What Do I Get for Baby’s First Christmas?

Christmas is always a joyous time of year! There are so many wonderful things to look forward to amongst the hustle bustle. It’s made even more special when you are also celebrating Baby’s First Christmas!

So when you are trying to figure out how best to celebrate baby’s first Christmas, you surely contemplate what gifts to give. The reality is that your little one likely doesn’t understand what the season is all about, much less have the ability to open their own gifts. Here are some ideas to help celebrate baby’s first holidays without going overboard.

Pick a few great learning toys that you can unwrap with the baby. These are toys that you would likely get for them anyhow, so just wrap them up and make them that much more special for Christmas. Sure wrapping them up is more for you than them, but it’s a tradition that you just must practice.

Go to some local mom to mom sales and pick up a few stocking stuffers. You can get toys that are gently used at a fraction of the price. So if you want to get some gifts for baby to open but don’t want to spend a ton as they may be short lived, picking up some toys from a mom to mom sale may be a great way to give something to your little one.

Wrap up some new DVD’s and books. You can have quite a few things to open with your little one, and these are certainly items that will come in handy. If your baby is very little then this may be something useful down the road. Otherwise these can be used right away and be something that baby can enjoy the benefits of very quickly.

Look for sale items and stock up. I have been looking for sales on toys since October and have stocked up on some very nice items. I may not give them all at once because there’s so many toys that it could be overwhelming for my daughter. However I’ve got some great options and some nice gifts to wrap up, and I got each and every item on sale. It will never matter to her, but it helped with our Christmas shopping this year!

Baby’s First Christmas can be so much fun and with some shopping expertise and an eye for sale items, you can have plenty for them to open without spending a ton.

Thank You Notes- from the kids!

In today’s world of scattered families, many special events are marked by gifts through the mail.  One of the most frustrating things for grandmothers, family friends, and favorite aunts is to not know if a gift was ever received.  A thank you note is more than just a social nicety or formality.  Whether it comes via email or snail mail, a thank you note not only allows the sender to be sure the gift arrived intact, but lets the recipient express his or her gratitude for someone’s thoughtfulness. 

For small children, however, thank you notes often fall by the wayside.  Try taking a picture of your child opening or enjoying the gift.  Let your kids draw a picture if they are small.  If your kids have reached the age to understand who and where the gift came from, write a note yourself while explaining what you’re doing; once your child is big enough to write simple words, utilize the fill-in-the-blank thank you notes available where stationary and party supplies are sold.  I often write out the name of the sender and the item on a scrap of paper, and let my young son copy into the blanks.  His grandparents like to receive it in his handwriting, and they know he’s aware who gave him that nifty new toy.   For older kids, find a cute set of blank cards and let them write their own- it’s a social skill that will last a lifetime! 

For a good selection of fill-in-the-blank cards, try My Expression.

Making travel less stressful for little ones

Taking the kids on a spring break or summer vacation?  Going away to summer camp or to Grandma’s for a week?  Being away from home can be stressful for kids of all ages, from toddlers to pre-teens.  Here’s a simple trip to make bedtime in a strange bed feel more like home:

Pack your child’s special pillow case.  If your child doesn’t already use a special pillow case, buy one in his or her favorite cartoon character or sports team a few weeks in advance, just for fun.  Wash it in your normal detergent so it gets that smell of home.  (As a kid, my mom always used Gain- I still think of home when I smell it!) 

Pack it in your bag, and when you arrive at the hotel or rental or Grandma’s, slip your little one’s favorite pillowcase over the pillow that’s already there.  While adults are known to be picky about their pillow’s fluff factor, kids are generally easier to please and the familiarity of the favorite character pillow case makes it seem more like home; and bedtime just got easier! 

One bonus- buying separate pillow cases with characters for your kids is much less expensive than purchasing the entire sheet set- plus if you choose a neutral set of sheets, you can switch out pillow cases as their latest fixation changes!  We’ve been through Dragon Tails, Scooby Doo, Football teams, etc…..  For some cute ideas try these at Find Gifts.com!

Baby Closet Organizer

Okay, we have all been there.  We are in a hurry trying to get our child dressed properly and we cannot seem to find that one pair of shorts that we need to match that one shirt.  And then we cannot find the socks, and then the shoes.  Every drawer is maxxed to the top by crumpled-up clothing and blankets that we’ve tossed around in our search.  By the time 20 minutes has gone by, we are utterly frustrated that our house is so disorganized that we have decided to change the outfit completely…and so the madness starts again. .

Well, I came across this product on babyearth.com and I really think this is a must-have for every person out there.  It is a Baby Closet Organizer , and I got so excited when I saw this that I am personally going to buy one for my son’s room!  Maybe even two!  The Baby Closet Organizer is an essential to get your child’s room organized and decluttered.  The organizer easily hangs on to your closet rod so no assembly is required, and it has 8 shelves underneath so you can fold clothes or blankets or store toys.   In addition to this, the Baby Closet Organizer has compartments on the side of it so you can store your child’s socks or shoes or anything else you see fit to store in it.

