This Holidays

Writen by Ferrel Kenda

Lions and tigers and bears, Oh my! The only thing that may be more frightening than a Wizard of Oz type dream is the prospect of making your own Halloween costume. Adults especially tend to be more conservative when it comes to costume parties, and opt to rent or buy one of the more popular (or perhaps available, depending on your timing) selections so as not to seem overly spirited for the occasion. If you happen to be on a budget, or want something that will make you stand out in a crowd, I suggest you consider making your own costume. The beauty of Halloween is that you can dress up as anything you can imagine and not be frowned upon by the Halloween police. The sky is the limit...you can get as extravagant or as simple as your imagination, financial situation, and courage will take you.

Materials for your fashion statement can be gathered from items around your house, around the block, the local thrift shop, or dollar store. This is where you really have to think. The possibilities are endless. I will attempt to describe to you some of my more memorable costumes in order to spark your inner child to dream up a costume that will be the life of the party. Keep in mind the fact that if someone has to ask you what your costume is, the more attention it will get later in the night.

The Concorde-yes, the French jet liner famous for its slanted nose and posh accommodations. A large cardboard box is all that is needed to cut out the wings, tailpiece, and helmet. Attach the wings with string, yarn, or twine that form loops for your arms. The tailpiece can be slotted so a belt will provide the needed support. The helmet is created primarily by a cardboard crown that fits the wearer's head then adorned with two conical pieces (one of which is about one-half the size of the other) of construction paper formed to make the nose. The cardboard can then be spray painted, covered with freezer paper or construction paper to make it white. The costumee should wear a white shirt and pants to finish the effect.

An Ocean Wave-This is a very easy costume to make. All that is needed is a sheet with a hole cut in the center to accommodate a person's head. A couple cans of spray paint of varying blue hues will transform this ordinary linen into a sure conversation starter. This can be worn alone, or a cardboard crown can be fashioned to complete the wardrobe. A surfer, seashells, or fishes attached to the sheet provide nice finishing touches.

A Jellyfish-This is another very easy costume that will have your fellow partiers green with envy. An ordinary clear garbage bag with a hole in the top for your head provides the basis for this hilarious costume. Additional touches can be added by draping crepe paper streamers from your belt to give the appearance of propulsion tentacles.

Cardboard boxes are plentiful and can be fashioned to make wonderful costumes. Some more popular choices are a computer, a robot, a television, or any other "boxy" thing that strikes you. Some have even elected to go as a box!

Thrift stores offer a plethora of costume possibilities. Wigs, trenchcoats, suits, dresses, and accessories are readily available for your fantasy to unfold.

There you have it, unlimited possibilities await you. Be bold, be daring, be anything but practical when it comes to making your own Halloween costume. It will be one of the most memorable nights and is sure to bring compliments for years to come. It is a very satisfying experience knowing that you have envisioned a work of art and brought it to reality with your own two hands without going into the poor house to do it. Now sit back and reward yourself for a job well done.

Writen by Karen Fritscher-Porter

It's almost time to get organized for Thanksgiving. Depending on your plans and how you celebrate the holiday, you may want to start getting organized for Thanksgiving no later than the first week of November. Here are a few tips to get organized for Thanksgiving.

DECORATE EARLY - If you like to get in the spirit of the holiday with your home decor items, do that at the start of November. That way you'll have the whole month to enjoy your seasonal decor items and holiday decorations. And the remainder of the month will be free for cleaning, cooking, entertaining and enjoying Thanksgiving.

CLEAN YOUR HOME - Expecting guests this Thanksgiving? Set a date with your immediate family members to do a thorough housecleaning. That means doing windows and shampooing carpets too as needed. Make your family housecleaning date the week before that of Thanksgiving. (And then you'll only have to do touch up the day before guests arrive.) During the week of Thanksgiving your schedule will be packed with cooking and shopping for related supplies.

CLEAN YOUR FRIDGE - A good time to clean the inside of your refrigerator is when you have the least amount of food in it. That won't be during the holidays. So do it now. While you're at it, make room for the turkey in it. You'll be defrosting it in the refrigerator.

INVENTORY YOUR COOKWARE - When you're about to cook the turkey isn't the time to remember you loaned your only roasting pan to Aunt Sue three months ago. Take a good hard look inside your cabinets to make sure you have appropriate cookware and serving utensils and platters to prepare a Thanksgiving meal.

COUNT YOUR GUESTS - How many people are coming to your house for Thanksgiving dinner? Start getting r.s.v.p.'s in early November. Figure you'll be serving about one pound to 1.3 pounds of turkey per guest (based on a whole turkey). Once you know the number of guests, you can buy the appropriate size turkey.

COUNT YOUR DISHES - Make sure you have enough dinner plates and eating utensils to go around. Having an extra set or two of table settings won't hurt either--just in case you get an unexpected visitor or a plate accidentally cracks.

PLAN FOR LEFTOVERS - The words Thanksgiving and leftovers go together. You won't be eating turkey sandwiches for the remainder of the week if you have nothing to store the leftover turkey in. And of course, you don't want to throw out that leftover cranberry or corn or any of it. If you plan to send some leftovers home with the guests, make sure you have some "throw-away" containers that you can pack for them to take and keep.

If you organized and planned for Thanksgiving, you'll probably have a happy one. Enjoy.

Writen by Nicole Dean

The Holidays are a stressful time. Between the additional errands, the extra traffic, and the stress of spending money that you don't have – even the sanest mom will be questioning her sanity as the holidays near.

Here are a few ideas to help you keep your sanity this holiday season.

Make a list (and check it twice). Keep your shopping list in your purse to keep from being overwhelmed or worse – overspending. If you walk into a store and are bedazzled by all the shiny things, I can relate. I get so overwhelmed that I get nothing accomplished. But, as the Holidays near, I tend to switch into "SuperMarket Sweep" mode and I start throwing everything into my cart (whether I really need it or not). Having a list can help fight this urge, keep you sane – and help your budget stay sane in the process.

As soon as you start buying, start wrapping. There's nothing more stressful than tackling a mountain of unwrapped gifts two days before Christmas. Save on the cost of wrapping paper by buying it after the holiday each year and stowing it away for next year. Be sure to attach gift tags as you wrap. If you're wrapping a month in advance, there's no way you're going to remember what that funky rectangular shaped box is, let alone who it's for.

