For the second year in a row, I managed to get all of the kids’ Christmas gifts before Thanksgiving. Rejoice, friends, for I am a procrastinator to the highest degree! I also hate shopping so a small miracle has occurred in the land of Colorado this year. ☺️
As I mentioned on Instagram, I’m not much of an in-person Black Friday shopper (as crowds of any size are quite scary to me), but I do like partaking in the online Black Friday sales, especially from small shops. I’m sharing a few ideas of items that we’ve purchased or are currently on the wishlists of my family members (or me, in some cases….😏). I have also tried to link to small shops and/or independent book stores below if possible. It’s been a really, really, really rough year for many small businesses so if you can help them out, please do so!
I also have a few other holiday-related posts that have more gift ideas, gift beautifying ideas, and some holiday traditions in which we partake every year!
Also, at the very bottom of the post are Black Friday sales that aren’t necessarily for gift-giving, but are just great deals!
Gifts for Kids
Games/Toys
Wildcraft – My kids have really enjoyed this collaborative game, which teaches herbs and their healing properties through play.
The Garden Game – This was an Easter present this past spring in the hope that it would get us ready for our garden. It’s a wonderful and fun way to learn more about gardening!
Ticket to Ride – First Journey – This was a gift to the family from a friend and though C wasn’t quite ready for it this year, it presented enough challenge that I also enjoyed playing it with B.
Chess and Checkers Set – We’ve been thinking about getting a chess set to teach the kids and this adorably portable one includes checkers as well!
Qwirkle Board Game – This was on C’s wishlist last year and she received it as a Christmas present. It may seem complicated at first, but you pick it up quickly and it can entertain for quite a while!
Backyard Tipi – The kids love to set up our tipi in the backyard and pretend they’re out camping, especially when the weather is hot. This one looks especially durable and large!
Snap Circuits – I mention these every.single.year but they are worth mentioning every.single.year. These have been an enormous hit in our house with B. We started with the SC-300 set for B when he was 6 and have slowly added to his collection with birthdays and Christmases ever since. These are a fantastic open-ended toy that allow for creativity as well as developing technical skills. I can’t recommend them enough for both boys and girls!
LEGO Functions Power Functions XL-Motor – B loves making machines and moving contraptions with his LEGO. If you have a child who is wanting to expand on their LEGO repertoire, I can’t recommend this little motor enough, especially if they have a lot of Technic pieces!
Dog Pile The Pup Packing Puzzle Game – This could also be a great stocking stuffer and presents fun little puzzles.
Books
Letters from Loved Ones Keepsake Journal – I got one of these for both kids earlier in the year and try to leave a little note for them once a week. I love that they can take it with them when they leave home to remind them of all the many ways that they are loved.
Astronomy Notebook – We will be learning about winter constellations in Term 2 and I’ve been thinking about getting one of these for both kids to record the constellations they learn.
Swallows and Amazons – We picked this up for before Christmas last year and it was a fun read over the holidays. Also, the book is very pretty. I like pretty books. 🙂
Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science – If you have a science-oriented child, this is a great book to inspire their wonder in God’s creation.
Lots of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids – Another stocking-stuffer recommendation! B loves joke books and has memorized most of the ones in this one.
Gifts for Mom
The Morning Haven – This little bundle from Beautiful Feet Books would be a wonderful gift for the homeschooling mom in your life! (They will be having a sale on this item on Cyber Monday [11/30] – buy one Morning Haven and get the second one free!)
Anna Vance Quarterly Kit and Esther Journal – I love everything Anna makes and I promise I’m not saying that just because she and I are friends. Writing in the journals and planners that she creates is a daily privilege for me because they not only add beauty in simple ways to my life, but they’re so well made. High-quality materials in every-day items do make a difference! Her quarterly kit would be a lovely gift for any sticker/planner-loving ladies!
Sips by – I have yet to try this service which I’ve been eyeing for a few months but it is on my wishlist this year! I love trying new teas and this is an inexpensive and fun way to do it! (Get $5 off your first order with my link!)
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady – Did you know that Edith Holden’s beautiful nature journal, written in 1906 and published originally in 1977, has been re-released? This edition has a beautiful lavender-colored, cloth-bound cover and we use it weekly in our homeschool for nature journal inspiration.
Big Capacity Pencil Case – This pencil case is not only useful, but also pretty. I keep all of my pens, highlighters, scissors, stickers, etc. in it for when I sit down to do my planning each week.
Window Bird Feeder – We have one of these attached to a window in our homeschool room and it’s fun to see (and hear) the birds stop by for an up-close and person mid-morning snack.
Skylight Frame – This is a splurge item and is especially nice if you have a relative who lives far away. We got one of these for my mother-in-law this year and I can email pictures of the kids directly to it!
MightyFix – Many of us go into the new year with the intention of making better choices in different areas. If you know someone is wanting to make a more sustainable and earth-friendly home, the MightyFix is a great gift idea! This subscription service sends a new item to your giftee each month that will help them live a healthier life! (Get $3 off with code MIGHTYNOW!)
Juniper Grove Journals – I have been drooling over their traveler’s journals for years and this, or their new bag, would be a wonderful gift for anyone! They are offering your choice of free shipping to the U.S. for any order over $25 with code FREESHIP; free single zipper pouch and set of page markers with any journal purchase with code FREEZIP; OR free mini or micro journal with any $100 order with code FREEMINI.
