10 Best Gifts To Give Your Mom For Mother's Day In 2021
Mother’s Day is a few weeks away, but it’s never too early to start thinking of ideas to spoil moms. Whether you will be celebrating your mother or a mother figure in your life; Mother’s Day is a great time to show how grateful you are for her, and how much you appreciate her hard work. Due to the global pandemic, we were reminded why moms are the glue that holds it all together for us. Most moms went from working mom on the go, to work from home mom. In addition, most had to fill the role of teacher and tutor, daycare worker, fight negotiator, and an all-day personal chef.
We often scramble to find gifts of appreciation for mom. The bright side is this; most only care about the thought you put into showing your love and admiration. We’ve put together a list of 10 possible gifts your mom will love this Mother’s Day.
A Digital Card
Every mother loves a heartfelt Mother’s Day card. Especially one that was handcrafted by the kids. The best cards are the ones that include a note for mom on why she is the best mom in the world. This year instead of giving your mom a boring paper card that can get ripped up. You can send mom a beautifully crafted digital Mother’s Day card from Amazinginvites.co. Amazing invites is offering animated digital Mother’s Day cards. All you have to do is choose what card template your mom would like and send in your video telling your mom 5 reasons why you love her and the Amazing Invites team will put it together for you.
Apple Air Pods
This gift might be a little on the pricey side but if your mom operates with apple products this is a great gift to give her. Especially if your mom is a full-time WFH mom these pods will come in handy when mom just wants to tune out the yelling and fighting over the remote for 5 seconds. She can take work meetings in style and drown out any background noise.
A Cheese Board
Since Summer is right around the corner and the chances of gathering (safely) are starting to look up. This Smirly Cheese Board will be perfect for a relaxing outdoor picnic with mom. Or even better, let your mom let loose for a night while you babysit the kids so mom can have a wine and cheese night with her closest girlfriends. This large cheese board has five serving sections, a separate pull-out snack tray, serving accessories, and a wine opener.
A Wine Club Subscription
Does your mom love a nice glass of wine to unwind after a long day? After the kids go to bed, it’s mom's time to have a drink or two to unwind a bit. A wine club subscription is the best way to tell mom you love her and want her to relax. First Leaf is offering $40 off your first order plus free shipping. You can get up to six wine bottles delivered a month.
Hemp Bath Bombs
If you want mom to really relax, fix mom a nice warm bath, light some candles, set her favorite book or magazine beside the tub, play some spa music, and don’t forget the Hemp Bath bombs. According to their website, these Gummy Bear-shaped hemp bath bombs from SundayScariesHemp.com are perfect for unwinding after a chaotic day, escaping parental obligations, decompressing and checking out, and promoting mental relaxation. Sounds like everything mom needs in the form of a bath bomb.
Monthly Candle Subscription
Between mom’s busy schedule and the kids running wild, and free the house might become a bit messy. Get mom a monthly candle subscription for Mother’s Day this year. It's a great way to keep a pleasant and calming scent around the house. Crate Joy has a lot of candle subscription boxes to choose from. These boxes are packed with goodies and give mom something to look forward to every month.
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If you’re anything like me, I’m the mom that NEEDS coffee to get me through the day. While I do love hot coffee something about cold coffee just hits differently. This Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a game-changer. No more watering down your coffee with ice cubes, or paying $10 at Starbucks. This pitcher with an airtight lid makes 4 servings of coffee, so you can grab your cup and store the rest for later.
Personalized Tea Box
Tea makes everything better. If mom is feeling stressed, restless, or has an upset stomach there’s a tea to fix it. Gift your mom this Personalized Tea Box from The Sinclair Company to store all her favorite teas. This beautiful box made from Acacia wood is sure to add some charm to any kitchen.
A Self Care Box
Self-care days are super important for your mental health. Every mom deserves to have a mental self-care day to herself. Give mom a day to do her favorite things. Even something as simple as going grocery shopping without the kids. Let her enjoy a nice at-home facial while she busts some moves to her favorite song at the moment. This customizable Self Care Box from Shop Tilde comes with a soy candle, all-natural soap, a scrunchie, all-natural lip, and body salve, bath salts, a cute, dainty necklace, body butter, a personalized note, and more.
Birthstone Necklace
You can never go wrong by spoiling mom with some jewelry. This customizable birthstone necklace makes the sweetest Mother’s Day gift. Silver City By Eva creates beautiful necklaces, bracelets, and stackable rings with your family's birthstones for mom to rock. It’ll be a gift that your mom will treasure.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the super mom’s and mother figures out there holding it down, or at least doing great at appearing to have it all together.
