This Holidays

Writen by Gail Leino

As the first Monday of September grows closer, the plans for our Labor Day decorations need to be made. This holiday dedicated to the workers of society leaves very few of us out. As the official end of summer, Labor Day gives all of us a reason to get together and celebrate.

With such a big American holiday, why not decorate in a patriotic theme? A red, white and blue motif is the perfect setting for any Labor Day party. Things of the summer will soon be left in the past. Decorate your Labor Day party with items that remind all of us of the beautiful weather of summer.

Watermelons are one of the fruits we associate with summer. Fill watermelon shaped bowls with appetizers for the party. Reduce your driving and running around by buying online Labor Day party supplies.

If you can't find watermelon bowls then, create them yourself. Use black paint to paint seeds on the outside of the bowl. After the seeds dry, use pink paint for the sweet part of the fruit. Go right over the painted black seeds. Stop the pink paint about an inch down from the rim of the bowl leaving a space for the green color. Next use light green paint to go over the pink paint after it is dry and continue it right up to the rim of the bowl. After the green paint is dry use darker green paint to create lines length wise down the side of the bowl. For the final step, seal it with acrylic sealer. When you are done, you should be able to look into the bowl and see the pink inside of the watermelon complete with seeds. The outside of the bowl should look like the shell of a watermelon. Do this project with any design you like for the perfect personal touch to your Labor Day decorations. Surf the internet for more craft ideas.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your event.

Find fun ideas, free party games, and party planning tips at Labor-Day-Weekend.com.

Writen by William Lezubski

There are so many different ideas that you can choose from, and we know it can get a little overwhelming, but searching via the Internet is not only convenient, it's extremely fun, and in the end you will find that the perfect costume for the both of you, and can add your own finishing touches to your theme selection in a few clicks of your mouse!

Halloween costumes have become so much more creative over the years, and many of the top online Halloween costume websites have their 2006 costume inventory ready to go, so have fun browsing through their vast selections! You will easily find everything from Bacon & Eggs (a cute one…have your guy dress as the bacon (because it's all about the meat for the guy's) as the women can don the egg suit!), Frankenstein and his bride (this is a favorite classic! Go all out and play the part to the fullest!), Greek God and Goddess (check out the newer costumes to spice this duo-outfit up!), tacky tourists (you can even do this one on your own with that hideous floral print shirt you thought you'd never wear again!), and also the tried and true Ketchup and Mustard! These costumes have been popular through the years and always make appearances at the best Halloween parties!

Not A Costume Traditionalist When It Comes To Dressing Up For Halloween?

If you're not the traditional classic costume type, No worries, there's a lot more to choose from than that! You'll find many new ideas, such as "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and his wife, Beth! There are also the costumes for Mr. & Mrs. Incredible, where you can live your fantasy of being a superhero! How about checking out the funny ideas of a "lock and key" costume, (where the men can be the key, and the women are the locks), or the hilarious "Nut and Bolt" costume (you can figure this one out!).

Your a couple that loves to take adventures together, so how about checking out the new Pirate costumes for this 2006 season? You will find many new Buccaneer couple costumes taken after the famous "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies including the new movie released this year, as well as the romantic renaissance and medieval couple costumes like Cleopatra and Mark Antony.

Are You A Couple That Truly Enjoys The Traditional Classics? If You Are, Then How About Sinking Your Teeth Into These?

Another classic duo that many couples enjoy dressing up as year after year are the classic Vampire/Vampiress costumes! You can quickly find a variety of old and new styles of vampire costumes, and depending on what mood you're in, you can obtain either the mysterious and sexy vampire costumes, or go out in Celebrity style with some of the more extravagant costumes. All of these costume ideas are available to you in the costume stores online. The new possibilities are endless, and the hard part will only be choosing what the two of you would like to dress up as this year!

Let both your imaginations run wild this year and pick a couples costume that will knock everyone's socks off! Don't forget to go the extra mile and spice up your unique outfits with the a variety of available costume accessories, and remember, this Halloween is going to be your time to have fun together, so dive in and take on a new identity you have never done before for this one crazy night!

Writen by Kenia Morales

Valentine's day is around the corner again. You have no clue about what to get your significant other and simply want to give him something different than the typical button down shirt and tie. Well lucky for you I have created a list of cool gifts for men.

1. A gift basket- Yes, I know! It seems a little weird but, the gift basket business is "in" right now and they even carry gift baskets for beer lovers. An example of this basket would be: 6 beers from different countries and all type of munchies to go with it. If your mate enjoys drinking beer this is the perfect gift for him. Price range can be anywhere from $30 and above. Champaign gift baskets are available for those of you that are thinking about a sexier, sophisticated night.

2. Jewelry- Women love it when men give them jewelry as a present but, it does not mean he would not enjoy it also.

3. Electronics – I do not know about your partner but my husband drools all over electronic items. The same way women drool over shoes.

4. Collection- Does your mate have a collection of any type. Buy him one of the missing pieces.

5. Cigars- Just make sure you give them to a guy that smokes or is at least is interested on trying them.

6. Bath & Body products for men- I am sure a man can also appreciate being pampered.

7. Video/computer games- Does he enjoy playing video games Games are no longer for kids only. So if he is into playing, surprise him!

8. Gift Card of his favorite store-If you have no clue of what to get him.

9. What he needs- If you can find something that he needs; buy it for him. What best present than a present that he will truly use.

10. Last but not least, sexy robes and underwear are always cool gifts for the man in your life. For a more sexy/sophisticated look try velour and silky robes.

Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine http://kpatra.com "For Every Aspect of Today's Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics" click here http://kpatra.com/keniascolumn.htm to read more inspirational articles written by her.

Writen by Dan Castro

Last year, my wife Rose and I volunteered to take a crew of seven junior high kids, a big pile of presents, food and a Christmas tree to a needy family in East Austin. We left straight from church, so we were in our Sunday finest. That was my first mistake.

We packed the tree and the food into Rose's SUV, put the presents in the trunk of my car and we were off. We sang Christmas carols all the way to the part of East Austin where the roads turned to dirt. The heavy rainfall the night before had created giant mud pits that we had to drive around. We were looking for the home of Maria Ceballos and her six kids. When we finally found the right road, it was a dirt road with its own huge, insurmountable mud pit right in the middle of where we had to go. But I was undaunted. We had Christmas presents to deliver.

I stopped just short of the mud pit to plot out the best strategy. It looked like if we stayed to the left of the deepest part of the mud pit, we might get through. I shifted into gear and vowed to keep moving no matter what. That was my second mistake.

Into the pit I rolled and my tires immediately started spinning, but the car was not moving. "Got to keep moving," I said to myself. I turned the wheel hard to the left and then hard to the right to keep wheels from digging into any one spot. It worked. I kept the gas peddle down and kept turning the wheels hard left and hard right until I had "walked" the car all way to where there was an "almost dry" spot and then I pulled off the road onto the grass. Then I got out to check on Rose and the kids who were in the SUV behind me.

