My mother is The Christmas Tree NAzi. Where most families decorate the Christmas tree as a family, my mom does not like anybody decorating the tree other than herself. As a kid I would decorate the Christmas tree and then my mother would say:
“Oh Baby that looks nice. You did a wonderful job. But you know if you just move this piece here and this piece there….”
And before you know it the whole tree would be rearranged as mom saw fit. It was disheartening. My poor little feelings would be hurt. Now I don’t even try to decorate the tree. I have learned that there is no hope that I will ever decorate another Christmas tree as long as I am at home
with my mother. It’s just not possible.
We (well my mom) just managed to decorate the tree tonight even though the tree has been up for a couple of weeks. And what can I say, she stayed true to form. She put the kids to be, begin to decorate the tree, and didn’t ask for my help until she needed me to fill in some holes on the side and the back of the tree. You know the areas where no one is going to look.
Yep. That’s my mom. The Christmas Tree Nazi.
T.S. Johnson is a freelance writer and a blogger. To read more about her misadventures visit http://www.tlkbck.blogspot.com or check out her website at http://www.prologuezine.com
Every now and then I am struck with a feeling of despair and helplessness. Sometimes, we go through the entire year without thinking about those who are less fortunate. Most of us are struck with that charitable feeling around Christmas. Thoughts of children waking up with no presents to open, families going without a Christmas meal, all of these things that shouldn’t be weigh on our minds during the holiday season. What about the rest of the year? Yes, there are some of us who try to do our part the entire year. Then there are some of us who never give it another thought. Like myself. I guess it is always in the back of my mind, but more so during the holidays. Through the year, I’ve participated in other charitable events, but it’s not the same drive you get during Christmas.
I want to share a story with you. This event took tonight.
My husband and I went to the local grocery store. It was about fifteen minutes before closing time and we just needed a few items. Well, if the truth were known, we actually rode to town to pick up a six-pack. The decision to stop at the grocery store was a last minute decision.
In the store we were walking past the meat department. There was an elderly woman looking at a package of meat. She asked my husband if it was pork chops, and he replied, “yes ma’am.” The woman put the package down and commented on how expensive they were. We all agreed and moved on.
We had reached the only check out line that was opened. There was such a lengthy line trying to check out. The aisle was so narrow that you couldn’t even stand beside your basket. The elderly woman was checking out followed by a shopping basket, a man, our basket, us, and behind us was about four people. Everyone was chatting back and forth. I saw the woman place a gallon of milk, a box of cereal, a loaf of bread and a few can goods on the counter. After a few minutes I glanced up to see what was taking so long. I noticed the cashier roll her eyes and it was obvious that she was growing impatient. I wondered if she was just anxious to get the store closed. Whatever the case, I thought she was rude. The elderly woman was doing her best to count out her money, handing the cashier some bills and counting out her change.
The cashier was arranging the bills and was shaking her head. I wanted to say something but I was too far away. I then noticed that there was a verbal exchange going on between the two, but I couldn’t hear over the chattering in the back of the line. Then I heard the cashier say in a stern voice, “thirty-eight cents”. I saw the elderly woman look down and I attempted to inch up between the baskets with no success. I turned to my husband who was talking to someone else. I had this feeling that I knew what was going on. I didn’t bring my purse with me so I reached in my back pocket, finding nothing but a piece of paper. I turned to my husband again but the cashiers voice caught my attention. She reached in one of the bags and pulled out the cereal. The elderly woman was looking at the floor. The cashier ran the box over the scanner and handed it to the girl that was bagging groceries. The girl immediately left. I knew she was going to put the cereal back on the shelf.
I looked around and the line was longer. The man in front of me was talking to someone also. I wanted to yell, “Wait a minute! We’ve got thirty-eight cents”, but I
didn’t. The thought suddenly entered my mind that I would embarrass the woman. I watched as the cashier gave her back some change and she feebly picked up her bags and walked out the door. I watched her every step with a heavy heart. Once outside she walked in front of the large window and glanced back at me. I felt my heart stop. I wanted to run to her but I couldn’t. She nodded her head at me and I gave her a half smile. She smiled and I turned my attention on moving up in the line.
