What to Bring to the Hospital When You Visit a New Mom

A new baby arrives...great fun! You want to visit the new mom and child in the hospital. W hat should you bring? Should you bring a gift there or wait until they get home? Should you get a gift for the newborn? The mom? The older sibling? Lots of questions to consider. But since I have had three children and visited many more in the hospital I'll give you some tips that worked for me.

The perfect gift while visiting the hospital is simply time. Spend time with the new mom, new baby and be sure to take a camera. My favorite newborn shots were taken in the hospital and given to me by my visitors. Looking back you can' remember how little the newborns were or who actually visited. Getting snapshots commemorating the event are great to keep and look back upon over the years as the little one grows up. A special gift indeed! Spend time holding the little one giving mom a needed break ¦while at the hospital. Send dad out for coffee or give him a chance to run home and shower. If you have time give it willingly to the new family. Food is always a good gift too when you visit the hospital! Snacks for the room are handy and chocolate chip cookies are good for mom, dad and other siblings who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies?

\"new Mom\"

When the new mom gets home the best gift to bring is a meal or a cleaning lady. New moms are too busy to cook and clean and having someone do that for them is such a relief! Of course, cute little sleepers or outfits are good too. If there are siblings at home you may want to consider a little something for the older sibling--coloring book, ball, jump rope; something that will keep the older brother or sister occupied while mom takes care of the newborn. Personalized gifts are especially good if the newborn has brothers or sisters. It's nice to have something new and just for them and putting their name on it makes it extra special.

What to Bring to the Hospital When You Visit a New Mom

As you can see little things are the best gifts to give new moms and tots time, food, an outfit; whatever fits your budget. As always, it's the thought that counts in gift giving!

What to Bring to the Hospital When You Visit a New Mom

Mary McNeil

President K and M Stores, Inc.

[http://www.jackandjillsbabyboutique.com]

Christmas Gifts For Dad - Top Christmas Gifts For Dad

Looking for unique Christmas gifts for Dad? Don't give Dad a tie again this year! Check out our list of Top Christmas Gifts for Dad for thoughtful presents that Dad will love!

1. Dear Dad Poem Personalized Frame - Choose from 7 poems or write your own . Add his favorite picture, and you've got the perfect Christmas gift for Dad!

Gifts

2. Personalized BBQ Utensil Set - Give the outdoor chef a hand and all the credit! Set of 4 personalized BBQ tools is the ideal present for the grill-meister.

Christmas Gifts For Dad - Top Christmas Gifts For Dad

3. Outdoor Fire Pit - A gift the entire family will enjoy year-round. Roast marshmallows, sing around the campfire, create family memories with an outdoor fire pit.

4. Sports Tickets - This year, give Dad a day out with his favorite team. It's easy to purchase tickets for almost any event on-line - even sold-out events!

5. Foosball Table - Get the whole family playing together with a reasonably-priced, high-quality foosball table!

6. Video Glasses for iPod - Transform Dad's iPod into a wide-screen virtual theater for on-the-go entertainment! Perfect Christmas gift for Dad with long flights and train/bus commutes.

7. Personalized Matching Father-Child T-shirts - Matching personalized father-child t-shirts are wonderful holiday presents for Dad and the kids. Choose from several styles of fun, matching father-child t-shirts and take advantage of those Dad-worshipping years while they last!

8. Parent and Child Go-Karting Day - This karting voucher allows one child and one adult to enter a karting race day together as a team. Available in select cities nation-wide.

9. Personalized Team Jersey - Show his team pride with a personalized team jersey - available for most major league sports teams. Put his name and number on an officially-licensed sports team jersey!

10. Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Machine - Dad will sleep soundly with the amazing Tranquil Moments sleep sound machine. What better gift can you give than a good night's sleep?

11. Lumbar Massage Cushion - Knead away stress with a shiatsu massage cushion! Small enough to take to the office or on trips.

12. Micro-Brewery Beer Making Kit - Brew premium beers right in your own home. Perfect for the beer connoiseur in your life!

13. Photo Mouse Pad - Top budget choice - a personalized mousepad. Priced at under , so why not order one for home and for the office?

14. ARCHOS MP3 Video Player - My husband's all-time favorite gift! Record shows directly from TV - ideal for long flights!

15. Tailgating Cooler & Grill Kit - Everything Dad needs to enjoy the pre-game festivities! Perfect Christmas presents for sports fans.

Christmas Gifts For Dad - Top Christmas Gifts For Dad

Save with coupons on top Christmas Gifts for Dad at Men's Best Gifts today.

Ideas For Anniversary Gifts For Men

Anniversary gifts for men are probably some of the hardest gifts to find. You want to make the gift very special because an anniversary is a very special occasion, and you want the man you are giving the gift to to really enjoy it, be surprised by it and have him value the present.

The biggest problem when the time comes to give a man a gift is to know exactly what to buy. I don't know about you, but to me it seems that most people do not have a problem buying anniversary gifts or any other gifts for women, but when it comes to men the ideas seem to run out. Perfume, socks, ties and pens seem to be some of the most popular (and probably most detested by men) gifts one can find for a man. How unimaginative!

Gifts

There are many other anniversary gifts for men out there that he will enjoy, if you just have a think about it. If you do a little bit of research on the man you want to give the gift to, you should be able to find something he is passionate about.

Ideas For Anniversary Gifts For Men

Personalized anniversary gifts are very popular. What about an ipod in his favorite color with his name engraved and his favorite music already on it? Or if you want to do something really special for an adventurer, a balloon flight, or skydiving? Or how about a nice watch? You can get absolutely stunning mens watches for every taste and budget. Watches are a fashionable and useful accessory for any man. With a watch you can literally never go wrong.

It can be very helpful, too, to search on the Internet for "Anniversary gifts for men" and have a browse of what comes up. There are many very interesting and unique ideas for gifts to be found.

Ideas For Anniversary Gifts For Men

If you like the idea of giving a stunning and valuable watch, Mens Wrist Watches Online offer a great selection of different styles and brands of mens wrist watches. You will never be stuck for a gift for a man again!

Christmas Gift Ideas for A Sister-In-Law

The holiday season is just around the corner, and you are thinking: "Who knows some great Christmas gift ideas for a sister-in-law?" Well, here you go! Because there is no way of telling whether your sister-in-law is closer than a sister or further from you than Mars, this list of five thoughtful gift ideas ranges from very personal to very impersonal, but still classy:

1) Spa Day - If you know everything about her. She works hard, meets the needs of everyone else, and would never give this gift to herself-get her the massage, facial, mud wrap or full-boat special spa deal you know she'd love. It's incomparable!

Gift

2) (Fill in the blank) of the Month Club - If you know anything about your sister-in-law's collections, habits, or fetishes, you can go to amazingclubs.com and find a membership for it. No kidding! Start with a three-month gift membership.

Christmas Gift Ideas for A Sister-In-Law

3) Bracelets & Baubles - If your sister-in-law wears jewelry and has funky, eclectic taste (NOT diamonds), search for original artsy baubles at some of your local fall craft fairs to find her something no one else has. She will really adore the item if you can find it in her favorite color.

To carry this perfect Christmas gift idea for a sister-in-law over to the internet (because who has time to scour craft fairs?) check out the massive internet craft fair: Etsy.com. They have gobs of original stuff you can get your hands on quickly. Look at their top creators on the main page, but don't be afraid to dig deep to find some really interesting stuff.

4) Unique Gifts - So you know your sister-in-law a little, but frankly you haven't got much in common. She's a meticulous housekeeper and crunchy granola eco-freak, and you're...well...not? It's okay. There are tons of Christmas gift ideas for a sister-in-law at RedEnvelope.com where you can buy gifts like the extremely pretty and useful Envirosax floral market bags. They're so pretty you don't notice how useful they are.

Maybe she is a chocolate lover. Who doesn't enjoy chocolate?

• Does your sister-in-law have just about everything? Does she have real estate? Land? Land in all 50 states? You can get her a real legal Deed of Land and she will be the virtual owner of a square inch of land in each of the fifty states of America. A land deed can be bought via email, ready to be printed and framed. This is a very cool gift item that's bound to make her smile.

Christmas Gift Ideas for A Sister-In-Law

There you have it! Five awesome Christmas gift ideas for a sister-in-law and some websites like www.veryclevergifts.com to jump-start your holiday shopping season.

Author's Biography

Scott Moger is an Internet entrepreneur and author who has been published internationally. His book on Internet marketing includes chapters on how to find unique gifts for everyone and also features a gift site which also offers unique gift ideas for a sister. Earlier Mr. Moger held top management positions at Columbia Pictures, ABC TV, and 20th Century Fox TV and has represented Miramax Films and Warner Brothers TV.

