Bumpercards Stationery Blog

If you have kids in school, back-to-school is like New Years Eve, but without the champagne toast and a kiss. There's shopping for clothes, hair cuts, school supplies and the chance to start off the year right. For mom's/dad's it's a second shot at getting organized and finishing what you meant to get done that's been lingering since January.

It's a great time of year, where kids are refreshed and almost excited to get back to school. In fact some kids get a little bored towards the end and are even ready to go back to school. Ahhh...how i sometimes long for the days when time stood still. What I wouldn't give to have some of that back! But then I remember
I would have to do high school again!

Let's get back to the being organized before I digress and forget what this blog is about, BACK -to SCHOOL resolutions; paper solutions.

The obvious one is finding easy ways to stay on top of your game and your kids social schedules.

Back-to-school usually means alot of birthdays parties for your kids. Instead of buying birthday cards, an easy solution is to buy each kid a set of "gift stickers" that say "a gift from Charlie". You slap them on the present and you are good to go.


These stickers can also be used on your kids school supplies. It's a great way to label them so they can come home with there stuff. You could say something as simple as "This book belongs to Zoe" or "Lost and Found? Call Ethan at 310.555.1212" or "Henry's Stuff!"

Another idea is to order personalized stationery for the family. It's great if you need to write a quite note to teachers, other parents, principal or nurse. In the rush of our lives, even if you forget to sign it, it will have your name on it, so they'll know who it came from. it might be nice to order everyone there own set as well. With the holidays not too far aound the corner everyone will be ready to write there thank you notes and it's one less thing to worry about in December.



Also personalized calling cards or family business cards are great for your kids to exchange info with their new friends and for parents to exchange with other parents. This way your never need to locate a pen and paper.


If you are planning on doing family holiday cards, now is a great time to think about your photo and even get one taken. New clothes, fresh haircut even a suntan may get everyone excited. Come November everyone is a little more worn down, busy and stressed.

Planning now through the end of year will help free up some extra time for play or even a massage. It's true plans always change especially with kids, but it'll be easier to handle if you aren't scrambling.

Bumpercards participated in the Fashion with Passion Event that raises money for Ronald McDonlald Camp For Good Times. This is a fantastic organization and allows sick children to enjoy the camp experience with other kids who can related to what they are going through as well as a place to forget about what they are going through. It's an opportunity to just be a kid! If you are interested in donating $1000 will send a child to camp for a week.

I was heart stuck by the one of the girls who is attending camp this summer. She mentioned she had been to the camp as a sibling and this year she was going back as a patient. I couldn't help, but think of what she as been through with her brother and now with herself. And the most incredible thing about this young girl was how excited she was about going to camp and how comfortable she was with herself. She exuded beauty and confidence. My heart and best wishes go out to her family.

Bumpercards were part of the celebrity model gift bags and went to such young talent as Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse, Ana Marie Perez de Tagle, Jason Dolley, Kiely Williams, Jensen Panettiere, Kay Panabaker, Ariel Walker, Bailee Madison, Nathalia Ramos, Rachel Sibner and more.

Since we have been talking so much about what is eco-friendly stationery, Bumpercards has decided to introduce a few designs specifically on eco-friendly paper.

FYI all of the paper we use is Green-E Certified (meaning papers are bought from companies using alternative energy to run their mills), and Chlorine and Carbon free. We feel this is a great start, but we want to take more steps in the GREEN direction.

The papers and designs we have chosen are a Green Earth Robot and a Green Grass Monkey. Each of these papers are acid and carbon free, Green-E certified, Green Seal certified and paper stock use at least 30% PCW-Post Consumer Waste meaning recycled content.

Bumpercards will also be adding an eco friendly option to most of our personalized stationery line and many of our invitations. This is currently being tested in our Baby Stationery Section. This paper stock still be a high end white and will be FSC Certified, Acid Free and Made with 20% FSC Certified Virgin Fiber and 80% Post Consumer Fiber.