A Virtual Santa Experience in 2020
Due to COVID a lot of things have been off this year, but one thing that makes me cheerful is thinking of the holiday season. Every holiday season is filled with family traditions, one is taking your kids to meet Santa. But dragging your kids to the mall, standing in a crowded line, and putting your kid on Santa’s lap where 10,000 diapers and tears have been prior, now that seems a bit off this year. That is why we found some alternative ways to meet Santa and not have to worry about lines or germs.
Virtual Santa Visits
Virtual Santa visits will be all the rage in 2020. One of our favorites is the Zoom Santa & his Elves experience over at Santazoomvisit.com.
You will receive:
A personalized digital video invite from Santa with the Zoom link included
Tips and Inspiration to make the Santa Experience ever more magical
A one on one Santa interaction for 20 minutes (you can have up to four screens)
Santa will interact with each child by name
Santa will read a story and share some fun facts about The North Pole
Q & A with Santa
A recording of the interaction to save as a keepsake
You can book your virtual Santa visit now for 11/27- 12/24. Book your time and day for your Santa virtual experience. Santa visits will fill up quickly, so book before the sleigh is full.
Zoom Christmas- Opening Gifts sent by loved ones together
Since we are in the Zoom Christmas spirit and because of social distance, many families will be staying home this year, so gifts will be sent all over the world. No doubt the joy of giving gifts is seeing the reaction of the people opening them. Create a Zoom Family Christmas Gift Opening/Exchange Party and share that joy together. It will feel like your extended family is in the room with you.
We hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday season.
10 Fun Social Distancing Halloween Ideas
Whether you’re having a social distanced Halloween or not, check out this blog post to find some creative ways to have a safe but fun Halloween this year. Your kiddos will surely love what’s on this list. LYFETYMES is the #1 party planning website! Check us out for all your party planning needs!
10 Fun Social Distancing Halloween Ideas
I love Halloween for many different reasons. Growing up, my favorite part about it was collecting all the candy and goodies throughout the night and getting to sort through them when I got home. Now that I am older, it’s being able to dress up the little ones in the cutest costumes and seeing all the creative, spooky Halloween home decor. I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a spooky year. With a global pandemic going around and a lot of families still social distancing we have rounded up a few creative ways you and your family can celebrate a safe but fun Halloween.
Drive-By Trick-Or-Treat
We’ve all seen the drive-by parade celebrations, so why not have a drive-by trunk-or-treat? This is a great idea to keep kids from gathering around your front door. To set up, park your car in your driveway or set up a table at the end of your driveway. Add some fun Halloween decor like some spiders and webs to your table with the candy bowl. Set up a lawn chair and enjoy all the costumes that come by. You can also get your neighbors in on the fun and coordinate a neighborhood Drive-by trick or treat.
Host A Zoom Halloween Party
Just because you may not be able to physically attend a Halloween party this year, doesn’t mean you still can’t celebrate. Throw a Halloween Zoom party with friends and family. Let everyone know costumes are mandatory. Put on your Halloween playlist, catch up, and enjoy. For some extra fun, have a costume contest and encourage your guests to model their Halloween costumes for a prize.
Hand Out Candy From Your Window
If you have a front porch, this will be great for you. Set out a small table with a bowl of candy and place it on your front porch. If you have a window nearby, set it right in front of the window so you can keep an eye on the candy bowl, and also greet the kiddos from a distance.
Halloween Movie Night
If you and your family are looking to spend some quality spooky time together, but you would rather stay in, put on your costumes and watch a spooky movie. From Hocus Pocus to a super scary Haunting in Connecticut there’s surely a movie out there for everyone. Mix some candy corn into your popcorn and start your movie marathon.
Create a Spooky Basket
A spooky basket is a gift basket filled with all the goodies your kids or significant other loves. Include their favorite candy, some activity books, pumpkin carving tools, some fuzzy socks, and more. Gifting a spooky basket is a good time to spoil your loved ones with some items they enjoy or have been wishing for (I hope I get a puppy in mine this year). You can also send a spooky basket to your neighbors to share some candy with them and send some love.
Bake Spooky Treats
If your kids won’t be trick-or-treating this year, you can still give them something sweet to look forward to. Get creative and bake some spooky cookies. Have the kids join in on the fun and let them decorate the ghost cookies with some icing and sprinkles.
Carve Pumpkins
One of my personal favorite things to do for Halloween is carving pumpkins. I like to do it a few days before, so I can display my jack-o'-lantern on my porch for everyone to see on Halloween night, but in this case, you can save it for the day of. Pick your pumpkin the day before Halloween and choose your carving design. Whether you want to go for the classic jack-o’-lantern face or something else, pumpkin carving is the perfect activity to do with friends or kids.
