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My Mother’s Day Gift List

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If you’re reading this you must be on the hunt for the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Picking a gift for a mom is tricky. A lot of the time she already has a lot of the things she needs. And a lot of the time she already has a lot of the things she wants. And all of the the time she does not ask for much. This makes shopping for mom’s a little bit tricky. But don’t fret, I am here to help! If you’re shopping for mom, grandma, your mother in law, auntie, or another special momma in your life, I hope this list gives you just the perfect gift idea for her.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Pottery

Pottery: functional, useful, sturdy, and beautiful. The past few years I’ve been on a pottery collecting mission. Some I’ve got as gifts, some with gift cards, and some I’ve purchased myself. I have everything from soup bowls to a pie pan, salt and pepper shakers and a planter. They are very sturdy (I dropped a shaker from the countertop, and it held up just fine, but I wouldn’t suggest testing them necessarily, haha!). Most of the pottery I have is from Bruning Pottery, and recently my mom and I also purchased some Polish pottery from Northcountry Fair, a local kitchenware store. They are beautifully glazed and painted, and are almost too pretty to use. I would really suggest any type of pottery as a great Mother’s Day, or any day, gift. They are heirloom items that anyone will enjoy.

Polish pottery at Northcountry Fair in Soldotna, Alaska. A great Mother’s Day gift.
Polish pottery displayed at Northcountry Fair in Soldotna, Alaska. I purchased the piece on the right and absolutely love it.

Storyworth

If you haven’t heard of Storyworth before I’ll give you a little intro into what it is. Storyworth is a subscription that emails the gift recipient a question every week for them to answer. You can write your own questions, pick from their list of questions, or use randomly selected questions from Storyworth’s vast library of ideas. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the questions, and range from questions regarding childhood, military service, family history, personal development, travel, and more. If the writer so chooses, they can have their answers emailed to whomever they like so others can follow along as they create their autobiography.

Once a year’s worth of questions have been answered Storyworth will compile them into a hardcover book. Personal photos can even be included to correlate with the answers, and they can be printed in black and white or in color for an additional cost. You can order multiple copies of the books to share with family and friends as well.

If you think this sounds like a gift that you would give to someone very elderly with a lot of life experience, you’d be correct. I think it would be a great gift for someone elderly so you can look back on all of the memories and get more insight and advice from them. BUT, I also think this would be a great gift for anyone at any age.

I gave this subscription to both of my parents to fill out while they are younger since I feel like it is easier to remember details of your life and easier to type before you get a bit older. Plus, you can also give this subscription multiple times at any age and see if answers change as people get older, and ask entirely new questions. I think it is equally a gift to the recipient as it is a gift to the purchaser since you can learn so much about the people you give it to, and cherish the memories it brings.

You can save $10 on your Storyworth subscription by using my link here.

Cookies

Who doesn’t love cookies? They’re delicious, don’t take up a bunch or room in your house, and they’re cute! Cheryl’s Cookies is my go-to online cookie shop. They make adorable and delicious cookies for any occasion, and all you have to do is pick them out, pay, and they ship them off. It’s so easy; you don’t even have to dirty a baking pan!

The Flower Letters

A monthly subscription to pressed flowers mailed in letters? Nope! The Flower Letters is a letter subscription, though. It’s an “old school” storytelling subscription that consists of two letters per month for a year which chronicle the personal lives of the letter writers and events taking place during that era. There are multiple letter collections to choose from, and I highly recommend checking out this unique gift idea here! I’m getting the second collection of The Flower Letters for my mom this year (I got the “Audrey Rose Collection for her last year.), but shh don’t tell her! 😉

Bay Bands

Spiff up momma’s hair accessory game with Bay Bands! They have a HUGE variety of headband prints to choose from, and are a super useful, comfortable, and affordable Mother’s day gift. I have a whole collection of different patterns from Bay Bands, including manatees (my favorite!), leopard, solid teal, fall leaves, and more!

You can save 15% of your Bay Bands order with my referral link here.

Magazine Subscriptions

There is a magazine subscription out there for any type of interest your mom may have. Aviation? They’ve got one! Gardening, home design, farming? They’ve got those, too. A couple of my favorites are Taste of Home and Country Living. They make convenient and fun gifts that won’t break the bank, and they make great last minute Mother’s Day gifts as well.

One of my favorite magazines. Because who doesn’t love tasty new recipe ideas?

