Baby Shower Gift Ideas from Good Buys All the Time

Spring and summer are popular times for weddings and baby showers but finding a gift can be tough. Do you get something on the registry? Do you opt for a gift card or write a check? What if you don’t know the mom-to-be all that well? To make things easier, we’ve put together some great baby shower gift ideas that are both thoughtful and practical (and affordable too).

The practical gift. Every mom-to-be can use things like diapers, baby wipes, sippy cups and toys. Browse the registry to get an idea of the types of products wanted and then shop around for the best price. Just because the expectant mother is registered at Baby’s R Us or Target, doesn’t mean you can’t buy the same things elsewhere – just make sure to tell someone if you purchase a big item like the crib mattress or stroller so they can take it off the registry. You can save on some of these everyday items when you shop Good Buys All the Time. We carry Seventh Generation diapers, Baby Magic baby wipes, and a variety of toys and sippy cups!

The cute gift. Every baby needs clothing but you don’t want to overwhelm the mom-to-be with countless packs of newborn size onesies, bibs or socks. Try finding some cute outfits or clothing in sizes 6-9 and 12 months so that mom has clothing for the baby to grow into. At Good Buys All the Time, we carry a variety of name brand clothing from brands like Carters for boys and girls. Here are some of our newly listed items we can’t get enough of.

Remember, it’s the thought that counts so don’t stress about the perfect gift. Babies go through multiple outfits per day so mom will be just as happy for the basic onesies as she is for the bows and frills. For more of our favorite baby outfits and gift ideas, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!

DIY Hello Kitty Easter Baskets

Easter is one of my favorite religious holidays but it’s also a lot of fun for the kids! I remember hunting for eggs when I was young and filling my Easter basket full of real hard-boiled, painted eggs. Now it seems like the most popular eggs to find are the plastic ones filled with goodies… my how time has changed! Whether you do an egg hunt or fill up Easter baskets with candy and gifts for your kids or grandkids, all of those little things can add up.  This year I thought I’d put together some ideas for creating the perfect girl’s Easter basket featuring some of our brand new Hello Kitty items, available at a great price from Good Buys All the Time.

Start with the basket – you can find a sturdy one at your local dollar store that should do the trick, or check out our selection of adorable Hello Kitty buckets - coming soon!

Next, find your “filler” – for a Hello Kitty theme I suggest some pink Easter grass, but any color will do.

Now’s the fun part – pick your candy and treats! Hello Kitty is great because there are so many themed items for various ages. I like to do one “big” item and then add a bunch of little items to fill things up. For little girls, these pajama sets are perfect (and mom will thank you too)! I don’t go through the trouble of gift-wrapping anything; clothing can be rolled tightly so it doesn't take up much space.

If you’re doing multiple baskets, save by purchasing multi-packs of lip-gloss, body lotion or gummies! You can divide them among your baskets by style, scent or color. We also have a great Hello Kitty hair kit and the best prices on Hello Kitty gummy vitamins. With all of the candy kids get nowadays, the vitamins are a cute substitute.

For the crafty girls in your family, consider adding some pencils, notepads or art supplies. I love this school supplies set that includes all of the above! Again, if you’re making more than one basket this is a great kit to break apart. The fruit snacks can also be divided up among your baskets. And kids LOVE fruit snacks!

When you’re done stocking up on goodies, simply arrange your baskets any way you like. I love the look of this basket (courtesy of Pinterest)! For more great ideas and good buys, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pin with us on Pinterest and visit our Amazon store, Good Buys All the Time.

St. Patrick's Day Ideas and Deals from Good Buys All the Time

Growing up Irish, I have always loved the month of March and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends. We recently got approved to sell clothing in our Amazon store and with St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner I am so excited about some of our newest items! Have some fun with your kiddos or grandchildren this year with these adorable ideas from Good Buys All the Time.

