Sometimes gifts that you purchase are not as personalized as you would like. They do not quite seem to fit the idea you had in mind. For these times, the only thing to do is “do it yourself”. You will have the gift exactly fitting the theme and the person that you want.
So now, you know you want it personalized but what can you create. Some of these items take just a few moments and others may take several days. But that’s part of the giving too.
-For our gardener friend, plant seeds in your garden or in container and nurture them until they are big enough to be planted in your friend’s garden.
-Go to the local ceramic store and find mugs, bowls, plates, and vases in fired green ware. Buy paint and paint your friend’s favorite flower or name on these items. Or leave them plain and paint clear glaze and have the shop fire them for you
-Rubbing rose petals to release their scent can create rose oil for her bath. Place them in a bottle with mineral oil, cloves, and zest of lemon. The rose make it pretty and the oil will soothe her skin in her bath.
-There are so many different bread baking mixes available now. Bake a few different flavored loaves and put them together in a basket.
-Nothing has the flavor of fresh
herbs. Put together an Herb Basket with little pots of growing herbs. All it takes is a pinch of a leave to add flavor to every dish.
-Buy pretty tiles and glue corkboard on the bottom for pretty coasters.
-Buy pretty, unusually shaped bottle and fill them with white wine, apple cider or red wine vinegars. Add a few herbs from your garden. All choices are good, just pick and choose as would as if you were cooking. Pop in a cork, add a label and tie a pretty ribbon on the throat of the bottle.
-If you sew, you probably have a lot of scraps left over. Use these to make pretty potholders and mitts. Bind the edge with bias tape in a matching or contrasting color.
-When strawberries are in season, dip them in melted white chocolate and brown chocolate pieces to give a tuxedo effect. Chill and put in a napkin lined basket.
-If you knit or crochet, make a pretty scarf for the cold months. Or use ribbon and knit or crochet a placemat for your friend’s table.
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don’t blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby, Birthday and Beyond, are just some gift ideas you’ll find at her site: http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com. Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly newsletter at http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm
Being alone for the holidays is a major challenge for many people. Holidays often conjure images of family, of warmth and the sharing of special time. Loneliness can be overwhelming when you have no one with whom to share holiday time.
Many people, however, miss the point of what holidays are really about and what makes them special. Holidays are not about what you GET – they are about what you GIVE. Many people are under the misconception that the joy of holidays is about what you receive rather than about what you share. Our hearts get filled with love when we give and share love, rather than from getting love.
This may seem like a paradox. Many people spend their time with others attempting to get love, attention and approval, thinking that this is what makes them feel happy and worthy. But getting attention from others to fill ourselves is like eating chocolate when you are lonely – it works for the moment but then you need more and more of it. Eventually it becomes an addiction.
What really fills the emptiness is the giving of love. If you are alone over the holidays, the question becomes, “How can I give love in ways that will bring me joy?”
Below are some suggestions for sharing your love and caring over the holidays:
- Gather toys from friends and store donations and bring them to children who would not otherwise have toys. You can find these children through schools, churches and various other organizations.
- Find a battered women’s shelter in your area and help to create the holiday there – preparing food, decorating the tree, and just spending time with them. Last year a friend of mine organized a number of her local markets to donate food over Christmas to the local shelter that housed mothers and their children who had left abusive husbands. She got to know the mothers and children and received great fulfillment in providing them with an abundant Christmas.
- Spend time with old people in nursing homes, especially those who have no family. Spending time caring about another lonely person will go a long way toward taking away your loneliness!
- Volunteer to help with serving food to the needy over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many churches and other charitable organizations welcome volunteers to help in food lines over the holidays.
- Locate a retreat center near you
that has a special event over the holidays and share your time with other people who are also alone for the holidays. Last year a friend of mine, who had just left her husband and was alone for the first time with no family around her, went to a beautiful retreat center on the East Coast. Twenty people gathered there to share Thanksgiving together. There was a wonderful ceremony of gratitude that she said filled her heart, and she enjoyed sharing time with new people.
- Find a church, temple or 12-step group in your area that has special events for singles over the holidays. Go to these events with the intention of sharing your caring with others, which you can do just by being interested in listening to another person. We all love being listened to and understood, and all of us have the capacity to give this to another.
