The Discreet Way to Give a Makeover Gift Certificate
Many women say they’d love a makeover, but can’t justify spending the money for one. So it seems like a gift certificate for a makeover would make the perfect gift, right? Unfortunately, such a gift can certainly be perceived wrongly – the recipient may wonder what you’re trying to tell her. No one wants to be told they need a makeover. Yet many a woman longs for such a gift. How can you give a gift certificate for a makeover and do it discretely?
Here are some tips.
1. Make It Non-Specific
If you want to be discreet, make the gift certificate something fairly ambiguous, like a day at a local spa. Don’t, for example, get her a gift certificate for cellulite treatment or a wrinkle-smoothing facial. That sends too much of a “you need to improve this feature” message. Instead, let it be her choice.
2. Pampering, Not Fixing
When you give the gift certificate, make it clear that it’s about pampering, not fixing flaws. Pedicures, manicures, and hair salon gift certificates can be given with a sense that it’s something she can do for herself. A gift certificate for a massage is also a good way to go – a massage will make her feel better, and when a woman feels better, she very well might go get her hair and face done on her own.
3. Leave Weight Out of It
This is just about always a mistake. You just can’t give a gift certificate to a diet program or gym membership without sending a “you’re too fat” message. So when it comes to makeovers, leave weight out of the equation.
4. Do It Together
Why not get yourself involved in the makeover as well? It’s a bit more tasteful if you include yourself in the “needs improvement” camp. And besides, you can make it a fun time to bond. And if the makeover involves a new wardrobe, this can be a great time to be encouraging about how good she looks in this or that. And don’t forget – you’re doing this together, so it’s not you telling her what to do or how to look. Both of you can get in on it and have fun together.
Also, the one way you can give her a gym membership is if you do it with her. Not only will it be more fun, but it’s a chance for you to both get in shape together. It shows her you’re not afraid to admit you need some exercise, too.
5. Tie It to an Event
Maybe a party is coming up, or some other event. If you give a gift certificate with that event in mind, then the makeover will have a purpose. For example, if her friend’s wedding is coming up, she might like an hour with a makeup specialist who can not only prepare her for the event, but also give her some tips and techniques for her to do her own makeup.
Don’t Forget Your Significant Other This Holiday Season – Four Tips for Staying Connected
The holiday season can bring so much stress and running here and there. In-laws are visiting, you’re visiting in-laws, and everyone is trying to make sure that no one in the family feels overlooked. But the irony here is that the holidays are supposed to be a time to reconnect with family and loved ones. That’s why we do so much visiting and hosting; but when it gets hectic you don’t really get a chance to connect at all.
And where does that leave your relationship with your spouse or partner?
Here are four tips for staying connected with your significant other this holiday season.
1. Make Your Own Holiday
There’s no hard and fast rule that says you have to open gifts on the 25th of December, or that you have to have holiday celebrations right on the date of that holiday. Why don’t you and your significant other plan a time together when it’s not a date of a party, or a date when you’re getting ready for one?
Look at your calendar and plan your night together before or after the holidays – sometimes after is the best. After all, that gives you something to look forward to in order to combat the post-holiday slump. You won’t find many parties being thrown on the day after New Year’s or the weekend before Thanksgiving! So choose an off-date for your time together.
2. Keep Out-of-Town Visits Short…and Stay in a Hotel
Many couples visit in-laws or parents during the holidays, and if those family members live out of town, travel and visiting time can be real strains on your time together with your spouse or partner. You can ease the burden and spend more time with your partner if you stay in a hotel instead of staying with family. Yes, it’s an added expense; but it really helps to be able to get away in the evenings and prepare to see your family the next day rather than having them right in your space 24/7.
Also, try to keep out-of-town visits short, no more than 2 or 3 days, to avoid everyone getting tense and your relationship with your spouse coming under strain.
3. Build on Memories
How did you and your partner spend your first holiday season together? Is there a possibility that you can go back to that same place for a special time, even if it’s just for a few hours? Building on memories can be a great way for couples to re-ignite their relationship and stay in touch during the holidays.