Gift Ideas for Aquarians

Are you gearing up to celebrate the birthday of your loved one but don't know what to do? Looking for a unique gift but running short of good ideas? Or simply running short on time to check out the gift stores? Well, there's hope yet for you. For here are a set of innovative ideas that can help you to find the perfect birthday gift for your dear one.

Depending on the zodiac sign of a person, there are a wide range of birthday gifts available in the market. Unique and wonderful, these gifts are designed keeping in mind the specific personality traits of each sun-sign, thus maximizing the chances of being liked by the receiver. So if the birthday of your dear one falls anytime between the 20th of January and the 19th of February, you can easily look for an Aquarian zodiac gift. The gift will possibly find better favour with your partner, and you too will be able to say you care without racking your mind over the issue.

Gift

It is necessary to have a look at the different personality traits of an Aquarian to select an ideal birthday gift. According to astrologers, some of the most common characteristics of an Aquarian are individualism, objectivity, playfulness, spontaneity, progressiveness and career mindedness. However, wide differences do exist from person to person, and between men and women. But mostly, one can be sure to please an Aquarian with an original and unexpected gift, presented with a dash of humor.

Gift Ideas for Aquarians

For Aquarius men interested in outdoor sports, one may choose anything between a sweat shirt to a sports watch, or some cool adventure gear like a backpack, tent or a sleeping bag. Golf clubs and sports gear can also be a favorite with many. However, those appreciating art would prefer to have gifts like sketches and paintings, music CDs, romantic games or classic literature. Aquarian males are also fond of technology, and you can be sure to please them with some cool gizmos like iPhones, notepads, digital cameras and the like.

Aquarius women, on the other hand, are likely to appreciate gifts that are vintage and unique. Individuality is the keyword when it comes to choosing a gift for an Aquarius woman, so you can get anything from a vintage candle-stand to a piece of unusual clothing for her birthday. Unique looking clutches, ancient scarfs and shawls, an artistic jewelry box or simply a zodiac engraved coffee mug are likely to find favour with Aquarius women.

On the whole, one must be careful to keep in mind the various personality traits of an Aquarian to choose the perfect gift for a birthday. Aquarius people, being highly individualistic, defy all set rules in terms of their liking and choice. No matter how big or small, gestures that reveal individuality always go down better with Aquarians. There are hosts of exciting birthday gifts available both online and in the market that promise to go down really well with Aquarians. You can also choose from a wide range of e-cards and wallpapers to gift your Aquarian partner. With the celebrations due to begin in the next few days, it's time you get the perfect birthday gift for your partner and join in the fun.

Gift Ideas for Aquarians

Preetu Misra is a contributed writer for Batchmates.com the largest Alumni portal in India. With her research work and articles she has added an additional edge to the entertainment e-magazine BM Times. Her articles reach to millions of readers every day which are varied in subjects.

5 Simple Gift Ideas For Women Who Have Everything

Let's face it, some women just have everything. They have everything they need and bundles of stuff that they really have no use for but it either shimmered beautifully in the sun or the house needed lamps in every colour and style so the colours can coordinate with the drapes and the style would suit the appropriate occasion.

Yes indeed, some women just have everything imaginable, and that makes gift giving a terribly problematical, even monotonous task since most people eventually conclude, after butting their heads against a wall for days on end, that it is just safer to buy a gift that would not mortify her or give the wrong impression. There are some brave souls who have tried to venture into the unique and unknown depths of gift giving. The results varied, but it remains a hit and miss situation.

Gift

But here are 5 simple gift ideas for those women in your life who have everything. And these gift ideas will hit the mark every time. The key thing to remember is the relationship you share with the woman you intend to purchase a special, unique or original gift for. After all you would not want to show up at your mother's house and present her with a box of edible undies.

5 Simple Gift Ideas For Women Who Have Everything

2. While antiques are great as art displays and may even be functional around the house, the gift giver can make gift giving more personal by choosing collectibles. collectibles such as crystals glassware and ornaments make wonderful gifts for women who have everything since no one can have too many collectibles. Again, consider the woman in question, since many women have interests various types of collectibles. Some women collect vintage dolls, precious gems and rare literature or knick-knacks. You are sure to impress any woman, mother, sister, wife or girlfriend, by presenting them with something that they value.

3. Though these are common placed, gift certificates are especially pleasing gift ideas for any woman. If the woman in question loves to shop or would like nothing better than a day at a Spa, then head out and get the woman who has everything, something that will put a smile on her face simply because women love to pamper themselves, and love it even more when they are pampered by others. The best part about a gift like this is that the present can be used in the future, and even on regular, everyday days the woman can pamper herself on a whim.

4. There is always the option to go wacky. It sounds strange, but you'd be surprised at how her eyes can light up while the room fills with her laughter at the sight of something unexpectedly goofy. Everyone was a kid at one time, and the Holidays and special occasions may just be the right time to remind 'the woman who has everything' of that. Bring out the kid in her by bringing back some special memories or creating new ones. A word of caution; don't be ridiculously-off the wall-wacky with your choice of fun gift. You want her eyes to light up and her laughter to fill the room, but you don't want the bright look in her eyes to be from shock and you certainly don't want to warrant nervous laughter which can mean anything from, "The Cops can be here in five minutes" to "What's this supposed to mean?" It's all about finding the right strokes for different folks. Wacky gift ideas are endless, for instance, a Disco Ball that can make any room a fun room, or a funny paperweight for her desk, or even clothes that has a funny message printed on it that may be playfully teasing.

5 Simple Gift Ideas For Women Who Have Everything

Thirty Totally Free Gift Ideas

Stop laughing! Not all great gifts have to cost a fortune. In fact, some of the best are absolutely free. Skeptical? Well, here's proof with thirty all-occasion free gift ideas:

1. Give them breakfast in bed.
2. Print them off a handmade coupon for a back massage.
3. Cook a special dinner for a friend or loved one.
4. Give someone a special a day of pampering.
5. Write a poem or a quote in honor of someone's birthday.
6. Clip the coupons from Sunday's paper and mail them in a card to a frugal shopper.
7. Create a drawing or painting that has special meaning.
8. Make them a piece of jewelry out of seashells or pine cones.
9. Fill up a glass jar with sea stones and tie raffia around the top.
10. Light a candle and run a warm bath for that special person.
11. Send an e-card or online greeting.
12. Print off information on a topic of interest to someone.
13. Pass along a family heirloom or something that has sentimental value.
14. Surprise someone with a picnic using food that you already have on hand.
15. Leave a message on the bathroom mirror using toothpaste or lipstick.
16. Make cookies or fudge and wrap them in tissue paper.
17. Send an e-mail that lists out the reasons why they are special or why you love them.
18. Pick them up a free kitten or free puppy.
19. Give them an old photograph that has been tucked away for some time.
20. Create a hobby scrapbook with images, articles and tidbits about their favorite activity.
21. Check out a book at the library for someone and return it for them on time.
22. Give them a seedling to grow using one of your own plants.
23. Find a funky shaped rock and write a story about what it reminds you of.
24. Sew together pieces of old clothing for a truly unique table runner.
25. Create a gift voucher for one hour of doing whatever they want.
26. Weed their garden for them or rake their lawn.
27. Decorate a household utensil with craft items you have on hand.
28. Give them a hug.
29. Give them a kiss.
30. REGIFT!

Gift

Don't be embarrassed if you are a little short on cash or if you want to try one of these free gift ideas. The best gifts really do come from the heart.

Thirty Totally Free Gift Ideas

Thirty Totally Free Gift Ideas

The best gift you can give to everyone you love is Security. And there's nothing that says "I Love You" more than making your family prepared for emergencies! [http://SurvivalPrepping.info]

Do you have enough food to last a 3 day snow storm? Can you heat the house if the power goes out? Does your teenager have a tire jack and set of jumper cables in their car? Hurricanes, blizzards, car troubles and natural disasters happen all the time, and to make life even more uncertain the economy is looking shakier every day!

Give the amazingly loving gift of basic emergency survival [http://SurvivalPrepping.info] before it's too late to help the ones you love...

Making the Perfect Gift Yourself with Homemade Gift Ideas

One of the best and surefire ways to make gift buying easy this year and save a little money in the process is by creating and giving your own homemade gifts. Depending on your skill or expertise, you can make hundreds of different unique gifts which everyone will be wishing they got like ornaments or detailed quilts instead of a new pair of socks.