Bingo Drive
Play Halloween BINGO with your family. Print out some BINGO cards or create your own and go for a drive to see how many items you can spot. Crazy Little Projects has free offers cute and fun printable BINGO game cards. Take your cards with you on the drive or wait until you return back to your home and cross off what you see on your drive. You can award prizes by how many items were spotted or who completes the card first.
Create a Spooky Playlist
I never miss an opportunity to throw a dance party at my house. This is also a great way to let the kids burn off some sugar. Create a Halloween playlist, or check out the one we created for you on Spotify, put on your costumes and monster mash the night away.
Spooky Hour
This one is for the grown-ups. Put your bartending skills to the test and create a Halloween cocktail or just keep it simple and find one online. Funny Money Mom had some great cocktail recipes (my personal favorite is the Poison Apple). Enjoy your at-home happy hour once the kids crash from their sugar rush. You can include some friends and family in your spooky hour by organizing a Zoom call and sending them your cocktail recipe ahead of time.
I hope this list was helpful and you find some fun ways to have a safe and spooky Halloween.
The Best Safari Baby Shower Ideas
The Best Safari Baby Shower Ideas
When hosting a baby shower choosing the perfect theme is part of the fun of party planning. You get to use your creativity and showcase your talents for the expecting mother and guests to enjoy.
Party Submitted By Janessa Morton Resendes!
A Safari Themed Baby Shower will definitely set the tone for a cute and intimate gathering to celebrate the expecting parents and new baby! The possibilities are endless when it comes to planning a Safari Themed Baby Shower with all the fun animals and jungle greenery this Safari Theme is sure to be a hit!
Janessa is a teacher but does party planning as a hobby. Her kids are 5 and 6-year-olds and she says they always have pretty fun parties. Janessa styled this Safari Themed Baby Shower for her sister and she said, “I’m pretty simple. The only person I used was a cake lady, and the rest was me. It’s a lot of work, to say the least… my sister created a safari themed nursery for baby Gavin so that’s what inspired me to go with the Safari theme.”
Check out all the beautiful photos we’ve included showcasing all the beautiful details and creativity that went into styling this Safari Themed Baby Shower.
10- Must Have Baby Products for the First Year
10 Must-Have Baby Products for the First Year
If you're expectant with your first child, chances are you have no idea of the newborn products you’ll need. We thought ahead and prepared a guide of all the essentials you should have for the first year. The products range from baby clothing to safety products. Take a look.
Welcoming a newborn baby can be very exciting and very scary at the same time, especially if it's your first time. One thing that makes the first-year smooth is having all the necessary products the baby will need.
We have prepared a detailed checklist of all the must-have newborn products to make work easier for you. Starting from feeding, bedding, diapering to clothing, we've got you covered.
Check this out:
Baby Clothes
Baby clothes are sized by age. However, some brands can vary in their sizing, so it's crucial you check weight and height description to help you find the right outfit.
Some babies wear three-month outfits straightway and never need the newborn size. But since there is no way of knowing, it's safe to have a few newborn outfits.
Also, buy a few clothes with the next size that your baby will need before they get there. Kids grow up really fast.
Accepting hand-me-downs and buying second-hand clothes can help you have multiple size options to choose from.
The best newborn products as far as clothing is concerned should be soft, durable, and roomy. They should also be made from materials that can withstand multiple washings. Avoid clothing with ribbons, tassels, and strings to avoid choking hazards.
Consider organic clothing as it is made with no chemicals or harsh dyes. The setback is they are a bit expensive. Regardless of the cloth type, you can use friendly detergents to avoid skin irritation.
2. Car Seat and Stroller
The first journey with your baby will be from the hospital to your home. Most hospitals will require you to have a car seat to make sure the baby is safe. The car seat is also to ensure you have a smooth ride during clinics and outings. Invest a reasonable amount of time in choosing the best car seat and don't compromise on quality for a cheaper one.
Another gear you need is a baby stroller. You obviously want to take your baby around the neighborhood. It's crucial you choose the best umbrella stroller in the market to allow your baby to sit and nap comfortably during walks without getting sunburns.
3. Diapers and Wipes
This should be on the top of every must-have newborn product list. Babies use the most diapers and wipes in their first year. The number will reduce as they move towards their first birthday. So, stock up on lots of them as they're a necessity.
With that said, diapers are one of the most sensitive newborn baby care products because of diaper rash, which is very common. To avoid the latter, choose a quality diaper and make sure it fits to prevent skin irritation.
As for the wipes, you can choose to go with reputable brands or any wet wipes for the purpose. Make sure they're hygienic and safe for the baby.
