Mother’s Day Gifts for Grandma

Grandma. You don’t have to sneak sips of dad’s bourbon. We know you’ve never liked white wine.

“Mama? How come you don’t wear my macaroni necklace to your meeting?”

Because, baby. Because I am a monster.

Parents treasure handmade gifts, but there are only so many times you can hide the macaroni necklace in the glove compartment before you forget to put it back on when you get home. And then the inevitable reckoning. Where is the necklace? I… got hungry.

Mom and Grandma would love handmade gifts for Mother’s Day, but maybe not another pinto-bean brooch. As long as you’re helping your kid make something, here are some sentimental homemade and/or custom options that she doesn’t have to wear in front of the board.

BALLOON SURPRISE

Do a slight twist on this birthday surprise, by attaching an individual photo of each kid for every year of his or her life.

Ask your kids to number them and on the back of the photo. Or have them write a happy memory of their mom or grandma. Also works as a cool display option for handmade favor coupons.

Continue reading “Homemade Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day” →

Mother’s Day Card Roundup

Why is Mother’s Day stuff so fugly? It’s all purple cursive eye smack, and floral bunny soul crush. Here are a few Mother’s Day card options that won’t embarrass you, or make your mother worry that she didn’t do enough to shape your taste level.

Mom, You Rock letterpress card by A Favorite Design

Continue reading “Mother’s Day Card Roundup” →

I Love You, Nerd Valentine: Top 10 Valentines for Geeks

You threw an awkward glance his way because his glasses were cute. He thinks your neck smells like you might be a compatible genetic match. You enjoy Mythbusters, he enjoys Mythbusters. And while Valentine’s Day is ultimately a commercial construct, you’re not above engaging ironically if it means getting laid later.

1. Dr. Who Valentine

2. Space Invader Valentine

3. Pride and Prejudice Valentine

4. Princess Leia Valentine

5. Legend of Zelda Valentine

6. Periodic Table Valentine

7. Eye Chart Valentine

8. Genetic Predisposition Drosophilia Valentine

9. Buckminster Fuller Valentine

10. I Love You With All My Brain Valentine

Also check out:
More Nerd Valentines on my Pinterest Board
Nerds in Love: Ten More Valentines for Geeks

12 Days of Christmas Gifts

We’re keeping it symbolic here, because what the hell is your true love going to do with seven swans?

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Feather Letterpress Cards, $15 from Satsuma Press
A tiny bit of partridge.

Ambition Pearwood Rollerball Pen, $80 from Faber Castell
And a pear tree pen.

Two Turtle Doves

Wood Ear Bud Holder, $27

Three French Hens

French Macaron, $21

Four Calling Birds

Pie Birds, $2 each

Five Golden Rings

The Quintet Necklace, $48 from Lemonade Handmade

Six Geese A-Laying

Tenga Egg Six Pack, $23

Seven Swans A-Swimming

1955 Pleiades, Seven Sisters, Constellation Map Print, $6

Eight Maids A-Milking

Kraken Black Spiced Rum, $18

Nine Ladies Dancing

Disco Ball, $30 from Amazon

Ten Lords A-leaping

White Balancing Blocks, $55 from The Curiosity Shoppe

Eleven Pipers Piping

Grover-Trophy Slide Whistle, $11

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Timex Brown Leather Easy Reader Watch, $54

If you liked this, you might also like last year’s 12 Days of Christmas picks. Have you ever wanted to make a 12 Days of Christmas package? Leave your suggestions for alternative ideas in comments.

Mighty Summit Giveaway: Congratulations to Our Winners!

Last week, Laura Mayes and I announced the Mighty Summit giveaway, offering two lucky commenters the incredible gifts — Tieks! Epiphanie and Lands’ End Bags! Jewelry! Life-changing books! — enjoyed by Mighty Summit attendees earlier this month.

The results are in, and congratulations to our number 1357, Ursula! (Life List goal: Wear a fresh-picked Hibiscus flower in my hair, in Hawaii.) Laura announced our other winner on her Blog con Queso earlier today.

Congratulations you two, and thank you to all who participated!

Photo credit: Maile Wilson of Epiphanie Bags.

Inventors!

Photo by Frank Greenaway

If you have an aquarium, now you can order the glass hermit crab shells you’ve been seeing everywhere online.

Invisible bike helmets function like airbags. (via Swiss Miss)

Have you seen anything lately that you can’t stop thinking about?

Objects of Affection: Bottle Opener Collection

AMERICA! Tomorrow is our day to shine as a nation. Please stop trying to open your July 4 beer bottles with your wedding ring, your iPhone, a piece of paper, your teeth. There are better ways to go about this, six of which are pictured above.