Dads are notorious for being hard to shop for and also for watching every dollar that leaves the bank account. Don't spend a bundle this Valentine's Day to him how much the kids love him. Instead opt to give him a simple token of your affection and a nice homemade card because really...that's all he wants!
Dads
Most pediatricians will tell you that extreme germaphobia is not a good thing. Kids and adults need some exposure to germs to build up a natural, healthy immune system. Of course, there is a limit to the number and types of bugs we need to encounter. Good handwashing is a great start but for the best protection (think germ-riddled shopping carts), you may want to keep a package or bottle of baby-safe surface disinfectant in your bag. The products below are formulated using natural, plant-derived ingredients, making them non-toxic and generally non-irritating for even the most delicate skin that the formula might contact. It's a small extra step that may keep you out of the pharmacy and the pediatrician's office any more than necessary this winter.
CleanWell Disinfectant Spray & Wipes, $7.99/set, cleanwelltoday.com
Dapple Surface Wipes, $3.49, dapplebaby.com
Dapple Pacifier Wipes, $2.99/10 wipes, dapplebaby.com
The Grime Fighter Surface Wipes, $5, babyganics.com
The Germinator Alcohol-Free Hand Wipes, $2.49, babyganics.com
Earth's Best Nursery Wipes, $6.70/2-pack, earthsbest.com
Dapple Surface Wipes, $3.49, dapplebaby.com
Dapple Pacifier Wipes, $2.99/10 wipes, dapplebaby.com
The Grime Fighter Surface Wipes, $5, babyganics.com
The Germinator Alcohol-Free Hand Wipes, $2.49, babyganics.com
Earth's Best Nursery Wipes, $6.70/2-pack, earthsbest.com
If you celebrate Christmas, you probably also welcome Santa Clause every December 24. From a robust "ho, ho, ho" shouted up the stairs to demolishing a plate full of sugar cookies in the middle of the night, you also probably go to some great lengths to preserve your kids' belief in Santa. If you're looking for some new proof this year, or just want to up your game--big time--check out Capture the Magic. Using your own camera and computer, just take a photo of your room of choice, upload it at CapturetheMagic.com, choose and place a Santa figure, then download and print your photograph. Even if your kids are a bit old for Kris Kringle, you'll still have a great time creating one of these cool holiday mementos.
December. It's a season of friends, family and fun...and it's also a month in which time totally gets away from you. We can only cram so much into 24 hours! With the beginning of Hanukkah this evening, you may be finding that you're a little short on fun holiday items like decor, kids' games and party supplies. Believe it or not, though, there's still time for all of that if you choose fantastic Hanukkah printables. Simple, affordable and festive, the kits featured below easily help you create the perfect family get-together with nothing more than a little printer ink and imagination.
Hanukkah Printable Bingo by BigDandMe, $4.50, etsy.com
A Christmas-themed version is also available here.
Hanukkah Collection DIY Printable Party by FrogPrincePaperie, $12.50, etsy.com
A banner, food labels, gift labels and much more!
Star of David Hanukkah Printable Banner by WhenIWasYourAge, $6, etsy.com
Hanukkah Partie Kit by LePartieSugar, $35, etsy.com
Print Your Own Hershey Bar Wrappers by NecessiTees, $5, etsy.com
Christmas styles also available here.
Hanukkah Playdate Collection: Custom Printable by LibbyLanePress, $9, etsy.com
A Christmas-themed version is also available here.
Hanukkah Collection DIY Printable Party by FrogPrincePaperie, $12.50, etsy.com
A banner, food labels, gift labels and much more!
Star of David Hanukkah Printable Banner by WhenIWasYourAge, $6, etsy.comHanukkah Partie Kit by LePartieSugar, $35, etsy.comPrint Your Own Hershey Bar Wrappers by NecessiTees, $5, etsy.comChristmas styles also available here.
Hanukkah Playdate Collection: Custom Printable by LibbyLanePress, $9, etsy.com
Don't give Dad a new tie again this year, instead opt to give him something that really fits his personality. Is he a new Dad? Does he like to tell jokes? Use his personality as a guide to finding the perfect gift for him and he's sure to love whatever you find him this holiday season. Here's a few of our favorite picks that Dads everywhere would be happy to receive!
