For the first time, I didn’t receive a Christmas card from my mother.I’m not sure if that’s a curse or a blessing.
You see, 20 years ago I told the biggest lie of my life. It was on a cold, mid-December night, a short time after the death of my father. My mother became ill and spent the next year in and out of hospital, bouncing between excruciating pain and short-lived moments of comfort. On this night, upon returning home, I found my mother in immeasurable pain.
Days prior she had been released from the hospital. My spirits soared.
It was now crystal clear that she had to return. While helping her to my car we stopped briefly on the steps of our home and with tear-filled eyes she said: “I’m never going to be home again. Am I?”
I wanted to burst into tears. Instead, I looked into her eyes and responded in an effort to comfort: “Of course you will.”
Less than a week later I watched her die.
Magically in October 2003, my mother and father came back to life. While in the process of renewing my Birth Certificate, a civil servant informed me that they couldn’t reissue it. Apparently the information I gave didn’t match my birth records.
“Could you phone your parents and ask them who your real parents are?”
In this instant, everything about “me” changed. Aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters all became something else.
I had been lied to my whole life.
I found out who my real parents are. Not good news.
It turns out my birth mother has always been inconspicuously present in my life. Playing another role. Every year she sends an emotionless, non-descript Christmas card.
I’ve known the truth for two years. The rest of my family has known I know for over a year. Upon finding out they cut all contact with me. I’m no longer the baby brother – the youngest of seven.
They’ve left me alone to try to figure out……everything.
Why share this?
Christmas is meant to be a celebration of life. A time of joy and happiness.
We sometimes lose sight of that. Society is plagued by stress and blinded by its consumer craze during the “Silly Season”. We forget that this time of year transports some to a very dark lonely place. Christmas is anything but merry.
So, please remember to love, support and cherish your family and friends. Because, everything can change in a heartbeat.
And, be kind to others. Christmas reminds many of what they don’t have and a smile from a stranger may help to reduce the loneliness.
I know, I became ‘alone’ in a heartbeat.
Lindsay Wincherauk is a freelance writer and author of the book: Seed’s Sketchy Relationship Theories – A Guide to the Perils of Dating (How not to become a bar regular).
For more information please visit: http://www.seedenterprises.com
In a previous article, I said, “How often have we received holiday gifts that someone, who cared about us, made themselves? I look forward at this time of year, to homemade candies, and cookies, but not pound cakes. In many families, making presents has become a tradition that, once started, the gift maker had better not beg out of.”
In writing that “How To Make Healthy Holiday Gifts for Under a Dollar” article, little did I stop to think I would end up being expected to do just that from now on.
The friends and family at the gift exchange really appreciated the 32 oz Gateraide bottles I had filled with my “Silver Water,” Colloidal Silver made with my little generator. There were many questions and much discussion as to the medical benefits of CS, which has been reputed to successfully treat over 650 diseases uncluding some said to be “Incurable.” My sister had been battleing a bad cold and sore throat. She was really appreciative of something that kills all known bacteria and viruses. I told her she didn’t have to drink the colloidal silver like I do in contending for the cure with my MS,
Multiple Sclerosis. All she neded to do was gargle with CS.
I also explained for the others that a few drops, or possibly a teaspoon, each day should adiquate to keep them healthy. Arriving home with all of my goodies, I was very pleased with my decision to give “Heathy Bottles” this year. The reality of my self-fulfilling prophesy arrived via e-mail this morning. As one family member expressed thanks for my wonderful gift, she was quick to point out that they all expected me to give “Silver Water” again next year. Oh, well. It’s fun to make others happy. At least, I didn’t get any pound cakes.
Russ Miles is author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO. A “Seasoned Real Estate NAR® Broker,” disabled by Multiple Sclerosis, Russ writes books, poetry, & free reprint articles on varied subjects.His mystery novel, FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback,is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct!Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available at Amazon.com, at Barnes and Noble, and other fine booksellers.Comments: MilesRuss@Gmail.com.Please visit my website MilesBooks.com for other informative features, free articles, and health information of interest.
Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday greetings to you!
Every year at this time I can’t help but notice the beautiful holiday lighting and adornment. It’s great to see that even homes with a “For Sale” sign on the front lawn have been bedazzled with lights! But this good deed seldom goes without also decking the halls with many holiday hazards.
