‘Tis the season for… unwanted gifts?!
Whatever you celebrate throughout the winter holiday season (that’s my stab at fitting into these politically correct times), there are plenty of gift exchanges going on. When it comes to gift giving our loved ones have good intentions, but sometimes they just don’t get it right (a good poker face comes in handy at times like these).
I like to call this the Unwanted Gift Syndrome. Symptoms of this infliction include:
· Psychedelic sweaters with dancing reindeer
· Bobble-head dolls of political figures
· Homemade arts and crafts
· Purple and orange argyle socks
They may say that it’s the thought that counts, but what really counts is getting something that you can actually use. Instead of standing in line at the return counter, tossing in the trash receptacle, or storing away to gather dust (and later brought out when the gift giver drops in for a visit), you could consider using these unwanted items as a means to get what you really wanted. What might not be your cup-of-tea could be a treasure to someone else.
You can have a post-holiday party
for you and your friends, at which everyone brings an unwanted gift for an exchange. White elephant exchange games are great for things like this. You could also utilize online barter sites, like SwapThing.com, to list your item and see if it piques the interest of someone who may have something you want.
Not all gifts fall into the realm of our expectations, but after feigning excitement for these unique treasures, you don’t have to live with them forever. We all have differing tastes, so you never know who might find that inner beauty you just don’t see.
SwapThing http://www.swapthing.com is a site focused on building a strong swap community online. The ShareThing http://www.swapthing.com/user/Nonprofit.jsp program helps non-profits get access to item & cash donations as well as volunteers and professional services. This article comes with reprint rights. You are free to reprint and distribute it, as you like. All that we ask is that you do not make any changes, that this resource text is included, and that the links above is intact.
When I started writing this column in Fall of 1998, the idea of doing all your holiday shopping online rated quite daring and trendy.
Fast-forward to today and online shopping represents a very sizeable share of all retail commerce.
In fact, just like the “Black Friday” after Thanksgiving gets many retail stores “into the black” financially, they’ve coined a name for one of the biggest shopping days online: “Black Monday!”
Black Monday or “Cyber Monday” refers to the Monday after Thanksgiving when everyone goes back to work and does all their shopping online (presumably on their break — yeah right!)
Either they couldn’t find what they wanted in a brick-and- mortar store over the weekend or, like me, couldn’t stand the thought of standing in line for hours, so they shop online.
Since their workplace often carries the fastest Internet connection, many people find playing “Cyber Santa” at work too tempting to resist.
Despite a “sluggish economy,” this past Black Monday should turn out to be the biggest on record, though the actual results may not get tallied for weeks.
However, if you plan to play “Cyber Santa” this year by making holiday purchases online, the following tips should help the little online elves make all your dreams come true.
** Don’t Procrastinate **
Don’t wait until the last minute to place your orders online. Internet companies function just like mail-order companies.
Human beings process your order, pull it out of inventory, pack it, and ship it to your address.
If a backup occurs, no amount of e-mailing or phone calls will cause your packages to arrive any faster.
** Delivery Guarantees **
Find out what guarantees (in writing) the company makes regarding delivery.
If they
don’t guarantee delivery for 2 weeks and you waited until December 19 to order, it doesn’t take a computer science degree to know your order won’t arrive in time.
** Return Policies **
Along with delivery guarantees, check the return policy. What happens if something goes wrong with the product?
Where and how do you return it?
Also, understand that if you buy something through an auction site like eBay, you run the risk of defective merchandise with no hope for an exchange.
** Brick and Mortar **
Try to deal with companies that offer a “brick and mortar” operation to augment their online presence.
This comes in handy if you received a defective product, or the wrong product, and need a quick fix by visiting the store at the last minute to avoid tears on Christmas morning.
** Disaster Planning **
Ordering early means you can make a quick recovery if something goes wrong by going to the mall and buying something else!
I bought 22 very cool gifts for out of town relatives and business associates yesterday with the click of a mouse!
I plan to do 100% of my shopping online this holiday season and avoid losing my holiday spirit by engaging in urban combat for a parking spot at the mall.
So remember, use common sense, buy from reputable merchants, and let your keyboard help you create a memorable holiday season.
Copyright 2005 Jim Edwards
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and co-author of an amazing program that teaches you how to use free articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website, affiliate links, or blogs… without spending a dime on advertising! Click Here> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com
Q. With the holiday season upon us, I’ve got some worries about my kids. Each year, they seem to be less and less grateful for what they receive, and want more and more stuff. I’m afraid of what this will lead to, and wonder what you would suggest for how to teach our kids to be grateful.
