Ski WishGift: 4 year old gift-idea

  While at a child's birthday party, how often have you watched the birthday boy or girl, often unenthusiastically, open a slew of gifts only to see that the very item you purchased has just been unwrapped?  How often have you heard parents say that his/her child has "so many toys" while questioning where to put the new birthday loot?  Have you ever thought that the money spent on the wrapped gifts your child received could have been put towards something amazing?

  I have been group-gifting for four years now and our latest WishGift has been a complete success.  I began group-gifting in 2008 after guests at my daughter's birthday offered to contribute towards a swing set we had purchased in lieu of a traditional wrapped gift.  The result culminated with my guests expressing how much easier they found it to contribute towards a big item while I was left feeling shocked at the beautiful swing set that stood in our backyard (Click here to read about it). 

  Since I have been registering group-gifts as a gift option for a several years now, many of my guests expect me to register something on WishGift.ca for my kids' birthdays.  They find that an online group-gift contribution makes their lives easier since they no longer have to think about what to get, shop for the gift and then worry that we already have the item.  They simply contribute to a gift or activity with no worries.   My guests also know that there is no expectation and that we are very appreciative for whatever gift-method they choose (we even condone "no-gifts' but that never works).  For us, having a group-gift means giving our kids an opportunity (or item) that we would have not been able to afford on our own (am I the only parent who finds most activities or sports for kids super pricey?!?). 

  For our daughter's 6th birthday, we registered equestrian lessons at our local Pony-Club.  The experience that Aliah had during her 10 week session was so incredible and lifelong, we chose to stick with an activity WishGift for our son's 4th birthday. 

  Choosing an activity for Scott was quite easy.  My son has always been agile, active and fearless.  It took 1 Warren Miller video to see his eyes light up as he watched people plow, twist, jump and turn down a mountain.   For his WishGift reveal on the day of his birthday, we bought him a helmet that he unwrapped in front of everyone (we always have the gift or part of the gift ready to be unwrapped) and shared with our guests that he was registered for a 10 week session of ski lessons.

  Check out the smile on his face when he told him he would be learning ski.  I doubt another Superhero toy would have elicited such joy.

  Fast-Forward 3 months and we are now 1 week away from his first lesson.  Yesterday, he went to the hill to take his ski school picture and then to the ski store to rent his equipment (many ski stores now rent new equipment for the season).  He was professionally fitted for his boots and got to choose his skis.  When he came home he proudly showed off his new gear and giggled as he waddled around the house with his new ski boots and skis.  I have no doubt that this $500 WishGift was a great choice that he will remember for years to come.  Can't wait to share all the pics I'll be taking with my family and friends that made this WishGift possible.

Trying out his new gear

 January 6th 2015

Scott had his first lesson and absolutely LOVES it!  The only problem we have is that he has NO fear and thus no desire to stop.

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate his 4th birthday and for making 

this WishGift happen.  There is no shortage of smiles when he is on the 

slopes!

Like the idea of giving-together?  Follow my blog or join me on my social networking sites to share gift ideas and inspire. 

Toys that make children happy

If you have children you are probably spending lots and lots (and lots) of money on toys or gifts for kids.  You have probably also at some point asked yourself why the $20 to $25 range of toys looks so chinsey.  It seems like the cost of toys and gifts for kids is constantly rising (have you seen the price of a Monster High DOLL?!?) and to get a substantial looking gift, group-gifting is a viable option.  

The National Toy Hall of Fame released the Top 10 Toys that have been enjoyed and loved for generations.  Do you think it is the more simple, non-expensive toys or the high ranged, pricey toys that made the cut?  Check out the link below to see what made the list. 

Bonus photo number 11 is definitely a hit for my 4-year-old.  There is definitely no better toy he could receive!

Enjoy!

Top 10 Toys at the National Toy Hall of Fame

Like the idea of giving-together?  Follow my blog or join me on my social networking sites to share gift ideas and inspire. 

Baby Shower WishGift

Have you ever received an invitation to an event, excited to be going but stressing about what to give as a gift?

A few months ago I received an invitation to a baby shower.  I was really happy to have been included in the event but initially panicked at the thought of having to buy a gift.  I knew that my friend didn't have a registry, wasn't finding out the gender and had already had a baby shower!  

Luckily, the host of the second baby shower realized that finding a gift may be difficult and registered the one big ticket item this mom-to-be was really hoping for...a BOB jogging stroller.

As is with any WishGift registered, I get overly excited when I know someone's about to get a gift they'll truly love and use for years to come so I was thrilled when the stroller reached it's goal of $550!  However this WishGift not only reached the target goal but actually went over and the mom-to-be received an additional $275 :) :)

End result, none of us had to rack our brains looking for a gift, this first-time mama received an amazing jogging stroller AND an extra $275!  Simple gift-giving at it's best!!

The beautiful mama enjoying her new BOB jogging stroller

Giveaway

WishGift.ca all began with a swingset; a gift my family and friends chose to contribute towards in lieu of a traditional wrapped gift (see The Beginning for more details).  The reviews were so positive that I took the simple concept of giving-together and launched a website.

