The Daily Bloom

We’re in the midst of gift-giving season, and as a brand all about mamas, we strive to be as authentic as it gets when gifting. We’re not going to recommend anything that we, ourselves, don’t already love and use, so with this holiday gift guide we’re looking inwards and asking our internal Mini Bloom team to share what’s on their giving list.

From mom-hacking finds for our fellow mom friends to cozy home goods for our in-laws to everything fun and entertaining for the little ones, this is what’s giving us all the holiday feels this year.

 

Gifts for a Fellow Mama from our PR + Marketing Manager (and new mama!), Morgan Brown

Gifts for Children from Mini Bloom’s Director of Partnerships, Alexa Allen

Gifts for the In-Laws from Mini Bloom’s Founder, Lauren Wolk-Goldfaden

With cooler temperatures and kids returning to the classroom, fall is perfect for spending some quality family time outdoors. Whether you are artsy, sporty or just love breathing in fresh air, we have the perfect activities that everyone big and small will enjoy. Grab your flannels and partake in one or all of our suggestions. While we can’t promise that all of these are mess-free, we do guarantee fun will be had by all.

There is no fall season without decorating pumpkins ahead of Halloween. Before we share some DIY ways to spruce them up, we wanted to mention that if you live in Los Angeles, San Diego or West Palm Beach, Florida, Uber Eats will deliver your favorite seasonal items to your front door from Mr. Jack O' Lanterns Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins range from $5 - $15 and carving and painting kits are from $12-$25. The added bonus is that the delivery fee is free on items over $15.

Okay, so you now have your pumpkins. You can either go the traditional and messier route of carving and saving the seeds and filling for pumpkin confections later or you and your kids could get creative with crayons. This is perfect for anyone who isn’t exactly Picasso with a paint brush. All you need is a blow dryer, glue and a wide array of colors. (We suggest doubling up with the same color.)

Another way to make your pumpkins stand out is giving them a marbled effect using nail polish. This method is a bit more complicated, but the results are super chic and will have your friends asking where you bought them. You will need a few colors, a tub for distilled, room temperature water and best if you use mini pumpkins.

For those that want to avoid decorating real pumpkins, creating them with papier mâché is a fun idea. We admit this is the most intricate option, but it will absolutely be the most rewarding. Instructables has explained how to turn a balloon into a pumpkin with an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide, complete with photos.

 

Another activity that doesn’t involve pumpkins or crafts is going on a nature walk. With the leaves changing colors and the temperature being more manageable, walking or even hiking with the family is a great way to spend time together and get in those steps. During the walk, play I Spy, collect acorns and foliage and then plan to have a picnic while taking in the views.

Heading to a farm for some outdoor fun is always a welcome idea. So many places during the fall months have petting zoos, corn mazes, apple picking and hay rides. Also, during the pandemic, some places got creative with pop-up Halloween sites that you can drive through for a socially distant option. In Calabasas, California, for example, the Nights of the Jack is an immersive experience for all ages.

Back home, it’s time to wind down with a movie… but with a twist. Instead of piling on the couch, set up a screen and projector outdoors. Bring out blankets, bean bag chairs and loads of popcorn for an evening under the stars. Movie suggestions: Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, Coco, October Sky and finally The Blind Side.

The holidays are the most magical time of the year, but what makes them even more special is the traditions done together as a family. Whether they have been passed down since your own childhood or something new you have incorporated with your kids, the memories will be cherished for a lifetime. Mini Bloom has asked some of our favorite ladies about the customs that have become very much a part of their annual celebrations and hope you may decide to adopt one or all for yourselves.

For Mini Bloom’s founder Lauren Wolk Goldfaden, “traditions make the holiday season sparkle in so many ways.” Her family-of-four has incorporated some old and new traditions. “We adopt a few children every year and provide gifts for them which my kids love doing,” she says. “They get to be a part of the entire process – shopping, wrapping the presents and dropping them off.” And giving back deserves a sweet treat. “I have to say our favorite holiday tradition that we have done for years now is a holiday cookie decorating party,” Lauren adds. “The kids get to invite a few friends over to decorate (and of course eat!) holiday cookies. There’s just something about this day – the smell of cookies and the glow on the kids’ faces that always make this event feel extra special.”

DJ Lindsay Luv has a similar sentiment as food is the basis of her family’s tradition. “We make monkey bread and bloody Marys every Christmas morning,” the mom-of-two shares. “On Christmas Eve, I’m Italian, so we try and do the feast of the seven fishes.” Though her daughter and infant son are too young at the moment, she will incorporate a charitable aspect down the line as well. “As my kids get old enough, we will also have them pick out gifts to donate to those in need. It’s important to me they understand how lucky they are and how we can always help others who aren’t as fortunate. Christmas is for everyone.”

