GIFTS

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, you might be scrambling for a gift idea: And we all know the usuals. Flowers, gift cards, maybe a cute purse or a trip to her local nail salon.

Do you have an easy-to-shop-for mom? Or is your mother a bit trickier, when it comes to buying her that perfect present? Either way, we have just the quiz for you.

If you love to go to the gift card section of a store when doing your holiday shopping, we have some bad news and some good news.

It may be a different year, but it’s the same story for last-minute Christmas shoppers!

Whether it was a trendy gift or something particularly sentimental, we wanted to hear about it. So we asked you, our readers and viewers: What Christmas present do you remember most from childhood?

Dogs can make you healthier, happier, and even keep you safe. Two out of every three American homes have a pet. That number significantly increased during the pandemic. And now that Christmas is around the corner, there may be another rush to add a fluffy or fido to the family. But there are a few things you should think about before gifting a pet this season.

Christmas is almost here and if you still have loved ones you want to give something to but aren’t quite sure what to give, you might want to give an experience rather than a gift – and one that can support a local business during the pandemic.

If you know Courtney, you know she LOVES shopping, but not just anywhere! She enjoys spotlighting the wonderful small businesses around Houston she comes across.

Honestly, how fun is it to invite friends over for a game night?

We don’t know about you, dear readers, but Christmas gives us all those warm, fuzzy feelings: Of years past, of childhood, and all the magic that goes hand in hand with the holiday season.

Maybe it’s your first year decorating for Christmas, or you’re looking to up your game this year, or perhaps you’ve been so busy that you’re just getting around to it.

Remember when you were a little kid and you came up with some super cool invention that was going to get you rich? There are people who have actually done it!

Whether you love the idea in general or you think it'd be cute for Facebook or your next family photo session, we're here to provide some inspiration

The University of Houston received a $5 million donation from the Wayne Duddlesten Foundation, establishing two endowed scholarships for University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business students who are studying entrepreneurship and real estate.

Whataburger has launched its new line of holiday items for the 2021 season.

A group of children gave chocolates to her after she apologised for not having treats to give them.

Perfect your Halloween costume with these finishing touches.

Trump never announced a recipient of the final $220,000 of his salary. His post-presidential office has not said where it went.

Do you know what you’re getting your dad or husband -- or any similar father figure in your life -- for Father’s Day?

Calling all fathers, dads-to-be and paternal figures: We have an important question for you.

Golf is a notable Father’s Day pastime that’s not going anywhere any time soon.

Is your dad more sporty, more outdoorsy, more artistic or something else entirely?

For some, Father’s Day might not be a time to celebrate. Some fathers aren’t here anymore, and that might bring sadness.

From low-budget to luxe, here are some of the best gifts with a Texas flair you can shower on your mom this Mother's Day.

Mother’s Day should be every day of the year, and we know you appreciate your mom and all that she has done for you throughout her life.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and families and spouses might be scrambling to plan the perfect day just for her.

Take the headache out of finding the right Mother's Day gift.

Whether you’re trying to save money or you simply don’t have much of it right now, there are still so many ways you can honor your mom on Mother’s Day.

Whataburger released a line of Valentine’s gifts from jewelry to drink tumblers, so you can express your love while loving the Texas’ staple. Whataburger 'Love Me Like You Love Whataburger' T-shirt (Whataburger)Perfect for staying home on Valentine’s Day with your special someone. Whataburger "Day Dot" (left) and "I Heart Whataburger" socks (Whataburger)A great gift for both, or for a couple you know and love this Valentine’s Day. 'Spicy' or 'Fancy' Gift Pack (Whataburger)James Avery Jewelry CharmsChoose from ‘Whataburger Texas’, ‘Fry’ or ‘Whataburger Cup’ for that special someone to wear on the next date! Whataburger Makeup Bag (Whataburger)Check out the full Whataburger merch catalog here.

A box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers are certainly nice gifts to give to your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, but why not give a gift that can last a lifetime -- when you don’t even have to leave your house to get it?

