<ul class="summary-list"><li>Singer <keyword id="358602" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Grimes">Grimes</keyword> and Tesla CEO <keyword id="6355315" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="elon-musk">Elon Musk</keyword> recently gave birth to their first child together, and said they will use a gender-neutral <keyword id="6381498" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="parenting">parenting</keyword> style.</li><li>Gender-neutral parenting refers to raising a child without subjecting them to specific cues or items assumed to be for girls or boys, like the toys they play with, skills they learn, or clothes they wear.</li><li>Raising a child in a <keyword id="6358360" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gender">gender</keyword>less way can allow them to decide their own gender identity rather than feeling like they must fit into the one their parents gave them at birth.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>On May 5, Grimes and Elon Musk welcomed their first child, X Æ A-12, into the world.</p><p>The internet was quick to offer <a href="https://people.com/parents/elon-musk-corrects-grimes-explanation-of-their-sons-name-and-shes-not-impressed/">speculation about the meaning</a> and pronunciation of the symbol-heavy name, which lends itself to Grimes' and Musk's planned gender-neutral parenting style.</p><p>"I don't want to gender them in case that's not how they feel in their life," <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-lgbt-baby-trfn/welcoming-new-baby-elon-musk-and-grimes-back-gender-neutral-parenting-idUSKBN22H2IW">Grimes previously said</a> during a YouTube livestream.</p><p>Gender-neutral parenting, or a raising a child without assigning them specific "boy" or "girl" labels, clothes, toys, or other gendered cues, is still a fairly new concept in a world where <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-who-invented-gender-reveal-parties-has-mixed-feelings-2019-7">gender-reveal parties</a> and pink and blue baby clothes abound.</p><p>But like Grimes and Musk, more and more <a href="https://www.insider.com/9-celebrity-parents-raising-transgender-and-gender-nonbinary-kids-2020-1">parent are adopting the style</a> to let their children develop identities <a href="https://www.insider.com/9-celebrities-who-identify-as-gender-non-binary-2019-6">outside of perceived social norms</a>.</p><h2>A person's gender is often assumed based on societal norms</h2><p><div type="image" title="public bathroom restroom women" height="1484" width="1979" msid="75632701" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Social norms have created a world where we assume a person's gender based on their outward appearance. But <a href="https://thesocietypages.org/trot/2018/11/26/the-social-construction-of-gender-and-sex/">gender isn't static</a> and isn't necessarily appearance-based. Rather, it's rooted in characteristics society has decided are for women or men, like wearing makeup, preferring certain types of clothes, or having a certain type of voice.</p><p>People use these characteristics to assume gender, but that doesn't mean they match a person's gender identity.</p><p>Many children who are assigned a gender at birth later realize they don't identify with that gender, but were raised to fit into it. A person could also decide they don't identify with any gender or a mix of gender. That means they're <a href="https://www.insider.com/janelle-monae-what-does-non-binary-mean-2020-1">gender non-conforming</a>.</p><p>Research <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225674812_How_Lesbian_and_Heterosexual_Parents_Convey_Attitudes_about_Gender_to_their_Children_The_Role_of_Gendered_Environments">suggests</a> that kids as young as two years old pick up on cues that suggest their gender is one thing or another, according to Harriet Tenenbaum, a gender identity researcher at the University of Surrey in England.</p><p>Though kids that age might not get the concept of genitalia, they see people with different hair lengths, styles of dress, and other gender markers and start to form their own assumptions, Tenenbaum <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/07/style/gender-neutral-design-child.html">told the New York Times</a>.</p><p>For that reason, creating a vibrant gender-neutral space with plants, books, and play tents can be a way to prevent toddlers from learning traditional gender roles and instead form their own identities.</p><h2>Gender-neutral parenting can take on many different forms</h2><p>There's no one way to take a gender-neutral approach to parenting, and different parents will try different methods.</p><p>Parents Elizabeth and Sean Scotten named their baby Elliot Claire to encapsulate both genders.</p><p>"We loved the juxtaposition of a name that's more traditionally masculine and a name that's more feminine," Scotten <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/07/style/gender-neutral-design-child.html">told the New York Times</a>. Though assigned female at birth, the Scottens said the baby can use any combination of those two names to fit their gender identity as they get older.