A Bouquet of Flowers

When you’re in the hospital, seeing a vase of flowers by your bedside reminds us that we aren’t so alone. They make a hospital room feel less frightening and sterile. That’s why flowers continue to be one of the most popular get-well gifts available. When getting flowers for someone who is sick or recuperating, you should keep in mind a couple of things. Bright colors are a particularly great idea for someone who needs cheering up, which is why yellow is such a popular color for a get-well flower arrangement. Also remember to include some kind of note or card with the bouquet. This is especially important if you’re having them delivered. This way the person stuck in the hospital knows exactly who sent them the flowers and that you are wishing them well.

Plush Animals

The stuffed animal is another popular idea, if not quite on par with flowers as the king of get-well gifts. This adorable toy is sweet and cuddly, and downright comforting when you’re miserable. And there are plenty of ways you could go with the gift. Get them a classic teddy bear, a stuffed cat, or even a plush lizard. If you know they have a much loved pet, but the animal can’t be with them at the hospital, get them its plush equivalent.

In fact, there are many more things you can do with plush toys to personalize them for the person who needs the gift. For example, say you have a niece who broke an arm. Get a cute teddy bear, and wrap some gauze around its furry little arm so it looks like it has a cast just like hers! You can sometimes even find “pre-made” versions of this get-well teddy with a cast and a miniature version of crutches. Hospital gift shops often have this kind of thing. You can also pair the plush toy with something else to dress the gift up a little. Have your teddy bear hold a box of chocolates, a cheerful yellow rose, or just a nice get-well card. Making your stuffed animal gift extra special is really easy to do!

An Entertainment Package

When recuperating from an injury or illness you are not only miserable, you’re usually also bored. You’re stuck in a hospital bed, or maybe you’re lucky enough to be home in bed, but either way your mobility and energy is limited. That’s why putting together a gift bag of things to entertain is such a thoughtful gift idea. You could keep it simple and budget friendly by just getting a book and deck of cards and putting them in a small gift bag, or you could go all out.

There’s a lot of room for putting things you think they’ll like best in too. You could also include board games, handheld games, movies (if they have someplace to watch them), magazines, or even a subscription to Netflix if they’re recuperating at home. If they’re a child include toys, stuffed animals, and coloring books. Put in any combination of these items and you can make your gift as simple or as extravagant as you wish.

A get-well gift can really brighten someone’s day and dispel the tedium that most ill or recuperating people have to deal with. These three thoughtful ideas will do a lot for making someone’s road to recovering just that much easier!

Throughout time, people have celebrated by giving gifts, and that’s no different with newborn babies and their families. We commonly give gifts such as baby clothes, strollers, car seats, hampers, diapers, formula, lotions and creams, and toys. One of the best ways to give multiple gifts is to give a baby gift basket filled with essential items that can also be used to store small things that often get misplaced.

Personalized gifts for babies are always a welcome gesture. Custom picture frames are always appreciated and used for many years. Other personalized items that make great baby gifts are towel sets, toy boxes, diaper bags, baby blankets, and toys. You can even get personalized gift baskets that specifically cater to the interests of the new parents, such as their favorite football team, animal, cartoon character, or the theme of the nursery. If the newborn has siblings, it’s easy to include a small gift for them as well.

Newborn baby gift baskets are great baby shower gift ideas that can be filled with items that will come in handy from before the family comes home from the hospital. A newborn baby gift basket can contain such necessities as bibs, socks, hats, diapers, wipes, lotions, soaps, rattles, or any other little trinket you can think of that the new family will need and appreciate.

Organic baby gift baskets and arrangements contain an array of items made from 100% certified organic cotton, so the gift is safe and healthy for the new baby. The items included are often items like a hooded towel, washcloth, a bodysuit, leggings, socks, a bib, blanket and a plush toy. An arrangement, or bouquet, looks like a flower arrangement but includes items of clothing rolled into shapes that appear to be roses. Small items are used to make these “roses” such as a bib, a hat, socks, and a t-shirt.

