Halloween Crafts

The only bad Halloween craft project is the Halloween craft project that takes too long. You know the ones. The craft projects that have so many steps that you've lost the attention of your kids before step 2. Give these easy Halloween craft ideas a try. They're short; they're sweet; they're fun and the end results are spooktacular.

Antenna Characters
These adorable characters look great at the top of your automobile antenna. Hey, if your house is dressed up for Halloween, why shouldn't your car? With various Halloween-themed colors of flat fun foam (orange, black, white, green), draw a light outline of a pumpkin, ghost, spider or Frankenstein head, approximately 4-inches tall and 3-inches wide. Cut out the shapes and with a single hole punch, punch two holes in each shape, one approximately one inch from the top of the shape and another hole approximately one inch from the bottom of the shape.

With glitter glue or permanent markers, decorate the shape with facial features, an outline or anything you'd like. Allow to dry thoroughly. Once dried, you can attach to your automobile antenna by placing the antenna through the bottom hole from the back of the shape to the front. Then place the antenna through the top hole, front to back. The Antenna Character should be secure and should withstand normal driving conditions.

Halloween Mosaics
Mosaic art using tiles is very popular nowadays. Kids can duplicate this popular craft using construction paper instead of tiles or glass.

Prior to gathering the children around the table, cut small squares of various colors of paper, orange, red, blue, yellow, white, black, green, etc.

On a piece of heavy stock, white paper, draw the outline of a pumpkin, Frankenstein or other Halloween character.

With a small dab of all-purpose glue on the back of each square, kids can mosaic their way to a uniquely creative masterpiece that can be framed and hung on the wall for many Halloween seasons to come.

Pumpkin Painting
In less than one hour, you and your child can create the most adorable pumpkin craft ready to proudly display in your home. Pumpkin Painting is the perfect activity for little goblins who aren't old enough to handle the jack-o-lantern carving duties.

With simple supplies like acrylic paints, markers, newspaper and sealer, kids can paint whimsical, silly faces on their pumpkins. Or they can paint their favorite cartoon character, Halloween motif or harvest design. Painted pumpkins do not rot near as quickly as carved pumpkins so it is much more economical to paint pumpkins rather than carving them and it's also much safer and more hands-on for toddlers since there is no knife involved.

Valentines Day Is For Married Couples Too

Who says that married couples can't enjoy Valentine's Day? If you would like to make this day a little more special than others have been in the past, you'll need to think about a few things, make a few plans and make this day a great day.

Keep It Exciting!

Use all of the tools that you have to remind yourself of the day. Set up your palm pilot or your computer to remind you of the day. And, not just on that day but several weeks before. This way, you can easily remember to do something for the day.

* Make dinner reservations.

* Buy a new outfit for the day.

* Plan what you will be serving for dinner.

* Find a way to get the kids out of the house for a few hours.

* Head out on the town for several hours.

* Plan out your meal for the night and test new recipes before then.

One of the biggest problems for the evening is with the kids. Where can they go or do? Find a sitter for them so that you two will have time on your own. Make sure to leave them someplace that they will enjoy themselves so that you don't have to worry about them all evening. And, doing this will allow you to spend better quality time with your loved one too.

Gifts should be purchased well in advance. First of all, more and more individuals are turning to the internet to purchase gifts. If this is your plan, do it well in advance of the day, as it may take several weeks to receive a package. If you plan to purchase something, make sure that you know the tastes of the individual and their size. If you visit local department stores, they may even wrap them up for you on this day.

Go For Something Different!

Go ahead and get something more unique this year. For example a singing telegram is sure to surprise her. Surprise her with something like this that you purchase through the local florist.

Making Valentine's Day special is important for each of you to really enjoy the day. Do something different, set aside a block of time and make it mean something to each of you. Then, it will be a day to remember even though you are married.

The Perfect Christmas Gift

I suppose there is no such thing as the imperfect Christmas gift, but I am sure that there are some gifts that are less desirably received than others.

Let's take a look at the "Personal Trimmer." Every time I hear of one of these items or see it in the store I think, "nose hair trimmer." Hey, there is no way of getting around it: if you give this gift you are telling the recipient that the strand of hair hanging out of their left nostril is unsightly. Or, since the product is also marketed for the ears, you've noticed a bit 'o fuzz on their earlobes.

One way to test the wisdom of gift selection is by doing this: imagine your loved one at work hanging around the water cooler. "Bob" comes up and says, "so, what did you get for Christmas?" Your loved one replies, "I got slippers, some shirts, a tool case, and a really cool personal trimmer." Sure, like he is going to share this information with blabbermouth Bob, who is known to share "news" throughout the office. You get the picture: if he is ashamed of the gift he'll lie and say, "a one year subscription to Sports Illustrated" or some other tale. Never encourage your loved ones to lie!

For the ladies, you must always be careful what you buy for them. Us menfolk are at a disadvantage: we're wired to think practical while women are wired to think sentimental. Exercise equipment might be smart, but like the fella in the Best Buy television ad who purchased exercise equipment for his sweetheart, you don't want your wife to assume that you think that she is fat. In case you make that error, you must think fast and say, "no babe, I just want to keep you heart healthy so I have many more Christmas' with you!"

Unfortunately, men don't always think that fast. Better yet, if your wife tells you what she wants, get her that. You can always run over to Victoria's Secret later to purchase lingerie which she'll like because you like seeing her wearing it. Trust me!

Are you going to the neighbor's for a Christmas social? Then leave the Royal Dansk cookies at home. Better yet, don't buy them. Are they awful? No. Just too common. Like the unwanted fruitcake that gets passed around the family and neighborhood year after year the Royal Dansk cookie tin is getting the same reputation. If tasked with the responsibility of bringing a dessert and you aren't baking, pick something up at the local bakery. It'll be fresh and it will be eaten. Let them worry about their cholesterol level.

What should you buy the boss? Well, the standard gifts over the years have been wine or hard liquor, something for his desk [photo frame], or a personal item like a fold up umbrella. Boring! Rather, have some fun and purchase spyware for your boss so that he can spend the time snooping on his employee's internet access. See if that wins you valuable points during review or promotion time!

Seriously, maybe the whole gift thing has gotten a little bit out of line. Maybe we should think of more practical gifts to give such as: spending time with an elderly relative; volunteering to help coach your child's soccer team; or by making a cash donation to a relief agency in the gift recipient's name.

Two thousand years ago the greatest gift ever given, Jesus, was freely given to mankind; I believe anyone freely receiving His love is receiving that very same gift. Jesus is one gift that perfectly suits mankind: God's boundless love and unrestricted forgiveness.

<i>This article originally appeared on Townstead.com, a defunct site managed by Matt Keegan. It was part of his "Life in New Jersey" series of articles.</i>

Who was St. Patrick and Why Do We Celebrate His Life?

St. Patrick's Day is known as a day of celebration and festivities, but very few people know the true story of St. Patrick and who he really is. By tradition, he is a patron saint of the Catholic religion because of the captivity that he went through, the time of solitude and his great faith, and eventually the number of people that were converted to know God through him. It is legend that he heard angels and they helped him in his decisions. All in all, he is known as the patron saint of good luck and blessings to the Catholics in that era up until the 21st century.

St. Patrick was a real live person born in the time around 400 AD in Roman Britian, when the British Isles were still under the domain of the Romans. He was born with the name Maewyn. His name wasn't changed until he was in the monastery. His father was a soldier in the army, and Patrick also reports him to be a deacon, civil official, and a town councilor, who was a son of a Romano-British priest. The family was Christian, but they weren't extremely religious, some historians even say Patrick was agnostic in his childhood.

According to his most famous work, the Confessio, Patrick was captured along with many others when his village was attacked, and he was taken to Ireland as a slave. Patrick was under the authority of a druid high priest and his family and here he learned the native Celtic language which he later used to communicate, and help those to be converted.

After 8 years in captivity, he escaped at the age of twenty-two, and legend has it that an angel directed him to spend twelve years in a monastery near Paris, France, where he adopted the name Patrick. It was during this time of captivity that Patrick found God and developed the habit of praying throughout the day to strengthen himself and to be closer to God. It is recorded in the Confessio that he would often pray up to 100 times a day. One night, while in the monastery, he said he heard many voices that were calling him back to Ireland to help the remaining slaves. At this time he was somewhere in his mid thirties and so he answered the callings. He became one of the first Christian missionaries in Ireland.

He was confident in the Lord, and he journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal. Indeed, Patrick was successful at converting Ireland to christianity . And he even made important converts even among the royal families. For 20 years he had travelled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries, schools and churches, which would aid him in his conversions. He died on March 17th.

You can see how originally this was a Catholic holy day, but today St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. Or, rather, 'be Irish Day '. Speculation as to why this holiday is so popular could be the coming of spring that occurs within just a few days.

Settle Down To Watch Some Ghostly Haunted House Movies This Halloween

Ghosts, goblins and other creepy creatures roam the eve of Halloween. From trick or treaters to Halloween parties, October is the month when children and adults transform themselves into other-wordly beings. But not everyone enjoys going out during this autumn holiday. Some people enjoy turning the lights down low and passing the time watching mystery and horror flicks in front of the TV. So to set the mood, here are some Halloween movie rental ideas featuring haunted houses for those that prefer a good ghost-like mystery rather than a continuous stream of blood and gore.

The Haunting (1963) – A true classic horror film. Here we find four guests arriving at a mansion with a terrifying reputation. The guests are determined to debunk the idea of a house being possessed and so set up for the night. Strange occurrences soon make themselves known from muffled wails to strange unexplainable noises. The guests encounter a door that appears to breathe, unexplained writing on the walls and many other supernatural phenomena. A new remake of the film is also available (The Haunting (1999)).