Get Personal

Don’t roll your eyes when I say this but personalized jewelry. I know, jewelry for Mother’s Day, but hear me out! You can get jewelry inscribed with loved ones handwriting, and it really is such a unique, special, and one of a kind sentimental gift. I ordered rings for my family with my grandma’s handwriting on them, and they turned out so well. There are many shops that do this now; this is the shop I ordered from.

Liberty Original Bottles

Keep a momma hydrated, and buy American made with a Liberty Original water bottle. They have a wide array of designs, and you can get personalized bottles as well. Their prices are very reasonable and the bottles are very sturdy.

Turbie Twist

If you dont know what a Turbie Twist is, let me introduce you to the product you didn’t know both you and your gift recipient need. Basically a Turbie is a hair wrap that you can wrap and secure your hair in after a shower. Instead of fighting a normal bath towel to stay put on your head, the Turbie is secured in place with an easy twist and elastic. A super simple solution to a common hair drying problem, the Turbie makes a great Mother’s Day gift. You can get different colors and patterns as well to suit your recipients personality!

Flowers and Plants

Flowers from your local florist, online, or even the grocery store always make for a pretty gift. They’re cherry, bright, and smell lovely; who doesn’t love that? But if flowers aren’t your ideal gift idea, why not gift a plant? They can even be practically free if you plan ahead! Just grab a clipping of your own plant, get it growing, grab a beautiful planter (Maybe even a pottery one as suggested above?), plant it, and you’ve got yourself a great gift!

A tiny succulent in a frog pot.
Not enough space for a large plant? Tiny succulents make great gifts, too, and are adorable!

Books

Books, or gift cards to bookstores, make for great gifts. Just pair it up with mom’s favorite tea or coffee and boom, you’ve got yourself a Mother’s Day gift.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but I recently gifted this coffee to my mom and husband, and it got some rave reviews!


Photo Book

Don’t keep all those memories locked up on your phone, share them in a custom photo book! You can use Shutterfly to make some pretty fly (pun intended) photo books, gifts, prints, and more. I’ve ordered multiple items from them and I’ve been very pleased with the quality. 

Memories

Pick out an activity, go to lunch, or just spend time hanging out with mom on her special day. Time is the gift money cant buy, so share some of yours with her to show your appreciation and gratitude.

Now that you’ve checked out my Mother’s Day Gift list, I hope you’ve found something (or some things!) to add to your cart. And to all you mother’s shopping for other momma’s this Mother’s Day, Happy Mother’s Day to you!

Reviewing the Resort: The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Resort

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

After having the opportunity to stay at The Hotel Alyeska for the first time last August, I thought what a better time to do review then now! If you want the overall review without all the reading, I would definitely recommend staying at The Hotel Alyeska at least one in your lifetime. If you want the whole scoop on my reasoning for this, continue reading.

The Hotel Alyeska on a beautiful August day.

The Hotel Alyeska

The Hotel Alyeska is the beautiful lodging located at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska. The hotel is popular for tourists and locals alike. It’s hopping with skiers and snowboarders in winter, and bustling with bikers and tourists in summer. It’s location, being less than an hour from Anchorage, makes it a convenient place for a weekend getaway, a day trip to enjoy some fresh winter powder, or even a wedding location, which is what we were there for.

I can’t say I ever thought I would be comfortable at a resort. To be honest, cabins are more my thing, but The Hotel Alyeska was very comfortable and inviting. The first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was the amazing scent. It smelled like a beautifully scented spruce Christmas candle, and really gave off a comforting and relaxing vibe. The second thing was the polite and friendly staff. The concierge was so helpful, and our waitress at one of the resort restaurants was very fun and informative. Since I had never been to a resort, I assumed it would feel stuffy and uninviting. I was quite wrong as the atmosphere and employees made me feel right at home.

Rooms and Accommodations

Since we were staying there for a wedding, I got to see few different types rooms offered at the hotel. Some of the rooms were huge and multi leveled, so you can really get whatever type of room you please depending on your budget. We got a good deal on a room due to being part of a block of rooms for the wedding, otherwise the rooms tend to be a little pricey, but worth the splurge.

Our room was not huge but had two queen beds, was clean, comfortable, and had a fantastic view. It faced the mountain and the tram so we really lucked out and had the perfect view of the resort. If you do end up staying there, I would suggest asking if it would be possible to have a room facing the direction of the tram, otherwise you may end up with a less desirable parking lot view. Not that you will be in your room much with all the activities there are to do, but a nice view is a great bonus.

