5/19/10

Enjoy A Dream Holiday In Freeport Bahamas


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Freeport is the capital of Bahamas and one of the most attractive destinations for travelers who are frequent in Bahamas. Holidaying in Bahamas is one activity that many people love to do with their family and friends. People go for a holiday to relax and enjoy and take a break from the normal life that becomes monotonous. If you do not take a break at the right time, you can get stressed out and this can cause you setbacks in business and any other avenue that you may be working in. Freeport in Bahamas is a great holiday destinations for you to take a break and enjoy with family and friends.

There are a number of hotels and resorts in Freeport where you can put up for your holiday. In fact the place is very nice; you can even plan to go on a honeymoon with your spouse and have a memorable honeymoon. The amazing scenery and the beaches with white sand and stone are a great attraction to Freeport in Bahamas. Most of the hotels and resorts are located near the port so you will not have to undergo any hassles to reach the port. You can share a quiet evening with your spouse in the beaches there.

You can visit the marketplace in Freeport Bahamas to bring back any souvenir that you may like. The marketplace has much other stuff that you can buy from Bahamas. Many people go to the Bahamas to spend their holidays and even if you are a little bit low on the financial aspect, you can still have a wonderful time. There are certain cheap holiday packages that you can take up to enjoy a holiday in the Bahamas. Taking up a cheap holiday package for Freeport Bahamas does not mean that you will not be able to enjoy your holiday completely.

Yes, they are cheap but the packages offered are very attractive and you will not miss out on any aspect. There are certain things that you will have to take care of while taking a holiday package offered by an agent or a holiday package company. Make sure that you check out the various features offered by the touring company. Do not get duped by some fraud person who may be offering you very cheap rates. Make sure to check out the rates offered by other traveling companies to find out that you are not being taken for a ride by someone.

Finding out about a tour or travel package for Freeport Bahamas is not a big deal. The internet is a great source from where you can find all the information that you want about Freeport Bahamas. After all you are going out for holiday and it's mandatory for you to know everything about that place. Freeport Bahamas is the ideal destination for you and your family or spouse to go on a holiday.




Suzane Gray has been offering Bahama travel and vacation packages advice for quite some time. She is working as a consultant for GoBahama. To find Cheap Bahamas vacation packages, Grand bahama island,Bahamas travel package, spring break vacation package,Freeport Bahamas at cheap rates that best suits your needs, visit http://www.gobahama.com/

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5/18/10

Holiday Party Ideas - 5 Fun Activities


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The next time your family gets together for the next big holiday think about doing these five fun holiday ideas. Obtain one quilting square for each guest. Supply fabric markers, ribbon, thread, needles, buttons and whatever else you can think of to decorate the square with. Each person decorates their own square and writes their name on it. Sew the squares together and make them into a quilt. The next time the family comes over to your house, they can get a chance to see what it looks like and you'll have an heirloom to last for a long time.

Another fun idea would be to make a scrapbook of that holiday. Make sure someone is going to bring a Polaroid camera. Each person gets one page of the book. Use different colored paper, makers, stickers and anything else for scrap booking so guests can decorate their page. The photos are placed on the page along with the person's name and a brief synopsis of what they're doing.

Now here is an interesting idea to get together and burn away old disappointments, regrets or grudges by writing them down on a piece of paper and throwing them into a fire. This helps guests to put old problems behind them and continue with a fresh and renewed spirit.

This fun holiday idea is to get friends and family together for a holiday decorating party. Instead of dragging out boxes from the attic and decorating your home in holiday spirit all by yourself, recruit helpers. Serve appetizers play holiday, music and start this year's holiday with a little extra help.

Or you can have a holiday cooking party. Get a few people together to bake cookies, holiday pies or cute appetizers or finger foods. Invite everyone else over afterwards to enjoy your tasty treats. To find holiday decorations and party supplies www.holiday-party-decorations.com




Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your event.

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5/15/10

Your Italian Holiday


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Planning a holiday in Italy is a once in a lifetime event for some people. There are some fabulous things that you will want to make sure are included on your Italy itinerary. The art, culture, food and charm of the country will entrance you as you explore the historic city streets and immerse yourself in Italian life. Some things must not be missed on your adventure in Italy, so make sure that you include some popular tourist destinations.

The art capitals of the country must not be missed while you are in Italy. A visit to Florence, Vatican City and the historic sites in Rome will give you a small glimpse into the rich cultural background of this country. You will have a chance to see the beautiful countryside that inspired some of the greatest artists in the world to paint, sculpt and create.

Food is a way of life in Italy. The sumptuous Italian meals vary by region and if you tour the country, you will have a spectacular chance to savor some of the most scrumptious foods in the world. If you think you have eaten Italian food before and you have not traveled to Italy, you don't know what you have been missing

While in the Tuscany region of Italy, of course, you will want to visit Florence. It is the most popular tourist destination in the region. There are other fabulous places to visit in Tuscany that should be on your list such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Chianti, home of the world famous wine. The architecture and charming style of the churches in the region are some of the most breathtaking you will ever see on your travels.

A trip to Italy would not be complete without a visit to the Eternal City, Rome. This city is a marvelous blend of historic sites and modern luxuries. Enjoy the shopping in the high end shops where you will find Italian treasures to take home from your tour of Italy. Rome also offers an exciting night life if you are looking for a night of dining and dancing. Sicily is a region that is immersed in historic sites and archaeological sites that is a fascinating destination for any history buff. The local shops feature some of the crafts of the region that are a great find for your holiday souvenirs. Make sure that you eat a traditional Sicilian meal while you are visiting this area of the country.




For more information on Italy vacation packages and Italian holidays, please visit our website.

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Holiday Exercise Tips for People with Arthritis


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Exercise is one of the cornerstones of comprehensive arthritis treatment. Components of a good exercise program include non-impact aerobic, stretching, and strengthening. During most of the year it's setting a regular program is doable. During the holidays it's more difficult. Whether you exercise outdoors or indoors, there are some important principles to adhere to.

Here are some useful tips for you to follow...

1. Consult your physician at least once a year to make sure your physical condition is stable enough for exercise.

2. Set realistic benchmarks for the holidays. You may be used to exercising daily or 5 days a week. During the holidays your schedule will be disrupted. That's OK. Do what you can and don't get frustrated.

3. Remember, it all counts. If you find yourself doing more shopping and walking around the mall, that's OK. While it's not the same workout as running or working out on the elliptical trainer or stationary bike, it's still exercise.

4. This is a good time to assess the best use of your time. Most people find it more convenient to have the exercise equipment at home. This helps you avoid those trips to the gym. Why fight the traffic?

5. You may have to alter your usual routine. If you're used to working out in the late afternoon, you may want to get up early and exercise if you know the family has plans for later in the day.

6. Sometimes you may have to break up your exercise into blocks. Instead of doing 45 minutes all at one time, you might want to do 25 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes later in the day.

7. If you need to drop the kids off at an activity, use the time that you're waiting for them to go for a run or a walk.

8. Pencil it in. If you use a planner (and everyone should), pencil in your exercise time just like you would any important appointment.

9. Reward yourself. If you are able to do an extra good workout, let yourself have that extra piece of pie. You deserve it. But just one extra piece.

10. Vary your routine. Just like the rest of the year, alternate your workouts. Ironically, it may be easier during the holidays because you may have to substitute mall walking for the treadmill.

11. Take time out to rest. Pacing yourself is important. If you're sticking to your exercise program, don't forget to take some down time in the form of meditation or even a good old-fashioned nap!

12. Target your heart rate. Your target heart rate is 60 to 90 per cent of your maximum heart rate. Here's how to calculate it. Subtract your age from 220. Multiply that number by 0.6 and 0.9. Exercise while keeping your heart rate (beats per minute) between those two numbers.

13. If you like exercising outdoors, be sure to stretch and warm-up before you go out; use layers (inner layer for perspiration absorption and wicking away of moisture- use synthetics like polypropylene or silk [UnderArmour or Coolmax make good choices]; middle layer for warmth [fleece]; outer layer to break the wind and keep out the cold); cover your head and make sure your hands and feet are well insulated; avoid hypothermia.

When you have arthritis it's important to be kind to yourself during the holidays. Take good care of your body and it will take care of you.




Dr. Wei is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland (http://www.aocm.org). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information: Arthritis Treatment

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5/12/10

Great New Ways For Holiday Postcard Printing


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Whether you are printing postcards for greetings or maybe doing a little printing and marketing, it is a fact that in the holiday season there is always that move to do something new.