You may be feeling happy for the holidays, but you’ll be roasting more than chestnuts if you lose respect for the dangers inherent in the season! It is sad to say, but more homes burn during December than any other month. And electricity is not the only hazard contributing to the risk.
Candles! Gosh they look so good and the scent can set the perfect holiday mood. But always remember this about candles – they are on fire! Seasonal candles on windowsills near your beautiful curtains and shears is a perfect blend for combustion. Please be sure candles are always attended when lighted, shielded by a glass enclosure, and located so the cat doesn’t knock them over. And put out all candles before snuggling in for the night!
And what about space heaters! These little gems can put just the right amount of heat right where you need it. But, they can also burn the house down. Space heaters need to be in a clear space! That might even be why they call them “space” heaters, cause if they are too close to bedding, curtains, or clothing there is a fair chance of fire. Many a home has burned even with the heater in clear space. Please be careful about flinging a towel, shirt, or sheet as you climb under the covers. Any article landing on the heater is certain to burn.
While we are thinking about space heaters, be especially cautious about the misuse of kerosene-fired space heaters. These babies can really put out the heat! But please, read the directions and follow them like your life depended on it. Of special concern is ventilation. If your space heater’s directions require outside air for ventilation, crack a window or what ever it takes to be compliant. The risk of death from carbon monoxide poisoning is far greater than fire. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless ensuring a sound sleep for all eternity.
Gotta love stockings hung by the fire – but gotta also be sure they are removed before the fire is a blazing! Maybe back in the day when wool
stockings hung by the fire, it was not so risky, but these days those fuzzy fake flannel stockings burn better than fat lighter. So choose your effect – either stockings hung by the fireplace, or a fire in the fireplace, but certainly not both at the same time!
For some strange reason, otherwise sane and contentious homeowners decide to do their most creative electrical lighting, decorating, and wiring this time of year. Some of the more festive observations have been:
- Twelve indoor extension cords lying in a garden fountain
- Eleven lighted candles each behind a curtain
- Ten cracked cords in a single outlet
- Nine rocking reindeer sparking on a rooftop
- Eight unattended potpourri pots a bubbling and a boiling
- Seven realtors cell phones charging near a wet counter
- Six spliced wires wrapped with duct tape
- Five frosty snowmen hanging by frayed wires
- Four flood lights on a single broken fixture
- Three space heaters blowing on a Christmas tree
- Two light bulbs covered with red plastic bags
- One extension cord draped over a chimney while the fire’s a blazing
Okay, I confess! I took some liberties in putting this list together. But keep in mind that electrical hazards know no season! Our friends at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSO) estimate that about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year. They also estimate that each year, about 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others. The most frequent causes of such fires are short circuits, overloading, damage, and/or misuse of extension cords.
The real point is, be it in our own homes, homes we visit, or homes we list, keep an eye out for the hazards that need to be addressed. Lives depend on it. Plus, if one of your property listings burn to the ground, it makes for some very difficult disclosures!
Be safe and enjoy the holidays!
Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro Inspections, and has been featured regularly on HGTV’s “House Detective”. Wally has recently written a book entitled “Secrets of the Happy Home Inspector”, available at GoHomePro.com or Amazon.com. As a speaker, writer, instructor, and host of The Happy Home Inspector radio show every Saturday at 3 PM on WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of up-to-date information with just the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world application. Visit WallyConway.com for more information!
With all the travel, gift buying, last minute cramming at work, and family issues, is it any wonder that some of us find the holidays more stressful than fun? If you get a little crazy during the holidays, take heart. Here’s a quick little magical emergency kit that you can use anytime things start to wrong this season. These helpful methods address not just the physical fatigue but also the psycho-emotional part of the holidays as well.
RESCUE REMEDY: This flower essence contains five separate essences guaranteed to relieve all kinds of shock or trauma. Take it for everything from a family quarrel to a fender-bender.
ANGELS: There are angels to help you with absolutely everything. Can’t find the gift you need? Hire an angel. Afraid the weather will interrupt your travel plans? Hire an angel. Just say, “I’d like to hire an angel of sun yellow, grass green and sky blue to help me with [your problem].” Wait a moment, then tell the angel what you want. Always, always thank them in advance and after they’ve given their help!
