NEWSLETTER
- Gift and Party Ideas
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Table of Contents by Author
Yuwanda Black
Lata Budhrani
Stacie Dahl
Ieuan Dolby
Susan Dunn
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Arlene Kaptur
Renee Kennedy
Kimberly Lainson
Kori Puckett
Shannon Southway
Nancy Twigg
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Creating &
Maintaining a "Gift Chest"
by Stacie Dahl
With all of the weddings, baby showers, birthday parties,
etc. it seems there is always a gift needed at the last minute.
Do you have cash in your wallet to slip in the card? Do you re-gift
a gift certificate? Do you run to the store and buy on a whim?
Why not solve the last minute rush of gift giving once and
for all by creating a "gift chest" full of gifts ready
to give.
To create your "gift chest," start by identifying
what types of gifts your family needs. Are you invited to a lot
of weddings? Do you have kids and get invited to birthday parties?
Do you have a lot of friends having babies? After identifying
what types of gifts your family is in need of, start by purchasing
inexpensive cards for the occasions you are invited to most.
Most drug stores have a $0.99 section or what about buying a
prepackaged stack of cards with a cute cover and blank insides
(buying in bulk is always less expensive).
Next where do you store all these gifts and cards but are
still able to find them later on when you need them most. I have
an under-the-bed plastic storage bin where I can store the gifts.
For cards I use a 13 divider plastic storage accordion file.
The dividers can be divided by month and you stick the cards
in for the appropriate events in each month. Or you can label
your dividers by event--new baby, girl birthday, boy birthday,
adult birthday, wedding, etc.
Here are some of my suggestions to start building your gift
chest:
1. Young Girls-purses, sparkly stuff, stationery, fun pens
& pencils, tea sets, and anything mini and dainty.
2. Young Boys-cars (matchbox to medium size), noise making
action figures (be careful of trends and try to pick one that
is more timeless), spy kits, small animal sets (farm, dinosaur),
people sets (cowboys, army), and camping kits.
3. Generic Children-books, puzzles, crayon packs, activity/coloring
books, craft/activity sets, and food making toys--like snow cone
maker, chocolate mold maker.
4. Teenagers-fast food gift certificates, journal, books (particularly
those to improve their own self image), and a certificate for
a one year subscription to a magazine of their choice.
5. Weddings-glass goblets, serving platters/trays, candles
with candle holders, cloth napkins with matching table runner
and/or placemats but be sure to use a neutral color like white
or beige so it doesn't clash with each couples color scheme.
6. New Baby-Get something unique other than an outfit like
blankets, bibs, burp cloths, small baby toys. New moms have a
hard time remembering who gave what outfit but they will always
remember who gave them baby's special blanket for instance.
There are some free activities you can find online as well.
For boys and girls, I particularly like http://www.makingfriends.com
You can print them out for your kids or grandkids. Or you can
even slip them in a card for someone else to enjoy. They can
print, cut and make their own paper dolls. These are fun because
kids or adults can present a play with their creations, retell
a story or glue them to cards for gift giving.
Now when I go to my gift chest I am ready to wrap and don't
have to put my life on hold to find a gift. Don't forget to keep
your gift chest well stocked but not over-stuffed and overflowing!
Try not to buy big bulky items that will use up all your space.
Make sure to keep a budget on gifts and don't overspend. By
keeping your gift chest well stocked you can actually save some
money by being able to get the items on sale throughout the year
and not buying a more expensive item on impulse because you're
already late for the party!
Copyright - Stacie Dahl 2003
About the author: Stacie is a WAHM with 4 little kiddos
and owner of Blankie Bundles, an online gift boutique specializing
in babies and young children's gifts. Visit: http://www.blankiebundles.com
Stacie Dahl may be contacted at http://www.blankiebundles.com
blankiebundles@yahoo.com.
10
Creative Ways to Give from the Heart, Not the Pocketbook
by Nancy Twigg
Meaningful gift giving doesn’t have to be expensive.
In fact, some of the most precious gifts are the ones that cost
very little, but mean a great deal because of the time and effort
the giver took in giving the gift. Below you will find a list
of gift ideas that are low-cost but high value. Rather than a
large chunk of change, these gift ideas require you to invest
your creativity and time with only a little of your hard-earned
cash.
* Make a scrapbook of the history of your relationship with
the recipient. Fill it with pictures, mementos and memories from
the past. Include your own heartfelt note thanking the recipient
for the value and warmth she adds to your life.
* Put your artistic abilities to work and create a piece of
art in honor of the recipient. Write a personalized song, do
a painting or sketch, or write a poem.
* Use your computer to make a family cookbook with a variety
of recipes contributed by different family members. Or make a
cookbook of all of your own special recipes to share with the
recipient.
* If you have artistic flair, purchase blank note cards with
envelopes. Decorate the cards with your own drawings to make
personalized note cards for your loved one.
* If you can knit or crochet, make the honoree a new scarf,
hat, afghan or pair of mittens. If you sew, create a new apron,
fleece throw or keepsake pillow.
* Make an “I Love You because...” or “You’re
Special because...” jar. On individual slips of paper, write
something you love and appreciate about the honoree. Place the
slips of paper in a decorative jar. You can also make an “I
Love You” book by writing each thought on a different page
of a blank journal.
* Use a desktop publishing program or your calligraphy skills
to create a wall-hanging featuring a inspirational quote or Bible
verse that is particularly meaningful. If you are handy with
a needle and embroidery floss, do the same thing using your needlework
skills. Display the finished product in an inexpensive, yet attractive
frame.
* For the chocolate lover on your list, fill a gift basket
with several varieties of homemade chocolate cookies, candy,
and brownies. If the recipient loves sweets but is concerned
about weight gain, use recipes for goodies that are low in fat
and calories.
* Make a keepsake video containing something that would be
special to the recipient: her children singing songs, friends
telling why they love her, or you recounting funny stories of
times you’ve shared together.
* Do a week or month’s worth of cooking for the recipient.
Fill her freezer with homemade meals that she can easily heat
and serve rather than having to cook.
Excerpt from Nancy’s book, Celebrate Simply: Your
Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions.
Just in time for holiday gift giving -- Use this special link
to get free shipping: http://www.celebratesimply.com/offerNov2003.htm
Nancy Twigg may be contacted at http://www.countingthecost.com
nancy@countingthecost.com. Nancy Twigg is the editor of Counting
the Cost, a free email newsletter about simple and frugal living.
She is also the author of the new book, Celebrate Simply: Your
Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions.
To learn more about living simply or celebrating simply, visit
Nancy online at www.countingthecost.com
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Fine
Art & Crafts Online: Tips for Great Gift Ideas
by Shannon Southway
Always trying to find the perfect gift? Want to use the Internet
to expose yourself to new products? Try surfing the web for original
art and fine crafts. "Art is a great gift because it really
lets the recipient know that you put some thought into it,"
says Celestine Nguyen, co-creator of Artists' Heaven, an online
art emarketplace.
