Coming up with a great (and unique!) baby shower gift idea can seem like a difficult task. Any guest would like to give a gift that can be useful to the baby or the parents. Nobody would like to have his or her gift stashed in a closet or be given away to charity without being used first by the recipient.
Therefore, one has to make sure that he or she has chosen the baby shower gift properly so it will not be wasted. As much as possible, never select a baby shower gift that the parents may already have. Sometimes, the baby shower invitation says what the parents would like to receive.
If it is not on the invitation, you can also call the mum to ask what she would like to receive or what else she would need.
At times when the parents seem to have prepared well for the baby, you can select unique baby shower gifts that would serve as decorative items and remembrance.
Here are some unique baby shower gift suggestions.
* Birth Announcement Plates
These are decorative plates that come in pastel colours and different designs. These can also be personalised with the baby's name. Some companies also offer printing the baby's picture on the plates.
The plates may be used to contain food. However, many chooses to have these plates displayed somewhere in the house.
* Personalised Ornaments
These ornaments are made from ceramic tiles that can be displayed on cabinet or shelves. These can be personalized to contain the baby's name or picture. You may also give a poem to the engraving company so it will be included in the ornament.
* Personalised Baby Blankets
These blankets come in pastel colours with different designs. These can be personalized to include the baby's name. Before deciding to give one, make sure that the parents hadn't bought or will not be receiving several blankets during the baby shower party.
* Pillows
Pillows can also be personalized with the baby's name. These come in several colours and designs.
* Personalised Name Frame
If the baby's name was already chosen, you can choose a personalised name frame. This will contain the baby's name with its meaning, usually the biblical or historic association of the name. It may also have a poem dedicating the gift to the baby or wishing the baby and the parents well.
* Piggy Bank
The parents can start the baby's savings with a personalised piggy bank. The parents may drop coins each day after the baby is born. When the child is older, he or she can continue saving money with this decorative piggy bank.
* Baby Naming Book
If the parents have not decided what name to give to the baby, or if they are not yet sure of the baby's gender, the baby-naming book is a great gift for the baby shower. The book contains name selections from the bible and historical figures. The meanings of the names are also given as well as the variations and origins in different countries and cultures.
* Music CD
Music has been proven to enhance the creativity and eliminate stress. For babies, music can help them have quality sleep and boost their creativity and intelligence. This is a perfect gift for the baby and the parents.
Regardless of the gift that you have chosen, always include a card to express your thoughts and your joys in sharing the celebration with the baby' parents.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Christenings – Gifts, Etiquette and History Explained
There are two types of ceremonies available; religious and non-religious. Irrespective of which type is chosen, the common theme throughout is love and surrounding the child with family and friends in order to celebrate the child’s birth and life ahead.
Religious Ceremonies:
A Christening is the child’s first initiation into the religious faith. At a Catholic Christening, the parents make their declarations, the baby is baptised with holy water, and a lit candle representing Jesus as the light of the world, is given to the parents and Godparents. The priest may ask the parents to attend preparation classes to fully understand the significance of a baptism. Catholic Christenings are often held as a separate service for one or more child, without hymns and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
In a Church of England Christening, the Christening takes place within the main Sunday church service and the baby is taken to the font, sprinkled with holy water, and the Godparents and parents promise God they will bring the child up in the Christian faith.
If you decide to go for a Christening, you need to speak to the vicar at your local church. They will explain the service, and may ask questions concerning your own faith, and that of the godparents. You will then be able to book a date.
Secular (Non-Religious) Ceremonies:
There are a range of non-religious celebrations to choose from including a Baby-Naming Ceremony, Welcoming or Thanksgiving. These options are free of any commitment to the Christian faith. A British Humanist Association ceremony can take place anywhere you like. A trained, licensed celebrant will help you to create a unique and personal occasion. They can provide templates for ceremonies that you can adapt for your own situation, and they can suggest readings, poetry or music. You can include contributions from family/friends, and finish it all off with a tea or buffet. These ceremonies last on average 20 minutes.
Christenings are generally held within the first year of a baby's life, although some parents wait until the child is a little older.
Generally, photography is welcome during all types of ceremonies but it may be worth checking with the person presiding first as the congregation or gathering is likely to be invited to photograph the child, family and Godparents at specific points during the ceremony. Of course there can also be photographs before and after.
