Candles and Such Archive Page
Saturday, April 26, 2008
 Are you planning a baby shower for someone or need to find the perfect baby gift but are a little confused as to what a "good" baby gift or "bad" baby gift is? Here are a few tips that will help you find the perfect baby gift for the mommy-to-be. Although it may seem on the boring and bland, diapers are one of the most appreciated baby gifts you can give to a mommy-to-be. You can give a couple of sizes or go for the gusto and give a "Diaper Cake". No, it's not edible but it comes with two or three layers of diapers arranged to look like an elegant cake. Other great baby gifts include items that will be used on a many-times-a-day basis such as blankets, socks, and clothes such as onesies and buntings that allow the baby to burp to his heart's content and always have a fresh change of clothing handy. Don't be afraid to buy these baby gifts in larger sizes. After several months, mom and dad will have new gifts for their ever-growing baby to continue to enjoy. Savings bonds are also a sure bet as a great gift. Everyone else will be considering gifts that will fit the child's needs in the present, you will however be looking into the future. It also may jumpstart the parents to looking into setting up a small savings account for their child if they haven't done so already. want. Another great choice is to give a gift certificate from a local store or even better, if the parents have a gift registry set up. Bathtime gifts also make wonderful baby gifts!Bad baby gifts usually fall into the column of being wasteful, useless or downright dangerous to the baby. One good example are baby wipe warmers. Most parents use baby wipes that have an alcohol base, the heat causes the wipes to warm but also the liquid they are soaked in to evaporate, the result is basically a dryer sheet that is supposed to be used on your baby. A great alterantive is to use your hands to warm the wipes before you warm them on your baby. It's fast, easy and free. Breathless mattresses are a baby gift that have questionable safety. They are made to not sink when the baby is placed on them leaving parents the impression that the baby can be safely placed on her tummy without fear of suffocation. Best to stick to laying her on her back. A baby on her stomach can't turn her head easily if she burps up her lunch or dinner whereas a baby on her back and simply turn her head to the side and avoid inhaling what she's burped up. Scary toys and toys with small, detachable parts that are too old for a little one that will soon be putting everything in his mouth are also bad gifts that will be put up until he's old enough or never given to the child at all. Magazine subscriptions have also started making appearances at baby showers, and no matter how it's presented a mommy-to-be may not love the NASCAR Racing magazine subscription for her soon arriving child. Make safety and comfort of the baby your top priority when you're buying a baby gift and if you have kids, remember those things you really used the most and if you don't have kids - ask around. Most experienced mothers can tell you what makes a great baby gift. Use these tips and you'll make the best choice for your baby gift! Labels: baby gifts, baby showers
by: Candles and Such
 
Thursday, April 24, 2008
It's okay to feel a little overwhelmed, planning a wedding is one of the most equally exhausting and rewarding experiences of your life. One you have your place for your wedding and reception and you've chosen your colors. You'll want to work on a theme if you have one in mind and then it comes down to getting your wedding favors. Wedding favors have come a long way since the days of almonds and chocolate in pretty organza bags with ribbons with a big "Thank you" note from the bride and groom. In the present, "unique" is the word of the day for wedding favors and a bride can make her wedding favors as uniquely her own as her wedding day.  Kate Aspen has an outstanding line of wedding favors that can literally fit any theme or wedding locale the bride can dream up. For an outdoor wedding or a spring wedding, consider giving gifts of the "New Beginnings" plantable cones kits. Blooming flower bottle stoppers and watering can favor boxes can all make a splash with your guests. There are also personalized coffee kits if the bride and groom of java-lovers and want to share that with their guests. Gifts of candles and butterflies that can be personalized with the names of the bride and groom as well as the date of the wedding are also available along with dozens upon dozens more choices. It's your wedding, make it unique with your own personal stamp of style and let Kate Aspen help you! Labels: affordable wedding favors, new wedding favors, personality favors
by: Candles and Such
Saturday, April 19, 2008
