Christmas Gift Ideas for the Disorganized Homeschool Mom

Christmas Gift Ideas for the Disorganized Homeschool Mom

If you’re a disorganized homeschool mom, I have Christmas gift ideas you’ll love because I know what’s helped me become more organized. Even if you’re already in the process of getting organized, you’ll love these. If you’re looking for Christmas gifts for a disorganized homeschool mom in your life, I promise she’ll love these–with no offense taken! Be sure to read to the end for the best gift idea of all–cash! I’ve gotten together with some pretty awesome bloggers to give TWO families some CASH in the 5th annual Christmas Blessings Giveaway – $500 cash (delivered via Paypal). You’ll find the entry form at the end of the post.

Sink Reflections

I was so disorganized that I was ready to quit homeschooling and having kids when we had three. Then I found FLYLady, Marla Cilley who is the author of Sink Reflections. Her no-judgment, 15-minutes-at-a-time approach to getting organized changed my life. In fact, you’ll find my endorsement on the back of the book! If your home is in chaos, you will love this book and implementing the FLYing approach even more.

The Organized Homeschool Life Book and Planner

After creating routines and getting my home decluttered, I longed for organizing help designed just for homeschool moms. I applied the FLYLady 15-minute-mission approach to every aspect of a homeschool mom’s life (seasonal planning, school room organization, curriculum planning and much more). The result is The Organized Homeschool Life book and planner with a year’s worth of weekly challenges that will get your whole life in order. The planner helps you fit the missions into a daily task list that helps you balance family and personal needs. These tools have made me happier and more productive than ever and are the perfect Christmas gift for the Christian homeschool mom on your list.

Get Your Pretty On

If you need help decluttering your closet, simplifying your wardrobe, and putting outfits together that make you feel great, Get Your Pretty On is for you. You’re given a shopping list of wardrobe essentials (whether you want a year-round basic wardrobe, work wear, or a fresh seasonal wardrobe). First, you shop your closet. You’ll have a number of these pieces already. Then you can thrift store shop, Black Friday shop, or request the remaining pieces as gifts. You’ll have a calendar of outfits to wear using these pieces and access to a private Facebook group that is so much fun! You’ll feel fantastic in your clothes–a great goal for the new year. The winter capsule wardrobe or the annual membership make perfect Christmas gifts.

The Instant Pot

If you’re organized, you can use a crockpot. Put the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning and dinner is done! But when you’re not that organized, the Instant Pot comes to the rescue. It’s a pressure cooker that is like the offspring of a slow cooker and a microwave. You can add frozen meat to it and in no time, your meal is ready and tastes like it’s been cooking all day. This cookbook makes a great companion gift.

Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo can help you get and stay organized with reminders, timers, automatic ordering, and quick answers. The bonus is you can listen to your favorite tunes while you’re organizing.

iRobot Roomba

When was the last time you vacuumed? I thought so. With a Roomba, that job is no longer yours. And it works with your Amazon Echo!

Magnetic Refrigerator Dry Erase Board

Trying to get your family to check your wall or digital calendar can be trying. But everyone uses the refrigerator! Keep them informed with a magnetic dry erase calendar for the refrigerator. My daughter enjoys filling ours out each month.

Multi-Device Charging Station

If your devices or back-up batteries are frequently low on power at all the wrong times, you’ll be a more organized homeschool mom with this multi-device charging station.

Wireless Key Finder

If you frequently lose your keys or remotes, you’ll love this wireless key finder. Simply attach your keys to a device or stick one of the sensors to a remote and you’ll hear a noise directing you to the lost item. It’s a real sanity saver!

Personalized Carabiner

Easily add this personalized carabiner to a backpack or bag to identify it. Perfect for kids’ activities!

Sonic Boom Alarm Clark

We all know it’s easier to get organized if you’re up before noon. If you’re a heavy sleeper (or your family members are), this super loud, bed-shaking alarm clock is the perfect gift for you.

Wifi Digital Picture Frame

Do you have good intentions to scrapbook? While you’re working on creating the scrapbook habit, this digital picture frame will allow you to enjoy your photos now. Anyone can email photos to it. It’s on my gift list this year.

James Brown Tufted Leather Armed Storage Bench

If you a hotspot where items collect, a storage bench can be an attractive solution. I use this bench to store the kids’ extra shoes that accummulate near the front door. It’s a great place to sit and put your shoes on, too.

Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Lipstick

Do you forget to reapply lipstick? I used to until I started wearing Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Lipstick. It wears all day and doesn’t dry out my lips. Perfect stocking stuffer for the busy homeschool mom.

Pilot Frixion Clicker Gel Ink Pens

Pencils have to be sharpened and mechanical pencil lead breaks easily. These Pilot Frixion Clicker Gel Ink pens are my favorite. Fine point, eraseable ink. Problem is other people love them, too, and they disappear. They make the perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite homeschool mom.