HUG THE FRIDGE: If you’re steaming mad this holiday and about to blow, take a moment to flow all that excess fire energy into your refrigerator. Anger and frustration are fire energy, and can be channeled just like electricity. Just put both hands on the fridge and release all that energy. You’ll feel better fast!
CROSS CRAWL: Oddly enough, if you feel unstable or unbalanced, you can restore your balance by getting down on all fours
and crawling like a baby. Just make sure your opposite hand and knee strike the ground at the same time. It’s a scientifically proven method and some of the most successful people in the world, like John Paul Getty, have used it.
SWITCH SIDES: If you tend to get into old family patterns during the holidays, start using your non-dominant hand to do things—it will break you out of old patterns. For instance, if you normally open doors or pick things up with your right hand, use your left hand for all of these tasks. Also, switch check how you put your shoes and pants on—which foot goes first? Then change the order. Having to be conscious of daily tasks will bring you back into the moment and break those family patterns.
About The Author
Stephanie Yeh is co-founder of the Esoteric School of Shamanism and Magic (http://www.shamanschool.com). Through this online school she helps clients use magical and shamanic techniques to manifest their desires. Stephanie has created several online and video classes in conjunction with the telecourse format the school utilizes in her attempt to make this valuable information accessible to as many people as possible. Her current project, a free teleconference series on a variety of magickal and shamanic topics with guest speakers, is designed to share information and promote interaction between people of varying spiritual practices.
Through her site, Prosperity Abounds (http://www.prosperity-abounds.com), she helps others learn to create abundant health and wealth with spiritual and practical resources.
Valentine’s Day is often synonymous with lush velvety looking redroses and spending big bucks on your sweetie. You’re blinded byadvertisements touting the latest luxury jewelry, over-priced flowers, and exquisite five star dining. You can sometimes feel pressure from this single day that is supposed to symbolize and convey your emotion of love to your sweetheart. Expressing your love can be shown with frugal abundance and still create heartfelt memories.
You may not do anything at all because you feel that you can’t afford it. Don’t skip the holiday completely. The following are some traditional ideas and then some frugal alternative tips forinexpensive and thoughtful ways to express that you care withoutcompletely emptying your wallet.
Romantic movies
Movies are popular on Valentine’s Day. There isn’t any doubt that this idea rates highly on the snuggle meter.
The following are some movie suggestions:
Sleepless in Seattle
Message in a Bottle
Bridges of Madison County
City of Angels
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Somehere in Time
As Good As IT Gets
Jerry Maquire
Something’s Gotta Give
Amelie
Traditional: Big night out at the theater with the works. Cha-ching
Creatively Frugal: Select a nice romantic comedy for your sweetie. Pop some popcorn, pour your favorite beverage of choice, and light a fire if you’re able to or at least some candles. It’s all about ambience. You both can cuddle up on the couch or have blankets and pillows out on the floor.
Confectionary Treats
Hard to imagine Valentine’s Day without candy. The holiday isnotorious for chocolates. They’re definitely decadent and these treats have been acclaimed to have an aphrodisiac effect. It’s difficult to pass up this romantic suggestion.
Traditional: Godiva chocolates or satin and velvet heart shaped box of chocolates. Oohlala.
Creatively Frugal: Bulk candy or homemade candy, baked goods, or just coffee and a dessert at a quiet cafe.
Here are two great chocolate creations to make yourself.
Chocolate Pretzels
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=104975
Chocolate Popcorn
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=19087
Beautiful Bouquets
Saying “I love you” with flowers can make a lasting impression.
Traditional: A dozen roses with a short lifespan and hefty price. You think you’re smart when you select multi-colored or any color besides red roses, but oops what about all those rose flower meanings? Are you accurately describing your feelings?
Creatively Frugal: Try a single bulb to force such as an amaryllis or tulip, a collection of seed packets for spring planting, or one single flower with the recipient’s favorite hot beverage in the morning.
Festive Feast
A romantic night out can be lovely. You can have reservations made in advance and can get gussied up for an enjoyable evening. Planning the perfect setting complete with candles, wine, and excellent service is so romantic.
Traditional: Expensive restaurant out on the town. The problem is that everyone else has the same idea. You’ll often run into staff that is rushed or crowded parking lots and restaurants. This suggestion has the best of intentions, but lacks privacy and could easily prove to be the least romantic.