A. I am asked this question often at this time of year.
Part of the problem is that we live in a culture that not only doesn’t support the concept of gratitude, it teaches the exact opposite.
In order to teach gratitude and appreciation, here are three suggestions:
Model gratitude in your own life
Do you complain a lot? Your kids are listening and will copy you.
Make things last. Don’t just throw something out if it can be fixed.
Talk with your kids about’ what you are grateful for in life. Tell your kids, often, what you appreciate about them.
Go slow on
the big things
When we rent Chuck E. Cheese for a 3-year-old’s birthday party, send kids to middle school dances in limos, and buy 16-year-olds brand-new cars, just what are we teaching them?What are they going to expect, (demand) next year?
We forget to ask the same question the scientists in the movie “Jurassic Park” forgot to ask: Just because we can do something, does it necessarily mean we should?
Have regular “gratitude times in your family
Make it a regular part of your dinner conversation to share what your are grateful for that day.
Make it a part of the bedtime ritual to share what you are grateful for in your life.
Visit ParentingYourTeenager.com for tips and tools for thriving during the teen years. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 5 day e-program on The Top 5 Things to Never Say to Your Teenager, from parenting coach and expert Jeff Herring.
Punta Mita, What dreams are made of.
When you dream of a tropical paradise, do you dream of a place whose white sand beaches seemingly stretch forever? Or of a world where the water is a kaleidoscope of turquoise and aquamarine hues? Or of fiery pinks and reds of a Pacific Ocean sunset?
Then you dream of Punta Mita, Mexico’s premier destination. Punta Mita is a mosaic of moods and memories. It is the sensual breezes off the Bahia de Banderas and the storybook city of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It is the gracious and attentive staff of the Four Seasons Resort and the new St. Regis Resort.
It is Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf along the ocean, revitalizing spa services, and sumptuous gourmet cuisine. Once immersed in the gated seclusion and privacy of Punta Mita, you wouldn’t dream of owning anywhere else
in Mexico.
Punta Mita encompasses more than 1,500 acres on a beautiful peninsula surrounded on three sides by nine and a half miles of sugary sand beaches and alluring blue waters, and by breathtaking flora to the southeast. Located on the peninsula called Punta de Mita, this gated community is preferred for its uncompromising privacy, and proximity to Puerto Vallarta.
Surrounded on three sides by nine and a half miles of intoxicating beaches, Punta Mita is one of Mexico’s premier communities and foremost resort sanctuary.
Punta Mita is blessed with one of the most pleasant climates in the world. Sharing the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, Punta Mita is kept comfortable year round by gentle sea breezes, and its average summer temperatures are 85° with 75° temperatures during winter months. school offering master’s and doctoral degrees in human development.
When the holidays come around, it always seems as if there are treats galore! The stores quickly fill up with egg nog, wasail ingredients, and chocolate shaped into just about every shape imaginable. But this year, how about looking at the more traditional holiday treats to spice up your gatherings. By focusing on the traditional and meaningful instead of the gaudy and commercial, you may find that you introduce your family and friends to treats that they love to both eat and discuss.
In Austria, families traditionally spend Christmas Eve together, starting the evening with a church service. Following church, they gather for a traditional dinner. While their main course of Gebackener Karpfen, or fried carp, may not suit everyone’s fancy, their dessert of Sachertorte may indeed. Sachertore is a chocolate and apricot cake; the richness of the cake is determined by the depth and quality of the chocolate used. The cake is then frosted traditionally with chocolate frosting, creating a delectable treat for almost any palate.
When December 6th reaches Germany, they celebrate the evening with St. Nicholas coming to all the children. For the good children comes a shoe or boot full of delicious chocolates, cookies, and other treats. This just starts the holiday season. On Christmas Eve, each family member receives a plate of all kinds of treats, including fruit, nuts, marzipan, chocolate, and cookies. These treats are sure to bring sweet dreams for Christmas morning!
Mexico celebrates the holiday season with La Posadas, which marks the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Starting on December 16th, this celebration takes place each night with people going
from door to door, singing traditional songs and asking for admittance for Mary. When the door is opened, everyone celebrates and the children enjoy the tradition of the piñata. The piñata is a brightly colored container made of either pottery (traditionally) or paper (in modern times) filled with all sorts of treats for the children. One by one, the children are blindfolded and try to hit the piñata with a stick. Finally, the piñata breaks and everyone celebrates by devouring the delicious candies and treats
And in France comes probably one of the most indulgent treats, the sabots. Traditionally, the sabots were wooden shoes that the peasants wore. On Christmas Eve, the children would put their sabots in front of the fire in hopes that they would awaken to sabots filled with treats. In modern France, however, wooden shoes are obviously not as prevalent. Instead, sabots are made of chocolate by pastry shops and filled with all sorts of candies. Obviously, these are no longer set in front of the fire.
