5. Storing Time Capsule. Although you may be tempted, it is not advisable to bury your capsule. You are likely to move or forget exactly where it is buried, and contents could be damaged by elements. It’s a better idea to give capsule a special place in your home -- perhaps fireplace mantle or on family piano. Let capsule become a conversation piece as you show it to friends and family and talk about its significance.

CAPSULE CONTENTS

The key to a meaningful time capsule is to make it personal, relevant and interesting. Following are some ideas on items to include and more importantly a few to leave out.

First, it is strongly recommended not to include food, drinks or liquids -- basically, anything that could ruin contents or create a bad odor.

Instead, consider coins, money, stamps, a small keepsake album, baby’s first photos, a video, an audiotape that you recorded for your baby, your family tree and finally a variety of newspapers and magazines. Write a letter or card to your child explaining time capsule’s purpose -- be sure to use acid-free paper that won’t deteriorate as quickly. Cards and photos are an excellent choice, but consider creating them with acid-free paper as well.

You can choose contents that are lighthearted and funny or more serious and reflective. Just remember that you set tone. Your baby’s time capsule is your creation, so have a great time making this personalized and unique gift.

To learn more about history of time capsule and how to register your personally created capsule, please visit All About Baby website.

Nancy Wurtzel is the founder and owner of All About Baby, an ecommerce site located at http://www.allbaby.com. All About Baby specializes in personalized and memorable gifts for children as well as interesting and helpful child-related site content. Ms. Wurtzel has over 20 years of marketing and communications experience. She consults with small businesses seeking to enter the marketplace or grow their existing ecommerce business.

YOU’VE GOT QUESTIONS, THE TOOTH FAIRY HAS ANSWERS While everyone seems to know about Tooth Fairy, not everyone celebrates in exactly same manner. And, parents often have questions. Following are some common questions concerning this fantasy fairy who visits in night and leaves presents and money.

Why did a fairy become associated with losing a baby tooth? Many old cultures marked loss of a child’s baby or milk teeth. Some ancient cultures placed lost tooth in a tree or threw it to sun. Other rituals involved having an adult swallow tooth or burn it.

Why is Tooth Fairy so popular? The Tooth Fairy is a whimsical concept that helps both parent and child mark transition from infancy to childhood. It’s a rite of passage that is not attached to any religion or holiday, which accounts for its widespread celebration.

When does Tooth Fairy come to visit? Although it varies, children generally lose their first baby tooth between ages of 5 and 7 years.

Why is Tooth Fairy traditionally female? As a popular culture figure of relatively modern times, Tooth Fairy is usually depicted as a woman. However, some companies are now offering Tooth Fairy “Prince” style gifts for boys to enjoy.

What does Tooth Fairy exchange for child’s tooth? A generation ago, Tooth Fairy brought only a modest gift, perhaps a dime or a quarter. In very recent years, that amount has increased dramatically and children now receive Tooth Fairy gifts ranging from a dollar to five dollars to much more. Sometimes monetary amount is considerably higher for first tooth lost. Instead of cash, some parents opt for a gift. But money remains most popular choice.

Is Tooth Fairy celebrated around world? Throughout English-speaking and many European countries, Tooth Fairy tradition is widely known and practiced. Although in many cultures, first lost tooth is only one recognized by Tooth Fairy.

THE END OF A MAGICAL CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE Alas, a child’s belief in Tooth Fairy is all too fleeting. By age of nine or ten, most children have stopped believing in Tooth Fairy. Many kids, however, continue to play along with their parents because they enjoy tradition and they like collecting money! The last baby teeth are usually gone by age 12, and Tooth Fairy ceases her visits.

What happens to all teeth collected over years by Tooth Fairy? Some parents tell their children that teeth become countless shimmering stars in sky. Others say that Tooth Fairy is building a fabulous castle for herself using all of “donated” teeth. Today, there are numerous books available about Tooth Fairy that offer their own version of what happens to countless lost teeth.

In end, magic of Tooth Fairy is perpetuated by parents who make up their own stories and create their own rituals. This only adds to magical charm that we call Tooth Fairy.