Thanksgiving and Family

For many people Thanksgiving is a time when, though they want to be grateful for all that they have, often they are treated to hectic family scheduling and a lot of extra work. Dealing with your own family can be a great burden at times; dealing with your in-laws can sometimes be worse. How can a person go through this experience without feeling tired out and miserable? With a few simple steps this Holiday can be transformed from frustrating to fabulous so long as both you and your partner are on board.

Before you begin planning meals; cleaning or inviting guests sit down with your partner and discuss the feelings you have in regards to all that will take place before; after and during the Holiday. Be sure to allow your partner time to express their own feelings on the subject as they might be feeling just as worried as you are. Once you have both shared your feelings on the subject try to form a plan that you are both comfortable with. This includes deciding on the guest list; divvying up the work to be done and planning a time table. Make sure that you don’t feel as if all the work is being forced upon only one person, or that person is bound to feel resentful later on. Even in households where one partner generally does most, or all, of the cooking and cleaning; in a situation where it is important that everyone involved feel comfortable, both partners should be involved in the preparation.

Stay Calm: Once you have discussed and made decisions about how t prepare it is important to remember that the day is supposed to be a good one and not allow yourself to exaggerate little problems that might arise. Try to keep calm and have fun with what you are accomplishing; even the most mundane task can be entertaining if both you and your partner are trying to stay in good spirits.

Food: When it comes to food preparation, a great deal will have to be done on the actual Holiday, however, preparing anything that you are able to on the previous day may help a great deal with your stress level. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time and double check recipes to be sure you clearly understand the instructions as well as having all the ingredients handy. For first time, newer or unskilled cooks, you may want to try preparing a few of the dishes before the Holiday to make sure you have it down. Often relatives ask if they can bring food items and if you know that a particular dish will be difficult to prepare or coordinate, ask if they might be willing to supply it. In many cases family members are happy to help with a single dish as it makes them feel useful, but does not require the work of preparing many dishes. If you are not a skilled chef, don’t feel compelled to make everything from scratch; make use of ready-made ingredients and if necessary by something that is already prepared. Most people will not hold it against you if you’re not a world class chef; it is more important to know and accept your limitations and in many cases ready-made goods are quite delicious in today’s markets.

Cleaning: Though you may need a few touch ups on the Holiday, before the guests arrive, most of the major cleaning can be done 1-2 days in advance. Be sure to begin the day with a clean kitchen as this will help to keep your spirits high when you begin cooking. Take care of any laundry or table setting that you can the night before so that you will not have to add this to your list of to-dos. Remember that in order to make the meal special, little details such as candles; linens; properly cleaned flatware and a festive tablecloth are often of key importance. Most of these items can be dealt with on the previous day. Cleaning your guest bathroom on the previous day is also a good idea as long as you can avoid using it until after the guests arrive; it can also be handy to have something scented, e.g.: potpourri, oils or air fresheners in the bathroom as it may see a great deal of traffic throughout the afternoon and evening.

Mood: Before the guests arrive, when you are busy at work, remember that mood can affect not only how quickly and well a task can be accomplished, but can help to keep you and your partner to enjoy the day despite all the work involved. A great way to help this along is to take just a few minutes together, before you begin the day’s work, to relax. Having an energy-smart breakfast, so that you will not feel hungry or dizzy while working, is a good way to share this time. Music can also greatly affect mood; keep this in mind when making any selections to play while you work and be sure that you choose pieces that are upbeat and well liked by both you and your partner. If something goes wrong in the preparation, remember to keep your sense of humor; often the little disasters that so upset people are far worse in their minds than any of the guests. In most cases, if a dish is ruined your partner and family will understand, don’t let it ruin your day.

Time: When setting up a time for guests to arrive be sure that you will have some leeway with the cooking so that you greet family members, even if only for a quick hello. If you do not want anyone in the kitchen while you prepare it might be a good idea to have your partner entertain and keep the guests away from the kitchen. Before hand you should try to time all of the preparation so that every dish is ready at about the same time. Cleaning as you go, if time allows, is a wonderful way to keep post cleanup to a minimum. Keeping of clear of any dessert dishes that will require you to go back into the kitchen for a good deal of time may prove to be stressful; instead ready your desserts beforehand so that all that is required is serving the dishes to your guests.

Entertaining: Many people find that with all of the work they are doing it becomes difficult to interact with their guests. This can often cause the person doing all of the work to feel a combination of frustration and guilt. Remember that most families expect you to be busy as many of them have experienced the same situation and try not to allow yourself to feel unnecessarily upset. If you have prepared everything that you are able to before the event, you should have plenty of time to spend with your guests both during and after the meal.

Dealing with Family: While many couples enjoy having family over and indeed look forward to spending time with them, many other couples sincerely dread those days on which they are forced to spend time with their relatives. If you are one of the latter group, it can be very difficult to juggle all of the work the day requires while maintaining a rather mechanical smile and false good nature. The best solution, of at the very least helpful way of coping with the situation, is to discuss your feelings about family with your partner. Though the subject of unpleasant relatives maybe a touchy one, it is often better to be honest and understanding with your partner before the day arrives so that you are both able to laugh about the situation. Keep in mind that most people have a family member that they do not especially care for, but that in the spirit of the Holiday it is kind to share your thanks with others; if that isn’t enough, try to remember that it is only one day and that you will more than likely not have to be around these people for very long.

