With the holidays so close, it can be challenging to shop for a mother-to-be, especially if you want to buy something specifically for her and not the baby.  I’ve had several pregnant running and fitness enthusiast mother’s-to-be ask me what would be some great presents to ask for during this holiday season. I created a 50 Holiday Gifts List for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts based on my own personal experience. I have a lot of these items on this list that I have acquired pre and post pregnancies. If you are going to be a running mama, I highly recommend the books from Another Mother Runner, Run Like a Mother and Train Like a Mother.   They are quick, enjoyable, easy reads. Of course, if someone wants to splurge on a mom-to-be, the BOB Revolution SE jog stroller is an awesome gift. It is one of the best strollers I have owned and I currently own altogether four strollers. The 50 Holiday Gifts for for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts gifts range from under $25 – under $600.  You can also find more gift ideas under Run Stroller Run’s Gift Ideas for Mama’s to Be on Pinterest. Here is a selection of 10 gifts out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Pregnant Fitness Enthusiasts.     For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...

Here is the follow up post on 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads.  My Au Pair thought it would be great if I could publish a 50 Holiday Gifts List for Host Moms and Dads. She told me it is very stressful buying for host parents, especially when they seem to have “everything” they want. Here is my 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads.   This is for all those Au Pairs that are not quite sure what to buy for their Host Dads. Click on the picture on the right hand side and it will open the 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads pdf.  The pdf has hyperlinks, so scroll over the item you are interested in and click through to the website where you can purchase the gift. The 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads gifts range from under $25 – under $100.  You can also find more gift ideas under my Gift Ideas for Host Dads on Pinterest. Here is a selection of 10 gifts out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Dads. Pinterest Boards Dedicated to 50 Holiday Gift Lists Pinterest: Gifts for Au Pairs Pinterest: Gifts for Host Dads Pinterest: Gifts for Host Moms Pinterest: DIY Gifts From Kids...

After writing my 50 Holiday Gifts for Au Pairs, my current Au Pair thought it would be great if I could publish a Holiday Gift Guide for Host Moms and Dads. She told me it is very stressful buying for host parents, especially when they seem to have “everything” they want. Here is my 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Moms.   This is for all those Au Pairs that are not quite sure what to buy for us Host Moms. Click on the picture on the right hand side and it will open the 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Moms pdf.  The pdf has hyperlinks, so scroll over the item you are interested in and click through to the website where you can purchase the gift. The 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Moms gifts range from under $25 – under $100.  You can also find more gift ideas under my Gift Ideas for Host Moms on Pinterest. Here is a selection of 10 gifts out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Host Moms. Stay tune for the Holiday Gifts for Host Dads.   Pinterest Boards Dedicated to 50 Holiday Gift Lists Pinterest: Gifts for Au Pairs Pinterest: Gifts for Host Dads Pinterest: Gifts for Host Moms Pinterest: DIY Gifts From...

Buying for an Au Pair, nanny, and/or child care provider can sometimes be difficult and for most parents more stressful than buying for their significant others. Your child’s care giver is watching your most precious asset(s) everyday and you want to ensure they feel appreciated.  The questions that go through my mind when shopping for my Au Pair are: How much do I spend? How much is too much? Do I buy multiple presents or just one? Is cash OK? Do I give gift cards? I have an Au Pair that lives in our house and is our adopted daughter, so I budget for her gifts like I do my other two children. She will be spending the holidays with us and waking up on Christmas morning with just as much anticipation and excitement as my three year old. Most Au Pairs have never experienced Christmas and/or other seasonal holidays American style, so in my experience all of our Au Pair’s are just as or more excited than my children. Because it can be challenging to come up with some ideas, here is a list with 50 Holiday Gifts for Au Pairs with gifts ranging from under $25 – under $200.  You can also find more gift ideas under my Gift Ideas for Au Pairs on Pinterest. Pinterest Boards Dedicated to 50 Holiday Gift Lists Pinterest: Gifts for Au Pairs Pinterest: Gifts for Host Dads Pinterest: Gifts for Host Moms Pinterest: DIY Gifts From Kids Here are eight gift ideas out of the 50 Holiday Gifts for Au Pairs.  ...

