This Holidays

Writen by Aisling D'Art

Your holiday decorations can attract added Feng Shui luck if you place them in the best areas of your home or office.

If you're displaying a Yule or Christmas tree, or anything glittery such as metallic garlands, these can enhance your Prosperity corner. This is also called the Money corner, and--looking in from the doorway--it's the back left corner of your home or office, and it's also the back left corner in each room.

Do you celebrate Yule with a traditional branch or log? Wood and the color green enhance the Family/Security area; place the decorated Yule log at the center of the left wall, as you look into your room.

If you display an array of candles, they can energize your Fame area. That's the center of the back wall, looking into your room from the doorway. Red candles are the best here, but any candles are fine.

Do you love poinsetta plants? Place two in your Romance corner, at the back right corner of your room. They can be red, white, or pink, but be sure that they match.

Also charge your Power corner--the area that guests see first when they enter your home or office and glance to the left--by displaying opulent-looking gifts or holiday decorations there. If your guests step into a hallway when they enter, decorate the back left corner of your hall.

If your holiday decorations include bells, they'll energize your Helpful People/Travel area. Place bells--preferably in groups of five--immediately to the right as someone enters your home, office, or room.

If your holidays are based in religious traditions, the Helpful People area is where you'll also display icons, figures, and other spiritual symbols of the season.

Finally, if you have a few holiday lights to spare, drape them in your Knowledge area. That's immediately to your left as you walk in the door of your home or office. Blue lights are the most powerful here, but lights in any color--or in white--are a great holiday addition.

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate. May these decorating ideas bring you extra luck, and even more reasons to celebrate this joyous season with friends and family.

Aisling D'Art is a respected Feng Shui consultant. For more free Feng Shui tips and articles, see her popular website, "Shui To Go!" at http://www.ShuiToGo.com/

Writen by Sara Duggan

We will be using a Nature Table as a focus of our Advent celebration this year. As we read a story, song, prayer, or Bible passage we will be adding a symbol to the Table.

At the height of Advent we will be presenting a Play (see http://waldorflibrary.org/Journal_Articles/GW3512.pdf) to our family and friends.

Nature Table Add-ons [ideas inspired by EveryDayWaldorf]:

1st day - a special stone (a glossy stone found in most craft stores)

2nd day - moss (craft shop)

3rd day - cones in different sizes (pine cones)

4th day - branches (just take some that have fallen on the ground)

5th day - dried flowers or a small potted plant (dry flowers or plant a small plant for this time and use as expectation lesson)

6th day - straw for the Christ Child (straw can be found in craft stores)

7th day - more cones (pine cones)

8th day - another special stone (polished or a crystal)

9th day - a sheep (you can make a sheep out of wool (needle felting) or knit one)

10th day - a shepherd (needle felted or find a wooden finger puppet and dress)

11th day - the ox (you can print out a picture and laminate and then add a cardboard stand)

12th day - the donkey (same as ox)

13th day - a small bird (you can find small birds at the craft shop usually in dried flowers sections)

14th day - more sheep (knit or needle felt or you can make one out of paper)

15th day - a shepherd (same as above)

16th day - Mary (use a finger puppet)

17th day - stars made of gold foil(3 inches or 7 cm in diameter)

18th day - Joseph (finger puppet)

19th day - more sheep (same above)

20th day - a shepherd (same as above)

21st day - a light for the shepherds (we use a lighted bees wax candle)

22nd day - straw for the animals (same as above)

23rd day - the angel Gabriel (you can make this out of wool roving)

24th day - the Christ Child (in the crib or in Mary's arms make needle felting or use a piece of wool felt and add a wooden bead as a head for the baby and place in a walnut shell with the Mary finger puppet)

Dec. 25th - Mary lays the Child into the crib (walnut shell)

Dec. 26th - the first shepherd returns to his sheep (same as above)

Dec. 27th- the first Wise Man appears at a distance (print out wise men and laminate and add cardboard stands)

Dec. 28th - the second shepherd returns (same as above)

Dec. 29th - the second Wise Man appears (same as above)

Dec. 30th - the third shepherd retreats (same as above)

Dec. 31st - the third Wise Man appears (same as above)

Jan. 1st - the gold (a stone) of the first Wise Man (it should be placed in his arms) (you could hand paint the stone gold or spray paint it gold)

Jan 2nd - the frankincense of the second Wise Man (an incense candle)

Jan 3rd- the myrrh for the third Wise Man (a branch)

Jan. 4th - the three Wise Men approach the Child (same as above)

Jan.5th - Joseph wears a purple cloak (purple wool felt)

Jan. 6th - the three Wise Men present their gifts to the Child (little gifts from above)

I've included some rough templates for your children to cut out and decorate. You can print them out on cardstock and use them as you would paperdolls. I plan on adding yarn for hair and maybe some google eyes and other fun touches. For the Sheep you can just add some cotton balls to the template or needle felt your own.

Another great activity to do with your children during this season is to make your own Advent Calender.(not the ones with candies) Each day note the prayer or song associated with the event and then make a page in your calendar. You can either Scapbook a page or use markers and paint to create a unique keepsake for your children when they are grown.

Sweets are a part of Advent so why not bake a few treats with the little ones. Saffron buns or Advent Cookies are always a hit. You could even use some sugar cookie dough to make the figures for the Christ Child's arrival.

Advent is a really special season and I hope that you plan to celebrate it this year with your family. Children really get excited about the Christ child's coming when they see you excited. It doesn't take much more than 5 - 10 minutes a day to read a story or sing a song to get your children talking about the Advent season.

Happy Celebrations to you and your family!

 Template for Characters

For project Templates visit: http://mommie-care.com/Advent_templates.doc

Sara Duggan is the Owner of Mommie-Care.com News for Moms. She is a proud mom of two beautiful boys and happily married to her soul -mate of 11 years. For more family ideas sign up for her newsletter at http://mommie-care.com

Writen by Amy Fleeman

If you're like most parents, you have rules about checking Halloween candy before consumption, using flashlights while trick-or-treating, and always going out with a buddy. Unfortunately, while these are great tips (and hopefully common sense) there are tons more potential hazards that come with Halloween.

One of our favorite Halloween safety sites on the 'net is Halloween-Safety.com. It's by far one of the most comprehensive sites, broken down into tips for kids, adults, costumes, trick-or-treating, yard haunts, parties, and even pet care. Easy to navigate, and full of information, this site is a must visit for planning a safe Halloween for the entire family. http://www.halloween-safety.com/halloween_safety_kids.html

Another nice site about Halloween safety is LAFD.org. Los Angeles Fire Department has a nice, clean easy to navigate page on safety. You'll find practical tips such as using make-up vs. masks (so you have full eyesight) to making sure your wigs and other accessories are flame resistant. This is another wonderful, thoughtful website and really should be checked out before heading out on October 31st. http://www.lafd.org/hween.htm

KeepKidsHealthy.com has a brief but sound guide to Halloween safety. They do offer some good tips on checking candy, as well as costume safety and general tips. If you follow their links, you can also find information on the safety of face paint, as well as tips on masks. http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/autumn/halloween_safety.html

Help kids learn safety tips for Halloween while having fun with the Halloween safety Trivia Game by Hershey's. Your child will enjoy selecting a character and then making choices such as what is a safe costume to wear, what they should take trick-or-treating to be safe, and who to take with them. After each choice is made, your child will be told if they had a correct or incorrect answer, why, and then will be guided through the rest of the game. At the end, they will receive a certificate that can be printed with their name. Very nice, and a great way to get kids interested in having a fun AND safe Halloween! http://www.hersheys.com/trickortreats/

By visiting the above recommended websites, you will be ready to take your children out for a SAFE night of Trick-Or-Treating they'll never forget!

To read more articles from the Best of Halloween for Kids series, click here. http://www.raisingourkids.com/hol/halloween/index.shtml

Amy Fleeman is a Halloween loving Mama with two great kids, a Beagle, and a husband. She lives amongst the cornfields in a tiny town in Iowa. To get tons of Free Halloween Coloring Pages and other spooky goodies, please visit http://www.raisingourkids.com/hol/halloween/freehalloweencoloringpages.shtml Looking for Baby-Freebies? Visit her other site, http://www.baby-freebies.com

Writen by Katrin Konno

Don't you just hate that time of the year (e.g. Christmas, birthdays) when you have to start thinking about gifts? I know I do. I often wonder why it has to be so difficult in the first place and exactly what has made it so difficult.

I've come to the conclusion that it's either one of three things - 1) people have everything they want; 2) you can't afford what they want; 3) they want you to suffer trying to figure out what to give them.

So, what should you do? Think outside of the box, of course! Unless you know exactly what the recipient wants, you should try to be creative. It's not that hard, really.

Ask yourself these questions:

* how old is he/she;

* does he/she have a hobby or a favorite activity (going to see a play in a theatre, trip to the zoo for kids, more golf balls or a Pilates' video);

* where he/she spends most of its time (people who spend most of their time at work appreciate quality staying home time and vice versa;

* is he/she is a crowd person (going out for a fancy dinner or a party);

* what he/she likes to talk about (possible hints);

* does he/she like gadgets (and most men do).

You will get lots of hints if you take the time and answer these simple questions. You must know something about the recipient why else would you bother yourself with a gift idea, right?

There are a few rules in gift giving, though.

