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How to Create a Baby Shower Gift Basket
It can be difficult to come up with an idea for a baby shower gift. By creating your own baby shower gift basket, you can add a variety of items in a theme. Whether you are able to go all out or on a limited budget, you can create a beautiful gift basket that's sure to please. Just start with a basket of your choice. This can even be a baby bathtub, a large wicker basket or any container that fits your theme. Add colored plastic wrap and ribbons for a beautiful finishing touch. Following are some baby shower gift basket ideas to get you started.
Baby Toiletries for Baby Shower Gift Baskets
Baby toiletries can add up in expenses. I like to give baby shower gift baskets filled with diaper
ointment, baby shampoo, baby lotion, baby oil, baby powder and small clippers. I found from having my own babies that I never seemed to have too many baby toiletries on hand. You can add wipes, diapers or warmers in the center of the baby shower gift basket and add a pretty rattle or other baby toy.
Bedtime Theme Baby Shower Gift Baskets
Bedtime theme baby shower gift baskets are lots of fun for the baby and the new mom or dad. Fill these baskets with story books, music CDs, nature sound CDs, a small night light, pajamas, receiving blankets, small pillows or anything you can think of that relates to baby’s bedtime. Even a baby monitor would work well with this gift basket.
Since there are so many different things you can put into bedtime themed baby shower gift baskets, these are great to give when you have several baby showers to attend in a short time span. You still get to give baby shower gift baskets without it seeming like you’re giving the exact same gift at each baby shower you attend.
Bath Time Themed Baby Shower Gift Baskets
Instead of using a traditional basket, get creative. You can use a small baby bathtub for the baby shower gift basket. Fill the tub with cute bath toys, baby shampoo, baby wash and wash cloths. You can add a terry cloth hooded baby bath towel. Expectant moms really love these type of baby shower gift baskets.
Memory Trunk for Baby Shower Gift Baskets
One of the most memorable baby shower gift baskets you can give is a small baby trunk filled with baby items and a personal touch. As the expectant parents open the trunk they can find picture frames, a baby scrapbook, baby’s first year book, a few books on parenting, a picture of the parents when they were a baby, the parents first-year baby book, a locket from their hair when they were little and some other items from the parents childhood.
A memory trunk is a wonderful baby shower gift basket to give for an upcoming grandbaby. In fact, it is a tradition that can be handed down generation to generation and will be a treasured heirloom.
Hair Styling Tips
You may think that to have beautifully styled hair you have to spend a lot of money. This isn't always true. You can learn a few tips that are targeted for your specific hair type and get a fabulous hair style. With the arrival of spring just around the corner, this is the perfect time to give your hair a makeover. First, start with a good cut, even if you only want to trim a half inch or inch off to get it in good shape. Once you get the cut, you can use the following easy suggestions to give your hair a beautiful style.
How to Style Curly Hair
Curly hair normally does best using a mild, hydrating and sulfate-free shampoo. Follow up with a good conditioner to get ready for styling. There are many good shampoo, conditioner and styling products made especially for curly hair.
Curly hair is often more dry and fragile and stylng methods should be gentle. One problem with curly hair is that it tends to frizz. If you use a styling product on your hair while it's still wet, this will help tame the frizzies. This will help your hair form its natural curl pattern. Work your styling product into your hair in small sections. Be gentle and patient while doing this. Styling products for curly hair come in various formulas such as foam, sprays and gels. You may have to experiment to see which works best for your hair.
After you have worked the styling product into your hair and formed the natural curl pattern, you can let it air dry or use a hair dryer with a diffuser on the lowest heat setting. If you use a high heat setting to dry your hair, you may end up with frizzies and more dryness. After your hair is dry, you can separate the curls a bit by running your fingers through them. Use a light touch!
How to Add Volume to Fine or Lifeless Hair
Some women have very fine or lifeless hair. They lack volume and have a difficult time getting a style they love. A volumizing shampoo can help greatly by enhancing the hair cuticle and giving the appearance of fuller hair. Be careful about which conditioner you use. Conditioner is important, but it needs to be suitable for your hair. You don't want to overload your hair with heavy conditioners weighing it down even more. You want products that have a plumping formula.
Spray conditioner can work well, but if your hair is damaged or color treated, use a regular conditioner made for your hair type. Go lightly near the roots or just condition below the roots.
When using a product made to volumnize hair, work it from the back of your head toward the front. The crown needs the least amount of your styling product. A trick that can do wonders in adding volume to your hair is to bend your head over and flip your hair so you dry it on the under side. Dry hair leaving only a slight dampness.