Sure enough she was stuck in the mud pit and she was doing the worst possible thing - gunning the engine and digging herself deeper. These Wisconsin girls can drive in snow, but not in good ol' Texas mud. I waved her off and she turned off the engine. She and all the kids piled out of the SUV and into the mud in their nice, clean church clothes. The little Mexican kids from the neighborhood just stood there, staring at us wide-eyed as if we were crazy.

I left Rose and the kids with the vehicles and walked down the muddy road to see if I could find the Ceballos' house. Only half of the cinder-block houses and mobile homes had addresses on them. No one seemed to know who Maria Ceballos was or where she lived. I was getting depressed, thinking we might not even be on the right road and now we were stuck in the mud with a group of hyper-active junior high kids. I turned around and walked back toward the cars only to see Rose and the kids all happily marching toward me and carrying bags of presents and the tree – like a prize. "What are you doing?" I shouted. "Isn't this where they live?" Rose asked. "I thought that's why you pulled off the road."

The kids dropped the Christmas tree in the mud on the way back to the car. So now we had a slightly muddy Christmas tree to deliver. I was trying not to get frustrated. It was Christmas and we were there for a good cause. I managed to get the SUV unstuck and over onto a semi-dry spot. It looked like the road was a bit drier a few hundreds yards away, but we'd have to make our way through the rest of the mud pit to get there. Our only other alternative was to go back out the way we came in and go around the block. We decided to go around the block. But first, we had to go back through the mud pit from which we had just escaped.

By this time, I felt like a pro. I laid the hammer down and sent mud flying everywhere and made it back through the mud pit with no problem. Rose, unfortunately got stuck again. A couple of young guys saw her desperately struggling and ran up to give her a push from behind with their hands. She baptized one of them in mud as she finally spun out the hole and made it to the other side. "Sorry!" she shouted from the window. "No hay problema!" came the response. I'm sure the last thing they wanted was a couple of yuppies with a pack of teenagers stuck right out in front their house for the rest of the afternoon.

We went around the block and came down the same street from the opposite direction and finally found the right house – thanks to some men who were out in their front yard playing with roosters on leashes. I asked them in Spanish if these were cock-fightin' roosters and they proudly responded "si" and told me the names of each rooster. The names sounded like Spanish versions of Top Gun fighter pilots. They showed me the battle scars on their roosters as though they were medals of honor.

I told one of the men out front that we were bringing "regalos de Navidad" and he shouted in Spanish to the open windows of the Ceballos' house. Almost immediately six little Ceballos kids came spilling out of the house with wide open, expectant eyes. "Donde esta Maria Ceballos?" I asked, and all the kids pointed to the open door of the cinder block house. I could see Maria shyly peeking at us from behind the door. "Okay guys, everybody unload the gifts and follow me." We were finally home.

Seven junior high kids and Rose descended on the little house like a tornado and set up the tree on the cold, concrete floor of the living room. Then came all the presents and the food. The Ceballos kids immediately began squeezing and shaking the presents and looking for their names. During the entire trip, little Tiffany Wilson had been carrying a brand new stuffed kitty with no name on it. She alone knew who it went to. "Quien es Daisy?" she finally asked and a little girl raised her hand. Tiffany walked over and handed the kitty to Daisy and she snuggled it closely to her chest and smiled. It was a beautiful sight. We sang the only Spanish Christmas carol that everyone knew – Feliz Navidad. Then we said a prayer of blessing on the Ceballos' home.

As we walked out of the house, the men outside had decided to give us a show. They released the cocks and immediately they started fighting. Our church kids just stood there - with mouths open. "Why are they fighting?" a little girl asked me. "It's their instinct," I said. "When you get two male roosters together, they always fight. This is one of the biggest sports in Mexico. Everybody places bets on the rooster they want to win. The rooster left standing wins." Just about that time, one of the men asked me if I wanted to bet $5.00. That was our cue to leave. "Gracias. Feliz Navidad," I said and we piled seven muddy teenagers into the cars and left.

As I thought about it, I realized that the Ceballos family could have very easily been my family five generations ago, when my ancestors first came to Texas from Northern Mexico. Those guys out front with the roosters could have easily been my uncles. I imagined that I had gone back in time to give my family a Christmas tree and a pile of presents and food and I wondered how I would have felt as a little kid seeing piles of presents being brought into our house – totally unexpected. For just a moment, I was that kid, and my heart swelled with excitement.

And then I wondered – what if I really could go back in time and give my own ancestors a gift. What would I give my ancestors, knowing that it would one day benefit me? My imagination ran wild. Would I give them the gift of education? A million dollars to invest over the next five generations until it was passed down to me? Stock in Coca Cola which would increase over the years? Political connections like the Bush's or the Kennedy's? Faith in God?

As my mind wandered, it went further and further back in time . . . to two thousand years ago . . . to an ancient hill overlooking a small village where shepherds were watching their flocks by starlight. And then I realized that God had already gone back into my past and given me a gift –the greatest gift of all – the birth of his son Jesus Christ . . . and I smiled.

Our light shines brightest when it shines in darkness. Dan Castro is an attorney who spent nine years studying the patterns of people whose critical choices turned them into heroes. The result is a collection of dramatic and inspiring stories about ordinary people whose critical choices turned them into heroes. The book is called CRITICAL CHOICES THAT CHANGE LIVES: HOW HEROES TURN TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH. Download the first two chapters free at: http://dancastro.com

Writen by Sandy Baker

The holiday season is upon us. You now have this huge taste of staying organized throughout it. You need to purchase gifts for a number of people. You'll need to take care of the spouse, the kids of course. You'll need to remember to take care of your parents, your sisters and brothers….your in laws of course. Then, there are your friends. Don't forget about the boss either…then there are the co workers….oh, and the neighbor that helps to get your child off the bus. You have to think about your child's friends, their teachers. Don't get the bus driver either. How in the world are you supposed to keep track of all of that?

There is no doubt that the holiday season brings upon us a lot of happiness and cheer. But, it definitely delivers a good amount of worry, stress and even forgetfulness. In order to make sure that your holiday season goes smoothly, here are some tips to help you get it all right. Maybe this year will be better than last? We can at least hope so!

• Make a master list. You'll need to organize yourself in one notebook. Keep track of ideas that you have for individuals and then put a star by those individuals that you buy for. If it is small enough you can take it with you and jot down ideas as you go.
• Plan for a few extra gifts. If you can, make sure to have a few nice gifts that can work for virtually anyone. You may want to think about a nice bottle of wine, a gift basket of fruit, or a gift certificate to a nice restaurant. In case you do forget, or someone stops by and you don't have anything for them, you have these back ups to use. And, if you don't need them, you can treat yourself with them after the stressful holidays are over.

Having the ability to grab a great gift as you need it is important. Planning can help to make the holidays a little more enjoyable no matter how many you have to buy for!

