Sunday, June 8, 2008
10 Great Gifts for Father’s Day
Ok, so Father’s Day is approaching and you’d rather go to the dentist than buy another tie. Save the appointment for wisdom teeth trouble and make shopping a little easier. Here are 10 gift ideas for Father’s day that are sure to bring a SINCERE smile to his face.
10. Father of the Year Plaque – Show your appreciation for that special Father with a trophy or plaque that honors him as a Father.
9. Magazine Subscription - This is the gift that keeps on giving year round. Popular subscriptions are Sports Illustrated, Men’s Journal and Muscle & Fitness. There are others that I would rather not mention, but I am sure would get a positive reaction, if you know what I mean.
8. Sports Tickets - Because Father’s Day is during the summer, baseball would be the sporting event to get tickets for. Other options are wrestling events or golf tournaments.
7. Golf Getaway - Speaking of golf, a golf getaway is a really nice gift and a great way for busy dad to unwind.
6. Gift Basket - You are probably thinking "Gift Basket?!" Yup, I said gift basket. You can find any themed gift basket nowadays including golf, fishing, football, baseball and movie lovers.
5. Clothing - I gave my father-in-law a T-shirt with his only granddaughter’s picture on it and he has it folded in a drawer so that he can’t ruin it. Saying he worships it, is an understatement. If he isn’t the sentimental type, golf shirts and shorts work too.
4. Watch – They seem to be a necessity that men don’t splurge on. If he is wearing a watch with a plastic wristband, you need to read no further. Go shopping right away.
3. Barbeque Supplies - The weather is warm and there is a good chance you are having a BBQ to celebrate Father’s Day. Start the BBQ off right with new cooking tools for the BBQ cook.
2. Tools - This is a pretty obvious choice but a great gift nonetheless. Especially if you married someone like Tim Taylor – The Tool Man.
1. A day to watch sports, pig out and do whatever it is, he likes to do. Consider this his special day. Things like breakfast in bed, renting his favorite movie (you know the one with all the guns, violence and macho stuff) and cooking his favorite dinner could be just what the father asked for.
If you are tired of buying ties for Father’s Day, then you have come to the right place. Read about great gift suggestions any father would love.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog.
Monday, May 5, 2008
10 Great Gift Ideas for Mother's Day
10. Weekend Getaway
A weekend retreat to a ski lodge could be great for the mom who needs a weekend to unwind.
9. Digital Camera
For the new mom, this makes a great gift. Children grow up so fast, catching those fleeting moments are important. With scrap booking becoming so popular, digital cameras also make a great gift for the scrapbook lover.
8. Charitable Donation
For the mom who never stops giving, she would be honored to know that a donation was given to her favorite charity in her name. This is truly a gift that keeps on giving.
7. Buy a Tree or Star
Have that special mom immortalized for years to come. Have a star named after her or buy a tree in her name. With God’s love that star and tree will be around even if we are not.
6. Night Out
New mothers would surely appreciate a night out of the house with some adult conversation and atmosphere. It's a simple request, yet such a grand gesture for those moms who just want an evening as an adult. This works well with the morning and afternoon spent with the children. That is what Mother's Day is about in the first place.
5. Spa Day
Most mothers I know could use a spa day. Whether her children are at home or have long since moved out, a spa day is great choice. Spa Days range from a whole package of all the goodies like mud baths and lunch or just a half hour of massage.
4. Jewelry
A great idea would be give her a pendant with picture of her child/ren in it or a bracelet, ring or necklace with the birthstone/s of children or grandchildren.
3. Gift Baskets
You can find Gift baskets that contain any and everything. There are baskets that are specifically designed for Mother's Day, but other choices include gourmet and fruit baskets, spa baskets and candle baskets. Many places also make custom baskets.
2. Flowers and Plants
This is the most common of Mother's Day gifts. It’s the obvious choice for that bouquet lover or for a very picky person.
1. The Star Treatment
Being a good mother is the hardest job in the world. Offering that special mom the star treatment for a day is a great gift. Start with allowing her to sleep in. As if that weren't gift enough, breakfast in bed and cleaning the house is just what the mom ordered. Lunch and dinner preparation should be included along with bathing, feeding and dressing the children. Basically don't allow her to left a finger. Supply a good book or time for her to do what she wants. What mother wouldn't want a day to recuperate?
Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Disney Princess Party Ideas
Princess Invitations
Invitations are hard to come by. They can be found in most party supplies or discount stores. However if you are looking for something unique, you are only limited to your imagination. For those limited on time or creativity, here are a few suggestions.
