Tag

christmas gift ideas

Browsing

Anyone else out there getting overwhelmed with the number of wants and THINGS? I am a gift giver by nature and love to see someone’s face light up with a gift I’ve given, but as my kids’ age, I’ve really begun to appreciate the “experience gift” over the next new toy. What’s great about this particular experience gift is that it is the ultimate DIY– learning a new skill!

This is the seventh day of my 12 Days of Christmas DIYs for 2018. Each day for the next twelve days I share DIY projects, recipes, entertainment, and more, that you can incorporate in your holiday season. Most will be super simple! This post is in partnership with the Hoffman Academy. I received complimentary services. All images and opinions are my own.

Gift of Online Piano Lessons in Partnership with Hoffman Academy | A Well Crafted Party

I am a part of several moms groups on Facebook and as this holiday season arrives there are countless posts looking for ideas for experience gifts that they can suggest to grandparents or loved ones for their children to help stave off some of the over-abundance of the season. I love this idea but have never really had great options in the past. I’d love to gift my child lessons or sports items, but I also know that it can be SUCH A huge time commitment that I hesitate to do something similar for someone I know. When I discovered Hoffman Academy, an online piano lesson site, I was super excited about the opportunity to do lessons on our own time.

A bit about Hoffman Academy

Hoffman Academy is an online piano lesson “experience,” credited with turning children, from beginner to advanced levels, into extraordinary musicians.  Children develop their skill easily and quickly via the “Hoffman Method,” which focuses on learning by ear before learning by eye. Online games help with mastery of concepts and practice tracks make students feel like pros. This new way to learn the piano is engaging, entertaining and effective – and a great way to give the special gift of music, for the holidays and year round.

All of the video lessons are available for free! However, the premium package offers printables, daily practice instructions, games, and much more. Budding musicians can now receive a full year of the Hoffman Academy Premium package for $179!  For Ages 5+.

** Holiday Special Update: For a limited time (ending Monday, December 14th at 11:50 PM PST) purchase a year of Hoffman Academy Premium and receive THREE additional memberships! Learn more on the Hoffman Academy website. **

Piano Lessons from Hoffman Academy | A Well Crafted Party Games to help teach piano from Hoffman Academy | A Well Crafted Party

The really cool part (for me at least) is that you can create a parent/mentor account and add your children (or yourself!) as students. My account has both myself and my son as students and the system will keep track of both of our progress individually. Yep, you read that right… I’m learning the piano too! I’d love to be able to break out some sweet piano skills in the middle of a party! Again, the accounts are totally free and you have access to the video lessons right off the bat. Then if you find that you’d like the premium features it is only $18 a month with $9/month per additional student.

Create an Account on Hoffman Academy | A Well Crafted Party

Twelve Days of Christmas Songs

In the upcoming weeks, the Hoffman Academy will be releasing twelve different lessons featuring a different holiday tune so that you can learn a new holiday song each day! Check out some of the videos from last year’s 12 Days of Christmas Songs on the Hoffman Academy blog.

Free Printable Piano Card | A Well Crafted Party

DIY Piano Experience Gift Card

You still want to make giving an experience gift as fun as giving a toy. When it is a promo code or gift card it makes it a tad hard to make it super fun.. but, you can use the attached card as a tag added to a gifted keyboard or piano or an adorbable stuffed animal as pictured above. Or, you can slip the free printable piano card into an envelope with a message about the gift.

This gift card would work perfect for a gift subscription to the Hoffman Academy, to give with tickets to a symphony concert, or as an invitation to a holiday karaoke party!

Directions for free printable piano holiday card:

  • Download the free printable piano card file.
  • Print double-sided on cardstock
  • On the side with the piano, cut out along the charcoal colored outer line. Fold the card down the center. Once folded you may find that you need to trim the card a bit.

This post is sponsored. All opinions and experiences are my own. As with all beauty products, read the ingredients to see if they will work for you. I only share about products I have tried and liked. 

If you are anything like me then you are just now getting around to stuffing your stockings! Before you head out for your last minute shopping (or, hey, open your computer) check out my comprehensive 2016 Well Crafted Holiday Gift Guide!

Read on to check out my suggestions for a holiday stocking stuffed of fun items.

Just Spices makes awesome stocking stuffers - 2016 Holiday Gift Guide (Sponsored) A Well Crafted Party

Just Spices

Spices are one of my favorite types of stocking stuffers. They fit perfectly in the stockings and are often a treat that someone would enjoy but not think to go out and buy themselves.  These spices from Just Spices would be a welcome surprise in any stocking.

Just Spices’ U.S. portfolio offers a diverse selection of spices – including options for sweet breakfasts and savory dinners, blends for meat lovers, vegetarians and omnivores alike. The initial 20 U.S. house blends comprise BBQ Popcorn Seasoning, BBQ Seasoning, Extra Spicy Seasoning, Flavors of Italy Seasoning, Flavors of Mexico Seasoning, Guacamole Seasoning, Hickory Rub, Oat- meal Spice Blend, Pancake Blend, Pizza Seasoning, Pork Rub, Savory Eggs Blend, Seafood Rub, Smoothie Boost, Spicy Garlic Blend, Spicy Popcorn Seasoning, Steak Rub, Sweet Potato Seasoning, Texas BBQ Dip Seasoning, and Vegetable Broth Seasoning.

