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Holiday Gift Ideas from Treehugger and Cool Mom Picks

Holiday Gift Ideas from Treehugger and Cool Mom Picks

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As we get into the holiday spirit – and start to panic just a little about what to get that hard-to-shop-for person on our gift list – TheMotherhood asked CoolMomPicks and TreeHugger to share some of their best gift ideas and inspiration.  Moms came to the Talk and shared dozens of great ideas.  The highlights are below, but check out the rest of the conversation for even more inspiration!

 

Gifts Don’t Have to Be Things

 

– My favorite gift this year is to my parents. They don’t really NEED anything, but since they’ve just moved to a new city, we are getting them season tickets to the symphony. I think this will be a great way to introduce them to the community, and it’s not another tie or sweater that will get packed away with all the other gifts from Christmas past…

 

– If you think about it, what we really treasure are memories as opposed to stuff someone buys in a store!

 

– Buy someone new to an area one of the discount coupon books for their city or region. They can get restaurant meals for half off, discover new stores to shop, get discounted sports or recreational opportunities, etc.

 

– My parents love getting gift certificates to hotels near our house – it’s a little reason to “vacation” near us, and the kids have fun seeing them, playing in the pool and getting room service.

 

– My one gift for my mother this year is decorating her house for the holidays.

 

– A friend of mine painted her roommate’s room as a Christmas gift one year – it was something the other girl had been meaning to do for months and didn’t have time for!

 

– We typically give my in-laws a gift certificate to a nice bed and breakfast or winery cottage so they can escape and enjoy some time away.

 

– There’s a service called smartbox.com that actually gives your recipient the gift certificate so they can pick their own b+b, or other experiential gift: http://coolmompicks.com/holidaygiftguide/

 

– One of our favorite Christmas gifts was a surprise trip to Disney with the entire family.

 

Turn the Kids’ Artwork or Memories into Gifts

 

– Gifts that bring tears to my eyes are the children’s artwork or poems that come framed and ready to hang and enjoy!

 

– I have been working on a DVD project for my parents which includes video and photos from the past year.

 

– Create a custom coffee table art book using your kids’ art – make your own by scanning the artwork and turning it into JPG files, or have one made: http://dreamsakes.com/gift-shop/coffee-table-art-books/

 

Toy Ideas for Toddlers

 

– Plan Toys: sustainably made wooden toys. Their website lets you browse by age, and they have lots of toddler options: http://www.plantoys.com/products.php

 

–  Citiblocs: http://www.citiblocs.com/

 

– EcoKids EcoTown: http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2010/11/green-gift-guide-the-kids.php?page=2

 

– Sprig Toys Dolphin Boat: http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2010/11/green-gift-guide-the-kids.php?page=3

 

– Bugabike: http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2010/11/green-gift-guide-the-kids.php?page=4

 

Gifts for Teachers

 

– CoolMomPicks has a bunch of great under $15 gifts on our holiday guide: http://www.coolmompicks.com/holidaygiftguide/

 

– Here is a post we did for National Teacher Appreciation Week – some great ideas here too: http://www.coolmompicks.com/2010/05/its_national_teacher_appreciat.php

 

– Besides gift cards, teachers love items for their classroom, books, and plants. A gift card to Target, Walmart, and other such stores are always great!

 

– Put ingredients for cookies, brownies, hot chocolate, etc., in a jar with the recipe tied to the top with ribbon so the recipient can use your homemade “mix” to bake them later.

 

Gifts for Dads and Husbands

 

– I had one of these one-of-a-kind keychains made using one of my kids’ drawings: http://www.coolmompicks.com/2009/06/key_to_an_awesome_fathers_day.php

 

– “Pocket briefcase” from Levenger.com

 

– Small luggage scale from REI and a Grid-It to organize cords and electronic accessories in his bag

 

– F Rock Bags are pretty cool for guys: http://www.frockbags.com/

 

– I got these great “collar stays” for his dress shirts. You can choose romantic or suggestive sayings on the stays. Practical yet personal: http://www.signals.com/signals/Item_Secret-Love-Letter-Collar-Stays-Sentimental_HK2266_ps_srm.html