Make a Festive St. Paddy’s Day Breakfast

You don’t have to learn to make Scotch eggs or corned beef and cabbage to get in the Irish spirit. Try adding some green food coloring to your favorite pancake mix for a festive short-stack. For picky eaters, add a few drops of food coloring to milk and serve with Lucky Charms cereal (a kid favorite)!

Wear Green

St. Patrick's Day was originally a Roman Catholic holiday celebrating Ireland's patron saint and observed only in Ireland; it was not until the 1700's when Irish immigrants in the U.S. started the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City. It is customary to wear shamrocks and green clothing or accessories because St Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish.

Whether you’re staying home or going to work, remember to wear green and show your St. Paddy’s Day spirit! For the cutest baby looks, be sure to stop by our Amazon store and browse our selection of Carter’s brand accessories and clothing.

DIY Decorations Your Kids (or Grandkids) Will Love

Keep your kids or grandkids busy with some simple St. Patrick’s Day crafts like this DIY paper chain garland. All you need is some green construction paper, scissors and a stapler or tape. Make it a contest to see who can create the longest paper chain in 5 or 10 minutes, then enjoy decorating together!

Capture your memories with an adorable photo frame like this one or create your own props – mustaches, glasses, leprechaun hats, giant lips or corn-cob pipes.

For more great DIY ideas and tips, be sure to follow us on Pinterest! And say hello to a good buy with our Amazon store where you’ll find the best prices on every items, Carter’s kids clothing and more.

Get a Head Start on Spring Cleaning

Spring will be here before we know it and with all of the yucky weather lately, I’ve gotten quite the head start on my spring cleaning. We have two hairy dogs so I feel like I am always vacuuming, but I enjoy doing a “deep clean” each spring to get our house ready for warmer weather. Here are some of the things I’ve learned over the years that make things easier.

Get rid of “junk” one room at a time

Kitchen – De-clutter your fridge. If you’re like me your fridge is full of artwork from the kids, reminders and maybe even a leftover Christmas card. Take down anything that’s not important and throw away old takeout menus. Next check your “Tupperware” cupboard and do the same. We seem to end up with a million Glad / Ziploc brand containers that are great for leftovers and call themselves “dishwasher safe,” but need to be replaced after countless uses. If they no longer look clean or the lids have warped and they no longer seal tight – throw them out.

Bedroom – Go through your closet and get rid of old clothing, shoes and accessories. If things are in good condition you can try a consignment shop or simply donate the items to your local Goodwill Store or Salvation Army. I also like to do a thorough purge of my sock / underwear drawer. Match up the socks that lost their partners over time and get rid of any strays (keep in mind you can repurpose an old sock as a whiteboard eraser or rag!).

Basement & Garage – Go through kid’s sports equipment, dad’s work boots and other items that may have been outgrown or replaced throughout the year. If things are in good condition try consignment, if not create a “junk” pile.  Because we have dogs I also like to take inventory of toys and treats, getting rid of damaged items and ruined tennis balls.

Get in all the nooks and crannies!

If you haven’t moved your furniture recently, there’s probably a million little dust bunnies hiding behind things. As the weather gets warmer we like to open windows, prop the door open for fresh air and a little breeze will send the dust bunnies flying all over the place! Stay on top of dust bunnies by vacuuming underneath couches, beds, dressers and bookshelves. Our vacuum has an extension that slides right underneath things but if I can I’ll pull the furniture out from against the wall to make sure I’ve gotten everything.

If you’ve got kids or pets be sure to pull the cushions off your couch and vacuum up all the crumbs and pet hair.  You may be surprised at what you’ll find under there!

Remember the little things

Sometimes we forget about the things we touch most often which are probably full of germs or fingerprints.  Disinfect household doorknobs and use a Magic Eraser to get rid of finger prints around doorways and handles. Wipe down railings, microwave and fridge handles and appliances that are used by everyone in the family.  I also like to give my dog’s dishes a good cleaning every so often. Regardless of how “clean” they may lick them, dogs get colds too and it doesn’t hurt to put their dishes through the dishwasher to disinfect them.

