Personalized Time out Mat, Nanny Recommended, Parent Loved, Kid Approved

TresChicTimeOutSpotPersonalized

The SUPER NANNY, Nanny 911 and Dr. Phil all recommend the Take Time Out Mat concept for child behavior  modification. Anything Joe's Personalized Gifts for Kids Decorator styled, Kid Themed, personalized Time Out Spots provide a consistent time out spot that will also fit in with your kids room decor so that it can be left out at all times or it can be rolled up and brought out when needed. Why not take it with you or to the Grandparents for overnight trips.  Please read the entire article for useful tips on this important child disciplining concept.

To view the Personalized Time Out mat choices click here: http://www.anythingjoes.com/search-products-list.cfm?sea ...

We strongly feel that a Time Out must be balanced with a Time in.
What's a Time In??, just read further to find out!

When I was young my Mom, when extremely put out with my behavior or frustrated with me, would send me into a large walk-in storage closet where I stayed until she asked if I was ready. Not as bad as it sounds really, the door was never locked and there was plenty of room and light and I could actually enjoy it, so it probably wasn't boring enough to be effective, but I knew when I was in there that I'd better have an apology ready to present when she asked if I was ready to come out.... No apology, then I must not be ready. She didn't call it Time Out, but that's exactly what it was.

Basically the Time Out is the best discipline technique for children 2 to 5. It is a tough concept to begin with, but if you are diligent and stick to your guns it is very effective. Don't become discouraged. Focus on one behavior at a time, but be consistent, don't say it if you don't mean it! Keep it up, they'll be fine and remember it as a good thing, just as I do my closet time.

We chose this list of Time Out How To's from a leading parenting website, because it balances the Time Out with a Time In. A brief time when you show affection when you catch them being good.  Be sure to do your own research before implementing by asking other parents what has worked for them.

Some parents become discouraged with time-out. Their child repeats misbehavior immediately after release from time-out. Other children seem to improve temporarily but by the next day are repeating the behavior the parent is trying to stop. Some children refuse to go to time-out or won't stay there. None of these examples means that time-out should be abandoned. It remains the best discipline technique for 2- to 5-year-old children. If you use time-out repeatedly, consistently, and correctly, your child will eventually improve.

The following recommendations may help you fine-tune how you are using time-out.

* Give your child more physical affection each day. Be sure your child receives two time-ins for every time-out each day. A time-in is a positive, close, brief human interaction. Try to restore the positive side of your relationship with your child. Catch him being good. Try to hold your child for 1 or 2 minutes every 15 minutes when he's not in time-out or misbehaving. Play with your child more. Children who feel neglected or overly criticized don't want to please their parents.

* Use time-out every time your child engages in the behavior you are trying to change (target behavior). Use time-out more frequently. For the first 2 or 3 days you may need to use time-outs 20 or more times a day to gain a defiant toddler's attention. Brief time-outs are harmless and there is no upper limit on how many times you can use them as long as you off-set them with positive interactions.

* Use time-out. Don't just threaten to use time-out. For aggressive behaviors, give no warnings, just put your child in time-out. Better yet, intercept your child when you see her starting to raise her arm or clench her fist and before she makes others cry. For other behaviors, remind your child of the rule, count to three, and if she doesn't stop immediately, put her in time-out.

* Put your child in time-out earlier. Put your child in time-out before his behavior worsens. Your child is more likely to accept a time-out calmly if he's put in early rather than if he's put in late (and screaming). Also, putting him in early means you will be more in control of your emotions. Try to put your child in time-out before you become angry. If you are still yelling when you put your child in time-out, it will not work.

* Put your child in time-out quickly. Don't talk about it first. When your child breaks a rule, have her in time- out within 10 seconds.

* Don't talk to your child during time-out. Don't answer his questions or complaints. Don't try to lecture your child.

* Ignore tantrums in time-out. Don't insist on quietness during time-out because it makes it harder to finish the time-out.