4. Don’t Let Guilt Get to You
Some couples get the guilt trip from their families about how and with whom they choose to spend the holidays. One of the big keys to staying connected with your significant other this time of year is to be firm with your holiday plans. If you want to spend Christmas or New Year’s or even Thanksgiving at your own home, that’s your own choice. Your significant other and you can grow closer by developing traditions of your own.
Cranberry Chicken
Ingredients
4 pounds of chicken (your choice of cuts)
1 oz package of dry onion soup mix
1 16 oz can of whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 cup of spicy-sweet French dressing
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 13 x 9 inch baking dish by greasing it lightly so the chicken won’t stick.
Rinse chicken with cold water and then pat it dry. Place the chicken into the baking dish in a single layer.
Using a mixing bowl and spoon, mix together soup mix, cranberry sauce and french dressing. Pour evenly over chicken.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil to keep the heat and moisture in. Bake for 40 minutes at 400 degrees.
Carefully remove foil, reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 20 minutes.
All dish to rest and cool for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Five Top Tips for Potty Training Girls
Are you seeing the signs that it’s time to potty train your little girl? Learning as much as you can about it is the best place to start! Here are five top tips for potty training girls.
1. Potty with Mommy
Whenever it’s convenient, let your daughter watch you use the bathroom. Try to get over any privacy hang-ups; remember, this is a learning experience, and toddlers learn by watching! Talk about the process, too, as you do each step.
2. Wear Dresses
One of the advantages to potty training a little girl is that she can wear dresses. These are much easier to lift up for potty access, and if you’re hanging around the house for a “training day,” you can leave off her underwear to make it even more convenient.
Beware, though – even adult women sometimes find their long dresses or skirts may have a close brush with the toilet water. Shorter dresses are best for potty training, but for longer dresses, show your toddler how to get the material out of the way by tucking it into the dress’s neck hole.
3. Potty Chairs
A potty chair is a good idea for a little girl, who may find it hard to sit on a large toilet seat. Also, she can watch you use the big toilet while she uses her chair. They are easy to sit down on, too, and don’t require any climbing. Let her put a few stickers on it so she feels like it belongs to her.
You can use an insert that fits into the seat of a full-size toilet as well, but when you first start, it’s a good idea to stick with just one place for her to go. She’ll likely be more flexible about where she’ll use the bathroom once she is confident.
4. Sitting Like a Lady
Toilet seats are big for little girls, and they will sometimes place their knees far apart to stay upright. This sets the stage for urine to go where it shouldn’t, such as in a spray. Show your little girl that she should keep her knees closer together and over the front of the toilet seat. It might help if she leans forward a bit.
5. Always Front to Back
It’s easier for toddlers with developing motor skills to reach down and swipe the toilet paper from back to front. But this is a habit that makes little girls more prone to bladder infections. It may require a little more coordination, but make sure your daughter knows to reach round and go from front to back.
Five Top Tips for Potty Training Boys
Potty training is a big milestone, and it’s a significant step for parents and their kids. It can also be a difficult time if you have unrealistic expectations. Boys also present different potty training challenges than girls. If you’re getting ready to potty train your little man, there are some specific tips that can help. Here are five of the top tips for potty training boys.
1. Sit or Stand?
Older kids and adult men stand up to urinate, but toddler boys may be better off sitting at first. For one thing, they may be too short to reach the toilet without standing on a stool, and for another, it will make it easier to move into the bowel movement phase of potty training (it’s recommended to work on liquid waste first).
2. Is He Ready?
Generally speaking, boys are a bit later to potty train than girls. There are exceptions, of course, so the key is to watch your boy for signs that he’s ready. Here are some signs that he’s ready to try:
* He wants to watch Daddy, big brother, or other male family members use the toilet.
* He is able to pull his pants up and down.
* The feeling of a wet or soiled diaper makes him uncomfortable.
