Finding the right baby gift

Tis’ the season to be jolly and I have been extremely jolly this week. This is the first year I get to be Santa Claus. I went to find the best toys I could for my eight month old son. What an experience.


Buying A Christmas Present For Baby

If you have a little one in your life, finding the right baby Christmas gift is one of the hardest tasks of the holiday season, but also one of the most enjoyable. After all, nothing beats a happy baby. Their eyes light up without even the merest hint of self-consciousness, they gurgle and giggle, and everyone around oohs and ash.

Sometimes, however, making a baby happy is easier said than done. Whether you want to buy a Christmas gift for baby's future or something that they can enjoy now, you're sure to find a baby Christmas gift that's absolutely perfect. Browse through a varied selection of unique gifts for babies and their parents online from a number of websites dedicated to babies.

Little ones are notoriously picky, so don’t be all that surprised if the baby Christmas gifts that you pick out evoke screams of terror instead of screams of joy. There is just simply no telling what is going to provoke happiness, and what is more likely to cause fear.


Have Some Fun Picking Out Your Baby's Holiday Present

Even so, it can be a lot of fun to pick out a baby Christmas gift. At any rate, it is a whole lot more enjoyable than picking out a corporate Christmas gift, or a new vase for the aunt that you do not particularly care for.

Babies will not pretend to be pleased, while secretly hating you for not knowing what they really want. Babies will not hold a grudge against you all year and get you a calendar next Christmas as a type of covert revenge. Babies are honest, and there is something refreshing about honesty.

People rarely realize how many different baby Christmas gift choices there are out there. There are new clothes, building blocks, puppets and stuffed animals, and of course, educational toys. If you really want to please both baby and parents with your Christmas present, I highly recommend getting educational toys.

All parents are concerned about making sure that their babies get the best education possible, and it is never too soon to talk. The great thing about getting educational baby Christmas gifts is that they will be fun too. They will use games to teach the kid about spatial reasoning, logical thinking, and the like. Know, after all, what the baby already has and what he or she needs without asking. The parents will probably thank you for your consideration in taking the time to ask.

Always remember, buying a baby Christmas gift is as much about pleasing the parents as it is about making the baby happy.

More Baby Christmas Gift Ideas

GeniusBabies.com features Christmas gift ideas arranged by age for gift shopping ease. Find the most popular holiday gifts for newborns, infants, and toddlers, gifts for preschoolers and big kids too. This is just once place to visit for lots of holiday gift ideas for every child on your list.

Unique Christmas Gifts For Babies

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A boy named Shay

This story was sent to me by a very special friend. I thought I would share it with my readers.

At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.


However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

B y the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Please feel free to post a comment after each and every column. Just click on the word comment highlighted in blue at the bottom of the article.

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E-mail: drcchasse@verizon.net
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Weekly Thought Bonanza Dec 20th

On Sunday/Monday, I produce a column called “The Weekly Thought Bonanza”. The column is based on all of the random thoughts that run through my head all week, and trust me there are a plethora of them. I will try to share as many of these thoughts as I can, so each one of my readers can think just a little bit extra over the coming week.


The snow in the Northeast this weekend has pretty much restored my faith in Al Gore. The way he tells it, next year we will be all at the beach at this time.

Speaking of the bad weather, I know air bags are supposed to save your life, but they sure as heck hurt when they go off. Think I would have rather had taken my chances this weekend inside my Range Rover without them.

Yes Virginia, the Keurig Brewer makes a wonderful Christmas Gift. Have I mentioned I really like mine?

Whatever happened to bakeries? I was in the grocery store and watched them take out of the freezer all the bread for the day. No wonder why there is absolutely a different taste to their so called “fresh” bread. I miss the neighborhood bakery.

No matter how you feel about it, the healthcare legislation was rushed and I do not believe we needed a bill that solves issues not opens them.

The stay at home mom who used Twitter to tell everyone to pray for her son as he lie in the hospital after drowning in the family pool. What do people really think about before they commit plain old dumb arse moves?