Since lots of people see color postcards during the holidays, it is important to be unique and original each time just to be noticed. If you are flat out with ideas on new ways for holiday postcard printing, I have four suggestions for you that should work quite well.

o Getting bigger postcards - It is a simple and perhaps almost obvious idea but it works. Since everything today is being super-sized, why not super-size this holiday season? Not only does this give a big impact on your readers, but it also is fun to do and design. You get to play with a lot of design effects with large ones and you do not have to limit yourself with the text. You will have enough space for a good cover image and maybe some text for the holiday postcard message. Lots of people will appreciate this effort, and it can be a memorable experience getting a big holiday card.

o Festive sparkles and twinkles - Another little known idea is the use of sparkling or twinkling inks. While this is a standard choice for most greeting cards, postcards are usually not given this treatment. However, considering that it is the holiday season coming up, using glitter inks for the design can be quite appropriate. If you have just the right design, you can add a special ink to a design element that twinkles with the light. That design element can be a star, a snowflake, magic wand or any other kind of holiday symbol. Adding glittering inks into that symbol should add a little "magic" to the cover that can be quite memorable.

o Enhanced digital designs - Now, if you have not done this already, it is important that you enhance your cover photographs a little further. Instead of just using the images or photographs as is in your prints, you may want to get a little creative and enhance them a little.

For example, you can increase the lighting of the picture and then add a little blur effect. This adds in a soft undertone to the image making it look more nostalgic or dreamy. On the flip side, you can sharpen the whole image, make the colors more intense to make something very surreal looking and magical. It all depends on your design, but a little enhancing via some cool editing software can really change how they look.

o Special devices - Finally, if you have a big budget, you might want to add some special devices in your design. This can be a simple hologram sticker, a special chip with music in it, or special lights and inks that glow in the dark. These special devices can really improve the impact of your color postcards. People should be able to remember you with these special devices. If you are marketing, you should be able to reach quite a lot of people because of these special devices.

So try something new this holiday season! Make your cards look fresh and better with these techniques. Good Luck!




Katie Marcus writes about the postcard printing technologies used by businesses for their marketing and advertising campaigns.

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5/9/10

Thanksgiving - How to Cope With an Unhappy Holiday


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Thanksgiving is supposed to be a joyful time of year, full of food, friends and fun. Unfortunately, many of us suffer from depression during the holiday season. For a variety of reasons, many of us can't cope with Thanksgiving's arrival. As a result, we can't enjoy ourselves during one of the most special times of the year.

Thankfully, there are many techniques that can help those of us who suffer from depression find ways to cope with the Thanksgiving holiday. After working with many individuals who have suffered from depression during the holidays, therapists have come up with ideas that can make it much easier to cope with this festive holiday.

Reach out to your friends and family. Many times, people who suffer from depression during the Thanksgiving season often feel blue because they can't see their friends or family. If that's the case, why not try other ways to reach out to the ones you love? An e-mail, a text message or an old fashioned phone call can make a real difference. Even installing a web cam on your computer will allow you to "visit" your loved ones if you cannot make the trip in person.

Don't feel obligated to celebrate Thanksgiving in the traditional way. Sometimes it's okay to bend social norms. Instead, think up ways to make it your own special day. If you don't like turkey, don't worry. Order pizza or eat popcorn instead. If you don't feel like dressing up or seeing people, that's okay too. No matter how you do it, celebrating Thanksgiving in your own way can help you feel a lot better about yourself.

If you are feeling blue, try doing something to alleviate your sadness. Volunteering is a great way to boost your self esteem while helping those in need. Soup kitchens, nursing homes and homeless shelters are always looking for volunteers, especially during the holiday season. Try to put yourself in the shoes of someone who has nothing; no family, food or home. Just being there to lend a helping hand will give you a new perspective and make you feel like a million bucks.




Argosy University offers a wide selection of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in a variety of psychology concentrations at 19 locations across the nation.

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5/8/10

Thanksgiving - How to Cope With an Unhappy Holiday


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Thanksgiving is supposed to be a joyful time of year, full of food, friends and fun. Unfortunately, many of us suffer from depression during the holiday season. For a variety of reasons, many of us can't cope with Thanksgiving's arrival. As a result, we can't enjoy ourselves during one of the most special times of the year.

Thankfully, there are many techniques that can help those of us who suffer from depression find ways to cope with the Thanksgiving holiday. After working with many individuals who have suffered from depression during the holidays, therapists have come up with ideas that can make it much easier to cope with this festive holiday.

Reach out to your friends and family. Many times, people who suffer from depression during the Thanksgiving season often feel blue because they can't see their friends or family. If that's the case, why not try other ways to reach out to the ones you love? An e-mail, a text message or an old fashioned phone call can make a real difference. Even installing a web cam on your computer will allow you to "visit" your loved ones if you cannot make the trip in person.

Don't feel obligated to celebrate Thanksgiving in the traditional way. Sometimes it's okay to bend social norms. Instead, think up ways to make it your own special day. If you don't like turkey, don't worry. Order pizza or eat popcorn instead. If you don't feel like dressing up or seeing people, that's okay too. No matter how you do it, celebrating Thanksgiving in your own way can help you feel a lot better about yourself.

If you are feeling blue, try doing something to alleviate your sadness. Volunteering is a great way to boost your self esteem while helping those in need. Soup kitchens, nursing homes and homeless shelters are always looking for volunteers, especially during the holiday season. Try to put yourself in the shoes of someone who has nothing; no family, food or home. Just being there to lend a helping hand will give you a new perspective and make you feel like a million bucks.




Argosy University offers a wide selection of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in a variety of psychology concentrations at 19 locations across the nation.

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Holiday Cottages in Ireland


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Southern Ireland is world famous for its relaxed pace of life, charming people, outstanding natural beauty and beautiful holiday cottages. Popular family holiday destinations are the counties of Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. Families return to the beautiful countryside year after year renting many of the country holiday cottages.

The Emerald Isle is one of the top holiday destinations in Europe for holiday cottage rentals. Families come to Ireland for the world famous Guinness and an Irish welcome is legendary. Dublin is a very popular capital city and many tourists come here on vacation or for long weekend breaks. Dublin is one of Europe's most energetic capital cities and many couples visit it on a romantic holiday and stay in one of the many self catering apartments available to rent.

Many tourists come to Ireland and stay in farmhouse rentals or holiday cottages. They use these holiday homes as a base to explore Ireland and are enchanted by some of the coastal villages and rolling hills. Cork is one of the most popular holiday home destinations in Ireland and holiday makers return year after year with their families to stay in some of Cork's charming country cottages. Galway is a tourist friendly city full of welcoming pubs and a swathe of stunning scenery on its doorstep with holiday farmhouses available to rent from their owners.

Ireland is a country full of rugged hills, stunning Atlantic coastline and lush green pastures. Cork and Kerry have rugged coastlines dotted with postcard pretty villages full of holiday cottages. Further north towards Galway is less populated and very peaceful. Holiday makers wanting a slow paced vacation in the countryside rent farmhouses and explore the beautiful countryside.

The Aran Islands lie just off the mouth of Galway Bay. The three inhabited islands are linked to each other and Galway by boat. These charming islands are popular with hikers wanting to stay in holiday cottages. Once on the islands they can walk around the barren landscape and explore the prehistoric and early Christian ruins.

Ireland is a country full of outdoor pursuits and sports. It is a country full of roaming hills, mountains, coastal trails and national parks. Many tourists rent holiday homes in this beautiful country and feel as though they are truly part of the local culture.

Many tourists visit Ireland for its golf as it has some of the world's finest golf courses. Other popular outdoor holiday activities in Ireland are cycling, angling, yachting, horse riding and surfing.

It is little wonder that Ireland is such a popular holiday home destination. It is a charming country full of friendly people, great scenery and famous for its food and beer. Families on holiday are made most welcome and can stay in self catering flats, holiday cottages or traditional Irish farmhouses. It does not matter what your holiday budget is as you can have a cheap good value self catering holiday in Ireland. For those people on vacation with a bigger budget, there are some luxurious holiday cottages and farmhouses available to rent.




Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It is one of the fastest growing online travel websites for booking holiday homes. To see an example of why Direct Holiday Bookings is growing so rapidly have a look at Holiday Villas.

Direct Holiday Bookings also has a great selection of Holiday Cottages and self catering holiday apartments that can be rented as holiday homes all over the world.

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5/6/10

Webkinz Holiday Recipes


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Do you plan on doing something special for your Webkinz this holiday season? I did. I got my kids to sit around the computer with me one morning and told them that their Webkinz were going to have a big Christmas Eve Party.

Next I got a Christmas tree and gathered all of their Webkinz together into one room with plans of making them some holiday food. But to my surprise there really aren't any Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa Webkinz Recipes. I was surprised because on Halloween, I treated my Webkinz to Halloweenog. I think for Christmas, I'm going to have to improvise.

