Hello Twilite Moon fans. I’m Amy, founder of Tonality Designs (link: http://www.tonalitydesigns.typepad.com), an event stationary company focused on creating entertaining ideas for social gatherings like baby showers, bridal showers and birthdays. When Twilite Moon asked if I’d be a guest blogger and write holiday ideas for moms and moms-to-be, I jumped at the opportunity. Why? Because new moms are looking to start family traditions and what better way to enhance traditions than by adding creative touches to your next Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering. So over the weeks to come, I’ll happily pass on some helpful ideas to make your next holiday affair a little extra special.

That said, if you’re reading this, most likely you’re a busy mom or mom-to-be. It probably seems like a century has passed since your wedding, so you’ve long since stopped reading bridal magazines. However, it’s the bridal magazines that often have the best entertaining ideas. They provide us with seasonal color stories, creative centerpieces, easy decorating ideas and do-it-yourself invitations and favors. And yes the magazine editors are tapped into the wedding market, but who says that only your wedding day should be planned to perfection? I believe that the same thought can easily be translated to your everyday party.

To prove this I’m going to start with flowers because if you focus on adding one extra-touch this holiday season – flowers will provide the greatest impact.

And flowers are easy – a key element to consider when you’re dealing with diaper changes, midnight feedings and play dates.

So let’s remember back to when you were preparing for your wedding. You most likely found a picture of the perfect bridal bouquet and then took it to your local florist to translate for your big day. Well, you can do the same this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Today we’ll focus on Thanksgiving.

Here are 4 different pictures that could inspire the centerpieces for your Thanksgiving table this year. You’ll notice each evokes a different feel, but all say fall and fabulous. And you don’t have to limit the arrangements to just the dinner table. Think about where in your house you could use an added touch of color and simply add an arrangement. Big or small, flowers will immediately transform your home. They are welcoming and somehow have the power to make us feel special. By adding them throughout your house, your family and guests will immediately know that you made an effort to make this holiday memorable.

Now what if you’re not hosting Thanksgiving this year? Well, don’t worry. You can always surprise this year’s host with a special arrangement. Sure you could pick up a bouquet at the grocery, but where’s the extra thought and fun in that?

And remember – even though you’re no longer a bride-to-be, from time-to-time while in line at the grocery, I encourage you to pick up a bridal magazine along with your typical parent’s magazine. Or periodically visit a top bridal blog like Style Me Pretty. (link: http://www.stylemepretty.com) You just might find the inspiration you need for your next holiday party – or baby’s first birthday!

***As a side note, for you extra ambitious moms, you can always try making the flower arrangements yourself. Find where your local flower market is and on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, go to the market. For tips on flower arranging see this article and video on none other than MarthaStewart.com (link: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/lilly-pulitzer-flower-arrangements?autonomy_kw=flower%20arranging%20tips)

Flower Sources:

1. Photo by: In Photography

(link: http://www.inphotography.net/)

2. Flower by: Ink and Peat

(http://housemartin.typepad.com/housemartin/2009/09/sunshine-grey.html)

3. Flowers by: Jess Country Flowers

(link: http://www.jesscountryflowers.com/ )

4. Photo by: Jose Villa Photography

(link: http://josevillaphoto.com/ )

Amy is the founder of Tonality Designs (www.tonalitydesigns.com) where she can create the perfect stationary or decorations for any special occasion.  You can also follow her blog at http://tonalitydesigns.typepad.com/tonality_designs/.

When Foo Fighter front-man, Dave Grohl, accepted his Grammy two weeks ago for rock album of the year, he thanked his daughter, Violet, for providing him with the inspiration for writing the award winning songs.  It was an important reminder that some of the greatest songs have come from musicians who found inspiration from their children.  Each of our recommended tunes were written by musicians who were inspired by their pride and joy. 

Together, these songs could make great playlists for a baby shower, a delivery room, or even for a relaxing evening at home with your family.