The beautiful view from our room. (Just ignore the window spots!)

Activities

There is no shortage of things to do at The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Resort. The resort is best known for skiing and snowboarding, and it’s quite popular due to being so close to Anchorage, but no matter what season, there is always something there to enjoy outdoors and indoors as well.

Biking, hiking, and sightseeing in general are great ways to explore the area. It’s also a very convenient starting point to go on cruises, see glaciers on foot, by cruise, or even by jet ski, and visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. (Check out my detailed post on the conservation center here.) You can also take the previously mentioned tram for a bird’s eye view of the resort and surrounding area.

There is a lot to see and do inside as well. You’ll be able to check out shops, and even visit their Nordic Spa, which I can’t wait to see sometime! They also have a variety of art and taxidermy throughout the resort that is interesting to see. Don’t forget to check out Girdwood, too, to get a taste of the quirky and fun surroundings of Alyeska.

The tram making its way up the mountain.

Dining

You can grab a bite to eat as well. As far as food goes, I would suggest trying some of the restaurants at Alyeska and then explore what is available in Girdwood as well. We only had breakfast at the resort since we were having food at the wedding. It was quite pricey for what it we got, but the service was great, and the view was picturesque.

Since we were just there for the wedding I didn’t get much time to check everything out, but I did throughly enjoy our visit and can’t wait to go back. The hotel and resort are absolutely beautiful, and the land that surrounds it is even prettier. The top-notch staff, stunning views, and variety of activities really make The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Resort a must-see place. I would highly suggest if it is within your budget to check out The Hotel Alyeska, Alyeska Resort, and the surrounding area. 

Do you have questions about an upcoming trip to Alaska? Ask them in the comments! Have you visited The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Resort before? Tell me about your experience, and share any of your tips and advice regarding your visit in the comments!

The entrance to The Hotel Alyeska.


Our Visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise noted. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items.

The first time I visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center was on our 4th grade field trip. It seemed like an amazing place at the time, with such a variety of close up animal encounters and a location with an picturesque backdrop. I had wanted to go back ever since, but have never made the time to go until this past weekend, and it did not disappoint!

With the abundant amount of things to do and see in Alaska, I’m sure you’re trying to figure out if you should add AWCC to your vacation checklist. I would say “Yes!”, but you can read further and see if you agree!

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
The cozy moose barn at AWCC.

What is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?

You can basically think of AWCC as a tour of Alaska’s wildlife, all in one spot. It’s like you hit the wildlife jackpot, and somehow this whole variety of animals congregated in one area, just for you to see. Now, obviously that is not the case, but it sure feels like it.

I feel like the best way to explain it is to just quote directly from their website and sum it up. “The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care.” It has a large loop that you can drive, bike, or walk through, and along this loop you will see a variety of animals that I really don’t think you will find anywhere else. You can choose to have a tour, or do the loop yourself, which is what we did.

What will I see at AWCC?

There is really a vast variety of animals that you will encounter at AWCC. We came across a bull moose first, and shortly after saw muskox, brown bear, black bear, and more! There are many animals, big and small, located at the center. These include elk, wolves, fox, owls, and more.

Brown bears AWCC Alaska
Bears viewed from above on the viewing bridge.

Where is the center located?

AWCC is in a very convenient location. It is about an hour from Anchorage, so it can be an easy day trip if that is where you are heading from. If you’re staying at The Hotel Alyeska, or anywhere in Girdwood, you’re even closer at about a twenty-minute drive. It is a definite must see if you plan on driving down to the Kenai Peninsula, as you will be passing AWCC on your way there.

Who would enjoy visiting AWCC?

Anyone and everyone! Young, old, and everyone in between, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a must for all wildlife lovers. If you are visiting with someone who is elderly, has a disability, or even if its just raining, you can drive the loop, and do your wildlife viewing from the comfort of your vehicle.

AWCC Bear Viewing Bridge
Great views from the bear viewing bridge.

When should I visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?

Anytime! Just be prepared for whatever weather you may come across during your visit by wearing weather appropriate gear, and check the AWCC website or call for hours before going. 

What should I wear?