Haunted (1996) – Nanny Tess Webb (Anna Masey) has been seeing visions. Her three children, as well as the family doctor all insist that there is no haunting and that she is just hallucinating. She invites Professor David Ash (Aidan Quinn), who is skeptic of the supernatural, to investigate the paranormal goings-on at her country estate. After spending some time there himself, the Professor also begins to experience unexplainable visions, including the vision of his young sister who died in a drowning accident.

Haunted Castle (3-D) (2001) – After his mother dies, a young musician named Johnny is summoned to his mother's castle according to the final wishes in her will. He soon discovers that not all seems as it appears and that the castle is not only haunted by ghosts, it appears to be alive. He is eventually lead to a Mr. D who makes Johnny the same tantalizing offer that he made his mother twenty years earlier… surrender your soul in exchange for fame and fortune.

The Others (2001) - Starring Nicole Kidman as Grace, this is one of those few, rare movies that will keep you guessing until the end. The story is set in 1945 toward the end of the war. Living on a fog-enshrouded island off the British coast we find that Grace's husband has presumably been lost in the war and she is living on her own with her two young children. The children are hypersensitive to light and so live in a musty manor with the curtains and shutters perpetually drawn closed. Needing some assistance, Grace writes up a request for domestic help, but before she can go to town to post it, three strangers suddenly arrive in response to her as yet un-posted request. This film will certainly leave you guessing with its twists and turns.

Stephen King's Rose Red (2002) - Another true story haunting and originally a mini-series, this movie is based on a researcher investigating the paranormal who takes a team of psychics into a haunted house. We soon learn of the building's gruesome past - women who have disappeared without any trace and men meeting gruesome deaths. Soon after entering, the psychics themselves begin to experience many paranormal activities, including disappearing team members.

A Treat For Bowls Enthusiasts

People today are busier than ever, working long and often unsociable hours, juggling family life with work commitments and rushing around from one thing to the next. Yet many people still manage to squeeze into what 'spare time' they do have a hobby or activity that they really love.

There is an incredible range of activities people enjoy, from hugely energetic five-a-side football often played on weekday evening to rambling in the beautiful countryside on a Sunday afternoon. Some activities tend to have a male/female bias – take rugby versus aerobics – while others are perfect for both sexes and also ages.

Indoor bowling is a very popular sport across the UK. A game of skill, patience and tactics, there are in excess of 330 indoor bowling clubs in England with a combined membership of 110,000 men and 54,000 women. And forget that this is a sport for older people – these clubs welcome members from as young as 7 to 80 years plus!

Many enjoy a game during the week along with the social aspects of club membership while there is sometimes the opportunity to take part in tournaments on the weekend. Bowls is not a sport to be hurried, so the idea of a week or two week holiday that combines sport with sun, sea and sand definitely sounds like a break not to be missed.

A company offering that perfect combination is Potters Holidays. A well-established family-run business with a wonderful 5-star UK holiday resort in Norfolk, Potters Holidays offer fantastic Bowls Festival Weeks in the warm and beautiful setting of Cyprus.

Nestled on the West Coast of Cyprus, guests on a Potters Bowls Festival Week will arrive at the old town of Paphos, with its delightful harbour, shops and bars. This great location is home to an excellent, carefully selected 4-star hotel. The Athena Beach Hotel combines luxury and style, with its stunning landscaped gardens, three outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and mini-golf.

The Potters family pride themselves on offering high standards of service at their UK-based resort and the Cyprus experience is no different. A member of the Potters family will host the week, while members of the team will be on hand to ensure you have an extra special holiday.

The bowling breaks include a guaranteed number of Round Robin games playing in teams of four plus roll ups and spoon drives in the evenings under floodlights. In addition there is also an exclusive bowling tournament to take part in, which are optional, free to enter and offer great prizes, organised by Mark Hedges and the Anglia Bowls Team.

This Cyprus holiday is about more than just bowls. During the stay at the hotel there is both daytime and evening entertainment. Cabaret acts and top performers are flown in from the UK exclusively for the Bowling breaks to ensure you entertained by some of the best in the business.

The Festival weeks can be extended to a two or even three-week stay with special breaks available such as the Celebrity Bowls Festival in association with Bowls International Magazine. There is also the opportunity to organise group bookings for ten people or more – perfect for a bowling break for a club.

Top 10 Holiday Gifts

Here are the top selling holiday items according to MSN Shopping.

Couch Signature Gallery Pouch
This handbag from Coach is proving to be very popular this holiday season. This short-strap classic style handbag has a zip closure and inside open pocket. It has jacquard fabric with leather trim, is fabric lined, and comes in black, khaki, and red.

Diamond Bracelet Sterling Silver by Ashford
This piece proves you can never go wrong with diamonds. It has S-shaped links and diamond accents. Silver is a good addition to most styles of clothing and accessories.

iPod nano 2 GB MP3 Player by Apple
Unless you have been under a rock lately, you are familiar with the iPod family. This version is in between the small type and full-size iPod, but still holds 500 songs and is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Satin Drapeneck Dress by S.L. Fashions
This is a gorgeous polyester satin pull-over dress which is available in black, almond, and jade. For any special occasion, it will wow whoever sees you. You can not go wrong with such classic beauty. Its stunning sleeveless design and drapeneck provides a sexy but sophisticated look.

Step 2 Ride-On Motorcycle
A great buy for your toddler, the Step 2 Ride-On Motorcycle will provide hours of amusement for your child, as well as you watching them play. Made of durable plastic, it has wide wheels for stability and easy grip handles.

Snack Attack by RedEnvelope
Food! This assortment includes sweet and salty goodies for all of those Christmas or Hanukkah munchies. With berry-nut mixes, caramel corn, gummy bears and much more, there is something for everyone.

Sony Playstation Portable (PSP)
The ultimate in gaming, this portable device allows for games, movies, playing music, and displaying photos. The great thing is that you have all of that at your fingertips.

Tealight Fountain by Innovage
This beautiful desktop fountain is perfect for the candle enthusiast. With a marble type finish, this piece holds three tealight candles and is calm and relaxing. It is also cordless, so you can set it anywhere.

4 Carat Trillian Cut Green Amethyst & Diamond 14k White Gold Ring by Ice.com
This is a truly breathtaking ring. With a large green amethyst stone, surrounded by diamond accents set in beautiful white gold, you are certain to get a smile out of this gift.

Decorating Xmas Trees With Cookies and Candy

Decorating xmas trees with cookies and candy is a great way to give your tree that personal touch. It is creative and the results can be astounding in terms of their creative impact. Decorating an artificial tree with baked goods is one way to make it look more homey and real. A slim christmas tree really looks great with decorations made out of slim wrapped candies. The snowy color of shortbread confections also plays off nicely against any color of tree including the artificial white christmas tree.

Decorating xmas trees with food goes back to the times before Christ was born. Offerings of food were often placed along sills and windows to feed the good spirits and protect from the evil ones. The first christmas trees were in fact imitations of the pyramid shape of real conifers. The custom of placing pickles and other foods on the steps of cedar pyramids of wood that were hand constructed was very common in Germany before the 16th century. It wasn't until Martin Luther came along and presented the upright tree that was brought indoors and lit with candles that we became familiar with the Christmas tree that we know today.

Using food as adornments on evergreen boughs is a time-honored tradition. Perhaps the strangest one is the German custom of hanging pickles on the tree. Today you can buy German ornaments made of glass that feature pickle cartoon characters wearing tiny Santa hats. Decorating xmas trees with shortbread and ginger bread men is also a tradition that came out of Germanic and Slavic cultures. Of course today you can buy all kinds of different cookie cutters that certainly pique one's creativity when it comes to making edible xmas decorations. Popular cookie cutter shapes are Christmas stockings, Santa, reindeer, presents and stars. However you could also decorate your tree with shortbread or gingerbread cut into any shape you like.

There are some really interesting novelty cookie cutters on the market including ones shaped like nativity scenes. One nice idea might be to decorate your tree with heart shaped cookies. You could also make one very large angel, decorate it with edible gold and glitter and use it as a tree topper.

Decorating xmas trees with candies can be even more fun. You can hang single candies from a tree - such as lollipops and foil wrapped chocolates. Toffees wrapped in foil look especially nice on a tall slim christmas tree. Candies can also be glued together in sunburst shapes to make interesting decorations or even strung together to make a long, shiny and delicious garland.

It is also very easy to make xmas tree decorations using pins and Styrofoam balls or backing. Simply spray the Styrofoam balls with green gold or silver and pin the candies so that they cover the surface of the ball. A similar idea comes from Martha Stewart who does the same with gumdrops and miniature marshmallows. You could also use candied fruit. In fact one age old xmas decoration is the oranges that is stuck with cloves and hung from the tree. In theory you could also use oranges as the base for any type of home made
candy ornament.

One idea is to create a tree topper for your xmas tree using peppermint candy canes. This involves gluing them onto a round Styrofoam ball so that they radiate from the center in the circle. The same thing can be done with gumdrops on toothpicks and lollipops.

By the way, the candy cane is one of the most potent of Christmas symbols and it is actually a symbol of Jesus. A candy maker invented them in Indiana in the late 1800's. He came up with the idea of bending a plain white peppermint stick. The color white symbolizes the purity and sinless nature of Jesus. The three small stripes to symbolize the pain Christ on the cross. The reason there are three is because they represent the Holy Trinity. The one bold stripe represents the blood of Jesus. Right side up it looks like a
shepherd's staff because Jesus is the shepherd of man. Upside down, it becomes the letter J symbolizing the first letter in Jesus' name.

So candy canes are more than just pretty confections. They have quite a serious meaning. When it comes to decorating xmas trees, one cannot say enough about popcorn. Popcorn is one of the most versatile of xmas tree decorations. Most traditional is the xmas tree garland that is strung with the popped kernels. Popcorn balls that are dyed with food coloring also make very attractive christmas tree decorations. Left white, however, these popcorn balls look like snowballs hanging on your tree.