We finally checked out and walked out the opposite door. In the parking lot I turned to see her sitting on the bench. I guess she was waiting on a ride. I stood beside my vehicle lost in my own thoughts until my husband’s voice brought me back into reality. I got in the truck and glanced at her again.
My husband replied, “There are some really poor people in this county”. I turned to look at him. He expressed his thoughts that he felt she really wanted those pork chops. I felt the tears building in my eyes. I told him what I had witnessed. He angrily replied that I should have told him that he would have bought the cereal for her.
I sat there a moment. I then asked him, “At what cost? To embarrass her in front of everyone?”
He sat there a moment and looked in her direction. I wanted to walk up to her and give her the five-dollar bill that he placed in my cup holder. I was afraid. I was afraid that I would insult her. I didn’t know what to do. What should I do? My mind was failing me and my heart was hurting.
We drove off in silence as tears flowed down my cheek. Tears not only for her, but also for my ignorance.
As I sit here and type this I am not sure what the right thing to do was. I wish I had been right behind her so that it would have been easier to help her. My husband and I could have handed the cashier a dollar and I could have replied “Oh, I hate it when I leave all my money at home.” Would I have thought about that if I had been behind her? I don’t know but it would have been better than the outcome of this event.
I sit here trying to make sense of it all. The images of people chatting happily, the rude cashier, and this poor elderly woman. Everyone was so engulfed in their own moments that the pitiful scene went unnoticed by so many. Unnoticed except for me. I am so full of guilt, pity and strangely a feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for what I have. As I type this, the tears are filling my eyes. I am not trying to be selfish; I am trying to express my sorrowful feelings.
Sometimes we forget that we are so much more fortunate than our fellow neighbor. We must not forget this. I am heart broken that this episode had to occur to remind me of this. Oddly I feel confused and blessed. Confused for all that I have stated and blessed to know that I have so much to be thankful for.
I pray that if I ever have to witness this again, I will have the answers and act upon them. The scenes of tonight will be forever etched in my memories.
This unknown woman will be in my prayers tonight, as will myself. For I am not convinced my failure to act is justified.
Elaine Lemons is an author on a site for Writers (http://www.Writing.Com/). Her portfolio can be found at http://www.writing.com/authors/october2002 so stop by and read what she has written.
One thing you can count on during the holiday season is the obligatory office party. No matter what the size of the organization, there is always an effort to bring coworkers together for one more moment of merriment. Some people look forward to the chance to mix and mingle outside the confines of business and others would rather give up the annual bonus than have to spend precious personal time with the gang from work.
No matter which side of the issue you fall on, there are certain rules of behavior to follow at the office party if you want to have an office to go to when the party is over. When the invitation arrives for the holiday happening, make sure that you know the answers to these key questions:
1. Do I have to go? Don’t even consider NOT going unless you have a justifiable conflict. The office party is part of your job. Its purpose is to bring together coworkers and colleagues for a bit of camaraderie and some well-deserved recognition. If this is not your idea of a great time, then consider it work, put on your best attitude and go.
2. Do I need to know who will be there? Find out who else has been invited. If you assume that it is just your department or your work team, you may not be prepared to interact with everyone else. Any sort of mixing and mingling event requires advance preparation. Knowing who will be there and having an idea what to talk about is critical to a successful venture.
3. How long should I stay? Stay long enough to speak to everyone there – assuming there is not a cast of thousands. With a large crowd, interact with as many people as possible, especially the key people like your boss. You need to remain at the event for at least an hour or you will give the impression that your appearance was merely obligatory.
If you are having a good time check your watch. Leave before the party time has elapsed. If your invitation was from 5-7, don’t stay one minute past 7 o’clock. You don’t want to be thought of as part of the clean-up crew unless that is the next job you want to have.
4. What should I wear? Remember that this is the office party, and keep your guard up when deciding how to dress. If the event is immediately after work, your business attire is appropriate.