 If you've already had a baby, you know one of the biggest expenses early on will be diapers. You go through so many diapers, many new parents wonder if buying stock in the Luvs company would have been a savvy investment. A great gift for new parents to be that will also make a splash at the baby shower is a diaper cake.A diaper cake is a twist on a fun baby shower favor that has been a gift for ages. In earlier days, cloth diapers were folded to make a lovely, many-tiered cake, however in present day, the majority of new parents use disposable diapers and that's how this diaper cake is made. Row upon row of Luvs diapers are laid next to each other tightly to create each "cake layer". A color coordinated ribbon holds each layer in place and beautiful silk flowers are adorned in a cascade on the cake completing the look. A diaper cake will make a fun and surprising centerpiece for a baby shower as well as a very perfect gift. The diaper cake will arrive wrapped in soft and dreamy white tulle and tied with a satin bow that is secured in place by a good old-fashioned diaper pin. There are two sizes to choose from: The small 2-tier diaper cake has 40 stage 1 size diapers and the large sized diaper cake (shown in this article) is three beautiful tiers of stage 1 diapers. If you want to give a gift that is fun and yet very practical - you can't go wrong with a diaper cake! Labels: baby gifts, baby showers
by: Candles and Such
Thursday, April 17, 2008
 It's okay to admit it, planning a wedding can be overwhelming. One of the secrets to making sure that your wedding goes off without a hitch is to be get organized. You don't have to be the pinnacle of organization yourself to pull this off either. First of all, make a list for yourself of the first things that come to mind for your wedding. That will be everything from your wedding dress, ring bearer pillows, bridesmaid dresses, wedding party gifts and wedding favors for your guests. Then break down each item and write down what you'll need to complete the task. For wedding party gifts, write down the name of each confirmed member of your wedding party and the gift you will be choosing. Shopping for your gifts and favors online will be a convenient way to do this as you can sit, look, choose and make notes as you go when it's convenient according to your own schedule and not according to when a local store is open. Also, consider your reception. Make a list of items the reception hall will provide and for how much (some will let you "rent" the use of their tables and chairs for your special day); and then consider table coverings, lighting, if candles can or can not be used (you can always opt for the battery powered tea lights for a beautiful statement on every table), and don't forget your drink flutes and something to serve the wedding cake with!
Just get a little organized and break down each element of your wedding and you'll find your special day won't feel nearly as overwhelming and it will be a lot easier to get each part of your wedding day planned to go off, well, as planned! Labels: checklist for wedding, wedding reception
by: Candles and Such
Saturday, April 12, 2008
 More and more traditional reception halls where brides and grooms are holding their weddings and/or receptions are running into the same dilemma. Sometimes it's concerns about insurance coverage that denies the use of "open flame" items such as candles and small oil lamps. The answer to a bride-to-be's dilemma is to use battery operated tea lights. They lend the same soft, beautiful light that you expect with a tea light but none of the liability of a flame. If the idea puts you off and you think it's akin to having a keychain flashlight on your tables for your guests, think again! The battery operated tea lights have had a lot of thought put into their design and they are the perfect lighting touch to your reception, rehearsal dinner or bridal shower. They have a soft ambient glow and the lights even flicker like real candles, not a bulb burning out. You can use them on the tables or in the middle of your floral centerpieces or other decorations without the fear of fire. Additionally, they make a wonderful wedding favor. The tea lights can be used to decorate the tables for your guests and then invite the guests to take their "candles" home as well. The batteries last for around 100 hours of use and they can also be replaced so the tea light can be used again and again for years to come. Labels: affordable wedding favors, candle wedding favors, fall wedding favors, summer wedding favors, winter wedding favors
by: Candles and Such
Thursday, April 10, 2008