Since retail e-commerce sales are up 27% from 2002, according
to the U.S Census Bureau (U.S. Census Bureau, Nov. 21, 2003.
United States Department of Commerce News http://www.census.gov/mrts/www/current.html
Retrieved Dec. 18, 2003 from source.), artists and fine craftspersons
are more actively promoting their work online in conjunction
with their art fair and gallery exhibits. Since e-commerce websites
can require high up-front and monthly fees, many artists opt
out of developing their own site, instead joining online galleries
and emarketplaces. This is great for the consumer because it
allows art websites to exhibit a variety of different products
in one place and make it faster and easier to make a purchase.
Online galleries now offer everything from sculptures to paintings
to wearable art and jewelry.
Here are tips to help you purchase the gift of art:
1. Don't worry about whether or not it will match their décor.
Art is supposed to stand out and grab your attention. You probably
know your recipients taste. If you see a piece of pottery and
think, "That looks like something Jane would like."
then she probably will!
2. If you're not ready to jump into large watercolors or brass
sculptures, remember that art comes in many shapes and forms.
Wearable art such as hand woven scarves and hats make a great
winter holiday gift. Handcrafted wood toys or jewelry items give
that unique touch.
3. Do they collect anything? Figurines, ornaments and miniatures
are among collectors' favorites. People cherish their collections
and are always trying to add unique pieces. Do you have a friend
who collects watermelons? Lindsey Cadeau, an Artists' Heaven
craftsperson, recently offered a wood stool featuring the inside
of a watermelon hand painted on the seat. Perfect!
4. Think art is too pricey? Think again. Art can vary greatly
in price. If your budget is limited, shop around for a unique
handcrafted item such as a candle or sterling silver earrings.
If you have your heart set on buying mom that beautiful brass
garden sculpture, then ask other family members to pitch in and
help get her something she will love! If you want to shop around
and compare prices of similar items, try Froogle, Google's new
product search service.
5. Here's another cost-saving tip. If you fell in love with
an expensive pastel but can't afford it, find out if there are
prints available. Artists often times have a limited number of
signed prints available at a much lower cost. To save even more,
ask for the print unframed and then shop around for a less expensive
frame at a local discount store.
Lastly, don't forget that buying art shouldn't be difficult.
If you are struggling with the decision to buy or not to buy,
then surf away. Come back again in an hour and if it still grabs
your attention, then click the Shopping Cart button and enjoy
your safe and easy purchase!
Shannon Southway may be contacted at http://www.e-integration.net/
shannon@e-integration.net. Shannon is the Director of Strategic
Relations and Quality Assurance at E-Integration, Inc (EI). She
is responsible for streamlining the business processes and customer
relations guidelines of EI to ensure that quality and cost-effective
products are continually provided. Email Shannon at shannon@e-integration.net
or visit www.e-integration.net for more information about the
company.
Excerpt
from "How to Choose the Perfect Gift for the Woman You Love"
by Susan Dunn
“Excerpt from the new eBook Released Just in the 'Nick'
of Time: How to Choose the Perfect Gift for the Woman You Love’,”
The flareup was immediate. "I'm writing a book called 'How
to Choose the Perfect Gift for the Woman You Love,' I told my
friend Sam, and he replied immediately, "If any woman doesn’t
like what I get her then…” and his voice trailed off
in… what was it? Anger? No I think it was more eternal frustration.
I could tell he’d been bloodied, and he was, in fact, married
to his second wife.
Now I've been single many years, so I've spent many Christmases
in the homes of others, married couples included, and I've seen
a lot of the same old thing -- waring blenders and vacuum cleaners
bringing tears, stonewalling, or profanity. NO WOMAN WANTS AN
APPLIANCE.
Uh uh, it's not that easy. My ex mother-in-law preferred potted
plants over fresh flowers ("too wasteful") and asked
for, received, and was thrilled with various things made of steel
and wire that whizzed, banged and whirred.
Your goal, you see, is to understand not “women,”
but YOUR womAn. Maybe that’s a relief, maybe it isn’t.
Now I'll share a secret with you. I was having a chat with
a friend of mine the other day who said, "I just don’t
understand men." She was in a relationship I couldn’t
comprehend, and about to do something career-wise that made even
less sense. In point of fact, I did not "understand women."
At least I didn't understand the one drinking coffee with me.
So how do you get to "understand" that one special
lady?
Rule No. 1: You PAY ATTENTION.
"Okay," you're probably saying. "That's easy
enough."
No, it is not. This is what I mean when I say PAY ATTENTION.
You listen to her like you would if your lawyer were telling
you you were being sued for $1,000,000.
You focus like you would if your teenage son were telling
you his new Hummer was now at the bottom of Lake Michigan.
You watch her like you watch the quarterback sneak when you’ve
bet $500 on the Cowboys, it’s the last quarter and they’re
down 13-6.
You hang on her every word as you do when your CFO is telling
you you’re not going to make the quarterly projection again.
You tune in like you would when the Chairman of the Board
asked you to explain the last point.
That's what I mean when I say "pay attention and listen
to her."
Now that concept’s clear, in the next chapter we’ll
address just exactly what it is you’re watching and listening
for, and it isn’t the way her long blond hair swings from
side-to-side as she walks through the room, or the way her silk
nightie drops beneath her knees.
What we'll be aiming for is this. When she says, "That
dog's going to have to go. It won't do what I say," you
stop and think before you speak. You use your Emotional Intelligence
because, after reading the next chapter you're going to be getting
the cues that this is a very important conversation you're about
to enter into that has little to do with the dog, other than
the fact that you may be sleeping with him that night, not her.
Carry on until next time!
Susan Dunn may be contacted at http://www.susandunn.cc
sdunn@susandunn.cc. Susan Dunn, MA, Clinical Psychology, cEQc,
The EQ Coach™ . Coaching resources, tools and support for
your personal and professional development. EQ Alive! - EQ Coach
training and certification. Susan is the author of numerous ebooks,
including "How to Live Your Life with Emotional Intelligence,"
"Depression," and "EQ's Answer to Addiction: the
14th Step." She is widely published on the Internet, a syndicated
columnist for WebProNews and Family-Content, and a regular speaker
for cruise lines. She offers home study programs through her
distance learning school.
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Free gifts the Taiwanese way
by Ieuan Dolby
My House in Taiwan is filled from the top to bottom with free
gifts. I am tripping over them on the floor, cursing them when
they fall out of cupboards and stuffing them into cupboards when
and where I can find a space. Free Gifts are becoming annoying
yet there is not much I can do about it. I cannot refuse or ignore
a free gift now can I?
Everybody and his dog own a credit card in Taiwan: Visa or Master
Card. Most people in Taiwan have more than one Credit Card and
many have hundreds of them. Credit Cards are easier to obtain
than a pint of milk and are freely available at every store,
garage and shop and in any color or design that you wish for.