If it's an elderly person, don't give them roller blades; but they do appreciate memories. A good idea would be a photo collage in a picture frame or a self-made book containing their most wonderful memories (grandchildren being born, birthdays, pictures of family, funny happenings etc).

Wrapping paper only has a wrapping function. But make sure it's pretty!

Pots and pans are a no-no. This is definitely a bad idea if it's a woman. Believe me, you don't want to go there!

The best gifts are personal and that's what makes them memorable!

MyGiftGadgets.com - Everybody WANTS GIFTS! This is YOUR CHANCE TO GRAB A GIFT or two for your loved ones and why not for YOURSELF, too! WE KNOW YOU WANT TO! Your source for wonderful gifts, gift ideas and gadgets. http://www.mygiftgadgets.com

Writen by Ken Marlborough

A perfect card for an occasion is very difficult to get. Who hasn't spent hours in card shops looking for the perfect wording, enhanced by a supporting design for one of the various celebrations of life? Thankfully, there are a lot of cards available for Father's Day. Of course, if you like, you can also make a card by hand for your father as a token of appreciation for what he means to you.

Father's Day cards are available in various colors, designs and themes. Today, the greetings for Father's Day can be sent through post or as a simple e-card. Various card companies have websites which offer free e-cards for the occasion. Apart from the websites of the various card companies, there are websites which pertain exclusively to Father's Day.

One can also opt for belated Father's Day cards on the websites. These cards ensure that your dad won't remain grumpy about you missing Father's Day, once he has a look at the cards.

Thematic cards are also available in stores as well as online. There are funny, regal, sporty and even bizarre Father's Day cards available. Also, there are print-and-send greetings cards available online. These cards are printer-friendly and can be directly printed on any kind of paper.

Archie's Greetings is one of the most popular greeting card companies, which has a huge range of Father's Day cards ranging from the regal to the bizarre. Their products are viewable at Archie's stores. Another good card company whose products are available for viewing online is Hallmark.

Fathers Day provides detailed information on Father's Day, Father's Day Cards, Father's Day Crafts, Father's Day Gift Baskets and more. Fathers Day is affiliated with Mother's Day.

Writen by James Watts

Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for something new to do this year? Here are several Halloween ideas to get you started:

Here's a neat tip to make your Halloween punch creepy while keeping it cold: Fill a rubber food service glove with water, and freeze it. Remove the glove, rinse the ice hand, and use it to cool your punch!

Cotton candy makes great spider webs! Find candy spiders, and tangle them into the cotton candy. Any color is good, but if you can find green, that's even better.

Give your party an erie look with black lighting, and fluorescent paint.

Visit a cider mill or a pumpkin patch for a refreshing change of pace. Cider mills are great places for dates. Spend some time drinking cider, walking among the orchards, and get some fresh air. Pumpkin patches are fun for kids. Let them pick out their pumpkins for carving. The pumpkins will cost less than they do in the stores.

Movie theaters show double-features and marathons of horror films during the month of October. Keep your eyes open for schedules - Or why not host your own scary movie night? Come up with a good line-up of popular films, make invitations or flayers, and hand them out. And don't forget the popcorn!

Looking for something unique to do this Halloween? Why not attend a murder mystery event, or take a haunted tour of your city. Make plans for these quite early, as these events tend to sell out during the Halloween season.

James writes for Ghoulish Halloween, a site that tries to entertain and inform. For more great Halloween articles, visit our Halloween articles archive.

Writen by Ross Bainbridge

Can you think of anything more special than a 50th wedding anniversary celebration? A couple you know, whether it be family or friends, have spent half a century together and you want to give them a gift to let them know how meaningful this momentous occasion is. Traditionally, 50th wedding anniversary gifts are gold. The flowers that are associated with a 50th anniversary are violets. There are many unique gifts that you can create or purchase for the lucky couple including a special party where the couple can renew their marriage vows, or a 50th celebration using gold as the decoration theme from centerpieces to paper plates and cups and golden Chardonnay wine.

Couples celebrating their 50th have been together for a long time, and they probably have everything they need, so when thinking about a gift, stay away from items that they probably already have. Gifts like dinner certificates, weekend trips, cruises, airline tickets, etc. make a lot more sense because they can be used whenever the couple wishes and don't add clutter to their home.

If you want to stick to the true tradition of gold, than give them a trip to the Swift River in the beautiful state of Maine, where they can have great time mining for gold!

You can also make a wish tree that you can paint gold and fill the branches with pictures of the couple, their family and friends, and event in their lives that they cherished. You can add theater tickets, gift certificates, etc. to make it truly special. Any personal gifts given to a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary is a nice addition to their years spent together.

Writen by Janette Vince

Your mum deserves the best. But mothers are often a bit overlooked in the gifts department. Many mums spend hours of time and lots of energy picking out just the right gifts for everyone in their families—only to find coal in their own stockings! If you want to give your mother a present this year that she'll be thrilled to receive, follow our advice and avoid these seven gift blunders.

A blender - Getting anything related to the kitchen can be a touchy gift for a mom. It sends the message that you think her place is in the kitchen—which, even if she's the main cook in the house, isn't the message she wants to get on holidays! Avoid other kitchen-related gifts as well, like food processors, aprons, sponges, dishwashing soap, or electric mixers. If you do want to give her kitchen hardware, get her a luxury-based item like an espresso or cappuccino maker (only if you know she likes espresso and cappuccino!) or a fancy bronze teapot. Make sure the item you get isn't associated with workaday food preparation. Choose a luxury item she'd appreciate but probably wouldn't buy for herself.

A new cookbook - This one's even worse. It sends the message that you don't like the food she ordinarily cooks—especially if you pick a cookbook that features food she doesn't normally cook, like Thai food if she's a strictly meat-and-potatoes person, gourmet if she prefers quick-and-easy recipes, or Mexican if she's a health nut. An exception, however, is an autographed cookbook from a celebrity chef she really admires. Make sure it's someone she'd love an autograph from—a personality whose show she watches religiously.

A mug - If she's like most moms, she has a million mugs already. Mugs are the kind of gifts most people give when they're at a loss as to what else would make a good present, and nobody's fooled. When you were a kid, you could probably get away with giving her a "World's Best Mum" mug for a Christmas present, but now that you're an adult, it's a habit you should give up.

Scented bubble bath - It seems like a great idea at first—but scented bath oil, lotion, shampoos, or any other "smelly" gifts tend to be the most often returned. That's because most people are very specific about the smells they like and don't like. If you get the wrong scent or even the wrong brand—where a "lemon" scent from one brand might be radically different from another company's idea of "lemon"—you might just wind up giving her a gift she'll never use.

Breakfast in bed before she's ready to get up - Sure, breakfast in bed is always appreciated. But don't bring it in before she's already awake. Waking her up before she's ready sends the message that this isn't a day she can relax. Give her the message that you want her to have a nice, relaxing and leisurely day by bringing her tea or coffee first, made just the way she likes it. If she's still half awake when you bring it in, tell her you brought her something to warm up with while you put breakfast together. Then take your time cooking. Make sure she gets the sleep she wants, especially if she's usually up early taking care of the family.

A day full of chores - Nothing gives a mum more chagrin than having to do most of the housework on a special holiday. Pitch in to do the laundry, clean the kitchen, clear the table—and don't wait for her to ask! Most mums appreciate help with chores just as much as the most well thought out present.

A vacuum cleaner - These are bad gift ideas all around—even if she really does need a new one. It's never a good idea to give a mother any gift that reinforces her role as the person in charge of household chores—it sends the message that you see her as a maid. This includes feather dusters, mops, brooms, and any other cleaning supplies. If you do want to give her a cleaning-related gift that's sure to be appreciated, however, give her a break from doing the chores. Buy her a month's worth of house-cleaning from a reputable service—get recommendations from friends and family if you don't know which to choose. Or offer to do her most-hated household chore for a month—and she's sure to love you for it.

Your mother's love is unconditional. She'll probably still love you after you give her that same "World's Best Mum" mug you gave her last Christmas. However, if you want to make your mother happy on birthdays and holidays, follow our advice and avoid these gifts. You might just find that your holiday experience improves, as well!

Writen by J Gardener

A look of horror covered the five-year-old's face, as he blared "Eeeewwww!", backing away, fearfully. "Honey", his embarrassed mother chided, "That's not nice." "What is it!?", the terrified youngster cried.

"It's my fruitcake", the hostess of the Christmas party muttered, her forced smile barely hiding her displeasure, as she pulled the offered slice away. Needless to say, it was several years, before the offending child's family was invited back to the boss's annual soiree.

Of all the foods traditionally carted out during the holiday season, the fruitcake is probably the most mysterious and misunderstood. Candy canes, gingerbread, turkey, and ham all make a certain sense-even eggnog has its seasonal logic-but the fruitcake, this brown, twelve-pound pile of cooked-together leftovers weighing down the center of the table (which, legend has it, will still be fresh a hundred years from now) always seems to confuse and bemuse you, with its sheer oddity.

And, though you always avoid it, at first, the politeness of such gatherings demands that you eventually taste it. The funny thing is, when you finish that first slice, you invariably find yourself back at the table for seconds. Maybe even thirds. There's just something about it. It's like a funhouse for the taste-buds, a different experience with every bite. Yet, when you leave the party, you swear you'll never touch fruitcake again-ever.