Just click on any of the hyperlinks in this article, and you will be directed to babyearth.com website where you can order your own organizer and begin the first steps to organizing your home.  You can find the organizer under the “Nursery” tab and then under “Organization”.

So What’s For Dinner?

Dinner is often the most exciting meal of the day. Breakfast fuels up our engines to get us going in the morning. Lunch is there to hold us over and dinner, well dinner is what it’s all about! Dinner is the time everyone convenes around the table and discusses how his or her day went. We’re glad to be home from work or happy that the kids will be in bed soon so we can get a little “me time”. And who cares if the dinner dishes sit until the morning? No big deal. Take the stress out of this wondrous daily event with a little organization and planning. A friend once told me to know what you are going to make for dinner by noon that day, even if you’re going to eat out or get food delivered. Great advice. Some Moms (or Dads) are very organized and have a weekly or even monthly menu planned out. If you’re not wired that way, just try the daily method. When you go to the supermarket, stock up on meat sales and freeze it when you get home. That way you always have a main dish on hand. It’s also wise to stock up on cans of fruits and veggies as side dishes and dinner rolls are easy and fast to make. Or you can just skip the extra carbs. Find out when everyone is going to be home for dinner and then subtract the cooking time of the item that takes the longest. Plan to start dinner then. Don’t forget the extra time it takes for the oven to preheat or a pot of water to boil. And if you are craving carbs, they take time to prep and bake as well. Know all of these things well in advance of dinner time. Have one of the kids set the table, serve it all up, and bon appetit!

Decorating With Thrift Store Finds

Home is where the heart is. It’s a place of comfort and calm. A place where you can hang your proverbial hat and relax. Your home should be beautiful. To you. You don’t have to have a house straight out of the pages of an interior design magazine. Fill your house with things you like to look at that make you feel happy and comfortable. Decorating doesn’t have to take a lot of time or expense. Paint is relatively inexpensive and the fastest way to change, or refresh, the look of a room. Once you find the perfect color, complete the look of the room with some finishing touches. Thrift stores are amazing places to find furnishings and decorations for your home. Charming wooden bureaus, old unmatching china, and antique rug beaters can often be found at your local store. The prices are reasonable because the items are used and the stores want to move their inventory quickly. Items that are antiques or collectibles will be pricier. If you live in a remote area where thrift stores don’t exist, you can tap the virtual world of thrift shopping. Search online for auction sites or vintage stores to find those pieces that you are looking for. Once you’ve finished filling your house with treasures, only you will know what you paid for them. Enjoy your castle!

Kid’s Clothing Tips

Kids go through clothes fast. Not only do children grow like weeds, but they’re also messy people who like to stain everything in sight with food and art supplies. Some Moms surrender and let their kids run around in these stained articles, while others would never think to let their child out of the house with a mere speck on their shirt. Buying clothes for kids can get expensive so follow these tips to save some cash on your kid’s duds.

1. Buy black. Not that you want little Susie to look like a goth-in-training, but black clothes hide any stain (besides bleach) you can throw their way. If black is too extreme for your taste, get dark colors and stock up on stain stick just in case.

2. Don’t buy pajamas or playclothes. Kids look adorable in the character-emblazoned pajamas on the market but they can be pricey. Instead, dress your children in comfortable clothing that has stains or holes in them. They can also wear these items as playclothes and spare their school and special occasion clothing from damage.

3. For girls, buy leggings. Leggings are very inexpensive, stylish, and versitile. They come in many colors, but of course, black is the most practical. They can be worn in any weather and grow with your child since they are stretchy.

4. Consider buying at thrift or consignment stores or off the clearance rack. Kid’s clothes really are disposable so don’t invest a lot of money on any one item. Let siblings wear hand-me-downs.

5. Buy cheap shoes. Children’s feet grow incredibly fast and will only fit in shoes for a short period of time.

6. Buy clothing as large as possible without the articles falling off your child’s body. Most kids can fit into clothes that are one size larger than their age. They will be able to grow into these items, thus getting more wear out of them.

Planning Ahead for Dinner

It can be exhausting to hear the constant question–what’s for dinner? To help ease that a little preparation can go a long way. Planning ahead for your meals for the week can make your job as head chef of the household run much more smoothly.

If you’ve never visited a meal preparation place, then you can really fill up your freezer quickly with very little effort at all. These fantastic places allow you to either prep a bunch of meals yourself or order online and simply pick them up. All of the prep work and clean up is done for you, you walk away with a basket full of meals that you can easily pull out of the freezer and throw in the oven. These are well worth the money and take the stress off of you!

When you do cook, make extra and you will be surprised at how quickly your freezer fills up. If you make meatloaf, make an extra and freeze it. If you make spaghetti sauce, throw some extra in the freezer and it will come in handy in a bind. Prepping a little extra of whatever you’re cooking that evening can make your mealtime frenzy much easier to navigate through.

