Easter is March 31st this year, and it’s gearing up to be an exciting time. When your kids need an Easter-themed activity let them choose one of these free Easter printables. From creative coloring pages to an adorable Easter Bunny printable, there are plenty of free Easter activities that kids will love. All you have to do is print them out and walk away.
B-I-N-G-O! This adorable game is perfect for the holiday, with sweet bunnies, chicks, carrots, Easter eggs and more. Laminate and use with dry erase markers or use half of an Easter egg to mark off your squares! Head to Fun Squared to download your copy.
We love this free Easter printable! Whether you're looking for a screen-free activity, a way to keep kids entertained in the car or just want to embrace the Easter spirit, this activity is a fun option for any kiddo. Head to Paper Trail Design to download.
Can your littles find all nine words? This simple word search can be laminated for endless use and is festively fun! Download for free at The Typical Mom.
Check out this Easter Crossword Puzzle from Education.com that will be a fun word exercise for your kid.
Free Connect the Dots Printable
Woo Jr.
Print out an entire batch of these free Easter printables for an afternoon of fun! Not only are they entertaining, but they help teach kids numerical order and hand-eye coordination at the same time. Head to Woo Jr. to download 10 different activities!
Do-A-Dot activities are perfect for little bunnies! Print out black and white or color versions and let your mini-Monet create beautiful Easter works of art. Head to Easy Peasy Learners to download both versions!
Eggs, bunnies, chicks––oh, my! Adults and kids alike find relaxation when it comes to coloring and there are plenty of whimsical pictures when it comes to Easter. Head to 123 Kids Fun to print out tons of designs.
One of the best free Easter printables ever! This bunny maze from Education.com will be a fun problem-solving project for your child. They can also use it as a coloring page when they're done!
A holiday art project featuring your baby’s handprint or footprint is a fun, festive way to capture the moment
When there’s a new baby in the home, it’s practically a requirement that their tiny toes and fingers make their way into some sort of cute keepsake. Even if Christmas footprint art isn’t your thing (right now anyway), we’re betting the grandparents will think it’s the absolute best. We’ve rounded up our favorite ideas, and, one day, when the kids are grown, you’ll look back and marvel at how far they’ve come.
So, these might not be the fanciest Christmas footprint art projects we’ve seen, but they are adorable, and you can make them with supplies you probably already have at home.
How adorable is this ornament? This Christmas footprint art project will win over even the most skeptical of parents. Check out this easy-to-follow tutorial from Midget Momma.
Instead of little toes, use little fingerprints to create this adorable oven-baked clay snowflake with a heart in the middle. We also love the use of vibrant colors that don’t scream ‘holiday season.’ Get the tutorial from Made to Be a Momma.
Capture those little piggies just as they are this holiday season with this Christmas footprint art project. We love the sweet saying that goes on the back of this tile ornament; find it and a full tutorial at Make the Best of Everything.
Create Santa and Rudolph using some salt dough, paint, and your child's hand and foot. Sturdier than paper and festive enough to display every year, these adorable ornaments are a great project to help you and your child get into the holiday spirit. Visit Viva Veltora for a simple tutorial.
To create these wooden ornaments, you'll need a little help from Etsy. You trace your child's hand, stamp it, or take a photocopy of it. Then you send that plus your child's hand measurements to the Etsy shop MadeWithMamaCo, and they'll craft a wooden ornament of your child's hand. They also burn your child's name and age into the wood and finish the ornament with a twine ribbon for hanging on your tree.
Shake it up with a penguin plate instead of a footprint ornament. It's just as cute and can be displayed along with other Christmas decorations. The secret is all in the type of paint you buy. Get the details from Fun Handprint Art.
Your child is always a little angel, of course, and this DIY craft from That Artist Woman helps you prove it. It's easy to do and will be cherished forever. While your child's hands and feet are covered in paint, make multiples of this design to give to grandparents and other loved ones.