If the party is later in the evening or on the weekend your choices will vary depending on the type of event. If you aren’t certain what to wear, check directly with your host or with coworkers whose taste and judgment you trust. Make sure that what you wear reflects well on you professionally. This is not the time to show up in your most revealing outfit.
5. Is my family invited? Not unless it says so on the invitation. Take your children only if the invitation reads “and family”. Otherwise leave them at home with the babysitter. Unless your spouse is mentioned or the envelope is addressed to you “and guest” you and only you should show up.
6. What will I talk
about? It’s not what you have to say; it’s about what other people have to say. The trick is allowing other people to talk. If you plan ahead with some good open-ended questions, you won’t have any trouble with conversations. The best conversation starter begins with “tell me about…” You can then continue with “That’s interesting. Tell me more.”
7. How much should I eat and drink? Whether the event is a reception with light hors d’oeuvres or a full buffet, keep moderation in mind. You are not there for the food. You are there for the fellowship so resist the urge to fill your plate to overflowing. The person who goes through the line first and takes all the food will not be remembered fondly or invited back.
Drink in moderation. Alcohol and business rarely mix well so limit how much you consume. This is an opportunity to build business relationships and to promote yourself. You will want to keep your wits about you because your after-hours conduct will have a direct bearing on your business future.
8. Should I take a gift? Unless you are asked to bring something to exchange with your coworkers, the only appropriate gift is one for your host. While flowers and wine are popular items, approach both with caution. Take wine or liquor only if you are certain that your host drinks alcoholic beverages. If wine is being served with a meal, ask ahead of time what kind of wine would be appropriate. Otherwise make it clear that you expect your host to save the wine for a later occasion.
With flowers, take cut flowers already arranged in a vase that does not have to be returned. The host should not have to scurry about to locate a vase and arrange flowers while there are guests to be entertained. Gift baskets with jams, jellies, or gourmet food items that can be stored and served later are the best choices.
9. Is it all right to dance on the table with a lampshade on my head? Not at the office party, no matter how well it fits or what a great little dancer you are. Enjoy yourself, but keep in mind that it is still about business and make sure that you don’t have TOO much fun.
The holiday party is not the time to let down your hair or throw caution to the wind. What you say and do on Saturday night will live on for a long time in the minds of your associates. If your behavior is inappropriate, your career may be shorter than everyone else’s memory. If you conduct yourself with charm and savvy, your rise up the ladder of success could pick up speed.
(c) 2004, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
About The Author
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL -ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors’ Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman’s Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at Lydia@MannersThatSell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com/.
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Mother’s Day is the day when sons, daughters and husbands buy gifts and flowers to recognize the incredible work mom has done raising the children. But some moms are unknowingly cheating themselves out of the full experience of Mother’s Day. Many moms treat Mother’s Day as a completely external experience when Mother’s Day could be about so much more than just the well-deserved flowers and gifts.
Just Gifts & Flowers May Not Make Mother’s Day Special
All the gifts and flowers in the world will not make Mother’s Day special unless you, Mom, are making Mother’s Day a truly special day. Make this Mother’s Day a truly special Mother’s Day by recapturing that wonderful feeling of anticipation you felt before your child’s birth and that incredible feeling of elation you felt when your child was born. Embrace the feelings you felt when you held your baby for the first time. And then reflect upon the special moments you felt as your child developed into the wonderful son or daughter you have today. Do you feel that welling up of emotion when you think about your child in this way? Feels good; doesn’t it?
Make This Mother’s Day Special by Sharing Your Feelings
Now that you have these special feelings on Mother’s Day, share them with your child. If your child lives too far away to visit, then experience these memories and feelings as you speak with your child on the phone. If your child is close enough to visit, then recapture these feelings while you are with
them. Tell your child how you felt as you prepared for their arrival and how you felt on that incredible day when they were born. Then tell your child about the special childhood memories you cherish and why those memories are so special to you. End the conversation by telling your child how much you love who they have become and how they have made your life so much more complete.
