Use Nature to Throw a Woodland Theme Baby Shower

Lots of baby shower themes seem more suited for spring and summer dates. Struggling to find a theme that works during cooler weather? Why not try a woodland theme baby shower? It works whether you’re celebrating the arrival of a girl or boy. So if your bundle of joy is on its way, use these tips to try this unique theme.

Use Nature

A lot of your decorations can come from Mother Nature. Find a log that’s about three inches in diameter and saw it into different lengths. You’ll be able to use it to hold candles at various levels and perhaps even some food plates. Find stems of leaves or pine needles to use with fresh flowers in arrangements. And of course you’ll need lots of pine cones. These can either be painted or left natural. Stack them in large vases or use them as place holders for food names so your guests will know what you’re serving up.

Stick with Theme Food

Think about food that fits in with the theme. Try dipping marshmallows in melted chocolate and serving them up on a stick. Set out a bowl of homemade trail mix or serve up a cheese ball covered in pecans. The more you can stick with the theme the more memorable it will be.

Marshmallows on a Stick Fit the Theme

Party Favors

There are lots of options for party favors for a woodland theme baby shower. An easy one is to make up your own batch of homemade trail mix. Include a variety of nuts, chocolate chips and even some raisins. Put a scoop into a small plastic bag. You can decorate the plastic bag or put it inside a paper lunch sack embellished with stamps or ribbon.

Have a Hoot

Owl ornaments are very popular right now. You can use these to help decorate for your woodland baby shower. Hang them from the mantel or give them to guests as party favors along with a note that the party was a hoot. There’s no chance they’ll forget such a creative baby shower.

Photo courtesy of Alison Storm

In today’s society, many companies are catching the wave of eco-friendliness by generating goods that appease the ever-changing consumer. Flourishing their children with green products, clothing and toys, eco-conscious mamas often make choices for their babies that reflect their commitment to protect the planet as well. If you don’t know how to shop for an eco-conscious mama, we have a few suggestions to get you started.

Organic Baby Sling

Mothers use baby wrapping as a popular form of transporting infants because it helps develop a strong sense of security between child and parent. Made with earth friendly organic cotton, the Moby Wrap Organic Cotton Baby Carrier uses the entire back and shoulders to the distribute weight. Accommodating preemies to 35-pound babies, the baby carrier keeps infants warm while allowing mama to keep both hands free.

Eco-Friendly Clean Up

Offering the soothing moisturizing qualities of aloe vera, Vitamin E, and water, Seventh Generation Baby Wipes do not contain man-made ingredients that often irritate sensitive baby skin. Free of alcohol and fragrances, the wipes are a safe choice for baby and the planet since they are whitened without the use of chemicals.

Eco-Friendly Diapers

The materials that touch a baby’s skin are important to a mother. Made with non-toxic polymer construction, stretchy leg gathers and convenient closure tabs, Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Baby Diapers are non-irritating and free of chlorine. Made out of 100% certified organic cotton twill, Bummis Organic Pre-Fold Diapers offer an attractive unbleached color and soft feel. Packaged in organic cotton bags, six diapers fit inside.

Organic Baby Toys

From organic cotton stuffed animals to sustainable wooden wagons, organic baby toys have reached new heights over the past couple of years. Gift sets make popular presents for eco-conscious mamas and the miYim Organic Gift Set offers a delightful assortment of goodies. Made from certified organic fabric and colored with low eco impact dyes, this set is environmentally friendly, safe, and non-toxic. Mothers and babies will enjoy the lamb face burp cloth, plush duck rattle/teether, and small plush baby bunny toy.

Eco-Friendly Booster Seat

Fashioned out of bio-plastic, the Safety 1st Nature Next Eco-friendly Booster Seat offers a 3-point harness for safety with adjustable chair straps. The booster seat is comprised of 50% bio-plastic made from renewable plant resources. The green leaf design on the seat is also a pleasant feature to consider.

