Tag: diy

Handy DIY Printables for Personalized Teacher Appreciation Gifts

The end up the school year means it’s time to thank your children’s teachers for their tireless dedication, patience and nurturing. Thanks to downloadable printables provided by some of the most talented and generous bloggers out there, you can give a gift that’s a little more special and a little more personal. These cute gift ideas and free printables are just what you need to leave a smile on any teacher’s face.

Movie Day On Me

Who wouldn’t appreciate a gift certificate to see a movie and a bunch of sweet treats to take along? Tater Tots and Jello is providing a free downable striped fry box template and gift tags to insert on the front of the box that say “Thanks for Making Me Feel Like a STAR.” She’s even provided two color options. Simply print the box template on card stock, and assemble by folding on the dotted lines. Once assembled, fill with a gift card and your teacher’s favorite candy.

Reusable Tumbler

A plastic cup with a lid and a straw makes for a practical gift and a sturdy receptacle for handmade thank you notes and kid drawings you can roll and insert inside. Make it an even better gift by inserting individual serving-size drink mixes, teas or instant coffee, or even a gift certicate to a coffee or smoothie shop. Top it off with an eye-catching flag to hang from the straw. Free flag printables with thank you note by Lisa Storms.

Succulent Garden

Here’s a DIY project that doesn’t take (too) much work and produces impressive results. The Idea Room tells you how to create a succulent garden in a customized, galvanized pot. The pot is mod-podged with pages from old dictionaries that include teacher-related words, such as guidance, grow and nurture. You’ll need the following supplies:

Pot, container or bucket

Old Dictionary Pages

Mod Podge

Paint Brush

Potting Soil

Succulents

For a little more guidance and a printable label that reads “Teachers Plant Seeds of Knowledge that will Last Forever” click here. (Be forewarned, The Idea Room requires that you Like them on their Facebook page before they provide the printable.)

Extra-ordinary Teacher Treats Bags

If you have multiple kids and/or multiple teachers to thank (don’t forget music teachers, art teachers, aides, and bus drivers), a mini treat bag topped with a cute label that reads “You Are One EXTRAordinary Teacher!” is easy and affordable, and just as thoughtful as a bigger gift. Sweet Metel Moments created the free printable as a fold-over tag for 3 x4 inch plastic treat bags filled with Extra gum. Simply print the labels, and staple them to the tops of the filled bags. If you aren’t a fan of the gum, there’s another label that reads “Thanks for a Being Such a Sweet Teacher.” It’d be just right for a bag filled with any candy… and is just as cute.

Summer is coming! Find a summer babysitter at UrbanSitter.

Awesome Kid Spaces to Inspire, Entertain and Nurture

Do you ever wish you were one of those parents who create really, really cool spaces in their homes just for kids? We’re talking the kind of space that kids don’t just use and enjoy, but go absolutely ga-ga over. The kind of space that make their jaws drop, light bulbs go off in their heads, and their friends’ drool with envy. Maybe it’s not so hard to put those good intentions into action. After all, a playful home will help your kids learn to play independently, foster creativity and learning, and help them become more self-sufficient, organized and even focused.

Check out these insanely awesome kid spaces that are really quite doable. And, well, get to work! You will be rewarded!

Shared Space

Chances are, you don’t have the square footage in your home to suddenly create an office for yourself and a playroom for your kids. The super-star Mom Blogger from Studio Pebbles didn’t let this minor detail stop her. She created a shared space for herself and her children, dividing it enough so that she had a spot of her own and could still easily watch over the kids while they do their own thing. Check out her blog to see the fantastic job she did in creating a fun, creative space for kids to play.
You’ll notice a few reoccurring themes that will help convince you that you, too, could pull this off:

Ikea is a go-to source for inexpensive, kid-friendly furniture and storage that offers clean, modern lines;

Toys are typically boldly colored. Don’t fight it by trying to create a subdued or strict color scheme. Embrace it by turning the room into a rainbow of bright hues;

There’s a reason Etsy is so popular. Handmade is really awesome. Get your kids in on the decorating to really make the space their own. We love the paper garlands!