 

Photo Gifts

 

– Here’s a great round up of photo books: http://www.coolmompicks.com/2010/05/mothers_day_photo_book_round-u.php

 

– For a pricier option, try jewelry or a key fob/chain – we’ve got a keepsake version in our guide: http://www.coolmompicks.com/holidaygiftguide/

 

– A photo tie tack is a good option for men who need to wear a tie to work: http://www.tjandco.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=85&zenid=ea1578428484b68117f0b77aaadd84c7

 

– I purchased a gift from http://chiccanvas.com/, where they take a photo and print in onto a large canvas. The coolest part is that you can have something printed – a special date or a name, say – on the side of the canvas.

 

– Another fun idea is doing something with silhouettes: http://www.coolmompicks.com/2009/04/another_way_to_hang_your_kids.php

 

Green Gifts

 

– Green gift ideas from the City of New York: homemade items, entertainment (tickets), learning (lessons), time/talent (babysitting, home repairs), fitness, pampering, and greater good (charitable donations).

 

– Supporting a nonprofit organization like the Fresh Air Fund is a great gift to give! To find out more information about The Fresh Air Fund visit http://www.freshair.org.

 

– My parents do Heifer International and give the kids pictures of the goats or chickens that they “donated” in their names to a village. We then find it on a map:
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.183217/

 

 

Cool Wrapping Ideas

 

– Take your kids’ piles and piles of paper from school from the past few months and have them use it as wrapping paper for the little things.  Not only are they giving a cute little gift, all of their tests, drawings and practice papers get new life.

 

– If you have brown packing paper hanging around from packages that were shipped to you, use it to make potato-stamped wrapping paper. http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/06/14/potato-printing-with-design-mom/

 

– You can also use the colored comic pages from the Sunday newspapers for kids’ gifts. Wrap Dad’s gifts in the business or sports pages and Mom’s in the Living or Home section of the newspaper.

 

– Reusable gift bags from CoolMomPicks: http://www.coolmompicks.com/2010/11/wrap_it_up_to_go.php

 

– Buy some holiday kitchen towels at the dollar store and use them to wrap hostess gifts.

 

For More Inspiration

 

– Groupon

– Etsy

– CoolMomPicks Holiday Gift Guide: http://coolmompicks.com/holidaygiftguide/

– TreeHugger Holiday Gift Guide: http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/?campaign=top_news

 

 

THANK YOU to TreeHugger, CoolMomPicks and all of our fabulous co-hosts for a wonderful, idea-generating conversation!!!

 

Meaghan, Treehugger

Kristen Chase, Cool Mom Picks

Liz Gumbinner, Mom101 and Cool Mom Picks

Caryn Baily, Rockin Mama

Micaela, MindfulMomma

Rachel Sarnoff, Eco Stiletto

Susan Hunt Stevens, Practically Green

Delilah Dawson, Delilah S Dawson

Christina Reffort, Fairly Odd Mother

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62108

Walmart #Sing2Salute Sweepstakes Rules

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­Sweepstakes Rules:

No Purchase Necessary TO ENTER OR WIN.

The Walmart #Sing2Salute Twitter Party starts December 18, 2015 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on December 18, 2015 at 1:30 PM Eastern Time (“Twitter Party”).

 ELIGIBILITY: SWEEPSTAKES ARE Open Only to Legal Residents OF THE fifty (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, who are at least 18 years of age.  Void Where Prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families (parent, child, spouse or sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and those living in their same households, whether or not related) of Sponsor, The Motherhood, the participating bloggers, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to enter or win.  By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, participating blog and/or judges, which are binding and final on matters relating to this Sweepstakes.  Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

To enter: To enter, follow the directions provided in the Sweepstakes Posting on the participating blog to RSVP and enter (vite.io/TheMotherhoodChats).  All entries must be received by the date and time stated in the Sweepstakes Posting to be eligible.  Limit one (1) entry per person/email address.  Entries received from any person or e-mail address in excess of the stated limitation will be void.  Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or by any means which subvert the entry process are void.  All entries become the property of the Participating Blog and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Drawing:  Potential winner(s) will be selected in random drawing(s) held during the Twitter Party from all eligible entries received.  Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Potential winner(s) will be notified by a tweet from @TMChatHost during the Twitter Party and may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release within seven (7) days of date of issuance. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or a potential winner is not in compliance with these rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner selected.  If a potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, prize may be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winners set forth herein. Winners will be required to Direct Message their mailing address to @TMChatHost in order for The Motherhood to fulfill prizes. Failure to do may result in forfeiture of prize and, at Sponsor’s discretion, prize may be awarded to an alternate winner.