Our house is far from spotless, but with a little extra time and attention to detail I try to keep things in order.  A little goes a long way so get a head start on your spring cleaning today and remember to shop Good Buys All the Time for the best prices on your favorite everyday items and for more great tips and DIY ideas follow us on Facebook!

Practical Ways to Save this Spring

In the months following the holidays, families are often looking for extra ways to save. Bills can begin to add up, the kids have spring activities starting which means money spent on sports equipment, gas and weekend trips, plus the family dog needs a check up which is never inexpensive. Things can seem overwhelming, but these practical tips can help you save on everyday expenses so you've got more money for your family vacation this summer!

1. Buy in Bulk

Little trips to CVS or the grocery store for toothpaste, paper products, makeup, soap and shampoo can add up.  Instead of purchasing one or two items at a time, make a list and plan a trip to your local wholesaler or try finding your favorite products online! At Good Buys All the Time, we carry a variety of soap, body wash, toothpaste and more at wholesale prices - and chances are you'll qualify for free shipping! 

Great Products to Buy in Bulk

Shampoo

Soap

Razors

Paper Plates, Cups, Napkins

Paper Towels and Toilet Paper

Household Cleaners

Baby Wipes and Diapers

2. Don't Just Donate - Try Consignment for Name Brand Clothing

If you've got kids, you understand the struggle of going through clothes and pairs of shoes too quickly to count! If you don't have younger children to wear hand-me-downs, clothing often gets sent straight to Goodwill or Salvation Army without a second thought. As you begin your annual purge this spring, set aside gently used, name brand clothes and shoes and try your local consignment shop instead. If you've spent good money on things, there's no shame in trying to make some money back. 

Another idea is to have a good old fashioned yard sale. Get some friends together to make it worthwhile and tell them products and clothing must be high quality - no one wants to come sort through your junk! Find out when other neighborhoods are having their yard sales and plan for the same weekend when more people will be passing by. 

3. Save on Sports Equipment

As an elementary schooler I remember trying countless sports until I found the ones I wanted to excel at. Luckily, I had a big sister to pass me her hand-me-down baseball gloves, hockey sticks and shin guards. If you've got an ambitious athlete and hand-me-downs aren't an option, try a re-use-it shop for basic equipment until you know the sport is going to last longer than one season. Hockey and lacrosse sticks can cost upwards of $200 so there's no point in spending an arm and a leg if your little athlete isn't sure they want to keep playing.  

Another way to save during spring sports is to car-pool. It's a great way for your kids to make friends with their teammates and a fun way to meet other team moms!

Gift Exchange Games for Family, Friends and Coworkers

With a large extended family, we decided years ago to skip buying gifts for all 20-some people, and asked everyone to bring one $15-$20 gift instead.  We look for fun gift exchange games to try each year to make getting just one present more fun than getting a whole bunch! Some of our favorites include The Night Before Christmas game, Now You Have It, Now You Don’t, and good old Yankee Swap.  Most of these games are also great with friends and coworkers.

Here’s how to play some of our favorite gift exchange games:

Yankee Swap or “White Elephant”
This game is great for both family and friends.  With friends, make it fun by asking them to bring a gift that’s either new or used to add to the surprise.  Knowing you might get a great gift or a hilarious gift keeps everyone laughing! Simply start by drawing numbers out of a hat to see who gets to pick a gift first.  Player No. 1 chooses and unwraps a gift, then shows it to everyone else.  Player No. 2 then either “steals” that present or picks and unwraps another one from the pile.  Player No. 3 can then steal either gift, or choose to unwrap another, and so on.   Any player whose gift is stolen gets to pick again.  The game continues until everyone has a gift.

The Night Before Christmas GameThis game is great for family and very kid friendly! Start by asking everyone to sit in a circle, holding the gift they brought.  Remind them to pay close attention to the reading of The Night Before Christmas – because each time you say the word “right” they will pass their gift to the right, and each time you say the word “left” they will pass the gift in their hands to the left.  The gift in their hands at the end of the poem is theirs to keep! Click here for the special version of The Night Before Christmas poem you will need for the game.