* He will start to stay dry for a couple of hours at a time, and even overnight.
3. Potty Chairs or Inserts?
For boys, small potty chairs may work better than the full-size toilet (especially if your boy insists on standing up, despite tip #1 above!). Also, small, sturdy potty chairs allow him to see family members use the toilet at the same time that he is using his. Potty chairs also tend to be sturdier, and some have a “pee guard” in the front in case your son’s aim is more out than down!
A toilet seat insert is the choice of parents on the go – they can stick the insert into any standard toilet. However, you still need a stool for him to get up to the toilet.
4. Aim
Many an adult female bemoans her man’s inability to aim into the toilet! Start your son off right by helping him learn how to aim. Some parents have had luck by tossing in a few bits of o-shaped cereal for their boys to aim at; others purchase specially-designed “targets.”
5. Where Leaks Happen
Remember that for boys, leaks happen higher up than with girls. If you use a leak pad in bed at night, move it up higher than for a girl. Leaks tend to happen near or over the top of the underwear toward the waist.
Gourmet Gift Ideas Everyone Will Love
Giving gourmet gifts is special to giver and recipient alike. Gourmet foods offer a taste of luxury and give the recipient a sense of being pampered. Need some ideas? Here are six gourmet gift ideas for the special person on your gift list.
1. Mushroom Basket
Gather varieties of dried mushrooms (from the grocery store or gourmet food shop, of course!) and arrange them nicely in a classy basket. Dried mushrooms are unique and some varieties, like Morels, are rare and special. Include recipes with your gift if you like.
2. Artisan Chocolate
The artisan food revolution is fully underway. You can find some amazing chocolates from small makers, either locally, through catalogues, or online. Chocolate spiced with red pepper, chilies, lavender, and other exotic flavors are available.
Spun sugar – sugar that’s cooked and then spun into crisp threads – can be coated with chocolate for a crispy, gourmet chocolate treat. You can even find chocolate-covered potato chips! A box of artisan chocolate is a gift that will not soon be forgotten.
3. Artisan Candy
From sea-salt caramels to chili and cinnamon-spiced nuts, artisan candy is definitely part of the artisan food resurgence. Individual candy makers are using time-honored methods to produce candies that are both modern and timeless. Look for locally-made candy, or order from any of a growing number of artisan candy makers.
4. Pickles
It’s not your average dill out there these days! Homemade pickles in gourmet flavors and varieties are all over the internet…and possibly in your community. More than just cucumber pickles are making it into pickle jars these days – from beets to hot peppers to cabbage, an assortment of pickles in various flavors and colors would make a great gourmet gift.
5. Gourmet Sauces
It’s amazing what gourmet sauces are out there. Hot sauces abound, each claiming to be hotter than the last. Relish, salsa, barbecue sauce, and ethnic sauces (such as Asian, Indian, and Italian) are making their way into the edible gourmet gifts realm. Why not put together a sampler of hot sauces, or a “world tour” of ethnic sauces? Include some classy blue corn chips with a jar or two of gourmet salsa.
6. Wine and Cheese
Wine and cheese make a classy gift that are always a hit. Gourmet cheeses are available in many wine shops, and also in some grocery stores. Experts say to match the level of tartness when choosing a wine and cheese combination. A more sour wine goes with a sharp cheese, while sweet wines do better with soft cheeses. If you like, choose a wine and cheese from the same region or area of the world.
Carrot Orzo
Ingredients
8 ounces carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Preparation
Using a food processor, process carrots until finely chopped.
On the stove over medium heat (or using the microwave), heat broth and water until almost boiling.
In a caucepan over medium heat, add butter, carrots, garlic and onions. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add orzo, hot broth mix, salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed
During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time, add parmesan cheese, chives, and thyme. Serve immediately.
Edible Gifts for the Candy Lover
Do you have a candy lover or two on your gift list? You can make or buy some wonderful candy gifts to satisfy your friends and family members with a sweet tooth. Here are some ideas for edible gifts for the candy lover.