Another really cute idea for a baby shower gift we’ve seen is to bring a diaper cake centerpiece! The “cake” is actually two layers of biodegradable chlorine free disposable diapers, an organic cotton stuffed animal, a container of cheek and lip balm, and a bar of natural and organic baby soap. No chemicals or synthetics are used to manufacture such items, so they are safe for the new baby and for the environment. By giving an organic baby gift basket full of organic cotton and other natural items, you are not only bringing joy, but you are also helping to do your part to protect our planet!

Keeping kids occupied isn’t always easy. Most of us don’t want our kids raised by the television or video games, we want to come up with more interactive and wholesome activities that teach our children to be more creative, dynamic individuals. Both little boys and little girls need these kinds of activities, but today we’re going to explain an activity specifically (though not primarily) for little girls. One great pastime involves that old favorite, the teddy bear. You can create your own workshop for designing and dressing up a teddy bear, (or any other stuffed animal if your child has another favorite).

You can take several tacks for this project, and you can either use an existing toy from your little girl’s collection, or you can buy a brand new one. This works best if you get a new toy that is “naked” and not already covered in accessories or clothing. First thing you’ll need to do is get the teddy bear you’re transforming, and some potential accessories, these can include some of your child’s old clothes, a pair of scissors, ribbons, and clothing tape. Now that you’ve got that ready, lay the groundwork. Get some white sheets of paper and crayons. This will allow you to create blueprints for the bear. Start by drawing the bear itself and then dress it up as if it’s your model. Be creative and use your imagination. You could draw a fun beach outfit with a hat and sunglasses, or maybe make it in to a winter bear, with a hat, scarf, gloves and coat. The possibilities are near endless. Use the accessories you already have and consider carefully what they can be made into.

If you need a further example, just take a look at what my daughter and I created one afternoon. This was in the middle of winter, and she wanted to make sure that Snuggles, her favorite plush dog, would be warm and ready for the cold nights ahead. So the first thing we did was make a couple of drawings until we came up with one that was perfect. Then we dressed him up. We had some old baby socks of hers, and so we used them to create four “booties” for his paws. Some of these were too big for Snuggles, but we made it work by using some pretty matching ribbon to make sure that they were tied on tight. Next, we used an old t-shirt of hers, cut it into a square, and sewed some ribbon on the edges. This created a nice blanket for Snuggles, which we wrapped around his shoulders so that he got to be “super dog”. This way we made sure the blanket wouldn’t get lost, and Snuggles would get to stay warm!

Next, we decided to create a night cap so that he was all ready for bed. This was the most difficult of all our accessories to create. Originally we had planned to use one of my shower caps, but it turned out they were all too big for her stuffed puppy’s head. So instead we improvised. We cut the top of one of her dad’s white socks, and used some ribbon to make a pom pom on the top. So it looked like he was wearing a real winter cap! Snuggles was one stylish (and warm) stuffed dog! This was really a great activity to keep my daughter busy on a cold winter day, and we created some great memories!

So as you can see, this could be a great activity for you and your little girl too. It’s also a perfect indoor hobby, for those unpleasant rainy or snowy days outdoors. This is a great way spruce up an old toy, or a fun and creative way to create a new toy!

Food is a big part of the night. You’ll need to get plenty of snacks together for the evening. These can include pretzels, mozzarella sticks, cookies and chips. You’ll also need drinks, but to keep the hyper-activity levels down you’ll want to stick with those drinks that are low in sugar, such as water and milk. Juices often contain a fair amount of sugar, so you’ll want to save those for the morning, along with things like toast, peanut butter and jelly, and pancake mix.

So, once you have your menu planned, it’s time to move on to the entertainment. A few slumber party games can go a long way toward making your party a night to remember.