Here's an easy way to keep it simple. Purchase a digital download of this template from the Etsy shop HappyHeartPrintables, and then break out the paint and your baby's little feet. Add your child's name and the year, then pop into an inexpensive frame for personalized decor or a fun present for grandparents!
Handprint & Footprint Kit
This clever kit from Bubzi Co makes it easy to preserve your child's tiny little toes and fingers forever. The kit comes with clay you insert into the frame and then gently press your child's hand and foot into. Pop two photos in the photo spots and your keepsake is done. You can buy the kit on Amazon ($18). Pro tip: If you suspect your child will be too squirmy or squeamish for the clay, wait until they're asleep to take their prints.
Looking to pick out the perfect baby gift? There’s no shortage of adorable items to choose from. But if you’re angling for something upscale that really makes an impact at that baby shower, first birthday, or holiday, these splurgy keepsake baby gifts are ones that mom and her babe will cherish.
Savor Baby Edition Keepsake Box
What parent doesn’t want a better way to keep track of baby’s sweetest memories? Savor’s Baby Edition Keepsake Box is an organizing system that keeps everything protected and easily accessible with the help of nine drawers, eight vertical files for cherished paper artifacts like sonograms, letters, and birth announcements, and 50+ illustrated labels. Parents can keep track of the first four years of their child’s life, from the hospital blanket to baby’s first tooth to that first haircut, along with other treasured items.
Personalized Woodland Nursery Pillow This comfy cotton pillow sprinkles the details of baby’s arrival amid a whimsical mix of plants, mushrooms, and woodland critters like deer, squirrels, and bunnies. If you don’t know all the details of your giftee’s birth (date, weight, length, birthplace, and time of birth), no sweat—those spaces can be filled in with additional illustrations. It’s the perfect addition to storytime in any nursery.
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Padova Bubble Blower
You can practically hear children’s laughter on a summer day upon unboxing this darling silver bubble wand. A wonderful baby shower gift, the design has a signature Elsa Peretti design and can be engraved for personalization.
Butterscotch Blankees Metallic Classic Monogram Stroller Blanket For a gift that baby will use day after day, this super-soft and cozy blanket comes in nearly 30 different colors to match all tastes. Take it from the nursery to the stroller to the car and beyond for constant comfort on all those baby-led adventures. Personalize it with a monogram and send it soon after baby’s arrival.
Vera Wang Wedgwood Infinity Baby Piggy Bank
Baby’s first bank should be precious and timeless, and what’s more timeless than a piggy? This sweet treasury by acclaimed designer Vera Wang fits the bill with its simple yet sculptural silhouette and an infinity detail around the waist. Like all of her creations, the Infinity Baby Piggy Bank is a classic for contemporary tastes.
Artifact Uprising Baby Book | The Story of You From picking baby’s name to favorite books and songs, this baby book prompts parents to write down every important detail. With 100 pages to fill and nearly 50 spots for family photos, it’s a highly interactive photo journal that aptly documents a child’s life to be thumbed through and pored over for years to come. And it fits many family structures, including single parents, adopted children, and same-sex parents.
Michael Aram Bunny Cup with Spoon Set
Handcrafted by American artist Michael Aram, this cup and spoon set calls upon the wonder and innocence of childhood with subtle whimsy and elegance. Made of stainless steel and silver-plated metal, this sweet set will stand the test of time, and, like children themselves, no two are exactly alike because they’re made by hand.
Beadifulbaby Engravable Silver Baby Bangle Bracelet
A gift of jewelry will always be remembered, especially a child’s first bracelet as a permanent record of that unimaginably tiny wrist. This lovely, high-polished sterling silver rhodium bracelet is made in the USA and can be personalized with a little one’s initials or full name. While this piece of jewelry cannot grow with baby, it makes for a darling gift that can be passed down to future generations.