 

With family living in several states and a very nonstop life on the road, being home in Nashville for the holidays is “such a precious time” for Cassie Kelley. “Christmas Eve is a big event in our house,” she explains. “We host dinner for family and extended family. Before the kids go to bed, they get dressed in matching Christmas jammies and Santa arrives at our house before his big night to read "The Night Before Christmas" to everyone. It's always a mix of excitement and nostalgia that fills all of us up!"

Even aunties can have traditions of their own. DailyMail TV and Good Morning America 3 correspondent Alicia Quarles loves getting creative with her niece London and nephew Cayson. "We pull out the glue guns and get to work,” she notes. “We make wreaths, holiday bows for her hair and Christmas tree ornaments. It's so nice to pull out our creations from years past and then add new items to our collection."

And if you don’t want to wait until December like actress Camille Guaty-Kaye, she will be incorporating a new one for her son this Thanksgiving. “For my family, we’re starting a thankful tree this year,” she says. “It’s a great way to involve all the members of your family and any guests that come through your door in the month of November. On a fall decoration or as simple as a paper leaf cut out, write down what you're most thankful for and then place it on the tree (branch) as part of a reminder of everything we have to be grateful for.”

There is no denying that December is a nonstop month of celebration from dinners, parties and holiday activities. In between the chaos, it is also the perfect time to cuddle up with your family for a movie marathon that can take place in one day, eight crazy nights or sprinkled throughout the month. No matter how old you are, there is something nostalgic about rewatching a holiday classic with your kids or enjoying one together for the first time. Snuggle into the couch with a cozy blanket and savor the quiet with these movies that can be streamed on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or Disney + or get the DVR ready to record one of these ten films as they play on television.

You’re about to have a baby. You’ve read the books to prepare, you’ve taken the classes, and you’ve talked to every parent you know… but there’s still so much to learn.

To make things easier, we've created a product guide of all the newborn essentials you’ll need before your baby arrives. It’s our cheat sheet to all things baby -- so stock up on these options (in high, mid, and low price ranges) and you’ll officially be ready for your little bundle of babe...

Breastfeeding essentials --

NIPPLE BALMS

• High: Mama Mio Keep Calm Nipple Balm $16
• Mid: Mini Bloom Hallelujah Nipple Balm $14.50
• Low: Tiny Human Supply Co Nipple Crack Nipple Balm $11.95

BREAST PUMPS

• High: Willow Wearable Breast Pump $499.99
• Mid: Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump Hospital Strength $199.99
• Low: Lansinoh Signature Pro Double Electric Breast Pump $81.24

BOTTLES

• High: Joovy Boob Baby Bottle $15.99
• Mid: Comotomo Silicone Baby Bottle $12.99
• Low: Philips Avent Anti-colic Baby Bottle $7.49

BOTTLE DRYING RACK

• High: Philips Avent Drying Rack $17.99
• Mid: Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack $14.99
• Low: Munchkin Fold Bottle Drying Rack $7

NURSING BRAS

• High: Wacoal Underwire T-Shirt Nursing Bra $65
• Mid: Hatch The Bra $48
• Low: Seamless Clip Down Maternity and Nursing Bra $24.98

FORMULA

• High: Enfamil Enspire Infant Formula $39.95
• Mid: Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula $28.98
• Low: Gerber Good Start Gentle Infant Formula $24.98

GRIPE WATER

• High: Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water $19.96
• Mid: Colic Calm Homeopathic Gripe Water $18.95
• Low: Little Remedies Fast Acting Gripe Water $6.72

LACTATION COOKIES

• High: Totum Women, Pack of 3 $55.00
• Mid: Booby Boons Lactation Cookies $19.99
• Low: Freshly Moms Lactation Granola $11.99

APPS TO TRACK FEEDINGS

• Baby Breastfeeding Tracker FREE
• MammaBaby -- Breast Feeding App and Baby Log Tracker FREE
• Baby Tracker -- Newborn Log FREE

 

Daytime essentials 

TUMMY TIME MATS

• High: Lovevery Play Gym $140
• Mid: Infantino Go Gaga 4-in-1 Twist & Fold Activity Gym & Play Mat $49.99
• Low: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick and Play Deluxe Playmat $23.68

PACIFIERS

• High: WubbaNub Plush Pacifier $14.99
• Mid: NUK Newborn 100% Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier $6.62
• Low: Philips Avent Newborn Pacifier $5.99

BABY LOUNGERS

• High: DockATot Deluxe+ Dock $175
• Mid: Leachco Podster Sling-Style Infant Seat Lounger $49.99
• Low: Boppy Original Newborn Lounger $32.83

PORTABLE ROCKERS

• High: BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss $249.99
• Mid: MamaRoo 4 $219.99
• Low: Graco DuetSoothe Baby Swing and Rocker $90.99

BABY CARRIERS

• High: Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier All-in-One $180
• Mid: Sakura Bloom Ring Sling $148
• Low: Baby K’tan Original Baby Wrap Carrier $49.95

CAR SEATS

• High: Nuna Rava Flame Convertible Car Seat $449.95
• Mid: Diono Radian 3 RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat $299.99
• Low: Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat $199.99 