* Return your child to time-out if he escapes. Have a back-up plan for further discipline; for example, holding a young child in the time-out chair or grounding an older child.

* Consider increasing the length of time-out. If your child is over 3 years old and needs to be placed in time-out more than 10 times each day, a longer time-out may be needed to get her attention. A preschooler with a strong-willed temperament may temporarily need a time- out that lasts 2 or 3 minutes per year of her age. Children younger than 3 years should receive only brief time-outs (1 minute per year of age) because it is difficult for them to stay in time-out any longer.

* Make the time-out place more boring. If your child doesn't seem to mind the time-outs, eliminate sources of entertainment. Move the time-out chair to a more boring location. If you use your child's bedroom, close the blinds or shades. Make sure that siblings or pets aren't visiting. Temporarily remove all toys and games from the bedroom and store them elsewhere.

* Use a portable timer for keeping track of the time. Your child is more likely to obey a timer than to obey you.

* Be kinder in your delivery of time-out. This will help reduce your child's anger. Say you're sorry he needs a time-out, but be firm about it. Try to handle your child gently when you take him to time-out.

* Praise your child for taking a good time-out. Forgive your child completely when you release her from time- out. Don't give lectures or ask for an apology. Give your child a clean slate and don't tell her father or relatives how many time-outs she needed that day.

* Don't punish your child for the normal expression of anger, such as saying angry things or looking angry. Don't try to control your child too much.

* Give your child more choices about how he takes his time-out. Ask, "Do you want to take a time-out by yourself or do you want me to hold you in your chair? It doesn't matter to me." (For older children, the choice can be, "By yourself or do you want to be grounded?")

* Give your child the option of coming out of time-out as soon as she is under control rather than taking the specified number of minutes. Some children feel overly controlled.

* Use a variety of consequences for misbehavior. Ignore harmless behaviors. Also use distraction for bad habits. Use logical consequences--such as removal of toys, other possessions, or privileges--for some misbehavior.

* Clarify with your child what you want him to do. Also clarify the house rules. Review this at a time when your child is in a good mood. This will help him be more successful.

* Use time-out with siblings when appropriate. Be sure that one sibling isn't being treated preferentially. If siblings touch the timer or tease the child in time-out, they should also be placed in time-out.

* Teach all caretakers to use time-out correctly and consistently.

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Anything Joe's

Christmas is coming like it or not and a big part of the Christmas season is coming up with special Christmas  Decor  to set your home apart, and a Christmas Door Decor to welcome your guests, not break the bank and be easy to pull off, lasting throughout the entire holiday season.  At Anything Joe's we have great personalized Christmas Door Decor solutions!

If you are a theme lover, then beginning with your Christmas Door Decor, guests and family should follow your theme throughout the holiday house.  Your front door is what a passing neighbor or your Christmas party guests see first and maybe their only impression of how you and your family celebrate.  Flashing lights and Santa Claus probably means there are kids about and classic greenery, red berries and big red bow speak of a more relaxed and classic Christmas celebration. As they enter, carry the theme throughout with touches of Holiday cheer that carry the theme.  We like using pieces from years past and have Christmas items saved from Moms and and Grandmoms to keep the family traditions going.

At our home we are big into the greenery and lights.  Since the door is usually the first thing up and the last thing down, we make sure this decoration is long lasting.  Artificial greenery is put around the door first with a sprinkling of lights.  Close to the Christmas parties, live greenery is added.  We always save the extra branches from our live tree to mix in around the door and throughout the house.  Nothing is more welcoming during the holidays than the smell of fresh clipped evergreens.  This Christmas Banner idea is perfect too if you have a street facing wall or a wall space beside your front door.

Last year at Anything Joe's we began offering personalized Christmas Door Decor of personalized Christmas Banners.  We changed our own front door decor from a wreath on the door to a Christmas Banner, personalized with our family name.  This was a welcome change, totally unique (no one else in the neighborhood had one) and easy to put up receiving many compliments.  We still had the greenery around the door, lights, but the large banner hung with red ribbon was eyecatching and the family name adds that custom touch. We followed this approach at the back door with a smaller complimentary Christmas banner with a splash of greenery. 

