What to Put Under the Tree: Hot Gift Ideas for Christmas.

This blog post is a little lengthy, but it is meant to reach a variety of audiences! Hopefully everyone finds a Christmas gift idea on here for their intended gift-receiver! 

Christmas will be here in fifteen days. That’s a scary, but exciting thought. I’ve asked people if they’ve gotten started on their Christmas shopping or what they’re planning on buying their loved ones and most people have responded, “I have absolutely no idea.”

            Buying gifts can either be really fun and easy, or really tricky and exhausting. We’re going to try to make it a little easier on you. Whether you want to make the gift yourself or buy it, here are some ideas that can help you get started or finish up your Christmas gift-list.

Gifts for men:

For the techie—

A retro IPAD TV Stand. Buy it here:

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/cardboard-ipad-tv-stand

Mason Jar Speaker and Amplifier. Buy it here:

http://www.brostrick.com/mens-fashion/best-products/best-christmas-gifts-for-men/

For the Drinkster—

Copper Moscow Mule Mugs. Buy it here:

http://www.pier1.com/Moscow-Mule-Mug/2870230,default,pd.html?cgid=beer-glasses&utm_source=7747833&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Pier+1+Redirect+Link+for+Deep+Linking&s_cid=aff0000002#start=1

Whiskey Wedge. Buy it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Corkcicle-Whiskey-Wedge-Glass-Silicone/dp/B00MYSQ9GA

For the Athlete—

A FitBit. Buy it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Charge-Wireless-Activity-Wristband/dp/B00N2BW2PK/

Gifts for women:

For the Spa-Goer—

Simple Sugars Spa Gift Set. Buy it here:

http://www.simplesugarsscrub.com/collections/gifts-and-combination-packages/products/variety-sampler

Frank. Body Scrub. Buy it here:

https://us.frankbody.com/

For the techie—

Polaroid Socialmatic Instant Digital Camera. (this one is a bit pricey, but there are others online that are much, much, cheaper).

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Polaroid-Polaroid-White-Digital-Camera/prod181460020/p.prod?srccode=cii_10043468&cpncode=36-139250885-2&ecid=NMCIBizrateFeed&003=5839112&010=sku159570008

The Amazon Echo. Buy it here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X4WHP5E

Smartphone Movie Projector. Buy it here:

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/diy-smartphone-projector

For the Book Lover:

The Nook Glowlight. Buy it here:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nook-glowlight-barnes-noble/1114959612?ean=9781400699896&isbn=9781400699896&st=AFF&SID=BNB_DRS_Evergreen_20150928&2sid=Skimlinks_7747833_NA&sourceId=AFFSkimlinksM000006

For the Kids:

Interactive Remote Control R2D2.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=58329236&iradidTRU=213036&camp=aff:TRU:10078:Skimbit+Ltd.&irpidTRU=10078&irgwc=1

Little Live Pets Clever Keet.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=58397836&iradidTRU=213036&camp=aff:TRU:10078:Skimbit+Ltd.&irpidTRU=10078&irgwc=1

Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas!

Manly Hand Scrub:

http://paperturtle.blogspot.ca/2011/11/manly-hand-scrub.html

Magic BBQ Rub:

http://www.stonegableblog.com/magic-bbq-rub/

Retro Mason Jar Superhero Banks:

http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/2014/09/14/mason-jar-superhero-banks/

Body Scrubs:

http://www.jacolynmurphy.com/2011/12/oh-sugar-secrets-of-scrub.html

MistleToes:

Hot Chocolate with A Kick:

(Of course, these gifts are not classified under "women and men" because they are only for that specified gender. These gifts are definitely for anyone and everyone! The gender-specific titles are just for organizational purposes! Happy shopping!). 

The Spirit of Giving

  December has quickly crept into our lives and we love this month at RadioSFV. Christmas lights have officially been put up. Christmas music is playing at stores and on the radio. Christmas shopping has begun. Hanukkah starts on Sunday evening. The holidays are right around the corner! The more I think about this month and what it entails, the more I realize how massive our spirit of giving should be.