Friendship Bracelets

This is a great, low-key way to cement friendships and start off the night right. Get some embroidery thread in different colors, and show the kids how to make friendship bracelets. First, start off with six strings, about 10 inches long, for each bracelet. Second, tie a knot at one end and then group the strings two by two. Now you’ll start braiding, making sure that one third of the way down you switch the pairings, so that you get a pattern. Switch again when you get another two-thirds of the way down. Finally, when you are almost all the way to the end of the threads, tie a know. And there you have it! Now all you have to do is have the kids pass the bracelet that they made to the child on their right, and everyone will get a token of friendship.

Stuffed Animals Game

This will require a little planning ahead. Ask each child (and their parents) to bring their favorite plush toy to the party. Make sure that you have a couple of extra teddy bears on hand, because you never know if someone will forget theirs. Take each child’s stuffed animal, and put it in a large bin. Then each kid will be blindfolded and have 20 seconds to go through the bin and find their toy by touch. At the end of the game, celebrate their success with some milk and cookies. This is a great game because there are no losers!

Decorate Your Pillowcase

What could be a better activity for a slumber party then decorating a pillowcase? You’ll need to gather some items for this one: plain white pillowcases, paint, stickers, glitter, and markers. Have each child decorate one of the cases in any theme they desire. This is a great arts and crafts project that really lets the imagination roam free, and it allows the kids to bring home a fun souvenir from the party!

Lullaby Game

Now it’s time to calm the kids down so that they’ll go to bed. The plushies they brought earlier for the bin game will make a great tool. Have all the kids put their stuffed animals to bed, and tell them that they need to sing a lullaby to their toys so that they go to sleep! You can have them sing alone, or together. When they get done singing, tell them that they have to be quiet now so that their plush toys can fall asleep. And there you go! Everyone’s asleep and ready for another great day tomorrow, and your party’s a success!

We had ten girls invited as guests, and I knew that with those kinds of numbers it was quite possible that someone would forget their plush toy at home. So that is why I decided to have a couple extra stuffed animals and teddy bears on hand. And sure enough two girls forgot their toy. One of the girl’s forget her favorite teddy bear in her mom’s car, and the other had just lost her favorite plush dog at school. Luckily, my extras managed to head off the tears at the pass, and then we could get to the games. Here are some of the games we played, and hopefully they’ll be able to help you if you want to create your own stuffed animal party.

The Stuffed Animals Treasure Hunt

This one I had to think ahead for, as before the party started I hid a teddy bear somewhere in our house. I then used post-it notes to write down some clues. The first post-it note I gave to my daughter’s plush dog, Fluffy. This clue would lead them to the next and so on, until they (and their companion stuffed animals) finally found the teddy bear. But the game didn’t end there. The teddy bear himself contained another clue. You see, I had gotten some teddy bear cookies (to continue the theme) and hidden them also. This was a great game and all of the girls had a lot of fun.

Pin the Tail on the Bunny

While not as inventive as the treasure hunt, this variation of pin the tail is a classic for a reason. My daughter had a big stuffed bunny she had gotten for Easter. Realizing this would be perfect, I turned the bunny around so it’s back was to the girls, and made a tail out of Velcro and some bandanas. That way, the girl’s could be blindfolded, and whoever got the tail in the right place would stick with the Velcro. We played in teams, and the team that won (by pinning the tail the most times) would get to be the first to take a picture in the bunny’s lap. This kept the girl’s busy, and the prize was benign enough that we didn’t have any jealousy issues.

Stuffed Animals Fairy Tale

After stuffed animal crackers and cake, we had time for one last game. We turned their plush toys, every plush dog, stuffed cat, stuffed raccoon and teddy bear, into a character in a fairy tale. This really let them be creative, and I was careful to make sure that each little girl’s plushie got an important role. Since everyone wanted to be princesses, I let everyone do that and then they had to work together to overcome obstacles and get to the palace in time for the queen’s birthday. This imaginative game was a great success.

As you can see, everyone had a wonderful time and my daughter said this was the best birthday party she had ever had! And the best part, I was able to throw a great party without breaking my budget! My daughter decided that this was a good omen for her year six, and I have to agree. With a little bit of imagination, a stuffed animal party can be a great way for everyone to have a blast!