Maybe I could start with something like Hot Cocoa. That's a festive holiday drink. But since I was set on making Webkinz Recipes maybe there was a Cocoa like recipe that I could try. I took a quick look at a list of recipes that I've been meaning to try and saw Hot Marshmallow. It's made with Marshmallows, Milk and a Chocolate Bar in the blender. Sounds like fancy hot cocoa to me. We went to the W. Shop and bought 5 Marshmallows, 5 Milks and 5 Chocolate Bars so we could make Hot Marshmallow for each Webkinz.

After my daughter clicked the blend button we saw that Hot Marshmallow looked more like a big meatloaf than a festive holiday drink. But everyone was happy when we fed it to the Webkinz and they said it was Mmmmm to to max!

Dead set on serving hot chocolaty drink, I tried again. Ah-ha, I found a recipe for Trippple Hot Chocolate. With three P's it's got to be good. So we loaded the blender with Chocolate Milk, Hot Cocoa and a Chocolate Bar. Yes, Trippple Hot Chocolate was perfect.

Now that the Webkinz had a hot drink, it was time for a hot meal. Zazzeloop Soup is pretty festive looking with it's little Christmas trees on top so we ran out to the W. Shop again to buy some Pizza, Lollipops and Tomato Soup. Zazzeloop Soup is a stove/grill/cauldron recipe but we decided to use the stove.

Voila, Zazzeloop Soup! Now we were on a roll. Most of the Webkinz' Hunger Meters were way up in the 90s. I think I even saw a few of them loosen their belts. Well, not really but I told the kids that anyway.

After watching a little Chef Gazpacho on the flat screen we decided the party was over. We had a real holiday get together with the kids' Grandma in a few hours so it was time to start getting ready. We walked each of the Webkinz back to their rooms and put them to bed. Our little holiday party made the Webkinz Happy, Healthy and maxed out their Hunger Meters. And I think that if my kids had Happy Meters, they would have been maxed out too.




Anthony Tripp had two kids who are big Webkinz fans and had to learn a lot about the lovable plush toys and their online virtual counterparts in order to answer their many, many questions. He's also sharing everything he learns including Webkinz Recipes, tips for earning KinzCash and much more at his Webkinz Blog, http://www.webkinztoday.com/

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The Christmas Holiday Season's Favorite Foods


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Christmas Holiday Foods

One of the aspects which separates holidays from all the rest of the year is food. For each and every holiday there may be special foods with which the holiday is associated. Christmas especially is known for its abundance and variety of foods and drinks. As one of the world's great melting pots America has a melting pot cuisine, with dishes originating from around the globe. There are foods from a number of different countries which represent traditional meals for holiday celebrations such as Christmas.

Christmas comes almost one month after Thanksgiving in the United States. For Thanksgiving, the traditional meal consists of roast turkey or ham as the main dish. This is also true of Christmas as roast ham, turkey, Capon or duck is one of the principal dishes to be served for dinner. As at Thanksgiving, cranberry sauce, assorted vegetables, apple or pumpkin pie and fruit cake for dessert top off a traditional Christmas dinner. Mince meat pie, filled with a mixture of chopped, dried nuts and fruit can also be an addition to to a traditional Christmas dinner. Drinks served during the Christmas holidays include a wide variety of both hot and cold beverages such as apple ciders, hot toddies, and egg nogs as well as wines. Due to the cold weather that is predominant in many countries at Christmas time, hot beverages and hard liquors are highly popular.

The Christmas Holidays are Sweet

The Christmas holidays are sweet ones. Americans enjoy large quantities of sweets, candies, cookies, cakes, pies and desserts of all types during the Christmas holiday season. Gingerbread, sweet breads, sweet rolls and other holiday treats are an indispensable addition to the Christmas holiday season. Candy and chocolate manufacturers produce special packages and types of candies for the Christmas and New Years holiday seasons.

In 2004 was conducted by the National Confectioners Association. This survey discovered that many adults at Christmas received as much pleasure from giving and receiving chocolates, sweets and candies as from other types of gifts and presents. Survey participants said giving special cakes, chocolates and candies to friends and family, placing candy canes in Christmas stockings or hanging them on Christmas trees were some of their favorite ways to share during the holidays.

Forget Diets at Christmas Time

Forget diets at Christmas time. People usually feel free to eat and enjoy the holiday season without any guilt over what (or often how much) they may eat or drink. The tradition of baking and eating gingerbread cookies at Christmas is thought to originate in Germany, coming to the United States by immigrating Germans. When the Grimm Brothers published their story, Hansel and Gretel, German bakeries began baking fancy gingerbread houses with icing and other decorations. The story of "Hansel and Gretel" described a house made of sweet bread, a pastry roof and windows of sugar glaze. German bakeries made cookie cutters formed in different shapes like little people, houses and household animals which were used as decorations on Christmas trees.

The Gingerbread Man

In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania around a hundred years ago, German immigrant homes had cookies up to a foot high in the windows as decorative ornaments during the winter months. The cookies were often gingerbread men and women with colorful rows of hard candy buttons, bows and big smiles. Passersby, fascinated at seeing these unique decorations carried the idea to their homes. The enjoyment of the many types of special foods and dishes, candies, cakes, pies, cookies and treats during the Christmas holidays provides a unique flavor to Christmas. The Christmas holiday season's favorite foods create many warm and cherished holiday memories.




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5/5/10

Holiday Expectations


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It seems that this time of year brings out a lot of different feelings for so many of us. Excitement, apathy, worry, love, impatience, etc. One thing I find that many of us experience is that we have high expectations of what the holiday season will be- the family connections, gifts, meals, church, and then many of our expectations are not met, and we feel disappointed. If we had great holidays growing up, we try to recreate them as adults, and if we didn't have great holidays growing up, we want to have them now!

Growing up a in large family, we had a lot of food, presents and company on the holidays. It was a fun and magical time. Then, when my own family moved out of state and I had to create holiday atmosphere, it definitely wasn't what I had experienced as a child and I remember feeling so disappointed! I felt bad that my children wouldn't have the same type of holidays that I had as a child. So, we "checked out" of Christmas for a few years (going to Florida helped with that), and I had also gone to the other extreme, and had 60 plus family members at my house for a holiday party (fun but exhausting).

Although I think my journey to peace with the holidays is not finished yet, I do think some things can help many of us have more contentment around the season. The first is to watch your expectations, about family connections, food, gifts, etc, and know that "it is what it is". Your family may not be the "Cleavers" but it doesn't mean that your family isn't unique- celebrate your differences! Start new family traditions that mean something to you- snowy walks, singing, movies, baking, playing games, midnight church-anything that brings meaning or fun. Remember you are not alone! So many of us feel "is this it?" around the holiday seasons. And if tempering your expectations, starting new traditions and acceptance of what is doesn't work to help you find some peace this time of year, there is always Florida!




Devona L Marshall is a therapist at Kettle Moraine Counseling in West Bend WI. She can be reached at http://www.kettlemorainecounseling.com

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4/29/10

Are Holidays Still Holidays Without Fireworks?


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Are holidays still holidays without fireworks? Is there a reason that we have had them outlawed for personal use?

I have personally seen a rocket shot through a ladies cheek to have a scar remain there forever. So not just going through the pain of being shot and healing, you are left with a scar. This was a bottle rocket shot by her son. Is this really what you want to happen to someone you love and care for. Using them to make a stir is not enough reason to have the fireworks used in your own world.

Many animals are terrified of the noise and they think its great when they are through for the holiday and only have to shake and not understand the next time people think they need to make noise.

I truly think its better to have a show with people that know what they are doing and fireman on the side if needed to help with the fire hazards.

Many acres are burned because someone was careless using a form of entertainment that is not child's play.

I know a legitimate business will take all the precautions to make sure they are produced with safety.

After it leaves the store or booth its up to the common sense of the people buying the product to use it in a safe manner. Remember when it comes to having a good time leave the fireworks to adults. Make sure those adults are not drinking so everyone will be safe.




© Diana Rickett
D & G Home Business Partners
http://www.businessonastring.com

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4/28/10

Holidays and Families


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Are you one of those who has survived another horrid holiday with your family? Do you dread holidays because it means you have to spend time with people that you choose not to spend time with any other day of the year? If so, WHY??

Too many of us feel that we 'have to' spend holidays with our families. That we 'ought to'. That we 'should'. They are family, after all.

There was a time that I felt this way.

Each holiday, I would invite my family to my house because Samantha couldn't go to theirs. (For those who don't know, Samantha was my daughter. She was critically ill her entire life and made her transition several years ago.)

