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Father’s Day is a great time to appreciate the men in your life who share all of those silly jokes, have crazy dance moves, and own more polo shirts than Ralph Lauren himself. So why not treat those special guys to something special? Here are a few favorite gift options for every type of dad out there!

Razor MD

For the dad who loves his beard, look to Razor MD to provide him with all the things he needs to keep his beard trimmed, silky, and smooth. They have everything from great razors to essential oil based products that help style and condition his beard. Help him take his beard game to the next level with all of the tools and accessories he needs!

Photoshoot

Grab your semi-pro photographer friend, find a fun spot-think large field, wall with cool street art, etc- and get the kids dressed up for a photoshoot! Bonus points if there’s a theme! While it may take an entire day, 12 juice boxes, and 20 bribes to get them all to pose, it’ll definitely be worth an adorable picture of everyone. Plus, you’ll be able to use this as a Father’s Day gift for every dad in your life, and it doubles as a gift for you too! If you want to turn to a professional photographer, look to Groupon to find great deals on pros that’ll help you take beautiful pictures!

Annie B’s Popcorn and Caramels

For the dad who just wants to snack and watch the game, get him something truly delicious to try from Annie B’s Popcorn and Caramels! They offer a wide array of popcorn flavors like Jalapeno, Triple Threat, Original, Sea Salt, and Sharp Cheddar, along with an incredible number of different flavored caramels, such as Coconut and Cappuccino- yum! Pair this with his favorite beer and you just won Father’s Day!

Bespoke post

If you want to get him the gift that just keeps giving, try Bespoke Post. You can get him monthly subscription boxes that include limited edition products he wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else! You can also peruse their online store to find beautiful gifts that he’s sure to love!

Custom Pint Glass

These are the perfect edition to any man cave/ living room after the kids go to bed. The Wild & Free Prints shop on Etsy has a ton of options for customizing the perfect pint glass, wine glass, or even mason jar! The glasses are etched and made to order, so you can truly make it his own.

Turn their artwork into a gift

Take your mini Picasso’s artwork and turn it into something really special that won’t just get put on the fridge! Use a site like Shutterfly.com to help you put their artwork on mugs, pillows, and even on an actual canvas. All you have to do is scan or take a clear, high resolution photo of the artwork, then peruse the website for your favorite way to display it!

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Dad can be hard to shop for sometimes. Of course, he can never have too many ties, coffee mugs or tools. But doesn’t the man who taught you how to ride a bike, to play catch and to always try your best deserve something more personal and unique.

Sure, he will be happy regardless of what you get him, but why not help him enjoy more time with the interests he has outside of being a great father. Here are some Father’s Day gift ideas for every kind of dad – from the grill master to the car enthusiast and the clean freak to the hygiene centric and every kind of dad in between.

Let Dad Stand Out with a Million-Dollar Shine

Your dad can now achieve the million-dollar appearance of Barrett-Jackson car auctions in his garage. Their Premium Auto Care line includes washes, waxes and detailers formulated with synthetic hydrophobic polymers and genuine carnauba wax for lasting brilliance and easy application. Learn more about how to bring a long-lasting and brilliant, deep shine to your dad’s car at Barrett-JacksonAutoCare.com. Barrett-Jackson Premium Auto Care products, which range in price from $5.49 to $17.99, are available at retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Pepboys, Menards and select Home Depots, and through online retailers including Amazon.com. For the ultimate gift, go a step further and wash his car for him.

For the Dad Who Loves to Drive

What do you get a dad who loves his car and truly loves to drive? How about something that connects him to his car, like a shoe that enhances his driving experience? While comfortable and stylish enough for everyday wear, the Piloti Spyder S1 driving shoe features patented Roll Control heel technology, superior red suede and mesh panels for maximum comfort and flexibility as well as the perfect combination of support, size, grip and feel. Check out the Spyder S1 ($150) as well as Piloti’s complete line of luxury, casual and performance driving shoes at Piloti.com.

A Gift Dad Can Sink His Teeth Into

Make Father’s Day complete with a dinner he’ll remember for years. The Omaha Steaks Father’s Day T-Bone Gift package is a meal dad will be willing and eager to fire up the grill for. The package is headlined by two 18-ounce T-Bones and includes four Brisket Burgers and four Gourmet Jumbo Franks along with Omaha Steaks Seasoning. Regularly $194.95, you can now bring the family together to enjoy this incredible fare for just $69.99. For more information, visit omahasteaks.com.