Christmas tree garlands can also be made out of any kind of berries. Cranberries and holly berries (not edible!) make especially nice garlands because of their festive red color.

Some years, cereal companies also put out cereal in Christmas colors such as red and green. These types of cereals can also be made into shapes using a Rice Krispy Square recipe and hung by a thread.

Another unique idea is to decorate your christmas tree with homemade candy apples. These bright glossy red treats look absolutely fantastic, especially on a white or green tree. A nice compliment to the color of the candy apples would be gold chocolate coins or foil covered chocolates in the shape of Santa also strung on the tree. A starburst of candy apples would make a stunning tree topper for a slim christmas tree.

When decorating xmas trees with candy and baked goods remember that our success is only as limited as your imagination. If you are stuck for ideas, Martha Stewart's cookbooks are an excellent source of inspiration. You can also get great ideas on the Internet and by searching traditional xmas tree sites to get ideas about how these decorations are supposed to look.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Christmas is expanding. It is rapidly becoming a world holiday broadening itself beyond the "christian" belief. It is becoming a holiday that celebrates the virtues of peace, and charity and good will. It is a world holiday celebrating HOPE.

There is so much said on the subject of world peace. And yet the real solution is so simple. It begins with acceptance that we are all different, and that different isn't really bad.
It is an acceptance that, in spite of our own differences, we are all one family of the earth. It begins with the acceptance of each other as we are, one person at a time.

Christmas is coming soon. This world celebration of the concept of Peace and Hope. There is something we can do, something as individuals to promote this celebration and spread the joy of the fruits of Peace all around us.
It is the individual celebration of the "Twelve Days of Christmas".
In a nutshell, the celebration involves us choosing an individual or family we would like to share this joy with. Then, beginning on December 13th (the first day of Christmas), we package up a simple gift with a simple verse of greeting. We take this gift and leave it on the doorstep of our chosen family or individual, ring the bell and RUN!!
The key to the magic of this exchange is that the recipient of the gift is never to know the identity of the giver of the gift. That is what ultimately makes the exercise so fun and successful!
Continue to deliver a gift to this chosen family or individual for each succeeding night until December 24th (the twelfth day of Christmas), when you encourage this family or individual to share this same experience with someone next year as you have done with them.

This is a tradition my little family has carried on for almost twenty years! We have enjoyed the mystery and excitement of watching from a distance the happy expressions of those we treat!

Here are a couple of responses left on the porch for us in years past:

"You came for 12 nights
Filled our hearts with delight
We felt Christmas Love
That smiled from above
Loved the joy that you brought
The Christmas Spirit you've got
Christmas will never be the same
Because of special gifts that came!

Bless you and yours on this special night, and always and forever know: We love you!"

And another response:

"Thanks so much for making our Christmas so much fun and special. We have loved your nightly visits and gifts! We have been touched that someone is thinking of us. We have felt a little blue every now and then about not being with our family so far away. But as soon as the doorbell rings and we find another surprise, we forget our blues and excitedly run to see what awaits us! Thanks so very much!"

For information and suggestions on getting started yourself, e-mail us at nexushelps@gmail.com.

It is amazing what an anonymous gift of joy from the heart can do for the hope and peace of a longing soul!

Popular Womens Valentines Day Gifts

Looking for a Valentines Day gift for the amazing woman, for the love of your life? For your amazing wife, or girlfriend, or fiancee? And nothing good and interesting comes to mind?

Don't despair - we are here to help. We have put together great Valentine's Day gift suggestions for you. And, we will not ask for any credit - feel free to take all the credit for picking the gift, and enjoy a fabulous Valentines with your sweetie. We won't tell :)

Here are our recommendations for fabulous Valentines Day gifts for your sweetie:

- Roses. Flowers in general are a great gift for Valentines Day, but roses are best. Red roses symbolize love, and if your sweetie likes a different color of roses - buy her her favorite color, and get bonus points for knowing the color.
You don't have to buy roses - if your sweetheart likes some other flowers, but those. Or, buy her chocolate roses or roses made of glass - the best thing is to find her what she likes.

- Chocolate. Chocolate is one of the most popular gifts on Valentines Day. Women love chocolate, and chocolate candies, chocolate hearts and chocolate covered strawberries make fabulous gifts for Valentines Day.
A box of truffles with different types of truffles will work great. Or, if you know which chocolates she loves, get her those.

- Jewelry with Hearts on It. There is so much jewelry with hearts out there, that we don't know where to start. Any place you look, any jewelry store you go to before Valentine's Day has a huge selection of rings, pendants and bracelets with hearts on them.

Why do we like heart jewelry? When you give her a heart ring, or a necklace, you tell her that your heart belongs to her. A very romantic gesture. We like many jewelry designs with hearts in them. Pick something that is tastefully done; sometimes heart jewelry is made specifically for Valentines Day, and might look cheesy. Pick something that is not just for Valentine's Day, something she could wear after Valentine's Day as well.

- Personalized Gifts are also very popular Valentines Day gifts. A personalized gift has the name of your sweetie, or even both of your names on it. How much more personal and special can a gift be?

- Luxurious Gifts. How about something luxurious, something she has been wanting for some time, but doesn't want to spend money on? A gift certificate for a day at the spa, a dinner at a pricey restaurant that both of you can enjoy, or an expensive piece of jewelry are all great gifts in this category.

Congratulations on spending the Valentine's Day with the one you love. Make sure you use our recommendations, and get her the gift she will really enjoy!

RV Awning Protection – Helping Your Awning Last For Many Years

An RV awning needs to be protected in order to keep it looking good year after year. When you start to get your RV ready for summer, there are some things that you should do to make sure that the awning is in good working order. This includes making sure that all the moving parts are working. You should never use motor oil on the gears of a retractable RV awning – this requires pure silicon spray.

Along with having the awning on your RV to give you more outdoor living space there are options that you can include with your purchase to make your camping experience that much better. These include mats and lights so that you can enjoy the awning in all kinds of weather. An RV awning mat is similar to a rug, but you spread it on the ground under the awning so that you have your own unique patio. Some of the RV awnings some with lights included or you can buy RV lights designed specifically for your RV awning.

An RV awning mat is designed to be sturdy and is rugged enough to withstand outdoor use. It is also lightweight and can be rolled up to fit in an overnight bag. You can get a mat that matches the color or your RV awning or one that has an outdoor theme. These mats are well suited for any type of ground. Having a mat under your awning means that you don't have to put on your sandals when you want to sit outside your RV. You can walk on these in your bare feet.

RV awning lights consist of 8-inch polyethelene globes and they have plastic tops that snap in place. These lights suited for an RV awning also have a hanging chain and they only take an ordinary 7 -watt light bulb. You will need to have an electrical hook up in the camping space in order to operate these awning lights because they need to be plugged in to a source of electricity. They are well able to withstand the elements of the weather, but like the awning, they are not designed for use in wind.

With the many options that you can buy to accompany your RV awning, you can make your motor home your home away from home. You can enjoy the comforts of having a unique patio with an RV awning mat and lights that let you sit outside after dark. You can still use the lights when it is raining and with the RV awning in place, you will be warm and dry.

Gift Baskets Offer a Variety of Holiday Treats

It never fails that each and every year, I have a hard time deciding what to purchase for friends and relatives around the holidays. Lately, I've been sending gift baskets as these are the one gift that I know will be appreciated. There are two reasons why I feel a gift basket is a wise choice, especially for holiday gift giving. The first reason is that gift baskets can be tailored to suit any taste or any person. There was once a time when "gift basket" meant fruit and fruit alone. Thankfully, those days are long gone.

While you can still get great fruit gift baskets if that's something you're interested in, there are so many other options available today. Gift baskets have evolved to reflect the different people and personalities they can be purchased for. From wines and imported food products to perfumes and toys, there is a gift basket out there for every age, gender and interest. Even knowing just a little about the person you are buying for is enough to get them a gift basket they will love. The second reason I feel that gift baskets make a great gift is variety. What other gift can be given that contains so many choices?

As an example, sending a chocolate gift basket is a safe bet for chocolate lovers because with so many different types of chocolates in the basket, they are sure to find at least a few that they enjoy. Let's face it, even if a person likes some more than others, isn't being able to try them all out the true reward of receiving a gift basket? Instead of limiting your giving options, gift baskets allow you to give a gift that is tailored specifically for the individual and that contains enough choices to satisfy. For these reasons, gift baskets really are the perfect gift.

Thanksgiving - What Were the Pilgrims Thankful For?

In boyhood I was satisfied to use my imagination to envision just how the Pilgrims set their feet on the Old Plymouth Rock. It began to take on an aura of the mystical and heroic to me, but I was far from the first person to be caught into these feelings. As far back as 1835, Mr. Alexis DeJocqueville spoke of the rocks ethereal qualities with far more eloquence than I. "This Rock has become an object of veneration in the United States. I have seen bits of it carefully preserved in several towns in the Union. Does this sufficiently show that all human power and greatness is in the soul of man? Here is a stone which the feet of a few outcasts pressed for an instant; and the stone becomes famous; it is treasured by a great nation; its very dust is shared as a relic."

As an adult I was more inclined to use my curiosity to discover why the pilgrims came to land on this rock in the first place. The answer would lead me to discover a people driven, not just to a new land, but to a land that was free of all the tyranny and oppression they had know in their own European countries. The Rock became less mystical to me as an adult while the purpose of the pilgrims became a more venerable matter in my thinking.

It is impossible to ponder those brave Pilgrims, our forefathers, risking life and limb and enduring the perils of the sea, the unknown, starvation and deprivation of every sort without wondering about the very strong reasons they were so willing to face these perils and hardships. Discovering their reasons also provided answers to how the first Thanksgiving came about. The Pilgrims gave thanks because they saw the promise of their quest near at hand and in some small way at the harvest time of that first year it looked like their dream had gotten itself underway.

