Life in Pajamas

Gifts for Geeks

Have a hard to buy for geek in your family?  We think pajamas make a great gift for geeks. From computing to video gaming to chess playing, seriously aren't all of these activities just better in pj's?  Here are a few of our favorite Geek pajamas.

 

Gray Flannel Footy from Big Feet PJ's $44

We love our model enjoying life in his retro footy pajama.  Perfect for lounging and doing all things Geek.  Made of 100% cotton flannel, not too thick and not too thin.  We promise your Geek will love these and might just want to jump up and click his heels. 

 

Life is good Blue Plaid Flannel Pant $30

Comfy flannel pajama pants are always right.  Paired with a favorite tee, it's just all about comfort.  Life is good pj pants are always wonderful with no detail overlooked.  Should your geek need to dash out for the latest video game, bluetooth gadget, flash drive, star trek must have item...no worries, our pajama pant has pockets for those car keys.  

"Nerds Rule" Pajama Pant from David & Goliath $19.99

The perfect pajama pant for her.  100% cotton with an all around drawstring waist.  Teens and adults alike love the fit and fun of David & Goliath pj pants.  She will enjoy hours of video gaming, homework, computing in these comfy pajamas.

When sleep finally hits, your Geek needs a place for his or her head to fall.  We have the perfect rectangular soft solution, our handmade social media pillows.  100% handcrafted by Craftsquatch made with the softest fleece and the fluffiest polyester filling, this 12" X 12" pillow will make your geek smile.

Twitter Pillow from Craftsquatch $32

RSS Pillow from Craftsquatch $32

Facebook Pillow from Craftsquatch $32

 

Gmail Pillow from Craftsquatch $32

My Space Pillow from Craftsquatch $32

Twitter Bird Pillow from Craftsquatch $32

We love geeks in pajamas and geeks snoozing on our social media pillows.  What are your favorite gifts for geeks?  Share, share, share.

The Value of Doing Nothing

"Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."
-- Winnie the Pooh

Sometimes, doing nothing, is the perfect thing to do...and in pajamas is even better.

The Dog Days of Winter

Yes, it's that time of year when many of us want to just stay curled up in our pajamas, hiding under a duvet and maybe not come out until the first glimpse of spring!  With the holidays over, life is maybe just a little bit boring. No more parties, no more late night shopping, no more decorating the house. It's just winter now. Just winter. The short days make it hard to find much energy.   It's hibernating time, pure and simple.  So let's make the cave perfect for the season.  First requirement, perfect pajamas of course. Warmth is of utmost importance.  Feeling wrapped up and cozy will make hibernating more enjoyable.  Next, gather your favorite books, DVD's, newspapers, magazines, journals around you.  Stuff that makes us happy is very helpful now.  The TV, the laptop...well for me are key. Food and drink, well that's all about preference but I would say, yes, very key also. Maybe you have a favorite winter food, a favorite winter drink. Actually, it's always nice to hibernate with friends and family so I suggest inviting one and all into the cave.  Now is the perfect "Sleepover" season.  How about you, are you surviving the  "Dog Days of Winter"?  

Partying In Your Pajamas – Have an Adult Sleepover!

 

The holiday season also means it’s the party season – why not take advantage of the time of year to have an adult pajama party?  There are many fun-filled activities you can prepare for your guests and planning for an adult sleepover is easier than you might think.  Following are some tips and tricks for making your holiday pajama party a fun and festive event.

 

• Drinks and snacks – be sure have a variety of beverages available, both cold and hot, and have snack food such as cheese, crackers, bite-sized vegetables, popcorn, chips and dip available to munch on.

 

• Make a list of activities – it might not be all about conversation or movie watching.  You could have an adult sleepover that includes your guests making their own party favors!  It can be an arts and crafts project, something that reminds your guests of pajama parties from their childhood.  Have a stock of fun games on hand for added enjoyment.

 

• Fun pajamas should be one of the center points of your adult sleepover -- the more outrageous, the better, with bonus points for feathered robes and the big bunny slippers!

 

• Pick a selection of movies to suit the theme of your party, if you have one.  If the participants in your pajama party are women, consider renting modern "chick flicks," as well as classic romantic black and white movies.

 

• Continuing on the girls’ night in idea, why not bring the spa to your sleepover?  Take the time to indulge yourselves with masques, facials, foot soaks, herbal treatments, and even delicious chocolates.

 

• Designate a “quiet corner” – this is an area where the first of the sleepyheads in your pajama party can nod off.  Typically, some adults will want to sleep early, others will be up till dawn.