1. Candy Flowers
This is one of those gifts that looks impressive, but is not too hard to put together. Here’s what you need:
* 1 large flower vase
* Floral foam
* 1 package bamboo skewers
* Hot glue gun
* Wrapped candy (candy bars, wrapped hard candies, taffy – pretty much any size and shape of wrapped candy will work)
Glue the wrapped candy to the blunt end of each skewer. You’ll be gluing the candy to the side of the skewer toward the end. Glue several small wrapped candies in a row. Then stick the pointed ends of the skewers into the floral foam to make a tasty arrangement.
2. Cherry Cordials
You can make cherry cordials with a lovely liquid center! If you prefer a creamy center, leave out the invertase in the recipe below.
Ingredients:
* 1 20-ounce jar of maraschino cherries (no stem)
* 1/4 cup soft butter
* 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
* 2 tablespoons liquid from the jar of cherries
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon liquid invertase (this is an enzyme that helps sugar to dissolve into a liquid – find it in the baking or candy-making section of your grocery or local retailer)
* 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
* 16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
Drain the cherries, reserving the liquid. Pat cherries dry with paper towels and allow cherries to sit on paper towels on a wire rack while you make the fondant.
In an electric mixer, cream the butter, corn syrup, 2 tablespoons cherry liquid, almond and vanilla extracts, and invertase. Turn off the mixer and add the powdered sugar and mix on the lowest setting until the mixture forms a ball. It should be about the consistency of soft play-dough, but not as stiff as modeling clay and not too soft and sticky to handle. Add a bit more powdered sugar if necessary.
Mold a quarter-size amount of fondant around each cherry and place on a wax paper-covered cookie sheet. When all the cherries are covered, place them in the refrigerator for about half an hour while you melt about the chocolate in a double boiler. If possible, don’t let the chocolate get above 115 degrees F. This makes for a much smoother coating.
Using a fork, dip each fondant-covered cherry in the chocolate and coat thoroughly. Place on a wax paper-covered cookie sheet and seal any holes in the chocolate coating by dabbing on more. Allow the cherries to harden and store at room temperature while the fondant liquefies. It should take about a week. Taste-testing is the fun part!
3. Classic Chocolate-Covered Toffee
This recipe is simple, but precise.
Ingredients:
* 2 sticks butter
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
In a heavy saucepan, combine butter and sugar. Stir over medium heat until the butter is melted, and then bring the mixture to a boil. Stirring occasionally, simmer until it reaches 285 degrees F. It will be a rich, amber color. Then pour the mixture onto a parchment paper-covered jelly roll pan and sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips. After a few minutes, spread the softened chocolate with a rubber spatula. Refrigerate for an hour or so, then break into pieces and place in an airtight gift container.
Easy-to-Mail Holiday Gift Ideas
You really want to send your out-of-town relative a new throw rug, but that’s not going to ship easily (or cheaply). And how can you mail a tasty holiday cake or other goodies without damage or spoilage? Thankfully, there are gifts you can send that are much easier to ship than a recliner or a delicate glass vase. Here are some ideas for easy-to-mail holiday gifts.
1. Have It Shipped
This isn’t a cop-out – part of making something easy is having someone else do it! Online and on paper, companies tout their shipping options. Gift baskets are a good choice; you can personalize them to include items that are appropriate to the individual, and the company will ship to the recipient’s address. Flowers and food gifts, such as fresh fruit, popcorn, or holiday hams, are also easily shipped through the companies that sell them.
Here’s where getting online can help, too – retailers over the internet like Amazon and eBay take care of the shipping for you – sometimes for free.
2. Jewelry
Some pieces of jewelry are quite flat, and that’s what you need to look for. Earrings that can be laid flat can even be put inside a holiday card. Necklaces with a flat pendant are easily slipped into a padded envelope. Pins and brooches also come in flat varieties. Choosing lightweight items will also add to the ease of shipment.
3. Thin Wooden Ornaments
Many wooden ornaments are beautiful and intricate, cut out of thin pieces of lightweight wood like balsa or pine. These can also be slipped inside a holiday card.