If you are on a limited budget, try finding Disney Princess clip art on the and printing your own made party invitations. Disney Princess clip art is readily available online. You can keep it simple by adding the graphic to the top and adding the details below. Its a no fold invitation. Tip: Make the invitations the size of a readily available envelope so that mailing them will be a snap.
If you have a bit more time and don't mind a little crafting, try something a little more out of the box. The Disney Princesses are most recognizable by the gowns they wear. Create a variety of invitations each focusing on one princess. On each invitation you can place one princess in her well known gown. Embellish the gown by making it 2D. Cut colored foam or fabric into the shape of the gown. Glue accordingly to the clip art. Embellish the invitation with fairy dust powder or glitter to us modern folk. Search online for Disney princess fonts and word your invitation using the official font of the princesses.
Princess Decorating Tips
A Disney Princess royal affair needs to have the royal venue. Jazzing up your party space to be princess perfect can be easy as you want to as elaborate as the princess may demand. Using pinks and purples are the common colors for any princess, but if you have a specific Disney Princess in mind, using the color of their gown is your best option.
A princess throne is a must. A simple and affordable throne are in your reach. Use a standard dining chair and wrap tulle on the back of the chair and tie a big bow. Measure the circumference of the chair's seat and multiple by 3 to 4. That is the width of tulle you will need for the seat portion of the thrown. Use fabric glue and pleat the top of the tulle. Allow ample time to dry. Place books or something heavy on the tulle to keep the pleat together while drying. Wrap the tulle round the seat of the chair and glue the ends together. Do not glue to the chair. Use pins to keep together at its end to allow the fabric glue to dry. The chair should have a pleated look and the tulle should reach the floor. You can also make shorter versions of the pleated tulle and than layer one on top of the other going from the bottom of the chair up. You can embellish the tulle with glitter or sequins. Do this a few days before the party.
Whether you decorate a chair or use a Disney Princess plush chair that doesn't complete the thrown just yet. All thrown need a red carpet that leads up to it. You can accomplish this by using red construction paper or a red mat and lead it up to the chair. You can even add a tulle canopy above the chair for some extra flair.
Disney Princess scene setters are are fast and inexpensive way to transform your party space into a Disney Princess ballroom. There are also life size Disney Princess Stick ups to go with the ballroom scene setters. You can choose one or all the princesses to adorn your wall. The princess scene setters work well as wall decor and a backdrop for photos. It is an easy alternative to making a castle from cardboard and is fairly inexpensive. Its also just a matter of adhering to your wall.
Princess Party Games
There are lots of Disney Princess games that you can choose to entertain your guests.
Pass the Poison Apple - a Snow White version of hot potato
Find the Key - Cinderella is locked in the attic, find the key and set her free
Mermaid Charades - Ariel has lost her voice to Ursula. Think up popular themes or scenes from the movie and act them out.
Guess The Disney Princess Movie - Sing or play a song from the movies and have the guests guess which movie it comes from
Dress Up - While this used to be for just girls, you can now find Disney Princess dresses and Knights attire for the boys. You can also turn this game into save the princesses or for the boys, fight the dragon. The dragon is imaginary of course.
Disney Princess parties are fun and classic. Its becoming a rite of passage for every little girl to have a Disney Princess party within her lifetime. Embrace her royal spirit and create the most magical and enchanting party that she and her guests are sure to enjoy.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Gift Ideas For Administrative Professionals Week
Send flowers to them at the office
They can enjoy the scent and beauty for days reminding them of the recognition they have received for all their hard work.
Tuition Reimbursement for anyone who is furthering their education for their present career is a generous and appreciative gift.
Free Lunch or Dinner is always appreciated. Free lunches and dinner could include a group outing, an office party in the office cafeteria/lunch room or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant.
Box of Chocolates
Need I say more? Who couldn’t resist a box of chocolate gourmet truffles? This is a good gift suggestion for those with many assistants and on a budget. You can inexpensive boxed chocolates in local grocery stores to gift basket websites.
Gift Baskets are among one the more popular gift choices and for good reasons. Gift baskets can be customized to fit an individual’s taste or can be given to a large group to share. Either way, gift baskets always make great gifts. For group baskets, try snack gift baskets, fruit baskets, cookie bouquets or candy bouquets. They look great and come with variety so that everyone is satisfied. Individual gift baskets can range from bath and body gifts, wine baskets, Thank You themed baskets or gourmet gift baskets.
Personalized Plaques
Another stand out appreciation gift would be a plaque. A plaque is a nice personalized gift that is sure to make any assistant feel special and appreciated. This is also a gift that can be hung in the office and admired all year round.
