Monthly Archives: October 2015

CHRISTMAS – Indoor Decorations For Christmas

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Decorating the inside of your home for the Christmas season doesn’t have to be a chore. As long as you are organised, you should be able to carry out this task in a single afternoon. You could even make it a fun group activity for all the family to enjoy.

Line Up the Christmas Stockings

Sunnyglade 3PCS 18″ Christmas Stocking

One of the highlights of your Christmas decor has got to be the Christmas stockings. You can choose to buy a colourful set or you can make your own. You may already have a set that you have used for years. Well if this is the case it is time to get them out of storage and hang them out on display. The most common place to hang them is from the mantelpiece surrounding the fireplace.

Get The Perfect Christmas Tree

The centrepiece of any Christmas decoration is the Christmas tree. You can choose to use a real life tree or you can invest in a good quality artificial tree which you can then use year after year. A lovely collection of accessories for the tree will include colourful baubles and figurines to hang from the branches. Children will love deciding where to place the baubles. A great idea is to actually buy a special trinket with your child’s initials or something that resembles their favourite cartoon character. Then create a lovely piece of theatre by getting them to place their very first ornament on the tree. Add some streamers, tinsel and a large star or angel on the very top and your tree is complete.

Decorate With Lights

If you want to create a warm and cosy atmosphere you need to get the lighting just right. This can be achieved with a combination of string lights, candles and an assortment of lanterns.

The string of lights can be draped around the Christmas tree or you can frame your windows so that they twinkle when the sun goes down.

Candles can completely transform a space. You can buy large church size candles and display them in groups of three. If you have small children or pets and you are worried about the naked flame, you can also buy a set of flameless candles that are battery operated. These will produce a flame like light without you having to worry about the danger of the flame or the possibility of burns from the hot melting wax.

Display Your Christmas Cards

When you start to receive Christmas cards you will want to put them out on display. You can place them on table tops and sideboards. Once you have run out of space you will need an alternative way to show them off. One great way to produce a pretty effect is to take a long strip of ribbon, attach the cards with some glue and then hang the end of the ribbon from the side of your fire place or hang it on your wall.

Sorting out your Christmas decorations is a great way to get everyone into the holiday spirit. Get the whole family involved and you can have a fun afternoon making your home look picture perfect.

A Fun Christmas Game for All The Family

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Christmas is the time of the year when the family all gathers together to share food, drink and laughter. There is usually a lot of great stuff on the television but this is the perfect time to actually turn the box off and share a fun activity together. A great game that the whole family can enjoy regardless of their age is Charades.

Charades is a wonderfully traditional game that everyone can enjoy. There are lots of different versions and rules that you can add but the basic instructions are quite straight forward so everyone can understand and follow along.

Reverse Charades

The Rules and Preparation Work

This is a game for two teams so choose two captains who will then pick their team members. Alternatively you can make it men against women or adults against children.

What is Charades?

Simply put Charades is a guessing game where the aim is to try and describe a word or term without using your voice. You have to use actions to describe everything. This is where it can be really funny. If you want to make it more competitive, you can set a time limit for each person.

Reverse Charades Board Game – Fun & Hilarious Family Games

Each team needs to write down suggestions on pieces of paper. Popular categories include names of books, films, television programmes, theater shows, famous people, popular songs and even significant individuals or events from History. It can be hilarious trying to figure out what your team mate is trying to describe as their arms, legs and the rest of their body contorts into different shapes in order to provide clues.

Depending on the age group playing you can make this quite a child friendly game or add a little bit of an extra edge if the group is much older. This can be achieved in two ways. You can either choose clues that are a little bit raunchy and slightly suggestive.

Charades Party Game – Family Charades-in-a-Box Compendium Board Game

You can also introduce an element of a forfeit for the losing team. If a team fails to guess their clue then a forfeit that you could add could include the losing team having to drink a shot of tequila. As long as no-one has to drive anywhere, this can be quite amusing. Another forfeit you could choose to use is having the losing team sing or recite a familiar song, poem or piece of literature. Examples include the national anthem or a particular nursery rhyme that the whole group knows.

