LilSugar

Tell Mommy: Where Do You Hide Gifts From Santa?

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:00:05 -0800

It's time to stow your holiday purchases so lil snoopers don't ruin their surprise. As a child, I always liked finding my presents under the tree, but one of my friends used to scour her house until she located her loot, then she'd tear a corner and take a peek. After, she re-wrapped them so her parents wouldn't notice and acted surprised on Christmas morning.

I keep my kids' gifts from St. Nick in our storage closet in the garage. Where do you hide presents for your lil ones prior to Santa's arrival?

Source

Mommy Dearest: Gifts For Doctor and Delivery Nurses?

LilSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:00:45 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

I am 30 weeks pregnant and a friend asked me what I plan to buy for the doctor and nurses that deliver my baby. I hadn't thought about getting them anything. She bought cigars for the doctor and flowers for the nurses that delivered her babies and said it's customary to give gifts. Is this true?

-To Give or Not to Give

To read the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

To Give or Not to Give,

I don't think giving medical professionals presents is customary though you should do what you feel is appropriate. I was induced so several nurses and doctors assisted in the hours leading up to my delivery. I thanked the staff verbally and wrote them a note but didn't as a new mom felt compelled to hit the mall and purchase a slew of presents as we, and our insurance company paid a hefty hospital bill. I do know women who have left the flowers they received for the nurses or presented someone who stood out during their stay with a box of candy. As far as cigars that strikes me as a slightly inappropriate gift to give a health professional but to each their own.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.
Source

Mommy Dearest: Appropriate Amount to Spend on a Gift?

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:00:51 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My daughter is in kindergarten and gets invited to lots of birthday parties.

Most of them have been held at a jumpy house, playground or the celebrant's home.

How much should I spend on presents?

- Price of Presents

To see Mommy Dearest's response, read more.

Price of Presents.

I think the price of a present should be whatever you are comfortable giving and an amount that won't make other gift givers uncomfortable should the presents be opened at the party.

For example, don't buy a bike when everyone else bought puzzles. That said, my daughter is four-years-old and from the parties we've attended it looks like guests spend upwards of $10.

Since books, toys and art kits are sold at all price levels, there's no reason to spend a fortune. And, most kids are more occupied by the cake, ice cream and games than what's wrapped up in the boxes.

-Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.
Source

The Pull Present

babysugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Okay, so the father doesn't actually pull the baby out per se, but he's often there to mentally coax mama along as she pushes the baby into the world. It has become common practice in recent years for men to bestow a gift upon their wives for birthing their child. Whether it's a card, balloons, roses, or a diamond tennis bracelet, it's nice to be recognized for nine months of hard work. When I had my first child, I gave my husband a lil something to thank him for all of his coaching, attention to detail and concern during my childbearing months. Here are some ideas if you're looking to give your daddy a "pull" present, too. Source

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Playful Push Presents For Less Than $20

LilSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:02:31 -0700

Most moms will tell you baby's birth is gift enough, but push presents allow daddy the chance to salute mama on a job well done. While these tokens usually come in the form of keepsake jewelry, heartfelt cards, flowers and candy, mom won't expect a big bundle from friends or distant family members.

If you want to give a sister, relative or friend something to commemorate the moment, remember it's the gesture that counts and laughter will help aid any leftover labor pains the endorphins and meds can't cure. Make her giggle and glow with a push present that delivers the funny on the cheap.

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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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10 Incredibly Practical Baby Shower Presents

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:00:24 -0700

In this economy, parents-to-be are thinking less about luxurious layettes and more about baby basics. If you are looking to purchase something sensible for a mama-to-be, check out our slideshow of practical presents. Source

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Lil Tip: Keeping Track of Presents

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 04:00:54 -0800

Kids tear the wrapping off presents faster than you can grab the cards. And, when you're at a chaotic family get together keeping track of who gave your kids what is quite a task.

So this Christmas give them some incentive by turning it into a game. Ask your children to tuck the tag or card into the corresponding box after opening a gift. The child that has them all in order when you get home wins!

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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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Tips For Getting Your Child to Open Up About School

LilSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:30 -0800

Afternoons in many preschoolers' households often sound like this:

Mom: "What did you do in school today?"
Child: "I don't remember."
Mom: "What books did the teachers read?"
Child: Silence and a blank stare.

Though many schools provide parents with a preview of the week's activities – or a wrap-up at the end of the week – trying to get your lil one to open up to you about what they did on a particular day can be compared to pulling teeth.

To get the conversation started, try these tips at the end of the next school day.

Don't ask, just tell. Rather than pepper your lil one with questions about her day, tell her about something new or different that you did today. Present it in a way that she can relate to so that she can share about her day, too.
Shake up the routine. Don't ask the same questions in the same order every day. Rotate the questions you ask and how they are presented.
Make it funny. Try telling them about their day by substituting out-of-place details at key points. This should get them talking about what really happened.

To see the rest of our suggestions, read more.

Move beyond yes and no. Questions that simply require a yes or no answer are not going to spark a conversation. Asking about their favorite part of their day or who they sat next to for snack may start a discussion rather than a dead end.
Remove distractions. If your lil one has been in school all day and is now home with his favorite toys, he is more likely to play with his toys than speak. Try to hold the conversation in a space where he won't be distracted.

Do you have any tried-and-true tricks to get your wee ones talking?