Pin this post to remember to shop later!


Want more gift guides? Check out this list from the iHomeschool Network bloggers.

Christmas Blessings Giveaway

We hope that the prize will be a blessing to the winning families and will help them fulfill their kids’ Christmas wishes, pay off some bills, or to save for a rainy day. Whatever the money ends up being used for, our prayer is that it helps to lessen any financial burden and/or fills a specific need.

There are lots of entry options in the Rafflecopter form below – the more you enter, the better your chance of winning! I know it can seem tedious and time consuming to go through all the entries, but isn’t a chance at $500 worth it? I think it is! Plus, all of these generous bloggers donated their own money toward the cash prizes and this giveaway wouldn’t be possible without them. So I hope you’ll take the time to check out each one. Who knows? Maybe you will find your new favorite blog.

The giveaway will run from Monday, November 12th through Wednesday, November 21st (ends at 11:59pm EST). Winner will be notified by email shortly after the giveaway ends and will have 48 hours to respond to claim the prize or another winner will be drawn. You must have a Paypal account to win. Please be sure to read the Rafflecopter terms and conditions upon entering.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

Holidays, family reunions, and weddings are some of the most wonderful memories we make with those we love. However, they can prove to be a challenge when it comes to finding the perfect gift for everyone–especially since there are so many things to choose from.

Ideally, you should not ask your loved ones what they want because gifts are “surprises.” But then again, you can have a hard time determining what to buy for each and every person on your list because, apart from having so much to choose from, people have different tastes and preferences.

[Read 60 of the Best Christmas Gifts for Kids]

A way to solve this is to do a little bit of searching for some nice gifts for each occasion. In this article, we will give you some advice on how to choose the best present. For detailed lists of gifts, together with price details, visit TenGiftIdeas.com. There you will find an assortment of articles filled with gift suggestions for all kinds of occasions.

Guide to Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

However, before choosing an item, you will also need a gift guide, which will help you pick the perfect gift from the wide variety of available gift options. The following tips will come in handy during this process.

Consider your relationship

You should spend less on gifts for colleagues and distant family members as compared to what you will spend on close family members because family comes first. Also, try to prioritize on close family members by buying their gifts a week before so that, in case anything goes wrong, you will already have some things ready for your “inner circle.”

Do some background checks

This is actually an easy feat nowadays because most people post their activities and events on social media. You can look for clues of what they like on Facebook or Instagram and you might be really surprised at how easy it can be to narrow it down to a few best ideas.

Use algorithms

Now, this might seem geeky, but it is quite easy. Technology has advanced to the point where it can help you determine which gift to give to a specific person. Some e-commerce websites will ask you personal questions about the recipient and, with the help of algorithms, they can generate gift ideas.

List their interests

Interests determine a major part of who we are. Therefore, giving someone a gift that is aligned with their interests is one of the best things you can do. For instance, if your best friend likes sewing, you will make him/her very happy if you gift him/her with a new sewing machine or sewing accessories. To determine these interests, simply take a few minutes and list the recipient’s hobbies. From this list, determine the best gift for each hobby and if you have the finances, you can buy them all. If you don’t, pick the coolest idea from the gift list and get it.

Consider past experiences/events

Maybe you gifted someone something that he/she did not like very much last year. How can you tell? Do they use/ display it? If the answer is no, you know what not to buy. Moreover, remember things you did together. Did they seem particularly excited when talking about their yoga sessions? Why not opt for some scented candles, an ambient music CD, or some yoga clothing items. On the other hand, if you went on hikes together, then maybe go for hiking accessories. An outdoorsy person will always be happy to receive a quality Swiss army knife.

Consider the occasion

It could be the graduation of your close friend or the wedding of your sister. Bottom line, what matters is what you want the gift to say. For instance, a graduation gift should be something that tells them they have achieved a lot. It should inspire them as they move forward to the next chapter of their lives. A wedding anniversary gift for your husband should remind him that he is loved, while also reminding him of the good times you have had together.

Put yourself in their shoes

If your friend is having a second baby, what would she like? What would you like if you were in
her position? She may need a new lovey blanket, pacifiers, or clothes for a different season. Such questions can help you find the right gifts easily for a majority of the people on your list.

Be unique (think outside the box)

As much as you are a busy person, it would be better to take some time and think about some unique items you can get. You can even decide to make the gift on your own, for instance, and make your best friend some jewelry if that’s your craft. The important thing to remember is that it does not have to be expensive in order to be good. A thoughtful and unique gift is the best thing you can get someone.

Conclusion

The most important thing when it comes to gifting is to make the giftee feel appreciated. The tips given above will go a long way towards helping you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. What’s your favorite tip on this list? Let us know in the comments.

