleep in. We knew she’d love this NapPack and cherish it, snuggle with it, etc. It would get a great deal of use and therefore – totally worth the money for this handmade product. Sure enough, she yelled out, “Oh! It’s FANTAAAASTIC!” She immediately put it on the floor and pretended to fall asleep. A while later, after the gift opening was done, she pulled her NapPack into the kitchen to be near me, while I was preparing Christmas dinner. She placed her NapPack on the ground and fell asleep next to me. So sweet. I got some photos so I can cherish that memory for years to come.
- Tupperware: I purchased a 4-pack of the food trays. They teach colors, shapes and give my kids the opportunity to separate their food items. Tupperware items last forever and ever and ever and then some
It’s always money well and wisely spent. They offer a lifetime warranty, too – you simply can’t go wrong when buying Tupperware. - Kreative Kids Fun Mail: I ordered 3 Personalized Santa Letter Craft Kits. We do not engage in the “Santa” thing – never have and never will. However, it was even more important to me to support my client so I ordered three kits. One for our kids and 2 for relatives. The feedback I got was very positive. The kids loved making the crafts, reading their letters, getting their stickers, etc.
- OnTray2Go: I ordered 2 trays. One in green for our son and one in pink for our daughter. I have already used them numerous times for snacks and coupons. I love that they can be lowered, in order to put the tray down (if it’s getting in the way of your belly). Actually, my daughter loves to play a game with her tray: she pushes it up, down, up, down, up, down – the entire shopping trip. Hey – for 7 bucks, TOTALLY worth my peace of mind, keeping her entertained!
For my hubby Bought as a little joke but they will get lots of use in our cold climate! (YourNameUniversity)
I purchased some homemade playdough and some coffee from the ReallyWorkingFromHome.com Gift Guide, as well. I had referred a few moms over to MariLee’s site and was awarded a shopping certificate to use with anyone on her site. I elected to shop with her Discovery Toy rep (LOVE their toys – they ROCK), her Arbonne gal (shampoo for my hubby and foot cream for my parents; items I know they all love), and her Homemade Gourmet gal (a few desert mixes and a dip mix; no waste here because everything will be eaten).
I also purchased a recycled tea pot set and a Word Chase Game for our daughter’s 3rd birthday – from Bing Note. Both toys are educational and the tea set is made from recycled milk jugs – how cool is that? The prices were sell-out rates on Cyber Monday. No other site sells these items for the rates Lisa listed them – so I could not pass up the chance to support her and get my daughter a couple of wonderful birthday presents.
My son’s birthday is in a few days – I bought a game from Kids Travel Happy for his b-day (Bananagrams – we love playing games in our home – always worth a few bucks).
Bing Note and Kids Travel Happy were not in my Gift Guide. However, I have decided to try and buy most items from small business from now on. While opening our daughter’s birthday gifts, we had given her one “Made in ____” mass produced toy. It broke within 10 minutes of playing. For Christmas, we purchased ONE mass made “Made in ____” item for our daughter and my parents gave our son one mass produced “Made in ____” toy, also. Guess which TWO toys are already broken?
We really want to be one less family filling up landfills after the holidays. The way to do that is to buy items that we know will be used and that will last. This year, our little test has proven true: buy from small businesses to get the best deals, most unique items and things that will last and last, putting our money to better use (also purchasing items that can be passed down to a future generation).
I spent about the same amount of money this year as I usually spend. Only this time, we are thrilled with our purchases, have no regrets and feel great about the fact that we supported small biz owners – and their efforts.
We will certainly be doing the same thing again in 2010.
Thanks to all of my Gift Guide folks for providing top notch, quality, useful and unique items. I’m so glad you all exist!! I really, really am.
Thanks so much for your support!!!