1. Wine Tote

No celebration is ever complete without some wine. So why not gift a wine tote this Independence day? It is not a luxury, rather a necessity. A wine carrier is just as essential as a corkscrew. The wine totes at Spark and Spark are all customizable. They come in a range of exciting prints, together with a corkscrew. You can make your choice depending on the taste of the person you are gifting and add their own initials to make it even more special.

So if you have a wine enthusiast in your immediate circle, you know just what to gift them. Your gift will definitely not go without appreciation. This tote holds a single bottle and does an excellent job of protecting the wine from the heat and sun. In any case, it is much more convenient than carrying the wine in brown paper bags.

The designs are varied. So you should be able to find something to fit the taste of the receiver without much ado. Furthermore, these totes are of fine quality and therefore perfect to be carried outdoors. Whether it is a picnic or a getaway, this wine tote is completely ideal for outdoor use. So pick a wine tote if you want your loved ones to enjoy the finer things life has to offer.

2. Snackbowl

A snackbowl is something that can come handy to just about anyone. Whether it is a school going kid or a grown up, everyone can put it to use some way or the other. Furthermore, not everyone remembers to get themselves a snack bowl. So it can be even more special when you receive it as a gift. At Spark and Spark, you can place an order for a customized snack bowl. You can have it personalized, right from the color to the print. What more? You can even add the name of the receiver on the bowl. This gift can be ideal, especially for the kids.

There are so many interesting themes you can choose from, such as the firefighter, princesses, cartoon and superhero characters, rainbows, barbies, and more. The children can carry it to playdates and schools. If you are gifting it to a grown-up, you can choose themes such as basketball, baseball and so on. These can make the regular snacks a lot more enjoyable. It will also be much more convenient to carry the snacks in a proper snack box during outings and long travels. The box has an easily accessible lid at the top to prevent spillage. A snackbox can also help in avoiding unhealthy snacks when one is out of the house.

3. Thermos bottles

The entire idea of gifting is to convey the other person that you love and care about them and what better way to do it than gift them items that can truly uplift their daily life. This Independence Day, gift your loved one a thermos bottle. These are high-quality thermos bottles that can maintain the temperature of the drink for upto 12 hours. Therefore, it can come really handy for carrying healthy homemade treats during outings.

A thermos flask is also the best solution to avoid unhealthy commercial drinks. The ones at Spark and Spark come in easy to carry sizes and can hold a reasonable quantity. Also, it is always a more enjoyable experience to drink out of your own thermos. These thermos bottles come with a waterproof wrap label. You can have it customized with unique themes and also add the name of the receiver.

4. Sipper cups

Who does not love sipper cups? They can make even the regular drinks much more exciting. The best thing about a sipper cup, however, is that your drink remains entirely covered even as you drink. Furthermore, they keep you from making a mess even if you are drinking while on the go. If not all, the kids will definitely love this gift. Also, you do not have to worry about spills and clean up.

These sipper cups can be customized in the color, print, and name. This will keep them from getting exchanged at schools and daycares. The labels are of a high quality and will not wear off even after a sufficiently long period of time. In addition to that, the cups are made from BPA free, non-toxic material and are therefore entirely safe for the health.

5. Food jars

Another ideal thing you can gift this Independence day is a food jar. This is something that is used by all. So you can be sure that your gift will soon find a good use for the receiver. The food jar can come in handy, especially if the person stays out of the house for a long period of time on a regular basis. You can make your choice either from the regular or the insulated ones.

The insulated thermos food jars can maintain the temperature of the food for as long as 5 hours. It can be used for carrying hot food as well as frozen treats. In any case, it is much healthier than buying from food stalls. To make it special, you can have these food jars customized with special themes and the name of the receiver.

6. Kitchen essentials

Even if you have a hard time thinking about a suitable gift, you will never go wrong with the kitchen essentials. These are something that is needed and used by all. The best part, however, is that you can actually have them customized to suit the exact taste of the receiver. These are neutral gifts and therefore perfect for Independence Day. It is not necessary that you have to put in an Independence Day theme. You can play it safe by adding a simple and cute graphic, a short message printed on it, such as “Ana’s Kitchen” or the initials. Items such as cutting boards, tableware, plates can serve as perfect gifts for the Independence Day.

