gifts – Lessons from the Sidelines

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Christmas Gifts for Your Favorite Coaching Family

Posted on December 4, 2018February 26, 2020 by Beth Walker

Christams Gifts for Your Favorite Coaching Family

Christmas is around the corner and it’s a time of uncertainty for many football families. It stinks that the holiday season is also the season of transition, but it is what it is. I’ve compiled a list of gift ideas for your favorite coaching family. These gifts are ones they can use whether they are staying or moving!

For the Foodies:

Homemade gifts like our favorite Peppermint Hot Chocolate mix or cookies are always appreciated.

You can also take things a step further with Blue Apron or Hello Fresh gift card or specific foods such as Omaha Steaks, Giordano’s Pizza, or a wine of the month club.

For the Hobbyist:

Is there a hobby the coaching couple or family loves? Hobbies are a great way to build family memories, but they often cost money. If your favorite coaching family likes to paint pottery together or build model trains add to their opportunities to enjoy their hobby. You may think that a coaching family’s only hobby is their sport, but I guarantee you they look for ways to get away from it all even for a little while.

My husband takes our boys on a yearly guys camping trip. Several years in a row my aunt sent money to purchase a piece of camping equipment. It was a huge blessing as we built up our equipment stash and made each camping trip easier as there was less to rent.

For the Whole Family:

Our family loves to include experiences in our breaks. Whether it’s a trip to the movies, a local museum or the zoo we have found that our kids love getting to see or do things as a family.

Consider memberships to zoos, museums, or local playgroups. For older kids the opportunity to try rock climbing, horseback riding is something they will love. Finally, consider tickets to a sporting event or the theatre. Our boys don’t “love” musicals, but they have enjoyed the few we’ve attended.

If you are lucky enough to spend the holidays together look for something local to experience together. Our boys equally love a day at Dave and Busters and the Museum of Science and Industry.

For That Special Couple:

Anything that encourages a coaching couple to spend time together away from a sporting event is a huge win. Buy them a weekend away at a couple’s retreat. Coaches Time Out, FCA Marriage Getaway, and Weekend to Remember are all great events. If the timing doesn’t work out for an actual event get them a gift card for a hotel and some money for a babysitter if needed. This is the gift that is always a hit.

Date night is something many coaching families prioritize. Gift cards to local restaurants or the movie theatre are helpful and used any time of the year. For a more creative option check out The Date Night Subscription Box Crate with Love. Datebox is another fun option for a monthly creative date prompt.

Gift Cards for the New Home

Is your favorite coaching family in transition? Consider Etsy, Walmart, Ikea, Target or Amazon gift cards. There are always new spaces to decorate and things that break and require replacing. Gift cards are easy to move and will bless the family in their new home.

Well, that is my list of ideas for Christmas this year! Check out my top gift ideas for Your Favorite Coach and Your Favorite Coach’s Wife here!

Favorite Gifts for Your Favorite Coach

Posted on June 7, 2018February 26, 2020 by Beth Walker

Not only is Father’s Day coming up, but June and July are the most common months for coaching families to celebrate their wedding anniversaries! I’ve compiled a list of gifts that I think are unique, useful, or both!

Check out my suggestions for favorite gifts for your favorite coach:

Qalo Silicone Ring

Ordell recently switched to his first Qalo ring. His gold band has become pretty misshapen from strength training. Qalo has a great message, tons of variety and a discount for sis.life members!

Personalized Belt

Holtz Leather belts are beautifully made with a classic look. More than that, you can personalize them with a message on the inside! I love this idea. How cool is it you can remind your coach each time he dresses up how proud you are of him?

Digital Photo Book

Have you had an especially great run that you want to document? Digital scrapbooks are a great way to feature photos and stories together. Shutterfly and Walmart are both services I’ve used in the past.

For Your Foodie

Do you find yourself constantly sending snacks to the office? I love this new subscription service UrthBox, a healthy snack subscription service. This is a great way to encourage healthier snacks and discover some new treats to stock up on.

I love this set of four Habanero Hot Sauces or these Bourbon Infused Coffee beans from Uncommon Goods.

Technology

Does your coach love to watch film? Check out this cool smartphone projector.

If you haven’t jumped on the external battery bandwagon yet it might be time. Cell phone batteries are not what they used to be!

Does your guy misplace his keys? The Tile products are the perfect solution. Slip one on his key ring, one in the wallet, and even attach one to his gym bag if needed. They work in reverse to help you find your smartphone too!

Movie Gift Cards

You may think I’m crazy to feature going to the movies, but investing in movie gifts cards means that we have date nights to look forward to where we won’t spend money in the future.

This means spontaneous dates now have a destination!! No stressing about waiting to make sure the movie isn’t a waste of money. If it looks good, ya go!

Happy Anniversary coaches wives! Enjoy the summer break. Camp will be here soon.

Creative Gifts for the Coach’s Wife in Your Life

Posted on May 3, 2018February 29, 2020 by Beth Walker

It might seem early for a Mother’s Day gifts post, but I’m highlighting some items that will take more than Amazon’s 2-day Prime Shipping timeline to receive. There are so many creative and reasonably priced gifts out there these days! Additionally, the longer I reflect on things the more I realize how much more I appreciate unique gifts.