Great question! This will depend a lot on what season you visit Alaska in. As I’m sure you’ve heard and read in many other places, Alaska is a place of rapidly changing weather. I’d say check the forecast, but always be prepared for inclement weather with sweatshirts, hats, lightweight gloves, and waterproof layers. Bringing along some HotHands, especially when visiting any time other than summer, will keep you warm and comfortable. If you’re going to walk to loop, you may also want to consider bringing rain boots as the trail may be muddy when you go.

AWCC Wildlife Observation Deck
This wildlife observation deck is a great reprieve from the rain.

Why should I visit AWCC?

Why shouldn’t you! This may be a common question though, as you will likely see animals while you’re out and about in Alaska, and may think you don’t need to make the trip to AWCC to see wildlife. You won’t see wildlife like you will at the conservation center, though! The variety of Alaskan wildlife that you will experience here is much more than you’ll see on your average tour of the state. I’m a born and raised Alaskan, and I can tell you that I haven’t seen all of these Alaskan animals in the wild in all my years here, so your chances to see this scope of wildlife outside of AWCC are rare. 

In addition to all you will see, you’ll have epic photo opportunities of these animals. There is also an array of free  educational programs to further your knowledge about the wildlife, and paid tours where you can even feed an animal! 

AWCC mom and baby muskox
A mother and calf muskox; something rare to see!

How do I support the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?

By visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center you are supporting the care of these animals and the programs that AWCC participates in, such as the Wood Bison Reintroduction Project. You can support AWCC by visit their gift shop as well, and you can even “adopt” an animal from them, which would make a great gift idea!

Wood Bison Reintroduction Information
Conservation and wood bison reintroduction information.

You can read this post, watch videos, and look at pictures all you want, but until you’ve been there and seen it, nothing will really compare to the experience you’ll get by visiting AWCC yourself. Almost two decades after my first visit, it is still an amazing place to explore and learn.

Have you been to AWCC before, or did this post encourage you to go? Please leave a comment of your experience below! If you have questions about visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, or any Alaska activities, please leave a question in the comments!

A Case for the Clothesline: Why You Should Ditch Your Dryer for this Money Saving Alternative

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All of the information provided is my personal opinion. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items.

Nobody likes to air their dirty laundry, but have you ever tried airing your clean laundry? Nope, I’m not talking gossip column blurbs, I’m talking about using a clothesline. To be honest, I don’t even use a clothesline, so I can’t say I’m the authority on the subject, but my parents use one and that’s what brought about me writing this post and considering using a clothesline as well. And if you’re thinking you don’t have room for a clothesline, keep reading for alternative ideas that will still save you money and be more eco-friendly! 

Laundry, clothesline, laundry day
Laundry day at the cabin. Photo credit: My momma.

Money Saving Benefits 

I can’t say you’ll be saving hundreds of dollars a year on your electric or gas bill by hang-drying your clothes on the line, but according to “How to Calculate the Cost of Running Your Dryer” by Erin Huffstetler you can save enough to make it worth doing. This will likely save you even more if you typically dry your clothes at a laundromat and switch to using a clothesline. Using a clothesline will also save you the cost many, many dryer sheets as well, which can add up to a fairly good savings. 

As for how much it costs to have a clothesline, it can really be as inexpensive as you’d like it to be. Maybe you put a clothesline between trees in your yard using line you already have, maybe you buy some line to hang up between poles, or you could buy a whole set up to put in your yard. Grab a bag of clothespins and you’re good to go! Whatever you choose, you can invest as much or as little as you want into it.

Eco-Friendly Benefits 

An additional benefit of using a clothesline is that it is an eco-friendly alternative to tossing your clothes in the dryer. Am I the most “green” and eco-friendly person out there? Sorry to disappoint, but I am definitely not. Air drying laundry, though, is a simple way to change up your housekeeping routine and be more environmentally friendly, along with being more friendly to your wallet!  

Alternatives to the Clothesline 

At this point you may be thinking “well I have no yard and no room for a clothesline, so I’m out!”. Don’t give up just yet; there are many other options! If your problem is lack of a yard or outdoor space for your clothes to dry, give an indoor clothesline or a folding drying rack a try. If your short on indoor space as well, both of those options take up minimal room. These are also great options when it’s raining out or winter weather doesn’t permit using an outdoor clothesline.

If those don’t interest you, but you still want to save money and be more green while doing your laundry, ditch your dryer sheets for dryer balls. They reduce dryer time and can be used over and over again, unlike single-use dryer sheets. Plus, they even come in some adorable patterns to put some fun into the mundane chore of laundry! 

