Tag / gifts

by Kelly Mattei

Hot Adidas Products

Hot Adidas Products.

***Sponsored Ad*** As an Amazon affiliate, I receive commission for items purchased through my links.

Adidas has some hot products and some deals on Amazon this holiday season…something for almost everyone on your list!

  • Adidas Samba. There’s a special deal on the black Samba, a shoe that has been very popular with teens for several years. Get the deal here. Or get the popular white Samba here.

  • Adidas Adicane Slide Sandal. This is a great slide for recovery after sports endeavors, but it’s also the perfect shower shoe for college students and athletes! Get ahead of the game and gift your athlete or future college student with these for a great price! Purchase here.

  • Adidas Men’s Park Street Sneaker. If you have a man on your holiday list who loves a good street sneaker, this Adidas model is stylish and comfortable. He will welcome this gift! It’s offered in several colors. My husband wants black. Purchase here.

  • Adidas Men’s Lite Racer Adapt 7.0 Sneaker. The perfect slip-on sneaker! This is another one my husband would love. Men are all about the slip-on sneakers these days. It’s stylish, comfortable, and priced right! And it slips on!! Get it here.

  • Adidas Alphabounce. Another great slide from Adidas. Some people prefer this style post-workout, and Adidas does this right! It makes a great gift! Get it here.

These are all great gift options from Adidas, a well-regarded brand! Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

2024 Holiday Shopping Links (so far)

2024 Holiday Shopping Links (so far). These are links to posts we have made since the middle of November. THANK YOU for shopping our links! We are creating more links today. Click each title for link to more information:

HAPPY SHOPPING!

by Kelly Mattei

Christmas Gifts for Dad

Christmas gifts for dad.

It’s not easy to find Christmas gifts for Dad. Don’t dads tend to get whatever they need when they need it? Therefore, we have to work a little harder for Dad gifts. Here are a few we found:

  • Hey Dude Shoes. Dads love their Hey Dudes! Even young people love their Hey Dudes! I know guys who swear these are the most comfortable, easy-to-wear shoes they have ever owned…guys who go to college with my daughter, so they’re cool…not just Dad-cool. These are popular shoes for a reason. Right now, Hey Dude has some great deals on Amazon for Early Black Friday! Take advantage of the deals now:
    • Sunapee Mesh Sport, starting at $27.46 here.
    • Mens Wally Stretch Poly, starting at $45 here.
    • Mens Wally Sport Mesh, starting at $38.47 here.
    • Mens Wally Amazon Exclusive, starting at $38.99 here.
    • Mens Wally Sport Sneaker, starting at $41.43 here.

  • JBL Earbuds. I have mentioned these in other lists. There are all kinds of JBL wireless earbuds. I prefer the JBL Vibe Bud (Amazon deal here) or JBL Vibe Beam (Amazon deal here), but Dad might prefer the JBL Soundgear Sense, a true open-ear wireless headphone. Lucky you, they’re on sale for an Early Black Friday Deal (33% off!) here.

  • Smokeless Firepit. We have a smokeless firepit, and we love it. We use the Duraflame log in ours, for ease of use, and it provides plenty of warmth and light when we have cocktails on the patio. A 19″ Surestove smokeless firepit is on sale right now through Amazon for 41% off! That means the price is just $94.99 (normally $159.99) at writing, which is almost unheard of. Get it before it’s gone here. And while you’re at it, get him a bunch of Duraflame logs to burn in it here.

  • Amazon Fire TV. I purchased an Amazon Fire TV, because we can take it outside if we want, or we can use it in any room of the house. As long as it connects to WiFi, we can watch it. We have watched countless football games, Netflix shows, and Apple+ series. We treat it as a “portable” TV, because it’s lightweight, but with a 32″ screen, it has a clear picture. Our daughter has one in her bedroom at college and loves it too. Dad might enjoy having his own “portable” TV. Best of all? The price right now, as an Early Black Friday Deal, is $99.99! Get it here.