4. Subscriptions
All you have to mail is the card, and sometimes the company even does that! From fruit to flowers to bread, you can sign someone up to receive a monthly gift for the next 6 to 12 months. You can also buy them a subscription to a magazine.
5. Mat Frames
Pressed flowers or photos look great in mat frames, which are simply two pieces of thin cardboard cut into a frame shape. Skip the solid frame around the mat and you have a stylish, framed print, photo, or craft that’s quite easy to ship.
6. Electronics Accessories
There’s a cell phone wallet available now, and it’s flat and lightweight – just right for mailing. Phone carrying cases and covers are also easy to ship. There are also easy-to-ship iPad covers that give your screen a cleaning each time you take them off.
Comfort Food: Giving Soup as a Gift
There is something so comforting about soup, especially during the chill of autumn and winter. It’s definitely a food that asks to be shared, but it can be hard to come up with ideas for giving soup as a gift. There are some great ready-made soups and some you can make yourself. Here are some ideas for giving this wonderful comfort food as a gift.
1. Chili Bean and Rice Soup
In a small zip-top bag, place the following ingredients:
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* 2 teaspoons garlic powder
* 2 teaspoons onion powder
* 1 teaspoon turmeric
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Once the spices are in the bag, zip it up and place it in the bottom of the jar. Then add the following dried, uncooked ingredients in this order:
* 1/3 cup black beans
* 1/2 cup brown rice
* 1/3 cup kidney beans
* 1/3 cup white beans (such as navy beans)
Use the jar’s proper top, but cover it with a pretty square of cloth tied with a ribbon. Include a card with the recipe instructions below, either attached with the ribbon, written on the top or side of the jar, or tucked into the mix.
To make soup:
Empty beans into a large bowl and cover with water (about 2 inches above the beans); cover and leave overnight. Drain. In a large pot, place beans and spice mix. Add 8 cups (2 quarts) of chicken broth or half chicken broth and half water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 2 hours. Add more liquid as it cooks if desired. Add salt and pepper to taste at the end of cooking time.
2. Vegetable Soup Basket
Give a lovely gift of soup with only a little assembly required! Here is how to make a vegetable soup gift basket.
In a nice basket, place the following items:
* 2 cans or 1 one-quart carton beef or chicken stock
* 1 can mixed vegetables
* 1 can petite-diced tomatoes
* 1 eight-ounce can tomato juice or V8
Include the directions below written on a pretty card.
Directions for soup:
In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add 1 small chopped onion and saut
Butternut Squash with Sage
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1/4 cup water
Directions
In a skillet over medium heat, add the butter and squash. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add water and sage, reduce heat cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until squash is tender.
Give the Gift of Food! Ten Baked Goods that Make Great Gifts
Do you love to bake? Baked goods make wonderful gifts, and if you love baking, they are a great excuse to get into the kitchen!
When it comes to giving baked goods as gifts, some work better than others. Some baked goods get soggy if left out for a day or more, whilst others keep well. Others can be frozen and given as gifts as the need arises. Sticky frostings can make gift-giving tricky, too.
This list of ten baked goods takes those characteristics into consideration, and it’s not just for holiday season giving. Many of these items can be given as gifts any time of the year.
Get out your mixing bowls, and choose some lovely gift ideas from this list.
1. Sweet and Quick Breads
Banana bread, zucchini bread, cinnamon bread, gingerbread, and other sweet breads make wonderful gifts. Baked in a loaf or Bundt pan, these breads freeze very well – the recipient will never know it’s not freshly baked.
