9 Fantastic Formulas For A Stress Free Holiday

Writen by Julie Hunt

The holidays are officially here. And so the season for giving begins. Warm loving intentions, thoughtful giving and stocking stuffing take over.

It's a wonderful time of year, but with all the activities, excitement and family obligations taking place at the same time, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed and even a tad bit gloomy. Here are 9 simple steps to relax, let go and really enjoy a truly happy holiday!

1. Reflect on what an inspiration you are to others. The time you spend, the love you give and the enthusiasm with which you do it all with is what matters most to people close to you. The beautifully wrapped presents and bows are far less important than your loving friendship. You are appreciated and cherished in the lives of so many people. Love yourself with the same appreciation.

2. Be honest with yourself and don't stuff your feelings. As you start to feel range of emotions this holiday… whether it is joy or fear… frustration or liberation…Don't push them away like last season's Prada bag. Give them a special place. It will be far easier to enjoy the holiday if you are honest with yourself and experience all the good, bad and normal parts of life. Be as accepting and generous with yourself as you are with the people in your life you care about the most.

3. Show empathy and compassion. Our internal perception is reality. Whenever you show kind hearted compassion, you'll get it back in return.

4. Be grateful for all the wonderful differences, preferences and opinions that you will encounter this holiday. Try to view life from a different perspective. Talk about differences that may come up in a loving way and make a special effort to sit on the same side of the table (literally and figuratively). See if you can find it in your heart to love and appreciate Uncle Joe's crazy quirk that normally sends you through the roof. The joy and peacefulness of understanding another's perspective while still honoring your own is a feeling to be savored!

5. Get plenty of sleep and squeeze in a few extra minutes to rest and relax. Sleep may seem like an indulgence this time of year, but it is absolutely essential to good health and a positive holiday outlook. Rest, slow-down and catch plenty of zzz's. Be decadent and treat yourself to 3 -5 minutes a day without any books, junk mail or return calls. Take time to breathe, relax, reflect and introspect. If you're feeling really sassy lie on your back and spread out in the middle of the living floor. Is 3 minutes of your day just for one month too much to ask?

6. Try letting go and see what marvels happen! Let go of one small thing that's really been getting to you. Ask yourself what is the worst that can happen? Just for kicks, reflect back on a particularly stressful holiday situation last year. How bad was it really? Did worry consume you for nothing? I'm guessing that the turnout wasn't as bad as all the images swimming in your head. And, there may have even been a hidden blessing after all. In the scheme of things, our daily worries are trivial. Try to let them go… and go with the flow!

7. Find opportunities throughout the day to bond and make a human connection. Make a conscious and loving effort to be attentive and live in the present moment. A sure fire quick way to work yourself up is to let your mind run a million miles an hour of things you could, should or would be doing. These random relentless thoughts will just make you anxious and nervous. Take the time to look into peoples' eyes; listen carefully to what they have to say and pass them a compliment about something you know is important to them. That goes for strangers too! You will enjoy your time together that much more… and so will they.

8. Change up the scenery. Rather than going through your same daily routine, shake it up a bit! Close your eyes at night before you drift off and sleepily anticipate a self indulgent wild and crazy day. Roll out of bed on the opposite side. Light a scented candle in the bathroom and watch the flame flicker in the morning light. Crank up your favorite piece of inspiring music before you do anything else in the morning. Walk backward through the house. Try tea instead of coffee. Call an old friend you haven't talked to in ages. Talk to strangers! Take the scenic route home. Wave to the stressed out folks who cut you off on the freeway. What else can you think of that could change up your scenery and shake some smiles out of you?

9. Treat yourself as you would treat others. Write yourself a love note. Buy yourself fresh stems of flowers. Soak your feet. Valet park the car. Have your groceries delivered. Send your undies to the cleaners. Snuggle with a blankie. Take a long walk. Sleep in. Watch the sunset. Sing yourself a love song. Do all the things for yourself you wish others would do for you!

Enjoy the most fabulous holiday season of all times!

julie@shesite.com 714-834-1137

Julie Hunt is a female icon and founder of SHE, the foremost inspiration and personal development resource for women who want to live brilliant, happy, successful lives. Marketing consultant, sales expert, copywriting guru, improvisational actress, yoga instructor, author and just plain cool chick… she's an inspiration to hundreds of women.

She is on a mission to scream, skip, advise and acquaint with women around the globe who want live a vivacious life busting at the seams!

Santas Workshop Diary Of An Elf Day 19

Writen by Ashlee Williams

Hello Everyone,

We will be working very hard these next few days so we can attend Santa's Halloween Party on Saturday night. If we don't meet our quota, Santa says we will have to stay away from the party and work in the toyshop. Some of the elves are complaining about it, but I'm sure they want to "bob for apples", eat the Halloween goodies and enjoy Santa's haunted house.

My Halloween costume is all ready ~ a scary black witch on a yellow broom stick. I couldn't find a witch's hat, so Mrs. Claus made one for me. I found a witch's mask in Santa's surplus supplies. It really looks great. I can't wait for Saturday night!! Mrs. Claus always has a spooky party. ~ graveyard cake, graveyard signs everywhere, door curtains made of strings of beads, scary sounding music, skeletons dancing, and monsters prowling throughout the house. I can't wait to go. And of course we'll get some candy along with some fruit (yuck!). Mrs. Claus doesn't believe in too many sweets for anybody. And of course, bobbing for apples is always fun.

Due to my ankle injury I am still painting the little girls tea sets. I cannot stand on my ankle for long periods of time and this task is a sitting down project. Be glad when it's better and I can do other projects.

The reindeer exercised outdoors in their corral and behaved very well. No Problems today.

Well, guys and gals that's all the news from the North Pole for today.

Ashlee Williams writes a report from the North Pole, through the eyes of an elf who works for Santa Claus. Why not visit us at santasworkshop.blog.com. You'll be amazed at all the troubles that Santa encounters while he's making all the toys for Christmas Eve.

Sleigh Bells

Writen by Kevin Stith

The first thought that comes to mind when you hear the words "sleigh bells" may be that of Santa's reindeer plowing through the snow with their bells ringing a magical tune. The joy of Christmas or the holidays may slowly creep in.

As children, we have always been amused by the sound of tiny bells ringing. Even babies are intrigued by the sound. For those in the Arctic region, the sound often means the return of a family member from a hunting trip or the delivery of goods expected for weeks or months.

Sleigh bells have adorned horses and other farm animals since the ancient times. Whether they were meant to add to the festive mood of victory parades or to keep the farmer aware of his animal?s whereabouts, sleigh bells have long served their purposes.

Nowadays, sleigh bells are crafted more for their decorous usage. And, they can be ordered over the Internet. Customers can choose from a variety of designs and may even order them customized. The bells usually come in brass, chrome, or tin and are strapped on hand-tooled leather.

Beautifully crafted sleigh bells can give parade horses a more endearing look. But you can also buy loose bells or individual sleigh bells for your pets; cats, dogs, ponies. Not only will you double their cuteness factor, you will always know where they are. Or, wrap those sleigh bells as perfect birthday or anniversary gifts. They can also adorn your home or that of a friend's. In ancient times, bells were believed to attract good tidings and ward off evil and harm. You may not be that superstitious, but those quaint bells are unmistakably good conversation pieces for your guests.

Share those warm thoughts that come from hearing sleigh bells with your friends and family; every once in awhile, we need to be reminded of good memories.

Bells provides detailed information on Bells, Sleigh Bells, Tubular Bells, Church Bells and more. Bells is affiliated with Sterling Silver Charms.

Mom In A Pocket Overcoming Fear With A Hanky

Writen by Darry Roseman

I started 1st grade at St. Nicholas Catholic grade school in Struthers, Ohio. It was difficult because every other kid in the 'hood' was either already attending or starting school in the Poland local public school system. I didn't understand, but Mom told me that we were Catholic, and that I was going to get a good Catholic-school education.

The kids in Struthers were all strange to me. I had no friend there. Not one. Even the school bus ride was difficult. When you have no one to sit with . . . and you try and find a seat and sink into the background of cacophony that only this type of ride can offer . . . you feel so raw and helpless!

I don't remember how I actually discovered Mom's 'smell' on the hanky she always handed me last thing before I left the house. Maybe I actually pulled it out of my pants to blow my nose. Maybe I dobbed a tear - or pulled it out to free up three cents for milk money. But there it was. That fragrance!

Who knows for sure whether it was Calgon, starch or a mixture of softner and soap she used in the laundry. But, yep! That hanky, and a quick touch to my face during the day . . . brought her right next to me. Sometimes I just clutched it inside my pocket. No need to even bring it out.

It was important to have Mom with me all day. The nuns were brutal . . . and only added to the torture of 1st Grade at St. Nick's elementary. If you didn't drink your ice cold milk down to the last drop - and do it fast (you would think a milk break might actually be a pleasant thing to have in the mornings!), Sister Mary tapped her foot and held the whole class up until you guzzled yours. She didn't care about your little stomach ache.

Just to know that my hanky was ever at the ready - in case I needed a whiff of her scent to ground me back to somebody who cared about me - it meant everything. To hell with those nuns!