It is that time of year: Holiday time!  Are you starting to think about what to buy your running friend, spouse, daughter, etc? Below, I have put together my 2013 Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners I love Etsy.  Especially for unique, fun gifts that I wish I was capable of making for others, but do not have the time or the talent to do so.  The list is not in order by preference,  but by lowest price to the highest price gifts. Happy Shopping and enjoy my Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners. Run Etched Wine Glass  by  WulfCreekDesigns  Price $14.99 The Girlfriends Marathon Picture by  yankeegirlart Price $18.99 Running Wall Quote – Fred Lebow Quote – In Running Wall Decal by WallapaloozaDecals  Price $22.63 Customized Marathon Key Chain by  PearlieGirl Price $27.00 Running tee: are my kids still chasing me? By AnotherMotherRunner – they finally opened an Etsy store this October. Price $30 Eat Clean, Train Dirty Pyrex Baking Dish by GoneGirly  Price $30.00+ Marathon half marathon Medal Display – 24in.,30in.,48in. Black or White  by Victorymedaldisplays Price $34.99 + It runs in the family, bib and medal holder.  YorkSignShop Price $45.00 Run Wild My Child by spunkyfluff   Price $57.50 Custom Made t shirt quilt Running and Triathlon Shirts by HappyQuiltDesigns  – Price ranges $230-$380 **The pictures below are in the numeric order above.   For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner  ...

Mother’s Day in the United States is just around the corner. Looking for some unique gifts for your mom or wife, here are my top three favorite personalized photos gifts. iPhone Personalized Case. I love mine! I carry around pictures of my kids every day and it puts a smile on my face every time I look at photos.  Several companies offer customized iPhone case, but my personal preference is Shutterfly.  The case is high quality, the price is reasonable and they have ample style designs to choose from – 44 to be exact.  You can customize iPhone cases for the iPhone 3G/3GS, iPhone 4/4S and iPhone 5. Here is a list of companies that offer personalized iPhone cases. Shutterfly  – $34.95 (my personal favorite) not including taxes or shipping and handling Tiny Prints – $39.95 not including taxes or shipping and handling Walgreens – $29.99 not including taxes or shipping and handling Walmart – $29.98 not including taxes or shipping and handling Target – $32.99 – $34.29 not including taxes or shipping and handling SkinIt – -Starting at $14.99 not including taxes or shipping and handling Fleece Photo Blankets. I do not own one, but have made more than a half a dozen of these blankets for gifts.  These make for a great gift for Grandmas. The blanket itself is so soft; it makes you want to cozy up with the blanket and a good book.  Several companies offer customized fleece photo blankets, but my personal preference is Shutterfly. Shutterfly offers the blankets in two sizes 50×60 or 60×80 (featuring up to eight photos per blanket). I have always purchased the 50×60 and they are plenty large for two people to sit comfortably under the blanket. Here is a list of companies that...

In the past two month, recently a lot of our friends gave birth, which got me thinking of unique baby gifts. We received so many unique and personalized gifts when C2 was born that I wanted to share. The unique and/or personalized gifts mean so much to me because as a kid – and even now – I could never find anything with my name spelled correctly or personalized. Therefore, I am always in search of unique, personalized gifts that would be great to give to others.  Here are some of my top favorite unique baby gifts.   Lovem Security Blankets.  C2 received a Lovem Security Blanket from his Aunt and Uncle. His Lovem was custom made to look like our first baby (our lovable, English black Lab Parker).   Lovem blankets are made with two luxurious layers of coordinating Minky and an adorable stuffed animal, so your child is actually getting an animal to love as well as a favorite blanket!  They average price range is $17-$35.     Bodmer’s Pottery. Personalized handmade custom pottery plates are excellent gifts for a baby. We received one when C2 was born, and now it is proudly displayed in his room.  The plates are 7” in diameter and cost approximately $50.00.     Monthly Onesies Stickers.  I really wanted these for our son, but could not find them until of course he is almost 12 months old.  These are a great gift for an expecting mama, Monthly Onesies Stickers and/or Monthly Onesies Complete Set.  You can celebrate your baby’s “monthiversary” by photographing them in this set of 12 onesies. The Monthly Onesies Complete Set actual comes with onesie that are made with love using 100% cotton Carter’s brand bodysuits using high quality transfer paper. Each onesie has a...