This Mother’s Day Will Have More Meaning When You Share Your Feelings
By experiencing Mother’s Day in this way, you may feel you are doing all the work when this day is supposed to be the day you don’t lift a finger. But experiencing Mother’s Day in this way will give back far more than you give. You will feel so alive this Mother’s Day that the gifts and flowers will have more meaning for you and your children. You will remember what is important in life. You will make this Mother’s Day a truly special Mother’s Day by experiencing it both inside and out.
Lisa Dunning is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Specializing in Parent/Child Relationship issues and author of “Good Parents Bad Parenting: How To Parent Together When Your Parenting Styles Are Worlds Apart”.
Lisa Dunning is a columnist for Las Vegas Family Magazine & Los Angeles Family Magazine and provides expert relationship and parenting advice for television and radio programs throughout the country.
To learn more about Lisa Dunning, her parenting book and other services, visit her website at http://www.LisaDunningMFT.com
Be honest. Which is more likely to be dancing through your head this holiday season: visions of sugarplums or the beginning of a migraine?
“The holidays never seem to live up to their promise,” “They are way more trouble than they’re worth,” “I just run, run, run, trying to cram everything in, and I’m completely sick of them by the time it’s all over.”
The key culprit to the demise of holiday cheer is quite often plain old stress. From the Thanksgiving weekend through to New Years Day our lives are a mad rush of office parties, gatherings of friends, and family obligations. There are presents to buy, food to prepare, and schedules to coordinate. It’s not surprising that many people look forward to the season with anxiety rather than joy.
We all have stress. The question is: what are you going to do about it? Though ongoing stress can wreak havoc on us mentally and physically, the good new is it is manageable. There are many ways to mitigate its effects, even during the frenzy of festivities. A key element to de-stress your life is the mind. Sometimes a little mental shift is all it takes to get us back into the swing of things. And even if changing your behavior is required, the mind can play an important role in helping to make that adjustment.
Get Those Endorphins Moving
Exercise is a proven stress-reducer, yet during the holidays it’s often pushed right off the calendar by the social whirl. For most people it’s hard enough to get motivated to work out, never mind making it a priority when there are so many other tempting offers.
You know how they say great sex starts in the mind? Well it’s true of great workouts too, and the mind can play a vital role in encouraging you to get active. Before you go to sleep at night, imagine yourself working out the next day, feeling great and loving the results. Envision your muscles gaining strength and flexibility. Imagine how energized you are. Come morning, you are much more likely to fit that workout into your day, thanks to inner motivation.
An added benefit of mental exercise is that it actually shows some results. No, you’re not going to get buns of steel by just thinking of pumping iron, but studies show that injured athletes who imagine their workout routine in their minds are able to come up to speed much more quickly. There’s even some research that shows muscles gaining tone and strength with visualized exercise as compared to the muscles of people who did nothing at all. So, if you simply cannot find the time in your day to get a workout in, use a few minutes to imagine yourself doing it. You’ll get stress-busting endorphins flowing and it won’t be so hard to get back on the horse the next time.
Forgoing the Feast
What we eat plays a big role in keeping stress at bay. A well-nourished body is better equipped to combat the effects of stress, and foods also have a direct impact on our moods. Unfortunately, during the holidays high-fat sugary foods seem to be everywhere. Even people who typically eat a well-balance diet can be tempted by the delectables that seem to be gracing every table. However, with the help of your imagination you can make a few small changes that will have a positive impact on in how you approach holiday eating.
Before you attend a food-filled bash, take a few moments to see yourself behaving exactly as you want to during the party. Research shows that by imagining something in your mind, you’re much more likely to act it out. See yourself enjoying the company of others, having such a good time you hardly even notice if food is in the room. Or imagine yourself at the buffet, choosing a small plate, reviewing the food and creating a reasonable meal for yourself. Then march into that party behaving confidently just as you did in your mind.
Sugary foods seem to be particularly plentiful at holiday time. Everywhere you turn some confectionary delight is glittering invitingly. Too much sugar can cause your energy and mood to crash – not helpful when you’re trying to juggle a myriad of holiday activities. Luckily, you can have as many “inner cookies” as you like. Close your eyes and indulge completely in whatever your favorite treat is. Savor it. Enjoy it. Have another if you so desire. Make sure to finish up by feeling highly satisfied. In addition to helping you avoid energy crashes, inner cookies never show up on your hips or thighs.