It’s Over: Many people end up with far too many leftovers and end up having to throw food away; an excellent way to deal with this problem is to buy some extra Tupperware and send family members away with remaining food. If you were able to clean as you went during the clean up the kitchen shouldn’t be in bad shape; it often helps to soak a great many of the larger pots and pans and deal with them in the morning. Once all of the guests have departed and you feel comfortable with the state of your kitchen again, take some time to relax with your partner and review the day. Allow for some time to give your own private thanks together for such a feast and for all that you have in your lives and for some: that at least it is finally over.

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Holiday Correspondence Without The Headache

Will you be sending out some sort of holiday correspondence this year? Now is a great time to get the ball rolling.

As you ponder the holiday correspondence issue, first decide whether you want to do anything at all. Does sending holiday cards create more stress in your life than it brings joy? Do you send cards only because you always have and feel like it’s something you should do? If so, release the guilt, call up your close family and friends to extend warm holiday wishes, and leave it at that! My guess is that you will not have others judging you because you did not send a traditional card. The truth of the matter is, some won’t notice, and those that do, probably won’t feel as if you’re neglecting them, only that you chose not to send cards this year. Some may even applaud your efforts to choose how you’re spending your time and make decisions that can feel hard at first. For what it’s worth, you have my permission to not send cards (because some people just need permission).

If you do decide to send out some holiday correspondence, there are a number of options available to you. Follow these steps to ensure you reach those you want to, when you want to, and deliver the message of holiday cheer on your terms.

Create a list. Will you send cards to just those you are close with or take the holiday season as an opportunity to stay in touch with lots of people you’ve known over the years? Some people will reach out to those they haven’t corresponded with in a while and know that at least once a year, they stay in touch. Perhaps with some of the newer social media tools and e-mail, you’re doing that in other ways and just want to give holiday wishes to loved ones. You choose.

Decide what you’ll send and what it will include. Consider the size and make-up of the list you just created. Will you send everyone the same thing or split your list and extend greetings in various ways?

Will you send a physical card? Will it include a photo? Will you write a hand-written note? If so, there are many options available to you. You can pick them up yourself at the store, order them online and they’ll be sent to you to personalize and mail out, or there are even services, such as Send-Out Cards where you can create your card online (it’s even possible for them to use your handwriting as the script) and it will be mailed for you (a real card, in a real envelope, with a real stamp) directly to the recipient.

Prefer to send an e-card? This can be an easy, fast, environmentally friendly and economical way to go. Many sites are available to help you create a card, upload a photo, select music or animation, personalize your message, input your contacts’ e-mail addresses and push send. They will receive an e-mail with a link to their card.

Whatever kind of card you select, don’t forget to include what you want in the card. Send it as is, write a personal message, include a “holiday letter,” a photo, or even a gift-card. Print address labels from your computer contact base or address the envelope by hand, add a stamp, a return address label and you’re ready to go.

Pick a date to send your cards. There are many options to spread good wishes. Thanksgiving to express your appreciation, Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza to offer holiday cheer or the New Year to let people know you’ll be thinking of them into 2009. Work backward from the date you’d like to mail your cards to determine when you need to buy, order, personalize, prepare and mail them. Spread out the work so the task doesn’t feel so daunting. For example, if you are going to hand-write brief personal notes, do a few each night throughout the next several weeks. Ask someone to help you with part of the process if that’s an option. Kids of all almost all ages can apply stamps, labels, or lick envelopes. Older kids who are computer-savvy may be able to help you with a mail merge to prepare your mailing labels. Break this project down and share, or, spread out the steps so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Have a plan to enjoy cards you receive. Enjoy the card in the moment you receive it, think fondly of the sender and then let the card go (trash or recycle). Alternately, you can find a way to keep and display the cards - a pretty basket, a bulletin board, or a decorative card holder intended to show off the cards and photos and allow you to enjoy them for the season. When the season is over, either toss the cards at that point, add the most special ones to a scrapbook or memorabilia box, give them to kids to use for crafts, or keep a select few to use as decoration for next year, before you receive a new batch of cards. Whatever choices you make around holiday correspondence may they sincerely bring you peace, comfort and joy.

Article by DEBBIE ROSEMONT

Father's Day Gourmet Coffee Gift Basket For Gift Basket Lover In Your Life

Are in search of a great gift basket idea to give to a friend or a love one? You can make your choice from the various gift baskets we have around. And you can’t go wrong with a father's day gourmet coffee gift basket. These baskets come with several types of gourmet gift baskets of various types liable on the type of basket you want. If you have a father's day gourmet coffee gift basket lover in your life and you want to get something they’ll actually use and enjoy, try one of these baskets that are sure to make them happy by putting a smile on their face. You choose the father's gourmet coffee gift basket and the extras to go inside and it will be packaged up and ready to give to that special person you wanted to give.