Waiting in line to see Santa Claus with everyone’s child running around and crying is one of the worst things so far about being a dad. Seeing your son’s big smile on Santa’s lap is one of the best and most cherished memories so far.

Survivor needs to either re-tool next season or I think that it might go into the reality television graveyard. Make some fun changes and big surprises and it still might have some legs.

On the other hand, the new season of 24 with Keifer Sutherland is fast approaching and I for one cannot wait. Jack is back and this season is supposed to be the finest so far.

How much wrapping paper do you think is used in one Christmas Season? Eight thousand tons and 50,000 trees were used last year. Before you start to get upset over the trees, more than 50 million dollars are raised each year for charities across the globe at gift wrapping stations. (stats from CBS News)

Comparing Elvis and Howard Stern in Sirius Radio’s new commercial at first glance seems ludicrous. Then after you think about it a bit Stern did change radio as Elvis changed music. Something to think about.

The Weekly Thought Bonanza Thought of the Week; If the economy is so bad, then why couldn’t I find a parking spot at the mall in the last month?


Please feel free to post a comment after each and every column. Just click on the word "comment" highlighted in blue at the bottom of the article to share your thoughts


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The corporate Christmas party.

The office Christmas party has ruined a few careers and made a few as well. When companies are downsizing Christmas parties, maybe we should tone down what we do at one of them. While parties are fun, the Christmas part is no place to let your hair down.


My dad told me a story that always pops into my head every time I go to a Christmas party. The story goes like this. One of the big time sales guys at my dad’s company had a few too many highballs at the company Christmas party. He made some crude jokes and used some serious vulgar language. The next week he was fired and cost him a well paying job.

Another story that I have heard from a friend is even worse. At yet another Christmas party last year, my friend’s friend and his immediate supervisor had a few cocktails too many. The supervisor needled his subordinate relentlessly. One too many needles got the supervisor a broken nose. His subordinate was fired and ended up in a cast for six weeks.

Another time, a co-worker got so drunk that the function hall had her removed by the only means they had - a wheelchair.

There was another time a co-worker and myself had been outside for 'a breath of fresh air' and then returned. As we walked across the (at the time) empty dance floor, unknown to the two of us, something fell from my jacket pocket. We sat down with friends at our table, and then a waitress came up to me and said you dropped these. And held up a pair of panties.

Here are some words to live by at the Christmas party; The first thing to keep in mind at the company party is that no matter how much you try to make it an out-of-office function, the party is an extension of work. So, a boss ordering another employee to give another worker a ride home could be liable if an accident occurs. The rule there is, be careful. So it may be best that the party not be held on company property.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that managers need to be careful about what they say. While some judges have been lenient about potentially sexist and racist comments stated during an office party, that may not stop an offended employee from bringing a lawsuit. The rules a manager follows during the day about sexual and other forms of harassment should be followed at the party as well.

If you drink, even in moderation, don't. Pass on any alcoholic beverages that may be served at the company Christmas party (You'll be surprised how favorably this will be viewed, your boss may be a teetotaler, more importantly do it for your self-image). If your drinking has caused you to misstep or behave inappropriately in the past, drinking is not even an option, not even the innocuous glass of wine. The adage "one is too many, and a thousand is not enough" should be the mantra of the evening for you if drinking alcohol in any form have caused you past behavior challenges. Don't smoke either, even if there is a designated smoking area.

The best advice I can give you at the holiday party is summed up in one statement. If you need to drink at the company party make it a beer instead of a highball. You can always milk a beer, no pun intended.

Please feel free to post a comment after each and every column.



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Please forward to your friends and colleagues to enjoy. The more readers I have, the more money that is raised for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

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The Internet News changes everything

The Internet News Changes Everything


...Or does it?

It changes many things, to be sure. Hyperlinks append the encyclopedia to end all encyclopedias to every article. Flash and php enable “interactive content” much more advanced than simple page-flipping. Many of the games and demos suggested today are excellent examples. The Internet also provides an unparalleled way to track how readers experience pages, articles and demos, through what they choose to click and what they post in blogs.