Sandy Baker is a well respected writer and recommends using free online greeting cards, a free service which allows you to send personalized greetings to friends and familys on their birthdays.

Writen by Anne Clarke

All decorating situations tend to evolve around a particular theme. For example: parades, stores, schools and restaurants. They all have a specific motto, color scheme, or even an icon or symbol which appears in the interior and exterior decorations. There are all kinds of different great ideas for Christmas tree themes on the market right now.

TEXT: Of course, it is a bit simpler when you decorate for Christmas, because Christmas is usually the theme in itself. However, many people like to have a color scheme or some other kind of motif for their Christmas tree. There are both ways to use items that you already have, and to find fun ways to splurge on your holiday décor!

· If you are a collector, one of the most exciting Christmas tree themes may be right in your own home! If you have items such as model cars, clowns, stamps, etc, (things that are not too heavy to be used as ornaments) then find ways to attach your collection pieces onto your Christmas tree. This is a great way to showcase your prized collectibles with a festive twist!

· For a child's room, a youthful theme is great! Use a small artificial tree, add a string of lights, and tie on normal, everyday items. These can be crayons, small toys, etc. Add ribbons, bows or any other small decorations. This is a great way to bring, color, light and festivity to your little one's room! If they are a toddler or younger, make sure that the tree is out of reach, though, and that cords are as well.

· Food! This is a fun theme and is easy, inexpensive and beautiful all at once! You can decorate your Christmas tree with candies, popcorn strings, wafers, etc.

The following Christmas tree themes are great holiday ideas. Place a small teacup themed tree on the kitchen table, a snowman theme by the front, door, etc! The sky is your limit when it comes to how creatively you use these themes!

· Nutcracker
· Patriotic: red, white and blue color scheme
· Angels
· Santa Claus and reindeer
· Nativity scene
· Gold stars
· Blue and silver snowflakes
· Snowmen
· Fruit baskets
· Elvis
· Sledding

The use of Christmas tree themes makes it both easier to decide on decorations and the appearance to look great with less work!

Writen by Gail Leino

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that encompasses eight days of celebration. The holiday may be held in late November, December, or even on occasion may be held in January. The reason for the movement of when the holiday actually begins is based upon the fact that the Chanuka holiday begins upon the 25th day of Kislev. According to the Hebrew Calendar, Kislev is the third month of the ecclesiastical year and the ninth month of the civil year. All Jewish holidays are bound by the Hebrew Calendar, not the Gregorian calendar as is other non-jewish holiday celebrations. Thus, the holiday move fluidly across the months of November, December and occasionally into January as noted above.

The holiday was called Chanukah which translates loosely to "dedication." The holiday is held to mark the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the Miracle of the Oil witnessed after the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire. The lore notes that there was only enough consecrated olive oil for the eternal flame in the Temple to burn one day, yet miraculously the oil burned for eight days – the exact length of time it would take to press, prepare and consecrate additional oil to be burned in the lamp.

The celebration of Chanukah includes the primary ritual of lighting a single light each night for eight nights. The lights can be oil lamps or candles, or electrical lights when open flames are not permitted due to medical or other considerations. The lights are normally set at a prominent window as it is taught that the reason for lighting the Chanukah lights is for "illumination of the house without" meaning that passers-by should be able to see the lights inside the house and be reminded of the holiday's miracle. The lights should burn for at least one half hours after it gets dark. Blessings and prayers are said before or after the candles are lit.

After the lights are lit it is customary to eat special foods including fried doughnuts or potato latkes and dairy foods are also consumed in order to honor the heroism of Yehudit. Gifts are exchanged during the celebration of Chanukah including gelt (money) which is given to children to encourage them to give part of their wealth to charity. Traditional games including Dreidl are also part of the Chanukah celebration.

Chanukah is a busy time of year with a lot of deeply religious and traditional observances orchestrated to maintain a level of awareness and honor for the historical roots of the holiday activities.

Writen by Ronald Nelson

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in North America and is generally observed as an expression of gratitude, usually to God. The most common view of its origin is that it was to give thanks to God for the bounty of the autumn harvest. Thanksgiving marks the start of the American holiday season. As autumn turns to winter, people all over the United States celebrate a vacation from work and gather with family for a traditional meal together.

It all started of when in August 1620, the Mayflower, a 180-ton ship, set sail from Southampton, England. Her 103 passengers were to become some of the founding pilgrims of the United States of America, and the creators of one of the nation's most popular holidays.

After weeks of plowing through the tumultuous Atlantic waters, battling strong winds, pounding waves and a number of problems with their vessel, the pilgrims spotted Cape Cod, off the coast of Massachusetts. The stormy weather was brewing so strongly, that they had arrived there by accident. Their intended location was off the Virginia coast, where other pilgrims had begun colonies. The next few months would prove to be difficult and trying. Of the original 103 pilgrims, only 56 survived the first, long, bleak New England winter.But, with the approaching of spring came new hope. The survivors built homes and planted crops. They made friendships with local Indian tribes, and traded with them. The passing of winter allowed the pilgrims to labor and produce, causing the colony to flourish.

After reaping their first harvest in the fall of 1621, the pilgrims dedicated a day for thanking God for the bounty He had blessed them with. They had endured the many hardships that came with pioneering a new land. They toiled through building an entire colony from what was simply wilderness. They were at peace with their neighbors. And they were especially grateful for their harvest. In 1817, the state of New York adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual holiday. By the mid-1800s, other states likewise adopted the practice. In 1863, President Lincoln appointed it as a national holiday, and gave a Thanksgiving proclamation.

Thanksgiving Day is nowadays celebrated as a time to gather with family and friends to give thanks for the many blessings enjoyed by this nation and its citizens. It is a day for huge meals, dinner parties, get-togethers or reunions. Turkey dinners, cranberries, candied yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and family gatherings—these are all commonly associated with most Americans' and Canadians' yearly celebration of giving thanks—Thanksgiving Day!On this holiday, a Thanksgiving meal is prepared with all the trimmings; families gather together and talk, while others watch a game or a parade filled with pilgrims, Indians and other colonial figures. Some families may even have their own yearly Thanksgiving traditions.

Thanksgiving Day is commonly associated with turkey -- so much, in fact, that Thanksgiving is sometimes referred to as Turkey Day. Legend says that turkey was served at the original Thanksgiving meal; in order to maintain tradition, turkey continues to be eaten at Thanksgiving today.

Sadly, people have forgotten why the day was established. Its meaning has slowly deteriorated, and is now almost completely lost under a cloud of media hype, sales pitches, marketing tactics and blitz commercialism. While many are familiar with the traditional representation of the original Thanksgiving, it is helpful to examine the purpose for which it was first celebrated. By doing this, the day's meaning will be firmly established.