Creatively Frugal: Valentine’s Day breakfast versus dinner out orbreakfast in bed. So many small details can be created with serving a meal at home. It provides the feeling of appreciation.
You can light small votice candles, use favorite glasses, play soft music, and use cloth napkins.
The meal itself doesn’t need to be fancy. Use your creativity. If you don’t have a tray, use a folded tablecloth or a nice basket. By all means, don’t forget to clean up!
Penned Sentiments
Greeting cards are an excellent choice to show you care. There are endless varieties of romance cards. A card is well-received.
Traditional: The perfect card for your valentine. You look through aisles and rows of costly greeting cards and spend hours trying to find the perfect one. Valentine’s Day is the second largest card-giving holiday and that is reflected in the stores. In the mad rush to grab a card and get it delivered, you just sign it “with love”.
Creatively Frugal: Try love coupons, homemade card, handwrittenletter, or cut out cartoons from newspaper and add a few words to it. It’s so much more sincere in your own words from your heart. It’s all about the presentation. Don’t just toss your handwritten sentiment at your love.
Delightful Pampering
Cupid’s arrow is sure to hit when you give your love a day ofoverindulgence. Being carefree is so appealing.
Traditional: Spending a ton of cash on a spa day gift certificate for your sweetie.
Creatively Frugal: Make a comfort box. In the box add a cd, scented lotions, bubblebath, hairbrush, candles, tea, cocoa, coffee, book, bookmark, and give a massage from you.
As you can see, creating loving and memorable moments doesn’t have to carry exorbitant prices. It’s a day of expressing your affection and doesn’t have to break the bank. Traditional romance can be nice, but it is often overrated. Being creatively frugal is a gift of the heart. Give your loved one the gift of your time and thoughtfulness.
If you’re desperate and reading this, I’ll leave you with a small list of last minute ideas:
Dance to a slow song.
Take a walk and hold hands.
Take a drive and tell your love your feelings from your heart.Go to a local playground and play on the swings.
Read to your sweetie or recite a romantic song.
Add red to the day with red cookies, clothing, candles, lipstick, red fruit, etc.
Sit and talk and reminsice and talk about your dreams together.
Play a board game or assemble a puzzle together.
Watch the sunrise or sunset together.
Find a trophy at the thrift store to give.
Place notes in hidden places in the house for them to find. It’s extra special when they dont find them all and come across them after the holiday is over.
Frame a picture of the two of you or a place you both have enjoyed together, or make a collage of sentimental tokens collected during your relationship.
Balloons are a nice gift. Keep in mind that you can tuck a note inside a latex balloon before filling it or attach an item to a balloon.
Happy Valentine’s Day and here’s wishing that love fills the air as you celebrate with your dearest.
Sara Noel is a freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher ofhttp://www.FrugalVillage.com and http://www.HomesteadGarden.com Visit both these sites for information on getting back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, simplicity, homesteading, and natural family living.
If your product or service can be given as a gift, a publicity
windfall awaits at the end of the year – but you need to start
working in June. Each December, media outlets cover the newest,
the hottest and the most unusual Holiday gifts. The reporters
assigned to develop these pieces typically depend on two sources
of information:
1. Phone interviews with local store owners
- and –
2. Press materials that have been sent by publicity seekers.
Let’s deal with Point 1. Here’s a cool trick: In early
November, write a letter to stores and major websites that carry
your product. Remind them that they may be hearing from
journalists soon about hot gift ideas, and request that they
consider mentioning your product when that happens. Point out a
few reasons why your product is the newest, coolest, best or
whatever. Ask the vendor to drop you an e-mail or give you a
call if a story results that mentions your product.
Now, on to old-fashioned publicity. When to contact the media
depends on the publication or program’s lead time (how far in
advance of publication or airing the material is developed).
Magazines like Woman’s Day have a lead time up to six months, so
get materials to them now. Newspapers have a lead time as short
as a week for feature material, so send materials in November. In
between are wire services, medium-lead magazines, “in-flight”
magazines and others. To learn the lead time of a particular
media outlet, call the editorial department.
If that doesn’t
work, try the advertising department.
What you send should be kept simple — a press release about your
product/service, a pitch letter explaining why it’s such a great
gift idea, and, if applicable, a disk with color product photos.