The whole concept is topped off with a hand painted whimsical Christmas Family Portrait Canvas.  We used this as the centerpiece for our Christmas Buffet, but it could just as easily be used at the front door.  Each family member was included.  We used the one with everyone peeking out from behind the tree, but there are four choices.

Maybe these thoughts on Christmas Door Decor will give spark your decorating genius to take a new approach this year.  Have a wonderful time coming up with your Holiday Door Decorations!  We're here to help if we can!

Lets face it, Halloween has to be one of the most fun holidays to decorate for, especially when you have kids around the house.  They love everything spooky and gross, but you'd like to have something special to celebrate family, yet in keeping with the Halloween Spirit!  So if you're looking for a fun new element for your Halloween decor.  Anything Joe's has come up with a great new decorative Halloween Sign, personalized with charicatures of you and your family, Stick man style!

Anything Joe's has long been known for the "Mom Purse" with the stick family kids.  We are taking it a step further this year and creating totally unique Holiday Gfits.  Our hand painted Halloween Sign for the Family is a wonderfully fun way to celebrate family at this spooky holiday.  Painted on Artist Canvas Board and hung with cute grosgrain ribbon, this 10" x 20" sign will look perfect by your front door or on the Halloween Party Buffet.

Each is custom painted with the family members as you describe them, tell us their costume, hair color, include the pets too if you like, and we take it from there,  the fuller the canvas the better.  Here is pictured a Dad as the knight and Mom as the queen and three little boys, two as sport figures and one as a pirate.  The boys wanted the dog included too.

While you will love this as part of your Halloween Decor, the kids will love seeing these charicature stick figures of themselves.  We thought this was an extra special Family Halloween Celebration idea that you'd want to see!  If you're crafty, you can create yourself, or just save the time and let us do it for you!

If you need other unique Halloween Ideas, click here to view all the options!

Now that school is back in, the next big holiday on the kids minds will be Halloween!  The one day of the year, when asking for candy is cool and acting out and dressing up is accepted by parents, teachers and friends alike!  This is  a kids dream of a holiday!  A holiday where their unique and creative ideas can shine!

Halloween ideas are rampant, but will take some serious thought and preparation from both the kids and the parents.  Who or what are you going to be this year is the first big question.  Next, are you going to create your own Halloween costume or just buy off the shelf?  Lets hope you can help create their own Halloween costume!    Whether it is their favorite pop star, a simple ghost with a sheet and two eyes cut out, most costumes can be created from items right in your own closet or attic and these will be the most memorable and also the most affordable.

Of course this is not an option for everyone, but there are ways to still make it a Personalized Halloween even  if you can't stitch up a costume.  And the candy, how are you going to carry it??  A halloween bucket, bag or if you're expecting a big haul, how about a pillowcase!

At Anything Joe's Personalized Gifts for Kids, we've featured bags, of every size, but the cutest and most enduring choice for a Halloween Candy tote idea are the personalized Halloween Buckets hand painted by our artists. 

These sturdy Halloween buckets, 10"H   come in Black, Orange and Dark Purple and are personalized with the child's name, a Halloween Candy design and feature a nylon rope handle.  Strong enough to carry anyones take on Halloween evening!  This is a great way to make their Halloween experience more personal.  The buckets can also be used over and over for several years and they are a great place to store the Halloween Candy until it's all gone.

Need a more customized theme?  We can do this too, we can do something to match their Princess Costume, Super Hero, or whatever character they envision!

These Personalized Halloween Buckets are also great for whoever greets at your front door to pass out the candy.  Another choice for your Front Door Ghoul would be our personalized Halloween Snack Bowl.  This can be painted with the family name, such as, "THE JOHNSON'S TREATS" and will look great as you dish out the candy or on your counter for the Halloween Party!

