Day Camp versus Residential Camp: Some kids love chance to be ‘on their own’ for a week or two, while others won’t sleep well and are nervous away from home. Consider geography as well: a day camp that’s far from home means a parent must make drive twice each day. If your child has special needs, such as medication, consider whether a residential camp will be able to accommodate these needs.

Camp Location: If you’re after a day camp, you’ll want to find camps in your general area. However, if you’re planning on sending your child to a residential camp, possibilities are endless. Depending on age of your child, you may wish to send them to an area that they’re interested in, or that offers activities they enjoy. With a high-school age student, you might wish to consider a camp located on a college campus, to give your student a feel for whether they would like to attend that school.

Just because people are on a tight budget does not mean baby shower cannot be fun. For this, guests would all be asked to pick up unique gifts from thrift stores, garage sales, antique stores, estate sales, or consignment shops. Not only are gifts affordable but expectant mother will end up with some very eclectic items.

PURE PAMPERING

When a woman reaches about seventh or eighth month of pregnancy, cute maternity clothes are no longer “cute”. The rounded stomach is in way, sleeping and getting comfortable is nearly impossible, and all woman can think of is “getting pregnancy over with.”

Obviously, nature has an amazing way of preparing women to give birth but while in that stage of pregnancy, she feels miserable. Instead of or in addition to throwing a standard baby shower, why not throw a “pamper party” for soon-to-be mom. For this shower, have everyone bring something just for expectant mother.

This might include some comfortable lounge clothing, chocolate covered cherries, takeout Chinese food, you name it, do it. She will feel so much better about herself and gain a much better outlook about hard work of labor ahead of her.

PREGNANT GUESTS

When hosting a baby shower, to create a ton of laughs while also making expectant mom feel good about her situation, have every guest come “pregnant” – men and women. A simple bed pillow rolled up and tied around waist with an oversized shirt will do job. While this is fun for an all-girl shower, it is even a better theme for a coed shower.

BABY TOYS

Rather than baby clothing, have each guests bring a special baby toy that could be used in child’s first three years of life. The variety will be wonderful and cost savings to parents huge. Not only is this baby shower theme excellent for a first baby but it also works very well for a second or third baby, as well as adopted children.

MEMORIES

For a special baby shower, create one filled with memories. In this case, each guest would bring a gift made in or representing year baby is born. For example, one guest might create a scrapbook with newspaper and magazine articles, another guest might bring a new toy developed that year, and another guest a picture frame with year as part of design.

BABY’S FIRST

With this theme, each family member or friend would choose something to represent baby’s first. As an example, a pewter fork and spoon for first solid food, a pair of baby shoes for first attempts of walking, a tooth fairy box for first lost tooth, a silk or satin case for a lock of hair from first haircut, or perhaps a cake gift certificate for his or her first birthday.

NURSERY TIME