A Little Something Extra

Holiday Gift Guide 2020 Gifting Success from a Mother of Seven

BY JENNY REIMOLD

Tis the season….the season in which we overbuy for children who have too much, struggle to buy for those with no opinion and look to donate to those in need. In an effort to put together a genuine and honest holiday gift guide for friends and family, I’ve carefully crafted thoughtful lists, researched the newest toys in person, reviewed my most well received gifts and polled each of my seven children for their holiday wish lists.

With children ranging from preschoolers to a freshman in college, I have a wide range of experience buying gifts that please…and those that don’t. I have also included a “grieving” category for those who may be experiencing the holidays after experiencing a loss. After losing my stillborn daughter, Elizabeth, weeks before Christmas, the holidays just weren’t as cheerful. I am mindful of those that are experiencing loss so I have included a few ideas that brought me comfort. I am also inclined to share that as a mother with a Masters in Education, I prefer gifts the promote creativity, literacy, development, group play and imagination. I have found that experiences mean the most and always include gifts that give back or benefit our community.

Many gifts are appropriate for multiple ages but will be added to one category to save space. For example, I would enjoy many gifts off the college list while my two year old could play with some of the elementary toys. It would be best to skim through all categories to get a comprehensive list.

For more videos and updates on this gift guide, as well as home and lifestyle content, follow me @ jennyreimold on Instagram!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMERON HINKLE

JENNY REIMOLD, DESIGNER & MEDIA STYLIST Styling Your Everyday

Writer and Franklin resident, Jenny Reimold, is a local designer who serves as HomeGoods’ “Style Expert.” Her work has been featured in House Beautiful, HGTV, People Magazine online, Property Brothers and Good Morning America. To follow her work, visit her Instagram @jennyreimold.

Babies & Toddlers • Educhape Sensory Balls - Nubby surfaced balls for sensory engagement and easy gripping. • Tegu Magnetic Blocks - Purchasing Tegu blocks donates to a child in Honduras who will be given on full day of school. • Count and Sort Stacking Tower • Haiti Baby - Baby hats and blankets made by Haitian mothers. This program provides jobs for women to care for their children to avoid turning them over to orphanages. • Loverly Baby subscription box _Monetssori based subscription toys created by a mother who did her PhD dissertation on the neurological development of babies. My sister loves this (and she has a degree in neuropsychology.) • Cuddle and Kind Dolls - Hand knit dolls that provides 10 meals to hungry families. These are my favorite present to give to younger children. Beautiful dolls that give back to our community. • American Girl, Wellie Wishers - The smaller and more affordable collection of American Girl dolls. The Wellie Wishers are five girls with different personalities who learn that friendship is what counts

Gifts for Him • Hatch Restore Sleep Machine • LL Bean Hanging Toiletry bags - these are the best. Nolan used them for years during his pro baseball days. • Nike Mens Dry Icon Basketball shorts - great $22 shorts • YETI Backpack Hopper - These are everywhere at sports tournaments and the beach. So much easier to carry. • GCI Outdoor ROCKING tailgate chair • Rolling YETI Haul Cooler - super convenient and easy to pull • Demerbox - Rugged, Waterproof, Outdoor Bluetooth speakers. (These came highly recommended by several people.) • Buttercloth Mens Shirts - Shark Tank winner! This shirt feels like a T-shirt but looks like a button down shirt • Leather catch all - a place for their keys, wallet and change. • Theragun - This is great for sore muscles, athletes and pain relief. I love it for the bottoms of my feet after a long day of standings Elementary Aged Kids • Crazy Cart by Razor - A family favorite… everyone in our family loves this. We have had 2! • PonyCycle - This is by far the most used toy in our home. My three year old uses it and has ridden the big one since he was 18 months old. The 4 and 5 year olds love it and even the 7 and 9 years olds ride. It can also hold Mommy. There are different animals to choose from as well. (Make sure you get the PonyCycle brand and not the imitation one.) • Sound Activated Light Blocks - Build your own imaginative sculpture and then make it glow with sound. • Skyrocket Blume Doll - Just add water and like magic, a new friend will Blume Before your eyes! • Scratch n Sniff Stickers plus Sticker book - One of my favorite childhood activities is back! • Schleich Horses and Stable - My daughters love collecting these horses. • Tumbling Hedgehog - Great way to learn about robotics and engineering. • World Map Coloring Tablecloth- Learn about the world while coloring a family piece of home decor!

Gifts for Her • Cookie Do Monthly Delivery -Best edible cookie dough I’ve ever eaten! I’ve ordered this, for MYSELF, many times. • Nellie WOW mop - If you’re seen my Instagram, you know that I swear by this electric mop! • KitchenAid Mixer - I love this one! • SOMA Brushed Cozy Zipper Robe - I live in this!! Perfect for before/after shower and lounging • SOMA Brushed Cozy Henley wide pants and henley top - My favorite PJ’s of the season. The softness is unreal! • ABLE Leather Martha Tote - This is my go to travel bag for my laptop, planner and work materials. You can also use as a purse. Love it! This brand also provides job to women in impoverished communities. • Golden Goose sneakers - Its Christmas, why not. The new ones don’t look dirty. • Dyson Super Sonic Hair dryer - This cut my drying time from 35 minutes to 10. Worth every penny!!! • Westbend Bread Maker - Just dump your ingredients and go. Teens • Adidas UltraBoost Running Shoes - My teenage daughter wears all white • HydroFlask - the popular water bottle amongst teens • Nike Apple Watch - Great gift for older, athletes • Basketball Shootout - Great for a game room or porch • Crazy Cart XL - This is the larger version of the kids go cart that can hold up to 240 lbs. My husband and son are asking for this. • AAA Auto Membership - I have this for both of my kids should they need emergency roadside assistance. • Razor Pocket Mod Mini Scooter - Vintageinspired scooter with chain-driven electric motor Sphero - Designed for learner progression, beginners can give robots commands by drawing a path in the app for their robot to follow. • Tangle Nightball LED light up football - Each toss, bounce, and roll of the ball triggers the light so you never lose track of it • Ultraboost Adidas • Air Force One Zip Hoodie Jacket

Teachers • Personalized teacher stamp - I LOVE this idea…create a character of your teacher on a stamp with a positive message used for grading papers. • Vera Bradley keychains/small bags • Math teacher equation/formula glass set • Literary mugs for your favorite English teacher • Darden Restaurants Gift Card - Still a gift card but include a more personal note like, “Thanks for all you do! Please enjoy dinner on us.” • Volunteer Gift Certificates - Create gift certificates with your child and offer to volunteer in the classroom when assistance is needed. • Manicure gift certificate - Who wants to grade papers with bad nails? • Custom Cookies - Find a local cookie baker and create teacher themed cookies that you may break up in small sets. If you are local, Meesh’s Bakery Franklin does this. • Acrylic Lazy Susan - Whether your teacher uses this in their classroom or linen closet, this is a practical gift that anyone can appreciate. Fill with school supplies for an added bonus.