New Baby Gift Basket Ideas

This is the time of life where women everywhere are having babies, and I have to say I love it.

There are meals to bring and diapers to offer and sweet celebrations everywhere.

For a few friends I was too slow to get on the make a meal list, so I decided that I would do something a little different. Think of it as a "You Don't Have To Go To The Store Cause I Did" basket.

If you want it to be REALLY GOOD, do some research prior to delivery asking about favorites in a nonchalant way. It can still be successful if you remember to do the research or not. There are a few different kind of baskets as well. Feel free to comment with more ideas.

First Baby Basket Ideas

Homemade Cookies, Milk, Eggs, Bagels, Cream Cheese, Granola or Protein Bars, Fresh Fruit, About Your Baby Book, Magazine, Burp Cloths, Socks, Chocolate, Wine, Foot Scrub, Foot and or Leg lotion, Big Cup With Straw for Ice Water (preferably no spill), Box of Tissues, Journal, Pen, Hair Ties

First Baby Basket And Newly Married or Easily Embarrassed by Bodily Functions Basket Ideas (this should be presented as early as possible)

Ibuprophin, Cold Face/Eye Pack, Socks, Maxi Pads (the Xtra Large ones), Preparation H Pads and/or Cream, Nursing Pads, Lansolin Nipple Cream, Aveeno Bath Soak for special sids baths, Chocolate, Big Cup With Straw for Ice Water (preferably no spill), Box of Tissues, Hair Ties, Journal, Pen

You Have Other Kids to Think About Basket Ideas

Anything that is an easy meal grab for breakfast or lunch for the other kiddos.

Homemade Cookies, Milk, Bagels, Cream Cheese, Granola or Protein Bars, Frozen Pancakes, Syrup, Fruit, Not Too Messy Cookies, Rice Krispy Treats, Yogurt or Gogurt, Freeze Pops, Cheese and Crackers, Specially Wrapped Chocolate just for MOM (this can be done by hiding it in a Frozen vegetable box that has been emptied of veggies and resealed after chocolate filler), Coffee, Wine, Big Cup With Straw for Ice Water (preferably no spill)

As you might be aware, feel free to mix and match and make the basket as little or big as you like. You know your friends well enough to make any gift basket great.

Extra tips...

• Start stocking up on things that have coupons or go on sale prior to the baby coming.
• Basket Wrapping Option 1 - Find a basket that is perfect size to hold diapers and wipes in a downstairs or nearby location
• Basket Wrapping Option 2 - Find a basket that has a handle so mom can keep her "just had a baby" stuff with her at all times.
• A basket that can be stored in the car for the "oh boy" moments had by all new and experienced Mamas.

Happy Shopping!

Magazine Fun for Kids and Little Kids

Update: Little Kids National Geographic Magazine now available for $7.00! for ages 3-6

This is for new and existing buyers. Use coupon code NATGEOLK3 at checkout.

Here is a great deal on National Geographic Kids Magazine. One day left to benefit with the $8.00 annual subscription. Gift option available as well.

Enter the $4 off code when you check out: NATGEOK4

This is for kids ages 6-14. If you have younger kids, wait until the little kids magazine is on sale Aug 18th. I will post more then. It is geared toward 3-6 year olds. (Not sure of the price just yet) You cannotbe a current subscriber.

National Geographic Kids for $8.00 annual subscription

Quick ideas for using them.

Claim Naptime Back
Let the kids have 1/2 hour in their rooms where the rules are they can think, read, or pray. Set an alarm clock that they know the time is never ending. The first few times, I have had to sit with them reading so they were not mistaken on expectations. If they don't obey the rules, we add five minutes to the alarm clock each time. In a week or less they got it and I got my 1/2 hour of quiet which is apparently all I need!

Daddy Time

When Daddy first comes home and you need some time to finish dinner prep.

Motivation for Daddy to put your sweethearts to bed.

Discussion pieces for dinner time.

Car Rides

These are small enough to keep in the pocket of the seat backs - great motivators for zoo trips.

Getting Mail

My little darlings always want to know if they got mail and my sweet husband would give them junk mail stating it would have their names on it. Now that they are getting older, this trick isn't working as well and they just LOVE getting mail. Just like I did when I was little and my mother signed us up to be part of the "Alabama" fan club. What a sweet woman.

Positive Motivation Idea For Kids

In an effort to discipline, I had been taking things away from my little ones so often that I felt like I was more of a tyrant than a parent. I mentioned this to a friend who had great feedback.

Marbles.

The idea is to show them what behavior is good and guide them to choose it.

Each time they do something that you would like to reinforce, tell them "Wow, great job Jimmy! You earned a marble!" Then, let them see you put a marble in their special cup. (Each child should have a cup with their name on it)

Go to the dollar store or target dollar spot and let them pick out 5-10 items. These items go directly into a treasure box/bag that is put away. Inform the children that the items in the bag are off limits.

When the child earns 10 marbles, they can cash in the marbles for a treasure from the bag and this part is important. Make it a big deal that they earned TEN MARBLES! WOW! and let them know how proud you are of them.

In order to get them in the groove, give them a marble for almost anything. You will be amazed at the things they will do to earn a marble. Remember they need to earn 10 marbles to get a dollar treat. Don't be too stingy with the marbles, or they will loose motivation. Later, you can say things like "Thank you for brushing your teeth, but that is something you should be doing everyday to ensure your teeth stay in your mouth". There is a balance to find of course, but I am sure you can do it if we could.