All one has to do is go along to the shop in question give an
ID number, a current address (that could be false), sign a form
and wait a few days for the card to arrive.
Once the Card arrives, a high spending limit is freely given
and a free gift is thrown at you. Get the idea? Apply for a credit
card and you get a free gift. Once you have the Credit Card and
the Free Gift both are thrown into a drawer and forgotten about
until the Company offers another free gift. The action of freely
throwing Credit Cards at people has caused many persons to run
into serious debt and to find themselves in big trouble ¡V
but that is another story.
This story is about ¡§freebies¡¨. The
shops attract customers in a variety of ways. The latest one
at the President Department Store was that anybody that spends
over 200NT Dollars could buy one handy-sized traveler¡¦s
bag for: an additional 290NT Dollars. NB: 100NT Dollars is about
2 UK Pounds or 3 US Dollars, so I must admit that the incentive
is there. You could of course only get hold of this Superb Bag
if you have the store Visa Card. Three visible queues where formed
on this day that the bags where on offer. One for people trying
to spend the minimum amount of 200NT Dollars at the Candy store
to keep their children happy. The other queue was for those collecting
their treasures and the third was for those starting the whole
purchase off by obtaining the Credit Card. Too late for the handy
sized bag but ready for the next time.
Free gifts are a massive attraction and seem to work very
well. I am of the view that anything that is free must be cheap
of quality and have something wrong with it. I do though admit
that my new handy sized traveler¡¦s bag may come
in useful the next time I travel.
Walking around town I am often surprised out of my daydreams
by objects being thrust into my hands. It is not normal for me
to take note or acknowledge street sellers or hawkers but when
¡§free gifts¡¨ are actually freely given
I cannot really refuse them. Walking past the three or so Department
Stores that vie for the same customers I can end up with a pile
of shampoo sachets, little packets of toothpaste with a shortened
toothbrush, a packet of cream biscuits and some things that are
only for woman. Walk back down the row once again and I am sure
that I could do the shopping for a week without having spent
a penny (sorry Dollar).
I fitted this little notice board in the apartment so that
we could put on it anything of importance. First of all I have
found out that the board is far too small, and the second thing
is that any sized board would still be far too small. The current
pin board is ten sheets deep in ¡§free¡¨
gift tokens, coupons for free drinks, reductions on anything
from a T-shirt to a large TV Set. Ten dollars off this product,
twenty percent off that product and three for the price of one
if you present the card on a certain day. Cards that need stamps
on them and if you get twenty stamps you can have a member card.
Little tokens that need to be used, a token for a free drink
from the Seven Eleven, a token for a free doughnut from the local
bakery and a little token for a free massage from the parlor
down the road.
Sad really that some of these tokens will never be used. The
Seven Eleven token will be if I ever remember to take it out
when I go there. But the doughnut one is a bit peculiar as the
shop that gave the tokens away, never made doughnuts since! And
the free massage? Well that one sits hopefully hidden but the
wife would never allow it.
The Cheese shop annoys me. They give these cards out and if
you can spend, over time, upwards of ten thousand dollars then
you get a member card and a subsequent 20% discount on all future
purchases. For me that would be great and I have spent well over
that amount and probably do so every two months or so. I am a
cheese addict and this shop is the only good one for hundreds
of miles around. Yet every time I am accidentally at the shop
and in desperate need of a cheese pick me up I do not have the
card with me. Going back to the house is not practical as it
is too far away. Waiting for another day when I do have the card
is also not practical: addicts need their injections then and
now. Not tomorrow, not later but now and so into that shop I
go, buy my cheese and get another stamp on a brand new card.
I ask and continue to ask if they will take all of my cards
and add the stamps together, assuming that this would be the
case. I also hope that because I am a regular and keep their
shop alive that they will make allowances for my forgetfulness.
No, that is not to be as either my face is easily forgettable
or they have a grudge against me. No way will they accept my
twenty or more cards with one stamp each ¡V they want to
see one card with twenty stamps on it.
Yes, my little notice board is a confusion of incentives.
So many freebies, coupons and stamp cards, that would take me
a week to unravel and another year to act upon. Goods that are
only reduced on a certain day of the week, points to collect
before a blanket can be freely obtained, meals to eat if we have
one first and free months worth of pet food if we first buy a
pet! Wow, I was considering placing all of these incentives onto
a specially made computer program. First thing in the morning
I could wake up, switch the machine on and check the list of
things that I must do today and take advantage of all that is
on offer.
My Computer tells me this: Breakfast at the Coffee Shop first,
as I will get a free coffee if I spend over 100NT Dollars. Then
I will take my stamp coupons to the Cheese shop and buy some
cheese, then go to the Garage for some Petrol and get some free
Tissues (the garage that is miles away from anywhere). After
returning with my free box of tissues I would then have to collect
the correct coupon and go to the Seven Eleven for my Free Green
Tea. I would drink that on my way to the Electrical Goods store
where handy sized Food Mixers are on a one-day special offer
(even though I don¡¦t need one). Then go and pay
my Telephone Bill where I have a coupon for a free shopping bag
to add to the collection that I have already.
Feeling Hungry I would then consider lunch and look around
for the shop that advertises half price lunches or the one that
I have a coupon for a free drink from. Back on the road it would
be off to the Department Stores to act upon all those incentives
that came with my Credit Cards. The first one and I come out
with freely given set of Cooking Pots that I do not need but
because I have a Visa Card I must not ignore. The next store
suggests that I spend over 400NT Dollars in the Store and then
they will give to me an Electric Fan. Armed with my fan and set
of cooking pots and 400 Dollars worth of food I enter the last
Department Store in the area.
Umbrellas here today, a free umbrella because I have a Visa
Card? Yep, but how am I going to fit it into the umbrella stand
back home as that is filled and squashed full with hundreds of
other similar products received previously. Never rains in winter
in Southern Taiwan anyway. But it is free!
Overloaded with products and wishing that it would rain I
now have to buy some milk. Yes buy, as we actually need some
milk back home. Entering the Supermarket I am glad that at last
I am doing something worthwhile, that I am not after a free gift
or extra stamp and that I am just doing what I would like to
do: to buy something. Was I ever so wrong!
I hate shopping for milk. Standing at the Milk Fridge I am
bombarded from all sides by various ladies trying to attract
me to their milk product. Each one offering tastes and price
reductions, waving bottles in my face and cornering me, isolating
me from the outside world. Buying milk is not easy, it is an
exercise in patience and perseverance, don¡¦t lose
control or you will be pulled under. Best to stand far away from
the fridge and out of sight, put your eye on the product that
you want and then charge towards it, grab it and make a fast
getaway. If that is, at all possible?
I left the supermarket with my milk, cartons of blueberry
yogurt issued freely with that brand that had been chosen for
me and feeling sick on the samples that had been forced down
my throat! I also left cursing myself for buying the reduced
¡¥larger¡¦ sized carton when all I wanted
was a little one.