            For the past few weeks, the RadioSFV team has been researching charities, up-and-coming projects or initiatives, and fundraising events in the Los Angeles area. In doing this, our hearts grew and grew, as we saw the incredible things some people have started in our city in order to give back to their community.

            One of the projects or initiatives that stood out to us is the DUDE. Be Nice Project. DUDE. Be Nice is a platform to inspire young people to build a positive community by acknowledging a person or specific group in a fun, creative, and meaningful way! Their apparel means something: “We’re an apparel company that is striving to set a new standard—inspiring people’s fashion and lifestyle. We’re on a mission to prove that you can actually create a successful company that makes kindness cool…what if the up and coming generation believed that they could still make the living of their dreams by creating something that positively impacts the world? We think it will spawn more compassionate and happier generations to come.”

            This company wants to make kindness the new normal. This company wants to inspire people to respect and recognize amazing individuals in their community. Although it was founded in Ventura County, the company is spreading throughout the U.S.: The DUDE. Be Nice team traveled to Reading, Pennsylvania to honor a longtime district supporter of Reading High School. The company has helped kids surprise their hero with a bucket list dream come true, they’ve helped kids thank school volunteers, they’ve helped kids pull a trick on their coach to honor him, along with many other surprises.

            DUDE. Be Nice is encouraging positive vibes, loving and generous hearts, and partners with students to make someone’s day. What if kindness was the new cool? What if generosity and respect was the new normal?

Email DBNproject@dudebenice.com if you want to be a part of a DBN project in your community. Join them on their journey and let them help you with yours.

Check out their website for more information on how to get involved, start a DBN week at your school or organization, and to purchase any of their apparel!

Happy December and Happy Holidays! Let this month kick-off your spirit of giving!

A New Perspective on Black Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all are watching/have watched the parade and started your cooking! Last week, we talked about Thanksgiving traditions, recipes, and décor, and I hope some of you tried those! This week, we’re going to be exploring ways to spend your Black Friday.

This year, REI has started their #optoutside movement to encourage people to get out of the stores and into the outdoors! This Black Friday, enjoy a hike, bike ride, or mountain climbing, as 49 parks in Northern California will offer free admission! This entire campaign started with the REI store manager, Nikki Mashapure, who wanted to “extend the family feeling and whole concept that is Thanksgiving, and carry that into the next day instead of going out into the retail madness.”

            Another way to enjoy Black Friday is by adopting a pet! This Black Friday, you can adopt a pet for FREE! From Black Friday to Cyber Monday, Zappos will sponsor free pet adoptions from the Best Friends Animal Society and its participating network partners! Zappos will donate $150 to the animal rescue organization for each pet that finds a forever home! The campaign is called “Home For The Pawlidayz” and the complete list of where to adopt is here: http://mentalfloss.com/article/71648/black-friday-you-can-adopt-pet-free

            Another way to avoid the hustle and bustle of Black Friday is to go to a movie! My best friend and I made it a tradition to see a movie every single year on Black Friday. The theater is ALWAYS empty on Black Friday & you can see one of the films that came out on Thanksgiving!

            If you are a person who loves the thrill of Black Friday, the stores open early and will be having some great deals and sales!

            Amazon, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, The Disney Store, Costco, Barnes and Noble, etc. will be having great Black Friday Deals! If you want to finish your Christmas shopping (or start your Christmas shopping) tomorrow, and you don’t mind the crazy lines, grab a family member and head to the stores EARLY!  But remember, it’s still the holiday season & we need to be thankful for our families and the things we do have!

            Happy Thanksgiving & good luck on Black Friday!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is NEXT THURSDAY! Can you believe it? 2015 most certainly flew by, but it’s been a great year! Today on the blog, we wanted to feature some Thanksgiving recipes, easy DIY décor, and personal traditions from the RadioSFV team! We would love it if you could let us know what some of your traditions are, or if you try out any of our recipes and décor ideas, so that we can see how they turned out for you! We will feature some of the ones that we love on our instagram! 