Twenty people would invade my house on every holiday. I cooked most of the food while still taking care of Samantha's intense needs. The children would tear my house to shreds, breaking toys and making a huge mess. After we had all eaten, everyone would depart, leaving me with a disaster to clean up.

After numerous years of doing this, I realized what an idiot I was! Why was I putting myself through this on every holiday? What was the purpose?

I made one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I stopped inviting my extended family over for holidays!

Holidays actually became pleasant times. I cooked only enough food for my own family. I took my time cooking, there was no need to hurry. If Samantha kept me up all night, I slept in and we ate later. It was peaceful with only the four of us. There was very little cleaning to do and no toys were broken. It was actually a relaxing day.

I have never regretted my decision.

In Samantha's later years, we would invite her nurses, caregivers and their families over for the holidays. They were the people we enjoyed being with. They were our true family. They helped prepare the food and even cleaned everything up before they left. It was a joy to spend time with them.

We are born into our family or origin so that we can learn lessons from them. Our soul chooses the family that can most help us to grow and progress. Once we have learned the lessons we are with them to learn, it is no longer essential that we spend time with them. It is more important that we locate our Spiritual Family, the people who truly love us unconditionally, who we enjoy being with.

These days, if I don't want to cook, we go out to eat. It is much easier to drive to a restaurant and order a meal. It may not taste as good, but it sure is nice.

Christmas is just around the corner. Make a decision to only spend time with people that you really enjoy being with from now on, people who make you feel wonderful and loved. Love yourself enough to be kind to yourself, to honor what feels good to you, to stop punishing yourself.

Give yourself the gift of peace for Christmas.




Rev. Claudia McNeely DD is a gifted and caring Psychic/Healer. She has assisted millions of people world wide to heal on all levels and create the life they want. Visit her website today at http://www.askclaudia.com to register to win a free Psychic Reading.

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4/26/10

Holidays in Turkey


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With a culture that is fiercely proud of its heritage, holidays in Turkey are a history lover's dream. With buildings dating back many thousands of years, sandy beaches and incredible scenery there is something to suit all interests, whether you're looking for a trip lounging by the beach or soaking up the culture. Modern Turkey offers all kinds of luxurious accommodation for the discerning traveller, whilst restaurants and cafes provide a rich choice of traditional Turkish dishes.

Cuisine in Turkey has influences fro many corners, employing ingredients such as aubergines, onions, lentils and beans to form the basis of the main dishes. With a wide array of locally available produce, Turkish food tends to be incredibly varied and full of flavours, leading it to be compared with Chinese and even French cuisine. Nuts such as pistachios, chestnuts, hazelnuts and almonds are also popular. As a general rule, people in Turkey prefer not to eat in restaurants but cook for themselves, enjoying the taste of freshly prepared food. There are, however a number of restaurants serving the kinds of dishes reserved for special occasions. Nowadays, there are numerous food venders selling products we think of as 'fast food'. These doner meat and kofte dishes are, however, traditional Turkish fare, making them an intrinsic part of all Turkey holidays.

Alcohol is readily available in Turkey, despite the fact that many residents are practicing Muslims. There are local wines and beers on offer for anyone who really wants to experience local produce, though some of the most common beverages available in Turkey are black tea and coffee. Black tea is brewed in two-piece pots, joined one on top of the other. The upper pot contains a strong and bitter tea, whilst the one below holds boiling water with which to dilute the mixture above. Coffee is also served without milk and can be enjoyed bitter or with added sugar.

Hotel holidays are not all that Turkey has to offer these days. Hiring Villas in Turkey is a wonderful way to enjoy more of the local communities while still benefitting from luxurious, private accommodation. Self-catering villas in Turkey also provide a unique opportunity for anyone looking to try out some typical Turkish recipes. Whether you want to recreate a traditional Turkish breakfast or are looking to try out some familiar recipes using exciting new ingredients, the well-equipped kitchens of Turkey's villas will enable you to do so. Why not visit some of the spice markets, buy some fresh local produce, and head home to relax in the tranquil surroundings of one of the many villas in Turkey available for rent?

Travel to Turkey is slowly becoming more convenient. With international airports located at Istanbul in many holiday areas now,Turkey is easily accessible from all over the world. Whether you're looking for a holiday of sandy beaches, ancient architecture, fantastic food, or a combination of all three, then Turkey has something to offer. This ancient culture offers a unique look at the history of both Europe and the Middle East, and provides visitors with a culinary feast they won't soon forget. Holidays in Turkey make an unusual change from a trip to the South of France and will provide an unrivalled cultural experience.




Mark has seen a surge of interest in villas in Turkey with many tourists now preferring them to hotels for their holidays in Turkey.

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4/24/10

Great Holiday Party Ideas For All Ages


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If you're looking to throw a fabulous holiday party this year, you might be stressing out at the lack of fun ideas you have come up with so far. I understand the challenges one can face from trying to throw a great party, especially when it is specific to a particular age group, including adults. So to help you out, I'm introducing a few holiday party ideas that will work well for the different age groups you may be faced with having to entertain.

For Children (under 10 years old)

Holiday party ideas are not easy to come by when you're trying to please the 10 and under crowd - you have to guarantee them all entertainment, all activities, all the time. You really cannot give them room to become bored because the moment you do that is the moment they will begin to create their own fun by climbing on furniture, jumping on beds, drawing on walls, and decorating your home with food. To ensure your entertainment lasts from the beginning to the end over your "under 10" party, I've provided a few holiday party ideas they will enjoy.

Craft Christmas Parties - Make your Christmas party adventurous by giving the children craft projects to work on as the theme of the party. To make sure you keep their attention, it is a good idea to incorporate contests with prizes at the end. This way they will have something to anticipate. If the party is set to last two hours, I recommend having at least three projects for them to work on. Depending on the number of children at the party, you can break them up into teams with ages distributed equally to make sure the challenges are fair. Then at the end, you can come up with the Big Game that allows all of the little party goers to win a prize. They'll love their crafty creations and especially enjoy their great prizes at the end.

Elves Night Out - This is one of the more popular holiday party ideas because it holds true to the spirit of Christmas. The party actually starts two weeks early when you invite your guests by placing cute little invitations in clear Christmas glasses and delivering them. When your guests arrive on the day of the party they will be sent to a room guarded by three elves to chat and drink beverages until all guests arrive. When everyone arrives they will be split into three teams and sent to rooms with crafts (one with Christmas cards, another with a gingerbread man to decorate, and the third with a gingerbread house to make and decorate). After the kids finish their projects they will all come to the family room to showcase their works then sit around the tree for storytelling time. Next, the kids will enjoy a sundae bar with a multitude of topping choices, and finally the kids will take part in a Cookie Swap, which is the child's version of a Yankee Swap and is used with cookies instead of presents.

For Tweens and Teens

The important thing to remember when coming up with tween and teen holiday party ideas is that these two groups are at very different stages of maturity. One group is in middle school while the other is in high school, so it is a good idea to never mix the two groups unless they want it that way.

One of the holiday party ideas that tend to work well for both tweens and younger teens are the traditional Christmas party with lots of up-to-date music and activities that are age-appropriate. To make sure the tweens and teens are happy, be sure to get lots of input from them. You can allow them to "plan" the party then "yay" or "nay" their ideas so that they feel they have creative control. What you don't want to do is go get a clown or spend too much time at the party trying to garner their attention for yourself. Your child will most likely resent you for it. And you already know it's impossible to please one of these boppers, so try to restrain yourself and let them have fun their way.

If it's snowing outside, you might want to encourage your tween or teen to have everyone go out for a snowball fight or sledding if there are hills nearby. And since many love to dance, you can hint at a dance contest - but only if your child likes the idea first!

Adults

When it comes to adult parties you want to remember that these adults are trying to run, not walk, away from their children. So it is a great idea to make sure they feel as adult as possible. Incorporate lots of adult beverages (liquor), adult foods (shrimp), and adult entertainment (no, not strippers) to make sure it is truly a grown person event. Here is another one of the better holiday party ideas for adults:

Frostbite Party - A frostbite party is a combination of a holiday party and lodge party. You can have the party at your house but make it an outdoors event by shuttling everyone to the backyard. There you can get out the turkey fryer, create a (safe) bonfire to roast marshmallows, and sip hot chocolate, cider and coffee, and warming liquor beverages while listening to holiday music. And of course, if you want the real feeling of being at a lodge, you can always go to a real lodge or RV Park and recreate the experience.