That is Milk buying!
Anyway, time to go back home and drop of all the purchases
before buying that much needed drink that had Five Dollars off
- if I bring the token along.
Drink in hand my computer program now tells me that it is
time to go to the large supermarket to get a free blanket on
my visa card! Buy a carton of Orange Juice because they are on
promotion ¡V buy one get one free. Then onto the out-of-town
department store to get their visa card because today they are
offering free teddy bears. Won¡¦t get one today
but I will be ready for next time.
Yes, I could go on and on and on. And if you think about it
these ¡§freebies¡¨ and the quest to get
them could control your life. On a certain day you must go to
a certain shop, on a certain day you must eat a particular food
¡V simply because they are freebies included or are on
special offer.
It is not that bad. I do not have a computer program ¡V
only imagining my little notice board becoming one. I think I
will keep the notice board as it is and maybe at the New Year
just throw everything away and start again.
In reality life is not like the possibilities opened up above.
Ninety percent of life is lived normally and whilst ignoring
all the free incentives that come your way. Only by accident
do we pick up on the freebies and like the cheese they are mostly
unplanned. Even if one is to pick up on the gifts it does not
seem to be what you require or save you money in the long-term.
The pans and plates that we obtained through the Department stores
seem to rust very quickly or crack for unknown reasons, the blankets
are all nylon and feel itchy and the shopping bags seem to have
big holes in the bottoms after one use.
The food situation is often a lie. Take for example the con
that we entered into in Kenting, the holiday resort. Kenting
is a lovely place and although a bit expensive it is well worth
the escape from the Big Smoke of Kaohsiung. Walking along my
wife and I saw this large notice that advertised a 199NT Dollar
meal complete with Soup, Main Course, Dessert and a drink. At
that price it was a bargain and I looked forwards to the Steak
and my wife some spicy chicken wings as advertised. Oooh, ah!
Sitting down in the restaurant the attentive staff brought
us our free drink of choice. But upon opening the menu all did
not seem, as it should. My steak alone cost a minimum of 450NT
Dollars! Upon enquiry the waitress informed us that the 199NT
Dollar meal was only for lunch and that we should have looked
at the small print on the notice outside. Small Print? Need a
magnifying glass for that.
Well, we looked at each other, my wife wanting to storm out
and go somewhere else and I just wanting to finish my beer and
then to wander off. I won and I ordered some Taco Chips with
cheese to go with the drinks. Taco Chips with Cheese? Not really
very hard to make as far as this restaurant was concerned as
all they did was open a packet and pour the contents into a bowl.
One packet of crisps cost us 180NT Dollars, the drinks that were
not free brought the bill to nearly 500NT dollars and we had
not even eaten yet.
So beware of cons, they are always out and about!
The house back home is filled with these free gifts and I
am tripping over them everywhere. I cannot sell them as everybody
else has the same problem and throwing them out seems to be such
a waste. If possible it is best to use them and hope that they
fall apart or wear themselves out in time. The only actual items
that I have found to be of any use are the tissues, boxes and
boxes of them obtained free everywhere I go. I do feel that all
the free tissues I have received will allow me to never buy another
packet again and they of all things have shown a saving in money.
Those and the latest handy-sized traveler¡¦s bag
that I got from the Department Store!
Remember: ¡§Nothing is for free¡¨ but
then again never kick a ¡§Free Gift Horse in the Mouth¡¨.
Ieuan Dolby may be contacted at http://www.seadolby.com
seamania@seadolby.com.
Ieuan Dolby, a Scottish Marine Engineer has sailed the world
for Fifteen Years on Merchant Vessels. Now drying out ashore
he writes numerous Travel and Marine Based Articles on cultural
diversity, weird happenings in foreign lands and anything else
that springs to mind. Many works are displayed on his site of
http://www.seadolby.com
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Give a Jewelry/Watch Gift
With a Twist
by Kori Puckett
Okay, so you've waited until the last minute. Or you've tried
really hard but have drawn a blank and can't seem to think of
any good wedding anniversary gifts.
It's time to pull out that bag of traditional romantic gift ideas.
And this time you've decided to go with jewelry, or maybe a watch.
But that doesn't have to be the end of it. You can still make
an impression, big time.
Spice up those traditional wedding anniversary gifts (or gifts
for any occasion) easily. You can get romantic gifts online that
present a creative spin to the old standbys of jewelry and watches.
For example, your jewelry can be personally engraved with
a unique message, or with your and your significant others' names.
Sometimes it's not the gift you give, but the way you present
it that really sticks in the mind of the receiver. Here are a
couple of ideas on how you can use those traditional flower anniversary
gifts to and make a lasting impression on your significant other...
* Instead of just handing over a jewelry or watch box over
dinner at a nice restaurant, have it handed to them on a silver
platter by the waiter. :)
* Make gift giving a treasure hunt and make them search for
the jewelry/watch gift. Give clues to point them in the right
direction.
Or you could be very blatant and point them in the right direction
literally. For example, before they come home, put up sheets
of papers with arrows on them, one leading to the next arrow
and the next, until eventually an arrow points to the gift.
Or you could make a path out of little gifts (or flowers,
or flower petals, or...) that leads to the (big) gift.
* Or, combining two traditional anniversary gift ideas (flowers
and jewelry, specifically a ring), you could present a ring inside
a flower, like a rose.
Of course, those ideas would be good for any number of gifts.
Use your imagination. Even the simplest touch can make traditional
wedding anniversary gifts like jewelry or watches even more special.
Kori Puckett is the web mistress of GoGiftGuides.com: gift
ideas, tips, and guides for creative and unique romantic gifts.
You can find more romantic gift ideas at http://www.GoGiftGuides.com.
ARE GIFT
CERTIFICATES PREFERRED OVER ACTUAL GIFTS?
by Yuwanda Black
A snapshot poll of 20 friends to see whether gift certificates
are preferred over actual gifts — or if it even mattered
at all — revealed that most really don't care. A gift is
a gift is a gift. I was surprised.
I thought most would prefer an actual "gift" because
it shows the person took the time to choose something. Astonishingly,
only two said they'd prefer an actual gift. Six said they'd like
a gift certificate, and eleven said it didn't matter at all.
(One had not responded by the time of this writing.)
Remember all that running around you'd planned to do for holiday
shopping? Forget it. There are tons of online companies offering
gift certificates as choices for your equally-busy friends, family
and colleagues. From mudcloth pillows to lug nuts, you can find
a gift certificate to fill almost any need.
Want a hand in choosing the gift, but hate fighting the holiday
masses? Then surf the web at home. Online retailers make it easy
to order online and ship directly to your recipient. Forget fighting
traffic and crowds in the mall.
An extra bonus? Free dollars. For example, EthnicHomeDecor.com
gives you an extra $15 when you purchase a gift certificate for
$100 or more. Additionally, online retailers tend to carry merchandise
that you won't find in mass outlets, making your gift truly unique.