Want to go beyond the stocking? Check out these fantastic gift sets including the Kitchen Essentials kit and a Just Married Wedding Bundle.

Purchase on www.JustSpices.com.

Helly Hanson Hats for the Stockings - 2016 Gift Guide (Sponsored) A Well Crafted Party

Helly Hanson Business Beanie for Him

Every year I pretty much always include beanies, scarves, and socks for my family’s Christmas. This Helly Hanson Business Beanie for Him is finding its way into the stocking of one lucky guy on my Christmas list. Helly Hanson is known for its great quality weather resistant gear.

Find a Helly Hanson Business Beanie or shop online.

Luxe Towels from Pack Towel - 2016 Gift Guide (sponsored) A Well Crafted Party

Luxe Towel from PackTowl

These new Luxe towel, the most luxurious outdoor towel available, with the same quick-drying packable performance you expect from PackTowl make for great gifts for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. Soft, superabsorbent terry knit looped fabric, inspiring colors and a beautiful striped pattern on one side offer outdoor enthusiasts and travelers a feeling of home wherever adventure leads. Hang loop and zippered storage/organizer pouch included.

The prices are fantastic to boot. Grab a face towel for $12.95, body towel for $29.95, and a beach towel for $44.95. Purchase online.

Urban Market Bags - 2016 Gift Guide (sponsored) A Well Crafted Party

Urban Market Bags

I have SO many reusable bags and I am terrible about actually USING them. Enter these beautiful bags with their sleek carrying case. Urban Market Bags are bright and sleek reusable bags where fashion meets function. These bags fit in the cup holder of any car and are comfortable to carry or sling on one’s shoulder. They’re easy to pack, wash, use and reuse. For busy families, these bags make life simple and colorful. They’re awesome size and beautiful design make for great stocking stuffers.

Urban Market Bags are priced at $30 for a three-bag pack and $40 for a six-bag pack, and are available for purchase at www.urbanmarketbags.com.

glassybaby votive holders - A Well Crafted Gift Guide - Sponsored glassybaby votive holders - A Well Crafted Gift Guide - Sponsored

glassybaby Naughty & Nice Candle Holders

Beautiful handblown votive candle holders with the extra benefit of giving a portion of each purchase to great causes.  From their site, “10% from the sale of every glassybaby is donated to the glassybaby white light fund to help people, animals, and the planet heal.” 

As you can see from the photo (and from this snapshot on Instagram) these glass votives glow like none other.

Purchase online or in a glassbaby store near you.

Out of these items what would you like to see in your stocking?

Thank you to Verizon for sharing the following items for me on a limited basis to test and review. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the companies that help make this blog possible!

If you are anything like me then you are just now getting around to stuffing your stockings! Before you head out for your last minute shopping (or, hey, open your computer) check out my comprehensive 2016 Well Crafted Holiday Gift Guide!

My Tech Favorites from Verizon Wireless this Year

I was pleased to be able to test a few items from Verizon Wireless this year as I didn’t know that they offered much more than phones. They do though! They have phones, smart watches, tablets, and accessories. Below are some of my favorite items from Verizon this year.

FitBit Alta- Hide it in the stocking for an extra special surprise! A Well Crafted Gift Guide - Sponsored

Fitbit Alta

Fitbit® Alta™ keeps you motivated and also looking great. Change the wrist bands (sold separately) and customize the digital clock face to update your look. Track your activity and take advantage of automatic recognition and recording of select exercises via the Fitbit app’s SmartTrack feature. Easy-to-see call, text and calendar notifications from your nearby, compatible mobile device are displayed right on the wristband.

The band was slightly difficult to put on at first. But, once on, it worked like a charm and didn’t need to be charged too often. The tracking of deep and restless sleep was an added bonus!

Google Pixel for Christmas - Read a blogger's review - A Well Crafted Gift Guide (Sponsored)

 Pixel & Pixel XL

With this new phone by Google, you can be sure to document precious moments with the highest rated smartphone camera, a battery that lasts all day and a charger that gets you seven hours of battery life in 15 minutes. Stay up-to-date on customized news while also using Google Assistant to keep your daily schedule organized.

I was able to test this out for twenty days and fell in LOVE with the camera! The camera has cool features such as a double twist of the phone puts it in selfie mode, HDR+, video stabilization, lens blur, and photo sphere (yes, 360!). You can even adjust levels before taking a photo which is insanely cool control. The light the camera took in was fantastic.

Verizon Wireless

The Google Pixel is currently only sold through Verizon Wireless. I was able to test out the service while testing the phone. I had no issues with service while using it and found that phone calls were crisp and clear. There are a variety of different sized plans that are available so that customers may choose the plan that suits their needs.

Protect your tech - Kate Spade Wrap Case - A Well Crafted Gift Guide (Sponsored)

Kate Spade Wrap Case

Keep your favorite blogger’s phone safe & looking good with this beautiful wrap case by Kate Spade. Find it and other cases for the Google Pixel and other popular models at Verizon Wireless. This case was easy to put on and fit in with most of my accessories.

What tech are you hoping to find under the tree this year?