To save time and sanity, wrap gifts that go together in all the same paper. For instance, wrap all gifts that will be going with you to your mother-in-law's on Christmas Eve in the red paper with the gingerbread men. And put all gifts for your friends and neighbors in the blue paper with the snowflakes, etc.

Cook in advance. Did you know that you can make mashed potatoes during the summer, freeze them, and have them ready for the holidays? Mashed potatoes can be kept in the freezer for months if you use a freezer-friendly recipe. Cook your mashed potatoes in advance and offer to bring them to Christmas dinner. You can skip the stress of cooking, because they'll be ready and waiting for you.

Limit your travel. The holidays are about family, but they are also about togetherness and making memories. If you're spending your holidays trapped in the car together, driving down icy roads, stressed out, consider ways to travel less.

The Holidays are a time to make memories. Oftentimes the memories we are making are of a stressed-out mom, running around missing out on all the fun because she's trying to create a perfect moment. Instead, relax and experience the holidays with your family. Between a little planning and taking some of the pressure off, you'll have a Holiday that would make Norman Rockwell sigh.

Nicole Dean is a mostly-sane mom and creator of ShowMomTheMoney.com – a fun and informative site to help moms achieve success working from home. She invites you to learn more money-saving tricks at http://www.showmomthemoney.com/TimeSavers.asp and to take her free tutorial for work at home moms at http://www.showmomthemoney.com/free-tutorial.htm

Writen by Lewis Leake

From your grandmother to your three year old niece, it seems like everyone wants a digital camera for Christmas. Yes, they have digital cameras for three year olds!

However, buying a digital camera for someone can be quite an experience so I'm going to give you a few tips.

When it comes to megapixels, most amateur photographers won't be able to see the difference between a 4 megapixel camera and a 6 megapixel camera. But there can be a huge difference in the price. Also, normally higher megapixel cameras require more memory. So if the Christmas gift is for an amateur or someone who is new to digital photography then a 4 megapixel camera should work just fine.

If your purchasing a digital camera for an older person, say your grandparents, then make sure that the display and menu commands are large enough for them to read. Your Christmas gift won't be of much use to them if they can't see the display or find the buttons.

If you're giving a digital camera to some who has never had a digital camera or who is upgrading to a more advanced model, then take some time to make sure that they know how to operate the camera. For example:

* how to turn it on and off
* how to make basic menu selections
* how to take a picture
* explain what kind of memory card the camera has
* where the memory card is located
* how to download pictures
* how to clear the memory card so that they can take more pictures
* how to charge and/or replace the batteries
* accessories that they may want to get

Make sure that your Christmas gift is used and appreciated. Consider how the digital camera will be used and who will be using it. Do your research and shop around to get the perfect digital camera for that person on your Christmas list.

Writen by Stephanie Shank

And what do you want for Christmas this year, asks Fiberlady? GI? GI Joe? Sorry, but I cannot consciously support the military-industrial complex by purchasing idols of warmongers for children to reenact their misplaced power. Okay, go ahead. Tell Santa.

The only GI that I can conscientiously promote is the Glycemic Index otherwise known as the GI. Originally used to manage diabetes, the theory behind the Glycemic Index is simply to reduce insulin-related problems by identifying and monitoring foods that have the greatest effect on your blood sugar.

If you want to learn (it's as easy as buttering a carrot bran muffin), here's how it works. The Glycemic Index system ranks foods from 0 (good) to 100 (not so good) according to the effect on blood sugar levels after eating. Low-GI foods (less than 55) produce a gradual rise in blood sugar that's easy on the body, keeping blood sugar levels fairly tame. Foods between 55 and 70 are intermediate-GI foods. Foods with high-GI numbers (more than 70) make blood sugar as well as insulin levels quickly surge.

A GI value tells you only how rapidly a particular carbohydrate turns into glucose. It doesn't tell you how much of that carbohydrate is in a serving of a particular food. Adding protein and/or fat or increasing acidity may alter the GI of any given carbohydrate-laden food.

Here's a simple comparison. White bread (GI=70), not a high fiber food by any means, is digested almost immediately to glucose, causing blood sugar to spike rapidly. Brown rice (GI=59), however, is digested more slowly, causing a lower and more subtle change in blood sugar. Once more. By eating a cup of All Bran cereal (GI=51), your blood sugar level will sustain you longer than a cup of corn flakes (GI=83). The numbers say it all. Corn Flakes brings up your blood sugar faster than All Bran. When blood sugar rises and falls rapidly, the body is stimulated to eat again. What? Never during the holidays.

During the holiday season you need to be particularly aware of a high fiber diet of which many are low to intermediate-GI foods. Otherwise you will be seeking a serious weigh loss plan in the new year from overeating refined and processed foods, i.e. cakes, pies, cookies.

To stave off the indulgences, eat low-GI foods such as beans, vegetables, fruits and certain whole-grains. These choices also effect the amount of fat absorbed in the body, and less calories to burn off. You stay full and away from that beckoning buffet! Fiberlady reminds you that they don't call it the holiday spread for nothing.

High fiber foods are crucial when balancing a low glycemic diet. Your blood sugar will maintain a slow, even rate so you can ease your way through holiday gatherings without too many ups and downs. You really can't fumble this balancing act because high fiber foods provide the perfect safety net on the Glycemic Index. It might be enough reason to bring GI Joe home for the holidays.

Stephanie Shank (a.k.a. Fiberlady) has studied good nutrition since her days of mothering began 15 years ago which prompted her commitment to a high fiber lifestyle and the development of her informative website High Fiber Health.

Writen by Victoria McCraw

Many people from around the world dress in Santa suits each year but fewer people know how the tradition started. St. Nicolas was a Catholic Bishop around 300 AD who spent a large sum of his money and time giving gifts to children. Dressed in his red robe with a long white beard and red hat, he later became a saint.

But when the Reformation happened, and the Protestants split from the Catholic Church, they still continued the concept of St. Nicholas as being a Christmas figure and his Christmas costume stayed the same for the most part. But not long after that point each country began developed their own Christmastime gift-givers, putting them in similar Santa suits, although they varied in color (and some of which were even dressed in black).