OK, so now that we have that out of the way, we always like to include our

Top Halloween Safety Tips:

So, as you prepare your child for the Candy Grab Night, remind them of these points and then be sure to escort your little trick-or-treater on his rounds or make sure that there is a responsible adult present with them.

1. Stay on the sidewalk, if there is one, if not, stick close to the curb, facing oncoming traffic.
2. Choose the safest route, not the shortest! Emphasize the importance of crossing only at corners. Crossing mid-block increases your risk of an accident.
3. Remind kids to look both ways (left-right-left) before crossing the street, and don't assume that motorists will yield to you.
4. Limit your territory to familiar streets and neighbors. Make it clear if certain areas or houses are off-limits. There's advantages to trick-or-treating with a group: there's safety in numbers, and it's more fun!
5. Halloween is a great time to remind kids about stranger danger! Teach your child to be polite but cautious around neighbors they haven't met, and to never, ever enter a stranger's home or car.
6. Beware of black cats…and other nocturnal critters. Halloween, with its constantly ringing doorbells and throngs of people, can make even calm pets nervous. Advise your child to steer clear of pets he or she doesn't know, and consider removing your own pet from all the action.
7. This one is never popular…but don't let kids sample their treats until you inspect them. To lessen the disappointment, serve up a fun, Halloween-themed meal first. How about a Worm Sandwich (hot dogs cut into squiggly strips, curled up on a bun)? Or Spaghetti and Eyeballs (with strategically-placed olives embedded into the meatballs)?
8. Set rules regarding candy consumption, starting on Halloween night. It's no coincidence that physicians see a rise in upset stomachs after Halloween!  A great idea we heard was to once you get home, divide the candy into 7 bags, ziplock sandwich sized, so they will have a weeks worth of candy.  Keep it in the kitchen in a safe, unreachable place and divvy it out each day!  Anything left over seven days worth, divide into bags and take to the local nursing home or shelter, they will appreciate it so much!
9. Spook-proof your yard for visiting trick-or-treaters. Clear the walkway of wet leaves and other obstacles; turn on all the lights. If your decorations require extension cords, get them out of the way.
10. As far as Jack o' Lanterns go, never let young children near carving tools. Non-toxic paint, stickers, and push-in picks are safe decorating alternatives. Or let your child draw the face, while you do the carving. Instead of candles, illuminate your pumpkin with a safe, battery-operated alternative.
11. Falls are the leading cause of accidental injuries on Halloween, according to the National Safety Council. So shorten that hem, leave the high heels home, and make sure you think safety!
12. Get the pictures before you start!  Stay focused on helping them have a great time!

Heading off to school, kindergarten or Daycare can be an exciting time or something you and they are just not quite ready for.  It kind of feels like you are heading off into the unknown. 

Usually once the initial shock is past, it will be fine for both of you.  We've enjoyed watching our little niece Isabella make the progression into 3 day Daycare this year.  Of course she's the leader of the class, and it was not a hard transition.  But if you had been on the outside looking in you would have thought it would have been tougher for her.  She was a little shy with folks other than family and had been blessed to have her Mommy at home so she was used to having constant attention of a loving parent.

To us she is like a different child now, much more sure of herself, not shy a bit and a definite leader in her little class.  This year she heads off to Kindergarten and we're sure she will become the class president!

But on the subject of choosing a "cute"  Daycare backpack we did want to share what we've heard from Moms and the kids too!  So first off it should be cute! Even the young kids are establishing their persona and once they get to school they need a sense of "hey I'm cool, you better like me".   It will also serve as their little Anchor, something familiar from home and Mom.  You are kidding yourself if you think kids don't notice what the other kids have....you will see traces of peer pressure at this young stage too.  So you may as well start them at the head of the class with a cute backpack that is serviceable.  Because rest assured you will want then to have a bag that everyone else wants, right?