7. Travel essentials

There is a different joy in gifting small yet useful items. These small items are not required on a regular basis and therefore quite easy to miss. However, they can serve as great gifts. Furthermore, you can gift them to just about anyone. They do not cost much and you also do not have to worry about the relationship you share with the person. You can place orders for customized travel essentials such as luggage tags and name tags in the Independence Day Theme and have them printed with the name of the receiver.

Conclusion

The Independence Day is just around the corner and now, you also have a complete list of the ideal gifts. These personalized gifts will truly elevate the entire experience of gifting. They are budget friendly as well as purposeful. You can now go about freely and take the burden of gift selection off your shoulders.

Have you thought of buying your child a New Year present? If you answered a no then it is high time that you did. You may have brought a child gifts for Christmas but a New Year calls for special presents too. You need to express the infinite love that you have towards your child and buying your little one a meaningful present is the perfect way to do it.

Selecting a gift for a child may seem quite an easy thing to do. It is because unlike us adults, kids are really easy to please and have less complex emotions. But you need to be really thoughtful when making your choice because children can be too expectant at times and if they are expectations are not met, they might get disappointed which you definitely do not want. If you have run out of ideas for gifts, fret not, we are here to help you. We have compiled a list of 10 meaningful things that you can gift your child this New year.

(1) Personalized art journals

If your little one fond of drawing? If yes this personalized art journal can prove to be the perfect gift for him or her. Children are not always looking for toys and other entertainment items as gifts, such gifts will send them a message that you are about their hobbies and encourage them to get more creative. Your child will love drawing their master pieces in these art journals that bear their name on every single page.

(2) Coloring books

This is the perfect gift for 2 to 5 year old kids. The children in this age group are really small and cannot draw pictures by themselves which is why they love coloring books. With the help of such books kids can draw their very own story in the colors of their choices. Moreover, these books can also be customized with your child’s name on every single page. And your child will be delighted to see that the book has been especially designed for them.

(3) Personalized bag tags

If your child is already going to school, this gift will come around as super thoughtful and special. Kids often have difficulty in taking care of their bags while at school and these personalized bag tags will help them in identifying their bags while in school or playground. Furthermore, these are personalized with your child’s name on them which makes them an even more special present as kids love to use things that have been made keeping in mind their requirements. The designs too can be customized according to their likes and dislikes.

(4) Bags

Does your child love having fancy bags? Then this New Year you can gift them a personalized bag to add to their collection. Your child’s happiness will know no bounds when he or she sees that you have bought them a completely personalized bag which has their name printed on it. They flaunt this bag proudly when they carry it to school. This bag will prove to be a highly meaningful and special gift.

(5) Mouse Pads

Is your child a technology freak? Do they never leave their computers alone? If you answered a yes then these personalized mouse pads are the perfect thing for them this New Year. These will signify that you do not mind them using technology but this will also reflect that you want them to be responsible whilst using technology. These mouse pads can be personalized with your child’s name on them and the design too can be in accordance to your child’s preferences.

(6) Duvet Covers

They that kids have colourful dreams, if you want to make sure that your child too has some really happy dreams you need to add a splash of fund and color to their room. Wondering how you would be able to do that? By gifting them with colourful and funky duvet covers. By gifting them these you can completely revamp your child’s bedroom and at the same time make your kid happy. Your little one will fall in love with the personalized design and they will never want to get out of bed once you gift them with these beautiful duvet covers.

(7) Totes

Is your little princess a budding fashionista? If yes , then a personalized tote is the perfect gift for her. The kids of the modern era are fashion savvy and want everything that is fashionable and chic, this is especially true for the little girls out there. And if you too are parent to such a little girl, then you should definitely buy her a personalized tote for New Year. This will signify that you support her fashion choices and are completely okay with them. She will be ecstatic to have a tote that bears her name and will carry it everywhere.

(8) Personalized sippers

This is every kid’s essential and what better way to celebrate New Year than gifting them with a personalized water bottle that not only bears their name but also has the theme of their choice printed on it. Your little one will absolutely love this gift, as it has a personalized touch to it which children love. They will carry it to school proudly and flaunt it amongst their friends.

We hope that this list of thoughtful presents helped you in finding what you were looking. This New Year gift something of value to your little one and light up their tiny world!