'Course, I never mentioned my 'prop' to Mom, nor anyone else. Not for years and years. As an adult, I finally recalled these details for my Mother, on one of our never-long-enough visits. I didn't have a kerchief to offer her, as her eyes misted. She grabbed for a boxed tissue or two . . . and she handed me one. The edge of my index finger had already gotten the job done for me. Instinctively though, I brought the Kleenex she handed me to my face . . . and took a quick light breath.

No soap scent. Just . . . a Mother's touch.

Darry Roseman
Happy Mothers' Day, 2006

Darry Roseman is a trial lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, handling every type of Plaintiff's injury work from a solo practice at D. Richard Roseman Law Offices. An abiding life-long love of guitar and drums, golf, landscaping, the written word and travel to sun-kissed beaches - rounds out the mid-Western suburban life of this husband and father to two sons and a daughter, stepfather to two and grandfather to three! Visit Darry on the worldwide web at http://www.DRichardRoseman.com

How About Something New In The Stocking Dont Be Stuck Wondering What To Buy This Year

Writen by Corinna Moffitt

Christmas comes but once a year, yet it can often be surrounded by anxiety and stress. WHY? Well the answer to that question is of no great surprise. It's usually something to do with c"What Am I Going To Buy"?

Most of us have a short list of people we must buy for, people we should by for, and people we may if we get time, buy for. Plus ALL THEIR CHILDREN.

In a perfect world, time, finances or imagination wouldn't limit us. Every shop on every corner would have a huge supply of gifts and presents that we had never thought of, that were affordable, original and somehow just perfect.

STOP!! Now Back To The Real World

What most of us need is Help. With the busy life most of us lead, often the hardest thing to find is time. Understandably the world of computer shopping is now a thriving business. For your next bout of Christmas Shopping may I suggest you let your fingers do the shopping and source some fantastic and affordable gifts ideas from the comfort and convenience of your home, not to mention shopping the hours that suit you.

A number of new businesses have tapped into this convenient consumer market and have taken it one step further by offering the technology compatible home, a selection of personalised gifts, never before offered so conveniently. With personal ownership of such things as home computer systems, scanners and digital cameras at an all time high, it is not surprising to see some new and enterprising companies entering the market with gift ideas that are designed to take advantage of this growing home technology.

Treasured captured moments on film or digital format can now be transformed into an array of wonderful personalised gifts. The companies are on line for easy down loads of pictures with samples, ideas and ordering of products all readily available at the click of a button or the drag of a mouse.

Imagine the look on the face of an overseas grandparent unwrapping a quality cushion with a beautiful picture of their grandchildren printed on both sides. Or a pet lover receiving a canvas shopping/beach bag with a print of their loved pet/ pets. How about that beautiful baby photo reproduced as a black and white and printed onto canvas with a modern box frame. As well as this any photo that has meaning and beauty can now also be transformed into a painting on canvas at very affordable prices. Wine bags, large carry bags, Indoor/ Outdoor cushions. Photo reproductions on canvas and techniques that change your photos into paintings are all available on line.

So this Christmas give people gifts they will really love and give yourself back the gift of time.

For a great selection of christmas gift ideas visit http://www.photoart.net.au

Corrina Moffitt is a property developer, freelance writer and a professional gift giver (with a lifetime of experience).

Planning A Holiday Party

Writen by Frank Dalotto

Just as with any other event, planning a holiday party at your home, or at a restaurant or banquet hall is an exercise of creativity and organization.

Like all events, your holiday party can be as simple or as lavish as you wish. Holding a party at your home can be a little easier on the wallet than a restaurant or banquet hall party.

When to hold the party depends largely on your guests schedules and need to be taken into consideration when planning the time and day of your holiday party. Events welcoming spouses and significant others are best held on evenings and weekends. Events on a Saturday night tend to be more formal and lavish.

Planning a Home Holiday Party

A Holiday party at your house can be a lot of fun. It can also be pretty stressful.

At-home holidays parties have a "warm and cozy" feel to them, and can make socializing more comfortable and enjoyable.

Whether you serve brunch, lunch, dinner or cocktails, be sure the quality and taste of the food and drink is superior; this will add considerably to the party experience.

When deciding who to invite, take into account the size of your place and the fact that some guests will probably bring a friend or two without asking you. Do all your inviting at once so no one feels like they were an afterthought.

Try to make provisions for parking in advance. If you will be allowing guests to park on the lawn or in the back yard, let them know in your invitation.

Choose your finger snacks carefully. Choose foods that complement each other. Try setting a theme for the food in each room or on each table. Allow 4 to 6 hot hors d'oeurves per person. Don't serve gooey, drippy sauces near expensive rugs or furniture.

Create items you can prepare in advance. Select what you can make from scratch, but don't be afraid to use takeout. Also, a restaurant may be willing to fill your casserole dish with your favorite choice from their place.

Use shortcuts, like bagged lettuces for salads and bottled dressings. People feel that they have to be the ones to make everything; it's not important who does, just that it's done.

Create a festive party atmosphere with decorations, scents and music. Use scented candles or fill the house with a delightful aroma. However, don't use scented candles at the dinner table. No matter how pretty they are, you do not want to mix the smell of one thing with what you're eating; it can throw off the whole taste.

Choose your favorite music and have it playing softly in the background when guests arrive. Consider unplugging or removing your television if it's located in the party area. Nothing spoils the interaction of guests quicker than a group of people huddled around a television set.

A scented candle in the bathroom is a nice touch. Leave an extra roll of toilet tissue in easy view.

Consider removing all the chairs from the party area. This will create more room for people to mingle.

Be sure to have plenty of hot coffee and snacks on hand for late in the evening. A coffee bar is a simple but elegant touch. Along with hot coffee, offer a bowl of whipped cream and an assortment of liqueurs (Kahlua, brandy, rum) so guests can create their own coffee drinks.

If you choose to have alcohol served at your home holiday party, don't offer a full bar. Serve one specialty cocktail, and then offer wine and water. Make food available when the alcohol is served. Hire a professional bartender to serve drinks. Consider putting the alcohol away an hour or two before the conclusion of your party. Have a back up plan for people unable to drive home safely.

Note: The social host law, passed by the New Jersey legislature in 1987, says that if one of your guests consumes too much alcohol and injures someone in a car accident after the party, the injured person can recover damages from you. In some ways, the social host law runs counter to our natural impulse to please our guests. As hosts, we want to be generous; we want to have more than enough food and drink on hand, so that our friends will want for nothing. But it is through this natural generosity of spirit--and of spirits--that we might expose ourselves to lawsuits.

Whichever way you choose to go, -- keep in mind that if you do serve alcoholic beverages, this could lead to some unpleasant, unsafe or litigious consequences: embarrassing or inappropriate behavior, unsafe driving, accidents or claims of sexual harassment. Avoid liability and keep workers safe by keeping a watchful eye for any over-indulgers and having designated drivers on hand if needed. Be sure to serve non-alcoholic drinks as well

Be sure to give yourself enough time to get ready. You want to be able to shower, do your hair and put on a nice dress. If you're working right up until when your guests come, you're going to look as frazzled as you feel

Restaurant and banquet hall parties A benefit with the holiday season is that Christmas and holiday decorations are available almost everywhere you look, and if your event is being held at a restaurant, the facility may already be decorated for the holidays.

Another benefit in hosting a holiday party at a restaurant or banquet hall licensed to serve alcohol is the availability of professional bartenders and waiters that can monitor alcohol intake and politely cut off anyone they perceive has had enough to drink.

Luncheons are typically less expensive than dinners. Many restaurants offer a number of party menus to choose from; i.e., lower priced menus featuring less expensive foods such as chicken and pastas, or higher priced menus featuring entrees such as steak and shrimp.

Those plans including unlimited wine and beer are also considerably more expensive.

Because holiday parties are so popular, December is one of the busiest months of the year for the special events industry. That means hotels, restaurants, caterers, D.J.s, entertainers, are running at peak capacity. They book up quickly. So if you are planning your holiday party during this time of year, extend your time-line.

Hint: Consider moving your Holiday party to January or February. Facilities are in less demand and providers are able to be more flexible. Plus, during the middle of winter, people will welcome a chance to celebrate.

The holidays should be a festive and fun time, a time of good will and as much generosity as one can muster.

Frank Dalotto is a freelance writer and travel consultant. His specialty is writing articles about New Jersey travel, including attractions, events, and restaurant reviews. Frank works in New Jersey and is the owner and editor of New Jersey Leisure Guide http://www.new-jersey-leisure-guide.com and a travel consultant for Leisure Travel Mart. He is a member of ASTA (American Association of Travel Agents) and CLIA (Cruise Line International Association). His academic credentials are: MBA, Pace University BSEE, University of Missouri

Decorative Holiday Candles

Writen by Rondi Davis

Supplies:
A glass, religious candle or votive
Colored tissue paper
White glue
Water
Craft brush
Ribbon

(9-inch tall glass religious candles work great for caroling because the wind won't blow out the flame and the base doesn't get hot. Even the children can carry them. The candles cost about $1.00 each at dime stores or ethnic groceries.)

Directions 1. Make a glue solution that is equal parts white glue and water.