Various Types Of Coffee

It’s common for the father's day gourmet coffee gift baskets to come with coffees from all around the globe. Coffees from South America, The Middle East and more are great ways to have your coffee lover taste what other coffee drinkers taste in other country around the globe. With most father's day gourmet coffee gift basket, you can choose what type coffees go into the basket.

It all depends on what you’re looking for, you can either choose each type of coffee individually, or you can go with packaged baskets that come already chosen for you. These different types of coffees look great in the father's day gourmet coffee gift baskets and your coffee lover will think of you each time they brew a new pot of gourmet coffee and that will constantly remind them about your kind gesture and love.

Various Extra s That Comes With The Package.

It is never strange for a father's day gourmet coffee gift basket to come with some extras such as, coffee grinders, coffee mugs and more. The more extras, the more the father's day gourmet coffee gift basket will cost but they are also sure to please and sort your taste. The more extras the better, as they add extra value to the father's day gourmet coffee gift basket and they’ll provide your coffee lover with everything it takes to enjoy their gourmet coffee till they are completely satisfied.

We are two types of father's day gourmet coffee gift baskets around. There are ground coffee gift baskets and there are whole bean baskets. Sometimes it comes with the grinder though this is not the most important thing, but if the coffee lover in your life doesn’t have a way to grind beans, a whole bean coffee basket won’t do them much good. So always take into cognizance that they should have all it takes to enjoy your father's day gourmet coffee gift basket before you buy it in the first place.

Do you have a friend or a loved one that passionately loves coffee; give a father's day gourmet coffee gift basket this year. They’re absolute for any occasion and they provide your loved one with a gift they’ll actually use and enjoy it to the fullest.


About the Author: Committed To Your Success, Edwin Hezron, Teaching Thousands Of Gift Lovers On How To Make Good Choices Of The Best Gift Baskets Of All Season Visit http://www.giftbasketstips.com/giftbasketstips/ For Your FREE Info.

Valentine's Day Gift Advice For The Last Minute Shopper

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and guys everywhere are quietly panicking about what to get their girlfriends and wives for this most romantic of holidays. While flowers and chocolates are always in fashion, the one gift that every woman will always appreciate is jewelry. As February approaches jewelers across the country and around the world are gearing up to help men that have waited too long to visit their local jewelry store.

What to get the woman in your life is largely dependent on her lifestyle, her taste, and much you're willing to spend (which can be directly proportionate to how much you've screwed up lately). With options like necklaces, rings, earrings, and even watches out there, here are few things to consider about each.

Necklaces

First of all, if you have small children, you may want to reconsider a necklace, however, necklaces are a great Valentine's present due to their versatility. Whereas some other jewelry may be better suited for either casual or formal settings, with few exceptions, necklaces can work great with jeans and a t-shirt or a nice formal dress.

Aside from being versatile with her attire, necklaces also have the advantage of coming in a variety of sizes and styles, ranging from gold and silver, with or without gems, and in varying lengths to fit every taste and style.

Watches and Bracelets

The first thing to consider when looking at either a watch or bracelet is whether the person you're buying it for is a watch or bracelet person. Some people just don't like to have things around their wrists and nothing ruins an amazing present like a lack of use. That being said, the second thing to consider when looking at bracelets and watches is how formal you want to get. Both bracelets and watches are pieces of fine jewelry, and how fine you want to get will greatly affect what you end up getting.

Whether you want to get a bracelet covered in diamonds or a watch that gives the time zone in Batswana, keep in mind what setting you want the person you're buying it for to wear it in. If you're looking for a more formal gift, stick with a tennis bracelet. If you're more interested in getting them a gift they can use every day, a nice watch can be classy and stylish, but still work with a wider variety of clothing styles to allow for more use.

Earrings

Earrings, much like necklaces, are great because of their versatility and availability at numerous jewelry stores. When considering earrings keep in mind any small children as they tend to grab long, dangling earrings, which can result in injuries. Earrings can come in studs, hoops, and dangles, and are available in a variety of different golds, silver, and, of course, diamonds. If you're not sure what kind of earrings your wife or girlfriend might like, simply take a peek in her jewelry box to see what kind she has the most of. Most people buy a specific style based on what they enjoy the most.

Rings

Buying a ring for somebody at Valentine's Day doesn't mean you have to buy a diamond engagement ring. Fashion rings are a very popular way to give somebody a ring that shows you care without having to pop the question. Fine jewelry such as an emerald or ruby ring is perfect for those that enjoy their birth stones or have a favorite color. For those that are already married, Valentine's Day is a great time to upgrade the diamond engagement ring you bought her when you first asked her to marry you. She said yes then, but a new, nicer ring will have her saying yes all over again.

Get Out There

Just because you've waited until the last minute to buy her something for Valentine's Day doesn't mean there's nothing out there. Do some quick research, talk to your local New York, Los Angeles, and Richmond jewelers, and make sure you get her something that will make her smile – be it earrings, necklaces, watches, bracelets, or rings.