An Art Spot

We’re always demoaning our failed attempts at organizing art supplies in a way that keeps them corralled yet accessible to our kids. Why not dedicate a spot for not just the supplies, but for the whole creative process? Creating an art space for kids shows them their creativity is something valuable. Make the space work by choosing a location that’s easy to oversee, and amp up the storage options to keep mess to a minimum. If you plan well, a toddler space can easily morph into a spot for practicing ABCs and eventually homework.

A Quiet Nook

Kids need quiet time as much as parents do, probably even more so. Rather than sending them off to their rooms to read or look at a book as if it’s a punishment, entice them to find recluse and peace in an irresistibly cozy nook that is just their size.

How to build one in your home? Replace a closet door with curtains and voila, the closet becomes a perfect hide-away. If you can’t forego your coveted closet space, try a tent hung from the ceiling or an unused (or more likely, an under-used) spot in your house, such as under an eave, a dormer, or under a stairway to create a calming nest. Once you find the space, fluff it up with a comfortable chair, beanbag or a few pillows, add a light if need be, and an easily-accessible stash of books on shelves, bins or baskets.

No Ordinary Bedroom

You respect creativity and certainly know the value of quiet reading time. How do you feel about INDOOR outlets for PHYSICAL play? Are you brave enough to put a swing in your house? How about a climbing wall? It’s not surprising that any kid would be over the moon with having one of these typically outside toys in his or her own room. What’s surprising is that the installation doesn’t necessarily require a professional and the final product often works quite well indoors.

Inspired? Before you put you put your ideas into action, take a look at these helpful tips for guiding your plans, including how to look at the space from your kids’ perspective.

Find and book babysitters at UrbanSitter.com.

diy home kids room design

3 Fun St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids

Wondering how to entertain the little ones this month? Our friends at BabbaCo have 3 Fun St. Patrick’s Day Crafts you can make with materials you already have at home. May the Luck o’ the Irish be with you!

1. Make a Silly Shamrock

Materials:

White, Yellow, Black and Green construction paper
Scissors
Glue

Instructions:

Step 1. Cut a shamrock out of green construction paper. Then, cut 4 small shamrocks (or circles) out of the same piece of green paper.

Shamrock 1,2

Step 2. Cut 4 long strips of yellow construction paper.

Step 3. Fold this in a zig-zag or accordion pattern.

Steps 4. Glue the yellow strips on as arms and legs.

Step 5. Glue the 4 small pieces (shamrock or circle) to the ends of the arms and legs.

Step 6. Cut out 2 circles from white paper, and glue on the middle of the large shamrock. Cut 2 smaller black circles and glue on white circle, or draw with a marker, to create the eyes.

2. Green Eggs and Ham

I love this green eggs and ham recipe because it has everything I already have in my kitchen: eggs, food coloring, lunch meat, milk, cooking spray. This is a perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat since Dr. Seuss’ birthday is in March, as well. I hope you enjoy remembering the great children’s author as much as we did.

Materials:

5 eggs
3 drops of green food coloring
a splash of milk
cooking spray
1/4 lb. of ham (I just used the cold cuts we had in the fridge)

*You can use spinach for extra green and extra nutrients

Instructions:

Step 1) Crack the eggs into a medium bowl, discarding the shells. Add the milk. Add 3 drops of green food coloring.

Step 2) Place a frying pan on the stove, over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.

Step 3) Whisk the egg mixture with a fork, for about a minute, until the mixture is one color. Pour this into the frying pan.

Step 4) Chop the ham into small pieces. Add to the frying pan. If using spinach, add this as well.

Step 5) Using a spatula, gently move the eggs to ensure even cooking. Eggs should take about 5-7 minutes to cook.

Step 6) Add a pinch of salt and pepper if you’d like. Serve with toast and fruit. Enjoy.

