Winstead Wandering

Prone to Wander

Father’s Day Guide: Gifts For the Star Wars Lover

by

He’s hard to shop for, and all the options out there can be overwhelming. Take the guess work out of gift-giving with this guide to gifts for the Star Wars lover.

This post contains affiliate links. That means that, when you make a purchase using these links, I make, at no extra cost to you, a small commission. See my disclosure policy for more information.

My husband has been a Star Wars fan for as long as I’ve known him. It’s pretty fun to watch his excitement over the new movies and, as a gift-giver, it’s awesome to see a resurgence in Star Wars-related merchandise. It’s a little overwhelming, though, too. You can buy everything Star Wars: from Easter eggs to toothpaste to chewing gum.

Sorry, you won’t find links to any of those products here. What you will find is a mix of useful and nostalgic gifts for the Star Wars lover in your life.

Gifts for the Star Wars Lover

He's hard to shop for, and all the options out there can be overwhelming. Take the guess work out of gift-giving with this guide to gifts for the Star Wars lover.

  1. Lightsaber Tongs, $30 | Is it not every Star Wars-loving dad’s dream to wield a lightsaber? Now he can, at the same time he’s manning the grill. Don’t stop there, though: outfit him with a Darth Vader apron, too.
  2. Millenium Falcon Graphic Tee, $13 | A distressed graphic tee with a subtle Star Wars reference is the perfect go-to gift for anyone who even remotely loves the franchise. Bonus: this red, white, and blue shirt means he’ll be ready for July Fourth, too. If this tee isn’t his style, Target has a whopping 31 other options to choose from.
  3. Darth Vader Tervis Tumbler, $18 | J owns no fewer than two Star Wars Tervis tumblers. We have three if you count G’s mini Storm Trooper that matches his Papa’s. Those things get used all the time, by everyone in the house. Your super fan should definitely own one, too. If Darth isn’t his thing, there are tons of other options.
  4. Trivial Pursuit DVD Star Wars, $75 | You can get Star Wars versions of pretty much all your favorite board games: Sorry, Operation, Monopoly. But if you really love your Star Wars fan, you’ll give him the chance to show off his extensive knowledge with a trivia game.
  5. Star Wars Glasses, $20 | Sure, it’s fun to see Star Wars mania perpetuated for another generation, but we all know the original movies will always be the best. These glasses are a fun throwback nod to the nostalgia of the movies we grew up watching.
  6. The Force Awakens, $17 | Duh, right? Any self-respecting fan already owns the first six movies, but maybe he hasn’t made time to buy the latest yet. If that’s the case, this gift should definitely happen.
  7. Star Wars Blueprint Tie, $24 | I’ve never worn a tie, so I can’t say for certain, but I’m thinking nothing makes wearing one bearable quite like knowing it features images from your all-time favorite movie franchise.
  8. The Force Awakens Boxers, $9 | For the first several years we were dating and married, I’d always give J a pair of boxers for holidays and special occasions. Somewhere along the line we both forgot about the tradition, but I’d say these boxers would be the perfect way to resurrect it.
  9. Star Wars Mural, $114 | Buying him Star Wars memorabilia that you then allow him to affix to your walls is pretty much the ultimate act of love. The good news is that it’s removable, but still, sorry J, you won’t be unwrapping this as a gift any time soon.
  10. Wood Wall Clock, $24 | This clock would be the perfect way for your fan to bring a little of his personality into his office or temporary work space. It’s cordless, which is convenient, and it has good reviews from people who’ve purchased it.

Cheap & Easy Ways to Make Valentine’s Day Special for Kids

by

No magazine-worthy crafts here; just practical cheap & easy ways to make Valentine’s Day special for kids.

No magazine-worthy crafts here; just practical cheap & easy ways to make Valentine's Day special for kids.

We’ve all seen those elaborate Pinterest-worthy holiday crafts, right? If I’m telling the truth, I envy those moms who have the time, money, and ability to put those crafts together; I know how special holidays must be for their kids.

Maybe, like me, you’re not one of those moms. Fear not. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to pull off the things included here. I’ve compiled a list of cheap & easy ways to make Valentine’s Day special for kids.