Admit it. You've always wondered-what kind of demented cook ever concocted such a confection? Like most of our traditional holiday foods, fruitcake has its origins in ancient times. According to whatscookingamerica.net, the earliest reference to fruitcake dates back to ancient Rome, describing a recipe that included pomegranate seeds, raisins, and nuts, baked with a barley mash.

During the Crusades, spices from the Far East were added, along with honey and dried fruits. Fruitcake was a staple among those who took long journeys-soldiers, hunters, and traders-as it remained edible for extended periods.

In the 1400's, fruitcake became a popular treat in Britain, as the spices and dried fruits became available from the Mediterranian, and prices dropped.

By the 1700's, in Europe, fruitcake was associated with end-of-year rituals, and recipes became localized. Ceremonial cakes were baked, filled with a variety of local crops, as a way of celebrating the year's good fortune. The cakes were saved over the winter and then eaten in the spring, just before planting new crops, in the symbolic hope of another successful harvest.

It's assumed that some recipes began to include liquor, as an extra preservative. Urban legends abound, about fruticakes passed down through families, from generation to generation, lasting a hundred years or more, but there seems to be no hard evidence to back up such claims. Today, of course, the addition of spirits to recipes is more for flavor than preservation.

It may be the oddest-looking food served during the holiday season, but fruitcake has a long a noble history. And it's OK if your five-year-old is frightened by the sight of it. That just leaves more for you. And once you've had that first piece…

Writen by Lisa Barnes

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your children to help with the meal preparation and offers quality time together as a family. This is a way to keep your children occupied, but is also a fun, educational activity that incorporates a range of skills and senses, such as counting, measuring, reading, touching, listening, planning, smelling, tasting, and creativity. Baking teaches children useful skills and also makes them aware of potential hazards in the kitchen. Helping in the kitchen can increase confidence, as well as encourage children to try a broader range of foods. Children are more likely to try a new recipe if they have helped in the preparation of the meal. Task allocation depends largely on the age and dexterity of the child, but there are some basic rules and tips that will make the process as safe and hassle-free as possible, remembering that children learn by observing and imitating adults. Basic Rules and Tips:

• Teach children the basics of hygiene (e.g., washing hands) before beginning food preparation, and also between stages, to avoid cross-contamination.

• To save time and small children's frustration, be sure to cut and measure ingredients before the child begins to assist. Small children have short attention spans and may become impatient.

• Give children quick, simple instructions, one at a time, and be prepared to repeat them if they do not understand or forget what they have been told.

• Older children can be encouraged to read the recipe and help to measure out or weigh the ingredients.

• Younger children can be involved in the mixing process by placing the ingredients in a jar with a secure lid and letting them shake the contents. This works particularly well with batters and salad dressings.

• All ages can help with frosting and decorating holiday cookies or cupcakes. Use your favorite homemade recipes, or time saving box or frozen dough for simple sugar cookies and cakes. Decoration ideas include: colored sugars, cookie cutters, frosting, icing, candies, etc…

• Always explain the potential dangers in the kitchen and the protocol for safety. Such dangers include sharp knives, hot stoves and ovens, pans of boiling liquids and invisible germs.

• Encourage the children to be involved in the cleaning-up process during and after the baking session is completed.

• For children interested in creativity with decoration, let them make up some edible "play-dough", which they can craft into colorful centerpieces or napkin holders. Or provide children with paper, and crayons or paints to create personalized place mats for each family member and dinner guest.

• Adults make a mess when they are creating in the kitchen, so expect children to have even more mishaps.

Remember to remain calm and have a sense of adventure and humor!

Lisa Barnes is the owner of Petit Appetit, a cooking service devoted to babies and toddlers. Lisa teaches private and group cooking classes to parents throughout Northern California and is the author of The Petit Appetit Cookbook (Penguin, March 2005). Visit http://www.petitappetit.com for information.

Writen by Roy Thomsitt

For most of us brought up in Western societies, Christmas long ago became a commercial extravaganza. Over recent decades the commercial impetus has intensified, with Christmas coming to the shops earlier and earlier, until now it arrives in full frontal mode, as soon as the kids go back to school after the summer holidays.

Each decade that has passed since the 1950's has seen bigger, brighter and more extravagant Christmas decorations, both indoors and outdoors. For those who love Christmas lights and other decor, that's great, but there's another side to the story. Decorating the home has become an obligation, which for the very poor can be something of a problem, as neighbours and friends try to outdo each other.

Perhaps the greater problem, though, can be with Christmas gifts. Children have developed greater and greater expectations over the years, and this brings with it pressures on adults, and parents in particular, to pile as many gifts as possible under the Christmas tree, whether they can afford it or not. Often, poorer families cannot afford it, and the financial pressures, fed by the social pressures, mount as Christmas Day nears. All these pressures are fueled, of course, by intense advertising from September through to December 25. It is little wonder that the days after Christmas are a peak time for family break ups.

Due to the fact that most Western children expect some wonderful Christmas gifts, it is no surprise to many when they get them. Sadly, many will never learn to fully appreciate the acts of giving and receiving gifts. Once a gift becomes a routine obligation, it is no longer a gift, but a token. True generosity cannot be found in such tokens.

Hopefully, many poor and rich families will have a meaningful and enjoyable Christmas in the UK, where I come from, and in the US. Poor families in particular will find the financial pressures strongest, but it may well be that the poorer children will be the more appreciative.

Maybe some rich families will experience the fate of a birthday gift to a teenage friend of my son in England. On receiving a top of the range hi-fi system, probably worth about $3000, as a gift, he trashed it a week later, simply because he was bored. I suspect it is less likely that a teenager from a poor family would do the same.

Christmas in the Philippines

Since 2000, all my Christmases have been spent here in the Philippines. After moving here, I soon found what true poverty was, and that, despite all the moans, there is no real poverty in the UK. The "poor" of the UK and US would pass as rich in the Philippines.

My life has been enriched in many ways through spending 6 years here, and getting to understand Filipinos and their way of life. I have been touched by the generosity of the very poor, having visited many ordinary, spartan homes of the desperately poor. For example, one morning I paid a visit to the mother of a friend. She had no food in the home, and I knew the family were often short of food and went hungry. Unbeknown to me, though, a neighbour was preparing what little food her family had to ensure that I had lunch, despite the fact that they knew I could go and buy what I wanted to eat any time, and from anywhere. I knew, too, that the family whose food I ate for lunch, was even poorer than that of my friend. That family would be going hungry that evening, which made me appreciate the hospitality so much I can never forget it.

When it comes to the approach to Christmas, Filipinos lap it all up. They have a festive fun loving spirit anyway, so Christmas is just another excuse. As in the UK, the start of September starts the countdown to Christmas Day, in the stores and on TV. On September 1 here I was woken at 5am by some distant, but rather loud, music. Once I had come to my senses, I realised it was Christmas music. I assumed then it was an individual with a new CD, and that it would be a one off. However, I was wrong. It is now mid November as I write this, and that music (yes, exactly the same) is played every day. Now, I realise it is not an individual at all, but coming from a nearby military base. Each morning, a bugle blasts out the First Post, and then the Christmas music is switched on.

Despite the proliferation of Christmas advertising, and music, Filipinos do not seem to succumb to any pressure to spend too much money over Christmas. There is no expectation of any gift, and I am sure many children never get an Xmas gift in there lives. Yet, people make the most of Christmas in their own way, and it is an important family time. The Christianity of the Philippines is probably far stronger than any Western country, so the religious significance of Christmas is still paramount.

The combination of Filipino generosity, and lack of expectation of a Christmas gift, led me to write a Christmas story last year. I have learnt much about generosity and kindliness since I came here, and for that I have the Filipino nature to thank. In a way, the story was a way of encapsulating what I had learnt, and to admit that Western adults can learn an awful lot, even from a Filipino child. The story, aimed at adults and older children, tells of a 7 year old girl, living in a nipa hut on the edge of the Palawan rain forest, who has never had a Christmas gift before; never expected one, and never complained. When she finally does receive a gift, one that she knows with certainty came from Santa Claus, she is faced with what most Western children would find as a terrible dilemma. The action she took expresses the true spirit of Christmas and true generosity, in typical Filipino fashion.

One thing Filipinos do splash out their sparse cash on is Christmas decorations, especially Christmas lights. It seems even the poorest of homes will try to spread a bit of Christmas cheer with lights from November onwards, and very nice they look too. Puerto Princesa, where we live, is already preparing for its Christmas display and events this year. We cannot wait to see what will be added to the wonderful displays of last December. Poor or not, gifts or not, Christmas has its own tropical magic in the Philippines.

Writen by Seth Miller

Discounted party supplies can usually be found at most party stores and on the Internet, as well as at other locations. Party supply items that are available in bulk and at discounted rates include plates, cups, napkins, stickers, party hats, invitations, games, coloring books, banners, cut-outs, gift bags, centerpieces, complete party-packs and more.

Specific theme party supplies include table decorations, piñata, stickers, guest bags, novelties, games, and banners, designer plates, napkins, blowouts, hats, flags and jumbo cards. Discounted party supplies offer a great selection of products at excellent prices, especially when you buy in bulk. Plates and glasses with tropical patterns and color add to the ambience of a summer party. Tropical straws, stirrers and tiny umbrellas dress up glasses, and plastic flowers decorate the room with a tropical flavor.