Prize(s): The prize(s) and their approximate retail value(s) will be set forth during the Twitter Party.  Gift card(s), if awarded as a prize, are subject to terms and conditions specified by issuer. Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied.  Prizes may not substituted, assigned or transferred or redeemed for cash, however Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.  Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.  All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Limit one (1) prize per household.  If gift cards are awarded as prizes, terms and conditions of issuer applies. Prizes will be shipped within two weeks of the end of the Twitter Party. There will be three winners selected at random during the Twitter Party. Each winner will receive a gift card in the amount of $50.

General Conditions: Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, inaccurate, stolen, misdirected, undelivered or garbled entries, Tweets, @mentions or email; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prize(s) or in any Sweepstakes-related materials.  Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes.  Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to participants’ or to any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website.  Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or any website or blog or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.  Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes at any time and for any reason, including, but not limited to, should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential winner(s) from all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. Entrants, by participating, agree that Sponsor, The Motherhood, Participating Bloggers, Twitter, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively, “Released Parties”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any liability, for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including death, to persons, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in this Sweepstakes.  In the event of a dispute regarding entries received from multiple users having the same e-mail account, the authorized subscriber of the e-mail account at the time of entry will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these rules.  Authorized account subscriber is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses.

Winners’ LIST: The names of the winners will be announced by @TMChatHost during the Twitter Party immediately following the drawing(s).

Sponsor: Walmart

This Sweepstakes is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Twitter.

Going Beyond Business as Usual This Holiday Season

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Business expert and PictureItPostage spokesperson Barbara Corcoran joined TheMotherhood today to discuss ways to cut through the mail clutter during the holidays to reach current and prospective small business clients.  She was joined by a number of co-hosts, social media moms and small business owners, who all shared their collective wisdom!

 

Thanks to PictureItPostage for sponsoring the Talk and providing this special offer – use the coupon code MOTHERHOOD to get $4 off an order of custom stamps (offer expires Jan. 31, 2011) at http://pictureitpostage.com/!!  Your purchase will enter you to win a $500 prize!  (See entry rules below.)

 

Custom stamps happen to be an excellent way to brand your mailings and catch your recipients’ attention!  Read on for more great suggestions:

 

 

– Why to Send Holiday Mailers: It’s important to thank both clients, for their business throughout the year, and anyone who has worked for you.  People will appreciate your effort, and it’s a good way to remind them about your business – and sell your product!

 

– Get Started Now! Send holiday mailings and gifts during the Thanksgiving season – the week before or after.  People get fewer mailings during this time than they do around Christmas.

 

– Cut Through the Holiday Clutter: A lot of businesses send thank-yous and small gifts to customers during the holiday season.  To ensure your mailing gets noticed and opened, use vibrant colors and personalize each handwritten message.  Branding your envelope with a cute custom stamp, like the ones from PictureItPostage, is another great way to catch the eye!

 

– Tuck a Small Gift Into the Envelope: Items like magnets, pens, calendars or other small, useful items that are tastefully branded with your logo are a great way to keep your name in front of your customers all year round.

 

– Snail Mail is Best: Sending an electronic card to customers may seem easier and more economical, but it is less likely to be seen and appreciated.  Many such emails are deleted unopened or caught in spam filters.

 

– Showcase Your Product: If you are a photographer, send holiday photo cards, using your photos – and order photo postage to put on the envelope.  If you design personalized stationery, use your own work when you create your holiday mailings.  It is a built-in advertisement for what you do.