Toy Hammock

This probably sounds unusual, as when we hear the word “hammock” we picture a comfortable place to rest on the beach of an exotic island. But a toy hammock is a great place to “rest” all your child’s toys, and is interesting enough that your kid may actually enjoy putting their toys away. It’s also a great space saver, allowing you to hang it anywhere that works, whether it is a corner of the room or between a couple of pieces of furniture. Regardless of where you put it, suddenly you have a place to drop toys in, allowing you to not have to trip over them every time you enter your son or daughter’s bedroom.

Chain Gang

While not able to hold as many toys as the toy hammock, this nifty organizational gadget can allow you to save some major space. Toys can be hung on a chain, which you can put on any door or wall, whatever is most convenient for you. Hanging the toys behind a door can be an especially good idea, because that way the toys are “hidden” away, and the room looks much less cluttered. This is a great way to store those toys that are most often used!

Ceiling-Drop Organizer

Similar to the chain gang, a ceiling drop organizer is a big bag that can be hung anywhere and hold many more of your child’s toys. This organizer can even make a great decorative touch, as the bags come in practically any color of the rainbow, which allows you to get one that matches the room. Throwing your child’s stuffed plushies into these bags allows also for easy clean up. A good place for this type of organizer is by the bed or door, but you can put it wherever works best for you.

Spiral Hamper or Storage Bins

Now it’s time to move on from the “suspended” storage items. A spiral hamper or storage bin is a great and more simple way to organize your child’s stuffed toy animals without having to put nails into the wall. This way all your child’s toys can be put in one place, or you can buy a couple smaller ones if you want a little more organization, such as stuffed animals in one bin and balls and other sports equipment in the other. Just make sure that the hamper you purchase is soft-sided, as this eliminates the dangers of sharp corners. A soft cloth hamper would be your best bet, or even a laundry hamper. Some of these come with transparent cloth, which would allow you and your child to spot that teddy bear they need much quicker.

Toy Box

If you’re looking for something a little more classy, and you have a bigger budget, a toy box is another great option. You can often find one that matches the other furniture in your child’s room, in fact, some bedroom furniture sets even come with their own. You can put this chest under a window, or at the end of the bed. Just make sure not to set anything else on the top of the chest, as this is one lid that is going to be opened and closed a lot.

So there you go! Toy organization is a snap with these five ideas. You don’t have to put up with a chaos filled bedroom, and you can do it without breaking the bank either!

Some stuffed animals can be machine washed. Check the label to see if the material is washing machine friendly. If it is, throw it in the machine periodically, depending on how dirty it gets. Once every month if they are used everyday, and once every six months if used only occasionally because they can collect dust. Use caution with the dryer. Try a low setting first and check on it for shrinkage.

If the materials do not allow for a machine wash, there are other ways to keep them clean and dust-free. Use the vacuum hose on them once in a while to get rid of dust and other allergens. Be sure to dust around the area that they are stored as well. Be careful not to suck away any important attachments like a nose, eye, or button when you are vacuuming those little stuffed friends. You can also go over the surface with a damp cloth.

A damp cloth should also be used if there is a sudden stain like a spill or a drop in the mud. Try to soak up the stain with the damp cloth immediately, before it sets in. Do not use any harsh chemicals unless you know that the material will not discolor or become damaged.

If there is a rip or tear, mend it as soon as possible. Usually, all it takes is a needle and thread to fix up a loosening limb. If you don’t know how to sew, you can have a professional do it, especially if it is a very important and special stuffed friend.

Sometimes there are tags, pins or collars on the stuffed animals. If they are creating a sharp edge because they are sticking out or have torn or broken, carefully remove them. This way your kids won’t get poked.

Taking good care of your kid’s stuffed animals is well worth it. They will be happy that their little buddies are as good as new. You will be happy, too, because you have made sure that their stuffed animals are clean and hazard-free.