Discounted supplies also include invitation cards, placement cards, straws, candles, torches, dolls, paper lanterns, large candles, bamboo baskets, plastic flowers and fresh flowers that can give an authentic atmosphere to any party. One can buy shells, fruits, sunglasses, decorative hair combs, fruit and large stuffed parrots and flamingos too at wholesale rates. Most gift shops go out of their way to stock decorations, invitations, tableware, theme gifts, and more.

Discounted products enable large stores to establish relationships with several major industries and gives access to large volume purchases at a very low price. This in turn provides customers with an extensive selection of high quality products at a remarkably low discount prices, and are usually sold by the full case and shipped FedEx or UPS.

Writen by A Heath

Need help with gifts? Not everyone is good at choosing them. But there's more to gift giving than getting gift ideas from someone else.

This is why we'd like to share our gift giving philosophy: Focus on "The Who". No, no, no... not the band. Don't go giving someone a "the who" t-shirt. (Unless, of course, they are a fan of Pete Townhsend.) What we mean is... who is the recipient? Who are you giving to? And we don't mean their name. You need to know about this person. You can't give a great gift without knowing that. It's helpful to have a general idea of what they like, and better to know some specifics details about their life and personality. It's also useful to know what they dislike (to avoid the "wrong" gift).

For your own, self-made help with gifts, ask yourself: Where do they work? Do they like what they do for a living? How do they spend their day? Their night? Their free time? Do they have any hobbies? Where do they live? What kind of car do they drive? Are they married? Do they have any kids? What about pets?

These are all questions whose answers can give you the information you need to choose the perfect gift. People notice and appreciate it when you take the time and effort to pick out a gift that reflects WHO they are. It's an especially thoughtful gift when you can give something that relates to a person, pet, cause, or idea that is important to your recipient.

Notice we said "important to your recipient", not "important to you". Gift giving is not about you. It's about them. Some people tend to forget that and end up giving a gift that they would like themselves.

Another tip: If you are an important person in the recipient's life, a gift that involves giving of your time is usually appreciated. For example, if you've been working a lot and haven't had much time to spend with your spouse, for your anniversary, consider giving a weekend getaway together.

That in itself is a good example of examining a person's life or situation and turning it into a great gift idea. The situation is: your spouse hasn't had the quality time with you that he/she deserves. The gift is: a weekend getaway together.

It's a simple concept really. Create your own help with gifts: take a look at who you are giving to and try to understand the circumstances of their life. Then find a gift that fits! Put that brain of yours to work to find the perfect gift! And don't forget to use your heart, too. That's where the ALL of the really good gifts come from. :)

We hope this help with gifts and gift giving has been... well... helpful!

For more help with gifts, visit http://www.the-gift-wizard.com

A Heath is a gift researcher for http://www.the-gift-wizard.com.

Writen by Nicola Kennedy

Entertaining for Halloween can be very exciting and loads of fun. It is the perfect opportunity for you to show off your talents in many different areas. To help keep your guests happy and entertained you will want to have a wide variety of things to keep them occupied. One of the first things you will need to make sure of is that you have enough refreshments and food to keep the entire guest list satisfied for the night. This is one of the most important parts of entertaining for Halloween.

Having the surroundings decorated for Halloween both inside and outside is the best way to keep the guest in the haunting sprit throughout Halloween night. Decorating for Halloween is exciting and so much fun. You can let you imagination go wild and try things you would never dare to try at any other time of the year. It is the time to let your creativity take control. If you have the space then putting together a haunted house is also great entertainment for Halloween.

Fun Halloween games are very important and are a must at any Halloween party. They help to keep the guest amused and give them something to do besides walk around. If it is a party that includes children you can set up simple games for them where they can win small prizes and candy. This helps to keep them happy and satisfied throughout the night. Although adults have a great time watching their children having a safe happy Halloween, there are many games that can be set up for them also. Games that allow adults to enjoy a little competition will keep them entertained.

Halloween music helps everyone to keep the sprit of this haunted holiday alive throughout the whole evening. Make sure you have a wide variety of music so there will be a little something for everyone. Be sure and include music that is scary and some that is funny to add humor to your party. By keeping your guest entertained they will not have time to get bored and you will have presented the best Halloween party ever.

Writen by Nicola Kennedy

Gifts for Grandparents Day don't have to be complex. In fact, of all the holidays that children participate in, Grandparents Day is one of the simplest for which to create a gift. The first thing to remember is that, for a grandparent, spending money is not always the best option.

Grandparents love gifts from the heart. This often means crafts or gifts created without spending any money. For example, rather than buying a bouquet of flowers to hand to Grandma, a handpicked bunch of wildflowers would be more appreciated from her young grandson or granddaughter. And in place of a store-bought greeting card, a hand drawn and written card would be more expressive of the youth's true feelings toward his or her grandparents.

If your child is old enough to read, help them to find a simple, short book or story that involves children with their grandparents, and have them read it to their grandparents. Or, if they are a little older, perhaps they could even write a poem for their grandparents. All of these ideas cost nothing and yet mean the world to your child's eldest relatives.

If your child is too young to get involved in such projects, give them simple tasks. Have them color a picture and give it to Grandpa, or let them glue macaroni to construction paper and create a picture for their grandparents. Even something as simple as writing names when the child has learned to spell can be impressive as a gift to doting grandparents on Grandparents Day.

This is one reason that grandparents are so special and deserve to be celebrated. They are always excited by the smallest of accomplishments by their grandchildren. It is almost as though they see it as a job to make a "mountain out of a mole hill" in regards to the slightest advancement in their grandchildren's intelligence or abilities.

So, whether a simple stick-figure picture or a complex collage depicting what the child thinks or feels about his or her grandparents, any gift is bound to be seen as special by Grandma or Grandpa on Grandparents Day.

Nicola always enjoys celebrating Grandparents Day. Visit her Grandparents Day 2006 site for Grandparents Day gift ideas, tips and news, information and views at http://Grandparents-Day.your-holiday.info

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-Holiday.info

Writen by Sharmila Sanka

The Sun proudly mounted from behind the mountains Demanding the moon to go home and rest in its own coolness Failing to realize that I briskly woke up way before its rise Impatiently waiting for this inestimable precious day.

A day for which the globe waits
Not to vainly look for the inexistent Santa
But to make the invisible Christ
Visible at heart with transparency.

My feet led my chilly body outside my house
For me to admire the beauty of the nature
Where the houses are decorated with the color
Of the heart of Jesus which is nothing but Snow.

There is a man in front of every house
Greeting the people on the street
Only to receive no smile on their lips
Making him wonder even though he is a Snowman.

I walked along the street as I remembered my night prayer
'Lord, how many more years should I tolerantly wait
For your glimpse gorgeous and your smile contagious
With the shine in your eyes which brings the same in my eyes?

You were so visible then and more invisible now
What made your divine form hide from me?
Is it due to my sins small or my mistakes big?
I'm tired after years 30 of my life to search for you.

I cry and I cry until I decay like hopeless clay
People decry and decry seeing me mad for you
I neither wish for the riches nor wish for life happy
I wish for thee; I wish to feel you in my heart.

My prayer is meant to be answered
But never intended to be unobserved
You hardly seem to be bothered
What makes you feel I'm not deserved?'

Drops of water ran down my cheeks
It is not the snow which has melted
But the outcome of my melted heart
Which in all my life I never dealt.

My feet didn't accompany my thought to step ahead
And they paved way to a serene alleyway
They forced my eyes to look at something deep
That kept moving and watching as I moved close.

It is a man but not really a man
It was the Snowman that smiled at all
With a smile of hope I looked at him
To find two moving eyes deep within the snow.

The two little eyes are filled with care
They shine like stars bright and bright
As the two cute lips joined in pair
To be seen by me and to smile at me.

It is now that my eyes are filled with the shine
As they saw my Christ in the snowman
It is now that my heart is solaced and fine
As it felt the selfless and incessant love of a kind.

What Thanks can I render Christ?
For the glimpse thou had graced on me
Every day I will blossom in your love and light
Not one day I will live a life of hopeless night.

You give the love of thousand mothers
You give the care of thousand fathers
You impart the knowledge of thousand teachers
Your ways chosen are innumerable; your ways chosen are inexplicable

What words can I say Christ
Than to wish you 'Happy Birthday'
On this Day of 'Merry Christmas'
Than to live and love you?

"Have faith in your hopes that you will one day meet the Lord you waited and lived for. That is your real Christmas."- Sharmila Sanka

I am Sharmila Sanka and I live in Bentonville, Arkansas. My hobby is to write articles for web sites to enlighten my mind and that of others. I am a writer of hundreds of articles, short stories, inspiring quotations and poems. My articles got published in the newspaper - 'Arkansas Democrat Gazette' in ARKANSAS.

Writen by Low Jeremy

It is not true that only the expensive gifts are appreciated. Although there are some materialistic people who would want a costly Christmas gift, the vast majority will appreciate a gift that is more personalized as compared to impersonal basic gifts.

In fact, there is probably nothing sweeter and more memorable than a Christmas gift that is done by your own hands. Not only will it be something that will truly touch the receiver's hearts but also something that will show him or her just how much time and effort you have spent in the gift.

Some people think that personalizing gifts involves a lot of work and requires a degree of artistic talent and creative thinking but this is not so. Personalizing your gift this holiday season is actually easy if you know what to do and where to go for help.