  • Night Vision Goggles. Men love outdoor toys. They can use these 4K goggles when they go hunting, or they can just use them when they hear something in the yard at night! What a fun gift! Get this Early Black Friday Deal here.

  • Comfier Hot Towel Warmer. Wow. I think my husband would love this. Who wouldn’t love grabbing a warm towel as you step out of the shower?!? Sign me up! Get this special Early Black Friday deal at 42% off for $114.99 here.

  • Bird Feeder with Camera. My dad would have loved this. The older he got, the more he enjoyed watching the wildlife. He could have watched the birds from indoors or anywhere with this bird feeder with camera! Instead of costing $199.99, it’s on sale now for $129.99! It’s the perfect time to purchase! Get it here.

  • Ugg Men’s Tasman Slipper. A perennial favorite, these slippers are awesome and well-made by Ugg. You can’t go wrong with Ugg slippers. Get them here.

  • Samsonite Expandable 20-inch Carry-on. Think Dad needs a new carry-on bag? This Samsonite gets great reviews and is perfect for dad. Get this Early Black Friday Deal here.

  • Tumi Oxblood Men’s Search Backpack. Tumi makes quality products. I have a Tumi crossbody bag I purchased eight years ago that I carry almost daily, and it still looks and functions great. My husband desperately needs a new carry-on backpack for his laptop and a few other items, and I think this one from Tumi will be perfect for him. It’s 25% off at time of writing. It’s pricey, but it’s built to last. Check it out here.

Happy Shopping for Dad!

***I receive commission for items purchased through my Amazon links.***

by Kelly Mattei

Dyson Airwrap DEAL on Amazon

Dyson Airwrap DEAL on Amazon here.

If you need/want to purchase the ever-popular Dyson Airwrap for someone on your holiday list (or for yourself), now is the time. It seems almost every female in America under the age of 60 wants this incredible hairstyling tool. If you have a daughter in high school or college, you can bet she would be thrilled to get this for Christmas or Hanukkah! I have never seen the Airwrap on sale before, but right now you can get an early Black Friday deal for $100 off the regular price of $599! I’d $499 for a limited time! Get it now before the deal ends here!

This is a huge deal, because you will also get free shipping if you have an Amazon Prime membership! And if you don’t have a Prime membership, it’s time to get one! I have saved $1946 this year with free Prime delivery and movies.

ORDER THAT DYSON AIRWRAP HERE BEFORE THIS DEAL IS GONE, and tell everyone you know to come order through my link for the deal!

***I receive commissions for items ordered through my Amazon link. Thank you for shopping my links AND for SHARING my links with friends! Send your friend to my page, so they can shop through my site.***

by Kelly Mattei

Christmas Gifts for Future College Students

Christmas gifts for future college students. ***I might receive commission on items purchased through my Amazon links.***

Have a son or daughter preparing to go to college in January or next fall? Christmas is the perfect opportunity to start stocking up on all the dorm or apartment necessities. Here are some items at different price points that will make great gifts:

  • Sleepyhead Mattress Topper. This is a great Early Black Friday Deal on Amazon! Sleepyhead makes what we call the “Mack Daddy” of mattress toppers! Normally priced at $379, the Sleepyhead Twin XL 3-inch Premium Gel Topper, right now, is just under $285. That’s a 25% savings! My daughter used this mattress topper her freshman and sophomore years, and she loved it. If you’ve ever slept on a dorm mattress, you know a mattress topper is a necessity for all college students. Sleepyhead makes a variety of sizes, from Twin to King. To purchase the 3-inch Twin XL Gel version, click here. But Sleepyhead has is offering 25% off all their mattress toppers on Amazon for Early Black Friday! Maybe you’d like one or two for home to extend the life of your home mattresses?! To shop other sizes Sleepyhead offers, click here.

  • Hollywood Vanity Mirror with Lights. My daughter has this vanity mirror. She is a junior, and this was something she knew she wanted in her apartment this year, and she loves it. It was super easy to set up, and it’s something she uses every day. In fact, she will get another one for Christmas…to use at home. With an Early Black Friday Deal on Amazon, it’s 15% off and priced at $84.99. This one is a no-brainer. Get it before it’s gone here.