It's an electronic world and the stigma of "not going
out fighting lines and pondering over that special gift"
is going, going, gone. Besides, if you're a last minute shopper,
you'll probably wind up getting them something they'll never
use. You know it and they know it. If it's the "idea"
that counts, trust me when I say they'll have a better idea than
you of the gift they'd most like to receive.
However, if you enjoy the gift of giving, but don't have the
time or desire to fight the crowds, stay home and shop online!
Signed: "Campaign Leader for Shorter Holiday Shopping
Lines"
Five Healthy, Easy
Party Appetizers
by Renee Kennedy
There are a few ingredients within these appetizers that contain
fat. However, we’ve chosen the healthier fats like olive
oil. Olive oil is better for you than butter because it is mostly
unsaturated fat.
Artichokes with dipping sauce: Kids love this appetizer because
it’s a fun, unique finger food. Take whole artichokes and
boil or steam them for about 20 minutes, until the outer leaves
pull off easily. Dipping sauce: ¼ cup any type of vinegar,
1-2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. To eat:
pull off the leaves of the artichoke, dip in the sauce and scrape
off the flesh at base of the leaf with your teeth. Don’t
eat the whole leaf, just the soft parts. When you get to the
center of the artichoke, you must scrape out the prickly part
with a spoon. Then dip the heart of the artichoke into your sauce
and eat the whole thing (this is the best part).
Low Fat Baked Tortilla Chips with three kinds of dip. (Frito
Lay has a good low fat tortilla chip with only two ingredients
– corn and salt!) Dips:
Salsa – choose a variety that is low in fat with healthy
ingredients.
Avocado – 2 or 3 ripe avocados, smush with a fork add about
a tablespoon of lemon juice. Avocados are very high in fat, but
it’s a healthy fat.
Refried beans – choose a variety that is low in fat, mix
up with a little non-fat sour cream to give it a more dip-like
consistency, you might even put in a packet of taco seasoning
for a spicey dip.
Hummus on whole wheat pita bread. In the deli section of your
grocery store, you will find many different flavors of prepared
hummus. Hummus is made out of chick peas and the flavored varieties
are actually quite yummy. You can also make it yourself by cooking
chick peas (garbanzo beans) according to package directions and
blending in a food processor with any types of spices you like.
Chick peas are bland, so they will pick up any flavor you add
to them. Whole wheat pita bread can be found in the bread section
of the grocery store.
Crostini and toppings. Crostini are just little pieces of
toast; their original topping is chicken liver pate. However,
you can really top them with anything. Use any type of small
width bread (like a French baguette), slice, single layer on
a cookie sheet, and cook for a few minutes in the oven. Watch
carefully so they don’t burn. You may spread olive oil on
these pieces of bread before toasting, but it’s not necessary.
Give your guests a selection of low fat toppings:
roasted red, yellow or orange peppers
diced tomato with basil
low fat or fat free mozarella sliced thin
roasted eggplant marinated in balsamic vinaigrette dressing
1 can tuna or 1 package imitation crab mixed with low fat mayo
and/or low fat sour cream, capers, salt and pepper to taste
low-fat cream cheese with black and green olives on top
Bread with dips. Healthy, hearty breads are pumpernickel and
whole wheat rosemary. Buy the bread freshly baked in unsliced
loaves. Right before serving, rip off chunks of bread for dipping
– a great thing to have the kids help you do or even let
your guests rip off their own pieces. Dips:
warmed olive oil with fresh ground pepper (especially easy when
you don’t have a lot of time)
Prepared vinaigrettes made with unsaturated oils make excellent
dips for bread, heat in the microwave until warm
hot artichoke dip: 1-14 oz can artichokes diced, 1 cup of low-fat
or fat free mayo, 1 cup of low-fat cheese shredded, 2 cloves
minced garlic. Mix all ingredients and bake at 350 in oven proof
dish for 20 minutes. (I've tried this with low fat mozarella
cheese and fat free mayo, it's pretty good if you like artichoke.)
You may also want to read Five Low-Fat Party Appetizers.
Come and visit the NutriCounter web site for an extensive
selection of articles on health, nutrition and exercise.
Renee Kennedy may be contacted at http://www.nutricounter.com
renee@napuda.com. Click here to view more of their articles.
Come and visit the NutriCounter web site for more information
on how nutrition influences weight loss, diabetes, pregnancy,
heart disease and more! NutriCounter.com
|
Clever & Frugal
Birthday Party Favor Ideas
by Kimberly Lainson
Birthday Party Favor Ideas
If your party loot bags look like "Kiddy Litter", then
you'll enjoy this list of frugal party favor ideas that children
enjoy and can use. Other ideas include "Non"-Favor Bags,
"A to Z Treats", "Candy Shoppe Pizza ideas",
"Tea Party Treats", plus recipes for Wizard Dust, Wizard
Wands, Little Ladies Lip Gloss, Bubble Bath and Bath Salts, Boy-Boy
Gooey Gunk, and Little Mens cologne and shaving cream to make
and save money. Enjoy!
A favorite with with parents! Candy, toothpaste and a toothbrush
An 'A to Z' Party Favor Bag (visit your nearest Dollar Store
for most of these inexpensive items and create your own special
bags -- below is just a list of ideas to brainstorm with...)
A is for art supplies (paint sets, markers, crayons, colored
pencils)
B is for bubblegum, Band-aids with pictures on them, bouncy
balls, bubble blowing toys, baby bottles for dolls
C is for clay (incredible edible playdough recipes ), combs,
coloring books
D is for cards (playing cards, trading cards)
E is for erasers (funny shapes)
F is for frogs (mini rubber ones), fake money
G is for Gummy fruit snacks, glitter jel, gift certificate
H is for hat (baseball caps, visors)
I is for instruments (whistles, plastic slide flutes), insects
(plastic spiders,ants, etc.)
J is for jewelry, jerky, jelly
K is for keys (key chains)
L is for lollipops, lip gloss
M is for masks, magnifying glass
N is for notepads
O is for Oreo cookies! (mini snack packs)
P is for paper hats, paper airplanes,paper dolls, puzzles,
(mini jigsaws, puzzle solving books), popcorn, purses, pouches
Q is for queen (Burger King crown turned inside out and let
the kids decorate them.)
R is race cars (mini metal car)
S is for stickers, sachet, spiders, snakes, stamp/pad, sand
toys
T is for t-shirts, tattos (removable kind), trucks, taffy,
teacups
U is for ukulele (mini stringed uke or guitar)
V is for virtual Gia (the stone shape that when you add water
grows grass...)