For example, in England St. Nick became Father Christmas. But instead of the Santa suits of St. Nick of the Catholic Church, sprigs of holly, ivy and mistletoe adorned his outfit. In France, the Protestants called him Pere Noel while the Germans called him Weihnachtsmann, which means Christmas man. To the Dutch, he was known as Sinterklaas. As immigrants came to America many people from the mixed nationalities mispronounced his name and Sinterklaas became Santa Claus.

But even countries that didn't have a connection to Christianity began to have their own 'wintertime' customs. For example, when Russia became a communist state, and outlawed Christianity, Santa's name was changed to Grandfather Frost. Pictures of him in any Santa suits showed him dressed in blue rather than the traditional red garb.

But no matter the names for the figure or the colors of their Santa suits, the 'St. Nicks' of the world have always had two things in common: they all have long, white beards and they all carry gifts for children.

Writen by Sam Serio

Make Mother's Day memorable for the first special girl in your life, by buying her mother's day jewelry. Enough of the chocolates, enough of the flowers, enough of the warm and toasty shawls! This year, give her a unique gift that will certainly warm her heart.

This special day is for all mothers - be it the mother of your baby, the mother of your true love, your own mother or even your mother's mother. It could even be you! So celebrate this special day with a treat that every mother would love. Jewelry is a favorite gift, and a memorable one, since it's not as passe as the yearly greeting card, or as bulky as a knitted shawl. Every time a mom looks in the mirror, or every time her glance falls on the jewelry you gave, she'll remember how much you cared enough to send her something so pleasing on her extra special day.

The more frugal among us might say it's a bit frivolous to include jewelry in one's gift choices, but the fact is, mother's day jewelry need not be expensive. For very young mothers, it could be a matching set of baby-safe bracelets for both mommy and baby! As the bracelets themselves are often not made of expensive material like silver or gold, they are cost-efficient as gifts, and at the same time thoughtful and heartwarming.

Mothers of grown-up children would appreciate matching jewelry too! Matching necklaces, bracelets and earrings for mom and her one and only - or one and onlies! - are great for all ages. Getting that "mom and me" look while on a fun one-day trip makes for more memorable pictures, and definitely more colorful memories. It's not just for mothers and daughters, even mothers and sons can wear matching unisex jewelry, like necklaces, bracelets and rings. And for that touch of uniqueness, have your names engraved on the items of jewelry you wear. Or, invest in individual pendants and charms that spell out your names.

One other virtue of jewelry is - it sure lasts longer than chocolates and roses! Think about it: after so many years of observing this special date with chocolates and flowers, it must have already lost a little sparkle not just for you, but for your mother as well. After all, how special can these gifts be, when it's always the same year after year - and when you can give these exact same gifts on any other occasion?

Mother's day jewelry lasts all year long. It's not just for wearing on that special date. Finding jewelry she could wear everyday is perhaps one of the best gifts a woman can receive, and what is a mother but one of the most important women in your life? If you've got your heart set on getting her a gift that she will remember, look for jewelry that bring out the color of her eyes, or match her favorite shirt or blouse. This would prove that you notice and appreciate her pleasant demeanor, as well as the little everyday things she does for you. It's one way of saying "Thank you, Mom, and I love you!"

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician, and writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com Also includes informative articles, comparison shopping, rare book excerpts, & link directory.

Writen by Brandon Drury

Yes, it's the holidays. Everyone is hoping to make this Christmas season the best it can possibly be for the friends, family, and most importantly, children. Sometimes money is tight. Is going out and using a payday loan the right choice? Let's discuss the pros and cons of using a payday loan for Christmas time. I actually like this situation a lot because I get to use my favorite cheap ploy. I get to connect financial responsibility with the happiness of your children. Let's jump in.

Pros For Payday Advances at Christmas Time

If you are a little strapped for cash, you can quickly and easily get money to get you through Christmas. There are no credit checks and you could have cash in hand in minutes. That's about were the "pros" stop.

Cons Against Payday Advances at Christmas Time

While payday advances are a quick fix and will get you cash immediately, you will have to pay back the money in just a week or two. You know full well going in that you will have to scrape up the money in the very near future (probably before Christmas is even here). Do you think you'll have extra money during Christmas? Odds are strong that you will not have extra money laying around just before Christmas. Even if you did have extra money sitting their in your wallet, do you think you would use it for paying off a payday advance? If the answer is yes, the by all means, use a payday loan for your needs. However, for most advance loan users, this simply is not the case. The spirit of Christmas tends to put us in the spirit of debt. It's great to take the family out to eat or to a movie. During the holidays, we all want to do a little more than we generally do. This is great, if you an afford it.

You need to consider you kids Christmas. You want it to be special, right? I think it's safe to say that we all want our kids to have a special Christmas. So should we blow everything on this year? What about next year? Don't you want your kids to have a great Christmas next year? If you want your kids to have a great Christmas next year, then why on earth would you steal money right out your child's stocking just to hand it over to a payday loan as interest?

In other words, why are you giving money to a bank or payday loan service when you could be giving it to your kids. I understand that you may not have the money right not to buy them everything that you would like to. However, you will have $50-100 less for your children next Christmas for every week you take out a $500 payday advance. So think about your options. If you expect to be flooded with cash next year, then don't worry about your current situation this year. However, you'll probably be in the same position next year. In that case, why make next Christmas any harder than it has to be?

Don't Associate Dollars Spent With Happiness

Some of us feel obligated to go above and beyond when it comes to Christmas giving. This is great if you have the money to do so. However, if you are paying high interest to go above and beyond, you won't be giving that much for long. You'll be swallowed alive with debt.

Christmas is not a money spending contest.. Christmas is about being generous, but it's mostly about spending time with family and forgetting your problems for a little while. If you measure the quality of your Christmas with your pocketbook, you are missing the point. In other words, you don't have to wreck your financial future over Christmas. By getting a little creative, you can make your children very happy without spending a ton of money. If you feel that your children won't be satisfied unless you spend a fortune, maybe you should take a second to think about what you are really teaching your kids.

