We’ve all encountered this scene: a child is presented with an elaborate present only to be more entertained with the packaging it came in. Or a child makes a “sleigh” out of a cardboard box. And mud pies aren’t known for their flashy price tag.

In short, it doesn’t take much to make a kid happy. Often we project our own needs to have lots of “stuff” by buying excessive amounts of toys and gadgets. Not only does that teach our child a certain level of “stuff gluttony” but isn’t ecologically aware (more plastic anyone?).

So here’s a quick look at some free ways to keep your kids happy. (If you have some of your own cheap and easy suggestions, send them our way!)

1. Park Play. Most of us have parks and public places that are ready and awaiting your kids at play. Not only do they get a chance to discharge excess energy in a wide-open space but also it also fosters an appreciation for the outdoors. Bring a Frisbee, a football or a kite.

2. Love your Libraries. Your local library could always stand some love and attention. Teach your children the rules of a library first (be quiet, no running around, etc.) then note the many wonders that wait among the bookshelves. Most libraries have an area especially dedicated to children who want to play and learn.

3. Rainy Day Recreation. Rainy days can be taxing on parents. Children become frustrated after being pent-up indoors for too long. Dress your children accordingly and get out there! Rain is fun for kids (and Gene Kelly. See video below). Again, it teaches them appreciate weather in all forms, not just a sunny day.

4. Walks of Wonder. Walking is a simple but effective way for a child to spend quality time with you and explore your community. (Community awareness is a key element to the safety of your child as well.) Walking is also a gentle aerobic exercise, which keeps you and your kids healthy.

 Again, the biggest toy a child has is his or her imagination. The biggest gift you can give your kid is your time. During an economically difficult time, it feels genuinely rewarding to get back to the basics anyway, doesn’t it?

Does your child have a birthday coming up? We have an imaginative line of free birthday e-cards for kids. Save on paper and entertain your child with fun, animated e-cards, especially tailored especially for a child’s wide-open mind!

 [Singing in the Rain video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZYhVpdXbQ]

Doozy Cards' fun Ribbit Birthday with happy singing frogs. Kids love singing frogs, right?

 

Did you know that celebrating birthdays is fairly new? Way back when (as in “Middle Ages” when) they’d simply say, “So and so was born at the end of May or the beginning of June.” Not much for specificity, though you could probably celebrate your birthday for months!

The earliest known recorded birthday of a king was Henry II who was born on 5 March 1133. This makes him a Pisces, imaginative and sensitive, compassionate and kind. And with a great desire to take over France and eat mutton chops.

Happy Belated Birthday, King Henry!

Apparently, even when birthdays of kings and queens were recorded, they were kept secret, lest your astrology-friendly enemy know your weaknesses as well as your future.

Birthday parties originated as a form of spiritual protection. It was once thought that good and evil spirits appeared when a child was born and could influence that child for life. So celebrations were held to ward off the evil spirits and call in the good ones.

People also felt that change was not necessarily a good thing. And since a birthday marked a significant change, families and friends took whatever measures possible to banish the evil spirits by celebrating the spirits away. Apparently, presents given earlier in the day offered the greatest protection. A nice reason to give your gift in the a.m.!

England was the birthplace of birthday cards, over 100 years ago.

And today, we still continue the tradition of sending birthday cards, including animated birthday ecards. Doozycards.com has a massive collection of funny birthday ecards, musical birthday ecards and a whole lot more enticing birthday ecards you can send first thing in the morning to protect your love one from any early morning evil spirits.

Source: http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-celebrations/birthday.html

For men, giving gifts to women can be a loaded endeavor. The wrong gift can send her flying out of the room, in a flurry of tears. The right gift can make her shout her love for you from the rooftops.

Here at the Doozy labs, we came up with some of the worst birthday gifts:

A vacuum cleaner. (A “gift” that has angered women for generations now.)

A toaster. (Toasting devices just aren’t that romantic, as a rule.)

Tickets to your favorite sporting event

A How-to Cooking Book

Wilted flowers. (No roses from discount racks ever!)

Macaroni art

Any perfume that starts with “Eau de Generic”

A monkey (Too much maintenance)

Modeling lessons

Mice

Control top panty hose

A one-way ticket to Palookaville

Coupons

Origami (It’s still paper, man. Still paper.)

Postage stamps

Canned goods

Kindling

Sagely advice and/or words of wisdom

A therapist

A Weight Watchers brochure (not even a membership? Come on.)

Boxing gloves

A Book Entitled “How to Handle your Recent Break-up”

“I’m with Stupid” t-shirts

Mime lessons

Two for one lap dances at local strip club

A hearty slap on the back

Okay, you get the gist. Think about your gift from her perspective. Take note of her interests, hobbies and items that are dear to her. And remember, a gift from the heart wins out every time.

Another smart idea? Start the day out right by sending her one of our free birthday e-cards for her. These free birthday e-cards are bound to put a smile on her. And for our sisters reading this, we also have male-brain-friendly ecards for him too.

It’s no monkey, but still…considerably less clean-up.

from our "Birthday Wishes by Dionne Warwick" and Birthday eCards for Her category

We have been very busy building over a dozen new categories of Birthday ecards for our customers. A lot of them categorize the men and women in our lives, like, ecards for Mom & ecards for Dad, for husband & wife, boyfriend & girlfriend, and so on. This made us remember an interesting point in an article a we recently read:

“If women have a disagreement with each other it affects all aspects of their relationship. Men can have a disagreement, move on to another subject and go get a drink together.”

Now, men aren’t always known for being super communicative when it comes to their feelings. They could stand to polish up on their interpersonal skills.

But that little quote got us thinking: what if women could stand a little break from being so communicative and take a lesson from the guy?

What if:

Women wrestled the next time they got in an argument with one another? Take it to the mat. Got physical instead of verbal. It would definitely save on cell phone minutes.

Women shut down completely and retreated to her respective cave? Men often expect women to initiate a lengthy, emotionally charged conversation. But what if she said, “Forget this. I’m out!” stormed off, went to the local bar and watched the game?

Women responded to every complaint with a hearty “You’re too sensitive”? Many women have been on the receiving end of this comment but what if they started doling it out, in just about any circumstance?

“Tina, I just want you to know how much I love spending time with you.”

“Man, you are so sensitive.”

“What? I thought you’d like to hear that.”

“Wow. You’re really making me feel caged in. Give me some breathing room.”

“But I…”

“See? That’s what I’m talking about. Sensitive.”

Okay, we know…were generalizing. But our point is this: maybe there’s a time to shut down, retreat and go grab a beer at the local dive bar. Maybe there’s a time to go inward and just let an argument go, without any need to fix or repair it? Men and women have interpersonal advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes swapping skills could provide some answers or at least a fresh perspective, who knows?

One thing both sexes have in common: appreciation for gifts. We now have birthday cards for her and birthday e-cards for him as part of our wide selection of free birthday e-cards that make your loved one feel loved.

And just like love, you can give them for free!

A scene from one of the animations in our new "Birthday eCards for Him" category