 

– Be Persistent: If your mailings don’t drum up the business you had hoped for the first, second or even third time, don’t give up! Keep trying new approaches until you find something that works for you and resonates with your customer base.

 

– Personalize, Personalize, Personalize: If you give nicer gifts to regular clients, be sure to get them something that acknowledges their interests. If someone likes flowers, send them bulbs directly from Holland. If someone adores their children, have a photo of them printed on a custom deck of playing cards – or give the gift of custom stamps from PictureItPostage at http://www.pictureitpostage.com !!

 

Another BIG thanks to PictureItPostage and our incredibly talented blogger co-hosts!!!  Don’t forget to use the coupon code and order your custom postage to make your holiday business mailings pop this season!!!

 

– Audrey, Mom Generations
– Candy, Mommypalooza
– Clarissa, Diary of a POSHpreneur
– Dawn, My Home Sweet Home Online
– Ellen, Mompreneurs Online
– Grace, Grace Hester Designs
– Jen, Next Kid Thing
– Jodi, Mom’s Favorite Stuff
– Kate, The Shopping Mama
– Melissa, Girlymama
– Mishelle, Secret Agent Mama
– Nicole, Momtrends
– Piera, Jolly Mom
– Stacey, Mama Law

 

PictureItPostage Giveaway with themotherhood.com
OFFICIAL RULES
1. PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia™ is conducting a $500 prize giveaway. All PictureItPostage customers who enter code “MOTHERHOOD” upon checkout for purchases made on PictureItPostage.com from November 17, 2010 through December 15, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time will be entered to win one (1) $500 cash prize giveaway.
2. One (1) winner will be selected at random on December 20, 2010 by PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, or DYMO Endicia’s designee. Odds of winning will be determined by the total number of eligible entries received. Winner need not be present at drawing to win. Winner will be notified by phone or mail no later than December 31, 2010. Entry into contest constitutes entrant’s permission for Endicia to contact entrant for sales and marketing purposes.
3. The prize package consists of one (1) $500 cash prize.

4. Contest is open only to PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia customers who are legal U.S. residents 21 years of age or older except employees of DYMO Endicia, its affiliates, subsidiaries, sales representatives, distributors, or advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate families and household members of each of the above. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited by law.
5. No prize substitutions allowed except that DYMO Endicia reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if an advertised prize becomes unavailable. All taxes on prizes are winner’s responsibility.
Sponsor: PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, a Newell Rubbermaid company, Palo Alto, CA

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62106

Creating Fun, Customized Holiday Cards and Mailings

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Today in TheMotherhood, social media moms tapped their creativity, sharing a variety of easy, fun ways to make annual holiday mailings to friends and family a little more special this year.

 

A big thanks to PictureItPostage for sponsoring the Talk – use the coupon code MOTHERHOOD to get $4 off an order of custom stamps (before Jan. 31, 2011) at http://pictureitpostage.com/!!  Your purchase will enter you to win a $500 prize!  (See entry rules below.)

 

Read on for some more great ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

 

 

– Get Motivated: Host a homemade brunch or other get-together with friends, and commit to making and addressing all of your cards by the end of the morning.

 

– Use Holiday-Themed Rubber Stamps: This is a quick method for creating homemade cards. Rubber stamps make it easy to do a bunch of cards quickly, and you can coordinate the ink colors to match any paper.

 

– Empty Your Button Drawer: Use buttons to create an easy design, like a triangle Christmas tree in green and red.  Just glue them on cardstock, add a message and send!

 

– Take a Family Photo: Getting the entire family together for a holiday photo can be a challenge, but it’s worth it!  Your friends and family will love to see you and the kids.  Can’t decide which photo to use for the card?  Use one to create custom postage, and another for the card, so you can share both photos.

 

– DIY Photo Cards: Take your own photo, scan the Web for free print offers (such as Winkflash and Kodak), then buy blank cards and envelopes at Michael’s or another inexpensive craft store.  You can simply cut out shapes from holiday scrapbook paper and glue it all together!

 

– Repurpose Recipe Cards: Use a recipe card with a small photo of the kids baking treats printed on it, and write your favorite holiday cookie recipe on the card.  Your friends will be able to use it year after year!