One of my all-time favorite movies is “A Christmas Carol,” – the one starring Alistair Sim. I just love the scene on Christmas morning when Scrooge realizes that no time has passed and he has the opportunity to give. He feels such joy at the prospect of giving, that he can hardly stand it! He dances around and stands on his head and laughs and laughs with the joy of giving! In one night he went from being a miserable old man concerned only with getting, to a man now focused only on giving, and he became a joyful person.
While you might not have money to give, we all have caring to give. You have no idea how much you might enrich your own life as well as another person’s life just by giving your time, your attention, your interest, your smile, your understanding. Whatever your life circumstances, you always have the opportunity to give your caring. You will discover that giving your caring to others, especially over the holidays, is a profound way of caring about yourself.
About The Author
Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including “Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.
There are a variety of opportunities for holiday shoppers, including stores, catalogs and the internet. Below are 6 Christmas Shopping tips:
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!
For more great Christmas related articles and resources check out http://www.christmashub.com
It’s back. The holiday season and all the challenges that come with it! This is the time when we are most tempted to overdo things – shopping, partying, spending.
This year…why not practice the art of simplicity and serenity? Begin a new tradition or fine tune an old one. Think ‘less is more’… quality over quantity.
Remember that this is a time to celebrate love, connection, tradition and new beginnings. Make this a holiday season to remember and cherish. Pay attention to what really matters this time of the year and always… your family and friends, your health and well-being, your connection to the divinity of a universal spirit who gave us a holiday season just so we could help ourselves to platefuls of joy and love.
Q. I love this idea! But how do I get started on creating a new tradition?
A. Make a list of your most deeply felt intentions for the season. A better relationship with family? A chance to enjoy a holiday without stress and conflict? The willingness to take in the generosity of others? Light a candle daily. Choose a sophisticated blend of freshly cut balsam, frankincense, spiced cranberry and orange reminiscent of the season or one that evokes a calm and meditative state – a relaxing, soothing scent of peppermint, verbena and lavender. As you light the candle ask for the presence of mind to keep these intentions in mind during the season and all year long.
Q. I always spend more money than I intend and yet still feel that somehow I missed getting the ideal gift.
A. Set a budget and track your spending. This doesn’t sound like much fun but when you determine exactly how much you want to spend and then actually spend just that amount, this will be the best holiday you ever had!
Sometimes we need to remember to shop with our heart and soul, to use a kind of intuition or ‘gut’ wisdom to choose a gift. Narrow your shopping field to one store or product. Think quality vs. quantity. If your gift-giving follows this intention, you can’t go wrong. Your choices will be in tune with the person you want to please while naturally keeping to the budget you set for yourself.
Q. I have so much to do this time of the year I miss out on all the ‘cheer’.
A. Perhaps pass up a party and go shopping instead. Make shopping a social activity. Stop for a coffee or tea. Reminisce about holidays past. Wander and chat, admire the window displays, the mall decorations, and the twinkling lights. If you long for the romance and simplicity of holidays long ago, step back in time. Just the lingering scents and beauty of the season will inspire a festive and relaxing mood.
Q. Since my family lives far away and my children are grown I am having a hard time finding joy in this holiday season.
A. Transitions are never easy. We want to get them over with as soon as possible yet this, interestingly enough, only prolongs them. Consider instead appreciating where you are right now. Practice being ok with the sadness or grief that comes with losing the routines of the past. Do not resist the pain. While pain is a natural part of life – suffering is not. And suffering comes when we resist the natural pain of life. Be gentle with yourself. Hold yourself with kind regard. Pamper yourself with the sanctuary of a bath. The combination of delicate scents and warm water are soothing, nurturing and relaxing. When you are relaxed and refreshed, your new holiday season traditions will flow more easily.
Q. I can’t just sit still when there’s so much to do – yet I long to do just that! Help!
A. Yes, many women are so accomplished at ‘doing’ and ‘striving’ that we neglect the part of us that wants to ‘receive’, to take it all in and be still for a time. While taking up such practices as meditation during the holidays might be too much of a challenge consider finding just a minute or two to stare at a snowfall, take in the tree lights, meditate on the Menorah, agree with the angels and pray for peace.
For those who are especially challenged by sitting still, consider sitting still AND doing something at the same time! Watch all those corny holiday specials. Yes, even the cartoons, the original version of Miracle on 34th Street, and the classic It’s a Wonderful Life. Be open to their simple but timeless message and let them warm you all over. And resist doing anything else while you watch the show!