If you prefer something active you could get the losing team to jog on the spot or do jumping jacks for a set amount of time. Even combine it with singing a nursery rhyme. Basically, the sillier the forfeit, the more amusing the game becomes.

Charades is a fantastic game for everyone to enjoy so it is time to drag the children away from their Ipods or their Ipads and get the whole family involved in this traditional fun game.

CHRISTMAS – Christmas Shopping Made Easy

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When the time comes to start getting Christmas presents for friends and family, it can be a little overwhelming. If you are looking for a stress free alternative that will still result in the giving of gifts, here are 4 different solutions that you could consider.

Do Your Christmas Shopping Online

If you absolutely hate the idea of facing crowds of people then you will want to avoid the high street and the shopping malls at all costs. Everyone is looking for the same thing and you can end up really frazzled and annoyed. The simple solution is to do your Christmas shopping online. You can avoid the crowds, the traffic and the queues at the checkout.

Most of the popular stores have an online presence so you can calmly browse the site and order just what you need. You can even get it all delivered to your home hassle free.

Ask People What They Want

Some people can get really stressed out trying to decide what to buy as gifts. The simple solution is to ask the recipients just what they would like to receive. The advantages are that you will get them something that they actually want and you will not have to endure sleepless nights worrying. It is true that you may lose the element of surprise so you have to decide what is more important to you, seeing the look of surprise as each person opens their gifts, or knowing that your shopping list is filled with items that will be truly appreciated.

Make A Charitable Donation On Their Behalf

If you want to do something philanthropic this Christmas you could choose to spend your Christmas budget by donating to a range of different charities on behalf of those people you would normally buy presents for. The donations could be made to a charity that you know your friends already support or is something that they have an interest in.

One example is to give to a charity where you can adopt an animal. These can be for an endangered species or for one of the many animal shelters in your own country. Donating to an animal charity would be perfect for animal lovers. Alternatively you could provide funds to sponsor a child in a developing country. The recipient of this gift would reap the benefits by receiving regular updates on the child’s development. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift all round.

Make Your Own Christmas Gifts

If you have a special skill or particular profession that you can use to make things then you should definitely put those skills to use by creating custom made Christmas gifts. Everyone is sure to appreciate a gift that has been made specially made for them. If you are a great baker, you could prepare batches of homemade cookies or cupcakes. If you are an artist, you could produce individual works of art. If you are a writer, you could write a poem for loved ones. Whatever your skills, you can put them to use and give people a gift that they can’t get anywhere else.

Shopping for Christmas presents doesn’t have to be a burden if you use one or all of the above options to get all your gifts for the holiday season.

CHRISTMAS – Christmas Inspired Baby Clothing

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If this year is your very first Christmas with your baby, you will want to make it extra special. One way to do this is to get some lovely Christmas inspired clothing that he or she can wear on the day. There are lots of different things to choose from and you can easily place an order by purchasing from any online store. These items would also make excellent gift ideas if you know someone with a newborn.

Here are just a few example of what you could buy online today.

Buy A Christmas Baby Bib

Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Cotton Bib and Sock Set

Every baby needs a bib to keep their clothes free and clean from drool and any food spillages. There are plenty that have been designed for the holiday season with a variety of motifs embroidered or appliqued on the front. The majority of these bibs are made from poly cotton which makes them soft and comfortable for baby to wear. This combination also means that the fabric is easy to clean and can be thrown into the washing machine when they get soiled.

Toddler Newborn Baby Girls Boys Christmas Outfits My 1st Christmas Romper

The perfect type of baby bib that you should buy is one that has the words “My First Christmas” embroidered or printed within the design because all your photos will provide extra special fond memories when you look back at them as your child gets older.

