I am turning 60 this year so I've been around awhile. Due to the economic mess we're in many of you are struggling. I talk to so many of you and your lives sound so full of stress. I feel your pain and want you to know we will do our best to make your shopping experience with us as stress free as possible. Please email me if you have thoughts, questions, or comments you'd like to add.

"This life is only a test. If it were the real thing, you would have been instructed where to go and what to do." You younger folks might not recognize that as a joke. It was a take off of an old commercial from the 1960s. A man would come on the TV and say, "This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. If this had been an actual emergency you would have been instructed as to where to go and what to do." Mainly meaning "go to your nearest fallout shelter". It was stressful back in those days also. I remember laying on my lawn and running into the house every time a plane flew over. We didn't see many airplanes back then and I had it in my head that they were Russians coming to drop a bomb on us. The point is that life has always had turmoil. It has always had miracles. Watch for the miracles and you will find them. Watch for the turmoil and you will find that. Keep in mind that this Life is only a test.

Does the "Hacker Safe" Seal make shopping any safer?

We were contacted by Hacker Safe awhile back, offering to guard our site at what we considered a high cost that we would have had to pass on to our customers. We felt then and feel now that we already have the highest security possible. This recent article in PC Magazine points out that the Hacker Safe seal is no guarantee. Shopping online is relatively safe. You are more likely to have your information stolen at a restaurant or local store than while shopping online. Be safe and monitor your credit carefully.

How Do I measure my daughter for a First Communion Dress?

Communion dresses Affordable Christian Products carry many styles from several different manufacturers. These manufacturers have their own sizing that they go by so it's important to read the measurements within each dress description. Most of these measurements are actual dress measurements. Some dress measurements have already taken wiggle room into account. It's important to read the descriptions carefully. Please email us if you have questions. It's also helpful if you include a phone number with your email so we can call and talk to you in person.

It is best to not guess on sizing. We offer free shipping on your first order so measure carefully. If you do not have a tape measurer, we suggest purchasing one before buying any clothing over the internet. You can usually find them for $1 or $2at most stores.

Order the size that comes the closest. Not all measurements will match your child exactly. If the child is in between sizes, always choose the larger size. It's always easier to alter a dress to make it smaller. Don't get too hung up on exact sizing. It would be great if manufacturers made more sizes but keep in mind that if they did, the cost of our clothing would skyrocket.

Measure over the child's undergarments at the fulled part. If the child wears a bra, measure over the fullest part of the bra for the chest measurement.

The waist measurement is at the natural waist which is usually the smallest part of the figure about 2 inches above the belly button. Don't have the child "suck in" when measuring and don't be surprised if the waist is larger than the chest. A lot of children go through phases when this may be the case.

Most of our dresses are tea length (calf length) but will be longer or shorter depending upon the child's height. Keep in mind that some dresses cannot be shortened because of the style.

If the child wears dresses it can be helpful to actually measure a dress that fits the child well. You can get the child's waist measurement by measuring a pair of pants that fit well. (measure with the pants snapped or closed). You can also get a child's chest measurement by measuring one side of a shirt or blouse and then doubling it (provided the back and front are the same width). It works the best to take several measurements of both the child and the clothing.

Please keep in mind that all measurements may be off 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Don't cut it too close. And make sure you take into consideration the comfort of the child and give them some wiggle room. For instance, if the measurement gives a waist size of 28" and your child's waist is 28", the dress may fit but it may be a bit uncomfortable for the child.

What size of Christening Outfit do I need?

We try to give the general sizing of the apparel we sell. However, please keep in mind that babies and children come in all different shapes and sizes. Their legs may be long or short or in between. Their torso may be long or short. Its difficult to tell you exactly what size your child needs. As a general rule, we have found that the easiest way to know is to look at an outfit that fits him or her real well and order either that size or a size larger. For instance, if they have just started wearing a size 6 months and the outfits they are wearing still have some room to grow, then ordering a 6 months christening outfit should work. If they've been wearing a 6 months for awhile and the outfits are a bit snug, then definitely go for a 9 month or 12 month. Now that works if the christening is within a couple of weeks. If it's any longer than that, then you will need to take into consideration how fast the child is growing and what their age will be.