</p><p>They also created a gender-neutral nursery. Instead of sticking to just a blue or pink color scheme to signify "boy" or "girl," the Scottens decided to go for a genderless books theme that focused more on their family values.</p><p><div type="image" title="A family go for a walk taking their hands along a street of the old city, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2020. On Sunday, children under 14 years old will be allowed to take walks with a parent for up to one hour and within one kilometer from home, ending six weeks of compete seclusion. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)" height="3712" width="4949" msid="75632703" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Some parents <a href="https://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2011/05/21/parents_keep_childs_gender_secret.html">don't refer to their child as a specific gender to other people</a>. Some are careful about the language they use with their children and opt for more gender-neutral phrases when referring to their kids.</p><p>"With my daughters, I don't say, 'Come on girls, let's get in the car.' I don't use labels in my language unless it's really specifically needed," Christia Spears Brown, Ph.D., associate chair of the department of psychology at the University of Kentucky, <a href="https://www.parents.com/parenting/should-you-raise-a-gender-neutral-baby/">told Parents.com</a>.</p><p>Brown said that another way to implement gender-neutral parenting is to teach kids, regardless of their gender, skills you perceive to be helpful. For example, you can teach both your son and daughter basic cooking, cleaning, and yard work skills instead of only teaching your daughter how to clean and only your son how to mow the lawn.</p><h2>Gender-neutral parenting can be difficult because it isn't widely practiced</h2><p>Only a few US states allow parents to use the gender-neutral label "X" to signify they don't want to assign their babies a specific gender at birth. </p><p>Everywhere else, parents must choose a gender for their child's birth certificate, <a href="https://www.parents.com/parenting/should-you-raise-a-gender-neutral-baby/">Parents.com previously reported</a>.</p><p>The outside world is also filled with gendered cues, including bathrooms designated for men or women only, male and female sections in clothing stores, and toy aisles that designate which toys are for boys and girls based on color scheme.</p><p>It's impossible to avoid these cues completely, but parents say starting with a gender-neutral foundation at home can help children decide what they prefer on their own.</p><p>Read more:</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/lgbtq-workers-discrimination-things-not-to-say-2019-9">12 things you should never say to your LGBTQ coworkers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/dwyane-wade-daughter-zaya-red-carpet-coming-out-as-transgender-2020-3">Dwyane Wade's 12-year-old daughter Zaya made her first red carpet appearance since coming out as transgender, and he said he 'couldn't have been prouder'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/iskra-lawrence-influencer-wont-have-gender-reveal-party-for-child-2019-12">An influencer and model said she isn't doing a gender reveal because 'that may not be who my child decides to be'</a></li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-gender-neutral-parenting-grimes-elon-musk-baby-2020-5">Insider</a>

Elon Musk and Grimes will practice gender-neutral parenting with their baby. Here's what that means.

<p class="financial-disclaimer"><i>When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/commerce-on-insider-inc/">Learn more.</a></i></p><p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored"></a></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>The <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Lovevery Play Gym</a> uses simple <keyword id="25284" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="toys">toys</keyword>, a large mat, and a variety of play stations to keep infants engaged in play. </strong></li><li>It was developed in collaboration with child development experts and includes a helpful developmental guide so parents can maximize its use.</li><li>Of all the <keyword id="6358733" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Baby">baby</keyword> activity gyms I tried, this one held my son's attention the most.</li></ul><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5dcb2bb83afd3737967b5004&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><p>Babies are obsessed with the simplest things — my 9-month-old just spent 15 minutes talking to a sock he stole from the clean laundry pile. But most baby toys are anything but simple, with bright colors, flashing lights, and annoying music. The <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Lovevery Play Gym</a> is not most baby toys, and the difference was evident as soon as I pulled the wooden arches out of the box.