It’s also easy to overindulge with alcohol during the holidays. And while many people think of alcohol as something that helps us to relax, in larger amounts it actually increases
stress by placing extra demands on your body, disrupting sleep, and creating hangovers. Some people also drink because they’re shy, and think a little alcohol will loosen inhibitions and make socializing easier. Unfortunately, too much alcohol can cause many of us to act in ways that are less-than-flattering, and the stress of that will likely follow you long after the holidays are over.
Limiting alcohol can greatly improve how you feel mentally and physically. As with food, visualize yourself behaving exactly as you want to. For example, see yourself ordering sparkling water, or being so enraptured in conversation you don’t even have a drink in hand. Imagine yourself being lively and interesting, while remaining calm and coherent. See yourself waking up the next morning looking and feeling great, with no regrets, ready to face the day.
Take a Mini-Vacation in your Mind
Even someone with a well-balanced diet and exercise routine is likely to encounter increased stress during the holidays. Often the biggest demand is on your time. If you can’t fit in a quick trip to the Bahamas for a little R&R, take a mini-vacation in your mind instead. The technique is deceptively simple: close your eyes, breathe deeply, and imagine yourself in a lovely spot, doing something delightful. Focus on how you feel, imagine the sights and sounds. You’ll be amazed at how a vacation in the mind can help you to refresh and rejuvenate, and prepare you to get back into the real world.
You can fit these mini-vacations into all kinds of empty spots in your day. Commuting on the bus; waiting in a long line at the checkout, even a quick trip to the bathroom will suffice. And the best part is you don’t even have to pack.
Get Out Of Your Own Way
While a focused mind can help to create wonderful relaxation, what goes on in our heads is often the greatest roadblock to a truly enjoyable holiday season. We want everything to be so perfect that we create an unreachable level of anticipation. Or we so dread yet another family brawl that we enter the season with a sense of gloom and foreboding. We plan to be completely organized and efficient, and yet fear that chaos is just around the corner.
When it comes to the holidays, it’s crucial to put things into perspective. If your expectations are of perfection you’re not likely to reach them. Be realistic about what you can get done and rather than focusing on accomplishing every little detail, focus on family and friends. Keep things simple, be prepared, and be willing to be flexible.
For some people, the thought of being required to spend time with people they don’t particularly enjoy, especially family, can be very anxiety provoking. The best remedy is a good attitude. Plan for the positive; make it a game to find one story that makes your crabby Grandma Lou laugh. Promise yourself a lovely reward if you can make it through dinner without throwing something at your obnoxious brother. It takes two to tango, and you get to choose whether you let other people drag you down or not. Focus on the best of what family (or friends, or co-workers) have to offer.
Stress can invade your life at any time of the year, but it can be particularly troublesome during the “season of good cheer.” How you prepare for and respond to the disruptions determines how quickly you can get back to a sense of calm and get on with your life. The ability to manage stress resides within you; if you don’t take care of it, no one will. When it comes to the holidays, remember the true purpose of season: to revel in loved ones, to enjoy the company of good friends, and to deepen your connection to spirit. All the other things are just details.
Bliss Trips are the creation of Kerstin Sjoquist, who combines her background as a Juilliard-trained actor and Certified Hypnotherapist to produce inner journeys that relax and transform. “In leading my workshops it became clear to me that most of us are in desperate need of a break. Even a brief bit of downtime can do wonders, so I created Bliss Trips to be a fun and inspirational way to give yourself some peace. The CDs are fabulous, because they do all the work for you, but sometimes you just need a bit of inspiration in the moment, and that’s why I created a Bliss-Trip a-Day. You can Bliss in the shower, Bliss on the bus… if you can close your eyes you can Bliss!”
To view today’s Bliss Trip, see samples of previous meditations, copy the syndication code for your own website, or sign up for the free Bliss Trip A Day email service go to: http://www.blisstrips.com
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1. Keep a stack of directions TO your place for people who need to know how to get to your home or office. This prevents you from having to write them out every time you are asked. Type the directions and save them on your computer. This way you can email, fax, or mail them the directions. Make copies and keep them accessible. It is also helpful to keep directions FROM your place for future visits you need to make.