Whether trying to come up with holiday party ideas for children, tweens, teens or adults, you can have your work cut out for you if you don't take into consideration the importance of catering to the different age groups. As long as you know who you're working with, you will know how to please them, then your party planning experience will flow much more smoothly. So feel free to use any of these great holiday party ideas; I just hope that they will make your holiday season even more enjoyable.




Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

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4/23/10

My Self-fulfilling Holiday Prophesy


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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.

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4/22/10

Top 5 Christmas Light Colors of the Holiday Season


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Christmas is a great time for getting together with family, decorating and enjoying the holiday season. Decorating your home (both inside and out) has become a popular family tradition and many households spend countless hours and unlimited amounts of money making their homes look great for the holidays.

If you're thinking of decorating your home this season but aren't quite sure what will look nice, you may want to check out our list of the top 5 most popular Christmas light colors of the season. The colors you choose will have the greatest impact on the overall look of your home, so make sure you choose carefully.

Here are the top 5 Christmas light colors this year:

1. Red. Obviously red is going to be a popular color at Christmas time. You can't go wrong by choosing red Christmas lights but you'll probably want to mix the red lights with another color. Too much red will make your house look too bright and too tacky. Adding one more color (preferably green or clear) will enhance the red lights and make your home look holiday ready in no time.

2. Green. Much like red Christmas lights, green Christmas lights have always been and will always be a popular choice for this season. Also similar to the red, green lights should be paired with a complimentary color so that your home doesn't look too overdone with green lights. Once again, pairing the green with red lights or clear lights will be the perfect touch for your holiday style.

3. Clear. Clear Christmas lights (or white lights as some prefer to call them) are a classic and simple way to make your home look seasonal and elegant. Clear lights look fantastic on their own but can also be paired with any other color (green, red, blue, gold, purple and multi-colored) to spice up the look.

4. Blue. Blue Christmas lights are quickly becoming one of the most popular decorative themes of the holiday season. While blue doesn't typically represent Christmas in any specific manner (like red or green), these lights are a great way to make your home look sophisticated and seasonal. Pair the blue lights with either clear or gold lights for an even more extravagant look that will knock your neighbour's socks off.

5. Gold. Gold is a traditional Christmas color that exudes elegance and sophistication. Gold Christmas lights are no different. If you want to give your home a classic, traditional Christmas feel without going over the top, gold lights are the perfect choice. If you think too much gold is tacky, we suggest pairing them with either blue, clear or red lights.

We hope our holiday tips have helped you through your decorating decisions. And remember, decorating your home lets your neighbours know that you and your family embrace the Christmas spirit. Hopefully your neighbours will spread a little holiday cheer of their own.




Brook Farlow is a holiday fanatic who loves decorating her home for Christmas time. She knows the most popular styles of Christmas Lights and always stays ontop of the Christmas Trends. She also likes to share her knowledge by contributing to ChristmasLightsandDecorations.com

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4/20/10

Holiday Correspondence Without the Headache


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Will you be sending out some sort of holiday correspondence this year? Now is a great time to get the ball rolling.

As you ponder the holiday correspondence issue, first decide whether you want to do anything at all. Does sending holiday cards create more stress in your life than it brings joy? Do you send cards only because you always have and feel like it's something you should do? If so, release the guilt, call up your close family and friends to extend warm holiday wishes, and leave it at that! My guess is that you will not have others judging you because you did not send a traditional card. The truth of the matter is, some won't notice, and those that do, probably won't feel as if you're neglecting them, only that you chose not to send cards this year. Some may even applaud your efforts to choose how you're spending your time and make decisions that can feel hard at first. For what it's worth, you have my permission to not send cards (because some people just need permission).

If you do decide to send out some holiday correspondence, there are a number of options available to you. Follow these steps to ensure you reach those you want to, when you want to, and deliver the message of holiday cheer on your terms.

Create a list. Will you send cards to just those you are close with or take the holiday season as an opportunity to stay in touch with lots of people you've known over the years? Some people will reach out to those they haven't corresponded with in a while and know that at least once a year, they stay in touch. Perhaps with some of the newer social media tools and e-mail, you're doing that in other ways and just want to give holiday wishes to loved ones. You choose.

Decide what you'll send and what it will include. Consider the size and make-up of the list you just created. Will you send everyone the same thing or split your list and extend greetings in various ways?

Will you send a physical card? Will it include a photo? Will you write a hand-written note? If so, there are many options available to you. You can pick them up yourself at the store, order them online and they'll be sent to you to personalize and mail out, or there are even services, such as Send-Out Cards where you can create your card online (it's even possible for them to use your handwriting as the script) and it will be mailed for you (a real card, in a real envelope, with a real stamp) directly to the recipient.

Prefer to send an e-card? This can be an easy, fast, environmentally friendly and economical way to go. Many sites are available to help you create a card, upload a photo, select music or animation, personalize your message, input your contacts' e-mail addresses and push send. They will receive an e-mail with a link to their card.

Whatever kind of card you select, don't forget to include what you want in the card. Send it as is, write a personal message, include a "holiday letter," a photo, or even a gift-card. Print address labels from your computer contact base or address the envelope by hand, add a stamp, a return address label and you're ready to go.

Pick a date to send your cards. There are many options to spread good wishes. Thanksgiving to express your appreciation, Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza to offer holiday cheer or the New Year to let people know you'll be thinking of them into 2009. Work backward from the date you'd like to mail your cards to determine when you need to buy, order, personalize, prepare and mail them. Spread out the work so the task doesn't feel so daunting. For example, if you are going to hand-write brief personal notes, do a few each night throughout the next several weeks. Ask someone to help you with part of the process if that's an option. Kids of all almost all ages can apply stamps, labels, or lick envelopes. Older kids who are computer-savvy may be able to help you with a mail merge to prepare your mailing labels. Break this project down and share, or, spread out the steps so you don't get overwhelmed.

Have a plan to enjoy cards you receive. Enjoy the card in the moment you receive it, think fondly of the sender and then let the card go (trash or recycle). Alternately, you can find a way to keep and display the cards - a pretty basket, a bulletin board, or a decorative card holder intended to show off the cards and photos and allow you to enjoy them for the season. When the season is over, either toss the cards at that point, add the most special ones to a scrapbook or memorabilia box, give them to kids to use for crafts, or keep a select few to use as decoration for next year, before you receive a new batch of cards.

Whatever choices you make around holiday correspondence may they sincerely bring you peace, comfort and joy.




With compassion as my driving force, I was inspired to make a difference. Founder of 'It's Simply Placed', I am able to assist individuals in getting past their unhelpful patterns and thus achieve their full potential. For more information and to join our newsletter visit: http://www.itssimplyplaced.com

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4/18/10

Holidays in the Caribbean


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Chances are, you haven't heard of Peppercorn Day. A holiday in Bermuda, Peppercorn Day may be the oddest holiday in the Caribbean. Its history dates to 1797 when a group of Freemasons began renting the Old State House in St. George, for the sum of one peppercorn. In 1816, the holiday tradition began. Every year on the Wednesday closest to April 23, amidst pomp and circumstance, a horse-drawn carriage brings the governor to collect the peppercorn.

While Peppercorn Day is exclusive to Bermuda, many Caribbean islands share similar holidays. For instance, while the specifics differ, many islands celebrate their heritage with national holidays. In Dominica, late October ushers in Creole Week. Part of Creole Week is Heritage Day, held in a different village every year and paying homage to that village's unique aspects and important citizens. Island-wide, the biggest celebration of the week is Creole Day. Everyone dresses up in traditional Creole fashion and enjoys Creole style parades, music, and food.

Similarly, Jamaica's Maroon Day (January 6) pays tribute to the Maroons, freed slaves who fled to the South coast of Jamaica to start their lives anew. Their ancestors still live there and host the biggest celebration of the holiday, the Accompong Maroon Festival. Drawing visitors from all over the globe, this huge affair had an attendance of 16,000 people in 2005. The feast includes traditional dancing, singing, and ceremonies.

Then there's Indian Arrival Day (May 30) in Trinidad and Tobago. Although it was only made official in the 1990s, the island's sizable Indian population has celebrated the holiday for many years. It commemorates the arrival of indentured servants from India.

Many Caribbean countries celebrate their independence from conquering nations, such as Spain, the Netherlands, or France. Holidays honoring national heroes who fought for independence are common, like Errol Barrow Day in Barbados. But the islands also retain holidays from the conquerors, like Bastille Day, Queen's Day, and the Prince of Wales' Birthday. Emancipation and slavery abolition holidays are also national holidays on many islands.