Below are some tips that can help you in personalizing your gifts. Read on. You may find something you can use.

1. Monograms

You don't have to do much to personalize your gifts. In fact, something as simple as putting monograms and initials on gifts like mugs, hankies, towels and jackets are enough. If you are not much into stitches, you can have them done by professionals. There are shops in malls that specializes in putting letters on different materials.

2. Personalized stickers

Another great gift idea is personalized stickers, which you can fill up with the name of the person you are giving the gift to plus his or her contact number and address. These personalized stickers can serve as their calling cards or identification cards in books and other personal properties that may be lost. Personalized stickers may also be used in letters and correspondences.

3. Photographs

Personal pictures are also wonderful personalized gifts. There are hundreds of things that you can do to photographs. For instance, you can print a photo and use it as a poster that can be posted inside a room. You can reprint as postcards and have your receiver use them for his or her correspondences.

There is also what is called the photo mosaic, which uses different small pictures to create a big one. Photographs make wonderful personalized gifts as these remind receivers of a special place or a special occasion. And because the picture is of the receiver himself, you don't have to do much to personalize it.

Writen by Douglas Williams

Christmas - A Special Time Of Year

It's that time of year when you have a stroll outdoors, the air smells crisp and the skies are a little grey. Mr jack frost has felt the window panes with his magic fingers and the ice scraper needs to come out of the glove box in order to scrape off the front car window. Lights on the street take on a new aura as their red and green lights turn on and off. You begin to drive down the side streets on your way home to see who has the best light show on their lawn, and the children have sent their wish lists off to Santa Claus. If you haven't guessed what time of year it is, it is Christmas time.

Christmas Has Countless Meanings

Christmas itself represents a Holiday season that has taken on countless meanings all over this diverse country of ours; from snow covered hills to pink lights on palm trees, nativity scenes to peppermint pigs. Scrooge and The Grinch with Jim Carey, as well as Miracle on 34th Street and It's A Wonderful Life with James Stewart, all hold a special place in our hearts. Some of us may travel across the country during Christmas time, while others of us may simply travel across the street.

A Time To Share

Regardless of what our Christmas traditions are, there is one very enduring connection that we all share. Recent events in our country's history, ( tragic events such 9-11 in New York and Hurricane Katrina ), remind us all of this connection and continue to strengthen that bond each and every day. This time of year we gather together with our friends and family. As we get together, some of us may celebrate the birth of Christ, some of us may light up candles on a Menorah, whilst others will simply unwrap Christmas gifts with a smile on their face, without a second thought. Yet there is no doubt, no question at all, that we all gather to celebrate each other.

We get together to celebrate life, and family, and those we love. We gather to enjoy good food, stimulating conversation and good company. We reminisce nostalgically about holidays from the past, remember those we love who are no longer with us, and plan for the future. We share photos, we share gifts, and we share laughs. At Christmas time we look for the innocent sparkle in our children's eyes as we help them to create their own memories, and put them into bed, neatly tucked up with a big smile on their faces as magical visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.

No matter what our age, our race, or our origin; No matter our heritage, our upbringing, or our traditions; At Christmas time, we live, we burst into laughter, and we love.

Writen by Sara Gray

Looking for more creativity in what you serve at your next Halloween party? Tired of buying the same old expensive candy? Then, look no more. Try a couple of these fun Halloween treats and snacks next time you have a bunch of goblins over to celebrate Halloween.

You'll love making these Halloween snacks for your kids and their friends, and they'll love you for it!

Spooky Sandwiches
This is so easy to do, you won't believe it! Just make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on your favorite bread. With a Halloween-themed cookie cutter, press hard into the sandwich and Ta-Da! You have instant spooky sandwiches!

These are a big hit with the kids! You'll be serving witchy sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly pumpkin sandwiches or ghost-wiches.

Black Cat Cheese and Cold Cuts
From your local grocery story, buy some of the packaged cheese, either the kind that you peel the plastic off, or that has the waxy paper in between the slices.

You'll also need cold cuts like ham slices (thin) and bologna.

Next, with a cat-shaped cookie cutter, cut out the shapes in the cheese and cold cuts and arrange them as an appetizer on a Halloween type plate.

You can also use other shapes as well. It's only limited by your own imagination!

Serve little tiny slices of bread with it so people can make their own sandwiches if they prefer.

Creepy Chips
All you need to do is spray a few flour tortillas with canola or vegetable oil. Then, sprinkle parmesan cheese or cinnamon and sugar on each tortilla. Next, cut out spooky shapes out of the oiled tortillas cookie cutters in Halloween shapes (pumpkin, bat, ghost, witch, etc.)

Finally, place the cut outs of the tortillas on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F until crispy. The kids will love them!

For a variation, if you use a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter, use candy to make the pumpkin face on the sandwich. This is almost like making a cookie!

Witchy Fingers
In your local grocery store, find a loaf of pre-made bread dough in the freezer section. Take small hunks of it and stretch into a finger shape - make sure you make a big knuckle in the middle of it. You can do that by putting another piece of dough on the stretched out piece and shape it into a knobby-looking knuckle.

Then, take a whole almond and press it into the end of the "finger" dough to make a creepy looking fingernail.

Bake the "fingers" according to the instructions on the packaging for the pre-made bread dough.

To make the fingers look even more spooky, "paint" the dough before you bake it with gray, green or black food coloring. Kids will love helping you make these and love eating them even more!

Have a happy Halloween!

Writen by Gail Leino

Have you ever been at a Christmas Party that didn't have and Christmas party games? Most likely you have and everything went smoothly but I bet you would have been more entertained if there was something to do other than eat, drink and be merry. Gathered here are some interesting suggestions to add a little spice to your party.

This game is pretty easy for those familiar with mad-libs. Take a well known story or poem, not necessarily pertinent to the Christmas theme, and remove the nouns, verbs, adverbs, names, numbers, and any other words that make the story whole. Make a worksheet for your guests to fill by only listing what type of word existed previously. After everyone has filled in these lines, have a few of them stand up and read their newly completed story to the crowd. This can create some amazingly funny material which will leave your guests rolling and talking about for hours to come.

Larger gatherings have a drawing or raffle of some kind, especially if the party is work related. Ideas catering to this nature would include guessing how many candy pieces are in the jar, being the oldest in the gathering, youngest in the gathering, or perhaps the one with the nearest birthday to Christmas Day. Being creative by relating this to the type of function you are holding, as in family reunion friend gathering or coworker function, increases its success.

If karaoke is of interest to the guests this provides entertainment for everyone, participants and viewers alike. Another creative way to incorporate music into the party is to re-word familiar jingles pertaining to Christmas by changing names to people in the audience. For those that are really creative and outgoing, perhaps the children, it might be fun to have them make a skit to perform for the audience. There are many things one can do to increase entertainment. Be creative and everyone will have a great time.

Writen by Iouri Kroukov

Men can be just as hard to come up with gift ideas for as women can. They can be hard to buy for because they either have every tool that they will ever need or they are so particular about what they like and want that it is just too hard to know which the right choice is. There is not doubt that you'll have to buy the men in your life a gift. And, you do want it to matter. The question is, though, which should you purchase?

Here are some gift ideas that you can take to the bank. Guys will love that you thought of them with these gifts. You'll love it and they will too!

• Do you have a guy that enjoys camping? If so, there are a number of things that you can purchase for them to give as gifts. Not sure what he has and what he needs? This is not a problem! All you really need to do is to ask their buddy or even better, just ask them what they need to repair or replace in their camping gear. Some ideas can be cooking supplies, coolers for foods and beverages, sleeping bags, replacement tents or repair kits for them. Or even just a care kit that would include things like sun screen and bug repellant.
• Other gift ideas for guys have to do with the needs they have. Many guys have a need for a good quality flashlight. This is a gift that they can not get too many of. There are a wide variety of flashlights on the market and you are sure to find ones that fit your guy's needs. Also, check out the cool accessories for them as well!
• Other guys are more interested in knives. Again, this is a gift that guys love because it is something useful that they can not have too many of. There are many choices based on the needs your guy has. Consider things like hunting knives and pocket knives. If your guy fishes, look for those. If he cooks, look for those. Is he a collector? There are amazing gift ideas in knives in that range too.
• For those men in your life that enjoy fishing, you can choose from many, many gift ideas. You can never have too many things when you are fishing and they are easy to find. For example, check out lures and lines that they need. Consider a new rod and reel, but make sure to get one that he wants! You can look for any number of accessories for your gift to go with this as well. Tackle boxes, hooks, tools, and even coolers are all good choices.

Finding great gift ideas for the guys in your life doesn't have to be hard. Just figure out what it is that they enjoy and then make a purchase based on that. There are no limits to the things that you can find then. Great gift ideas are out there waiting for you to find them throughout the web.

Sandy Baker is an associate writer for http://www.mygiftidea.net. There, you will find hundreds of excellent gift ideas for even the most difficult to buy for!

Writen by Mark Bulleit

When Santa comes to town, the underlying lesson of doing something for someone else, with no expectations of anything in return, is understood. I mean, teaching our children the meaning of Christmas, on a level they can understand, is not always easy. But, most of us know the point we are trying to get across to them. But what about Easter? What are you teaching your children and why?

As a parent of young children I have had to recently address this very topic. Daddy, why does the Easter Bunny bring us candy? Hmmm... my initial answer, "I'm going to have to get back to you on this one." So let's take a look at that question. Yep, kids do keep you on your toes.