2. Rather than add to someone else’s clutter with a gift you are not sure they would like, give ‘consumable’ items for Christmas such as: special coffees or teas, cookies, or gift certificates.
3. Keep a Christmas idea file. Keep a folder and insert recipes, magazine clippings, gift ideas, and other ideas you might like to use for the holiday.
4. A COUNTDOWN is super effective for any event such as weddings, holidays, and parties. Start by creating a master to-do list of everything that needs to be done for your special event. Then, transfer
a couple of to-dos onto each day preceding your event. Cross off items when finished!
5. AVOID shopping during busy times like the weekend and after-work. Shop online, by catalog, or in an area with several stores-in order to consolidate your shopping trips. Ask for gift-wrapping!
6. Spend your time on what you LOVE to do. If you love socializing, why waste your time cooking? Order from your favorite restaurant. If you hate decorating, hire an interior decorator or an art student. Exchange tasks with friends.
7. Pack your decorations away with care. Do not throw everything in a box. Take time to pack fragile items carefully. Store your decorations and lights in proper containers. Inventory what you have with a list and a list for what you need next year. LABEL all of your boxes!
Rebekah Slatkin is a professional organizer dedicated to getting people organized through hands-on decluttering sessions, teleconferencing, coaching, and her website http://www.best-organizing-products-superstore.com Visit http://www.best-organizing-products-superstore.com and subscribe to Organewz, her ezine dedicated to organized living and get organizing tips- free.
In theory Christmas is a time that is filled with joy and celebration. A joyous holiday when you get together with loved ones and catch up, exchange gifts and generally have a good time.
Unfortunately in practice it can be a time of great stress and unhappiness. There is so much to do and so much to organise. And sometimes getting together with your extended family can be uncomfortable and even painful.
So here is a plan that will help you to relax a little more this Christmas and hopefully a good time will be had by all.
Christmas Shopping
Don’t leave everything until the last moment. Rushing will just make you tired and more stressed. Get you Christmas shopping done early, so you don’t have to spend hours fighting other shoppers for the last doll or Christmas turkey.
Don’t over spend. It is very easy at Christmas time to spend too much and put yourself in a financial hole for a good part of the new year. Decide before you go shopping how much you can afford to spend and stick to your budget. Shopping early will help you stick to a budget as you will not be in a last minute panic, picking up anything that may be suitable regardless of the cost.
If money is a little tight for you or some of your family members there are a couple of ways you can reduce your spending costs. Together you could decide that all gifts should be handmade or second hand. Or you could all decide that each of you will only buy for one other person. This way instead of spending $5 on 10 people and getting them all little cute but junky things you spend $50 on one person and get them something that they will really appreciate. Decide between the family an amount that everyone is to spend and then draw names out of a hat to see who you will shop for.
Wrap the presents as soon as you can after buying them – that will leave
one less thing to do on Christmas eve.
Christmas Cooking
Again planning is very important. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Ask members of your family to bring something along. This way the chore is shared amongst many and everyone can feel like they have contributed.
See what preparations can be made a few days before hand. The plum pudding and mince tarts can be made weeks before hand. Do what you can, but make sure everything is stored at a safe temperature. You can wash the potatoes but they will go black if you peel them.Dealing with the Unpleasant Relatives
At Christmas time we can be thrown together with people that we would really rather not have anything with. Do your best to be pleasant to them but if they cross the line and say something that is rude stay calm. Do not attack them back; let them know that you do not appreciate their comments and that you would rather here positive comments about yourself and other members of your family.
Do your best not to let the comments of one person spoil your day. Try not to dwell on any negativity. Instead think about the things you are enjoying about the day and go and find someone you do get along well with and talk to them.
Alcohol can increase your emotional reactions to any situation so only drink in moderation.