Write to Me | Baby – First Year of You Journal
Inspire any new parent to notice the little things with the gift of this beautiful First Year of You journal. There’s plenty of room for taking note of moments both big and small, with cues to include milestones like first steps, first Christmas and first haircut. The natural linen, gender-neutral design with gold embossing is fitting for just about any family and it’s all made with forest-free paper.
Reed & Barton Jungle Parade Silverplate Photo Frame A classic silver frame gets a colorful upgrade with Reed & Barton’s Jungle Parade. This adorable 4×6 picture holder would look positively sweet in any boy or girl’s nursery, and it can be used to display a family photo from your latest adventures. To up the gift factor, personalize it for an extra $9.95.
—Taylor Clifton, Whitney C. Harris, & Jessica Payne
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Handprint calendars are a perfect way to spend a long afternoon between Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Hanging around the house for the holidays? Spend an afternoon or two working on a handprint calendar for 2023. It’s an easy project anyone can complete, and little helpers will love to lend a hand or two. After all, you’ve got a long winter break to fill with activities and printables, and by New Year’s Eve, you’ll have reached the point where painting your kids’ hands sound like a rational idea!
What You’ll Need to Make a Handprint Calendar
Heavyweight paper
Washable paint
Paper plate
Brushes
Glue
Laminating sheets (optional)
Hole punch (optional)
String (optional)
Plan It Out
We love this project because there’s no right way to make one. Keep it simple, or get super crafty— it’s all up to your kids’ imagination. Use the guide below to get started, and decide in advance what you’ll make out of each handprint. This is much easier to do before your little helper has paint all over their hands!
Paint your kids’ hands with the selected colors and have them make a print on each piece of paper. Colored paper is also an option if you want to use white paint (see January and October). Depending on your design, you may need just one handprint, a fingerprint, or even a footprint. Be sure to wash and dry your hands between each month, and continue through the year, from January to December. If you think it doesn’t look like much, don’t worry! After each month has dried, and you add the details, it’ll look awesome.
Insider Tip: Let your kids have some input with this project. While you may have a perfect vision in mind for how to execute a gorgeous Christmas tree using their sweet little hands, they might have another idea, and that’s okay.
Put it Together
Now that you have all of the months ready to go (and dry!), it’s time to put your calendar together. The easiest way to go is to order a ready-made blank calendar, such as this blank wall calendar from Amazon. For under $10, you won’t have to mess with binding or stapling, or fussing with the assembly of the calendar—glue or use double-sided tape to attach your own homemade monthly pictures to the blank template and you’re good to go.
If you want to DIY your handprint calendar, check out the simple steps below.
Print out a blank 2023 calendar from Calendar Labs. One by one, place the pages behind the handprint so that when it flips upward, you’ll have the right picture and month. For example, the calendar days for January should be glued to the February picture, the calendar days for February should be glued to March, and so on.
Insider Tip: Make sure to place the calendar month on the backside and bottom of the handprint, so as you flip each month, the painted picture is positioned the correct way.
Once you’ve glued all the calendar pages to the handprints, use the laminating sleeves to seal each one. Follow the instructions on the package, and use a ruler to eliminate any air pockets or creases.
Using a hole punch, make three holes at the top of each page (the calendar month should have the holes at the top) and one hole at the bottom (this is where the calendar will hang on the wall).
Then, using string or thin twine, run a length through each of the three holes and tie it up like you would a book (it should open from the right side). That’s it! You’ll have a fun keepsake that will hang around for an entire year.
Flip through the gallery below to look at each month of the calendar!
Family head. Source of tough love. Our greatest supporter in all we do. Fathers are special people in our lives and a constant reminder that we are loved. This Father’s Day, make Dad feel special with these fun activities that are sure to bring on the smiles and create lasting memories. After all, just like a homemade DIY card, the gift of time is priceless.
Take Dad to a Ballgame
Matt Dodd via Unsplash
Channel your inner sports fan and take Dad to a baseball game this Father’s Day. The Oakland A’s will face the Kansas City Royals at home. This three-game series starts on Friday, June 17 and runs through Sunday, June 19. Batter Up!
