Busy Bee Lifestyle » Father’s Day

Tip Tuesday – Gift Giving the Smartbox Way!

Host Bee — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:04:40 +0000

Gift Giving the Smartbox Way!

So often when trying to think of a gift for someone, buying more “stuff” just doesn’t fit the bill. If that’s the case for you, Smartbox has the perfect solution! Smartbox is all about giving the gift of an “experience” that is specially chosen to suit the recipient. The shopping process is so easy – just head to the website and fill in a few prompts such as state and price parameters (prices start at just $69) and then decide upon the perfect type of experience from three basic themes:

Health and Wellness - includes massage, yoga, and spa treatments
Sport Activity - such as horseback riding, plane flight, sailing, rafting, kayaking, parachuting
Escape Getaways – offers bed and breakfasts and gourmet retreats

The recipient will be able to schedule the experience of their choice from a wide variety of activities or destinations within the Smartbox category you’ve chosen. Other than any travel cost, there will be no additional expenses.

The next time that you just can’t think of a terrific gift, which may be as soon as this Father’s Day, give Smartbox a try!

And don’t forget to enter our contest for a Personalized Stationery Stamp from Invitation Jane! Contest ends on June 20, 2009.

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The Top 10 Gifts for Father’s Day 2009

Host Bee — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:27:23 +0000

The Top Ten Gifts for Father’s Day 2009!

Shopping for the men in our lives is often a challenge! There’s little that they wish for and when asked, aren’t very helpful in their suggestions – my dad always asks for handkerchiefs or socks and my hubby always asks for a night out with me! Despite the lack of input from the men in my life, I do have some fun ideas that might make your Father’s Day shopping a bit easier!

For the Dad Who

Loves to Grill -

The Portable Grill by Coleman

The portable grill by Coleman will allow dad to take his love for grilled food on the road! Whether at a tailgate, park or camp ground, this 36″ collapsible gas grill has lots of cooking space and wheels for easy transport! (Coleman Road Trip Grill, $169.99)

Is Expecting or New to Fatherhood -

The Goodfather CD-ROM

Both funny and educational, The Goodfather CD-ROM is the perfect gift for a fledgling father! The CD spoofs “The Godfather” in its presentation and offers hundreds of interactive lessons and definitions for dads with babies up to twelve months old. (The GoodFather, $29.95)

Enjoys a Cocktail -

Whiskey Stones

Whiskey Stones from Teroforma are the perfect thing for serving dad’s cocktail on the rocks! These stones are crafted from soapstone and freeze as cold as ice cubes, but don’t melt and dilute the drink. A quick rinse and refreeze allow the cubes to be used again and again. (Whiskey Stones)

Is Handy with a Hammer -

Attractive Canvas Tool Bag

Update dad’s tool kit with a really good looking canvas tool bag! This 12″ canvas tote bag has leather handles, reinforced with rivets and features a steel frame mouth for durability. (Canvas Tool Bag, $76.04)

Wears a Navy Blazer that Could Use an Update (and isn’t this every guy?) -

Monogrammed Blazer Buttons

Give dad’s jacket a distinctive touch with monogrammed blazer buttons from Ben Silver. The jewelry-quality set includes nine buttons, three for the front of the blazer and six smaller buttons for the sleeves. This is a timeless and classic gift for any man! (Monogrammed Blazer Buttons, $198)

Cares about Being “Green” -

Universal Hybrid Charger

The Solio Classic Universal Hybrid Charger allows users to charge cell phone, iPods and other gadgets with solar power! This charger also has the capacity to charge from a wall outlet, but using the power of the sun is eco friendly and is a terrific power source in an emergency. (Universal Hybrid Charger, $89.98)

Loves Astronomy or Could Use a New Hobby -

Celestron Sky Scout Personal Planetarium

Offer dad the moon and the stars this Father’s Day with the Celestron Sky Scout Personal Planetarium! This amazing gadget uses GPS technology to locate over 6,000 stars, planets and constellations and accepts Sky Tour media cards for interactive tours of the night sky. I especially love this gift because it gives fathers a wonderful opportunity to explore new worlds with their children! (Celestron Sky Scout Personal Planetarium)

