Holiday Gifts for New Parents – Cool Baby Bibs and More

Christmas is coming up soon and many of us are looking for something for everyone on our lists. Here we’ll give you a few great ideas for gifts to buy new parents, including some things that aren’t just for baby. 

It’s also nice to be able to buy something for the family unit, instead of having to focus on the likes and dislikes of each person, so these gifts will be perfect, and possibly even less awkward, to give to everyone.

Gift Certificate for Dinner Out

Whether they choose to take baby or not, new parents can often use a night out, at least as an excuse not to have to cook dinner. Many chain restaurants offer easy-to-use gift cards, which are a breeze to pick up. Some can even be found near the register of your local grocery store. But don’t hesitate to buy a certificate from a local smaller restaurant either.

Cool Baby Gear

image:groovigee.com

From baby bibs to mini sneakers, clothes that represent mom or dad’s profession (mini doctor or fireman shirts?) to an amazing stroller, there  is a world of fun things you can buy for new parents that will be different from anything they have. You’ll also find tons of great natural and organic options online for conscious parents.

New Books or DVDs

Mom and Dad may be sticking pretty close to home these days, as it’s not always easy to go on outings with a tiny infant. Consider stocking their DVD or BluRay collection with some new releases, or gifting them one of your favorite recent reads. If in doubt, check the New York Times’ bestseller list for the best new books to hit the market.

Spa or Beauty Salon

Having a baby does a number on your body, and after baby is born there may not be much time for beauty rituals. Give Mom (and Dad!) a pick-me-up with a certificate for a new hair style, manicure, pedicure or massage. They may even be able to escape for a couples massage- bonus points if you offer to watch baby while they go! These shorter outings are easier for new parents to schedule, as they don’t require a huge time commitment.

Board Games

These are another great way to make staying home more fun, especially when it’s cold outside. Pick up a limited edition of Monopoly or a fancy chess set and they’ll have something to do during another night in.

From baby bibs to board games and those luxurious certificates for pampering and meals, there is a range of good gifts you can spoil new parents with this year. Do you have anything to add to the list? Share them with our readers in the comments below.

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Valuable Things You Didn't Know You Can Find in Your Granddad's Attic

The same belongings can have a completely different value for their owners, who want to get rid of them, and avid collectors, who cannot wait to buy them. What our parents and grandparents thought was valuable usually represents worthless bits and bobs to us. However, if we are not careful, we could throw away something unique and valuable. So, before you set your mind on de-cluttering your granddad's attic, make sure that you do not throw away any of the following vintage valuables. 

Collectible stickers

When men are still boys, most of them develop an irrational passion for sports. Driven by that crazy force, they make their parents buy them stickers of different sportspeople in various sports. No matter how much such a hobby damages the already fragile financial foundations of their families, it is, indeed, an irrational drive. However, once-teenage collectors can make their descendants rich. If you find a sticker or a card signed by Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio among your granddad's old stuff, you could become a rich man. Other sports memorabilia are also popular with collectors, so there is even a sports memorabilia convention.

Unique watches

Since watches have always been status symbols, it is no wonder that coming across an old grandfather's watch could bring the finder a nice sum of money. However, it is not only the brand and type of the watch that determine its value. Cravings, straps and who wore the watch also play an important role when its worth is to be estimated. For instance, if your grandpa was a construction worker, his watch will most probably be only a watch. However, watches worn by WWII war pilots are rated pretty high on the vintage watch market. Find out more about the value of old watches here.

Grandma's jewelry

If your granddad was a well-off man, you should also open your eyes to old grandma's jewelry. Fifty or sixty years ago, people used to buy fewer things, but they really paid attention to their quality and value. So, today we have people of wealth and taste who are keen on collecting vintage jewelry and ready to pay them more than modern items. For instance, old brooches and earrings could be worth thousands of dollars. Of course, you should learn more about antique jewelry, to avoid being ripped off. 