HOUSTON – The YMCA of Greater Houston announced Thursday that it will increase the minimum pay for all full-time and part-time associates. The starting minimum pay is $15 an hour for full-time associates and $10 an hour for part-time associates, according to a news release. Stephen Ives, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Houston said in a statement the initiative was a result of a generous gift received from MacKenzie Scott, who donated $18 million to the organization last year. Read more: MacKenzie Scott says she has given $4.1 billion to charity“Our intention is to increase equity and inclusion starting with ourselves, and this entry level wage adjustment is just one of the ways we are taking action internally,” Ives added. The YMCA will also use their $18 million gift to sustain efforts and to assist with other initiatives to fight inequality, address food insecurity and inspire youth to thrive.

HOUSTON – The Houston SPCA has a special gift idea to those hard-to-shop loved ones with a big heart for animals. The local animal protection organization and shelter is encouraging shoppers to “give the gift of hope for animals” by helping local homeless animals in need, according to a news release. These gifts cannot be purchased anywhere else, according to the news release. The Houston SPCA encourages to purchase the gifts by Dec. 21 for timely shipping. Gifts can also be purchased to honor a local hero in your life, such as teachers, healthcare workers or law enforcement personnel.

HOUSTON – Almost every day, Courtney and Derrick get asked about what they’re wearing or about some of the products they use. So it’s time once again to share some of their favorite items this month. If you love these products as much as they do, we have some discount codes for you as well! Full disclosure: Courtney and Derrick are not paid or compensated by these companies at all, these are simply products they love. Strong social media presence sharing fashion finds and looks they love mixed with the styling of their jewelry.

From the latest gear keeping track of your health to the coolest massage gadgets, tech expert, Nick weighs in on his top picks for the season. #1: SMART HEALTH TRACKERS: WHOOP STRAP VS. OURA RINGBoth are wearables designed to track health metrics including sleepWHOOP is $0 down, but $30 every month for the app - splurge. More health wearables are moving to a subscription-type model, so it’s important to look out for this. #2: SMART TVS: SAMSUNG QLED 65″ TV VS. LG OLED 65″ TVBoth are 65-inch Smart TVsSAMSUNG 65-inch Class QLED Q60T Series - 4K UHD Dual LED Quantum HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (QN65Q60TAFXZA, 2020 Model) - $897 – steal. #3: AT-HOME MASSAGERS: TheraGun VS. ADDADAYBoth are handheld electric massagers to encourage muscle release and stress reliefTheraGun prime is $299 – splurgeAddaday BioZoom Jr. is $149 - steal.

With the coronavirus pandemic altering lots of holiday plans this year, shippers are preparing for a significant increase in the number of packages that will need to be delivered. Here are the shipping deadlines you need to know if you want your packages to arrive by Dec. 25. Postal ServiceFor the lower 48 states:Dec. 15 -- Retail Ground ServiceDec. 18 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 19 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 23 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceFor Alaska:Dec. 18 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 19 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 21 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceFor Hawaii:Dec. 15 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 15 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 21 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceClick here for international shipping deadlines for USPS. FedExDec. 9 -- FedEx Smart PostDec. 15 -- FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx GroundDec. 21 -- FedEx Express Saver, FedEx 3Day FreightDec. 22 -- FedEx 2Day, FedEx 2Day A.M., FedEx 2Day FreightDec. 23 -- FedEx 1Day Freight, FedEx Extra Hours, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx First OvernightDec. 25 -- FedEx SameDay, FedEx SameDay City Priority, FedEx SameDay City DirectClick here for international shipping deadlines for FedEx. UPSDec. 15 -- UPS GroundDec. 21 -- UPS 3 Day SelectDec. 22 -- UPS 2nd Day AirDec. 23 -- UPS Next Day AirDec. 25 -- UPS is closed, but UPS Express Critical is availableShipments to certain destinations may require an earlier ship date.

Let's get the Elf on the Shelf to work for us this year (and hopefully every year moving forward).

Having a baby, and bringing that baby home from the hospital for the first time as a new parent, is a whirlwind.

Amazon Prime Days are here, and as the author of this story, I have to tell you: I did a LOT more online purchasing than I planned on, just while sitting around my house in quarantine last year.