According to www.adherents.com, the most recent census shows that 82% of all U.S. citizens claim to be Christian. This percentage is even higher in many other major countries around the world. The heart of the Christian philosophy is the remembrance of Christ's resurrection and the promise of his everlasting presence. And, Easter is the time for remembering a completely selfless unspoken bond, between us all, strong enough to withstand an endurance of such pain, suffering and ultimately death, so that all could be forgiven.

But regardless of your religious preference, Easter can mean so many things. It's the beginning of Spring, a time to witness re-birth all around us from the grass below our feet to the birds that fly way above our heads. However, I believe there is one overwhelming gift that Easter brings us all. One concept that surrounds the Easter season above all others... that gift is HOPE.

Why hope? What is it? Arnold H. Glasow said that the most popular form of hope is expecting something for nothing. Perhaps, but that use of the word is somewhat slang. Hope is a gift given to each one of us. It's the possibility of triumph over transgression. It's the strength in knowing that even sometimes, under the most unfavorable odds, you can accomplish any dream. It's the serenity in knowing that at the end of any long dark tunnel is an opening to a whole new beginning. Come to think of it, it's what gets me out of bed in the morning.

Hope is such a powerful asset. We hope for ourselves, our families, our children, our friends and neighbors, just about everyone we meet. From my little girl watching an Olympic ice skater hoping that someday that will be her, to my neighbor hoping he gets the promotion he's been waiting for, hope is what makes all our dreams seem possible.

Easter signifies to the Christian community the resurrection of Christ and the origination of hope by every sense of the word. And Easter also marks the beginning of Spring when nature re-creates life giving all things a natural sense of hope's very existence. Easter is a time to reflect on the gift of hope that we all have been given. And think of the the Easter Bunny as an extension of this reflection on a level which our children can somewhat understand.

So back to our original question, "Daddy, why does the Easter Bunny bring me candy?" My answer, "Well, for now, just know that it is a very special time for all of us and the Easter Bunny just wants to make sure it truly is for you too and that you are not left out. Hope is a gift to all who choose to accept it. I hope you understand..."

Mark Bulleit, resident of Santa Claus, Indiana, mails thousands of personalized letters from Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny to children world-wide every year through his Easter Bunny Letters web site at http://www.easterbunnyletters.com.

Writen by Betty Singer

Father's day is celebrated each year in June. Whether or not you are a parent, it is highly likely that you know at least one father. Becoming a father is an important event. Father's Day should always be celebrated and cherished, but it is even more important for new dads. When it comes to selecting a Father's Day gift for a new dad, there are a wide variety of different options to choose from.

Many new dads receive traditional gifts. These traditional gifts often include a shirt, tie, or hat. While new clothing is often appreciated, there are other gift ideas that are available. In fact, aside from traditional gifts, there are many gift ideas that go unnoticed. These gift ideas are often the most unique and exciting ones. Below is a list of three popular, but unique Father's Day gift ideas for new dads.

Autographed Handprint Baseballs

A large number of men are sports fans. There are a number of online retail stores that sell baseball hand printing kits. These kits are a unique and exciting father's day gift idea for new dads.

Most kits will come with a standard regulation size baseball, ink, and a baseball display case. Once at home, a baby's first hand print can forever be displayed on the baseball. Due to their small size, baseballs are usually the best type of balls to use; however, other sporting equipment can be used for a baby's first handprint.

The kits used to make this amazing father's day gift can be purchased for as low as $25. In addition to purchasing a ready-to-go kit, individual items can be purchased from most retail stores, nationwide.

Tool Belts Just for Dad

On any given day, a large number of fathers can be seen out in their garage repairing their vehicle or working on a home improvement project. Parenthood is an exciting experience, but it can be life changing for many first-time fathers. A great way to bring a sense of normalcy and fun to fatherhood is with a new father tool belt.

New father tool belts can be purchased from a wide number of online retail stores or they can be custom made at home. Most new father tool belts come standard with a simple tool belt and a combination of baby accessories. These accessories often include diaper wipes, a pacifier, a bottle, and diaper changing instructions. Other fun accessories, such as goggles or plastics tongs, can be added for a touch of humor.

New father tool belts can be purchased for around $20. They can also be made at home for about the same price.

Diaper Vest for Dads

Traveling with a newborn often requires the carrying of a large amount of equipment. Most parents cannot travel with their children without brining along a diaper bag. Diaper bags are popular accessories seen on the shoulders of many new moms and dads. That was until the development of the diaper vest.

A number of online retail stores are selling diaper vests. The diaper vest is sold under a wide variety of different names. No matter what the name, the ideas behind the vests are the still the same. Most vests come standard with a large number of pockets. These pockets are often designed to hold a number of important baby essentials, including a bottle, a pacifier, diapers, and baby wipes. New fathers with the diaper vest will no longer have to carry along large diaper bags.

The cost of a diaper vest will all depend on the product manufacturer, style, and color. On average, a diaper vest will cost around $50.

A new dad will likely be excited with any gift that they receive for Father's Day. It is often the thought behind the gift that counts, not always the gift itself. Even though your husband, boyfriend, son, brother, or friend may appreciate whatever gift you choose to give them, why not give them one that they will be proud to use and display?

Betty Singer is a creative gift designer providing valuable tips and advice on father's day gifts, making your own gift basket, and holiday gift baskets.

Writen by Elizabeth Smith

Many men struggle every year with the tormenting question of what to buy their sweetheart for Valentine's Day. In an effort to simplify this daunting task, and being in the gift giving industry myself, I thought I'd share some of my expertise and knowledge with the layman. Although I cannot speak for all women, I can certainly give some absolutely wonderful advice and great gift ideas.

First and foremost, I must confess that I am not a relationship expert. This article is being written from my own profound wants and desires for the perfect Valentine's Day. Unfortunately for men, not all women are alike, and therefore, all do not want and desire the same things. This article will focus on a few great Valentine's Day ideas that I believe would satisfy the majority of normal women.

My initial thought regarding Valentine's Day is that it is an event to be remembered. For this reason, I love the idea of creating a special day for your loved one. As the mother of two young children, I would love nothing more than a nice relaxing day at a luxurious spa. Can't afford to send your loved one on a spa holiday? Find yourself a gift basket filled with sensational bath products, enabling you to bring the spa home, at a much more affordable price. Most women will greatly appreciate the much needed relaxing time alone.

Another way to make the event memorable is to have a Valentine's Day picnic. Weather permitting, a picnic is a naturally romantic afternoon. A picnic basket with service for two would be the place to start. Then add some gourmet treats, specialty foods, and a chilled bottle of wine. If the weather is inclement, as it still is in many parts of the country, take the picnic inside. Spread out a nice picnic blanket, put on some soft music, light some candles and picnic inside for a charming dinner meal. Quiet time together is the key for this gift idea.

Not interested in sitting on the floor? Create a gourmet meal for two and serve it up at the dinner table. I know very few women who really want to cook a three-course meal on Valentine's Day. Find a great recipe book or try a gourmet gift basket filled with all the dinner necessities, including the mood-setting candles. Can't cook? Order out and set it all up for your loved one as a surprise. Don't forget cleanup duty. Do it after dinner or even the next day, but don't let her lift a finger. Believe me, she will love a break from kitchen duties for a night.

Of course, there's always the classic gift of flowers, candy and even jewelry. But I've always felt that these are just "things" and are soon forgotten after the special day. Flowers die, candy gets eaten, and jewelry gets dusty in a jewelry box. Make Valentine's Day what it really is…a day to celebrate love with the love of your life. Make it an event to be remembered by pampering your loved one. You only get an excuse to do it once per year.

Elizabeth Smith is the owner of a gift business, Crafty Gift Creations. View an assortment of Valentine's Day gift baskets for a memorable Valentine's Day. You and yours will not be disappointed.

Writen by Karen Fritscher-Porter

If you're planning to eat a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on the big day, you have five choices. They are:

1) EAT OUT. It may not seem very festive or traditional to dine out on Thanksgiving but sometimes you don't want to cook or clean up afterward. Usually only a few restaurants are open on Thanksgiving (if any in your area). So you may want to make early inquiries to find that one open restaurant serving a Thanksgiving meal, especially if you'll be bringing guests.

2) COOK. If you plan to cook this Thanksgiving then you'll definitely want to plan ahead. Know how many guests will be enjoying your home-cooked meal. That way you can shop for the right size turkey (about 1.3 pounds per person) and provide an appropriate helping of side dishes, appetizers, desserts and beverages.

3) POTLUCK. If you're hosting a potluck, you'll need to know ahead of time what dishes guests plan to bring. You'll need to be the coordinator so you can avoid duplicate food items. Plus inquire about whether they'll need to use any of your cookware and stove or oven to reheat or put any final touches on dishes.

4) HIRE A COOK. You can hire a chef who will come to your home to cook a meal. Or they might prepare something for you the day before in their kitchen and bring it to you along with directions for proper reheating and serving. Search the Web using your city name plus the phrase personal chef. Or go to personalchefsearch.com. Another option is to check with your local supermarket deli. Some will prepare and sell you Thanksgiving dinner items like a smoked turkey and a platter of side dishes. Just be sure to place your order by the deadline and pick up your meal the day before Thanksgiving (if they'll be closed that day).