“Lullaby,” Dixie Chicks

“Hold You In My Arms,” Ray LaMontagne

“Goodnight My Angel,” Billy Joel

“Call me Papa,” Donavon Frankenreiter

“Isn’t She Lovely,” Stevie Wonder

“Save Room,” John Legend

“Blackbird,” The Beatles

“Lullaby,” Jack Johnson & Matt Costa

“Your Smiling Face,” James Taylor

“I’ll Stand By You,” The Pretenders

“Little One,” Beck 

“Baby Mine,” Bette Midler

We’ve made this playlist available for you on iTunes.  Hope you enjoy!

Here are some groovy ideas so you can be the hostess-with-the-mostest the next time you throw a shower for that special mom-to-be:

1. Request that guests each bring their favorite childhood storybook to kick start baby’s library. It’s so neat to see the variety of books you’ll receive and friends love to get nostalgic about their own childhood.

2. Have guests send in their own baby pictures ahead of time. These images can be framed and used at the shower as place cards and party favors.

3.  Moms joke that after the shower they have an abundance of clothes for their baby, but only through the first 6 months. What happens when the baby grows out of those cloths?  Why not host a “baby stage” party where guests are given an age range (such as 0-3 months or 12-18 months) for which they should cater their gift to. 

4.  Interested in a fun activity?  Before the shower, ask the grandma-to-be some questions of her life with baby, (i.e. when did the mom-to-be first walk, what were her first words?).  then ask the mom-to-be the same questions at the shower…a la The Newlywed Game.  It’s fun to see how similar, or not, their answers are and it allows guests to enjoy fond family memories.

5.  How about a contest?  As guests arrive at the shower hand them a glass filled with ice.  The first person whose ice has completely melted must shout, “My water broke!”  It’s silly, but fun.

Perfect for showers, parties, or just for an afternoon alone.  This yummy virgin cocktail is packed with powerful antioxidants and natural anti-nausea remedies for soon to be mamas.

2 parts pomegranate juice

1 part pineapple juice

1 part bubbly mineral water

blackberries for garnish

hosting a shower? we’ve got a great goodie for a centerpiece that doubles as a gift: a diaper cake. yes, that is a cake made entirely out of diapers, baby bath products, some ribbon, and a lot of love.

what you’ll need:

70-80 small or medium diapers (all white), large bottle of baby lotion or baby powder, small bottle, pacifiers, etc., double-stick tape, a 16 inch round cardboard cake base (available at Michael’s or other craft stores), rubber bands, ribbon, silk or real flowers.

step 1
roll diapers one by one into neat rolls and secure tightly with a rubber band.

step 2
place large bottle of baby lotion, powder, or baby oil in center of your cardboard base.

step 3
surround the bottle with diapers so that the diapers are standing vertically. make a circle around the bottle and secure all the diapers with a rubber band. continue this step, moving outward, until you have a wide foundation and first layer for your cake.

step 4
continue with a second layer, just like the bottom layer, by circling the diapers around the baby lotion, which still should be peeking out of the bottom layer. secure diapers to the cardboard round and to the other layers with double stick tape. don’t use too much tape - the goal is for the recipient to actually use the diapers.

step 5
once you have two layers, add another smaller bottle (either feeding bottle or small bottle of baby powder) to the center to create another anchor for the top layer. repeat steps 3 & 4 until you have three layers. finally, wrap the ribbon around each layer and secure the ends with double-stick tape. we tucked slik ronunculas in the top of the cake, but you could even use real flowers. also, have fun adding special surprises like dropping a few pacifiers or teething rings in the top layer underneath the flowers!

your result is a cute, personalized gift that will be quite useful once the baby arrives!

Want to offer something special to the mom-to-be at her upcoming baby shower?  Something more than just a gift off the registry?  Here’s something that allows each guest the chance to give the mom-to-be, and baby, something personal and special.  A book of life lessons. 

Here’s how you can put this together.

step 1
You’ll need a journal, postcards, a glue stick, a pen, and the infinite wisdom of your friends & family.

step 2
Ask your shower guests to write life’s most valuable lessons on postcards and have them autograph each one. Use a glue stick to attach the postcards onto pages in the journal.  Invite family and friends to add to the life lessons book over the years. Before you know it your baby will have it’s very own life manual written by the ones who love your baby most.