Blog News: Holiday Schedule

Dear readers,

The Moms Buzz daily broadcast will cease for the holiday season from Thursday, December 24, 2009 until January 3, 2010. Daily broadcast will resume Monday, January 4, 2010.

May you have a blessed holiday season and a wonderful new year 2010 filled with health, love, peace, progress and success.

Happy holidays!

- The Moms Buzz

A Few Gift Ideas for Kids

The other day I was sent a Nintendo DS game and a DVD for children to review.  I usually pick what I want to review or recommend, but given this opportunity, I thought it would be a good idea to share them with you as Christmas gift ideas for your children because I really liked what they sent me:

5 Money-Saving Tips for Entertaining

This is the time of the year that we love to have people over for a little drink or a nice full-blown sit-down dinner.  Whichever the case may be, you may want to follow these 5 money-saving tips for entertaining:

Disney's New Princess: The Princess and The Frog

We got a brand new Princess in Disney World and in our children's fantasy world too, Tiana in The Princess and The Frog.  Unlike other fairy tales in Disney princess movies, our princess is the first African-American heroine!  Tiana is hardworking and resourceful, and also one of the first Disney heroines who doesn't have to be rescued by a man. How about that?!

There are some intense and scary passages in the movie, but overall is kid-friendly, visually appealing and entertaining.

The movie is well received and a treat for the family as it is usually the case with Disney's princesses.

-The Moms Buzz

Why do teenage suicides happen in clusters?

This is not to bring down the Holiday spirit, but moms need to be aware of teenage suicides.  It is more common than what you think and recent studies show key factors that contribute to it.  

Glenn Saxe, MD, FRCP, director of Children’s Hospital Boston’s Center for Refugee Trauma and Resilience and director of the Children’s Hospital Youth Centered Suicide Prevention Program, responds to recent studies coming out of Columbia University that investigate reasons why suicide can be attractive to teenagers and young adults, and why suicide “clusters” (3 or more suicides in a row) are more common in young people. Social modeling, depression and substance abuse are key factors according to this study.  

To read the entire article, please click here.

- The Moms Buzz

Personalized Gifts for Kids: Kidlandia.com

This is a great gift idea for children anytime of the year and for any occasion as well.

Gift Idea for the Ones You Love

I think it is important to keep in mind the following guidelines when giving gifts to the ones you love or anyone else for that matter.

1. Unless you know the person's interests or hobbies, keep gifts as general and tasteful as possible - love this tip!
2. Avoid gifts that are too personal or "gag" gifts that people may find offensive.
3. Be careful about food gifts because of dietary restrictions or possible food allergies you may not be aware of.
4. Keep it equitable. Nobody should receive more than the other, unless, of course, it is about parents. Usually, with parents we feel that they deserve more thoughtful and memorable gifts. 
5. Avoid gift cards.  They can give the impression that you didn't make an effort unless they have specifically asked for it.
6. Be sure that your gifts are on time and nicely wrapped. This shows that you did make an effort.

Free Shipping Day is Thursday, December 17, 2009

Just in case you did not know that or you happen to be one of those procrastinators, free shipping day is Thursday, December 17, 2009!! Participating merchants will be offering free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve!

There are about 500 and counting well known retailer stores participating in the 2nd Annual Free Shipping Day! Here is a sample list of those who will be participating: 

Holiday Giveaway: Fancy Friendship Bracelets Book - 2 Winners!

FANCY FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS
KLUTZ BOOK RELEASE
ONLINE GIVEAWAY

The Moms Buzz has another exciting giveaway for best friends!! This is a fun giveaway for your daughter and her friends just in time for the holidays.  There are two winners of the Fancy Friendship Bracelets Book, just released by Klutz.com. 

The giveaway starts today, December 7, 2009 until December 18, 2009.  It is easy to participate and win:

10 Cool Games to Avoid Because They Are Not Really That Cool...

It is one of the typical and most wanted gifts teenagers want for a holiday gift: video games.  Certainly, they are right if you think about it as CommonSenseMedia.org indicates.  These video games are so well constructed, thoughtful and exciting, but often time they are inappropriate for kids, especially those who really want them so bad. 

As a result, CommonSenseMedia.org published a listing of 10 cool games that are "uncool" for kids plus the recommended alternatives:

Recall Alert: Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Due to Strangulation Hazard

Yesterday the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Details are as follows:

Holiday Tips for Home Entertaining

This is the time of the year we get to do more than usual home entertaining.  And, although, we may think it is like any other entertaining at home, it is not.  The big difference is in addition to entertaining is that you also have to instill the holiday spirit throughout your home.  This may mean lots decorations, appropriate music, table centerpieces, and the list goes on.... In other words, your home décor has to convey a holiday spirit everywhere.

Here are some tips to get ready for the holiday season with some festive and stylish tips on holiday party planning from Sebastien Centner, Canada's premier home entertaining guru!

How to Prepare for the Holiday Shopping

I think you can never read enough about tips on how to do your holiday shopping more enjoyable and less stressful, right? Here I have more tips for busy moms on how to prepare for the holiday shopping:

PBSKIDS.org Launches New Video Player for Preschoolers

I thought of sharing this great news for some many parents of smaller children since PBSKIDS.ORG announced today that it has launched a new video player featuring two exclusive music videos from Dinosaur Train.  The new expanded preschool video portal includes free full episodes and more new content from popular preschool series.  Check it out :  PBSKIDS.org/video.