Thinks that Grooming Matters -

Santa Maria Novella’s Gift Box

If the sophisticated man in your life likes to be pampered and enjoys exceptional grooming products, the Santa Maria Novella’s Gift Box is just right! These meticulously crafted products from Italy date back to 1221 (!) and have only the highest quality ingredients. The set includes shave foam, musk soaps, toothpaste, body milk and pre/post shave cream. (Santa Maria Novella’s Gift Box, $235)

Needs a Beach or Pool Upgrade -

Vilebrequin Swim Trunks

Swim trunks can fade quickly with the effects of salt water and chlorine, so a stylish replacement could be in order this Father’s Day! Vilebrequin trunks are definitely a splurge, but the patterns and colors are fabulous! Two good looking choices include the Okoa Trunks and the Floral Drawstring Print Trunks!

Still Calls CDs “Records” -

The Ion Turntable

if your dad is still holding onto his LP’s, this is the gift for him! The Ion Turntable will play old vinyl records and also download the music onto an iPod or PC. This year, let dad take his classic tunes anywhere he goes! (The Ion Turntable, $249)

Best of luck with your Father’s Day shopping and please share any great gift ideas that you might have with the Busy Bee community!

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Need More Ideas? Check out these fun Father’s Day Gift Guides around the web:

Posh Little, 2009 Father’s Day Gift Guide

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Homemade Father’s Day Gifts

Host Bee — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:01:30 +0000

Homemade Gifts for Father’s Day!

A recent post (Father’s Day Gift Guide 2008) offered many suggestions for Father’s Day gifts, but if your children would like to create something special for dad, here are a few easy ideas!

Custom Made Snack Mix

Mixing up a batch of snack mix will get kids thinking about dad’s personality and keep them busy in the kitchen! Here are some possible ingredients, but feel free to come up with your own combinations:

Gummy Bears – because dad’s a teddy bear at heart
Peanuts – because he’s a little nutty
Goldfish – for his love of fishing
Mini Marshmallows – since he’s a big softy
M & Ms – because he’s sweet
Popcorn – because he’s your favorite “pop!”

Have your kids use their imaginations and don’t forget to let dad know why you chose what you did! (adapted from Family Fun Magazine)

Bake a Shirt Cake

My favorite Father’s Day cake is one that is baked in a 13″ x 9″ rectangular cake pan, removed from the pan, flipped over and then frosted to look like a dress shirt and tie!

Use vanilla icing to create a white button down shirt, or tint the icing with food coloring for a light pink or blue shirt.
White paper cut into 2 triangles form the collar and additional icing tinted in a darker color with make a fun tie! (If your cake decorating skills are limited like mine, just cut a tie out of colorful gift wrap or have the kids make a construction paper version!)
To serve, line an actual shirt box with tissue paper, place wax paper in the bottom and set the cake inside! Dad might really appreciate this departure from the traditional gift of a necktie! ( Family Fun Magazine)

Handcrafted Cuff Links

This is another idea that will get your children thinking about dad’s favorite things!

At Jan’s Jewels, pick up cuff link bases in either gold or silver plated finish, selecting the style with the 15mm pad. This slightly larger base will allow you greater flexibility when gluing items onto the cuff link. (jansjewels.com, #0052-28 for silver; #0046-25 for gold, $1.89)
Next, start brainstorming about which fun things you’ll use to decorate the cuff links! How about coins minted in a meaningful year? Polished rocks? Dice? Subway tokens? Monopoly or Scrabble playing pieces? Sea shells? Put your imagination to work and you’ll have a truly special gift for the dad in your life! Jewelry glue is available from artbeads.com, #E6000, noting that parental supervision is essential with this part of the project!

Helping your children to make gifts for dad will provide fond memories of quality time spent with you and a proud sense of accomplishment when they bestow those gifts on Father’s Day!

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Tags: homemade father’s day gifts, father, gift, handmade, fun, cute, clever, unique, easy, special

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2009

Host Bee — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:43:49 +0000

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2008!

This year Father’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, June 15th (which also happens to be my husband’s birthday!) Shopping for the men in our lives is always a challenge and so I’ve compiled a selection of gifts for men that are unique in different ways and will hopefully help with your Father’s Day shopping for the different men in your life!

For a Classic Father’s Day Gift - A Tie!