True gifts are often seen as a sign of love and caring but that doesn't mean you need to spend large amounts of money to show someone you care about them. Everyone can make a celebration or holiday memorable with just a touch of imagination. Gather all your savvy, creativity and available resources such as money, time, energy, talent, and skill.

\"mom Gift\"

Get into creating homemade gifts by using your imagination, plan ahead and having enough room to store everything. Here are a few ideas to get you started and on your way.

• The best way to show someone you care about them is with food. For centuries, food has long been associated as a sign of love and caring. After all the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach as the saying goes. So not surprisingly, gifts involving food rates pretty high among homemade gifts. There is nothing more popular than sweets but there are other options available. Bake some fresh bread like banana bread, minestrone soup or chili. Put together a fruit basket with some tasty, fresh fruit.
• Take the time and build something yourself that they will be able to use. While everyone thinks of a spice rack for this type of gift, there are other ideas you can try. Build a birdhouse or a picture frame. They are both easy projects and make nice gifts.
• You can go very creative by presenting food mixes for someone to use in the future such as ingredients to make cookies or brownies. Get a jelly jar and then layer the dry ingredients of a recipe. Another variation of this gift requires you to mix a dry bean soup in an attractive bag or a hot cocoa mix in a tin. Add a little flair to the presentation by attaching the instructions to the container.
• Think about making some herbal personal care products. With aromatherapy being as popular as it is, build a gift basket full of lotions, bath oils and powers. It's simple. Add some bath salts to the basket by combining a tablespoon each of baking soda and borax with 1/2 cup table salt and then mix in 1/4 teaspoon of a scented essential oil.
• Use some digital photos saved on your computer to create a neat gift. Build a montage of someone's favorite photos or framed a photo that is special for the gift receiver. Printing a digital photo album for grandma and grandpa works wonders. Programs such as Microsoft Publisher or even Adobe Photoshop can help you build an album. They even allow you to insert some text for a story about your family.
• Craft something with your hands to create something precious. If you're a skilled knitter weave a pair of gloves or a hat. Quilters can piece together special quilts with meaning. Someone skilled with needlepoint can make some attractive wall decorations.
• If you don't feel as though you're that creative and handy, then offer the gift of time. Help out a family member by offering to cut their grass over the summer or your babysitting services.

Making the Perfect Gift Yourself with Homemade Gift Ideas

Making the Perfect Gift Yourself with Homemade Gift Ideas

The Fruit Company offers fruit harvested right from the orchards, reserving only the freshest fruit for your gifts. The Fruit Company offers a selection of fruit baskets, gift towers, gourmet gift baskets, premium fruit gifts, and our monthly fruit clubs. Visit them at www.fuitcompany.com.

Top Cool Gifts For a 13-Year-Old's Birthday

If your favorite 12-year-old is about to turn 13, it is time to get some cool gifts for a 13-year-old's birthday.

What would light up the face of a 13-year-old girl or boy? Would it be a sparkling silver shoulder bag... a remote controlled airplane... or a magic kit? Or, perhaps a special birthday dinner in a restaurant with great food, a big cake, and plenty of ice cream.

Gifts

Settle back for now and let us take a look at some cool gifts that may fit the bill.

Top Cool Gifts For a 13-Year-Old's Birthday

Electric Guitar - This electric guitar is ready to play. No TV or sound system is needed. There are built-in songs with a selection for indie, metal, punk, and rock. Your 13-year-old may have a budding career as a rock star.

Pastel Painting Set - This set contains 48 pastels of every color, a block of pastel paper, and a bottle of fixative spray. Your young artist can paint an original painting or paint a picture that is pre-drawn on the paper.

Radio-controlled Trucks - These great trucks come in either a GMC Yukon Denali model or a Dodge HEMI. They are a full 30 inches long and have a roaming range of 100 feet. These remote controlled toy vehicles have giant wheels for rough terrain as well as smooth.

Hannah Montana Projector - Invite friends over, turn down the lights, and pass the popcorn. It is time for the Hannah Montana show. You can project the show on a screen, the wall, or the ceiling. The projector comes with remote and slides. Use a sound track from the show to accompany the pictures.

Pinball Wars Game - This pinball game is a game for two players that switches to a game for one. The standing table is filled with electronic lights and sounds. It has dual LCD scoring as well as internal drop pockets. This cool gift could keep the whole family occupied.

Barbie Girls and MP3 Player - This super gift will bring a lot of joy. There are two Barbie girls and you can mix and match their outfits. Plus, included with the Barbie girls is a good-looking MP3 player with adjustable earbuds and a docking station. This gift could be the hit of any party.

Name Scroll on a Painting - Here is one gift that is always a big hit. This scroll is hand-printed with your 13-year-old's first name and its meaning, and includes famous people with that name. The background is a painting of a kitten, a dog, horses, flowers or other scenes. There is a golden crown, a seal, and a border. This treasured gift is ready for framing.

Well, that is about it. Have a good time shopping for cool gifts for a 13-year-old's birthday. And, remember to have a great time at the birthday party.

Top Cool Gifts For a 13-Year-Old's Birthday

Uncover more cool gifts at http://www.giftscrolls4u.com Benedict Manovill creates name scrolls for you. A leading name historian and calligrapher, his works are in collections around the world. Order your name scroll and receive a free treasured gift. For more information, visit http://www.giftscrolls4u.com

(c) Benedict Manovill. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Baby Shower Themes - How to Choose the Perfect One

The best way to make sure that you throw the perfect baby shower, is to start with the perfect baby shower theme. With the hundreds of baby shower themes out there though, how do you choose the right theme?

A baby shower theme sets the tone for the entire event. What is right will change from person to person, but there are things you can take into consideration to make sure you find the right theme.

\"new Mom\"

First, consider the theme that the new parents will be using for the baby's nursery. Would this be a good baby shower theme? One of the most popular ways of choosing a theme is to do the shower in the same theme that the new parents are doing the baby's room in. There are a few advantages to using the theme of the baby's room. First, you know that the new mom likes it. Second, it will be gender appropriate for the baby, as mom and dad will be decorating based on what they know the baby's gender is, if they don't know, they will no doubt have picked a theme that they feel is appropriate for both a boy or girl.

Baby Shower Themes - How to Choose the Perfect One

If you are not going to go with the theme of the baby, then there are literally hundreds of themes to choose from. This biggest issue for most people at that point is figuring out how to narrow their choices down. There are some basic things you can take into consideration to help you decide.

First, consider the new mom's tastes. Does she like traditional baby shower things like baby animals, baby carriages, teddy bears or the like? Or, is she more trendy and looking for the hottest thing?

The baby's gender will also be a big consideration of course. Is baby a boy or a girl, or are mom and dad waiting to find out? Do you want a theme that is traditionally boy or traditionally girl? Or, would you prefer something gender neutral? Perhaps you'd prefer a theme that is generally thought of for the opposite gender, for instance cowboy baby showers have long been popular, but the cowgirl theme has become quite popular in recent years.

Would it be good to incorporate a religious theme into the shower, or would this be an area best avoided? For the right person, a Noah's Ark shower, angel shower, or miracle from heaven theme can be extra special.

Of course if mom is having twins, triplets, or more babies, then you will have additional themes available to you. Themes like Two Peas In A Pod and Noah's Ark are great ways to celebrate the special arrival of multiples.

Once you've thought about these things, you can easily narrow down the options and find the theme that will be just right for the new family.

Baby Shower Themes - How to Choose the Perfect One

Charlene is the owner of The Babbling Baby where she has assisted hostesses in planning hundreds of baby showers, birthday parties, baptisms, christenings, and other special events. She loves helping plan events that are as unique and memorable as the people they are being thrown for. To receive a free baby shower planning guide, go to:

http://www.thebabblingbaby.com/blog/baby-shower-planning-guide

Great Birthday Gifts for Girls Including 14 Year Old Teenage Girls

Finding the right birthday gifts for 14 year old girls can be rather
challenging. After all, there are plenty of great gifts to give her but that
does not mean that they will meet her specific tastes. What's more is that gift
for her can be somewhat unappreciated if it is not bought with consideration to
her age, her likes and her dislikes. The good news is that there are plenty of
great birthday gifts for 14 year old girls that are both things they will love
as well as things you will like giving.

How do you make sure that a 14 year old birthday gift is something that she will
love? Here are some tips to think about.