See our articles “How to Write a Great Pitch Letter”
http://www.publicityinsider.com/pitch.asp and “How to Write a
Great Press Release” http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp
for more details.
As you craft the materials, think about where your
product/service fits. Based on its nature, cost, rarity or
usefulness, it may work with a variety of typical Christmas Gift
stories such as: Great Stocking Stuffer Ideas, Gifts for
Teenagers, Gifts for the Person Who Has It All, Gifts for
Executives, Gifts that Relax, etc. By suggesting a category for
your product, rather than simply stating “Here’s a product that
would make a nice holiday gift”, you’re making yourself stand out
– and maybe even giving the journalist an idea for a story angle
that he or she wouldn’t have thought about otherwise. Either
way, your chances of getting coverage are greatly improved.
Bill Stoller, the “Publicity Insider”, has spent two decades as
one of America’s top publicists. Now, through his website, eZine
and subscription newsletter, Free Publicity: The Newsletter for
PR-Hungry Businesses http://www.PublicityInsider.com/freepub.asp ,
he’s sharing — for the very first time — his secrets of scoring
big publicity. For free articles, killer publicity tips and
much, much more, visit Bill’s exclusive new site:
http://www.publicityInsider.com
Mother’s Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on Sunday, May 8th, so you still have time left to come up with the ideal gift for your Mom. And don’t forget that Mother’s Day is an ideal day to honor any woman in your life, not just your Mom. So don’t forget your wife, your grandmother, your daughter, your mother-in-law, your niece or even a favorite aunt.
With a little thought and planning now, you can avoid rushing out to buy the usual flowers and candy that you give year after year. Buying the perfect gift does involve some thought, but it is precisely this thought that will make her realize just how much you love and appreciate her. So consider her likes and dislikes, her interests and her personality. Ask any mom and she will tell you that it is best to avoid “useful” items that relate to any form of housework.
Before your start your shopping spree, 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 high quality hand-crafted items. Do you want to give one gift or a selection of cheaper products and have them combined into a gift basket? Don’t forget that most stores, including online stores will be happy to gift wrap your gift for you, to save you the time and effort.
Never a convenient time to go shopping? Online shopping makes it easy to buy the perfect Mother’s Day gift at the time most convenient for you – even if that is 3 A.M and you are in your wearing your PJ’s. Most reputable online stores will allow you to order now,
with a shipping date nearer to Mother’s Day, and they will not charge your credit card until the order is ready to ship. This will save you last minute stress and allow you the maximum choice of gifts. Shipping should be cheaper too, as you will not have to pay for expensive overnight shipping. Does your mom live far away? Then have the gift shipped directly to your mom, if you will not be able to deliver it yourself this Mother’s Day.
So what should you give her this year? Does your mom work really hard all year round taking care of others, with little time to pamper herself? If so, a gift certificate for a pampering treatment at a local spa might be the answer. How about an exquisite piece of jewelry? This does not have to be as expensive as it sounds. You can buy her beautiful handcrafted jewelry, with a mix of semiprecious stones and high quality glass that should not break your budget. Or, let her know that she is the light of your life with a beautiful scented candle or oil lamp. These make a long lasting gift and their life can often be extended by reusing it by burning a tea-light inside the shell or by refilling the oil. Still not ready to give up on the flowers this Mother’s Day? Then how about a dried flower arrangement or wreath that will remind her all year round how much you love her.
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.
A mother’s bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the most important woman in your life, mom. It makes for the perfect gift for many gift occasions from birthdays and anniversaries to mother’s day and gifts to the new mom.
A Mother’s bracelet is a top gift idea for any mom. Mom’s enjoy gifts of all sorts – candy and flowers to drawings and breakfast in bed. A Mother’s Bracelet is a gift that will last a lifetime. A mother’s bracelet is a gentle reminder of the most important things in her life – her children. Mother’s bracelets are great for mothers of all ages, from mothers of little children or adult children, to new mothers and grandmothers.Mother’s love to talk about their children, grandmother’s love to talk about their children and their grandchildren, it’s a known fact. The subtleness of a birth month Mother’s bracelet is sure to be a reminder of memories.