No one knows the exact words that were spoken in that prayer just before the first thanksgiving meal was eaten. But if the collective thoughts of all who sat for that meal could be known, we can be sure they were about things greater than the personal or family gains and safety that many prayers are reduced to today.

Their thankfulness was for the possibilities of religious freedom, taxation with representation, fair hearings before magistrates when charged with crimes, relief from oppressive monarchs and freedom to speak their minds without fear of reprisal. Many of the things taken for granted and rarely mentioned in the thanksgiving prayers of today are what they were thankful for.

It is said that about ninety Indians were present at the feast which lasted about three days. The very sight of these natives with completely unknown and diverse dress and culture eating with our tattered but dignified forefathers in harmony and full acceptance is a picture of America's original dream, the dream of a place where everyone is welcome and able to work together in a common society. I am sure that they were thankful for that small microcosmic example of the larger dream they all shared for the country's future.

The pilgrims were thankful for the beginning of their dream. We should be thankful for the fullness of that dream. The pilgrims were people who knew all to well that nobility was not inherent to those born in palaces but it was a state of the soul and a dignity of purpose found in people of higher thought. They were thankful on that first thanksgiving for the visible result of that higher thought. Happy Thanksgiving America.

Using Costume Contacts

Looking for a change from your regular contacts? Want an option that will really have people talking? Costume contacts aren't just available to movie costume designers anymore. Now even you can have eyes that look alien, or cat-like, or whatever you desire.

Though many people think of purchasing costume contacts only to match their Halloween costumes, you can actually wear costume contact lenses just about anywhere you can wear regular contacts! There are many costume contact lenses out there that are affordable and comfortable. However, buyers should keep in mind that some lenses use a toxic paint that can cause eye irritation. You should always go with lenses made from a major contact lens manufacturer.

If you want a contact lens that will really make you stand out, try scleral contacts. Unlike other lenses, scleral lenses cover the entire visible part of your eye to create a great effect. However, these lenses are much more elaborate and expensive. Like normal contact lenses, you should consult your eye care professional to fit costume lenses, even if your vision is perfect. A lot of people often ask if they can see while wearing these lenses, with the exception of certain white-out contact lenses, even if the lenses are opaque, a person can see. There are, however, even white-out lenses that can be seen out of.

There are several warnings about the dangers of costume lenses, but the blame does not lie with the lenses. Some users wear their costume lenses for several days at a time without removing them. They share their lenses with friends, or put them in without washing their hands. Costume contact lenses should be treated with the same respect that you would treat a regular pair of contact lenses. They shouldn't be shared and should only be worn for a few hours at a time.

In order to store them, all you need is simple saline solution (or eye drops for contact lenses) and a contact lens case, which can be found in your local pharmacy. Rinse out the lenses in the solution before you insert them in the eyes. Don't forget to wash your hands first! Soak the lenses in a disinfecing solution inside your lens case when not in use. Also, it's highly recommended to change the solution at least once a week, if you don't intend to use your contact lenses for long periods of time.

With the proper care, you can use costume contacts to become the alien you've always wanted to be - any day of the week.

Cupid Quotient

Love and romance, mankind has paired into couples ever since Adam and Eve, but what makes some relationships sizzle and others fizzle? Some say it may well be the romantic nature of the individuals who make up the couple. However, whether you are single, searching or happily married, it is human nature to seek romance and love.

So why don't you take my quiz and test your Cupid Quotient?!?

1. In what country would a man send a woman a Valentine letter containing a rhyme and signed with a series of dots to represent his name? According to this country's tradition, if the woman guessed his identity correctly on Valentine's Day he would reward her with a gift.
A. Denmark
B. Italy
C. England
D. America

A. Denmark

QQ. In Denmark, a man would send a woman a Valentine letter containing a rhyme and signed with a series of dots to represent his name. If the woman guessed his identity correctly on Valentine's Day he would reward her with a gift.

2. In what country would young ladies awaken before sunrise and look out their window? According to tradition, the first man they saw would be either the man they would marry or someone who looked like their future husband.
A. Denmark
B. Italy
C. England
D. America

B. Italy
QQ. In Italy, young ladies would awaken before sunrise and look out their window. Tradition said the first man they saw would be either the man they would marry or look like their future husband.

3. In what country would a suitor leave a basket of gifts on his beloved's doorstep and run off?
A. Denmark
B. Italy
C. England
D. America

C. England
QQ. In England, a suitor would leave a basket of gifts on his beloved's doorstep and run off.

4. In what country would young ladies write their names on slips of paper and at Valentine's Day party young men would draw names.
According to this country's tradition, the young man would then wear the name of his lady on his sleeve for days to claim her as his valentine, originating the saying "wearing your heart on your sleeve."
A. Denmark
B. Italy
C. England
D. America

D. America
QQ. In America, young ladies would write their names on slips of paper and at a Valentine's Day party young men would draw names. A young man would wear the name of his lady on his sleeve for days to claim her as his valentine, originating the saying "wearing your heart on your sleeve."

5. The tradition of pairing lovers in February comes from:
A. A pagan festival called Lupercalia when young men and women drew names to choose partners, exchanged gifts and often married after the festival pairing.
B. Geoffrey Chaucer who chose the date because the 14th of February was the day birds began to pair for the spring nesting season.
C. Pope Gelasius chose Feb. 14th as the day to honor St. Valentine.
D. The Romans once honored Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, the god of nature, during a festival on Feb. 15.
E. They are all true

E. They are all true
QQ: Interesting how many reasons there are to become a couple on a specific date!

6. Valentine's Day-celebrated Feb. 14-is a festival of love and romance. Its history can be traced back to which civilization?
A. Rome
B. Greece
C. Celts
D. None of the above, it was created by the greedy card, chocolate and flower companies.

A. Rome
QQ: While admittedly the holiday has become excessively commercialized, it is not a manufactured holiday but one with a long tradition extending back to Rome

7. Why was Cupid chosen as the symbol of Valentine's Day and lovers?
A. He was the Roman god of love.
B. A celebrated marksman from Greece, he won the hand of his beloved through an archery match.
C. According to Celtic tradition, Cupid was an unfortunate suitor killed by the arrow of an outraged father who refused to let his daughter wed for love.
D. There is no reason other than the fact greedy card, chocolate and flower moguls thought that was the cutest design created by their marketing staff.
E. All are correct

A. He was the Roman god of love.
QQ: Sometimes we get a little silly

8. The original Valentine, who was sainted after his death, was:
A. A Christian priest who lived in Rome and was jailed and later beheaded for aiding persecuted Christians in 270 AD
B. Was killed on the site of ancient altar to Juno (the Roman goddess of women and marriage).
C. A bishop of Terni who was persecuted for converted Romans to Christianity and performing Christian marriages.
D. Was actually two different Christian martyrs.
E. All are correct

E. All are correct
QQ: You couldn't miss!

9. Deep red carnations tell your loved one that...
A. Your heart is broken.
B. Celibacy
C. Friendship
D. True Love

A. Your heart is broken.
QQ: Your heart is broken because they mean "alas, my poor heart".

10. Roses are among the most popular flowers for lovers to give, but what does the gift mean?
A. Hopeless love
B. Be mine
C. Love
D. Farewell

C. Love
QQ: That one was easy, wasn't it?

11. However, the combination of white and red roses sends what message?
A. Unity
B. Declaration of love
C. Farewell
D. Distrust

A. Unity
QQ: You could get bonus points for that!

12. If you hope to propose, what flowers should make up the bouquet you present to your intended?
A. Ivy
B. Blue violets
C. Globe amaranth
D. Rose
E. Any and All

E. Any and All
QQ: I think combining all these flowers would make a beautiful gesture as: Ivy means fidelity and marriage, Blue violets mean faithfulness, Globe amaranth means unfading love, and Roses mean love

A Short History Of St. Patrick and His Irish Holiday

The history of St. Patrick's Day, which started out as a Holy Day for the Irish Catholics in the 10th or 11th century, goes all the way back to the late 3rd century when a small boy was born in Roman England by the name of Maewyn.

Maewyn and his family lived in a small town where his father was a soldier in the army, and a member of the town government. Some accounts say that Maewyn was an agnostic and some say that his family was Christian, but weren't very strong in their faith. Either way, it doesn't really matter because it was what happened later in his life that gained him his notoriety.

When Maewyn was only 16, there was a raid on his village from Ireland, in the Irish Sea. They captured Maewyn and many of the villagers, and took them back to Ireland as servants and slaves for the local Irish.

It was here in captivity that it is reported that Maewyn accepted God, and began to talk to him. In fact, legend has it that he often spoke to God in prayer up to one hundred times a day. And Maewyn was under the authority of a Celtic family, so he learned the Celtic language and how to speak it fluently. Six years later, when he was 22, Maewyn escaped from his servitude, and ran to France. There he joined a monastery and under the direction of the Bishop of France, he studied the Bible. It was this Bishop who gave him the name Patrick. Legend has it that while Patrick was here in the monastery, he heard angels calling him back to Ireland.

After spending 12 years in the study of theology and Catholic Laws, he departed and went to Ireland to preach to a heathen nation. He spent 30 years in evangelistic and missionary work across the land. He won many converts over, healed people, and it was even said that he raised some people from the dead. Everywhere he went he announced God, and he built many schools and churches to help promote the Catholic religion. Legend has it that angels followed him everywhere, and even told him where and how to go.

After 30 years of missionary work, he died on March 17th. This is the day that has gone down in history as St. Patrick's Day, for the patron saint of Ireland.