Thanksgiving means a lot to the North Americans. However, the act of thanksgiving towards God should be done everywhere—everyday—by everyone! It is not just for Americans; neither should it be limited to one day a year. As Thanksgiving Day approaches, one should consider the many wonderful blessings he enjoys and be grateful for these wonderful benefits, realize that these material blessings were not given because of anything we have done but simply because of God's mercy.

One should be sure to give thanks to God in the same manner that the pilgrims did on the first Thanksgiving!

Writen by Richard Romando

Fireworks are low-explosive pyrotechnic devices used mainly for aesthetic and entertainment purposes in a fireworks display. Fireworks produce noise, light and smoke, and disperse floating materials. They are generally burnt at nighttime to give out colored flames and sparks. The display of fireworks is a common sight on New Year's Eve, Independence Day, Christmas, and at weddings, birthdays and parties. For any grand occasion, one loves to celebrate with fireworks.

Fireworks are categorized primarily into two types: the ""large"" fireworks that are used in shows and the ""small"" fireworks that are bought by general public. Nowadays there are organizers who specialize in making and displaying fireworks in large public gatherings. And when there is a theme and some music associated with the fireworks display, it leaves a stupendous impression on the people who are watching it.

Fireworks are made of two major components, called gunpowder and sparkles. Gunpowder is made from charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate, while a sparkler is a combination of fuel, oxidizer, iron or steel powder and binder. Putting them together in a professional and safe manner generates a variety of sparkling, colorful effects that can fill the night sky with brilliance. Effects have names like peony, chrysanthemum, dahlia, willow, palm, Roman candle, rockets, spinners and fountains, based on how the fireworks look once they are lit. Many popular brands like Satellite, Brothers, Black Cat, Phantom and Zambelli produce a wide range of fireworks. There are special dealers that sell fireworks, or you could order them on the Internet.

But there are a few safety considerations to be kept in mind before you start lighting these fireworks. Select the site and your clothing carefully. Keep some water handy in case of fire. Read all the instructions carefully before lighting them. Pets and children need to be taken care of properly if fireworks are being displayed. And after the show is over, be prepared for the pollution it leaves behind!

Writen by Ashlee Williams

Hello everyone,

It has been very busy around here today! Christmas Eve is getting closer and we are working many hours a day. Any way most of the fire trucks are painted, but the water hoses haven't been connected as we ran out of the connecting nozzles. Our supplies don't arrive until the end of next week. Our Senior Elf, started sawing the wood for the blocks. They take a long time to cut into blocks and paint with alphabet letters on all four sides.

We had to get our own meals today, as Mrs. Claus was in bed most of the day. She has a cold and Santa thought she should rest. We all had a chance to make our favorite sandwich ~ Of course that's peanut butter and jelly. I hate to see Mrs. Claus sick, but the sandwiches were great!! Yum! Yum! I could eat them at every meal.

The reindeer had a long session of exercising ~ they were tired and hungry at supper time. Got to get them into good shape for Christmas Eve or no boys and girls will get their presents.

We went looking around the attic for some clothes to wear to our Halloween party. Mr. & Mrs. Claus always holds a costume party for all his workers. It's always fun bobbing for apples, eating ice cream and soda.

Well, I have to leave for now and hurry to the tv room. BE GOOD BOYS AND GIRLS!! SANTA IS WATCHING YOU!!!!

Writen by Sheila Anderson

Often the fondest childhood memories stem from family traditions that were lovingly repeated throughout the years. Family traditions have family at the center of a celebration spending time together and creating lasting memories. If you don't already have a family Valentine's Day tradition, why not start one this year. It could be the beginning of many wonderful years of Valentine's Day memories with your family.

A Valentine family tradition doesn't have to be expensive. The main idea is to spend time with the family together. Here are some inexpensive ways you can start a Valentine's Day family tradition in your family.

Make a Food Treat Together

Most people associate chocolates with Valentine's Day, but how about making a different treat together that your family can share together. One fun treat you can make are Rice Krispies hearts. All you need is the basic Rice Krispies squares recipe, heart shaped cookie cutters and red sprinkles. Lightly grease the insides of the heart shaped cookie cutters and press some Rice Krispies squares mix into the cookie cutters. Then remove the cookies cutters and add the sprinkles. Repeat as needed with the rest of the mixture. It's simple enough for young kids to help out.

Another simple idea is to bake a cake in a heart shaped cake mold. Make some red (or at least pink) icing and then the kids can decorate the top with sprinkles and heart shaped candies.

Play a Family Game

Games are a great way for families to interact with each other and have fun at the same time. Choose a favorite family game and have an enjoyable time together. Make sure that it is a game everyone enjoys so nobody feels frustrated or left out. It's also fun to learn a new game together so the whole family is at the same level of expertise.

A card game that has hearts as the central theme is a good match for creating a Valentine's Day family game time tradition. Capture the Hearts is a simple card game that the whole family can easily understand and play. The object of the game is to win as many hearts as possible. The only card knowledge required is to know the order of the cards.

Watch a Family Favorite Movie

The movie doesn't have to be mushy and sentimental, as long as it is a movie that the whole family enjoys. It doesn't even need to be a movie you've seen if it's a movie that the whole family wants to see. Pop some popcorn, or eat some of the treats you've made for Valentine's Day, and enjoy some time together.

Exchange Homemade Cards

Instead of shopping for cards try making cards at home. You'll save money and have nice keepsakes. The cards can be as simple as folding a piece of paper and cutting out a heart with one straight edge of the heart along the fold. Write a customized message for each member of the family on a separate heart card for each. Encourage the other members of the family to do the same and you'll have a nice time exchanging special heartfelt cards.

Holidays are very special to children and Valentine's Day can be made even more memorable if you create your own family tradition. Your children may even use they traditions when they are grown with their own families.

Sheila Anderson publishes a website called PrintActivities.com which features free printable worksheets, activity pages, coloring pages, puzzles and mazes for kids.

Writen by Gail Leino

Kwanzaa cards can be sent from December 26, when the celebration begins, until January 1, when Kwanzaa the celebration ends. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, the most widely spoken African language. The first-fruits celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as ancient Egypt and Nubia. Kwanzaa was established in America in 1966, in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement, and reflects its concern for groundedness in cultural thought, practice, and unity associated with this movement.

We all should embrace our heritage, and, at the same time embrace world unity by showing support to friends of various ethnicities. Sending cards to honor their culturally based holidays, even if they are not our own, shows respect and unity across cultural barriers. If you are not of African descent, you can still share the pride, and foster world unity and cultural diversity, by sending Kwanzaa cards to friends who do celebrate Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa cards are available in the greeting card departments in most department stores, and they are easy to find online. Many Kwanzaa cards can be downloaded free, and printed on regular card stock. The up side to making your own cards, is you can personalize them, and add messages or poems of your own, and when you customize your own cards, you never have to worry that someone else has already sent a card like yours. Many online sites for Kwanzaa cards have Kwanzaa appropriate graphics you can print, or cut and paste to your cards. These sites also have all the background you would need to familiarize yourself with the holiday, if you need a refresher course.