W is for wind toy (mini kites)
X is for X-ray (stencil of a skeleton on a black sheet of construction
paper)
Y is for a yo-yo
Z is for zebra (photo, mini stuffed toy, zebra-striped balloon)
A "Non" Party Favor Bag
- This idea is to fun for children 6 years and older: Instead
of filling goodie bags, stuff a small prize into balloons and
blow them up. Tie off with colorful curly ribbon. Using a large
box or childs wading pool, stuff all the balloons into it. (If
you helium-fill your balloons, group them together like a bouquet
and let them rise to the ceiling with the ribbons hanging down).
Occassionally throughout the party, blow a whistle. Each time
the whistle is blown, all the guests can chose a balloon, pop
it and keep the prize. (Have a safety pin available for ease).
If some prizes are too large for the balloons, insert a note
telling them they can choose anything they wantProvide a colorful
paper lunch bag with their name on it for them to put their prizes
in to take home from a "Prize Basket". (Warning: Balloons
that been popped are dangerous to small children and pets...)
Candy Shop Pizza Favors
A jar filled with Dessert Pizza ingredients with the recipe
attached so kids can make it at home. Truly a clever twist on
the Pizza Party theme!
Pizza Dessert:
In a jar, layer the dry ingredients for sugar cookies. On top
of the dry ingredients, layer red M&M's (pepperoni) and coconut
(Mozerella cheese). Cut out a red/white checkered material circle
that overlaps the lid, tie off with red or raffia ribbon around
the neck of the jar and attach a card with "other ingredients
to add" (such as vanilla) and "directions" on how
to make their own special dessert pizza.
Ingredients: 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon
baking powder 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips 2 tablespoons
shortening 2 tablespoons water
Directions Melt 1 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup shortening
in a double boiler and let cool. Stir in flour, sugar, eggs, and
baking powder with fork. Spread crust evenly onto a well greased
pizza pan. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 minutes
and let cool. Combine 3/4 cup chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons shortening
and water. Melt in a doubler boiler, stirring until smooth. Spread
this mixture evenly over cooled chocolate crust. Decorate as desired
with candies.
Ingredients 1 (17.5 ounce) package peanut butter cookie mix
1 (12 ounce) container softened cream cheese 1 3/4 cups cold milk
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix 1 (8 ounce)
container frozen whipped topping, thawed 1/4 cup miniature Nestle'
semisweet chocolate chips
Directions Prepare cookie mix dough according to package directions.
Press into a greased 12-in. pizza pan. Bake at 375 degrees for
15 minutes or until set and let cool. In a mixing bowl, beat cream
cheese until smooth and spread over crust. In a separate mixing
bowl, beat milk and chocolate pudding mix using medium speed for
2 minutes. Spread this mixture over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate
for 20 minutes or until set. Spread whipped topping on top and
sprinkle with Nestle' chocolate chips. Chill for 1-2 hours. Makes
12 servings
Pizza Popcorn Mix
- a pinch of oregano, basil, and parsley in melted butter and
add to popcorn and toss. Spread popcorn in single layer on cookie
sheets and let dry for an hour or so before bagging them in clear
cellophane bags and tying off with colored curly ribbon. More-than-you-can-believe
popcorn recipes
Pizza Toss Favors
- Cut out "toppings" such as pictures of mushrooms,
tomatoes, pepperoni out of colored construction paper and a large
round of brown construction paper that fits into a real pizza
pan. Glue them individually to light cardboard. (These pieces
will be tossed so if you want them to fly a little better, tape
a penny to the back of each piece). Lay a real pizza pan on the
floor a few feet away from all the guests. Give each child an
equal number of toppings and have them toss them onto the pan.
Whoever gets the most toppings in the pan wins and goes to the
SURPRISE PIZZA PAN (another pan filled with assorted prizes)
to select the prize they want to take home. Once the winner selects
a prize, a new game begins until all the guests have won "one"
prize. The winners do not play.
Tea Party Favor Treats
1 plastic cup and saucer 1 bracelet 1 pearl necklace 1 ring
1 lip gloss (see recipe in this article) 1 tea bag (optional)
1 sugar cube (optional) Place all the items in a clear cellophane
bag and tie with ribbon. Print out a card (shaped like a tea bag)
written with a "Thank you" or the name of the guest.
(Dollar stores have these items and they are very inexpensive)
- Little Ladies Peach Preserve Shower Gel
Ingredients 1/4 Cup Foaming Concentrate 3/4 Cup Water 3/4 Teaspoon
Salt 1 Teaspoon Apricot Kernel Oil 1/4 Teaspoon Peach Fragrance
Oil Orange Food Color (or red and yellow)
Directions Mix Foaming Concentrate and water in a bowl, stirring
gently until well blended. Add oils and color. Stir. Add salt,
if you'd like it thicker add salt a 1/4 teaspoon at a time until
the mixture is the consistency you desire. (A plastic bottle or
plastic bottle with pump works great.)
- Little Ladies Black Cherry Bath Salts
Ingredients Cup Rock Salt 1 Teaspoon Liquid Glycerin 1/2 Teaspoon
Cherry Fragrance Oil Red Food Color
Directions Stir rock salt and glycerin together. Add fragrance
oil and coloring. Stir well until color and fragrance are evenly
distributed. Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper, spread salts
out evenly on it and allow to dry for at least 24 hours, preferably
48 hours. Package and store in a closed container. (Use about
1/4 cup of bath salts per bottle. Glass bottles work better than
plastic). Tie pretty ribbon around neck of jar. Add a tag with
directions (sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoon under running water.)
GIRLY-GIRL Stuff Party Favors
Ingredients 1/2 cup Crisco solid shortening 1 package sweetened
Kool-Aid A tiny piece of lipstick (optional)
Directions Melt Crisco shortening and lipstick in microwave
in a glass or ceramic bowl. Slowly add the Kool-Aid, stirring
constantly. Using small plastic jars with lids or small plastic
cups with lids (ask your local deli for 1 ounce size) and cap
tightly.
Ingredients 1/4 cup clear "unscented" (non-fragrant)
shampoo 3/4 cup water 1 tsp salt Fragrance oil (optional) -- 1
to 2 drops
Directions Mix water and shampoo slowly until it is well blended.
Add salt and mix thoroughly. Pour into squeezable plastic bottles
and label.
Ingredients 1 cup Epson salts (from your pharmacy) 15 drops
Fragrance oil Food coloring (any color)
Directions Place all the ingredients into a Ziplock bag, seal
tightly and massage to work the ingredients together. When well
mixed, pour into plastic or glass jars or bottles.
Ingredients 1/2 cup Powdered Milk 1 Tablespoon dried peppermint
leaves
Directions Finely grint peppermint leaves by placing the leaves
in a opened Ziplock bag and crush by hand, with the back of a
spoon or with a rolling pin until it reaches a very fine texture.
Mix the ground peppermint and dried milk together and pour into
a plastic or glass jar.