 

– Have Your Kids Sign the Cards: Your little ones’ signatures create instant personalization on store-bought or mass-printed cards … and for younger kids, it’s a great way to have them practice their signatures.

 

– Use Customized Address Labels and Stamps: The holidays don’t have to be limited to the inside of the envelope!  Personalized holiday address labels and stamps add an extra-special touch to your mailings. See below for some fabulous examples of PictureItPostage stamps our bloggers made themselves!

 

– Give the Gift of Postage: Customized stamps (made through PictureItPostage.com), using a photo of your kids, would also make a great gift for grandparents (who tend to not “want anything” or already have everything). They are fun and practical.

 

– Send a Letter with Your Card: One great way to keep far-away friends and family updated on your life is to include a brief “newsletter” about your doings during the year in your holiday card.

 

– Make Ornaments to Use as Cards: You can find bare wood ornaments at craft stores like Michael’s – they’re just flat wooden cutouts in different holiday shapes. Add a picture on one side and a greeting message on the other, and send it as a card and gift all in one.

 

– Get Your Kids Involved: Make holiday cards an art project for your kids.  For example, a white handprint can become Santa’s beard (just add construction paper cut-outs for the hat, eyes, etc). You could also use a child’s thumbprints, in brown paint, to make Santa’s reindeer. Draw reindeer faces on them, and you have a cute, meaningful card.

 

– Recycle the Cards You Receive: Reuse the holiday cards you get in the mail for other crafts, like making a holiday card wreath or hole-punching one corner of a card, putting ribbon through it and hanging it on your tree.

 

 

GREAT LINKS!!

 

PictureItPostage, to create customized postage – even your envelopes can get into the holiday spirit!  http://pictureitpostage.com/

 

How-to video for making easy, handmade holiday cards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXEp2e3jGHE&feature=related

 

Martha Stewart, the holiday craft guru!   Here’s an example: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/stamped-holiday-cards

 

Kaboose: http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-cards.html

 

Family Fun: http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-cards/

 

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com

 

On Etsy, check out TheMotherhood member Grace Hester’s designs!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/gracehesterdesigns?section_id=6101242

 

And TheMotherhood member Joy Charde’s, as well!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60493829/printable-and-customizable-kawaii

 

 

Another thank you to PictureItPostage and our inspiring blogger co-hosts!!!  Don’t forget to use the coupon code and order your custom postage to spice up your holiday mailings this year!!!

 

– Ellen, Confessions of an Overworked Mom

– Tesa, 2 Wired 2 Tired

– Amy, The Finer Things in Life

– Shannon, Potamus Prefers

– Kim, Crafty Mama of 4

– Aracely, Daytripping Mom

– Julie, The Other Boufs

– Monica, 3 Crazy Monkeys

– Suzanne, Mom Confessionals

– Jo-Lynne, Musings of a Housewife

– Amy, Selfish Mom

– Jessica, The Unemployed Mom

– Kim, Savor the Days

– Melanie, Coupon Goddess

 

 

PictureItPostage Giveaway with themotherhood.com
OFFICIAL RULES
1. PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia™ is conducting a $500 prize giveaway. All PictureItPostage customers who enter code “MOTHERHOOD” upon checkout for purchases made on PictureItPostage.com from November 17, 2010 through December 15, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time will be entered to win one (1) $500 cash prize giveaway.
2. One (1) winner will be selected at random on December 20, 2010 by PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, or DYMO Endicia’s designee. Odds of winning will be determined by the total number of eligible entries received. Winner need not be present at drawing to win. Winner will be notified by phone or mail no later than December 31, 2010. Entry into contest constitutes entrant’s permission for Endicia to contact entrant for sales and marketing purposes.
3. The prize package consists of one (1) $500 cash prize.

