Wedding Registries: A long-term investment

Here are a few statistics associated with the cost of weddings in Canada nowadays.

(Statistics from Weddingbells.ca)

·         Average expected cost of a wedding is $20,129 (up from $19,279 in 2009)

·         During the engagement period, couples buy: (Statistics from About.com)

• $4 billion in furniture
• $3 billion in house wares
• $400 million in tableware
• Average amount spent per guest on wedding gift: 85$- 150$

Over the past few years the wedding landscape has drastically changed.

Brides and grooms are getting married later in life (27 years old and 29 years old, respectively). As a result, more and more couples have amassed a wide array of furniture, house ware, and/or tableware before getting married.

Today couples who need items can simply register at their favorite department store and create their own personal “wish list”. Thus, gone are the days of receiving useless gifts and/ or the same gift twice.

A great idea for brides and grooms to be is to invest in items or products that are long-term assets. The new “it” thing is bamboo; bamboo cutting boards, bamboo sheets, bamboo furniture, etc.  For example, bamboo sheets have a lifespan far greater than cotton sheets (given the proper maintenance) and they carry hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties that can’t be beat. Bamboo sheets of 300 to 500 thread count offer quality that can challenge 1000 thread count cotton. Finally, bamboo can keep you cool on your hottest nights and can keep you warm even when your significant other can’t. What do you think?

Happy shopping!

What to register? - Now that’s the question…

After having gone registry shopping I have realized that the ultimate question is no longer is “he the one?” it has changed to “what should I register for?”

From linens (cotton, bamboo, recycled paper), tablecloths, dining plates (which to my surprise are very expensive per set), crystal tableware and stemware, honeymoon registries, and the new trend of registering to a charity for donations.

What are you registering for?

I understand the longevity of certain products like bamboo sheets with their silk like touch; I was also amazed at the qualities the saleswoman was telling me about bamboo sheets (antibacterial, keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, anti-allergenic, and great if you have skin irritations etc.). So she got me thinking and I found a great website that sells loads of bamboo products- check it out.

I also understand the utility of a table cloth; however, don’t you think that 180$ for 1 bowl, 1 entrée plate, 1 dessert plate, 1 cup and 1 saucer is a bit much? So were talking 180$ x 8 = 1400$. One word - WOW. What does everyone else think? Am I overreacting here?

I think I’m going to stick to the basic necessities and enjoy the more simple things in life when it comes to my wedding registry.

Happy shopping and feel free to give me any suggestions.

Being eco- friendly: A win – win Deal? Of Course!

Let’s explain!

To be eco- friendly, you do not need to invest thousands of dollars in solar panels, the last hybrid cars or plenty other things that you cannot afford to buy! Maybe,   for some of you who read this, you may have wives thinking that you waste your money in buying “ecological gadgets”! So, why don’t you try to prove she is wrong by making her happy! I am sure you want the secret! Here it is, the sheets! You probably wonder: « What? Sheets? ».

Yes, you read well and more precisely, Bamboo Sheets! Indeed, Bamboo is a natural cellulose fiber grown without pesticide or chemicals. Bamboo only uses natural rainwater.

It is the fastest growing plant on earth, which makes bamboo the most renewable resource. The more you cut, the more it grows, just like grass. Moreover, bamboo fiber is 100 % biodegradable textile material without any pollution in the environment.

Obviously, that’s not all! Bamboo sheets get plenty advantage:
natural anti-bacterial, breathable and cool, hypoallergenic… Futhermore, bamboo sheets are also very soft just like silk! By buying Bamboo sheets, you preserve the Nature and you make your wife happy with a gift and so do you…

Now, have a good sleep!

... And you think you're protecting your baby? HA!

We go a very long way to protect our babies from anything & everything: sharp objects, staircases, glass surfaces– you name it! Most of the time, it’s during the day that we run behind our children to prevent them from getting hurt.

But have you thought about the danger your exposing to your infants during the night?  

I mean –Yes- you tuck them in, you open the baby monitor and leave the door slightly open-Just in case.

Have you considered that you might be tucking them in with one of the biggest threats of all? Probably not…The issue here is that fitted blankets, cotton sheets, or sheepskins are not lightweight nor are they breathable. This actually poses serious suffocation risks.

Since babies are curious creatures, it’s easy for them to misuse these covers and severely hurt themselves.  

This nightmare can easily be avoided by switching to bamboo sheets. This ultra light material that is breathable in nature permits babies to easily breath- even if they are tucked under the covers from head to toe. Even using products such as Baby Sleeping Sacks can protect babies during their rest.

So as a parent, I think it’s time to decide what is truly best for our children. We shouldn’t only focus in protecting them during the day, but especially during the night.

The last thing a parent needs is to wake up in the morning with the unthinkable…

Have you ever heard about Lucky Bamboo?

Green plants provide an atmosphere and ambiance that makes your home friendly and relaxing. This is where Lucky Bamboo comes in place. In fact, the Chinese culture believes that lucky bamboo isn’t just an ordinary plant. It brings luck, positive energy and balance in a room.

Lucky Bamboo can bring in a very artistic way, some luck and harmony in the lives of people you care about.

For every occasion, the number of bamboo stalks has a significant and unique meaning. For example, two stalks can represent the bride and the groom as well as the love in their happy relationship, while three lucky stalks symbolizes happiness, fertility and family. Of course, we all have different degrees of superstition. Do you consider yourself a superstitious person? Did you know that using more than three stalks isn’t recommended for wedding gifts? Did you know that for each occasion, the number of lucky stalk have a different meaning?

Sweet dreams bamboo has all the distinctive characteristics that will bring fascinating spirit and luck to your home.

Panda bears not so different from men?

After watching a most educational BBC video on the Panda bear, I have come to the conclusion that the male Panda bear is not so different than our gender-opposite counterparts.

Panda Bear vs. Men

1. Leaves urine on trees as way of communicating with other Pandas./Leaves urine on toilet seat as way of communicating their refusal to pee sitting down.

2. Checks on sexual state of females through odors left on trees./Checks on sexual state of females through Facebook.

3. Treads feet in ground as way of instilling his scent which signals sex, age, and sexual condition./Treads car wheels in ground as way of signaling sex, age, and sexual condition.

4. Has non-confrontational style of combat./Also applies here.

5. Rarely travels more than 10 km for food and mating./Also applies here.

6. Male that pees highest wins in dominance./Also applies here.

You can check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=006ip4ndThE and let us know if you notice any other similarities!

Have more fun with children bamboo games!

There are many entertaining games for children that are made from bamboo. For example, Kombolino is a version of the popular Sudoku game. Children attempt to create a pattern that has one shape in each column and row which includes two bamboo play mats and 32 tiles in 4 colors and shapes.

Another example is Bamboo Pallina which gives the chance for families to play with their kids by pulling out their color-coded without letting the balls fall through the nest of sticks.

Kids enjoy and love these types of games! Remember when toys were this simply, yet so fun? Can you remember your first childhood toy?