Classic Car Show Fun
TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton
Rev up the fun at a Classic Car Show. The Garlic City Car Show is back to Gilroy after two years! This year’s car show will take place on Saturday, June 18 from 10am-4pm in Downtown Gilroy. There will be live music, vendors, and over 200 of the coolest classic cars in Gilroy.
Celebrate Heritage and Tradition
Jim Watkins/YBG Festival
Father’s Day is a celebration of family. Enjoy a beloved Father’s Day tradition with the 20th annual Native Contemporary Arts Festival. Part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, the special event will showcase a diverse program of native music, dance, spoken word, visual artists, vendors and native crafts.
Treat Dad to an unforgettable meal and memories aboard the Hornblower’s Father’s Day Brunch Cruise. Enjoy chef-inspired, plated entrees, music and more on this picturesque two-hour yacht cruise. Bonus: Seats are assigned and you even get a keepsake photo.
Head Outdoors
iStock
Fishing is a fun pastime to spend with dad and we've got the full scoop on all the great spots in the Bay Area to cast a line. Prefer a low-key, equipment-less outing? Take a family nature walk, join a Bioblitz or tidepool tour. We also enjoy exploring while hiking with our dad and these unique and waterfall trails are perfect for an outdoor adventure everyone will remember.
Jam at a Music Festival
Brett Sayles via Pexels
The music festival scene in the Bay Area is ripe this summer! Check out San Francisco’s North Beach Festival. One of the city’s largest street fairs, the two-day event will include live music, food, arts and crafts and more Father’s Day weekend. Other fun options include the Stern Grove Festival and Novato Art, Wine and Music festival.
Quality Time at Home
TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton
Nothing beats good ole quality time at home. Does Dad have a green thumb? Plant a garden in your backyard. Here’s our list of fun gardening ideas.
Get Creative with Art
A handmade card speaks to the heart and we’ve gathered some festive DIY ideas to spark your creativity. Kick it up a bit by painting together at a local Paint Nite, Craft Night or even make a scrapbook together.
Your baby may not remember this first Valentine’s Day, but that’s no reason not to go big with hearts and sweets. Read on for outfits, activities, sweets and photo ops to make this holiday memorable. You’ll looooove how cute your photos come out.
Buy a special outfit for the big day, like this heart-printed bodysuit from Primary. It's made from 100% combed cotton slub, with snaps on the shoulder seam for easy on/off. Visit Primary's Heart Shop for this and other clothing items in lovely prints and colors.
If your baby is eating solids (or just gumming them), use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to make a sweet treat for you to share. From watermelon to toast or lasagna noodles, there are lots of foods you can cut into cute shapes. For something even more decadent, send away for Sugarwish cookies. The company offers 20+ cookie flavors, including keto-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options.
Advent calendars aren't just for Christmas anymore! Build up excitement for Valentine's Day with Mickey Mouse and this cotton canvas and felt calendar that has pockets to hold small gifts for the 14 days leading up to the big one. Fill each pocket with a love note, treat or toy, or keep it simple and just move the Mickey ears to the correct day in the countdown. Available at Pottery Barn Kids, $49.
4. Decorate with Love
Instagram-ready! Decorate with items baby will love to play with, like these wood blocks ($45) that spell out LOVE, HUGS, KISS and XOXO.
Books you and your child will love: My Little Lovebug ($35), a personalized book featuring your child's face and name with lots of sweet sentiments and cute animal images. Kisses, Kisses, Up & Down ($7, paperback) is an interactive read that'll have you giving your baby kisses on their nose, toes, belly, chin and more. I Love You Stinky Face ($7, paperback) is a sweet story about the unconditional love a mother has for her child.