The idea is simple:
1- you register an item
2- invite guests to contribute towards it in lieu of a traditional gift
3- use the money collected to purchase the item

Since the launch of WishGift in 2010, the most amazing gifts have been given and received.  Swingsets, motorized ride-on vehicles, dress-up kits, strollers, gaming consoles, dollhouses etc. 

If you like the idea of giving together to give and receive amazing gifts, help spread the word by inviting friends to "like" us on Facebook, "follow" us on Twitter, and "pin" on Pinterest.

I'll be awarding a Visa Gift Card, to a lucky winner drawn at random.  Just follow the Raffelcopter instructions below and increase your chances of winning!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
a>

Like the idea of giving-together?  Follow my blog or join me on my social networking sites to share gift ideas and inspire. 

WishGift concept meets the Dodge Dart

Personally, I LOVE the idea of contributing towards an item that is truly desired. Life is expensive and busy so when I can give the perfect gift by simply contributing an amount of my choice, I'm grateful and appreciative.

If you were asked to contribute towards a high-ticket item, would you:
	Be happy to do so
	Be insulted
pollcode.com free polls

KidKraft Magestic Mansion Post-Play Product Review

Average Price in Canada: $215.00

We once lost my daughter!  She was 3 1/2 years old, we are at a birthday party, all the kids were playing outside and she was gone!! We couldn't find her in the group of kids and she wasn't with the adults.  (Obviously, this wasn't the panicky lost-my-child scenario and we found her easily by checking indoors).  There she was; quietly sitting in her friend's room completely enamoured by her friend's dollhouse.  Just watching by the doorway as she played, I knew that WishGifting a dollhouse for her fourth birthday would be the perfect gift!

We chose to WishGift the Majectic Mansion Playhouse by KidKraft due to its high review ratings, wood furniture and because it was available at Costco.ca at a competitive rate that included free shipping.

Assembly:

My husband, who is super handy and patient, assembled the dollhouse and his feedback was:

- Took about 4-5 hours
     -approximately 1 hour to sort all 46 pieces and 136 hardware pieces.
     -approximately 1 hour to figure out the structure and organize the structure.
     -approximately 2.5 hours to build.
- All pieces fit together easily and everything lined up


When Done:
- The dollhouse measures close to 4 ft. tall.
- The house is super solid, sturdy and beautifully decorated
- The moving doors and elevator work perfectly and are easy to move.
- Looks adorable when the solid wood furniture is placed.



Assembly Instructions:

KidCraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse

KidKraft Customer Service:

Two furniture pieces came broken in the box; the bathtub was cracked and the chandelier was missing an arm.  I sent an email message to KidKraft customer service and they immediately sent the replacement pieces.  Customer service was courteous, efficient and hassle-free.

Post-Play Review:

Aliah has had her dollhouse for 9 months.  It has held up perfectly and has absolutely no signs of wear or damage.  The elevator still goes up and down smoothly and none of the furniture is chipped or broken.  This is quite surprising since the furniture pieces have been dropped and thrown lots by my 2- year-old son.  She still loves the house and plays with it often, especially when friends come over.

Complimentary Add-ons:

-The best part about the Majestic Mansion Dollhouse was its compatibility with Barbie and other toy dolls.  Barbie easily fits and can be maneuvered around the house.   Although she fits in the elevator she is too big to lie down on the bed or fit in the bathtub.  Regardless, other smaller dolls fit perfectly and it doesn't affect playtime.

Final Thoughts:

- This dollhouse is incredible and has everything!
- My daughter LOVES the Majestic Mansion Dollhouse and often plays with it.
- It takes patience and time to build.
- It's quite large so make sure you have the space.
- It's compatible with most toy dolls (so all those toy dolls in your daughter's future, WILL be played with).
- High quality structure and furniture. After 9 months of play, the dollhouse and furniture still look brand new!

**All content of this review is solely my own. My opinion, my experiences and my thoughts.  All about being honest to help you choose the right product.

Like the idea of giving-together?  Follow my blog or join me on my social networking sites to share gift ideas and inspire. 

A Broadway Camp Birthday

"Where has the time gone?" is the classic statement made when a child's birthday rolls around and this week I can't believe that a special little girl is turning six-years-old.  She's not my daughter, nor my niece but is the first baby I ever held, fed or babysat!  She's a beautiful, intelligent, mature and extremely animated child!

So...what do you get for a child who's over dolls, dress-up and most of the toys in her playroom??

Luckily, her mom thought of "us" (those racking their brains for gift-ideas) and registered the MOST perfect gift and experience for this little drama queen.  The specialized 10 day Broadway Camp focuses on dance, theater, vocals and art.  Although the program comes with a hefty price tag, group-gifting makes it an affordable, sure-to-be loved gift and I'm just hoping to get her reaction on video!

What's up with camp prices??

I attended city camp for most of my upbringing.  The $400 a summer price tag was an affordable way to keep me occupied, active and safe and has left me with awesome memories.  Obviously I didn't think camp prices were the same and was anticipating a higher cost but was shocked to hear that the average price of city camp (with extended day) was $1700...for 1 child!!  Would love to hear how parents of 2+ children afford that??