Consider having a changing station at home with all these products. There is a good amount of diaper-changing in the first months, and the changing station makes it easier.
4. Feeding Essentials
Whether you'll be bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, it's essential to have enough bottles and nipples. Newborns only drink around 4 ounces of milk at the beginning, so you can start with four ounce-bottles and upgrade to 8 ounces as the baby grows.
You'll also need milk bags, formula, and a breast pump as they're the most critical baby products needed for a newborn for the first year.
Once your baby is six months old, they'll probably be ready to eat solid food. It's therefore good to have food smashers, baby spoons, washcloths, bibs, and bowls on standby. A high chair with a tray also comes in handy as you can move it around and attach it to your dining table set.
5. Bedding Essentials
It's vital that you make sure you research the best products for newborn babies when shopping for your baby's beddings.
However, for starters, you can co-sleep with your toddler. This way you'll have your baby close to you, making feeding easy.
When you decide to move them to their crib, find one that has perfect safety features and an excellent mattress to ensure your baby is comfortable.
Also, avoid leaving quilts, blankets, and pillows as it could increase the risk of SIDs. Using Swaddlers instead of blankets can help prevent suffocation issues as well.
6. Bathing Essentials
You can give your newborn a bath once the umbilical cord dries and falls off. You can either place the baby bathtub in your tub or use the kitchen sink. Make sure you choose a tub that is strong and durable. Remember to include shampoo and no-tears formula baby wash on your newborn baby bath product list. To avoid any chemicals, use no fragrance shampoo and body wash.
Include newborn hair products to detangle the hair as combing their hair can be painful for them.
After the bath, wrap your baby with a soft hooded towel, and use washcloths to clean the ear area.
You can also add a few toys in the tub to make the washing experience playful for the baby.
You'll also need other products for grooming purposes like baby oil. The newborn baby girl products are similar to newborn baby boy products at this age, so don't stress too much.
7. Safety Needs
You need to make sure your baby is safe even when they're in another room. Fortunately, there are both audio and video monitors in the market that can help you watch your baby.
A baby monitor becomes even more critical once the baby starts to roll and crawl as they can easily injure themselves.
Before your baby starts moving, make your home baby-friendly to prevent accidents by adding safety gates, latches, outlet covers, etc.
8. Baby Carriers
While you're on the go, it's not always possible to hold your baby in your hands the whole time. And at times, you prefer not to carry your baby stroller with you. For this reason, it's essential to have a baby carrier. It helps you snuggle your toddler close to you and still be hands-free. Therefore, you can use one while you're at home doing chores or taking care of older kids.
As with any other baby product, a baby carrier should be chosen with utmost care. The straps and harness should be secure enough to hold the baby and allow you to support them. Although baby carriers come with multiple benefits, it's recommended you use them only when necessary.
9. Baby Entertainments
Babies love to have fun, and you'll also be able to move around the house when they're engaged. Every newborn loves a pacifier, so that should be the first toy you get for your baby. Play gyms and bouncy seats also work well for kids who aren't mobile yet. They enjoy the sights, sounds, and other bouncy features.
Once your toddler starts to move, you'll need to upgrade toys to rattles, musical toys, and other interactive games.
10. Health Care Products
After getting the best products for newborn babies to cater for their daily needs, you'll need medical products. It's crucial that you have a few healthcare items with you. They include a first aid kit, digital thermometer, teethers, baby brush, etc.
Also, talk with your pediatrician to learn what over-the-counter medications you need to keep in the house.
Final Thoughts
We hope our newborn products checklist will help you in the preparation of your newborn. Visit our blog for more articles on baby products, and get first-hand reviews to help you choose the right products.
About the author
Rachel Burns is an experienced copywriter and photographer with a design diploma. She works with startups, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and companies from around the world. In addition to writing articles and promotional materials, she enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.
7 Must-Try Virtual Party Games
So you've settled on hosting a virtual celebration but have no idea what to do during the live stream? What about a few party games to keep things fun! Check out these five completely VIRTUAL party games with little to no prep work!
7 Must-Try Virtual Party Games
By April Sharer and Carmen Lopez
So you've settled on hosting a virtual celebration but have no idea what to do during the live stream? What about a few party games to keep things fun! Check out these five completely VIRTUAL party games with little to no prep work!
1. Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is the perfect ice breaker for a virtual party! It can be played with any number of people. As the host, ask guests to prepare two truthful statements about themselves and one lie. Each person in the group gets a turn. When it Is your turn, tell the group two things about yourself that are true and one untrue thing (your lie). Be sure not to say both of your truths first and then the lie because that makes it easier to guess. Mix the order up each time it is your turn. Everyone in the group has an opportunity to try to guess which statement was the lie. Once everyone in the group has guessed, the person will reveal what was true and what was false. The person that answered correctly can go next. This game can go around as many times as you would like or so that everyone gets a chance to go once. You might learn some surprising things about your party guests!
