Birthdays Getting A Birthday Gift

Writen by Michael Russell

In this article we're going to solve one of the biggest problems modern man can possibly face, finding the perfect birthday gift.

You would think finding a birthday gift for someone, especially someone you know would be a piece of cake. Well, sometimes it's easier just getting the cake. The present can be a real pain in the neck, especially when you THINK you know someone.

It's better to be safe than sorry. The truth is, unless you are absolutely sure of someone's interests, it is almost impossible to pick out a perfect birthday gift that the recipient is going to just go nuts over. So here are some simple rules of thumb that should keep you from getting the look at death when handing over your gift to the birthday boy or girl.

1. Keep your eyes and ears open throughout the year leading up to the recipients birthday. Try to get some idea of the person's interests. The closer you are to this person the easier it is. For family members, this is very easy especially if you pay careful attention. The truth is, throughout the year your family is going to see something on television or hear something on the radio that they're going to make a comment on as something they'd like to have. Maybe not in so many words, but the point will be made, even if subtly. Whenever this happens, make a note of the item. If it's something that may be gone soon, go back to the store when you're alone and pick it up, even if it's ten months before the big day. This way your shopping for this person is done and you can relax. You know you got something that they're going to love.

2. If you can't get a good idea from the person what they might like, talk to other family members. See if they know something that the person in question wants. If family doesn't know then ask friends. Somebody has to know something about this person's likes.

3. If one and two bomb out, the next step is to snoop around the person's room, if you have access to it. See what they have laying around. Make a note of the kind of clothes they wear. If they're really into a certain kind of clothing or accessory and have a number of those items that you know they bought for themselves then there is a good chance that getting one more is going to bring a smile to their face, especially if it's an item that is very popular.

4. If all three things bomb out then the next step is a gift card. Credit cards actually sell these now so you can give a gift card to that special person that they can use just about anywhere. Believe it or not, they'll be really excited about being able to go anywhere and get anything they like.

5. The final option is cash or a gift certificate to a particular store. Cash isn't very romantic but again, you can use it to buy anything. You really can't go wrong with cash especially if it's a nice amount. By following the five tips above you shouldn't have too much trouble getting a birthday present that will be more than appreciated.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Birthdays
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Santas Workshop ~ Diary Of An Elf ~ Day 20

Writen by Ashlee Williams

Hello Everyone,

Sorry I don't have much time to write today ~ we have been very busy in the toyshop all day. Since we worked so hard today we can have tomorrow off and do what we want. I'm just going to get my costume ready and wait for the big Halloween party on Saturday!! It'll be fun!

Santa made us eat supper early so we could go to bed early because tomorrow night is our big Halloween party. Mrs. Claus says we can stay up as late as we want tomorrow. I can't wait! We are going to have so much fun!. Santa and Mrs. Claus always give their workers a great Halloween party every year.

Mrs. Claus got her pictures of the skating party. Did you see my pictures of Santa, my cat Ruby, and the snowman we built - we called him Mr. Frosty. As you can probably tell from my pictures I had a great skating party; at least until I fell and hurt my ankle!! It'll be all right in a few weeks, I hope

My ankle is starting to feel better, but I still limp a little. My friend, Eddie has been picking on me by calling me Limpy. Since I'm getting better, he won't be able to call me that much longer.

Well, I have to go now ~ Mrs. Claus is calling me for my bedtime snack ~ I think we are having cereal. Hopefully it is Cheerios, my favorite!

Don't worry about me if I don't have time to write to you before our party. I'll tell you all about it the next day!

Good night

Ashlee Williams writes a report on the North Pole through the eyes of an elf, who works for Santa Claus Why don't you visit her at: http://santasworkshop.blog.com It is really surprising all the trouble that Santa has while he's making the toys. Check it out!

Top Ten Tips To A Terrific Valentines Day For Men In Relationships

Writen by Gayla Swihart DeHart

Okay guys, so this is a great opportunity to get back in the good books, or if you are already there, to get some extra points. Women love to be courted, wooed, treated like princesses. And most of them like this to occur on Valentine's Day (as well as other days, but that's a Tip List for another time!). Beware, unless you have been told to ignore Valentine's Day (and only if you have in the past and it has worked), do NOT, under any circumstances, neglect to celebrate this occasion of love and romance. Her friends will all be asking her the next day what you did, and if she has to tell them "nothing", it cannot be good for you! Read these tips for some help:

1. Don't forget about Valentine's Day! There are lots of reminders everywhere. Notice the hearts and advertisements.

2. Leave her a note or card before you leave for work and tell her that you will be thinking about her.

3. Don't wait until the last minute to make your arrangements - she will know and will feel like your relationship is not important enough. How can she tell? Flowers from 7-Eleven are not the same as flowers from a florist, and coming home an hour later than usual from work will not warm any hearts. If you are having dinner at the local chain restaurant, she will know that you didn't make reservations early enough.

4. If you are planning to take her out and if you have children, offer to arrange for child care for the evening. Arrive home early from work.