Christmas, birthdays and any other occasion, buying gifts for kids can be a minefield! Little children are especially difficult because they grow real fast and as a result of that clothes and toys are redundant within 6 weeks. It is pretty difficult to assess what they would like; at what age they will appreciate certain things.

For ages “he will grow into it” has been the lifesaving gift choice, but times have changed and this no longer works for the kids of the modern era. These days you need to ensure that your gift is apt according to the age of the child and also that he or she enjoys using the same. Most of you would choose a toy as a gift, it is not at all a bad option.

As the holiday season is right around the corner, parents are getting intimidated by the sheer amount of toys and gadgets that are available in the market. They need to gift their children and other kids with toys that will not only be appreciated but would also benefit their development. If you are one of those people who has no knowledge in this area do not worry! Read on and find our list of top 10 things you need to know about children’s gift today.

(1) You need to gift them toys that can be used in different ways:

Kids love to break things apart, put them back together, pull them out again, add on and build up. You need to choose gifts that are “open-ended” i.e. the child should be able to play a number of games using the same toy. Toys like wooden blocks, or chunky plastic interlocking blocks kindle the child’s imagination and help them in developing problem solving and logical thinking.

(2) Keep the wrapping simple:

Children are really simple; they do not like complicated things. You need to keep it in mind that sometimes the kids can get attracted by the pretty wrapping paper and ribbons you wrapped the gift in. Hence, always keep the packing of the gift as simple as possible.

(3) Look for gifts that can be used in the long run:

All of us have been through the experience of buying a toy for a child that he or she plays with for some time and never touches it again. You can avoid this from happening by choosing a gift that is fun to use at different developmental stages.

(4) You need to choose gifts that teach kids certain skills:

When we talk about 10 things you need to know about children’s today, we definitely cannot miss out this point. You need to choose a gift that will enable the child to develop abilities like problem solving and logical thinking. This will help the child in the long run.

(5) The gifts should bring out the creative side of the kids:

As little children are still growing, their creativity needs to be honed. And gifting them with toys or objects that spark their imagination is the best way to encourage them to be creative.

(6) Do not go overboard on the superficial part:

You need not always gift children with items that are superficial; rather you should get into the habit of gifting them with real items like plastic dishes, keys, phone, dress-up clothes, etc.

(7) Academic gifts are still in trend:

The gift that you give kids does not necessarily have to be just for fun. It could be something useful like books, magnetic alphabet letters and art supplies like markers, crayons etc.

(8) Look for gift items that will encourage the child to be active:

Look for toys and objects that will enable the child to practice his or her current physical skills and develop new ones as well.

(9) Cross generation toys:

There are some toys out there like board games that require adult participation. Gifting such items will help in strengthening the child’s bond with his or her family.

(10) Read the labels:

Yes! As petty as this sounds but this is without a doubt the most important thing that you need to know about children’s gifts. You need to read the label carefully and ensure that it is kid friendly.

We hope that our list of 10 things you need to know about children’s gift today was helpful. Go out there and choose something special and worthwhile for your little one!

Looking for Christmas Gifts? Worry, not we have it covered here https://www.sparkandspark.com/christmas/

We are getting addicted to using emojis, people love emojis, it is no secret. Emojis. These colourful symbols are everywhere these days, even as decoration in high-fashion collections and very soon, in movies.

Emojis and their fancier counterparts, stickers have taken off in recent years. With the growth of technology, these pictorial representations of feelings are playing a crucial role in communication. As you are reading this, a question might have popped up in your head, what are the reasons why we love emoji?

The most important reason behind the popularity of these small pictures is that it very aptly expresses the various emotions a human goes through. And all of this is done through the use of keyboard characters.

Today’s generation relies on emoticons to communicate better. This is because language is ever evolving; we constantly look for better ways to communicate, express, and optimize thoughts and feelings. And this is exactly what emoticons allow us to do!

These emoticons have become much more famous than Mickey Mouse, Superman and Homer Simpson. Do not believe us? When was the last time you used Homer quotes, Superman GIFs or Mickey Mouse memes? Do not remember right! But you use emoticons on a daily basis. They have become an intrinsic part of our digital conversations without our knowledge.