1. Personalized gifts. If you want to give her a gift, give her one that she will love based on her tastes. Does she love a favorite band? Perhaps she has a favorite color? This can help to insure that the gift for her is something that fits with her tastes. Just look around her room and talk to her to learn more about what she loves.
2. Unique gifts. If you would like to give your 14 year old girl a birthday gift that is special, consider the options that you will find online. From handmade products to those items that she will treasure for a lifetime, you are sure to touch her heart with them. You can find all sorts of gifts that are unique such as crystal gifts, gifts of jewelry, or even gifts of something only you and she can share such as a scrap book of her life growing up.
3. Engraved gifts. Custom engraved gifts are perfect for the 14 year old that has just about anything or the gift that is picky. Adding their name to a piece of jewelry or providing them with engraved stationary or pens can make for a beautiful gift for her. Find various options in engraved gifts offered throughout the web.
4. If you do not want a unique gift for her, consider something traditional then. There are many girls that would love a gift card with flower delivery. Make sure it is to a store or restaurant that she loves and she will be more than happy to take it. There are plenty of other solutions out there as well that are traditional and just as much fun.

Gifts

Finding the right birthday gifts for 14 year old girls is not simple task.
With their style and fashion needs, you will need to think outside of the box on
this gift giving adventure. The good news is that gifts for her can be something
tradition or unique gifts. She is sure to love that you thought of her as well.

Great Birthday Gifts for Girls Including 14 Year Old Teenage Girls

Great Birthday Gifts for Girls Including 14 Year Old Teenage Girls

Find more great gift ideas for girls. Check out Gift Idea Helper. The site contains lots of great tips, info and gift giving ideas for everything from gifts baskets to golf gifts all at Gift Idea Helper. Thought about giving the ultimate gift basket why not try a Wine and Country Gift Baskets

Wife Birthday Gift Ideas - Top Choices And Tips

People everywhere concern themselves with the best birthday gifts they could give to those they care about most. Husbands are no exceptions. They always find time to bring something home as birthday presents to their wives.

A. Top Choices Of Wife Birthday Gift Ideas

Gift

1. Jewelry. Almost all women have an eye for jewelry. Whether it be a traditional, trendy, simple, or exotic kind, the point is - it is a piece of jewelry. Jewelry is one surefire gift that is desired by many women.

Wife Birthday Gift Ideas - Top Choices And Tips

This wife birthday gift idea helps a lot in creating a fashion statement. It is naturally expensive but if you cannot afford that million-costing piece, you could always have the local jeweler design something elegant for your wife.

2. Shopping spree. This is another brilliant wife birthday gift idea because many women seem to have a special addiction to this thing. You might want to provide her with a gift certificate so that she'll get to buy the thing which she may have been eyeing on for months.

3. Go personal and creative. If your abilities permit it, you could try creating some one-of-a-kind gift for your wife. You could engrave some personalized message on simple things that she'll truly love.

4. Get her some new appliances. These are things that she'll surely be able to use for the whole year.

5. Get her trendy gadgets. Technology is constantly needed these days. It would be a good idea to buy her a new mobile phone or perhaps a laptop.

6. Other selections of woman birthday gift ideas are her favorite flowers, a portrait of her, music CDs of her favorite singers, love poems, massage and spa treat, shoes, beaded bags, wallet, and her favorite pastries.

B. Things To Keep Note Of

Take note of these general tips when buying some wife birthday gift ideas:

1. Stick to your budget.

2. As much as possible, buy something that she asks for so that the gift won't be wasted.

3. Buy a gift that matches her personality and style.

4. Do not buy her something that is eccentric.

5. Also don't fail to muster all your patience and perseverance because deciding on the specific wife birthday gift idea could really be tiring and time-consuming.

Wife Birthday Gift Ideas - Top Choices And Tips

To learn more birthday gift ideas, visit http://www.birthdaygiftideas101.com

Christmas Gift Ideas For the Elderly

It can be hard to buy Christmas gifts for the elderly people in our lives that we love. Many of these wonderful people are not capable of participating in the hobbies they once did, they have all the household items they need and the clothing items they need. At first thought, we may be at a lost at what to buy them that they will not only like, but may actually need.

Yet, there are a number of different things you can buy and a number of different services you can offer or you can pay someone else to do, that will not only brighten their holiday season, but may make their holiday season a little easier for them.

Gift

Here are a few suggestions.

Christmas Gift Ideas For the Elderly

--Offer to clean their house once a week or help them to maintain their yard. If you don't have the time or think they would prefer a stranger to do these services for them, you could hire a cleaning service or a yard care service for them.

--Do you have a child in your household who always needs extra money? Is the child old enough to wash dishes? Discuss the idea of the child going over to the house once or twice a week to the dishes for him/her. You pay the child.

--Do you love to bake or cook? Bake a cake, pie or prepare a meal for the person.

--Give a gift basket filled with bath supplies. Include items such as sponges, lotions and soaps. Make sure the products are filled with moisturizes. As we age, our skin becomes dryer and dry skin can become rough and irritated.

--Give food baskets filled with anything from cookies, candies, meats, breads, wines, and crackers and cheeses and everything in between. Make sure anything that needs to be refrigerated, gets refrigerated as soon as possible.

--Offer to take the person to the grocery store or even to do their grocery store shopping or them.

--Visit them early (before the actually Christmas holiday). Ask if they need help decorating. Give them a whole afternoon of your time. Be sure to also help put the decorations away after the holidays are finished.

--Would the person enjoy a massage? Do you have a massage therapist in town? Old bones tend to hurt, especially in the cold seasons.

--Want a gift they can unwrap? Think about warm robes, warm slippers and even warm throws. Yes, they may have these all ready. But with age these tend to lose their softness. Be sure to buy the softness one you can find.

--Check and see if the person still has a working record player. Yes, record player. Older people still have a collection of records from their past. But many may not have a working player. Yes, you can still buy these. Sometimes they come in combination packages that include a CD player and radio. If the records are in storage, offer to help the person get them out and then set up the player for them to enjoy.

It can be hard to buy for the elderly. For one thing, they may feel like they have everything they need and want. In some cases, they actually may have. But we still have to take the initiative and we still have to try and find a special Christmas gift and special gift ideas for the elderly people in our lives. It is one way we can show them how much we love and cherish them.

Christmas Gift Ideas For the Elderly

Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

Introduction to Cake Decoration

Cake decoration is one of the most thrilling art of using icing, sugar and other edible decorations to make cakes look more visually more delicious and interesting. Like other forms of art, cakes can also be adorned with various embellishments. Cake decoration differ from other form of art because it requires only edible decorative.

In most part of the world, beautifully sculpted and decorated cakes are the focal attraction of special celebrations and occasions such as birthdays, weddings, bridal shower, baby shower and anniversary. Delicious and virtually interesting cakes enhance the feel and ambience of these special celebrations.

\"new Mom\"

Ancient Egypt showed evidence of true baking skills. The term cake was derived from Viking origin, from the term 'kaka' that denotes a baked flour sweetened with sugar or honey. Later in the mid 17th century, Europeans came out with moulds to bake delicious cakes and used to decorate them with various edible decorative.

Introduction to Cake Decoration

This art of baking and decorating was widespread to North America, Australia, New Zealand and South America. By the mid-19th century the French used decorated cakes as the sweet course or desert at the end of the meal. Further, during the mid-20th century, many households started producing a simple robust, filling cake, entailing abundance and hospitality. Europeans are believed to be the precursor to most cake decorating styles. They used to decorate cakes by covering cake with a smooth layer of icing and then pipe flowers and decorative string work to embellish cakes.

Today, in the Western World, the role of cakes and cake decoration has completely changed. It has become ubiquitous and one of the most leading hobbies. This simple and entertaining hobby can be transformed into a successful business. Many people today adopt cake decorating as a career that involves fun, entertainment, admiration, appreciation and lots of earning potential.

Decorating cake mainly involves covering a cake with various form of icing and decorative such as sugar, candies and chocolates. Today, cakes are being embellished by sprinkling a fine coat of icing sugar, piping icing flowers, preparing a glossy blanket of glaze or molding gum paste to flowers and other interesting images. These days, many people are also using decorating artificial cakes with various adornments for display and décor. These include diaper cakes, flower cakes and many more. Learning how to make a diaper cake can be the best gift for any new mom.

There are ample of cake decorating books available that contain pictures and provide step by step instructions of carving varied shapes and designs for cakes. These self explanatory books can help achieve perfection and appreciation.

These days, many cake decorating classes are also conducted in the avenue. These classes help in learning innovative cake decorating ideas. Many of these classes also help you start your own business. There are other sources such as magazines, publications, newspapers, recipe books and recipe shows that can help you upgrade your knowledge and learn about the latest development in cake decoration. With practice and time you can venture into more interesting and intricate designs and decorations.

