GREAT holiday gift for under $20: Road ID December 4, 2010

Thanksgiving morning I went for a short run in the neighborhood we were visiting. The sun had just come up, there was a nice cool breeze, and I was feeling strong. About 1.5 miles into my run, the tip of my running shoe hit an uneven patch on the sidewalk and I went flying — without my superhero cape — and crashed onto the concrete. My knee landed first, before my now-scraped hands could break my fall. Thankfully I had my cell phone with me to call my husband to come rescue me (there was no way my broken kneecap could have survived a crawl back to my in-laws’), but I can’t get out of my mind what might have happened had my head landed first.

Fortunately, I was wearing my Road ID wrist band with my name and emergency phone numbers on it (by now you know I’m Safety Girl). If I had been knocked out, my Road ID would have been an incredible help to the emergency personnel.

Road ID is something that I urge everyone to wear when doing anything outdoors — running, walking, biking, hiking, snowshoeing, etc. Their products range from the Wrist ID Sport (pictured in this post), for just $19.99, to a band for your ankle, a pouch to put on your shoe, or even a simple ID that fits on your shoe laces, and they come in a variety of colors. You can print up to 6 lines of text on the ID, and you can always order a replacement ID to fit on your strap if you ever move or need to change emergency contact info.

Right now, you can SAVE 10% OFF “all Road ID gear, including gift cards,” when you enter code PCFB10 at checkout. This brings the Wrist ID Sport, shipping and all, to just $19.48 (for an order shipping to Dallas). This is a GREAT holiday gift! (Order by 5pm EST December 14 for Christmas.)

If you know someone who doesn’t yet have one of these, I’d urge you to pass this deal along. I received the Wrist ID Sport as a Christmas gift from my in-laws last year, and it brings me great peace of mind. It even encourages me. The last line of text on my band says, “STRONG COURAGEOUS MOMMY.” If that doesn’t inspire you, I’m not sure what will!

Feel clueless as to what you’d put on your Road ID? Here’s what is on mine, to give you an idea:

• MY NAME / YEAR OF BIRTH (Their site said having your year of birth is helpful for medical personnel.)
• CITY, TX  USA (Just in case I am ever exercising on vacation – or in a sporting event – in another country.)
• HOME 222-222-2222
• HUSBAND 333-333-3333 (It literally just says “husband” instead of his name, and this is his cell number.)
• SISTER 444-444-4444 (It literally just says “sister” instead of her name, and this is her cell number.)
• STRONG, COURAGEOUS MOMMY (This helps me to keep going when I want to quit.)

Expires:  Their Facebook page just says that the code is good “through the holiday season,” so maybe it expires 12/31/2010?

Thanks, Road ID, for the code!

33% OFF at Borders or Waldenbooks September 13, 2010

It seems “birthday season” is upon my household. Our refrigerator is getting plastered with birthday party invitations and my 4.5yo is starting his cake obsession again… It happens every fall. So, in anticipation of all these gifts, I’ve started really paying attention to when the bookstores offer coupons. I think books make the PERFECT gift (no batteries needed!), and you can give them with a gift receipt if there’s any question.

Here’s a coupon for 33% OFF the list price of any one item at Borders or Waldenbooks. Print a coupon and take it with you to the store, or use code BAE8295M online at Borders.com (and get FREE SHIPPING on orders of $25 or more). You’ll need to be a Borders Rewards member to use the deal, but it is free and easy to sign up.

Find a Borders or Waldenbooks near you.

Expires: TODAY! Monday, September 13, 2010

$1.99 & FREE shipping for custom photo notepad May 25, 2010

Father’s Day is coming up, and I’m all about resourceful, useful gifts! ArtsCow is making its foray into custom stationery goods, so here’s your chance to create a custom photo notepad (3.75×3.75″) for just $1.99 and FREE shipping!

This would look really cool on Dad’s desk at the office (or on my desk at home!), and would be a great way for him to remember his loved ones while checking off his to-do list. Hop on over to ArtsCow (click here) and use code MEMO199 at checkout. The photo to the left is just an example — the design options are only limited by your imagination!

Another great use for this deal? End-of-year teacher gifts!

Expires: 5/31/2010 and please note that due to anticipated levels of sale, the offer price will be limited to the first 100 memo pads per day due to production restrictions.

$3.51 Personalized Silverplate Key Rings – Perfect for Mother’s Day! March 26, 2010

Yes, Easter is the next “big” holiday, but Mother’s Day is right around the corner! Here’s a FABULOUS gift for just $3.51 (plus S&H) — a personalized silverplate key ring with her kiddos (or grandkiddos) on it!

** NOTE: MOTHER’S DAY IS SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 **

Lillian Vernon is a great source for personalized gifts, especially when you don’t want to break the bank. These key rings were originally $9.98 each, are now on sale for $4.39 each, and you’ll save an additional 20% OFF when you use code 010632000 to bring the price to just $3.51 each!

Click here to check out the key rings.

Expires: The discount code expires 4/9/2010.