            Thanksgiving Recipes:

1.     Try out Cinnamon Roll Turkeys for your Thanksgiving Day Breakfast!

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/cinnamon-roll-turkeys/383bb9c2-3b26-462c-95b2-c141e3d378bc?nicam4=SocialMedia&nichn4=Pinterest&niseg4=Pinterest&nicreatID4=Post&crlt.pid=camp.JEfYyFHB6FOM

2.     Green Bean Casserole is my absolute favorite Thanksgiving dish! This recipe is to die for!

 http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/11/21/creamy-green-bean-casserole-from-scratch/

3.     I love these carrots so much! They look delicious, taste delicious, and have the festive colors of Thanksgiving! Definitely give them a try! 

http://thecafesucrefarine.com/2014/11/honey-maple-roasted-carrots/

4.     Sangria is such a yummy drink for the holidays. This one has the fall taste that we all crave & it is absolutely gorgeous! The presentation of this makes you want a glass ;) Try some this Thanksgiving! It’s so easy to make!  

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/10/22/honeycrisp-apple-sangria/

            Thanksgiving Décor:

            Turkey Thankful Box: Start by painting an empty, small tissue box with brown acrylic paint. For the feathers, paint cardstock red, yellow, and orange. Then, use the same paint to splatter paint on each sheet of paper. (This is so fun for the little ones!) Then, cut out a bowling ball shape for the turkey head and body out of brown cardstock and glue it to the tissue box.  To make it easier, you can trace the feather shape on the back of the cardstock and cut them out! Glue the feathers to the back of the tissue box, glue on some googly eyes, a nose made out of a diamond shape bent in half, and a red wattle! For extra help: http://www.whateverdeedeewants.com/2012/11/give-thanks-thankful-turkey-box.html

The GIVE THANKS banner is pretty easy to make! You can pring out the letters or draw them yourself, but all you have to do is attach the letters to thin, brown satin ribbon using mini clothespins and tie big satin bows at the end!

To add fall colors to the table, try wrapping the silverware in an assortment of fall-colored napkins! This is easy and adds festive colors to your Thanksgiving table!

         Thanksgiving Traditions:

Natalie: Every year, my mom and I do the same thing. We always wake up early, make coffee, and watch the parade! The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, since I was a little girl, has always brought so much joy and gets us ready to start the cooking prep for the day! Thanksgiving used to be a much larger event in our home, but now, it’s just my immediate family. It’s a quaint and intimate way of celebrating this holiday!

Patricia: “We almost always host Thanksgiving and we’ve had anywhere from 8-30 people at our table over the years! This year, we’ll have 15. Our morning always starts with coffee, the parade, and cooking. We start early with the stuffing, gravy, and prep work. We also get the tableware ready and set the tables. Once that’s all done, we usually do some sort of exercise, like the Turkey Trot, or a simple bike ride or hike! We usually eat around 4-5 depending on the turkey!”

Karina: “Usually, the first thing we do when we wake up is clean around the house, help with the cooking, decorate the table, and whenever we have dinner, we go around the table and say what we’re thankful for. After we eat, we do karaoke and go Black Friday shopping!”

Hannah: “I always wake up to coffee and the parade! This year I’m going to my sister-in-laws!”

If you and your family are looking for a way to exercise before the feast, definitely head out to one of the Turkey Trots in your area!

           

            November 26^th:

·      Burbank Community YMCA Turkey Trot

·      Drumstick Dash 5K in Studio City

·      Lake Balboa Turkey Trot in Van Nuys

·      Turkey Trot Los Angeles

·      Turkey Trot Santa Monica

·      Tofurky Trot in Pasadena

·      Thanksgiving Day Run in La Canada Flintridge

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!