5. Do tell her what you loved about her when you first started dating, and tell her what you love about her today.

6. Do compliment her (sincerely) on something you find attractive about her (personality, appearance, or both).

7. If you are planning on celebrating at home and you have children, offer to bring dinner home for them and put them to bed while she has a bubble bath with candles (which you will prepare for her). Rose petals in or around the tub is a nice touch!

8. If you are thinking of bringing home flowers, think about sending them to her instead (whether she is at home or at the office)- it costs a few extra dollars to get them delivered, but women love to receive gifts by delivery.

9. If you are interested in getting some extra love (read: action), plan to put extra effort into preparing yourself for it. For example, have a shower and maybe an extra shave, brush your teeth - act as though it is a first date.

10. Finally, take the time to prepare her for the action. Listen to her about her day while maintaining eye contact, spend time kissing her and letting her know how you feel about her. Take your time, both before and during. Add some candlelight and romantic music (pick her favourite).

Try to incorporate as many of these tips as you can into this special day, and keep them handy for other times of the year as well. Your woman loves you and it is important to let her know, in ways that mean something to her, that she is special to you!

Dr. Gayla Swihart DeHart, from Vancouver, Canada, is a Professional Coach with a Ph.D. in Psychology. She helps busy professionals manage stress, improve goal-setting and follow-through, and increase life and work satisfaction. More information on Dr. DeHart and her services can be found at http://www.AchieveExcellence.ca

Christmas In July Rekindling The Magic Of A Traditional White Christmas

Writen by Bernadette Dimitrov

Everyone loves the traditional snow themed Christmas. However for many countries December is summer time and the thought of cooking a hot meal is enough to give people heat stroke! So in various countries throughout the world "Christmas in July" is understandably gaining popularity. In recent times it is seen as an unofficial holiday marked by celebrations which include parties and dinners featuring the traditional heavy hot meals associated with the cooler weather Christmas feasting in the northern hemisphere on December 25.

Many countries such as Australia experiences warm to hot weather on December 25 and July is their coldest month. In recent times in Australia this new custom of celebrating "Christmas in July" has been adopted and is gaining momentum throughout the land. Like many other countries that experience warm or hot weather in December, July offers an opportunity to capture the atmosphere of a traditional cold weather Christmas with logged fires, a hot roast and hot plum pudding. For many people who yearn to experience a traditional Christmas feast, "Christmas in July" is the only way they can experience it without having to spend lots of money to travel to another country in the northern hemisphere. Not many people want to leave family and friends behind in December for the experience of a "white Christmas" so "Christmas in July" is the perfect alternative!

"Christmas in July" is also gaining popularity among retailers who often hold "Christmas in July" sales. If you do a Google search on the internet for "Christmas in July" you will see hundreds of retailers offering all kinds of merchandise and holiday festivities and gift ideas. Christmas movies are also popular during this time with re-runs on television. A wonderful fun movie that you can purchase or hire is "Christmas in July (1940)" starring Dick Powell and Ellen Drew. There is even a television shopping channel "QVC" that has a show names "Christmas in July".

Although "Christmas in July" is held on varying dates during this month in different countries, there is no doubt that "Christmas in July" will continue to increase in popularity. Not only is it exciting to experience a traditional "white Christmas" for people residing outside the northern hemisphere, it is also a wonderful time where people are further reminded of the virtues associated with Christmas: giving, forgiveness, love and gratitude. Reflection mid-year offers a healing opportunity for people to start the process of transforming from the inside out by reviving and rekindling the spirit that belongs to Christmas!

Visit http://www.HoHoHoChristmas.com for gifts, tips and tools for reviving the fun, magic and spirit of Christmas every day of the year. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-course with audio on how to enrich your Christmas experience today! Plus sign up for our sensational f*r*e*e Newsletter and become part of our world-wide Christmas family. Our Newsletter is fun and has great tips, tools and resources you'll love throughout the year! By The HoHoHo Expert, Bernadette Dimitrov, author of The HoHoHo Factor! & Bluey, Santa's New Recruit (ebooks and audio books).

5 Tips For Sensible Holiday Shoppers

Writen by Tom Palange

5 Tips for Sensible Holiday Shoppers

Every year, Americans spend many months saving money for the holidays. From Christmas trees to holiday parties, and the countless number of gifts, it is easy to lose track of spending and unknowingly subject yourself to years' worth of overwhelming credit card bills. This year, before you head out to the malls consider these 5 tips for sensible holiday shoppers:

1. Use Cash Whenever Possible – Carrying cash allows you to track exactly how much money you have, and how much you've spent. Using cash also serves as a precautionary measure for potential overspending., since you can't spend more than you have in your purse or wallet. While using credit can be useful, and is necessary in certain situations, the less you use it the better chance you have for staying out of debt.

2. Ask Questions - Companies are all trying to win your business and will run a wide variety of advertising campaigns and promotions to try and grab your attention. If you are uncertain as to the price of an item or a sale item in a flyer, be sure to ask a store employee. Before you pay a service fee for your gift card or disregard that mail-in rebate, find out all the facts about the cost of your purchase.

3. Build a Holiday Budget – Household budgets help us organize our financial lives on a weekly basis, and the same process can help guide us through holiday spending just as easily. Visit www.consumercredit.com to download a free Holiday Budget Worksheet, and plan out exactly what you can afford to spend on gifts, decorations and holiday parties.