If you are having problems with your credit, you may want to check out Brandon Drury's debt relief forum.

Writen by Roy Thomsitt

If you are considering looking for a nautical gift, for a friend or relative, this Christmas, then you are in good company.

Buying gifts is something that just about everybody indulges in at one time or another during the year, especially Xmas. So, it is no surprise to know that millions search for gifts on the internet. What is more of a surprise though is that nautical gifts are amongst the most popular. Why should a gift of a nautical nature be more sought after than a romantic gift or gift for mum? If recent search statistics are to be believed, then a gift to do with the sea is the more "popular".

What is it, then, about a gift of a nautical origin or inspiration, that makes them so popular? Of course, the word "gift" is English, so the statistics focus on English speaking countries, most notably the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. All of those countries have strong nautical connections. England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland have always had nautical traditions; settlers from Europe travelled to North America by sea in vast numbers, as they did later to Australia and New Zealand. The countries of Britain have been in many sea battles over the centuries.

Millions of people, then, have some sort of nostalgic and historic connection to the sea, so probably feel attached, at a deep level, to matters nautical. That may, or may not, explain the immense interest in nautical gifts that we see today.

Another very simple reason for the popularity of sea related presents could simply be the attractive range you can find with a nautical theme. Here are just a few of the types of sea and ship related gifts you can find online:

Nautical Wall Hanging Gifts

You can find many nautical gifts for hanging on walls, such as a brass bell, mirrors, clocks, bar signs and sculptures.

Bar and Tableware Gifts

You can find some lovely nautical gifts for a bar or the table. The nautical theme has been applied to coasters, table mats, salt and pepper pots and other types of attractive gifts.

Ship Models

Models of ships have been popular for centuries and remain so today. Their beauty and intricacy makes them exceptional gifts for the nautically minded.

Books

Books are an ever popular gift to give and receive. For someone who is interested in nautical subjects such as pirates, seamanship, navigation and boats, then a nautical book is doubly appreciated.

Nautical Lighting

Some of the most attractive nautical gifts are the lighting products. Lanterns and lamps based on a nautical design are very popular and deserve to be so.

There are, of course, many other nautical subjects that make a great theme for a Christmas, birthday or other present. The number one, of course, is a ship; okay, you can't afford a real one, but there are some fabulous models around! Including the perennial ships in a bottle.

This nautical gift article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Gifts For Xmas website. He is also responsible for the Xmas Ornament website

Writen by Linda LaPointe

This time of the year is supposed to be happy. A time when family is warm and welcoming. A time for loving and feeling loved.

We watch the annual TV specials which emotionally choke us up. We watch those traditional, mushy movies like Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life which bring sentimental tears to our eyes. We watch those heartwrenching Hallmark commercials which make us sob dramatically. All of these portray the ideal and they always end happily.

But real life isn't like that.

Watching and listening to all the hype and sweetness reminds many of us of our losses. We think of the things we won't have this year, or any year ever again. The holiday season is actually the season of much depression and sadness. Just imagine for a moment how many losses a person of 70, 80 or 90 may have endured.

To help us understand those losses, here is a partial list.

• Hair

• Energy

• Parents

• Taut skin

• Hearing

• Stamina

• Career

• Muscle

• Eyesight

• Mobility

• Attendance at house of worship

• Hobbies

• Figure

• Friends

• Car

• Siblings

• Independence

• Spouse

• Finances

• Choice

• Lifelong collections

• Personal belongings

• Purpose

• Home

If the depression persists into the new year, get help from a mental health clinic. To voice the losses and the feelings can sometimes release them. Spend some time with elders this season and listen to their stories.

About The Author

Linda LaPointe, MRA is an ElderLife Matters coach and author of several products to assist families experiencing aging including the pamphlet, Don't Be a Burden: 100 Tips. Get free articles and information at www.SOSpueblo.com.

sospueblo@yahoo.com

Writen by Sharae Taylor

Have you ever thought what you would do without your Grandmom ? She's the one that always stands beside us and gives us the cookies on the side? She fills in when Mom can't. She's the one that will spoil us rotten given half a chance. God thought enough of us to give us three earthly Guardian Angels if we are lucky enough when we are born all three are living. So many times, we forget Grandmom on Mother's Day.

I am following my guidance in the writing of this article because Grandmom's need to be exalted...not forgotten. Remember what I stated previously... God loves us enough that we are personally given this earthly Guardian Angel. Think about this for a moment... allow the monumental impact of that statement to sink in and all that encompasses. The one person that will always love you no matter what. As we get older we don't think we need Grandmom quite as much as we did before and we generally take her for granted ... She will always be here? She's behind the times. Maybe sitting in a nursing home hoping someone will remember she is there. Will they come today? Will they call today? Do I matter anymore? Is it any wonder our elderly suffer from so much depression?

Grandmom's are still Mom's... they have a son or a daughter that happens to be your Mother or Father... then they have a Grandson or a Granddaughter that happens to be you. You have always come first with her. The apple of her eye. The one she could do all the things with that she didn't have time with your Father or Mother because she was busy raising them full time... She loves you with unconditional love... remember that.

So you may have let her down once or twice, did she let you know or just give you a hug and a kiss and look upon you with those loving eyes of her's?

Mother's day is coming up May 8th. and what will you do for your Grandmom ? Will you remember to pick up the telephone to make the long distance telephone call to Grandmom who is now in the nursing home or lives just around the block that you haven't seen or talked to in several weeks? Maybe Granddad isn't here anymore and she could be very lonely, no matter the conditions take the time to reach out. Grandmom won't be here forever and there may not be many tomorrow's so let her know she is loved.

Will you remember to order, purchase or make a special gift for her? To send her a Mother's Day card that isn't an e-mail? To get in the car and make the 3 hour trip to Grandmom's to just let her know how special she is to you... loved, honored and respected...

Remember...

God loves us enough that we are personally given an earthly Guardian Angel...

'Grandmom'

One of God's greatest gifts to us.

Let you be the reason for the smile on her face and the glow in her heart... you remembered.

