InvitingSmiles Blog

The holiday season is a beautiful and memorable time of year, and a perfect time for a Christmas wedding.

Planning a wedding during the holidays can be difficult at times. You and your guests will have busy schedules, so send out Save the Date cards months in advance to assure your special day a spot on their calendar. The post office will be very busy as well, so consider sending your wedding invitations and response cards earlier than usual. Your guests will receive them in plenty of time to respond to you before their busy schedules begin. (more…)

If you are planning a holiday party during the Christmas season, you will want to send out holiday invitations. The invitation will set the tone to let your guests know what kind of party it will be. Every year my family is invited to a Christmas party at our friend’s house. Every year we wait for the invitation, which is always unique and inviting. Sometimes there is a picture of the previous Christmas party attached to the invitation. The wording is always well thought out and you can feel all of the warmth and spirit in which the invitation was sent. (more…)

One parental decision to make is about children and allowance.
When should you start giving allowance? Consider:
• The age of your child – They must know the concept of trading money for items
• The maturity of your child – One child may be ready as early as 3 years old, but your next child may not be ready until 5. Treat each child individually.
What should a child learn?
• Money management
• Appreciate and take care of their purchases
• Notice the cost of items.
• Discipline – i.e. “No, I can not buy that right now.”
• Save for more expensive items

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The holidays are approaching and your holiday decorations and baby’s safety need to be considered. Many of us try very hard to make our homes as safe as possible for our little ones. However, during the holidays we bring items out of storage that may be a hazard.

We have all been made aware of lead poisoning. Think about old ornaments, inherited decorations, anything that may have not been required to meet the standards of today. This includes decorative lights and artificial trees.

Christmas trees and large decorations should be anchored well. A small child may try to pull himself up by the tree, or a toddler may reach for a high ornament and accidentally pull the tree over. (more…)

The holiday season finds many families traveling, however extra precautions should be taken if you are planning to travel by air while pregnant.

Your obstetrician will be your best resource for information. Let him know your destination and flight plans. If entering another country, research immunization requirements. Many of these vaccines are unsafe for a pregnant woman. Discuss your options with your doctor.

Some airlines may refuse travel for a woman who is in her last six weeks of pregnancy. This is due to their liability if you go into labor while on their plane. Be sure to check with your airline.  (more…)

If you are planning for a second wedding, you have many advantages. You have experience, are older and wiser, and you have many more choices.

You may wear any color (including white), and the dress may be a wedding gown, or a less formal cocktail, or evening dress.  The décor can be formal, or you may opt for a simpler wedding. Remember that the bride and groom are responsible for the costs of a second wedding. You may find that planning a small, intimate wedding will be more cost efficient and just as meaningful. (more…)

A lot of pet owners like to send personalized pet Christmas cards over the holidays. Some families like to have a family photo with their pets. Some people do not have children or they are empty nesters and consider their pet part of the family as if they were their children. So having your pet’s mug on a Christmas card isn’t that unusual. It can be a lot of fun.

If you have pets and would like to have their picture on your Christmas cards, here are some cute ideas.

• If you are taking a family photo put little elf costumes on your pet. A Santa hat or jingle bells around the neck can be a cute idea. Make them part of the festivity. (more…)

One out of three accidental poisonings of children occur when the child is visiting their grandparents, so grandparents please lock up your medicine!

Grandparents often buy medicines without child-resistant caps, however this can be a major problem when grandchildren visit. Be sure to get the child-resistant caps and keep medicines in a locked medicine cabinet. Many small children will watch and learn to open these child-resistant caps, so be sure they are not watching you while you open your medicine.  (more…)

Make reading to your baby a part of your daily routine as early as possible. Remember that reading to a small baby is not about teaching to read, it is about teaching that reading is comforting and interesting.

The atmosphere is very important during reading time. Choose a time that you and your baby are relaxed and calm. When you read, try to promote a feeling of comfort and ease, along with interest and intrigue. The baby needs to relate reading to happiness. (more…)

More and more clothing companies are introducing stylish maternity clothes… even for the holidays!

The holidays bring formal parties, family gatherings and many photographs.
You will want to look your best and show your style. To be economical, your family and friends may be a resource for previously worn formal maternity attire. If purchasing a dress, consider a basic color that different accessories can be added to. (more…)