About the Author: Ronnie Adolf is the president of Adolf Jewelers, a local Virginia jewelry store specializing in diamond engagement rings, diamonds, and Virginia fine jewelry. They can be found online at: http://www.adolfjewelers.com

Perfume Gift - Make your Choice Sensual

When choosing to give a perfume gift to a relative or friend there are many things to consider. Careful thought should be put into this decision and then proper selection needs to be made to make sure the perfume gift is desired and useful to the recipient. Endless bottles of perfume have been given over time to only sit on a shelf gathering dust. Everyone, do not have the same type of skin nor the same mood, with the result that the perfumes do not have the same odor on each one of us. It is indeed a sad way for any gift to end up. It is much better to take the time to find the perfect perfume gift for that special person.

Types of Gifts to Give

One thing to consider when looking at giving a perfume gift is does the person wear perfume. Some people have allergies and sensitivities to scents that would make a perfume gift a bad choice. Often, people may not wear fragrances regularly, but may enjoy a gift that included perfumed sachets, lotion, room spray or candles. These types of gifts are desirable for a person to have and use in the home as decorative items or as fragrances.

The perfume gift should be a scent that they will value and be able to use. Men usually make the mistake of giving a scent they have smelled on another person at one time or another and thinking the special person in their life will like it. This is not a smart decision. To offer a perfume gift to your wife, choose the one she prefers. The giver should take the time to find out what types of scent the person likes to wear and choose either the same scent or one very similar. Certainly this will make the perfume gift a welcome item.

Types of Perfume Gifts

For a person who is not acquainted with the perfume industry the choice of perfume gifts is huge and can be very overwhelming. It is notable to understand the various types of fragrances that can be chosen. True perfume is usually very costly but is the most potent of all the scent strengths. The best great classic gifts are French perfumes like Cacharel, Chanel, Rochas, Bvgulari ... The perfume bottles are small and beautifully designed to represent the personality of the fragrance and the designer.

Those who do not need such a costly gift may give Eau de Toilette, which is eight to fifteen percent essential oil, or Eau de Cologne, which is about four percent essential oil. Considering these types of fragrance are less potent they cost much less and will come in a larger bottle. Most perfume manufacturers even offer a perfume gift package that will come with several small bottles of their scent in various forms. Gorgeous looking bottles and eye catching package designs will make your gift more appealing. Consider this a very nice choice for a perfume gift for that special person.
Author: Ray Nwambuonwo

Fun Ideas For The Holidays

The holiday season is a great time to share some smiles and laughs! And holiday humor helps you develop a well-tuned humor radar.

1. Have a humorous gift exchange at your holiday party. This works great if you have a healthy humor climate where people use humor in a positive way.

2. Just before the holidays, encourage people to bring some of their favorite ethnic holiday treats to work or one of your group meetings. Coming from a Norwegian background, I'd bring rosettes, fatigmand and lefse.

3. Decorate a tree for the holidays with a humorous flair. For example, a car dealership could decorate a tree using car parts. If you travel a lot, collect fun trinkets from your trips to brighten your tree.

4. Save the holiday cards you receive this year and "recycle" them next year. Just cross out the sender's signature, sign your name, and mail it back to the person who gave it to you. You'll start a humorous tradition. I do not recommend sharing this humorous exchange with everyone you get a card from. Be selective!

5. Look for opportunities to take a funny photo of yourself, your staff, or your family. Then use it on a photo holiday greeting card. I've sent a photo card sharing my Halloween costume as a power-nerd.

6. Create your own customized gift wrap. For example, on a large-sheet photo copier you could make personalized wrapping paper decorated with family photos or pictures from your office.

7. Wrap a holiday gift in a "nest of boxes" (a small box in a larger box, in a larger box, etc). When the large box is opened by the recipient, the box inside is addressed to someone else. And the next box is addressed to someone else! The final box indicates who really receives the gift; a "musical chairs" style of gift exchange. A nice touch is to give a gift in the final box that can be enjoyed by the whole group. For example, in a family situation, the final box may have Mom's name on it, but contain a trip to Disneyland for the whole family. This is fun because everyone shared in opening the gift.

8. Make extra effort to guarantee that your holiday party is FUN. People won't remember a chicken dinner a year from now. But they'll always remember when they've had a great time and spent the evening laughing together. Your investment making sure the event is entertaining gives you great returns in goodwill and valuable experience in the planning process.

9. Assign a committee to prepare some holiday fun. Write a script filled with humor about your company and people you work with. Write a song parody of one of your favorite holiday tunes which is a tribute to your staff. Present it at a holiday party, or post it on a bulletin board in your office.

10. Remember the true sprit of the holidays. Tis the season to be jolly! Decorate your face with a smile and share it with others.

About Author

Copyright 2005 by John Kinde

John Kinde is a humor specialist who has been in the training and speaking business for over 30 years specializing in teambuilding, customer service and stress management. Free newsletter and articles are available at http://www.HumorPower.com.

Birthdays, Christmas, Holidays - Make Your Gifts Memorable

Who doesn't want to receive gifts? Even as a kid, you looked forward to your birthday because of the presents that went with it. Now you are older, you still can't get enough of gifts! There is just something so heartwarming upon knowing that someone cares enough to hand you a present.