This “old fashioned” housekeeping skill has a plethora of benefits including saving you money and being an eco friendly alternative to using your dryer, so why not give it a try?! Your clothes will smell fresh, you’ll have some more money in your pocket, and you’ll be helping your environment; what’s not to love! If this post has give you the push to switch up your laundry drying method, leave me a comment and let me know what method you’re trying and how it’s working so far!

Clothesline, laundry, eco friendly
Another sunny laundry day. Photo credit: my momma.


Moose Hunting Checklist

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Whether you’ve been moose hunting many times or you’re looking at this to get an idea of what to bring on your first moose hunt, it’s always good to be prepared and have a thorough moose hunting checklist and gear guide to prepare for your hunt.

This list will give you an idea of what to bring on any moose hunt, but some items (tents, rafts, etc.) you need will vary depending on what type of hunt you’re going on. If you’re doing a fly-in or float hunt, walk in hunt, hunting from a cabin, or another way, or you may have some specific gear you need for a particular place or way you hunt. Maybe you’re packing in all your gear so your goal is to be as lightweight as possible? Maybe you’re taking a camper so you don’t need a tent? Are you doing a float hunt and will need to have a camp that you can put up and take down quickly? For any way or any place you hunt, we hope this moose hunting checklist helps you have a successful, safe, and fun moose hunt!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Fall moose hunting in Alaska. Moose hunting checklist.
A beautiful fall day for a hunt.

Camp

Shelter

  • Tent
  • Rainfly
  • Tarps
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Cot
  • Stove

Gear Tips: Check out our Ultimate Camping Checklist for an in-depth camping guide!

Camp Necessities

Personal Items/Miscellaneous

The Thermacell is a game changer, especially when field dressing game.

Creature Comforts

  • Camp Chairs
  • Phone (for contacting people on the way in and out of camp, and incase you have service in your hunting area or use it for photos and video)
  • Phone Charger to Charge off of Solar Charger
  • Phone Skope/Phone Adapter Mount
  • Cards
  • Book
  • Camera
  • Camera Charger to Charge off of Solar Charger

Food

Gear Tips: If you want to try a variety of food and snacks, check out the Backcountry Fuel Box. It’s a handy subscription box that give you a taste of many different snacks, meals, bars, and more, and helps you discover new brands of products to try. Check out this link for 10% OFF your first purchase!

A Jetboil in use in fall. Add it to your hunting checklist.
The Jetboil in action getting that water boiling!

Safety and First Aid

Clothing

  • Boots (make sure they are waterproof)
  • Camp Shoes (aka Crocs)
  • Gaiters
  • Socks
  • Base Layers Tops and Bottoms (aka long underwear)
  • Rain Gear (pants, jacket, hat if you don’t have a hood)
  • Hunting Pants (preferably with knee pads, they will come in handy when you’re skinning your moose)
  • Heavyweight Sweatshirt
  • Hunting Jacket
  • Beanie or Warm Hat
  • Gloves (thick ones for the cold, thinner ones for dexterity when needed)
  • Neck Gaiter
  • Warm Pajamas (or use base layers)
  • High Visibility Hat, Bandana, Etc. (aka “Hunter Orange”; check regs on this as it’s not always legally required, but highly recommend)

Gear Tips: Layering is the name of the game. You could be sweating one minute and see snow the next. Always be prepared with layers. Try make sure your gear is as waterproof as possible, or at least water resistant. Quiet gear is good gear; you don’t want noisy pants swooshing around and scaring a moose off.

Using Vortex Optics to scout for moose
Although expensive gear is nice and worth it in the long run, you can get by with an old hoodie and sweatpants for some parts of a hunt!

Transportation

This is one of those things that will vary a lot depending or your type of hunt, so some of these may apply to you and others you can scratch off your list.

  • Your Feet (in well fitting shoes and socks; they will be one of your biggest methods of transportation!)
  • Four wheeler/UTV
  • Pack Raft
  • Fuel
  • Spare Tire
  • Ratchet Straps

Gear Tips: Before you head off on your adventure, be sure to have all vehicles, atvs, side by sides, etc. serviced before you go. It’s always better to know of a problem when you’re in town, rather than when your out in the boonies! And if you can, bringing a spare tire is always a plus.

Moose meat and rack in the truck bed
Hitting the road! Make sure to have good ventilation around your meat while traveling, unlike we have in this photo. Having a pallet to allow airflow and keep meat cooler is helpful.

