What Toys to Give Kids This Christmas Season

Christmas season is fast approaching. In a country like the Philippines, the first day of September is almost instantaneously associated with the most celebrated season of the year which is no other than Christmas. Of course, as a tradition worldwide, it is also the season for spending on gifts especially gifts for the children since Christmas is all about Jesus coming into the world as an infant.

So before squandering your hard earned cash into buying toys and gifts for your "inaanak", niece, nephew, cousins or kids of your selection, you might want to consider these tips in buying the appropriate toys for their age.

Age-Appropriate Toys
The following is a list of toys that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for specific age groups. Use these recommendations when shopping for toys. Keep in mind that these are only guidelines. All toys can be dangerous when they are not used properly or are in poor condition. Parents should continue to watch out for mislabeled toys and always properly supervise young children.

Newborn to l-year-old baby
Choose brightly-colored, lightweight toys that appeal to your baby's sight, hearing and touch.

1. Cloth, plastic or board books with large pictures
2. Large blocks of wood or plastic
3. Pots and pans
4. Rattles
5. Soft, washable animals, dolls or balls
6. Bright, movable objects that are out of baby's reach
7. Busy boards
8. Floating bath toys
9. Squeeze toys

1- to 2-year-old toddler
Toys for this age group should be safe and be able to withstand a toddler's curious nature.

1. Cloth, plastic or board books with large pictures
2. Sturdy dolls
3. Kiddy cars
4. Musical tops
5. Nesting blocks
6. Push and pull toys (remember - no long strings)
7. Stacking toys
8. Toy telephones (without cords)

2- to 5-year-old preschooler
Toys for this age group can be creative or imitate the activity of parents and older children.

1. Books (short stories or action stories)
2. Blackboard and chalk
3. Building blocks
4. Crayons, nontoxic finger paints, clay
5. Hammer and bench
6. Housekeeping toys
7. Outdoor toys: sandbox (with a lid), slide, swing, playhouse
8. Transportation toys (tricycles, cars, wagons)
9. Tape or record player
10. Simple puzzles with large pieces
11. Dress-up clothes
12. Tea party utensils

5- to 9-year-old child
Toys for this age group should help your child develop new skills and creativity.

1. Blunt scissors, sewing sets
2. Card games
3. Doctor and nurse kits
4. Hand puppets
5. Balls
6. Bicycles with helmets
7. Crafts
8. Electric trains
9. Paper dolls
10. Jump ropes
11. Roller skates with protective gear
12. Sports equipment
13. Table games

10- to 14-year-old child
Hobbies and scientific activities are ideal for this age group.

1. Computer games
2. Sewing, knitting, needlework
3. Microscopes/telescopes
4. Table and board games
5. Sports equipment
6. Hobby collections

As an events planner, I knew very well from years of experience that BER months is the time for most expenditure and therefore must be well planned months before. It is very crucial to plan first before hitting the malls. Most of all, avoid the holiday rush by listing all your beneficiaries and recipients, list their ages and also consider your budget. You might want to shop as early as November in order to avoid long lines and hassle understocked scenarios. All in all, this will save you time, effort and money instead of just hitting the market in this frenzy season!

Happy Early Shopping everyone!

60th Birthday Party September 2011

I haven't written much about weddings these days. I've had to attend several events particularly birthday milestones. I am gradually blessed with a handful of event bookings since the start of the 3rd quarter. All my focus and energy are channeled in bringing about the best birthday bash for a one-year old kid and a sixty-year old woman this month of September.

First week of the month of September will all be geared up towards the 1950's theme birthday surprise. I had a lot of fun going to and fro in secret to tie all the loose ends of this party. Insofar, the best decoration ideas (and by best, I mean the most economical and most wacky choice for the event). Thanks to Google for the following photos in giving me ideas how to design the venue:

Ceiling decoration ideas--

Table Centerpiece ideas

Roughly, that's how things must look during the event, but of course the procurement of these things will not be so easy as materials like vinyl cds are not so affordable in my town these days. In order to add more funky look for this event, I decided to hang CD strings on the ceiling. This will be an alternative option for a disco ball since the reflective side of a cd is already illuminating different specs of light colors and this will also give a Retro feel knowing cd's are very much part of the 1950's to 1970's era. The balloons cost less if you buy in bulk directly from party suppliers. Plus they also provide you with unlimited options on balloon size and designs.You will need to invest on a $1 balloon pump, which can be used for a lifetime if well stored and kept after use. For the table centerpiece base, you can use $0.25 coffee mugs available in many bargain shops.

In lieu of the invite cards, I went scouting for prices at the cheapest printing stores and found out that one invitation card is way too expensive for our budget. So the best thing I did was to see samples from the printing press and made it myself. Good thing I only had to make 50 pieces of these invite cards. Of course, I had to choose a special paper, ribbons and a professional printer (available in internet shops) in order to come up with this masterpiece. With the availability of these things, I found out that the total cost for each invite cards is approximately 75% lesser of that sold in the market. Now, that's what I call a bargain! (I must also consider the fact that these printing press companies are paying the building rent, their employees, the investments on the machines, etc.. so they had to put on a higher mark-up on each card).

DIY Invitation card - outside appearance

Inside the inviation card

The other details of the party include choosing a location that will serve buffet with various food choices, tapping out sponsors for program equipment such as the laptop and projector for the audio and video presentation and many others. It is best to contact friends and family and ask them to contribute in the preparations of the party. I'm very sure if you ask them politely they'd comply with openness and enthusiasm... because everybody loves to party! 

Post party updates will be posted here soon! See at the RETRO Party! yeah!
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September 10 was the day of the surprise party for a mother celebrating her 60th birthday. She had no idea that her children was working with Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings to give her an unforgettable milestone birthday.

Retro Themed Birthday Cake by Sweet Advocate and souvenirs 

The Birthday celebrant to her surprise!

Table centerpiece by Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings

Playing the trivia game

Happy faces in a happy occasion

Guests with celebrant pictorials

Best Dressed Female Guest

Dance presentation for the celebrant

A song number from this melodious young singer

Happy Birthday Mama Fely

Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings conceptualized and coordinated the entire event from scratch. Thank you Mr. Glynn Alaba and Ms. Joan Alaba for entrusting this very wonderful birthday surprise for your mom to Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings. 

Credits to:

Sweet Advocate for the retro themed cake.

Grungero Mund for the photography

Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings team for invitation cards, souvenirs, program creation and hosting, party details, decorations, etc...