St. Patrick's Day today has grown into much more than just a Holy Day for Catholics. Strict Catholics around the world though do remember St. Patrick, usually in an early Mass on March 17th. But everyone joins in as a celebration of St. Patrick's Day and becomes Irish for the day. It has now become a celebration of spring with parades special Irish meals, green tinted drinks and beer, etc. "The wearing of the green" and the Leprechaun have come about over the years to be Good Luck and prosperity to all and everything green typically represents the turning to spring – green is the color of life.

So, with one day to be Irish, take advantage, and have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.

Holidays, time of sea and comfort

Sand and crystal clear water whether our holiday is on our coasts in Italy or we are among the lucky few who reach beautiful island for a fabulous stay, certainly not want disfigure in terms of clothing.

So to spend hours lying to sunbathe between a dip and another, the choice of new costume must follow the new fashion trends beach becomes obliged. For a woman we find new bikini lines by strong colours, to create a "rainbow" on the beach, flanked by modern semi-one-pice costumes that play to see and not to see until to come to the simple clothes with tight strep, with necklines on the back to wear even for walks or evening to fully enjoy the sea breeze.

Even for a man strong colours for the costumes tand shorts by sea for all tastes, Hawaiian patterns beaches that attract foreign but also more sober colors for lovers of classical style.
There is the known pareo, convenient for her but also used by him, perhaps in dyed with the costume, the garment is becoming faster and convenient for the beach and other.

The desire for sea and want to stay comfortable, even when walking and then how not to use simple flip-flop, comfortable even on the shore of the beach but very appreciated also to walk in the streets of the city, from the most Spartan, rubber and plastic until most elegant, perfect for the evening, with rhinestones, finishing in silver and gold, together with light summer dress, complete the dress perfectly.
Convenient since the departure until the arrival on the beach and practice even during our shopping in the city centre, can not miss the bag, our hand luggage that gives us the air a little 'nomadic and chic that contains everything that we need in an entire day, from morning to evening;
When we are lying on the beach and want a nice cushion enough to fill a little 'and the canvas bag will also practice in this!

The fashion this year really satisfied anyone and who don't love the flip-flop also in the evening, but doesn't want hight-helled sandals and doesn't love the wedge-helled shose, these are the sandals by metallic style the flt sandals are the accessory most used in this summer. Many models for the convenience of all, the important thing is these are sparkling like gold and silver.

So feel like holiday and siutable dresses and this year the offer satisfied all from accessories, such as glasses, perhaps with ebony and ivory frame that recall a precious style , to the simplicity colored flip-flop in rubber appreciated even by ' man for their comfort.

Towels with a thousand colors to sunbathe in joy but also lighter clothes and elegant evening for evenings outdoors. For the holiday of her and him the choice for comfortable clothes, simple and summer sure is much.

Halloween Screensavers

Halloween is a festival of great popularity. People of all the age groups enjoy Halloween and every one loves it. Because it is fun and only fun.

During Halloween everyone wants to love the fear and the fun. How can those working on computers be away from that? Because during Halloween Internet offers many free goodies. You get ecards, Desktop wallpapers and Screensavers all free. Download and enjoy. Send, share and enjoy. Have fun, because it is Halloween.

Getting good screensavers for Halloween is a matter of good search. As most of the screensavers weigh a lot, downloading takes some time. If you do not like your selection, you have to download another. Therefore search for a site of good reputation. Choose few of them and download.

Now you can get Halloween screensavers with calendars on them. You cannot only watch the dates but the designs are equally mesmerizing. You will get a large collection of screensavers with calendars not only for Halloween but all major festivals. They are all in flash with video and the text is absolutely lovely.

Holidays are to be enjoyed. One should forget work for that day and rejuvenate oneself. The enjoyment fights with our stress and gives us a new freshness. Halloween is one such festival. Screensavers for Halloween will not only scare you but also those who pass by you and watch the screensaver.

Laser Engraved Crystal - A Father's Day Gift That Can Soften Dad's Heart

If you are looking for a special and unique Father's Day gift, laser engraved crystal might be perfect option for you. Father's are generally fond of electronic gadgets. But if you find it difficult to find gadgets or your father has plethora of gadgets already, you can never go wrong with engraved crystal gift.

Remember that good old saying "it's the thought that counts." It really does. With 3d laser crystal gift, you design the engraving inside the crystal. This is what makes laser engraved crystals priceless to the recipients. So, put on your thinking hat and start designing a crystal gift for your father this upcoming Father's Day.

To get you started, here are great crystal design ideas for Father's Day.

Laser engraved crystals are perfect in showing your admiration to your dad. So, honor your dad with #1 Dad or Best Dad award this father's day. This crystal design idea is so simple but will leave a lasting impression to your dad this Father's day.

Greatest Achievements is a clever design for laser engraved crystal and would work perfectly for Father's day. Gather all of your father's greatest achievements as a father (i.e. photos of your dad while changing your diapers; walking you to the park; playing with you at the playground swing; etc). Create a photo collage of these photographs and have it engraved inside the crystal. Actually, the collage alone would make an excellent gift. However, with laser engraved crystal, you add class to your own creation which acts as a true honor to your father.

Create Father's Day Wishes crystal keepsake. Get your mom, siblings, even your grandparents to write their Father's day wishes on blank paper. Scan these father's day wishes as separate images and arrange as border for your laser engraved crystal portrait. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. You have a custom-designed greeting card displayed beautifully inside the optic crystal and a crystal keepsake for your father.

The above crystal designs would really melt your father's heart. Who knows, he may even shed some tears; tears of joy, that is. Okay, maybe not, but I'm sure he would really love it.

6 Christmas Shopping Tips You Must Know

There are a variety of opportunities for holiday shoppers, including stores, catalogs and the internet. Below are 6 Christmas Shopping tips that should:

Christmas Shopping Tip #1: Shop Early

If you're heading out to the mall this year, have your shopping list ready. It's a good idea to shop early in the season because, if you wait too long, that perfect gift may already be under someone else's tree.

Christmas Shopping Tip #2: Be Polite

Always remember to be polite. The holidays are extremely busy and store employees are working overtime, so be patient as you wait for assistance.

Christmas Shopping Tip #3: Layaway

If you have a big list, but not quite a budget to match, consider a layaway. Many stores offer a convenient layaway plan, which would allow you to make payments up until Christmas. It saves you from having to charge up credit card bills or spend a lot of pocket money all at once, so consider a layaway if you have a big shopping list.

Christmas Shopping Tip #4: Shop Online

If you do decide to shop on the information superhighway this year, it will save you a lot of time standing in line at the mall. You can literally shop worldwide with the click of a button. Browse photos, compare prices, read customer reviews and see a huge variety of products without having to leave home. Best of all, in some cases, you won't even have to pay sales tax on internet orders. Some stores offer free shipping, quantity discounts and all kids of other incentives to lure you into their site. In addition, several televised shopping networks have websites in which they offer an easy payment program on select items. This means that you make one payment, using a credit/debit card, and the product ships out to you immediately. The remaining payments are billed to your credit card, until the item is paid in full, for the specified number of months.

Christmas Shopping Tip #5: Place Your Catalog Orders Early

If you're shopping from a catalog this year, be sure to place the order early. The most popular items sell out first, so get your order placed and on its way as soon as possible. There's no need to wait for a catalog to arrive in the mail because you can log on to the internet and find many catalog companies online with product photos, descriptions, size charts and special 'internet only' sale prices.

Christmas Shopping Tip #6: Buy in Bulk

If you have a lot of people to buy for, and aren't exactly certain of their taste, consider buying in bulk. You can purchase a nice package of scented candles, divide them up into multiple gifts and present them with a beautiful bow wrapped around the glass jar. These types of gifts are ideal if you have teachers, doctors, co-workers or other special people that you want to wish a Merry Christmas. Another terrific idea is to purchase small Christmas tins and several bags of assorted miniature candies. Divide the candies up into each tin and present them with a beautiful bow on top. These are ideal gifts because they are thoughtful, but also budget conscious. You can purchase a pre-designed tin similar to the one described, but you will get a much better deal if you make your own. As an added bonus, you get to decide which candy to include, which isn't always the case with pre-packaged gifts.

Happy shopping!

Valentine's Day Flower Delivery

There is no doubt that Eros and Mercury work a nifty and highly successful business partnership these days thanks to the near instantaneous power of the Internet and the highly successful distribution networks such as Interflora inter alia in linking together an international band of brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers – more commonly known as your local, friendly neighbourhood florists – in a huge multi-partner effort to ensure that your tokens of love, celebration, concern, shared sorrow or mourning, remembrance and thanksgiving reach those you want to reach out to on time and to specification.

From selection through presentation, to the writing on the card and the tying of the bow, to the creation of beautiful set pieces to the addition of creative gifts – whether stuffed, cute and furry, dark, chocolate and yummy or sweet smelling and expensive – every aspect of choice is catered for in a 24 X 7 drive to enhance the emotional life of those you care for with a deep felt sign of your affection.

And amazingly all this can be done from any part of the globe to any other part of the globe and – one suspects – from outer space as well (should inhabitants of other Earth like planets also have broadband), all for the same reasonable rates and with the promise, on most occasions, of same day or even same hour delivery to any location you desire.

What other business in the world promises credit card awards in the form of kisses?

So you will understand if, perhaps, coming up to this celebration of celebrations for lovers everywhere, these determined deliverers of love's sweet signs ask for a little indulgence in their long hard rounds. Much as they would love to cater to your every whim and deliver, even up to the very last minute and however late the call; unlike other donators of celebratory munificence, they possess neither FTL bunny feet nor magical reindeer at their disposal.

Therefore, it behooves you to plan ahead a little. Where will your loved one be on Valentine's Day? What is the perfect time to surprise her? And what is the perfect gift to surprise her with? The web is your friend in all this. There is an endless variety of flowers and gifts to select from, each vying to be the ideal accompaniment to your message of true love, heart's desire or risqué devilment with the promise of more to come.