Q. Every year I say I’m going to take time off from work for the holidays and every year I don’t.
A. Explore why you stay at work. Do you fear all hell will break out if you take a day off? That no one can possibly cover
for you? That you will worry all day about the job so what is the point of taking a day off? Generally these beliefs are not accurate or are based on a black and white perspective that has us convinced that something so terrible will happen if we are not at work and we will NEVER recover from it. Ask yourself, “Is this true?” Yes, you are in all likelihood the best woman for the job and yes, something could go wrong but will it DEFINITELY be a disaster? Not likely. Observe when you are in an all-or-nothing, always-and-never, black-and-white-perspective and ask: Is this true? It can change your life over night!
So take a risk and take some time off. Enjoy a day of baking cookies and sweets, making decorations, or doing a craft — without fitting them in between work, chores, and shopping. Do one thing at a time. Meet the challenge of single tasking. The rewards are immeasurable.
Q. It is so hard to celebrate with some of the bad things going on in the world.
A. We live in a time of incredible mass communication. But we have choices. Limit all news especially bad news. Watch a half-hour of news instead of 8 hours of CNN. Scan the newspapers and magazines headlines and read only what makes you feel good as well as informed. Acknowledge your fears for the future, find the courage in the peace and warmth of the season, and make a decision to celebrate in a bold and determined way!
Q. I love choosing my holiday cards – picking out just the right ones and sitting down with a cup of tea and cookies to write them out. But each year this becomes less of a pleasure and more of a pain.
A. Consider limiting your card list so you can still enjoy the ceremony and ritual of this tradition within the context of your realistic schedule. Break it into 3 lists:
List 1 – Write an old-fashioned, put-a-stamp-on-it letter to those you are especially missing this time of the year. Use some festive paper, a favorite writing tool and your best penmanship.
List 2 – Send cards to those who live far away to tell them you are thinking of them. Be discriminating. Do not include the people you hear from once in a blue moon and resist the compulsion to send a card to someone JUST because they sent you one.
List 3: Send everyone else a lovely email greeting.
Q. While I like the holidays I have a difficult time with the dark days and cold weather winter. I am more of a ‘summer’ person and this time of the year makes me long for the dog days of summer!
A. You are not alone. Many of us are warm weather, sun worshipers. Here’s where you need your imagination and some help. Create a summer sanctuary stash with fragrance such as Crab Tree and Evelyn’s Summer Hill productsl! Surround you and your home with the scent of summer evoking the memory of peach blossoms and bouquets of summer lilies, wildflowers and tuberose.
Q. This all sounds so good but is it realistic to have the kind of holiday I really, really want?
A. YES. It is all about choices – your underutilized super power! Start with scrutinizing your schedule. Ask yourself, “Is this activity obligation or choice?” If you come up with too many “obligation” answers, re-think your priorities. Set firm boundaries about what you willingly want to do and do just those things. It will be difficult at first but once you reap the rewards of an ideal holiday you will be motivated to use your powers of choice all the time!
Q. I want to find a way to let my spiritual self guide the holidays in a comfortable way.
A. Consider saying grace at mealtime. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, formal or long. Just express your gratitude for the meal before you, the people with you and the good fortune to enjoy both. Oh and don’t forget to acknowledge your good sense to stop and smell the roses or the holiday turkey!
About The Author
Merci Miglino is well qualified to help you take the next step to accomplish what you want in your professional and personal life. Merci was educated as a teacher and worked as a journalist, paralegal, communications director and campaign manager. She has also been on the front lines of the retail, hospitality and advertising industries. Armed with this background Merci is a noted speaker, trainer and career coach. She is also a facilitator of the Personal CatalystTM , a unique, web-based life and career design tool that inspires extraordinary achievement. As if that were not enough, she has written a book, From Doormat to Diva© Taking Center Stage in your life. This woman knows success, personally and professionally, and she knows how to help you find it too.
It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry. So, why not present Dad with a gift of jewelry this Father’s Day.
Jewelry gifts that you might consider for that special Father in your life could include a gold or silver watch, a handsome sterling silver or 14kt gold chain or masculine link bracelet. With a chain you might include a manly pendant with a nautical or sports theme.
As for rings, there are many rugged designs available in 14kt gold or sterling silver with stones like turquoise, onyx, malachite and lapis. Also, many men are fond of masculine settings of small diamonds and other gemstones.