And yet, in the wake of the internet journalism today, I found myself mulling the question: “All that stuff is very nice, but is it journalism?”

...or, could it be journalism? More directly: are the technologies of the web going to remain supplemental material, or are they going to change the very core substance of journalism in the future?

I doubt it.

Journalists need to “have a multimedia mindset” and that should be heeded, but also taken with a grain of salt. Every story can’t be deconstructed into bits. A story is a story and it is not a quick blurb on a computer screen.

Narrative is primary. People understand the world in terms of stories; that’s what they’re looking for in news. The implicit question people ask when they pick up a newspaper or magazine (or go online in search of news) is “what’s going on?”—and the answer to that can’t always come in choose-your-own adventure form. Breaking a feature article into blurb bios, a game, and a flash animation of the relevant science destroys something valuable. The narrative, the story, is lost. Great story telling is a lost art in the news today. I do not mean a story as in a fictitious way, I mean it in a well balanced true manner.

I heard various grim statistics today about how few people will follow a link to the latter half of a story on the internet (less than 20%). Still, though, if a publication cuts all such stories, it shouldn’t be surprised by a 20% drop in readership.

People do have the patience for longer stories, even if they don’t read them much online. As I said today, I think this is largely the result of the discomfort of reading from current computer screens. I refuse to believe that the attention span for all readers has dropped to 300 words in the last ten years. I think that advances in display technology will prove that.

Just as MTV didn’t kill the feature film’s popularity, I can’t believe that the internet will reduce journalism to blurbs. People will still want someone to connect the dots for them, to tell them a story. And as with every story there will be a reaction and a counter reaction. If there isn’t we will just live in the land of the blurbs.

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Weekly Thought Bonanza Dec 13th

On Sunday/Monday, I produce a column called “The Weekly Thought Bonanza”. The column is based on all of the random thoughts that run through my head all week, and trust me there are a plethora of them. I will try to share as many of these thoughts as I can, so each one of my readers can think just a little bit extra over the coming week. After my short holiday break the “Bonanza is back.


Can you win a Nobel Peace Prize the same week you decide to send more Americans to war? Obviously you can.

Better mood this week as my beloved Patriots took care of that pesky Carolina team.

Italian Premier Berlusconi had his nose broken and cracked two teeth, when he was struck in the face by a statue of him. Remind me again why we are down on the secret service for letting un-invited guests into the White House.

Sponsors are dropping Tiger Woods faster than you can say ho, ho, ho, no pun intended. Well, maybe a little pun.

If you get a chance to see the Santa Land Diaries, do not miss the chance. It is laugh out loud funny.

I heard Lennox Lewis say, “In a heavyweight fight you want to hit your opponent.” Really Lennox, do you think so? I thought you might just want to dance with them or watch a movie with them and eat popcorn. Never knew you were supposed to hit your opponent during a fight no less. Why do the Television Networks just hire ex-jocks as commentators? Most are laughable and should not be behind a microphone.

Bank commercials make me absolutely sick to my stomach. Do the bank executives even care that they are pushing their sins on the American people. Bank of America should be renamed Bank of Dumbarse’s.

There is nothing worse than cold toes in the winter. I went to EMS Sports and found the best pair of boots I have ever tried on my feet. I just love something that works as advertised.

I have been to a bunch of these so called famous chef’s restaurants and I have to say, my dad and mom’s cooking blows all of these places away.

I do like to look at a nice Poinsettia plant. Why do we have to put them away after Christmas? I like them, I really really like them.

Coffee tip of the week. Green Mountain Coffee’s Dark Hazelnut Roast is absolutely fabulous.

The Geico Caveman commercials are really getting old. Time to moth ball them.

Has anyone played Guitar Hero and can’t not keep up on the first level besides me?

Why do people go and get themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere? How did we manage 200 years ago when hunters had no helicopter patrols to find them?

The Weekly Thought Bonanza thought of the week; Why would you run the Santa Speedo road race? I can think of better ways to raise money without wearing a speedo in December.


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