 

• To breakfast or not to breakfast -- decide whether or not you're going to provide breakfast and what to have.  It can be as basic as coffee and doughnuts or as elaborate as a continental buffet.

Pajamas as Holiday Money Savers? Who Knew!

Who would have ever considered a set of pajamas as a holiday money saving opportunity – but this holiday season, that is exactly what everyone’s favorite sleep wear is shaping up to be.  The popularity of pajamas as presents is climbing, especially with the rising costs of heating and every-day clothing.  Many families are lowering the thermostat this winter, resulting in parents and children bundling up at night.  As for daily wear, pre-teens and older are wearing sleep shirts and especially sleep pants as daywear.

 

Many families aren’t able to afford purchasing those “just for fun” gifts, so they are turning to pajamas to fit that need.  The wide variety of styles and designs available practically ensure that parents can find pajamas that reflect the personalities and interests of their children.

 

In addition to pajamas being a popular item this holiday season, pajama-centric activities are also seeing an increase.  Instead of traveling this year, or putting expense into extravagant decorations and meals, families are spending time getting into their pajamas to bake cookies, cakes, and other treats for the holidays.

 

Parents and children are also donning pajamas for family film nights.  Some popcorn, warm apple cider, and classic holiday films can make for a special evening at home.  Pajamas are turning into this year’s big holiday money saver and fun maker – who knew?

The Fine Art of Lounging

 

I like to think of myself as kind of an expert in the fine art of lounging.  Lounging doesn’t come easy to everyone, I know some who have to work hard to lounge but fortunately for me, lounging has always come easy.  I remember one summer day in-between my 6^th and 7^th grade year when I managed to lay on the floor in the same spot in front of a teenie weenie black and white TV for seven hours straight.  It was beautiful.  Never once did I leave my spot.  I couldn’t get enough of “Password”, “Concentration”, “What’s My Line”, “Bewitched”, “Gomer Pyle”, “That Girl” and more.  Today, many many years later, I still have a great feeling remembering that day.  No guilt, no “wasting my life” angst, none of it.  Just pure happiness.  And things haven’t changed that much today.  My TV has just gotten bigger, better and is now in glorious color.  Oh, and has a zillion more choices but given the chance at a channel from 1968 TV, I might still choose that one today.

 

Back to the fine art of lounging.  Lounging is simply plopping yourself down in a comfy spot and not leaving it.  There is a little preparation required for ultimate lounging.  You need a few basics, any of the following pieces of furniture (or just floor, beach or grass) will do nicely depending on your preference:  a great chair, a great soft rug with pillow, a great bed with stacks of pillows, a great sofa that fits you just right, a lounge chair, hammock, or blanket if you prefer to do your lounging outdoors.  Lounging is not about good posture, it’s about slunking into your chair, and it’s about sprawling on your bed, ground or sofa.  Lounging is having your legs hanging over sides of furniture or propped on pillows.  Perfect lounging is actually about not being perfect.

 

Clear the way for your perfect lounge time and space.  Get the lighting just right.  Soft or dim for TV/DVD watching or music listening, stronger for reading.  Surround your lounge space with things you love.  Perhaps candles, flowers, TV, music, books, newspapers, magazines, laptop, DVD’s, your phone, iPod and of course your remotes.  Food and drink are also very important elements to perfect lounging.  Whatever your comfort food or drink might be, have it accessible.  Remember the first rule of lounging is:  NO GETTING UP!  So we have now covered the required furnishings and space for proper lounging.  We’ve covered the props.  Let’s get down to another particular expertise of mine, what to wear when lounging.  I began my pajama business www.ThePajamaCompany.com  four years ago because I love to lounge and because I love to lounge in pajamas.  Something told me that I wasn’t the only one with these quirky loves.  I know now that there are thousands just like me who love their lounging and who love their pajamas.  To be a happy lounger requires comfortable clothing.   I love pajamas because of the great fabrics, the fun prints, the drawstring waist, the comfy tee shirt tops or menswear type tops but that’s just me.  The point is to be totally comfortable.  Be it sweat pants, boxers, robes, footed pajamas, nightshirts, workout shorts, swimwear, oversized shirts or nothing at all, comfort is key.  You may have that favourite tee shirt that always makes you happy; by all means throw it on for your perfect lounge.  Again, the key is comfort so work hard to find what is truly comfortable for you. 