BOY-BOY Stuff Party Favors
Ingredients
Part One 1 cup water 1 cup white glue 10 drops of food coloring
Part Two 1-1/3 cup warm water 4 tsp. Borax (laundry section
of the grocery store)
Directions Using all Part One ingredients, mix together in
a medium-sized bowl. In a separate medium-sized bowl, mix all
the Part Two Ingredients until well blended and all of the Borax
is completely disolved. Ever so slowly, pour Part One mixture
into the Part Two bowl -- DO NOT MIX -- instead, roll the bowl
around in your hands four or five times. Gently lift out the mixture
and knead it (like bread dough) for several minutes. Place mixture
in a Ziplock bag or container and seal tightly to keep out the
air. (Air will dry the mixture out and it will crumble).
- Little Men's Bay Rum Cologne
Ingredients 2 Ounces Bacardi 151 Rum 1/2 Teaspoon Bay Rum Fragrance
Oil
Directions Mix together and shake well. Bottle and label with
instructions to shake before using.
Ingredients 2 Ounces Foaming Concentrate (local pharmacy) 3
Ounces Distilled Water (grocery store or pharmacy) 3/4 to 1 Teaspoon
Salt 1/4 Teaspoon Bay Rum 5 Drops Green Food Coloring for Bay
Rum
Directions Place Foaming Concentrate in a medium-sized bowl,
add water and stir until well blended. Slowly add fragrance and
food coloring, stirring constantly until mixed. Add salt a little
at a time until the mixture is thick but pliable. Place in plastic
or glass bottle and cap tightly.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Kimberly Lainson may be contacted at http://www.thepartyworks.com
. Mary Ann & Kimberly, a mother and daughter team have created
their sites http://www.thepartyworks.com and http://www.cakeworkscentral.com
to provide a treasure trove of free kids birthday parties, baby
showers and cake decorating ideas. Their dream is to help parents
and grandparents create lasting celebration memories and not be
afraid to have 10 children running around in their living room.
They have expanded these ideas to also help people have great
baby and bridal showers, holiday parties too! Lots of FREE ideas,
games, party plans and help if you need it.
It's Party Time
- Let's Decorate!
by Lata Budhrani
Holidays are here and so is the spirit of partying. Here are
some wonderful ideas for transforming your home into an innovative
party scenario and giving your guests an occasion that will forever
remain etched in their memories. 1. Entrance: Do up your entrance.
The entrance to your home should be magnificent and welcoming.
Line the driveway with luminaries. Place a guest book at the front
door for expressing sentiments. Clean up clutter near your entrance.
Decorate the entrance traditionally or with something unusual
to set a celebratory mood. You could also decorate according to
the theme of your party. Sleigh Bells or wreaths for Christmas,
ghoulish figures for Halloween etc. 2. Lighting: Lighting sets
the mood for the party. Interesting ways to play with lighting
are to cover light bulbs with multi-colored cellophane strips,
cover lights or battery-torches with soft white cloth and place
them separately to give the room an air of mystery, or use all
your beautiful candles together instead of lights to create a
romantic mood. If using candles, combine candles of various colors,
shapes and sizes together. 3. Flowers: Flowers will never go out
of Fashion. Use lots of seasonal flowers to add freshness and
fragrance to your decor. Use garlands to decorate tall structures,
floral arrangements on mantels and corners and floating displays
of seasonal flowers and floating candles for an eye-catching centerpiece.
Visit our Flower Arrangement Gallery by Chrissie Harten (http://www.dotcomwomen.com/home/floral.shtml)
for some great ideas. If you expecting kids at your party, place
such arrangements out of reach of children or use wooden or metal
vases and bowls instead of glass and porcelain. 4. Fabric and
Linen: The color and texture of the fabric in the room should
be decided according to the occasion, theme, season etc. Cool
fabrics go for summers. Rich brocades and Velvet go with a Victorian
theme. Red, Golden and White will give the room a Christmassy
feel. 5. A Special Touch: Give the party scenario a special touch
by placing an object which will be the center of attraction for
your guests. A party is the right time to show off your beautiful
collection of dolls or your set of original oils by a famous artist.
A set of rare books placed together as a 'mini-library' in your
party room will also become a major attraction if your guests
are Literature-Lovers. Apart from collections, you can use mini-aquariums,
waterfalls, miniature indoor gardens etc. These will not only
beautify the room, but also give your guests a beautiful theme
to start a conversation. Happy Decorating!
Lata Budhrani may be contacted at http://www.dotcomwomen.com
lata@dotcomwomen.com. Click here to view more of their articles.
Lata Budhrani is the Founder/Editor of Dot Com Women, a premier
women's website and online community and writes on a variety of
Women related topics. Visit her at http://www.dotcomwomen.com
Party Beverages
by Kimberly Lainson
For special sparkling charm serve a chilled fruit punch or
other fruit drink as your party beverage. Refreshingly clear and
colorful, party punch is a big bowl at one end of the table which
appeals to the eyes of the guests even before they begin to sip
it. Pineapple float is more of a dessert-type beverage, just right
as the feature attraction of a hot-weather dessert party. Serve
with your most delicious cookies or small cakes.
To Decorate A Punch Bowl - trim off stems of daisies to 1 in.
Secure daisies around edge of bowl with pieces of tape. Secure
two daisies to ladle handle the same way.
For Pink-Frosted Cups - Measure 1/2 cup sugar into a shallow
pan. Tint sugar the desired pink color by thoroughly mixing in,
one drop at a time, a mixture of red food coloring and water (equal
amounts). Set sugar aside to dry. When ready to serve punch, rub
rim of each punch cup with the cut surface of a lemon or lime.
Dip each cup into tinted sugar. Decorate each cup handle with
a daisy secured with a piece of tape. Place a decorative ice block
in the punch bowl. pour punch into bowl. Ladle punch into Pink-Frosted
Cups.
NOTE: You can use Sweetheart roses or small chrysanthemums
instead of daisies.
For Decorative Ice Blocks - Fill a loaf pan or fancy mold one-third
full wit water. Place in freezing compartment of refrigerator;
remove pan or mold when water is partially frozen. Arrange flowers
(roses, gardenias, or other), or fruits (small whole, pieces or
slices) over the ice. Fill pan or mold with water, covering flowers
or fruit, and freeze. Boiling water before freezing or stirring
as it freezes helps to make the ice clear.
For Decorative Ice Cubes - Fill ice-cube tray one-third full
with water. Place in freezing compartment of refrigerator; remove
ice cube tray when water is partially frozen. Place well-drained
maraschino cherry, mint sprig, pineapple chunk, orange wedge,
berry, or small piece of fruit and a mint leaf in each cube section.
Fill tray with water and freeze.
For Party Beverage Recipes go to http://www.thepartyworks.com/party-planning/partybeverage.htm
Kimberly Lainson may be contacted at http://www.thepartyworks.com.
Mary Ann & Kimberly, a mother and daughter team have created
their sites http://www.thepartyworks.com and http://www.cakeworkscentral.com
to provide a treasure trove of free kids birthday parties, baby
showers and cake decorating ideas. They are here to help and will
become your celebration destination! http://www.thepartyworks.com
and Enhancing Everyday Celebrations... < haref="http://www.cakeworkscentral.com">http://www.cakeworkscentral.com.