4. Read the Newspaper and Circulars– Many popular gifts go on sale to during the holiday season. If you are on a holiday budget, it's a good idea to look through the newspaper each week to begin comparison-shopping. Although the item you want may be on sale at one store, its competitor might just be charging $5 dollars less and that is $5 you can use to buy Christmas cards instead.

5. Utilize Free Services – The holiday season is intended to be a time for giving, and many stores and shopping malls will offer you free gifts and services in exchange for your patronage. From free gift wrapping to $10 gift cards, these store perks can save you money in the long run, so take advantage as often as you can.

Tom Palange Education Programs Specialist ABOUT ACCC: American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to regain control of their lives through education, counseling and debt management. ACCC provides individuals with practical solutions for solving financial problems and recognizes that consumers' financial difficulties are often not the result of poor spending habits, but more frequently from extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As one of the nation's leading providers of financial education and credit counseling services, ACCC works with consumers to help them with the best plan of action to reduce their debt and regain financial stability. For more information or to access free financial education resources log on to http://www.consumercredit.com

How To Stay Slim During The Holiday Season

Writen by Melanie Mendelson

The majority of people find themselves carrying additional fat once the holidays are over. Worst of all, most of them never lose this extra weight. Over the years, few pounds gained over the holidays here and there add up to 10, 20, 30 pounds of excess fat!

To avoid falling into the holiday fat trap, follow these simple tips:

1. Don't deprive yourself. Munching on a green salad while everyone is feasting on turkey and stuffing is just not worth it. You will end up miserable, and chances are you'll binge at home or on the next party. Depriving yourself once is likely to cause you to eat everything in sight the next day to "compensate" for your suffering.

2. Don't stuff yourself. You are not a turkey, after all! :-) Remember, this is not the last time in your life that you can eat.

3. Eat a small meal several hours before the party. This will prevent you from being too hungry when faced with abundant menu. When you are not starving, you can think with your brain, and not with your stomach.

4. Eat slowly. It takes our body about 20 minutes to realize that we are full. Also, the slower you eat, the less food you'll eat as opposed to eating fast in the same amount of time.

5. Be aware of what you are eating. It's easy to get carried away in conversation, and eat way too much before you know it. Don't automatically go for more helpings while you are talking to someone.

6. If you are cooking the food, prepare healthier versions of traditional dishes. Don't go too far by trying to completely cut out the fat. Just make some slight changes such as mashing potatoes with low-fat milk, adding less butter to the food, and serving more salads and veggies. Or make the stuffing in a casserole dish outside of turkey, so it does not soak up the extra fat.

7. Deal with the food-pushing hosts by complimenting them. When they try to force more food on you, smile. Say how much you love their food, but unfortunately you are so full, you can't get in another bite. And that you'll be delighted if they gave you some of this food to take home, if there is anything left after the party!

8. Choose the turkey breast meat, since it has fewer calories then dark meat. Also, most of the fat in a turkey is contained in the skin. So, if you can, don't eat the skin. Skinless turkey breast is actually a healthy choice. But go easy on a fat-laden gravy!

9. Eat small amounts of various foods, as opposed to large portions of few foods. Sampling everything on the menu will leave you more satisfied since you've tried everything there is. But remember, moderation is key.

10. Eat that dessert. The trick here is to eat a small piece of it. This way you can have your cake and eat it too!

About The Author

Melanie Mendelson is the author of Practical Weight Loss - the healthy way to lose weight and keep it off. Visit Melanie's site at http://www.practical-weight-loss.com

How To Buy Christmas Presents Without Breaking The Bank

Writen by Mark McAuley

I have kids that are 16, 13,10 and 6 years old. We all know that when kids get to this age that they want gifts that are expensive. All their friends have new mp3 players, high tech video games, cell phones, etc. As working parents we know how much these things cost.

I work at a factory, so spending hundreds of dollars on the newest gadget isn't in my Budget. But since we love our kids and want to give them things they actually want and like, it makes it tough on us. So every year we spend too much money and then the bills come in, and our eyes bug out. Then we have to try and get overtime to pay them off. If you are lucky, you will pay off those bills before next Christmas.

I have found items that kids do like that aren't that expensive. Since it is winter, most kids like to get warm pajamas and slippers. Believe it or not, even my 16-year-old daughter loves to get pajamas with cool characters on them. The younger kids love to get slippers with Spongebob, Barbie, or whoever is popular at the time.

You can get most of these items for around $20. Not only that, but since my girlfriend likes to keep the heat at around 64 degrees, I wouldn't mind a set of flannel pajamas myself.

Not to mention the fact that my 2 older children don't really care for toys anyway, so it would really be a waste of money to buy these things.

The other thing I have noticed is my 16 year old and many of her friends are into the retro look. You know, the clothes that we wore at their age, that we had hoped were lost forever. But it does make it easier to buy clothes without emptying your wallet. I think every city now has these resale stores, you know the ones, they sell used clothes, and when I go in them my allergies start bothering me. You can get some great deals in these stores.