© 2005 Sharae Taylor

Sharae Taylor is a well known Intuitive Angel Artist whose paintings are in world wide collections and her works have been exhibited with other well known Angel Artists Andy Lakey ,Donna Terody Sheratan,Gary Markowitz, past art editor of "Angel Times" magazine and K. Martin Kuri, Angel Artist and Author. Sharae has also participated in many Angel Expos and Angel Conferences with other well known Angel Authors like Alma Daniels author of "Ask Your Angels" . Her Angel paintings are featured in the newly released "Angels" DVD by Llewellyn and New World Music and was featured in the February 2005 issue of http://Planetlightworker.com. Sharae is a published author in magazines and ezines. To view Sharae's Angelic art and for further information visit her website at:http://www.angelsbysharae.com

Writen by Randy Stocklin

You think Santa Claus and decorated trees when you think Christmas, right? The Jolly One probably comes first as the number one symbol of the holiday, but there's no mistaking that Christmas trees are nearly just as important when it comes to celebrating the holiday right.

Santa Claus and Christmas trees are so intertwined, so connected, in how we celebrate, it makes one think that Santa maybe even invented the Christmas tree. After all, it's Santa who places everyone's presents underneath the tree. Maybe back in the old days, before trees, he used to place presents under children's beds and in the bathtub. And maybe eventually he got tired of it, and instead invented Christmas trees as a convenient and fun place for him to leave presents. Makes sense, right?

Maybe, but Santa had little to do with the real reason that Christmas trees came about. Sorry to disappoint you folks, but it was actually German Christians who started the Christmas tree celebration, way back in the 1500s. And as for decorating these trees, the story goes that one of the top Christians of them all, Martin Luther, started decorating his family's tree in the 1500s with lit candles. He got the idea one night walking home under the stars.

Then the idea really caught on in the mid-1800s, when the Queen of England and her children started decorating a tree for Christmas. Sketches of the royal family with their decorations got put in all the major newspapers, and soon every good Englishman was starting a new family tradition: decorating their house and home with colorful decorations and freshly smelling, beautifully green evergreen trees.

In America, however, we were a little bit slow, not just with decorating Christmas trees but with celebrating Santa Claus and anything else 'extra' in their Christmas festivities. That's because up until the very end of the 1800s, Americans saw Christmas as a very religious holiday. There was no room for chubby men in red suits, or bright decorations and candles, and even a Christmas tree. All Americans did back then was go to church service. Period.

But then the Queen of England enjoyed her Christmas tree. And many immigrants to the United States, especially the German ones, celebrated December 25 with trees, lights, and holiday cheer. Eventually, the fun caught on. In true American fashion, though, Americans not only took on the tradition of Christmas trees and decorations, they improved on it. Every thing had to be bigger, better, and more festive!

For example, at the turn of the 20th century, Europeans tended to like their trees manageable, at only about the height of your typical sixth grader. But when Americans started catching on to the tree tradition, they decided they liked their trees big, so big that they touched the ceiling of their homes.

Then Americans took it one step further with the invention of electricity in homes. Trees were braided with strings of multicolored lights. Homes were covered with decorations of every color, blinking lights, and Santa Claus statues with his sleigh of reindeer. Even towns and cities started setting up Santa Claus displays around Town Hall, as well as Christmas trees that reached to the sky.

Randy Stocklin is the co-founder of the popular website http://www.mailfromsantaclaus.com, which offers personalized letters from Santa Claus.

Writen by Melissa Galt

Halloween isn't just for kids anymore. In fact it seems that more and more adults - young and old - and especially singles, are celebrating this holiday. It's a great opportunity to meet new friends and a possible date while disguised! So for a truly awesome, no not gruesome, Halloween get-together, follow the tips and tricks here.

Set the mood! Yes, you do need to decorate for the season. And like most other major holidays, a tree is in order, only this one is more twiggy, and black in appearance, and bedecked and festooned with spider webs, (yes, you can used the left over Christmas angel hair), ghostly goblins, pumpkin ornaments, and howling witches. There is a large assortment of Halloween ornaments readily available and you can always make your own. Just check in with Pier 1 Imports, Bed Bath and Beyond, Linen's and Things, Seasonal Concepts, and even your local Hallmark Store. Beyond the Halloween Tree, you'll want to consider adding some festive lights (ghosts and pumpkins are most popular) to an outside railing or surrounding the door, you can even run these up a stair rail inside and around windows. You aren't going for elegant, this is Halloween.

Okay, so you've got the tree planned, the lights ready, now add a Halloween wreath to the door or better yet, a favorite skeleton that glows in the dark to really add some spook. Certainly strategically placed webs with large black spiders are effective, and it isn't complete without jack o lanterns lining the walkway and greeting visitors at the door. Make it interactive, and ask everyone to bring a carved pumpkin, you can supply the candles. It is a great ice breaker, and you can always come up with a prize for the scariest, most creative, most recognizeable, biggest and more.

Of course, you will need invitations, and in this high tech age, it's a lot more fun and unusual to get an invite by snail mail with a follow up by email, rather than just another evite. Why not include a set of pumpkin seeds and roasting instructions. You can either provide the food, or do it pot luck style, but make it easy and ask for specific types of dishes.

Not interested in sponsoring a pumpkin carving contest? How about a mask decorating soiree and you provide the goodies and masks to decorate with (order in bulk from an online party source.) You could even include a cape decorating festivity, ordering a dozen or more from a local party supply store. You could ask guests to bring a Halloween ornament for the tree. It's important to make this interactive and a good way to mingle. Be sure to award favors and prizes liberally, so everyone goes home a winner.

© 2005 Melissa Galt

Melissa Galt, Lifestyle Designer, Speaker, & Author, is the owner of Melissa Galt, Inc., a full service interior design firm based in Atlanta. She has been decorating clients' homes all over the Southeast for more than a decade, making their interior visions come true. She speaks to audiences nationally , on how to use design as the catalyst for "creating the life you've always dreamed of". Melissa is the creator of Design Destinations, a free monthly guide to designing your signature life. To sign up for her FREE monthly newsletter, visit http://www.melissagalt.com/.

Writen by Jennifer Kirkpatrick

Family traditions are as old as the family itself. They represent a comforting routine that many of us look forward to year after year. But in the age of scheduling conflicts and commercialism have families become too modern for family traditions?

Luckily, the answer is no.