A friend asked me this morning if I had any suggestions on last minute newborn holiday gifts. Luckily, for parents with newborns, you do not need to spend a lot of money because you only “need” one or two gifts. The baby will not be able to open the present themselves and probably will not aware of the festivities. Every day for a newborn is festive. Yes, “need” is in parenthesis because most newborns do not need any toys, but if most parents are like me they want to spoil their child during the holidays regardless of their age. Here are some last minute gifts that you can pick-up at Buy Buy Baby, Babies R’Us, or Toy’s R’Us. Of course, you can purchase them on Amazon, but with only two days left (including today) until Christmas and Hanukkah has already begun, you will not get them in time.  The list is derived from my own personal experience and friends. C2 loved anything that played music; he could chew on, or had bright colors. Leap Frog® Twinkle Twinkle Little Scout Activity Gym Kids Preferred Eric Carle’s Developmental Plush Toys Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Fun with Friends Muscial Table Fisher Price® Precious Planet™ Kick & Play Piano Baby Einstein® Roller Pillar Activity Balls Baby Einstein™ Sea Dreams Lullaby Soother by Kids II® LeapFrog My Pal Scout Vulli Sophie Giraffe Soft Rubber Toy Kids II® Baby Einstein™ Take Along Tunes 1.  Leap Frog® Twinkle Twinkle Little Scout– $17.99 Only available at Buy Buy Baby or Amazon 2.  LeapFrog My Pal Scout – $19.99 Available at Buy Buy Baby, Babies R’Us, Toys R’Us and Amazon 3.  Kids II® Baby Einstein™ Take Along Tunes – $9.99 Available at Buy Buy Baby, Babies R’Us, Toys R’Us and Amazon 4.  Baby...

  [category_specific_rss_menu] For those of you on a budget, but with a bit of time and energy, here are some ideas items to include in an Ultimate Gift Bag for Running Moms (and Dads too) that you can throw together online or with a short trip to your local sports store. Depending on  how much money you want to spend The Ultimate Gift Bag for Running Moms (and Dads too) can cost you as little as $50. Of course, if Santa is feeling generous, you can always add something from the 10 Must Have Holiday Gifts That Every Running Mom Needs or the 10 Great Stocking Stuffer for Running Moms. 1.  Bag/Basket You can purchase a relatively inexpensive basket from Target, craft store, Amazon, etc. However, if you are interested in your running, multisport mom or dad using it for multiple uses, consider purchasing a duffel bag, swim, sling or transition bag to put all your items in. You can purchase a relatively inexpensive transition bag for $49.99 or a mesh sling bag for $14.95. 2.  Body Glide, Lansinoh Nipple Cream, and/or Aquaphor – to prevent chaffing, also great for prevent blistering. Body Glide ($8.95) can be bought online or purchased at any local running store; it is good to prevent chaffing. Lansinoh Nipple Cream ($27.85) is not only great for breastfeeding moms, but it works just as well as and perhaps better than Body Glide to prevent chaffing, plus it is great lip balm and prevents feet from blistering. Aquaphor ($7.99) is multi-purpose ointment as well. It is great to prevent chaffing, body cream for babies and toddlers, and great lip protection and prevent your feet from blistering. I have used all three; I am partial to Aquaphor, then Lansinoh Nipple Cream and...

  [category_specific_rss_menu] Are you feeling uncertain what to buy that special running, mom or woman in your life?  Perhaps, you are running out of time as well.  With the help of other running moms, here are the 10 Must Have Holiday Gifts for Running Moms.  This is part two to my series on great gifts for active moms that focuses on the necessities running moms around the country have weighed in on. The items on this list are more expensive items than you will find on my 10 Great Stocking Stuffer for Running Moms.  I organized the 10 Must Have Holiday Gifts That Every Running Mom Needs into four categories: Running Watch, Motivation, Fashion, and Accomplishments.   RUNNING WATCH 1.  Garmin Forerunner® 310XT ($349.99 basic unit w/out the HR monitor; $399 w/HR monitor) This watch is great for both runners and triathletes alike. To me this is the mega of all watches, but of course that depends on what you are looking for in a watch. I am a triathlete and runner, so I wanted a watch that was able to track all three sports. However, I have definitely not used this watch to its full potential. Some key features that are especially important for runners are the 20 hour battery, GPS features, Heart Rate Monitor; and Run, Sync, and Store features. Depending on how much you budgeted for your special running mom or lady in your life, this might be more than you are willing to spend.  However, if you are truly wanted to make her feel special and show her how much you support her running or triathlon habit, this might be the gift for you. The Garmin Forerunner 310XT basic unit without the heart rate monitor is $349 and with the...