Eco-Friendly Baby Furniture

From changing tables to high chairs, the world of baby goods now includes a wide range of sustainable room décor and other pieces of furniture. If you’re looking for a classy crib to gift, consider the alluring dark walnut finish of the Graco Eco-Friendly Dakota Classic 4 in 1 Convertible Crib. The convertible crib offers the convenience of a toddler bed, day bed, and full size headboard for a bed frame and mattress. Certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), all wooden components are sustainable. Other highlights include water-based finishes and recycled packaging.

Looking for fun and practical baby gifts, the SugarBooger™ line by Ore is what you are looking for.  The SugarBooger™ line offers a wide range of baby products from diaper bags, storage and organization items, fun photo frames, as well as tabletop and bath items. Ore Originals started out about 20 years ago as a bold line of innovative bulletin boards using recycled rubber. This first item quickly grew into the basic collection of Ore Originals, call Living Goods™, offering creative solutions to enhance everyday living.  After that came Oré Pet™ and SugarBooger™, which started in 2003, when the founder and President became a mother herself with her first child. SugarBooger™ is a great gift line for moms on-the-go who want and need to be fashionably organized and have products not only fun, but functional as well.

Here are a few of the products offered by SugarBoogerâ„¢ which would make great baby shower or gifts for the busy mom:

Peeka Boo Brush and Comb Set

This two piece set is ready for gift giving!

The brush and comb set include a natural boar-bristle and wood-handle brush with the matching comb in a natural maple finish.

Comes with the linen mesh bag. Brush measures 5 x 2.5 inches and comb 5 x 1 inches.

Price: $18

 

Peeka Boo Dish Set
This boxed 5 piece melamine set includes a 8.5 inch diameter plate, 4.5 inch diameter bowl that holds 20 oz.,  6 oz. capacity Sippy cup,and matching fork and spoon.

Dishwasher safe, do not microwave, hand wash for best results. The melamine in this set is lead-free and non-toxic.

Price: $20.

Available in Green, Pink, and Blue

Diaper Bag Organizer Pouches

The Diaper Bag Organizer Pouches will help keep a busy mom organize. The set comes with four cotton pouches with zipper closures and mesh backings for ventilation. Each pouched is labeled and with an icon so that you can properly store dirty clothes, clean clothes, goodies to eat and miscellaneous extras.

Dirty & Clean pouches measure 14 x 11 inches, Goodies 10 x 6 inches, and Extras 7 x 7 inches. Machine wash cold, line dry.

Price: $22

To see the full line of Ore Originals products and find a retail location near you, check out OreOriginals.com.

photo courtesy of Alison Storm

Looking for a creative, low-cost baby gift that would work in a boy’s or girl’s nursery? Try making a bird baby mobile. You can adjust the colors to fit any style or scheme. I found the idea on a great blog called Spool. Using a little help from them and some supplies I had around the house I was able to create this cute gift for my neighbor’s new arrival.
Step One: Download the Pattern

Spool created this amazing free pattern to help you sew the birds for your baby mobile. Simply print it out and cut out the two pieces that make up the pattern.

Step Two: Choose Your Fabric

Think about the colors of the nursery and coordinate fabric to match. Choose solids and prints. Since the pattern does not require the pieces to be very big you may have suitable fabric already. You can also check out remnant sales at fabric stores to pick up small amounts of discounted fabric.

Step Three: Sew Your Birds

Pin the two sections of the bird together, right sides on the inside. You can use a machine to sew your birds, or do it by hand. Choose coordinating thread and leave the tail open so you can fill it with stuffing.

Step Four: Stuff Your Birds

This sounds like an activity for Thanksgiving, but it’s not. Carefully fill your birds with stuffing to give them a plump shape.

The branches for your mobile can likely be found in your own backyard. Choose a couple that are relatively straight. You can either sand them slightly and leave them natural, or for a more polished look spray paint your sticks.

photo courtesy of Alison Storm

Using fishing line and some wire, attach your birds to the sticks. Be creative with your positioning. You can have several birds grouped together, facing different ways or even suspend a bird from one of the sticks so it looks like it’s in mid-air.

Step Seven: Hang Your Mobile

The mobile can be easily hung using additional fishing line and some hooks screwed into the ceiling. Another option is hanging it from a curtain rod like the one you see pictured. Just make sure you hang it high enough so it is well out of baby’s reach.