Each time she looks upon the bracelet, she is reminded of
the bond she shares with each child. The bracelets are designed with the birth month stone for each child along with silver spacers. Bracelets can be created with just the birth stones of children or include one stone for everyone in the family and make it into a family bracelet. Mother’s bracelets make perfect gifts for Mother’s Day, however they are also great for birthdays, anniversaries, and other life events.
Always unique in color and design, these personalized bracelets are fun and easy to wear with anything. Because there is a meaning behind the bracelet, dress them up or down, they can be worn all the time.Each mother’s bracelet is personalized so there is no right or wrong way to create a design.
about the author:Gina Mahony is a gift store owner and is constant seeking out unique gift ideas to give and receive. You can visit her store at http://www.abernook.com or email her at gina@abernook.com for more gift advice.
So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a lot of time but we all know how quickly time passes to the holidays. It feels like you have plenty of time to get all the shopping, cleaning and organizing done before the holidays hit. But do you ever get it all done without stressing out?
Get a jump start this year and shop early online. Here’s a couple of big time and money saving tips that will relieve some of your holiday stress.
Many sites will wrap your gifts in holiday or any occasion gift wrap. Some online gift shops will do this service for free and year round as well! It is well worth your time to do a search for free gift wrap and can save you several dollars a package. It also saves you the time and trouble of buying gift wrap and wrapping each gift. Many shops will include your personal message and gift card as well, again saving time and money.
Start your Christmas shopping now so you can easily compare products and prices before you buy. A lot of gift shops are now offering a “Price Match” guarantee. Read each stores info on their program so you can take advantage of their offer to match competitor’s prices. This is a great way
to know you won’t be paying too much for your gifts.
Here’s a big secret in saving time and adding lots of convenience to your online shopping for Christmas. Some shops will actually let you purchase in advance and then specify a “ship by” date, i.e., buy in May and have it shipped in December. This is rarely advertised on sites but a quick e-mail to the shop may give you surprising results. No need to pay extra shipping having it shipped to you when you buy early, then you having to pay, again, to have it shipped to your recipient. This saves a lot of Christmas bucks!
How cool is that? Shop for Christmas in July, have it gift wrapped for free, free gift card and message and shipped in December! Look at all the money you can save and time you have left for cleaning, organizing and you!
Ms. Wutzke is owner of Log Cabin Fever Gifts & Decor.
We offer Free Gift Wrap, Free Gift Message and gift card and we will ship your package on the “Ship by” date you request! All this and great Cabin themed gifts & decor, fishing gifts, black bear gifts, deer antler scrimshaw and decorating articles.
All rights Reserved copyright © 2005 Log Cabin Fever Gifts & Decor
Going on a family vacation can be considerably more expensive than going with your partner only. Instead of buying two airline tickets and renting a double room in a hotel, you need maybe four or five tickets and at least two hotel rooms.
Fortunately, there are a lot of family-friendly offers that help keeping things in budget. Still, there are some aspects where you can cut on costs.
An expense that is often not recognized is the food. When on holiday, you often either lack the opportunity to cook or you’re not in the mood to continue that annoying household routine. Dining out is fine and surely an essential part of the recreation – after all, you want to enjoy your stay. But that doesn’t mean that every little snack has to be bought ready-made somewhere. If you can’t bring food, maybe because you’re going by plane and your luggage weight is limited, it might pay to look for a supermarket at your destination. And a sandwich, for example, does well as a replacement for a whole round of hot dogs as an afternoon snack.
If you’re staying in a hotel, you can try and ask at the reception if they
can empty the minibar at your rooms. Anyway, you should definitely avoid touching something in there, as the price is normally astronomic. And this way, you can make use of it as a fridge to keep some supplies there.
When you’re booking the trip and you’re not too fixed on a certain location that you want to go to, you can consider going to a travelling agent. Make a budget limit, and ask them what they can do with it. You might also want to check out several agents so you can choose the best offer. Instead of going to a hotel, renting a holiday house can be seriously cheaper. If you have a befriended family, maybe even with kids, too, then you can think about sharing a larger house. The atmosphere is more personal than in a hotel, and mostly you’ll find a cooking site – if you don’t mind gastronomical activities during your free time. If your family is insisting on a hotel, tell them what nice things you can do on your trip with all the money saved.
Brigette Meier is an occassional author for http://www.e-nterests.com – visit the site for more interesting articles.