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One of the special moments that occurs when children are growing up is the loss of their first teeth. To celebrate this special occasion, parents often leave a small amount of money under the child's pillow in exchange for the tooth that has been lost. Here are some ideas to make the exchange a memorable and exciting event for your kids.
Decide on the appropriate amount you want to give for the tooth. Most people leave between $1 and $5. Some people like to leave more for the first tooth and then a lesser amount for each tooth thereafter (for example, $5 for the first tooth and then $1 for each tooth after that). Use your best judgement on what is the appropriate amount, but take care to remember that more money doesn't mean better. The actual amount of money left is of secondary importance. It's the way that the tooth fairy works that builds the fun and excitement into the event.
Decide where and in what the tooth should be left in for the tooth fairy. While the tooth by itself can be left under the pillow, finding it with lights out without waking the child can be a challenge. Even something as simple as an envelope with make the switch much easier. You can even have your child leave the tooth on the table next to the bed. Simply explain that this will make sure that the tooth fairy is easily able to find it.
To make it a special event, consider purchasing a small velvet pouch (something the Tooth Fairy would surely like) to be used exclusively for the exchange. Whatever you decide, just make sure that the what the tooth is stored in under the pillow is also large enough to hold the money that will be exchanged and easy to locate.
When deciding on what money to give, choose new. There is something special about freshly minted coins and crisp bills compared with the worn type you use for everyday purchases. You can exchange bills and coins for brand new ones at most any bank for free.
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Also opt for uniqueness. With small children, quantity is always better. Finding 100 brand new shiny pennies or 20 sparkling nickels has much more impact than a single dollar bill. They will be sure to count the money over and over making the event last longer.
For older children, go for unique forms of money that are not usually seen everyday. Half-dollars, silver dollars or two dollar bills are all unique forms of money that the Tooth Fairy would likely have on hand.
If you find that you don't have special coins or bills to give out and need to leave something at the last minute, try presenting the money in an original way. Fold the bill into a fan or try folding it into an origami figure.
When leaving the money, also consider leaving a little something else so they know that the Tooth Fairy has been there. Sprinkle a little fairy dust (confetti or sparkles) under the pillow as well. Be sure to leave a <a HREF="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3849">free printable Tooth Fairy certificate</A> to commemorate the event.
If you have a digital camera, you might consider taking a photo while your child is sleeping. Print it out and glue it into a Tooth Fairy scrapbook. Then when your child wakes, you can add the tooth fairy certificate to the scrapbook. If you left Tooth Fairy dust, this can also be glued inside. Then your will have special picture memories of them growing up and they will have a book that they can treasure in later years from the Tooth Fairy.
Decide on the appropriate amount you want to give for the tooth. Most people leave between $1 and $5. Some people like to leave more for the first tooth and then a lesser amount for each tooth thereafter (for example, $5 for the first tooth and then $1 for each tooth after that). Use your best judgement on what is the appropriate amount, but take care to remember that more money doesn't mean better. The actual amount of money left is of secondary importance. It's the way that the tooth fairy works that builds the fun and excitement into the event.
Decide where and in what the tooth should be left in for the tooth fairy. While the tooth by itself can be left under the pillow, finding it with lights out without waking the child can be a challenge. Even something as simple as an envelope with make the switch much easier. You can even have your child leave the tooth on the table next to the bed. Simply explain that this will make sure that the tooth fairy is easily able to find it.
To make it a special event, consider purchasing a small velvet pouch (something the Tooth Fairy would surely like) to be used exclusively for the exchange. Whatever you decide, just make sure that the what the tooth is stored in under the pillow is also large enough to hold the money that will be exchanged and easy to locate.
When deciding on what money to give, choose new. There is something special about freshly minted coins and crisp bills compared with the worn type you use for everyday purchases. You can exchange bills and coins for brand new ones at most any bank for free.
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Also opt for uniqueness. With small children, quantity is always better. Finding 100 brand new shiny pennies or 20 sparkling nickels has much more impact than a single dollar bill. They will be sure to count the money over and over making the event last longer.
For older children, go for unique forms of money that are not usually seen everyday. Half-dollars, silver dollars or two dollar bills are all unique forms of money that the Tooth Fairy would likely have on hand.
If you find that you don't have special coins or bills to give out and need to leave something at the last minute, try presenting the money in an original way. Fold the bill into a fan or try folding it into an origami figure.
When leaving the money, also consider leaving a little something else so they know that the Tooth Fairy has been there. Sprinkle a little fairy dust (confetti or sparkles) under the pillow as well. Be sure to leave a <a HREF="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3849">free printable Tooth Fairy certificate</A> to commemorate the event.
If you have a digital camera, you might consider taking a photo while your child is sleeping. Print it out and glue it into a Tooth Fairy scrapbook. Then when your child wakes, you can add the tooth fairy certificate to the scrapbook. If you left Tooth Fairy dust, this can also be glued inside. Then your will have special picture memories of them growing up and they will have a book that they can treasure in later years from the Tooth Fairy.
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