</p><p>Designed with the help of child development experts, the Play Gym has a large mat with built-in tummy time stations and three hanging toys that can be played with in several different ways. Infant activity gyms can help encourage developmental milestones through play, according to pediatric occupational therapist and Inspired Treehouse blogger <a href="https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/author/claire-heffron/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Claire Heffron</a>.</p><p>"As a therapist, I would say that the most significant experience for a baby's development is being positioned on the floor to play," she said. "Many families opt for activity gyms and other 'props' that can make floor time more interesting for babies. Playing on the floor in various positions builds strength, promotes visual motor skills, and generally helps babies get a feel for how their bodies work."</p><p>Despite the simplicity — or perhaps because of it — the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Lovevery Play Gym</a> kept my son's attention and encouraged grasping and rolling. Lovevery sent me a sample to test, and I tried it with my son for more than three months, starting when he was 6 months old. The design and versatility make it the best <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-baby-activity-gym" target="_blank" rel="noopener">baby activity gym</a> that we've tried so far.</p><h2><strong>Design and specs</strong></h2><p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored"><div type="image" title="lovevery play gym review 1104" height="900" width="1200" msid="75816555" hostid="261"></div></a></p><p>The <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Lovevery Play Gym</a> uses three wooden arches that are quickly assembled without tools using a plastic centerpiece. The arches are about 20 inches tall, which is high enough for older infants to engage in seated play. An optional cover turns the gym into a tent, but in turn, it covers much of the tummy time stations. Measuring almost 4 feet with the tummy time stations unfolded or about 3 feet with them closed, there's plenty of room to roll.</p><p>The Lovevery mat isn't just fabric for keeping spit-up and diaper explosions off the carpet. It has five built-in play stations for tummy time — pictures, colors, sounds, textures, and hide-and-seek. Each section can be folded up to encourage baby to focus on one area at a time. It also offers more cushion than <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-baby-activity-gym" target="_blank" rel="noopener">any other mat that I've tried</a>.</p><p>The <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Play Gym</a> includes three hanging toys, a fabric ball, a wooden noisemaker with a jingle bell, and a teething ring with crinkle fabric. Three plastic pieces can also hang photos on the arches to provide visual stimulation for young babies.</p><p>Made from a polyester blend, the mat is machine washable but air-dry only. I was originally worried about the off-white color, but spit-up stains washed out well. It tends to wrinkle and is a bit of a lint magnet, so avoid washing it with towels. </p><h2><strong>What it's like to use</strong></h2><p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored"><div type="image" title="best infant activity gyms lovevery 9316" height="600" width="800" msid="75816556" hostid="261"></div></a></p><p>Despite the minimalist design, or perhaps because of it, the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Lovevery Play Gym</a> held my son's attention longer than other baby gyms — long enough for me to fold laundry or tackle the dishes. He loved shaking, exploring, and just jabbering at the wood hanging toy. The crinkly fabric in the noise station extended his tummy time, which was impressive for a baby that previously hated being on his belly.</p><p>Lovevery also developed a guide that offers ideas on how to play together, as well as different ways for baby to use each element of the gym. I never would have thought to use the ball or the crinkle tummy time section to encourage kicking. The guide breaks down play ideas for every age (with two months to each section) and also highlights developmental milestones relevant to how baby plays.</p><h2><strong>What makes it stand out</strong></h2><p>Wooden play gyms are much less common than fabric-and-plastic options. But the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Lovevery Play Gym</a> stands out for  much more than its minimalist design. It was designed in collaboration with child development experts, and it shows. Without the help of flashy colors or electronic music, the gym encourages rolling, extends tummy time, and keeps baby focused on one toy for longer periods.</p><p>My favorite part is the mat. Most mats might have one spot for tummy time play, but the entire perimeter has a different station for a variety of play options. The developmental guide is also a big help in understanding age-appropriate play.</p><p>Now that my son is crawling, he doesn't spend quite as much time in the play gym because he'd rather explore the rest of the living room. But the taller design allows for seated play, and toddlers may get a kick out of the tent cover. Those features help extend the life of this product.