One final word
Make sure that you look after yourself with appropriate exercise, relaxation, sleep and a healthy diet on the days leading up to Christmas. When we are feeling fit and energetic we are able to cope so much more easily with the ups and downs of life. However if we are already feeling tired and stressed any little thing can overwhelm us and this can make Christmas day more tension and tiresome.
Have a great Christmas
Want more ways to enjoy life? Kerry-Ann Cox, author and healer, has just released her new book “10 Spiritual law for stress reduction” Find our more at http://www.exaltedliving.com/stress.htm
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Many of us would love to give hand made holiday gift baskets. Christmas gifts from the kitchen are always welcome and Christmas gift baskets, especially home made food gift baskets, are a real treat.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the thought of making your own holiday gift baskets but with a few easy recipe ideas it is easy to create a personalized and thoughtful hand made Christmas food gift basket.
Any of these recipes make a wonderful gift packaged in a plastic or cellophane bag with a colorful bow or in a pretty jelly jar with a fabric covered lid. Add a hand made card with the recipe attached to it and your gift is complete.
1. Herbed Beer Batter Bread Mix
To make the mix you will need:
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon each of dried thyme and oregano
Dash of dried dill
In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt oregano, thyme and dill. Pack this mixture into an airtight container or bag. The mix can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month. It will make 1 loaf of bread.
Recipe to print on attached card:
For Herbed Beer Bread
Herbed Beer Bread Mix
1 can of beer at room temperature
1 teaspoon butter, melted
Place the Beer Bread Mix in a large bowl. With a wooden spoon, stir in beer just until incorporated. Scrape into greased 8″x4″ (1.5L) loaf pan.
Bake in 375ºF oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until crusty and golden brown. Let stand in the pan for 5 minutes then remove to rack and brush with melted butter. Makes 1 loaf.
2. Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookie Mix
To make the mix you will need:
6 cups rolled oats
4 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking
soda
1 pound shortening
2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
In a large bowl, stir together oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and baking soda. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until crumbly.
Stir in raisins, coconut, chocolate and pecans. This mix can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 10 weeks. Makes about 5 batches of cookies.
Recipe to print on attached card:
Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
4 cups Oatmeal Cookie Mix
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
In a bowl, combine the Oatmeal Cookie Mix with egg, milk and vanilla until dough forms. Shape into 1 1/2″ balls and place on greased baking sheets. Flatten balls with a fork.
Bake in 375ºF oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden. Remove to racks and let cool. Makes 24 cookies.
3. Spicy Mulled Cider Mix
To make the mix you will need:
3/4 cup crushed cinnamon sticks
3/4 cup chopped dried orange rind
1/3 cup whole allspice
1/4 cup whole cloves
Combine all ingredients in a jar. Makes about 2 cups.
Recipe to print on attached card:
Spicy Mulled Cider
4 cups apple juice, apple cider, or half apple juice
and half cranberry juice
2 tablespoons Spicy Mulled Cider Mix
In saucepan, combine juice and cider mix. Cover and bring to a simmer. Gently simmer for 20 minutes. Strain into mugs. Makes 4 servings.
Place a few of these gems in a wicker basket, Christmas tin or other fun and seasonal container. Fill in the spaces with wrapped chocolates, holiday napkins or a bottle of wine and you have beautiful and sure to be appreciated holiday gift baskets with that extra personal touch.
Karen Ciancio is a cook and lover of all things food and cooking related. Her website http://www.cookingnook.com contains easy dessert recipes, plus lots of other recipes, cooking tips, measurement conversions and kitchen ideas.
No matter how old we are, we enjoy being remembered on that special day of the year that celebrates the day we were born! Birthdays are a time to recognize special people in our lives with joyous celebration. It is a time-honored tradition to pay tribute the birthday gal or guy with a mouth-watering cake decorated with sugar-laden frosting sculptures and a candle representing every year of their life on earth! We bestow on them gifts and cards filled with birthday verses and best wishes for many more birthdays to come. Birthdays are just plain fun!
Typically, the most difficult part of the birthday celebration is deciding what to buy the recipient. After all, what do you buy for someone who has it all? Admit it – every year it becomes more difficult to find the “perfect” gift for your mom, dad, sibling, husband, and even the kids in your family. How much time do you spend thinking about it and ultimately browsing through department stores without a clue?
