31 Days of Reading Well: Day 7, Great Books to Gift

Looking for a great book to gift for Christmas, a birthday, or just as a surcee (as my dear Robin calls those anytime presents)? Here are some of my suggestions. This is all my opinion and not sponsored, although if you do buy something from Amazon I will get a small percent commission. But really ... I just love books and love talking about them! If you ever want a personal recommendation, PLEASE e-mail me!

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Invitation to a Journey by Robert Mulholland. While I haven't read this, it's often quoted in Serendipity House products and it's up there on my list of books to read! He has great wisdom on your spiritual journey.



If your reading friend is also a foodie, like me, I would HIGHLY recommend the Ruth Reichl memoirs. Reichl was the editor of Gourmet magazine (before it was sadly shut down in 2009); her writing is phenomenal and recipes enchanting. In order, they are Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples, Garlic and Sapphires, and Not Becoming My Mother.

My dad is a Civil War buff, and I've had Confederates in the Attic on my list of books to get him for a while now. It has great review on Amazon and I'm pretty sure he would love it. He has unique tastes, but some books he's received as gifts and enjoyed are Shulz and Peanuts and The Autobiography of Mark Twain.

My husband doesn't read a ton, but he raced through the Song of Albion Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead. The author writes fantasy with a Christian slant, I believe. If Mr. V read them, though, I can guarantee that most sci fi/fantasy fans will like them! The books are The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.

I used to make Listmania lists on Amazon occasionally, and my favorite is What English Majors Read After College. There you'll find some of my favorite gems from the past five years of reading outside of the classroom!


Some books Libbie likes are Toes, Ears & Nose (recommended to us by Alli-n-Son); One Shining Star, a great Christmas book for little ones; My Mommy and Me, with enchanting illustrations; and everything Lauren Child's ever done ... oh wait, that's just me (I'm sure she'll grow to love them as well)!

I have read some great gems this year that I think appeal to a wide audience. If somehow the reader in your life has not devoured The Help or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, start with those. I really loved Olive Kitteridge and The Paris Wife (the latter especially if the recipient is a literature or history buff).



For more recommended reading from The Wife, you can check out:
My Favorite Books of All Time
What I Read in 2008
Favorite Books of 2007

Are there any books you like to give to others or constantly find yourself recommending? 

Updated post from the archives, November 2009


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Guest Post: 10 Great Gifts for Older Brothers and Sisters

Kelly is the author of MisKellany--and a friend of mine from high school! She is mom to Simon, 18 months, and a graduate student who lives in Mississippi. Kelly is passionate about green living and posts vegetarian Menu Plan Mondays each week! 

I am the blessed Mama of one eighteen-month-old boy. Although we are not planning on having another baby for at least another year or two, I can already see how it will be a challenge to divide my attention between a newborn and a toddler or preschooler. However, with a little planning and creativity, I think most Mamas can juggle the transition successfully without resorting to screaming, hours of television, or a permanent loss of sanity. Here are some great gift ideas for the soon-to-be big brother or sister in your life that might help ease the addition of a new family member:

1. Art supplies such as these chubby, non-rolling crayons from Oompa toys are sure to be a hit with most kids. Pick art supplies that will be new and exciting but not too challenging for the sibling you are shopping for. The same rule goes for things like puzzles. Go for engaging, not frustrating for a child do do by themselves without immediate assistance.

2. Play food such as this adorable soft play food set can keep kids busy preparing pretend meals for everyone in the family in their play kitchen or in Mama's pots and bowls.

3. Look for interactive books such as this stack of books that can be stacked like blocks, read like books, or sorted by color or shape. The small size of these books is nice because they won't be likely to bonk baby in the head if Mama ends up with two little ones in her lap.

4. A set of suitcases or other containers like these nesting suitcases will keep many kids entertained for hours. My son loves to start collections in buckets to carry around the house. These could also be an excellent way for a big sister or brother to help carry diapers or other baby essentials from one room to another.

5. A play tent or fort like this amazing tent just for big brother or sister might help create a place for big kids only that makes your new older sibling feel special. It could be a good place of their own for them to keep special toys and books and retreat to when they are feeling left out.

6. Puppets or other imaginative toys may be just the thing for children of a certain age. Puppets such as these finger puppets offer hours of open-ended imaginative time with limited amount of parental input. Some children will be able to play with them independently, while others will want more interaction, but participating in imaginary puppet play could be easy for a Mama sitting in a rocker nursing a newborn, since it does not necessarily involve getting up!