3. Make a Toilet Paper Roll Leprechaun

Look at what you can make. These super cute leprechauns are made with paint and construction paper. Hide treats inside or make a finger puppet show. Isn’t he the cutest leprechaun you’ve ever seen?

Materials:

Acrylic paints, in green, orange, yellow and peach
Black marker
Red Marker
White Paper, small piece
Green Paper, small piece
Yellow Paper, small piece
Glue stick
Scissors

Instructions:

Step 1) With green paint, paint the bottom half of the Toilet Paper roll. Let dry.

Step 2) With peach paint, paint a 1 inch circle, just above the green paint. This will be the Leprechaun’s face. Also, paint two small circles in the middle of the green paint. These should be about 1 inch apart. These will be the hands. Let Dry.

Step 3) With orange paint, paint all around the face and covering the top half of the Toilet Paper Roll. This will be the hair. Let Dry.

Step 4) Cut out small white circles for the eyes. Glue onto the face.

Step 5) With the black marker, draw circles on the eyes. Also, Draw a line for the legs and lines for the arms (connecting to the “hands”). You can draw a line all the way around the Toilet paper roll as a belt.

Step 6) Draw a smile with the red marker, on the face. Cut a small square out of the yellow paper, as the belt buckle.

Step 7) Use the green paper to make a hat. Do this by wrapping and gluing a strip of green paper around the top part of the Toilet Paper roll. Cut out a circle, slightly wider than the top of the Toilet Paper roll, and attach with glue. Lastly, cut a ring of green paper to make the brim of the hat.

As always, make it your own way and show us how it turned out!

We are proud to provide this guest post from our friends at BabbaCo, the creators of the BabbaBox, an ingenious box filled with everything you’ll need for activities to entertain kids age 3-7, delivered right to your door, once a month. Create fun, memorable experiences with your kids.

Babysitter coming over? Set up St. Patrick’s Day crafts in advance and let your sitter take charge of the fun!

diy holidays

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday (and Read Across America Day), March 2

Photo Credit: alternatePhotography via Compfight cc

The beloved children’s author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss, was born March 2, 1904. Children around the world celebrate his birthday by reading his treasured books and spending time in school and at home doing fun activities that reflect his brilliant work. Don’t miss out on the chance to have some fun with your kids!

Here are some fun, fan-seussical activities to do with your kids:

READ

The National Education Association has chosen Dr. Seuss’s birthday for its Read Across America Day, a nationwide reading celebration that shines a spotlight on the importance of reading to children. The obvious activity of choice for the day – read to your kids! There are 46 Dr. Seuss children’s books to choose from!
Dr. Seuss books are ideal for reading aloud to children, even infants who will be mesmerized by the rhymes and preschoolers who will get big kicks out of the nonsensical nature of the stories. Early readers get a boost of confidence from tackling “Hop on Pop,” or other beginner favorites.
The official Dr. Seuss website by Random House is chock full of activities for kids to do on their own and a Parents section to provide tips on maximizing both the quality and the quantity of reading time in your home. The website’s Books section provides a search tool to help you select Seuss books by your child’s age, a favorite character or series, and other criteria.

CREATE

Create a Reading Chart to track reading time and progress. The blogger of Mom Endeavors crafted a simple DIY chart centered on a favorite Seuss quote:

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Use these free printables to have kids color and create bookmarks that encourage them to read well beyond today’s festivities.
Make and play with Oobleck. This ooey, gooey not-quite-liquid-not-quite-solid play gunk is inspired from the strange stuff that falls from the sky in “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” The non-edible recipe: Mix together 2 cups cornstarch, 3 drops of food coloring and up to 1 cup of water in a medium sized bowl. Add water slowly as you may not need entire cup.