Birthday gift baskets are an excellent choice for the birthday gal or guy at any age – they are virtually fail-proof and always a big hit with the recipient. The question may come to mind, “What are the perfect ingredients for a gift basket?” That will vary from one individual to the next. The great thing about birthday gift baskets is that they can be built for children and adults of any age – and based on their unique interests and likes. The following ideas may help you in selecting a birthday gift basket for everyone on your list:
Women
You can’t ever go wrong with a birthday basket designed for every special woman in your life, whether it is your mom, grandmom, wife, sister, or daughter. Women love to be pampered. A pampering basket may include bath and body products, a loofah, a fragrant candle, an inspirational book, and a CD of soothing sounds of nature. The woman who enjoys gardening would welcome a basket containing a garden trowel, gloves, decorative garden picks, seeds, and hand
lotion packed in a decorative flower pot. For the tea lover, a perfect basket would consist of flavored teas, biscotti, a tea infuser, and a china tea pot.
Men
Men are not as hard to please as you think – and a birthday gift basket is a perfect solution for that hard-to-buy for dad, husband, brother, grandfather, son, or boss! If he is your handyman, fill the basket with small tools and gadgets he is always mentioning he needs but never buys. Don’t forget to add some treats to round out the basket – after all, you will want to satisfy that sweet tooth. Consider a sports-oriented theme for this birthday gift basket. There are great options out there for sports enthusiasts in every category. If you are thinking about something with a little more style, a bottle of cognac, his favorite cigars, and gourmet treats may appeal to him – packaged in a brown derby!
Kids
The sky is the limit when selecting a birthday gift basket for a kid of any age. Stick to items that are age-specific from babies through teens. Consider items that you know the child likes. You can stick with a specific theme or create a hodge-podge of items that you know will bring hours of enjoyment to a child. Ideas for an assortment of items are a small stuffed animal, books based on age and interest, healthy snacks, travel-size games, small puzzles, and flavored beverages for kids. Consider containers they can reuse.
If you just do not know what items to select, consider a gourmet food basket that usually satisfies everyone’s pallet – even the most hard to please! There is no limit on what you can include in a birthday gift basket, but always consider the recipient when making a gift basket purchase and ask yourself whether or not he or she will like the birthday gift basket you select!
About The Author
Wendy Wood is the owner of Seek Gift Baskets, an online gift basket directory listing professional gift basket designers from around the world. http://www.seekgiftbaskets.com
If you don’t already know it, you can send a birthday card or other greeting card via your cell phone to friends and loved ones. In fact, this is one of the largest markets for greeting card makers. It has long been told that anything that could be done on a computer would be and that goes for sending friends and family well wishes.
The industry itself is part of the ever growing demand to stay connected. Over recent years, the mobile phone industry has gained considerable amounts of technology. Cameras, games and just the fact that you can browse the web from your phone have become the foundation for the business of cell phones. Most people want to stay connected and they want anything that they can do online to be available right on their cell phones. Mobile greeting cards are just one of those things!
So, consider this. If you know that your friend’s birthday is next week and you just can’t afford to miss it, you can program that into your cell phone and get a reminder message. Not only that, but you can even get a birthday
card off to her through the use of your mobile service. A few clicks of the button and she’s happy. It’s well known that mobile phones can do just about anything these days!
Of course, this doesn’t just go for birthday cards. Why not get the Christmas card list going and send them through the phone? Ecards, as they are called, are slowly becoming the way of life in many areas. It takes seconds to get them together. No stamps, no envelopes and so much less time are all factors that have encouraged greeting cards on mobile phones and the web to do so well. Services can even be set up to remind you that it is your friend’s birthday so you can be the first person to wish them a good day! Sending greetings has never been so much fun and easy to do. Mobile greetings will continue to increase in demand because of the ease of use, the inexpensive costs and the ever advancing technology that is offered.
S Baker is a well respected writer and recommends free birthday cards for the next birthday greeting you send.