Board games are pretty popular among adults, who are, more and more, trading video games for game pieces. Honestly, how fun is it to invite friends over for a game night? Disturbed FriendsOn the box, it says: “This game should be banned.” Those who love this game will probably disagree. How predictable was it that a board game about memes would be made, considering how much people love them? Players have to fight off the game’s raiders and gain money by transporting goods, such as water and ammunition, across the game map.

On the prowl for a gift for your niece, cousin, mom, sister or friend? Or are you just shopping for yourself this holiday season?

Charcoal toothpaste has been making the rounds for a while now, so I had to see what the hype was about. Stop buying those (wasteful) throw-away makeup wipes -- this is what you need instead. “(These are) the best and strongest of all the wipes, well-priced, and they are great for so many things. I had about a million moms recommend this stuff, and after trying a few competitors' products, came to confirm that it's truly the best. Email us with your product recommendations and all the reasons why you swear by the stuff.

For those who are stumped about what kind of gift to buy for Father’s Day, maybe one suggestion that could help is this: Start with what not to buy for the occasion. Coupon Lawn surveyed more than 1,000 fathers in the United States to see what their most unwanted gifts were for Father’s Day. The survey found that 46% of people buy clothes as Father’s Day gifts. The responses found that 30% of fathers dislike receiving these, even though 59% of people who get gifts on Father’s Day buy cards. Coupon Lawn said as part of its survey that $5.3 billion is spent on unwanted Father’s Day gifts, although that is half of the $10.5 billion the site said is spent on unwanted Mother’s Day gifts.

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and everyone wants to give their dad a memorable gift, but are you stumped? Here are some sweet, heartwarming gifts Houstonians have given or received on Father’s Day. People say, ‘Good job!’ Job? His first breath took mine away!” - Facebook follower Preston LohmannWhat's the best gift you've ever given or received for Father's Day? Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Monday, June 15, 2020Do you remember what the best gift you’ve received on Father’s Day?

Still struggling to find the perfect Fathers Day gift? Houston Astros mascot Orbit is creating custom videos for Fathers Day. In the videos, Orbit will hold up multiple signs revealing a special message written by children to their dad. The deadline to request a special fathers day video from Orbit is June 17. Click here to reserve your custom video.

It isn’t always easy to budget for graduation gifts, especially amid the pandemic and with other holidays that fall during the same season. Here are 10 all for $50 or less that we think the graduate in your life will enjoy. Put together a gift set that includes a laundry basket, detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets and a roll of quarters. Coffee makerA coffee maker is the perfect gift for a recent grad who regularly needs a caffeine boost as part of the morning routine. First aid kitRest easy by giving the gift of safety to your graduate.

As we all know, this Mother’s Day was quite different than most years, but that didn’t have to make it any less special. Even though this year was unconventional due to the coronavirus pandemic, we’re confident you all had creative and beautiful ways to honor your mother -- or another woman in your life, and we want to see what you did. Share with us a photo of how you pulled off Mother’s Day, despite some strange world circumstances.

Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday, May 10. SALE Bath bombs 5$25 Bath bomb grab bags $8 Highlighted Soap Salted Cucumber & Pepino Melon $3 Baseball Caps $10 Don't forget Mother's day! Elaine’s Florist & Gift BasketsAddress: 4782 Beechnut, HoustonElaine’s Florist & Gift Baskets will have a Mother’s Day special with custom bouquets. DGZ ChocolatesDGZ is now taking orders for Mother’s Day on boxed toffee and chocolate turtles. Houston Wine MerchantAddress: 2646 S. Shepherd, HoustonThe scenes you’ve been sharing of you, your meals, and your Houston Wine Merchant hauls are inspiring!

High-tech gifts for the season Who's that coming down the chimney? Why, it's Techno Claus (a.k.a. David Pogue of Yahoo News), offering his tech-gift suggestions for the ho-ho-holidays.

High-tech gifts sure to be a hit on Father's Day The tech sector has a wide variety of options for that special Father's Day gift. From cufflinks that double as a Wi-Fi hotspot to a lawn-mowing robot, there's something for everybody. CNET's Sumi Das reports.