LilSugar

10 Great Gifts Under $10

babysugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:00:34 -0800

When nieces, nephews, godchildren and mama's own offspring are all on the shopping list, the wallet can start to feel abused and overused. Folks who want to be generous this holiday season don't have to go for broke. Check out some of these simple yet adorable presents that are sure to leave a smile on wee ones' faces, but won't leave mama gasping when the credit card statement arrives.

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Delilicious: Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

LilSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:37 -0800

Lisa Barnes, author of Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, shares with LilSugar a classic sugar cookie recipe that works for all seasons - though it's especially great for a holiday party, cookie swap or playdate activity. Kids can help dump the measured ingredients into the mixing bowl and turn on and off the electric mixer to help make the dough. Of course the fun really begins with the cookie cutting and icing decorating.

To see how to make this tasty and classic holiday treat with your tots, just read more.

Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs
From Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Ingredients

2/3 cup organic unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large cage-free organic egg
1 tablespoon organic milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt and beat until combined. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined. Beat in the flour, ¼ cup at a time, until all is incorporated.

Cover and chill dough for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, and using a floured rolling pin, roll dough out to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Once completely cool these can be frosted with your child’s favorite royal or powdered sugar icing. For easy, frosting set out small spreaders and squeeze bottles so frosting ends up on the cookies and not your child, floor, and table. Add sprinkles to wet frosting for even more fun (and mess).

*Makes about 35 (2½-inch) cookies

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Baby Bump: Six Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid While Pregnant

babysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:30:52 -0800

Thanksgiving may be an expectant mama's dream, but before you take advantage of eating for two this turkey day, make sure the food you're enjoying is safe for your growing belly. If you've got a bun (and a turkey) in the oven go back for seconds (and thirds) after you check out these six festive foods to watch out for and avoid.

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10 Hints For Having Little Helpers in the Holiday Kitchen

LilSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:00:22 -0800

Too many cooks in the kitchen is a good thing this holiday season. Lisa Barnes, fellow mom, chef, and author of Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry reminds stressed out parents that, "The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your children to help with the meal preparation and offers quality time together as a family. This is a way to keep your children occupied, but is also a fun, educational activity that incorporates a range of skills and senses, such as counting, measuring, reading, touching, listening, planning, smelling, tasting, and creativity." To add some cheer to your cooking during this festive time, Barnes gives LilSugar readers these helpful hints for having your own little helpers in the holiday kitchen.

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Paperless Post Gets Holiday Parties Started

babysugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:29 -0800

This holiday season, go green, go cheap, and go beautiful! Instead of sending out a tree's worth of paper invitations for your holiday soiree, consider using creative and gorgeous online invitations. While e-vitations have been around a while, few are as sassy, simple, pretty, and well-organized as the custom stationery from the Paperless Post.

A cinch to figure out, and party queens can choose between traditional, contemporary, modern, and casual templates and add the perfect touch with an embossed design, colorful trims, a grosgrain ribbon, or even their own photos. New members get 25 free virtual stamps (good for 25 email addresses) when they sign up and pay an additional fee when they want to send out their notice to more guests. If a hostess wants to blast the invitation out to 100 people, she would only pay the $8 fee for 100 e-stamps as opposed to a $44 bill at the post office. For an extra $5, mama can make the envelope fancy and add a liner. In the end, an $8 stamp fee and $5 envelope liner are peanuts compared to the snail mail option, and she never has to wait in that dreaded line! The bonus is it makes managing the party details as easy as one, two, three. Mommy can tell who has opened the invite, replied to it, and made comments on it.

So the next time mum's throwing a bash - holiday or otherwise - she should consider Paperless Post. The guests will be impressed by her fabulous and savvy eco-friendly ways, and it will give her the opportunity to spend the money on wine and music, 'cause that's what will make her party legendary.

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10 Hip and Helpful Infant Gifts For Under $30

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:15 -0800

Baby's first holiday season is always extra cheerful, but selecting appropriate seasonal gifts can be toilsome for the gift giver. Sure, toddlers want toys, but infants aren't developed enough to truly appreciate all the bells and whistles. Shop smart this holiday - and instruct your family and friends to do the same - and gift the tiniest elves presents that are inexpensive and helpful for mom and dad. Here are some of our classic favorites for holiday first timers.

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The Gifted Child: Gifts Fit For Young Boys

babysugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:00:33 -0800

Boys will be boys and these are their toys. From dump trucks to cooking tools to Harley Davidson ride-ons, we're covering the gamut and have highlighted some of this holiday's must-have gadgets for playful young tots. Come check out Lil's top ten gifts for our lovable little lads.

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The Gifted Child: Gifts Fit For Young Girls

babysugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800

It's always so much fun buying gifts for newborn babies, but just like babies, the gift shopping just keeps getting better as they get older. Perhaps it's the nostalgia that lives in some of the toys or the cleverness of others that leaves me wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?!" Check out our list of gifts that are sure to be a hit with young girls this holiday season.

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The Gifted Child: Gifts For a Newborn Baby Girl

babysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:30:27 -0800

While many of the gifts we recommend for baby boy are also suited for baby girls, there are a specific few that we know some wee lasses and their moms will adore. Girly girls will look oh-so-cute in a tiny tutu while a Zooni topper is sure to keep her wee noggin warm and fashionable. While they may not be ready to mount it right away, tiny tots will keep moving on up on a plush rocking horse that is sure to grow on them. Babes ready to tug something along will delight in a wooden pull toy while brand new birds will be mesmerized by a modern mobile hanging over their sleepy heads. For those that have a good sense of humor, the Heelarious cowgirl crib boots will have Santa's jolly old belly rolling with laughter. Be careful lil doggies - hearts will be spurring all over town.

Check out the rest of the widget to see what else we have in mind.

Should Divorced Couples Spend the Holidays Together?

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:55 -0800

Jon and Kate are both planning on being home for the holidays this year. Despite the quarreling twosome's very messy and public divorce, Jon says that they will all be celebrating Christmas together as a family. Every divorce and family is unique and what works well in some broods may not work for others; critics say that it may give the children a false sense of what is really going on. Weigh in on the topic and tell us - do you think it's a wise decision for divorced couples to spend the holidays together as a family for the sake of the children?