Archive for the ‘
Birthdays ’ Category
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
As summer approaches, it’s time for Moms to start thinking about end-of-school-year gifts for the teachers, coaches, and day care providers who’ve played such pivotal roles in their kids’ lives. In this economy, the most sensible option for most families is to go in together on a group gift—but who wants to be the one stuck chasing down other Moms at the playground to get them to pay their share?
Well, thanks to a new website, eDivvy.com, no one has to take on that thankless task. eDivvy allows an organizer to quickly set up a gift event by selecting a gift on the site (choose from thousands of great items from top retailers like Macy’s, the Apple Store, Sur La Table and more) and then inviting others to pitch in by adding in their email addresses. Invitees can then choose the amount they want to contribute, then safely and securely charge that to a credit card. (The organizer can also check in throughout the process and send gentle reminders if need be.) Once the gift total is reached, it’s sent directly to the recipient—along with a virtual gift card signed by all the contributors. Easy—and no fronting the bill required!
Image via
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
It seems Goodyblog has been rather quiet lately about our eternal love for the cupcake. Have no doubt, they are still our pastry of choice. I came across this great how-to set today on Oh Joy!. The Cupcake Kit,
By Elinor Klivans, comes complete with everything you need to make scrumptious cupcakes: 14 recipes, 250 decorative cup liners in two sizes, a
pastry bag, and an assortment of piping tips for creating one-of-a-kind
masterpieces.
It's almost worth it just for those precious liners. Available at Amazon.com.
Thursday, January 15th, 2009
This cake pan (which is customizable to form any letter or number) definitely wins the why-didn't-I-think-of-that award. It's $40 well-spent: You'll use this baby year after year. Or at least until your kids refuse another number or initial cake.
Found via craftzine.
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
The Pioneer Woman Cooks is one of my favorite food blogs. Ree, the hostess of the joint, is the unpretentious master chef for her rancher husband and her hungry kids. Her site is, coincidently, the home of my favorite guilty pleasure sandwich. Just the thought of that sandwich makes my lizard brain revert back to Neanderthal times. Grrrrrrrr. ME HUNGRY!
This month, she came up with the feminine foil to those manly steak sandwiches: Springy Flower Pot Desserts. No, that ain’t dirt—that’s Oreo deliciousness. And under that chocolatey soil lays layers of ice cream and pound cake.
It’s an elegant-looking dessert, but it’s very simple to put together. It’s the perfect dessert for a daughter’s spring-time birthday party. (And at the very least, this recipe has to be better than Ree’s Ethel Merman impersonation.)
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Ahhhhh, birthday parties! (Do you hear a sigh of joy or perhaps a frazzled, pull-your- hair-out scream?) These events welcome both the joys and the anxieties of being a parent. But don’t fret; we’re here to help.
Check out the May issue of Parents that hit the news stands yesterday for 87 new birthday party ideas (yes, we actually counted). We give you everything from party themes to party planning do’s and don’t's to the coolest cake pans you’ll ever see, so you won’t be left twirling in circles, begging Calgon to take you away. And of course we would never leave you without the ever-important time line that will help keep your candles and cupcakes in a row.
Now you can breathe a sigh of relief. Party planning just got a little easier.
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
If you’re looking for a cute way to cut down on the sugar rush epidemic at your child’s next birthday party, here is a great solution. These two-bite cupcakes are not only beyond adorable, but they are easy to make, and fun to eat (kids love anything on a stick).
Go to Bakerella to learn how to make them. Thanks to How About Orange for the link!
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
Want to cut back on the amount of toys that never make it out of the toy box, or think it’s time to teach your kids about charity? Then check out ECHOage for your child’s next birthday bash. Founded by two moms, this site invites your party’s guests to make a contribution (between $10 – $30) instead of bringing a present. Half of this is then donated to a charity, while the other half is sent to the host so that they can purchase a single gift for the birthday girl or boy. Your child gets one meaningful present that she really wants, and learns a lesson in giving. Bonus: you don’t have to clean up the wrapping paper and ribbons left behind in the aftermath of tearing open gifts!
Do you think your kids would be cool with an ECHOage party? Or is the thrill of the pile of presents half the fun of a birthday party?
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Monday, January 28th, 2008
I’m completely obsessed with Fred, the super-cool company whose witty, well-designed products have me convinced that they can do no wrong. Witness, my brand-new faves:
The Arty Party
Pick Your Nose Party Animals
And the Wishosaurus
As summer approaches, it’s time for Moms to start thinking about end-of-school-year gifts for the teachers, coaches, and day care providers who’ve played such pivotal roles in their kids’ lives. In this economy, the most sensible option for most families is to go in together on a group gift—but who wants to be the one stuck chasing down other Moms at the playground to get them to pay their share?