  • Keurig K-Express Single Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker. If your child doesn’t drink coffee now, he/she likely will when they get to college! Or maybe they enjoy hot tea or hot chocolate? This Keurig Single Cup Coffee Maker is perfect for a small dorm room or even an apartment bedroom. Amazon is offering it at 33% off for an Early Black Friday Deal! Get it here!

  • Clothes Steamer. I hate wrinkled clothes. I hate wearing them, and I hate seeing them. I love ironing. Seriously, I love it. However, my daughter would never drag out and put away an ironing board. Therefore, we sent her to school with a standup steamer her freshman year. She and her roommate used it, but she did tell me later that it took up valuable space in a dorm room, but it never disappeared! If other girls wanted to use it, they had to come to her room, so the steamer couldn’t “walk away.” To see my favorite standup steamer, click here. If you prefer to get a handheld steamer, click here to see Amazon’s Choice. It’s almost HALF OFF! (Make sure your student’s name is on it, because people will “borrow” the handheld version.)

  • Bluetooth Speaker. They need it. College students need their music, and they need to be able to hear it well. My daughter has two different JBL bluetooth speakers, and my husband has one too! They come at different price points, so stick with me from highest to lowest. For big sound, I recommend the JBL Boombox. At Amazon, you can purchase the latest Boombox 3 for $499.95 here, or go for the Boombox 2 for $299.95 (a Black Friday savings of $25%) here. Both offer 24 hours of playtime on a charge, and both are waterproof! The Boomboxes are portable, but a little bulky. For something smaller, go for the JBL Extreme. The latest version, the Extreme 3, is available for Early Black Friday Savings at 24% off here. However, for big price savings without sacrificing quality, you can get the Extreme 2 on an Early Black Friday Deal for as low as $144.99 here. Both offer 15 hours of playtime on a charge!

  • Hulken Bag. When I tell people about Hulken Bags, they look a little confused at first, but when I show them a Hulken Bag, they get it. These bags carry a lot. They are lightweight, and they roll very easily. I keep one in my car, for those times I need to take a lot of returns somewhere. My daughter uses hers when she had a lot of items she needs to take in from the car or to the car. I recommend the medium Hulken Bag, and right now, you can get a great Early Black Friday Deal! These rarely go on sale, but there’s a 20% off coupon on Amazon right now that will save you $22 off the $114 price! That’s a deal! Take advantage of it now here.

  • Cordless Handheld Vacuum. This one is self-explanatory, I think. College students use these to clean up crumbs or small messes, and they use it to suck the dust/dirt out of their laptop keyboards. Come to think of it, I need to use one on my keyboard right now! Amazon’s Choice is the Black and Decker Dustbuster QuickClean you can purchase here.

  • Amazon Fire TV. I purchased this very 32″ TV for our daughter’s bedroom in her apartment, and then I purchased one for outdoor use at our house. Our daughter doesn’t care anything about regular programming. She simply wants to be able to access her streaming apps on a TV screen, and this Amazon Fire TV does the trick! Priced at just $99 right now (normally $139), it’s a deal you can’t beat! Get it here.

  • Air Purifier. Dorm living means lots of people sharing space. An air purifier can work to absorb some of those germs and clean up any dust particles in the air. Lots of people say it is absolutely essential for dorm living. Get Amazon’s Choice here.

  • Lapdesk. These have been around for a long time! I remember using one at home in high school…and maybe before! They’re not terribly expensive, but now you can get 20% off this one on a special Amazon Early Black Friday deal! Get it here.