So what do you look for??  It should be age appropriate.  Can they actually wear it and handle it?  Iin the eyes of loving parents and grandparents they are SO BIG, but they still don't need the big backpacks used in grade school.  It will just frustrate them and the teacher.  Ask the teacher if they will be bringing home folders, etc.  If so you know it will need to be at least 10"W and 12"H.  For the ilttle ones it is usually required to have at least a shirt or top to change into in case of accidents, you may be asked to send a snack or a drink, but usually for Daycare and preschool it is mainly something to carry papers back and forth and small items.  So no big books, no overnight gear.

It should be washable!  We have backpacks like the Quilted Backpacks from Stephen Joseph which are perfectly sized, can be thrown in the wash and used for at least a couple years.  These are hightly reccomneded and a great value.  So start with these.   If you ever have questions feel free to call us to check sizes.  We are always glad to help at Anything Joe's Personalized Gifts for Kids

What day is Fathers Day?  It is coming soon, June19,  2011.  And finding just the right gift for Dad on Fathers Day can be a challenge, but well worthwhile if you hit the right buttons!  

Advertisements for unique Fathers Day gifts are a dime a dozen.   In our society of having the ability to basically have anything we want or need, gift buying is getting tough.  It is hard to find a really unique gift in the mass market, even on line.  At Anything Joe's we have a great list of unique personalized gifts for Dads!

Kids will create Fathers Day Crafts which are always a big hit and something you will find years from now in the attic and say, "Remember when little Johnny and Lilly made these Fathers Day Gift Baskets and had it filled treasures they had picked up in the yard?!?"  Some Dad's actually save the Fathers Day poems they receive and pull them out around graduations and weddings for a heart felt sentiment and a good laugh.  We all have Fathers Day cards that are especially meaningful and we tuck in the back of our sock drawer if not in a scrapbook.

We think some great personalized Fathers Day Gifts are to be found in our Father's Day Gift Section.  Personalized frames for Dad and Grandpa are especially meaningful.  Every man loves a picture of his crew for his desk or dresser!  We think our pillowcases, for instance the camoflauge or his favorite college team would be special for those Sundays crashed in front of the TV watching the college games. Our Hand Painted Acrylic Father's Day Award can sit on his desk with pride, proclaiming  the title bestowed upon him by his family.  These are just some of our unique Fathers Day Gifts.  To see even more Father's Day Gifts click here.

Storage of toys, plush pets, books and art supplies are a daily challenge to Moms and their kids.  When choosing storage options, it is important to select storage containers that are functional and will blend with a kids room decor and can also grow with the child.  Early organization skills can be taught to children as young as two, as long as you keep it simple....this box for toys, this box for blocks, this box for pets, etc.  You can make this learning process a game with the Clean Up Song:

Clean up, clean up.
Everybody clean up.
Clean up, clean up.
Put your things away.

We have found several great ideas for dealing with these toy storage problems, large to small  These personalized gift items are not only practical, but they are cute too with hand painted designs and personalization providing a workable level of style and usability for their rooms and play areas.

For large toy storage, we have a our Large Personalized Toy Box storage units that can be painted with their name and choice of designs.   These is perfect for the nursery right up through their Kindergarten days.  This includes a rolling toy tub that can be rollled around to pick up the toys.  Another large storage choice is the Treasure Chest. Shaped like a pirate's chest, this can be used for boy's toy storage with a Pirate Design and also makes a great Dress Up trunk for little girls with a princess or dress up clothes pattern.

A Mom favorite is our folding fabric hampers / toy bins Painted with a design to match their room decor it can begin their life as a toy storage bin and later be used as a hamper.  Available in ocean blue, fuschia pink and lime green, this large fabric box, 16" x 16" x 19"H, is a versatile choice.

Got lots of art supplies?? Our new Art Supply Tool Chest is perfect for boys and girls who love projects, but can never find all of their supplies.  This Art Box with it's outside boxes, inside divided lift out tray will get them on the road to organization.

Book storage is one of our specialties.  Tired of digging books out of the toy chest, off the floor, from under the bed?  Get them our practical personalized book rack and watch them learn to put their books in a proper place by their bed or even in the living room.  This little personalized gift has been one of our customers favorites for years!