Cheap & Easy Ways to Make Valentine’s Day Special for Kids

Dye Their Breakfast

This is one of my fondest memories from childhood. There wasn’t a lot of money in my house growing up, but that didn’t stop my mom from making holidays special for us. One of the simplest things she did that was so fun was add food coloring to our pancakes and milk for breakfast. She’d use red dye on Valentine’s Day and green dye on St. Patrick’s Day (my little brother’s birthday).

If you don’t usually make a full breakfast in the morning, this would be a great year to do that because Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday. You could easily make a weekday holiday special by coloring milk for breakfast cereal or dying oatmeal.

Obviously, you could adapt this idea to fit any meal or snack of the day, but I love the idea of starting their morning with something so fun.

Buy a Special Book

No magazine-worthy crafts here; just practical cheap & easy ways to make Valentine's Day special for kids.

Our kids, especially our five-year old, love to read. Buying a Valentine’s Day book is the perfect way to celebrate the day as a family while adding to your book collection. G is obsessed with The Berenstain Bear’s right now, so this book is on my wishlist.

A few other options that include characters from classics: Love from the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day is Cool, and Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! (with the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie mouse).

My favorite thing about this idea is that the book can be read for years to come.

Create a Theme for Lunch

If your kids are school-age and take their own lunches, it wouldn’t take too much extra effort to create a Valentine’s Day themed lunch. You could cut everything into a heart shape, or just stick with a red and pink theme: strawberry jelly on the sandwich, Babybel cheese, cherry or grape tomatoes. Take the whole thing over the top with a themed paper napkin.

[Read more…]

5 Frugal Ways to Show Love on Valentine’s Day

by

February 14 doesn’t have to be a day of obligatory gifts and unmet expectations. Make the day special with these 5 frugal ways to show love on Valentine’s Day.

February 14 doesn't have to be a day of obligatory gifts and unmet expectations. Make the day special with these 5 frugal ways to show love on Valentine's Day.

Valentine’s Day is a polarizing holiday. On one side, you have Team “every day should be a celebration of love.” Those people argue that February 14, is a “Hallmark holiday”, a day manufactured by greeting card companies and chocolate makers to boost sales. They say that, if you really love someone, you’ll spend all 365 days each year showing it.

On the other side, you have Team “Valentine’s Day is a day for you to lavish me with all the presents I didn’t get at Christmas”. That team asserts that… well, I’m not sure what their reasoning is.

I fall somewhere in the middle. In no way do I think V-Day should consist only of the obligatory exchange of gifts. I also don’t think it’s necessary to skip the day altogether. I think that, like Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day should serve as a reminder to treasure the things and people we should be grateful for every day.

For those of us who want to find a way to our love to the special people in our lives without breaking the bank or giving into the commercialization of the holiday, I have 5 ideas to help you out!

Hop over to Money Saving Mom for the rest of the post!



February 14 doesn't have to be a day of obligatory gifts and unmet expectations. Make the day special with these 5 frugal ways to show love on Valentine's Day.

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Clementines

by

Looking for the perfect healthy snack for yourself, or a fun treat alternative to sugary goodies? Look no further than dark chocolate-dipped clementines.

Looking for the perfect healthy snack for yourself, or a fun treat alternative to sugary goodies? Look no further than dark chocolate-dipped clementines.

I’ve been having quite the love affair with Cuties lately. You know, the seedless, easy to peel clementines that are so popular this time of year?

I’m craving them like nobody’s business, eating at least four or five a day. Don’t get me wrong, I have zero complaints about craving something healthy and loaded with vitamin C. With previous pregnancies, I craved things like Burger King Whoppers and endless amounts of Juanita’s brand tortilla chips with my Granny’s homemade salsa.

That’s not to say I’m not craving anything unhealthy this time. I’ve got an unfilled hankering for some really good French fries, and I’ve been jonesing for some dark chocolate, which is where these guys come in.

It took just a few minutes for me to melt the chocolate, dip the little slices on, and sit back and admire my work. I sprinkled a few with sea salt and I added red or green sugar crystals to some others, because Christmas.

Looking for the perfect healthy snack for yourself, or a fun treat alternative to sugary goodies? Look no further than dark chocolate-dipped clementines.

Clementines are so bright and juicy; adding the swirl of dark chocolate gives you a perfect bite of flavor. These would be so great to whip up as a healthy treat for yourself, or to package and give away as a fun alternative- or addition- to traditional Christmas goodies.