Shop ahead whenever possible. If you’re buying ground beef, buy it in larger quantities and freeze smaller portions in individual bags. This can then be used for meatballs, taco meat, or hamburgers. Get a larger package of chicken breasts and freeze these as individual portions. These can then be pulled out of the freezer and thrown into a casserole or simply grilled. Buying in larger quantities will also ensure tht you don’t have to run to the store as often.

With a little bit of preparation and a fair amount of planning ahead, you can make mealtime easy and enjoyable for the whole family. Never have to struggle to answer the question “what’s for dinner?” again.

Unexpected Company…What Do I Serve?

It happens to all of us, especially at this time of year. Either you have the company that drops over unexpectedly or you get a call from your husband to let you know that he’s invited people over. You have been taking care of the kids all day, aren’t exactly looking entertaining worthy, and have nothing prepared to eat. What now? Well here are a few tried and true methods to throwing together a last minute spread of food without ever having to panic.

*Always keep cream cheese and some sort of spread in the house. A good example is a chipotle jam (easy to find in a jar) that can easily be thrown over a block of softened cream cheese, served warm with crakers. Presto! You’ve got an instant appetizer that’s super easy and delicious.

*Keep a jar of sundried tomato pesto in the house, along with some sliced appetizer sized baguettes in the freezer. When you’re in a pinch you can spread the pesto on these breads pop them in the over to broil and you’ve got a delicious appetizer sure to please. It’s made even better if you have garlic and parmesan cheese to mix in, but just the pesto works great as well.

*As it should be part of your kitchen basics anyhow, be sure to stock the kitchen with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and dried basil in the house. If you’re really in a pinch you can throw together crusty bread (have your hubby pick up a loaf on the way home) with this delicious olive oil mix for dipping. It’s sure to please and looks like you actually fussed!

*It helps to have some entertaining basics in the house such as hummus, crackers, a good cheese, and some amazing salsa and tortilla chips. If you’re really pressed for time and need to put some munchies out you can still supply a tasty spread with some of these party basics. The reality is that most people will munch on whatever you put out for company, and these are sure to go a long way.

No need to panic if you have the inevitable unexpected company. By keeping some basics in the house you can put out a spread that will look as if you cooked all day.

Entertaining Made Easy

Tis’ the season for entertaining! You may be one of those people who entertains all the time but runs short on time, or perhaps you are not big into it but want to figure out some good tips. Entertaining doesn’t have to be overly complicated nor does it have to be overly expensive. Here are a couple of tips that make entertaining easy and much more fun:

*Keep it simple and try hard not to go overboard. It can be easy to get carried away and feel like you don’t have enough. Remember in this instance a little can go a long way! Putting out a few well thought out appetizers that are filling can be perfect to please the crowd. Including some sort of hot dip (like a simple artichoke), some classy sandwiches, and a few cold items can look like more than it is. Get some easy to make recipes off the many websites out there or ask a friend who has a signature recipe.

*If people offer to bring something, take them up on it. There’s no shame in having people bring a dish to pass, most occassions warrant it. This can save you a lot of time and money as you plan your festive gathering.

*Keep it simple with beverages. Make a signature drink or festive punch, and then offer wine, beer, and pop. You can get carried away trying to supply a full bar and people can certainly find something they like with those choices.

*Be shopping well before the occassion to stock up on items when they are on sale. You know that you will likely need staple items such as crackers, wine, and canned goods such as artichokes and olives. Keep an eye out for these items as the year goes on, that way you don’t have to get hit all at once with a crazy shopping bill that’s way too expensive.

Entertaining can be easy and fun with a little bit of preparation. You can wow your guests with less effort than you think, and it will likely look like you did far more than you did.

Saving Money on Baby

Times are tough and everybody is trying to save a dollar wherever they can. Many households have developed a rather strict budget that they must stick to and with good reason. With things being so unstable, it’s important to make the most out of your money. If you have a baby you know just how expensive it can be to take care of them. With the diapers, formula, food, clothes, toys–it’s almost never ending!

There are some simple ways to save money when it comes to taking care of your baby’s needs. You can still get what you need but pay a fraction of the price if you make a few minor adjustments:

-Shop at membership clubs for items that you need in high volume and purchase frequently. You can get some great deals on diapers, formula, and wipes if you buy in bulk. This will also save you from making multiple trips to the store as a case of diapers can usually last you a month. Using the store brand can save you even more money, and the reality is that the items are made exactly the same way as the name brand. Do we really need designer diapers after all?

-Shop mom to mom sales whenver possible. These can save you a bundle and you can find some really cute things. Mom to mom sales are offered across the country and are like a huge garage sale where moms are selling their gently used clothes, toys, and supplies to other moms shopping for these items. Sure you’re not necessarily going to get everything from these sales, but when you consider how quickly they outgrow or become uninterested in things, this can save you a bundle.

-Trade off with friends that have kids the same age. Hand me downs in toys and clothes can be very welcome when you’re trying to keep up with baby’s constant growth spurts. It can be a fun way to get together and trade items that you can no longer use, knowing that they will go to good use in somebody else’s home.

You don’t have to go broke in taking care of your baby! Getting creative in obtaining all the items you need can save you a bundle and get you everything you need for your little darling.