$6 Disney Tees for Kids February 18, 2010

The latest obsession in our household? All things Mickey Mouse! And Donald, Goofy, Minnie, Daisy, Pluto, etc.  Who doesn’t love the Disney characters?

Well, Easter is right around the corner, as is the warmer weather (I hope). So, here’s a great deal for Disney character t-shirts for just $6 for the kiddos! In addition to the “classic” characters, you’ll find t-shirts from The  Muppet Show, Cars, Tinkerbell, WALL-E, Toy Story, and more.

And this isn’t just fun for the kids. They have great deals on t-shirts and more for adults too!

So, here’s a song to keep in your head for the rest of the day… “M-I-C.. K-E-Y… M-O-U-S-E!”

Expires: Unknown

Thanks, Patti!

FREE 8×10″ canvas print of your photo February 6, 2010

Now here’s a way to make a BIG impression! Find an old favorite photo — or a new one — and have it professionally printed on canvas. This would make an amazing gift, or a fabulous way to showcase your business’ logo as your customers walk in the door.

Canvas People is offering a FREE 8×10″ canvas print of your photo or image, or a $55 credit toward a larger canvas size, photo effects, and frames. All you have to pay is shipping, which was just $14.95 when I tried it out (for an 8×10″ canvas to be shipped to Texas).

Their products are gallery-wrapped, so the image goes all the way around the frame and what you receive is a finished product. They’re also “sprayed for protection” so that the art can withstand the test of time.

Mother’s Day is coming up sooner that you think… Take the hint and thank me later.

Expires: Unknown

Thanks, Kelly of Emily Anne’s!

$12 Vera Bradley Gorgeous Organizer January 25, 2010

Perfect for your purse, brief case, or diaper bag, Vera Bradley is offering its 12-Pocket Organizer for just $12 in-store through February 5th! The postcard I received describes it as:

“Our handy, 6-1/4″ x 7″ purse-sized organizer in new Poppy Fields includes blank tabs with labels and an elastic band closure.  Neatly holds your coupons, notes, receipts, photos and more!”

I’ve searched online and can’t find an exact photo of the 12-Pocket Organizer; I think it is an in-store item only! So, click here to see a similar item in the same print.

This is a steal of a deal on Vera Bradley, and would make a fabulous hostess gift or even tuck it away for Mother’s Day. Yes, May feels a long way off right now, but it will sneak around the corner and get you if you’re not careful… And who’s to say those lists you carry around have to be on a plain old pad a paper? Maybe you’ll start crossing things off if they’re in this stylish organizer. Just trying to help!

Find a Vera Bradley retailer near you!

Expires: February 5, 2010

Adorable Valentine’s hair bows for girls January 20, 2010

Here’s a new Etsy seller you’ve got to check out — Two Nieces! Valentine’s Day is coming up, so now is the time to place your orders for hair bows for the occasion! These are sure to please any little girl.

These Froggy Heart Valentine Clips are $2.49/pair and they’re perfect for infant or baby-soft hair, and are adorable year-round. Add to your order the Conversation Hearts Valentine Boutique Bow for just $2.49 (see photo below), great for any hair type (you can choose they style of barrette), and your total including shipping is just $7.25!

As a courtesy to shoppers who live nearby her, Two Nieces offers free pick up or delivery in Little Elm, Frisco, The Colony (Texas)!

As for the name, “Two Nieces,” it stems from her source of inspiration — her two nieces. “Aunt Tina” said she’s the mom to some fabulous boys, but doesn’t have any girls of her own, so being the aunt to two little girls lets her partake in all things frilly, like hair bows.

Spend $2, Get $25 Restaurant Gift Certificates! PERFECT last-minute Xmas gift! December 21, 2009

Here’s the PERFECT last-minute Christmas gift! Just hop over to Restaurant.com and enter the zip code of that last-minute gift recipient. Choose from among the restaurants in the area, spend just $2 and get a $25 gift certificate! Enter code SANTA at checkout to get the 80% discount. Voila!

You can print the certificate yourself and give it as a gift, or simply send the link to your friend to print. It is an incredibly easy and thoughtful gift.

You can even stick some fancy paper in the printer and embellish the certificate with markers! Glitter! Brads! Use those corner-cutters to make it fancy.  You enviable scrappers out there know what I’m talking about.

Expires: Friday, December 25, 2009 (Christmas!)

$1.99 Personalized Dog Tag + FREE shipping December 10, 2009

Make your dog the snazziest one on the block! Go beyond the regular “Fido 123 Main St 555-5555″ dog tag and make him a personalized one he’ll cherish.

Artscow.com has an amazing sale on their personalized dog tags! Regularly $8.99 – $9.99, they’re now on sale for just $1.99 with FREE shipping when you use code 199DOGTAG.

Think outside the box! OTHER PURPOSES for other shapes (and they have a few to choose from!):

• They also have the traditional military-shaped dog tags that would make a great gift for people in your life too.
• Bag tags for diaper bags! Just tie it on with a ribbon instead of the chain it comes with. Voila! Instant cheap baby gift!!!
• Backpack tags for school for the kids
• Luggage tags for YOU
  

Expires: Unknown

Thanks, Tjoos!