A
gift for your young ones can reward a great performance,
add something special to a wedding day outfit,
or act as a good-natured bribe. Guidelines? Think
indulgent, ultra-girly and cool and playful for
the boys. Here are 12 ideas for the children of
your wedding party that they'll treasure forever.
1.
TOYS R' GREAAAAT!
You may love to get her a great new outfit, but
to be the apple of her eye, consider a great new
toy for your young superstar. Check first with
the parents to get the 411 on her wish list. Is
Barbie her thing? Check out the new "Bridal
Barbie" and give her a keepsake she will
never forget. For the boys, look into remote control
cars and electronic games or sports items. If
they are out of these stages, give them something
special from you, such as a learning toy to play
during down time at the wedding.
2.
SEE THEIR NAMES IN LIGHTS
Little girls love to see their names on just about everything.
Engraved ID bracelets or necklaces will make the every
member of the wedding party feel special. Need other monogrammed
notions? There are cut monograms that you can purchase
now at Joanns Fabric and Michael Crafts Stores that you
can easily iron on just about anything. Its a great and
easy way to get personalized!
3.
RHINESTONES ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND?
Jewelry is always exciting for any girl, especially
when it's real and presented in a cute little
box. Although it doesn't have to break the bank
to be special- check out all of our great rhinestone
jewelry made especially sized for young girls.
What girl do you know who doesn't like a a little
sparkle in their life? Our jewelry is something
they will not want to take off, we promise! You
won't find these type of baubles in your local
department store.
4.
FUN & OUTRAGEOUS
Indulge them with the kinds of presents their
parents might not, and they'll instantly upgrade
you to queen-bee status. Here are some irresistible
ideas:
• For the girls, a bag that contains all
kinds of lip glosses, nail polish and hair accessories.
If you are on a budget for this gift, gather up
all of your "gift with purchases" from
your own cosmetic purchases and creatively wrap
them up for her dress up time. Just make sure
this gift is not given before or directly after
the wedding because this one has wedding disaster
written all over it!
• For both, a great new sleeping bag is
always nice. Is Barbie the favorite on her list?
She will sleeping pretty in pink with her new
gear and will be the envy at her next sleep over.
For the boys, think Spiderman or any new action
figure for a super hero gift.
• For both, get them a Mr. Microphone and
encourage them to follow their dreams of being
a star. Just make sure they don't hide it in the
flower basket and serenade you down the isle!
• For both, hook them up with their favorite
music and purchase a CD player and some CD's.
This may help them to unwind and relax before
their big moment in your wedding.
5.
STEP'N OUT IN STYLE
If she is like most women we know, she cannot
resist when tempted by another pair of shoes!
The biggest mistake we see in so many weddings
is the adults forget about what shoes will be
worn by the flower girl or ring bearer. The last
thing you want in your wedding pictures is some
old scuffed up shoes on your child. Plan their
outfit from the top to the bottom. Take a look
at our great shoes for girls that can be reused
for Easter and Formals and are $15.99 a pair,
so you can't go wrong, even if for one day.
6.
ALL DOLLED UP AND SPORTY
How
many girls do you know that wouldn't like a doll?
There are some really beautiful ones out there
that are wedding related. If you can't find one
that is directly related to weddings, then try
purchasing one that looks like your flower girl,
such as her long blond hair, or her cute freckles.
Make it special so she will remember it long past
your wedding. For boys, find out what their favorite
action or sports hero is and purchase them accessories
such as posters, shirts and gear that are related
to those themes.
7.
STORY TIME
Give the gift of learning. Here are some
of our favorites for kids that can be purchased
at your local bookstore or online:
• Flower Girl (Hyperion)
by Laura Godwin
• Make a Joyful Sound
(Scholastic) by Deborah Slier Shine
• A Child's Garden
of Verses, by Robert Louis Stevenson
• The Secret Garden
(Harper Collins), by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Songs of Innocence
and of Experience (Oxford), by William Blake
• The English Roses
(Callaway Editions) by Madonna
• Little
Red (Simon & Schuster) Children's Publishing
by Sarah Ferguson
Note:
Make sure to hand inscribe the book, including
the wedding date, to commemorate the flower girl's
participation in the big day.
8.
ADORABLE ACCESSORIES
Grab up one of our cute purses, hair accessory
or gloves and present it to her before the wedding.
She will feel all grown up like the big girls
and it will be sure to put a smile on her face.
For boys, small trucks, video games or an inexpensive
watch are always fun to give.
9.
SLIPN' AND A SLIDIN'
What
child do you know (yourself included) who wouldn't
like a water related gift? Whether it is a real
Slip N' Slide or a great new float, anything that
has to do with getting wet will surely make them
smile! If your wedding is somewhere tropical or
they are staying at a hotel with a pool, make
up a basket with items like swimsuits, beach buckets/shovels,
flip flops, sunglasses and lotion. If there is
no beach or pool around, get them cool bath stickers
for the boys and the some new glitter shower gel
for the girls. Bath paints and chalk are always
a fun idea and great for kids, but sometimes a
clean up nightmare, so check with the parents
first.
10. BEAUTIFUL
HAIR
A dressy hair accessory is always a safe gift.
Whether you opt for one of our assorted bun wraps,
headbands, wreath or crowns, her locks will look
precious on your wedding day and at parties to
come. Paying for her hair to be professionally
done, along with a smaller gift, would make her
feel extra special on that day. Most all of our
hair accessories are aound $9.99, so it won't
break the bank! The groom can also take the boy(s)
with him on his "before the wedding day haircut"
appointment and make it special for the boy. The
better the kids feel about themselves on this
day, the better attitude and behavior they will
carry with them.
11.
SWEET TOOTH
Long after the wedding is the only time that we
feel that it is appropriate to give them candy...
We have visions of a chocolate covered faces walking
down the isle... If you choose to give candy,
make sure that your child does not have sugar
problems or dentists issues. If you choose to
make up a little basket- don't forget to include
one of those neat character spinning tooth brushes
and some cool toothpaste that we have spotted
at Target!
12.
A DAY WITH YOURS TRULY
You have to admit, kids do love presents, however,
not all good things come in a box! Let them have
day where you will let them choose and plan how
the day will go. There isn't one child we know
who doesn't like a day that is all about themselves.
Take them to their favorite movie and eating place
(the one that mom doesn't take them to).
Let them have whatever they want to eat at the
movies and whatever they want for food. If going
out is not their thing let them stay at your house
and sleep over maybe with the other children who
are in the wedding- stay up late watching movies,
eating pizza and making cookies. It will be a
good night to talk about their role on the wedding.
However, make it a night of laughter and friendship
for memories that will last way after the big
day!
Note: Keep it under control- don't send back a
sugared out, sleep deprived, "wild-child"
to the parents. You will have it returned one
day when you have kids!