4. Contest is open only to PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia customers who are legal U.S. residents 21 years of age or older except employees of DYMO Endicia, its affiliates, subsidiaries, sales representatives, distributors, or advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate families and household members of each of the above. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited by law.
5. No prize substitutions allowed except that DYMO Endicia reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if an advertised prize becomes unavailable. All taxes on prizes are winner’s responsibility.
Sponsor: PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, a Newell Rubbermaid company, Palo Alto, CA

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62105

Family Dinner: Talking with Laurie David About Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids One Meal at a Time

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The Motherhood cooked up a delicious conversation about evening meals with Laurie David, author of “Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect With Your Kids One Meal At a Time.”  Pull up a chair and read on for ideas about the best “ingredients” to create an enjoyable meal with the whole family!

 

– It’s All About Connections and Conversation: When it comes to family mealtime, the people at the table are the most important ingredient. Family dinner can happen over takeout, if that is all you can do that night! It is just important to get together and connect. SLOW dinner down – everything in life is moving too fast, and dinner is everyone’s chance to reboot, recharge and reconnect.

 

– It Doesn’t Have to Be Rocket Science: One-pot meals are easy and tasty. There’s so little time with the kids as it is – spend it helping them with homework, reading with them and talking about their day, rather than cleaning pots and pans!  Make the meal routine first, then steer towards more healthy or adventurous options – don’t psych yourself out before you get started!

 

– It’s Never Too Late! It’s great to start the family dinner routine early, but it’s never too late to schedule family dinners! Regardless of your kids’ ages, they will enjoy family dinner.

 

– Get the Kids Involved: Often, the more kids get involved with the cooking, the better the discussion around the dinner table. Get them cooking and they’ll get eating. Encouragement is key, and finding the right resources for where each person is at in the kitchen is vital. We don’t all work the same way when it comes to meal preparation.

 

– Share Clean-up Duty: Make sure everyone helps with clean-up so it doesn’t all fall on one person’s shoulders.  Try rotating jobs to give everyone a chance to improve at doing everything!

 

– Set a Good Example: Dinner is a chance to talk about your day together, the good and the bad, but it’s also a great opportunity for you to model good table behavior to your kids and expose your kids to new foods.

 

– Keep Serving New Foods: Don’t ever give up on offering new foods to children. Their palates are inexperienced, and it takes some time to adjust to new tastes and textures. It can take up to 12 times tasting something before you develop a palate for it, which is why it’s so important to cook for the family, not for the kids – and if they see you enjoying it, they will too!

 

– Come to the Table Prepared: Having one great question or verbal game for the table is generally all you need to get everyone talking and laughing!  Aviva Goldfarb (of the Six O’clock Scramble) did a great post on PBS.org about conversation-starting games around the table: http://www.pbs.org/parents/kitchenexplorers/2010/11/02/dinnertime-can-be-all-fun-and-games/

 

– Be Flexible with Dinnertime: Often, older kids will have afterschool activities, but family dinner can still be a rule for you, even if it is sometimes later in the evening.  It’s okay to be very flexible about the time, as long as you have a chance to sit down as a family at some point during the day.

 

– Dish It Up Family Style: Try putting each dish in a bowl and passing it around the table, encouraging each person to manage their own portions. It slows down dinner, makes it more interactive and gives you more time to talk and catch up with each person in the family.

 

– Swap Meals with a Friend: Find a friend or two and “swap” meals. As long as you’re making a meal, whip up three batches and bring two to friends. If they can do the same, it’s a great way to get multiple homemade meals and only have to cook once or twice in a week! The multiple batch option works beautifully for freezing, too, if the recipe is freezer friendly.

 

– Pass Down Family Lore: The dinner table is the number one place that family history gets passed on, and when we stop eating together, we stop passing on the knowledge of family history that builds resilience in children.  Just one more great reason to start a tradition of family meals!

 

GREAT RESOURCES!!

 

All of Our Blogger Co-hosts’ Blogs! See links to all of them below!