Charlotte Mason Gear – And for the Charlotte Mason mom in your life (or yourself ☺️), be sure to check out my shop! I’m offering Black Friday discounts on Charlotte Mason quote shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags!
Charities
Love146 – 20% of the proceeds in their store go right back to supporting this amazing organization that fights child sex trafficking around the world. Items in the shop include clothing, jewelry, greeting cards, and home goods as well. I love their emphasis on the hope of healing and giving these children a future.
Preemptive Love Coalition – Buy goods made by refugees (including a soap subscription that I have on my wishlist this year!), empowering them to support themselves, as well as other items like clothing, accessories, and coffee (not to mention some great stocking stuffers!) that support this organization that aids people caught in refugee situations. I love their emphasis on loving people above all else.
If giving a charitable gift in someone’s name is more your style, a few wonderful charities offer gift catalogs…
Compassion – We sponsor three kids though this organization that aims to end child poverty around the world.
Heifer – This organization has been around for 75 years and is the first one I think of when the topic of empowering people in developing nations comes up. By gifting an animal to a family, you allow them to support themselves while also helping their own communities thrive. (Beatrice’s Goat is a wonderful book to share this concept with your kids!)
Charlotte Mason Black Friday 2020
Below are several Charlotte Mason homeschool shops that are offering Black Friday sales! All of them are wonderful resources and I’ve added notes for the ones we have used in our own homeschool.
A Delectable Education – ADE’s full line of Teacher Training Videos for Charlotte Mason educators, including three new videos, are 20% off from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.
Afterthoughts Blog – This shop has study guides, audio downloads, Swedish Drill books, event downloads and beginning Phonics lessons. Head to Brandy’s shop to see her Black Friday discounts. (Brandy is a wonderful wealth of information for all things related to Charlotte Mason and we absolutely love Dawn’s Swedish Drill books!)
a humble place (that’s me!) – offers Charlotte Mason Picture Study Aids, a kindergarten curriculum, and seasonal art devotions and prints for homeschooling families. This year’s Black Friday deals will include discounts on Charlotte Mason quote apparel, mugs, tote bags, and PDF prints as well as picture study resources!
Common Place Quarterly – CPQ is a beautiful quarterly print magazine, focused on encouraging homeschool moms with an emphasis on the Charlotte Mason method. Includes articles that appeal to both the new and the seasoned homeschooler in every issue. CPQ will be offering 25% off all shop orders from the 27th-29th. (I have been writing artist biographies and picture studies for Common Place Quarterly since the magazine began in January of 2019. This is a beautiful publication full of articles, art, and encouragement for Charlotte Mason families.)
Meaningful Menus – A fun and simple way to enjoy Charlotte Mason morning time subjects as a family. Open and go Volumes include songs and poems covering hymn study, recitation, folk songs, Bible memory work, and Shakespeare. Use code “GIVETHANKS” and get 20% off all digital products. Valid through 12/1/2020.
Nature Study Hacking – Combining Nature Study lessons with Nature Journal prompts these books help beginners learn how to use a nature journal AND study nature regularly through first hand observation. Save 25% off site-wide from Black Friday-Cyber Monday. (We have used several of Joy’s nature study guides in our own homeschool and have found them to be a wonderful addition to our lessons!)
Our Journey Westward Shop – Cindy’s shop has some practical Charlotte Mason Homeschooling resources along with a line of Nature Study guides. Cindy’s entire shop (excluding membership) has been marked down 25-50% from Nov.24-30! No need for a coupon code!
Sabbath Mood Homeschool – Nicole’s website includes a full line of living science curriculum, special study guides, and helpful articles, book lists, and more. Head to her site for 20% off of everything from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. (We will be using one of Nicole’s science guides in Term 2 and I have been so impressed by how thorough and helpful it is so far!)
The Peaceful Press – The Peaceful Press- Charlotte Mason inspired curriculum for a joyful homeschool. Save 25% storewide on Black Friday. Reshelving Alexandria – Empowering homeschoolers with knowledge to make their own book decisions for their family. Black Friday Lifetime Membership sale for current members.
Other Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals
Plan to Eat – Plan to Eat is offering their annual Black Friday sale with subscriptions at 50% off! This is when I always renew my membership to this fantastic meal-planning service. You can see how I use it here. This deal is available through November 30th.
RightStart Math – Definitely get in on this one if you can! RightStart is having a Cyber Monday sale beginning at 5am CST on Monday, November 30 with 30% off kits, 25% off manipulatives, and 35% off books. This is a fantastic deal and a great time to stock up on math resources!
thredUP – My favorite source for clothes is offering up to 50% off many items with code HYPE through November 30th! (And get $10 off your first order with my link!)
ButcherBox – This service came in sooooooo handy when COVID first getting real and stores were shutting down. I get all of our beef and pork roasts as well as ground pork through them. They are offering free steaks for all new members! (And get $15 off your first box with my link!)
Hoffman Academy – We have been using Hoffman Academy for online piano lessons for almost a year now and it has been a wonderful and convenient addition to B’s education. They are offering lifetime access to their lessons for $339 through November 30th!
Yesterday’s Classics – We have so.many.of.their.books! They are celebrating their 15th anniversary by offering 30% off all print books at their website through November 30th! This is a fantastic deal and we will definitely be taking advantage of it!
And finally, a benediction….. May we all stay safe, healthy, and sane this holiday season and see with clarity all of the things we have to be truly thankful for at the end of this insane year. ❤️
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