2. Measure your candleholder and cut a piece of tissue paper that is 1-inch taller and wide enough to wrap around it.

3. Brush the glue solution onto the glass, then cover it with the tissue paper. Tuck the excess paper under the base of the candle.

3. Brush more glue on top of the paper and allow the candleholder to dry.

4. Finish with a decorative bow.

You can use a grouping of your candles as a centerpiece before giving each caroler one of their own.

You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, free of charge, provided that each article is:
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4. And the following byline appears at the bottom of each article:
About the Author: Rondi Hillstrom Davis is the co-author of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out her website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit http://www.togetherparenting.com

About the Authors Janell Oakes and Rondi Davis are co-authors of the award winning book, Together: Creating Family Traditions. They want to give you the most important gift you can give your family. You can be a part of an irresistible offer available for one day only.
http://www.TogetherCreatingFamilyTraditions.com

They've asked several of their friends to join in making available hundreds of dollars of complimentary gifts as a special present to you.
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We don't want you to miss out on this amazing 24 hour offer.

The Ideal Gift For Christmas

Writen by George Wood

When we spend money on gifts, we want them to be really special and something of real use to somebody. Giving a gift a personal touch and putting some thought in buying it makes it very special. You cannot just buy anything for anyone. You have to think what each person likes and what his or her reaction would be on receiving a particular gift. Making small notes of appreciation and gluing them on top of the gift, or making some shapes using the gift-wrap are some of the ideas to personalize your gifts.

A gift is a symbol of your love for others, so it should be chosen with care. You want your loved ones to feel that they are being loved and cherished by you. You can combine a few ideas to make unique gifts this year. A pouch of chocolates and some nice small gift items is a good idea. You can make a colorful pouch yourself. There are so many cool things on the Web. You just have to search and note down some funky ideas to make wonderful gifts.

Humorous gifts also tell others how much you care for them to have thought of such an idea to make them smile. It's always very touchy to give something out of your own possession which somebody may have admired or appreciated at some point. Polish it a little and wrap it in a beautiful gift wrap to give it a new look. Buy something for the bedroom or living room and help them in deciding where it should be placed. Try to have everything in perfect harmony so that nothing may look out of place or disoriented.

A little planning can save you a lot of money on expensive gifts. There can be so many ways by which you can make Christmas the happiest time of the year with special and perfect gifts for your loved ones.

George Wood is a successful webmaster of many popular sites including candy and blog site. If you want to read more about Christmas, click over to George Christmas site.

Reflect Upon Your Harvest At Thanksgiving

Writen by Susan Dunn

I don't know about you, but at this time of year I always think of work. It's harvest time. Because of the years I spent in the MidWest, I was around people who were harvesting produce, bringing in the crop for the year. The quirks of nature notwithstanding, they would be reaping what they had sown. The result of their work was visible, and commensurate to the amount of effort and care they had put into it. They also had an ending. The crop that had been planted was now being harvested. Then it would all begin again.

We do not all have work like this.

My musings started the first of October this year, as I volunteered a lot of time working at the church's pumpkin patch, which raises $50,000 each year for local charities.

Most of the time I just sold pumpkins, but two Saturdays we unloaded huge trucks of pumpkins hauled in from a Navajo pumpkin farm in another state. We formed a chain of humans and passed the pumpkins down the line to eventually be arranged on the church lawn.

On one side of me were 2 parolees doing community service time. They talked about how much better this job was than the one they'd done earlier, and how nice it was to be out in the sunshine. Both of them expected to be "out" by Christmas. I didn't ask them what they were "in" for.

On the other side of me were teenagers from the youth choir who complained a lot about how hard it was and had to be reminded to pay attention. I'm sure they couldn't imagine working at anything for 8 hours in a row, especially something so, like, boring, dude.

The pumpkins came down the line in various sizes and shapes, shiny and wet, some with dirt on them.

It was very primal.

I wondered if the Navajos on the other end of the process had formed a line to pitch them into the truck. And if they took pride in their work. If they even saw the marvel of the pumpkins any more.

One time there was a middle-aged woman standing next to me. "You're a good worker," she said. "You don't complain." If only she knew how much I was enjoying myself. "I was raised with the work ethic," I said. It's stood me in good stead. Having been taught that work was work and play was play somehow frees me from the "complaining" side and allows me to enjoy work. Most of the time anyway.

As the pumpkins passed by us we noted you couldn't tell how much one would weigh by looking. There were some surprises. It's the density.

Such different shapes, too. "Squash" someone would yell and down would come a pumpkin that didn't know it was a pumpkin. Sometimes nature errs. What is the line between "pumpkin" and "squash" anyway? One or the other must have been a mutant at some time. How exciting to discover one. There's no such thing as a mistake, I'm reminded.

Twice a "perfect" pumpkin came down the line and work slowed as each person paused to admire it. No one reprimanded, "Move it along." We understood our mutual need to appreciate perfection when it comes our way. Once in a lifetime … twice on the pumpkin line … life is sweet indeed. We have the archetype of the perfect pumpkin, and the perfect woman, and the perfect love affair, and the perfect job. (Hope you've had yours!)

I enjoy that kind of work a lot. Touching things with my hands, physical labor. It's a nice change of pace for me. I work with my head, with people, with ideas, and with computers.

We were a human assembly-line and I thought of the people who do that kind of work for a living. Maybe you do. We were able to talk, and were outside on two beautiful, sunny, breezy days. And it was only for 3 hours. I wondered what it would be like 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Abruptly it was over. "No more," they yelled, and we passed it on down the line. As we workers scattered, I gazed over the sunny scene. The pumpkins, which had grown on the ground were back there, only clean, and arranged orderly by size this time. Ashes to ashes, I thought, to the same place returneth, but then the scene became dynamic. The pumpkins had a lot in store for them. Already some were being used as backdrops for family photographs, while others were being carted off to become a jack-o-lantern, lawn pumpkin, or pumpkin pie.

My job, now completed, was part of a much larger scenario, yet from it I had harvested much.

At Thanksgiving time, a time of harvest and bounty, I invite you to reflect on your work and your life -- the mission and meaning side of it. The planting of the seed part of it. The reaping what you have sown part of it. Have you? Will you?

©Susan Dunn, MA, EQ coaching, http://www.susandunn.cc , mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc . Individual coaching, business programs, EQ Alive! #1 rated program to increase your EQ – simple, no memorizing, it works. Email for information, and free ezine.

Christmas Party Games Fun Ideas

Writen by Gail Leino

After the cookies are baked and frozen; after the party goods are ordered off the internet; when the guest list has been made out and invitations are addressed and sent then the question arises: what Christmas party games are there to play?

That's when the party planning gets tough! It might help to ask the guests ahead of time what sorts of games they like to play. The answer may be as simple as looking at the game shelf. A small gathering might be happy playing old games before the new ones are unwrapped. It's a perfect occasion to get some more use out of favorite games that were gifts on Christmases past.

Another possibility would be to play games like BINGO which allow for several players. It might be possible to make up a variation of this favorite especially for the holiday. With the use of a home printer several cards can be printed with the custom made BINGO words. Cards with the letters XMAS! or NOEL! could be used for example. Use green and red markers and printer ink for the occasion.

There's a danger in overlooking the obvious. Simple outdoor play is a winter favorite. Snowy places offer many options for outdoor Christmas party games and hotter climates are pleasant enough for outdoor activities reserved for summer in other places.

In any climate a Christmas party game can be made out of handmade ornaments with a letter on one side and a number between one and six on the other. These are then placed on the tree. Dice can be thrown on alternate turns and the corresponding ornament is turned without the other players seeing. The letters eventually spell out a Christmas message. The first person to guess what the message is would then be declared the winner.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Free Christmas Party Games, (http://christmas-fun.com) party planning tips, recipes, menus, history with fun fact, printable educational activities and free coloring pages.

First Graders Discovered Quotrealquot Santa

Writen by Lindsey Williams

It was a shock to discover there was no Santa Claus! Nonetheless, there was compensation for the truth.

I was six years old and approaching the halfway mark in the first grade.

Kindergarten hadn't been invented yet, so a youngster's first encounter with education came with a sudden plunge into reading primers, push- pull penmanship, spelling bees and other hard realties of life.

The cotton crops had been poor that year in Boot Heel Missouri. Credit tabs at the general store still had not been fully paid off for the previous season. There were eight or nine months ahead before there would be any prospect of cash money.

Mr. Avery, owner of our general store, struggled along with his customers. It was the necessity imposed by Mother Nature occasionally.

Usually the next crop was bountiful, as if God tried to make up for the hardships that chance sometimes inflicted.

Mr. Avery went to the bank and took out a loan so he could carry his customers until next picking season.

Awesome Avery

We kids were awed, if not frightened, by Mr. Avery. His face was marked with smallpox scars. His voice was deep and gruff. He never smiled.

When I had to go alone to the store for a can of Pet milk for Mother, or a box of snuff for Grandma Lindsey, I stated my business in a small voice, murmured "Charge it," and skedaddled.

Once he refused to sell me a top because I wanted the deluxe ball-bearing-tipped model costing 10 cents. I had only a nickel, the going rate for a spike-point.