Dr. Seuss - "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" via Amazon — Dr. Seuss – “Bartholomew and the Oobleck” via Amazon

ENTERTAIN

One Fish, Two Fish Matching Game and Magnets. Before you can play this simple matching game with your kids, you’ll need to bust out a bit of DIY. You’ll need foam board, magnets, a Sharpie, and images from either printables or those you’ve traced or sketched yourself. Detailed instructions are here.
Record your early reader reading “Green Eggs and Ham.” This handy app makes it fun and easy to record and the accompanying games and activities will hold your child’s attention long enough for you to create the matching game listed above.
Host a playdate or a movie night (or afternoon) by popping some popcorn and showing a Seuss classic. “Horton Hears a Who” is entertaining for little kids and “The Lorax” is tops with older kids who can appreciate the environmental message, as much as the characters and cool animation.

One Fish Two Fish Matching Game via Just Paint It

EAT

A celebration isn’t a celebration without food! If you aren’t up to tackling The Lorax cake pictured below, there are many other simple treats to make the day even more memorable and fun.
Truffula Trees – Adorable mini cupcakes you can create with a cake mix, pretzel sticks and cotton candy, along with a few extras to make them look like the trees from The Lorax movie.
Do You Like Green Eggs and Ham? Here’s a Green Eggs and Ham recipe that will be just as appealing to adults as kids (and it doesn’t involved icky food coloring!). Try it, try it, you will see!

And, for those with wee-little ones who shouldn’t miss out on the fun, how about this photo opt for the baby book?!

Dr. Seuss Inspired Hat and Tie from Sweet Pea Toad Tots via Etsy

Need a few more ideas to help you celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with your kids? Check out the ultimate Dr. Seuss Links Collection. If you run out of time (or steam!), find a babysitter to lead the charge.

books children's books diy education news reading with kids

Five Fabulous Baby Shower Gifts

Whether you are looking to buy a baby shower gift for a first-timer or a veteran Mom, you can’t go wrong with choosing one of these cool gifts to help your pal welcome her new baby.

Handmade Onesies

Nothing says love quite like homemade does. If you’re up for a DIY project, try your hand at a few appliqued onesies. A new Mom can never have too many of these baby wardrobe staples, and it’s so much nicer to have a set of adorable choices rather than the standard plain. The artistically talented can hand-sketch any design – a baby bird, owl, bunny or sunshine, maybe? For the rest of us, simple templates make the job a breeze, and you can truly make it your own with fabric choices. The tutorial here gives step-by-step directions, and a link to buy the handy templates.

Fabulous Baby Shoes

A Fashionista Mama will appreciate a pair of oh-so-fab shoes to start her princess off on the right foot. Any pair of ridiculously cute or glam shoes that are likely impractical and perhaps over-priced for what you get, are sure to cause an explosion of delight from every shower attendee, especially the lucky Mom who gets to take them home. We found so many too-good-to-pass-up options, but these flower-topped, satin and sequin mary janes with a matching headband are our top choice (at least for today).

Baby Equipment That Doesn’t End Up in the Attic Before Their First Birthday

If you have a baby, you are well aware of how agonizingly quickly they outgrow the (pricey!) equipment deemed so critical for such a short time. Rather than add to a new mom’s soon-to-be stockpile of toys, gifts and gadgets, why not gather a group of friends and collectively buy her a high chair that can truly be used for years? The Tripp Trapp by Stokke has an add-on accessory to make it just right for babies as young as six-months and then expands to work as a dining chair for as long as your child will sit in it. Another perk – it looks pretty darn good. So much better than most alternatives.

Comfort and Style

Cashmere Jersey Robe via Saks Fifth Ave.

Th poor girl will likely be left to fend for herself when it comes to clothing and caring for herself once that baby arrives. Show her that she need not forego her sense of style or comfort when she becomes someone’s mother. A new outfit might be tough to buy for a woman who’s body is in the midst of a major transformation, but you can’t go wrong with a luxurious robe to make those middle of the night feedings a little less brutal.