For your next holiday gathering, why not pick a traditional theme and impart both delicious food and knowledge upon your guests. They will in all likelihood be thrilled not to rehash the same tired holiday offerings.
Jane S. Roseen became the sole Owner and President of Harmony Sweets in 2005. Since then she has taken a small, successful online gourmet chocolate shop and made it a name recognized world-wide. Harmony Sweets’ original mission focused on individual consumers purchasing gourmet chocolates from around the world for their friends and relatives. Roseen expanded that mission to include corporate gift-giving.
Website: http://www.harmonysweets.com
We’ve all had our share of what is known as “The Holiday Blues”. At this time of year I know that I will overindulge and gain a few pounds that will take more than a few weeks to take off. If I can. There are relatives to invite and gifts for which to rack our brains. The Holiday Spirit is sometimes elusive.
One person I feel sorry for is the Christmas tree entrepreneur. This guy has to guess how many trees he will need, pay for them up front, hope that the lot he rented is visible to civilization, and pray that his family will help sell the trees. In the back of his mind is the knowledge that every day more and more families will switch over to the already lit department store artificial trees. The snow that the kids are praying for won’t do him a bit of good. On top of this is the unspoken fact that come Christmas morning, any unsold trees will be worth nothing.
A few years ago, when we were still buying naturally grown Christmas trees for our home, the task fell on my wife, Marianne, to go out and find a nice tree. Previously, I had been the one who magically decided on the variety, shape, and height of
that all important reminder of Christmas. Some phrases that apply to my wife while shopping are: ‘She knows what she wants’, “Decidedly particular’, and ‘No crooked tree for our house’.
The grumpy old man at the Christmas tree lot must have shaken out a dozen trees, turning them in measured circles while Madam shook her head, suggesting implacably, “How about that one over there?”
Finally, a perfect specimen nudged out of a fresh mountain of trees pleased the lady very much and the sour owner stamped off to cut the trunk six inches shorter.
Now, the previous day, Marianne’s brother had heard that Marianne would be out shopping for a tree, so he asked her to pick out a nice one for his family, since he had no time and had to work. So as soon as Mr. Grump left with his saw, Marianne started looking around for her brother’s tree. Suddenly, the sour puss owner stood in the aisle with fire in his eyes. He blurted out, “Lady, it’s too late to change your mind, I’ve already cut off your bottom!”
Taken aback, Marianne quickly replied, “You don’t understand, I’m looking for my brother.”
With a scowl, he retorted, “Well, you won’t find him behind that tree!”
Real life is often funnier than fiction. Please do mention it.
What are the Chinese New Year activities for celebratingthis most important festival in the Chinese calendar?
Let’s start at the beginning…
In China, Chinese New Year is called the Spring Festival.
That’s because the first day of Chinese New Year falls onthe start of spring.
The beginning of spring is a fresh start…
It’s the start of a new year of sowing and reaping.
A wish for a good harvest in the year ahead.
(That’s how the Chinese character for “year” nian2 年 cameabout.)
A cause for celebration!
All around the world, Chinese families…
put up Chinese New Year scrolls on both sides of the door,
set off firecrackers (It’s illegal in many Chinese cities now, but people do it anyway)
and married adults give children red envelopes filled with“lucky money”.
Chinese New Year activities begin 2-4 weeks before the “bigday”.
Here’s what you can do to celebrate Chinese New Year.
It’s what Chinese families do all over the world.
1. Clean up the house
Select a day and together with the family, clean up thehouse.
This ritual gets rid of bad luck in the ending year andwelcomes in good luck in the new year.
2. Send greeting cards
Send greeting cards with new year wishes to friends,relatives and colleagues.
Remember to post your greeting cards early!
3. Go shopping
Go shopping to buy new clothes for the whole family, foodand sweets, and festive home decorations.
Looking for Chinese New Year activities for kids? Go to http://www.living-chinese-symbols.com/chinese-new-year-activities.html
4. Get ready some red packets.
You’ll need them later.
5. Decorate the house
Hang Chinese New Year scrolls called spring couplets on bothsides of the door to usher in good wishes for the new year.
Paste paper cuts of upside down good fotune “fu” characters,happy children and tangerine oranges on the wall.