The child will usually be dressed in a special Christening outfit/gown or family heirloom garment. Women would be expected to dress smartly - hats are not necessary, and for men, suits or smart shirt and trousers. Ties are often not a necessity, particularly for summer ceremonies though if you are the father or Godfather, you would be expected to dress in a suit.
Usually following the ceremony a buffet or tea is held at the parent’s house. The child will be shown off to all the family and friends, and Christening gifts are generally presented to the child. After the buffet, the official cake may be cut, and at this point, some people choose to plant a tree or dedicate a plant which will grow with the child.
Role of the Godparents:
There are usually three Godparents - two the same sex as the child. The role of the Godparent comes from the days when converts to the early Christian church were usually adults whose parents were not Christians. The Godparents role was to provide a Christian mentor to help them through life. People also link the role of the Godparent with that of becoming 'legal guardian' should the child ever be orphaned. However, this would need to be written into a will with the permission of the Godparents themselves.
Non-religious participants usually engage a 'mentor' who will watch over the child and steer them through life with help, care and advice. Generally Godparents are chosen for their own Christian beliefs but also because they are very close friends of the parents, or family members. Godparents or guardians should be people who are going to be around to offer support for the child if needed.
Christening Gifts:
Many people prefer a traditional gift idea for a Christening such as pewter, silver or china; these are great gifts for the child to treasure. Another nice idea is to provide a photo album or keepsake box to store precious memories of the child’s special day. For religious ceremonies it is common for a silver cross and chain or a bible to be presented to the child. Personalised gifts also make very nice ideas for this occasion, for example a framed name print, or a personalised Christening plate or mug, or perhaps an engraved tankard or cufflinks for a boy.
Religious Ceremonies:
A Christening is the child’s first initiation into the religious faith. At a Catholic Christening, the parents make their declarations, the baby is baptised with holy water, and a lit candle representing Jesus as the light of the world, is given to the parents and Godparents. The priest may ask the parents to attend preparation classes to fully understand the significance of a baptism. Catholic Christenings are often held as a separate service for one or more child, without hymns and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
In a Church of England Christening, the Christening takes place within the main Sunday church service and the baby is taken to the font, sprinkled with holy water, and the Godparents and parents promise God they will bring the child up in the Christian faith.
If you decide to go for a Christening, you need to speak to the vicar at your local church. They will explain the service, and may ask questions concerning your own faith, and that of the godparents. You will then be able to book a date.
Secular (Non-Religious) Ceremonies:
There are a range of non-religious celebrations to choose from including a Baby-Naming Ceremony, Welcoming or Thanksgiving. These options are free of any commitment to the Christian faith. A British Humanist Association ceremony can take place anywhere you like. A trained, licensed celebrant will help you to create a unique and personal occasion. They can provide templates for ceremonies that you can adapt for your own situation, and they can suggest readings, poetry or music. You can include contributions from family/friends, and finish it all off with a tea or buffet. These ceremonies last on average 20 minutes.
Christenings are generally held within the first year of a baby's life, although some parents wait until the child is a little older.
Generally, photography is welcome during all types of ceremonies but it may be worth checking with the person presiding first as the congregation or gathering is likely to be invited to photograph the child, family and Godparents at specific points during the ceremony. Of course there can also be photographs before and after.
The child will usually be dressed in a special Christening outfit/gown or family heirloom garment. Women would be expected to dress smartly - hats are not necessary, and for men, suits or smart shirt and trousers. Ties are often not a necessity, particularly for summer ceremonies though if you are the father or Godfather, you would be expected to dress in a suit.
Usually following the ceremony a buffet or tea is held at the parent’s house. The child will be shown off to all the family and friends, and Christening gifts are generally presented to the child. After the buffet, the official cake may be cut, and at this point, some people choose to plant a tree or dedicate a plant which will grow with the child.
Role of the Godparents:
There are usually three Godparents - two the same sex as the child. The role of the Godparent comes from the days when converts to the early Christian church were usually adults whose parents were not Christians. The Godparents role was to provide a Christian mentor to help them through life. People also link the role of the Godparent with that of becoming 'legal guardian' should the child ever be orphaned. However, this would need to be written into a will with the permission of the Godparents themselves.
Non-religious participants usually engage a 'mentor' who will watch over the child and steer them through life with help, care and advice. Generally Godparents are chosen for their own Christian beliefs but also because they are very close friends of the parents, or family members. Godparents or guardians should be people who are going to be around to offer support for the child if needed.
