While Thanksgiving often marks the beginning of the season of giving, presence is more important than presents.

Here are ways to make the most of quality time with family during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Play games with your family

Encourage screen-free time with family games. Classic board games are fun for kids of all ages, and many inspire cooperation or friendly competition. If you don’t have many games tucked away in a closet, you can always play charades or Pictionary with your own supplies.

You can also lay out a puzzle or two for everyone to work on together. And if you’re willing to allow a little screen time, multi-player video games can get everyone involved.

Enjoy time with family outside

Fresh air always feels good, especially if you and your family have cooked your Thanksgiving meal in a warm kitchen. Grab a ball to toss or even go for a walk after dinner to help digest the turkey. Light a bonfire to roast some s’mores (if you need more dessert!)

If the weather isn’t cooperating, you can still get out of the house. Once it gets dark, load up a car or two and take a drive to look at holiday lights.

Volunteer your time to help others

As you and your family are considering what you’re thankful for, you can also think of some ways to volunteer your time to help other families in need.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, you could help cook a meal for a local organization that provides food to others. You can also ask your local food bank if you and your family could help assemble meal boxes or serve a Christmas dinner.

Don’t rush through dinner

To make the most of quality time with family on these major holidays, resist the urge to rush through dinner. It might be tempting to watch football, start cleaning up, or distract antsy children. But try to take advantage of the time when everyone is present together around the table.

As a bonus, the more slowly you eat, the less likely you will be to overeat and the more likely you will be to enjoy your food.

Engage others in conversation

It can be easy to make yourself busy during Thanksgiving and Christmas, whether you’re eating snacks, prepping dinner, or watching TV. This year, make it a personal challenge to engage each guest in conversation, for at least a few minutes. 

You can talk about work, school, friends, hobbies, or travel. After all, the gift of your presence is particularly powerful when you take the time to listen to and appreciate others.

If you’re feeling nervous about everyone being together, read our Holiday Survival Guide to Navigating Family Gatherings so you’re prepared to enjoy your quality time with loved ones.

Happy holidays!

The post How To Make the Most of Quality Time with Family During The Holidays appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Does this sound familiar?

Maybe if you live in a magazine or movie set.

For the rest of us, the holidays aren’t perfect. If you’re preparing for family gatherings this holiday season, here’s your survival guide to help you make it to the new year.

Manage your expectations

When you’re preparing to survive family gatherings during the holiday season, it’s important to manage your expectations. 

Do any of these relatives sound familiar?

The one who drinks too much. The one who makes judgmental comments about your life choices or parenting. The one who only wants to talk about sports. The one who makes everyone pose for hundreds of photographs. The one whose cooking is awful. The one with kids who never behave.

This list is not all-inclusive, but you get the idea.

Here’s the thing. If you go into your family gathering this year expecting these people to be different and for the experience to be better, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment.

After all, people rarely change. And you can’t control who they are or what they do.

What you can control are your expectations.

Expect your relatives to be exactly who they are and to act like they always have. Yes, things might be better this year. But they might not. And honestly, it’s fine if things aren’t perfect.

You can also control your behavior and boundaries. 

Avoid certain topics of conversation or certain relatives (if you can). While everyone else is yelling at the TV during the “big game,” read a book somewhere quiet if you want to. Don’t feel obligated to take a turn holding someone else’s baby.

Essentially, if you are realistic about what to expect and plan your behavior and boundaries accordingly, you have a much better chance of surviving the holidays.

Practice mindfulness and self-care during family gatherings

Even if you love every moment of family gatherings, you should take care not to overextend yourself. Traveling or hosting groups of people takes time, energy, and mental stamina.

Sometimes, though, there are relatives who are difficult to spend time with. Or gatherings tend to end up full of drama or tension. Maybe everyone is expected to participate in an activity, and you don’t really enjoy it, but you put on a happy face anyway.

Any of these situations can add to the stress of family gatherings over the holidays.

Practice mindfulness. Be aware of your heart rate rising or if you start to feel hot. Then, take some steps to calm down.

You might try:

• taking a few deep breaths
• stepping outside for a minute or two
• seeking out a relative whose presence is calming
• excusing yourself from an uncomfortable conversation
• drinking water or having a snack

Practice self-care. Just because you are with family over the holidays doesn’t mean you must ignore the things you enjoy. Maintain your familiar routines as much as you can, including exercise or a nighttime beauty routine.

Set and follow through with personal boundaries. Consider setting appropriate boundaries for yourself. Saying no to too many holiday parties or gatherings is completely okay. If you know they will only cause you to feel stressed and overwhelmed say no. You don’t need to have a reason other than you simply cannot make it. Give yourself permission to decline. You know yourself best and how much you can handle. Set boundaries and stick to them during the holidays and year-round.

Prepare your children (and your partner) to survive the holidays

If you have kids, they probably look forward to the holidays. However, children also like routines. When they are in strange places, eating strange food, and hanging around strange people, they might also start to act… strange.