We hope these storage ideas will inspire you and offer a solution to your storage problems.  Happy organizing!

Choosing just the right personalized gift for Mother's Day can be challenging, but at Anything Joe's Personalized Gifts we have a simple solution.   While many companies and organizations promote giving flowers, chocolates, a trip to the spa, we have a great idea for a personalized Mother's Day Gift that she will be excited to recieve and will treasure for years.  The only problem will be beating this gift choice next year!

While Moms and Grandmothers do love receiving the flowers, candy and pampering on their day,  what they really love about Mother's Day is celebrating their position in the family.   There is no position on earth more revered than that of motherhood and being a caring and nuturing mother.  They are the source of the family by design and we honor this position on Mother's Day.  So to most Moms this is really a day to honor not just their role, but their family!

Moms young and old love to collect photos, family remembrances and gifts that commemorate special events.  Our ceramic personailzed Mother's Day Family Plate is hand painted with the cutest Stick Family figures to represent her family, Mom, Dad and kids, oldest to youngest.  Shown here is the Grandkid version and we also do a Mother's Day Personalized Family Platewith Mom, Dad and the kids.

Either of these is a wonderful choice as a personalized Mother's Day gift for the Grand Mother or young mother in your life.  If you wish to get something special just for her, then check out all of our Mother's Day Gifts Ideas!

This time of year our minds start preparing for the next upcoming Holiday, EASTER!

The Easter tradition at our house include a personal visit by Peter Rabbit who left our full to the brim Easter Basket on the front steps (bunnies don't do chimneys and can't open the door my Mom said).  Along with the basket he would scatter a trail of eggs for us to find before we began dressing in our Easter finery and heading off to church, our pockets full of chocolate that always melted before we could eat it.

We now see more and more that this holiday has become one of gift giving, but the key is still the Easter Basket.  But the basket is now larger and a container for many other gifts, along with the candy.

Our three favorites this year are our Sol Totes, a "croc bag" that is made of the same material as a croc and will serve as their purse or beach tote all summer.  So in these days of watching the budget, it is a two fold gift that will be a hit and used all spring and summer on beach, lake or pool trips.

Our next favorite is the traditional personalized wicker Easter Basket for kids with the Chambray liner.  This is a traditional gift that will bring excitement to Easter morning.  Large, deep and lightweight this basket will become part of your Easter Tradition.

Last but not least are our pesonalized Easter Basket bags that are the perfect size for filling and for the Easter Egg Hunt and when the holiday is over, "crush flat" for storage until next year.

So happy Easter Basket filling and Easter Egg Hunts to all!

Here's a great new idea for a Personalized Easter Basket that will have year round use, the Sol Tote or better known as the Croc Bag will be perfect for the Easter Bunny to use for delivering his treats.

Looking for a useful personalized Gift to serve as their Easter Basket? This is the best choice around. Make a wonderful presentation and then they can use it all year as a purse, beach tote, shower caddy, boat bag, etc.

This will definitely be the coolest Easter Bunny Delivery on the block!

Easter is just around the corner and this means the Easter Bunny needs a way to deliver his goodies. Having a special Easter Basket is one of the year's highlights for children. When I was a child the Easter Bunny would just leave the basket of chocolate and candies on our front steps and it was such a thrill to open the front door Easter Sunday morning to see what he had left for me. My Mom would say that he might have dropped some eggs in the bushes, so we would then head to search and find even more treasures! We would then dress in our Easter best and head out to the Easter Morning Service at church, pockets full of treats!

Some things don't change, but we are finding that Easter has become a little more elaborate in the Gift Giving area. Parents and grandparents alike are wanting the Easter Bunny to deliver his goodies in containers that have more than a one time use. We offer Easter Baskets with gingham liners, plastic Easter Buckets and fabric Easter Bags, all uniquely personalized and decorated by our artists, but still fairly traditional.