If you’re not up for dipping (you should be; it’s totally easy) you could always drizzle the melted chocolate over the clementines. It would speed up an already quick process, and you could even use both white and brown chocolates. You wouldn’t get as much chocolate per bite, but they’d be healthier, your chocolate would stretch further, and they’d set up and be ready to serve or package quicker.

Looking for the perfect healthy snack for yourself, or a fun treat alternative to sugary goodies? Look no further than dark chocolate-dipped clementines.

[Read more…]

Easy No-Sew Interchangeable Bunting

by

With just a few supplies and a little bit of time, you can make an easy no-sew interchangeable bunting. It’s adorable for any holiday or season.

With just a few supplies and a little bit of time, you can make an easy no-sew interchangeable bunting. It's adorable for any holiday or season.

I’ve had a lot of fun decorating our house over the last couple months. I was initially intimidated by the whole thing because there’s so much wall space, and because I don’t consider myself a decorator at all. I didn’t rush the process, which helped. Instead, I hung pieces when I felt like it, and I worked out arrangements in my head before making holes in the walls.

I don’t have a defined style. I’m okay with that; I like buying and making things that strike my fancy without worrying about what will match. One of my favorite pieces in our house is this shelf that we refer to as the mantel.

With just a few supplies and a little bit of time, you can make an easy no-sew interchangeable bunting. It's adorable for any holiday or season.

I found it at a flea market and fell in love instantly. I knew I wanted something large for the wall behind our couch, but I hadn’t seen any artwork that grabbed me. As soon as I saw this, I envisioned hanging our stockings from the hooks and changing out the items on the shelf to reflect the season.

With just a few supplies and a little bit of time, you can make an easy no-sew interchangeable bunting. It's adorable for any holiday or season.

I also knew I wanted to make a bunting. I immediately ordered two different sets of fabric: one with a fall/harvest theme and one with Christmas images. And then I got to work.

[Read more…]

Easy Holiday Dessert Recipes

by

This year, don’t waste time trying to impress everyone by replicating your grandmother’s famous recipe; knock their socks off with something new, like one of these easy holiday dessert recipes.

This year, don't waste time trying to impress everyone by replicating your grandmother's famous recipe; knock their socks off with something new, like one of these easy holiday dessert recipes.

Do you have a signature holiday dessert? If so, by all means, stick with that this year. You wouldn’t want to disappoint the people who’ve spent 364 days looking forward to it.

But maybe you don’t have a go-to holiday dessert recipe? Maybe you’re the one who always volunteers to bring paper products to the gathering. Or maybe your idea of “homemade” is arranging store-bought cookies on a platter. Maybe you’re banned from the kitchen ever since the fire incident of ‘o9.

Whatever your reason for foregoing holiday baking, it’s time that changed. The easy holiday dessert recipes compiled here are all easy and mouthwatering. Some of them don’t even require you to use the oven. Be careful, though; you just might find a new signature holiday dish.

Easy Holiday Dessert Recipes

Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Caramel Icing

Brown sugar pound cake with caramel icing is a rich, moist cake, flecked with toffee bits and smothered in an easy, decadent caramel sauce.

This pound cake is a decadent alternative to even the most indulgent pie. The cake itself is moist, buttery, and flecked with melty toffee bits. The whole thing is smothered with the kind of rich, gooey caramel icing that you haunts your dreams in all the best ways.

Peanut Butter Cup Bars

This year, don't waste time trying to impress everyone by replicating your grandmother's famous recipe; knock their socks off with something new, like one of these easy holiday dessert recipes.

If you don’t think it was possible for a four-ingredient dessert steal the show at a holiday gathering, give these bars a try. They’re ridiculously easy to put together- no baking!- but your friends and family will go crazy.

[Read more…]

Homemade Christmas Gifts with Photos

by

Homemade Christmas gifts are the perfect way to save money and add your own special touch to every present you give.

Homemade Christmas gifts are the perfect way to save money and add your own special touch to every present you give.

One of the best things about having children- aside from the unconditional love and the constant companionship and the general adorableness- is the endless gift-giving possibilities. You can get away with giving all kinds of presents that are unacceptable when you’re childless: crayon scribbles that will lovingly be referred to as art and photos that will be cherished for years.

While framed photos are nice, they’re also boring.  For just a little extra effort, you can create custom gifts that are both functional and sentimental. Because if there’s anything parents and grandparents love more than hanging photos of their grandkids on their walls, it’s covering every available surface with them.

