LilSugar

Lil Tip: What To Do With Holiday Cards

babysugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:03 -0800

Every year, millions of holiday cards make their way around the world reaching loved ones. Along with torn wrapping paper, crushed boxes, and burned out candles, trash bags are also full of tossed out holiday cards.

Instead of throwing them to the wind, start filing them away in photo albums so you can watch families grow year after year. My mom, who has been doing this for years, loves to gather the family around and walk down memory lane.

Source

Does Your Family Take Professional Photos?

babysugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:00:08 -0800

'Tis the time of the year for professional photographers to make their bundles of cash. Families are taking to the parks and beaches in their ironed shirts and their coiffed hair in hopes of taking the perfect photo for their holiday cards. While they make for gorgeous cards, the glossy black and whites also make ideal gifts for grandparents and they may make the spot right over the fireplace more attractive than ever. Those not willing to pay extra cash on the shutterbug have learned how to use the self-timer mode on their own camera and jump into the shot at the last minute often making their family portraits more realistic and even entertaining. (If you do take your own, make sure you read these tips!)

So tell us, do you hire the professionals to do the job or do you click away yourself?

Source

Lil Tip: Homemade Holiday Cards

LilSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:00:29 -0800

While pricey purchased cards pile into your mailbox, opt for a less expensive option and enlist your tots to make them. Holiday cards are a personal way to let your friends and family know that you are thinking about them during this festive season. And, greetings made by lil hands are extra special.

Just fold a piece of paper in half for your wee one to decorate, then jot down a short note inside and sign it. Tuck the treasure into a bulk envelope and it's ready to send!
Source

Holiday Photo Style: Cards

LilSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:23 -0800

Before you ship your kids' letters to Santa, make sure to get your holiday cards to the post office! If you're exhausted by the thought of spending hours surfing the web to find a fitting card for your family, don't fret. We've done the hard work for you! Here's a selection of our favorite cards of the season.

View Slideshow ›

Holiday Photo Style: Getting the Perfect Picture

LilSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0800

Lights! Camera! Family! It's time to snap that perfect shot. We looked to the professionals at Classic Kids to get some tips for taking the most memorable photos. According to the company's founder, Julie Floyd, the key is to keep your subjects relaxed and remember that children do not need to be perfectly posed in order to get a great image. She also recommends:

Never say “smile” or ask the children to say “cheese.” The mouth will smile, the eyes will not. You must work for your smiles by entertaining your subjects.
Get down to their level. The photographer needs to bring the camera down to eye level. Even lay on the floor if necessary.
Fill the frame with your subject. A nice close shot is far more interesting to the viewer than seeing a lot of background.

To read more of Julie's tips, including some to keep in mind when going to a professional photographer, read more.

Leave props out of the photograph unless the object is something your child can’t live without.
Make the shoot fun. If your family of four kids has to sit still for the picture, be sure that you are very entertaining. Enlist help from another adult if necessary.
Let kids be kids. Don’t stress about Band-Aids, braces, bruises, and black eyes. Imperfections are charming and make kids look real. Don’t insist that hair is perfectly styled. Natural truly is timeless.

If going to a professional photographer, Julie offers two additional tips:

Choose a photographer who loves kids and will make the experience fun for your children. Don’t give your kids instruction on how to behave during the shoot. Tell them they are going someplace to play and let the professional control the kids and the shoot.
Choose comfortable clothes the kids like. Give them a choice of several outfits preapproved by you.

Source

Holiday Photo Style: Family Pajamas

LilSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Holiday photo shoots are notorious for matching jammies. If you're wondering where moms and dads find the soft sets made for family dressing, look no further. Check out this season's latest loungewear here. Source

View Slideshow ›

Holiday Photo Style: Boy Trends

LilSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:11 -0800

Holiday dress up isn't just for girls, boys can use the opportunity to look positively dapper. If you're going for a blended look, there are plaids and fair isles to coordinate with his sister's clothes or allow him to showcase a style all his own. Check out the hottest holiday looks for your lil man. Source

View Slideshow ›

Holiday Photo Style: Girl Trends

LilSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:00:18 -0800

As the holidays approach, it's time to sit your family down and snap that annual photo. Whether you send yours out with well wishes or a family update, most mamas want their lil ones to look darling. This week lilsugar's giving you tips on the latest looks and practical poses to ensure that your pictures turn out fabulous! Let's kick the content off with a look at the hottest trends for your fashionable lil princess. Source

View Slideshow ›

Tiny Prints and Rachael Ray Team Up For Tasty Cards

babysugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:00:09 -0700

It amazes me that Rachael Ray isn't a mother because her 30-minute-meals are often lifesavers for over tasked mommies. Embarking on a new frontier, the talented kitchen cook has teamed up with the omnipresent Tiny Prints to create a line of "yum-o" holiday and food inspired announcements.

Holidays mean spending time with family, friends and what else? Food! Snowflakes made out of spoons and forks adorn photo greeting cards and are accompanied with phrases like, "Peace. Love. Food." Or, forgo the photos for wreath and snowman adorned folded cards that have a special treat inside - a printed recipe! Tell your friends how much you care about them with a recipe for Ladybug Pizzas or Spinach and Artichoke Hummus Dip.

Feel good purchasing the "yum-o!" cards as a portion of the proceeds will support yum-o!'s mission to empower kids to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking.

* Free shipping on all orders over $99 with the code HOLIDAYSHIP!

View 5 Photos ›

Lil Find: My Favorite Mother's Day Cards

babysugar — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:00:21 -0700

Becoming a mother gives you a whole new appreciation for the day that honors moms.

This year I am hoping that the cards I bought for the important women in my life actually make it to them in time. If not, at least get a sneak preview here.

For my mom: Not a fan of the poetic cards with flowers and candy adorning them, I handpicked this "wanted" Seltzer Goods card that states, "You're one of a kind" inside.

To see the other cards for other types of moms, read more.

For my mama–in–law: Easier than I expected, I picked out a hilarious and appropriate Papyrus card for my mom–in–law who is mother to three. Upon opening, it reads, "Only the strong survive!"

For my stepmother: It's always tough for me to find a card for my dad's wife that isn't too cheesy or over the top. This year, I found the perfect Marzipan Inc. card that simply says it all.

If flowers and cards aren't your thing, a phone call to dear old mom will surely be enough for her this Sunday.