To add more volume, use medium or large rollers. Velcro rollers are said to work very well. The larger the roller, the more volume you will have. If your hair is very short, you can use small rollers. This will still add volume. You can add a few rollers to the crown and one or two on each side. Always pull the hair straight up to roll and use sections of hair no wider than the roller itself. Secure roller and lightly mist with a non-sticky hair spray suited for your hair. Allow hair to set for at least 15 minutes. If you allow it to set longer, you'll have more volume and more staying power.
Easy Pizza Recipe
The exact history of pizza has been debated. This is largely because pizza has evolved over many years and been prepared in various ways, although similar. Before pizzerias became a common thing, you could often see street vendors selling slices of pizza on the street. In today's modern world, you can get pizza delivered to your home easily and find pizza restaurants on most any street.
Pizza is certainly a favorite food, whether you enjoy it with just hot and bubbly cheese or the works. My Easy Pizza Recipe with a Twist isn't a traditional pizza because I use tortillas as the crust. It's very easy to make and tastes quite good. It's also great for the kids to make as it doesn't take much preparation. They can have fun coming up with various pizza topping combinations. Whether you want pizza for lunch or dinner or just a snack while watching a great movie, you can prepare this in very little time and be satisfied with the results.
Easy Pizza Ingredients
wheat or flour tortilla (1 per person)
pizza sauce of your choice
shredded cheese (I use a casserole blend, but mozzarella is good)
for extra flavor you can add a bit of thyme and/or Italian seasoning
Add any combination of pizza toppings:
mushrooms, onions, olives, banana peppers, sausage, hamburger, pepperoni, bacon, pineapple, ham, etc.
Easy Pizza Directions
Spray aluminum foil or baking sheet with Pam. Place tortilla on pan. Spread pizza sauce on tortilla. Add a thin layer of cheese and then toppings of your choice. Add another layer of cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until tortilla is crisp and cheese is bubbly.
Cut pizza crossways and crossways again to get four slices from one tortilla for easier serving. You can serve the pizza alone or with a delciious salad.
How to Decrease the Cost of Pregnancy
During pregnancy there are many items a woman needs that can get quite costly, outside of the medical bills. It's important for a woman to feel her best during pregnancy and having the needed items to get her through these nine months. Following are some suggestions for decreasing the cost of pregnancy.
Buy Generic
One way to decrease pregnancy costs is to buy generic products. Purchase items, that are not prescribed by your doctor, in generic forms. For example, you can purchase generic brand prenatal vitamins, cocoa butter and so forth. Be sure to check with your doctor to make sure the specific products are acceptable.
Purchase Limited Number of Maternity Outfits
Think about your due date and the seasons you will be pregnant. Although you will have to wash more frequently, you can get by without having a huge maternity clothing wardrobe during your pregnancy. Several tops that are in season, one skirt and a few pair of pants is often enough to get you by without spending a fortune on a new maternity wardrobe. Some women don't gain much weight for a few months during their pregnancy and a lot of maternity clothes may not be required.
Purchase Gently Used Maternity Items
One way to decrease pregnancy costs is to purchase gently used clothing and maternity items. You can find pillows to prop up your legs, maternity clothing, nursing bras and even support items that are gently used at second hand stores, consignment shops, yard sales and even through Internet auctions. You may even have friends or family members who had a baby recently and could borrow some of their maternity clothes.
Public Community Gyms and Pools
Find out if there are any public community gyms or pools in your area instead of joining a paid-membership gym. There should be different levels of classes and even water exercises that will fit your exercise and fitness needs during your pregnancy. You will be able to stay fit and enjoy the benefits of exercise during your pregnancy without spending a fortune.
Support Groups
Check with your community resources for community support groups and Christian support groups. Pregnancy is an exciting time. However, sometimes it helps to have someone to talk to and get support during your pregnancy. Support groups are excellent to socialize with other women going through pregnancy. You can take advantage of community or Christian groups and for free.
Meeting Your Nutritional Needs
Whenever possible purchase your food wholesale. There are bakery thrift stores in many communities. You can often find bulk items or wholesale items at a significant discount.
Look for sales and stock up on nutritional snacks and menu items. Combine sales with coupons and you can save a great deal of money to decrease pregnancy costs without giving up nutrition and calories your body needs.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also like to read:
Taking Care of Yourself After Having a Baby
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