2. Charades
Most everyone knows the rules to this game, so little explaining will be necessary! For those that are unsure how to play, virtually Charades requires the player to mime or imitate a specific action or subject that the rest of the team has to figure out. Direct your guest to a word generator for their word. Taking turns, each guest acts out the word from the generator as all other guests shout out their guesses. This tried, and true party game will be a favorite at your virtual celebration!
3. Minute to Win It Challenges
Minute to Win It started as a game show where contestants had to complete a task using household items in less than a minute to move on. It is now becoming a simple but fun party game. As the host, come up with a list of challenges that can be completed with everyday household objects. It might be a good idea to send out a supply list for each guest before the party to help guests prepare. Also, to ensure that everyone can be included in the challenges. Frugal Fun 4 Boys is another great resource.
Man Vs. Clock
In this version, one player will be trying to beat the clock for each challenge you created. They will have to complete that challenge within a minute. It's best for you to keep track of the time on your end. For this game, I recommend choosing a different person for each challenge. You could also divide your guests into teams.
MINUTE TO WIN IT FOR TEAMS
Split guests into teams. For every game, choose one player from each team to go head to head. For example, one person from each team will be given the list of supplies and game instructions. When you say go, the first players to compete will start the challenge. The first team to complete the challenge receives a point. The guest or team that accomplishes the most challenges wins! These games are fun, inexpensive, and typically hilarious!
4. Thumper
This game will keep you on your toes and get your brain working! Each guest chooses a silly face or hand gesture as their "symbol." The host can choose to be the leader and start the game or pick a guest to lead. Make sure every guest shares their Symbol with the party. The leader then performs their Symbol, immediately followed by the Symbol of another player. This player then performs their own gesture, followed by another player’s gesture. Symbols continue to be passed from guest to guest until someone responds too slowly or misses their cue. To take this up a notch when someone makes a mistake, everyone must drink, and that person then becomes the leader for the next round.
5. Most Likely To
This casual game is fun to play with a group of longtime friends. Take turns creating "Most likely to ________" statements and ask guests to cast their votes using the chat function on the video call. The person with the most votes can take a drink or do a dare. There are no winners or losers in this game, but should definitely be shared laughs! You can have guests download the Most Likely To app on the App Store, or come up with your own. Beware the app is 18+.
6. Spin A Tale
This game promotes creativity and will have guests thinking on their feet. To start the game, make up the first line of a story. Then choose a guest to add a line to your sentence. Members take turns adding to the story until the whole plot develops! Let the story go along on its own route, that is what makes the game fun; you never know what each guest is going to add and where the story will end up.
Here are some ways you can start your tale…
· Today I woke up at 8 a.m. and saw….
· Sofia woke up on the couch this morning and tried to remember how she got there…
· I was supposed to have a virtual meeting today, but…
· When I looked outside my window, I saw…
· Today during quarantine, I started discovered my hidden talent…
7. Online Games
I'm sure you've heard of JackboxTV offering plenty of games to play online. However, besides Drawful2, most of the games have to be purchased to play them. Playingcards.io offers free card games that can be played virtually with your guests. They have also added an online version of Cards Against Humanity.
Feeling overwhelmed with party planning? Check out our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace to take the stress away. Find vendors that offer party planning, decor, catering, photography services, and more.
How To Host An Incredible Graduation Party Quarantine Style
Graduation Party Ideas for Celebrating in 2020! We know this year is going to require us to celebrate creatively. We cover the creative ways to help Celebrate our Graduating Class of 2020!
How to Host a Graduation Party Quarantine Style
by April Sharer and Katie Cunningham
So you set a goal, put in years of work to accomplish it, and now a global pandemic has canceled your moment of recognition? COME ON! You deserve this moment to shine and to celebrate that goal you crushed. You did NOT put in YEARS of all-nighters, stress, and studying to accept your diploma via email and call it good-- you deserve a celebration grad!
Was the Tassel Worth the Hassle?
Unfortunately, this major milestone that so many friends and family look forward to will not happen in the traditional way of years before. Our graduates will not walk across the stage, almost a parent’s visual representation of our children transforming from a child to an adult. The big graduation parties that people travel to will be postponed, or worse canceled
And all that money those seniors dream about envelopes stuffed with cash, like the opening Wedding Scene in the Godfather, are slipping away. Those funds are used for college and to jump-start their adult journey. We are not going to lie to you, it is disappointing for everyone. Thankfully there are still many ways to celebrate our graduates, and even though we may plan a big party later, it’s important to celebrate the moment, the accomplishment, and recognize the graduate!