Make sure you have vases of flowers in the house duringChinese
New Year.
They do more than just add a new year atmosphere to thehome.
Living plants symbolize growth and flowers represent wealthand prosperity.
Pum blossoms can be arranged together with bamboo and pine.
They stand for endurance, nobility and longevity.
Other favorite flowers are pussy willow, azalea, peony andwater lily or narcissus.
6. Prepare the reunion dinner
Gather your family together for this most important andsumptuous meal of the year on Chinese New Year’s eve.
Prepare a meal with auspicious dishes like chicken, fish,oysters, dumplings, green vegetables and noodles.
They have meanings of prosperity, longevity and abundance.
I’ve put together some Chinese New Year recipes and a listof what different foods symbolize at http://www.living-chinese-symbols.com/chinese-new-year-activities.html
7. Pass the year
After a hearty meal, stay up late to “pass the year” guo4nian2 过年, an ancient tradition.
You can watch TV, play card games, or chat.
After midnight (or on the morning of Chinese New Year’sday), give your children the red envelopes filled with money(called “lucky money”).
Put the red packets under the pillow of children. This issaid to ward off evil.
8. Send New Year greetings
Call up friends or SMS them on the morning of Chinese NewYear and wish them Happy New Year, Good Health andProsperity.
Visit the homes of friends and relatives with two bigtangerines.
Bring red packets to give to the children at the homesyou’re visiting.
These are eight ways to have a roaring Chinese New Yearcelebration with family and friends!
Eight is the most auspicious number for Chinese people.
It means wealthy and properous.
Here’s to your good health and prosperity in the New Year!
Want to discover the culture of Chinese symbolsand characters and enhance your life? LIOW Kah Joon is yourguide. Read his Chinese New Year Special andsign up for his free monthly Chinese Symbols ezine atLivingChinese Symbols
The thought of Valentine’s Day conjures up romantic evenings, a candlelight dinner, and long walks with your loved one. It is, without a doubt the most romantic day of the year. So how could you possibly be expected to enjoy Valentine’s Day when you’re alone? Well, while it might not be all hearts and flowers, you can still spread the message of Valentine’s Day: Love.
Over the years, I’ve interviewed numerous people and asked them what their favorite Valentine’s Day memory was. Surprisingly, very few couples actually mentioned a gift or a special night out. In fact, most of the people I interviewed remembered their special Valentine’s Day by things they did for others. Gifts they gave, whether they were store bought or home made that gave them the feeling of joy and happiness.
A heartwarming Valentine’s Day for Jacque from California, was when she was in charge of bringing little treats for her daughter’s 3rd grade class. After agonizing on what to do, she decided to make the extra firm red Jell-O, and cut them into heart shapes. After running to the store to get more mix, and spending a lot of time cutting out the heart shapes, she was frustrated and wondered why she ever signed up for the job in the first place. Was this a big mistake? When she passed out the treats in school, the kids’ eyes lit up, and their sweet little voices filled the room with laughter and excitement. All the kids loved it! Jacque remembers feeling incredible that day. Her heart was glowing with happiness to see how much those kids loved her little treats.
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily chores, that we often forget that children need to be remembered too. Teenagers often feel left out on Valentine’s Day, but a handsome Colorado man gave two giggling teenagers a Valentine’s Day they will never forget. Geoff was working on a resort property trimming trees, and noticed there were two smitten teenage girls sitting on the balcony watching him while he was working. Geoff knew he would be finished on February 13th, and thought he would he would surprise them with a dozen red roses on Valentine’s Day, and signed it, the tree trimming guy. The girls were thrilled to get flowers on Valentines Day, and were still talking about it four years later! Geoff ranks that day as his all time favorite Valentine’s Day!
Making someone happy (especially when it’s unexpected) has a euphoric effect on you too. It’s happiness shared twice. Is
it possible to have a happy Valentine’s Day even when you are breaking up? If you have a sister like Linda, you can. Linda’s sister was going through a divorce in February, and she was heartbroken and distraught. On that Valentine’s Day, Linda secretly sent her flowers at her office, and signed the card, “From your Secret Admirer.” As soon as her sister received them she called Linda and said, “Oh my God, you will never believe what just happened, I got these beautiful flowers today, but I have no idea who they are from!” Linda had all she could do to keep from laughing, and giving away her little secret. Linda’s sister went on to say that the entire office was trying to figure out who her secret admirer could be. Linda was happy that she could give her sister a happy Valentine’s Day even when she was facing unhappy times.
