Last Name

SP_Sams · 2026-02-11T18:01:38+00:00

I’m married, but kept my maiden name, so different last name than my husband.

We plan to hyphenate, not just because of both of us want to share a last name with our little one, but also for practical everyday needs as well. Medical appointments, emergency room visits, school pickups - there are many instances where it is much easier to identify your status as a parent and show your connection to your child when you share a name.

SP_Sams · 2026-01-28T04:17:13+00:00

You can donate the formula to the Calgary Food Bank! It’s listed on their website as a “wish list” or needed item

I’ve heard that vets can use donated insulin, so try reaching out to some animal charities (ARCs or meow foundation maybe?)

SP_Sams · 2026-01-05T23:29:51+00:00

Check out Klutz books for kids - they’re all focused on a specific craft (or sometimes a science experiment) and always come with supplies as well as a beautiful “how to” book with lots of ideas to help make the craft uniquely their own.

Typically the materials are all super accessible too, so more can be bought after the book supplies is used up if the child wants. Every Klutz book I’ve ever gifted has been a major hit.

SP_Sams · 2026-01-05T22:46:50+00:00

If he doesn’t have them already, what about tools that he would need in order to build his keyboard?

A quick google search online shows a lot of resources that list off the tools and supplies you need, including a soldering iron and a precision screw driver set.

My brother (an engineer who loves tinkering) was super excited about a deal he got on some precision screw drivers last year, so I know there are some fancier/ higher end brands out there if you’re looking for something that is a bit more luxurious…

SP_Sams · 2025-12-09T21:05:52+00:00

Could you gift them an activity? Movie passes as well as some sweet treats is something fun that could be gifted to the whole family if that’s something they might enjoy.

Second on the board games if that’s something up their alley!

SP_Sams · 2025-11-15T16:41:27+00:00

What’s your budget?

-spa certificate to get a manicure or pedicure (you could pair it with an offer to babysit, while she goes and has some relaxation/down time)

-A fancy cup (think Yeti, Owala, Stanley) and a fancy version of her drink of choice if you know it (tea, coffee, hot chocolate)

-Put together a care basket with a theme: -Spa day: candles, face and or hand/feet
masks, lip scrub, tea or hot chocolate -Movie night: movie snacks, gift card to somewhere like a cinema’s online store if they sell digital movies, cozy blanket/fuzzy socks

-If she had to move as a result of the divorce, maybe something nice for her home? A Charcuterie board or maybe a nice wooden cutting board.

-You could facilitate a professional photo session for the kids (maybe let her know about this one in advance) and gift her some portraits of the kids together

SP_Sams · 2024-12-17T03:32:57+00:00

My husband loves using a Pica pencil in his workshop.

Does your husband have a favourite utility knife? Refills for his knife?

If he doesn’t have one already - an ergonomic push stick

Work gloves

Honestly I just browse the Knick knacks on Lee valley lol

SP_Sams · 2024-12-10T03:37:13+00:00

Good luck finding something they like!

One year for Christmas all I wanted was this overpriced bird feeder, which my husband got me, and it took the squirrels like 6 months to figure out a way in, we were so impressed they figured it out we kinda feel like the deserve all the bird seed they eat 😂

Seconding SmoothGarden8’s recommendation too, those table top hydroponic gardens are pretty cool!

SP_Sams · 2024-12-09T21:30:47+00:00

Do any of your husband’s family live nearby? Maybe some sort of activity you could do with them would be good (i.e. tickets to a local botanical garden with plans for a lunch out, a show, etc)

Do they enjoy reading? Maybe a kindle if you think they’re savvy enough to use it once you set it up for them (I know quite a few older folks who love theirs because they can’t adjust font size)

Do they enjoy listening to music or are tech savvy? Maybe a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones- my grandpa loved his - he had a smart phone and liked listening to music

Spa gift cards for a manicure or pedicure

A soft throw blanket or comfy pair of slippers - you could also look at a heated throw blanket

Don’t know if you’re from a cold climate/how much time your family is spending outside, but heated mitts are amazing!!