Happy Shopping for the future college student on your list!

by Kelly Mattei

2024 Stocking Stuffers

2024 Stocking Stuffers

I know lots of people struggle with what to do for stocking stuffers for their families at Christmas. Personally, I love shopping for stocking stuffers, because they can be anything…serious, silly, electronic, nostalgic, or even essential. When I was growing up, as the holidays approached, if there was something we needed or wanted, my mother would always say, “Put it on your Christmas list!” Toothpaste? Razors? Underwear? Yep…on the list. I’m not above adding some of those essentials to a Christmas stocking, but I love to try to get a little more creative. Let’s go…

  • Mini UFO Hand Drone for Indoors. This is definitely silly, but it’s a lot of fun too…for all ages. I got one for each of us a couple of years ago, and we actually had a lot of fun with them! There’s virtually no learning curve, and they are rechargeable! We are all adults, so I can only imagine how much fun they would be with kids in the house. Get it at Amazon here.

  • JBL Vibe Buds. I have had it with spending lots of $$$ on wireless ear buds and promptly losing them, so the last time I needed some (in September), I purchased the inexpensive JBL Vibe Buds, and I like them better than any of the more expensive ones I’ve tried. They are far more comfortable in my ears, and I think they provide superior sound. As of writing, two colors (black and white) are on sale for about $30. Get ’em while they last here.


  • Merit M Flush Balm Cream Blush/Rouge. I know, the word “rouge” makes you think of your grandmother, but stick with me. I read somewhere recently that, even though we have been using pink/peach/coral blush for years, it’s not a natural cheek color. Apparently red is what we should be using, so I tried it in the form of this Merit product, and will never look back. Yes, it is a little pricy, but one little pot will last a long time, since it only takes a tiny smear to get full blush. I love it. I’m dropping some in our daughter’s Christmas stocking, because I think she will like it too. It also works if you need a little lip color too. Get it at Amazon here.

  • Rainbow Loom Original. Since we are talking stocking stuffers, I’m going with the Rainbow Loom Original. It should fit in (and fill up) a Christmas stocking. Priced at $7.99, it’s good for hours of creativity for all ages. My daughter loved rainbow loom when she was 7 or 8, and she still loves it at 21. Get it here. For a Rainbow Loom with lots of extra rubberbands, I recommend the Rainbow Loom Mega Combo Set for $19.99, but it won’t fit in a stocking. Get it here.
  • Peter Thomas Roth Temporary Face Tightener. It’s temporary, but it really does make wrinkles look smoother. I have friends who swear by it. In fact, there will be some in my stocking this year! I have the eye cream that temporarily smooths lines around the eyes and across the bridge of the nose. Get the face tightener here. And get the eye tightener here. If someone on your list (male or female!) would appreciate it, it makes a great stocking stuffer or just outright great gift! I have a guy friend who uses it daily!

  • Oura Ring. If someone on your list has been wanting or would appreciate this wearable technology, Christmas is a great time to make the purchase! The Oura Ring makes a great gift! It tracks sleep, activity, stress, heart rate, and more with the Oura app. People I know who have it swear by it. Right now, it’s priced at 22% off at Amazon. At $349, it’s $100 less expensive than normal, but it’s going fast! Purchase here.
  • Osea Ocean Eyes Age Defying Serum. My daughter and I will both find this in our Christmas stockings this year. It is supposed to awaken tired eyes while brightening and revitalizing. Thank you! May I have another?!? Get it here.

  • Lume Whole Body Deodorant. Seems weird, I know, to include deodorant in stocking stuffers, but this stuff is all the rage. Developed by on OBGYN, it’s safe for use all over the body. When I first tried it, I didn’t like the smell, but it has been improved. The women on your list will appreciate it. Get the starter pack here.

  • Rechargeable Headlamp. If my husband walks outside at night to check anything, he’s going to put on a headlamp. Same if he goes into the crawlspace under our house. He loves a headlamp, and a rechargeable one?!?! Well, that’s just the greatest! This pack of three will be in his stocking this year. You can bet on it. Get it here.

  • Bible Verse Jar. I saw this advertise and had to get it for my daughter. In fact, I will likely get one for lots of people on my list this year. It’s a jar with Bible verses tailored to your needs. The verses are color coded for “read me when you are happy/thankful/angry/anxious/lonely/sad.” I think it’s an awesome gift, and it will fit perfectly into Christmas stockings. Get it here.

