| One of the charms of small town living is frequent | | | | Use Your Imagination |
| parades. My town scarcely needs an excuse to | | | | I like to free associate to stimulate my creative |
| march into the street. Most of our parades are | | | | side. I can pick up a string of Christmas lights and |
| loosely organized affairs, though the person in | | | | envision them intertwined through plastic boughs, |
| charge looks really busy with a bull horn and clip | | | | securely fastened to the sides of my stroller. Add |
| board. We take to the streets to celebrate | | | | some balls and a star at the top and you have a |
| American and traditional religious holidays as often | | | | rolling Christmas tree. |
| as possible. | | | | Too Much Is Not Possible |
| Invariably, planned or not, there is at least one | | | | This is exactly the time to reach for the ridiculous. |
| rolling group in the parade made up of kids on | | | | You can't overdo decorating a baby stroller. Half |
| bikes and parents pushing strollers. This | | | | of the fun is seeing who can come up with the |
| participation is often encouraged with contests, | | | | most outrageous idea. And don't forget to |
| namely decorate your stroller or bike contests. | | | | decorate the passenger. Reindeer antlers attached |
| Today we are going to talk only about decorating | | | | to a comfy knit cap and a bit of rouge on the |
| your baby stroller. | | | | nose and you have Rudolph the Red-Nosed |
| Safety First | | | | Reindeer on board. |
| Never alter your stroller in any way that impedes | | | | No Parade? |
| its basic safety features such as harnesses and | | | | Make your own. Invite your neighbors to a block |
| brakes. Attach decorations securely and keep an | | | | parade. Ask everyone to help their kids decorate |
| eye out that baby doesn't find bunting tastier than | | | | their wheels and take a spin around the block. In |
| strained peas. | | | | the summer, early evening is a good time to |
| Materials | | | | schedule your parade so the maximum number |
| I find inspiration and inexpensive materials in the | | | | of people will be at home. In colder weather, aim |
| seasonal section of my local discount stores, large | | | | for a sunny Sunday afternoon. |
| discount merchandisers and craft stores. One trip | | | | Speak with your spiritual leader about having a |
| to the tree trimming aisle during Christmas is all | | | | contest/parade at your local place of worship. Or |
| you will need to create a magical holiday themed | | | | ask the manager of your local mall. If you think |
| stroller. Need more inspiration? I have one word | | | | you will have enough people participating, call your |
| for you: piñatas. You can use piñatas | | | | local newspaper for coverage. And remind the |
| as your jumping off point for many themes and | | | | participants to bring their cameras. |
| ideas. You can even reuse them with a bit of glue. | | | | |