Archive for August 23rd, 2009

Babysitters and Nannies – 4 Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas

Author: admin

Aug 23



With the holidays quickly approaching, the excitement of the season is in full force… as is holiday shopping. Many parents want to add their babysitter or nanny to the gift lift this year, but they don’t don’t know where to start — and they certainly can’t afford to break the bank. Since economy isn’t going to surge in the next few weeks, here are some affordable gift ideas for a nanny or babysitter.

1. HANDMADE GIFTS

Babysitters and nannies enjoy handmade gifts from the children, so that’s a great place to start. Having the children make the sitter an ornament, delicious holiday cookies and/or a thoughtful holiday card is a cute and personal way to show your appreciation for all that your babysitter or nanny does.

Handmade gifts are good on their own, but they’re also a nice way to supplement a monetary gift if you’d like to give your babysitter or nanny a bonus but can’t afford to give as much as you would have hoped.

2. FEEL-GOOD GIFTS

The most popular non-cash babysitter/nanny gifts are what’s known as “feel-good gifts”:

Bath and body products Gourmet food treats Mall and movie gift cards Clothing (like a cute new scarf)

Sticking to something in this general feel-good category is always a sure thing. Again, to add a personal touch to this type of gift, have your children make their own holiday card to go along with the present.

3. PRACTICAL PRESENTS

Babysitters and nannies are feeling the pain of a tough economy as well, so if you’d like to go the practical route this year, here are a few smart options that can help your caregiver through the holidays.

A gas card A Starbucks card A gift card to the babysitter or nanny’s university bookstore

4. HEARTFELT VERBAL THANKS

This isn’t a stand-alone gift idea, but it’s worth calling out in its own section. Remember, whatever you can afford to give your babysitter or nanny this season, all that matters is that she knows that she’s appreciated! Something as small as taking a few minutes to sit her down and truly thank her for everything she does for your family is such a gracious gesture. Even if your sitter “knows” that she’s a valuable part of your family, now is the perfect time to verbalize that appreciation.

By: Genevieve Thiers

About the Author:



0 Comments
Filed under: Choosing a Nanny | Tagged as: , ,

Types and Uses of Wireless Camera

Author: admin

Aug 23

Wireless cameras have become increasingly prevalent in today’s society, and are used for a variety of purposes. This article serves to give you a basic overview of the different types of wireless camera available, and how they are used.

Security Wireless Camera

An outdoor wireless security camera can be used in a home security system, indoors and outdoors. Wireless cameras come in all shapes and sizes. Some types are waterproof and can be hidden away in outdoor plants or other nooks and crannies. There are also wireless video cameras with night vision.

One advantage of using a wireless camera for outdoor security is that one does not need to do extensive preparatory setups or wiring. If you decide you would like to have your camera in a different location, you simply move it over.

A wireless security camera is also good for temporary uses. For example, if you want to set the device up in a certain location for a specific event or time period, it is easy to do so, and to then move it later.

Spy Camera

A spy cam is just what the name says – a hidden wireless camera used to spy on people. Modern forms and uses of spy cams seem to be becoming more and more creative. They can be incorporated into pens, can be as small as a USB flash key, disguised in glasses, or simply so tiny that it is easy to conceal them within clothing. Some spy cameras also come with tiny microphones and listening/recording devices. You can even find backpacks with a hidden camera installed in them (this might be useful in case you want to keep close watch on whomever is hiking behind you.)

A Nanny Cam

Surveillance cameras can be used by parents to keep an eye on their children’s babysitters (to make sure they don’t abuse the children, or raid the fridge too often), or they can be used by nannies to keep an eye on the children themselves. They can also be used to watch over pets from afar or from another room. The use of wireless cameras can get pretty innovative too – one recent example I saw was a wireless camera disguised in an air-freshener. In some cases, these wireless cameras come with portable hand-held monitors so that you can always have an eye on your child as you move through the house.

Some types of wireless nanny cameras (or surveillance cameras) display the image on a cell phone (if compatible), PDA, Internet web browser, or a standard video display. Some cameras are even equipped with heat sensors which will alert you by email any time someone enters a room.

These cameras also have remote control functions which allow you to change their position and pan to get a new view, from wherever you are.



By: Anna

About the Author:

For more information, visit Wireless Camera.



0 Comments
Filed under: Nanny | Tagged as: , ,
« Go Back