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Getting Ready for the Gift Onslaught!

Submitted by JaneAUS on Wed, 12/22/2010 - 10:05

Everyone loves a baby! Having a baby is such an exciting time for everyone, and as a new mother you often end up with a load of goodwill in the form of presents, flowers, baby clothes and homecooked meals. It seems like the whole world wants to show their joy!

This is great, but then comes the problem- how to thank all these generous people?

Baby photo thank you cards are a fantastic way of introducing your new baby girl or baby boy to friends and family or simply to say thanks for the presents and flowers. Having a photo on the card creates a beautiful keepsake for the receiver and is a lovely gesture as people can pop these into their photo albums and you can put the baby card into your baby's treasure chest for later. It also is the best way to involve even the most distant relative in the joy of a new little person arriving into the world.

In order to prepare yourself for the gift onslaught and to stay as organised as possible, it is best to create yourself "a little thank you box" before the birth. Gather up all your addresses and contacts and make sure you have them all in one place so you don't have to go searching. In your thank you box you will need:

  • A good pen
  • A box of stamps
  • A list of all your contacts, including name, address, postcode, space to note down gift received and extra pages for those unexpected surprise baby gifts
  • Any glitter or stickers you are planning on using

This may seem a simple thing, but in the post-natal haze of having a new baby in the house, you will be so grateful to have all these things on hand, in the one place, especially the stamps!

As the presents come in, note down the gift they gave you on your list. Then, it's the fun task of choosing your card, uploading your photo, writing your personal message and creating your cards online. When your baby cards arrive, you simply sign, lick and stamp!

Keeping it simple is the key to making sure that everyone gets a peek at the new baby and you have as much time as possible to rest up and enjoy time with your new addition.

To find out more and view our full range of new baby thank you cards click here

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Baby Photo Cards - Photography Tips for the Perfect Photos

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 17:14

Taking a photo of a baby can be a tricky and time consuming business. However, with the advancement in digital camera technology in recent years, the job just got a little bit easier since you can click away until you finally get the perfect photo.

Babies tend to be naturals in front of the cameras, they often have great facial expressions and it's great to be able to look back in years to come at some great baby photos.

To find out more and view our full range of baby thank you photo cards click here

Below are some digital photography tips to help you take the Perfect Baby Photos:

Tip 1 - Take Plenty of Pictures

The greater the number of pictures taken, the greater the likelihood of attaining the perfect baby photos. So keep clicking away and eventually you will capture the perfect shot.

Tip 2 - Find a Partner to Help You

Of course you can always take the pictures yourself but sometimes it is often helpful to have a partner to assist you. They can play Peek-a-Boo or shake a favourite toy to try and make your baby giggle and smile. Having a partner to help you often makes the process more enjoyable and fun. the burst mode or sports mode on your digital camera can often be a great help as you can take a number of photos in quick succession to ensure you capture all those perfect baby smiles and cute facial expressions.

Tip 3 - Choose the Right Light

To get great baby photos it is important to capture them in the right light. If you are taking photos outside the best time of day to do this is early in the morning in partial shade or early in the evening. These times of day experience softer light and capture warmer tones, plus you have the added benefit of your baby not squinting to avoid sunlight.

If you are taking pictures inside try to use natural light. Window light is great and diffused lighting provides for a softer feel. Try to avoid taking pictures with the flash. Flash can often wash out colours and babies in particular are sensitive to bright light.

Tip 4 - Avoid Distracting Backgrounds and Colours

Place your baby on a neutral rug or against a neutral background to obtain the best baby photos. Avoid bright toys in the shot as these can often detract from the main focus, which is of course your baby. Dress your baby in simple clothes for the same reason as noisy, bright clothes can leave your baby's skn tones looking washed out.

Tip 5 - Choose the Right Time

Before you attempt to take your baby photos make sure your baby is well rested and fed to guarantee lots of smiles. Make photographing your baby fun for both of you and try not to set your expectations too high, know when to put the camera away! There will always be another time. When your baby is tired after their photo shoot, it's always an idea to use this naptime to get some great shots of your little one sleeping like a baby!

Tip 6 - Add Family and Friends

Photos of your baby with someone special create a great story and are great to look back on. Be creative with your photos, they can be tiny fingers against an adults hand, or pictures of family welcoming the new arrival.

Tip 7 - Explore Black and White Photos

Black and white photos are timeless and often add a feeling of fine art and capture features and subtle details which are often missed in colour. Why not take a collage of black and white photos and use them to tell a story.

You've read some useful tips on digital photography so now it's time to put them to the test and see if you can capture the Perfect Baby Photo.

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The History of the Baby Shower

Submitted by admin on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 11:13

You may think the concept of a Baby Shower is a relatively modern custom but in actual fact the origins can be traced back many hundreds of years. Many historians believe the celebration of birth can be traced back as far as Roman and Egyptian times.

Traditionally, baby showers took place after the birth of a baby, usually at around one month of age. The newborn baby would be introduced to all the mothers friends and family and people would bring gifts, often handmade items such as clothing, blankets and even some food items for the new mother. Traditionally, only women were invited to attend the gathering.

The modern party we celebrate today became a popular custom after World War Two. Female friends and family would gather together to celebrate the birth of a new baby. In more recent years the gathering has begun to occur around one month before the baby's arrival. Although traditionally the party is still held for females, many gatherings now extend the invitation to include male family members, including the expectant father.

A modern day Baby Shower involves the bringing of gifts for the new baby, some fun party games, party food and of course lots of talk about babies! It is often hosted by a female family member but never usually hosted by the expectant mother, the expectant mother's mother or their mother in law. In today's changing world the modern family has many different identities and each family will find their own unique way which is right for them.

Regardless of the history and it's evolving customs the true meaning remains constant. A Baby Shower is a celebration to welcome a new life. Few things in life compare to the overwhelming excitement and joy a new baby brings to the family and this special occasion offers the perfect opportunity for families to get together and celebrate new life, love and family values.