But what if you are the one who is about to give a gift? Are you up for it? Is gift-giving a reason why you anticipate Christmas and your loved ones' birthdays?

One surefire way to make someone feel good all over is by giving him or her a gift. So if you think you want to brighten up someone's day, if you like to earn the reputation of being a good gift giver, then read on. Tips on giving and buying tips are in store for you!

1. Know what the recipient wants.

Gifts become ten times better when they are the very things the recipient wants. Suppose your friend is an avid baseball cap collector, what is there to do? Buy him a baseball cap, what else! If your mom loves making scrapbooks, then give her something which will make her scrapbooks prettier and more memorable.

So do the research. It is going to be worth it, especially when the recipient squeals over finding out what the gift is.

2. You do not have to buy expensive gifts.

You don't give to impress. Unless you are some hotshot who can practically afford anything, there is no need to buy a Louis Vuitton bag for a friend. Give according to your means. The value of a gift does not depend on the price. Remember that famous saying, "It's the thought that counts."

3. Go for the safe gifts.

This tip applies if you are totally clueless on what to give. Here are some of the safe gifts:

For men: handkerchiefs, neckties, suitcases, wallets, pens, coffee mugs, t-shirts, sports equipment, belts and towels.

For women: make-up kits, handkerchiefs, combs, hair clips, pouches, bags, beddings, photo albums and frames, jewelry and belts.

If you want the safest, go for the gift certificates! But then again, they are not as thoughtful compared to other gifts.

4. Check out the websites.

If you do not feel like walking around the mall to look for gifts, why not check the internet and websites? Not only will you have seemingly endless choices, you might even score yourself a bargain!

5. Give extra special gifts on special occasions.

It goes without saying that a special occasion calls for a special gift. It is your sister's 16th birthday, give her something that will just make her day. For weddings, go for gifts that will best suit the newlyweds like a toaster for their new home or love-inspired beddings. Remember, they do not have to be expensive. Just special.

6. Give gifts earnestly and lovingly.

Gift-giving is just a concrete demonstration of how much you care about a person. Don't give just because you are required to. Don't give because you want something in return. Give because you love to. Give, just because.

There you go! Don't forget to wrap your gifts nicely. Attach a lovely note. Some people think of gifts as highly commercialized and overrated. But how can you label giving a gift wholeheartedly commercialized? How can you badmouth such an act of love and kindness?


About the Author:
David Arnold Livingston enjoys shopping for friends and family,
especially for holidays. He recommends the resource:
FLT Watch

Personalized Gifts for a Sentimental Valentine

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and you find yourself trying to decide what to get you beloved as a gift. You don't want to give them candy - too passé. Flowers die and jewellery tends to be more of a personal taste item, not that they would ever tell you they didn't like the bracelet or earrings. So what do you give them that is unique? Try a personalized gift, something made solely for them and that comes from the heart.

While every lady likes to receive jewellery, some of them are a bit fussy about what they wear. Some women don't like things that are too gaudy or bulky. Others wind up becoming more concerned about how much you paid for the item. They do like your gift, that's not the problem. The problem lies with how many pieces of jewellery they've received over the years, and how they really don't hold much sentimentality anymore because they can pretty much count on getting another piece the next year. Now, if you were to present you loved one with a romantic gift of jewellery that has been personalized, then you may see a different reaction.

Take, for example, the line of PicScribe(TM) pendants. These are pendants and lockets made from fourteen carat gold that can have photos engraved on and in them, and can have a personalized saying or inscription placed on the back. This particular Valentine's gift will thrill your beloved if you have a picture of your children, or other close family member, engraved on it. Not only have you given them something that will hold sentimental value because of what is on it, but also because this is something that can be passed down from generation to generation and become a family heirloom.

If you know your lady love would prefer not to have jewellery - and not every lady is that way mind you - why not look into a personalized gift such as the CrystalScribe(TM)? CrystralScribe(TM) is a crystal of any size, usually a square, that has a personalized photo adhered to it in such a way that is seems as if the picture has magically appeared in the crystal itself. You could have one of these made with family pictures or any photo that means something to your beloved. Maybe you have one done of the child that is overseas in the armed services, or one of your wedding photos. The only limit is the pictures you find.

Valentine's gifts that will mean something to the receiver for years, should come from the heart. While jewellery and flowers are the old standby, personalized gifts for your beloved shows them that you put serious thought into the gift and took the time to research your options and find something that they would like. These types of gifts will mean more to them over the years because they are special and will be cherished. That's not to say that jewellery won't be cherished. On the contrary, when you have piece engraved with your thoughts and sentiments, it takes on a new level of enjoyment. Your beloved feels cherished and knows that you care.


MJ Millares is a gift advisor and designer for EmJée Designs, Inc. For
more unique personalized gifts or additional information on unique valentine's day gift please visit EmJee Designs website at emjeeonline.com.

How to host a Valentine's Party

Six Tips on hosting the Valentine's Party

Love is all around us, what better way to express your love and enjoy this moment by celebrating this wonderful moment with your loves one and your partners. To make a special Valentine day this year, you may hosting a Valentine's party.