Step Eight: Enjoy!

Your baby will enjoy watching the colorful birds flying or perched above and you’ll enjoy your lovely handmade creation.

Father’s Day is coming soon. So, today, I’d like to feature a book that makes the perfect gift for new parents, especially new dads.

The book is called Cheers to the New Mom!/Cheers to the New Dad!: Tips and Tricks to Help You Ace the First Months of Parenthood and was written by Jenna McCarthy, an internationally published writer.

One of the things I like the most about this book, besides the practical advice, is it’s innovative flip-cover design. It’s actually two books in one! The “dad” side is packed with the sort of advice fledgling fathers need (“Things not to ask your wife once the baby arrives: What’s for dinner? When do you think you might lose that weight? Why is s/he still crying? Did you wear those pajamas all day? What were we thinking?”). Also popular are the “happy parents make happy babies” tips on caring for yourself and your partner. The publishing date was 4/09 and it is already in bookstores nationwide; in fact, Barnes&Noble recently featured it on a special Mother’s Day display—and likely will do the same for father’s day.

You can visit Jenna’s website at http://www.jennamccarthy.com.

“Cheers” is available on Amazon, of course, as well as dozens of other online retailers.
Price: $11.66

GIVEAWAY

This Giveaway is for US residents only. We’ll have 1 lucky winner.
How to enter (required): answer the following questions: do you think books help new moms and dads (especially those that have their first baby) cope with parenthood? How come?

For additional entries (leave a new comment for each additional entry):
- one additional entry if you grab one of our buttons and post it on your blog, please post the link;
- one additional entry if you join us on Facebook;
- one additional entry if you follow us on Twitter;
- one additional entry if you send a tweet about this giveaway, please post the link (once a day only);
- one additional entry if you fave us in Technorati;
- one additional entry if you blog about this Giveaway with a link back to 1HappyCorner.com and http://www.jennamccarthy.com
- one additional entry if you follow 1HappyCorner.com via email.

The giveaway ends on June 20, 2009.

*Please make sure you leave a comment for each additional entry so you get credited.
*Also, please make sure you typed in the correct email address.
*The winner will be announced via e-mail and has 2 days to get back to us or other name will be chosen.

Thank you, Jenna, for this wonderful giveaway!!:)

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RESULTS:

Thank you all for participating! It’s been really fun reading your answers. The winner was randomly chosen at random.org and is…

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

32

Timestamp: 2009-06-21 17:47:54 UTC

Congratulations, Christine! Please get back to us within 2 days or other name will be chosen. Thank you!!

Buying Off the Registry Ensures It's a Gift They Want. photo courtesy of ginnerobot

Heading to a wedding or baby shower this summer? You’re probably planning on bringing a gift along to mark the special occasion. But how do you know where the lovely couple or new mom is registered? Rather than buying them a gift card to a store they don’t care for or just picking up a generic gift they may not even want, use these tricks to find out exactly where they’re registered and what they need.

Read the Invite

Usually the invitation to the wedding or shower will have details about where the registries are. Sometimes rather than printing the details directly on the invite, they’ll include a small slip of paper with the store’s name. Throw the invite away? Then keep reading.

Check the Most Popular Choices

There are some stores that are extremely popular for gift registries. Make a quick visit to websites like Target.com, CrateandBarrel.com, and BedBathandBeyond.com if you’re searching for wedding registries. If you’re searching for a baby shower registry try BabiesRUs.com and Target.com.  The odds are good that you may find your registry here.

Use a Registry Finder

Since there are so many more places to register now than ever before, locating a gift registry may require a registry finder. For instance, at WeddingChannel.com they’ve got a registry finder that searches more than 15 different stores and retailers to try to locate the one you’re looking for. So rather than visit all of those stores hunting for your registry, look for it in one place.

Think Regional

Different parts of the country have different go-to department stores. Depending on where you live, the most popular department store may vary. Think about where the event is being held and what stores are popular in that community. That may give you a clue as to where the registry is held.

Ask the Host

Still can’t find the registry? Just bite the bullet and ask the bride, groom or mother-to-be. You’ll be glad you asked rather than winging it in the gift department.