This is a guest post from TenGiftIdeas.com.

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Productivity Inspiration for This Spring

Productivity Inspiration for This Spring

Spring motivates me to get things done. I think it’s the return of the sun. Whatever it is, I’m glad! These are six sources of inspiration for me now. To receive the fabulous, time-sensitive sanity savers that I share with friends, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter.

#1 Spring bucket list

Spring bucket list

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bucket lists inspire me to do the things that matter most. I love this bucket list that is part of The Organized Homeschool Life Planner, now shipping in print to the US. Grab your copy of the bucket list (no opt-in required) and start adding activities like planting flowers, visiting a botanical garden, a zoo trip, flying a kite, or nature walks.

#2 Spring cleaning with the Lazy Genius podcast

Spring cleaning is one of the challenges in The Organized Homeschool Life. If we take a perfectionist approach, we’re sunk. We’ll quit before we start. But we can do it with the Lazy Genius’s approach to cleaning the house. Give it a listen!

#3 Focus and concentrate with James Clear

It’s no use planning multiple tasks for this spring if we haven’t learned how to focus. James Clear has you covered for tips on developing your concentration muscles. 🙂

#4 Tame your to-do list

It’s demoralizing to never finish your list. That’s why there is room for just three main priorities and three other tasks per day in The Organized Homeschool Life planner. Read Forbes’s to-do list tips to get your list under control.

#5 The Hidden Art of Homemaking

Most of my readers are homeschooling mothers. Some of them left careers behind to homeschool. But we don’t have to leave our skills and talents behind. This classic book will give you a fresh perspective on your calling at home.

#6 A Million Little Ways

Emily Freeman’s book is a new look on this topic that can make work seem like play. And isn’t that what we all need this spring?

Want more productiviy inspiration? Check out the last list of sanity savers here.

What’s on your spring bucket list? Comment and let me know.

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Productivity Inspiration Sanity Savers

Productivity Inspiration Sanity Savers

Sometimes it isn’t about a new app to increase your productivity. Sometimes we just need a little shot of inspiration. That’s what this week’s list of sanity savers is all about. To get access to time-limited sanity savers, be sure to subscribe.

Productivity Inspiration Sanity Savers

#1 Live to your potential

I’m a fan of Jordan Peterson’s and this video about how much time we waste and how we could live instead is worth watching and rewatching.

#2 Making Oprah podcast

Oprah Winfrey is one of the people featured in the above video as living their potential. Whatever you think of her philosophy on life, you have to admit that her accomplishments are amazing. I listened to the short-series Making Oprah podcast about her rise to fame and was particularly moved by episode #3, which discusses the famous car giveaway episode. She insisted that the giveaway have intention. I want to live with intention too.

#3 Next Right Thing podcast

A friend in our HomeschoolScopes group gave me this tip about the Next Right Thing podcast. The focus on just doing the next right thing is what I need. The host’s voice is soothing, like a friend who’s a counselor.

#4 Brilliant Business Mom podcast

If you have a blog or business, you’ll love the Brilliant Business Mom podcast. My favorite episodes are interviews with moms who have succeeded as entrepreneurs. The podcast inspires me to persevere as a business woman.

#5 Pre-Game Routine

James Clear describes a pre-game routine as how we can get motivated to do important things: start the homeschool day, write your book, or manage your finances. In reading it I realized that I often change my routine, making it difficult to enjoy the motivational benefits.

How to Get Motivated When You Don’t Feel Like It

#6 Christian Zumba

In thinking about a pre-game routine, I remembered that exercise used to be mine. I worked out before starting my writing for the day. Now I’m working out in the afternoons with my daughter and my pre-game routine has been willy nilly. I tried ReFit at a women’s retreat recently and enjoyed it. I tried doing these dance exercises to Christian music before I started my writing routine and it worked! I did another song after my writing session to get the blood pumping again. This is something you could do with the kids.

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Inspiration Sanity Savers

Inspiration Sanity Savers

It’s January as I write and I’m in need of inspiration. Inspiration can get me out of bed on a cold morning and keep me going through a dreary afternoon. These are the things that are inspiring me now.

If you want access to time-sensitive sanity savers, become a subscriber

Inspiration Sanity Savers

#1 The Organized Homeschool Life Planner and Group

I would have created this planner if only I were planning to use it. It has been so inspiring for me to complete my weekly review and my daily planning pages.

Instructions for The Organized Homeschool Life Planner

I can’t wait to get my bound planners and to get them sent out to homeschoolers who wanted the print version. I have the custom-designed holiday stickers in my hands, ready to ship. They are now available for purchase for digital customers. I found the perfect Today bookmark for the planner that I shared on Instagram. I am also loving The Organized Homeschool Life group on Facebook. It provides a place for me to share daily inspiration for our organizing journey as I find it. We would love to have you join us.