Today, people round the world are experimenting and trying lucrative business ventures with all their skills, abilities, talents and creativity. All are putting down their heads to transform their talent to productivity and creativity to income to be able to reap in profits.

Introduction to Cake Decoration

Christmas Gifts For Mom - Top 15 Christmas Gifts For Mom

Need help finding Christmas gifts for Mom? If you want to become Mom's favorite child this year, just choose one of these top 15 Christmas gifts for Mom! 

1.  Forever in a Mother's Heart Birthstone Pendant - Add each of her children's birthstones to a beautiful heart-shaped pendant to create a gift Mom will always treasure!

\"mom Gifts\"

2. Dear Mom Poem Personalized Glass Frame - Choose from pre-written sentimental poems, or write your own.  Pop in her favorite photo (I'm sure it will be one of you!) and you have the perfect gift for Mom!

Christmas Gifts For Mom - Top 15 Christmas Gifts For Mom

3. Travel Carefully Pewter Visor Clip - Top budget Christmas present choice - under !   Pewter heart is engraved: "You are more special than words can say - please travel carefully each and every day."

4.  Lumbar Massage Cushion - Help her relax with a soothing lumbar massage.  Perfect for home or office!

5.  Year of Wishes for a Wonderful Mom Vase - Reminds Mom each day how much you love her as she opens a different wish every single day of the year.

6.  The Slanket - Keep Mom warm with a soft, cuddly blanket with arm holes built in so that she can keep her hands free to knit, read, use the computer, etc.

7. Personalized Cookie Jar - Give her a place to stash her home-made treats with a cookie jar personalized with each family member's name.  Perfect holiday gift for Moms that love to bake!

8.  Towel Warmer - Mom will love wrapping up in a warm, cozy towel after her shower or bath.  Pamper her with a luxurious towel warmer!

9.  Lord's Prayer Mobius Bracelet - Give Mom the gift of infinity and faith with a stunning mobius bracelet inscribed with the Lord's Prayer.

10.  Birdfeeder - Perfect Christmas present for the nature-lover! 

11. Roomba Robot Vacuum - Mom's vacuummed enough in her life!  Free up her time with a robot vacuum that will do the work for her.

12. Purse Hook - One of those small gifts that she will love!  Keeps her purse within reach and up off the dirty floor.  She'll wonder how she got by without it!

13.  Earthbox Gardening System - Revolutionary gardening container that will allow her to grow her favorite plants in a small space.  Ideal gardener's gift!

14. Cookbook Holder - A practical Christmas gift idea for the Mom who loves to cook.

15. Lobster Gram - Give the seafood-loving Mom a gourmet treat sent directly to her home!

Christmas Gifts For Mom - Top 15 Christmas Gifts For Mom

Save with coupons on the most popular Christmas gifts for Mom at Great Mother's Day Gift Ideas today.

4 Easy Tricks to Fall Asleep Fast

If you lead a hectic or stressful life, falling asleep can be rough. Your brain is running a mile a minute and you can't seem to slow it down. It seems you could lay there for hours and ruminate about the day's events. Eventually, you look over at the alarm clock that reads 2:36AM and you stress even more because there's only 4 more hours to try and get at least some sleep. Sounds familiar, right? 

It doesn't have to be this way. You can put off all of the day's ills and relax yourself into a peaceful night's sleep without using over-the-counter sleep aids or supplements. Here are five tricks that have helped many folks fall asleep fast:

\"new Mom\"

1. Make sure you're comfortable. Your mattress and pillow have a lot to do with comfort, but clothing (or lack thereof) can also contribute to the quickness in which you fall asleep. It shouldn't be too restrictive - it's wise to keep your blood circulating. Conversely, your clothing shouldn't be too loose. When you're searching for position loose clothing can get twisted around you and cause discomfort.
2. Relax. A good trick to get you into a relaxed state? Stop thinking about trying to fall asleep. Instead, think about trying to stay awake. This reverse psychology does wonders to put you in the right frame of mind for sleep. Also, try other relaxation techniques such as slow muscle stretches or massage. After all, that's what spouses are for!
3. Doing mental exercises is a great way to ensure you'll be asleep quickly. There are lots of things you can do, too. Try writing an outline for a book in your head. Or count by threes to 999 (you probably won't get that far). You could put yourself into the storyline of your favorite book or TV show - follow the storyline as far as you can, scene by scene. These kinds of exercises put you into a different state of mind, helping you to reduce the stress from the day.
4. Try some ambient noise. The sound of rain falling or that spacey music that they play during a massage really helps you to feel relaxed and sleepy.

4 Easy Tricks to Fall Asleep Fast

It is possible to fall asleep fast. These tricks will help train your brain to settle into sleep. Practice these techniques and see how easy it is to relax and fall asleep naturally.

4 Easy Tricks to Fall Asleep Fast

Kate E Ryan is a writer, database administrator, and relentless researcher. She did most of the research for this article as a new mom breastfeeding the night away with a newborn daughter. Get more tips and insights on sleep at http://www.squidoo.com/sleeptight.

Ten Ideas For Mom's Night Out

Being a stay-at home Mom is rewarding and we all love being around our babies and children, but let's face it, we all need some alone time and some adult interaction. Forming bonds with other mothers in the same situation is a great way to get validation and build long-lasting relationships. Your circle of new Moms should try to get out to do something fun together at least once a month. Hire a babysitter or get Dad involved so that you can take a break and have some much deserved time to yourself. Here are some fun ideas to do with your friends:

1) Go to the Spa. Schedule a package deal for your group at a local spa for a massage, facial and manicure or any combination of these things. All Moms can use a little pampering and this is a great gift to give yourself. A less expensive option would be to buy manicure kits, nail polishes, etc. and set up a relaxing spa atmosphere in someone's home where you give each other manicures.

\"new Mom\"

2) Have a Bunco night. Bunco is a dice game that is all the rage for groups of 12 or more people (4 people per table/group). The official bunko rules and instructions on playing can be found online at WorldBunco. Of course, food and drink are a must at bunko parties so have everyone bring a little something to share.

Ten Ideas For Mom's Night Out

3) Have a progressive dinner night. Each one of the women in the group hosts a part of the dinner at their home - one for appetizers, one for the main course, one for dessert and then the final stop for drinks.

4) Have a game night. You can play group party games such as Cranium, Catch-phrase, Pictionary, Outburst or Taboo. There are so many great games out there so find some that appeal to the tastes of your group and don't be afraid to try something new.

5) Go out to a dinner theater. Many cities have local dinner theatres where you see a musical show and eat dinner. Check your newspaper or local phone book for a location in your area.

6) Throw a pool party or backyard barbecue. Fun in the sun is a great way for the women in your group to kick back and relax.

7) Have a dessert night. Each mom brings her favorite dessert to share. What woman doesn't have a sweet tooth?

8) Go bowling. Most bowling alleys have open bowling on the weekends and even some weekday evenings. Be sure to call and reserve the number of lanes that you'll need for your group and double-check to see what evenings or days have open bowling.

9) Go to a movie or watch a DVD at someone's home. This would be the perfect time to see one of those "chick-flicks" that you've been wanting to watch. Crying and laughing with your girlfriends is a great way to bond.

10) Outdoor activity like biking, canoeing, walking in the park, etc. Mom's often don't have time to exercise and having buddies to "workout" with is a great way to get motivated.

Ten Ideas For Mom's Night Out

The next time you need a gift for the new mom, check out our Gifts For New Mom.

Featuring personalized and memorable gifts for new babies and mothers, Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets will make buying your next gift easier than ever.

Finding the Perfect Gift for Dad This Christmas

Now a lot of people will tell you to get something practical for dad. But this is really only half the story. The perfect gift for dad is one that is practical and unique, special, and or sentimental. Hey, it's alright to make a gift practical, but it will end up being another tool in his tool belt. That's alright, and I don't want to bash that, but you are here because you want to give your dad something cool, something that he will remember. That's what this article is going to help you do.

The first thing that you need to remember is that practical is not good enough. I am saying that twice for a reason! We have had it ground into our heads that 'men like practical gifts'. The truth is that yeah we do, but we also like more.

\"mom Gifts\"

Nobody wants to get socks every year, or their equivalent in tools or whatever. Just about all of us like to be surprised at Christmas, and all of us like to feel loved and special. That's why the other aspects of gift giving for a dad are actually very important and should never be ignored.

Finding the Perfect Gift for Dad This Christmas

Next, you need to figure out how you are going to go about discovering that perfect gift for dad. Do you know where to get started? It's in your own head. That's a relief; right? You just need to take a minute, write it down if you have to, and think about what your dad values and cares about.