One of our favorite papers from Fabriano, a high end Italian paper with a deckled edge, has been environmentally sound for hundreds of years. Fabriano Paper Mill uses:
•ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: The Mill uses 50% Hydropower energy
•CHLORINE FREE: 100% Cholrine Free (no chlorine bleaching).
•MILL CERTIFIED: The Fabriano Mill is ISO 14001 certified to ensure the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly. This is a great paper for custom wedding invitations and wedding stationery as well as that first thank you note for a baby's personalized stationery.

Please let us know your thoughts and what you are looking for in stationery and the environment.

We offically launched Tykecoon to the public this weekend at The Silver Spoon Dog and Baby Buffet. It truly was a fantastic reception and we were thrilled at the response.

Press and celebs alike not only loved the simple retro designs, but were impressed by the fact that Tykecoon is giving back to some great causes.

Celebrity guests such as Constance Zimmer (Entourage and Boston Legal) said, "The designs are so cool and not so baby. I am excited to put my daughter in them and I love that you're giving back." Actress Busy Phillips stated, "Wow, that's fantastic and these make great gifts." Other actors and press such as Marissa Jaret Winokur, Tori Spelling, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cythina Daniels Hauser, Sofia Dickens, Access Hollywood and TV Guide Network expressed their appreciation for mixing great design and charitable causes.

Tykecoon currently has six designs that represent a different charity that a % of profits will be donated to. For example, a ROBOT and GIRAFFE for One Laptop Per Child, an OWL and TOTEM OWLS for The Ronald McDonald House, an ELEPHANT and KID TOY SQUARES for K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations). Each of the above charities was selected because they have programs that improve the everyday lives for children and their families.

For a limited time Tykecoon t-shirts are available for purchase at www.bumpercards.com.

Having a two year old myself, I have entered into the land of birthday attending and birthday party planning.

Not only are places like MY GYM, Kidnasium, Gymboree, Dan the Man, and other gymnastics places convenient, they are a ton of fun for the kids and great for the parents.

You can't just drop off the kids and leave, but there is a trained staff who entertains your kids and know what they like depending on the age. There are swings, bubbles, ball pits, trampolines and a safe (and usually) enclosed environment for your kids to crazy in. You get to sit back, relax and enjoy!

And the clean up....a breeze!

One of Bumpercards most popular children's birthday invitations are our Kid Gym Boy and Kid Gym Girl. When creating the invitations I am always amazed at how my great gym places there are across the country! Enjoy!

After much consideration and research, Bumpercards is venturing into the world of infant and toddlers t's.

We have always known our designs would translate onto t-shirts and we are excited to welcome Tykecoon to the Bumpercards family.

The official launch will be May 2008 at The Silver Spoon Dog & Baby Buffet, but we are offering the 6 following designs for sneak peek: Robot, Owl, 3 Totem Owl, Giraffe, 9 Squares, and Elephant

The above designs also coordinate with Bumpercards personalized stationery, gift stickers, address labels and mommy calling cards.

For Babies: Babies are always receiving gifts and all mother's want to properly thank everyone for their generosity. Even if it's hard to get them out in a timely fashion.

For Toddlers: You may (or you will) end of writing most of the note yourself, but it's good place to color and let your friends and family know you are thinking about them. And there are so many cute options out there!It's simple fun to buy.

For Pre-Schoolers-3rd: What better way to show off your new found mastery of the alphabet and your advancement with language skills?!

For Tweens and Teens: You know you have to write thank you notes and with the right stationery you may even be psyched to send a letter.

Graduates (High School and College): Now that you are to be "responsible", it's always smart to have stationery around to send thank you notes after job interviews as well as the usual thank you note for grad gifts and simply keep in touch as everyone moves onto their own life's journey.

20 something: May not be on the top of your 100 item to-do list, but writing thank you notes after a birthday or sending a congratz note to a friend is still the right thing to do.

30-40 something: Your momma always told you to be thoughtful! Now you may be wanting to set a good example for your kids. Hey, maybe you even like to collect stationery!