In retaliation, I piled empty boxes against the store's door. Mr. Avery told my mother I "surely would land in jail before I was 21."

Toy Prospects

Economic prospects being what they were, Mr. Avery's stock of small toys that could be put on the cuff was not moving very fast.

Languishing in his glass case were highly desired treasures -- jack knives, jump ropes, marbles, miniature tea sets, tops, jacks, baby dolls, harmonicas, hair ribbons, bouncing balls, kites and -- most desired of all -- little $1 automobiles with wheels that went around.

Playing "cars" was my passion.

Bleak Prospects

Christmas was going to be hardscrabble.

Not that this was a tragedy of modern proportions. One or two small toys and a stocking with hard Christmas candy, two or three English walnuts, an orange and a packet of "penny" firecrackers was a satisfactory haul.

Christmas was every big as July 4 for

fireworks.

Still, there was widespread dismay amongst first-graders -- especially the farm kids -- who expected even less than usual.

It was with great satisfaction, therefore, that we heard Mrs. Bowman -- the matriarch who presided over first grade -- announce that Santa Claus would pay us a visit and bring presents.

Getting Ready

What excitement there was that week as we decorated a holly tree Mrs. Bowman had cut in the woods.

We made endless chains of colored paper. We cut out a galaxy of stars from Hershey Bar tin foil that our sainted teacher had saved throughout the year for the occasion.

We fashioned a bushel basket of curls by scraping ribbons with the backside of a scissors.

One day, Mrs. Bowman brought a large sack of popped corn, needles and thread. We spent hours stringing pop-corn rope for our homemade Christmas tree -- sneaking a few kernels to eat as we worked away.

My ratio was one for the tree and one for me -- another of my passions being popped corn.

The Big Day

On the Big Day, Mrs. Bowman brought dozens of clips and little candles. Carefully we snapped them on the holly tree, taking pains not to prick our fingers on the sharp leaf spines and not to get the tips of candles close to another branch.

By this time, expectation had grown to fever pitch.

"Ho, ho, ho!" boomed a hearty voice out in the hall.

"Hurry, children, we must light the candles. I hear Santa coming."

We crowded around, giggling and squealing with delight as Mrs. Bowman lit the candles.

In strode Santa with red suit, white beard and bulging gunny sack.

"Merry Christmas every one," he bellowed.

Disillusionment

"He's a fake," whispered Joe Henry to his nearby classmates.

"He is not," snapped Mary Lou. "You just hush up."

Santa took the chair of honor alongside our beautiful Christmas tree. He allowed as how it was just about the prettiest he had ever seen.

We sang Jingle Bells" and "Away In A Manager," then lined up before Santa to get our gifts.

As Santa leaned forward to pick up his sack, his fluffy beard of cotton brushed against a candle. Instantly the beard burst into flame.

"Look out!" yelled Santa, leaping to his feet and snatching off the burning beard.

There were shrieks of fright, then disbelief. Santa was Mr. Avery! Known by one and all.

"I told you so," said Joe Henry.

"Bawwww!" cried Mary Lou.

Enlightenment I was bewildered.

I suspected there was no Santa. Yet, I wanted to believe and so had maintained the faith against skeptics such as Joe Henry who enjoyed exposing the mysteries of life.

Mrs. Bowman perceived our shock.

She shepherded us back to our seats, took Mary Lou onto her lap and explained:

"No, children, there is not a magic Santa Claus who comes down our chimneys on Christmas Eve. But there is a real spirit of Christmas in our hearts which we call Santa Claus because we sometimes are too bashful to tell folks we like them enough to give them a gift."

She glanced quickly at Mr. Avery sucking a blister on his hand.

"The spirit of Christmas is much more wonderful," Mrs. Bowman continued. "It is fun to make believe there is a Santa Claus even when you know it is really your parents -- or an unknown friend -- who loves you."

The Pay Off

We all felt better and thanked Mr. Avery warmly as he handed each of us a small bag of mixed hard candy. Included was a dime in a twist of paper for a surprise.

No Christmas present has ever meant so much. I spent my dime to buy a ball-bearing top that I soon lost in a knock-top match to a spike- pointer.

Another lesson of life learned the hard way.

I hope that somewhere up in that Great General Store in the sky, Mr. Avery knows the little hoodlum he gave a dime to that Christmas long ago didn't become a jailbird after all.

.

Click here to see this article on Lindsey Williams's website

.

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at: LinWms@earthlink.net LinWms@lindseywilliams.org Website: http://www.lindseywilliams.org with several hundred of Lin's Editorial & At Large articles written over 40 years. Also featured in its entirety is Lin's groundbreaking book "Boldly Onward," that critically analyzes and develops theories about the original Spanish explorers of America. (fully indexed/searchable)

Photography Songs And A Poem At Christmas

Writen by Eric Hartwell

Some songs for the festive season

The twelve days of Christmas
(… or "Don't keep buying me photographic stuff")

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me …

Twelve filters filtering
Eleven tripods holding
Ten flashes flashing
Nine models posing
Eight grips a-gripping

Seven hoods a-shielding
Six weddings booking
Five D-SLRs
Four camera bags
Three photo mags
Two shutter lags
And a winner in every photo comp

Jingle Bells
(… or "I don't want to be doing this")

Dashing through the snow
Along a muddy track
O'er the fields I go
Camera on my back

Rain and cold and ice
Will never stop desire
My friends – that's very nice
- Are sitting by the fire

Oh, snap, snap, sneeze
Snap, snap, sneeze
Coughing all the way
Oh what fun that I could have
If I was snug like they

Twas the night before Christmas
(… or "If anything can go wrong, it will")

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the place
A photographer wandered
To catch Santa's face

He'd set up his tripod
And cocked up his shutter
When he heard in the chimney
A cough and a splutter

He steadied his camera
And charged up his gun
For the best of all candids
In life he had done

With a soot cloud of blackness
Down Santa he came
The photographer pounced
A great image his game

But the lens he discovered,
As he saw Santa's foot,
Had poor optic properties
- it was covered in soot

Eric Hartwell is an enthusiastic photographer. He owns and runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums http://www.theshutter.co.uk/forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com. Anyone interested in getting involved contact him at shutter@theshutter.co.uk

Holiday Treat Traditions Around The World

Writen by Jane Roseen

When the holidays come around, it always seems as if there are treats galore! The stores quickly fill up with egg nog, wasail ingredients, and chocolate shaped into just about every shape imaginable. But this year, how about looking at the more traditional holiday treats to spice up your gatherings. By focusing on the traditional and meaningful instead of the gaudy and commercial, you may find that you introduce your family and friends to treats that they love to both eat and discuss.

In Austria, families traditionally spend Christmas Eve together, starting the evening with a church service. Following church, they gather for a traditional dinner. While their main course of Gebackener Karpfen, or fried carp, may not suit everyone's fancy, their dessert of Sachertorte may indeed. Sachertore is a chocolate and apricot cake; the richness of the cake is determined by the depth and quality of the chocolate used. The cake is then frosted traditionally with chocolate frosting, creating a delectable treat for almost any palate.

When December 6th reaches Germany, they celebrate the evening with St. Nicholas coming to all the children. For the good children comes a shoe or boot full of delicious chocolates, cookies, and other treats. This just starts the holiday season. On Christmas Eve, each family member receives a plate of all kinds of treats, including fruit, nuts, marzipan, chocolate, and cookies. These treats are sure to bring sweet dreams for Christmas morning!

Mexico celebrates the holiday season with La Posadas, which marks the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Starting on December 16th, this celebration takes place each night with people going from door to door, singing traditional songs and asking for admittance for Mary. When the door is opened, everyone celebrates and the children enjoy the tradition of the piñata. The piñata is a brightly colored container made of either pottery (traditionally) or paper (in modern times) filled with all sorts of treats for the children. One by one, the children are blindfolded and try to hit the piñata with a stick. Finally, the piñata breaks and everyone celebrates by devouring the delicious candies and treats

And in France comes probably one of the most indulgent treats, the sabots. Traditionally, the sabots were wooden shoes that the peasants wore. On Christmas Eve, the children would put their sabots in front of the fire in hopes that they would awaken to sabots filled with treats. In modern France, however, wooden shoes are obviously not as prevalent. Instead, sabots are made of chocolate by pastry shops and filled with all sorts of candies. Obviously, these are no longer set in front of the fire.

For your next holiday gathering, why not pick a traditional theme and impart both delicious food and knowledge upon your guests. They will in all likelihood be thrilled not to rehash the same tired holiday offerings.

Jane S. Roseen became the sole Owner and President of Harmony Sweets in 2005. Since then she has taken a small, successful online gourmet chocolate shop and made it a name recognized world-wide. Harmony Sweets' original mission focused on individual consumers purchasing gourmet chocolates from around the world for their friends and relatives. Roseen expanded that mission to include corporate gift-giving.

Website: http://www.harmonysweets.com

Top 5 Ways For An Add Adult To Have A Happy Holiday

Writen by Jennifer Koretsky

Holidays have the potential to send an adult with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) into overload. Too many details to plan, kids to manage, and family to cope with can turn a good day into a stressful one. The following suggestion can help adults manage ADD during the holidays.