Celtic jewelry designs, such as Celtic crosses, Celtic knots, etc… are great choices for Dad on Father’s Day.
If your Dad has a pierced ear maybe he would appreciate a small stud earring; the choices here are endless.
Remember this, men tend to avoid interchanging jewelry in the way that many women do. With this in mind, avoid costume jewelry and focus on durable quality pieces that Dad can wear day in and day out.
The following are some tips for buying jewelry for Dad on Father’s Day. He will be proud of you for being a smart jewelry consumer and for saving some money, too.
Here are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind when you are shopping for a jewelry gift to celebrate the next chapter of your special Father’s life.
1. There’s a big difference between 14 karat gold and gold-plated jewelry. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. Gold-plated describes jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold bonded to a base metal. Gold plating eventually wears away, depending on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.
2. If you’re buying a watch, determine whether you want one that runs on a battery or one that must be wound daily. Ask if a warranty or guarantee is included, how long it lasts, and what parts and repair problems it covers. Also ask how and where you can get the
watch serviced and repaired.
3. Know the difference between laboratory-created gemstones and naturally mined stones. Stones created in the lab are visually identical to stones mined from the earth. The big difference is in the cost: laboratory-created stones are less expensive then naturally mined stones. But because they look much like stones mined from the earth, they must be identified as lab-created. If you want a naturally mined stone, ask if it has been treated. Gemstone treatments– such as heating, dyeing or bleaching– can improve a stone’s appearance or durability. Some treatments are permanent; some may create special care requirements. Treatments also may affect the stone’s value.
4. When you’re buying a diamond, consider four criteria: cut, color, clarity and weight, usually stated as carats. Each factor affects the price. Color is sometimes “graded” on a scale. However, scales are not uniform: a “D” may be the best color for one scale, but not for another. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color of the diamond you’re considering. A diamond can be described as “flawless” only if it has no visible surface cracks or other imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.
When shopping for Father’s Day jewelry online, apply these tips.
1. Shop with companies you know or do some homework before buying to make sure a company is legitimate before doing business with it.
2. Take advantage of information and referrals from an Internet company you have come to trust.
3. Get the details about the product, as well as the merchant’s refund and return policies, before you buy.
4. Look for an address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help.
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com
Throughout history, the celebration of a bountiful harvest has been an annual occurrence. Harvest festivals have been a tradition among all nations and races. The Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Chinese, and Hebrews have all had harvest celebrations, even before organized religion came to be. In America, the first Thanksgiving celebration took place in 1621. The Native Americans shared this event with the Pilgrims because the Pilgrims had learned to plant crops and hunt wild game in the New World according to Native American culture. Without the help of the Native Americans, the colonists would have not survived their first winter nor would they have harvested bountiful crops.
The early Thanksgiving celebrations in America were not known as “Thanksgiving”. There were harvest celebrations that did not include what are staples in modern times such as cranberry sauce, turkey, and pumpkin pie. It is entirely possible that wild fowl including turkey and duck were served, but turkey did not hold the sacred place it holds now. It is thought that seafood was a major component of the harvest celebration due to the colonist’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. There could have been seasonal vegetables such as squash included in the festivities, but side dishes did play a major role in the feast. Also, desserts such as pies and cakes were most likely not included due to a lack of sugar and obviously, there were no ovens in which to bake them.
The Pilgrim’s harvest festival is thought of as the first Thanksgiving, but in reality the term “Thanksgiving” was normally applied to a
religious holiday until the 19th century. In 1817 Thanksgiving Day was officially adopted by New York State as an annual event. By 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving, and since then every president has given a Thanksgiving Day proclamation. From 1939 to 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed the third Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day, but in 1941 Congress passed a resolution declaring that Thanksgiving was to be held officially on the fourth Thursday of November. Since that time, the holiday has been celebrated on that day.
The traditional dishes that are served on Thanksgiving evolved over a hundred years or more. More than likely, the turkey is the only similarity modern celebrations have with the harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims. Our favorite desserts, such as pumpkin pie, were absent from the Thanksgiving festivities during WWII due to shortages of sugar. Side dishes like green bean casserole and stuffing have been the products of modern times and an abundance of food supplies.
We have many reasons to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day. Our friends and family, our easy access to food, and modern conveniences are things that we tend to take for granted. Early Thanksgiving celebrations were held to rejoice in the gift of a bountiful harvest and the very survival of the Pilgrims, a fact that we should remember each and every year.