7. A baby doll might be just what the new big sibling in your life needs. While Mama changes the newborn's diaper, big brother or big sister can practice changing  this doll's diaper and being a big helper.

8. Plan ahead with cute snack bags in the refrigerator and the pantry each night. Some pre-filled bags with healthy snacks will help the new sibling become more self-sufficient and less impatient with a busy second or third time mom.

9. Special time together without the baby is probably the best thing that anyone could give a new big sister or big brother who still needs to feel special or cared for despite the hubbub of life with a newborn. Dads, grandparents, and special family friends, think about taking the new sibling to the science museum and out to get a milkshake afterwards so that she still feels like an important member of the family.

10. Moms, what is the best gift your child ever received upon the birth of a new sibling?

This post is linked to Top Ten Tuesday.


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Charitable Giving with Stocking Stuffers

I love me some stocking stuffers. They are so fun to pick out. When I was a kid, we always got a LifeSaver Storybook, an orange, and a book, amongst other things. Last year, I detailed some fun stocking stuffers from Etsy and a few other sites.

This year, I wanted to share some inexpensive items you could purchase that help give back at the same time!

1. Hope Suds

A bag of detergent might be a little large for a stocking ... but you could divide it into baggies and give them to your friends. These earth-friendly detergents help support orphan adoption through Vitafamiliae.

2. Orphaned No More Bracelets

I am totally in love with these fabric-covered bracelets, which one mother is selling to help support the adoption of her daughter Isabella from China.

3. Kiva gift card

Kiva is a program that gives microloans to people who really need them. My husband was just telling me about this the other day, so I was super-excited to see a Groupon today for their gift cards! Guess what you're getting in your stocking, dearest?

4. Donation to any charitable site in the person's name

On that note, I've often purchased items from the Samaritan's Purse Catalog in someone's name and printed off an explanation of what the gift was. I would much rather spend $20 on clean water than on a kitschy desk toy.

5. Shopping Tote

I love this little reusable shopping bag that folds up into your purse. I am sure I am not the only one who sometimes has trouble remembering to bring those reusable bags to the grocery store. This would fit neatly in a stocking, helps the environment, and brings funds to Mercy House Kenya.

6. Coffee

Mmm, coffee. I love coffee. Buying this fair-trade coffee helps my friend Nancy's family adopt from Ethiopia.

7. Pacifier clip

Buying one of these precious paci clips helps a family sponsor a child in Ethiopia. If you like to fill a stocking for your wee ones, this would be a fun gift!

8. Handmade Jewelry

Buying these gorgeous earrings would help support a local humane society!

And if you buy THESE earrings, the crafter will donate $2 to school-building efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

9. Ponytail holders

My fellow Chattanoogan, Sara, has just made the decision to adopt from Ethiopia; so all the items from her Etsy store are helping to support their adoption. I love the ponytail holders!! I may buy one or two for my own stocking. ;)

10. Bookplates

If you have and lend out a lot of books like I do, bookplates are a great thing to have! I love these cute designs, and 50% of the seller's proceeds benefit the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Fund.

There are so much amazing, hand-crafted goods out there that support great causes. Do you have a favorite cause you support at Christmas?  

You should also check out Amanda's post on gifts she wants to give for more ideas!



Added to Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family and Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.

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Giftable Blog Giveaways: Week Three

If you missed what's going on with these, this post should explain it.

I've filtered out any giveaways that have expired and left the ones you can still enter. Please add your new giveaways here, and I'll add some I find as well. Anyone win anything yet they can give away? 

Strangely, I recently won $250 worth of baby clothes from Macy's and BlogHer. Sadly, they are 6-9 month winter stuff. Don't think they will fit my little guy unless he is tiny next winter!





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Giftable Blog Giveaways, Just in Time For Christmas!

I've done something lately I don't do a whole lot of--enter blog giveaways.

I mean, I do occasionally. I've won a maternity shirt, a V-Tech Reader, a Vintage Pearl necklace ... some great things! But the blogosphere is so supersaturated with giveaways sometimes it's hard to wade through them and find something you would even like to have.

Lately, I've entered with a purpose: find items I could gift for Christmas! Because when you are frugal and/or not rolling in money, FREE is the best price for a Christmas present.

I thought we could help one another out by having a link-up for giveaways here that would make great gifts (for anyone, kids included). No cleaning supplies. Nothing too practical. And let's be honest, if you win that $100 Visa gift card, you're going to keep it for yourself. Just fun items that would be great to gift.

PLEASE link to the specific post, not the general blog, or it will be deleted. Please add the "end by" date somewhere in your title so we all know! I will repeat this every week until the beginning of December.