The Hunt

Must Haves

  • Hunting License
  • Tag
  • Copy of the Current Reg Book
  • Gun
  • Scope
  • Ammo
  • Lot of Practice
Koplin gun boots are great on four wheelers and side by sides. Check out our side by side set up here!

Scouting

  • Binoculars
  • Spotting Scope
  • Tripod
  • onXmaps (use this before the trip too for scouting out your hunting area)
Good glass pays off when checking out surrounding mountains.

Calling Them In

  • Lots of Practice (check how-to videos YouTube)
  • Moose Call
  • Moose Lure (Check the regs in your area before you use this. As of the 2022-23 Alaska regulations moose urine is currently banned, but mare in heat is allowed. Check current regs for updates. )
  • Moose Scapula to Scrape Brush
Moose lure Bait Em 907 moose hunting checklist
Moose lure from Bait Em 907 putting out the vibe.

Butchering and Meat Care

  • Rubber Gloves
  • Tarps
  • Knives
  • Extra Blades for Knives
  • Bone Saw
  • Citric Acid (to spray on meat for preservation and to keep bugs away; I would not suggest using black pepper as that is what we used the first time and got charged a cleaning fee to take it off at the processor)
  • Spray Bottle for Citric Acid (make sure you also have water around to mix the critic acid with)
  • Game Bags
  • Backpack/Packboard
  • Extra Buckles for Backpack
  • Rope (to hang up the meat)
Citric acid, game bags, and good ventilation will go a long way in keeping your meat nice.

Helpful Extras

Gear Tips: We just started washing out our game bags last year to reuse them and it seems to work great. You can soak them and hose them down to get the real nasty parts off and then pop them in the washing machine. This will save you money so you can go buy things like more ammo, more ammo, and more ammo. 🙂

I hope this moose hunting checklist helped you get started packing for your hunting adventure. Please remember this is not a completely comprehensive list, but I did try make it as complete as possible. If there are any other items you recommend packing or hunting tips you’d like to share please leave a comment and I can add your suggestions to the list! Don’t forget to check out my hunting tips, tricks, and lessons as well! Happy hunting, friends! Wishing you a safe hunt and a full freezer.

Check out our moose hunting set up here!

25+ Self Care Ideas Under $25

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Before you shop, check out this link for Rakuten to get money back on your purchases and earn a bonus for joining. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Amazon Prime free trial offer for 30 days of FREE Prime!

Honestly, I thought self care was a selfish thing where you go to the spa every other day and spend hundreds on fancy treatments. Turns out, that’s not really correct. Self care, as everyone refers to it now, is really just taking care of yourself, relaxing, and unwinding, which is not selfish at all. And, from what I’ve figured, it doesn’t need to cost hundreds, and a lot of it you can do from your home! 

Towels

The difference between a mediocre towel and a plush, cozy towel can change your whole bathroom experience. Trust me, just do it.

Books

Cozy up with a great book and spend some time relaxing and reading.

Foot Mask

I didn’t even know this was a thing until I received one in a subscription box. They’re a really simple way to pamper yourself on the cheap.

Magazine Subscription

Another good way to relax is by reading some magazines. With topics ranging on anything from gardening to gossip and cooking to clothes, you’re sure to find one you’ll enjoy.

Hair Wrap

It’s hard to do much with wet hair, and I rarely blow dry mine after it’s washed, so if you want to read after showering without dripping water give this hair towel wrap a try! I use mine almost every day.

Hair Mask

While we’re on the subject of hair, in shower hair masks, after shower hair conditioners, and more give your locks a great boost.

Nap

As my husband says “Just rest!’’. If you’re crabby, overwhelmed, or just plain tired, sometimes a good nap is the self care you need the most.

Perfume 

People say if you look good you feel good. I really think that’s true and it can also be said that if you smell good you feel good, too, so spritz or roll on some perfume and put a little pep in your step!

Candles

While we’re on the subject of smelling good, let’s talk candles. Whether it’s wax melts in a warmer or lighting up a good old fashioned wick, the aroma of a candle is a cozy addition to your day that will help you relax and unwind.

Cozy time necessities.

Drinks

No, I’m not talking about wine and margaritas. I’m talking about heading to your local coffee shop for a latte, hot chocolate, or an Italian soda (raspberry-coconut is my favorite!). Sometimes treating yourself to a fancy drink the the self care you need to boost your mood and get you through a tough week.