Perhaps the largest number of holidays in the Caribbean are of religious origin. Days venerating patron saints can be found throughout the islands, but nowhere to the extent of Puerto Rico. Even Puerto Rico's cities have their own patron saints with attendant holidays. However, the most important is St. John's Day, celebrating the island's patron saint and namesake of its capital city, San Juan. Beach parties end with people walking backward into the ocean and falling into the water to honor the tradition of baptism by St. John.

Christmas in the Caribbean may be more enthusiastic than anywhere else in the world. The twelve days of Christmas are still celebrated on many islands, culminating in Epiphany on January 6. On Guadeloupe, Epiphany marks the beginning of Carnival season, which continues until Lent. The carnival reaches its peak on Shrove Tuesday, when businesses close for five days so all can participate in the parades.

Even the weather has a place on the holiday calendar. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the fourth Monday in July is Hurricane Supplication Day. Marking the beginning of their hurricane season, it's a low-key day for people to go to church to pray that hurricanes pass them by, or at least spare lives and buildings. If all goes well, Hurricane Thanksgiving Day follows on the third Monday of October.

Holiday celebrations contribute greatly to the vibrant culture in the Caribbean. If you're planning a trip there, consider going when you can take part in one. There's no better way to truly experience island culture.




Karen Joslin writes for Guadeloupe-Guide.info, PuertoRico-Guide.info, and other Segisys travel Web sites.

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Article may only be reprinted if it is not modified in any way, and if all links remain live.

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4/16/10

Holidays, Relationships and Romance - 10 Romantic Thanksgiving Date Ideas


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Thanksgiving is traditionally thought of as a family event: big meals, football games, and the entire family gathered to celebrate together. It is also the start of the busy holiday season. Sometimes, there are so many things to do during the holidays that you may push aside couple time. However, you do not have to neglect your relationship just because the holiday season has arrived. There can be room for traditional family events and romance. You just have to be creative and make your relationship a priority.

Here are ten romantic ideas for Thanksgiving dates:

1. Cook together

If you both enjoy cooking, then set aside some time for the two of you to prepare special treats for the holiday.

2. Thanksgiving Parade

Going to watch a Thanksgiving parade can give you some couple time before the big family celebration.

3. Volunteer Date

Have you ever considered volunteering as a date opportunity? Doing something for others can make you feel good about yourself and your relationship. Also, volunteering can help you be thankful for what you have and instead of focusing on your problems.

4. Attend a Thanksgiving service

Take time together to reflect on the blessings in your life.

5. A drive in the country

Going for a drive together can provide you with some quiet time in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle.

6. An exercise date

This gives you an opportunity to "kill two birds with one stone". You can burn off some holiday calories and spend time together. At one time, my in-laws lived about ten miles from us. On Thanksgiving, we took food and a change of clothes to their house on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, my husband and I rode our bikes to their house. We were able to fit in the family celebration, a 20-mile bike ride, and couple time into one day.

7. Football game

Attending a Thanksgiving game could be a one-time event or the start of a new tradition.

8. Play "Twister"

Playing "Twister" might be a fun way to unwind at the end of the day.

9. Snuggle up in front of the fire

Build a fire, turn down the lights, make cocoa, and play romantic music. Sometimes the simple quiet times are the most romantic.

10. A private Thanksgiving celebration

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the blessings in your life. What a great time to sit down and tell you spouse how you are thankful for him/her. Make a list of those qualities that you love and appreciate about your mate and share those things with him/her




If you are ready for more ideas for your date nights, then I invite you to get our e-book, "Cool Dates and Hot Night: 125 Romantic Ideas for Dating Your Mate" at [http://www.BuildingYourDreamMarriage.com/DatingYourMate.html].

For more great tools for building your dream marriage, visit our website at [http://www.BuildingYourDreamMarriage.com]. At our website, you can sign up for our free e-course, "5 Common Barriers to Building Your Dream Marriage".

Good luck with building your dream marriage- Laurel Barnet

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4/13/10

Holiday in Spain Villa - Tenerife, the Best Place to Stay


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A holiday to the exciting island of Tenerife is like the fulfillment of a fantasy. Fortunately, the majority of tourists who choose a holiday in Spain villa or apartment in Tenerife now realise that owners are not asking a vast amount of money to rent their villa, which means they can afford to go on holiday more often. Lots of smart holiday vacationers have discovered that an apartment or villa Spain rent booked direct from private owners on Tenerife is not as expensive as sleeping in a less spacious package holiday hotel room.

Both from the UK and other countries, many people rent holiday villas directly from private owners. The sense of having your own little piece of heaven and the privacy of having your own holiday home to retreat to is what makes renting Spanish villas on Tenerife such a popular choice. For example a beach front property Spain or holiday in Spain villa on the exotic island are some of the most popular choices among vacationers seeking an interesting or relaxing holiday destination.

Tenerife lies approximately 130 miles off the coast of West Africa but belongs to the mother country of Spain, approximately 1000 miles north. Tenerife is located in the Atlantic Ocean and is the largest of the Canary Islands with Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria as it neighbours, Owners of Tenerife vacation homes have lately recognized that it is possible to promote their villa or apartment lodgings for tourists on Internet sites which specialise in such ads and that by simply making a one off minimum annual charge (average cost of £120.00 per year) their advertising services are then free of any commission either to them or to holiday makers, this applies irrespective of whether the property is inland or a beach front property Spain's popular island. Holiday makers can go to those sites and they can negotiate with the owners direct. It's a quick and simple procedure.

Five star quality accommodations with lavish interiors are available for your next holiday in Spain. Rental villas and apartment can make you feel at home, whether your tastes are more expensive or modest. For the more modest thinking people, there are smaller, simpler holiday in Spain villa or apartment lets on Tenerife that will be perfect for your needs. For people of expensive taste, the sky is the limit for the amenities you can enjoy.

Your apartment or villa Spain rent on Tenerife will help you to feel as if you're the most independent of world travellers, even if it's your first time going abroad. A luxury apartment or villa gives you a lot more freedom and open spaces than the conventional hotel room; also, you'll have the choice of eating in or choosing to eat out at a typical Spanish restaurant.
Your holiday in Spain villa or Tenerife apartment can really be a dream comes true. Booking is easy but should be done well in advance of your stay in order to ensure you have the widest of choices. You will find that booking your trip to Tenerife in this way will be an experience you won't easily forget!




Lots of smart holiday makers have discovered that staying in one of Tenerife's luxury villas or apartments costs just a fraction of the price they'd be paying for sleeping in a package book hotel room. If your taste is for the more lavish, you will find plenty of villas that cater to that life style as well, offering five star quality accommodations. Your apartment orvilla Spain rent on Tenerife will help you to feel as if you're the most independent of world travellers ever. If you are searching for a beach front property Spain's Tenerife is the place to go. Your holiday in Spain villa or apartment can really be a dream come true on this glorious island. Clive Long, the author, is a director of Holiday Villa Select.

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4/11/10

Blank Chore Charts - Making Your Holidays Easier


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Blank chore charts can be used for many creative purposes beyond simply jotting down chores for your kids to accomplish. They make an easy tool to keep track of your holiday planning, too.

- Make sure you can customize your copy.
There are a ton of chore charts available online. That's the good news. However, for our purposes here, you'll need a blank one that you can easily customize, not one already filled out with chores for preschoolers. Keep that in mind as you search.

- Do a little planning.
What do you want to accomplish this holiday season?

- Decorating.

- Baking.

- Shopping.

- Seasonal events.

- Sending cards.

- Family time.

- Caroling.

- Religious celebrations.

These are all traditional holiday activities; make sure and add your own favorites to the list.

- Be honest with yourself.
Check your personal schedule. What do you have time to do and what can you not fit in? It generally makes for a much better holiday season to schedule a handful of activities you can accomplish and enjoy as opposed to over-scheduling.

- Fill out your blank chore chart.
Assign an activity to a specific day and time on your chore charts (you'll need several weekly chore charts or one monthly chart). Then compare your holiday chore charts with your personal schedule. Does everything fit?

If you wish, also put your holiday schedule on your personal schedule so nothing gets double-booked. However, it's going to be helpful to you to have your separate holiday chore chart hanging in a prominent place where the entire family can see what's going on. This is a great way to get the whole family in the holiday mood.

- Keep notes.
Put an empty folder near your holiday chore charts as a place to keep holiday recipes you find, newspaper clippings on seasonal events, sales on holiday decorations and the like. Then everything is in one place when you're ready to tackle the job.

Using blank chore charts for your holiday planning is a creative way to use a traditional tool to easily help your family get more out of the holiday season. Enjoy!




Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 27 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com Visit her website and grab your own blank chore charts today.