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Stocking Stuffers

I love stocking stuffers. On Christmas morning, after we woke our parents up at precisely 7 A.M. sharp, we were allowed to open the presents in our stockings before having our Christmas breakfast feast. Our stockings ALWAYS included a LifeSavers storybook (do you love or hate Butter Rums? I lo-o-o-ve them).

My cousin Laura asked about stocking stuffers from Etsy the other day on Twitter, and it got me thinking that it would be fun to share some stocking stuffer ideas, in case you're running low on inspiration!

1. An orange. Healthful and fits perfectly in the awkward toe!

2. A book. Here are some ideas I shared earlier. A little paperbook fits just right.

3. I totally love this "Drink Me" bottle opener. I don't have a lot of use for a bottle opener, honestly, but surely you know someone who partakes of such bottled beverages. ;)


4. I think these crocheted pear coasters are fun, whimsical, and useful.


5. Jewelry is always good for a stocking, as it's usually small. This pink and black Scrabble tile pendant is fun and inexpensive ($6.99).


6. If you have a baby's stocking to fill, I love the little "thumbie" lovey blankets from Pottery Barn Kids. They look so soft, and I know Libbie would love one.


7. An ornament is always fun and useful. How adorable is this owl?


8. How about creating some nostalgia and giving a package of astronaut ice cream? We used to get this every time we went to the Air and Space Museum in DC.


9. For your favorite caffeine addict friend, how about some caffeinated soap? I've always been tempted to get this for my mom.


10. And hey, if you're filling a stocking for an office enemy and are feeling a little Dwight, how about this SpyCam pen?



// This post in completely unsponsored, unaffiliate-linked. Just some fun ideas! I will, however, be linking it to Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.com.

Share a fun stuffing stocker idea in the comment section!

Gift Guide: Books to Gift

Looking for a great book to gift this Christmas? Here are some of my suggestions! This is all my opinion and not sponsored, although if you do buy something from Amazon I will get a small percent commission. But really ... I just love books and love talking about them! If you ever want a personal recommendation, PLEASE e-mail me!

Invitation to a Journey by Robert Mulholland. While I haven't read this, it's often quoted in our Serendipity House products and it's up there on my list of books to read! He has great wisdom on your spiritual journey.


If your reading friend is also a foodie, like me, I would HIGHLY recommend the Ruth Reichl memoirs. Reichl was the editor of Gourmet magazine (before it was sadly shut down this year!) and her writing is phenomenal and recipes enchanting. In order, they are Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples, Garlic and Sapphires, and Not Becoming My Mother.

My dad is a Civil War buff, and I've had Confederates in the Attic on my list of books to get him for a while now. It has great review on Amazon and I'm pretty sure he would love it. I've already grabbed his present for this year from Paperbackswap, though...a pristine copy of a hardback book he'll love!

My husband doesn't read a ton, but he raced through the Song of Albion Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead. The author writes fantasy with a Christian slant, I believe. If Mr. V read them, though, I can guarantee that most sci fi/fantasy fans will like them! The books are The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.

I used to make Listmania lists on Amazon occasionally, and my favorite is What English Majors Read After College. There you'll find some of my favorite gems from the past five years of reading outside of the classroom!


Some books Libbie likes are Toes, Ears & Nose (recommended to us by Alli-n-Son); One Shining Star, a great Christmas book for little ones; My Mommy and Me, with enchanting illustrations; and everything Lauren Child's ever done ... oh wait, that's just me (I'm sure she'll grow to love them as well)!

And some books that are on my current wishlist? When You Were Just a Heartbeat by Laurel Molk, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, and The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

For more recommended reading from The Wife, you can check out:
My Favorite Books of All Time
What I Read in 2008
Favorite Books of 2007



Want to win a copy of I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child? (A book I could have written myself! Ha!) Leave me a comment with a book you'd love to get for Christmas this year.

For additional entries:
* Subscribe to Vanderbilt Wife or let me know that you already subscribe
*Tweet about this contest [Come and get some ideas of what books to gift this Christmas and win a Lauren Child book from @vanderbiltwife! http://bit.ly/8fn11p]

--You MUST comment about the book first and you MUST leave an extra comment for each additional entry. If you do not do these things, your comment will be deleted.
--If your Blogger account does not have your e-mail attached (you can check by following Hillary's instructions HERE), you MUST leave an e-mail where I can reach you.

I will choose one winner on December 1st! Winner will have 48 hours to let me know their address so I can ship your book.