Homemade Christmas gifts are the perfect way to save money and add your own special touch to every present you give.

[Read more…]

Easy Holiday Side Dish Recipes

by

It’s totally possible to keep your stress level under control and still create a delicious meal. Here are seven easy holiday side dish recipes to help you do just that.

It's totally possible to keep your stress level under control and still create a delicious meal. Here are seven easy holiday side dish recipes to help you do just that.

There’s something about holiday meal preparation that just seems synonymous with stress. Maybe it’s cooking for relatives you only see a couple times a year, or maybe it’s the pressure to create perfect memories on a day that only comes around once a year. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t have to be that way.

You can prepare mouthwatering, memorable meals for your guests while keeping your blood pressure in check. The trick is to choose dishes that are deceptively easy and crowd-pleasingly delicious. All of the recipes gathered here fit that criteria; now searching for the perfect dish is one less thing you have to worry about this holiday season.

Easy Ranch Roasted Carrots

It's totally possible to keep your stress level under control and still create a delicious meal. Here are seven easy holiday side dish recipes to help you do just that.

These are the complete opposite of the mushy, flavorless carrots that are often served at holiday meals. They’re tender but still crunchy. The roasting adds a delightful carmelization, and the ranch seasonings are subtle, but present.

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

It's totally possible to keep your stress level under control and still create a delicious meal. Here are seven easy holiday side dish recipes to help you do just that.

This casserole combines everyone’s favorite baked potato toppings in a hot, cheesy dish of goodness. It’s loaded with sour cream, cream cheese, bacon, garlic, cheddar cheese, and more.

[Read more…]

Frosted Cranberry White Chocolate Cookie Bars

by

A hearty oat cookie bar base, packed with cranberries and white chocolate chips, spread with a thick layer of white chocolate cream cheese frosting, and topped off with more cranberries and a white chocolate drizzle.

A hearty oat cookie bar base, packed with cranberries and white chocolate chips, spread with a thick layer of white chocolate cream cheese frosting, and topped off with more cranberries and a white chocolate drizzle.

Frosted cranberry white chocolate cookie bars taste like home. My mom, whose cookie prowess I’ve mentioned before, makes a cranberry white chocolate oatmeal cookie that’s to die for. Like, good enough to convert cranberry and white chocolate hating people like J. Seriously, her cookies have powers.

So I texted her a couple weeks ago and asked if I could blog that recipe. She didn’t hesitate to send it to me, but the wheels in my head were already turning. My mother-in-law, a darn good cook, too, had mentioned her affection for Starbucks’ cranberry bliss bars. I checked them out and the basic idea reminded me of my mom’s cookies.

So I decided to combine the two. To make my mom’s cookies a little more holiday-friendly, I added cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest. I baked them in bar form, as much to save time as to mimic the coffeehouse kind. And then I smothered the whole thing in a decadent white chocolate frosting.

I’ve got to confess that I’ve never had a cranberry bliss bar, but these bars are the definition of bliss (perfect happiness; great joy). Happiness is devouring a generous square of these frosted cranberry white chocolate cookie bars.

A hearty oat cookie bar base, packed with cranberries and white chocolate chips, spread with a thick layer of white chocolate cream cheese frosting, and topped off with more cranberries and a white chocolate drizzle.

[Read more…]

Easy Fall Stovetop Potpourri

by

No messy wax or canned smells here. Just a few easy ingredients and a house filled with the crisp fragrance of fall.

No messy wax or canned smells here. Just a few easy ingredients and a house filled with the crisp fragrance of fall.

Stovetop potpourri is one of the prevailing smells of my childhood. I have vivid memories of walking in the door from school and being greeted by the divine scent of simmering cinnamon and fragrant apples.

For the longest time, the moment when I pushed the door open was bittersweet. The potpourri smelled, misleadingly, like delicious baked goods. It was a disappointing thing to realize there were no sweet treats available.

My love of all things autumn grew as I got older. I began to appreciate this easy fall stovetop potpourri for what it is: a creative, economical way to bring your favorite fall scents inside, minus the additives and chemicals of candles and room sprays.

With this potpourri, you don’t have to change wax cubes or make sure you have obscure ingredients on hand. All you need is two minutes and a few pantry staples, and you’re on your way to having a home that smells unmistakably like fall.

[Read more…]