Their dream is to help parents and grandparents create lasting
celebration memories and not be afraid to have 10 children running
around in their living room. They have expanded these ideas to
also help people have great baby and bridal showers, holiday parties
too! Lots of FREE ideas, games, party plans and help if you need
it.
You're Having A Party!
by Arleen Kaptur
Fall - a fantastic season with the Holiday Party Season just
nipping at its heels! What makes a good party and how do hosts/hostesses
get through the anxiety, worry, and how do they take care of all
those details and bring it all to a successful conclusion? A few
tips for some really great parties. As a caterer, there are many
tips, tricks, and so-called survival techniques. Here are a few
- The first thing you do when you would like to have a party is
decide on the occasion or theme - is it an anniversary, a birthday,
a Halloween costume party, or an After Raking the Leaves get-together
for family and neighbors. Then decide on how many guests to invite.
This will greatly affect your table arrangements, menu, etc. More
importantly, you must take into account the space you have available
to comfortably entertain (even small spaces can be used effectively),
and your budget. With regard to theme, once that is chosen your
menu becomes easier. The food should directly relate to the event.
A Trimming The Tree party could have fantastic cocoa beverages,
while your Hawaiian Luau would make this very inappropriate. A
buffet is easier than a sit-down dinner, but space becomes critical.
If guests are asked to serve themselves, then they must have somewhere
to place their plates, sit, converse, and enjoy themselves. Invitations
follow your initial planning. A printed invitation is a more thoughtful
way, then a mere telephone call. The written version contains
all the essential information, so there are no mis-dates, time,
or destination, especially if the party will not be at your home.
A simple schedule for you is next. Write down all the details
- the decorations, menu, and amenities. This insures that the
"non" immediates are handled in advance and the "immediates"
such as fresh flowers, fresh produce, etc. are all last-minute
items. Do as much as you comfortably can ahead of time. Make-ahead
foods are great and give you a lot more time on the last-minute
food items. Use foods you are comfortable with, but with a twist.
In other words, an event is not a good time to try a new, never-used
recipe. It will only add to the anxiety and stress. Also consider
food garnishments and touches. Use food to decorate food! If artificial
items are used, they will need to be removed by your guests.
Also, have and utilize a party log. In other words, write down
your exact party plans, the guest list, menu, etc. in a notebook.
Each time you plan a party, include it in your notebook. Write
down what went very well and what didn't. Which guest did not
interact very well with others, etc. This will give you valuable
insight into future parties. Also this allows you to invite guests
that are compatible so that no one is uncomfortable. Also you
avoid duplicating menu plans, decorations, etc. and you uitlize
successful items for future use. When the day of the party arrives,
stay calm. Use your schedule and cross out all items as they get
done. Have everything ready (except for hot-from-the-oven items)
in place and do a once-over about an hour before the guests begin
to arrive. Then dress-up, relax and make sure you enjoy the party
as much as you would like your guests to. Nothing is more tense
at an event, then a host/hostess that is jittery, upset, and obviously
stressed-out. Visit and personally greet each and every arrival
and look after the extra details that mean so much to your guests.
Extra towels, napkins, temperature adjustments for too warm or
too cold, name cards on the table (double-faced for comfortable
conversations), and easily handled food. If accidents occur, such
as spilled beverages or dropped food, discreetly do immediate
clean-up, but save the real clean-up for after the guests leave.
This will save embarrassment and frustration on the perpetrator.
Your reputation will saor as a successful host/hostess with just
a few of these tips. ENJOY!
©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 August
Arleen Kaptur may be contacted at http://www.arleenssite.com
akaptur@centurytel.net. Author of books and articles on living
a simple, rustic lifestyle - and getting the most from each and
every day.
See the Birthday of Britney
Spears &Other 1980s Star Babies
by Michael Cree
(1/7/05) The 1980s was a glorious decade to say the least.
This decade initiated great cultural and technological advances
which still are shaping the world in which we live today. Companies
launched in this decade include CNN, MTV, USA Today, and technology
unleashed in this decade were the video recorder, personal computer,
compact discs, satellite dishes and the grandaddy of video games
today - Pac-Man.
Meanwhile, in the rest of the country, babies were nursing,
beggining to crawl, walk or talk. These were no ordinary babies
- but Star Babies. Of course at the time they were oblivious to
their potential and the influence that they would later have on
the lives of all of us. What made these Star Babies different
from all the other children who share the same birthdates? Was
it destiny, luck, hard work or a combination of all of these?
You decide - meanwhile here are the birthdays of the top young
stars of the early 1980s.
YOUNG STARS BORN 1980 - 1982
BORN IN 1980
1. Ashanti ( Douglas ), R&B Singer, 10/13/1980
2. Chelsea Clinton, Former First Daughter, 2/20/1980
3. Christina Aguilera, Pop Star, 12/18/1980
4. Christina Ricci, Actor, 2/12/1980
5. Michelle Kwan, Figure Skating Champion, 7/7/1980
6. Venus Williams, Tennis Champion, 6/7/1980
7. Jessica Simpson, Singer, 7/10/1980
Born In 1981
1. Alicia Keys, R&B Singer, 1/25/1981
2. Anna Kournikova, Tennis Player/Model, 6/7/1981
3. Barbara & Jenna Bush, First Daughters, 11/25/1981
4. Beyonce Knowles, Pop Star, 9/4/1981
5. Britney Spears, Pop Star, 12/02/1981
6. Craig David, R&B Singer, 5/5/1981
7. Elijah Wood, Actor, 1/28/1981
8. Ivanka Trump, Model, 10/30/1981
9. Jessica Alba, Actor, 4/28/1981
10. Josh Groban, Singer, 2/27/1981
11. Julia Stiles, Actor, 3/28/1981
12. Justin Timberlake, Pop Star, 1/31/1981
13. Natalie Portman, Actor, 6/9/1981
14. Paris Hilton, Celebrity, 2/17/1981
15. Serena Williams, Tennis Champion, 9/26/1981
16. Roger Federer, Tennis Champion, 8/8/1981
17. Nicole Ritchie, Celebrity, 9/21/1981
BORN IN 1982
1. Anna Paquin, Actor, 7/24/1982
2. Kelly Clarkson, Pop Singer, 4/24/1982
3. LeAnn Rimes, Country Singer, 8/28/1982
4. Leelee Sobieski, Actor, 6/10/1982
5. Tara Lipinski, Figure Skater, 6/10/1982
6. Andy Roddick, Tennis Champion, 8/30/1982
Michael Cree was married in the 1980s and is the father of
two sons both born in the 1980s. He is also the webmaster/owner
of Shop Femina http://www.shopfemina.com
Michael Cree may be contacted at or bookflea@aol.com |
