3 Kids and Us

Items to Include in the Baby Hamper for Baby’s 1st Birthday

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A baby’s 1st birthday is usually the most anticipated birthdays since it marks his 1st year of existence in this world! Surprise the parents with a special hamper and make sure to include these items in your gift.

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Image by code_martial via Flickr

Baby hampers have been growing in popularity recently due to the fact that new parents love them.Mum and baby get to use every item, and you get the “oohs” and “aahs” of aunts and uncles who thought they couldn’t have gotten a better gift than the one that you got.

Baby hampers are a creative spin on a timeless gift giving tradition.

There’s an unlimited range of choices out there; hampers in different sizes, colours, themes, designs, and combination of items. No two hampers are alike and you are guaranteed to find one that is just as unique for the baby; but if you want to make it extra special, customisation is the way to go. This means you will be building your own baby gift hamper with the items that you selected and wrapped yourself.

Don’t have an idea what to include in the baby hamper? Why not make a call or a visit and fish for some ideas from the new parents? Having a quick chat with them could give you an idea of what they would like to get or better yet, why not just ask them straight ahead? This ensures that the money you spent to purchase the gift is put to good use.

If there’s no way you can get in touch with the parents or you’d rather surprise them, here’s a list of some ideas to help build your very own baby gift hamper:

  1. Body care items
  • Lotion
  • Oil
  • Wipes
  • Shampoo
  • Powder
  • Bath
  • Sunscreen lotion
  • Rash ointment
  1. Grooming items
  • baby hairbrush
  • nail clippers
  • cotton swabs
  1. Practical items
  • thermometer
  • baby bottle
  • bath thermometer
  • bibs
  • pacifiers
  • bath towel
  • wash clothes
  • bathing sponge
  1. Clothing
  • onesies
  • socks
  • booties
  • rompers
  • hat
  1. Toys
  • spoons
  • rattles
  • books

Anything which you feel is useful on baby can be placed inside the hamper. It doesn’t even have to be baby items. It can be something that mom and dad could really use after having just had a baby. Below are some of the things you can add:

  • Wine
  • Gift certificate to a spa
  • A voucher at a local restaurant
  • Bottle of perfume
  • Earplugs
  • Photo album
  • Scented candles
  • Chocolates
  • Magazine subscription

It’s good to reserve at least 1-2 items for the parents in the hamper. It shows that you also thought of them while making the baby gift. After you have gathered the items, place them all in one big container. It can be any of the following:

  • Basket
  • Cloth lined basket
  • Plastic bowl or a bucket
  • Baby bath tub
  • Canvas storage box

Arrange the items in the baby gift hamper and if you want to make it look stuffier, place cotton balls, cloths, diapers or boxed wipes at the bottom. This creates the illusion of the hamper having more items than there really is. Be as creative as you want when wrapping the baby gift hamper. If not, you can employ the help of a friend who’s good at gift wrapping or get ideas from websites that sell quality gift hampers in Australia or in your local area. There’s a rich source of baby hamper photos to take inspiration from.

In Conclusion

You don’t have to include all these items in the baby hamper nor does all of it have to be in the same category. You can pick one for each to include in the baby hamper. Only get the items which you feel will suit mom and baby best. The parents who receive it will appreciate the thought that went behind the gift and will be able to use all the items in the gift hamper. Did we miss any item? If there’s anything you’d like to add, let us know in the comments

Wearing Your Story on Your Wrist: The History and Evolution of the Charm Bracelet

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640px-Gold_charm_bracelet

Nobody thinks about wearing a story on their wrist when they wear a charm bracelet. But, this little piece of jewelry has a rich history. The next time you eye one in the store, or you’re thinking about what to wear for a night out on the town, consider this:

From 4500 to 2300 BC

Charm bracelets date back to Neolithic times, when men selected an unusual piece of bone shell, stone, or wood, and transformed it into something they could wear. Usually, this meant placing it on a leather thong.

From 2300 to 700 BC

During this time, charm bracelets were known as amulets or talismans. They were associated with magic, mystique, and spirituality. Early charms during this period were made from lapis lazuli, rock crystal, and semi-precious stones or gems. The Babylonians are believed to be the first people to wear charms on their wrists from around 700BC.

In Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt is inherently mysterious. We often associate the Egyptians with intelligence and ingenuity. During this time, Pharaohs and the wealthy adorned charms. The first recognizable jewelry appeared in 3000 BC, and were worn on the head and neck. Classic symbols and charms like the Ankh represented the force of life. The Eye of Horus was said to protect its wearer in life and death, especially the afterlife.

From 750 BC to 475 AD

During the Roman Empire, an amulet or charm bracelet was used to signify one’s own life. For example, early Christians wore the “ichthys” (a symbol of the fish) to signify that they were followers of Jesus Christ.

The fish symbolized the feeding of the five thousand by Jesus on the Jordan River.