A recent survey of more than 200 parents showed that family traditions are still an important part of the holidays. In all, 61% of respondents said that family traditions are "very important" in their family, and another 35% said they are somewhat important. Only 4% considered family traditions unimportant in their current families.

The biggest reason for this seems to be the emphasis placed on family traditions while growing up. As the Generation Xers now start families of their own, they are reminded of the family traditions they shared with their parents and want to create similar memories for their children. In fact, the majority (74%) have even started new family traditions since their children were born.

In the words of one mom - "My husband and I want our children to experience some of the same family traditions we grew up with, that created so many cherished memories for us. We both have memories of Santa visiting our house at Christmas, it's nice to think that our sons will be able to have those memories as well."

When asked the single most important reason that they practice family traditions, 64% said it was to create special memories for their children, 22% said to bring the family closer together, 9% said because they enjoy them so much and 4% want to give their children a connection to past generations. Only 1% of respondents did not practice any family traditions.

This holiday season the traditions celebrated in each family are as individual as the families themselves. But many of the old favorites from times gone by remain popular. Visiting family and friends, decorating a Christmas tree together and having a large family meal are all important to the majority of respondents. Other popular traditions that are a result of our modern times are driving around the neighbourhood looking at Christmas lights and watching a favorite Christmas movie together.

It seems that no matter how hectic our lives get, most families still take time to slow down and enjoy the holidays. Regardless of religion or belief systems, the family remains an important part of our culture. Much of the holiday season may seem to focus on gift giving and expensive decorations, but at heart it really does remain a time for family.

One mom said it best - "I think people's lives are becoming increasingly busy and it's important to have some family traditions that you can count on being the same regardless of how crazy life gets."

Jennifer Kirkpatrick is the owner of the online baby store, Pipsqueak Boutique. If you're looking for special gifts for the little members of your family, visit http://www.pipsqueakboutique.com You're guaranteed to find something that will make them giggle!

Writen by Richard Chapo

Ah, what to buy for beloved mom for Christmas. Here's a list of unique gifts for mom that are sure to make her smile.

Unique Gifts for Mom

Okay, she is probably tired of getting bubble bath and so on. This year, you need to get her a unique gift. And here we go…

1. Terry Velour Spa Wrap – In the bathroom theme, but so much more, the Terry Velour Spa Wrap is a great unique gift. The wrap is super soft, warm and is put on when getting out of the shower or bath. It has a velcro strap to ensure a snug fit and is a definite keeper with moms. You can expect to pay $40 for this unique gift.

2. Shiitake Mushroom Log – If mom likes to cook, she is going to love this very unique gift. The Shiitake Mushroom Log is exactly what it says, a wooden log on which she can grow gourmet Shiitake mushrooms for years. The log comes with instructions and starts producing mushrooms within 10 to 20 days. After the first crop, the log will continue to produce mushrooms every 8 weeks or so for years. A very unique gift that shows you put some effort into finding her a gift. The Shiitake Mushroom Log will set you back roughly $40

3. Picture Time – If you really want to make an impression, gather up your siblings and get a professional portrait done of all of you together. Next, get a custom made calligraphy card thanking Mom for putting up with all of your antics and always being there. A unique gift that is guaranteed to bring tears of happiness to her eyes. Prices will range depending on your location, so make sure to shop different photography studios. Also, make sure you see examples of their work so you can determine if you like the style.

4. Salsa Dancing Lessons – On occasion, moms need a little spice in their life. Nothing is spicier than salsa dancing lessons. Practically every metropolitan area has salsa dancing studios where mom and dad can learn the Latin dance style. Price range from location to location, but expect to spend $50 to $200 for two to four lessons. A very unique gift for mom.

5. Nomad Writing Journals – If mom likes to travel, the outdoors or just document family activities, these writing journals will be a hit. The journals come pre-organized for a variety of subjects such as travel, camping, hiking and bird watching. Each journal contains blank spaces for notes as well as cue areas to remind her to write down information such as places stayed, people met and their contact information and so on. The journals cost as low as $9 without waterproof case and $25 with case.

If you're looking for unique gifts for mom, the above list should do the trick.

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals for travel and outdoor activities. Writing journals make great Christmas gifts for her.

Writen by Gail Leino

Bring the southwestern feeling to your home by having a fiesta for Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday. It has been celebrated since 1862 when the smaller less modern army of Mexico defeated the larger more powerful French army at the Battle of Puebla.

Friends and Family members will love to get together to celebrate this festive holiday. Write on the invitation for guests to break out their Mexican fatigues. Sombreros, serapes, ponchos and bandannas are the perfect party gear for your guests to wear.

Offer an array of authentic Mexican dishes to appease the appetites of all who come to your fiesta. Enchiladas, tacos, salsa, guacamole, and queso dip are a few of the tasty dishes you might consider. Don't forget to accompany these delightful entrees with a few traditional Mexican beverages.

Use stunning colored lights in a variety of shapes including cactus and red chili peppers for your Cinco de Mayo fiesta. No fiesta ceiling would be complete without a few paper lanterns in an array of sparkling and traditional colors. Use cutouts of cactus or howling coyote silhouettes for wall decorations.

For younger guests to be able to relish in the traditions of a Cinco de Mayo celebration, incorporate a piñata into the festivities. Use a traditional seven pointed star shape or the shape of the horse piñata. Children of all ages will be excited in taking a swing at this popular party game in hopes that they would be the one to spill the treasures that are carefully contained inside.

With all of your careful planning and a few of your great ideas brought to life, your Cinco de Mayo fiesta is sure to be a party that will be remembered and appreciated for many years to come.

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.

Writen by Dave Poon

Christmas is celebrated around the world, a joyous occasion celebrated with so much fun and enjoyment. All the decorations that will fill your eyes from the great Christmas tree, garlands, wreaths and Christmas lights which are the main components of Christmas festivity, Christmas recipes like cakes and cookies which are so mouth watering.

The true spirit of Christmas is love, peace and unity. Giving Christmas gift is the simplest way of telling those people who are dear to us that we love them and we care for them. Although Christmas presents are at an unaffordable prices in this time of the year we still buy gifts to show them that we remember them.