My children are going out of their way to help each other out. I only let them cash in marbles when they both have 10 together. My son has been earning a little more than my daughter so he has offered her some of his so they can reach the reward together. At this, he gets a bonus marble and they both reap the reward of a treasure. When my daughter cries or carries on simply because she has to go to bed, I say "It was unfortunate that you chose to carry on because you could've earned a marble for doing what Mama says the first time. Maybe tomorrow you can try again." This concept works wonderfully for teaching them to do things the first time I ask. Always a learning curve, but they are starting to get it.

I was thinking of other ways to use marbles too.

How about around Christmas time or birthdays when we have to give away toys that aren't played with anymore... we can do 1 marble for each toy you give away! We have yet to see how that turns out.

Play-doh is back!

After seeing an article in the October 2009 edition of Family Fun about making your own playdough, it reminded me that our Play-doh has been out of rotation for a while. Then I realized the reason why. The Play-doh we have is hard ... and hard to work with.

After arriving at the museum we packed up for and drove out to was closed, I had to quick find some excitement for kids who were in the car for too long. We decided to stop into target today for an adventure in the toy aisle. (Please note - this adventure only works with my little ones after a few rough adventures where mama stayed strong letting them know we aren't going to buy anything. I also threaten that we sadly can't come back if they carryon, but we can call Grandma and/or Daddy when we get home to share our findings with them and who knows....)

A case of Play-doh goes for $4.79 and a 4 pack for $1.64 at Target. If you ask me, $1.64 for HOURS of fun is worth it.

Option B is back to the create your own playdough. I would absolutely refer you to www.familyfun.go.com. They have not posted the All-Natural Play Clay recipie yet, but they have a handful of other ones that you can choose from. I just love this magazine!

Back at home... hours of fun began again. Now daddy has a "to do" with his little blessings when the show ends. :)

Cookies To Order

You just got off the phone with some surprise guests; perhaps your husband just let you know that he had a rough day - he is looking for some extra TLC; an event that you forgot about until last minute comes up that you were supposed to bring a treat for.... Ah boy...

After this tip, you can simply preheat the oven and retrieve the best chocolate chip cookies you have ever tasted giving your home a sensational appeal for your guests, warming the heart and tummy of your husband, and hiding forgetfulness from the people who surely think you have it all together...assuming anyone does.

The cookie recipe below can be made and separated into 3 rolls. Put two in the freezer and cook the first roll for proof. The next two rolls are bonus used usually for the aforementioned reasons.

Be forewarned... these are good enough to hide from my husband in places like the frozen chicken nugget bag, or frozen vegetables.

350 8-10 minutes
Mix: 2 sticks butter (unsalted)
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
Add: 2 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
Stir in: 4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda (be sure it is not expired)
1 tsp salt
2 cups of chocolate chips

Order up!

Organizing Your Greeting Cards

Unused Christmas cards from years past, birthday cards purchased but unsent (If only I used the "You Remembered!? " tip years ago!), extra note cards, cards and or envelopes just lying around, and much more hidden within junk grouping areas, presented me a new "orderly home" project.

A central location for all of these cards, complete with dividers for easy access and filing. I use a 6.4x10.9x16.3in Rubbermaid container that easily holds all card sizes and has a little space for an extra holder for maybe stickers or stamps.

With my Brother PT-80 label maker,(LOVE this gadget) each divider (made from trimming manila envelopes) is given a category as follows.

• Birthdays
• Christmas
• Get Well
• Friendship
• New Baby
• Thank You
• Note Cards
• Cards w/out Envelopes
• Extra Envelopes

With the start of the new year, I am glad to have my "Card and Party Central" in place before I am enveloped :P with the next group of birthdays that seem to all arrive at once.

Remembering Important Days

It's nice to receive a card or even a call from someone remembering your special day. The giving can be just as fun as the receiving, especially when you're organized. Here's a way to be sure you don't forget other people's important days.

The beginning of the year is a perfect time to mark your calendar with important birthdays, anniversaries and events.

With my trusty refrigerator calendar and red pen, I carry over dates from the previous year and make new additions. My goal is to prepare cards just before the beginning of each month. I use a sticky note to mark each with the date it needs to be sent, and keep the stack on the counter by the garage door. This helps me time each card for its recipient's big day.

Benefits of this technique include considerable time savings, and avoiding the embarrassment of having to ask people for their birthdays again and again.

Holiday Gift "Rapping"

I never realized the vast qualities a gift wrap organizer had to offer or how much fun gift wrapping could be until beginning this year's adventure in Holiday wrapping with my Mother-in-law. It all started when she asked if I had any wrapping paper?

After taking out my wrapping paper organizer and hanging it over the door, we had a blast wrapping and discussing the ease and practicality of the tool. (We could have made bunch o bucks on QVC if this scene was replayed)

We both agreed on the following qualities to this organizational tool:

• Hanging the organizer over the door allows for more wrapping space in various areas throughout the rest of the room.
• Having scissors, tape, ribbon, paper, and gift bags all in one spot is highly efficient.
• Great option to unroll a bit of paper and cut directly from holder (good way to bypass a hole in the paper from your knee while trimming paper from the role)
• Makes you look and feel organized.
• Rolls up to a compact piece that can fit in a closet corner or even under the bed.
• Less mess than other Tupperware tubing or boxes as the view from the door hanger shows everything at a glance.
• This model is cheap. It can be found through Amazon for 14.95.

There are many other gift wrap organization options that may suit you even better.

Do you have any wrapping paper I could use? I do hope I am asked again.