Step 1

Identifying the specific problem area (or areas) is your first step. The most common rips happen at the toy’s stitches, which can include where the legs, arms, or head were sewn on to the body, which is what we are going to focus on. This is naturally the weakest point on a stuffed animals body, and when squeezed the stuffing puts pressure on these areas, causing the stitching to fail. These rips might not all be easy to fix, but they can mostly be approached in the same way.

Step 2

For the second step, you’ll need to pick up supplies. There are some basic tools you’ll need when the seams on a plush toy are unraveling: a needle and thread. The thread should match the stuffed animals fabric, or be as neutral or complementary in color as possible. Make sure the thread is tough too, otherwise you’ll just have to do this again a couple of months down the road. Most needles you can get as part of a set, and that way you’ll have needles in various sizes. This is important because a big teddy bear may require a thick, touch needle, while a small plush dog should have a small, delicate needle. Also, get a needle threader if you have trouble getting the thread through.

Step 3

For step three, learn what you need to do. Even an amateur sewer can stitch up a stuffed animal, it is not at all complicated. First, thread the needle with an arm’s length of thread so that you make sure that you won’t run out, as that complicates the sewing. Once the needle has been threaded, double the thread and tie a knot at the end. This way you’ll have two rows of thread with a knot at the bottom away from the needle. Now it’s time to start sewing. On one side of the split seam, push the needle through, and then push it across through the other side of the split seam. Pull so that the two sides come together, and then push the needle in again on the next part as you sew in a diagonal pattern. Keep doing this so that you stitch the ripped sides together. When you get to the end, have the needle go through the last stitch and wrap it around, so that the last stitch is strong. Then, tie a knot or two as close to the stitch as possible in order to make sure that no thread is showing. Finally, cut the thread.

So there you go, practically any stuffed animal can be fixed with a minimum of hassle. It only takes a couple of minutes of your time, and the purchase of a needle and thread is very inexpensive. Now you can think twice before throwing your favorite toys away!

Be aware that different breeds of dogs have vastly different temperaments. When purchasing your dog this should be just as much of a consideration as its appearance. For instance, some people like dogs that resemble wolves. They may be attracted to breeds such as the Siberian Husky or the Alaskan Malamute. If they purchase one of those breeds purely on the basis of looks, however, they may be disappointed to find that they are not as easy to train as the German Shepherd, another dog that retains some physical similarities to the wolf. Many Husky and Malamute buyers also purchase the dog with the notion of using them for protection — only to learn that these breeds are typically quite shy and retiring.

Some people are taken with dog breeds because of how they are represented in movies or on television. But these portrayals can often be misleading. When Disney released its live-action version of “101 Dalmatians”, we had a dozen of the spotted pooches in our kennel within six months. Most of them were brought in by the parents of children who had fallen in love with the dogs because of the movie. But what Disney didn’t share with filmgoers was that Dalmatians are high-strung and often deaf — two big surprises for owners hoping to replicate movie magic in their living rooms.

The key to choosing a new dog responsibly is research. Local bookstores and libraries are usually extensively stocked with titles about different breeds. Online quizzes can use your criteria to help you sort through breed options (though the results should never be taken as conclusive unless they confirm your other research). The American Kennel Club’s website is also a great resource for learning the specific traits of the breeds that you’re interested in.

These are the questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a new dog:

What type of breed do I find physically attractive? — Do you want a small dog or a large dog? Do you want a stocky mastiff type or a slender greyhound type? Do you want prick ears, cropped ears, or flat ears? Do you want a dog with a short coat or a long coat? Should your dog have a short, round face or a long, pointy face?

What type of physical activity level do I prefer? — Do you bike and want a dog that will jog along with you? Or would you rather have a dog that wants nothing more than to curl up next to you on the couch?

Is your dog going to live primarily indoors or outdoors? — Certain breeds like Boxers, Dobermans, and Boston Terriers have very little coat and do not do well kept outside. You should know whether a breed has a problem with extreme temperatures before you buy.