Buy A Christmas Body Suit

Carter’s Baby Girls’ 2 Piece Sets

As well a baby bib, you can also find a nice selection of Christmas style bodysuits or onesies that have been created for baby to wear on Christmas day. You can choose a bright red number which represents the colour of Santa Claus’s suit. Many of these bodysuits will also have things like “Baby’s First Christmas” or “My First Christmas” printed on the front. Choose between a short sleeved or a long sleeved bodysuit and your little one will look perfect on Christmas day.

Buy A Christmas Fancy Dress Costume

Fancy dress costumes are not just for Halloween. You could also take this opportunity to get a Christmas style outfit for your baby. This would be particularly suitable if you are planning on visiting friends and relatives during the Christmas holidays. If you pick out an adorable outfit for your baby, everyone will rush to admire just how cute he or she looks.

The type of Christmas costume you could buy include things like a baby Santa outfit, a baby elf outfit or a baby snowman bodysuit. The baby snowman suit would be a great alternative to a normal bodysuit that your baby wears every day and it adds to the cute factor. The baby Santa or baby elf costumes are similar to everyday clothing, meaning that they consist of a top or jacket and a pair of co-ordinating pants or tights. These outfits would look stunning in family photos.

Baby’s first Christmas will only happen once so you are entitled to make a huge fuss and have lots of fun dressing your little one in Christmas inspired clothing that is easy to find online today.

How To Prepare For Your Christmas Guests

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Christmas is the time for families to come together and this can mean having to accommodate overnight guests. If you are expected a house full of guests, here are a few ways in which you can ensure that everyone has somewhere to sleep for the night.

Confirm How Many Guests Are Staying

The first thing you will need to know is how many people will actually be staying. If you have extended an invitation to quite a few members of your family and close friends, you will want to confirm how many will actually be taking up your offer. It is important to know if they are not only spending the Christmas day with you but if they are planning to spend the night too. Make sure to get in contact with everyone you have invited in order to confirm what their plans are for the holiday season.

Invest in An Inflatable Sofa

QDH air Mattress Inflatable Couch Home Air Sofa Bed

The best way to ensure that people enjoy a good night’s sleep is to invest in a convertible sofa. If you do not already have this as part of home decor, you can easily remedy this by purchasing an inflatable sofa bed. The benefit of buying a sofa version as opposed to an inflatable mattress is the fact that you will gain extra seating space. This will be a much more comfortable option instead of expecting people to sit on the floor. Most good quality inflatable sofas come equipped with an air pump so it shouldn’t take you too long to get it ready for use. Once your guests have left, you can store it away in the attic or basement and reuse it whenever you have more overnight guests.

Ask People To Bring Sleeping Bags

Sleeping Bags – TETON Sports Mammoth Queen Size Flannel Lined Sleeping Bag (94″x 62″)

Although people own enough bedding to change their own beds regularly, the majority will not have an extensive supply. It is therefore important to ask your friends and family to bring their own bedding with them. They can choose to use sleeping bags, which would be appropriate for making up a bed on the floor or for sleeping on the sofa. If they do not have sleeping bags, then thick comforters and blankets would also do the job too. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed to ask your loved ones to help out by bringing their own bedding.

Check Availability of Nearby Hotels

If you really do not have any space in your home to accommodate everyone then you should definitely find out where the nearest hotels or motels are. If you plan ahead, you may be able to negotiate a deal with the hotel manager. It is possible that they will be happy to offer a special rate for a bulk booking if you can guarantee a certain number of reservations will be made during the holiday season.

Christmas can be a very hectic time when you are entertaining a lot of people so if you figure out all the sleeping arrangements ahead of time, this is one thing that you can tick off your list.

The Benefits of Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree

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Xmas Finest 6′ Feet Super Premium Artificial Christmas Pine Tree With Solid Metal Legs – Fullest (1000 Tips) Six Foot Tall Design

The centrepiece of any home during the holiday season is going to be the Christmas tree. It can be a huge or a small affair and you can choose to get a real tree or an artificial model. Here are some of the benefits of getting an artificial tree.