Let’s walk through some creative ways to Celebrate!
Now introducing the graduating class of 2020! (Quarantine Style)
Make it a Virtual Graduation Party
Virtual parties are all the craze right now. This moment should be shared. It does require some planning and effort to make it great and differentiate between just another Video call. Here is a quick rundown of how to get it done!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It is a free one-stop-shop for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add a virtual party link, so all they have to do click and party with you!
Add an easy registry link for guests to send gifts to your door or a cash link to get cash gifts! Including a registry is a great way to receive cash or gifts directly and can be included on your website.
Determine where in the house, backyard, or space you will use for the graduation party, a fun backdrop can be great for gift opening, a central focus of the room for photos. We love balloon decor that spells it out!
Determine Theme and Decor and order to your door ahead of time. There are easy party sets offered here for small parties that ship right to your door, make a few graduation themed treats and stock up on the confetti.
Wear The Cap and Gown, if you have them, if not improvise the walk, diploma, cap, and gown. Go outside and toss that cap while your squad showers you with confetti!
Front yard and Porch Decor, like yard sign decor, or balloon garlands that can be shipped to your door. Most good neighbors will honk for the Graduate if you are telling your neighborhood you are celebrating a graduate via yard sign.
Make a mental agenda, especially for your video call - make sure you have put some thought into the call- the last thing you want is a boring virtual party! Incorporate game activities, have folks dress up in theme costumes, and keep the party moving. You may want to start with cake and gifts.
Make a video memoir for the grad sharing photos and videos from birth- present. Ask your guests to each submit their memories or well-wishes for the grad and incorporate those in the video. This is sure to make the grad feel special and probably on one of the parents’ to-do list for a while! in your virtual party, you can share your screen with the other guests to enjoy!
Don’t make it crazy long. Zoom’s free accounts host parties for up to 40 minutes.
Drive-By or Drive Thru Graduation Party
Drive-By Parties are gaining momentum as a way to get out of the house and social distance safely. It is a great way to feel like you have participated and gone to a party- see each other say hi from a safe distance and show some love!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It is a free one-stop-shop for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add your home as the venue, the time it begins, and title it is a “DRIVE-BY GRADUATION PARTY” so everyone knows. You can even add a comment on your website to further explain if needed.
Add registry links in your party for guests to know where to buy gifts your graduate needs so they can drop off and/or a cash link to get cash gifts! Including a registry is a great way to receive cash or gifts directly and can be included on your website, not everyone is going to be able to participate based on location so it’s a great way for them to send gifts they know you need or will love.
Create a “drop-off zone” Determine where guests can safely drop off gifts and decorate the space with balloons so they know where to drop. we have seen a ton of ideas from decorating the trunk of a car, back of a pickup, decked out tables to recycling bins!
Create the appropriate socially distancing space where you will be located, waving from your spot- may be on the porch or lawn chairs from the front yard or window
Don’t forget the Front yard and Porch Decor, yard signs, Garage door signs, decor or balloon garlands-all these can be shipped to your door.
Dress up for your well wishers-Wear The Cap and Gown, if you have them, if not just put on pants, please.
After everyone goes, grab your loot and go inside and celebrate more! Open gifts, have food, decorate inside, record the grad opening gifts to keep for you or share. Shop small themed party sets and awesome balloon garlands offered for small parties right here.
Graduation Party Parade
Similar to a Drive-By Party, this is a bit different. Here are a few differentiators to consider:
The point of the parade is all the participants meet and start following each other at an agreed location (usually not the grads home) and time, so it looks like an actual parade!
Guests pretty much will stay inside a vehicle at all times and may jump out to give a gift quickly and jump back in, so it is helpful to have a close “drop-zone”.to the parade-goers.
It’s a high energy event, expect a ton of honking! It is great fun for guests to decorate vehicles with signs, balloons, and decor- get engaged and have a “Best Decorated Car Float” winner
This is a great idea for teachers and parents who want to celebrate several students with one parade party by visiting multiple grad’s homes.
How will you celebrate your Grad this year?
So Graduation Parties can still be memorable and engaging. Whether you have a small at-home gathering, drive-by parade, or a virtual celebration, throwing a graduation party is no small task. DIY lovers can use our amazing free party planning tools on LYFETYMES or allow our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace for help planning, styling, and more services.
Host an Awesome Drive-By Baby Shower
Honk If You're Having A Baby!
Having a Baby Shower is part of the excitement when becoming new parents. With the Coronavirus and Stay At Home order in place around the world. Many of these special celebrations are being canceled. Unfortunately, pregnancies cannot be rescheduled. These are milestones that need to be celebrated because we will never get them back.