Since Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community, and culture, family snap shots are appropriate, as are culturally related poetry and gifts.

Writen by LeAnn R. Ralph

Just as soon as the stores put away their Christmas merchandise, out comes the Valentine's Day items — even though Valentine's is still more than six weeks away.

I don't know why, but it always takes me by surprise to see Valentine's Day merchandise so soon after Christmas.

I've always wondered where Valentine's Day came from, and under those circumstances, a person could be forgiven for thinking it was invented to create more business when Christmas is over.

But no, after a little research, I discovered that Valentine's is not a holiday that was "invented" by greeting card companies to sell more greeting cards or by candy companies to sell more candy or by florists to sell more roses.

Valentine's Day actually started more than 1,500 years ago.

According to legend, Valentine was a priest who defied the orders of the Roman emperor Claudius and continued to perform marriages. It seems that Claudius realized no young men wanted to join his army because they didn't want to leave their wives and sweethearts. When it was discovered that Valentine was still performing marriages in secret, he was sentenced to death. Valentine allegedly cured the jailer's daughter of blindness, and on the night before his execution, sent a note to her signed "from your Valentine." He reportedly died on Feb. 14, 269 A.D.

In 496 A.D., February 14 was named by Pope Gelasius to honor St. Valentine.

The first Valentines are credited to Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London during the 1400s where he wrote romantic verses that he sent to his wife.

A woman named Esther Howland is credited with sending the first Valentine in the United States.

The United States Postal Service is credited with advancing the popularity of sending Valentines when the penny postcard was introduced in the mid 1800s. Before that, sending mail was too expensive for the average person, because at the time, the person who RECEIVED the letter paid the postage and not the person who SENT the letter.

Personally, I'm thankful it's not that way today. Can you imagine paying the postage to receive your Valentines?

In days gone by, Valentines were hand-painted cards decorated with lace and feathers and sequins.

I don't know about anybody else, but if I were going to hand paint a Valentine and decorate it with lace and feathers and sequins, I wouldn't go to all that work for just anybody.

Nowadays, however, Valentine's cards are mass produced in thousands of designs and sizes — large ones and small ones; serious ones and silly ones; inexpensive ones and expensive ones.

The variety of Valentine's cards is overwhelming and, as far as I'm concerned, rather unnecessary. I mean, how many Valentine's cards does one person need to buy? Spouse? Parents? Siblings? Second and third cousins? The teacher you had in fifth grade? The lady who cuts your hair? The grocery store clerk who tallied up your last purchase? The man who stopped his car so you could make it through the crosswalk without being run over?

And what about the Valentine's merchandise? The candy, the posters, the teddy bears sporting a red heart that says 'Be Mine,' socks with little red hearts all over them, heart-shaped rings, necklaces and earrings, and the list goes on and on.

I wonder what the real St. Valentine would think of the cards and the candy and the jewelry and whatever else?

Then again, maybe the real St. Valentine would be delighted by this turn of events.

After all, it's been more than 1,700 years since he died, but every Feb. 14, people are still celebrating Valentine's Day.

And that puts giving Valentines into a whole new perspective, doesn't it.

About The Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the editor of the Wisconsin Regional Writer (the quarterly publication of the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Assoc.) and is the author of the book, Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm) (Aug. 2003; trade paperback). She is working on her next book, Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam (which will be available later in 2004). Share the view from Rural Route 2 — http://ruralroute2.com

bigpines@ruralroute2.com

Writen by Jeanette Joy Fisher

Here's a quick party planning checklist:

Make yourself a gorgeous party planning notebook with an inexpensive plastic three-ring binder that has a space to insert an inspirational picture. Keep cutouts from magazines of ideas you love about decorating, themes, menus, and recipes. Keep notes about your party afterwards so you remember what worked well and what to do differently next year. Your personal party journal will be an invaluable assistant to help you avoid holiday stress.

Party Invitations

Create dramatic invitations. Your friends pay more attention to a written invitation than a phone call.

Send your invitations early and request an RSVP.

Tell your guests what to wear so they feel comfortable. Causal fun or dressy elegant.

Tell your guests what to bring so they don't have to think about it. If you say something like "We're collecting unwrapped toys for our local ...," your guests won't feel like they need to go shopping for you, too. List a specific dish type if you plan a pot luck.

Food

Check catering prices. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that you can have your feast delivered for about the same price as purchasing all the ingredients. Get your order in writing or faxed to you.

Make a list of all ingredients you need and shop early.

Prepare some of your dishes a few days before your party.

Plan for vegetarians and special needs diets.

Flowers

Think about your home's color scheme when choosing flowers. A large poinsettia makes a big impact and costs less than florist bouquets. Add tree branch cuttings from your garden to extend grocery bouquets. Use curling ribbon as filler. Tie candy canes around a can and use for a floral arrangement.

Candles

Make sure that candles won't damage your surfaces. Larger candles burn longer and you don't have to worry about watching them during a long party. Keep candles high and out of the way from children and your guest's hair.

Enjoy yourself and relax. Everything doesn't have to be perfect. Your guests will have fun in a home decorated for the holidays. Friends appreciate a good time and will remember your gracious efforts to ensure a good time.

Copyright © Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher teaches homemakers how to makeover their homes for joyful living. For holiday interior design tips see http://JoyHolidays.com For FREE Design Psychology ebooks, see http://designpsych.com/

Writen by Bill Knell

Whether you believe, disbelieve, ignore or go crazy over it, Christmas is likely to overwhelm you in every way. People will wish you a happy holiday, even if you don't want them to. Traffic accidents will delay you because someone had a bit too much seasonal cheer or tried to get to that five minute sale in two. Stores will run out of your favorite brand of jeans just so that some ungrateful gift recipient can return a pair before New Years. Seating at your favorite eatery will be non-existent as people recover from day long shopping orgies, leaving you with frozen take out. One way or another, the holidays will get you!

Now don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Christmas. I think it has made and continues to make the long winter tolerable. It's not only a break, but a reminder that someone bigger then us cared enough about people to provide a way of salvation. For others who do not follow the Christian Faith, there are equally important celebrations like Hanukah and Kwanzaa. Like Christmas, these celebrations are very important to those who believe in them. Together, these holidays dominate the latter part of December and early January. Sadly, not everyone is up to the challenge of surviving the holidaze.

The biggest mistake most people make during the holidays is to become overwhelmed by everything. Negatives seem worse and positives get all bent out of shape. An overdue bill or lack of grocery money can seem like the end of the world at Christmas. But as bad as things can seem, the holidays are often as much the solution as the problem when it comes to being without. People and organizations tend to have more compassion during that time and are likely to offer some help. The key is being wise enough to swallow some pride, seek out and accept that help.