  • Polaroid Go Instant Mini Camera with film bundle. I never met a Polaroid camera aI didn’t like. They’re instant fun! This bundle is on sale for 17% off (as of writing) and priced at $99. It will make a fun gift for kids and adults alike…to document the craziness of the holidays and laugh at it immediately! Hang the polaroids on the refrigerator or a bulletin board…instant fun!

  • Silly Bandz. These fun little shaped silicone bands were all the rage in the early 2000s. Kids love them, and it would be cool to introduce them to a whole new set of kids! They are inexpensive colletibles. Get them here.

  • Beanboozled. Something fun for the whole family! In this game, each player spins to see which color jellybean to eat. Each color has two different flavors, and you don’t know which one you’ll get! It might be pear flavored, or it might be stinky socks flavored! It makes for silly fun! Get it here.

  • Custom Socks with Faces. You’ve likely seen these before, but maybe you haven’t purchased! Now is a great time to entertain the whole family with photo socks! Priced at less than $10, they’re a fun stocking stuffer! Get them here.

  • Custom Luggage Cover. I have wanted one of these since I saw them advertised. This could be the year I get one! When my husband and I were waiting at baggage claim last week, I told him I was going to get him a customized luggage cover. He thought I was kidding. There will be one in his stocking this year! It’s a silly gift…but it’s practical too! Purchase and personalize here.

  • Too Faced Lip Plumper. Would someone on your list like a premium lip plumper but you don’t like the premium price? Forget Dior. Get the Too Faced Lip Injection Power Plumping Gloss. It’s my personal favorite, and it comes in lots of different colors. Priced under $30, it’s a premium plumping gloss at a not-premium price. Get it here.

  • Mini Karaoke Machine. What a fun thing to have at your fingertips! Kids and teens will love it, and chances are, Mom and Dad will want to use it too! Get it at Amazon here.

Happy Shopping for Stocking Stuffers!

***I might receive commission for items purchased through my Amazon links.***

by Kelly Mattei

Moms After Christmas Day (again!)

Moms after Christmas Day (again!).

Two years ago, I wrote a piece the day after Christmas titled Moms After Christmas Day. You can see it here. It’s recognition of all the extra work moms do during the holidays…the list-making, the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the baking, the scheduling…and that’s in addition to our regular roles! Lots of moms even take on extra part-time jobs just to make Christmas happen for their families. And no matter how old our children get, moms still want the holidays to feel special.

My husband and I have one daughter. She’s 20 now and a sophomore in college, so Christmas at our house looks a lot different than it did 15 years ago. It’s still fun, but it’s fun in a different way. And you know what? There’s still a lot of preparation that goes into it. As the mom of the house, I still do all the preparation. I’m fortunate to have a sweet husband who will help me upon request, but truthfully, the ultimate responsibility of the holiday is mine. I orchestrate everything. I purchase everything. I wrap everything. I cook everything. I even play bartender! Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy every minute of it. I really do. I finally feel like I have everything planned out in advance now, so I don’t end up dropping the ball on anything. I wrap the gifts as I purchase them, and I love wrapping and making bows…it gets me into the spirit of the holiday. And the meal prep? Well, I even got that right this year! In fact, this year, the timing of the meal even worked out perfectly! We weren’t waiting for biscuits to finish baking. We weren’t waiting for any particular dish to be ready. Somehow, I managed to make it happen on time! And after the meal? I directed the cleanup efforts…and the whole family participated! One cleared the table. One loaded the dishwasher. One put away everything else.

And today? The day after Christmas? I have rested. It’s raining, so I have the perfect excuse to stay in my pajamas. In fact, right now, it’s 3:40pm, and I am still in my pajamas. Am I embarrassed about that? Not one bit. In fact, I’m a little bit proud that I have been lazy after being so busy for the holidays. In fact, it’s my gift to myself. I have watched a little television. I have talked on the phone. Well, I have done two loads of laundry, but that’s all the work I have done…and frankly, because I enjoy doing laundry, it’s not really work at all. There aren’t many household chores I enjoy, but I do enjoy doing laundry…including ironing or steaming. Just don’t ask me to vacuum.