For your 50's and 60's: It's a personal gift that you know can be used. You can never have too much stationery. Each occasion you send a note for may need a different sentiment.

And 70, 80, 90....157: Stationery is never outgrown even when the use for it is constantly changing from congratulations notes to sympathy cards and anywhere in between. It's fun to give and fun to receive.

Children’s birthdays obviously happen all year round, but there does seem to be busy season in April and September. It helps to have a few sheets of gift stickers laying around that say, “Happy Birthday from Jack” or “ A gift from Daisy.


Being able to slap that sticker on the top of child’s gift saves money as well as makes your life easier. There is no need to stress about what to write on a card or have to run out to get one.

Gift stickers are also great as gift favor tags, "Thanks for coming to my party! Love, Hayden", as well as for Family gifts and Holiday season.

Anything that helps makes life a little bit more organized and less stressful is worth it. It’s the simple touches that make the difference.

Bumpercards has been looking into creating an eco-friendly stationery line for about 2 years now. There is so much information out there and many different levels of eco-friendliness.

While researching paper, printing and the environment we found out we have always been "eco-friendly", yet there is more we can do. Most of our papers come from the bigger paper brands and these companies are in the forefront of creating greener options.

There are many different standards to call your company eco-friendly and I will give a summary of a few of the main ingredients to look for:

(Information below has been directly taken from http://www.neenahpaper.com, http://www.wausaupapers.com, http://www.mohawkpaper.com/ , http://www.legionpaper.com/Eco-Friendly.htm)

1.FSC CERTIFIED:
Ensures that the paper meets the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) standards for responsible forest management.

2. GREEN SEAL CERTIFIED:
Signifies that all of our recycled papers are made with a minimum of 30% post consumer fiber and that mill processes, including packaging, are environmentally preferable.

Green Seal Certified is awarded by a nonprofit that rigorously evaluates paper production with standards set for PCW content as well as inking, bleaching and other processes.

Founded in 1989, Green Seal is a non-profit standard-setting organization that awards the Green Seal of Approval to products that cause less harm to the environment than other similar products as defined by their certification standards. Green Seal both develops environmental standards and carries out the actual certification.

3.CHLORINE FREE CERTIFIED:

This certification insures the delivery of premium papers that are manufactured free of chlorine chemistry and from sustainable raw materials.

Processed chlorine-free or PCF indicates that no dioxin-releasing chlorinated compounds were used to bleach the product.

Additionally, the PCF-labeled product must be 30 percent PCW. Less desirable is "Totally chlorine-free," or TCF, which is made from virgin fiber. This label is regulated by the Chlorine Free Products Association.

4.GREEN-E CERTIFIED:

Green-e identifies products made with certified renewable energy, including but not limited to wind power, solar power, low impact hydropower, and biomass.

As stated by Green-e, “Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products.”

5.CARBON NEUTRAL:
A voluntary and legally binding greenhouse gas emission reduction and trading system. As a member, Neenah Paper has committed to reduce its carbon footprint, or net greenhouse gas emissions,

6. 100% POST CONSUMER FIBER:

Post Consumer Fiber describes paper that has reached its intended end-user and then discarded. This paper, recovered from curbside collections, is considered to be post consumer.

Post-consumer waste or PCW means that the product's pulp was made from paper once used by consumers;

100 percent PCW is most desirable, but rare. No independent certifier regulates its use.

The idea behind 'mommy' calling cards is to create a business card for the professional mom so she can stay in touch with other moms and arrange play dates, carpools and a mom's get-a-way night. Mom is a pretty amazing job title!

When you are at a park or drop off/pick up, it is hard to locate a pen and paper as well as completely concentrate to write your personal info down.

Whether you make them yourself or order a set, be sure to include information like phone, cell, email, kids names, family website or blog, etc.

The calling cards are also great for pre-teens and teenagers, who don't yet have business cards, but want to share their email, cell numbers, myspace pages, etc.