Are you a mom who’d rather play than cook? If so, you won’t want to miss http://www.freequickrecipes.com. And, if frugal cooking is your thing, then check out http://www.freequickrecipes.com/frugal-cooking.php.
Father’s Day is approaching fast. In the USA it falls on the third Sunday of June which this year is June 19th 2005. So if you start planning now, you still have time left to come up with the ideal gift for your Dad. And don’t forget that Father’s Day is the perfect day to honor other important men-folk in your life, not just your Dad. So don’t forget your husband, your grandfather, your father-in-law, or a favorite uncle.
Some people seem to think that selecting a gift for Father’s Day is easy as Dads will be happy with just about anything, irrespective of whether they will actually use the gift, or even remember the actual gift. It is felt that they just appreciate the ritual of being given a gift and being remembered. But if you are already going to the trouble of buying a gift for your Dad, then why not spend a little thought and planning now, and buy a gift that will be truly appreciated and remembered. Try to think what he is interested in, what are his likes, dislikes and needs and what is your relationship with your Dad.
Before your start shopping, think about how much your budget will allow and then make sure that you buy the best that you can afford. Stay away from mass produced items, and look for the more original and individual high quality hand-crafted.
Does dad spend a lot of time in his office? Consider some original artwork for the walls, or a luxurious executive desk set or executive toy. Or, if he spends a
lot of time traveling, then consider something that will help pass the time for him, such as the latest bestseller on CD or or some of his favorite music. Do you want to spend more “quality time” with your dad? Then how about a game you can play together for years to come – you can find all sorts of hand-crafted chess sets these days and one of them is bound to match his interests. Maybe the man in your life needs to indulge himself more – so how about some healing bath and body products from the Dead Sea, with their unique minerals that will not only benefit skin and hair, but will make him feel healthier as well.
If you can’t find the time to go shopping, or you need to broaden the choice of gifts that are available locally, then shopping for gifts online is ideal for you. Don’t delay and order now, and save on shipping charges. If you leave it to the last minute, it is usually much more costly and can be stressful as well. If you dad lives far away then have the gift shipped directly to him, but don’t forget to give him a call as well on the day to tell him that you love and appreciate him.
Janice Kaye is the operator of Biblical-Gifts.Com, an online shop that specializes in exclusive hand-crafted products, made out of flowers & fruits grown in the land of the Bible. They also offer a selection of the best Christian gifts and souvenirs made in the Holy Land. http://www.biblical-gifts.com
Holiday spending can be a wonderful time. We shop for our loved ones, friends, co-workers, and associates. Finding just the right gift and paying by credit card. Then, Ouch! Your credit card is declined. You know you haven’t exceeded your credit limit, and the clerk can’t tell you anything. How frustrating.
Now begins the trek to uncovering the reason for the error. Calling the credit card company results in the discovery that some else has been using your credit. How could this have happened?
We often become lax when we go shopping. And holiday time is a busy time for shoppers as well as retailers and thieves are prowling for the opportunity to take your information.
In busy stores, rushed sales clerks and crowded lines we can loose track of our credit card or easily give shoulder surfers the information they want. In the midst of all the distractions we become a victim of identity theft.
Take the time this year to protect your information. Pay closer attention to transactions and watch out for thieves causing distractions.
* Shoulder Surfers. Pay attention to people who are standing close in your space. If you are using a PIN pad at a store, guard your information. Block the other persons view with your body and your hand. If you are using an ATM, pay attention to anyone who is too close for comfort. Put your body between them and the ATM. If you haven’t started your transaction, step aside and let the other person go first.
* Check the store’s receipt. When the clerk hands you the charge card receipt for your signature, look at the copy you are signing-this is the copy the store will keep. Is your entire credit card number printed on it? If so, mark out all but the last five digits. If you leave the entire number on the receipt it is possible that a thief can copy the entire receipt, and on it is your full name, card number and signature. The store only needs the last 5 digits for reference, not the entire number.
* Sales Clerks on the Phone. When making your purchase, don’t hand your credit card over to a clerk who is on the telephone. Your card information could be relayed to another person.
* Unorganized Sales Clerks. Sales clerks who seem overly rushed or unorganized could be using that to cover up the way they are copying your credit card information. Copying your card information by hand or by a skimmer. If the clerk seems too busy, wait until he/she is finished before handing over your credit card.