But we should remember that the gifts we will give them is the one that reflects our love for them. It is not the value of the gift that counts but the true essence of giving, and everyone appreciates the thought that you remember them.

It is advisable that you plan your Christmas preparations ahead of time. Make a list of names of those people you would like to give Christmas gifts, so that you can have plenty of time finding the right gift for everyone in accordance to the age, gender and relation to you.

If you're considering giving gift for the office you should remember that it is meaningful to show your appreciation of their services throughout the year but do not go overboard on the expenses. Christmas gift baskets are very affordable and not to difficult to find, there are many assortments that you can choose from. You can also order stuffs that you can personalize like mugs, clocks, frames, pen sets, cardholders, portfolios, and many others.

Gift certificates are also good to give for them to buy what they really want for Christmas. You can also give the same gifts for everyone if you're having a hard time thinking what gift to give to each person. A personalized Christmas card is also a good gift for the office it will comprise of the company title and logo.

You can also give them ticket for a certain concert or movie that they will probably like to watch. You can also throw a party in the office, this can be a good idea to treat them to celebrate together and enjoy. Or if you're serving a boss you should not give him an expensive gift because you might be misinterpreted by him or by your coworkers.

You can ask your co workers to give the same gift and share with the expense of the gift. A home made gift is also a good idea where in you're not spending too much money on your gift. You should give your present personally is very important.

There are many other gifts that you can give in the office and internet is very helpful in finding the perfect gift for each person. It's up to you to choose from the countless choices that you can choose from, just be patient. Also remember that fairness is very important to keep the true meaning of Christmas and to avoid hurting the feelings of others.

Writen by Michael Russell

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. There is so much going on that one can literally get lost in all the excitement. Part of that excitement is sitting in front of the TV and watching some of the most enchanting movies ever made. Yes, there are many Christmas movies to choose from. This article presents some of the best; the ones that have stood the test of time.

No list of great Christmas movies would be complete without one of the greatest Christmas stories ever told. The "Christmas Carol" has been told in many movies throughout the years, but no telling has yet to match the one staring Alastair Sim in the 1951 classic "Scrooge". This is the story of a man who hates everything and everyone and only cares about making a profit. But then one night three ghosts come to visit him in his sleep and he ultimately sees the error of his ways and becomes the most generous loving man on Earth. This one is still as great today as it was over 50 years ago.

If you're looking for something a little bit more light hearted, there is always the 1964 children's classic "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer". This wonderful story tells the tale of Rudolph who, even though he was born different from the other reindeer and is shunned by society, he ends up being the one who saves Christmas from a terrible blizzard. The songs are cute, the characters, including Herbie The Dentist Elf and Yukon Cornelious, are an absolute laugh riot. Your kids are sure to love this one.

Of course if you're looking for something a little off the beaten track, there is always "The Santa Claus" from 1994. This rip roaring comedy is about as off the wall as you're going to get at Christmas time. The plot is pretty simple. Scott Calvin, played by Tim Allen, is divorced and his life is pretty much a mess. He does have his son at Christmas though. Well, as fate would have it, Santa Claus falls off Calvin's roof and dies. Calvin then goes on to become the next Santa Claus. Corny? Maybe. But you'll love Tim Allen in this goofball Christmas comedy.

For fans of the Charles Shultz characters Charlie Brown and company, there is always "A Charlie Brown Christmas" from 1965. There really isn't much of a plot except the gang is trying to put on a Christmas play and find a decent tree, but the music is memorable, the classic lines that we all know and love are there ("I've been kissed by a dog. I have dog germs) and when you really get down to it, the meaning of Christmas actually does come out in this wonderful movie when Linus finally explains it to Charlie Brown. This is one movie you don't want to miss.

And of course no list would be complete without "It's A Wonderful Life" from 1946. A man is given a chance to see what the world would be like had he never been born. Anybody who watches this movie and isn't in tears by the end doesn't have a heart. If you see only one movie at Christmas, this is the one to see.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Christmas

Writen by James Monahan

Memorials are landmarks, occasions, celebration, or even institutions and organization put up to pay tribute to important events or personalities. These memorials can be found in every culture and in every generation.

Man has always been a sentimental lot. Every culture places great importance on the memorable events and personalities that grace their history. However, man is also a forgetful lot. This leads him to erect monuments and feast days to make sure that these important memories do not fade into obscurity.

In the early days, memorials would take the simple form of a pile of rocks that symbolized some important event. Often, these landmarks would also mark the grave of a loved one.

As man settled down in cities, the monuments he built as memorials grew in size and complexity. The ancient Egyptians, for example, built the Pyramids as a memorial to its departed kings, who were regarded as gods.

Around 90 of these pyramids were built to house the remains of the various pharaohs and statesmen that lived in Egypt. Pyramids usually towered 50 stories height and were made from around 2.5 million block, each weighing about 2.5 metric tons. If ever there was a memorial that was truly enormous in magnitude and significance, this was it.

The Hebrews were also known for elaborate feast days to commemorate many different occasions such as victory in war, and important historical events.

The Mayan culture depicted its kings in battle on stone monuments called stelae. As with most cultures, the glories and miseries of battle are a favorite theme for memorials.

The Romans were more deliberate (and political ) in their establishment of monuments. The Empire's senate would usually commission artisans, craftsmen, and masons to periodically build monuments sometimes out of sheer whimsy and out of the rich coffers of the State.

The Taj Mahal in India is one of the most beautiful examples of a memorial in existence. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Construction of the edifice started a year after Mumtaz' death, which was in 1631. It took, in all, 21 year for the Taj Mahal and its surrounding gardens to be completed.

Today numerous memorials, like the Lincoln Memorial which houses a huge sitting statue of Abraham Lincoln, dot the American Landscape. And only fitting so, since America is a land rich with historical significance.

In many countries there exist monuments to the fallen brave during war. This is quite a departure from the ancient monuments that showed victorious kings trumping through battle.

Today's society is more sympathetic to the sacrifices of the gallant soldiers who offered their lives in battle for their motherland.

But not all memorials take tangible form. In most cultures, there exist yearly memorial dates and feasts. Dates such as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, Labor Day, Independence Day populate the country's calendar year after year.