</p><p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored"><div type="image" title="lovevery play gym review 1154" height="900" width="1200" msid="75816557" hostid="261"></div></a></p><h2>The cons</h2><p>While the wood arches are overall a positive, the hanging toys are attached using slots in the wood so they can't be adjusted to different positions or heights. The youngest babies will only be able to reach one toy at a time because of how much space is between each. This could be intentional since overstimulation can be a problem.</p><p>The size of this mat could pose a problem for apartment dwellers and in small spaces. It takes up a good chunk of real estate and is awkward to carry through a doorway. Storage isn't an issue, however, since it is easy to disassemble.</p><h2>The bottom line</h2><p>With a minimalist design and toys designed by child development experts, the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-gym-gym" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Lovevery Play Gym</a> is the <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-baby-activity-gym#best-baby-activity-gym-overall-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best baby activity gym</a> that I've tried. Despite its simple appearance, the hanging toys and tummy time stations kept my son's attention for a long time and the mat's large size is conducive to milestones like rolling.</p><p>Retailing for $140, it is a splurge item. Other activity gyms, like the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DFT5YDH/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biipf_051520_lovevery-play-gym-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07DFT5YDH&amp;linkId=864446c16564cbb7e25eb0702b6aaa9d6564cbb7e25eb0702b6aaa9d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Skip Hop Farmstand</a> ($80), will still encourage the same milestones. But the design, versatile play, and developmental guide make it an excellent buy for parents with a larger budget.</p><p><strong>Pros:</strong> Large play mat, wood design, versatile play, easy to wash, developmental guide</p><p><strong>Cons:</strong> Toys cannot be repositioned, expensive, too large for small spaces</p><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5dcb2bb83afd3737967b5004&amp;type=button&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe>

The Lovevery baby gym skips the annoying music and flashy colors but sustains my son's attention longer than others we've tried

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57d06b4ab996eb79018b66da-2400/tim-cook-maddie-ziegler.jpg" alt="tim cook maddie ziegler apple" data-mce-source="Apple"><p class="source"><span>Apple</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p>Pint-sized dancing queen Maddie Ziegler blew away attendees at Apple's splashy media event in San Francisco on Wednesday. The 13-year-old performed alongside singer Sia.</p><p>Ziegler entered the limelight on Lifestyle's hit TV series "Dance Moms," but is perhaps best known as Sia's alter-ego performing in not one, but five of her music videos.</p><p>The latest, "The Greatest," shows the young dancer-turned-actress leading a crew of 48 children in wild choreography. The video ends with the entire crowd lying on the floor.</p><p>Its haunting imagery has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sia-kendrick-lamar-greatest-music-video-orlando-victims-2016-9">led critics to label it a tribute</a> to the mass shooting that claimed 49 lives at an Orlando gay nightclub in June.</p><p>At the end of the Apple event, Tim Cook announced a special performance by Sia, who stood almost entirely motionless at the edge of the stage. Ziegler, joined at first by a flock of dancers dressed in matching flesh-colored leotards, lept and writhed as Sia sang.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57d06a62b996eb26008b6697-/maddie-ziegler-apple-1.gif" alt="maddie ziegler apple 1" width="800" data-mce-source="Apple" /></div></div><p>Not a lot of help from Sia here.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57d06a9fb996eb0e228b6504-/sia-apple-1.gif" alt="sia apple 1" width="800" data-mce-source="Apple" /></div></div><p>The pair performed "The Greatest" and "Chandelier."</p><p>Ziegler is no stranger to the spotlight. She <a href="http://www.elle.com/fashion/celebrity-style/news/a26630/sia-and-maddie-ziegler-are-matching-in/">accompanied Sia</a> - in matching platinum wigs, no less - on the Grammys red carpet in 2015. She also starred in an advertising campaign for Capezio dancewear that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-13-year-old-dancer-2016-2">went viral</a> and appeared on the show "Pretty Little Liars."</p><p>Most recently, Ziegler launched a luxury "athleisure" line called <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/teen-sensation-maddie-ziegler-launches-163400772.html">Maddie</a>. It's available online and in Nordstrom stores starting in October.