Yes, it is possible to have a great Valentine’s Day, even when things are looking a little dismal. Here are a few ways you can share your love this holiday.
5 Ways to the Happiest Valentine’s Day Ever!
1. Send a heartfelt Valentine Card to someone who has really inspired you and tell them how much they mean to you.
2. Make a homemade Valentine Card and send it to your favorite relative you haven’t seen in a while.
3. Send flowers or candy to someone who doesn’t have a sweetheart, and sign it anonymous.
4. Make a Valentine’s Basket and send it to a family that has gone through a difficult time and sign it, From Your Guardian Angel.
5. Take your little niece, nephew, or cousin out for ice cream.
Giving is the fastest way to feel good about yourself. It doesn’t have to be expensive, even a single hand picked flower will do. Anything coming from the heart will surely be felt and appreciated. It’s two gifts in one. One is for the recipient and even a bigger gift for you.
Marla Sloane, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved © 2005
About The Author
Marla Sloane Ph.D., is a successful author and speaker. Her Positive Affirmations subscribers have reached world-wide proportions, and her book, “The Masks We Wear and How to Live Without Them” is at the heart of her teleclasses; From Ordinary to Extraordinary…Unmask Your Potential; teaching individuals how to remove limiting labels. Marla has also produced, Trilogy of Meditations, for your Mind, Body, and Spirit, which is distributed nationwide, and in Europe.
You can contact Marla at: Marla@marlasloane.com You can visit her web site at: http://www.marlasloane.com.
How to cure the holiday blues…
If you are feeling sorry for yourself because everyone has a significant other and you don’t, or because they have family events scheduled and you don’t, here’s a plan to perk you up: pick up the telephone and call some old high school friends, just to say hello. They will be thrilled that you thought of them during the holidays and you will feel appreciated and connected.
How to use the holidays as an excuse to contact a lost love…
Have you always thought about contacting a “special someone,” but were afraid to? Send a simple holiday card, and write inside “Thinking of you this holiday season and wondering how you are doing. I’d enjoy hearing from you if you get a moment.” Include your contact information. If your old flame calls or sends an email, there you go! If you get no response, it was only a generic card so you won’t feel foolish about the contact. And your lost love may surprise you and write later.
How to greet guests you haven’t seen in a long time…
Break the ice before you get together. Send a cute card: “Looking forward to seeing you again!” That will make them feel special, so by
the time they arrive, it will feel like you were together just yesterday.
How to heal an old rift…
Is there someone you were once close to (a former friend, ex-spouse, coworker, estranged relative)? The holidays are a great time to heal old hurts. Send some home-baked cookies, or a small box of candy, with a simply note that says, “It’s been a long time. Let’s put the past behind us. Happy holidays.”
Nancy Kalish, Ph.D. is a psychology professor at California State University, Sacramento, where she teaches courses on lifespan development. In addition to her popular book, Lost & Found Lovers, Dr. Kalish has had numerous articles published in newspapers and journals. She also does consultations (but not therapy) by phone for people with lost love issues. Dr. Kalish is the international expert on rekindled romances, lost loves, and first love. She has discussed her findings on lost love on Oprah, 20/20, NPR, CNN, Montel, Maury, and Dear Abby devoted two columns to Dr. Kalish’s research. Modern Maturity/AARP, Redbook The Chicago Tribune, Parade, Associated Press, The New York Times, and USA Today are among the print media that have published articles on her work. She maintains an active website at http://www.LostLovers.com.
Find Love guide and resources.
On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. On this day they formally declared that these colonies were free and independent states, not subject to the government of Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence was signed by leaders from the colonies, and for the first time in an official document the colonies were referred to as the United States of America.
It is a day to be celebrated by all, by patriotic parades, picnics and fireworks. The flying of the American flag is widespread.July 4th gifts are given to family and friends to celebrate this special occasion.
Show your true American patriotism this year by wearing a fabulous piece of American jewelry that is made in America by Americans.
One of the easiest by stylish ways is to wear the American Flag as a lapel pin or pendant. The diamonds within these shine the light of freedom in the eyes of all beholders. Another way could be to wear a Statue of Liberty pendant.
This seasons must have item of jewelry for the ladies to celebrate Independence Day would have to be a Diamond Heart US Flag Pendent Belly Ring.Other gift ideas could be a ‘$’ shaped money clip or Presidential Seal or US Marine Cuff Links.
However and wherever you choose to spend July 4th show your Patriotism with a piece of fine crafted American jewelry.
To view a selection of fine Patriotic Jewelry visit http://www.shiningsparklers.com