We offer few tips for make your valentine's party speaks for romance and leave a memorable event and joy to your guest end of the party. You can follow this suggestion that would insure a romantic and memorable Valentine's Day celebration for couples spent at your home.

Tip 1 Heart-felt invitation:

A long stemmed red rose with a gold tag board hand delivered to all your guests is certain to charm and bring excitement to your guests. Write in with a red metallic pen all the details of your party. Make sure to ask your guests to come to the party dressed in any red outfit or as a romantic hero or heroine.

Tip 2 Welcome Signs

A cheerful welcome sign to hang on or by the front door is great way to greet people who arrive at your home on and around Valentine's Day. By signifying your home is a place of love and romance, visitors should be immediately warmed by the greeting.

Tip 3 Set the room for love

Decorate your party room with red, gold and white heart-shaped balloons, crepe paper and creative lighting such as scented red, gold and white candles creatively distributed within the room, lamps and lots of potpourri.

Play romantic music, making certain that it is not too loud to allow couples to have an enjoyable conversation.

Tip 4 Romantic table setting

Cover the tables with a combination of red and white linens. Make a centerpiece for each table with an assortment of red and white roses and small balloons of the same color gathered together with a gold shimmering ribbon. Be sure to make the center piece low enough so as to allow guests to see each other while conversing.

Tip 5 Food for love

Be sure to make the food look as good as it tastes. Present dishes with a lot of garnishing to make it look attractive as well as go with the theme. Strawberries, edible roses and herbs can draw appeal to any dish that you will serve. Also serve the food on attractive platters.

Serve crab and cheddar cheese sandwiches cut into hearts (using a heart cookie cutter) garnished with fresh tomatoes.

For refreshments, you can mix up a fruit punch and add a bit of red food coloring.

Tip 6 Give-away with love

Finally, have something your guests can take home and remind them of a lovely time they had at your place. Here are suggestions:

1. Romantic scent of cologne with a love poem attached to it.

2. Small box of chocolates.

3. Romance novel tied with a red ribbon.

4. A bottle of red wine.

Try hosting a Valentine's Day party; you'll be glad you did, when you see couples going home with a contended smile! Romance is the one language that the heart loves best.

That is why every year we even have a special day to celebrate it!

Shirley, founder of www.GiftGuideForBuddy.com, offers gift ideas for Valentine's Day and party supply to facilitate your festive celebrations.

Groundhog Day: More Winter or Is Spring Around the Corner?

Groundhog Day, a popular tradition in Canada and the United States, is celebrated every year on February 2nd. It had its origins in the observance of Candlemas Day, in the early days of Christianity. The clergy would bless candles and make them available to the people, marking a milestone in the winter. The Teutons, or Germans, believing that if the sun came out on Candlemas Day, a hedgehog would come out of hibernation and cast a shadow, thereby predicting six more weeks of winter. The animal would then return to its burrow. If there was no shadow, spring would soon be there and the hedgehog would remain above ground.

Groundhog Day is now celebrated in a lighthearted manner. Many cities and towns across the United States and Canada hold festivities with their own “celebrity” groundhogs., the most well-known of which is Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Punxsutawney celebrated its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s due to the efforts of newspaper editor Clymer H. Freas and American Congressman and newspaper publisher W. Smith; the first official observance at Gobbler’s Knob (part of the town of Punxsutawney) was on February 2, 1887.

Legend has it that Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip; Phil’s original name was Br’er Groundhog.

Groundhog Day is celebrated with a touch of whimsey. It was not until 1966 that the festivities at Gobbler’s Knob were open to the public. Now, in the early 21st century, as many as 30,000 people come to Punxsutawney each year to join in the merriment. Not only have the festivities been made public, but the occasion of Phil emerging from his burrow is broadcast on national television. Punxsutawney Phil has even visited President Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1986. He was a guest on the Today show in 1960 and also on the Oprah Winfrey television show in 1995. Phil was shown live on the JumboTron in New York City’s Time Square in 2001.

DID YOU KNOW?

Other names for the groundhog are woodchuck, marmot, or whistlepig.

An average groundhog is 20 inches long and weighs anywhere from 4 to 15 pounds.

Groundhogs are herbivores living on greens, fruits, and vegetables. They are not very fond of water but manage to keep hydrated by eating dew-laden leaves. They also enjoy cultivated flowers and the bark and roots of small trees.

When alarmed, groundhogs make a whistling sound. Groundhogs also use the whistle as part of the courting ritual.

Groundhogs are extremely clean and are not bothered by insects or most germs.

To prepare for hibernation, groundhogs lay on a heavy layer of fat in late summer or early fall. By February, they have used up half of their body weight while hibernating.