There are also memorial dates that come once in a decade or a century. An example of such is the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Pear Harbor.

Memorials are a part of history and self-determination. As said once, those who do not pay attention to history are doomed to repeat it. These memorials are a testament to the human experience and are a sentimental proof to its value of history and culture.

James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of MemorialHub.com and writes expert articles about memorials.

Writen by Marti Mayne

Beyond trees and wreaths, there are few symbols of the holidays so well venerated as the gingerbread house. Throughout the country, gingerbread house displays and contests attract everyone from culinary architects to kids who love to savor the decorations. Visit Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine's Holiday House Tour held every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, where among other ideas, you'll learn first hand from Frank Isganitis, Gingerbread House Architect and LimeRock Inn co-owner, tips on creating your own award-winning gingerbread houses. The Holiday House Tour is part of Rockland's Festival of Lights, and Historic Inns of Rockland will feature workshops including Gingerbread House Making, Victorian Customs for Christmas, and Package Wrapping Workshops, along with tours of lovely historic inns during this event, held from 1pm to 4pm every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Tickets and information are available at www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com.

Frank Isganitis spends the year planning his original gingerbread designs, which are always the highlight of the family holiday party. Each year young nieces and nephews arrive not with visions of presents and toys, but with eager anticipation of the annual creation of their own personal gingerbread house. Workstations are set up with candy and tubes of frosting, and the family goes to work creating a Christmas town, for in Frank's eyes, it takes a family to create a holiday village.

Frank's Gingerbread Guide: Tips from the Expert

Start early. Gingerbread keeps for a long time, so you don't have to wait until the December holi-daze has set in to start creating your gingerbread house. Baked gingerbread can be stored for up to one month in airtight plastic bags.

2. Divide the steps into baking, assembly and decorating to keep from suffering from gingerbread overload. For example, make and bake the gingerbread one week; assemble it the next; then decorate it after that. A single gable house is the easiest to build and probably best for the novice. For the adventurous, there are no limits on unique and creative designs. For complicated designs, a cardboard model is recommended. Walls can then be built atop the cardboard model. It takes extra time, but will save time on the assembly end for detailed designs, and the cardboard pieces can be used as templates when cutting and baking the gingerbread.

3. Assemble gingerbread houses in stages. As a base, use a large holiday platter or a heavy cardboard square covered in foil or other festive material. Assemble the sides first, and then let them sit for at least three hours to ensure that the "glue" (i.e. frosting) sets. Follow next with the roof pieces, and again, let them set up before the final decorating begins.

4. An inside secret: canned frosting works great. Says Master Designer, Frank "One year, I could not get my frosting recipe right, so I "cheated" and bought canned. The rest, as they say, is history."

When asked for insider advice for novices on creating his successful gingerbread house designs at home, Frank Isganitis shares these ideas:

1. Nothing is off limits as long as it's edible. Let your imagination run wild and don't be confined to just holiday candy. Jelly beans, gummy worms, nuts, potato or nacho chips, pepperoni, Raman noodles – you name it, and it can work.

2. Mix things up. Necco wafers, peanuts or raisins make great roof or walkway tiles. Original Good & Plenty can be set like bricks for a fireplace. A gumdrop or chocolate chip makes a great door knob. Crushed chips make interesting wall textures. Figure out how you can use your favorite candy or foods.

3. Don't stop at decorating the house. The company that makes marshmallow peeps at Easter makes marshmallow Christmas trees too. Surround your house with a forest of edible flora and fauna.

4. Take your original recipe for one house and divide the dough to create as many as six smaller houses. By doing this, you can create your own edible Christmas village.

Come see Frank at work during the Holiday House Tour presented by Historic Inns of Rockland, held the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Demonstrations including Packages that "Pop" at Captain Lindsey House, Gingerbread Houses & More at LimeRock Inn and Victorian Customs for the Holidays at Berry Manor Inn will take place Throughout the day. Tours of the inns, decked in all their holiday finery will be ongoing from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. See www.historicinnsofrockland.com for information about the Festival of

Lights package offered by Historic Inns of Rockland, and for more information on the member inns. For more information or to book reservations, call 1-877-ROC –INNS (1-877-462-4667).

Sidebar: Gingerbread House Recipe

Uncle Frank's Gingerbread House
From Frank Isganitis at LimeRock Inn, Rockland, ME

1 1/3 cups honey
3 1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup lemon juice
2 beaten eggs
2 beaten egg yolks
12 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground Cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt

In a very large pot, mix the honey, sugar, and butter or margarine. Stir over medium heat until the butter melts. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice, eggs, and yolks. Stir together 1 cup of the flour, the baking powder, spices, and salt. Add to honey mixture. Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can with a wooden spoon. Knead in remaining flour on a floured surface until it forms a smooth ball. Cover. Follow step by step directions for building the house below.

Begin rolling out pieces of dough to about ¼ inch thick. Cut 4 pieces of gingerbread, 7x 10 inches (2 for, the sidewalls, 2 for the roof) and 2 pieces 7 x 11 inches for the ends of the house. Mark off 7 inches on each 11-inch end panel for shaping the pointed gable. Then cut from this mark to the center of the top of the gingerbread.

Bake on non-stick or greased cookie sheet in 350˚oven for 20 minutes or till browned. Cool and store. Assemble when ready starting with a large platter or piece of heavy cardboard covered in aluminum foil.

Fill a pastry bag with canned white frosting. Don't worry about detail decorating yet. Using a large flat tip, make a line of frosting where you want to place two sides of the house. Also, frost one of the adjoining sides of gingerbread. Repeat with the remaining two sides. Then, frost the remaining ends and allow all four sides to sit for at least three hours.

Take the two roof pieces and gently put them in place. Use more frosting to "glue" them to the four side pieces and each other. Allow the house to sit for at least another three hours. Now, you can take a scalloped or other tip and put the finishing touches on your seams, and the gingerbread house is ready to decorate.

BEAUTIFUL PROFESSIONALLY-SHOT PHOTOS AVAILABLE.

The LimeRock Inn is a beautiful Victorian inn on Maine's Midcoast. Filled with romance and hospitality, this is the perfect place for your next getaway. Visit http://www.limerockinn.com for more information.