From 1066 to 1485

During this time, English Kings, Queens and knights often wore amulets and charms as protection. The period is known for its belief in witchcraft and wizardry. A lot of people during this time were concerned about magic and mayhem that could befall them by their enemies. People of this time hoped that charms, prayer, and incantation would save them and protect them.

From 1300 to 1600

During the Renaissance, lucky charms and amulets weren’t as popular. This was the dawn of the age of reason and the Enlightenment. Books, science, and math were replacing mysticism and superstition.

Charms were remnants of an uncivilized past. But, gemstones and charms still retained importance among the wealthy, since it signified their family name and lineage. To the masses, however, they did remain somewhat popular as there was very little in the way of education and superstition was still a part of many people’s lives.

Industrial Revolution – 1750 to 1900

During the industrial revolution, only wealthy individuals could afford custom jewelry and charms that were made during this time. However, it wasn’t long before technology advanced to the point where precious metals could be mined efficiently, allowing the middle class to own and wear charms which, only a decade ago, would have been unaffordable.

The shift actually began in Britain, spread to most European countries, and eventually to America.

1945 to 1950

By the end of World War II, soldiers were ready to come home. But, they didn’t want to come home empty-handed. So, they purchased handmade jewelry as souvenirs for their loved ones and family. Local craftsmen would carve wooden or metal souvenirs as gifts. Often, these gifts were replicas of common items in the local area.

Soldiers would also have “dog tags” made for them and, over time, this gave way to small celluloid or acrylic charms packaged in cereal packets, gumball machines, and packets of sweets.

Today

Today, we enjoy all sorts of charms and bracelets. You can buy sterling silver charms and charm jewelry from commercial operations like Bedbathandbeyond.com and your local jeweler.

From vintage pieces to modern and contemporary, charms and bracelets have been a part of not just American history but of world history. Today, you can wear a story on your wrist – something that, at one time, wasn’t possible.

What’s your story?

Molly Powell is a stay-at-home Mom who discovered blogging several years ago. She writes on a range of topics usually revolving around family life and the home in some way.

2016’s best family-friendly attractions in Australia

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Although we’ve recently covered some global destinations as far-flung as New York and Paris, sometimes it’s good to cover things a little closer to home.

So if you’re looking to get out and about with your family in Australia this year, here are some great kid-friendly options that can provide surfing inspiration, illuminating ideas on our cities, and even give some tips for the Wimbledon betting over in the UK later in 2016.

City attractions

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Although the great Australian summer is coming to an end, there are many great city events that provide a good deal of family fun. The Adelaide Festival in particular looks tempting as it features Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo that is a hands-in interactive theatre featuring lots of fun dinosaur puppets alongside the festival’s music and arts treats that run from 26 February to 14 March.

And all Australians should definitely visit Sydney’s Vivid Festival that illuminates those dark winter nights with an amazing show of light, colour and music from 27 May to 18 June. The festival will also be tying in with Taronga Zoo’s centenary celebrations and all kids should definitely enjoy seeing some illuminated chameleons

Sporting fun

2011_Australian_GP_pit_lane

Australia’s definitely not short of sporting attractions. And the Formula One season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 20 March and provides a great chance to get out there and join in the glamorous celebrations.

Many kids will have been inspired to pick up a tennis racket after the Australian Open, and the Hot Shots youth tennis course can help them on their way to sporting glory. And as many will be asking can Andy Murray bounce back from the Australian Open, adults can keep up with his progress and the likes of Australian stars such as Nick Kyrgios thanks to Coral’s website that features all of the top news and tips from Wimbledon and other great sporting events.

At the beach

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But for those families who are seeking to take advantage of the last warm days of summer, they should definitely get down to Surfest which is already underway in Newcastle and will encourage the little ones to learn to enjoy live on the ocean waves.

Or for something a little more extreme, then the Cooly Classic in Queensland offers the chance to appreciate ocean swimming with a special 1000m Junior Giant option for the kids on 3 April.

So whether your planning ahead to the Wimbledon betting options with some sporting inspiration, or merely watching the city of Sydney become illuminated in weird and wonderful colours, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Australia over the upcoming months!

Family Stories and Successes: Tips and Tricks for Scrapbooking Your Past

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Victorian Child's Scrapbook.
Victorian Child’s Scrapbook.

Scrapbooking is big. Huge. So, here are some of the more fun ways to preserve your family’s stories, successes, and even unusual events.

What Kind Of Memories Do You Want Immortalized?

Think long and hard about the types of memories you want preserved. We all have painful memories that we’d rather not remember, but there’s more than just happy memories in our lives too.

It might be easy to come up with photos and keepsakes from times when we were having fun. Try to also come up with memories of challenging times – not necessarily negative, but challenging.

For example, have you, or any of your family members, ever competed in an event before? What was that like?

Do you have any photos that commemorate it? By including these in your scrapbook, you’ll not only be able to look back and laugh, you’ll be able to look back on all of your hard-won victories.