Whether you choose any of these gift ideas or not, please remember to celebrate Administrative Professionals Week. The work force wouldn’t be the same without them. More importantly, your company, office, job, life wouldn’t be the same without them.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Cynthia Marcano is the owner of http://www.simplysinfulbaskets.com
Sunday, April 13, 2008
5 Baby Shower Gifts That Mom Will Love
1. Diapers, diapers & more diapers!
That is quite a bland gift but a very much needed gift. I don’t know any mom who will complain about having too many diapers with a newborn at home. To make diapers snazzy you have to dress it up a bit. You can find diaper cakes in lots of gift sites. Some come with as many as 150 diapers, plus booties, bibs and tons of other essentials for baby, but all in the shape of an all so cute cake.
2. Layettes, blankets, socks & burp cloths
Chances are they are going to get tons of these. However, these gifts tend to come in newborn or 3 months sizes which after a few weeks probably won’t serve its purpose anymore. Making this a great gift is if you buy them in larger sizes. After a few months, mom still has brand new gifts for the baby to enjoy.
3. Pamper products for Mom
The last few weeks of pregnancy are very uncomfortable and can be hard on Mom. Let Mom have the star treatment as well. Once the baby is born, Mom’s 15 minutes of fame are over. See www.bluebasins.com for products to pamper mom.
4. Savings Bonds
A savings bond is a great way to help invest in the child’s future. While everyone is thinking of now you are thinking ahead. It may also help jumpstart parents to jumpstart on baby’s future if they haven’t already.
5. Gift Certificates
You can never go wrong with a gift certificate. Mom and Dad get to choose what they want and you gave them that satisfaction. The obvious choice for a gift certificate would where the registry is set up. If they do not have a registry set up, good choices could include their favorite supermarket (formula, diapers) or baby store. Another gift certificate idea could be a check card gift certificate. It works like a credit card and can be used anywhere. See www.sew-cute.ca for gift certificates for adorable personalized items for the new baby.
Tip: I don’t suggest buying clothing unless the parents-to-be suggested so. Chances are they have already gone shopping and couldn’t resist those tiny adorable outfits.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Welcome to our blog!
Welcome to Sew Cute’s new blog! We’ve decided to join in on all the blogging fun! Our blog will be updated several times weekly with a wide variety of baby, toddler, especially-for-mom, and parenting topics coming to you from a team of writers made up of moms – who know exactly what you’re going through. Allow us to introduce ourselves:
My name is Ida Combast and I am a mom of two very active children, 5 and 8. Before my son was born, I worked in a daycare setting and had lots of fun! We did lots of crafts using children’s handprints! So get ready! They are coming next week. I currently work from home while homeschooling my children. Our aim is to promote wellness in all homes across America: www.livetotalwellness.com/ida
I’m Amanda Holbrook. Based outside of Lexington, KY, I wear many hats, including mother, wife, freelance writer, Tastefully Simple consultant, accounting assistant and more! I hope to publish a fiction novel one day. I will be blogging about general parenting topics, and doing reviews on books, movies, etc. Visit my site at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/aholbrook
My name is Tracy Hoobyar and I am a personal trainer for academic, personal and professional excellence for people with ADHD, and those who love them. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Psychology and working with children as a substitute teacher and volunteer, I learned what an incredibly widespread problem ADHD can be. Through my training in NLP, Psychology, and my experience working with all these kids, I have finally developed a unique yet effective program to help those living with ADHD. I will be blogging about various parenting issues affecting all of us. You can learn more by visiting http://www.addvantageforlife.com
Hello. My name is Makeda Paul and I am the owner of bluebasins bath & body, Canada's premier line of all natural skin care products. An Aromatologist by trade, I developed all of our products using only the best ingredients suited for your skin. Our products take care of you and your baby's skin the way nature intended, naturally. Begin now with bluebasins bath & body at www.bluebasins.com
I'm Lucie Kroeplin and I live in greater Toronto, Ontario with my husband and two active boys, 4 and 1. In addition to being a wife and mom, my other callings include working as a teacher, and running Sew Cute, a home-business based on my love of good, old-fashioned embroidery where I personalize clothes for babies and toddlers. Check out our designs at www.sew-cute.ca
My name is Cynthia Marcano and I was born and raised in New Jersey. I am a stay at home mom of two. My hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In my spare time I enjoy running my princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving.
My name is Lisa Smith and I live in Arizona. I have a BA in Psychology & am the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. I publish a blog on my website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and I am a frequent guest blogger on other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. I am also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.
Please come back to visit us several times weekly for our exciting and informative updates!
Let us know in the comments - what do you want to read about?