 

 

 

#2 The Body for Life Success Journal

I completed a Body for Life Challenge years ago and loved the energy I had and feeling like I was in top physical condition. My workout intensity has slipped in recent years as has my nutrition. I decided I wanted to do another challenge and my daughter decided to join me. It’s so inspiring to have someone take a challenge with you.

What I love about this journal is that there is an inspirational story each day and an encouragement to review your goals each day. Reviewing your goals and your why regularly WORKS. That’s why I included this in the weekly portion of The Organized Homeschool Life Planner. For best results, I recommend reviewing your why daily!

#3 A 55-Year-Old Body Builder

This woman went from looking like a matronly teacher to a competitive body builder in about two years. Her before-and-after pictures in the middle of this post are incredible! She demonstrates what is possible if we persevere. If you want more fitness inspiration from women over 50, check out my post here.

#4 This Time Next Year

I found the new show, This Time Next Year, to be inspiring. The show introduces someone who states a goal to be achieved in a year. You immediately see them a year later and hear about their journey. The first episode had another woman who became a competitive body builder in a year, but the goals aren’t all fitness based. One couple wanted to have a baby and their story was very touching.

#5 Anti-Procrastination Inspiration

I’ve been procrastinating lately. I have all sorts of excuses for why, but I won’t waste your time. Instead, I’ll recommend you watch this video by Jordan Peterson that will inspire you to stop procrastinating. It helped me!

#6 What It Feels Like to Be an Old Lady

When you’re 50, you start thinking about being old. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, this video clip of June Hunt describing what it feels like to be old as a Christian is a blessing and a comfort to me. I hope it is for you too.

What is inspiring you lately? Please share in the comments.

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My Favorite Sanity Saving Books from the Last Year

My Favorite Sanity Saving Books from the Last Year

This week I’m sharing my favorite sanity-saving books from the past year. I’m a sucker for nonfiction and if it changes my life? All the better. Remember that if you want all the time-sensitive sanity savers too, you’ll need to subscribe.

My Favorite Sanity Saving Books

#1 Sidetracked in the Wilderness by Michael Wells

I read this book by the late Michael Wells and discovered that I was trying to live like Jesus instead of letting Jesus live through me. I can tell you that it’s exhausting to try to live like Jesus. If you read one book this year, this should be it, in my opinion. I wrote Homeschooling Where Strivings cease in response.

#2 My Weakness for His Strength by Michael Wells

I wanted more of Michael Wells’s grace-affirming writing and I found it in this devotional. I love these devotions so much that I alternate between reading several at once and saving them because I can’t bear to finish the book. I am so thrilled that there is another volume. These devotions remind me of one of the best sermons I heard at church this year, on New Year’s Eve. Essentially, the message was I didn’t have to change. I was already loved. The change had already been made — not by me but by Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Hallelujah! That’s worth celebrating for this woman who is always trying to be better in her own strength, for all the wrong reasons.

#3 Deep Work by Cal Newport

I owned Deep Work on Kindle for a very long time and didn’t make time to read it. The irony. I got the audiobook and devoured it between working out and getting ready in the mornings. The book doesn’t tell you what your deep work is. In other words, if you’re a blogger, finding content that could go viral on social media may be deep work for you. Instead, deep work is important work that requires focus. The book both inspires us to pursue deep work and makes suggestions for finishing it for lots of different styles. I love the idea of going away to write, but most likely my deep work will happen in the mornings before the kids are up.

#4 Overwhelmed by Kathy Lipp and Cheri Gregory

Overwhelmed is another book I listened to in audio. I loved it. It’s not only helpful but hilarious. The narrator’s comic timing is wonderful. I wasn’t that overwhelmed when I listened to the book. What I appreciated most were the get-real stories from the two women in the book. They battled signing up for too much, difficult people, humiliation and more. A godly perspective with plenty of humor helps the listener feel like she can survive just about anything. Highly recommended.

#5 Mini Habits by Stephen Guise

I’ve written about how mini habits have changed my life and can change your homeschool. But this audiobook is a great listen as you exercise or get ready for the day. You’ll be inspired by what you can accomplish this year, one tiny step at a time.

#6 Work Clean by Dan Charnas

I’m recommending this book even though I haven’t finished it yet. It is not only a fascinating look inside a chef’s world but an uber-inspiring manual for becoming more productive in your life and work. I plan to write about how to apply the principles to homeschooling. In the meantime, I am lining up my toiletries in the morning, mise-en-place style!

#7 Organize Tomorrow Today by Jason Selk, Tom Bartow, and Matthew Rudy

Organize Tomorrow Today is like having a coach in a book. The chapters are chock full of inspiring real-life examples of achievement and a practical exercise. I incorporated some of its excellent principles into my Organized Homeschool Life planner.

Which of these books interests you most?

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