Perhaps, she has dropped you a hint of what to send. Perhaps you will choose something that matches her hobbies and interests or that will surprise her with your indulgence or romantic aspirations.

But if you want your lover to get the message on that special day, whatever it is you want to say to your lover on Valentine's, don't just say it with flowers, say it today.

Christmas Holiday Shopping Online: 5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Online Shopping Experience

Christmas is just around the corner and many people are turning to the internet for their Christmas Holiday Shopping to save time, money, gas, and avoid the crowds. Can a good deal really be found online? Is it safe to purchase online? Where are the best places to shop online? Keep reading for some tips to make your holiday shopping online a little easier.

Great deals on the net…

Can a good deal be found online? Most definitely yes! Most large retailers have an online store and many run internet only specials, that translates into savings for you. Many stores are only found online as the cost to run an online store is less expensive than a brick and mortar store. Since these stores don't have the high overhead they can provide some great deals that will only be found online. Price isn't the only factor to consider when shopping for an item though. When searching for that special gift you will have a greater selection online and you won't have to travel or beat the crowds. Instead of the local mall you can shop the world, all from the comfort of your own home. You are bound to find unique gifts online!

Shopping online is not only convenient it is safe when you follow a few simple rules.

5 Tips to Keep in Mind When Doing Your Christmas Holiday Shopping Online

1). Comparison shopping is a must, just like in regular stores. Don't just think you are getting a good deal - know you are!

2). Know the shipping and handling costs before you make your purchase. Some stores may offer a great price only to make up for it with the shipping and handling charges. On the other hand, many stores offer free shipping!

3). Make sure the online store is reputable. Do they have a return policy and a privacy statement that you can live with? Do they offer secure purchases? You should only make online purchases through a site that offers secure purchases. Most sites that offer secure purchases will display it. For those that do not, look for the http: in the address bar to change to https: on the store's shopping cart or the page where you put in your credit card number.

4). Make sure the online store includes complete contact information, including a phone number, e-mail address, and mailing address.

5). It's best to make your online purchases with a credit card. A credit card offers you an extra level of protection in case something goes awry and the online store is not handling the situation to your satisfaction. Most credit card companies will reverse a charge if you dispute it for good reason and have tried to resolve the problem to no avail.

Holiday shopping can be stressful but by doing your Christmas holiday shopping online you can have an easier time of it. The World Wide Web offers many benefits to online Christmas shoppers such as, no lines, great deals and the widest variety of products. Go ahead, give it a try you may just be pleasantly surprised at how stress free your holiday shopping can be.

Gift Basket Heaven

I love receiving gifts, and let's face it...who on earth doesn't. Getting flowers from my husband always makes me feel special. The cards I get from the kids on my birthday and the holidays are precious to me. Still, there is one gift I look forward to more than any other. I have an aunt who I have always been very close to and who sends me a gift basket every year for Christmas. In over ten years of receiving gift baskets from her, I have never had the same basket twice and I have never felt anything less than sheer joy over what she sends. I have had gourmet gift baskets of meats, cheeses and crackers, chocolate gift baskets, wine gift baskets, home spa products baskets and many others. I guess I just really enjoy the fact that it's so many gifts in one. There's something incredibly special about opening a gift and being presented with a wonderful array of products to choose from.

No matter what the theme is, I feel like a kid in a candy store. Each year, the hardest thing for me to decide is what to try first. Over the years, I have come to look forward to and enjoy the gift baskets more than any other gift I receive. Last Christmas, my aunt ordered the basket late and it arrived a few days after the holiday. Despite all the wonderful gifts I received from friends and family, I really missed having a gift basket. It felt as though something I enjoyed so much for so long was absent. When it finally arrived, it was like Christmas all over again for me. Since my aunt started sending me gift baskets over a decade ago, I have sent her one each year as well. We always talk after the holidays about what we enjoyed the most. I think we're both addicted to them. In recent years, I started sending them to other friends and family. Never before have I felt so sure that my gifts were well received as I do now.

Everyone seems to love them and I get a lot praise over my choices. I think people enjoy sampling items that they might not think to buy or that are unavailable is a real treat. Personally, one of my all time-favorites was a selection of Swiss chocolates that were better than anything I'd ever tasted here in the States. I still think that if I had never tasted them, I wouldn't know just how delicious chocolate could be.

The next time you are wondering what to send for a gift, I recommend a gift basket. You'll be surprised at how much it will be appreciated and enjoyed.

Making The Most Of Valentine’s Gifts For Him

The emphasis on Valentine's Day remains, in the majority, with a man's token of love to a woman. The red roses that so symbolize the modern Valentine's Day are a male love token, a gesture of the man's heart, a product of romance….. and some quite heavy marketing. The annual love peak is reached on February 14 each year, and marriage proposals hit the news as the more imaginative men think of unique ways to pop the question, while others bring out their engagement rings with confidence on a scale from total, arrogant confidence, down to sheer desperation and extreme wishful thinking.

Love and romance are, of course, a two way combo; at least, we all hope it is two way. While the red roses, and to a lesser extent the heart shaped chocolates, are the domain of the man to woman love token, millions of women still feel the desire to buy a Valentine's Day gift for him each February. The problem then is, what to buy, and how to make Valentine's Day as romantic for the husband or boyfriend as a recipient as it can be as a giver?

With Valentine's Day coming so soon after Christmas, many girls and women will recently have been through the gift searching process for their husband or boyfriend. Maybe, then, there is little more thinking to do about a Valentine's Day gift for a husband or boyfriend. Or is there?

Any gift should come from the heart, so in that sense Valentine's Day and Christmas should be no different. However, February 14 is different. It is not just for any gift, but one that somehow encapsulates your love for him and the romance of Valentine's Day. Plus, it can be how you present the gift that will touch his heart and bring that spark of romance to what might otherwise be an unromantic gift.

When it comes to choosing the actual gift for your Valentine, then there are some possibilities with just that extra touch of romance being applied to the quite normal. The following are just a few ideas.

Men's Perfumes and Colognes

When it comes to marketing perfumes, romance and attraction are often integral to the image created. Given that perfumes, or men's colognes, are designed to provoke senses, that is not surprising. Sensuality and romance, sensuality and love, and sensuality and fragrance, are all combinations of the sensual.

Due to the often romantic connotations, men's cologne can be a good choice as a Valentine gift for him. You will find there are men's perfume ranges with a heart, love or romance theme that will make appropriate gifts for February 14. Some of the top designer names have their romantic perfumes, such as Romance by Ralph Lauren, Eternal Love by Eternal Love, and Touch of Love by Fred Hayman.

Men's Jewellery

While many men will not appreciate a piece of jewellery for themselves with a heart shape or rose feature, that does not mean you cannot make a jewellery gift a little bit romantic.

Most pieces of jewellery can be engraved, and that is where your gift can be romanticized. Your love message engraved on a men's bracelet, chain or even watch can become a lasting memory of your love for him.

Other Gifts for Him On Valentine's Day

The options for a man's Valentine's gift are probably as endless as those for Christmas. Any gift can be romanticized by a little bit of imagination. So, if you know him well, you will know not only what he will appreciate as a gift but also how to present it to him in a romantic way, wrapped with your love and appreciation. It does not have to be a romantic gift in itself, so long as the message from your heart to his comes across.

However, it would be nice to include a little something that has an obvious romantic link, even it is just a heart shaped box of chocolates wrapped up with the beer making kit, box of golf balls, or video on how to catch carp.

No, maybe not. I am sure your imagination can do much better than that. Select your gift or gifts, then make Valentine's Day 2006 a day to remember for the man you love whatever it is you decide on. The true romance of the day will come not from any gift, but how you both interact at an emotional and sensual level; and that includes how you react to the Valentine's gifts he has bought for you, and the date you will (hopefully) go on to compete the day.

How To Find Christmas Decorations For Your Home

Christmas is a wonderful time for everyone, and decorating your house can enhance that joy, this can be something small like a table display or you could decorate your whole house inside and out. Christmas decorations have been around a lot longer than Christmas it's self, as pagans were doing it for over two centuries.

The Christmas Table.

You can do a lot to your dinner table without spending too much money, get into the woods and find some fir cones, some gold spray paint along with some fake snow and you have a centre piece to grace any table on the special day and for a long time after. Tinsel with holly leaves and mistletoe makes a natural and cheap adornment and is a very old Celtic symbol of fertility.

A Christmas Tree.

Christmas trees have been brought into our houses for years, probably it was the Germans who started it, but now everyone has a tree for Christmas. A real tree is beautiful, but could make a mess of needles on your floor if it hasn't been treated with chemicals. If you want a real tree get one with roots, you can keep it alive and then re-plant it in the new year and it shouldn't make a mess, or get a fake tree, these can look realistic but you will not fool anyone, they are not real but will look beautiful every year when you pull it out of the cupboard.

Originally candles were used to light Christmas trees, this proved very dangerous, so now electric lights that flash and play Christmas carols are a safer option. Some people go over the top with tree decorations, keep it simple, tinsel, balls, stars and of course a fairy or an angel on the top to finish it all off.

Inside The House.

Coloured paper, silver tinsel and fake snow around the house will bring a festive feel to your home, snow on the windows, holly above the doors and you must have mistletoe to get those Christmas kisses from your guests. House decorations, like your tree should be subtle, Christmas is a happy time of the year and a time to relax with the family in a calm joyous atmosphere.

Outside The House.

A wreath of holly on the door was all that people used to show at Christmas, now people have father Christmases climbing up their roofs, light shows and carols played from loudspeakers. Fake snow on all the windows is nice, but covering your house in it is probably going too far. So do what pleases you (and your neighbours), but have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Fourth Of July - Ecards to Wish Happy Fourth Of July

Fourth of July is coming soon. The greatest democracy in the world will be celebrating its independence day. All the citizens will remember that this was the day they got their freedom. Congratulate each other and celebrate the spirit of democracy and freedom. The American way of living was not earned easily but after great efforts and that is remembered on this day. This is the day citizens will send Ecards to each other to share the joy of Fourth of July. How to get the good Ecards from so many that are available on the Internet?