Getting Organized – What To Do And What To Avoid

Get organized. As you start accumulating photos and materials, try to work towards organization of life events, time periods, and “moments.”

You could also divide photos and keepsakes into groups – piles with people, places, or even by family and friends.

This will ultimately help you make sense of your scrapbook as well as help you find things when you need them. Most people choose themes for their book, which is another great way to organize your scrapbook.

What Themes Should You Pick?

Themes can be tricky because everyone has a different idea about what the best themes are. Even so, themes can make your scrapbook much more memorable. It can also help you relive specific memories.

For example, let’s say you want to relive a particular Christmas when you were young. Or, maybe you want to relive all of your Christmases. Making a scrapbook oriented around that theme will let you focus on just the things you want to remember or relive.

Getting Supplies

What kind of supplies will you need? That depends on your scrapbook. But, in general, you’ll need an album, adhesives, scissors, and journaling pens.

The album should contain acid-free pages or allow you the option to add them. It should also have PVC-free sheet protectors so that you can protect your pages and photos. As for the size of the book, it all depends on you and how big you want it. Most scrapbooks are either 8 ½ x 11” or 12” x 12”.

There are a variety of adhesives you can choose from too, but look for ones made specifically for scrapbooking.

Get straight-edge and decorative edge scissors so that you can cut photos into interesting shapes and crop out any unwanted areas.

Finally, get yourself some journaling pens – acid-free, permanent pens for writing down important names, family memories, dates, and even just for doodling and stick figures.

Printing Your Scrapbook

If you want a more formal scrapbook, download some templates from the Internet, stock up on ink from StinkyInk, and print your scrapbook after you’re finished scanning in all of your photos and keepsakes.

While it’s common to create a “live” scrapbook that’s not printed or made from copies photos, many people are finding that copying photos allows them to preserve the originals for future use, while also allowing for creative use of the copies.

John Sollars started Stinkyink.com in 2002, a printer cartridge supplier in the UK. He knows a thing or two about printing and he enjoys sharing his ideas and insights online through blogging.

How to Prevent Your Kids from Cold and Flu During Winter Season

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kids with flu

One of the hardest feelings for any parent is to see their child suffering from sickness including a common cold and flu. And during winter season, this is indeed one of the main worries of moms and dads too.

In this article, we will share some tips on how to protect your children and prevent them from having cold and flu this winter season:

Tip 1: Wash hands – teach your kids to make it a habit to wash their hands – before and after they eat and every time they use the bathroom. Kids are playful by nature – they love to run around, climb everywhere, and pick up whatever that calls their attention. And because of this playfulness, it is easy for them to pick up bacteria and viruses. Washing their hands will kill off germs and bacteria and prevent sickness like flu or cold. Rubbing hands with alcohol gel, commonly called hand sanitizer, will also keep bacteria and viruses away. These Custom Hand Sanitizer are available at your local store or pharmacy.

Tip 2: Flu vaccine – seasonal flu vaccine is also effective to prevent cold and flu. Children ages 2 to 9 need two doses of flu vaccine if it is their first time to receive it. The first dose improves their immune system while the second shot given 28 days or more after the first dose serves as their protection from flu.

Tip 3: Dress warm – Rhinovirus that causes common cold replicates better during cold weather. And since the body’s immune system weakens as the temperature drops, it is more common to catch cold during winter season. You should keep your kids warm by dressing them with appropriate, thick clothes that will keep them warm most especially when going out of the house.

Tip 4: Drink lots of fluids –it is also a good practice to drink lots of fluids especially water everyday. Drinking water will flush out the toxins in the body.

Tip 5: Drink vitamins – make sure to give them vitamins every day to boost their immune system. In case they’ve already caught the virus, be sure to give them medicine immediately. Codral cold and flu capsules or tablets are perfect for adults and children 12 years old and above.

Tip 6: Avoid sharing cups and utensils – you should prevent your kids from sharing cups and other utensils even with family members. Colds can easily spread through shared cups, towels, and other things so it is best to be safe and use their own set of things.

Tip 7: Cover mouth and nose – instruct them to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough. This is both to prevent spreading and acquiring the virus.

Tip 8: Avoid crowded places – during the cold and flu season, it is advisable to stay away from crowded places like public playgrounds, malls, and parks where viruses and bacteria are rampant.

Tip 9: Eat healthy – you should also make sure to prepare healthy meals for your kids so they get enough nutrients to strengthen their immune system. Avoid junk foods and fast food meals.

Tip 10: Rest – lastly, you should make sure the kids get enough sleep and rest to keep their bodies strong and healthy so they don’t get sick or infected easily.

Protect your kids from symptoms of cold and flu. Follow the tips discussed in this article so you can feel at ease knowing that your kids are protected. Also, be sure to take care of your own health so you do not catch cold and flu virus and infect anyone in your household especially your children.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!