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.

About the Author:
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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.