They are cheaper

An artificial tree can work out to be much cheaper. You only have to pay for it when you make your initial purchase. As long as it is stored properly, you can use it year after year and it will cost you nothing at all.

They Are Tidier

The worst thing about getting a real tree is when the pine needles start to shred and fall. As much as you can try to contain the mess, the needles tend to get everywhere. The worse time is when you are trying to get the tree out of the house at the end of the season. There are none of these worries with an artificial tree. There is no fear of shedding needles and no need for a major clean up session when you are done with the tree.

Don’t Like The Colour Green? No Worries

The wonderful thing about buying an artificial tree is that you are not limited to the traditional green colour tree. You can opt for something that will co-ordinate with your home decor or, if you so desire, you can choose a really striking colour. The choice of different colours could also be one of the reasons you may wish to use an artificial tree but if you like the look of the traditional tree, you can still opt to buy an artificial Christmas tree that comes in green.

Prextex 6 Feet Premium Artificial Spruce Hinged Christmas Tree

Safer For Family and Animals

Artificial trees can be easy to look after because there are no shedding needles and they can also be the safe option if you have a young family or animals. You do not have to worry about rogue needles finding their way into the hands and mouths of inquisitive young children. You can also be sure that your pet dog or cat will not mistakenly use the tree as a place to relieve themselves.

Best Choice Products 7.5ft Premium Spruce Artificial Holiday Christmas Tree

Easy To Store

There are some great benefits to choosing an artificial Christmas tree and one is definitely the ability to erect this decoration during the holiday season and them being able to store it away with ease. These trees are usually made in sections that can be slotted together. In order to store in the basement or the attic, you just need to remove all the tinsel and baubles and dismantle the pieces. As long as you dismantle the pieces correctly and pack them in an orderly manner, you will find that your tree will be as good as new when you remove it from storage for the next Christmas period.

Thanksgiving – The Fun & Madness of Black Friday

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After the festivities of the Thanksgiving meal, it is time to get ready for the crazy shopping event known as Black Friday. This is the day after Thanksgiving and it is the time of year when shoppers can pick up an assortment of bargains both online and from retail stores.

The History of Black Friday

There are two main explanations that describe the reason for the term Black Friday. One is that it originated in Philadelphia in 1966. It referred to the heavy traffic jams that were caused by people who were rushing to the stores in order to get their hands on these bargains.

The other explanation is that it is an accounting term. When a company is said to be in the red, it means that funds are so low that they are overdrawn but when a company is in the black then their records show that it is in profits.

The Reason for Its Popularity

Black Friday has gained so much popularity because it a time of the year where you can purchase products that have been significantly reduced in price. It is actually the busiest shopping day of the year and this is one time that retailers can be sure of a positive boost in their profits. Many big ticket items are slashed in prices and because there are only a limited amount of the stock put on sale, shoppers eager to take advantage of these deals happily turn up to stores in the wee small hours of the morning so that they are first in line.

How to Be Successful on Black Friday

If you want to pick up some good bargains on Black Friday, it is necessary to do a little preparation work. You need to decide on the type of goods you would like to get. Then you should do some research to find out which stores in your area will be offering the best discounts. You can also do some research online. There are lots of different websites that will email you will information about which stores are selling which products and the availability.

Be Prepared To Wait

As you can imagine, you will not be the only bargain hunters out on the streets. This means that you have to be prepared to wait in line. People can get quite aggressive so you have to have your wits about you and try to remain as calm as possible.

The Best Bargains

Most people would agree that the best bargains that you can pick up on Black Friday are the electrical goods such as televisions, computers and laptops. However these are only real bargains if you actually need these items. Try not to get seduced by the offers all around you. Work out exactly what you need, make a list of stick to it.

Although Black Friday is not a national holiday, it is a very important a feature of the Thanksgiving event. If you plan wisely you could find yourself with a car full of super bargains as a treat for yourself or as future Christmas gifts for friends and family.