This line of thinking can bring up anything from gifts that are relevant to his past, to gifts that will help him improve his golf game. Remember that a gift is either all about the dad or about your relationship with him. That is one of the most important qualities of good gifts: you ACTUALLY had that person in mind.

Hey, we have all received gifts that make us wonder: 'what the heck was she thinking?' And the above is where that person went wrong. I bet you have even given some of those gifts yourself.

The next step is to find your gift online. I say online because it is EASY, infinite, and not stressful at all. You just have to find the right place to get your gift and then you are set. The internet is so vast that you can get just about anything you can imagine.

Finding the Perfect Gift for Dad This Christmas

I'll share the best site that I have found for gift giving help and ideas for 2010. Here's their list of top 10 Unique Gift ideas for Dad.

They have top 10 lists for a lot of other people on your list as well.

Click here for Christmas gift ideas for dad and anyone else on your list.

Merry Christmas and happy gift giving!

B. Claus

What's the Right Length Silver Necklace For Kids?

Picking silver necklaces for kids requires you to consider their face shape, overall build, and occasion. However, you shouldn't pick up long lengths in silver necklaces for kids, as they won't be able to handle them. An ideal length for any kid is a silver necklace reaching up to a few inches below the throat. Also, keep the following points in mind when choosing sterling silver chains for kids: 

• For daily wear give kids a single plain silver necklace reaching up to two inches below the throat. Don't give them long 925 necklaces reaching to below the chest level in any case.
• For children with round and square-shaped faces, choose silver necklaces that are thin and reach to about four inches below the throat. Do not choose choker length silver necklaces for these kids.
• Kids with broad shoulders should be given long silver chains of up to 18" for daily wear. Kids with a slim look can go for the choker effect with solid pendants in large motifs. Shorter kids can wear V-shaped silver necklaces for a taller look.
• Kids with heart-shaped faces should ideally wear choker-length sterling necklaces.
• The adult 16" necklace will always give an 18"-look on kids so keep that in mind when buying one. For most 8- to 14-year-old children you can get a 14-16" necklace.

You can choose longer lengths in 925 necklaces for children if you're taking them out with you for a formal event like a dinner party or theater. You can also combine varying lengths of plain silver necklaces for a stylish look but check whether you kids can handle these. Most children prefer a short necklace that doesn't seem to 'get in the way' of all they want to do! In case you intend to dress up your kid with a combination of two silver necklaces, choose varying lengths with a difference of at least six inches in length to prevent the silver neck chains from being entangled.

\"new Mom\"

Hyperactive children should not be given longer sterling necklaces as they may get them entangled in the dress or hair. Hyperactive young girls with long hair are better off with choker length or up-to-neckline sterling silver necklaces.

What's the Right Length Silver Necklace For Kids?

For an average-build kid you can also run a tape measure around their neckline and choose a silver necklace of the exact length or longer by two inches. In case you pick a shorter silver necklace, ensure that it has a clasp that can be easily opened by the child himself.

What's the Right Length Silver Necklace For Kids?

Sarah Carnagie is a silver jewelry lover, and DreamlandJewelry.com's head of quality assurance for SILVER NECKLACES. You can find more info on sterling silver and Wholesale Silver Chains at DreamlandJewelry.com

New Mom Fashion - How to Look Great Post Pregnancy

There is nothing more exciting than being a new mom. Having a baby can dramatically change your life in a positive way. Unfortunately, becoming a new mom can sometimes leave you feeling less attractive than you did before your pregnancy. Don't think that having a baby means a world of bulky sweaters and roomy pants. You can still look great post pregnancy with these great tips.

• Wear Your Maternity Clothes: I understand. For nine months you've been finding clothes to fit your growing belly; now that you're holding your little one in your arms the only thing that can make life any better is being able to slide back into your old jeans with little effort. Unfortunately, it took you nine months to make your baby and grow your belly; logic says it will take some time before your back to your pre-pregnancy size. While your pregnancy clothes may be the last thing you want to wear, they are actually a great option. Most retailers are offering very trendy pregnancy clothing that can be adjusted and worn during and after your pregnancy. Often times, the clothes you wore around 5 or 6 months may not scream maternity wear and will give you the extra room that your body deserves.
• Leave Your Workout Wear at Home: Everyone loves wearing sweat pant. Nothing feels better than wearing pair of forgiving cotton pants that make you forget all the weight you may have put on. The forgiving nature of stretch pants and sweat pants covers up your body, makes you look and feel less than sexy, and often keeps you from returning to your pre-pregnancy weight. How can those comfy pants stop you from losing weight? When you wear nothing but roomy sweat pants you lose sight of what you once had and would like to regain. Sweats are great for when your home on the weekend or to slip into after a hard day of work, but when you leave the house, try putting regular clothing on. Wearing regular clothing will help you maintain your weight loss focus.
• Endorse Your new Curves: Congratulations, you're a new mommy. You have a new baby and you have some great new curves. After giving birth, many women are put off by their brand new shape; however, this is absolutely unnecessary. Many people, including men, often think that the new curves you've obtained over nine months are sexy and portray characteristics of a mature woman. Don't cover your new body up with baggy clothing. Instead find the areas of your new body that you really love. For many women the cleavage formed from a larger chest is a favorite asset. Find some great V-neck shirts to show off what your hard work gave you.
• Choose Dark Colors: In case you didn't know, dark colors are a great way to disguise parts of your body that you don't particularly like. They work well to create an overall slimming appearance. If you gained a lot of weight on your backside, wearing a dark pair of pants or jeans is a great way to mask that. Likewise, a dark colored shirt can help divert attention away from a tummy that just carried a baby for nine months. Even though it does work to create a trimmer appearance don't overdo it by wearing only dark colors. Mix it up a bit. My suggestion is to utilize this trick more often for your legs than for your top. While you can often get away with a light colored top, light colored pants and jeans are usually less forgiving.
• Choose Clothing Strategically: Choose clothing that down plays body parts you're not happy with. If you recently had a baby, you're in luck. Shirts that mask your stomach area are big right now. This includes baby doll shirts, and empire waist shirts. Both these garments accentuate your chest and draw attention away from your middle section. Not only do they help take attention away from your tummy, but they often leave you with a bit more confidence since it is not snug around your belly but still looks attractive and stylish.
• Wear the Right Undergarments: Pregnancy does strange things to your body and this includes your breasts. After your pregnancy you definitely will want to think about purchasing nursing bras. These bras are specifically made for easy nursing access. Not only do they make feeding easier, but the padding on the bras will help support your chest and prevent embarrassing leakage. Wearing the right undergarments is also a great way to help your clothes look better on your body. Bras and underwear that are too small or don't give enough support will take away from what you put on top of them.

\"new Mom\"

New Mom Fashion - How to Look Great Post Pregnancy

New Mom Fashion - How to Look Great Post Pregnancy

For trendy clothes clothes that will compliment your new curves check out the great selection at www.babyphat.com Baby Phat is your one stop shop for sassy, sexy, and stylish urban apparel.

Crocheted Baby Booties

If you're an avid fan of crocheting, you may already know how simple it can be to create crocheted baby booties. In fact, if you've never picked up yarn or a crochet hook in your life, you may be surprised to find out exactly how easy it is to crochet some baby booties. Many people hear the word "crochet" and automatically picture something their grandmother made in shades of green, brown and orange that matched absolutely nothing in the house, but was accepted graciously as a gift regardless.

Now however, so many new and eye-catching patterns have been brought about that you can make things you never thought possible with just one easy-to-use hook and a few skeins of yarn, and of course that includes crocheted baby booties.

\"new Mom\"

As far as the various methods of stitching are concerned, if you find yourself on the less coordinated end of the spectrum, you may want to consider crocheting over knitting as it involves only one instrument versus trying to maneuver two at once. Do a little research into what projects you might like to start first and enlighten yourself on the various stitches involved in crocheting baby booties (you'll be shocked at how similar they all are). If you find you are ready to make that adorable pair of baby booties you saw, but think they are a bit intimidating, try finding a pattern that doesn't make things too complicated.

Crocheted Baby Booties

You can easily find free crocheted baby booties patterns at any craft store or even on the internet for everything from blankets and hats to scarves and various items of adult, child and baby clothing. These patterns will tell you all you need to know about what type of yarn to use, what size hook to use and how to check things such as the gauge of your own stitching to ensure that everything comes out the size that is depicted in the pattern. You will find that even the crocheted baby booties will come in various sizes to accommodate tiny growing feet.