Our daughter is out and about this afternoon. That’s a lot different than just a few years ago when the new toys were still exciting. I do regret that she didn’t get any toys this year. In fact, she told me a college friend’s mom insists that everyone in the family should get at least one toy every year. I love that! The friend got a pogo stick this year, and I immediately wished I had gotten one for our daughter! She was quite good at pogo back in the day, so it would be fun to see her do it again. So my daughter and I have made a pact that all of us will get at least one toy next year. We will see what we come up with!

Today has been a lazy day, but tomorrow, I will hit the ground running. There are more things to prepare for before the New Year’s celebration, including a big party on the 30th, so there won’t be any laziness tomorrow! Until then, I’ll be searching for the next movie to stream. Or maybe I can watch a few episodes of some favorite old shows? First, though, I’m taking a shower and putting on some real clothes. It’s time.

by Kelly Mattei

Air Purifier Promo Code…TODAY ONLY!

Does someone on your list need an air purifier for a room/dorm? If you know a future college student, this is a great gift. TODAY ONLY, get 70% off (MAKING THE PRICE JUST ABOUT $50 instead of $165, while supplies last. ***DISCOUNT WILL REFLECT AT CHECKOUT*** Get this air purifier using my link: https://amzn.to/3QOthgI (If discount doesn’t reflect at check out, use PROMO CODE: 7035CVJC)

  • ***As an Amazon associate, I receive commissions on items purchased through my links.***
by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Gifts of Nostalgia

Holiday Gifts of Nostalgia.

Earlier today, we had some work done in our kitchen. When our daughter was a little girl…two or three years old…I let her play with stickers underneath the kitchen counter, on the side where there is a big wall and barstools. The stickers didn’t show, but it kept her happy to play there while I was busy in the kitchen. My husband didn’t love the idea, but I told him then that it was harmless. Today, as the work was being done, we saw the stickers from our daughter’s childhood…princess stickers and fish and hearts and flowers. And my heart did flips. In my mind’s eye, I could see her there…as a toddler. It made me wistful for the days of her toddlerhood…the days when princess stickers and foam fish stickers made her happy. I felt nostalgic.

And that led me down the rabbit hole of nostalgia this afternoon. Don’t we all remember things about our own childhood that make us feel wistful? Don’t we all like to see tangible proof of days gone by?

Why not give the gift of nostalgia to friends and family on your Christmas list this year? Those gifts are out there, and I’m here to help you find them. Here are some I found pretty easily.

  • Time Traveling books. There are various Time Traveling books for different years. I was born in 1967, and while that would be interesting to me, other years might be more interesting…years that I actually remember…maybe 1973 and 1983…and more. These books contain information about different years: political info, leading events, crimes, iconic movies and TV shows, music, pop culture, fashions, iconic advertisements, and more. For some reason, I can only find them for years ending in 3, but wow…what a nostalgic gift! See them here.

  • Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. Y’all, my brother loved watching Evel Knievel’s antics on TV. Actually, I did too. Anyone who was a kid in the 70s can remember watching Knievel jump cars, buses, and even the Snake River Canyon attempt on TV. My brother loved his Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle when he was a kid, and honestly, I think he would even like it now. But nostalgia doesn’t always come cheap, so be ready to pay almost $80 for this piece of nostalgia. Get it here.

  • Vintage Barbies book. Barbie has been around for a long time, and with the Barbie movie that came out this year, interest is greater than ever! Mom or daughter would love this book! Get it here.

  • Jiffy Pop. Kids of the 60s and 70s certainly remember Jiffy Pop. If their moms didn’t let them purchase it, they definitely remember the ads. It’s good popcorn…”as much fun to make as it is to eat.” Get it here.

  • Toys of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. This one is priced right at $14.95. The authors spotlight 45 loved toys from the three decades in this collection. It would make a great gift for anyone who was a kid in the 50s, 60s, or 70s. Get it here.

  • Rotary Phone. No one will want to use it, but it could make a cute addition the decor in a home…and a great conversation piece. Get it here.