1. Know Your Own ADD and Plan Ahead to Deal with It

You know yourself better than anyone, so ask yourself "How does my ADD affect me on the holidays?" Make a list of all the things that tend to stress you out on the holidays, and make a plan to deal with them.

Do you tend to say impulsive things that you later regret? Plan to take a deep breath before answering questions, so that you can think about your words before you speak them.

Do hyper kids overwhelm? Plan to excuse yourself and take a brief walk when the kids are so noisy that you can't think straight.

Does a family member really make you mad when s/he starts nagging or becomes critical? Plan a simple response that won't fuel the fire, like "I'm sorry you feel that way. I'd rather talk about a great book I'm reading right now."

Do you get antsy after a long day? Plan to end the day early, so that you don't reach the point of irritability.

2. Don't Expect Perfection

Accept that the day won't be perfect. Nothing is! Whether you are hosting the holiday, going to a friend or family member's, or visiting a restaurant, realize that something is bound to go wrong. That's life. Don't hold it against yourself, or the people around you. Whatever it is, do your best to move on and let it go.

3. Ask For Help/Accept Help

If you're hosting the holiday, ask for help in the kitchen. This is perfectly acceptable, and most people are happy to help out where they can. If you're offered help, accept it with gratitude! You don't have to do it all on your own.

If you're a guest, offer to take over a task that you're good at or don't mind doing. That doesn't necessarily mean offering to cook or serve, it can mean keeping the kids occupied! (Or, in my family, keeping the dogs out of the kitchen!)

4. Remember That People Do The Best They Can

Long days with family members can often end in frustration and hurt feelings. Try to remember that people do the best they can with the skills and tools they have. Hurtful comments probably aren't meant to be hurtful. If someone says something to you that you find hurtful or offensive, ask yourself "What is this person's intention?" The answer will most likely be "to be helpful." Don't hold it against friends and family members who may not have the necessary skills to express themselves effectively.

5. Smile!

Set the tone for those around you by being positive, smiling often, and enjoying yourself!

About The Author

© Copyright 2004

Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm.

jennifer@addmanagement.com

6 Popular Gift Ideas For Fathers Day

Writen by Nicola Kennedy

Father's Day is a special day for any man who is a dad. Handmade cards by little ones and his favorite home-cooked meal are not all you can do for him, though. There is a wide variety of popular gifts for Father's Day that you can choose from to surprise him with. Some easy ideas are:

A gift card to Home Depot, Lowe's, or his favorite hardware store – I have learned from years of experience with my husband that hardware stores truly are a man's "toy store". Any man can make twelve trips to a hardware store in one week and never get tired of it. Not only will he appreciate the gift, but you will get something done around the house or yard!

Fun electronic gadgets – Think digital camera, MP3 players, wide-screen TVs, DVD players, laptop computers…anything electronic. Many of these popular gifts for Father's Day can be pricey, so make sure you save up.

Personalized gifts – Picture frames, plaques and figurines can commemorate a particular Father's Day. You can also purchase mugs and t-shirts with photos and special messages.

A gift certificate to a hobby or specialty shop – Whether dad likes golfing, photography, woodworking, or wine, there is a specialty shop for that! Get him a gift certificate that he can use however he would like.

A gift certificate to his favorite restaurant – Most restaurants offer gift cards or certificates in many amounts. Choose dad's favorite restaurant and get him a gift of a meal. To make it extra special, plan the whole night out on Father's Day and treat him to a meal there instead!

Apparel – Dads can always use work clothes, casual clothes and chore clothes. Find out what area of dad's wardrobe is lacking the most and fill in the gaps. Trick dad by taking him to the mall and finding out what colors and styles he likes before you buy.

Other popular gifts for Father's Day are, of course, the crafty items you can make with your children at home. Anything from the heart will be popular with dad!

Nicola Kennedy takes great care in celebrating Father's Day, both as mom to her husband's children, and as a loving daughter. She can help you find great Father's Day gifts with tips and news, information and views at http://www.ILoveMyPop.com

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright http://www.ILoveMyPop.com

In Honor Of Labor Day

Writen by Mary-Ann Shank

The word "work" hardly brings a smile to anyone's face. But stop for a moment and think of the millions and millions of people who came to America just so they could work.

And work they did. Some of these immigrants built our railroads and our skyscrapers. They studied hard, and some of them became internationally recognized scholars, artists and statesmen.

For instance, we have had at least two U.S. Secretaries of State who were themselves immigrants: Henry Kissinger from Germany and Madelaine Albright from the Czech Republic.

Both stood tall for the ideals we embrace: "We will not be intimidated or pushed off the world stage by people who do not like what we stand for, and that is, freedom, democracy and the fight against disease, poverty and terrorism." (Madeleine Albright)

The statesman Kissinger understood well the transition from labor to art: "Art is man's expression of his joy in labor."

The joy of labor is what many immigrants brought with them. What would the world be without the joy of Bob Hope: "If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. "

Mr. Hope had more than a little charity in his heart. Every single Christmas of his career he entertained soldiers and sailors of every ilk in every foreign country imaginable, bringing with him a plane load full of comics, singers and lovely ladies. The deserts and jungles of the front lines have yet to see the like of him again.

Truly, as the immigrant Irving Berlin wrote, "There's no business like show business."

It was also Irving Berlin who wrote the immortal "God Bless America, Land that I Love. Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above."

There is immeasurable joy, too, in the dance world through two very famous Russian immigrants: the incomparable choreographer George Balanchine, and the spectacular dancer Mikhail Barynishnikov. Not only would American dance not be the same without them, but the entire world of dance would not be the same without them. It took the freedom of American expression to let loose this creative force into the world.

Balanchine's secret of success? "First comes the sweat. Then comes the beauty - if you're very lucky and have said your prayers."

Immigrants in other lines of work know exactly what Balanchine is talking about. Look at how much Sammy Sosa accomplished in the world of baseball, and he did it with hard work: "It's going to be unbelievable, you know. There's going to be a lot of people cheering for Mark McGwire and me. And, hey, we'll see how it goes."

Surprisingly, a number of very significant writers have come to America as immigrants. I say "surprisingly" because English is not an easy language to conquer. But conquer it they did, with relish. I would not have guessed that Kahlil Gibran was an immigrant. His book "The Stranger" is read by nearly every high school student in the country.

There is one line from Gibran that I especially like: "Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need."

That is a lesson that many immigrants have learned well. Not only in their own communities, but reaching out in the larger communities, many immigrants have brought a wonderful generosity to this country. Do you recall Father Flanagan? He was an immigrant. He was the one who established Boys Town, taking in hundreds of boys that no one else wanted. "There are no bad boys", Father Flanagan said. . "There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking."

This list has but touched the surface of the immigrants who have brought their talents and toiled in American.

There's still Albert Einstein, perhaps the most famous immigrant of all. There's Max Factor of Hollywood makeup fame, and Elia Kazan, the playright.

There's Andrew Grove, founder of Intel Corporation, I.M. Pei, the internationally known architect, and Midori, the violin virtuoso.

Rudolf Valentino, the silent movie lover, and Zubin Mehta, the renown conductor, are also in the group.

All came to work.

So as we celebrate Labor Day, let's take a moment to rejoice in the work that makes our lives what they are, the work that makes our country what it is.

Each morning MaryAnn Shank checks her email to see if anyone has submitted new quotes for http://www.Inspirational-Quotes-Cafe.com. That's the best part of the day. She shares the quotes and photos on the website, and in a morning email called Cup o'. Join her for a touch of inspiration on all sorts of topics.

Taking Jesus Out Of Christmas

Writen by Mike Bradley

I am sure you have all heard by now how the secular forces in our country are attacking the true meaning of Christmas. These secular forces are trying to literally replace the term "merry Christmas" with "happy holidays." They are trying too re-name our traditional Christmas tree as the "holiday tree." They are trying to take out the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph from the manger scenes.

President Bush himself has taken out the term "merry Christmas" from his yearly standard Christmas card that he sends out in an attempt to try and be politically correct. Many of our major department and retail stores have also replaced the term "merry Christmas" with "happy holidays" for fear of offending the minority in our country if they are not Christians.

In the last poll I saw taken, it has been estimated that 80-85% of the people in our country still consider themselves to be Christians. We are thus looking at 15-20% of our population either being atheists, agnostics or of another faith and religion.

In an effort to try and appease and not offend this small minority, many in the political, academic and social fields are literally trying to take out the true meaning of Christmas - the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And surprisingly, many liberal Christians are now in this secular camp.

I have seen many of them on the local news and cable talk shows. They are telling the rest of us conservative and traditional minded Christians that we are getting too upset over nothing, that we should be willing to completely separate Church from state, that we are too thin skinned and that we need to go along with this secular agenda and take our faith and belief right out of any kind of public arena.

As a result of this dark side attack, many Christians have risen up and have done battle with the secular forces trying to remove Christianity from the public square. We have been successful in some of the court battles along with some of the battles against some of the schools who are also trying to remove every tenant of Christianity in their teaching systems. For those of you who don't know what the word "secular" means, Webster's Dictionary describes it as follows:

"Worldly, profane, heathen. Relating to worldly things as distinguished from things relating to church and religion; not sacred or religious, temporal."