Talk to them about what to expect in advance. Show them photographs of relatives they only see once or twice a year. Let them pack a bag of their favorite snacks, toys, books, or stuffed animals. Give in to screen time, because if watching a video on their tablet keeps them from having a tantrum or oversharing their teenage attitude, it’s a win for everyone. 

Also explain boundaries and expectations, such as “no phone during dinner” or “stay out of Grandma’s bedroom.”

Remember that your kids may not feel completely comfortable around extended family. You can teach them what to do if a relative asks for a hug or kiss and they don’t want to give one: “No, thank you. Can I have a high five instead?”

Don’t neglect to prepare your partner, too, especially if it’s their first time at one of your family gatherings. They should also know what to expect. Are there relatives to avoid if they’ve been drinking? Topics to never bring up? Traditions they’ll be asked to participate in?

When you’re going to your partner’s family gathering for the first time, ask the same questions so you know what you’re getting into and how best to manage.

Try to incorporate positive experiences

You can’t please everyone. Some people seem to want to be miserable. But you can certainly try to please most people. Here are some ways to incorporate positive experiences during family gatherings:

Change your outlook. Aim to notice something nice about each of your family members and compliment them. Looking for the positives can improve your mood, and compliments will help improve everyone else’s. You can also give back this holiday season and make the most of helping others.

Plan games and activities. Consider taking a walk with some relatives, especially since it feels nice to get some exercise outside. Other activities like games can promote family collaboration and fun competition.

Organize a gift exchange. It’s nice to receive gifts, but it’s also rewarding to give them. Gift-giving can create a “warm glow” effect. This feeling might be exactly what your family gathering needs this holiday season.

If you need some tips to keep gift-giving positive for everyone, here are some ideas:

• organize a Secret Santa gift exchange
• set a recommended amount to spend on gifts
• create and use wishlists for gift shopping

Giftster can help you with your gift-giving needs at your upcoming family gatherings. Let us help you survive the holidays with easy wishlists and Secret Santas. We’ll help you get the gifts right so you and your relatives can enjoy time together.

The post A Holiday Survival Guide To Navigating Family Gatherings appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

When can you celebrate someone’s old age? Well, it’s probably best before they are really old. “Over the Hill” birthday parties have more of a sense of humor about the whole “getting older” thing. You can probably choose the age, like somewhere around 40 or 50. (But don’t pick 30. That just seems cruel.)

So if you’ve got the perfect victim (I mean, birthday person) in mind, here are some tips to plan and execute an amazing “Over the Hill” birthday party. 

Keep it a surprise 

You can tell the birthday guy or gal that you’re hosting a party. You can even tell them who’s invited. But saying, “We’re throwing you an Over the Hill party” ruins a bit of the fun. 

If you want to see the celebrant laugh when they walk into their party, at least keep the theme a surprise. Keeping the whole party a surprise, though, is probably a lot more fun for everyone. 

Just make sure you know your audience. Not everyone enjoys surprises. In that case, a subtle surprise for the “Over the Hill” theme is probably best.

Decorate with “old age” items

Part of the humor of an “Over the Hill” party is that someone is getting older, but they aren’t exactly geriatric yet. Dentures, arthritis creams, adult diapers, reading glasses, and “Caution: You’re Old” signs are all humorous decorations you can incorporate into the party space. 

You might have even seen a themed tombstone or two as these types of celebrations, so if everyone has a good sense of humor, a “Here lies Daniel’s youth” grave marker is a perfect extra touch. 

Match the food to the “Over the Hill” birthday party theme

Eating party food that matches the theme is a good time for everyone. It also gives you a chance to be creative and clever. So here are a few ideas of party snacks and treats you can put together for an “Over the Hill” birthday party:

• Think back to your childhood and make some dirt pudding for someone Older than Dirt 
• Mix up some party punch (these are for adults only) and label it “The Fountain of Youth”
• Fill a bowl with “Pain Pills,” like Skittles, M&Ms, jellybeans, or Mike & Ikes
• Serve any food (burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, etc.), just make sure there’s a sign nearby that says “Early Bird Senior Special”

Give the perfect gift

For a clever present, create an “Over the Hill” gift basket complete with prune juice, denture glue, and a book of crossword puzzles. Then, to even out all the teasing and fun, make sure to give a few things the birthday guy or gal really wants. Ask them to create a wishlist on Giftster that you can share with all the guests, so they’ll leave their party a little older, a little wiser, and a lot happier.

The post How to Plan & Execute the Perfect ‘Over the Hill’ Birthday Party appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with typical traditions for gift-giving. Tradition can be gratifying, comforting, and fun for all involved. 

But if you’re looking to break a tradition or two and start your own, you’ve come to the right place. We’re about to explore some creative alternatives and even embrace how technology can change the way we find and give gifts to others. Maybe you’ll discover a new tradition or two to use with your family and loved ones. 