Christening Gifts:
Many people prefer a traditional gift idea for a Christening such as pewter, silver or china; these are great gifts for the child to treasure. Another nice idea is to provide a photo album or keepsake box to store precious memories of the child’s special day. For religious ceremonies it is common for a silver cross and chain or a bible to be presented to the child. Personalised gifts also make very nice ideas for this occasion, for example a framed name print, or a personalised Christening plate or mug, or perhaps an engraved tankard or cufflinks for a boy.
Christening Invitations for a Cherished Moment
For many families with a new baby, christenings are a very special event in the child’s life. Christenings are a deep and meaningful time for the family also, as the child enters the religious world of the family. Christenings are time when families choose to share the special event with their closest friends and family. The type of ceremony that occurs for a christening can vary from religion to religion, but the emotional bond created is felt the same for all.
Many parents will send christening invitations to friends and family for the event. There are a great variety of invitations available to mark the christening. Several factors to consider when ordering christening invitations include the theme or symbolic element that will be incorporated into the christening, as well as gender of the baby. There are many wonderful invitations for both boys and girls. Some ideas for themes are listed below.
There are a number of wonderful themes that can be incorporated into the christening. A cross is always an important element to mark the holiness of the event. Crosses symbolize the washing away of sins and profession of faith. Hearts are a wonderful theme to symbolize love. Baby feet are also a great element that can be incorporated into the theme. Flowers and floral designs are another great element, symbolizing new life.
Bright white is the traditional colour used for christening invitations. The baby is usually dressed in a bright white christening gown to symbolize purity. Incorporating white into the invitations and decorations of the christening is the perfect way to have a beautiful christening. Other things to consider for a christening are matching party accessories and favours such as napkins with baby’s name and date of christening.
Christenings are a special and memorable event for the family of the child. It is perceived as the time when the child truly becomes a party of the religious family. Mark the event with a beautiful celebration considering the themes and accessories mentioned in this article.
Many parents will send christening invitations to friends and family for the event. There are a great variety of invitations available to mark the christening. Several factors to consider when ordering christening invitations include the theme or symbolic element that will be incorporated into the christening, as well as gender of the baby. There are many wonderful invitations for both boys and girls. Some ideas for themes are listed below.
There are a number of wonderful themes that can be incorporated into the christening. A cross is always an important element to mark the holiness of the event. Crosses symbolize the washing away of sins and profession of faith. Hearts are a wonderful theme to symbolize love. Baby feet are also a great element that can be incorporated into the theme. Flowers and floral designs are another great element, symbolizing new life.
Bright white is the traditional colour used for christening invitations. The baby is usually dressed in a bright white christening gown to symbolize purity. Incorporating white into the invitations and decorations of the christening is the perfect way to have a beautiful christening. Other things to consider for a christening are matching party accessories and favours such as napkins with baby’s name and date of christening.
Christenings are a special and memorable event for the family of the child. It is perceived as the time when the child truly becomes a party of the religious family. Mark the event with a beautiful celebration considering the themes and accessories mentioned in this article.
Choosing Your Baby’s Bedding
You’re expecting a baby soon and have begun designing your baby’s nursery. You want everything to be perfect, but there are so many decisions to make. What type of theme are you trying to achieve? What colour scheme are you going to use? What Baby bedding design will you choose? While picking out your Baby Bedding there are some things that should be considered before making your purchase.
It is important to make sure that your baby bedding materials are flame resistant. It is also a good idea to find out what the thread count of your baby bedding is. The higher thread count in your baby bedding the higher the quality of the fabric and the softer it will feel to your baby. You would not want a scratchy fabric rubbing against your baby’s delicate skin. Your Crib Bedding should be as comfortable as it is interesting for your baby to look at. After all they will be spending quite a bit of time in their crib.
When you purchase your baby bedding you may notice it has a stiff feel to it. This is normal. Most Designer Baby Bedding manufacturers use products on the bedding to make it stays wrinkle-free and looking new. You may want to wash your new crib bedding set before using it for the first time. This will help soften it up and make your baby more comfortable.
Once you decide on your crib bedding design, you may want to shop around. Shopping around can save you a great deal of money, as many online retailers offer discounts and bonus items with your baby bedding purchase. Many also offer free shipping with your purchase. It is also important to find a retailer that carries coordinating accessories for your baby bedding. You may also want to ask if the retailer offers any discount on their accessories with a crib bedding purchase.