Another great place to buy gifts is Ebay. I know some people are leery about buying online, but I have never had any problems. You can get some good deals on Ebay, but you have to be careful. If you have a product in mind you can check prices at different websites, like shopping.com or bizrate.com. Then you can make sure you are getting a good deal. The other thing with Ebay is to make sure to check the feedback of the person you are buying from. This tells you what other people thought of this seller. The last thing to check is the shipping charge. Some people sell things low, but charge a huge amount for shipping.

No matter what you choose, using the internet for research or purchase is a great time saver, and maybe even a money saver. So good luck with your Christmas shopping this year and DON'T break the bank.

Mark McAuley is a 40 year old divorced father,factory worker and struggling website owner. Please visit my websites at: http://purplemoose.us and http://www.mcauleygifts.com

How To Pick Perfect Flowers For Mothers Day

Writen by Natalie Aranda

Millions of flowers are sent out on Mother's Day celebration every year. The flowers have been an emblem of mother's love for centuries.

While there were local celebrations honoring mothers in the late 1800's, Mother's Day did not become an official holiday until 1910 in the United States. The recognition of Mother's Day as a official national holiday in U.S. was largely due to the efforts of Miss Anna Jarvis. In 1907, Miss Anna began a campaign to establish a national Mother's Day to honor all mothers, living and dead. Miss Anna Jarvis (the mother of Mother's Day) selected the pink carnations as the symbol for Mother's Day. She supplied white flowers at the first service conducted in Grafton, West Virginia. Pink carnations are widely accepted for the Mother's Day because of the inherent quality of sweetness, purity and endurance. England was one of the first countries to celebrate Mothering Sunday for a different reason. Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in more than 40 countries around the world. Not all nations celebrate on the same day or for the same reason, but they all celebrate the day with the loves for the mothers and with beautiful flowers. In United States, besides flowers Mother's Day Gift Baskets, Mother's Day Ring or Jewelry are popular choices for Mother's day gift ideas.

Pink, white and red flowers are common colors for Mother's Day flowers. Each color has unique meaning in Mother's Day celebration. White flowers with their sweet fragrance are regarded as the flowers for those who have missed their mothers either because of death, or because of distance. Red flowers, representing life and love, are considered the symbol of love for living mothers.

The affectionate and cheerful flowers are generally considered more appropriate for Mother's day. Examples of flowers that should be given to a mother include wild flowers, tulips, Gerber daisies, birth month flowers, or any flower that is a mother's particular favorite. Roses are always a popular choice, however for a mom pink, yellow, orange, or white are more appropriate. Every woman loves roses, and the alternate colors brighten up the rose as well as show love in a non-romantic way.

Whether your mother is just miles away from you or in other side of the earth, you can always easily pick a perfect flowers for your mother online nowadays. In 1998. I was in Bristol, UK and my mom was in Birmingham, UK. I decided to head to the Internet. Typing in "flowers Bristol", then "Leeds florists and Leeds flowers", I found the perfect Mothers Day flowers for her. The flowers were ordered online from Bristol and sent to Leeds and arrived early next morning.

Natalie Aranda is a freelance write. She writes about travel, business, family, love. She's been taking pictures of various Mother's Day flowers and Valentine's Day Flowers even since she was a teenager.

Christmas Gift Idea An Original Oil Painting

Writen by Allan Holder

It wasn't as if the whole family had to pay for it. No one had offered to, although they would take part of the credit when the 25th anniversary gift was opened and exclaimed over and hung lovingly over the fireplace for all to see. It wasn't as if the wedding portrait, an original oil painting from an old photo, was anyone else's idea, but someone would probably say it had been.

It was an idea I had been forming in the back of my mind since last year when my grandparents had celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, which fell on Christmas day. Twenty five years of marriage does not seem like a lot for grandparents, especially for those who have grandchildren in their forties, like me, but theirs was an amazing love story. Both had been married to other people following the Holocaust and had subsequently lost their spouses tragically – his from cancer, hers in a car accident – and then, love again. Getting married later in life, with families already well-established and fully-grown hadn't been the easiest transition. Different walks of life, beliefs and ways to properly cook a Thanksgiving turkey had been only a few of the many issues that had arisen between the newly blended family members, but now it was time to come together.

Originally it had been a family portrait idea – to have a painting made from a photo taken of the entire family – siblings and step siblings, children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, but the idea had grown bigger than I could manage, so I had decided to simplify with a wedding portrait of my grandmother and their grandfather together on their wedding day, shrunken and wrinkled, old even then, 25 years ago, but happy, deliriously happy.

Since their anniversary fell on Christmas day, I thought the original oil painting would be a unique Christmas gift idea as well as a memorable 25th wedding anniversary gift. They deserved something special to commemorate how far they had come. They knew about all the struggles, even though we, the blended family, always tried to keep the unpleasantness from them. Maybe it was too late to try and teach an old family new tricks, but they didn't think so. Every child and grandchild, niece and nephew was loved by my grandmother and their grandfather as though they were flesh and blood.