Do I have to pay for good Fourth Of July Ecards?

No, the Internet offers two kinds of websites. Some sites ask for payment and others offer Fourth Of July Ecards free. Look for free Ecards on Fourth of July. It is not that free Ecards are not good. You will get excellent Ecards free for Fourth of July. Try to get new styles and designs. Ecards that use the colors of the flag look better than others. The text should celebrate the joy of the independent nation.

Fourth Of July Ecards- what else do I look for?

Look for free Ecards as said before. You will get Ecards in Flash and JPG both. JPG Ecards are normally small. Flash Ecards are animated and look excellent. Do not mar the spirit of the occasion with cartoon Ecards. Look for sober looking designs that evoke patriotism on Fourth of July.

Send Fourth Of July Ecards to family members, friends, co-workers and everybody you can think of. This day is very important for the americans and the celebration should befit the day. Wishing you all a Happy Fourth of July. May you get and send the best Fourth Of July Ecards.

Friendship Day- Free Screensavers On Friendship

Friendship Day Screensavers-

Friendship day is arriving soon. This is the day when we celebrate our friendship. We thank our friends and recollect all the help the friends are for us. Friends are the most precious of our relationships. Here are some tips on how to get and download free screensavers on friendship day. You can also share them with your friends. Make your friends feel good and live in the spirit of friendship day with free friendship day screensavers.

Friendship Day Screensavers- file size

Don't download very heavy screensavers. Some websites offer screensavers with a size nearing 10 MB. That will unnecessarily load your hard disk drive. Download from websites that offer free friendship day screensavers of low weight.

Friendship Day Screensavers - designs

Look for nature in the designs. The view of nature is always relaxing and peace giving. Nature tells us about real friendship that is totally selfless. Look at water, tress, flowers and anything else in nature. They want nothing from us. They give selflessly.

Friendship Day Screensavers - text

The text on the screensavers should do two things. Firstly it should talk of how valuable friendships are and secondly it should tell us about how to keep the valued friendships intact. Chose the text that you will love sharing with friends. Enjoy the friendship day.

Some True Blue Aussie Christmas Traditions

Christmas would have to be my favorite time of the year.

I remember my white Christmases in Europe as a little girl. There was the smell of cinnamon, nutmeg and gingerbread biscuits, and my parents drinking eggnog as we decorated our tree.

Snow glistened outside and groups of children with their lanterns alight could be heard singing Christmas Carols as they moved from house to house in exchange for chocolates and sweets that residents would throw out their window. That's when the mad scramble began trying to look for sweets in several feet of snow.

I sometimes yearn for those magical, mystical years and reminisce especially when I listen to Bing Crosby's "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas".

Our way of compensating for the lack of cold weather in December is by having Christmas in July celebrations with all the trimmings including weather close to that of the northern hemisphere (well almost – anything north of the Tropic of Capricorn hasn't been included, sorry).

In Australia many of us still write cards with snow and ice scenes, people ice-skating on frozen lakes and pictures of cute reindeers. Not only would Santa melt from the heat wearing his red winter woolies, his reindeer would die of heat exhaustion working in such sweltering heat!

No reindeers and sleighs for us – we have 'six white boomers' (boomers: large kangaroos) thanks to a song by Rolf Harris from the '60's. I've seen our Santa pulling a surfboard wearing sunscreen, board shorts and hat, zipping through the southern skies. Yes – he's our man!

A far cry from the drunk Santa I remember riding in the back of a ute (ute: utility vehicle) in the country many years ago. Last seen swigging on a long neck (long neck: tall bottle of beer) trying to articulate "ho ho ho and a Merry Christmas to all" as the ute slowly drove down each street in my neighborhood.

Carols by Candlelight are a tradition 'down under' during the weeks leading up to Christmas at many venues around towns and cities of Australia.

Christmas lunch here in this great southern land is a different experience. As Christmas Day closes in the temperature continues to rise as does the humidity here in Brisbane. You know Christmas is here when you start hearing the continuous shrill sounds of cicadas (large winged insect) on hot, cloudless days.

I know many still insist on cooking the turkey, other roasts as well as roast vegetables and gravy in the stifling heat (I did until recently), as well as fruitcake and custard. Not everyone has air conditioning here so a cool breeze is often top of the wish list.

So what is a traditional Christmas lunch down this way?

1. Prawns (prawn: shrimp) for the barbecue – on ice and with lemon wedges;

2. Fresh Fish from the market – arrive very early (if you've never had this experience before you'll know what I mean when you do);

3. Tossed green Salad, bowl of beetroot with onion, and some asparagus;

4. Snags (snags: sausages), lamb chops – lamb cutlets if you can afford it;

5. For 'afters' (afters: after lunch) Beach towel, togs, thongs, sunscreen, cricket bat and ball (thongs: cheap rubber open sandals, togs: bathing costume);

6. An esky full of beers (esky: receptacle to place all alcoholic drinks – on occasion you may get lucky and find room for other items but don't get too excited);

7. A few bottles of drink coolers for the girls;

8. Wine for the more refined;

9. More beers for the esky; and

10. A laid back attitude.

With lunch done, we look forward to our the great tradition of spending Boxing Day watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, The Boxing Day Test cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), or by spending the day lazing at home or spending it down the beach.

Having been outside once today, I'm very aware of how hot and humid it is and apparently it's not going to get cooler any time soon. So as I sit here looking at the cloudless sky and writing this article, I am indeed "Dreaming of a white Christmas, if only in my dreams!"

Merry Christmas and safe holidays everyone from Brisbane Australia.

<a href="http://www.michaelascherr.com">Michaela Scherr Transformational Coach</a>

Stay Sane This Holiday Season: 7 Tips To Make Your Life Easier

The stress of the impending holiday season is enough to take an experienced host out of their Thanksgiving turkey, tryptophan-induced coma and turn them into a Christmas-crazed, Black Friday maniac. With these seven helpful hints, avoid the fervor of the masses and retain your sanity.

1. Delegate!
Although hosting the perfect holiday celebration may feed your ego, it may also provide you with sleepless nights before the big event. Don't be afraid to delegate tasks. Send your spouse to the store with a list of last-minute items; have your kids vacuum and clean up around the house. When a guest asks what they can help with or bring, don't look a gift-horse in their courtesy offer.

2. Watch the clock.
If you know the post office or the grocery store becomes chaotic at 4:30 pm every afternoon, plan your trips accordingly. Avoiding long lines, impossible parking and crazed consumers will help you keep your cool. If you cannot fit these tasks into your schedule at any other time, see tip number one!

3. Check vacation balances at work.
Don't be afraid to ask a member of management or Human Resources to check your vacation and floating holiday balances. Many companies do not roll vacation balances to the next year; if this time is not taken, it is lost. Use this forgotten vacation time to finish last-minute details and errands.

4. Give your hand a break!
When contemplating all the Christmas cards, holiday invitations and thank-you notes to be written, you may already have a hand cramp. Buy an <A HREF="http://www.rubberstamps.net">address stamp</A> for those envelopes or a "Season's Greetings" stamp for your correspondences.

5. Stay healthy.
Get eight hours of sleep each night, drink enough fluids and take your vitamins. While you're busy taking care of guests, family and friends, don't forget to take care of yourself.

6. Shop online.
Although there's something immediately gratifying about leaving the store with a fistful of shopping bags, shopping online can eliminate the insanity of the in-store experience. Many online stores offer free shipping, "receive by Christmas" guarantee dates or a huge variety of gift ideas. Shop online and avoid the mob flocking to the local mall.

7. Remember the "reason for the season."
Instead of allowing the stress and circumstances to overwhelm you, take a moment to reflect on why your family and friends are gathering.

Follow these seven tips this holiday season and watch your tension levels melt away. Don't traumatize yourself by obsessing over unfinished tasks. That's what family is for.

How To Prepare Yourself To Choose The Right Christmas Tree

The first thing you want to think about before choosing a Christmas tree is where do you want to put it. Don't place your tree near heating vents, radiators, sunny windows, or fireplaces. Place your tree in a more insulated spot but still where people can see it.

Next, using a tape measure, measure the height of your ceiling and the width of that space. This will help you to decide where a good place a Christmas tree will fit your home. Plus measure your tree stand to know the diameter of the tree trunk you can use, and measure the height of your tree stand and the length of your treetop decoration.

Remember to bring your tape measure with you when you go shopping for your tree, and bring the measurements you wrote down on paper.

You should also bring construction gloves for your hands protection. To protect your car, truck, or van from sap and pine needles use an old blanket. Unless the tree farm has one bring some rope or twin to tie your tree to your vehicle.

Make sure your tree stand is ready, get a bucket of warm water so your tree has water to drink right when you get it home. Check that your tree stand is strong and the right size. If you need a new tree stand the taller the tree the larger diameter of the trunk. Make sure the stand can hold lots of water.

Once the above steps are completed you are ready to choose your Christmas tree.

Pranks On April Fool’s Day

<i> "April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four."</i> – Mark Twain

Maybe you know that in the sixteenth century in France, the start of a New Year was on the first of April (Some documents said that the New Year was celebrated for 8 days, beginning on March 25 and this celebration culminated on April 1). Certainly, there was no <b>"Happy New Year"</b> of ABBA but people also celebrated the New Year in nearly the same way as we do nowadays with parties and dance into the late hours of the night. Suddenly in 1562 (under Charles IX), the new year fell on the first of January as Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world. It was a big change, however, some obstinate people did not accepted this change, or some others even did not know anything about the new calendar (you can figure out the reason when news traveled by foot on those days), so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people thought this was so ridiculous that they played tricks on them and call them <b>"April fools."</b>

The word <b>"April fool"</b> or <b>"Poisson d'Avril"</b> (which means "April Fish") has become very popular and the first of April turned to be a very special day of the year for tricks and pranks and making other people believe that something false is true. Let's have a look at how people trick and prank on this day?

