Three Baby Shower Gifts They Won't Expect

I love baby showers. I love the idea of helping an expectant mother prepare for the arrival of her unborn child. I love sitting with a bunch of women as they trade mommy stories, play silly games, and eat yummy food. But what I don't like is watching one gift after another open only to discover it's the same theme: diapers, baby bottles, baby clothes. I've always prided myself on discovering unique gifts that both mommy and baby can use-maybe not the minute baby is born but eventually, when all the other gifts have long been forgotten. And these three items are sure to add a new twist to the words, "baby shower gift"...

OnTray
By Laura Hamrick
ontray2go.com

Whether you're an advent coupon clipper, a frugal shopper with a calculator and buying list, or a mom with young children, you'll want to get an OnTray(TM).

This little tray is amazingly simple to use and yet, it saves so many headaches. Simply attach the clip to the shopping cart handlebar and your hands free. No more bending over to pick up dropped baggies of snacks, no more bending over to pick up calculators that have slipped through the cracks on the seat, and no more little one's whining because they're bored or hungry.

The tray can be used to hold snacks, coupons, crayons and a pad, action figures, and so much more. And the best part is that it isn't bulky. It doesn't take up a lot of room so your child can still sit comfortably in the shopping cart. In fact, you can put two OnTrays side by side-one for you and one for your child-and still have plenty of room.

So the next time you're doing a little grocery shopping, think about how much easier it would be to have a little tray, then go home and hop online to order an OnTray(TM) for yourself-heck, you may even want to get a couple for gifts. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Snak Trap
By Christine Moss
snacktrap.com

I have to admit that when I first saw The Snack Trap(TM) I didn't think it would work. After all, the lid seemed flimsy and the hole looked as though the food would just force its way out when dropped or tipped over. But I've dropped it, turned it upside down, and shoved my large adult hand in and out of the lid...and guess what happened? I pleasantly found the lid works! This is an amazing product and my only regret is that it wasn't invented sooner!

Every parent's worst nightmare is finding his/her child has stashed an entire year's worth of finger foods under his/her car seat or having to follow that child around the house picking up the trail he/she has left behind.

While The Snack Trap(TM) was originally invented for toddlers, I have to admit that I find it the perfect solution for snacking at my desk! How many times have we, as adults, brought a cup of small snacks to the desk only to knock them over while looking for an item or reaching for that cup?

The next time you're out shopping for the perfect baby shower gift, Christmas stocking stuffer, or just because gift, for a toddler in your life, buy The Snack Trap(TM).

10 Minute Menu
By Kathleen Peters
10minutemenu.com

Are you tired of wasting your hard-earned money on restaurant and fast-food bills? Do you find grocery shopping to be your least favorite chore? With 10 Minute Menu, you'll not only find grocery shopping more desirable, but you'll learn to cut your grocery bill in half, save hundreds of dollars by eating in, and waste less food.

When I first opened the 10 Minute Menu Planner, I have to admit that I was overwhelmed. With my busy lifestyle, the idea of putting together a meal plan just didn't appeal to me. After all, who had time to scour recipe books, make the initial shopping list, and set up the menu planner? So I put off the review.

Then after countless trips to the refrigerator where I'd literally open and close the refrigerator in exasperation, I decided to give the 10 Minute Menu a try.

Each planner comes with everything you need to plan meals for an entire month, but what makes the system unique is that you aren't eating meals you've never tried. You're picking your family's favorites and incorporating them into a plan that works for your busy lifestyle. Then once everything is in place, it literally takes seconds to prepare evening meals. Which means...

You guessed it! Busy parents have more time to spend with their kids!

One thing I did different with the system was type and print out my recipes, using a 9 point font. I then cut and glued the recipes to the cards provided in the kit; that way, I didn't have to flip through recipe books and magazines, thus saving me even more time!

Alyice Edrich is a freelance writer. Visit her resume site at http://alyiceedrich.net to hire her for your next project. Or visit her online e-bookstore store http://thedabblingmumpress.com to learn about running a business from home.