  • Nostalgic toys. There are a few gimmicky toys we had back in the day that might be fun for the kids on our list. Remember the drinking bird? Get it here. How about the slinky? Get it here. Handheld water games? Get one here. Maybe some jacks? Get them here.

  • Boom Again Board Game. For the boomers! This is a trivia game that covers 50s, 60s, and 70s pop culture and music. What fun! I would love to see this under the tree for me! My brother and I are a mean trivia team. Let’s play! Get it here.

  • Yeah You T-Shirt. Someone on your list who was a teenage girl in the 1980s? She likely loved Sixteen Candles as much as I did. I have friends who can quote the whole movie. This t-shirt would be a fun flashback for that former teenager. Get it here.

  • Dolls and Teddy Bear Department book. This is a book featuring some of the favorite gifts from the Sears Wish Books of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Anyone over a certain age remembers circling the toys they wanted to see under the tree. It would make a great gift for anyone nostalgic. Get it for under $50 here.

  • I Want My MTV. Some of us remember when MTV was actually Music Television featuring music videos. We remember the premier of Duran Duran’s The Reflex and Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Some of us even remember the premier of MTV itself with Video Killed the Radio Star. This book tells the story of its origins. Anyone who loved MTV will love this book. Get it here. And while you’re at it, maybe you pick up a T-shirt to go with it here.

  • Hella 90s Trivia Game. More trivia…this time from the 90s. Get it here.

  • Milkshake Maker. People over a certain age remember making milkshakes at home, and if they didn’t make them at home, they got them at soda shops. Bring back some memories. Get it here.

  • Like Totally 80s Pop Culture Trivia Game. More trivia…this time from the 80s. Get it here.

  • My Dad Had that Car book. Anyone who likes cars or remembers their first car will enjoy this book. I have a friend whose teenage son loves vintage cars. He would love to find this under the tree. Get it here.

  • Commercial Tshirts. 70s kids loved television, and we loved our Saturday morning cartoons…commercials and all! How about these? Hawaiian Punch here. Froot Loops here. Kool-Aid here. School House Rock here. Mr Owl Tootsie Pops here.

  • Photo Album. And if you want to give a real nostalgic gift, a good old fashioned photo album could be the best gift of the year. Print out some photos and place them in the album yourself. Maybe write some great captions to go with the photos. Does it get any more personal than that? Sharing memories…ultimate nostalgia. To get started, purchase an album here.

More good ideas to come later!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

***And if you’re wondering about the stickers under the bar, here’s a picture. I couldn’t save the wall, but I could take a picture and save that.***

by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Gifts for College Students 2023

Holiday Gifts for College Students 2023.

We have a college student in our family, and she’s pretty easy to buy for at holiday season, mostly because she sends me a list of what she wants/needs. If you have a college student on your Christmas list, you can likely make him/her happy with some of the gifts listed below:

  • Jewelry Stand. College students need items to help keep those tiny rooms organized. A jewelry stand that helps organize necklaces, bracelets, and watches? They can all use it! Get it here. It comes in several colors. For rings? Get the hand-shaped ring holder here. It also comes in several colors.

  • Bronax Cloud Slides. College students like easy-to-use, comfy footwear. Fifteen colors! Slip on. Slip off. Get it here.

  • Samsonite Freeform Spinner Carry-on. I have mentioned this one before in another category (Travel Gifts), but every college student needs a good piece of luggage. They take weekend trips. They go home occasionally. Make it easy for them. Voted “Best Overall Spinner Carry-on” by Travel and Leisure Magazine, the Samsonite spinner is durable, nice looking, and inexpensive. It comes in lots of colors, so you can pick one that’s not just like everyone else’s, making it easy to identify in the overhead bin or in the jetway. Get it here.
  • Travel Bag with Trolley Sleeve. Also mentioned in my Travel Gifts piece. Since I listed the spinner luggage, I’m telling you about a companion piece…a travel bag with a trolley sleeve that sits atop the spinner and doesn’t fall, thanks to the sleeve that goes around the handle of the spinner. I have one, and I love it. Get one for less than $30 here, and pick your color out of several.
  • Hatch Restore 2 Alarm Clock. “No more jarring alarms.” That’s how Hatch markets this product that is a sunrise alarm clock. It’s supposed to support circadian rhythms. Sounds awesome to me! Any college student will love it! It also acts as a sound machine and helps lull the recipient to sleep; that’s what it says! The recipient can also sign up for a Hatch membership that offers meditations, sleep stories, and curated wind-down channels, if desired. This special clock is not cheap, but it gets fantastic reviews. Priced at $199. Get it here.