If you're still dead set on crocheting that pair of booties in a pale pink or blue shade for your little one, you will generally want to use a soft baby yarn in order to make them. Other yarns tend to be quite scratchy and less comfortable on a baby's delicate feet. While this softer yarn can be a bit more difficult to work with than a worsted-weight yarn, it will provide the best results and will just require a bit more effort and concentration.

In my perusing of free patterns, I found that the most common stitch involved in crocheted baby booties is either a half double crochet or double crochet and that the patterns will generally fit a baby whose foot is anywhere from three inches to four inches long. Four inches is pretty long for a baby foot, so those patterns could possibly fit even up to a year old, while the smaller ones are going to be for newborn up to about six months.

Just remember to search carefully and find detailed instructions on how to perform each of the crochet stitches you'll need and you will find yourself with a beautiful pair of crocheted baby booties as an end result.

Crocheted Baby Booties

Heather Howard has been crafting since she was six years old and today enjoys a range of crafts, in particular knitting and counted cross-stitch. To learn more about quilting, knitting, crocheting and embroidery, visit: http://needlecraft-yarns.com

Grow Your Avon Business - 21 Tips For Fast Success

Are you interested in growing your Avon business? Becoming an Avon representative is super-easy and there are many resources to help you grow your business and meet your personal goals.

1. Use Avon products yourself. One of the best ways to sell a product is to know everything about it. Your regular discount and demos allow you to save money and try the products yourself first.
2. Ask your customers for product reviews. When you pass out orders, ask your customer to let you know how the products perform. This is a great way for you to learn about products so that you can offer more information to other customers.
3. Share your products. If you work in an office, make sure you have hand lotion to share with your co-workers. I have gotten several orders just by letting others try the lotion sitting on my desk. Another Avon rep keeps extra tubes of hand cream for on-the-spot sales.
4. Educate yourself with training. Make the most of your business by taking Avon's online training courses. Every new representative should start here first as courses include everything from money management, to launching your business, to entering orders. Most of the classes are 30 minutes and have downloadable text sheets. You get a certificate after completion of each and special recognition for completing certain courses.
5. Become an eRepresentative. Curious about becoming an eRep? Customers can order online and have product shipped direct to their home. There is usually a free or discounted shipping code on the website. I tell my customers that if they don't see one, to let me know and I will get them one! Once you become an erep, you also have access to other customer management tools. You can set up an email marketing campaign to let customers know about new products or campaigns. My customers love the "little reminder" because they often include free or discount codes. 
6. Use your network. Share your excitement about your new business and people will be excited with you. Most of your friends already are familiar with Avon products and so they will be your easiest customers. Everyone is a member of some organization or workplace. You have an extended network of soccer moms, hairdressers, delivery people, doctor's office workers, etc.
7. Wear Avon jewelry. I get so many compliments when I wear a new Avon necklace. Most jewelry comes in sets, like a necklace and bracelet. They are designed to compliment fashion or seasonal colors. I have had a few tell me they were not sure if a necklace would match their outfit, but with the no-hassle return guarantee they were not afraid to return it if it did not. Oh, and I haven't had any jewelry returns, yet!
8. Invest in great-looking business cards. Make sure your business cards look professional, even if you buy from a discount supplier. Include a customer reward program on the reverse side. I have mine printed with a "buy in five campaigns, get 20% off your sixth campaign order" coupon on the back.
9. Share your business cards. Leave one with the tip for your waiter, hang them in the community bulletin board area at the grocery store, give to the checkout clerk at the mall, etc.
10. Personalize your business cards. When I hand out my business cards, I write a free shipping code offer that is good on my website. I also mention the Avon Opportunity: do you want to earn extra money by becoming an Avon Representative?
11. Order plenty of brochures. Brochures are really your "store." They are designed well, colorful, and cheap. The photos are very clear and often show how the makeup looks on a real person. In every campaign brochure, Avon includes their famous scratch-and-sniff perfume circles.
12. Keep brochures handy. I keep the latest campaign brochure in my purse, as well as an outlet sale flyer. I always preview the campaign brochure so I can target market: for example, I may say, have you seen the new Avon line of mineral makeup? There is a buy 1, get 1 half-price deal on page 32 for Smooth Mineral Makeup. Wow!
13. Buy stickers for the backs of brochures. My stickers match my business cards and large print makes them easy to read. Stickers include my name, phone number, email address, and website address. Brochures, stickers and business cards are powerful sales tools!
14. Don't forget special offers. Everyone loves a bargain! Use your imagination to come up with catchy ideas. How about free wrapping for Mother's Day? Birthday and anniversary reminders? BOGO - buy one get one? Recommend a friend and get 10% off your next order? Print out Avon Bucks and include in their bag when you hand out orders.
15. Always upsell. This is a key sales tip that really works. Say your customer buys a certain fragrance; draw her attention to the lotion. Got an order for a necklace? Point out the ring on the same page. Did your customer choose a skincare product for aging skin? Make sure she knows about the eyelift cream.
16. Attend sales meetings. Your district manager or DM will hold sales meetings every few months where you will get an opportunity to meet other representatives, see and try new products, share your successes, and discuss sales techniques. These meetings are encouraging and fun make sure you attend.
17. Make samples and demos work for you. Attach a sample on the page of the newest brochure where the item is listed with a paper clip. Encourage your customers to try the product. Buy a demo and either use it yourself or give to a faithful customer to try.
18. Holiday and special days. Remind your customer that holidays and special occasions tend to sneak up on us, and you have great gifts for just about anyone.
19. Don't forget the male customer. We tend to forget about the guys - but they have daughters home from college, wives who love to great makeup, and mothers who love to be treated to a thinking-of-you-mom gift. Avon has some great products especially for men. Check out the after-shave conditioners and the foot care line. Don't forget about Bug Guard for camping, hunting, and working in the yard.
20. Use the no-hassle Return Policy to close the deal. Avon promises, "If you're not happy with any purchase, just return it for an exchange or your money back. No questions. No fuss. No problems." Even if the makeup is opened, if the customer is unhappy Avon will give a no-stress return. You will take back the item and use e-Z Returns for a credit. No-hassle for reps, too!
21. Grow your team. Be ready to share your success when someone asks about the Avon Opportunity. Some of your customers may tell you they are interested in earning extra money. Avon is so successful because of people like you and me who love the products and work on growing their business.

\"mom Gift\"

Focus on what attracted you to Avon and build strategies to communicate that to your customers. Were you already a customer who loved the skincare products? Your testimony can be a great asset to your business. Are you excited about the earning potential? Share how you met a financial target. Avon offers training, great products, customer service, and a support network to help you meet your goals. Becoming an Avon representative is a personal growth opportunity that is also lots of fun!  

Grow Your Avon Business - 21 Tips For Fast Success

Grow Your Avon Business - 21 Tips For Fast Success

Ideas for Crafts Using Diapers

Diapers make a great gift for an expectant mom or a baby shower as they are useful items that every new mom needs. Instead of just giving the diapers, however, with a little creativity and time, you can create various diaper crafts that will really spice up the presentation of your gift and impress the new mom.

Diaper cakes have been an inspirational kind of gift for the new mother to be and it is also a great centerpiece. They are pretty, functional and a great help in terms of supplies for the baby. Why not put the girl into the baby girl diaper cake by embellishing it with butterflies? Butterflies come in all shapes, sizes and colors. You can choose a design that fits the theme of the baby shower or the child's nursery.

\"new Mom\"

Do the simple rolling and taping of the diapers to make three layers, one extra large base, a medium layer and a smaller layer to make the basic form of the diaper gift. For a diaper doll, do the basic rolls using different sizes of diapers and attach the heads and arms where they should be. You can place this on top of the diaper cake if you like or a diaper doll can even be a unique gift on its own.

Ideas for Crafts Using Diapers

For a diaper wreath, which is easier to make, roll and attach together to make a wreath. Just remember to make a basic form of whatever it is you are trying to make. Buy some silk flowers that can best represent the favorites of the new mommy and buy some silk butterflies to decorate the wreath. Place these around the perimeter of the wreath. You can also attach other useful items like baby bottles or pacifiers.

By rolling the diapers up and tying them together with ribbon or tape, you can make number of different things. You can make a diaper teddy bear or a diaper ducky. A diaper doll house is also a simple craft project that would be well suited for a girl baby shower or celebration. Just tie a few dozen diapers together to form the base and then add a roof, which can consist of diapers positioned in a triangular arrangement.

There are so many other embellishments for the different projects like silk, chiffon or satin ribbons to go around the layers, paper raffia to give it that eclectic look, even some of the baby chew toys are great decorations. The possibilities are really limitless - just get some supplies together and use your creativity to create your diaper craft item.