Bumpercards also recently created a special calling card design for mother's with autistic children. It is a great way to pull together resources, share helpful websites and create awareness for autism.

How to have a party and make sure your guests don’t bring gifts.

We live in a world where when you go to a party it is polite to bring a gift. And in most cases it is also your pleasure.

So what do you do when someone says “no gifts please”? Do you listen?

4 out of 5 people don’t. This means while “no gifts” on an invitation may sound polite, it is not effective.

A good alternative to no gifts is “in lieu of gifts” please make a donation to (your favorite charity here). This doesn’t mean your guests will always listen, but there is a much better chance of them feeling ok with showing up “empty handed” and feeling good about making a donation.

To go one step further, I recently did an invitation for a one year old boy who has a big brother and his birthday falls right after Christmas, so their son really doesn’t need too much. On the back of their invitation they made it very clear how and where to make a donation. They listed the charities, what they do and what they need. They also suggested if you want to bring a present to bring diapers, new clothes, etc. and they will deliver them to the charity. Their son was truly given the greatest gift all. He is being taught about the world around him and that caring, sharing and giving are all gifts.

Is it improper to list the registries?

These days the majority of shower invites we do list them. It's actually helpful to your guests and you are doing them a favor. Otherwise they have to guess what you need and like and it's a lot more stressful.

The improper thought is that it appears if you are asking for gifts. Where in reality people are going to get them whether you want them or not. And it's their pleasure (especially for a baby shower!)

If you don't list them, either people will get what they like or they will have to track down the host and ask where you are registered.

Some people do a separate insert sheet listing the registries, but I honestly don't believe that is necessary unless you need to add other info like a map or directions.

This article on Baby Shower Essentials may also be helpful.

Exciting it is! Bumpercards is featured on The Montel Williams Show this Wednesday, March 5th in a segment on "Baby Must Haves" introduced by the infamous Silver Spoon Girls.

We are thrilled about the show and can't wait to see it and hope you can share in the excitement.

Gotta Love Montel and The Silver Spoon

Advice:

To the Parents:

• Remember this is a right of passage and the passage is for a 12-13 year old young man or woman. They are dealing with issues like cliques, middle school and boyfriends and girlfriends and live in a world where the impossible is still possible and probable!

• As you know it’s a tough age to see eye to eye, but if you can let your child make as many decisions as possible with your “guidance” or suggestions, the inevitable power struggle won’t rear it’s shiny head as much and you may even get closer when planning together.

• Not all 12/13 yr. olds understand the concept of a budget, but this is a perfect time to clue them in. For example give them a budget and control of one aspect such as party favors or table decoration (for the kids table) and have them present their findings to you. This will help them feel more a part of their big day and will let you go ahead and get the other major event decisions moving forward.

• Involve them as much as possible and keep them in the game. Make sure the theme is agreed upon by everyone in the beginning and everything we go a lot smoother.

To the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Young Man and Woman:

• They’re your parents and they love you! Try to remember that and it’s your big day. You are now showing the world that you are growing up and can handle life’s challenges, responsibilities and compromises.

• Did someone say, it’s a party?! If there is something you’re really passionate about, calmly let your parents know what it is and why it’s important. If it’s in the budget, they will respect that and try to make it happen.

• Write a kick ass speech and don’t forget to thank your parents.

Other helpful information on Bar Mitzvah planning can be found in this article

First take a deep breath…Okay in theory it is the bride and groom’s day. However, honestly, an event is never about just one or 2 people. That’s not a good or bad thing, it just is the truth. People are getting together to celebrate the beautiful union between 2 people, but even at a wedding no one lives in a vacuum.

A wedding joins at least 2 families and often times more, so it is truly a balancing act.

WORDS of WISDOM:

• To the Bride: Pick your battles. Decide what’s incredibly important to you and let it be known, but be sensitive to all the other issues even if this day is about you. And always send thank you notes (even to your mother).

• To the Mother of the Bride: Agree with the bride when you can and only be honest if it’s needed! Just kidding, but it’s hard not want to live vicariously through your daughter and expect perfection, but remember it is her big day and it’s going to be amazing no matter what color the flowers are.