Pick a theme for gifts each year

When it comes to big holidays, choose a theme for gifts. Consider themes like “gourmet foods,” “subscription boxes,” or “a day around town.” You’d be surprised how creative and surprising these gifts can be. 

If you’re planning a big vacation, use that as your theme: the beach, the mountains, Paris, etc. Your family’s task is just to find a gift someone else would use to make the most of the vacation, like a snorkel and fins, a pair of binoculars and hiking boots, or a subscription to a language learning app. 

These themes can help break traditional presents and inspire new ideas.

Buy group presents as a gift-giving tradition

There’s no rule that you have to buy a separate gift for each of your family members. Vacations, concert or sports tickets, or memberships to local zoos, museums, or theme parks are wonderful experiences the family can enjoy together. 

You could also spend money on a big-ticket item everyone benefits from, like equipment for a home gym, furniture for a video game area, or a new family game night cabinet. 

A similar type of gift might be a “gift for the year.” Instead of giving your mom a present for Christmas, her birthday, Mother’s Day, and her anniversary, pick a date to give one meaningful present.

Give long-distance gifts

Social media and the internet have a way of connecting people across the globe in a manner unimaged just a few decades ago. Your family could live on the other side of the world, and you can stay in touch with e-mail, social media posts, and video calls. 

Take advantage of technology to send these important people gifts. You can search for, buy, and ship gifts from the comfort of your computer or smartphone. 

If you want to save on international shipping, consider these tech-friendly and less traditional types of gifts you can easily give to anyone:

• A smartphone app subscription 
• An ebook 
• A gift card to an online store 
• A digital magazine subscription 
• A gift certificate to a virtual class (for cooking, art, writing)
• A year of an online TV/movie/music streaming service

Before you know it, you’ll have your own tradition with a long-distance family member, like a new app a year.

Reach everyone with a digital gift exchange

Traditionally, gift exchanges take place with gatherings of people who are all in one place. But distance doesn’t have to prevent you from enjoying a Secret Santa-style gift exchange. 

Here’s how technology can help you start new traditions for sharing surprise gifts. 

Use a digital tool for drawing names

A traditional option for picking names is pulling a piece of paper out of a hat or bag. If the participants don’t live close together, this is a tricky step to pull off. Alternately, one person could draw names for everyone and tell them who they’ve “picked,” but then the surprise is ruined for the host.

Fortunately, there’s Giftster, an online wishlist maker. It can also organize and generate a Secret Santa gift exchange for you. It has these amazing benefits:

• Each participant’s pick remains completely secret
• A host can add exclusions, so couples can’t draw each other, for example
• Everyone can create and see each other’s wishlists

Even if all of the givers in your gift exchange live close enough to draw names from a hat, the benefits of a digital Secret Santa generator may mean you’ll make Giftster part of your in-person traditions, too.

Need some help convincing family to go digital? See why an online family gift registry makes sense.

Host a virtual meeting for opening presents

Who says you all have to be in the same room to open presents? You can all be in the same video chat, instead. Just make sure to send everyone their wrapped or packaged gift before the scheduled virtual call.

Secret Santa gift exchange rules still apply. Everyone takes a turn opening their gift. 

Parents of small children might even prefer a virtual gift exchange every once and a while. It means no traveling with little ones, and they can mute their microphones so the kiddos don’t distract from another family member’s gift opening time.

Create categories to simplify gift-giving

Have you ever heard of the gift-giving tradition for children: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read? It’s a great rhyme and serves the purpose of reducing unneeded or unwanted gifts children get throughout the year. 

Try something similar. Create your own categories of four or five types of gifts you can try to find for big occasions.

Here are some category ideas:

• Hobbies
• Arts and crafts
• Technology
• Learning
• Experiences
• Health and Wellness
• Fashion
• Places to visit
• Food

These categories can also help your kids come up with gift ideas. Your family will appreciate the wide range of present ideas on your kids’ wishlists. And your kids will know they have to ask for more than just a dozen new video games.

Turn off the technology for your gift-giving tradition

Modern technology can bring people together, but it can also make them feel apart. Embrace technology as part of your strategies to give presents and spend time with your family around the world. 

But for time when you’re all together, consider turning off the TV, computers, smartphones, video game consoles, e-readers, tablets, and smartwatches so you can experience gift-giving traditions without distractions.

Happy gifting! 

The post Breaking Tradition: How to Start Your Own Family Gift-Giving Traditions appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

What is a cookie swap party?

A cookie swap or cookie exchange is a festive party where guests exchange Christmas cookies. The idea is for everyone to bring a batch of homemade cookies and distribute approximately 6 to 12 cookies each to the guests in attendance. At the end of the bash, each of the guests will have an assortment of delectable treats to take home.

Tips for hosting a fun cookie swap party

Get started by using the following simple steps to host a fun and tasty event. 