Finally, asides for diapers, you can also add other baby products and useful items to your diaper craft project to make it even more useful and memorable to the new mother. Tuck in some baby toiletries like baby soap, baby shampoo, baby toothbrush and baby hairbrush. These would be greatly appreciated once the baby is brought back to the home from the hospital after birth. Don't forget to cut up letters for the baby name and tape them to your diaper cake or craft. Don't use staples or glue, but use easy to remove tape, ribbons, and rubber bands so that the diapers can be easily taken apart and used.

Ideas for Crafts Using Diapers

Criss White is an article writer on baby showers. To check out some diaper cakes or to see some baby shower tableware, go to My Baby Shower Favors.

Writing The Perfect Baby Gift Thank You Note

You've gotten a beautiful baby gift, what do you do now? The most
appropriate thing to do when you receive a gift in the mail is to notify via phone or email that you have received the gift. With a new baby at home it might be difficult to immediately send out handwritten thank you notes and most people will understand, but a simple call or email to inform them that you received the gift will be most appreciated.

Having been in the gift business for over five years, our company
receives numerous emails and phone calls each week from customers
wanting to verify that a gift we sent on their behalf has been received. Some go so far as to ask us to phone the recipient because they are too embarrassed and don't want the new mom or dad to feel bad for not thanking them sooner.

\"new Mom\"

After the thank you phone call or email, a follow up handwritten card in the mail within a month or so will also let the person know that you appreciate the gesture. Take another step by adding a photo of the newborn with the gift incorporated in the photo.

Writing The Perfect Baby Gift Thank You Note

The handwritten note should include first and foremost a line of
appreciation for the thoughtfulness of the time and energy taken to select a gift for your baby. It should then be followed by a description of the gift itself and how helpful, cute, useful or original the gift may be. Let the gift giver know that you'd love for them to meet the baby in person and thank them again for their generosity. The closing signature from you personally is appropriate.

Here is an example of a quick, thoughtful note:

Dear Jane,

Thank you so much helping us welcome Baby Jack into the world. We
just love the new bib, burp & blanket gift set. These personalized treasures will come in handy at every phase. Thank you again for thinking of us. We hope you can meet Baby Jack in person soon.

Love, Julie

Technology is a convenient time-saver for a new parent, but nothing compares to reciprocating the kindness of a friend or family member with a handwritten thank note.

Writing The Perfect Baby Gift Thank You Note

Author: Kathie Papera, founder and owner of Lilypad Baby a premier site for stylish and unique baby gifts that can be personalized.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Mothers

Christmas is just around the corner. In times like this when the holiday season is just near, we already plan for what we are going to prepare this coming season. We may start planning our activities on a Christmas week and that includes where we want to spend our holidays. Some are happy spending their time in their own homes every Christmas and decide to be with their loved-ones while others look for a place to spend the holidays. We also plan for what we are going to cook this Christmas and that is another thing that we should prepare. Some already have menus while some try to have something new. Christmas is really something to look forward to.

Oops, I think we missed another thing that we have to prepare this coming Christmas and it is one of the most important - gifts! Yes, how can we forget gifts when they are the ones that should not be missed? Gifts show a meaning of Christmas that is giving and sharing. We have the tradition of giving or exchanging gifts on Christmas which is not only inspiring but it is also fun. We don't always want to miss giving gifts to our loved-ones which includes our family members, children, relatives, and friends. Whether it is big or small, what's important is the spirit of giving in this season and the happiness that you can bring to each and everyone.

\"mom Gift\"

Our beloved mothers are one of the family members that really deserve a gift that is unique and beautiful. This is one way that we can express our gratitude to the care that they gave us through the years. It is also a way that we can show our love and makes them feel that they are important at least by having the effort of finding a gift that they will surely love. It is true that finding gifts for children is easier than looking for a perfect gift for mothers. We can easily buy toys, clothing, or latest gizmos for our kids in the mall or online but a perfect gift for mothers must be carefully sought.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Mothers

On the Internet, we can actually find Christmas gift ideas for mothers. We can find lots of stores that offer different gift items to give our mothers. We can find mother Christmas gifts such as bags, picture frames, novelty items, and jewelry. We can even find handcrafted gifts that can be custom-made or personalized. Personalized mother Christmas gifts can be a perfect gift to give our mothers where we can personally choose a design and have the option of engraving our mother's name on the item, especially jewelry. We just have to search these stores on the Internet now that will give us great Christmas gift ideas for mothers.

Find online a wide array of the most wonderful Christmas gift ideas for mothers today. On the Internet, you can find perfect mother Christmas gifts such as personalized handcrafted items and jewelry!

Finding the perfect mother Christmas gifts can be a bit different in finding gifts for kids. Personalized and handcrafted items or jewelry can be one of the best Christmas gift ideas for mothers.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Mothers

Kate is a mother of two and is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. For more information on Christmas Gift Ideas for Mothers, I recommend you visit the website Blissliving.com and choose from their huge selection of Mother Christmas Gifts!

Halloween Themed Baby Shower Ideas

A Halloween themed baby shower is a great idea for a baby due in October. Halloween is a great holiday to center a party around because it allows for many opportunities. There are so many Halloween ideas that a person could make this a party not soon to be forgotten.

The first step of any shower is to send out invitations. With a Halloween themed baby shower the hostess just has to make sure she puts a message on the invitation about costumes. Every Halloween party needs costumes, but since this is a Halloween themed baby shower everyone should have to wear a baby themed costume. This is only part of the fun.

\"new Mom\"

Decorations should include all the typical Halloween décor. Spider webs, witch hats and black cats are a must have, but to pay up the fact the party is really a baby shower not a typical Halloween party, the hostess should use spider webs with small baby items caught in them, witches hats on baby witches and black kittens.

Halloween Themed Baby Shower Ideas

Games are the next place to really play up the theme. Bobbing for pacifiers is a nice game that ties in both the baby shower and Halloween theme. Another good one is the 'smell the diaper' game that uses candy.

In addition to games and decorations, the Halloween costumes will really make the party a blast. Halloween themed baby shower ideas are abundant, so anyone planning on using this theme should have no problem getting the party together.

Halloween Themed Baby Shower Ideas

For more information concerning baby showers please visit The Baby Shower Zone - a website that specializes in baby shower duckie decorations

Six New Mom Christmas Gifts That Will Leave Her Breathless

It is not hard to get a Christmas gifts for a new mom; you will however need to look around to find her a breathtaking gift. New moms tend to get tired due to all that caring and hard work, so the gift you get a new mom should be able to reenergize her. Many new mothers feel virtually forgotten because so much attention is focused on the new baby. A special gift will be just the right thing to remind her that she is appreciated and loved.

This article will discuss six new mother's gift that will just heave her breathless this holiday season. The gifts ideas provided are easy and cost effective yet speak volumes about your love. After a busy year of childbearing and child rearing a special gift will be just the right thing for a brand new mother.

\"new Mom\"

1. Women love jewelry, and new moms are no exception. Jewelry is a special gift for new mom that will simply blow her away. What you get her however will depend upon what she needs and loves to wear.

Six New Mom Christmas Gifts That Will Leave Her Breathless

2. Silver Heart Floating Birthstone Pendant makes for a mind blowing Christmas gift. This would be something she would never expect to get. A birthstone pendant is a personalized message, stating that you lover her.

3. A golden heart locket will be an unexpected surprise this Christmas. For new moms a locket with a picture of her and her baby is invaluable. This present is cost effective yet will help blow her away.

4. Diamonds are a woman's best friend, getting a new mother and child diamond huggy earrings would simply leave her breathless. She will never expect such a Christmas gift. Diamond earrings speak volumes of your love for a new mother and her child.

5. A new mom will be blown away when you present her with a "mother of pearl locket". These lockets hold an engraved image of a mother and child, which give a new mom something to remember that special Christmas day by.

6. When searching for Christmas gifts for new mom don't over look the prospect of getting her a new solid gold ring. It is simple yet the feel of a gold ring will be so subtle yet special. New moms love to feel special and subtle presents such as these can leave them feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Buying Christmas gifts for new mom can be challenging, however not impossible. You just need to know where to look. There are many online stores that can be searched, especially online stores that sell gifts and jewelry for new moms and moms in general, its take the hard work out of choosing and sorting though various items of jewelry that your mom or a new mom would not really like.

Six New Mom Christmas Gifts That Will Leave Her Breathless

Before you shop for mom, visit Life Time Mothers for great gifts for mom and unique gifts for mom today.