InvitingSmiles Blog

Winter wonderland parties are a fabulous way to celebrate the cold, crisp winter months with your friends. You may wish for a fun, festive party or a more elaborate, relaxing atmosphere. Either way, a celebration with friends is always enjoyable.

A fun winter activity for your guests and children is to build a snowman, and have a snowball fight. Be sure to let your guests know to bring appropriate attire.  If your home town has not been blessed with a snowfall, then purchase a small play pool and fill it up with artificial snow for the kids to play with. Hang snowflakes outdoors from trees and patio covers. These along with clear lights and outdoor candles will create an atmosphere for all to enjoy.  (more…)

Giving of yourself during the holidays can be the greatest gift of all. It can also be the most rewarding gift you can give yourself and your children. Think of all of the people who are on their own or going without during the holiday season. You and your family can make a difference.

Many people give through their church or give to their local donation center; many even donate through times of tragedy. All of these are acts of kindness, but the next time you think of doing something, think more along the lines of getting out and getting involved. Having a hands-on approach can make a world of difference not just for you, but for the individuals that you are helping.  (more…)

Your baby’s first Christmas stocking should be well thought out and unique. Making your own baby’s stocking will make it even more special. After scouting the internet, I found great ideas for stockings; some homemade and some custom ordered. Here are just a couple of ideas:

* Photo stockings are always a hit. You can take a photo of your baby in their first Christmas outfit. Print the photo on transfer paper several
times. Then iron the transfer onto your material, repeat the pattern side by side several times. (more…)

If you are pregnant and cooking meals during the holidays, consider making more health- conscious dishes. Watch your calories and make sure you are getting the necessary vitamins and fiber you need. Try some of the following ideas:

• Try preparing more lean meats such as fresh turkey or venison. You can purchase
 these meats fresh at a butcher shop.
• Sweet potatoes are a great source of Vitamin A, which is essential for a healthy
 immune system.
• It is a great idea to find recipes with nuts in them. Nuts are great for
 the heart. Caution: Keep in mind your guests food allergies.
• Serve salads with a lot of vegetables and green leafy lettuce.
• Use broths to sauté instead of butter.
• Use chicken broth for mashing potatoes instead of milk and butter.

There are many cookbooks available now for healthy eating. The internet also provides many great recipes to choose. Think about your baby’s health when planning, preparing for, and cooking your holiday menu. This is a wonderful time to educate yourself so you can pass on your healthy eating habits to your baby.

Invitingsmiles.com

If you are concerned over your toddler biting you are not alone. This is a very common problem when children hit the toddler years. There are many reasons children begin to bite, find out why your child is doing it and you will be better able to detour this negative behavior.

Some toddlers will bite because they have discomfort while teething; they are trying to find a way to soothe their gums. Try providing appropriate things for your toddler to teeth on. There are teething rings made for this or you could use teething biscuits. Check the baby isle where you shop and you will find safe alternatives to choose from. (more…)

Are you asking for a baby crib for the holidays? What a wonderful gift to give or receive. When shopping for that perfect crib, safety is the most important concern you should have. I have researched the National Safety Council Website www.nsc.org, and they provide great safety tips. Following are some of the basics to remember when purchasing a crib and mattress. (more…)

If you are pregnant and fear gaining weight over the holidays, your fears are not unjustified. With holidays fast approaching, we are all preparing for parties, big dinners and a multitude of baked goods. It all sounds good, unless you are trying to maintain a healthy eating regiment.

Do not be fooled by thinking that because you are pregnant you can eat for two, or overindulge. In fact, it is even more important now to keep a healthy diet, especially over the holidays. Pregnant women must keep in mind the problems attributed to weight gain during their pregnancy. Too much weight gain can cause backache, leg pain, tiredness and varicose veins. The most concerning would be diabetes and hypertension. Not to mention, an overweight baby can cause a difficult delivery and run a risk of obesity later in the child’s life. (more…)

A honeymoon may take on different meanings depending on your culture. It is believed that the word honeymoon was originally derived from the amount of time the newlyweds spent together and what they drank. It was custom to spend one lunar month (one moon) after their vows drinking mead and enjoying their privacy. According to Wikipedia, mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage made of honey, water, and yeast. Henceforth the term honeymoon!

(more…)

There are a lot of themes for Christmas parties, and the Yankee Swap is a really fun event for all ages, no matter how large or small your party may be. This game is also fun for office parties, family gatherings, or just a group of friends. The Yankee Swap is also known as The White Elephant, which some of you may be more familiar with. In this article I will list the official rules.

The idea of this game is to bring a wrapped present of a certain dollar amount, usually set by the host/hostess of the party. Everyone will draw a number and the lowest number goes first. The person that picks first also picks last. Each person chooses a present and then decides weather or not to keep it, or exchange it for a gift someone else is holding. After everyone has chosen a present, the one who chose first can now choose to either keep or trade their gift. (more…)

Are you planning a holiday road trip this winter? What better time for family bonding during your drive. Here are some ideas for those of you with young children.

* Make sure your children take time to enjoy and learn about the  scenery. Point out the different types of scenic views you may encounter when entering a new area: mountains, cliffs, hills, forests, oceans, lakes, etc. Have the children name the animals they see, especially ones they may not see in their own hometown.

(more…)