by admin on August 11, 2009
This is the third and final article in the series, The Recession and Our Family.
Your sister or best friend is expecting her first child. You’re responsible for throwing the baby shower but are strapped for cash in this economy. How do you throw an affordable baby shower while still keeping it special? Here are some ideas on how to host a baby shower on the cheap:
Invitations
The invitations are an easy area to cut back on when planning a baby shower. Almost everyone has email these days – even Grammy. Send an E-Vite or for anyone who isn’t web savvy on the guest list, invite them over the phone.
Have a Potluck
Divvy up the cost of food by having a potluck. Be sure to coordinate with guests about who is bringing what so you don’t end up with five different variations of Seven Layer Dip. Set a theme for the food, either by region (Italian, Mediterranean) or find out what the mom or couple to be’s (if you are having a co-ed baby shower) favorite family and friend’s recipes are. Set a budget per dish so no one spends too much.
Skip the Favors
Guests can do without that baby carriage candle or chocolate bar. Show your appreciation of their presence at the shower with some thoughtfully prepared words during the celebration or a thank you email a few days later. Your gratitude will shine through, probably even more than with a traditional baby shower favor.
Choose Free Games
There are plenty of free baby shower games to keep the crowd entertained. Here are two of our favorites:
- Guess The Baby: Ask each guest to bring a photograph of themselves as a baby. Hang the photos on a string and then give everyone a scrap piece of paper and something to write their guess of who is in each photo.
- Baby Features: Moms or Dads? Before the party, make a list of different features the baby could inherit from their parents, from physical characteristics to personality traits: eyes, cheeks, ears, toes, sense of humor, work ethic, etc. During the shower, have each guest guess which features the mom-to-be will hope the baby will inherit from mom or dad. After everyone has “voted,” have mom read aloud her answers.
Cheap Baby Shower Gifts
Gifts can be one of the biggest expenses at a baby shower. Shop our affordable baby gifts section for baby gifts that are economical but will still stand out from the crowd. Our best sellers: baby sock bouquets, cupcake baby onesies and baby pajamas, all priced under $20.
Have additional cheap baby shower ideas? Do tell!
by admin on August 6, 2009
From food to baby clothing in recent years, the term “organic” has drawn a great deal of attention. As increasing numbers of people in this country, and around the world, emphasize the importance of sustainable practices, they expect the same of the companies and industries with which they do business.
With world population numbers continuing to grow and resources becoming scarcer, sustainability – a hallmark of organic farming- is more important than ever before. For many people, though, the term “organic” is little more than a buzzword and more education is needed as to what exactly goes into making cotton organic.
The cotton in organic cotton baby clothes is farmed with the aim of eliminating the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and genetically engineered seed while at the same time maximizing soil and plant health. Strict regulation is applied to all organic cotton sold in the United States, regardless of where it was grown. There are currently three integral processes that distinguish generic cotton from the organic cotton used in organic cotton baby clothes.
- No toxic pesticides. Cotton bolls attract bugs, like Lygus, which can devastate cotton crops. Traditionally, bugs that threatened cotton were combated aggressively with pesticides. Progressive practices, such as introducing other insects that prey on the Lygus, have proven a viable alternative to toxic pesticides.
- No synthetic fertilizers. Farmers have long understood that crop rotation makes for healthy, fertile soil. Instead of relying on synthetic fertilizers, organic cotton farmers rotate crops and plant buffer crops that attract predatory insects on their farms throughout the year.
- Certification. Organic cotton must meet the strict requirements set forth in the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS).
Cotton has been grown and used by humans for over 2,500 years, with cultivation processes evolving slowly over time. The cultivation of organic cotton continues to grow worldwide, establishing modern organic processes as yet another step in the evolution of cotton farming.
While there is still more cotton grown through traditional than organic methods, the continuing growth of organic cotton farming is likely to make more people aware of organic farming practices in the coming years. We’re proud to bring you organic cotton baby clothes and gifts as part of this growing movement.
For more information about organic cotton check these valuable resources:
Global Organic Textile Standards
Sustainable Cotton
Green Basics – Organic Cotton
Wikipedia – Organic Cotton
For an educational look at how organic cotton farming can help communities, enjoy this video.