One month before the party

Begin preparing for your cookie exchange in advance so you have ample time to try out some new recipes, make a guest list, and bake cookies. The following are the things to do one month before the event:

Create your guest list

While it can be tempting to invite every friend and acquaintance you know to the fun event, it is better to scale your guest list back a bit. Keep in mind everyone will need to bake enough cookies for the entire crowd, so it is best not to make the process overwhelming. Generally, cookie swaps work out best when you plan for a maximum of 7 to 10 guests. When sending out invites, prioritize those who enjoy baking to get an ideal guest list. 

Make the rules

For your event to be organized, it may help to have some structure and guidance. Be as lenient as possible when creating party guidelines. Here are a few questions that can help you create agreeable rules to pass to your guests:

• Can guests bring any finger food desserts or specific types of cookies?
• Are these strictly homemade cookies, or can guests tag along with store-bought cookies?
• Is there an ideal number of cookies that guests should bring?

Decide on a theme

While “Cookie Swap” is a popular theme for your event, consider putting a personal spin by asking guests to bring treats that share some similarities. This may mean asking everyone to use one specific primary ingredient, bake cookies in the same color, or follow general recipe guidelines such as easy to freeze, quick and simple, and family favorites. 

Send out the invites

When picking the date and sending out invites, be mindful of your guests’ busy holiday season schedule. This is why sending out your invites one month in advance is advisable. Ask around before choosing an ideal date that allows most guests to attend. Remember to get creative with your invites! Emails and texts don’t have the same festive flavor as paper invitations. Instead, opt for old school with printed invites that can be hung on the fridge.

Two to one week before 

Check RSVPs

Two weeks before the event, check RSVPs and who is making what to ensure no overlaps. If there are three or more identical shortbreads, tactfully suggest someone switch their choice. Choose the most experienced baker who won’t be fazed by the idea of starting all over.

Bake the cookies

Decide on your cookie and shop for ingredients. You can get some inspiration from your state’s most popular holiday cookies or choose a menu based on your family’s heritage. To avoid the inconveniences of last-minute preparation, bake your cookies a couple of days before the party and freeze them.  

Share the recipe

Days before the party, ask each guest to email the recipe for the cookie they plan to make. Combine all the recipes into a book you will issue each guest as they leave. This allows attendees who want to recreate the cookies they receive or start a cookie recipe collection to add each year. 

Three days before

Prepare some snacks and drinks

Having some simple appetizers and beverages on hand will surely add some cheer to your cookie swap party. Prepare a selection of light bites and fresh fruit to balance out the sweets. You can also consider non-sweet options such as cheese and charcuterie board, fresh fruit and cheese, vegetable dips, or finger sandwiches. If possible, offer favorite winter beverages such as hot toddies, cocoa, cider, and an assortment of cocktails.

Set up the table

Generally, cookie swaps don’t include a sit-down meal, so you may not need to make formal seating arrangements. However, dress up the table to create a conveniently attractive space for all the cookies. Opt for a long table or several smaller ones with enough space to display the cookies. Consider using coordinating white dishes to show off the treats and create a cohesive look. Where possible, tap into mismatched holiday serving platters and cake stands to create a cozy, vintage atmosphere. Remember to create enough space around the table so people can easily access the cookie buffet.

The day before

Decorate the room

Fun decorations can inject more fun into your party. You can opt for light candles to create an intimate space or brighten up the space with fresh flowers. Don’t forget to spruce up your cookie table with a festive tablecloth and a centerpiece.

The day of the party

Set out food and drinks

Since cookies are the focus of the party, you don’t have to fret a lot about the extras. Have a choice of appetizers and cocktail drinks ready as your guests arrive. Alternatively, opt for coffee and a few finger foods for snacking.

Welcome the guests for coming

Welcome guests and thank them for coming. Have pens and index cards at hand to allow guests to ID their cookies easily. Go around the room and give each attendee a chance to name their cookies, reveal the recipe, and explain why it is their favorite. Since you will likely have a room of excited cookie lovers, it may be a good idea to direct the cookie exchange program. 

After the party

Provide pretty packaging

You can add a seasonal touch to your event by providing pretty packaging to send your guests home with. Attractive paper sleeves, holiday treat bags, and inexpensive tins, ribbons, or bows are more cheerful alternatives to the boring Tupperware containers and plastic zipper bags we are used to. 

The tips we have shared above are a great place to start when looking to host a fun, stress-free, and memorable cookie swap party. Remember, it’s not just about the cookies but also the laughter, shared experiences, and genuine connections that can be fostered through this delightful tradition.

Happy gifting!

The post How To Host an Unforgettable Cookie Swap Party appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

1. Create unconventional prizes and rewards

Are your kids familiar with finding little candies inside their Easter eggs? It’s always fun to discover and open little treats. However, here are some ideas for creative and unconventional prizes they can find:

• Coupons for fun activities: Write kid-friendly rewards on small strips of paper that can fit inside the Easter eggs. Ideas might include, “Go fishing with Dad,” “Stay up 30 minutes late,” or “Family movie night.”
• Puzzle pieces: Once they find all of their eggs, your kids will have a fun puzzle to put together.
• Craft supplies: Pom poms, pipe cleaners, stickers, mini glue sticks, sequins, feathers, and other arts and crafts items can all fit inside Easter eggs. When your kids are done with their Easter egg hunt, they can get creative with a craft of their choice.