They deserved something special. The thought kept circling around in my head. A wedding portrait would not be enough. I would have to revive the family portrait idea. They deserved something special like the whole family - the two they had tried so hard to make into one - coming together on one page, or at least one on piece of canvas, frozen happily in a timeless collection. A sitting would never work, but a painting from a photo would. It wasn't going to be easy, but then again, love, of any kind, never is. After all they had given it was worth the sighs and groans, the unwanted opinions and ideas, the late arrivals to the photography studio and the enormous cost to give my grandmother and their grandfather – my grandparents – the one thing they love the most in the world, their whole family.

Allan holder is the founder and owner of My Picture Painter Oil Paintings: which is a site dedicated to the revival of the lost art of portrait painting. In today's fast paced world, sitting for a portrait painting is simply not practical. We allows the user to submit a photo to our network of talented artists who will paint a personal oil painting from your photo.

Ten Tips For Gorgeous Holiday Decorating When Youre Busy Amp Broke

Writen by Susan Dunn

Fall is harvest time so take advantage of the bounty of nature. It's Thanksgiving time, so take advantage of the generosity of others. Some clever hunting and gathering can help you save time and money and still have a festively decorated home for the holidays.

1. Gather branches, leaves, seed pods, pine cones, acorns and anything else from your yard that fits with the fall color scheme.

Even without a glue gun you can arrange attractive centerpieces and mantel displays.

2. Visit the produce department of your grocery and pick vegetables that suit your color scheme.

Squashes come in all colors, shapes and sizes and last a long time unrefrigerated. Pumpkins may be reduced after Halloween and work well. Arrange them in groups, alone, or around the greenery.

3. Check out your garden for what's in bloom.

Lucky you if you have chrysanthemums, but many other things will do if you'll take a second look.

4. Cheap tip for a real glow? Buy a fair-sized mirror at the dollar store or thrift shop, place it on your dining room table, buffet or any low table (you have to be able to see the reflection) and cover it with tea lights or candles. Beautiful!

5. Get accent pieces from your local Goodwill store and thrift shops. People donate the most amazing holiday decorations that can be yours for pennies. – hand towels, wreaths, pillows, dressed stuffed animals, wall pictures, bedspreads, water globes, statuettes and serving pieces. Drop by often until you find what you need. 6. Change out your lamp shades.

Check out the lamp shade selection at Goodwill and buy some to fit your color scheme, or simply in darker shades to cozy up the house. It only takes a minute to change them. Just make sure before you go to check how your lampshades attach and match them.

7. Don't forget to check out the holiday picture frames at the resale shop or garage sales.

You could move a favorite photo to a holiday frame and place that somewhere prominent. Neat if you use photos from former holidays, like when the kids were little, or your grandparents were still alive. Also look over the prints at garage sales and bargain stores with an eye toward the frames. You can throw out the print!

8. If you have a neutral couch with pillows, shop the bargain stores for accent pillows in fall colors, or change them all to the thematic color. Slipcovers are also a possibility.

9. Let the children make some decorations.

Some suggestions: Painting Thanksgiving pictures you then frame and hang on the walls or use for placemats. Cutting out leaves in fall colors to place around the centerpiece, scatter across the front door step to welcome guests, or pin to curtains. Given them clay or play-doh and let them fashion pilgrims, turkeys, leaves, or fruits. 10. Don't forget yourself! Most thrift stores set up displays of holiday apparel you'll want to take advantage of for you and the kids. (And the most beautiful hostess is the one who is rested and enjoying the event herself, so take care of yourself and use your EQ skills.)

©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.

Celebrating Chinese New Year Lunar New Year

Writen by Katherine Xie

Chinese New Year

Among the various celebrations and festivities for the Chinese, Chinese New Year is always deem the most important of all. Chinese families living in different part of the country or the world will make it a point to gather together for Chinese New Year (CNY). This is very similar to the Western concept of getting together during Christmas.

Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year as well as The Spring Festival. The Chinese Year is also symbolized by an animal, very much like the Western Zodiac. The animal to symbolize CNY 2006 is The Dog.

Myths of Chinese New Year

There are many myths as to how Chinese New year came about.

The most common one is that in ancient China, every year, a big monster would come out during the beginning of the year and start devouring people and crops. One day, a villager suggested firing off fire crackers, bang loud gongs and fly red banner to try to frighten off the monster.

It worked! From then onwards, people would always fire off loud fire crackers, beat gongs and drape their houses with red banner to ensure the big, bad monster never return again. Till today, Chinese New Year is still celebrated in the traditional manner.

Of course, that's just a myth. In reality, the Chinese uses a Lunar Calendar which is different from the Georgian or Western calendar, and so, the start of the Lunar new year is time for celebration, very much like New year on the Western calendar. It is also the time when crops are fully harvested and preparations are made for the new planting year and people have some time to rest and celebrate. This is why Chinese New Year is sometimes known as The Spring Festival.

Start of CNY Celebrations

CNY celebrations starts with a reunion dinner on the eve of CNY. This is where family members get together, no matter where they are in the country or the world, and sit down for a good meal. Reunion dinner is always celebrated at home but in recent years, more and more families tend to have their reunion dinner in a good restaurant.

After dinner, true to the Chinese nature, playing cards and marjong tiles will appear and a gambling session amongst familiy members will start. Once the clock strikes twelve, this is where you will hear firecrackers and fire works being fired off everywhere. The firecrackers mark the official start of CNY.