This year though we have found the perfect Easter Basket idea, the Sol Tote, perfect to hold all the Easter Treats the Bunny can muster up and can be used right into the spring and summer and bringing lots of smiles and comments as to what a clever guy the Easter Bunny is! These rubbery totes are made of the same material as the popular "Crocs Shoes" and the bottom of the bag even looks like the bottom of the Crocs. Your kids will even call it the Croc Bag!

Our Personalized Sol Tote with the Easter Bunny "Fobbz" will be a big hit for the Easter Bunny to deliver his goodies and then it can be used year round. The Sol Tote makes a great gift bag, shopping bag, college shower caddy, diaper bag, garden tote, bath tub toy holder, book bag, lunch tote, beach bag, etc. So this is an Easter Basket that is perfect for any age. Not only do our colorful waterproof totes get attention, but our interchangeable Fobbz allow you to express your own style or interest.
 

Practical and waterproof. What mom could ask for more in a bag that's as versatile as your imagination and your needs. Made from the same type of material as Crocs, Sol Totes are also easy to personalize with their own charms called Fobbz, ranging from cool and funky to pretty and feminine, to playful kids' charms.

These fun bags come in two sizes, large which is perfect for adults and older kids and the small which is purse sized for tweeners or tote size for little kids The large would be a perfect go-to mom bag for carrying toddler gear and it's also roomy enough for a diaper bag for the beach or picnics. These will be incredible as a beach bag, and great for a tote for teachers to carry to and from school. The small size Sol Tote would be an excellent graduation gift for someone heading off to college as a shower caddy, and cool tween's will love this as a personalized purse.

The photo shows the Sol Tote with the Easter Bunny Fobbz. Fobbz are "add-ons" that you can put on the bag much like the Crocs Jibbitz. There are several of these to choose from to personalize the Sol Tote even more than just their name. So put on your thinking cap and make your Easter Bunny list now so that he can deliver them on Easter Morning this year. He'll be the most popular Easter Bunny in town!

To view go to: http://www.anythingjoes.com

Remember when your daughter would always pick her favorite Disney Princess and your son the latest theme like CARS or Power Rangers for their Birthday Theme?  It becomes more of a challenge as they age.  They don't want characters, but they still want something "cool".

Recently a Mom  who came into Anything Joe's ordering gifts for her daughter's upcoming 12th Birthday, said this was the first time she wasn't doing a theme, but was having a Girls Sleepover instead.  Everything in her room and all her gifts were going to Zebra patterned since they were re-doing her room in this for the party.

Together we looked through our Hostess and Birthday Party Ideas at what could be done in Zebra Decor.  She needed containers for chips and snacks and chose three Large Snack Bowls, a platter, Napkin Holder and Acrylic Ice Tub and our Acrylic Tumblers, one for each girl to take home as their "favor", all personalized and painted incorporating the Zebra and Dot theme.

It is a great idea to still keep a theme for the older child, but based more on their current intests, sports would work great for boys or a movie theme, dress up or zebra for girls, our Beach Theme for a pool party, the ideas are endless.

Would love to see your ideas, please respond with your creative ideas and call and email to order!

OK, so I'm not a poet, but we do have some really neat unique personalized Valentine Gifts.   Why not give something useful instead of just flowers, cards or candy.  Better yet combine any of these and have a wonderful gift.

Our personalized acrylic tumblers are perfect small gifts to fill with candy and give those special folks who need to know they are on your list! 

Of course any of our Personalized Gifts are great choices of gifts.  A personalized tote for Mom would be a wonderfully unique Valentines Gift.

Browse through the many choices of unqique personalized gifts at Anything Joe's

Storage of toys, books and art supplies are a daily challenge to Moms and their kids.  We have several great ideas for this problem.   These personalized gift items are not only practical, but they are cute too with our designs and personalization providing a workable level of style and usability for their rooms and play areas.