5) BE SOMEONE'S GUEST. If you want to get an invite, you may have to start dropping hints early that you'll be spending the day alone this Thanksgiving (LOL). A sure way to be a guest though is to set up a system where friends or family members take turns hosting Thanksgiving dinner at their house. If you have a large, extended family you might only be cooking Thanksgiving dinner once a decade at your home and spending the other nine years as a guest for Thanksgiving dinner at a family member's home. But don't forget to bring a bottle of wine or other appropriate gift to your host.

Writen by Janice Elizabeth Small

Gyms get pretty deserted around Christmas time. Everyone is so busy with preparations, parties and people visiting that it's hard to fit in getting there, getting changed and going through a routine as regularly as you might the rest of the year.

But don't give up on exercise completely - you'll find it far harder to get back in the swing of things if you do. Make exercise part of the fun and keep yourself ticking over until it's time to get back to the gym in January. Maybe you'll enjoy the alternatives so much you'll never go back!

1. Do less

Just do ten minutes if that's all you can manage. Ten minutes of anything - walking around the house or stair stepping or skipping or rebounding - anything that fits your level of fitness and the equipment you have available at home. You can do it in the morning before your shower and it will energise you for everything you have to get done. If you can fit in 10 minutes later on too, so much the better. You'll keep up your fitness levels and use a few calories which you can probably do with at this time of year.

2. Do a class at home

Fitness videos are great if you don't have much time. There's no getting to the gym - you have everything you need right at home. You can pick them up for next to nothing from charity shops or treat yourself to one or two for Christmas. And it doesn't matter if you don't know the moves or have the latest fitness gear - nobody's watching!

3. Clear Up

No doubt you have to get your home ready for friends and family visiting anyway so make the clear up a workout. Put lots of energy into it! Clear out all that clutter then clean, vacuum and polish everything until it gleams. You'll be ready for guests, keep up your fitness levels and use some calories all at the same time.

4. Active fun

If you have a lot of guests and can't get your usual exercise fix organise some active fun for everyone! You could all go bowling or skating. Or try a game of charades or Twister. If it snows, you can go sledging or organise a snowman building competition. At the very least get them all out for a walk every day whatever the weather. There are sure to be some lights to go and see or a local carol service to attend.

5. Dance the Night Away

Don't be a wallflower. Take every opportunity to dance at parties (it will keep you away from the buffet table too) or just invite your partner to go dancing over the holidays. You'll have fun, get closer and it'll be great exercise. Dancing uses up between 270 and 540 calories an hour depending on the speed.

6. Offer a helping hand

Get active by volunteering your services in your community. You can help serve lunch at a homeless shelter or old people's home. Or just help your neighbours with running errands and snow clearing. You'll get a warm glow from lending a hand as well as from the exercise and feel much better than you do after sitting around all afternoon watching the re-runs of "White Christmas".

7. Escape

And if all else fails, next year book a skiing holiday for your Christmas break instead of staying at home. There's a whole year to save up (and to dodge the rows when you tell your family you're going away next year!) Skiing is fantastic exercise and you'll come back fit, invigorated and without those extra few pounds so many seem to acquire over Christmas.

Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small

Janice Elizabeth is a weight loss coach and slimming club owner with a no diet approach to permanent weight loss. Subscribe to her FREE weekly "No More Diets" ezine full of tips and recipes and receive a 24 page special report "How to have a Great Christmas without piling on the pounds". Subscribe at http://www.SimplySlimming.com/Christmas TODAY!

Writen by Kenneth C. Hoffman

It was nearing dusk when an old lady appeared at the entrance of the aisle between the rows of folding chairs set up on the grass. We were at a school function near the end of October in 1958. She hesitated a moment, stared left, then right with bird-like movements of her head. A murmur started near the back as she inched her way up the aisle. An old cotton babushka covered all but a hank of iron gray strands of hair. A few unfortunate moles sporting a couple of lonely hairs were not too well hidden by some sallow-looking makeup. Two spots of raspberry cheek lent a carnival air but a sunken upper lip made it clear there were no teeth inside.

At least the brave soul tried to dress up for the occasion. She wore a long dress of an indeterminate flower pattern in purple and green, hanging almost to the floor in front and slapping her ankles in the back as she hobbled forward. Two thin sticks of arms, bent at the elbows, one carrying a cracked black leather oversized bag, ended in gnarled hands covered with a pair of once-white lace gloves. A hunched back like a half watermelon bowed her skinny shoulders. Around her neck hung a ratty-looking mink collar, the preserved mink head swinging pendulously as she steadily worked her way forward. A whiff of old cellar smell mixed with some five and ten perfume overlaid with a suggestion of mothball trailed in her wake.

I'm sure some of the thoughts in the audience ranged from "Poor thing, I wonder if she has enough to eat?" to "I hope I don't get that old some day" and "She's probably all alone in her room with no-one to take care of her." She finally spied an empty chair in the front row and lowered herself down right next to me. The old lady was my six year old sister, Diane, and she won the Halloween contest two years in a row!

Holidays are for families and for fun. Here's a poem.

At least on Halloween
The webs I have
Are proud to be seen.

Writen by Tricia Meyer

It's that time of year when you are puzzling over ways to make your greeting cards stand out from everyone else's. Nothing could be more personal than making your own cards. Photo cards are a smart choice because there are a range of options and prices.

Snapshot Photo

When choosing a standard photograph for your holiday greeting card, you have two main options. First, you can scour your digital pictures from throughout the year and choose one that already works well for a card. Look for a picture that tells a story. One of my past favorites was a picture of my girls baking cookies together.
Second, and more fun, stage a picture with family members holding up words on construction paper. Dress them up in their parkas and mittens and have them hold signs that say "Let It Snow." Or take a picture of the family in front of the fireplace holding up cards with the year.

Custom Artwork

Do you have a little one who is a budding artist? Give him crayons, markers, glitter, and colored paper and tell him to draw what the holiday means to him. The less instruction you give, the more likely the picture is to show the holiday through the child's eyes. Take a digital picture of the artwork and add a cute border.

Scrapbook Photo

This is my favorite! Use your holiday card as a chance to show off what your family did this year. Lay out a page like you would if you were scrapbooking--with photos, captions, borders, or knick-knacks. Then snap a picture of your layout. Make sure to add your family name and the year. Get creative!

Making the Cards

To give your cards a professional touch, upload your digital picture to an online store to make your cards. Depending upon the store, you may be able to add borders, text on the inside, and text on the back. You can have them sent to you for addressing and mailing or do all of that online as well.

Tricia Meyer is the owner of Helping Moms Connect and Digital Picture King. She is the mother of two girls and lives in Fishers, Indiana.

Writen by Brent Atwater

During the Holidays, when family and closeness is a premium on everyone's mind, there are those of us who do not have loved ones in our lives, as they have departed. In my years as a Medical Intuitive and Intuitive Energy Healer, the holidays bring an increased amount of physical and emotional malaise to people due to the fact that depression sets into our psyche if our world is less than we want, and that imbalanced energy, in turn, triggers the body to respond and manifest physical "illness".

Below is a compilation of situations that help you alleviate your "lost love" scars, and offers ideas on how to turn your anxiety, depression, stress into positive attitudes and actions by being another person's joy.

Let's address your environment. You might have the biggest space in your office, the fanciest house on your street, but your world is still empty. For every room that is empty in your house, take presents to a home that only has one room. For office space that leaves you asking "is this all there is?", go meet the employees who work pay check to paycheck and take them out to lunch, or take the time to get to know that person that you pass everyday and don't even know their name. It may not seem important to you, but you will have enriched the life of another individual by listening to what they have to say, by validating their existence, or by showing that you care about what is going on in their life, environment and home. You can dispel your emptiness by filling up their life with your care.

How about family "problems" that starts with your husband or wife. Perhaps during this tense social season, y'all fight over whose family to visit or which party to attend. Orphans have no family choices, so give to those where you have pain.............. BE a family for an orphan, so that you add a family life where life was taken from others. Then your family will be a healing unit, and will hopefully give you a new perspective. Take the widow or widower to lunch or invite them to your celebrations, Help create happiness and inspire giggles where there is isolation and depression.

And don't forget those who had hopes of a "family" that never came to pass, as their loved one was lost to an auto accident, a war, or through disease. Their hearts are dying a thousand times in memory of what "could have been" during this holiday season. Not only did they loose a loved one, they also lost the hope they had, and the opportunity to experience their dream before it became a reality. Try to include these folks in your holiday plans, even though they protest....... it will help them re enter social functions, and remind their soul that there is life, and hope and dreams after death.

Then there are the children who lost parents. The following is taken from the book the "Heavenly Express for MY Daddy". It's a child's conversation with her Mother after the loss of her Father.

Mommy, "Can we hear him when he talks to us?" "Sit very still, be very quiet, and listen with your heart. You can always hear Daddy in your heart. You will hear his laughter, and how much he misses you...."

"How will we ever hug each other again?" "That's easy, put both of your hands on your heart, and close your eyes, and you can feel Daddy's hug. It feels like pouring a warm shower of love all over your body."