SOME CELEBRITY GROUNDHOGS IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES:

Balzac Billy (Alberta, Canada)

Birmingham Bill (Birmingham, Alabama)

Brandon Bob (Manitoba, Canada)

Buckeye Chuck (Marion, Ohio)

Dunkirk Dave (Western New York)

French Creek Freddie (West Virginia State Wildlife Center, Upshur County, W. Virginia)

Gary the Groundhog (Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada)

General Beauregard Lee (Yellow River Game Ranch, Lilburn, Georgia)

Holtsville Hal (Long Island, New York)

Jimmy the Groundhog (Sun Prairie, Wisconsin)

Malverne Mel and Malverne Melissa (Malverne, New York)

Manitoba Merv (Oak Hammock Marsh, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)

Octoraro Orphie (Quarryville, Pennsylvania)

Pardon Me Pete (Tampa, Florida)

Pothole Pete (New York, New York)

Punxsutawney Phil (Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania)

Shubenacadie Sam (Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, Halifax, Canada)

Sir Walter Wally (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina)

Smith Lake Jake (Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham, Alabama)

Spanish Joe (Spanish, Ontario, Canada)

Staten Island Chuck (Staten Island Zoo, Staten Island, New York)

Wiarton Willie - an albino groundhog (Wiarton, Ontario, Canada)


See more on holidays at Niftykitchen.com Food and Cooking Tips. Terry Kaufman also writes for Niftyhomebar.com and Niftygarden.com

©2008 Terry Kaufman. No reprints without permission.

Activity Holidays and How Great They Are

If you are an outdoorsy type of person who enjoys nature's playground then you might want to consider going on an activity holiday.

In Britain there are many superb places which make for excellent activity holidays. Whilst many people go on a holiday to relax and do nothing, an activity holiday is the exact opposite and crammed full of things to do. On an activity holiday, depending upon where you go there can be literally dozens of thrilling things you can choose to do, many of which you have probably never experienced before. In Britain, some of the most popular activities for such a holiday may include:

Abseiling
Canoeing
Potholing
Caving
Hang Gliding
Paintballing
Quad Biking
Water Skiing
Trekking
Mountain Boarding
Jet Skiing

Caving and potholing are two of the most traditional activities for British activity holidays, in which you have the opportunity to explore some of the many underground caves and caverns which are scattered throughout Britain. While a traditional relaxing type of holiday may suit the parents, when there are kids in tow this can often be a boring holiday for them. Fortunately, there are many places worldwide which offer activity holidays where the parents can relax and do as they wish whilst been safe in the knowledge their children are in the capable and trusted hands of activity holiday staff. It really depends on why you are going on a holiday. If as a parent you really don't wish to partake in any activities as such but wish to lay on the beach, sunbathe, relax, visit restaurants and maybe do some casual walking, shopping and sight seeing and basically do your own thing at your own speed, but you are going to be taking your children, you need to be aware beforehand that children tend not to appreciate the same things as you, and in countries which have a hot climate also this can make for an extremely frustrating time which in most cases will end up with arguments and stress, which you most certainly do not want on a holiday.

If you can find a place which offers exactly what you want, and also offers plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied then you can go on holiday together with your family but also spend time doing what you want to do so everybody enjoys their holiday, and there are plenty of such places. In fact, many of the most tropical holiday places in the world offer a good amount of activities which are sure to keep the kids happy, so it is win-win.

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A Father's Day Experience

One man's story of why Father's Day is especially meaningful to him.

When I was a kid, Father’s Day was always something that was sort of an afterthought. We’d always do some silly little craft at the direction of our teacher, and then help Mom choose a tie or a mug or other cliché gift. Dad would always exclaim over how fun/wonderful/surprising it was, and then we’d grill out for dinner.

I never expected to celebrate Father’s Day myself. At 39, I had no “paternal urge” and was quite a committed bachelor. I enjoyed a high-profile lifestyle in New York City, dating mostly twenty-something coeds and society girls. And then I met Cathy.

Cathy was like no one I had ever met before. I was on my way to a meeting and was probably giving less attention to the other people on the sidewalk than I was my cell phone conversation.

She was on the way to court for a meeting of her own. We literally ran into each other on the sidewalk, sending our briefcases and her chocolate mocha coffee flying everywhere.

I know, I know, completely something out of a bad romance novel. But it really happened. In our rush to gather up our own papers, I somehow ended up with her day planner. So I called her to schedule a time to give her back her day planner, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now I know what you’re thinking, what the heck does this have to do with Father’s Day? Well, that’s the catch. That meeting in court to which Cathy was heading when we first met? She was on her way to finalize the adoption of her foster son, Edward.

And that’s how I fell into being a “father.” It had nothing to do with biology. It had nothing to do with working through the agonizing process of adoption. I just fell into it. Cathy made it clear from the first moment that we met that she and Edward were a package deal; love her, love him. No questions asked.

It honestly wasn’t hard to love Edward. The kid had been through so much in his life. Born addicted to crack-cocaine, he was finally removed from his biological mother at 5 years old after getting smacked around for the fifth time by her boyfriend. He bounced from foster family to foster family for a little over a year before coming to Cathy. Under Cathy’s love and guidance, he blossomed into the amazing boy that I met 6 months after I met his mother.

After Cathy and I had been dating for 2 years, I finally popped the question. I don’t think I’d ever been that nervous in my life … or as happy as I was the moment she said “yes.” We were married 6 months later in a quiet ceremony in front of family and friends.

By this point, I had come to regard Edward as my son. I didn’t call him as such, though, and he didn’t call me “Dad.” But there was a very definite bond between us.