We mentioned VoiceQuilt.com in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide.

Sometimes words are not strong enough to express the emotion and joy VoiceQuilt will bring. That’s why I posted the video above. 

VoiceQuilt is the perfect gift for Valentine’s, Christmas, birthday, anniversary and any special day! It is a unique product that strings (or quilts) personalized audio messages from family/loved ones that are set into a variety of beautiful keepsake boxes.  During these tough times, the best love and support a lot of people need come from the heart of many.

Available at VoiceQuilt.com. Check them out today!

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If you have tried VoiceQuilt, please leave a message and share the love!

We mentioned partybeans.com in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide.

photo courtesy of partybeans.com

Today we’d like to recommend a fun, fabulous and one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day gift for anyone on your list: personalized Jelly Belly from partybeans.com!

Just go to PartyBeans.com, choose a fun container, and upload your own full-color photo and Valentine’s text.

They’ll fill it with JellyBelly beans in your favorite flavors–let’s say Very Cherry Red and French Vanilla for Valentine’s Day. They’ll ship your order the next business day and you’ll have a personalized one-of-a-kind gift.

Why did we choose PartyBeans.com? Here are a few reasons:

• Relive beautiful memories with full-color photos and personalized text.
• Enjoy low minimum quantities that won’t break your budget. (Yes, you can order just one.)
• Create everything yourself with their easy-to-follow gift guide.
• Fast shipping.
• Perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts for that special someone.

You design it…they print it…you enjoy it. How does that sound? Check them out today!

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Have you tried PartyBeans.com? Share the love! Tell us about your experience! Leave a message!

Image belongs to TheGreenPerspective.com

Now mommy and baby can go “green” together. With the Eco mom+green baby kit it’s quite easy to do. This would make an adorable gift for baby showers and new moms, even if they aren’t into the ever so popular “green” movement. Not only  is this gift eco-friendly, but it’s attractive and functional for new mommies.

Everything that comes with this wonderful product from The Green Perspective is eco-friendly. This gift comes with plenty of goodies. Included in the purchase is a smart reusable bag (very trendy right now), all natural liquid hand soap, an organic onesie, a 100% organic cotton baby carrier, a glass bottle, stuffed toys and an informative book. Everything a new mommie will need to take care of baby and help take care of the planet. My favorite is always a reusable shopping bag, that besides being handy for shopping, can also be used to carry baby items.

This gift has everything you need to give a complete and amazing gift at a baby shower. It is a thoughtful gift that doesn’t take a lot of thought , just pick one, pay for it and you are done! You can’t lose when you choose the Eco Mom+Green baby gift. Available from The Green Perspective where “green” gifts are always available.

The price depends on whether you choose to get the one with the baby carrier or without it.

Eco Mom+Green Baby w/out carrier: $65.00

Eco Mom+Green Baby with carrier: $115.00

This is a must have for any new or expecting parent. I know because, I had to have it! It is the Rolls Royce of baby swings, but without the steep price. This would make a great baby shower gift, especially if you’re looking to score some extra points with the mom-to-be, choose The Graco Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center.

The Swing moves side-to-side or forward and backward mimicking the movement of rocking in mom’s arms. The head support is soft and furry to offer the most comfort to baby. It also has 4 different music types, which all have their own list of music, including the option for a removable MP3 player. Your baby will love listening to whatever you choose, from classical to nursery rhymes you control it all. The whole center is customizable, the seat position can be changed to face any way and lay back or sit up. It is made so you can find the combination of motion,speed, warmth, smell, vibration and sound that best suits baby’s mood. My son will sit in his Sweetpeace for hours, just playing and napping. It also comes with a soothing book for tips and tricks to help calm baby down. You can check out all the features and watch a video on the product at the Sweetpeace website.

The Graco Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center sells for $179.99, right now on sale for $161.60 through Amazon and offers Free Shipping through Amazon Prime. What a bargain! Get the new mom and baby something they will love, the Sweetpeace. It’s a great gift and you’ll love the Thanks you get for giving it!

–image taken from www.amazon.com