Get Personal

Personalized Pillow, Sprout SF - Pinterest Image — Personalized Pillow, Sprout SF – Pinterest Image

If you’re feeling pretty confident that the ultrasound technician got it right when she announced the sex of the soon-to-arrive baby and you are convinced that the parents are dead-set on their name choice, go for a first name and year of birth monogrammed pillow. If you’d rather wait for proof, send a belated shower (or welcome new baby) gift. These modern birth announcement pillows and blankets are super cool and well worth the wait.

It’s a bit early now, but don’t forget to tell the mom-to-be about UrbanSitter. It won’t be long before she needs a night off!

diy gifts for mom infants round up

President’s Day Weekend – Don’t Let It Pass You By!

Photo Credit: Mike Rohde via Compfight cc

Presidents’ Day, the holiday designated to honor the birthdays of US presidents past and present, is Monday, February 18^th. The holiday was originally established to celebrate the birthday of our first president, George Washington, but later changed to honor all US presidents and to always fall on the third Monday of February, giving us a three-day weekend.

Don’t let your extra day off go to waste. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking of a plan for this upcoming three-day weekend:

Get out of town!

Grab the kids for a family get-away, or book a babysitter and slip away for a romantic weekend jaunt. Where to go? If you’re on the East Coast and looking to escape after the storm, check out Atlantis in the Bahamas. The place is phenomenal for families – water slides, aquarium, awesome kids clubs and endless food options – and their adults-only enclave, The Cove, is heaven for time away without the kids. They have an amazing deal going on so you can go tropical without doing too much damage to your budget.

From the West Coast, why not go south and rent a place on the beach while you can still grab an off-season rental rate, or even better, recruit another family or two to go in on a rental at Northern California’s Sea Ranch on the Sonoma Coast. What better time of year to get away and reset your buttons?

Organized Art Supplies by iheartorganizing

Tackle a Home Project.

Grab this 3-day opportunity to improve your family’s day-to-day life with a little DIY. There are bound to be areas of your home that could you a little TLC to make them work better for the way you live. We would love to throw some time and attention at these chronically chaotic areas of our homes:

– Organized art supplies mean no more rummaging through drawers of broken crayons and dried out markers or making last minute trips to Target cuz you can’t find the glue needed for the big homework project. And think of the space you’ll free up if you can corral all their art supplies into this one handy carry-all. The blogger behind iHeartOrganizing shows you how to customize a bin to work for your family’s supplies. Be prepared to be side-tracked and inspired by countless other organizing ideas on her site. Maybe a laundry room overhaul is in your future?

Organized Kid Closet by Creativity Exchange

– Drool-worthy kid’s closet

The Creativity Exchange gives an awesome tutorial on how to organize your kid’s closet, once and for all.

They even provide a free, printable worksheet to help you plan it out, identify trouble spots, build a shopping list and basically cover all bases so the closet ends up functioning and looking superb.

By Artists Helping Children

Make a cake and eat it, too.

Pay a bit of homage to our presidents by getting your kids in the kitchen and baking a birthday cake together. If your kids are young, this task alone could fill a day! Use a boxed cake mix to keep it simple and let little ones decorate to their hearts’ content. Instead of party hats, make and wear Lincoln Top Hats or a George Washington powdered wig. These tutorials make for fun and easy crafts to do with kids.

If you aren’t one of the lucky ones who have a day off for President’s Day, UrbanSitter has many babysitters willing to watch the kids while you’re at work. And, there are plenty of sitters here who would love a weekend job – so go ahead and get away, if you can!

diy family travel holidays President's Day

Our Favorite Pins for Hosting the Perfect Valentine’s Day Party

There are so many delightful, inspiring ideas for Valentine’s Day decorations, crafts and treats out there! We’ve pulled together some of our favorites to show you how to host a truly adorable Valentine’s Day Party. Keep the guest list small – think of it as a pumped up play date for a few friends – and choose from these awesome ideas you can make yourself (or with the help of a handy babysitter!). Before you know it, you’ll have the makings of an unforgettable party.

We’ve pinned our favorite ideas to our UrbanSitter Pinterest Boards: Kid’s Party Ideas, DIY Holiday, Crafts for Kids, Sweet Treats and Printables Pinterest Boards. Check them out!