What level of trainability do you desire? — Certain hounds and terriers take great effort to train, although there are still plenty of owners who prefer them for their appearance and personality. By contrast, Herding, Sporting, and some Working breeds are usually easier to condition. This owes in large part to the genetic and historical backgrounds of these breeds. Dogs that were bred to work independently or in packs (such as terriers and sled-pulling breeds) have retained some of that independence throughout the years. Of course, trainability has to be defined by the task at hand. If you’re looking for a dog to root out vermin or lead a fox hunt, terriers and hounds may be exactly what you’re looking for.

How protective do you want the dog to be? — Only a small percentage of dogs are suitable to be trained protection dogs. Some breeds will bark and make a lot of noise, but will back down when push comes to shove. If you are looking for an authentic protection dog, you should limit your search to the Working and Herding breeds — and only some of those are qualified to do the job. Breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Boxer, Bouvier, Bull Mastiff, Rottweiler, Pit Bull, and Doberman will do. These breeds can be wonderful guard dogs, but it is also important to train and socialize them so that they can remain good canine citizens while still offering you protection.

How friendly do you want your dog to be with other dogs and strangers? — This can vary substantially between breeds. Gun dogs such as Retrievers and Spaniels have a good reputation for cordiality because they have been bred to work around other dogs and people. As a counterexample, Terriers are notorious for fighting with each other.

How much grooming do you want to be responsible for? — Many long-coated breeds will need a monthly grooming appointment to keep their coats from getting matted. Many owners convince themselves that they can handle this responsibility on their own, but they often end up only grooming the top coat, while missing the many layers beneath. This allows mats to form against the skin and leaves the dog in real pain (and, sometimes, causes infection). The only way to prevent this matting is to keep up with proper grooming or to shave the coat down to a reasonable length.

If you are able to give definitive answers to each of these questions, you have successfully narrowed down your options and should be ready to choose your new dog.

But if you do decide to go forward with dog ownership, there are a couple of things that you’ll need to consider. First, you need to investigate the temperament and behavior of the dog you want to adopt. Remember, pets rarely come perfectly trained, especially if you plan on getting a puppy.

Let’s take the example of a Lab. This larger dog is extremely active, and it needs a family that’s just as high energy. The Lab is a great dog for outdoorsy types; if your family loves things like camping and hunting, then this dog would be a great match. Also a great match for the active family would be a Dalmatian. These animals were originally bred to be a working dog as carriage horses, and so they are agile with a lot of stamina. Another great match for the energetic family, and probably the most active dog around, is the Husky. Bred to race, these large, long-haired dogs are known for their athleticism. They are also stubborn without training, so before getting a Husky you need to make sure your family has the patience and dedication to train hard. On the other hand, if you do not have such an active family, then a smaller dog like the Chihuahua might be a better match. While these dogs can be wound up like any animal, they are certainly more mellow overall. They also crave attention and are territorial, which means they aren’t good dogs for families with small children.

These are just some examples of common traits for dog breeds. Carefully evaluate your lifestyle and the needs of the animal before making a decision. Some dog types are also less prone to health problems, which can cut down on your vet bills. So remember, there is a lot to consider when deciding if a dog is right for your family.

But if you decide a dog isn’t right for your household, there is a way to cut off any child tantrums before they start. Get them a plush dog! A plush dog is still cute, but there’s no shedding, barking, biting, cleanup, or vet bills. This could also be a great “in-between” stop before making the final decision on whether or not to get a real dog. Have your kids take care of their plush pet as if it were real, giving them a chance to get used to the idea of all the responsibilities that come with dog ownership. Get them into a routine where they “feed” the dog at specific meal times and give the stuffed toy and themselves regular exercise. They’ll either perform well and give you the confidence that they can handle a real dog, or they’ll realize that an animal would be too much work for them. Either way its win/win, and in the meantime, you get an adorable placeholder for the real thing.