Kiss your baby while wearing bright red or pink lipstick for an Instagram-winning photo. Kiley from the Under the Pear Tree blog used the app PicMonkey to add some artistic flair for this memorable photo. Pro tip: Don't use long-wearing lipstick.
7. Make Cupid Cupcakes
These red velvet cupcakes from Bakerella feature cupid arrows attached to a 6-inch lollipop stick. You'll find both the arrow printables and cupcake recipe on the Bakerella website.
8. Write Love Letters to Your Baby
Your child (and your future self) will thank you for celebrating this Valentine's Day by professing your love to your mini-sweetheart. The time capsule Letters to My Baby ($13) contains 12 fold-and-mail letters so you can continue on your tradition every Valentine's Day for years to come.
Remember how tiny baby's hands are with a keepsake you can display for Valentine's Day or all year round. This sweet heart is from Mitts, Piggys and Paws. You send them an impression of your child's hand in PlayDoh and they'll create a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Hearts and stripes and everything nice decorate these muslin swaddles ($55 for 4) from Aden & Anais. The breathable, versatile and soft fabric surrounds your little one in comfy goodness and makes everybody who sees your baby smile. Lay them on the floor during during tummy time or cover part of the car seat on a sunny day for an afternoon snooze on the go.
It has never been a better time to shop small and what better way than to start within our own communities? We’ve curated a holiday gift guide from Bay Area business owners—buy big at these small shops this year!
For the Kids
Sew Mei Mei Is there anything cuter than baby/kid joggers? The answer is no. Handmade in San Francisco, these baby and toddler joggers, bibs and bandanas (some in matching sets) are perfect stocking stuffers for your favorite little elf. Online:sewmeimei.com
Hey Carter! Books Bay Area mom Dr. Thomishia Booker wrote the Hey Carter! Book series inspired by her son, Carter, after being discouraged by the lack of representation for Black boys in children’s books. Through her books, she aims to show us all what Brown Joy is—you’ll want a copy for your little reader! Online:heycarterbooks.com
StereoType Allowing kids to be expressive and playful with their clothing, this clothing line for kids disregards fashion rules and boundaries about who should wear what and the results are dashing, if we may say so ourselves. We especially love the Hero Skirt that also doubles as a cape! Online: stereotypekids.com
Messy Play Kit These kits are… you guessed it—messy! Each themed kit comes with three to five science experiments and art projects and kids will LOVE digging their hands into these kits so get a subscription for the artist/scientist in your life! Online:messyplaykits.com
Shred Dog Want quality, outdoor performance clothing for kids that keeps them both warm and dry while they sled/ski/board/hike? Look no further than Shred Dog. As the ski team supplier for Palisades Tahoe and Bear Valley ski teams, you know it's been tested and quality proven! Online: shreddog.com
People of the World Bingo Kit Who doesn’t love a good game of bingo? Add in brightly colored traditional clothing from different cultures and countries and everyone will want in on this game! Online: sfmoma.org
DIY Christmas Ornament Kit Nothing beats Christmas tree ornaments made by kids! These kits let you choose from several animals and give your kids the chance to get creative and have a keepsake. Online:etsy.com
Solving Fun An online store that is based in Palo Alto with free delivery locally, Solving Fun offers engaging puzzles and games for kids to learn while having fun...because that's the best kind of learning there is! Puzzle packs, pal pack games and sticker sudoku books will keep little minds sharp this holiday. Don’t forget to sign up for their free daily emailed advent puzzle here. Online: solvingfun.com
Beeline Treats South Bay mom Vicki handcrafts unique, personalized cookies that are not only stunning to look at but also mouth wateringly delicious. Up the ante at your next occasion with these cookies that are guaranteed to impress! Online: beelinetreats.com
Local Food Adventures Have a foodie in your life? Gift them a Local Love food box! Choose from themes like the BBQ lover’s collection or Mai Tai cocktail party in a box that will be filled with quality products and go straight from Oakland to your giftee’s home. Online: localfoodadventures.com