Grandpa's hidden treasure

When we are kids, we like to dream about hidden treasure. However, when you grow up, you realize that such dreaming can actually be pretty close to reality. When you look at the history of the 20^th century, it is clear that there were a lot of economic crises and inflations. So, it is highly probable that back in the 1930s and 1940s our grandparents traded their cash for something that does not lose its value. Even then, people invested in 100 oz gold bars and other pieces of precious metals, no matter if they just wanted to keep their money safe or they were mere collectors. This is why you could actually discover your grandpa's hidden treasure in his old house.

Music in the attic

Old artistic pieces are also considered valuable items. While it is not too probable that you will find a Monet's painting in your grandpa's attic, you mightget hold of old music editions, like records from the 1940s or 1950s. Those were the beginnings of popular music as we know it today, which is why present collectors of records from that period couldgive a substantial amount of money for them these days. To get to know more about the beginnings of record-based popular music, read this text.

As you can see, old things can have both sentimental and financial value. So, when you are getting ready to clean the attic of your parents' or grandparents' house, be careful and try to sell as many items as possible. Collectors are waiting for your call.  

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10 Ways to Accommodate Your Guests in Your Small Renting Home

Festival season is kicking in and you have arranged house party for friends and family. How are you going to welcome them this year in your 1 bhk flat in Pune? Delicious cuisines, check; red wine, check; home decorations, check; gifts, check. But have you arranged something for overnight guests? If you’re staying in a renting home, you don’t have large space. So, it is up to you how you can cleverly make enough room so that your guests can stay freely. Here are some tips to accommodate guests in your small renting home-

image:pinterest.com

1.   Have Couch Bed- You don’t need to freak out if your guests stay overnight. Little planning and preparation can make you a wonderful host. You must have an extra bed for your guests. With a couch bed you can save space during daytime while it serves as a comfortable bed at night.

2.   Clever Sitting Arrangements- You have a renting flat or apartment. How can you make space for your guests to sit at ease? A big sofa-set looks fantastic, but can make your little room clumsy. Do you have stools? Use those for extra seating. Bean bags are a good option for the purpose. Do you have a mattress? Then use your floor for sitting.

3.   Keep Air Mattress- If you don’t have enough space for a second bed, air mattress is a marvelous option. These folding mattresses take small space to keep. So, if you have such thing, you can welcome your guest without any tension. These mattresses are portable. Your friends can carry these too.

4.   Make Space for Children- You can’t forget about the children. It is up to you to arrange something for them so that they enjoy the day as adults. Mark a corner as children’s area and make them restricted there with fun elements and delicious foods. Thus, you can save space for your party as well as for kids.

5.   Make Space for Luggage- One guest means at least two luggages. You can’t let them pile up those on any side of your room. Do you have storage bed? Then store the baggage there. If you have drawers attached to tables, then ask them to keep their luggage there. This will give them a sense of privacy which they will always admire.

6.   Turn Your Living Room into Bedroom- Though you’re living in a one bedroom renting house, you have a living room. Turn the area into a bedroom by installing a bed, a bedside lamp, extra set of pillows and towels, etc. 

image:pinterest.com

7.   Loft Beds are Good Idea- A studio apartment is really a small place to live. But you can’t avoid guests. So, installing loft beds is a cool idea to make space for sleeping. Also, loft beds save space on floor to hang out.

8.   Wall Racks or Hooks- Don’t you have space for closets? Then set wall racks so that your guests can keep their baggage there. The wall hooks are a good idea to hang their clothes. Just arrange extra hangers.

9.   Start Arrangements Beforehand- You have a small space and several overnight guests. Don’t keep everything for the last moment. As you need to arrange everything tactfully, you need time. So, start arrangements prior two weeks of the big day.

10.   Mouth-watering Foods- Last but not the least to divert your guests’ attention from the space matter. Guests mainly look for the hearty welcome. If you serve the best dinner, they will remember that more than the small space of your renting home.

If one day you plan to buy your own home, read this Ten reasons you should stop renting home
 

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