Nevertheless, I didn’t expect anything that first Father’s Day. After all, I wasn't a “real” dad. I was a stepfather that came into this boy’s life quite late. And besides, what 13-year-old boy would be interested in making a big deal out of something as mushy as Father’s Day?

So when I woke up that Sunday morning, I was shocked to see Edward standing by my bed with Cathy holding a tray filled with breakfast foods. There was everything I could want and more – a Belgian waffle with whipped cream and fruit, hot chocolate, and coffee.

He looked so hesitant, like he wasn’t sure what I’d say. As soon as I was fully awake, he said “Happy Father’s Day” and thrust the tray towards me.

And just like that I realized that I already was a “real” dad. I didn’t need everything that supposedly made a dad in the eyes of Hollywood and the romance novelists. I just needed a great kid who needed me.

Three days later, we got a call asking if we would be willing to take in another foster situation. Cathy and I had been re-certified as foster parents a few months prior, but weren’t 100% sure that we were truly ready to add to our family. But when the social worker on the other end of the line started telling us about 8-year-old twins Anna and Manuel, we knew that it was more than right.

Fast forward a little less than a year - the Monday after Father’s Day. I finally became an “official” father by adopting Edward myself. As the five of us stood in that courtroom, I reveled in the feeling of family. And I came to understand what Father’s Day really means to me.

24 Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas

The purpose of a present is to make the recipient feel treasured, and with a little special care in the gift wrap, you can do just that.

Here are 24 creative gift wrap ideas.

1. Wrap your gifts with another gift. For example, you might wrap a gift with a bright new silk scarf. Wrap a gift for a gourmet with a pretty printed kitchen towel. Wrap a gift for a child in a fun and colorful new T shirt, and a gift for a baby in a receiving blanket. Tie a gift for a man with a new necktie. Finish a gift for a woman with a new necklace.

2. Strive to use wrap that coordinates with the gift. For example, use fun scrapbooking paper for a crafter and copies of old maps for a traveler.

3. Print your favorite family photos of the year onto plain white paper and use for wrapping small treasures.

4. Use fabric scraps and ribbon. Each time you are in a discount store, stop by the fabric clearance section. You can often find elegant and unique supplies at a deep discount.

5. Cut shapes or monograms from cardstock or old holiday greeting cards and hang from ribbon, jute or yarn.

6. Make your own gift wrap with waxed paper and the embellishments of your choice. First, cover your ironing board with a cloth. Take a sheet of waxed paper and lay it flat on the cloth. Adorn the paper with flower petals, confetti, dried leaves, anything you like that is relatively flat. Now put another piece of waxed paper on top. Place another cloth on top of the waxed paper and run a hot iron over the top. The heat from your iron will seal the edges together.

7. Recycle gift wrap from previous years.

8. Sew simple fabric gift bags that can be reused year after year.

9. Adorn the gift with silk flowers or small charms. The scrapbooking industry has made available so many amazing little embellishments that are perfect for adorning gifts.

10. Use rubber stamps to stamp the name or monogram of the recipient (or a special holiday message).

11. Use a particular section of the newspaper as gift wrap. Whether it is the comics or the sports page, this is an easy, inexpensive way to add a personal touch, especially when combined with one of these other techniques.

12. Fold a gift box from holiday cards.

13. Wrap a gift in a drawing or painting that your children have made.

14. Use natural elements from your backyard to adorn gifts. Pine boughs or pine cones, dried grasses, and dried leaves are all charming choices.

15. Purchase plain paper and ask your children to decorate the wrapped item or gift bag with drawings and special messages.

16. Browse flea markets, garage sales, or dollar stores for inexpensive and unique boxes, bags, and bows. You can even decoupage an old cigar box with photos or memorabilia and create a gift box that is a gift in itself.

17. Use stamps, stencils and stickers to dress up plain white or brown paper.

18. If you have young children, ask them to make handprints on plain white or brown gift wrap before wrapping presents for their grandparents.

19. Create a scavenger hunt to lead them on a search for their gift. My kids love to find their presents through a series of clues, and it builds such lively anticipation for the present itself.

20. Find an inexpensive purse or handbag at a discount store and package a range of gifts inside. You might even include a new wallet with a gift card or two.

21. Purchase inexpensive balsa wood boxes at craft or hobby stores. Paint them and adorn with stickers, rhinestones, and beads. The gift box becomes a one of a kind treasure box. This is especially appreciated among young children, who love new keepsake boxes.

22. Tie an old fashioned rattle on a gift for a baby.

23. Use cloth diapers for a baby gift and attach with jumbo diaper pins.

24. Create a gift basket. Fill the basket with colorful crumpled paper, tinsel, raffia or straw. Assemble small gift items inside into an attractive display. Top it all of with colorful, decorative cellophane. The cellophane should be at least twice as wide as the diameter of the basket. Place the basket in the middle of the cellophane and gather the excess at the top, tying it with a shiny ribbon.

With a little extra time and attention, you can make a memorable gift even more so by choosing materials and gift wrap that suits the personality and style of the recipient.


About the Author:
Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she hand picks the best online coupons, including coupons for photo processing and photo gifts and coupons for gift wrap supplies.