Ties have almost become a joke when it comes to Father’s Day, but here are a few standouts that will definitely not be a cliche!

Vera Bradley – Vera’s classic, preppy style works as well with ties as it does with tote bags! At verabradley.com, you’ll find a terrific assortment of brightly colored silk ties, including paisley and leopard patterns, and the price is great too! verabradley.com, $38)

Fashion Forward – the ties created by Gytha Mander are perfect for the dad that needs to wear a tie every day and is looking for a little bit of individuality! These ties have dual prints that when knotted feature one pattern at the knot and one on the front! Creative, but still conservative enough for the business world! (gythamander.com, $90)

Angela Moore – these ties sport a fabulous Palm Beach feeling no matter where you live! With palm trees, lighthouses, sailboats and flip flops, this is the perfect tie for a casual Friday or summer cocktail party! (angelamoore.com, $55)

For A Baseball Fan – Cuff Links!

Ballpark Cuff Links – this is a truly special gift for the baseball loving dad! Created from salvaged, wooden seats from America’s most famous and beloved stadiums, these sterling silver cuff links are coated with the original paint of the home team’s colors and hallmarked with the stadium’s name! This year, give your dad a piece of baseball history! Available parks include: Fenway, Yankee, Busch, Tiger, Comisky, Shea, Dodger, Wrigley or RFK. (redenvelope.com, $150 for all except Fenway, which is $230)

For A Nature Lover – Log Bowls!Handmade Log Bowls -

I just love these hand crafted log bowls that will be the perfect spot to stow dad’s change, watch, cuff links and other pocket items! The bowls are created from actual logs, each with its own unique, organic shape with an interior that is glazed with colorful acrylic paint. (Log Bowls, $50, red or yellow)

For the Retired Dad or Grandfather – A Hometown Puzzle!

Personalized Hometown Jigsaw Puzzle – “imagine piecing together an aerial view” of your own hometown! This great puzzle is a 400 piece depiction of your dad’s home base, replicated from a U.S. Geological Survey Map, including roads, waterways, and significant sites or buidings. Finished size is 18 1/4″ x 12 1/4″. When ordering, you’ll need to provide the specific street address, city, state and zip code and allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery! (thewirelesscatalog.com, $39.95)

For Any Dad – A Ticket Stub Diary

The Ticket Stub Diary – this gift is perfect for any guy of any age! This small keepsake diary is made especially for concert goers, sports fans, theatre lovers, and more! The diary gives dad a place to preserve up to 118 special ticket stubs, along with a spot to record memories of each event! To make this gift even more special, consider putting real tickets into the diary! Baseball? Movies? A Concert? Choose whatever your dad likes best! (Ticket Stub Diary at Amazon.com)

Good luck honoring all of the father figures in your life this Father’s Day!

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Tags: father’s day gifts, fathers, gift, unique, clever, best, top, fun, unusual, upscale, shopping, ideas, guide, 2008

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Last Minute Father’s Day Gifts, Gift Ideas!

Host Bee — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:01:05 +0000

Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas!

We know that you love the fathers in your life, but if you’ve left Father’s Day shopping go to the last minute – don’t worry! Here are a few fun and easy ideas that will suit almost any dad!

Pajama Gram Gift Card

At Pajama Gram, you’ll find lots of fun pj choices for dad! Every guy’s gift from Pajama Gram arrives packaged with an attractive toiletry kit and personalized card. Take a look at the Recliner Pajamas, which include a solid red t-shirt top and pants that are covered with a too funny assortment of TV’s, recliners, remote controls and bags of chips!

Get Dad A “Tie!”

But not the usual variety! You can send your dad a “virtual” Father’s Day tie from billybear4kids.com. website allows you to create a colorful and crazy tie, along with a message to email to your dad! I’m guessing that this “tie” might be more appreciated than the real thing!

Cabela Gift Card

If your dad loves any aspect of the outdoors, a gift card from cabelas.com is sure to be a hit! Consider this for the fisherman, camper, hiker, skier, or hunter in your life.

Good luck with the manly shopping that awaits you! The best part about dads is that anything you do for them will be truly appreciated!

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Tags: fathers day gift ideas, gifts, last minute gifts, fabulous, fun, best, top, terrific, unique, father’s, guide