* Keep sight of your credit card. Don’t let anyone walk away with your credit card. This is common in restaurants. The wait staff will take your payment and return with a receipt. What happens with your credit card while it is out of your sight? You’ll never know. Pay with cash or accompany the wait staff to the register than hand over your card. Stay with your card until the transaction is completed.
* Watch for skimmers. Skimmers are used to record magnetic information. They can be hand held, attached to a belt or attached to
an ATM or gas pump. When you use an ATM or gas pump, look for anything that looks like it’s attached or not part of the original equipment. Attached skimmers will let you complete your transaction but will also copy your information for the thieves to use later.
* Writing a Check. If you write a check, the clerk may ask you for identification. This is normal. What is not normal is for the clerk to write down your identification or information. They should not write it down on your check, or anywhere else. They are only allowed to look at it to verify you are the person named on the check. Always remember the clerk cannot write it down, anywhere.
* Junk Mail & Pre-Approved Credit Offers. Holiday shopping is filled with flyers, advertisements, pre-approved credit and offers of increasing credit limits. Don’t let these get into the hands of mail thieves. Pick up your mail daily. Shred anything that has your name on it, not just pre-approved offers.
* Watch for Statements. With more mail delivered during the holidays, you may not be aware that your bank or credit card statements did not arrive. Know when to expect them and watch for them. Check your charges with against your statement. Notify them as soon as you suspect unauthorized activity.
* Charitable donations. This time of year charities can be found everywhere. Make sure you know who you are donating to. Imposters may set up legitimate looking collection points. If you want to donate find out a local contact and make your donation directly. Don’t make a donation by check or credit card if you are not familiar with the person or organization.
* Parties. Holiday parties can be fun. It can also be a means for people to have access to your personal information in your home or at the office. Unlocked file drawers, documents or statements lying out on a desk, and outgoing mail can be an easy source for a thief to pick up. With party activities going on around you, you may not even notice someone slip into your office to steal information.
Steps to guard our information should become second nature. It takes some getting used to because we have to change our thinking. Even though we want to trust people, we should be suspicious of everyone. Over 50% of reported identity thefts have been committed by someone the victim knew. Family, friends, co-workers, service people, sales clerks or associates could all be potential thieves if given the right circumstances.
The holidays can be happy and hectic. Don’t let your guard down or provide thieves with easy access to your information. Keep your identity safe this holiday season.
Cindy Graham is author of the book, “Who Else is You?” In it, she outlines strategies on how to reduce the risk of becoming an identity theft victim. An expert who has studied current identity theft trends, Cindy understands the risks of business owners and consumers when it comes to the exposure of personal information. For more information on her speaking, consulting or book, please visit: http://www.whoelseisyou.com or call: 970-285-1581 or Cindy@EasyAs123.biz
We’re approaching that wonderful once-a-year “Turkey Day”!
For me, Turkey Day memories revolve around going to the football game between The University of Texas Longhorns (yea!) and the Texas A &M Aggies (boo!).
Because that game was traditionally on Thanksgiving Day, my family wouldn’t have the turkey and dressing meal but would opt for roast beef sandwiches and potato chips eaten out of the trunk of the car in our version of a tail-gater. I love those memories! And I still love watching my Longhorns beat up on those Aggies! (Hook’em Horns!)
However, I now realize that there is something more important about this holiday than turkey and football. It is, after all, called THANKSgiving! Let’s look at “thanks” a little more closely this year.
I believe that living with a thankful heart is the first step towards living a truly joyful life. It isn’t always easy to be thankful. Sometimes real life presents challenges, hard times, trials, and circumstances for which an average person would never consider being thankful! However, since you are NOT average, I believe you will appreciate this view of “thanks.”
T – “THINK”
Renew your mind. Be intentional about what direction you allow your thoughts to take. Don’t drift into sin. Think like God. Ask God to transform your thinking. Plug good things into your thinking: scripture, inspirational reading, devotional books and stories about people who have triumphed in all manner of circumstances.
H – “HORIZON”
Take the long term view. Remember there is always a bigger picture than what you’re experiencing right now. Ask God to help you have that long term perspective – to see things from His vantage point. I love the description of life being like a parade. We are on the street watching the parade go by and can only see what is immediately in front of us. God, however, is up high and can see the entire parade in one instant – beginning, middle and end – so He has the big picture, the 50,000
foot view!