</p><p>Apple may have given the rising star her biggest platform yet, however. People in attendance at the event and interested techies watching from their offices were glued to Ziegler's dancing.</p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Wow. <a href="https://twitter.com/Sia">@Sia</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/maddieziegler">@maddieziegler</a> close out the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleEvent?src=hash">#AppleEvent</a> with Chandelier. Quite a performance! <a href="https://t.co/vE7axyIuEj">pic.twitter.com/vE7axyIuEj</a></p>- Natalie DiBlasio  (@ndiblasio) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/773597802949521408">September 7, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Maddie Ziegler killing it at the Apple Keynote</p>- Mackenzie  (@MackenziePearce) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/773596617303855104">September 7, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>maddie ziegler is star of the show. honestly no one cares about new iPhone or new Apple Watch lmao</p>- Michael  (@MolassesBitch) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/773595721501028352">September 7, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p>Others cracked jokes at Apple's expense.</p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>maddie ziegler, sia's dancing surrogate in every performance, was a toddler when apple last announced something about mac. now a teenager.</p>- Berk D. Demir  (@bd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/773597224974454786">September 7, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sia and Maddie Ziegler highlighting the plight of kids who work at Apple sweatshops. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleKeynote?src=hash">#AppleKeynote</a></p>- Prashanth  (@wothadei) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/773596485552222208">September 7, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p>Humorously&#xa0;enough, Apple may have a new spokeswoman in Ziegler.</p><p><a href="http://jodyfield.sharedby.co/share/j8Yho9">According to The Daily Mail</a>, the <span>Pittsburgh native received an Apple Watch for her 13th birthday last year. Here's hoping she upgrades to a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-watch-series-2-announced-release-date-price-features-specs-2016-9">Series 2</a> device next month.</span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/maddie-ziegler-and-sia-team-up-again-2016-3">The 13-year-old prodigy taking over the dance world is dominating another music video</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="ZuNng4MjE6U362UAyjZP0Tt0mbCpinFz" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'ZuNng4MjE6U362UAyjZP0Tt0mbCpinFz',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

Meet the 13-year-old dancing sensation who stunned people at the big Apple event

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52b3201ceab8eaea27f15463-1200-600/present-5.jpg?maxX=800" border="0" alt="present" width="800" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53133240@N00/115061459/in/photolist-baHLg-gsNmo-rFAvh-tSex9-uDSuF-uEa12-uEa14-vmmXP-vnwuP-vuW4z-wmdPC-wmdSf-wmdSW-yjDHo-F22cC-4bMCLK-4eddeB-4fcvVv-4fwjAq-4fYg1n-4gEQM8-4haXek-4i2wgJ-4iDC5i-4JH2TV-4JH2Xi-4JMhmC-4UsBEq-5GE5Tr-5GHLhy-5HRFK3-5KghFf-5KW1xn-5LPLWF-5LUg1i-5McqHv-5Mcr1i-5Mcr7c-5MgEDL-5MgEKy-5PLa9p-5RjznF-5YR3qD-66o3ua-66sjBS-67YTMH-6i4D43-6ydwKr-6ACXk7-6DeA4q-7a8JhB">Liz West/Flickr</a></span></p></div><p></p></div>The bow, the finely creased edges, the deftly wrapped box - a beautifully wrapped present can indicate that someone really took the time to find the perfect gift.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, your present to them looks like a toddler got tangled up in wrapping paper and then took a nap.</p>
<p>Well, don't turn to the old gift bag and tissue paper cop-out just yet. These nine gift wrapping tips and tricks will make you into a wrapping genius.</p>
<h3>1. Get Creative With The Packaging</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/52b321296da811f369bfa5aa-908-681/214482084928b70f8445o.jpg" border="0" alt="2144820849_28b70f8445_o" width="480" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gillian_m/2144820849/">Flickr/Jilligan86</a></span></p><p class="caption">Notice the candy-shaped package at the top.</p></div><p></p></div>Even for the most savvy wrapper, trying to package a bizarrely-shaped gift is a challenge. It's hard to get the paper to look nice, and even when you do, the size and shape can take away the element of surprise.</p>
<p>For smaller gifts such as perfume bottles, socks, or nail polish, ball them up in bubble wrap or tissue paper and stick them into an empty paper towel roll. Wrap the roll in paper, twist the wrapping paper at the ends, and secure with some ribbon to make it look like a piece of candy.</p>
<p>For medium-sized gifts, repackage them in an empty coffee can or shoe box - basically any empty (clean) container you have lying around the house. Broken-down shipping boxes are perfect for larger gifts.</p>