2. Get your kids moving

Do your kids always seem to find their eggs too quickly? Try one of these ideas to stretch out the hunt and engage your kids’ problem-solving skills:

• Make obstacles: Use pillows, couch cushions, and even stuffed animals to create forts or obstacle courses. Your kids will need to search through or complete the obstacles as they find their eggs.
• Camouflage the eggs: Hide eggs in a ball pit (if you have one), or even a large pile of small balloons. Imagine how much your kids will enjoy playing in the pile while searching for their eggs.
• Design a scavenger hunt: Have your child start with one egg that contains a clue to the next egg’s location. Your kids will need to solve each clue and find their eggs in order. You can hide them anywhere, from the fridge to the garage.

3. Take the Easter egg hunt outside

If the weather cooperates and you have the available outdoor space, hosting an Easter egg hunt outside gets your kids moving and enjoying the fresh air. Here are some creative ideas for an outdoor Easter egg hunt:

• Hide eggs in unconventional places: Fill a kiddy pool with water and let some eggs float on top (make sure any prizes inside are waterproof). Or hide eggs in a sandbox for fun digging.
• Invite friends, family, and neighbors: With an Easter egg hunt outside, you’ll have plenty of room for several kids to participate. Just make sure to hide enough for each kid and to include hiding spots that are appropriate for a wide age range.
• Create a treasure map hunt: Design a map of your yard and mark the location of each hidden egg. See how well your kids can use the map to find the eggs.

Happy Easter!

The post 3 Inspirational Ideas to Make Your Easter Egg Hunt a Success appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Now forget everything you just read.

If your child’s birthday is approaching, you’re probably feeling a little stressed about making sure you host a successful party. However, don’t confuse quality with quantity.

We’re here to help you plan a kid’s birthday party that will make all the guests feel welcome, that parents will appreciate, and that everyone will enjoy.

Here are 6 kid’s birthday party etiquette tips all parents should know.

1. Attempt fairness with invitations

Inviting everyone your child knows to their birthday party is not always possible. Most friends and acquaintances will be understanding if they aren’t invited, but there are still a few strategies that can help your guest list feel fair.

Think about your child’s frame of mind when deciding who to invite. If they say, “I only want to invite these close friends,” your guest list will most likely be fine. 

But you should be more cautious if they say, “I want to invite everyone except…” and list only a few people from a class or group they want to exclude.

A mindset of exclusion is much harder to justify, and kids are pretty good at knowing if they’ve been intentionally left out. At this point, it’s probably best to invite an entire class, team, or group.

2. Provide food or snacks

No parent expects you to provide a well-rounded and nourishing meal for their child. However, depending on the age of the guests and the timing of the party, it’s best to provide snacks at the very least.

If your party takes place close to when many people eat lunch or dinner, consider providing a small meal or a larger snack. This isn’t just courteous; it’s also practical. Kids can start to get whiny or “hangry” if they get hungry and don’t have enough food.

A party in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon doesn’t need as much food. Parents will know to feed their kids before they attend. It’s still always a good idea to have some snacks available, though, especially for young children.

Providing food doesn’t have to feel like a burden. You can order pizza, set out snacks that match the party’s theme (like Goldfish crackers at a swim party), or have your kid help make a few easy treats. 

A note about allergies: Most parents will let you know if their child has an allergy you should be aware of. However, it’s smart to avoid peanut butter or nuts just in case.

3. Be conservative with kid’s birthday party favors

You might think that sending kids home with a dozen party favors makes you the Parent of the Year. 

However, unless you have carefully selected useful and long-lasting favors, chances are the guests will only play with them for a day or two. And parents will be frustrated with the clutter much more quickly.

It’s actually better to send guests home with a few thoughtful favors, like a decorated cookie, one toy, and stickers. The cookie they can eat, one toy won’t take up much room, and they’ll use the stickers pretty quickly.

You don’t have to use that exact combination of party favors, but hopefully, you get the idea.

Are there any favors to completely avoid? Not necessarily, but we do have to put in a cautious word here for slime, glitter, and anything that makes noise.

4. Open gifts after the kid’s birthday party

This tip may seem controversial. Part of the party fun is opening gifts, right? 

Not necessarily. Consider these issues that might arise if your birthday boy or girl opens gifts in front of all their guests.

• Your child might not enjoy being the center of attention as they open each gift one by one. 
• Your child and guests may not have the attention spans to sit through a lengthy gift opening at the party.
• Some guests may perceive your child’s reactions as favoritism to other guests.
• Your child or their guests may try to play with the gifts at the party.
• A guest who couldn’t spend a lot of money on a gift may feel embarrassed if their gift is opened in front of others.