2. Muffins
Your favorite muffin recipe will likely make a great gift. Also easily frozen, muffins don’t require frosting and the varieties are practically endless. Here are some types of muffins to consider:
* Chocolate chip banana
* Jelly-filled (place a small amount of batter into the bottom of the muffin cup, dollop on a teaspoon of jam or jelly, and top with more batter)
* Apple (stir chunks of grated or chopped apple into a basic muffin recipe; season with cinnamon)
* Carrot (think carrot cake)
* Spice or gingerbread
3. Cookies
There are so many cookies that freeze well and have good gift-giving qualities. There are also some that don’t! Meringues, for instance, don’t usually do well as gifts unless you give them within hours of making them (which might work for you depending on your schedule). Gooey cookies may or may not work, depending on the container you have. Here are some cookie types that make good gifts:
* Chocolate chip (these freeze well)
* Gingerbread snaps or “people” (also a good candidate for freezing)
* Sugar cookies
* “Icebox” cookies
4. Sheet Cakes
Sheet cakes work a bit better than layer cakes for giving. You can put them in a box and not worry about frosting on all sides. You can also freeze sheet cakes, and just pull them out of the freezer and frost them right before giving.
5. Shortbread
Old-fashioned shortbread is a great “keeper,” and you can cut it into all sorts of shapes like cookies.
6. Brownies
Whether you use a mix or make them from scratch, brownies freeze well and stand up well to being put into containers.
7. Fudge
Maybe it’s not actually baking, but fudge is a winner during the holidays and any other gift-giving occasion.
8. Peanut Brittle
Classic and tasty, peanut brittle can be made in large batches and portioned for multiple gifts.
9. Bread
Baked goods don’t have to be sweet! Bake some lovely loaves of bread and freeze or give right away. Here are some kinds of bread you can bake for gifts:
* Whole wheat
* Basic white
* French (needs to be frozen if not given within 12 hours)
* Herb
* Multi-grain
10. Nut Clusters
Almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and hazelnuts make wonderful clusters when coated with chocolate. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
How Accessorizing Can Bring Life to Your Winter Wardrobe
Sometimes you get tired of dragging out the same sweater for the tenth time during cold weather. And winter clothes tend to be fairly drab earth tones, or dark neutrals like black and brown. This winter, accessorize to bring life to your wardrobe! Here are some tips.
1. Handbags
This simple but colorful way to add vibrancy to your winter wardrobe can actually be very affordable. And handbags are highly customizable – you can even make your own. Larger handbags with buckles and large straps add balance to thicker clothing. Wide stripes and bold patterns can also make a lively fashion statement.
2. Scarves
No mention of winter clothing would be complete without discussing scarves. This is an obvious area for personal expression, including bright colors and patterns. One of the fun things about scarves is that they rarely go out of style. So choose something that says “you” and wear it when you need a colorful kick with your winter clothes.
3. Boots
Whether you live in an area of the world with a lot of cold, wet weather or whether you live somewhere much warmer, boots are still part of winter fashion. If you are going more for a wintry look without having to slog through slush and snow, opt for attractive boots that are more about fashion that practicality – think pointy toes, heels, and faux fur.
4. Hats
It’s good to have a few nice winter hats on hand (and head!), but to really make your winter hats an accessory, go for interesting colors and styles. And you can make the hat part of your outfit so you don’t have to take it off and mess up your hair. Another way to avoid hat-head is to sneak a little mousse and a few bobby pins in your handbag so you can duck into the restroom to fix your hair right after you take off your hat.
Hats can add interest and volume to plain, slim coats and basic scarves. Chunky, randomly-shaped hats look great with a thin scarf and thick gloves. A small, plain hat can accentuate an elaborate scarf and colorful gloves.
5. Coats
One of the fun things about coats is that they can act like a blank canvas – you can add scarves, hats and gloves to a coat to give it a whole new look. Think contrast: a chunky scarf looks fabulous over a sleek leather jacket, and a long, colorful, slim scarf can give a whole new look to a full-length coat.
How Do You Know Your Child Is Ready to Potty Train?
From the time their babies can walk, parents begin wondering when it’s time to potty train. You watch for signs, and, even though you know you shouldn’t, you compare your child’s readiness with that of other children. Is it time? Will it be a problem if you rush him or her? While every child is different, there are some general guidelines to help you choose the right time to start the training process.