The positive side of Christmas can quickly turn negative when we expect too much of jolly old saint nick. Holiday revelers tend to have expectations that far exceed the ability of any holiday to deliver joy, good will toward people and a flat screen TV. People expect to find the love of their life at a Christmas Party. Others expect their mate to spring for that isolated ski lodge where Tony Bennett will come with his full orchestra and serenade them during the wait for Santa. Kids need the latest version of Play Station or their friends will never forgive them! It's all about unrealistic expectations.

If you enter the holiday season expecting some great emotional rescue, anticipating a unrealistic romantic getaway or plan on receiving more gifts under the tree then there are stars in the heavens, get real! The best way to plan what to expect of Christmas is to get with your immediate family (even it that's just you) and discuss the matter. Set a limit on the price everyone will spend on gifts and stick to it. Plan parties, getaways and other events with a sense of personal, financial and societal responsibility. Blowing your nest egg on a wild weekend might seem romantic now, but wait until your next anniversary. Both of you may want to repeat something that cannot be repeated due to a lack of cash. For singles, there are lots of Christmas parties and special events designed to help them get through the season. The key is to go out, find these events and attend them.

The people most impacted by Christmas are those who spend it alone or have experienced a terrible loss during the holidays. The cure for that type of situation is to understand that life is about living, not dying or suffering. Christmas, itself, reminds us that we have a Creator who understands the pain of loss, has been alone when everyone else turned away from him and is there for those not too proud to call on him.

Ask anyone involved in a bad or abusive relationship if being alone during the holidays is such a horrible thing. Sometimes we are where we need to be for growth or other reasons. Friends can often be the solution to the lonely holiday blues. You would be surprised who many times I was invited to join family celebrations when I was alone and unmarried. I treasure those times and deeply appreciate those who cared enough to invite me to share their holiday celebrations. If the holidays are more about giving then getting, perhaps you will invite a lonely friend to your holiday party or gathering?

Reading can be an excellent escape from the sheer volume of holiday commerciality dominating your TV screen, the internet and car radios. Listen to a book on tape in the car or read that book you heard about on the bus, subway or during a quiet evening at home. Reading can be very satisfying and will often take your mind to a better place if you have the holiday blahs.

Remember, you do not have to love or hate the holidays. You just have to survive them. Try and remember to keep your expectations realistic and revel in moderation. Don't allow emotions or problems to overtake you, but face them down and understand that tomorrow can always be a better day!

Writen by Rachel Paxton

There is nothing as special or personal as a homemade Mother's Day card. Surprise your friends and family with your handmade creations. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Materials:

Four blank greeting cards (available at craft stores), scrapbooking paper with floral pattern, coordinating solid piece of scrapbooking paper, creme or white colored cardstock (whichever matches other papers best), paper cutter, scissors, glue stick, computer, printer, sewing machine.

Card #1:

For this card you will need a floral piece of scrapbooking paper, a coordinating piece of solid colored scrapbooking paper, and a piece of white or creme colored cardstock. Cut a piece of the solid colored paper to fit the front of the greeting card and glue it in place. Cut an approximately 2-inch strip of the floral paper and glue on lefthand side of card as a border. Use your sewing machine to stitch* along the righthand side of the floral border and around the outside edge of the card. Cut a large square out of creme colored or white card stock and glue to the center of the card. Type "Happy Mother's Day" on your computer and print out on white or creme colored cardstock. Cut out the phrase (narrow strip) and glue to the bottom of the square in the center of the card. Choose a flower from the floral paper and trim to fit in the center of the square on the front of the card. Glue in place.

* Stitching tips: If you have never used your sewing machine to make cards, it is easy! Just sew on the paper like you would on fabric. You might want to reserve a needle just for paper so you don't dull the needle for your fabric projects. There are two ways you can include stitching in your card making projects. You can either stitch directly on the card, or you can stitch on a separate piece of paper and then glue that piece to the card (then the stitching won't show through the card).

Card #2:

This Mother's Day card is quick and easy. Cut a piece of the solid colored scrapbooking paper to fit three-quarters of the front of the card. Carefully tear along the righthand edge of the paper and glue the paper in place. Next cut a piece of floral paper to fit half of the front of the card. Carefully tear along the righthand edge of the paper and glue on top of the solid colored piece of paper. Type "Happy Mother's Day" on your computer and print it on white or cream colored paper. Mat the cut-out phrase first on a piece of the solid colored paper, then glue to front of card. Stitch around the outside of the card if you wish, but it isn't necessary.

Card #3:

This card will open horizontally. Cut three approximately 3-inch strips of paper to fit width of card: two floral and one solid colored. Tear bottom edges of each piece. Beginning at top of card overlap the three pieces with floral paper first and glue in place. Cut a large square from the cream or white colored paper and glue it in the center of the card. Cut a slightly smaller square of solid colored paper and glue in center of cream colored piece. Type "Happy Mother's Day" on your computer. Print on cream or white colored paper, trim, and glue in the center of solid colored square. Stitch around the edge of the card, if you wish.

Card #4:

This card will open horizontally. Tear a rectangle from the solid colored paper and glue near top of card. Type "Happy Mother's Day" on your computer and print on white or creme colored paper. Trim and glue to center of solid colored paper. Tear another piece of solid colored paper (larger than first) to glue across the bottom of the card. Cut a rectangle from floral paper and glue to center of bottom piece of solid colored paper. If you wish you can accent edges of floral rectangle with coordinating eyelets.

Notes: - The terms "card stock" and "paper" are used interchangably here, but it is up to you which kind of paper you use, depending on the look you are trying to achieve - A sewing machine isn't necessary for this project, it is just a nice added touch - You don't have to use your computer for this project, you can handwrite the words if you wish.

Photos of finished cards ==>http://www.crafty-moms.com/cards/mothers-day-cards.shtml

Happy Mother's Day!

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit http://www.crafty-moms.com

Writen by Stacey Agin Murray

It's November 1st. You've walked into your favorite store to buy half-priced Halloween candy and what do you see? Christmas decorations! "Oh, no!" you think to yourself. "That can only mean one thing..."

The HOLIDAYS are coming!

Don't stress—you're going to start early and be more organized this year...Here are some tools and tips for staying on top of the busy and sometimes stressful holiday season.

TOOL #1: Lists

Why keep lists? Whether they are written on paper or typed onto your computer, a list allows you to do a sort of 'brain dump' of everything you need to recall at a moment's notice. There are so many different things to remember when it comes to holiday time: Your husband's shirt size, the spices you need for this year's stuffing, what store has gift wrap on sale, etc. Unless you have an incredible memory, keeping lists will help get you through some of the stress of the holiday season.

Some examples of list topics you may need during the holidays are:

• food shopping list

• lists of dishes to prepare when entertaining

• gift list

• invitation lists

TOOL #2: Calendar

This may be the most important organizing tool you use this season. Why use a calendar? A calendar is a tool that helps you plan what you need to accomplish in a day, a week, or a month. And boy, is there a lot to accomplish during the holidays! As opposed to just making to-do lists, sometimes seeing time in visual blocks on paper (or electronically) helps one to manage their time more efficiently...