• To the Mother-in-law: Let’s take another deep breathe. Okay, so you’re not as close to the bride as her mother and you don’t want to step on any toes, but it there is something you know is precious to your son or your family, be open and let the bride know as well as her mom. It's your son's moment to shine too.

• To the Groom: It really is your wedding too. So be as involved as you want to be and as distant as your bride let you be! Take on a few tasks to show your interested and enjoy it too. Bridzilla isn't a myth, but she doesn't have to be a reality.
  
  

Life is a compromise, a wedding is no different. It’s a huge part of many lives. And a marriage is a mixing of all ideas, cultures, traditions and family.

Choosing a theme and/or a color scheme may be the easiest part for you or the biggest challenge. However, once you do this it is much easier to plan every detail from invitations to flowers and centerpieces to the dinner menu.

• It may be helpful to start off by looking at invitations. Your invitations are the first impression of your wedding or Bar Mitzvah and you want it to have your personality whether that is formal and traditional or contemporary and playful.

• If you decide on an invitation style then many other ancillary items can be matched; Response set, thank you notes or informals, menus, place cards, table numbers, programs, party favors, etc.

• You may also want your invitation style to carry into your centerpieces, floral design, linens and napkins.

• One other theme area is food. You may want to have food stations or cocktails and appetizers in a theme. For example for more retro theme you may want mini mac ‘n cheese or French fries with pesto dip or a sushi bar and dim sum table or a make your own smores bar. If your tastes are classic some traditional favorites may be stuffed mushrooms and puffed pastries. Whatever you decide try to keep it consistent and you will have a much smoother time planning.

If you are looking to create a custom invitation to match your theme Bumpercards offers a design service and would be happy to work with you create exactly what you are looking for. Please see the link to some of our original samples.

(This Blog is part of a series, please read posts below on Selecting a Date and Finding a Location)

Once the location and date are set, go ahead and spread the news. It’s time to let your “hope to be” guests in on the action and send out Save the Date announcements.

Especially for those traveling from out of town, sending Save the Date cards can help them make plans early and watch airfares for the best deals.

The Save the Date announcement does not have to match your theme or colors unless you would like it to. This is a chance to do something classic or flamboyant. Listed below are a few general options. Your choice depends on your personality and the formality of your event.

• Postcard (small or large)
• Postcard to introduce your event website (see below)
  
• Folded Card (small or large)
• Flat Layered Invitation
• Custom Candy Bar Wrapper
  

The Save the Date is a great way to let your guests know if any hotels or special airfares have been reserved. This is also a good time to introduce your website, if you are going to one for your event.

• A website is used to let you guests know about all your wedding plans (This can be as simple or as elaborate as you are comfortable with)
  
• Standard information:
• Hotel and airfare
• Itinerary | weekend plans
• Who you are paragraph
• Contact Info
  
• More personal information:
  
• Wedding 'love' story (how you met) and Honeymoon Plans
  
• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs: Personal interests, goals, world views
  
• Pictures of yourself, family, friends, pets
  
• Letter to your guests
  
• Where your gift registry is
  
• Activities in the area
• Baby Sitter suggestions
• Online RSVP
• Comment box for guests
  

When the “Where” of Your Event Takes Top Priority

• When a specific location is a must!

• If where your event is going to be is most important, then the date becomes more flexible and your main focus is reserving the right venue. Some locations are reserved up to 2 years in advance, so in this case the sooner the better.

• Date is set, now 'where oh where' will my party be?

• If you have set your date, now it is time to find the right location. The main issues to consider with location is to know what is included with the location i.e. catering, seating, décor, floral, dance floor, lighting, etc. or if you will need to hire an event coordinator or if you are going to do all the planning yourself.

• One more detail to consider when picking the location is the number of guests. The size of the venue may decide this for you or you may decide on a venue based on your number of guests.

• Pick your date, set your date, save your date!
  