Another term that you will often hear is the phrase "secular humanism." Webster's describes this term as follows:

"Humanism that systematically opposes the introduction of religious ideas or standards into the functions of the state, especially into public education. A system of doctrines and practices that disregards or rejects any form of religious faith and worship."

Remember this word. You will be seeing a lot more of this demonic movement in the coming years.

Per the series of articles I have done on all the end time events that will be occurring before Jesus returns to us for His second coming, one of the heavier signs that will be occurring will be the moral disintegration of many people from all walks of life.

The Bible tells us that in the latter days many people will become lovers of self, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unthankful, unholy, slanderers, brutal, without self-control, headstrong and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. The Bible also tells us that some of these people will be falling for "doctrines of demons."

There is no doubt in my mind that the secular agenda and their basic philosophy is a demonic doctrine straight from the pit of hell. Not only do they not believe in God - but they want to try and take Him right out of any kind of pubic arena - even if they are considered to be in the minority!

You thus have liberal judges, teachers, professors and politicians who are doing everything they can to try and remove God from all of the public areas of our life. They are doing everything they can to try and remove the Bible and the Ten Commandments from every major public area of our lives.

Many of our school children have literally lost their faith in God and Jesus by the time they graduate from some of these liberal and secular colleges. If that child has not been raised up with a good, solid Christian upbringing, he will become easy prey for some of these demonic professors who are teaching them that man does not need a God to answer too and that man and science can eventually solve all the world's problems.

What you will find that is really funny in all of this is that these secular forces are not attacking any of the other false religious faiths and beliefs. They are not attacking any of their holidays or trying to take out any of their system of beliefs out of our public arenas.

The reason for that is that all of these other false religions and beliefs are not considered a threat to them and their beliefs. Christianity is the only faith and religion that will draw a major battle line in the sand and call out things the way they really are. Christianity is the only faith that will call man as he really is - a sinner in need of a Savior.

Secularists don't want to be told that they are all sinners. They don't want to be told that they need God's grace and mercy through the death of Jesus Christ in order to receive redemption and a pardon for their sinful states and natures.

They don't want to be told what they can and cannot do. They want total freedom of expression and they don't want to have to answer to a real live living God for the moral decisions they want to make with their lives. In other words, they do not want any moral absolutes dictating how they should live in this life.

This is why you are seeing such a fierce and relentless attack on Christianity in every area that they think they can get away with. With us now approaching what I believe are the latter years as told to us in the Bible, I am afraid that not only is the secular movement not going to be going away, but it will be getting stronger in the coming years, eventually leading up to a real live antichrist who will literally be ruling this entire world for the last 7 years on this earth.

If a real live antichrist is really coming to rule this entire world, then you can bet that an antichrist spirit will start to invade the entire world to help prepare and set up for his coming. And that is exactly what you are starting to see more of. That is why some of these secular movements are getting much more bold and much more aggressive with some of the things they are now doing.

You now have an atheist who is trying to take out the term "in God we trust" off our national currency. This man has now filed the appropriate actions with the supreme court in an attempt to try and do this. Many secular teachers are trying to keep our children from reading and bringing their Bibles into the schools. They are also trying to stop any type of prayer groups from forming inside the schools.

The battle lines are now really being drawn between God's people and the rest of the unbelieving world. Now, more than ever, God will be looking for anointed soldiers to do battle against some of this demonic secular activity that has now launched a full scale attack against Christianity.

We have good solid Christian men and women in the field of politics, the court systems, the teaching professions and the media. Some of these men and women have been instrumental in getting a lot of this secular activity either defeated or at least stalled to some degree.

But the battle is now on and it will only be intensifying in the coming years. This latest attack against Christmas is just another torpedo shot that we are going to have to deal with. With this secular force being more in the minority rather than the majority in this country, this means that we can win some of these battles if there is enough of a public outcry from the believing majority. You can write, email or call your local senators, congressmen, school officials and local stores and chains to voice your opinions on all of these hot issues.

Look how far the homosexual movement has been able to advance its cause and movement with all of their protests and public outcries. They have literally been able to get their entire movement accepted by many in our country as normal acceptable behavior. The squeaky wheel still gets the grease - and we can all do the same with some of the secular demonic activity that has now invaded us right in the heart of where we all live and work at.

To those Christians who consider themselves liberal and who are siding with some of these secular agendas in trying to remove Jesus and everything that He stands for not only out of Christmas, but out of the rest of the public areas of our lives as well - I will give you with two bone chilling verses from our Bible that perfectly describes what is going on with all of this.

Our Bible tells us that we have to be representatives and ambassadors for Jesus, that we are to carry His light and testimony and we are not to be ashamed to testify on His behalf to the rest of the world.

President Bush had a major window to do all of this by keeping the merry Christmas in his Christmas card, but he buckled under the secular and political pressure to try and be politically correct. As a result, he lost a golden opportunity to show the rest of the world how strong his faith really was in his Lord and Savior. That is why the Bible tells us that our faith will be considered "dead" without any good works to back it up.

As I stated at the top of this article, now, more than ever, God is drawing a major battle line in the sand. He is asking each and every Christian to take a stand and decide which side of the line they are going to stand on.

You can either choose to totally dedicate and commit your life and your way of living to God and Jesus, or you can choose to take a stand with the world in general and walk and live with how they want you to live in this life. That is why the Lord has told us in His Word that we will literally become His enemy if we choose the world and the ways of the world over Him and how He wants us to live in this life.

For a complete copy of this article and what those two bone chilling verses from Scripture are, you can click on this link and it will bring you right into the full article.

Article written by Michael Bradley of Bible Knowledge Ministries. Their website is a resource of Bible knowledge.

Decade Costumes Make Great Halloween Outfits

Writen by Phil Sikes

It's fun to look back at the various decades and dress in decade costumes once the occasion arises. Each decade had its own unique charm. From poodle skirts in the 50's to the grunge look in the 90's, they all offer something unique.

Dressing in decade costumes may be a little easier than dressing in a superhero costume, for example. Most of us have decade costumes already in our closets and we may not even know it. Plus, these items are easy to replicate and find clothing for.

Here is some advice on how to put together your own decade costumes for your next dress-up event.

The Fifties

Poodle skirts and pony tails characterize this era. You can actually find outfits from this decade in costume shops and even in stores. Also check in your relatives' attics, vintage clothing shops and of course eBay.

The Sixties

The sixties were a fun time. This is the era of the hippie. Think John Lennon, long hair, long skirts, and lots of flowers and beads. Sixties style clothing still comes in and out of style so chances are pretty good that you have the clothes in your closet. If not, they should be fairly easy to obtain in a regular department store or in second hand clothing shops.

The Seventies

Bell bottoms and disco music- these things are just two of the items that characterize the seventies decade costumes. Lots of glitter and sparkles for the ladies and dramatic afros for anyone who is willing are just a few of the accessories to choose from. Bell bottoms came back in style not too long ago so they should be fairly easy to locate. You can also check in second hand clothing stores and costume shops.

The Eighties

Teased hair and heavy metal and all the fashions that were attached to this music are just some of the things you can do to make yourself look like you were from the eighties. On hair the longer and more teased it is the more authentic you will look. For inspiration, makes and females alike can learn a lot by watching those old music videos. For a change of pace you can also use other movies such as Flash or even shows such as Miami Vice for yet even more eighties inspiration.

The Nineties

The nineties really weren't so long ago but it may be fun to dress up in grunge clothing for your nineties decade costumes. Think Nirvana and Pearl Jam. A pair of thick combat boots and lots of flannel will do a lot to give you the right look.

Phil Sikes writes about costume accessories and other related topics for the Get In Costume website. To read more about costume ideas for Halloween and other events, visit http://www.getincostume.com

Marketing Strategies Using The Law Of Attraction To Create Your Own Unique Version Of The Holidays

Writen by Maya Bailey, Ph.D.

What do you think of when you think of the Holidays?

If you're like most people the first things you think of are the long lines, the massive amounts of traffic and the over emphasis on consumerism. What if this Holiday Season, you could turn that around by creating your own unique version? What would your version be like?

Using the Law of Attraction as our model, let's explore how through the focusing of consciousness, you can magnetize more of what you desire. What would that be? Warmth, coziness, closeness of friends and family, peace and harmony?

The Law of Attraction:

The Law of Attraction is simple. There are basically 5 steps:

1. Clarify what you don't want
2. Clarify what you do want
3. Clear your beliefs
4. Create your "desire statement"
5. Allow it to come to you

Step 1:

Clarify what you don't want:

Take a piece of paper and draw a line vertically. Then an inch from the top draw a horizontal line, so you have two columns. On top of the left column, write "Don't want" . So when it comes to the Holidays, what are those for you? Some examples might be stress, confusion, exhaustion, pressure and family feuds. Write those in the left column.

Step 2:

Clarify what you do want:

On top of the right hand column, write "Do wants" Regarding the Holidays, what are those for you? Some examples might be love, harmony , peace, and joy. Write those and any others you can think of in the right column.