Examples of activities to be scheduled during the holidays are:

• food shopping

• gift shopping

• cooking

• wrapping gifts

• trips to the post office

• holiday parties (whether hosted by you or someone else)

Become a 'Master of Time Management.'

How will you know how much time to put aside for each task? Work backwards from the day or time that a task needs to be done by. Estimate how many hours/days it would take to complete the task. Schedule the time and and mark your calendar accordingly.

For example:

Task:

Cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving (to be ready by Thursday at 5pm)

Steps:

1. Purchase turkey at least one week before Thanksgiving (enter task in calendar for the week before Thanksgiving)

2. Defrost turkey 2-3 days before Thanksgiving depending upon size (calculate defrosting time and enter task in calendar to be started on Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving)

3. Cook turkey. This can take 3-6 hours depending upon size (calculate cooking time and write on your calendar for Thursday what time the bird needs to be in the oven by in order to finish cooking by 5pm)

A schedule is a guideline and should be flexible. Try to schedule tasks to be completed ahead of deadline. This allows for any problems or emergencies that may arise.

TOOL #3: Quality Storage Containers

Dishes

Are your holiday dishes in a box in the attic? A great product for protecting and storing your holiday (or any type of) dishes are China Keepers. They are padded/quilted, made of either cotton or vinyl and come in different shapes and sizes depending upon your storage needs.

*Lillian Vernon Online sells them in six different patterns including one set decorated for the Christmas season (www.lillianvernon.com).

Holiday Decorations

Some people decorate their homes only in the winter and some people choose to decorate for every holiday in the year. Whichever person you claim to be, it is important to keep your decorations from being ruined due to improper storage and care. A few options are:

• large plastic bins with ornament dividers

• ziploc bags for small items such as ornament hangers and anything small enough to get lost in a big box

• small plastic bins for lights, candles, and the ziploc bags of smaller items

• wreath boxes specially designed for wreath storage (found at www.organizes-it.com)

*Label everything so you can find it easily next year.

Leftover Food

Wrapping leftovers in tinfoil might be a quick way to get them from frying pan to fridge but you'll be spending a great deal of time figuring out what's inside of them. Use food containers such as those made by Rubbermaid or Tupperware or 'disposable' containers such as ones made by Glad and Ziploc. They're found in most supermarkets. They stack well and if you want to give out leftovers to your guests, they're not very expensive to replace.

Tips for staying organized throughout the holiday season:

• Wrap gifts and write holiday cards as early in the season as possible. I don't know anyone (including postal employees) that want to be in the post office around the time of December 25th...

• Shop early in the season, at off-peak hours or online if at all possible

• When storing ornaments, group them by theme. This will make it easier to find exactly which ones you want.

• After the holiday, sort through ornaments, wall/door hangings, linens, etc. and purge anything that you do not need, want, or is beyond repair.

Above all, remain calm. If you stay organized, the holidays will be less stressful and you will enjoy yourself even more. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

About The Author

Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC, transforms 'mess' into 'masterpiece' with patience, organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. For more articles and to get your FREE e-list of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living' visit http://www.organizedartistry.com; stacey@organizedartistry.com

Writen by Chick Moorman

The Holiday season will soon be upon us. And for many it will be accompanied by a hectic pace, bah humbug attitudes, or the holiday blues. Already, spouses are beginning to cringe at the thought of spending a portion of the holiday season arguing with the family or spending long hours traveling to have dinner with relatives. Visions of children being out of school for three weeks, with the weather turning too cold for them to be outside, has some parents shuttering in anticipation. For many people the holidays have lost their appeal and the reason for the season has become wrapped in frustration, greed, and disappointment.

Is it time to rekindle your holiday spirit? Are you in need of bringing some life, meaning, and enthusiasm to you and your family's holiday season this year? If so, you can begin by implementing a few of the inspirational ideas suggested below.

1. Slow down and enjoy the moment.

Repeat the following phase 20 times a day to yourself beginning on November 15 and continuing through the New Year, "I relax into the flow of life and I let life provide all that I need easily and comfortably." Do this faithfully every day and you will be amazed at the results.

2. Donate some time and energy to a charity.

Giving brings out a special part in all of us. Ring the bell for the Salvation Army, volunteer at a soup kitchen, or help deliver food baskets. Your giving will be rewarded with inner feelings of peace and comfort.

3. Make your own holiday cards to mail to friends and family.

Involve your entire family in designing and coloring a holiday picture for your card. Agree on a saying or text message you want to add. Take it to a Kinko's or Office Max and have it made into your personalized holiday greeting that includes envelopes to match.

4. Take a unique and creative holiday picture of you or your family.

The popularity of the serious family photo used on a greeting card seems to be increasing. As a fun change of pace, why not surprise your family and friends with a unique or silly photo of you and your children? How about a group picture of the family's bare feet or a close-up picture of each family member's bellybutton with a contest to see who can match the bellybutton to the right person? The idea here is to be creative and have fun.

5. Bake cookies or bread and make a personal delivery to a few friends.

Bake as a family. Wrap as a family. And deliver as a family. The personal delivery adds a connecting link from your family to the recipient. It is an effective way to remember that being with someone is as important as doing for someone.

6. Record 5 holiday songs sung by the family or kids and send it to Grandma.

Grandma, Grandpa, or Aunt Julie will enjoy singing along with your family's rendition of some of the holiday classics. You never know, your family could be the next Partridge family.

7. Give a turkey or ham to five needy families.

Find a need and fill it. Your heart will be filled along the way and your children will learn a valuable lesson in charity.

8. Read a variety of holiday stories.

Change your family bookshelf around so that the holiday stories are visible and available for easy access. Read a different children's holiday classic each night. The oral reading will benefit your children and as an added bonus, you just might be whisked back to your childhood, recalling the same stories being read to you.

9. Clean out the front hall closet and give last year's winter wear to Coats for Kids.

Do this activity with your children. It will help them develop the charity habit by seeing what they have and how they can give some of their time, energy, and possessions to help others. A related lesson will occur later. You can help your children see how giving creates space to new things to come to them as well.

10. Attend a holiday concert or festival of music.

Holiday music fills the heart and soul with memories of childhood, friends, family rituals, and special events. Allow your heart to open to the music of the holidays. Let it sooth your soul and be moved by its presence within you.

11. Invite another family over to watch a holiday classic on T.V.

This is a fun and inexpensive way to gather for an evening. Pop some corn and take time to have each person share when they remember seeing the show for the first time.

12. Get out old holiday photos and make a picture time line to display with other decorations.

See how far back in the family's history you can go with pictures of the holidays gone by. The kids will love seeing all the "old" pictures of you and your holiday guests will too.