STROLLERS

• High: UPPAbaby Vista Stroller $899.99
• Mid: Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller $499.99
• Low: Baby Jogger City Mini GT Stroller $251.99

Digestion and diaper essentials 

DIAPERS

• High: Andy Pandy Biodegradable Bamboo Disposable Diapers $25.42 for 50
• Mid: Pampers Pure Protection $18.50 for 50
• Low: The Honest Company Disposable Baby Diapers $17 for 50

WIPES

• High: The Honest Company Designer Baby Wipes $18.85 per pack of 288
• Mid: Bloom BABY Baby Wipes $28.69 per pack of 640
• Low: Amazon Elements Baby Wipes $12.49 per pack of 480

CHANGING MATS

• High: Keekaroo Peanut Diaper Changer $129.99
• Mid: Munchkin Secure Grip Waterproof Diaper Changing Pad $29.99
• Low: Kushies Organic Change Pad $13.99

CHANGING TABLES

• High: West Elm x PBK Modern 6-Drawer Changing Table $1,199
• Mid: Babyletto Lolly 3-Drawer Dresser with Changing Tray $399
• Low: Delta Children Eclipse Changing Table $102.45

DIAPER BAGS

• High: Burberry Flap-Top Canvas Diaper Bag $1,050
• Mid: Abundance Boxy Backpack $209.94
• Low: Skip Hop Duo Signature Diaper Bag $48

Bathtime essentials 

BATH TUBS

• High: Puj Soft Foldable Infant Bath Tub $43.99
• Mid: Boon Soak Newborn to Toddler Tub $29.99
• Low: The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn-to-Toddler Tub $17.99 

WASHCLOTHS

• High: Aden + Anais Washcloth Set $20
• Mid: Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Washcloth Box $9.95
• Low: Gerber Washcloths 6 Pack $4.99

SOAP

• High: Noodle & Boo Newborn 2-in1 Hair & Body Wash $18
• Mid: The Honest Company Bubble Bath $11.95
• Low: California Baby Super Sensitive Moisturizing Hand Wash $6.99

TOWELS

• High: West Elm Animal Bath Wrap $34.50
• Mid: Channing & Yates Hooded Bamboo Baby Towel $25.99
• Low: Lucear Muslin Baby Bath Towel $15.99

Sleeping essentials 

BEDSIDE BASSINETS

• High: SNOO Smart Baby Sleeper $1,295
• Mid: HALO Bassinet Swivel Sleeper Premiere Series $279.99
• Low: Graco Dream Suite Bassinet $162

SWADDLES

• High: Milkmaid Goods Dahlia Swaddle Blanket $37.95
• Mid: Love to Dream Swaddle UP Original $29.95
• Low: Summer SwaddleMe Original Swaddle $16.98

SOUND MACHINES

• High: Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine $59.99
• Mid: SleepyMe Smart Sleep Soother & Star Projector $39.95
• Low: Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Nightlight Baby Sleep Soother $31.49

CRIBS

• High: Ubabub Pod 2-in-1 Convertible Crib $3,200
• Mid: Crate&kids Gustavian Crib $749.97
• Low: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Bed Conversion $379

From kindergarten to college, my favorite part of going back to school was getting new supplies. I can still feel the satisfaction of sharpening fresh pencils, unwrapping a new eraser, and carefully placing them into a fresh pencil case. It’s a feeling of limitless opportunity: the markers still have all their caps, the paints aren’t dried up, and stacks of construction paper sit neatly in every color of the rainbow.

This excitement may help explain why I became an artist and started a stationery company, Adelfi, with my sister who shares my love of a good pen and notebook. I get to refresh my supplies year round (a HUGE perk of the job). While COVID-19 has meant that I’m no longer wandering the aisles of art stores, I still love to research new, innovative products online.

And, lucky for us, I've found that many companies are creating non-toxic, environmentally friendly art supplies that actually work and look cute on your shelf. (Bonus points!)

Check out my 10 must-have art supplies for kids (and adults too)!

Be sure to download the free Mini Bloom coloring sheet and print out copies. Coloring is a fun and calming activity for all ages!

In a world where mental and physical health is as important as ever, I wanted to share all of my resources on health and wellness. Here is our comprehensive list of the top websites that I have personally found to be beneficial and helpful in my life.

Lauren xx

 

Finding gifts that inspire kids to imagine, explore, and create can be challenging, so we’ve rounded up our top picks to ensure pure happiness in whomever you may be gifting for upcoming holidays and birthdays. 

 

Whether you loved it or hated it, being cooped up at home for the majority of last year definitely made enjoying the outside that much more special. If you’re anything like us, you’re hitting the beach extra hard this summer, making up for lost time. But when doing so, there’s nothing more important than being properly prepared… especially when braving the shores with newborns and toddlers.

We’ve rounded up some of our go-to beach essentials that we make sure are in our beach bag before stepping a foot on the sand.