Kokak Chocolates Single origin and handcrafted from sustainable and fair trade cocoa, Kokak chocolates stem from founder and chocolatier Carol Gancia’s serious love for chocolate. With a store in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, Kokak also offers local bicycle delivery locally and welcomes custom orders. Online:kokakchocolates.com
For Home
SFMOMA Living Wall tumbler With over 20,000 plants, the living wall at SFMOMA is the largest in the country and this tumbler gorgeously celebrates that in a bold, striking fashion...perfect for your every day beverages. Online: sfmoma.org
Ilke Studio Handmade batch ceramics from this Burlingame studio will add a flair of elegance and style to any home. Online:etsy.com
YeeJee Knits Based in Walnut Creek, YeeJee beautifully hand knits and crochets beanies, headbands and cowls. Send one of her cozy creations to anyone who needs an extra hug this season! Online:etsy.com
Paper Sweetly Handcrafted paper art and jewelry like you have never seen before-Paper Sweetly is based in San Jose and Nikitha’s art will blow you away! These unique gifts are perfect for the hard-to-shop for giftee on your list. Online:etsy.com
Iyoba Born out of a desire to relieve her son’s eczema using natural products, Oakland mom Efiya began experimenting in her kitchen and created what is now her famous artisan soap. Today, she handcrafts organic, natural hair, body and home products, all of which are paraben, synthetic fragrance and sulfate free and has a cult-like following. Online: iyoba.com
We don’t know what’s sweeter–all those perfectly smocked, teddy bear-toting tea goers or dessert trays rolling through Atlanta’s favorite holiday tea times. And don’t tell anyone, but many of the following tea times are visited by Santa himself! Keep reading because we’re spilling the best holiday teas in Atlanta, below.
A family-friendly tea service provides a magical landscape for children and their families to create lasting holiday memories. Santa will make his appearance to ensure all in attendance have their Christmas wishes heard. Children enjoy hot chocolate made by the pastry team, a cookie decorating kit, seasonal treats and a keepsake from Mrs. Claus that will be treasured for years to come. Boys and girls of all ages are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the children of Atlanta and support a local charity while Santa and Mrs. Claus prepare for Christmas.
Reservations required. Priced at $55 per adult and children 7 and older; $35 per children ages three through six, children two and under are complimentary, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Complimentary valet included.
Reservations may be made for either event by calling 404-237-2700. Teddy Bear Teas are $59 per adult, $52 per child on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 21, 22, and 23 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., while Teas with Santa are $59 per adult, $52 per child on Fridays-Sundays November 27th to December 23rd at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Kick off the holidays by heading to the Restaurant on Thursday, December 2 from 4-6 p.m. for the annual Holiday Tea at the Swan Coach House, but be sure to make reservations in advance. Not sure the littles will be up for putting on their holiday finest and being whisked away to a tea right after nap time? Try the brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Restaurant instead. On Sundays, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12, & 19 at 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m., your littles can enjoy the special holiday menu and excitement of seeing Santa up-close and personal.
Reservations for both the tea and the lunches can be made by online or by calling 470-343-2692, and the tea is $65 for adults or $35 for children, while the lunch with Santa is $68 for adults or $38 for children.
Enjoy the St. Regis tradition of Afternoon Tea with Santa, enjoying the impeccable service of St. Regis Butlers in the elegant and festive holiday atmosphere of Astor Court. Afternoon Tea with Santa includes hand-selected TEALEAVES complemented by delectable holiday treats. Tea with Santa gives little ones the opportunity to enjoy a magical tea ritual complete with a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. A mischievous hotel elf will also be visiting guests throughout the tea. Live music will set the perfect ambiance.
Prepaid reservation for parties of 2 to 12. $65–$85 per person from Fri.-Sun. starting Nov. 26, then daily Dec. 13-24.