Making a bottle of formula sounds easy enough. Mix, warm, pour...piece of cake. Add a squirming baby in one arm, very little sleep and concern over the exact temperature and it might as well be rocket science. For this situation, parents need help from Beaba. They've created the perfect device--the Bib'expresso--to take all the guesswork and balancing act out of formula bottle preparation. Pre-load water and formula powder and the Bib'expresso mixes, warms and pours baby's bottle perfectly. It also doubles as a bottle and baby food warmer. For a baby shower or as a holiday gift, the Beaba Bib'expresso is the ultimate multi-tasking, sanity-saving gift.
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we have officially entered the holiday season. What that means for most of us is that there's a lot to do. From shopping to cooking, or attending various holiday events and parties, there just aren't enough hours in the day to get it all done! The best way to make it through the next month (and even all year round) is to find little ways to save time -- 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there quickly adds up to some significant daily or weekly time. Here are some of our favorite time-saving tips:
1. Do all of your shopping online. Not only is this a significant time-saver, it's also a stress-saver: no crowded malls or trips to the toy store only to find that the must-have gift is sold out. Take advantage of free shipping/free return offers and discount coupons as often as you can, and you'll save money as well as time.
2. Stock up on generic gifts. Candles, lotions, bottles of wine are perfect for quick gifts for everyone from teachers to postal workers.
3. Head to the dollar store and stock up on gift bags. You'll save loads of time wrapping presents.
4. Pay your bills online. This is one of our favorite timesaving tips year round. Set up recurring payments and pay all other bills once a month online in a fraction of the time it takes to hand write and mail checks. Plus, you'll save money on postage.
5. Order groceries online. It's a holiday lifesaver.
6. Work out at home. During the holidays, it's often hard to find time to go to the gym. Working out at home saves time and is easier to fit into any schedule, even if it's just 15 minutes a day. Go for a walk, sign up for online yoga classes, or check out YouTube for free fitness videos.
7. Become the master of the under 30 minute meal. Keep a file of tried-and-true recipes for dinners that can be made quickly, using ingredients from your pantry or freezer. Sign up for notakeout.com for free daily recipes that are easy and quick.
8. DVR it! Record your favorite shows and skip over commercials: you can watch a 30 minute show in 22 minutes.
9. Make lists. Staying organized is essential. Store lists on your mobile phone so you are always reminded.
10. Delegate. When possible, ask for help!
Tell us, what are your favorite time-saving tips?
Introducing the Samsung Stratosphere™ , the first full QWERTY keyboard slider on Verizon's lightning fast 4GLTE network. Learn More here.
Continue reading 10 time-saving tips for the holidays.
It seems like our kids are doing something cute or kind or thoroughly impressive all the time, yet because we get sidetracked or busy, we forget to tell them just how cool they are in the moment. For times like these, you'll appreciate the I Like Book. A 12-month diary/scrapbook hybrid, the I Like Book is an excellent positive communication tool that gives parents the opportunity to write down moments and kids' traits that they love. Together, kids and parents can share the book, leading to great communication and confidence-building. It might be one of the best gifts you could give this holiday season.
There are a number of reasons why Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get the whole family into the kitchen. First, it's just not fair for one adult to be stuck cooking all day. Second, the holiday is a great learning experience for kids with all the kitchen science and math. And, third, its a great reason to outfit everyone in a fun (and functional) apron. Thanks to renewed interest in the art of cooking and baking, these once-utilitarian staples have gone from boring to stylish...for men, women and kids alike. From hip to festive to ultra-frilly, every person is bound to find an apron style that will make the Thanksgiving holiday a fun and fashionable bonding experience.
Yaritza Apron, $38, anthropologie.com
Red Tartan Plaid Apron, $24-$34, williams-sonoma.com
Available in sizes for kids and adults.
Personalized Kids' Apron, $20, williams-sonoma.com
The George Apron by Olli & Lime, $45, velocityartanddesign.com
Sewing Basket Kids' Apron, $24, anthropologie.com
Star Wars Apron, $20-$30, williams-sonoma.com
See the kids' style here.
Solid Apron, $20, surlatable.com
Red Tartan Plaid Apron, $24-$34, williams-sonoma.com
Available in sizes for kids and adults.
Personalized Kids' Apron, $20, williams-sonoma.com
The George Apron by Olli & Lime, $45, velocityartanddesign.com
Sewing Basket Kids' Apron, $24, anthropologie.com
Star Wars Apron, $20-$30, williams-sonoma.com
See the kids' style here.
Solid Apron, $20, surlatable.com