Where’s the Party!?

Welcome your guest with a hint at what’s inside by decorating your front door with an eye-catching pop of festive color. This DIY wreath is made out of burlap and paper roses. Click here for the tutorial.

“Homemade” Valentines

Why resort to a box of store-bought Valentines when you can print or make your own? Take your pick from several gorgeous Valentines offered as free printables. We especially like the one with a mini bottle of bubbles (instead of more candy!). For those with patience and handy kids, get the kids involved and make your own, like these super awesome hearts made from bit and pieces of broken crayons.

Decorations

There’s no shortage of inspiring party decor photos out there, but we especially like this one that shows you sweet simple can be.

Fun Crafts for the Entertainment

Create some bling with this wildly popular craft idea from Mom On TimeOut. Especially good if you have a party of girls, you need only Hershey kisses and pipe cleaners to whip up a few of these! Have a mixed crowd or slightly older kids, try these Valentine Cala Lillies, which can be taken home for a gift for Mom, Dad or the babysitter.

The Menu

Make it a dessert-only party, which is oh so fitting for this sweet holiday.

Cupcakes, (but, of course!) – Inspiration for an easy treat – top pre-made (store-bought) cupcakes with whipped cream and candy hearts.

XO Cakes – Lots of love here!

Cherry Cutie Pies – Hard to pick just one, we bet.

Pudding Cups – Make little cups of pudding extra tempting by dipping the cup rims in melted chocolate and then rolling them in pink and red sprinkles.

Melon Hearts – Easily sneak in a little healthy to your feast with these melon hearts.

Beverages – You can click on this Pin to order printables to embellish drinks, or you can simply glue paper hearts to the outside of water bottles or plastic tumblers, and even insert a straw through one. Our advice as veteran parents – with all the sugar in the treats, no need to serve a sugary beverage, too. Stick to water or milk!

Take-Home Treats & Party Favors

Order a simple sewing pattern from Craftsy to create magical wands & crown that are sure to thrill any of the little princesses attending. Stick them in a vase for instant decoration, too. Rely on free printables to embellish bags of candy for a tasty take-home.

diy holidays how to kids parties round up tips for parents Valentine's Day

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Wish List for Mom

Christmas Gift for Mommy, Mommy Gift, Mom Gift, Holiday Gift for Mom

Too busy obsessing over getting the perfect shot of your kids for your holiday card or tackling your shopping list to think about what you might like to put on your gift wish list for Santa to bring for you? Breath easy. You won’t get stuck with an unwanted kitchen appliance or a really bad sweater if you whisper a few of these ideas into Santa’s ear.

Holiday Gift Wish List for Mom

The thrilling thought of a shiny new bike waiting under the tree reminds us that we’re still the same inside as we were when we were very young. You’ll love riding the Linus bike, modeled after vintage French bicycles, just as much as you loved your very first bike.
A new set of dishes would be mighty nice. Start building a set from Heath Ceramics, the San Francisco Bay Area company renown for its artisan pottery that stands the test of time. You can customize a set to match your taste and your décor, and can choose from a range of colors that reflect current style.
If you’re anything like us, around 3 in the afternoon you start to watch the clock in anticipation of the bedtime hour. Sure, it’s nice to get the kids down so you can have a moment of quiet, but the real appeal of the bedtime hour is that it means you can trade your jeans for your comfiest, coziest PJs. Chances are your go-to loungewear could use a refresh. How about slipping into these grown-up, chic jammies from the Belgian company, Lounge Lovers, that feel as good as they look? (The robe is cashmere and a brilliant so-much-better-than-black lapis blue!)
If your Santa is the kind who isn’t afraid of a little creative DIY, start dropping a link to this cool site in his inbox. With minor effort, he can create a custom, very sleek photo book from Moleskin that is sure to pull at your heartstrings. Think of the possibilities (you could suggest) – your child’s first year, your family trip to Disneyworld, your 35^th birthday celebration weekend with the girls.
When it’s time to take it up on a notch from your trusty cardigan, slip on this number – a faux fur jacket from Ella Moss. It works with anything from skinnies and a tee to a cocktail dress, and takes you straight into One Hot Mama territory.
Feeling sentimental? Add a heirloom-quality Collector’s Locket to your list, engraved, of course. It’s so pretty you can wear it everyday and before you know it, your daughter will start to think of it as a part of you. How perfect for when you pass it down to her on her wedding day, the day she leaves for college, or maybe when she’s just made you especially proud to be her mom.
Personal stationery always comes in handy and instantly says you’ve got it together. Choose one that fits you – whether it have a signature color, a modern monogram, something glitzy and glam or just plain tasteful and chic. Whatever says You. Maybe it’ll inspire you to send spontaneous “just because” notes to those you love.
Did anyone ever tell you that the best gifts (that actually come in packages) usually come in small packages? In this case, it’s the dead truth. This watch by Michael Kors makes a big statement, it’s wrap-around bracelet strap taking it a step further than just a time-telling piece.