Looking to capture baby memories for your family? Try out these creative ways to preserve those special moments
Almost from the minute you learn you’re pregnant, you want to remember every detail. But babies grow quickly, and it can be easy to forget how things used to be. Here are six ways to capture what life with your child is like and preserve those special baby memories.
iStock
Photo Book Creating a photo book ensures you can show your child what life was like when they were a baby, not just tell them! You are probably already taking tons of photos of your little one. Make it a point every year to print out some of those photos in an annual book. Tinybeans makes it easy to print a photo book using the photos you upload on the site. Choose a specific date, such as your child's birthday or Christmas, as the day you'll create your photo book so you don't miss a year. Find out more in our photo book FAQs.
Video Montage Moving pictures also make great memory-keepers. You don't need to be a professional director to create a great family video. Use an app like 1SE to capture just one second a day to create a short video with a big punch at the end of baby's first year and beyond. The basic app is free, but the pro version allows you to capture longer snippets of video and add features like music. Otherwise, most phones contain basic video-editing software that will allow you to stitch together several short videos to create a great, moving memory capsule.
Letters Even in the digital age, there is nothing quite like an old-fashioned handwritten letter. Notes from the heart in Mom and Dad's own handwriting will be treasured forever. A weekly letter to your child, even if it's short, will provide your child with warm memories of their childhood. Some parents choose to write letters to their child on their birthdays to highlight the previous year's major events and recap some of the day-to-day activities their child enjoyed that year. Some parents add letters on special occasions such as graduations. Collect your letters in a sturdy box and add photos or letters from siblings and other special people in your child's life. Or, wait until your child is 18 and collect the letters in a book.
Journal Keeping a journal gives the same ultra-personal feel as handwritten letters but with the convenience of having all of your notes to your child bound together in one place. Some parents-to-be even start journals to their baby when they are still expecting. We love the Baby journal from Write to Me. If you think you might get writer's block, try a guided journal like Stories for My Child: A Mother's Memory Journal, shown above. These types of journals provide prompts to guide you through what to write.
Keepsake Box There are things you will probably want to keep to help tell your baby's story. It might be a hospital bracelet, the front page of the newspaper from the day your baby was born, the first time they met their grandparents, an early drawing or a lock from their first haircut. After you designate a box as the place to store these keepsakes, make the items come to life for you (and, in the future, for your child), by writing a small note to go with each one. Over time, you may add another box or two to your collection. This is a great way to keep all of these small but important things together to ensure they don't get lost. That way, when you walk down memory lane, you will have some tangible reminders of those long-ago days and the special stories to go with them.
Email A simple way you can preserve memories of your baby is to create an email account for them. Send an email to your child to read in the future describing the events of that day or week. Include milestones but also details about your day-to-day life as a family, their friends, and how you feel about watching them grow. Some parents give their child the password to their email account when they turn 18, but there is no rule saying you need to wait that long. Be sure you log into your child's account at least once a month to keep it active!
The countdown to Christmas is on! It’s a few more months until we’ll hang up the mistletoe but Hallmark has already released its 2021 Christmas ornament keepsake collection. Including (drumroll please!) Winifred Sanderson from Hocus Pocus and Blanche from Golden Girls.
We love the new Blanche Devereaux ornament and it’s the perfect addition to any holiday tree. She’s decked out in her red wedding dress and the ornament plays audio clips of some of her classic lines on the popular TV show. It’s pre-packaged for easy gift giving and storage, so Blanche can steal the stage for years to come.
Another classic leading lady has been memorialized in ornament form, thanks to Hallmark. Winifred Sanderson rocks her signature green dress and holds a witch’s spell book and broomstick. She also comes in a commemorative box and can add a festive touch to your Halloween decor, too.
Both ornaments are $19.99 and are available to buy either online or at your local Hallmark store. The two are part of Hallmark’s larger keepsake collection that also features Baby Yoda, Harry Potter, Donkey Kong and much more. Shop the whole collection online today as you dream of merry months ahead!