In recent years, the Chinese government has clamped down on firecrackers and fireworks in the cities because of fire hazards. Today, the lighting of fireworks is most likely to happen in the villages and countryside only.

Chinese New Year is celebrated with visiting of relatives and friends. Everyone is expected to wear new clothes and shoes and the popular color is obviously RED! There is always good food and drinks and children are rewarded with red packets or 'hong-pow' from adults. These red packets will contain money and is a major source of 'wealth' for children for the rest of the year.

Adults will chit-chat and catch up with one another. They are also likely to have gambling sessions with friendly stakes. Meantime, children will be having new year goodies, games and playing with fireworks.

In town centres and TV stations, there will be displays of dragon and lion dance, acrobats, traditional chinese dance and songs, stilt walkers, Chinese Opera, wushu performances and other traditional chinese performances.

In the olden days, festivities will last for 15 days while today, most people will celebrate for 3-4 days and spend the rest of time at home.

Chinese greetings for Chinese New Year

If you have Chinese friends, do visit them at home during CNY and you will be most welcomed. Make sure you learn a word or two of CNY greetings.

The most common are:

"Gong Xi Fa Cai" - Have a prosperous new year

"Zu Ni Nian Nian You Yu" - Wishing you a abundant year

"Sing Nian Kuay Le" - Happy New Year.

Also, you may like to bring two oranges when visiting. This indicates that you are bringing wealth to the family. If the Chinese family is someone that you are familiar with, you may even want to give red packets (containing a token sum of money) to their children. If you have children, you are most likely to recieve red packets for them as well.

Ken Cheong worked, lived and travelled in China for the last 7 years. He contributes articles about Modern China and Oriental Medicine and more articles can be found at his websites. Please feel free to email him. You may distribute this article as long as mention is made of http://www.chinese-culture.net and http://www.quick-pain-relief.com

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Christmas Gifts Making Your Shopping Easier

Writen by Alison Thompson

Buying Christmas gifts can either be a pleasure or a pain and the deciding factor is often centred upon whether you know what to buy for your recipient, or whether you are simply wandering aimlessly in search of inspiration.

So to avoid the pain, a little prior gift planning can pay dividends and can really help to reduce some of the seasonal sress you have to cope with.

It always helps to start your Christmas shopping preparations by writing a list of those you need to buy gifts for. It focuses the mind and can also assist with budgeting, as once you know how many recipients you have, you can allocate your funds accordingly. At this point, you will have a better idea of the type of presents you should be seeking too, as you will have a price range for each gift on your list. It's not mercenary to think like this, it is a sensible and practical measure, as the joy of Christmas can make even the most budget conscious person lose control of their finances during the festive season.

Once you know how much you can afford to spend on presents, don't set off to buy them until you have a few ideas for each gift recipient. Even if you plan to do your shopping offline, make use of the Internet to browse through Christmas gift sites to get an idea of what is available and what the prices are. If you are comfortable with shopping on-line, it can save you a lot of time whilst opening up a whole world of gifts that you may not have previously considered. To reduce postage costs, check out presents for your entire recipient list before you place orders as you may find that several presents can be ordered from the same company.

To decide what gifts to buy, have a good think about each recipient and what you know about their personality. The key to buying gifts that people love is to buy something that they will appreciate, rather than something you like yourself!

Start with those you know well, as you will come up with ideas more easily and this may spark ideas for those recipients you find it harder to buy gifts for. Unless you know someone very well, avoid gifts for the home, as personal tastes can vary wildly in this area. A luxury treat or 'occasion' present can be an excellent choice though, as they don't require the recipient to keep them on display for months afterwards to avoid hurting your feelings. For instance, if you know someone likes to cook, a gift basket of exotic spices and cooking oils will probably be well received and your recipient needn't be a chocoholic to appreciate beautiful handmade Belgian chocolates or a chocolate club tasting box, so these make excellent choices.

Despite our electronic awareness, traditional favourites such as board games can still bring great pleasure when received as a gift and chosen with care, are very suitable presents for friends and relatives. They are also ideal to give as a shared gift for a couple or a family.

One of the latest trends in gift buying is the 'experience' or 'adventure' gift. These can be superb choices if you really are stuck for a gift item as they come in a vast range of prices. For instance, a ten pin bowling session for two is very modestly priced, making it suitable if you have a limited budget, whilst an exciting driving adventure or a luxury spa day will be more appropriate if you have more funds. The beauty of such gifts is that they last long after Christmas, so recipients have something to look forward to long after the wrapping has been discarded.

If you know what someone really wants for Christmas but you simply can't afford it, don't be tempted to buy an inferior quality or similar product. The chances are that despite your good intentions, it won't be used and your money will have been wasted. It is far better in such circumstances to buy something completely different, which is within your budget providing you have applied the principles above to try and select a gift that they will love to receive.

As a final bit of planning, if there is a chance that you might be invited to visit friends over Christmas that you haven't seen for a while, consider buying one or two small token gift items such as books, wine or tree decorations. Have them ready wrapped with a blank gift tag ready and you will always have a little gift ready for someone if you need it unexpectedly.