Plan A Drive-By Baby Shower Ideas
by Liz Grisham and Carmen Lopez
Honk If You're Having A Baby!
Having a Baby Shower is part of the excitement when becoming new parents. With the Corona virus and Stay-At-Home order in place around the world, many of these special celebrations are being canceled. Unfortunately, pregnancies cannot be rescheduled. These are milestones that need to be celebrated because we will never get them back.
From drive-by celebrations to virtual ones, people around the world are getting creative on ways to continue the celebrations. Drive-By Baby Showers won't replace traditional ones, but they will make the expecting parents feel loved. Read on to discover how to plan the ultimate Drive-By Baby Shower Parade.
How or Where to Set Up?
Depending on the neighborhood and if you have a driveway available, set a time and date for friends and family to line up their cars and drive by your house. If you are living in an apartment complex, schedule a meet up at an empty parking lot where you can wave at your guests from afar. It could be a church lot or school parking lot. Decorate your driveway or car trunk with balloons and garland. Grab a chair, kick back and be ready to feel the love as friends and family greet you with honks and cheers.
Layout some fun printable games like baby bingo and baby word scramble, and your guests can fill them out or take home to play together virtually through a Livestream. You can find some fun baby shower printables at The Spruce.
We can't forget the gifts, so make sure to set up a spot for guests to drop off gifts.
Expectant mothers are not only anticipating the arrival of their little ones, but they are panicking about being prepared for their little love. The stores are bare, and necessities have become hard to find at times. Help the mom-to-be stock up on essentials such as diapers, wipes, sanitizer, and food, so everyone is staying safe at home
Shower Me With Love Baby Shower Parade
How many can say they've had a parade for their baby shower? Not many!
Getting all loved ones involved by having them decorate their cars for a drive-by parade is an exciting way to celebrate in these crazy times. Your loved ones will be even more excited to drop off their gifts when they get to see the visuals you have been spending hours planning on Pinterest. Get everyone even more involved by holding a fun prize for the winner of the best-decorated car, and it will make their drive-by appearance feel even more special! Gift cards make for good prizes and will be easy to mail out to the winners. They are also a great way to support your local businesses at this time.
How To Plan A Drive-By Baby Shower or Parade
Here is a quick rundown of how to get it done!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It’s a FREE Party Planning and Free Guest Websites for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites or boring e-invitations-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add a virtual party link, so all they have to do click and party with you! Add a Picture or Video to capture guests’ attention!
Title Your Party “Drive-By Baby Shower” Make the location of your party your house and explain in the comments section of your Website guests should drive by the location.
Add an easy registry link for guests to buy gifts to drop off at your door! Including a registry is a great way to get what you want and need.
Have a “Drop Station” and decorate it so they know. Fun to add yard signs, balloons, decorate a porch, add garage door banners, or decorate your front door.
Set up your social distance spot, where you can wave, say hello, and thank them
Get Your Guests involved- have a contest of best-decorated car, sign or custom.
Video yourself opening gifts or host a Virtual Gift Opening Happy Hour so guests can enjoy seeing you open gifts.
Hosting a Drive-By Baby Shower probably wasn't what you pictured your celebrations were going to be like, but it's a great way to overcome the circumstances. Nothing will make you feel more showered with love then your friends and family making time and coming out of their shelters to celebrate your growing family.
Need Help Planning a Drive-By Shower or Parade, visit our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace or plan for free at LYFETYMES.com
Blume Dolls All the Rage for 2019
We’re here to tell you all about the hottest toy for 2019! Blume collectible dolls are flower pots that "sprout" dolls when you add water to them. They are adorable and colorful, and children love them! Blume Dolls originate from parent company Skyrocket Toys.
What is the Blume Doll Toy Trend?
Blume collectible dolls are flower pots that "sprout" dolls when you add water to them. They are adorable and colorful, and children love them! Blume Dolls originate from parent company Skyrocket Toys. They’ve the brand behind Pomsies and Grumblies, for example. Blume Dolls Series 1 will include 22 different dolls (some are rare, and others are ultra rare-oh Pokemon days), Series 2 and # are already on their website with the caption “Coming Soon.”
They are being called the Hottest Toy of 2019
After much anticipation, they will finally available for purchase, and we imagine they will be flying off shelves, so act fast (see our Amazon Blue Buys Below)
Get ready for Blume Parties and Blume Halloween and Blume Christmas Presents
Why are Blume Dolls the Toy of 2019?