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4/7/10

Bahamas Holiday Packages


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Charmed with widespread beaches sun-bleached white sand by the year-round sun and bordered by blue waters overflowing with wide-ranging and multicolored sea life, the Bahamas is a Mecca for plungers, sailors and for the people worshipping the Sun alike. Even though frequently thought to be division of the Caribbean, the Bahamas is in fact an archipelago of approximately 700 islands with numerous of small cays strung out in the sea starting 55 miles from Miami in the Atlantic Ocean.

The islands' initial population were the Lucayan Indians who stayed there from the 9th century till the time Columbus exposed the islands in 1492, his primary stride into the fresh World. For nearly two hundred years till independence in 1987 the Bahamas was a British Crown settlement and the British impact can still be visualized in the structural design and traditions. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of the island is now more Caribbean with more of American influence, predominantly in the capital city, Nassau.

Owing to its closeness to the US, the Bahamas has turned out to be an offshore banking and economic hub. Seeing the sights however stays its most significant trade. The extended and broadened empty beaches, crystal blue waters and exceptional services and amenities have made the Bahamas an accepted holiday destination all through the year and the diverse pull of each of the islands make certain that there is amazingly good for everyone.

The weather is easygoing all the year-round, the beaches are admirable and there is plethora of activities to get involved into. For a day you could be snorkeling, the next feeding sharks! You can even enjoy a swim with dolphins if you are audacious enough- the underscore of many a Bahamas holiday.

The Bahamas is famous as the sailing capital of the world, and jumping aboard a yacht is positively a grand way to discover its concealed coves and isolated beaches!

We have a good collection of hotels for you to decide from, whether you are looking for idealistic seclusion or pleasurable and excitement for all the family. And do not forget, if you are on a Bahamas islands inclusive holiday your food at your resort are by now paid for so you can get on with just having fun.

Main attractions are Water Sports, Casinos and Nightclubs, Swim with Dolphins 1 Excellent Bonefishing, Superb Beaches, Straw Markets, Golf, Duty-Free Shopping, Historic Nassau etc.




Author is an associate editor for International Holidays packages. Get all possible information about Island Travel Packages and International tour packages. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages in India and Flights Booking in India.

4/6/10

Holiday Kerala


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Kerala, the world legacy site has numerous places to visit all around. You can chart out a vacation at the biologically affluent state of Kerala, which has two unusual hill stations i.e., Thekkedy and Munnar. The previous is renowned for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and the later for the summer option of the previous British Government in Southern part of India. The tour to either of the hill stations is for certain to act as a solace to the worn out souls of the travelers.

Holiday packages in Kerala provide you a chance to enjoy the nature to the ultimate. Kerala is wealthy equally in stipulations of the enlightening and cultural diversity. The range may be observed by the architecture of the sacred shrines. Vacations in Kerala would take you to the very old and antique temples of Kerala which have roofs erected in copper. The mosques constructed with Malabar gables and the churches are prepared on the outline of the colonial Portuguese Baroque. The cardamom, coconuts, cashew nut, coffee, pepper, rubber, ginger and tea plantations are some of the other tourist attractions of Kerala Holidays.

Consequently, these specialties may be brought as reminders for family and friends. Holiday Kerala trip would let you take a closer look into the well-liked arts and performers of Kerala. The old dance type of Kathkali and Koottiyattam are till today presented in Kerala. The Kathakali dance form focusses on the gesticulation of the hands and the expressions on the face of the one who is performing. The later turn out to be the original classical dramatic art variety of Kerala.

Kerala is accurately and truly referred to as the land of coconuts. Coconuts are the essential and vital part of the cuisine of the citizens of Kerala. Chilies, mustard seeds, curry leaves, tamarind and asafetida are considered to be other very important components in the hot and spicy dishes of Kerala. At the same time fish and rice happens to be the foodstuff for the everyday meals. Your meal is imperfect without the appam, rasam, fish curry and the mouth-watering and enjoyable payasam. Try out these dishes on your trip to Kerala, which are sure to satisfy your taste buds.

While traveling briskly through Kerala tourism, nature lovers would feel nice to halt at any of the captivating and shimmering waterfalls like Thommankuthu, Athriapilly, Chethalayam and Soochipara. The picturesque attractiveness of each one of the waterfalls in Kerala adds freshness in the viewers. For an overall dissimilar holiday experience stopover at the fine-looking state of Kerala.




Author is an associate editor for Holiday Packages. Get all possible information about kerala holiday Packages and Holiday Pakcages India. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages in India and Flights Booking in India.

My Links : Free Blogs Tingza.net

Holiday Kerala


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Kerala, the world legacy site has numerous places to visit all around. You can chart out a vacation at the biologically affluent state of Kerala, which has two unusual hill stations i.e., Thekkedy and Munnar. The previous is renowned for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and the later for the summer option of the previous British Government in Southern part of India. The tour to either of the hill stations is for certain to act as a solace to the worn out souls of the travelers.

Holiday packages in Kerala provide you a chance to enjoy the nature to the ultimate. Kerala is wealthy equally in stipulations of the enlightening and cultural diversity. The range may be observed by the architecture of the sacred shrines. Vacations in Kerala would take you to the very old and antique temples of Kerala which have roofs erected in copper. The mosques constructed with Malabar gables and the churches are prepared on the outline of the colonial Portuguese Baroque. The cardamom, coconuts, cashew nut, coffee, pepper, rubber, ginger and tea plantations are some of the other tourist attractions of Kerala Holidays.

Consequently, these specialties may be brought as reminders for family and friends. Holiday Kerala trip would let you take a closer look into the well-liked arts and performers of Kerala. The old dance type of Kathkali and Koottiyattam are till today presented in Kerala. The Kathakali dance form focusses on the gesticulation of the hands and the expressions on the face of the one who is performing. The later turn out to be the original classical dramatic art variety of Kerala.

Kerala is accurately and truly referred to as the land of coconuts. Coconuts are the essential and vital part of the cuisine of the citizens of Kerala. Chilies, mustard seeds, curry leaves, tamarind and asafetida are considered to be other very important components in the hot and spicy dishes of Kerala. At the same time fish and rice happens to be the foodstuff for the everyday meals. Your meal is imperfect without the appam, rasam, fish curry and the mouth-watering and enjoyable payasam. Try out these dishes on your trip to Kerala, which are sure to satisfy your taste buds.

While traveling briskly through Kerala tourism, nature lovers would feel nice to halt at any of the captivating and shimmering waterfalls like Thommankuthu, Athriapilly, Chethalayam and Soochipara. The picturesque attractiveness of each one of the waterfalls in Kerala adds freshness in the viewers. For an overall dissimilar holiday experience stopover at the fine-looking state of Kerala.




Author is an associate editor for Holiday Packages. Get all possible information about kerala holiday Packages and Holiday Pakcages India. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages in India and Flights Booking in India.

4/4/10

Seven Tips to Help Beat Holiday Letdown


Image : http://www.flickr.com


The holiday season is similar to taking a great vacation - it's a euphoric time that is all too fleeting. The glitz and glamour of decorations, holiday music, and elaborate store window displays make it seem like the world has become one big amusement park. Even in the cold, big city, strangers smile at each other on the street, and everyone is a little more generous with their time, money, and compliments. With all of that good cheer and goodwill, who wouldn't be sad to see the holidays end?

Holiday letdown is a common experience which, for some people, is only the start of the winter blues. This year, as you take down your decorations and address those thank you notes, why not take some steps to prevent that inevitable post-holiday "downer" and make the month of January something to look forward to? Here are seven steps to help you beat the blues:

1. Get Moving

One of the most effective ways to beat a mild case of depression is through exercise. When you are physically active, your body releases endorphins that help you to feel a sort of "high." Regular exercise helps to alter the chemicals in your brain, specifically serotonin, which will give you a greater sense of wellbeing.

Exercise does not have to be brutal. Skip that dreaded spinning class in favor of a brisk walk with a friend, dancing in the living room with your kids, or even a yoga class. You may also want to get double benefit by exercising outside. January is one of the darkest months of the year and many people suffer from the "winter blues" due to lack of sunlight (also linked to serotonin). Why not take up an outdoor winter sport, such as skiing or ice-skating?

2. Make a Scrapbook

Relive the wonderful memories of your holiday by making a scrapbook. Either make a new one for every year or just add a few pages to one giant holiday scrapbook. Whichever you choose, making the scrapbook will help you appreciate the good times, and you can look back at it and smile on cold winter days.

Making a holiday scrapbook doesn't require a lot of time. Print out multiple digital photos on one sheet of paper, collect samples of the wrapping paper you used this year, and cut up the images from holiday cards. Jot down recipes from treats you made this year, add recollections about humorous or extra special things that may have happened, and include images from magazines and newspapers.