"How can I talk to him or get his advice?" "You can talk out loud to him, or thru your heart. Just because you can't see his Soul, doesn't mean he's not there. Daddy is like the sun. When you can't see it, you always know it's still there! Daddy will ALWAYS be there to listen to whatever you have to say and to give you advice, no matter what! Your Daddy's special answers are just for you, and are delivered directly thru YOUR heart"

Suggest to those that lost parents to ask their deceased parents about those holidays quandaries through their heart and suggest that they share holiday comments too!!! Being on the other side of the veils will not hamper that parental advice at all!

When a person is missing the special warm hugs and love that only a grandmother or grandfather can give, suggest that they Dress up as Mrs. Claus, and go hug every child that is an orphan, and not only has no grandmother, but has no mother................ Suggest they go to an oncology ward, or nursing home and just hug people who others have not hugged. I visited my 101-year-old grandmother, and met her 96-year-old friend Rose. After I hugged Rose, she said that was the first hug she had received in the 10 years after her husband died. The last hug she received was from her minister.........at her husband's funeral............ SO go hug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MANY need just a hug to turn their day or life around.

And don't forget the deceased pets, which are part of the extended family. Take the presents that you were going to give Muffy, Fluffy or Horace and give it to the Humane Society, animal rescue or the local pet shelter. Although you may still be grieving, your gift will create joy for a living pet or animal, and add to their life. Pets grieve too. Perhaps your contribution will even help a pet keep on keeping on, until they are chosen to be part of a family.

When you take your pain, and turn it into doing something nice for someone else, your attention shifts away from you, and the heartfelt gratitude you receive from others, if only for a split second, takes away your pain, personal anxiety, stress and depression. So, make your heart scars less heavy, and your love stars a little brighter for the lives of someone less fortunate than you.

Feel free to reprint this article in its original format.

Contact Information:
Brent Atwater
Medical Intuitive, Distance Energy Healing
ATL, GA Phone: 404.242.9022 USA
NC Phone: 910.692.5206 USA

Website: http://www.brentatwater.com/
Email: mailto:Brent@BrentAtwater.com

Brent Atwater: Medical Intuitive, Distance Healer: Her global Medical Intuitive & Distance Healing has been studied by & or documented at Duke, the ARE, & for pets by the NCSU's Veterinary school. ARTIST: An artist (30+), Brent is a pioneer in healing art by scientifically documenting the Healing benefits of Paintings that Heal™. Her art was featured on "PBS". At 16, the NC Museum of Art chose her painting for their permanent collection. In 1987 she founded Just Plain Love™ Charitable Trust to benefit children & other causes. AUTHOR: Just Plain Love™ Children's Healing Books. The books are translated into plays performed in children's healthcare facilities turning illness negatives into positives. "Cancer Kids, God's Special Children", & "Positive Attitudes, Affirmations, & Actions for Overcoming Your Health Challenges", and "Positive Attitudes, Affirmations & Actions to Help Survive Your Cancer Experience". These books are holistic, alternative medicine & alternative healing for your mind Brent attended Wake Forest Law School and is a minister.

Writen by Lance Winslow

As parents we know how important it is to keep our kids safe during trick or treat excursions. It is important to chaperone kind under age 10 and perhaps up to age 12. The best way to do this and you have seen others do it this way is to allow the kids to travel about ten to twelve paces ahead of you to keep an eye on them. It is smart to carry a flashlight too and extra batteries or the special "Shake as you go" Flashlights or wind up versions that do not require batteries at all.

Look at your child and the silhouette and how that looks on a costume at different angles so you never lose site of them. Be sure to take jogging or tennis shoes not other types which will slow you down, as the kids want to go fast to get more candy you see? Take an extra pillowcase to hold the candy when they get too much. Do not mix the kids candy; they will get upset. By collecting the candy as they go, they will not become victims of candy thieves from older teenagers and bag snatchers.

Make sure to instruct your kids that there will be no littering of wrappers or that will end the trick or treating for the night. Do not let your kids run across people's lawns because they can cut their ankles on sprinkler heads in the dark. Each year Hospital Emergency rooms fill up with minor injuries calling for stitches and you maybe there all night waiting. Think on these things and have a plan of where you are going in the neighborhoods.

Lance Winslow

Writen by Susan Rempel, Ph.D.

I was listening to one of my favorite radio talk programs today. The topic of the hour was "do you feel burdened by Christmas?" Much to my amazement the host, and the majority of his guests, spent the better part of an hour whining and moaning about the burdensome nature of the holiday season. "I hate being with my relatives." "Why do I have to spend all this money on presents for people I don't like?" "There's too much pressure!" "The traffic in the stores is ridiculous." It went on and on and on!

It's a well known fact that people tend to be more depressed during the holiday season. It can be distressing if you live far away from your family. Some people actually become depressed because of the decrease in their exposure to sunlight during the winter months. However, what I heard today was different. People were just whining! They sounded like young children who were being forced to do their chores. Then, it hit me. Those people were suffering from PHLOP!

What is PHLOP (pronounced "flop")? Pre-Holiday Lack of Planning! It is my own term for describing what causes successful people turn into grinches during the holiday season. Anyone who suffers from PHLOP will experience a range of symptoms that include: anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, overeating (particularly of chocolate), anger, and irrationality. All of these symptoms cause them to miss out on the true joy that should be experienced during the holiday season.

People who suffer from PHLOP get their first dose of anxiety when they begin to consider the enormous list of things to do between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. There are cards to be sent, gifts to be bought and wrapped, parties to be planned, activities to be enjoyed, and thank you notes to be written. It's enough to give a person indigestion! Then, add all of the subtasks (e.g., everything that is involved in planning a party) to the list. By then, that person has a major case of indigestion and the beginning symptoms of a migraine. Of course, the only reason that the person experiences anxiety is because he or she is not organized.

Do you suffer from PHLOP? It's not too late to change things – even for this holiday season! Consider the consequences of not planning out how you will get everything done before January 31. Your tasks will get done at the last minute. They will not be done well. Worst of all, you may not finish them at all! Let's face it, there is nothing worse than looking at a stack of holidays cards that were signed, sealed, and addressed, but just didn't make it to the post office. If you would like some help organizing your holiday schedule for this and future Christmas seasons, you should get a copy UnCommon Courtesy & Coaching's PHLOP busting holiday organizer by visiting our Christmas Corner at: http://www.uncommoncourtesy.com/holidayplanner.htm .

Let me also take a moment to suggest some things that will help you to enjoy this holiday season. First, consider making some of your gifts. People generally think about making gifts only when they are very young, super organized, or short on cash. You need not begin crocheting purses for your friends in August in order to make presents. Think about baking a few batches of bar cookies and then dividing them up onto colorful Christmas plates. Wrap them in cellophane and tie them with colorful ribbon. It's easy, cheap, and all your friends will love it. After all, have you ever had anyone tell you that they did not like a plate full of cookies? How about buying a number of inexpensive items and putting them in a basket. The presentation will impress the heck out of the recipient. Whatever you decide to make, constructing the gift yourself will make it more meaningful to both you and the person who receives it.

Another suggestion to make your holiday bright and joyous is to act like a kid. Often people will suggest that you view the holidays "through the eyes of a child." To that I say: "you are missing half of the fun." Yes, it is a good idea to view things as if you were a child, but remember that actions are just as important as thoughts. For example, consider all those holiday television shows and videos you loved to watch as a child. Somehow, you have not found the time to watch them for years. Well, this is the year to start that tradition once again. If you can, watch them with a child. However, it doesn't matter if a child is watching the program with you. The important thing is to remember to be child-like. How will you ensure that you take on a juvenile persona for the evening? Stock up on all those fun things that a child likes to have available while watching a video. For example, you should dress in your most comfortable pajamas, grab a cup of cocoa, and fill up a bowl with popcorn. Then, settle into your most comfortable chair with all the goodies and enjoy watching Snoopy decorate his dog house. Now, apply that same principle to all of your holiday related activities. It's all those little extras that will really add joy to the Christmas season.

I realize that there may be some readers who feel that they should have begun their holiday planning and organization months ago. To those people I say: "now is the time to be industrious!" For example, shopping that has been delayed to the last minute can be remedied in several ways. Try going to the mall at the very beginning or end of the shopping day. Consider purchasing an unusual gift that can be found somewhere other than a mall. For goodness sake, do your shopping online! No matter how chaotic and stressful it seems, this holiday season should serve as a life lesson. Make notes for yourself about what went well, what could have been done better, and what was an absolute disaster. Then, form an action plan for next year. It's never too soon to get organized!

The bottom line is: this is the season to be jolly, make merry, and recall the joy that can fill your life. The holiday season is the time to be child-like. It is a time to overlook life's little irritations and be grateful for all the wonderful aspects of what has been given to you. I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, and a joyous time no matter what holiday you will be celebrating in the upcoming weeks!

About The Author

Dr. Susan Rempel has counseled thousands of families. She launched www.uncommoncourtesy.com to help people stay organized and live life to the fullest. susan@uncommoncourtesy.com

This article (including the copyright notice) may be reprinted with the following the following attachment:

© 1998 - 1999 Susan C. Rempel, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

- begin attachment -
© 1998 - 1999 Susan C. Rempel, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

Get motivated with UnCommon Courtesy & Coaching! Motivational products and services for children, parents, and teachers that reinforce positive behavior, good manners, a positive outlook on life, and life success. Supplies for parents and teachers. Games, books, computer games, bingo cards, and toys. Get a copy of our FREE holiday planner. visit us at: http://www.uncommoncourtesy.com
- end attachment -