A Spotless Man Cave, Workshop and Car

It’s the ultimate gift for dad and his man cave. The Dirt Devil FlipOut™ is a premium cordless hand vac, perfectly designed to keep his man cave, workshop or set of wheels spotless. The 16-volt, fade-free lithium battery means faster charging, longer runtime and continuous power. It’s compact and lightweight, and has versatile tools for quick and easy cleaning. The FlipOut is $49.99. For more information, visit DirtDevil.com.

Power Dad’s Smile

Be the power behind dad’s smile this Father’s Day with the Oral-B 7000 SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush with Bluetooth connectivity. The brush connects to the Oral-B App, which provides real-time guidance while brushing and records brushing activity that can be shared with dental professionals. With six different cleaning modes, it removes 300 percent more plaque compared to a manual brush. Upgrade your dad’s oral care routine and visit oralb.com for additional details.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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The best gifts are always those that keep on giving. Through Cook for the Cure, a 15-year partnership between KitchenAid and Susan G. Komen, more than $10.7 million has been raised for the fight against breast cancer. In 2016, KitchenAid will donate at least $450,000 to Komen through the program, regardless of sales. The Cook for the Cure product collection, ranging from pink stand mixers and polka dot bowls to pink food choppers, painted plates and hand mixers, is an easy way to give thanks to mom and raise awareness for a cause that benefits so many women.

For other gift ideas that help support the cause, visit www.KitchenAid.com and http://CookfortheCure.KitchenAid.com.

An Essential, Everyday Tool

If some of her best culinary creations include savory sauces, delightful dressings and delicious dips, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat mom to an upgrade. This 3.5-cup Food Chopper in Pink is convenient for everyday use and takes up minimal space in the kitchen. With two one-touch speed settings for chop and puree, this chopper ($49.99) is ideal for creating a spicy salsa, creamy hummus or garden-fresh pesto.

Blending Style with Power

With its roomy, 60-ounce patented diamond pitcher design and stainless steel blades, the 5-Speed Diamond Blender in Cranberry creates a powerful vortex to thoroughly blend everything from soups to smoothies. Automatic Soft Start(r) technology pulls ingredients into the blade rather than splattering them outward, keeping them together for controlled blending. This colorful blender ($159.99) offers stir, chop, mix, puree, liquefy and pulse options – everything mom needs to create her favorite dishes.

Handy Little Helper

Whether you need to blend up a milkshake or puree cooked vegetables directly in the pot, this 2-Speed Hand Blender in Pink gets the job done with ease. Two speeds provide blending control for more delicate foods, such as smoothies and baby food. The blending arm twists off for quick and easy cleanup. This hand blender ($59.99) comes with a 3-cup BPA-free jar with lid, so mom can blend away, safely.

Plated Perfection

Featuring artwork by PBS cooking show host Jacques Pepin, the Pass the Plate serving platter generates a $5 donation each time one of these individually numbered platters is passed and registered online. With its fresh and cheery design, this unique serving piece makes sharing even more fun. A great gift for mom, the platter ($24.95) is available at Villeroy & Boch stores or by calling 1-888-886-8318.

Mix in Some Style

Turn Mom’s stand mixer into a standalone work of art this Mother’s Day with the new Pink Polka Dot ceramic bowl. This delightfully dappled 5-quart bowl ($99.99) is microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher safe, and features a comfortable handle and easy pour spout – a perfect pick for all of mom’s mixing tasks.

Timeless Kitchen Addition

Add a pop of pink to mom’s kitchen with a classic gift that will endure for years. With an elegant 5-quart capacity glass bowl, the Artisan Design(r) Series’ premium metallic Raspberry Ice finish adds radiance to any kitchen countertop. It can handle multiple batches of dough while its 10 speed settings allow cooks to knead, mix and whip a variety of foods and ingredients. With additional attachments that can make everything from pasta to ice cream to spiralized fruits and vegetables, this mixer ($459.99) helps mom take her culinary creativity to a whole new level.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (women exchanging gifts)
#13181
Source: KitchenAid

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Nearly everyone has more than one special person in their life. Whether it’s a neighbor who lets the dog out, the friend who watches the kids in a pinch or a colleague who makes Mondays a little more bearable, loved ones make our days better. A simple thank you or a small thank you gift can go a long way in showing those people just how much you appreciate them.