  
• Timing is everything if you want a specific day.
  
  
• There is such a thing as Wedding Season and Bar Mitzvahs Season, so be quick and be early.

• For weddings Labor Day weekend is always very popular as well any weekend May-July.

• As for the Bar/Bat crowd since everyone is the same age, you are bound to know a handful of teens preparing for their big day and there are only so many Saturday’s to choose from. For the young women Sunday’s may work, but most Monday’s are school days and who wants to complete with that?

• Picking this date early and letting your guests know is especially important for Bar/Bat mitzvahs. In the Bar Mitzvah circuit your guests may be invited to more than one event on the same day and there could be a time conflict. If you have your date set and it’s known, hopefully there is some etiquette/courtesy in your community where two people with the same friends won’t celebrate on the same day at the same time. You don’t want your child’s event to turn into a popularity contest.

• Most stationery companies either offer or upon request will send you your envelopes early so you can address them. This is helpful so all you need to do is stuff the envelopes once your announcements arrive.

• Even if you don’t pre-address your envelopes it is helpful to get you list in order. If you are going to print labels yourself or print on the envelopes, I recommend using word or exel file to organize.

• It is wise to order 10-20 extra announcements. There are always people you forget and you will feel terrible about if you don’t send them one. And you don’t want to give up your baby book copy!

• Pre-order/decide upon a style for your announcement. If you don’t know the sex pick 2 styles*; one boy and one girl style. Have the company show you a proof for both. If you do this you will know exactly what you are getting and not have to worry about last minute decisions. Once the baby (babies) are born all you need to add is the name, date, weight and height and send a photo if your announcement uses one or more. When pre-ordering all the important decisions are made before the lack of sleep and panic kicks in.

*There may be a small set-up fee from the company to design 2 proofs if the designs are completely different, but in the end it’s worth it to avoid rushing and stressing. After all this is your baby's introduction to the world!

o Keep writing thank you notes as the gifts come in! Not only will you avoid the overwhelming feeling of never catching up, but your notes will all be much more personal and heartfelt.

o Order a set of “bride” stationery, one set of pre-marriage “couples” stationery and married stationery, before or at the same time you purchase your invitations.

§ Bridal Stationery—Just the brides name for showers and personal gifts give just to the bride. You’ll be able to use these even after you are married as long as your return address doesn’t change.

§ Pre-marriage Couples Stationery— Use just the first names of the bride and groom. If already living together, it’s ok to print the address on the return address envelope and not the names. These are great for increasingly popular couples showers and engagement gifts. Couples stationery can be more casual and used for years to come as long as you don’t move!

§ Married Stationery—If you want something slightly more formal use the first and last name of the bride and groom. If the bride is taking the groom’s name feel free to put Mr. and Mrs. John Smith on the stationery in addition to above the return address on the envelope flap.

More information on wedding stationery can be found in this article Wedding Stationery - The Essentials

ModernMom.com is a fantastic website and a great resources for all us moms out there. I've been hanging about this site now for almost 3 years. If you aren't familiar with it, ModernMom is a social website or even a online magazine if you will, where you can chat with other moms or find out about great new products and issues that we all go through.

They did mention Bumpercards recently as well in the Mommywood write up, which I have to say I like as well (but that's not the only reason I'd like to mention them)

Check it out if you have a chance. You won't be disappointed.

We have some great news to share and have been getting a lot of great press recently.

Bumpercards is featured this week in Star Magazine. We were excited to see the write up in the magazine. It's features our Personalized Stationery for celeb mom's and their kids. We posted a copy of the article in the press section on the website if you miss the issue this week on the newsstand.

Also please go to Celebrity Baby Blog. Not only do they have some great products and recommendations for mom's and children of all ages, but they also featured Bumpercards children's personalized stationery a few weeks ago.

There truly are a lot fantastic additions ahead this year for Bumpercards and I am looking forward to sharing them with you. Please let me know if there is something you would like discussed in this blog and I would be happy to put it out there.

Only the best for us all in 2008!