Opening gifts when the party is over can actually be a compassionate choice that makes everyone feel more comfortable.

If you want to go the extra step to make gift-giving even easier for party guests, consider creating a Giftster wishlist they can all access. Provide a wide range of gift ideas and price points. And don’t worry, here are a few ways to share a birthday wish list with grace.

5. Entertain the guests with games and activities

A kid’s birthday party is a celebration. It doesn’t need to be three hours of non-stop entertainment, but kids do expect a few fun things to keep them busy.

Simple party games, arts and crafts, outside toys, and friendly competitions are all activities that contribute to a successful kid’s birthday party. You could also look for a venue that provides entertainment, like a zoo, museum, or trampoline park.

If parents accompany their young toddlers or preschoolers to the party, they’ll appreciate that they don’t have to be the only ones keeping their kids happy for a few hours. Older kids are better at entertaining themselves but do appreciate new experiences.

Be mindful that a successful, entertaining party doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. Consider the quality of activities and focus on helping the guests have a genuinely good time.

6. Thank the guests for attending

Our final party tip is to teach your birthday boy or girl to be grateful. 

As guests leave, make sure to thank them for attending and for their gifts (even if you didn’t open them during the party). Older children can write thank you cards for their friends, and younger ones can write their names or draw pictures to show their gratitude.

As a host, especially for a younger child’s birthday party, it’s a nice gesture to send a thank you email or text to parents who brought their children and stayed for the party.

Thank you cards are a wonderful follow-up and conclusion to a successful kid’s birthday party.

Happy hosting!

The post How To Host a Successful Kid’s Birthday Party  appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

There’s one thing left for a perfect party: the music.

Music can help you set the mood for an amazing celebration. Guests of all ages can tap their feet and enjoy song favorites while they mingle and eat party food. After all, a party is almost always more fun when people are dancing and singing together.

In fact, according to a recent article in Time, music can actually boost your mood and reduce stress. It’s the perfect way to help all of your party guests have a fun time.

The party experts at Giftster have put together a collection of songs to get your guests feeling the party mood. Since these songs are from a range of music genres and appropriate for any age group, you can pull out this party playlist for all of your celebrations.

Pop

1. “Cha-Cha Slide” by DJ Casper

2. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

3. “Firework” by Katy Perry

4. “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake

5. “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction

Classic Rock 

1. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey

2. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

3. “Rock and Roll All Nite” by Kiss

4. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

5. “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi

Alternative

1. “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers

2. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson

3. “Wonderwall” by Oasis

4. “My Hero” by Foo Fighters

5. “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay

Country

1. “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” by Trace Adkins

2. “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by Shania Twain

3. “Life Is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts

4. “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks

5. “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band

Golden Oldies

1. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond

2. “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles

3. “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher

4. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel

5. “Shout” by The Isley Brothers

Save this playlist and return to it again and again when it’s time to party. And don’t forget that giftster.com has your back for more than just party song favorites. We’re also your go-to family wish list maker for birthdays, Christmas, and any other gift-giving need.

The post Party Like It’s 1999: 25 Party Song Favorites to Add to Your Playlist appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Graduation party planning

In addition to a guest list, location, and time, there are some graduation party essentials you’ll want to incorporate into your plans for the celebration. These items help make sure the party is fun for your grad and the guests.

• Party theme: A few decorations, like balloons in your grad’s favorite color, help to create a festive environment for a celebration. Fun graduation party themes include “Smart Cookie” or “Donut You Forget About Me.”
• Food and drinks: Even if you don’t plan to serve a full meal to guests, young adults tend to be hungry. Provide plenty of snacks and drinks so everyone stays happy. Pizza, BBQs, or taco bars are easy ways to serve large crowds if you want to provide a meal. 
• Games and activities: Older kids are pretty good at socializing, but it’s always good to have some card games or board games that appeal to young adults. If the party is outside, consider lawn games or sports equipment. And don’t forget that younger relatives might need age-appropriate activities, too.

Gift essentials

Since your graduate is ready to start a new stage in his or her life, whether a new job or higher education, party guests are very likely to want to provide gifts. Here are some essentials to make sure gifting is easy for everyone.

• Graduation gift registry: A gift registry, on a wish list maker like giftster.com, makes it easy to share the items your grad needs most. Creating a wish list is simple, and purchased gifts can be hidden from your grad so presents are a surprise. Graduation gift ideas
• Gift table: Your graduate may choose not to open their gifts at their party. But it’s a good idea to have a place for guests to set down boxes, bags, and cards when they arrive. 
• Thank you cards: Don’t forget to provide your graduate with thank you cards. Handwritten notes may be becoming rare, but a heartfelt thank you is always a thoughtful gesture for others’ generosity.

Memorable moments

Graduation is a big milestone in your son’s or daughter’s life. Help them remember how they got so far with these essentials that make a big emotional impact.