 Throwing rice at the newlyweds as they leave the church has been a tradition for ages. However, because rice is not healthy for birds to eat (it can swell in their stomachs and lead to life threatening blockages) and also rice rolls and when stepped on can cause slips and falls. Bird seed is a healthy alternative for the birds, however it is heavier than bird seed and those little seeds can zing when they hit bare skin! Additionally, the same slip and fall hazards are there when the bird seed is allowed to remain on the sidewalk areas outside the church or hall where the wedding has taken place until the birds get to it. A great alternative to both of these options is to use poppers. Poppers add a fun attitude of festivities to your nuptials. They are safe, festive and biodegradable. The wrapper gives guests full instructions for using the poppers and all that needs to be done is point the popper away from faces and pull the string. The tissue-paper confetti and streamers into the air by a safe spring loaded device. There is no gun powder and these are absolutely safe for all to use. If you need a safe alternative to bird seed or rice for your guests, consider the festive fun of poppers! Labels: affordable wedding favors, fall wedding favors, summer wedding favor ideas, winter wedding favors
by: Candles and Such
Saturday, April 5, 2008
 When you're planning your wedding, obviously you're hearing "Stick to our budget" again and again and again. So, along with your dress, your bridesmaids dresses, your decorations and let's not forget the DJ, the photographer and the food; how are you supposed to fit in a great bridal favors? You can, and no one has to know that your bridal favors were less than $1 each. This means you can actually give your wedding guests more than one favor each and let them know how glad you were that they shared your special day with you. Black and ivory favor boxes with a flourish bow make a wonderful and elegant presentation. If you're having an outdoor wedding, go for an English water can favor box. Love designed mint tins can hold a wonderful selection of small yummies. You can also give gifts that will get use in the years to come such as a silver heart-shaped bookmark. A butterfly cookie cutter will get used as the years roll by and you may even get a gift of some lovely butterfly-shaped cookies for your anniversary next year! Labels: affordable wedding favors, butterfly cookie cutter favors
by: Candles and Such
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
 Trying to plan your first baby shower? It won't be stressful at all if you get organzied and stick to your plan. Location, Location, LocationThe first thing you need to do is decide if the baby shower is going to be planned or you're going to surprise the mommy-to-be. Letting the mother-to-be know is usually good for your first shower planning as then she can register for the items she really needs and it will make gift giving a lot easier. Then decide where you're going to have the shower. Try and make it as convenient as possible for everyone a place or home that is within a comfortable traveling distance is best for all. Who to Invite?Next make a list of everyone that you'd like to invite. Make sure to include parents, in-laws, close friends and ask those people if they know of anyone else to make sure that everyone is included and there aren't any hurt feelings over an innocently over-looked invitation. What to Eat?The food for a shower is easy. Finger foods are best so everyone can munch, talk, and have a good time. Small party plates to hold hot and cold snacks, small sandwiches and a veggie and fruit plate will be great. Get a cake, and you can go over the top with decorating that. Many store bakeries have lasers that can take any photo and put it in a take. Imagine the baby's sonogram in chocolate and vanilla icing in the mommy-to-be's cake. If you want to opt for a healthier choice or sugar is a no-no, you can use fruits, cheese platters, quiches and other yummies. What to Do?Play games! Eat! Have fun! Watch the mommy-to-be open presents! There are a lot of traditional games you can play like "Name that Baby" where people guess the name the mother-to-be is thinking. Or another shower favorite is "What's in the Purse" where you try to guess the contents of each other's purses. It can have hysterical results, especially women who are already mothers will have some odd items in their purses! Shower FavorsA favor is simply a "Thank you" for coming to the shower that is given to your guests. The favors can be almost anything. Some traditional favorites used for favors are mint tins, candles and tea cups with yummy herbal teas. Go for something a little unique and h ave some cookies baked especially for your baby shower!Last ThingA week before your shower confirm who is coming for sure and make sure there are no last minute additions or subtractions. You can prepare cold hors'd'oeuvres the day before and make your hot hors'd'oeuvres and put them in the oven right before guests arrive. And that's it! See? Just get a little organized and you'll make your baby shower a complete success! Labels: baby gifts, baby shower favors, baby showers
by: Candles and Such
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