If you are still not convinced, read on and find the reasons why we love emoji

(1) They help us to communicate better:

Human beings are known as social animals. If we avoid interaction with people, we can develop physical and psychological conditions. We form our identity from the feedback we receive from others. As social beings, we need constant and regular confirmation of our social placement.

When we communicate face-to-face we can use non-verbal tools like intonation, gestures, facial expressions, and body language. But what do you when you are having a virtual conversation? Emojis come to the rescue on the virtual platforms. We use these pictorial depictions to reduce ambiguity and to intensify or tone down our emotional expression. We have the basic needs to express our emotions. And this need in some or the other is fulfilled by the use of emoticons.

(2) It helps to increase social intimacy:

A good and healthy communication requires social intimacy. We undertake this by increasing the amount of communication and through the disclosure of personal details. What was once upon a time thought to be impossible, social intimacy is now widespread through computer-mediated modes of communication.

To establish an emotional connection with people we need to share our feelings and emotions with that person. It forms an essential part of how we build and maintain close relationships. Emoticons help us to do this more sincerely and freely. It is not just about the emoticon, but the feeling behind it matters as well. Emoticons provide us with a majority of the social well-being, physical health, and emotional wellness that face to face communication provides us with. As they continue to evolve, so will the benefits we derive from them.

(3) We react the same way we would to a human face:

One of the most important reasons why we love emojis is because we react to them like we would while we actually talk to a person. If you ever wish that you could reach out and talk to your followers and fans face-to-face, here is some good news for you, an emoji might be the next best thing. Research suggests that when we look at a smiley face online, the same very specific parts of the brain are activated as when we look at a real human face.

(4) They can be used in business settings as well:

You may have heard that emojis are not so professional for workplace communication. But these days more and more smiley faces are entering into work emails. Research has proved that these smiley faces, when included in the email, made the employee feel more valued by the organization. And at the same time, the sender’s credibility is also not affected when he or she sends an emoticon.

Now that you have read the reasons why we love emoji, feel free to use as many emojis you like. Let’s use these pictorial depictions to bring people closer!

This week, we have been learning about the powerful Hurricane Irma, may be the strongest hurricane in the last 12 years in the Atlantic. 

As you may know, Spark & Spark's operations are based out of Miami, FL. We are expecting heavy weather conditions here between Friday and Sunday. We are monitoring Hurricane Irma's path and we are getting as prepared as good as possible.

But we need to advise you, our customers, that our business operations, order processing and shipping of orders will be affected in the coming days. We cannot guarantee expedited order processing or shipping on order placed between today and Wednesday of next week.

We wish Hurricane Irma lowers its intensity and pray for all the families that are being and will be affected by its strength, here in the USA and the Caribbean.

We will keep you updated. Please send us a message to i@sparkandspark.com if you have any questions. Thanks in advance for your understanding. Hopefully we will return to our normal activity soon.

God bless,

The Spark & Spark Team

Images source: iStock Photo

by Belina Lizarzabal

When my son was turning 1, I asked myself this important question: is it wrong if I don't throw a huge first birthday party? We didn't make any big plans for Sebastian's first birthday party, but definitely wanted to do something special and keep the memories so that when he grew up older, he could see himself and talk about that important milestone. And for us, the parents, celebrating first birthday is also a big milestone because it is a celebration of our first year in the world of parenthood!

So, if you are considering a big celebration, keep these things in mind before you make the decision:

1. Your Baby Won’t Remember It

According to Baby Center, babies won’t start having long-lasting conscious memory of specific events until she/he is between 14 and 18 months old. And probably, your one-year-old will be sleeping his/her usual naps during that special day.

2. Crowds Overwhelm Babies

Many moms agree that 1-year-olds typically can’t handle big crowds. Big parties can be noisy and notoriously upsetting for the birthday baby, who may get tired as the party goes on or by being surrounded by many people. My son enjoyed just doing his normal, everyday routine and play with his new toys.

3. It isn't Really for the Baby

Let’s be honest, first birthday parties are more for adults than the kids. It’s really the parents, grandparents and friends who are celebrating, not the birthday baby. This is why we celebrated with a small gathering at our apartment and invited our closest friends and neighbors… there were only 2 other babies and it was perfect!