With our last move, we downsized our space which meant choosing only the most important pictures to display and our favorite items with which to decorate our new space. Even with those boundaries, I realized that many of the things I kept over the years I didn’t have any sentimental attachments to because I’d only purchased it to fill a gap in a room. Additionally, I don’t have room for extra things in our current space. Remember, there are zero affiliate links in this post! With those things in mind:

Here’s my list of creative gifts for the coach’s wife in your life:

Apparel

I love the Friday Night Wives shop! While it’s possible many people won’t “get” the phrasing on some of the t-shirts at first glance, I think they are hilarious. Plus you get to support a fellow coaching family with each purchase.

There stripped Coach’s Wife sweatshirt is a very popular item, but I also love the t-shirts that say “I’m here for the hot coach” and “it’s more than just a game”.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are a huge part of our whole family’s daily routine. doTerra vitamins, oils, protein shakes, cleaning supplies and massage blends are all staples.

If your wife has hinted she’s interested in learning more about essential oils get her a diffuser and a few oils. Lavender, Purify, and On Guard are used daily in our home. Does your wife carry tension in her shoulders? Deep Blue will change her life. No Joke.

Fair Trade

I recently got a purse I’ve had my eye on for a few years from Noonday. I’m thrilled with the workmanship and the mission of the whole organization.

Able bags, jeans, jewelry and dresses are all gorgeous and excellently crafted. Able is not only fashion forward, but they are financially forward providing full transparency in salaries.

Sseko Designs is the last fair trade organization I’ll highlight. I’m dying for a pair of their adorable sandals!

Subscription

Coffee is always a favorite gift. I gave coffee from the Mistobox company for Christmas and had really positive feedback.

Book of the Month is one you the reader in your life will love, but I’ll warn you, the books add up quickly. If your wife insists on “real books only” go with BotM. But, you might find an Audible subscription is more appreciated considering how often coaching families move!

Fab Fit FunThese boxes are the gifts that keep giving. With adorable seasonal items in each box, your wife will have something to look forward to year round!

Experience

There’s nothing like a weekend away to let the coach’s wife in your life know she’s number one in your book. Finding time to take 2 days away is going to take some effort and planning so any getaway will be considered amazing.

Get tickets to a show or concert.
Head to a festival like Taste of Chicago.
Plan a weekend at the spa.
Find a hotel with great room service and sleep in.
Check out local museums.
Find a beach.

Don’t have time for both of you to get away? Send your wife to the spa for a pedicure and massage.

Hand-Crafted Wall Art

If you do have some wall space to fill I suggest going sentimental. Have a family picture put on a canvas, consider a wooden feature piece that highlights your life, or check out these adorable prints!

Don’t Forget About Services!

Maybe this year you need to get a little more practical. Consider hiring someone or doing things yourself. Either way, giving your wife a week off from the daily grind is an amazing gift!

Get the garden weeded and prepped
Clean the house
Take the kids out of the house for the day
Have dinner delivered during the week

Go ahead and bookmark this post, while I’ve created this list in time for Mother’s Day, anniversary season is starting too! These gifts are great for either time as well as a birthday. Get a little creative this year with gifts, I think your coach’s wife will appreciate your efforts.

Friday Five: For Mom

Posted on May 6, 2016February 22, 2020 by Beth Walker

Today I’ve been a mother for exactly 11 years. Our oldest will be in middle school next year! It’s hard to believe that so many years ago we held our son for the first time. My first mother’s day was the day we discharged from the hospital. We arrived home to flowers and cards.

My second mother’s day out at dinner feeling a little queasy I began to realize the purchase of a pregnancy test would be needed. As you might imagine the next few Mother’s Day’s are a bit of a blur, but I have mementos to mark the years with and I’ve appreciated them all. Now that my sons are older a card usually arrives home from school along with a gift they have picked out with Ordell.

With Mother’s Day approaching here are five things to consider gifting for Mrs Disciple’s #FridayFive:

A plant. I love fresh flowers and I don’t mind that they don’t last forever either, but if you are looking for something to last longer consider a plant. One year I received bush rose plants. The tiny rose buds come back every year and it was a great reminder of spring approaching!

A pedicure or massage. Mom’s don’t often get a lot of alone time, and as summer approaches I always find myself wanting my feet to look a little nicer in my sandals. It’s amazing what an hour of pampering can do for a mom who doesn’t always take time for herself!

Dinner and a movie. It may seem silly to celebrate mother’s day without the kids, but for a mom who spends the majority of the week with her kiddos, any chance to have some uninterrupted adult time is a gift. For a less stressful date consider going out a few days before or after the Sunday designated for Mother’s Day that year.

Amazon Gift Card. Whether it’s to add a new book to a kindle, music to listen to or simply to purchase something she’s been wanting, the freedom to purchase without guilt when an ebook drops to $2.99 is always a winner!

A keepsake. A ring or pendant with birthstones, an engraved picture frame, handprints in a mold. Anything that reminders the mother you are celebrating who is is that has given her the privilege of the title Mom.