AA Gifts & Baskets Idea Blog

Posts Tagged ‘new baby’

Have you ever wondered why some parties just seem better than others? Maybe it has something to do with the décor. The decorations can really set the mood for a party. Whether it’s something you have brought in or you make it by hand, the possibilities are endless for what you can use to liven up a party and set the tone.

Consider that your centerpieces are what most people are going to be staring at while they sit at their tables to eat, talk, and relax. If you have fantastic centerpieces, you’ll really get everyone’s attention. If they’re fun, whimsical, and people are allowed to take them home, so much the better.

One way you can create centerpieces that really catch your guests’ eyes is to make candy bouquets. These fun little creations are easy to create, have a low cost, and people love them.

There are several ways to create these darling little candy treasures. One way is to gather them into a bunch and everyone can take home their own little bouquet at the end of the party. Another is to make them into free-standing bouquets that are placed in a mug, vase, votive holder, or other container. Either way, they’re festive and will serve their purpose well as a much admired centerpiece.

To make a candy bouquet that your guests can hold in their hands is easy. You’re going to need lots of candies. Hard candies, mini chocolates, lifesavers, and other small edibles in wrappers are the things that will work best. You need to leave them in the wrapper, so choose a candy that looks good while wrapped and also is recognizable and easy to work with. Nothing too gummy or gooshy, unless you want to use individually wrapped larger gummy bears.

Wrap some wooden skewers or lollipop sticks with floral tape. You can find this green tape in craft stores. You’ll also need some green felt to make leaves with. For each stem that you wrap, you’re going to need two leaves. You’ll want to adhere those leaves to the stem with a hot glue gun. Next, take one piece of candy for each stem and using hot glue, glue just the bottom of the candy to the stem. When you are done, it will look like a flower on a stem. The idea is to bunch up several of these to create a bouquet that guests can take home.

The other step you can do is to create each flower and then stick it into a piece of Styrofoam or floral oasis. The piece of Styrofoam should be anchored in a cup, mug, or votive holder. This is intended to be a takeaway for your guests exactly as they are (as opposed to taking a free standing bouquet).

Candy bouquets are ideal as they are easy to make. You can form a little assembly line and get them all done easily. If you have a friend or two to help you, set up stations. One person can do the leaves and stems, another the adhering of the candy, and the other can do the assembling of the bouquets.

Set them out on tables at your next party and just watch the smiles on your guests’ faces. Then watch those smiles get even bigger when they find out they can take home their own little thank you candy bouquet. It’s worth the effort to create these darling centerpieces.

There are many reasons you would want to congratulate someone. When the time comes, will you have the right words? Here are some ideas on the type of sentiments you can write in a congratulations card:

Graduation

Way to go, graduate!

Set sail for the rest of your life.

Welcome to your new life!

We knew you’d excel. You always do.

Today is reserved for the brightest stars. And you certainly shine!

No one else could have done it as well as you did.

You did it!

Nice going! We knew you’d succeed.

We’re so proud of you.

Here’s to a future as bright as you are.

There’s no stopping someone as bright as you.

You’re a rising star!

May all your dreams come true as you head for your future.

All roads lead to success when you’re involved.

New Baby

Babies are such a wonderful gift from God.

Enjoy your little bundle of joy.

Congratulations on the newest member of your family.

What babies take away in sleep, they make up for in loveliness.

To the new mom and dad—may every day be as delightful as this one.

Cherish each day of this precious little one’s new life.

Engagement

All the best to you as you embark on your new life.

Love brought you together. And we’re so glad.

It couldn’t happen to two more wonderful people.

Here’s to a life of joy and laughter.

May you find joy, happiness, and a good wedding planner.

The road to happiness starts with this exciting beginning.

Wedding

As you head for your new future, may you take our love with you.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wonderful…We wish you all the best.

Life starts anew today. Happy new life.

Drink a toast to the happiness that lies ahead.

Today is the first day of the rest of your lives.

The best marriages are between best friends.

Two became one today.

Always search for a reason to celebrate each other.

New Home

Here’s hoping your new home is filled with joy and peace.

We’ll miss you in the neighborhood, but we’re so happy you’ve found a new one you love.

Enjoy many happy days in your new place.

Home is where the heart is.

May you enjoy years of good times in your new home.

Big Anniversary

40 years of marriage is a reason to celebrate!

You made it! 60 years and many, many more!

Marriages like yours are examples to all of us.

You are both shining lights in our lives. We love you.

Congratulations on 50 years of wedded bliss.

You stuck it out! Happy 60^th Anniversary.

May you have 40 more wonderful years ahead of you.

To the couple that we all admire.

If you find yourself stumped for exactly the right words, just go with your honest feelings. No one expects you to be a published poet. Just write a sentiment that sounds the way you might talk if you were face to face with the person. Make your card lovely and personal. If you’re making your congratulations card yourself, include a photo of the person when they were younger for a walk down memory lane. If it’s a new graduate, tuck a few dollars inside the envelope to send them on their way.

Your doctor’s well-baby examination consists of many different parts, each designed to help her find certain information. You may have to watch closely to see her do each part of the exam because she probably has developed her own tricks and techniques. Some doctors like to have the new baby on the examination table; others prefer that the parents hold the baby. Sometimes the doctor will be talking to you while examining your baby.

Here are some of the major areas your doctor will consider and what she looks for in each category:

• General Appearance: cleanliness, nutrition, alertness
• Skin: color, rashes. Bruises, swelling, condition of hair and nails
• Head: Shape, softness of the anterior fontanel [soft spot]
• Eyes: redness, good movement, light reflexes [checked with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope, looking for problems with the retina]
• Ears: irritation or infection of the ear canals or ear drums
• Nose: congestion, discharge
• Mouth: gums, tongue, throat, tonsils
• Neck: swelling of the thyroid or lymph nodes, mobility
• Heart: rate and rhythm, murmurs
• Lungs: breathing rate, abnormal noises, air exchange
• Abdomen: bowel sounds [normal stomach gurglings], enlarged organs or tenderness
• Genitals: In girls-normal appearance of external genitals, redness. In boys-penis [if circumcised, check that it has healed well; if not, check that foreskin is normal], both testicles are in scrotum
• Arms and Legs: normal movement and color, absence of swelling and discoloration
• Pulses: equal femoral pulse [same on both sides]
• Neurologic: tone, muscle movement and coordination, strength