You may only use your Baby Bedding for what seems like a short period of time but it is a very special time for both you and your baby. Years from now when your kids are grown and you take it out of that old cedar chest you will say, this was their first baby blanket and those fond memories of watching your baby laying their content, just staring at their Crib Bedding patterns or their musical mobile will surely bring you joy and maybe a tear or two.
It is important to make sure that your baby bedding materials are flame resistant. It is also a good idea to find out what the thread count of your baby bedding is. The higher thread count in your baby bedding the higher the quality of the fabric and the softer it will feel to your baby. You would not want a scratchy fabric rubbing against your baby’s delicate skin. Your Crib Bedding should be as comfortable as it is interesting for your baby to look at. After all they will be spending quite a bit of time in their crib.
When you purchase your baby bedding you may notice it has a stiff feel to it. This is normal. Most Designer Baby Bedding manufacturers use products on the bedding to make it stays wrinkle-free and looking new. You may want to wash your new crib bedding set before using it for the first time. This will help soften it up and make your baby more comfortable.
Once you decide on your crib bedding design, you may want to shop around. Shopping around can save you a great deal of money, as many online retailers offer discounts and bonus items with your baby bedding purchase. Many also offer free shipping with your purchase. It is also important to find a retailer that carries coordinating accessories for your baby bedding. You may also want to ask if the retailer offers any discount on their accessories with a crib bedding purchase.
You may only use your Baby Bedding for what seems like a short period of time but it is a very special time for both you and your baby. Years from now when your kids are grown and you take it out of that old cedar chest you will say, this was their first baby blanket and those fond memories of watching your baby laying their content, just staring at their Crib Bedding patterns or their musical mobile will surely bring you joy and maybe a tear or two.
Choosing Your Baby Nursery Theme
Planning a baby nursery is a big task. There is furniture to choose, walls to paint, safety to take into consideration. Probably the most exciting part of planning your baby nursery though, will be choosing your nursery’s theme. The theme you decide on will set the tone for the whole room so it will certainly need to be one of the first decisions that you make when your start the planning process.
There is an almost endless supply of themes available for a baby’s room. You could choose to go with something gender specific, a girl themed room for a girl and a boy themed room for a boy, or you may want to consider choosing a gender neutral theme if you plan to have more children. This will save you the trouble of possibly having to remodel the nursery when the next baby comes along. A pink princess themed nursery won’t work so well if your next child is a boy. Likewise, a girl will seem out of place in a nursery decorated with cars.
If you want to plan a nursery that will stimulate your baby as they grow, consider bright primary colours and geometric shapes and patterns. Red, blue, and yellow have been found to be the colours that help stimulate young infants. Bedding and wall décor with geometric shapes and patterns will also do this especially if the shapes and patterns are large. This will make it easier for the baby to see since it takes many months for an infant’s vision to completely develop.
Whatever theme you decide on for your nursery, be prepared to live with it for a few years. Most babies are not ready for a toddler room until they are two to three years old. If you want to save money, choose a theme that will grow with them into their toddler room. Since toddler beds take the same size mattress and bedding as a crib, you could continue to use the theme and bedding you choose in a toddler room if you wanted to.
No matter what theme you decide on, remember to have fun while taking on the whole nursery planning process. This is a joyous time in your life that you will always be able to look back on fondly.
There is an almost endless supply of themes available for a baby’s room. You could choose to go with something gender specific, a girl themed room for a girl and a boy themed room for a boy, or you may want to consider choosing a gender neutral theme if you plan to have more children. This will save you the trouble of possibly having to remodel the nursery when the next baby comes along. A pink princess themed nursery won’t work so well if your next child is a boy. Likewise, a girl will seem out of place in a nursery decorated with cars.
If you want to plan a nursery that will stimulate your baby as they grow, consider bright primary colours and geometric shapes and patterns. Red, blue, and yellow have been found to be the colours that help stimulate young infants. Bedding and wall décor with geometric shapes and patterns will also do this especially if the shapes and patterns are large. This will make it easier for the baby to see since it takes many months for an infant’s vision to completely develop.
Whatever theme you decide on for your nursery, be prepared to live with it for a few years. Most babies are not ready for a toddler room until they are two to three years old. If you want to save money, choose a theme that will grow with them into their toddler room. Since toddler beds take the same size mattress and bedding as a crib, you could continue to use the theme and bedding you choose in a toddler room if you wanted to.