A recent survey revealed that most people do have multiple “loves” in their lives. In fact, significant others aren’t the only ones who get Valentine’s Day gifts these days. This survey, which was commissioned by Rich Products, a leading provider to foodservice, in-store bakery and retail marketplaces, showed that Valentine’s Day now extends way beyond that one special person. Forty four percent of people said that they purchase gifts for multiple people on Valentine’s Day. When asked to identify their “other loves,” friends were at the top of the list; and surprisingly, among their favorite gifts were fresh baked goods ranging from cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats. 

So to sweeten your relationships all year round, small thank you gifts are both welcomed and appreciated. And keep in mind it’s not the size of the gift that matters. Survey results show that good things come in small, personalized packages.

Give the gift of deliciousness

To get started, remember showing your appreciation doesn’t have to be expensive and time consuming. Gifts can be purchased on your weekly (or daily) trip to the grocery store then personalized and decorated with things that you have around the house. You can stock up on these inexpensive supplies at your local craft store. 

Here are some simple, low-cost steps to show someone you care:

Step 1: Visit the bakery department in your local grocery store for a variety of fresh and delicious options. From frosted cookies, to cinnamon rolls, cupcakes and doughnuts, you’ll find a treat to please everyone on your list – and there’s no baking involved.

Step 2: Personalize each gift by selecting a baked good and using basic art or wrapping supplies (think ribbon spools and tissue paper leftover from Christmas) that you have around the house to dress up your gifts.

Step 3: Attach a personalized, handwritten note on a piece of construction paper or cardstock. Cut the paper to size, punch a hole to thread a ribbon through and tie it to your gift.-

Other ideas for a quick and easy do-it-yourself ways to dress up your gift:

• Homemade gift bags: Cut hearts out of construction paper and glue onto a lunch bag.
• Decorative plates: Find inexpensive, seasonal or colored ceramic plates at your local discount store and wrap with cellophane and a bow.
• Sweet surprise: Grab a small gift box, place some tissue inside, add your selected baked good and tie with a colored bow. Make sure that the baked good is secure in the box. You don’t want it to crumble.

For more simple and creative gifting and packaging ideas, visit the Bakery Because Pinterest board at www.pinterest.com/bakerybecause.

*BPT

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We’ve all seen them. The run-of-the-mill baby registry checklist with every item you’re supposed to register for before your baby comes. But, the problem with that checklist is that many of those checklist items don’t really apply to you. Maybe you’re cloth diapering? Maybe you need 2 car seats, not just one. Every family is different – different budgets, different lifestyles…

Well, the folks at BabyList agree and created a Personalized Baby Registry Checklist. How does it work? Expectant moms take a quick, zippy quiz about where they live, budget, laundry, parenting plans. The responses are then crunched with over 400,000 items that have been added to BabyList baby registries and the result is a perfectly tailored baby registry, ready-to-go. Want to print the list out so you have it handy? Done. Want to immediately add it to your BabyList baby registry? Done.

BabyList understands how overwhelming it can be to create a baby registry from scratch. So many new brands, so many new products – they just want to make life a little easier…and a little more personalized.  Because it’s much less daunting to create a baby registry when you have a starting point, right?

Want to give it a try? You can take the baby registry checklist quiz here.

Oh, and maybe this is your first time hearing about BabyList? BabyList is an online baby registry that works like Pinterest. Users may add any item from any store to one baby registry. Want to register for items at Target, Babies R Us and Amazon? Great! Etsy too? Yes. What about personal favors, e.g. home cooked meals, dog walking, doula? That too! Maybe you wish BabyList were here a few years ago…tell your friends! 

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Mom Expert Vera Sweeney Shares Her Favorite Online Tools to Make Holiday Shopping Easy for the Whole Family

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year to take a break and spend time with close family and friends. That’s why it’s important to avoid getting caught up in all the  holiday  shopping mayhem and the stress that goes with it. In a recent TOTSY.com survey of nearly 2,200 moms, three out of four moms said they hated having to play NASCAR driver to find a spot in the mall parking lot for some last minute shopping to find the perfect gift! So it’s no surprise that online holiday shopping hit record sales at over $37 billion last year.