<p>If you have softer items like scarves that didn't come in a box, use a square piece of cardboard (or cut apart a cereal box) and place your folded item on top. This will give you a hard surface to wrap around.</p>
<h3>2. Hide The Price</h3>
<p>It's bad manners to let your gift recipient know how much those mittens cost, or that they were on sale in the bargain bin.</p>
<p>Instead of cutting off the tag entirely (rendering the item nonreturnable) or leaving sticky residue on the gift, color over the price with a sharpie or slap on a festive holiday sticker.</p>
<h3>3. No Wrapping Paper? No Problem</h3>
<p>Everyone knows the tried and true newspaper or magazine cover method of wrapping presents. It's fine, and it works.</p>
<p>But a much more likely last-minute item you would have in your home is a potato chip bag. Dump those delicious chips in a Ziploc bag, and then cut the chip bag open to expose the bright, silver-y inside. Wash it with soap and water and then once it dries, wrap the presents with the silver side facing out.</p>
<h3>4. Get The Right Tools For The Job</h3>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_left"><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52b3229b6bb3f7e90df15465-741-555/pop-up-tape-dispenser-and-rotary-tool.jpg" border="0" alt="pop up tape dispenser and rotary tool" width="480" /><p class="source"><span>Amazon</span></p><p class="caption">The tools you'll need.</p></div><p></p></div></h3>
<p>Scissors and tape are fine, but if you're serious about becoming a better gift wrapper, then buy the right tools.</p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-9521-Contour-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B000B7M8WU" target="_blank">rotary cutter</a> and <a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/scotch-pop-up-tape-handband-dispenser%2c-96-g/ID=prod6055127-product?ext=gooHousehold_PLA_Tape_ampersand_Adhesive_prod6055127_pla&amp;adtype={adtype}&amp;kpid=prod6055127&amp;sst=7ba19d70-9b5d-47a8-b955-f78a4e893e3b" target="_blank">pop up tape dispenser</a>, both for under $15, will save time and energy. The pop up tape dispenser fits on your hand and cuts the tape for you, while the rotary cutter evenly slices through wrapping paper on flat surfaces - think of it like a pizza cutter for paper. No more jagged edges or wads of discarded tape.</p>
<h3>5. Wrap Presents On A Hard Surface</h3>
<p>To avoid tearing, wrap presents on a hard surface, like a table or a counter top. Working on the floor or carpet makes it harder to control the paper, which is when most people become frustrated, start to rush, and then tear through the paper with the gift's edges.</p>
<h3>6. Keep Post-It Notes Handy</h3>
<p>If you're like me, you wrap all your gifts first before putting on name tags or writing cards. The trouble with this method, of course, is when there are two gifts of equal size meant for two different people.</p>
<p>Write the names of your gift recipients on Post-It notes ahead of time, and place them on each gift as you finish wrapping. It will only take a second, and makes it easier when you go back to add name tags.</p>
<h3>7. Wrap Gifts Upside Down</h3>
<p>This is an obvious one, but it's easy to forget. Place the gift face down so that the wrapping paper overlap is on the underside of the gift.</p>
<p>It's a small thing, but we inherently assume when opening a present that the side with the bow or nametag is also the top of the gift. Children will just tear into the top of presents, and it's nice to be rewarded immediately with what the gift actually is instead of the bottom of a box.</p>
<h3>8. To Get Perfect Ends, Fold The Sides First</h3>
<p>After securing the paper around the gift, it's time to fold the ends. This is the trickiest part of wrapping, and can make the final product look fantastic or awful.</p>
<p>I personally prefer folding the sides first. Then fold the top flap and the bottom flap to meet each other in the middle (or slightly overlap, depending on your preference) and secure with tape. This genius <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/medialibrary?mediaId=63" target="_blank">infographic from the Container Store</a> is a good visual guide to follow:</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image"><a title_source="Container Store" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/52b31c9cecad04b0231b7656-960/box-11.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/52b31c9cecad04b0231b7656-1200-1715/box-11.jpg" border="0" alt="how to wrap a box container store" width="800" /></a><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.containerstore.com/medialibrary?mediaId=63">Container Store</a></span></p></div><p></p></div>9. When In Doubt, Use Decorative Tape</h3>
<p>For the truly hopeless gift wrappers out there, buy some <a href="http://www.happytape.bigcartel.com" target="_blank">decorative tape</a>.  That way even if the ends look awful, there's tape everywhere, or there are a few tears you don't care to fix, you can just cover all your mistakes with some sparkly, festive tape.</p>
<p>It can even take the place of ribbon, and your gift will at the very least look presentable.</p>

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