3. Hit the After-Holiday Sales

January is prime time for some serious retail therapy. After-holiday sales are everywhere throughout the month of January, as retailers try to get rid of items in order to avoid paying taxes on their inventory. Give yourself permission to spend a little, and you will actually save money on items you already need or want.

4. Plan Your Spring or Summer Vacation

Nothing takes your mind off of holiday letdown better than planning a vacation. Go online now and order brochures from every destination that interests you. Once that final box of decorations is stowed away, you can immediately dive into those glossy treasures you collected and plan the next exciting getaway. Rent some travel DVDs or look at photos of your past vacations for inspiration.

5. Make New Post-Holiday Traditions

Part of the fun of the holidays is the ritual of it all - something you do every year that usually involves your whole family. This year, start a new tradition for the weeks following the holidays, and get the whole family involved. Perhaps you could have an annual film festival at home or plan a service project to keep the holiday spirit of giving alive.

Remember to keep the planning of the new traditions to a minimum until after the holidays. You have enough to do with getting ready for your holiday traditions, and if the preparation for your new traditions seems too burdensome, you are less likely to actually do them.

6. Take Some Time to Relax

The holidays are a busy time for everyone, and you probably could use some R&R. Your kids may need some quality time with you, as their emotional needs often get set aside when you are racing to complete all of your prep tasks. Your husband, often in the same boat as you, may feel like a distant stranger after you get through the logistical challenge of the holidays. Why not schedule some time for the two of you to reconnect?

Finally, don't forget about time to just kick back and focus on your own rejuvenation. Plan a visit to the salon for some pick-me-up highlights, have a leisurely lunch with a dear friend - even an extra-long bath can work wonders.

7. Make Plans for Next Year

If you just can't shake those post-holiday blues and long for your twinkle lights and holiday treats, why not get started on plans for next year? Browse through recipe books for ideas, start on holiday crafts, and stock up on decorations at those closeout sales. The next season is only about 300 days away...

By using one, several, or all of the seven tips you can beat holiday letdown for good! Soon, you'll happily set the tree outside for recycle pick-up, because you know there will be plenty of good times ahead.




Karen Fusco is co-founder of SilkBow.com.com which supports Busy Moms with free gift ideas and helpful tips to meet the challenges of motherhood. SilkBow is the perfect place for the perfect gift. Karen can be reached directly at: karen@SilkBow.com. Also, check out her other website: WellnessArticles.net

Recommend : Free Blogs Tingza.net

4/2/10

Holiday Photo Cards - Better Way To Share The Holiday Season


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Hanukkah, an eight day long Jewish festival, commemorates a Jewish rebellion against foreign rulers more than 2000 years ago. It usually comes any time from late November to late December while Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ, comes precisely on 25th December. With the close proximity of the holidays and with nearly half of all the American Jews marrying outside of the faith, sending holiday greeting cards to such couples without evoking the religious sentiments of either is a dilemma. Christmas greeting cards may not be suitable for one, and Hanukkah greeting cards may not be fit for the other. Instead of sending separate Hanukkah cards or Christmas cards, sending holiday cards with a general season's greeting theme is safe, but does not make a statement.

The gifted idea of interfaith and multicultural cards incorporating the theme of both Christmas and Hanukkah in one design offers a dignified, creative solution to the problem. By emphasizing the secular qualities and symbols of both holidays, in a respectful way we recognize each as valid. December holidays are usually a challenge to interfaith families. Issues of how to celebrate and how to include both families can be a difficult situation. Sending an appropriate greeting card, no longer needs to be an issue. Now, there are interfaith cards, interfaith holiday photo cards and holiday products which are specially designed to combine the holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah or the holiday also know as Chrismukkah.

The idea of interfaith cards stirred up a lot of controversy in the beginning. The idea of merging the holidays and introducing holiday cards with a common theme invited lots of criticism from religious leaders. There were allegations that these were meant to promote intermarriage. The boom in the online business of interfaith and multicultural products proved such allegations and skeptical remarks to be baseless.

No doubt, interfaith and multicultural cards offer a sense of diversity and tolerance among people of different faiths. There purpose is to unite rather than divide and to acknowledge our differences. What better way to share the holiday season than to celebrate with a little FALALALA Latkes!




For more information visit http://www.mixedblessing.com

Thanks To : Free Blogs Tingza.net

4/1/10

Seven Tips to Help Beat Holiday Letdown


Image : http://www.flickr.com


The holiday season is similar to taking a great vacation - it's a euphoric time that is all too fleeting. The glitz and glamour of decorations, holiday music, and elaborate store window displays make it seem like the world has become one big amusement park. Even in the cold, big city, strangers smile at each other on the street, and everyone is a little more generous with their time, money, and compliments. With all of that good cheer and goodwill, who wouldn't be sad to see the holidays end?

Holiday letdown is a common experience which, for some people, is only the start of the winter blues. This year, as you take down your decorations and address those thank you notes, why not take some steps to prevent that inevitable post-holiday "downer" and make the month of January something to look forward to? Here are seven steps to help you beat the blues:

1. Get Moving

One of the most effective ways to beat a mild case of depression is through exercise. When you are physically active, your body releases endorphins that help you to feel a sort of "high." Regular exercise helps to alter the chemicals in your brain, specifically serotonin, which will give you a greater sense of wellbeing.

Exercise does not have to be brutal. Skip that dreaded spinning class in favor of a brisk walk with a friend, dancing in the living room with your kids, or even a yoga class. You may also want to get double benefit by exercising outside. January is one of the darkest months of the year and many people suffer from the "winter blues" due to lack of sunlight (also linked to serotonin). Why not take up an outdoor winter sport, such as skiing or ice-skating?

2. Make a Scrapbook

Relive the wonderful memories of your holiday by making a scrapbook. Either make a new one for every year or just add a few pages to one giant holiday scrapbook. Whichever you choose, making the scrapbook will help you appreciate the good times, and you can look back at it and smile on cold winter days.

Making a holiday scrapbook doesn't require a lot of time. Print out multiple digital photos on one sheet of paper, collect samples of the wrapping paper you used this year, and cut up the images from holiday cards. Jot down recipes from treats you made this year, add recollections about humorous or extra special things that may have happened, and include images from magazines and newspapers.

3. Hit the After-Holiday Sales

January is prime time for some serious retail therapy. After-holiday sales are everywhere throughout the month of January, as retailers try to get rid of items in order to avoid paying taxes on their inventory. Give yourself permission to spend a little, and you will actually save money on items you already need or want.

4. Plan Your Spring or Summer Vacation

Nothing takes your mind off of holiday letdown better than planning a vacation. Go online now and order brochures from every destination that interests you. Once that final box of decorations is stowed away, you can immediately dive into those glossy treasures you collected and plan the next exciting getaway. Rent some travel DVDs or look at photos of your past vacations for inspiration.

5. Make New Post-Holiday Traditions

Part of the fun of the holidays is the ritual of it all - something you do every year that usually involves your whole family. This year, start a new tradition for the weeks following the holidays, and get the whole family involved. Perhaps you could have an annual film festival at home or plan a service project to keep the holiday spirit of giving alive.

Remember to keep the planning of the new traditions to a minimum until after the holidays. You have enough to do with getting ready for your holiday traditions, and if the preparation for your new traditions seems too burdensome, you are less likely to actually do them.

6. Take Some Time to Relax

The holidays are a busy time for everyone, and you probably could use some R&R. Your kids may need some quality time with you, as their emotional needs often get set aside when you are racing to complete all of your prep tasks. Your husband, often in the same boat as you, may feel like a distant stranger after you get through the logistical challenge of the holidays. Why not schedule some time for the two of you to reconnect?

Finally, don't forget about time to just kick back and focus on your own rejuvenation. Plan a visit to the salon for some pick-me-up highlights, have a leisurely lunch with a dear friend - even an extra-long bath can work wonders.

7. Make Plans for Next Year

If you just can't shake those post-holiday blues and long for your twinkle lights and holiday treats, why not get started on plans for next year? Browse through recipe books for ideas, start on holiday crafts, and stock up on decorations at those closeout sales. The next season is only about 300 days away...

By using one, several, or all of the seven tips you can beat holiday letdown for good! Soon, you'll happily set the tree outside for recycle pick-up, because you know there will be plenty of good times ahead.




Karen Fusco is co-founder of SilkBow.com.com which supports Busy Moms with free gift ideas and helpful tips to meet the challenges of motherhood. SilkBow is the perfect place for the perfect gift. Karen can be reached directly at: karen@SilkBow.com. Also, check out her other website: WellnessArticles.net