Step 3:

What hidden or not so hidden beliefs do you have that might get in the way of you receiving what you want? Here's some examples:

"My relatives never get along in Holiday gatherings"
"The more expensive my gifts, the more approval I'll receive"
"There's no way around the hustles and bustle"
"Every year someone gets sick"
"My income never meets my expenses during the Holidays"

When you have identified your self limiting and self sabotaging beliefs, ask yourself if you still want to hold onto them? If yes, then you'll pretty much get what you've always gotten. If you decide you're really ready to let them go. Then write a set of new beliefs that cancels out each and every one of the old ones.

For example, you could start to reprogram yourself to think that:

" I can help to facilitate the interactions between my relatives and myself"

" The only person's approval I need is my own. I'll give gifts from the heart"

" I can create my pace to be any way I want. I give myself permission to experience balance this year."

" I visualize radiant health for myself and everyone"

" I can figure out a way to raise my income or I can figure out a way to minimize my expenses. "

Once you have ridden your self of your old beliefs and created a whole new set of empowered beliefs, you are free to create your "desire statement."

Step 4:

Create your Desire Statement:

Now that you have more clarity about what you don't want and what you do want and you've cleared out the old beliefs, you're ready to write your Desire Statement. It's simple, just take your top 5 items of your Do Want list. Then make a statement of what it feels like to have them now.

What does it feel like to have a warm, cozy, relaxed Holiday Season that you custom designed? Write down all the emotional and physical feelings you get as you experience it happening right now. It's similar to acting "as if".

Read your Desire Statement aloud every day for at least 16 seconds. This is enough time for you to create a vibrational vortex. Remember like energy attract like energy. So you are making yourself extremely magnetic to having what you want.

Step 5:

Allow this to come to you:

How does one "allow"? To allow you must suspend your fears and doubts. Notice you don't have to get rid of them, you just need to dis-identify from them. Keep your focus on what you want and give yourself supportive, encouraging self talk. Withdraw your energy from your fears and doubts and they will start shrinking.

So what does it feel like to have a Holiday Season that is unique to you? Relish in the enjoyment so you are ready to roll in the New Year.

Tip: When you find yourself focusing on the negative, i.e. what you don't want, catch yourself and ask this question instead, "So what do I want?" Then focus on that.

For more information on powerful marketing tips and tools, please visit Maya's website: http://www.90daystomoreclients.com While you're there, get your Free Audio Mentoring Session by clicking the first button.

Party Goods For Halloween

Writen by Gail Leino

Halloween is coming up and you'll find that, especially this time of year, you'll need more party goods than ever. Halloween is such an involved holiday. It is both extremely fun because of all the make believe involved and also can be quite harrying. Those throwing parties will certainly be rushing around to get all their ghouls in place, so to speak.

Luckily party goods are made to fill just this partying need for Halloween. You'll find the basic necessities such as themed tablecloths, napkins, silverware, plates, and pumpkins along with all those wonderful extras that make the holiday so creepy. Are you going to try and scare some trick-or-treaters?

Since Halloween involves an outdoor activity such as trick-or-treat, the practice of decorating the porch and front lawn is almost a requirement. Almost everyone has a Jack-O-Lantern on their porch. Those who want to go further can find decorations to literally turn their front yard into a cemetery. Styrofoam grave markers are very popular to stick on the lawn and usually they are also very funny, coming with funny epitaphs on them like, 'Here lies Captain D. He had bad seafood.'

Other ingenious decorative accents include fake spider webs, with rubber spider included, plastic skulls and skeletons of all kinds, scary laughter music discs and other gory objects.

To add a cool touch to your party you can also string up some glowsticks tubes. Glowsticks give off a phosphorescent light and come in several colors such as purple, green and blue and you can connect together longer glowsticks necklaces to make a chain or garland to hang up around the party area. You can also give out glowsticks as party favors or instead of candy to trick-or-treaters.

You can purchase special balloons that look like UFO's for your party or you can get balloons with scary faces on them. There are also a lot of streamer and confetti type products themed after Halloween which you can scatter around your party for festive fun.

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. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Halloween Party Games, party planning tips, decorations, costume ideas, recipes, printable activities and free coloring pages.

Celebrating Christmas 2005 With A Humorous Twist

Writen by Louise Anderson

Maybe you were looking the other way, but Christmas is here. For hundreds of millions of people around the world, Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year.

How about going out on a limb and trying something new this year? Why don't we return to an old fashioned slow Christmas where people carol in front of houses? Why don't we return to a time of family gatherings and exchanging modest but meaningful Christmas gifts? Christmas is a time of year in which we are to express our love, and love is not measured by the size, amount or price of our gifts to one another, but by the size of our heart.

Getting back to real family values! With Audio4fun products, you will give Christmas gifts that keep on giving on this holiday season. Make this Christmas the quality time, which is the best expression of love you can give. Start your family project which requires spending quality time, and in which everyone has the opportunity to input their ideas and voice their own opinions. You and your family could:

- Sing along Christmas songs, morph them in a fun style with Music Morpher Gold, record them and burn into CDs as "happy together" memoirs.

- Stay in contact with distant family members by using Voice Changer Software Diamond: have fun in voice chat with them with new Christmas package.

- Create and send a meaningful Christmas card to your beloveds and wish them a very merry Christmas.

- Make funny Christmas ringtones for your cellphone to suit the holiday seasons.

- Why do you guys go out for a movie on this cold winter? Stay at home watching your favorite old Christmas movies in a new funny way with DVD Player-Morpher Gold. Your family will surely have a joyful Christmas season!

How easy it is! You can visit Tutorials at http://www.musicmorpher.com/free-tutorials.htm to learn how to use Music Morpher Gold to remix songs, make ringtones, make medley, duet songs, etc. Make your own "handmade" gifts by spending time instead of money.

http://www.audio4fun.com/season-greeting.htm

Louise, Audio4fun Community writer, shares a special focus on how to celebrate holidays in unique ways, reflected in specific holiday articles that help you choose gifts for others. http://www.audio4fun.com

Lets Not Talk Turkey

Writen by Kristin Johnson

The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love the stuffing, cranberries and turkey trimmings. However, it's been seven years and you know your family will throw the turkey out the window if they have to eat the bird one more Christmas (and never mind the lectures about starving children in Ethiopia---or better yet, send them the turkey if you can get it through security.)

The Pilgrims and your third-grade teacher started something by preaching the turkey gospel. But if you didn't have turkey---as your vegetarian friends remind you, it's so much better than Big Macs--- what would you serve?

Some ideas:

• Lasagna---it's always a crowd-pleaser.

• Slice avocadoes and combine with sliced cucumbers, chopped green olives, diced tomatoes, and sliced onions for a winter red/green salad.

• Serve Mexican and have a "Feliz Navidad" party.

• Serve Holiday Noodles---Thai, lo mein, crispy, or egg noodles tossed with scallions and covered with red curry powder or red pepper.

• Get your Omega-3 boost from salmon, made festive with salsa and guacamole toppings.

• Make a "Christmas pizza": green peppers, tomatoes, goat cheese, green olives...let your imagination run wild!

Of course, don't forget the Christmas cookies!

Enjoy the turkey-free healthy and tasty holiday traditions you've created.

About The Author

Copyright Kristin Johnson.

Kristin Johnson is co-author of the "highly recommended" Midwest Book Review pick, Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). A downloadablemedia kit is available at our Web site, www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com, or e-mail the publisher (info@tyrpublishing.com) to receive a printed media kit and sample copy of the book. More articles available at http://www.bakingchristmascookies.com.

kristin@poemsforyou.com

Christmas In Another World Romania

Writen by Jeremy White

While much of the civilized world celebrate ancient Christmas traditions, it wasn't always so in Romania, a country once shackled to the now-defunct Soviet Union. Prior to the country's break from the communist-led Soviet bloc, Romanian residents were forced to abandon - or at least submerge - many of their Christmas traditions.

It has been 15 years since Romania regained its independence, and its citizens are once again filling the Christmas season with joyous celebrations. Young adults are now experiencing the Yuletide traditions they previously heard their parents and grandparents discuss. Christmas - called "Craciun" in Romania - is once again alive and well.

Unlike many Americans, Romanians do not open gifts on Christmas morning. Instead, gift exchanges take place on Christmas Eve. Therefore, Romanian children do not leave milk and cookies out for Santa Claus - "Mos Craciun" - to consume on the night of December 24. And while children in the U.S. typically ask for video games and electronics, those in Romania live with a harsher economic reality.

Romania is a tale of two classes. The urban population is typically much more affluent than the rural population. In the cities, some children will receive expensive gifts and money. In the villages, however, kids often receive sweets, fruit, nuts, and pastries as Christmas gifts. A common and popular gift is knot-shaped bread, which, in Romania, symbolizes an abundant harvest.

The sacrifice of a family's pig is customary in rural villages. Often grown to around 300 pounds, the pig's throat is cut in the back yard and the pork's hair is burned. After this, a small portion of meat is immediately fried. That meat is then shared with friends and neighbors, along with plum brandy. This ceremony may seem barbaric in the U.S., but it is performed to ensure the soul of the pig - which will provide the family with nourishment - receives ample gratitude.