A – “APPRECIATE”
Appreciate what you have. Train your mind to focus on the positives in your life – the things you have that are treasures to you. Too many times we allow ourselves to focus on what everyone else has that we don’t have. We can easily have a pity party, looking only at the things that are missing from our lives. That serves no purpose other than to drain our energy and our joy and turn us into crotchety, grumpy, negative people. How much better to CHOOSE to focus on the things we do have that are positive, those undeserved gifts and blessings.
N – “NOW”
Be where you are NOW in life. Enjoy it NOW. Be what God wants you to be today. By continually looking for “what’s next”, we overlook opportunities for today. If you don’t live “now here” – you’ll be “nowhere”.
K – “KNOW”
Know what is important. If you imagine yourself on your death bed, what is that you would most wish for? I guarantee it would be your spouse, your kids, your grandkids, your loved ones. By knowing what is most important each and every day, all those other things that want to vie for your attention will be shoved aside.
S – “SHARE”
We expect our kids to “be nice and share”. How about us? By sharing what God gives us (both tangible and intangible), our grip loosens and we are set free.
Think. Horizon. Appreciate. Now. Know. Share. THANKS!
This applies all year ‘round, not just at Thanksgiving. Let’s use this Thanksgiving as an opportunity to turn over a “new leaf” of being thankful all year long.
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Everybody approaches the Christmas season differently. Some live in fear of the whole shopping “experience” while others boldly go where no one has gone before: they do all their shopping over the summer. The following testimonials are from five New Jersey residents and outline how they each handled their own Christmas shopping challenges.
Anne Gadsden handles Christmas shopping the “new fashioned” way. She puts on a CD of classical music such as Pachelbel’s Canon in D, logs on to the internet, and starts surfing. The Newark mother of three says, “I’ve already done the store thing and now its time for me to get gifts for family members who don’t live in New Jersey. I visit Amazon and Buy.com; between the two companies I usually find something that I need. Besides, shipping is free if I spend at least $25 and that isn’t hard to do!”
Tasha Crimson shops early. Very early. “I shop all summer long starting when we go to the shore after July 4th all the way up to Labor Day. That’s when I’m done. I don’t have to put up with the hassles, I shop at my own speed, and I don’t have to freeze as I run from my car to the store!,” the East Orange grandmother of eight chuckled.
In Wanaque, Bob Caprioti has his own style of shopping. Or not. He simply has his wife pick up everything for her family, his family and for their three children. “She knows I hate to shop. Fortunately, Rita loves to shop; why not let her do what she wants to do and let me do what I want to do?” So, does Rita buy gifts for herself and mark them from Bob? “No, I won’t go that far. My mother loves to shop so I go out with her to the Willowbrook Mall and we find what I need for Rita. Mom knows what Rita likes and makes it as painless as possible for me.”
Angela Rodriguez of Fair Lawn laughs when asked about her shopping methods. “I don’t begin
to shop until the day after Christmas. My family is from Peru and we celebrate the Feast of the Three Wise Men when we get together in early January. We’re scattered all over the place and it is too difficult to meet up on Christmas. So, instead of shopping ahead of time, I wait ’til after Christmas and get all the markdowns.” When asked what she does on Christmas Angela replied, “I’m single and work in New York. I hang out with friends and co-workers who are by themselves for the holidays. Then, on New Year’s Day I fly to Florida for a week to be with my family. I ship everything out ahead of time, so I’m not lugging all the stuff through the airport.”
Tamara Williams loves to shop, especially in crowds. The Hackensack resident replied, “I do a little bit in early December, but I really don’t get going until a few days before Christmas. The best prices can be found then and it just seems more like Christmas.” When asked how close to Christmas she shops Tamara answered, “I usually don’t finish up ’til Christmas Eve. One year, while I was working at Stern’s at the Bergen Mall I got off at 2 p.m. and began my shopping. When the store closed at 6 p.m. I made my final purchase and went home! I was working at the store and attending college full time. My finals were done only the day before, so my first opportunity to shop was on Christmas Eve. I start late, but not that late anymore!”
This article originally appeared on Townstead.com a defunct site previously managed by Matt Keegan. It was part of Matt’s “Life In New Jersey” series of articles.
Matthew Keegan is the owner of a successful article writing, web design, and marketing business based in North Carolina, USA. He manages several sites including the Corporate Flight Attendant Community and the Aviation Employment Board. Please visit The Article Writer to review selections from his portfolio.