Need a babysitter while you attend a holiday party or go shopping without the kids? Join UrbanSitter to browse profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.

UrbanSitter has not been paid to feature any of the products shown above. These are personal favorites of the editors of the UrbanSitter blog and do not reflect endorsement by UrbanSitter, Inc.

christmas gift for mom diy gifts for mom holidays round up

Holiday Gift Guides for the Children, Nannies and Babysitters on Your List

Get a head start on your holiday shopping by checking out two brand new UrbanSitter Pinterest boards.

We’ve created awesome holiday gift boards to help guide you to the right present for your kids or other little ones on your holiday list, and we don’t want you to forget your nanny or the super babysitters you depend on throughout the year, so we’ve created a gift board for them, too!

Here are just a few suggestions to get you started on your holiday shopping:

Holiday Gifts for Nannies and Sitters – Pinterest Board

Most nannies and babysitters will agree that a cash bonus is the best holiday gift, but it’s always nice to accompany it with a personal gift to show you think of them as more than just a household employee. How about one of these?

Mujjo Touchscreen Gloves are ingenious. Their conductivity and texture allow you to use any touchscreen device without taking your gloves off, which means you can text or map out your destination without getting frost-bitten hands. They come in five colors. You can’t go wrong with black.

Kelly Wearstler Cabochon stud earrings are not only gorgeous and incredibly thoughtful to give. They are also sure to appeal to any taste or personal style. You can’t miss with either the Hemmatite or Howlite natural stone insets.

West Elm Favorite Throws are super soft and offered in an array of beautiful colors. They are just right when you want to give a little something to show your gratitude. And just the right price at their currently reduced price of $23.

How about a little something for your child to give his nanny or favorite sitter? We’ve got the perfect find. This gold heart key chain from JCrew will melt her heart every time she grabs for her keys.

If she’s worthy of a splurge, why not give a road warrior urbanite a snazzy new bike helmet like this Furono Leopard Bike Helmet from Cloak & Dagger? It’s just the thing to jazz up her daily commute to your place.

Holiday Gifts for Babies and Kids – Pinterest Board

Here are five cool finds that are sure to please boys and girls in each age range on your list.

The Bloom Coco Lounger is a gift parents will appreciate and baby will enjoy. It calms fussy babies with a gentle rocking motion and looks uber cool in the living room.

You won’t wince when you see Baby chewing on these adorable rattles. Yellow Label Kids products are hand-knit from organic bamboo yarn and are made by artisans who are paid fair living wages as set forth by the Fair Trade Federation. And, they are oh so cute and have a soft bird song rattle.

Think of your toddler’s eyes popping open in wonder when she opens her very own personalized board book featuring photos of Mommy and Daddy, the family pet, and a favorite toy or blanket. This impressive gift is totally DIY and sure to become a cherished favorite. Click here for a tutorial from the blogger who created it.

