Simplify Birthday Season w/ Gift Stickers! Yes, there is a Birthday Season!
0 comments Posted by Michelle at 4:14 PM
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.
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.
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.
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
Who's Bar/Bat Mitzvah is it, anyway? Part 2 (too many cooks)
1 comments Posted by Michelle at 11:59 AMAdvice:
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.
- 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.