Copyright Alison Thompson 2005. Alison writes for The Christmas Site http://thechristmassite.co.uk and other websites and magazines.

You may use this article on your website only if the author's resource box is included in full.

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A Perfect Family Christmas Gift

Writen by Low Jeremy

There's no denying that Christmas time is fast approaching. Aside from Christmas decors, one of the most popular items purchased during this special season include a wide array of Christmas gifts. Being a major attraction for everyone, Christmas gifts are anticipated by everyone especially those by families and family members.

CHOOSING PRESENTS FOR THE FAMILY

Christmas is indeed a very special time for families all over the world. Bringing the joy and excitement of Christmas time into its fullest form are family Christmas gifts and presents. Each and everyone of us would want to give our parents, uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, husbands, wives a special family present.

Like finding that elusive gift for a girlfriend or a boyfriend, choosing the perfect family Christmas gift can be a strenuous and tedious task. To help you find the perfect gift for your family members, here are some gift ideas and presents that will surely make their Christmas season merrier.

Among the so many family Christmas gift ideas out there, handmade family Christmas presents always top the list. Aside from being unique, various selections of family Christmas presents also reflect the value of the recipient.

Hand-made Christmas gifts may include a special painting of a family, a sculpture that symbolizes family unity, or pieces of clothing that embody familial spirit. Family picture or a picture of a specific family member placed in a special hand-made frame is also an excellent choice.

If you're on a tight budget and would still want to provide something for your family members, worry no more because family Christmas gifts need not be expensive. All you have to do is to know the interests of each family member and personalized something for them.

Inexpensive family Christmas presents may include customized Christmas cards and home-made cookies, home-cooked meals and delights, a personal shopping spree for them or a day of special service. Remember, when giving gifts, the monetary value of the item of the present counts, it's the thought behind it that really matters.

But, if you really want to give something concrete for a present, here are some unique family Christmas gifts you can choose from:

1. One-year subscription of the family's favorite magazine or newspaper. If the whole family is into reading a specific magazine or a newspaper, why not surprise them a year of subscription? Aside from helping your parents out in cutting expenses caused by subscription, this is also a practical idea because all of the family members will benefit from it.

2. A new Bible. If your family is Catholic, a new Bible will definitely be a prized possession. You can buy a newest or latest version in hardbound or if you want to be somehow techy, an audio Bible is perfect for the whole family especially for those members who love to drive.

3. A music CD. If the family loves to listen to a certain artist or inclined to a specific music genre, a music cd will definitely be a hit.

4. Lots of video or DVD. If almost all of the family members are movie buffs, it would be a pleasant surprise for each and every one of them if you buy quality movies in DVD. Aside from being able to share it with everyone, copies of timeless movies can also be an investment in the future.

5. Fun stuff and games for the family. If you're family is into playing a specific game together for a bonding, then fun stuff and games such as board games, projects, and activities will be appreciated.

Low Jeremy maintains http://christmas-gift.articlesforreprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

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Holidays What To Do When The Holidays Turn Blue

Writen by Jeff Herring

The 'grinch' blues

"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!" - Dr. Seuss

"Bah, humbug!" - Ebenezer Scrooge

If you find yourself relating to the Grinch or Scrooge this season, you're not alone. Many people have difficulty getting into the holiday spirit from time to time.

The stress and pressure of everyday life can drain the holiday spirit right out of you. Many people are just too tired to enjoy the holidays. If this sounds all too familiar this year, the following suggestions may be useful:

Relax: Don't force yourself to feel jolly.

Allow yourself to ease into the holiday mood.

Make a "gratitude list" - all the things you have to be grateful for this year.

Find some small things to celebrate.

Give yourself a gift - perhaps something you've always wanted.

Loneliness blues

"I'll have a blue Christmas without you." - Elvis Presley

For some, holidays seem to increase the feeling of loneliness. People who may be forced by circumstances to be away from loved ones are especially vulnerable. Here are some suggestions for coping with a "lonely" holiday:

Keep expectations low.

Take good care of yourself, even treat yourself.

Give the gift of yourself by helping others. Volunteer to serve a meal, donate clothes or food, etc.

Loss blues

Loss blues are experienced by people who have had a major loss in their lives. These losses include the loss of a job, separation/divorce, the death of a loved one or another emotional loss. The feelings can be more painful if this is the first Christmas after a loss, or near the anniversary of a loss. Some suggestions for coping with the "loss blues" are:

Give yourself adequate time to grieve.

You don't have to expect to feel good simply because of the season.

You may want to, in some way, honor the person who was lost.

Be sure to comfort yourself with friends and family.

Begin new traditions.

Chronic blues

Chronic blues can be defined as pervasive sadness or depression. They are experienced by people who are already sad or depressed;; the holidays simply intensify the problem. Well-meaning friends, in their efforts to cheer up someone who has chronic blues, can sometimes make that person feel worse.

In addition to following the suggestions already mentioned, if you recognize yourself in this category, the best present you might give yourself is an appointment with an effective therapist.