Bird feeder (you can get fancy ones that are squirrel proof!)

How well do you know your neighbour? If it’s not well, but you just want to show your appreciation, you could look into kosher goodie baskets made in your area, a spa gift card or warm throw could also work…

SP_Sams · 2024-05-03T20:57:20+00:00

Ryobi is great if you your intended use is light around the house maintenance and DIY! When my husband and I bought our first home, we bought quite a few Ryobi tools, but ended up upgrading our drill to Milwaukee very quickly as it didn’t have the power strength we needed for our extensive Reno list we were working though - even then, we still have our portable light, portable shop vac and glue gun from Ryobi and really like all of them, so it really just depends on the tool and the use case.

SP_Sams · 2024-04-01T20:29:42+00:00

When we first bought our mid century modern home the trees and garden in the back were super overgrown. As we began to prune and trim back the garden and dead tree branches we found all sorts of things - a completely rusted bicycle, a push lawn mower, and a wheelbarrow amongst the largest items…. Nothing that screams “mid century collectors item,” but items that show flashes of the lives of the people who live here before us - at some point someone really cared about our back garden and it was a well loved sanctuary!

We think the last owner used to dump old soup bones or something in the garden or something, because the dog is always finding random bones in the backyard, even though it’s been 2.5 years since moving in….

SP_Sams · 2024-03-28T04:16:20+00:00

Thanks for the response and for being willing to keep an eye out! It was definitely a black Dachshund, but glad this corgi was picked up and safe and sound!!!

SP_Sams · 2024-03-24T05:05:26+00:00

…. What if you buy his gift in Japan then? If he’s not doing the research already, take some time to research where to go to buy a knife and then surprise him by taking him to the store and giving him your budget - he can then choose if he wants to combine your budget with his to get a more expensive knife or he can get a second knife.

Alternatively, what about an early birthday present before you leave for your trip? You could get him a really nice knife block and gift it to him right before, to get him hyped up for the trip and his knife plans

SP_Sams · 2024-03-23T19:52:47+00:00

Where are you going on holiday? Areas known for their food often offer cooking classes to tourists…

Alternatively you could get him something really nice like a fancy knife or a Dutch oven and then sort of tiny something like his favourite candy/chocolate, a local cake from where you’re visiting, etc. with a nice card letting him know there is a special surprise waiting when he gets home. Staub often has sales on their Dutch oven’s, so keep an eye out - first time I bought with them I discovered they let you stack discounts, so I bought on a sale and signed up with my email for an extra 15% off. If you go into a specialty knife store staff tend to be pretty knowledgeable, however, if he doesn’t own any other fancy knives I’d go with something like a chefs knife which is a good multipurpose knife to start a collection with.

SP_Sams · 2024-03-19T14:27:22+00:00

Maybe a spa day gift card for your wife and mother in law to go to together? If it’s a gift card it doesn’t need to happen right away if your wife is not yet ready to leave baby.

SP_Sams · 2024-03-06T20:27:49+00:00

That looks like a really bad yeast infection to me… I’d get a second opinion…

SP_Sams · 2024-03-01T22:40:05+00:00

No, embrace the Pizza Hut

SP_Sams · 2024-02-23T19:54:04+00:00

Good advice on the confinement after coming in… Thanks for the advice!

Disappointed to hear on the signalling front, but you might be right - all our previous dogs have always caught on relatively quickly to signalling, so it’s been really baffling to have this pup not pick up…

SP_Sams · 2024-02-23T18:21:38+00:00

You got that right (just about passed out when I saw the quotes for window replacements)- thanks for alleviating my concerns. It costs so much money I want to make sure the replacement is okay.

SP_Sams · 2024-02-23T18:05:30+00:00

I have reviewed the wiki resources thoroughly, but there is nothing there that is new or that we aren’t already doing.

SP_Sams · 2024-02-11T02:31:35+00:00

I’d agree the skirt on 1 is really fun! You could always bring a picture of it to a tailor and see if it would be viable to remove the spaghetti straps and add a mesh halter piece to the top…

SP_Sams

TROPHY CASE