By Guest Expert Paula Rizzo

Paula Rizzo is the founder of ListProducer.com. She's also an Emmy Award winning television producer and attributes much of her success to her compulsive list making. She makes a list about anything and started ListProducer.com to help others become more organized, focused and efficient, while being less stressed.


Just about any aunt can buy birthday gifts or visit once in a while – but a real Savvy Auntie goes the extra mile. Next time you want to do something extra special for your niece or nephew – refer to this list:   

1.    Use the Element of Surprise:  When you’re with your niece or nephew, take some sticky notes with you. Put a few cute notes inside the pages of their textbooks, inside drawers, on the front of their iPod or anywhere they will find them in the future. They’ll think of you as soon as they do.  

2.    Listen: Sometimes all anyone wants is to be heard. Call your nephew or niece and just listen.  Listen to them vent about their siblings or their classmates. Hear what he or she wants to do with life or for the next five minutes. Having a ConfidAunt he or she can rely on will mean all the difference in the world.

3.    Send a Card: Who sends cards in the mail anymore? Thoughtful aunts – that’s who! You send cards for birthdays and holidays of course – but what about on random Tuesdays or during finals week? Think about times when it might be nice to get a little pick me up and send out some snail mail.  

4.    Create a Tradition:  Whether you have a secret word, special handshake or always get together to eat ice cream during a full moon – building rituals will make your bond closer.  

5.    Turn off Your Cell Phone:  This ensures that you’re giving your niece or nephew your undivided attention. That will show your favorite child just how special he or she is when you show that there isn’t anything else you’d rather be doing right now.  

6.    Make a Scrapbook: Collect special moments that you’ve shared throughout the child’s life and compile a book.  Not every aunt is crafty but if you are add some adorable stickers or use different color paper.  This might also be a good project to work on with your niece or nephew.


Published: December 28, 2011