Bunchland

What we’re reading today:

1. What to do if your in-laws try to change your time-honoured holiday traditions.

2. Ever had a bad gift? While we feel we’ve been pretty lucky on that front, we do know some people who just can’t give presents right. Well know you can air your gift-grievances on http://whydidyoubuymethat.com. Of course you can.

3. As much as we strive to make happy memories for our kids, research shows those memories don’t really finalize until about age 10. (So what your 5-year-old remembers about her first couple Christmases might be gone in a couple years)

4. Here’s a Festivus Miracle for you: A girl thought lost to the Indonesia tsunami seven years ago has been found.

5. Planning to stick a real baby in your Nativity play? Here’s how to properly stick on in swaddling clothes:

 Read more...

Another batch of Etsy treasures, where one of a kind holiday gift options abound.

If you missed it, check out our Etsy Round Up Part 1 and get inspired about finding some amazing Christmas presents from your couch. The hits just keep coming!

For the under 3 crowd:

Teething Toy Moustache

If you got a kick out of Mini Movember, keep the fun going all year with this wooden wonder by teethME.

Screen Printed Sushi Bib and Hat

They might not be skilled with chopsticks yet, (or even their fingers), but this bib and hat set will keep your little dynamite roll clean. By LEFTright.

For the 3 – 6 crowd:

Felt Campfire Playset

Bring the best part of camping inside, all year round. This set comes with 8-inch flames, logs, rocks, a roasting stick with Velcro on the end with stickable hotdog and s’mores set. By kidnaroundcreations.  Read more...

Break out the craft supplies and personalize your presents this year!

Making gifts can be fun and easy and it looks way more thoughtful than buying a random candle present. Plus, it’s always priceless seeing the kids’ faces beam with pride when they deliver something homemade. Here are 5 totally doable and kid-help friendly DIY gift ideas.

Stenciled napkins and tea towels

You can cut your own stencil designs out of cardstock with an exacto knife, or buy some plastic stencils from a craft store. Pre-wash some blank tea towels and napkins and iron out creases. Now, place your stencil overtop of the towel and secure with masking tape. Dip a stencil brush into it some fabric paint and dab the paint on the towel – don’t smear like you’re using a regular paintbrush. After applying a few coats, peel off the stencil and allow to dry. Fold and tie your tea towels and napkins together with kitchen twine and attach a gift tag to label your one of a kind threads!  Read more...

Rose Bianchini is pregnant with twins

Before Hillary Clinton said it, there was an African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. I definitely believe to be a happy functional family that one needs a community around them. I was reminded again of the importance of this when we recently had our baby shower with close friends and family. My parents made five lasagnas, my sister a cake and my girlfriends brought nibbles, salads, drinks and cupcakes. And a lovely afternoon party was had.

We didn’t spend hours opening presents in front of people and also men and children were invited. This isn’t the first or last shower that I’ve been to that is more inclusive. Men are taking a more active role as dads, as it should be. According to Christine Langlois, author of Raising Great Kids, children whose fathers are involved in their everyday lives have better social development, self-esteem and chances of academic success.  Read more...

The end of the school year is quickly approaching. What’cha gonna do?

It’s safe to say that here at Bunch, we love teachers. We really, really love them. We also know sometimes they have some tough stuff to deal with, like 28 5-year-olds running around and pinching each other, so at the end of the school year, we really want to show our appreciation for all their hard work. This week we polled our readers for some great gift ideas for all the teachers out there.

@charmdone17, Sonya and Michelle go with gift cards from Tim Horton’s, the teacher’s favourite store or a group gift card to a popular mall

Kelly said: My kids donate a signed book to the library and contribute to a group gift, as well as take a photo of themselves holding a personal message  Read more...

This rock’n roll idea is way cool

This craft comes to us from and DIYFashion and is a great idea for dads who are into music. It also happens to be incredibly easy, quick, and cheap.  Once it’s finished, your vinyl bowl can be used to hold all kinds of stuff, from candy to the remote or other small gadgets.

You’ll need:

• A vinyl record (preferably one that Dad still isn’t listening to)
• Oven
• Oven mitts
• Cookie sheet
• Oven-safe bowl or pot

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. It’s important the temperature is low and even.  The idea is to soften the record, not melt it.

2. Open a window and put a fan on. These records are made of a plastic material, so it can get kinda smelly.  Read more...

Because not every egg needs to be a creme egg

You may have one of those kids who doesn’t like chocolate, or you may just want to limit the amount of egg and bunny-shaped sugary treats they’re receiving this year. Either way, here are five Easter treats that lack both chocolate and high fructose corn syrup.

1. Egg sidewalk chalk: This treat comes closest to looking like what you might dip into a bowl of coloured water. Best part: A chalk egg lasts way longer than its chocolatey counterpart. Downside: Since we’ve been having such a grey/wet/snowy/crummy April, Sunday’s not looking like an optimal “get out and colour” day. Monday does though!

2. Bunny egg cups: The incredible, edible egg! Like, the real kind. Once you’ve boiled your free-run chicken eggs just enough so that the white is solid and the yolk is toast-dippingly perfect, a sweet little egg cup is the perfect way to serve breakfast on Easter morning.  Read more...