With the unlimited creativeness of human being, tricks and pranks perform in several ways from simple, such as <i>"Hey dude, there is some mud on your face"</i> to elaborate ones, such as setting roommate's alarm clock back an hour. Whatever the prank is, the pranksters usually shout to their victims "April Fool!" at the end of a joke.

In France today, French children fool their friends by taping a "paper fish" to their friends' backs. When those friends discover this trick, the pranksters yell "Poisson d'Avril!" In England, jokes are played only in the morning. Fools are called 'gobs' or 'gobby' and the victim of a joke is called a 'noodle.' It was considered bad luck to play a practical joke on someone after noon.

The news media has flavored April Fool's Day with more humor and hilariousness. For instance, a couple of years ago, one of the most popular magazines for teen in Asia informed that Westlife – the super band in Ireland and the U.K – had died in a plane crash. Many teen girls went on a hunger strike with countless teardrops in 1 week until the next issue of the magazine said it was only a joke on April Fool's Day. One another example, a British short film showed on April Fool's Day was a fairly detailed documentary about "spaghetti farmers" and how they harvest their crop from the spaghetti trees. Of course, it was also a prank but in fact, there were many people believing in it.

One more April Fool's day is soon coming. Have you had any plan to fool somebody on that <b>"for – fun – only"</b> observance? If you say no, I would suggest a funny and polite way: make a prank call to your buddies with your changed voice. Just download a software called <b>"Voice Changer Software"</b> from www.audio4fun.com which helps change your voice from male to female or vice versus and imitate the voice of movie stars or famous singers. Imagine how funny your buddies' face is when they receive that call from you!

And you must remain forever vigilant otherwise you may be the next April Fool! Moreover, do remember that not everybody feels interested in your prank. <i>"You couldn't fool your mother on the foolingest day of your life even if you had an electrified fooling machine."</i> – Homer Simpson.

About the author:
<b>Chris Martin</b>, Avnex's copywriter, who has a profound interest in e-commerce, e-learning and home business.
Contact him at media@audio4fun.com

Enjoy the Perfect Valentine Outskirt the City

The time has come to stress your mind to offer fabulous gift for some one, who capture the corner of your heart. At this moment find the right gift can be very difficult, especially when you are running short of time or budget limitations. Especially when you are working as sr.executive in a Company and you are busy during the working days. Now, it is essential to do your planning for any event that takes place especially on the occasion of a Valentine day.

Come February, on first Sunday morning you must have to ring-up your sweetheart to meet at one place, because, it is essential to know from your dearest one's choice about the celebration of valentine day then you come to know that your dearest one would like to go outside in the coming days. Accordingly you can plan to enjoy valentine at outskirt city. It is crucial to take the decision mutually, because your spouse or sweetheart must enjoy the place of her choice with you. To enjoy valentine day outskirts city with your dearest one these are the basic tips, which may help you to find the perfect valentine for your sweetheart.

1. Take the tourist guidebook, note down the places where you find good location alongwth the motels or lake resort or favorite beach where you can find natural pond, mountain or seashore. Fixedup the location and book your hotel or motel according to your budget in the motels or lake resort. It will be advisable to book your place in advance.

2. Before, buying any gift, you must be aware about the choice of your dear one. Spare one day (preferably one week ago) in the market to purchase gift of your choice, which makes the difference for your dearest one and she really enjoys. You must be aware, from where you have to purchase special gift for your spouse? Select your gift shop or perfect place to purchase some antique gift, which his spouse first choice.

3. Spend at least half hour to look at all gift items (Add some sponsor gift shop link here) of your choice, select one or two items of your choices.

4. Next day, prepare a list of your luggage like shaving kit, perfumes, clothes, walkman, cassettes, toothbrush etc. and put it in a separate place. Pack picnic luggage in the previous night, don't forget any thing, also bring camera, binocular hat also. If you are planning to go by your own car than it will be prefer to give it for proper service. To enjoy favorite music is an added advantage, especially when you go long drive along with your spouse.

5. Imagine your tour and valentine day romance and plan out accordingly and go for a long drive with your dearest one and have a lunch at good restaurant located near by highway side. While taking lunch at noon, use some very special words to express your love for your partner. Prefer to go at hilly area where you can enjoy Sunset too. This will be going to be one of the memorable events for you. If you are alone on that spot, you can express your love by many ways that you know better…

6. When you are on the way to your motel or hotel, discuss about the selection of the restaurant along with the shopping or prepare your self to give surprises to your spouse. Select the best restaurant and menu of her choice with candlelights. On the dinner table, offer roses along with so much candy. Once dinner get completed offer ice cream of her choice.

7. During the dinner or in the night, if you want to offer ring as surprise valentine gift to your love one, write a special love note on it before offering her.

8. After dinner, go for a walk in or around the motel or hotel's garden or if time permits go to the market and discuss about the future plan.

9. When your partner going to take a bath, offer new lingerie's to her. Also write a message 'I love you' on the front mirror. If your partner permits use bath in the bathtub with her. It gives extra ordinary enjoyment at the end of the day.

10. Spray your favorite perfume on the bed with leaves of red rose; stick a happy Valentine's Day hangers on wall, light with heart shaped candles with preferable music. Touch you spouse lips and ears, kiss on her lips with emotions.

At the end of the day, you and your spouse enjoys great day with their advance planning and get closer with emotional touches.

Holiday Decorating Ideas and Party Planning

Make decorating your home for holiday parties a pleasure instead of a stressful nightmare. Organization and planning helps you keep on top of your holiday parties.

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

<b>Holiday Decorating</b>

Enjoy your home decorating for the holidays. Don't try to do too much. Keep in mind that people love to come to homes decked out in festive array but that it doesn't take a lot of cluttering ornamentation to create a holiday statement. Just a few large decorations can add the desired impact without taking a lot of time to set out. Plus, too many little decorations get lost when you have many people standing around.

<b>Where to decorate for impact</b>:

1. Your front walkway: Greet guests at the entrance with lights surrounding your front door and two large poinsettias or evergreen trees.

2. Your front door: A large swag of evergreen decorated with nuts, apples, raffia, and ribbon spiced up with cinnamon sticks and cloves makes a different statement than the usual wreath.

3. Your dining table: If you plan a sit-down dinner, avoid tall centerpieces that interfere with guests seeing across the table. White table cloths reflect the light, add a feeling of elegance, and don't interfere with colored china. Bold colors add drama. Have fun with your table decorations.

4. Look up: Because table decorations get in the way, add garlands above archways and doors.

5. Your powder room: Because guests use this room privately, they take the time to look around and notice decorations.

If your TV looks like a black hole in your room when it's off, play an old black and white classic movie with the sound turned off.

Enjoy your holiday decorating this year. Try some new ideas and keep a party planner for next year. You'll be ready for new holiday decorating ideas!

Copyright © Jeanette J. Fisher

6 Great Online Christmas Shopping Tips

Christmas shopping is no longer confined to the local mall or an annual catalog that happens to find it's way into your mailbox. Thanks to advanced technology, there is literally a whole world of shopping at your fingertips. The internet has revolutionized the way people shop and, besides, what better way to do your Christmas shopping than from the comfort of your own home. No longer must we suit up and weather the harsh winter days in the hopes of checking a few names off of our Christmas list. The store aisles, as we know them, are crowded and hectic.

But now, many store aisles are becoming virtual, a shopping cart is something you fill with images of a product and a checkout is something that you click on to confirm your order. Things have changed a lot in the past years and I wonder how many of us couldn't even imagine what life would be like without the convenience of shopping on the internet. There are several tips for online Christmas shopping, which can make the experience a smooth and pleasant one.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #1: Be prepared

It's a good idea to start your shopping with a complete list. This will save you both time and money with having to go back and place a separate order later on. With most online stores, you pay a flat shipping fee. In some cases, if you spend a certain amount of money on your order, the shipping and handling fee is waived. It's always best to get everything you want, all at once, to save on shipping. Before you commit to buying from one store, shop around and compare prices on both the product and shipping.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #2: The early bird gets the gift

If you want to get the best selection, begin your holiday shopping early. Internet stores generally carry large quantities of every item, but even they can sell out. As Christmas draws near, it becomes more difficult to find the exact item that you're looking for. There's nothing like finding the perfect item and seeing the words, 'Sold Out' written under the price.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #3: Shop Safe

When ordering anything online, check product reviews if available. Always shop secured websites because you will be entering your credit card, or banking information, for payment. You don't want your financial information accessed by anyone else, which is why all secured websites let you know how they protect your data.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #4: Wrap it up

If you're like most, there's not a lot of extra time around the holidays. If you need to save some time on wrapping, most online stores offer a gift wrapping service for a small fee. At some point during the ordering process, you may be asked if you would like to add gift wrap or a name tag. It's as easy as the click of a button, which is much easier than trying to tie the perfect bow.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #5: Check Delivery Dates

When placing your order, check to make sure that the item is in stock or will be delivered in time for Christmas. Many times, especially near the holidays, items will go on a backorder status. It's not uncommon for an advanced order item to have a delivery date of January, so be sure to check the status of the items in your shopping cart, along with their expected delivery dates. Not only that, but it's also a good idea to check on the company's shipping policy and delivery time for in-stock items.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #6: Christmas Cards?

With all the stuff going on in December it's easy to forget to send out Christmas cards to family and friends. But if you forget to send traditional Christmas cards in time all is not lost. In fact, there are some great sites and services online that will send your christmas cards out for you (saving you precious time). You can find services that are both free and paid, and services that send both digital and tradition paper Christmas cards.