The LeapFrog LeadPad is a big hit with kids age 4 to 7. It’s entertaining and educational and a bit easier on your wallet than going the IPad route. Think of how nice it will be when you don’t have to hand over your smart phone to keep him busy in the waiting room.

Do you know a Big Girl who is all about glitz and glamour and would love nothing more than to get her ears pierced and sport some flashy studs? You can hold off on the pierced ears a few more years thanks to Poppy Drop Earrings. They work like temporary tattoos, which means she won’t lose them and can easily change them to match her outfit. Choose from a handful of collections, which include flowers, peace signs and cute little bugs.

Did you get some good ideas? Watch for our next post for some great fodder for building your own Mommy Wish List to whisper into Santa’s ear!

UrbanSitter has not been paid to feature any of the products shown above. These are personal favorites of the editors of the UrbanSitter blog and do not reflect endorsement by UrbanSitter, Inc.

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Five Creative Ideas for Hosting a Classroom Party

It’s officially the Holiday Season. To many of us, that means our proverbial plates are about to overflow with all the obligations the season brings. There’s soon to be food to cook, meals to share, parties to plan, gifts to buy and wrap, and friends, classmates and strangers to lend a helping hand.

We’re bringing you helpful suggestions to make your lives easier and to free up some of your time, so you can enjoy what the holidays are really about – having fun and cherishing time spent with your children.

First off, let’s tackle the classroom holiday party! If you’re next in line to bring the snack or treat or lead a project for your child’s classroom holiday party, why not try out some of these ideas to make it simple, non-secular and memorable for all:

Stone Soup — There are never too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to Stone Soup. Send in the well-loved book by Marcia Brown for the teacher to read to the class, and ask to assign each child an ingredient to contribute to the class’s very own Stone Soup. It’s best if they can bring veggies and herbs chopped and ready to go. You bring a (carefully scrubbed!) stone – you can buy a river rock from a craft supply store – and mini bowls and spoons for sharing. Obviously, you’ll need access to the school kitchen to simmer your soup, as well as a bit of time to let it cook before serving up their tasty class concoction. Here’s the recipe from the book:

Sundae Bar — Host a yummy spread and a fun time by bringing everything needed for making ice cream sundaes. Shopping list: two gallons of ice cream (more depending on the size of the class), sprinkles, maraschino cherries, fudge and/or other toppings, and whipped cream. Divide and conquer by recruiting other parents to bring bowls, spoons and toppings.

Story time — Keep it calm by bringing a seasonal story to read to the class while kids enjoy a treat of cookies and milk. Kids love wearing their PJs to school, so make it a Pajama Party! Need a fun, easy way to serve the treat? Check out this milk and cookies idea from the creator of the blog, Four Men, One Lady.
Cookie or Cupcake Decorating — Buy or make a few dozen sugar cookies or cupcakes, leaving the icing and toppings for the class to decorate with. The store or bakery where you buy the cupcakes will likely have frosting in an assortment of colors you can bring along for the decorating. Don’t forget to also pick up some candy and sprinkles. Teach the meaning of the season by letting kids eat one of their creations and package the rest to take on a class visit to a local nursing home or shelter.
Feed the birds — The classic DIY bird feeder project involves peanut butter, a definite no-no in most classrooms due to the prevalence of peanut allergies. Instead, bring a peanut butter substitute like soy butter or honey, pinecones to spread it on, and a bag of birdseed to roll it all in (check that the bird seed doesn’t contain nuts). Tie a piece of yarn around the top of the pinecone to easily hang it from a branch to give the birds a holiday feast of their own. Not so sure you want to deal with that many sticky fingers? Instead, bring pipe cleaners to string with cheerios and popcorn.

One more bit of advice: Don’t go it alone! Bring a trusty sitter to help you streamline the activity. You’ll get props for hosting a successful party, while having a chance to snap a few photos of your little one and his classmates, and join in on the fun. UrbanSitter has no shortage of sitters who would love to join the holiday party!

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