Gift ideas

Keepsake Gift Idea: T-shirt Blanket from Project Repat

June 25, 2015 by The Motherhood

For the past six months, I’ve been eyeing my drawer full of old college t-shirts and considering whether it might be time to part with them. They’ve served me for years, mostly as pajamas or workout gear, and age has taken its toll.

But recently, Project Repat, a service that upcycles old t-shirts (or jerseys, sweatshirts and more) into keepsake blankets, approached The Motherhood about collaborating on a blog campaign – and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to give my shirts new life.

I collected all the t-shirts I’ve had lying around my house for years, and I asked my parents to send me the shirts from high school that I’d never been able to part with. The oldest dates to 1999, and the newest joined my t-shirt collection just last year. My search yielded 19 total t-shirts.

At Project Repat, a lap blanket consists of 16 total panels for your t-shirt graphics (at a price of just $74.99), and a twin size blanket is 24 panels for $109.99, with increasing numbers of panels in additional full, queen and king sizes. My 19 t-shirts included 14 with graphics just on the front and five with graphics on both the front and back, which allowed for 24 total panels – so I opted for the twin size. For a nominal additional fee, I also decided to request 14×14 inch squares instead of the standard 12×12 inches, since several of my shirts featured large graphics.

Before sending in my shirts, I read the instructions provided by Project Repat on how to prepare them, cutting the ones with graphics on both sides apart along the seams. I also laid out a pattern for the blanket, took a picture and added the photo to the box of t-shirts I mailed in. (This step is optional – if you don’t provide a photo, Project Repat will create a pattern for you.)

Here is the blanket that was returned to me just a few weeks later, 24 t-shirt panels (with the bottom left corner folded up to show the black fleece backing). For size reference, this is a twin blanket with 14×14 inch panels laid out on a king bed:

This blanket represents many phases of my life, from my high school tennis team to college events, career initiatives and beyond – and I will treasure it forever. Creating a t-shirt blanket is a beautiful way to preserve memories, and it makes a great gift for a high school or college graduate in particular as they move into the next phase of their lives.

Project Repat offers the most affordable prices in the business for creating t-shirt keepsake blankets. Many of these services cost several hundred dollars, while Project Repat blankets begin at just $74.99. It is a great value and well worth it!

Top photo and “How It Works” graphic credit: ProjectRepat.com

Father’s Day Gift Guide: TM Selects Special Edition

June 16, 2015 by The Motherhood

This Sunday is Father’s Day, and the team at The Motherhood will be celebrating all of the special guys in our lives – dads, grandpas and husbands. In the spirit of TM Selects, a few members of our team have recommended an item or service they’re giving this year (or have given in the past). Read on for inspiration from our complete Father’s Day Gift Guide.

The gift of giving

When their daughter was born last year, Brittney C. and her husband made the decision to donate to charitable organizations in each other’s names for Mother’s and Father’s Days. Months ago, Brittney decided to make her Father’s Day donation to the March of Dimes, a wonderful organization dedicated to maternal and baby health that has since become a client of The Motherhood.

Some partners of the March of Dimes are offering special discounts on Father’s Day gifts, too:

The gift the whole family can enjoy

Kahlianne reports that her dad is obsessed with his Big Green Egg grill, which her family gave him several years ago. It’s provided a good source of follow-up gifts, since he loves any kind of accessory for the grill, but his favorite has been the Italian Calzone Press. Kahlianne says, “He makes some really great calzones on his grill now, and we all get to continue enjoying it!”

The gift personalized just for him

For Father’s Day this year, Emily ordered a handmade, customized keychain from Etsy for both her husband (“Dad”) and father (“Grandpa”). She gave a shout-out to Cool Mom Picks, where she originally spotted it, for the idea.

The gift that keeps on giving

Last year, Brittnee H. gifted her dad a monthly beef jerky subscription from Mouth.com, a subscription service that offers an assortment of themed packages that include edible items from all over the country. They call their offerings “indie food,” because like your favorite small bands or films, they offer an alternative experience to mainstream mass production. They also make every effort to include products that are made in the U.S.

Aside from those DIY gifts she made him as a child years ago, Brittnee said this gift was one of her dad’s all-time favorites. She loved that he received something every month, so instead of a one-time gift on Father’s Day, it kept giving all year.

The gift to highlight a bond you share

Erin and her dad both love to read, but finding a book he’ll enjoy – and hasn’t already read – can be a tricky proposition. This year, she found a solution in Brilliant Books, “Your Long Distance Local Bookstore.” Based on feedback to a short questionnaire, the service chooses and sends a new book each month to the recipient (which he or she can then read and keep). You can send hardcover or paperback books for four months, six months or one year, depending on your budget, and the price includes book selection, packaging and postage.

The practical gift

While Serena has given her dad a variety of gifts, from a hot sauce of the month subscription service to a Kindle, her go-to as a child was her dad’s favorite: a Soap-On-A-Rope. Sometimes useful gifts are the most appreciated. Consider asking the father in your life which practical items he might be able to use on a daily basis.

Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads out there. We hope you all enjoy celebrating the day together with your families.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Cool Mom Picks

June 5, 2012 by The Motherhood

With Father’s Day just around the corner, we were thrilled to have Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks join us in The Motherhood to offer us advice and inspiration on great gifts for dad. Providing additional suggestions were Cool Mom Picks editors Christina and Delilah, along with Julie of The Mom Slant.

If you are looking for a Father’s Day gift, check out these fantastic suggestions.

Serve Dad breakfast in bed with Cool Mom Picks’ pancakes – and add a little ego boost with a “World’s Greatest Dad” sign!

For later in the day, perhaps you can serve Dad’s favorite beverage complete with a whimsical take on the traditional Father’s Day necktie theme.

More treats for dads with a sweet tooth: a TV remote all to himself for the day (or at least, a cookie in the shape of a remote), Guinness flavored cupcakes, and a bucket of Swedish fish for the fisherman in your kids’ life.

Looking for something a little more savory? For Chef Dad, a french fry slicer.

If your father or husband is more into technology than treats, Cool Mom Picks and others had suggestions for him, too – like this Bluetooth-enabled audio system from Soundfreaq, or a personalized leather case for his iPhone.

If Dad has an inner geek and a great sense of humor, try visiting Superhero Supplies for fun Dad Superhero t-shirts and other items. Cool Mom Picks also recommends this “You Are My Superhero” keychain and offers suggestions for funny out-of-the-box Father’s Day cards.

Get the kids involved in DIY gifts, too. You can have young children decorate a memo pad for his desk or help draw or write a story in a nicely bound photo book.