Musical Chairs Gift Exchange GameThis is a fun one for kids or adults! Start by asking everyone to sit in a circle. Play some music and begin passing your gifts around the circle – but like musical chairs, make sure there’s one less gift than there are people in the circle. (Set the “extra” gift to the side, as it will come into play later on) When the music stops, the person without a gift is out and gets to pick a gift from the circle to ensure there’s always one less gift than participants. This continues until there’s a winner.  The only person without a gift at this point is the 2nd place player who can either choose the “extra” gift that was set aside at the beginning, or “steal” a gift from someone else. If a player’s gift is stolen they may pick the “extra” gift or “steal” from someone else.  When everyone has a gift, open your presents to see what everyone was fighting for!

Not sure what to bring to a gift exchange? Good Buys All the Time has got you covered.  A $10 gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts is even better with a cute holiday mug or a bag of chocolate covered pretzels! Or purchase some minty Burt’s Bees lip balm – great for guys or gals. Another great way to make your $15-$20 go a long way is to re-use a basket you already have and fill it with a variety of items for a fun night out, or a relaxing night in.  Maybe it’s gourmet coffee, a $5 gift card to your favorite local coffee shop, and some sweet treats; or a spa basket filled with nail polish, foot creme, nail files and other inexpensive accessories.  Create a basket for kids with their favorite Hello Kitty products, Fisher Price toys and more! There’s still time to order whatever it is you need from our Amazon store – just visit Good Buys All the Time.

The Perfect Gourmet Gifts this Holiday Season

One of my favorite holiday memories is watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas while drinking coffee or tea and having dessert with my family.  Despite the joy of opening presents and the chatter around the dinner table, it's those little moments when we get to relax and take it all in, that I am most thankful for.

At Good Buys All the Time, we understand the holidays can be stressful and the cost of gifts and decorations can add up, which is why we offer a variety of gourmet treats and gifts at the best price. We don't want to be rushing to the supermarket when we could be spending time with family, so we know you don't either. Stock up on your favorite chocolates and treats this year before the big rush so that you can relax and enjoy time with friends and family over a hot cup of coffee or tea. 

Gourmet Teas for the Holidays!

Gourmet coffees, teas and chocolates also make great gifts this time of the year! What's better to bring as a hostess gift than Timothy's Christmas Teas to share with friends and guests. We'll even save you the gift wrap because these teas come in a beautiful Christmas box. With flavors like holiday blend, silent night, peppermint ginger and breakfast special, there's a tea for everyone to enjoy!

Looking to spread some Christmas cheer around the office? Why not purchase some gourmet chocolates or treats to share with coworkers this holiday season. Godiva chocolate truffles or some fancy chocolate dipped pretzels also make a lovely gift for the boss!

Yum!

Each year we do a gift swap with extended family and we're asked to bring a $10 gift.  Our "now you have it, now you don't" game includes everyone from my grandparents to my nieces and nephews so it can be hard finding something that's unisex and age appropriate. I've learned that you can never go wrong with candy or treats - in fact, those are the gifts people are "swapping" for! This year we'll be bringing our favorite Lambertz Chocolate Covered Gingerbread Cookies!

Another one of my favorite gift-swap ideas is a festive mug filled with goodies or treats! Hershey's kisses always look pretty in their festive colors or if it's a business party you can fill the mug with pens, highlighters, and your coworker's favorite office supplies.  At Good Buys All the Time, we have a variety of treats and fun themed mugs to choose from, like this set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mugs.

TMNT Mugs - Great Holiday Gift Ideas

Whether you're looking for gourmet coffee or something fun for the kids this holiday season, be sure to stop by Good Buys All the Time on Amazon and browse our selection of gifts.

We also have a variety of natural remedies and cold medicine to keep you healthy this winter so you can enjoy time spent with family and friends!

For fun holiday gift ideas and savings, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!