Here are some essential online resources from mother, wife, mom expert and founder of I’m Not Obsessed Media, Vera Sweeney:

1. Online wish lists are mom’s new best friend.

Moms are usually inundated with endless phone calls from aunts, uncles and grandparents asking what the kids want for the holidays. Luckily, technology is catching up and there are online wishlists that can help save you time. One of the best wishlists I have seen is offered for FREE by Tykoon.com.   Kids & parents select their most wanted items from the 100% kid-safe Tykoon Store. Links to wanted items can be sent directly to family members through the online and iOS app for easy purchase and delivery from Amazon.

2. Work the private sale sites.

Private sales sites have become a mainstay in the way moms shop because they offer fantastic Black Friday level discounts…ALL THE TIME. These limited time stores offer lower prices but can have longer shipping times so get started early. One site I use a lot around the holidays is TOTSY.com, which offers up to 90 percent off retail prices for products for kids and grown ups! They also give you access to great quality products and brands that can be hard to find at big box retailers for that unique and perfect holiday gift.

3. Bloggers just might be moms’ little helpers for the holidays.

Every year, it’s a struggle to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, along with the deals that will help you stretch your budget. Luckily, there are hundreds of bloggers already doing your homework for you! I love to gather up all the awesome products, deals, giveaways, discounts and contests I come across and share them online with readers of my blog, so come by and take a look at Lady and the Blog. Keep an eye out for my flash giveaways and contests where you can win great gifts and gift cards to help out with your Christmas budget.  

4. Online stores are a must if you want to save time and avoid lines…but look for ones that are truly special.

Sure, we all know most stores have online sales for Cyber Monday but there are so many amazing products that don’t get carried in mass retailers. Luckily you can find them online at specialty web retailers. One site I like is Oompa.com, that sells safe, quality and unique baby toys from around the world. Their ‘naturally brilliant’ selection includes brands like Green Toys, who produce a line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. 

 

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About Vera
Vera Sweeney, mom, blogger, social media influencer and New York resident, is the founder of LadyAndTheBlog.com. She is considered one of the top female digital influencers in today’s social media space. Her lifestyle and parenting brand helps busy women stay on top of the latest trends in fashion, food, family and travel. Some of Vera’s recent accolades include being named “Top 50 to follow in Social Media” by Restaurant Business Magazine (2012), Babble’s Top 50 to Follow (2010, 2011), and “Top 5 to Follow on Long Island (NY) by Newsday. She has been featured on media outlets including CBS News, Fox 5 News, E! Entertainment, Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine, The NY Post’s Page Six, and the Rachael Ray Magazine. Follow her on Twitter at @VeraSweeney and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/inomommy

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Check out AKA Mom’s top baby & maternity gift picks for the holidays!

Dirty Binky? No Stress! Give the gift of peace of mind this year with BinkySpritz. All-natural, non-toxic and kid safe.

www.binkyspritz.com

Personalized 3 Sprouts Storage Bins
One-of-a-kind baby & children’s gifts, curated from the finest brands in the world and personalized by you.

Use code: AKAFREESHIP thru 12/31/12 at MAKABOO.COM

The TADY TOTE transforms… from bag to HUGE infant play mat, instantly!  The removable PLUSH teddy bear blanket is perfect to SNUGGLE up with!

www.tadytote.com

Boiron USA’s Camilia is a safe, natural solution for painful gums and irritability caused by teething.

Find info at www.camiliateething.com

Perfect stocking stuffer! Moms can give the gift of style! 

Sweet Pea Serum softens and defines curls.  Created for babies and beyond, our moisture-rich formula smooths and offers soft definition without leaving hair sticky, greasy, or stiff.

www.hottot.com

Frecklebox – Personalized gifts for kids!

Frecklebox personalized canvas gallery wraps features modern designs in vibrant inks on canvas.

www.frecklebox.com

“My Turtle and Me” and Twilight Turtle™ – The perfect bedtime bundle!

Give your kids a starry night in their own bedrooms with a full-size Twilight Turtle (available in 3 different colors) to keep them company while you read them the story.

www.cloudb.com

Promo Code for a Free Carseat Canopy!

While supplies last, get the Carseat Canopy of your choice (Reg. $49.95) FREE when you use promo code “AKA12” at CarseatCanopy.com

Personalized Hand Stamped Jewelry & Gifts

Custom stamped jewelry and gifts for anyone and any occasion. Now offering personalized rings for just under $30. The perfect gift!

CharmiesOnline.com

Keep-it-Kleen –THE SMART PACIFIER

Personalized Penguin (imprinted with your choice of text) closes when it drops! Made in the USA. 

www.myrazbaby.com

Animals bring letters for their favorite things to spell a child’s own perfect name in this personalized book!