 

I’ve discussed here the “things” required for perfect lounging but let me say for many “nothing” might be all that is required for perfect lounging.  The thing about lounging is that for some, perfect lounging might just be grabbing that feeling of quiet and calm.  It might be lying on the perfect sofa with closed eyes clearing the cobwebs of the day, the week, the month and finding a place of calm and creativity. Lounging can be the place where great ideas brew.  When in a world of noise, stress and turmoil…the perfect lounge might just be a totally quiet place. Doing “nothing” may take some work at first but work you must because truly doing “nothing” for even 10 minutes is perfect lounging.

 

Is it OK to nap while lounging you ask?  The answer is yes.  A power nap (anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes) has proven health benefits including lower stress, cell repair, heart health, improved memory and mood.  Ever notice how fresh ideas seem to bubble up after a nap?  So if you nod off during your lounging, not a problem.  Let your mind and body rest.

 

Lounging isn’t just about “me” time mind you, it can be “us” time at its very best.  Perfect family moments can happen while lounging.  A family TV or movie “Pajama Day” is an event I have long promoted.  “Pajama Days” are Lounge Events.  Get the kids involved in planning the perfect “Pajama Day” and see how many hours you can lounge.  (Remember my record is seven.)  Lounge Events promote family fun and take away a little of the day to day stress from one and all. Desperate for date ideas?  Make it a “Movie Night” a “TV Night”, again a Lounge Event.  Pull out that DVD and watch episode after episode of your favourite old TV show.  The beauty of old TV series is that the show takes you back to your childhood, the show brings back memories and fun.  Old Disney movies are always winners as well. We’ve all had that favourite Disney movie that came along in our childhood.  Put it on and sing along with every song.  You will love it. Again, the perfect Lounge Event.

 

So here’s to the art of perfect lounging.  Follow my tips and you will only have lounging success.

 

 

 

Fashion Police in China: No Pajamas

The "Fashion Police" in China have deemed that men wearing "pajamas" (seems to be a "man problem") in public is totally unacceptable.  It's been common knowledge for a very long time that men in pajamas is perfectly normal on the streets of Beijing. There, pajamas are streetwear, day wear.  All is good.  But maybe not for these two weeks. For these two weeks, "No Pajamas" is the rule.   I guess we can live with that for a short time.  After all, we are busy watching the Olympics ourselves in our pajamas!!   Just let us know when the world is back to normal.  We, pajama people, need to know!   In the mean time,  congrats to all the athletes.  We cheer you from our couches!

Check Out The Pajama Company on Facebook

This week, The Pajama Company has joined Facebook.  Jump on board with us as a  Fan and join the discussions.  We love to talk about Pajamas and want you to join in the fun.  So next time you're on Facebook, wonder over to The Pajama Company and meet some new "Pajama" friends.

Pajamas + Popcorn + Friends = The Perfect Sleepover

I've just read a few blogging mother's decrying the dangers of sleepovers.  Mother's declaring they will never allow their children to go to a sleepover because "No one can be trusted".  "Sleepovers are dangerous".  Is this really happening?  Are we ready to write off one of the classic "Memory Makers" of childhood our of sheer paranoia?  I know it is no longer 1950 with kids outside climbing trees but let's work to preserve a little bit of childhood fun.  Sleepovers are about friendships, about picking up where you left off when the school bell rang but this time with a whole night ahead, pajamas, sleepy bags, TV, junk food, and stories to tell.  A sleepover makes a little one feel brave and adventurous.  A sleepover makes a middle schooler feel like he or she belongs at an age where it is often hard to feel self assured.  A sleepover makes a high school friendship even stronger.   

Women Need Their Sleep!

Just read an article in the London Times which states that lack of sleep is far more dramatic for women than men.  "The research has found that lack of sleep for women not only makes them grumpy and argumentative but more at risk from heart disease.  Experts from Duke University have found that poor sleep in women is strongly associated with high levels of psychological distress, hostility, depression and anger.  Their surveillance of 210 men and women sleepers found that while men were relatively unaffected by sleep disturbances, such as being woken in the night, for women the effect was physical as well as psychological."

The article went on to explain that most studies on sleep concentrated on men so it was a unique study to research the effect of sleeplessness on women as well.  Of the participants studied the results showed that 40% of men and women were classified as poor sleepers but the resulting risk profiles were different for the two sexes.  The study found that a key factor in the health and well being of men and women was not the hours of sleep per night but the amount of time it took for the person to fall asleep.  Women are twice as likely as men to have problems falling asleep.