All the women in a family cook for three days leading up to Craciun. On Christmas Eve fir trees are decorated. Groups go door-to-door singing carols and churches present concerts. Carolers are abundant. School children make large stars out of glossy paper and light them from within. They carry the illuminated star with them from house to house, singing carols such as Steaua ("The Star"), Trei Pastori ("The Three Shepherds") and Mos Craciun ("Santa Claus"). Young children begin the singing, then the caroling is taken over by adolescents and then, finally (often after midnight), the adults join in. At each house, carolers are given apples, nuts, traditional cakes ("cozonaci") and sometimes even money as a reward for their efforts.

Christmas dinner is a rich, multi-course meal. Several types of pork sausages are tabled, and plum brandy, along with home made pickles, are requisite. "Sarmale" then follows. This dish consists of pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with a combination of pork and beef, along with rice, pepper, thyme and other spices. It is boiled slowly for hours and is paired with polenta. That dish is followed by roasted pork and turkey with red wine. The wine is consumed to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The meal ends with cozonaci, which is a cake with nuts and raisins. The entire extended family - children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins - gather around the table to enjoy the feast together.

Though Romanian Craciun differs from a traditional American Christmas, it's easy to see the similarities as well: it's a magical time filled with celebrations, family and generosity.

Brought to you by Imaginary Greetings, a regular contributor of valuable family oriented content. Learn how to truly light up your child's eyes this holiday season like never before with a personalized phone call from Santa.

Ebay Selling Tips For The Holiday Season

Writen by Mark Kenny

The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year - both online and in stores. Buyers are shopping for the perfect gift idea for friends and loved ones. But, what if a store is sold out and online shops are out of stock? Many shoppers look to eBay, where you can find almost anything and ordering is as simple as the click of a mouse.

Every eBay seller looks forward to the holidays and tries to remain competitive, but it takes work. There's always another vendor waiting to lower their price below yours or add a special bargain to get your customers. In order to stay afloat amongst all of the holiday hoopla, consider the following tips to make your business sparkle and shine during the holiday months:

Tip 1: Offer a gift wrap service. Many shoppers are pressed for time. Perhaps they are traveling out of town to spend the holidays with family, or maybe their family is coming in to visit them. Either way, the holidays take a lot of preparation and planning for everyone. Sometimes, gift wrapping is saved for the last minute and it can be a huge help if a business offers a convenient gift wrapping service. It's up to you whether to offer this service free or at a small fee but, either way, it's an option that will make your business stand out above the rest. Gift wrapping service is also a huge help to those last-minute shoppers.

Tip 2: Offer to gift ship direct to the recipient. Many families are forced to spend the holidays miles apart, so it's nice to be able to order something online and have it shipped directly to the person who the gift is intended for. This saves the buyer from having to pay shipping, get the item and re-ship to the recipient. By offering to ship a gift directly to the recipient, you will be saving your customer both time and money.

Tip 3: Package everything as if it were ready to be given as a gift. If you sell jewelry, ship in brand new gift boxes. If you sell clothing, fold it nicely and ship in tissue paper and a gift box. You get the idea. Always ship an item in such a way that the customer will have to do very little if the item is intended as a gift. If it's not a gift, and the buyer purchased it for themselves, they will be pleasantly surprised to receive such a nice presentation. Customers will always appreciate the extra effort, especially near the holidays.

Tip 4: If you know for certain that someone celebrates the holidays, include a holiday card in with their order. This is just a nice way to add a special little touch to every order and it's always nice to be thought of during the holidays.

Tip 5: Always make sure that any specialty services, which you make available, are noted in your auction description. Whether it be gift wrapping service, shipping a gift directly to the recipient or perhaps a shipping discount for multiple purchases, let your customers know of them. Don't go overboard with the typeface, but make sure it's bold and noticeable. Make your business stand out, and above, all the rest.

Mark Kenny is an eBay expert who specialises in launching eBay related online businesses. You can see his selection of his recommended eBay resources at: http://www.eBusinesseBooks.com or read his blog via http://www.Trading-Web-Solutions.com/blog

Santas Workshop Diary Of An Elf Day 5

Writen by Ashlee Williams

Hello everyone,

It has been very busy around here today! Christmas Eve is getting closer and we are working many hours a day. Any way most of the fire trucks are painted, but the water hoses haven't been connected as we ran out of the connecting nozzles. Our supplies don't arrive until the end of next week. Our Senior Elf, started sawing the wood for the blocks. They take a long time to cut into blocks and paint with alphabet letters on all four sides.

We had to get our own meals today, as Mrs. Claus was in bed most of the day. She has a cold and Santa thought she should rest. We all had a chance to make our favorite sandwich ~ Of course that's peanut butter and jelly. I hate to see Mrs. Claus sick, but the sandwiches were great!! Yum! Yum! I could eat them at every meal.

The reindeer had a long session of exercising ~ they were tired and hungry at supper time. Got to get them into good shape for Christmas Eve or no boys and girls will get their presents.

We went looking around the attic for some clothes to wear to our Halloween party. Mr. & Mrs. Claus always holds a costume party for all his workers. It's always fun bobbing for apples, eating ice cream and soda.

Well, I have to leave for now and hurry to the tv room. BE GOOD BOYS AND GIRLS!! SANTA IS WATCHING YOU!!!!

http://santasworkshop.blog.com

Read This Article If You Think The Merry Christmas Debate Is Ridiculous Indeed

Writen by Lance Winslow

Did you say Merry Christmas today in spite! Did you say it a little extra loud so as to make sure everyone around could here you? How did that make you feel? Did it empower you? Do you think it empowered others around you; did they laugh and smile, nod their heads in approval? Well, they did when I said it. You know all this talk of the "C" word; the word you cannot say anymore is silly and ridiculous isn't it?

Christmas is a special time of the year and should be treated as such, as it is a tradition and it is part of American culture. It does not matter what religion you are or even if you are of no religion at all. Christmas is Christmas and Merry is a nice touch to use in a greeting; So, have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and take that!

Do not let anyone spoil it or take away your right to say Merry Christmas. Say it like you mean it and say it like you feel it, with warmth and conviction. It is a great way to say you care and you wish all the world well over the holiday season. Do not worry if the other person is Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim because what it is saying to them is that you welcome them into your midst, all of them whether a believer or an atheist, you are saying I value you as a person and I wish you well.

That is a good thing and helps bring people together. If someone is offended by you saying Merry Christmas it is an internal problem with that individual, that is their problem not yours. You wished them well in a positive way by saying Merry Christmas, which is a compliment and a way of saying; "I Care" and that is a good thing. Of course if you cannot stand the person you can say Go to Hell, Delightful December, Merry Month or nothing at all. Think on it.

Lance Winslow

Outdoor Lover Gift Ideas

Writen by Kathy Burns-Millyard

Outdoor lovers are known for their take no prisoners approach to enjoying nature and all its wonders. If you know someone who is a camping, hunting, fishing, hiking or gardening fanatic, or who just loves to get outside, below are some great gift ideas that are sure to delight.

Digital Compass: The days of the traditional Boy Scout compass are long gone. Today's compasses come in a variety of formats and are used for multiple purposes. Digital compasses are a top pick, because they don't have to be adjusted for different geographical areas. The user will get a precise digital reading of the direction that they're headed in. Most of these clever little gadgets can function as vehicle compasses, travel alarm clocks or handheld for the outdoors.

L.L. Bean Gift Certificate: If they love the great outdoors, chances are they do a little bit of shopping at L.L. Bean. The leading outdoor apparel and gear maker specializes in a broad line of children's wear, outerwear, sportswear, house wares and footwear, as well as camping, fishing, hunting and hiking gear. Your gift recipient has the convenience of using an L.L. Bean gift certificate in-person or when ordering online.

Thermal Underwear: Help keep them warm and cozy with a thoughtful gift - thermal underwear. There are many styles and types to choose from. Some of the more popular are those made with wool, polypropylene and cotton/polyester.

Waterproof Binoculars: If that favorite outdoors person has yet to pick up a pair, then this is the gift for them. Waterproof binoculars are built to be 100% water resistant in both fresh and saltwater. They are designed to deliver a bright and clear picture when scanning for navigational markers, other watercraft or feeding fish. This is a must have item for any outdoor enthusiast.

National Parks Pass: This is the ultimate gift for the outdoor lover. A National Parks Pass is an annual pass that provides admission to any national park that charges an entrance fee. The pass costs just $50 and is valid for one full year from first use at a park. According to the National Parks Service, more than 80% of the proceeds from the sale of these passes go directly into supporting priority projects in national parks. You can purchase the passes one of three ways: directly at any national park where an entrance fee is charge, online at www.nationalparks.org or by calling 1-888-GO-PARKS.

Lantern: For the avid camper, lanterns always make a great gift. Today's campers are moving to the propane models versus the fuel lanterns. Keep that in mind when comparing models.

Good luck on your quest to find the perfect present for that outdoor lover!

Additional resources for this article can be found at: http://www.homegiftshopper.com/giftideas/1958/outdoor-lover-gift-ideas/

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Need more great gift ideas for a variety of people and occasions? Visit The Home Gift Shopper at http://www.homegiftshopper.com - And don't miss our new, full article RSS feed!