• Photo booth: With some props, a background, and a polaroid camera, your graduate and their guests can take dozens of fun photographs at the party. They make fun party favors and mementos.
• Slideshow: Collect digital photographs of your grad with friends, relatives, and neighbors through the years. Use these to create a picture slideshow to project on a wall at the graduation party. 
• Guest messages: Provide a piece of poster board, wood, large printed picture, or book that all of the guests can sign with well-wishes for your grad. It will be a keepsake item for years to come.

Happy graduation!

The post Graduation Party Essentials When Planning Your Grad’s Special Day appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

This tradition has existed for over 100 years, though the holiday itself wasn’t nationally recognized in the United States until 1972, when President Nixon officially designated the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. 

Mother’s Day has been around for much longer. And let’s face it. Unless your dad really wants wine, flowers, and a bubble bath, you can’t exactly reuse the same gift ideas you had for mom a month ago. You’ll have to think a bit harder this time around (or check their Giftster list ).

For the men who like bratwurst, baseball, beer, birdwatching, and everything in between, giftster.com has you covered. Here are some unforgettable Father’s Day activities to enjoy together. 

1. Take your dad on an outdoor adventure.

Pack snacks and sunscreen and head into the great outdoors for a Father’s Day adventure. If your dad is a nature enthusiast, plan a hike. For a real thrill seeker, book a whitewater rafting trip. And if he enjoys relaxing, find a fantastic spot for quietly competitive fishing.

All of these ideas, or an outdoor adventure of your choosing, will get you and Dad outside into the sunshine and away from bills and chores. It will help Dad relax and give you some time to bond, even if it’s in silence listening to the birds.

Want some additional tips for your outdoor Father’s Day activity? Here are a few to consider:

• Give your dad a gift that goes along with your day in nature, such as a new pair of hiking boots or a new fishing reel.
• Pack some of dad’s favorite foods and snacks. If needed, keep them cold in a cooler or lunch box with some frozen bottles of water.
• Put together the items for the trip so dad doesn’t have to. There’s nothing like saying, “We’re going fishing!” and leaving all the prep work to him to figure out. (Unless, of course, that’s one of your dad’s favorite parts.)

2. Plan a Father’s Day BBQ of your dad’s favorite foods.

Burgers, sausages, hotdogs, chicken, steaks, portabella mushrooms, kabobs… the list of delicious dad-friendly grill foods never ends. Fill a cooler with beers, stick a spatula in his hand, and let Dad teach you (for the tenth time) how to grill to perfection.

You’ll benefit from the time spent together making delicious food, even if he never actually lets you near the grill.

If the dad in your life loves to socialize, plan a little BBQ get-together with a few of his closest guy friends and their kids, too. It will be a Father’s Day activity to remember with everyone gathered together and enjoying yummy food.

Here are some BBQ recipe ideas:

• The grill isn’t just for meat. Here’s a Grilled Potato Salad to serve warm with sherry vinegar and Dijon mustard.
• Dad can use the smoker, oven, or oven-to-grill method to make these delicious Baby Back Ribs.
• Bacon? Nachos? Burgers? Yes, yes, and yes. Here’s a creative Nacho Bacon Burger recipe that has every Father’s Day food group.
• For a Father’s Day salad, try this yummy Grilled Pork-and-Peach Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing. Even the peaches are grilled!

3. Give him an excuse to use power tools.

Do the birds need a birdhouse? Do your collectible action figures need a new shelf? If your dad likes to tinker, asking him to build something with you is the best Father’s Day activity. Measure twice, cut once, and watch him have the time of his life with you or his kids.

To go along with this activity, you might be tempted to give him a new power tool. However, unless you know exactly what he wants or needs, down to the brand and specifications, it’s probably best to leave the actual tool buying up to him. 

Instead, give him a gift card and let him spend unlimited “me” time in his favorite hardware store. After all, browsing all the tools might be more fun than buying one.

4. Offer to help your dad do some chores.

There are some chores your father might enjoy and others he’d love to let you do for him. If it seems like your dad would really like a day to put his feet up, offer to take care of mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or folding clean laundry. 

If he likes to keep himself busy, you can still offer to help him with some indoor or outdoor tasks you can do together. You can spread mulch, tackle a broken appliance, or do a little upkeep around the house with a hammer and nails or some paint.

Better yet, tell Mom that Dad’s car “needs” to be vacuumed, washed, and waxed, and spend a few hours together making it shine. A clean car is one Father’s Day activity your dad won’t want to pass up.

5. Get tickets for a sporting event.

Imagine the smile on your dad’s face if he opens tickets to a baseball game on Father’s Day. Going to a game lets you shout, cheer, and enjoy stadium food. Plus, you’ll have some time to bond in a sports arena instead of in front of the TV.

If this isn’t an option, here are a few other sports-related Father’s Day activities you can do with your dad:

• Go out for a round of golf or mini golf.
• Take dad to the bowling alley.
• Schedule a time to go axe-throwing.
• Go sky-diving together.
• Visit a rock climbing gym.
• Surprise him with a NASCAR test drive.
• Host a friendly game of basketball in your driveway.