Here is Blume’s Value Proposition from their website https://blumedolls.com/
My opinion? Outside of an adorable and cute concept, kids love the experience of surprise and collectibles like Blume. What parents like about Blume: It's fast, easy and won't break the bank. It's mess-free, stress-free and pot becomes part of the toy — something your child can even personalize and decorate! Price ranges around $10 per Blume (see below to buy on Amazon, also purchase at Walmart & Target. Pre-Sale until 8/1/2019).
I need the Blume Dolls 101
Here is what we know:
Blume Dolls as stated “grow” out of their flowerpot in around ten quick seconds.
Once Sprinkled, up comes one surprise doll with colorful foam-like hair (rainbow color, flowers, crystals embedded, and more).
The hair is soft, squishy, and foamy. You can remove the foam hair and clothes and mix-and-match with other dolls.
There are ten different surprises in each pot
Each doll also comes with her very own accessories: a pet, purse, watering can, etc.
Every doll comes with a miniature friend that’s a cute accessory with eyes.
Once your Blume doll “blooms,” the flower pot can be used as a play-set to stash and carry doll and accessories.
The Official Blume Doll Checklist:
Blume Doll Types, Blume Doll Options, Blume Doll’s
There are 4 different varieties you can get (with their 22 names!)
Mystical (Leilani is the one to get!)
Super Rare (Skye, Gemma, Cleo, Kit)
Rare (Lola, Poppy, Sierra, Cora, Roxy, Reese, Valerie)
Adorable (Sedonna, Tess, May, Mandy, Nori, Alana, Tate, Celine, Cammie, Krystal)
Here is where Blume Dolls can be purchased on Amazon, I would buy in advance, since it’s being predicted as a craze!
Planning a Blume Party?
Go to www.lyfetymes.com to plan an epic party for any occasion and follow us for more Blume updates and Blume party ideas!
This is your P.S.A- you’re welcome!
7 Easy Last Minute Graduation Gift Ideas
So you’re heading to a graduation party this weekend and you forgot to buy a gift! We’ve got you covered with easy last minute graduation gift ideas they’ll love. Lyftymes party planning website thinks of all aspects of party planning: from gift giving, to planning the entire party!
It’s graduation season and we’ve got the best graduation gift ideas—especially for you last minute shoppers! Whether they’re graduation from high school or from college, we’ve got you covered with easy last minute graduation gift ideas.
7 Last Minute Graduation Gift Ideas
DIY Money Wreath
What graduate doesn’t want (and expect?) money for their graduation? This DIY money wreath is an easy last minute graduation gift idea!
Check out this video from Sugar Bee Crafts:
Wardrobe Consultation or Personal Stylist for the New Graduate
Not all graduates are off to college—some are starting their own businesses or starting with a corporate job. They need to have a more professional and mature look, regardless of their path. Gift them a personal shopping experience with a gift card to get them started on a fresh wardrobe. This doesn’t necessarily mean a suit and tie collection, but more allowing them to start a solid foundation of classic wardrobe pieces that will last for years.
Check with your local Nordstrom or large department store to book a wardrobe styling session. This is an easy and fast last minute graduation gift and one that will be appreciated for years to come.
Transit Gift Card
Not every graduate has a car waiting for them when they walk to get their diploma. A great last minute graduation gift is a pre-paid Uber or Lyft card to help them get around. And if they have their own car, a pre-paid gas card works great, too!
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are a great gift for any occasion and a graduation gift is no exception. With the possibility of noisy dorm rooms and libraries, noise cancelling headphones will help keep them focused and talk about an easy last minute graduation gift: you can hit your local electronics store (or Target!) and find what you need.
Luggage
Graduating from high school or college brings big changes and traveling is most likely one of those changes. Whether their traveling to and from a distant college or traveling during a ‘gap year’, solid luggage is a great graduation gift. And one that they wouldn’t want to spend money on themselves!
Amazon Prime Subscription
I think most of us would agree that once you have an Amazon Prime subscription, it’s hard to go back to regular ol’ delivery windows. And let’s face it, kids haven’t developed the proper planning abilities and using a prime membership to have things delivered on a schedule or to have the ability to get things in a day or two would be an incredible gift. And buying them an Amazon prime subscription is easy and works as a last minute graduation gift, for sure!
Graduation Cash
When all else fails, or if you’re really late in planning a graduation gift: giving the gift of money is always welcome. Graduates have a lot of expenses on their horizon: parties, college expenses, new clothes, travel, etc. Giving money as a graduation gift is probably the most popular way to celebrate a graduate and it’s as easy as writing a check or stopping at the ATM on the way to the party! Including it with a heartfelt card is always a sure bet that they’ll appreciate your gift.
Last minute graduation gifts are easier than you think—no sweat!