Nail Polish

Honestly, I don’t really enjoying getting mani pedis as much as most people do. It stresses me out since they’re so expensive, and I can never seem to relax during them, so home manicures are more my thing. You can save a ton by doing your nails yourself, and it’s really pretty easy.

Workout

Taking care of your insides is just as important as the self care you can see on the outside. Grab some weights and/or resistance loops and start exercising! There are tons of online subscriptions, free workout plans on Pinterest, and great videos on YouTube for you to try. As always, speak with your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen.

My “home gym”, AKA the corner of the living room!

Foot Soak

This is really such a cheap and easy self care idea. Honestly, I put warm water and some of Dr. Teal’s soak into a big tub I use for under sink bathroom storage (I know it sounds weird, but I clean it out!) and soak my feet in that before my self pedicure.

Lip Scrub

Lip. Scrub. It’s awesome. I use this lip scrub to exfoliate my lips (yes, your lips need exfoliating, too!), and it’s amazing. Especially during those dry winter months, this is a must-add to your self care routine.

Tea

Having some tea can really take you from freak out mode to chill out mode ASAP. Some of my favorites are green tea, Lemon Zinger, and camomile. Add a little local honey, or order honey if you can’t find it locally, relax, and enjoy. And if you have some loose leaf tea you can add some fun by enjoying it with my little buddy, the Manatea, that you can see below!

The most adorable tea pal.

Slippers

Your feet work hard for you all day long, so why not give them a cozy place to rest with some good slippers.

Bubble Bath

Soak up your me time with a good bubble bath.

Lip Balm

Pucker up and put some lip balm on those babies! Dry, cracked lips are not the most attractive, but besides that they’re painful! I keep mine moisturized and keep the cracks at bay with these lip balms from the Savannah Bee Company.

My new stash of lip balm after finishing the mint and Tupelo honey. Starting with key lime this time!

Hobby

Take a break and work on a project or hobby. Something as simple as painting a wall, crocheting a hat, or working in the garden is a great way to unwind.

Plants

My mom has tons of plants. Like tons of them. And when I was younger I used to think it was crazy. Why would someone want or need so many plants? Well, I’m eating my words now because just this morning I watered my growing collection of plants, which is now almost ten, and that doesn’t include the starters I have that need to be potted. Now I understand the plant obsession. Obviously, they look nice in your home and make it feel welcoming, but it’s very relaxing to take care of them, repot them, and try to produce more of them. Really, in caring for the plants you’re caring for yourself by taking a break from the craziness of life and just enjoying a fun and healthy hobby.

A happy, baby succulent.

Robe

Cozy up in a plush robe and get your comfy on! You can even put it in the dryer a few minutes before so it’s toasty warm when you put it on.

Face Mask

There are about a million different kinds of face masks to try from diy, to sheet masks, and everything in between. A few brands I love are Ahava, Keihls (usually over $25, but worth it!), and Generation Clay.

Moisturizer

Dry skin is the worst. It’s tight, flaky, and lacks a healthy glow. Take care of yourself and your skin with a good facial moisturizer like Kiehl’s.

Lotion

Just like your face, it’s important to moisturize your body. There are many good moisturizers out there. I like this Cetaphil one.

A few of my favorite things.

Flavored Dental Floss

Strawberry, coconut, or orange floss!? Flossing might not be the most fun self care, but it sure is better with this fancy floss!

Fabric Softener

Freshly washed bedding and towels are always nice. Add a little treat for your senses with this lovely lavender fabric softener, and your laundry will give off a lovely and relaxing smell.

Walk

I guess this could be categorized under exercise, but a simple walk doesn’t have to be intense or coordinated like a workout. Take your dog, cat, pot belly pig for walk, or just yourself for a stroll around the block. (Check out this article for some ways to keep your pup cool while inside and out walking!) Fresh air is good for everyone.

Walking with our baby on the beach.

Day Off

When I was in school my mom would occasionally let me take “mental health” days off, and I’m starting to think I should continue that as an adult. Sometimes, it’s just good to take a day for yourself and give your brain a break. I’m not saying you should skip work all the time, but it’s not a bad idea to request a couple days off just for yourself.

I hope this list gave you some ideas that you’ll use to care for yourself. Remember, as the saying goes, “you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others”, so it’s good to make yourself a priority, too!