Post-holiday blues

"Is that all there is?" - Peggy Lee

This is probably the most overlooked kind of holiday blues. Psychologists call the afterholiday blues "post reinforcement pause." What that means is a slump after lots of good stuff. Not much goes in January except the Super Bowl and receiving Christmas bills in the mail. It's easy to feel disappointed or bored.

How to cope:

Have a post-holiday party.

Hold on - spring is coming!

Start your Christmas shopping early!

Create a Christmas

"This Christmas will be, a very special Christmas for me" - Harry Connick Jr.

Let's look at some ways to create a "very special Christmas" this year:

Ease into the season.

Be careful not to compare this holiday to other holidays.

Most importantly, find something that is important to you to celebrate.

Visit The Article Guy for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscribe to our monthly Article Writing & Marketing Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.

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5 Most Popular Styles Of Christmas Ornaments

Writen by Catherine Spelling

Traditionally Christmas ornaments were bulbs of all the same color which were placed randomly throughout your Christmas tree. Over the past few decades, Christmas ornaments have developed into elaborate pieces of art which are delicately planned out and placed throughout the Christmas tree. Currently there are many types of Christmas ornaments to choose from and the creativity and uniqueness of your Christmas tree will highly depend on the types of ornaments you choose.

Below you will find the 5 most popular styles of ornaments for your Christmas tree:

1. Illuminated - Christmas ornaments which light up are becoming extremely popular. Christmas lights have been popular for a long time, so there's no reason to wonder why illuminated Christmas tree ornaments are becoming so desired. Illuminated Christmas decorations are generally quite high in price. They can range anywhere from $5 to $20 a piece.

2. Mobile - Mobile Christmas tree ornaments are unique and add a whole new element to any Christmas tree. This type of ornament adds an element of movement to your tree, something all Christmas trees lacked before now. Ornaments have the ability to move up and down, side to side and all around. Mobile Christmas tree decorations are said to bring Christmas trees to life. They are also quite expensive and are usually found in the same price range of illuminated Christmas ornaments.

3. Musical - Musical ornaments, along with illuminated and mobile ornaments, are the newest form of Christmas ornament on the market right now. Many ornaments play Christmas songs and carols for everyone to enjoy. Fortunately most also come equipped with on/off buttons which can regulate the sound when you don't want the music playing. These usually cost in the same vicinity of mobile and illuminated ornaments.

4. Homemade - Homemade Christmas tree ornaments are a sure way to ensure your Christmas tree is one of a kind. This form of ornament is personal, thoughtful and an ornament which is likely to be cherished forever. Homemade ornaments are often made by children for their moms and dads, but there are also a number of moms and dads who make ornaments at home and sell them for low prices. Regardless, homemade Christmas ornaments are one-of-a-kind are cost considerably lower than the other types.

5. Bulbs - Christmas tree bulbs will forever remain in style because they give your tree the traditional look which all trees should have. Christmas bulbs usually come in packs of about 10 and the bulbs tend to be the same colors and shapes. They are distributed as evenly as possible throughout your tree. These ornaments cost slightly higher than homemade ornaments, however they cost considerably less than any other form of Christmas tree ornament. Plus, you can always decorate them yourself.

There is an unlimited selection of Christmas tree ornaments available on the market and the choices you make will highly affect the overall appearance of your Christmas tree. Each individual family will have their own preference and no two Christmas trees will ever look the same. That's a good thing because, like people, if they all looked the same they would not be as fascinating to look at.

Catherine Spelling is a retired interior designer who now uses her decorating talents to make holidays an eye catching event. She is a freelance writer for http://www.christmaslightsanddecorations.com - a site that offers tips for Christmas decorations, picking out Christmas trees, tips for choosing Christmas tree toppers, and more.

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Holidays Modeling Gratitude For Your Children

Writen by Jeff Herring

Q. With the holiday season upon us, I've got some worries about my kids. Each year, they seem to be less and less grateful for what they receive, and want more and more stuff. I'm afraid of what this will lead to, and wonder what you would suggest for how to teach our kids to be grateful.

A. I am asked this question often at this time of year.

Part of the problem is that we live in a culture that not only doesn't support the concept of gratitude, it teaches the exact opposite.

In order to teach gratitude and appreciation, here are three suggestions:

Model gratitude in your own life

Do you complain a lot? Your kids are listening and will copy you.

Make things last. Don't just throw something out if it can be fixed.

Talk with your kids about' what you are grateful for in life. Tell your kids, often, what you appreciate about them.

Go slow on the big things

When we rent Chuck E. Cheese for a 3-year-old's birthday party, send kids to middle school dances in limos, and buy 16-year-olds brand-new cars, just what are we teaching them? What are they going to expect, (demand) next year?

We forget to ask the same question the scientists in the movie "Jurassic Park" forgot to ask: Just because we can do something, does it necessarily mean we should?

Have regular "gratitude times in your family

Make it a regular part of your dinner conversation to share what your are grateful for that day.

Make it a part of the bedtime ritual to share what you are grateful for in your life.

Visit ParentingYourTeenager.com for tips and tools for thriving during the teen years. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 5 day e-program on The Top 5 Things to Never Say to Your Teenager, from parenting coach and expert Jeff Herring.

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