4. Better to Save the Money for Something Else

Birthday parties can be expensive and time consuming to plan. You could save that money towards planning a 2nd Birthday party, a family trip or a special baby photo session, to capture the milestone in a special way.

5. There Are Better Ways to Celebrate It!

I believe there are many good ways other than parties to celebrate the milestone of a baby's first birthday. This could be a perfect occasion to plan a family vacation to a nearby town.

Also, planning a special photoshoot for your baby is a terrific idea! Capturing them with a cute outfit, eating cake or playing with older siblings or pets, is a great way to preserve a memory of her special day for a photo album.

And because we love personalized gifts, this is a great celebration to put together a 1st Birthday Gift. Here are our favorite picks and designs:

These arrows are so easy to make! They could be a great activity to do on Valentine's day with the kids! And you only need a few materials:

MATERIALS

pink or red paper straws (as many as you want)

colored feathers (you'll need 2 for each arrow)

paper hearts made out of cardstock (i used pink and red)

hot glue gun

scissors

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Glue one paper heart to one end of the straw with a small sot of hot glue. 

2. Grab one of the feather, and glue it to the oposite end of the straw. I inserted it in the hole and waited a few seconds to let it dry properly. 

3. Repeat with the second feather. You may use different colors (i did!) at they look so cute!

4. Voila! You have created the perfect cupid arrow.

5. Repeat steps 1-3 to create as many arrows as you want.

Water is essential for us to stay healthy and for our bodies to function properly, but sometimes, plain old water can be boring, especially for the little ones. One way I spice things a little bit is by making flavored water at home… it’s so refreshing and a fun way to drink your H2O without even noticing it!

All you need is water, fresh fruit, herbs, a cutting board, a wooden spoon to mash the ingredients… and voila! Flavored water is definitely a healthier alternative to sodas or juices available at the grocery stores, which are full of not-so-natural ingredients and artificial sweeteners. Plus it can be a fun activity to do with the kids... my son loves helping me out by squeezing the lemons and stirring when all ingredients are in the pitcher.

A few tips to make your water more enjoyable:

• Pick fruits that you enjoy eating: berries, orange, lemon, watermelon, peach, grapefruit, pineapple… any fruit will work except bananas.
• Don’t be afraid to add herbs! You will be amazed with the flavor they can add: basil, mint, thyme, rosemary, sage… delicious!
• If you are on the go, use a water bottle that you actually love and that you can grab and put in your purse or diaper bag when you leave home.
• When offering water to the kids, serve along with a crazy straw… it will make wonders and make it even more fun! You can get those at a dollar store. For younger babies, pour the flavored water on a sippy cup, toddler cup or thermos bottle.
• Use a clear pitcher or pint container for you to really see the colorfulness the fruits add to the water… it will look so pretty you will want to drink more!

Here are a few proven combinations you can try… easy to make, and so refreshing you will want to make one for each day of the week:

1) Watermelon, Mint and Lime Water (Photo by sunnywithachanceofsprinkles.com)

2) Orange, Ginger and Blueberry (Photo by wonkywonderful.com)

3) Cucumber, Lime and Basil Water (Photo by Brit+Co)

4) Pineapple, Peach and Mango Water (Photo by Brit+Co)

5) Orange Rosemary Water (Photo by Brit+Co)

Share your recipes! and enjoy your water :)

Cheers,

Belina L

Spark & Spark

Thanksgiving is definitely one of the happiest times of the year to share with friends and family. But it is also loaded with lots of calories, so we found this easy-to-make idea for dessert, everyone will love and enjoy making, especially kids! Happy Healthy Wednesday!

Semi-homemade Turkey Muffins

What you need:

• Pumpkin muffins
• Red apple
• Green apple
• Sliver of carrot
• Squeezable icing—eyes

Directions:

From each apple, cut a slice from the side of the apple. Set flat and cut squared-off, tapered feathers. Cut a small beak from a thin slice of carrot. Make a slit in the end of a green grape and dab off excess moisture. Insert beak into grape. Poke small ends of feathers into muffin and set head on muffin, resting on the muffin paper. Once assembled, add tiny dot eyes with icing.

Enjoy!

Recipe found at parenting.com

Paper Plate Pumpkin

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Paper Candy Corns

Monster Cups

Styrofoam Spiders