No matter what theme you decide on, remember to have fun while taking on the whole nursery planning process. This is a joyous time in your life that you will always be able to look back on fondly.
Simply Wooden Gifts For Children
There are many online stores for buying gifts and personalised gifts for children. But what makes Simply Wooden Gifts a great place to stop by is that every gift here includes the child’s name. I’m going to update this post shortly with some great information and deals at SWG.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Check It Out - Checklist for Baby Shower Supplies
How many times have we sat down after a shopping spree and forgotten what it was we went for in the first place. This is why a checklist is vital when planning your baby shower party. Celebrations like this need ample supplies of goodies in quantities depending on the size of your guest list.
Invitation cards are crucial elements and are one of the first items to be listed when piecing together a baby shower checklist. If you have a theme for the party then add this to the invitation this gives your guest a good idea on what the celebration is all about and will also help them with their gift picking. A month before the baby shower is a perfect time to send out the cards. RSVP all print outs. If cost is an issue then go online and select the invites from there.
Online shopping for invitations offer a great range so selecting the right one will not be a problem. Why not kill two birds with one stone and have your thank you cards printed out at the same time. Remember it is the card of thanks that brings the celebration of the baby shower to an end. You could even try making your own
Be sure to add to your checklist - games and activities. Fun and laughter for all who participate is how you want the atmosphere to be and why not, this is a happy and joyous event. Award the winners of each game with prizes.
Run through the list of items on your checklist to see if you have the party venue listed in your notes. Decorate the party place accordingly to the theme. If the baby shower is a layette bash then a clothes line draped with baby wear of coloured paper cut-outs and other bits and bobs make a great display. This is your baby shower so you get to decide on what to hang - just make sure it is not yourself.
Let us not forget the buffet bar serving food and drinks. If you can account for all the guests attending then this will give you insight on how much food and drink to order for the baby shower party. Always up on supplies - because you always have one guest whose eyes are bigger than their belly.
Jot down what edibles and drinks you intend to lay out on the feast table. Before going ahead and ordering your nibbles, think about the preparation behind any food dishes you have planned to serve, the reason is it may take up to much of your time to cook or even worse too much time cleaning up after.
A thank you token given to all guests who attended the baby shower is very traditional. Baby shower souvenirs need not be expensive, bulk buy to save money
Make the checklist one of the essential things you have to do before planning for the baby party; it makes sense to have all your ideas for your celebration drawn up on a list so that nothing is forgotten. Just remember not to forget the checklist of baby shower supplies when you go shopping
Always check the checklist to make sure you checked it!
Invitation cards are crucial elements and are one of the first items to be listed when piecing together a baby shower checklist. If you have a theme for the party then add this to the invitation this gives your guest a good idea on what the celebration is all about and will also help them with their gift picking. A month before the baby shower is a perfect time to send out the cards. RSVP all print outs. If cost is an issue then go online and select the invites from there.
Online shopping for invitations offer a great range so selecting the right one will not be a problem. Why not kill two birds with one stone and have your thank you cards printed out at the same time. Remember it is the card of thanks that brings the celebration of the baby shower to an end. You could even try making your own
Be sure to add to your checklist - games and activities. Fun and laughter for all who participate is how you want the atmosphere to be and why not, this is a happy and joyous event. Award the winners of each game with prizes.
Run through the list of items on your checklist to see if you have the party venue listed in your notes. Decorate the party place accordingly to the theme. If the baby shower is a layette bash then a clothes line draped with baby wear of coloured paper cut-outs and other bits and bobs make a great display. This is your baby shower so you get to decide on what to hang - just make sure it is not yourself.
Let us not forget the buffet bar serving food and drinks. If you can account for all the guests attending then this will give you insight on how much food and drink to order for the baby shower party. Always up on supplies - because you always have one guest whose eyes are bigger than their belly.
Jot down what edibles and drinks you intend to lay out on the feast table. Before going ahead and ordering your nibbles, think about the preparation behind any food dishes you have planned to serve, the reason is it may take up to much of your time to cook or even worse too much time cleaning up after.
A thank you token given to all guests who attended the baby shower is very traditional. Baby shower souvenirs need not be expensive, bulk buy to save money
Make the checklist one of the essential things you have to do before planning for the baby party; it makes sense to have all your ideas for your celebration drawn up on a list so that nothing is forgotten. Just remember not to forget the checklist of baby shower supplies when you go shopping
Always check the checklist to make sure you checked it!
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