 

The HuffPost Family Dinner Download on The Huffington Post: A new feature, where every Friday, the editors take one great news story from the week, write a short and snappy synopsis, and provide a question for the dinner table. All the stories will be age appropriate and touch on issues of honesty, values, morals, etc. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/huffpost-family-dinner-do_n_779622.html

 

Watch Laurie talk about Vietnamese soup on Martha Stewart: http://www.marthastewart.com/show/the-martha-stewart-show/family-dinner-with-laurie-david

 

And her Treasure Bowl on the TODAY Show: http://video.tvguide.com/Today/Parenting++Regain+family+time+with+dinner/6631784?autoplay=true

 

THANKS to the amazing Laurie David and our inspired foodie moms who co-hosted the Talk:

 

Amy Johnson, She Wears Many Hats

Heidi Umbhau, Spatulatta

Jennifer Leal, Savoring the Thyme

Jennifer Perillo, In Jennie’s Kitchen

Julie Mastbrook, Mommie Cooks

Kate Selner, Kate in the Kitchen

Katie Goodman, Good Life Eats

Kristen Doyle, Dine & Dish

Sarah Caron, Sarah’s Cucina Bella

Tina Butler, Mommy’s Kitchen

Vanessa Druckman, ChefDruck Musings

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62104

MOTRIN #MyUnstoppableMom Twitter Party Rules

by

­Sweepstakes Rules:

No Purchase Necessary TO ENTER OR WIN.

The Children’s MOTRIN® My Unstoppable Mom #MyUnstoppableMom Twitter Party starts December 3, 2015 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on December 3, 2015 at 12:30 PM Eastern Time (“Twitter Party”).

ELIGIBILITY: SWEEPSTAKES ARE Open Only to Legal Residents OF THE fifty (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, who are at least 18 years of age.  Void Where Prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families (parent, child, spouse or sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and those living in their same households, whether or not related) of Sponsor, The Motherhood, the participating bloggers, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to enter or win.  By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, participating blog and/or judges, which are binding and final on matters relating to this Sweepstakes.  Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

To enter: To enter, follow the directions provided in the Sweepstakes Posting on the participating blog to RSVP and enter (vite.io/TheMotherhoodChats) prior to the Twitter Party.  All entries must be received by the date and time stated in the Sweepstakes Posting to be eligible.  Limit one (1) entry per person/email address.  Entries received from any person or e-mail address in excess of the stated limitation will be void.  Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or by any means which subvert the entry process are void.  All entries become the property of the Participating Blog and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Drawing:  Potential winner(s) will be selected in random drawing(s) held during the Twitter Party from all eligible entries received.  Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Potential winner(s) will be notified by a tweet from @TMChatHost during the Twitter Party and may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release within seven (7) days of date of issuance. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or a potential winner is not in compliance with these rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner selected.  If a potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, prize may be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winners set forth herein. Winners will be required to Direct Message their mailing address to @TMChatHost in order for The Motherhood to fulfill prizes. Failure to do may result in forfeiture of prize and, at Sponsor’s discretion, prize may be awarded to an alternate winner.

Prize(s): The prize(s) and their approximate retail value(s) will be set forth during the Twitter Party.  Gift card(s), if awarded as a prize, are subject to terms and conditions specified by issuer. Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied.  Prizes may not substituted, assigned or transferred or redeemed for cash, however Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.  Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.  All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Limit one (1) prize per household.  If gift cards are awarded as prizes, terms and conditions of issuer applies. Prizes will be shipped within two weeks of the end of the Twitter Party. There will be three winners selected at random during the Twitter Party. Each winner will receive a gift card in the amount of $50.

 

General Conditions: Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, inaccurate, stolen, misdirected, undelivered or garbled entries, Tweets, @mentions or email; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prize(s) or in any Sweepstakes-related materials.  Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes.  Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to participants’ or to any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website.  Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or any website or blog or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.  Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes at any time and for any reason, including, but not limited to, should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential winner(s) from all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. Entrants, by participating, agree that Sponsor, The Motherhood, Participating Bloggers, Twitter, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively, “Released Parties”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any liability, for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including death, to persons, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in this Sweepstakes.  In the event of a dispute regarding entries received from multiple users having the same e-mail account, the authorized subscriber of the e-mail account at the time of entry will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these rules.  Authorized account subscriber is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses.

Winners’ LIST: The names of the winners will be announced by @TMChatHost during the Twitter Party immediately following the drawing(s).

Sponsor: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division 7050 Camp Hill Road, Fort Washington, PA 19034.

This Sweepstakes is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Twitte