And if dad really just enjoys watching the final round of the U.S. Open on Father’s Day, maybe this is the year you keep him company in front of the TV and provide a few snacks.

6. Let your dad spend a few hours on his own.

Sometimes, fathers need space. Plan a bonding activity or two, but keep in mind that alone time might also be an unforgettable Father’s Day activity. Consider giving him a gift that he can enjoy in the peace and quiet, like a book, a new video game, or a kit for his favorite hobby.

There are some other small things you can do to help him take time to relax. For example, make him his favorite breakfast to eat in bed (and make sure to do the dishes for him, too). You could also schedule him a massage or a visit to a float spa so he can get a little pampering.

If you really want to spoil dad, you can hire a private chef to cook him an amazing dinner. (Let’s be honest. Mom will probably also appreciate this.)

7. Schedule some alone time with your husband.

If you have kids, especially if they’re young, consider planning adult time after they’re in bed. You could make his favorite cocktail, rent the movie he’s been waiting to watch, and cook bacon as a midnight snack. 

Here are a few Dad-approved cocktails you can make and enjoy together as a Father’s Day Activity without the kids:

• Ginger Beer Margarita
• Bicardi Ocho Old Fashioned Cocktail
• Negroni
• Boozy Guinness Ice Cream Float

Another idea is to create a beer flight at home so he can enjoy tasting several varieties. 

And if his Father’s Day present from you happens to be new lingerie, he probably won’t mind that, either.

Father’s Day activity tips for little kids

Most of the activities we’ve discussed so far work well as ideas for older sons and daughters who have their own incomes and transportation or who are old enough to mow the lawn or go axe-throwing.

However, we know that dads love to spend time with their younger kids on Father’s Day, too.

To keep dad surprised, mom can plan some activities with the littles. But if dad wants to be part of the planning, that’s fine, too! Here are some tips:

1. Give kids options

If you leave the decision-making for Father’s Day activities completely up to kids, they may think that the best gift for a dad is a fancy makeover or a dinosaur stuffed animal. We aren’t saying that dad wouldn’t enjoy these, but you can probably think of activities he would enjoy more.

Here are some kid-friendly Father’s Day activity ideas you can let your littles choose from:

Fly a kite in the backyard: You can find a kite online or in stores, but they are also pretty easy to make. Here’s a guide for how dad can Make a Newspaper Kite to fly with the kids.

Make ice cream sundaes: All you need is ice cream, some toppings, and whipped cream for a fun time creating a dessert in the kitchen.

Go to a museum: Father’s Day is a great time to explore a local children’s or science museum. If you don’t have any nearby, many major museums are still offering virtual tours online.

Build a pillow fort: Collect all the couch cushions, pillows, and blankets and have fun creating a fort to play in for the day.

Work on a puzzle: Kid-friendly puzzles

• Roast marshmallows for s’mores
• Bake a dessert
• Sing karaoke at home
• Have a family game night
• Go swimming at a pool
• Make a craft together

2. Pick up the ingredients and supplies

Once your young kids have decided on a few Father’s Day activities, make sure to pick up the supplies in advance. This is a great task for moms to do with the kids so everyone gets excited and dad can still be surprised.

3. Let kids pick gifts from a wish list

Activities are excellent for bonding with dad on Father’s Day, but you can also let your kids pick a gift or two. If dad has a wishlist, you can help younger kids look through some of his favorite items and choose the ones they want to give to him.

Giftster is an excellent wishlist maker to use for Father’s Day gifts. Dad can add gift ideas from a variety of online stores or type in his gift preferences. The kids will be able to look at pictures of the items to help them choose.

To actually make the purchases, all you have to do is follow the link to the product’s website and mark it as purchased on Giftster. The process is super easy and your kids will love to be involved in selecting gifts for dad.

4. Capture the memories with photographs

While dad and the kids are making new memories with their Father’s Day activities, you can do one of the most important jobs of all: take photographs.

Here are a few tips for making sure you capture the best moments from the day:

• Take photos as soon as the day starts, especially if your kids are making breakfast or wishing dad a Happy Father’s Day in the morning with a card.
• Photograph every part of the activities for the day. For example, if the kids and dad are making a kite to fly, include both putting it together and the actual flying.
• Dad and the kids don’t have to be looking at the camera for every photo. Don’t forget to take action shots. 
• Take a few posed photos with everyone (hopefully) looking at the camera and smiling.

When you’re done taking the photos, you’ll have great memories for a family photo album or scrapbook. You can also make a post to social media (if you’re both into that sort of thing), wishing your partner a Happy Father’s Day and talking about how amazing he is with the kids.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Father’s Day, we hope that you have a memorable day of fun activities with the father figure in your life. It’s the one day a year set aside to honor everything he’s done for you.

Happy Father’s Day!

The post Unforgettable Father’s Day Activities appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.