Here are some tips for knowing when your child is ready to potty train.
1. Age
Some children potty train as early as 15 months (or at least they’re ready to start), while others aren’t even interested in starting until they are close to three years old. This is all within the range of normal, although if you have a late one it can be frustrating. Still, understanding that it’s okay if your child isn’t ready to start until age three or so can help ease your concerns.
2. Signs of Readiness
Perhaps a better indication than age are the signs that your child is ready to begin potty training. Here are some of the things to look for as you determine when to start potty training your child.
* He or she has soiled diapers at about the same time every day. This means he is starting to be more regular in his bathroom habits and a rough schedule or training routine could be implemented.
* His diaper stays dry for some time, for two hours or upon waking from a nap.
* He follows family members into the bathroom to see what they’re doing, and shows general interest in the toilet and using it.
* He knows words that involve the bathroom, like “pee” or “poop” or whatever your family says.
3. Communication
A big part of potty training is communication. You’re watching for signs, yes, but it’s important for success that your toddler be able to tell you in some way that he or she has to use the bathroom. It could be signs they make with their hands, or gestures like tugging at their diaper. So try to foster the communication relationship with your toddler, and once you have some kind of back-and-forth, you’re more likely to succeed when you start potty training.
Also, it’s important that your toddler be able to follow directions, as this is crucial with potty training.
4. Pants Up and Down
Can your toddler pull his or her pants up and down again? That’s another sign of physical readiness (although not necessarily emotional readiness).
As you look for these signs, it’s important to realize that they happen at different ages for different people; but you can begin to watch for them at around the age of 18 months (if you haven’t seen any signs sooner).
Two-Cheese Squash Casserole
Ingredients
4 pounds yellow squash, sliced
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
1 large sweet onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 cups soft breadcrumbs, divided
1 1/4 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh chives
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350
Proper Packing Materials: Prevent Damage to Your Holiday Gifts
To avoid breakage and damage to your holiday gifts, it’s important to use the right packing materials. There are some very effective materials that may surprise you, and some you may have around your house. Others are easily purchased at an office supply store or post office.
Here are some tips and ideas for proper packaging materials to prevent damage to your gifts this season.
1. Plastic Bags
When you go grocery shopping, do you save your plastic bags? Many people do, and recycle them around the house or at a local facility. You can also recycle them as packing material. Wadded up and placed in the bottom of your shipping box, they make a great cushion. Then you can fill the rest of the box with more plastic bags until the item is snug and cushioned.
2. Foam
Solid pieces of foam can be cut or wrapped, depending on which form you use.
Hard foam – the sort of stuff you see in the box when you open up a new appliance or electronic device – is lightweight and sturdy. You can use a box cutter to cut such foam into shapes that fit around your item and wedge firmly against the side of the box. (You can fill in extra space between the item and the foam shapes with newspaper or plastic bags.)
Soft foam is often used to ship produce and delicate foods. You can wrap this kind of foam, which often has an “egg carton” texture, around your item before placing it in the box. You will probably still need something else to fill in the empty spaces.
3. Packing Peanuts
Beloved by children everywhere, packages filled with foam packing peanuts can be as much fun to receive as the gift itself! Peanuts are lightweight and provide a lot of cushioning, but they do tend to settle during shipment, which means your item might end up jostled around more than it did when you first packaged it.
4. Newspaper
Old-fashioned but pretty effective, newspaper helps absorb shocks. In addition to wrapping your item in newspaper, you can wad it up and fill in all the spaces tightly. Make sure you have extra newspaper on the bottom of the box before placing your wrapped item in there so the bottom is cushioned too.
5. Bubble Wrap
This is also a packaging material that children love. It comes in small or large “bubbles” or sealed air pockets. It’s not suggested for heavy items, but is great for lightweight things. It’s a good idea to use multiple layers.
UPS recommends wrapping each item separately if you’re mailing multiple items, and leave space for several layers of bubble wrap between each item so they don’t knock into each other.