Save 15% code AKA15.

www.bkeepsakes.com

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Check out AKA Mom’s top gift picks for Mom for the holidays!

Visit StylishTech.com for stylish tech products for mom. Monogrammed iPhone cases and iPad folios.

Is Your Wink Pink?

All-natural solutions for dark discolorations of the intimate areas, stretch marks and other embarrassing problems. Enter code AKAMOM2012 for 10% off!

www.southbeachskinsolutions.com

Beautiful Jewelry Custom Designed in Sterling Silver & Gold. Heirloom Quality Mothers and Grandmothers beaded Bracelets. Personalized Hand-Stamped Pendants.

www.beadgifts.com

Give the gift of amazing jeans! Buy and redeem online! Beija-Flor Jeans is a premium jeans line designed for the modern woman that doesn’t sacrifice style for fit.

www.ilovethesejeans.com

The Ultimate Purse Organizer! 

Give Mom organization and style with Pouchee or get a fashionable purse and organizer with the Pouchee Plus. Available in various colors, patterns and styles.

www.pouchee.com

Make her feel warm and fuzzy inside with a personalized fleece photo blanket! Choose from stylish backgrounds and layouts. Available in sizes 50×60 and 60×80.

www.shutterfly.com

If she hast to be in the kitchen, let her do it in style with a personalized Custom Aqua Damask Apron from Custom Glam Girl! Also available in other themes.

www.customglamgirl.com

Because she’s a mom… not dead… a Magic Mike DVD Combo Pack (Blu-ray+DVD+UltraViolet Digital Copy). A truly “magical” gift!

www.amazon.com

Beauty Box 5 Gift Subscription

A monthly selection of 4 – 5 cosmetics including luxury, vegan, drugstore, and niche brands. $12 monthly, $30 quarterly, and $100 yearly gift subscriptions available.

www.beautybox5.com

This cool portable charger will charge up to 42% of her iPhone and provides her with extra hours of use.  Simply charge this battery (rechargeable via USB to computer or with your power adapter), stick it in your bag and know that you always have extra juice when you need it.  

This and other cool gifts at www.thehappywomanstore.com

A single faceted Amethyst Gemstone on a silk cord fastened with a sterling silver clasp.  Shop Sustainable Style at Cleanspirited.com

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Here at AKA Mom, we are all about the hard working women that carry the title of Mom, but just like Batman has Robin, every superhero occasionally needs the help of their trusty sidekicks!  It’s that time of year when we thank the guy who has supported us through the pregnancy cravings, dirty diapers, and sticky situations.

With Father’s Day right around the corner Mom’s everywhere are faced with the task of finding the perfect gift.  While it’s true that a man can never have too many ties, why not choose a gift that is a little more unique?  If you have a new (or soon to be) Daddy in your life this gift is even more important!  Since Father’s Day is all about being a Dad, here are some of my favorite gifts that celebrate all the things Dads do!

First up we have a gift for the on-the-go Dad.  As Moms, we have so many options for trendy diaper bags, but what about Dad?  No worries, DadGear has the solution to this problem!

This cool messenger-bag style diaper bag would make any busy Dad look stylish!  With smart exterior pockets for bottles, removable changing pads, and stroller straps, this bag is a functional as it is fashionable!

When you want your husband to fix something around the house, you buy him new tools in hopes the new toys will encourage him.  So when you want him to pitch in with changing diapers more often?  Why not try this baby-themed spin on a classic gift for men.

The Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox has everything that a new Dad needs to change a diaper, plus some!  With everything from a pacifier to a biohazard waste bag, to a pair of tongs, Dads will have no excuse not to pitch in!  If things get really messy, never fear!  Just grab the Poop Poncho, rubber gloves, and face mask, and you will be ready to tackle anything.

Finally, we have a gift for the Dad-to-Be!  There is nothing like the anticipation of a new baby so why not celebrate with a new outfit?

Ok, so a set of scrubs might not be the outfit that you were thinking of, but why not?  DaddyScrubs are the perfect funny, yet functional gift!  Let the proud Dad-to-be stand out in the delivery room among all of the chaos.  Not to mention that after the big day, these comfy scrubs just might come in handy for those sleepless nights ahead!

Remember, you have plenty of years to get him boring traditional gifts, but here are my picks for gifts that are a little more unique!

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