  • Lap Desk. There’s not much space in dorm rooms or college apartments, so a lap desk comes in handy. College students have been using them for decades; I even used one way back when I was in school! Now, they are new and improved, of course. The best I have found is from LapGear, and it’s priced right at under $40. See it here.

  • Portable Safe/Lock Box. College students get lots of visitors in dorms and apartments. If they have valuables they want to keep secure, this portable safe/lockbox can be a great gift! Even if they just want to lock up their cash or jewelry, this is perfect. With the included cable, they can attach it to a fixed object…like the closet hanging bar. It has a combination lock. Purchase here.

  • Lifestraw Products. I am a big believer in Lifestraw Products. They offer a variety of water-filtering products, including water bottles and pitchers that are great for college students. I have one of the water bottles I purchased when I traveled to Panamá earlier this year, and I love it. See all Lifestraw products here. See their latest filtering water bottles here. And if your college student likes to carry a favorite water cup/bottle, you can get them them the Lifestraw filtering water pitcher for filling the favorite cup/bottles here. Highly recommend.

  • Ugg Slippers. In winter, college students want to stay cozy, and dorm/apartment floors can be cold. My daughter loves her Ugg Coquette slippers. In fact, she likely wears them outside the dorm on occasion. See the women’s Coquette slipper here. Men seem to be a little more picky about their slippers. See the Ugg selection of men’s slippers here.

  • Nestl Reading Pillow. This goes hand-in-hand with the lapdesk we posted above. If they’re going to sit in bed to read or study, they’ll need a good reading pillow. This one gets great reviews. Purchase here.

  • Ninja Portable Blender. College students don’t want appliances that take up a lot of space. Their space is limited, so a portable blender is perfect for those days they want to make a smoothie! I hate seeing coffee shop charges on my credit card, so I told our daughter to get recipes for her favorite smoothies or coffee drinks. The Ninja portable blender is great. My husband uses one regularly. Get it here.
  • Portable Speaker. College students like their tunes. My daughter loves her JBL Flip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. She uses it all the time. Priced at about $90, it provides a big bang for the buck. Everyone knows JBL quality is great. Get it here.

  • Board Games. Sounds silly, I know, but college students love distractions, and they especially love distractions that involve their friends. Yes, people still play board games…especially young people. Some of the old greats are still great. Yahtzee? Click here. Operation? Click here. Uno? Click here. Sorry? Click here. Pictionary? Click here. Scattergories (my personal fave)? Click here.

  • Basketball. Basketball hoops are everywhere on and near college campuses. However, if you don’t have a basketball, it’s a little difficult to start a pick-up game. Give the gift of fun and friendship: a basketball. Get it at Amazon here.

  • Bliss Lights Skylite Projector. College students are under a lot of stress, so they love anything that helps them relax. The Bliss Lights Skylite Projector will do just that! Get it at Amazon here.

  • Jonathan Adler Lollipop Holder. It’s gimmicky. It’s silly. However, friends will think it’s hilarious when they visit your college student, and they’ll love knowing they can grab a lollipop any time! We keep our daughter’s stocked with Tootsie Pops. Get it here.

  • Taco Tuesday Essentials. College students living in apartments love to host friends for Taco Tuesday. Amazon has lots of fun stuff just for that! Your college student will be the host with the most! See a great Taco Tuesday set here. It serves four, but you can purchase more pieces at the link.

Hoping you found some great ideas for the college student on your list. We will likely publish another list for college students in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Happy Holiday Shopping!