13. Make your own ornaments.

Decorate pine cones. Shape Play dough and let it dry. Make chains of green and red construction paper. Buy Styrofoam balls and paint them with glitter, glue, and string. Decorate cookies. The ideas are limitless, flow with it.

14. Go on a "light seeing" tour.

Jump in the car with the family and go on a neighborhood "light seeing" tour. When you get home encourage each person to talk about which light display was liked best and have them tell why. Take a different "light seeing" tour each night.

15. Write thank you notes for neighbors who have decorated their house in an inspiring way.

Many people decorate so that they can bring pleasure to those driving by. Share your appreciation. Let them know how their efforts lifted your spirit and brought joy to your holiday season.

16. Make your own wrapping paper.

Trace cookie cutter shapes onto to large sheets of white paper and color and paint the shapes as desired. Or cut sponges in holiday shapes and sponge paint designs. Use that paper to wrap your holiday gifts.

17. Tell stories of family traditions.

Children love stories and story telling is a powerful tool for helping children learn to read and write. It is an excellent way to stay preserve family traditions and increase the joy of the holiday season.

18. Decorate a tree outside for the animals.

During the winter months many animals find it difficult to locate nutritious foods to eat. By stringing orange rings, apple rings, and carrots and placing them on a tree outside you create a beautiful tree that helps the wildlife survive a difficult time of the year..

19. Create a countdown ceremony that can be followed each evening.

This ceremony can be as simple as following a countdown calendar and opening the next window to lighting a candle and having a special reading that holds religious or spiritual significance to you or your family. The key is making the countdown an event that others will look forward to at the family moves closer to their main holiday celebration.

20. Give the kids disposable camera's and allow them to take one picture each day from December 1st to January 1st.

Finding the right picture to take can be a learning process for each person young and old. Encourage them to search for something that is meaningful about each day on a personal level. Follow up in January by printing the pictures. Each person can then create their own countdown calendar to use during next year's holiday season.

Remember, it is you who creates the reason for the season. It is up to you to take charge and design the holiday season you desire. Happy Holidays!

Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are the authors of The 10 Commitments: Parenting with Purpose. They are two of the world's foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. They publish a free monthly e-zine for parents. To sign up for it or obtain more information about how they can help you or your group meet your parenting needs, visit their websites today: http://www.chickmoorman.com or http://www.thomashaller.com.

Writen by Adriana Copaceanu

Regardless of age, almost everyone can remember at least a few magic moments of their past at Christmas time. Even in our fifties and sixties, we can still very precisely recall how our parents celebrated Christmas. Those moments will never be forgotten because to all of us, Christmas is a very special time for our immediate families to be together. It is also human nature for us to pass along our family traditions to the next generation. It is without question, the most popular time of the year to show our appreciation for one another.

It is also a time to celebrate with our extended families - our relatives and close friends. It is also the perfect time to recognize the people and customers we work with, to show our appreciation for their support. We also must remember that our associates at work also have the same appreciation for Christmas, making it the ideal opportunity to show them we are thankful for their efforts.

Our customers are often the lifeline of existence. They are precisely the reason for your company's health and its ability to prosper. Christmas is a great time to show your thanks with a simple corporate gift. The more personal the better, because your close working relationship with that individual is why your companies continue to prosper together.

Determining what to buy for each person at Christmas is a challenge much bigger than the shopping process itself. Despite having your Christmas list complete, negotiating through the crowds during the Christmas rush is not something we relish as a pastime.

However, when it comes to shopping at hurried times of the year like Christmas, your best friend might be the Internet. Although still unexplored by many, shopping on the Internet has been popular with many for years and it has proven to be a safe, convenient way to shop for virtually anything. Buying gifts on the Internet is finally taking full advantage of the flexibility of your credit card. If you have an upgraded gold or platinum card, review the conditions of your card benefits. If you are a relatively light card user you may not realize the added benefits of buying with your card. Extra air miles, extended warranties, front of the line seating etc, are just some of the benefits we gain when buying with our upgraded cards.

You will also be pleasantly surprised with the enormous number of specialized Websites for gift giving, for virtually any special occasion. Open your Internet browser (Yahoo, Google, Netscape, etc.) and punch in key words like Gifts, Gift Shopping, Gift Baskets, etc. You will be pleasantly surprised with the number of Websites that are listed and tantalize your every need.

These Websites are very user friendly and most offer easy navigation, usually based on the gift occasion. Although most sites offer an enormous range of gift ideas, many also have a toll free number and on-line staff to answer any questions and even help put together a specialized gift for your particular situation. So avoid the crowds this Christmas, and for a relaxing change of pace, shop on the Internet.

It will make gift shopping more fun because Internet sites will add a creative side to your gift giving that most department store simply can't offer. Surprisingly, Internet shopping is like walking through an exclusive shopping district, full of unique little shopping boutiques. You will likely see more gift ideas than you could ever imagine. So hop on the Internet and enjoy shopping this year.

About The Author

Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don't blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby, Birthday and Beyond, are just some gift ideas you'll find at her site: http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com. Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly newsletter at http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm.

Writen by CD Mohatta

This fun day is observed on 12th or 14th of April. I wonder if anyone knows about the origin of this day. But the idea is beautiful and one must admire the imagination of whoever thought of this day.

What are we supposed to do on this day? Look at the sky! As I write this article, I am seeing two birds flying away in the sky. The sky is light blue in color with little gray near the horizon. There are little or rather no clouds and it is a clear sky. It is about 5 PM in the evening and the sun will be setting in about two hours here. Now I see a pigeon fluttering its wings coming at speed near me and then flying away. Now I see bright sun light opposite my home. The sun was not that brilliant before a minute. I never knew that the sky changes in mood so fast and has so much to offer. Don't we all ignore the beautiful sky all our life? Most of us reserve observing such things on holidays in distant places. Ever wondered why?

It is our structure of working that prevents us enjoying such beautiful sights as the sky in our daily life. Our work takes away most of our time and the other is spent on household chores or watching television. Sometimes I think why people become so excited to watch the sun on the eclipse day? The sun is there everyday, but we feel totally unconcerned with it, unless it is very hot. Am I right? Same thing with the moon and the stars. How many of us step out on a night only to watch the stars?

Stars are so fascinating. Some of them are so far that it takes light, millions of years to reach us. That means that we are watching the star as it was million of years ago. Some of them are traveling away from us and some are collapsing to become black holes. It must be very dark there, isn't it? How small all of us are compared to this cosmos.

The sky is lovely during the day and equally lovely at the nights. The birds of all kinds, clouds, the changing colors of the sky, all make it a great panoramic sight during the days and the nights are so peaceful with the moon and the distant stars. The only piece missing is our observation. We have no time to watch and derive joy from the nature that is around us.

CD Mohatta writes for ecards, quizzes, screensavers and wallpapers. The topics of his writings include love, motivation, holidays, life etc. You can download desktop wallpapers, send free ecards and solve fun quizzes.