For large toy storage, we have a our Rolling Toy Box, (19" x 14" x 11"D) that can be painted with their name and choice of designs.   This is perfect for the nursery right up through their Kindergarten days.  Another large storage choice is our Treasure Chest. Shaped like a pirate's chest, this can be used for toy storage and also makes a great Dress Up trunk for little girls.

Got lots of art supplies??  Our new Art Supply Tool Chest is perfect for boys and girls who love projects, but can never find all of their supplies.  This Art Box with it's outside boxes, inside divided lift out tray will get them on the road to organization.

Book storage is one of our specialties.  Tired of digging books out of the toy chest, off the floor, from under the bed?  Get them our practical personalized book rack and watch them learn to put their books in a proper place by their bed or even in the living room.  This little personalized gift has been one of our customers favorites for years!

We hope these storage ideas will inspire you and offer a solution to your storage problems.  Happy organizing!

Personalized piggy banks make wonderful gifts for every age.  In these days when we hear so much about the financial state of our country and our families it is a great way to start a child off with savings habits.

Personalized banks make the saving process more of a personal activity...this is my bank and my money.  Children, given the chance, are great savers and learn quickly about the value of the dollar if you show them how.  Our own business, Anything Joe's, was started by Joe as a teenager who was having to save money to buy his first car and started doing craft shows to accomplish his goal.  Those special tennis shoes or the latest game will gain new meaning if the child has saved to buy it with his or her own dollars!

The classic ceramic personalized piggy banks we offer come in three sizes and can be personalized not only with their name, but a theme to match their interests or room decor.  You can also give us your own ideas on a theme for adults a favorite is our beach scene with "Joe's Vacation Fund" or for newlyweds the "Honeymoon Fund."

A favorite that Grandparents love to give younger children are the Big Belly Banks that look like a dinosaur or flower and the money rolls down the neck into the belly.  You actually "feed" your bank!

We also have specialty banks like the purse bank that is perfect for a little girls room and My First Bank that makes a unique baby gift.

Whatever your style bank, we can assure you that you child will love it and be on the path to saving just as soon as they open the box.

Tea for two and two for tea, me for you and you for me.....so the song goes.  So what is so romantic about a Tea Party?  Ask any little girl and she'll clue you in.

Almost every little girl and at early ages, little guys too, love to have tea parties and can spend hours with pretend friends, serving up tea and cakes.  Of course it is much more fun when Mom or Grandmom sits in.    Dad's also suceptible to the call of the Tea Party,  why just a few weeks ago we were watching Dancing with the Stars and Kurt Warner, Superbowl Star, was shown having a tea party with his little girls, trying to gain some grace for his upcoming waltz performance.

Having a Tea party is part of learning to be a little lady or gentleman.  Manners and menu matter greatly at even the most innocent event.  Playing with a Tea Set also helps a little girl and boy on basic home skills like setting a table, serving food, cleaning up, etc.  This is a learning experience that can be fun and borders on fantasy in a wonderful way.

At Anything Joe's we always have several Tea Sets in our lineup of Personalized Gifts.  If your child does not seem ready for a china tea set, then start them off with our Tin Tea Set in Travel Case.  This set has the basic set for four to serve on a tin tray then packs back up in a sturdy little Travel Case.  The case is personalized to add a special touch.

Our next recommendation would be the Tea Party Wicker Basket Set that is an actual china tea set, service for four, with a tablecloth which we personalize and matching napkins, but still no silverware.

If they are ready for "High Tea" then take a look at these two sets.  Both serve four, but also include a matching set of metal play silverware.  The Tea Set in Pink Wicker Basket feautures a beautiful china set with the rose pattern, silverware, tablecloth, napkins in a lined pink plastic wicker basket.  We personalize the tablecloth with their name or monogram.

Our newest china tea set, Tea Set in Carry Case comes from Delton in a leatherette carry case which will be hand painted with a flower design and their name.  Again a 4 place setting, silverware, napkins and tablecloth.  Any little girl would be proud to have this to start her Tea Set Collection and serve you and her dollies in style.