The Jewish Passover Story

The holiday of Passover is one that involves the invocation of memory.  The Jewish people have a long and rich history and a very important part of it is preserved in the story and the ritual of  Passover.  Passover is celebrated on the fifteenth day in the month of Nisan, and according to the Hebrew Bible, it is considered the first month of the Hebrew calender's festival year.  The celebration is begun with a seder, a celebratory feast, on the first night of Passover, and an important part of the seder is the recitation of the story of Passover itself.

The story of Passover is one that is set in Egypt, where the Jewish people settled after the Joseph became the Viceroy of Egypt.  Over the next few generations, the Jewish people prospered and were numerous, and their success sat very uneasily with the pharaoh of the land, Ramses II.  He was wary of their influence and a great tyrant besides, and because of his order, the Jews of Egypt were enslaved and persecuted.  When he issued an order that every newborn son of Jewish descent was to be killed, one father took his son and floated him down the river in a basket of reeds, hoping that he might be saved.

The baby floated down the river, watched from the shore by his sister Miriam, and he came to the attention of the pharaoh's daughter, who was bathing in the river.  She named him Moses and reared him as her own, and when he became an adult, he recognized his heritage.  He and his brother Aaron came before the pharaoh demanding the release of the Jewish people, and at the pharaoh's refusal, Egypt was struck by the ten plagues.

The final plague is the one that gave Passover its name.  The tenth plague was the death of every first born son in the land of Egypt.  The Jewish people were warned to sprinkle the lintels of their door with lamb's blood, keeping the Angel of Death away, allowing the Jewish firstborn sons to be spared, or "passed over".

The pharaoh finally relented and allowed the Jews to depart, but when they had reached the Red Sea, he changed his mind.  With his army, he pursued them.  Moses opened the waters of the Red Sea to allow the Jews to walk between the waves, but as the Egyptian army came behind them, the waters crashed down, drowning the army completely

Though the Jews would wander the desert for forty years thereafter, the story of Passover is one of freedom from oppression and of Moses, who brought the Jewish people out of slavery and oppression.

Understanding the Passover Story

Whether you are looking to make sure that you are clear about the Passover story in order to pass it on to your children or you are simply looking for a way to make it more accessible to yourself, you will find that before anything else, you need to understand the story itself.  Though Passover is a holiday that is celebrated with its own ritual and rules, the foundation of the holiday is the departure of the Jews from Egypt and their freedom from oppression.  Though the holiday can seem restrictive, it is in fact a celebration of choice and of the freedom to make a choice.

The Passover story begins with the oppression of the Jews in Egypt, where the pharaoh, Ramses II, feared the growing power and number of Jews in his country.  The Jews as a people were enslaved and when their numbers did not decline, the Pharaoh ordered that every newborn son be murdered.  A man and his wife put their son in a basket of reeds and floated him down the Nile river, where the baby was found and adopted by the pharaoh's daughter and given the name Moses.

The pharaoh's daughter hired the boy's mother to help raise him, and through her teachings, he came to be aware of both his heritage and the plight of his people.  At the age of eighty, Moses came before the pharaoh and ordered him to release the Jewish people from their slavery.  When the pharaoh refused, Moses unleashed the ten plagues of Egypt.  The final plague, the deaths of every non-Jewish first born son in Egypt, convinced the pharaoh to listen to Moses.

After he had given the order, though, Pharaoh changed his mind and chased them to the shores of the Red Sea.  Moses parted the waves, and after the Jewish people had crossed safely, the water came back and drowned the Egyptian army, including the pharaoh himself.

While the story itself is simple, there are many different themes that can be involved.  One important one is choice and that can be a point of discussion between you and your children.  Why did Moses choose to embrace his faith and why did the pharaoh choose to disbelieve Moses?  This is a very important part of Jewish history and by keeping alive in this way, it can remain a part of your own history and that of the people that you pass it on to.

Urban Rebellion: Tips for a Rustic Christmas

An old fashioned country Christmas has a timeless appeal. No one knows that better than the folks at rustic-lodge-lifestyle.com so they’ve put together a few tips and ideas to share with you. Whether you live in the country or not, you can still put some rustic in your Christmas.

"Here are some ideas for a rustic Christmas that can be enjoyed by all ages," says Sandra Thornton. "You will be creating more than decorations, you'll be creating memories that will last for years."

 

Do-it yourself table centerpiece

 

A simple but elegant way to dress up your dining room table is to create a striking rustic Christmas centerpiece using readily available, natural materials. It’s really quite easy and doesn’t take long to do.

If you have coniferous trees close by, cut a few boughs (pine, silver fir, and cypress retain their needles especially well), gather up some pine cones, and if you can find them, a couple of branches with red berries. I found my supplies in the forest outside my home. A shiny bobble or two, perhaps some red or gold ribbon, and some candles are all you need in addition to your natural materials. By artfully arranging these items you can create a visually appealing, fragrant, and very rustic looking centerpiece.

Note: be very cautious with candles. Make sure the flame is not close to the evergreen boughs or any other flammable materials. Make sure you always extinguish your candles before leaving the room! And, only keep this natural centerpiece on the table for a few days over the holidays because as the boughs dry out they become VERY flammable and will start to drop their needles.

 

Pomander

 

Literally, apple of amber in French, a pomander is generally thought of as a mixture of aromatic substances. For our rustic Christmas ornament, we make a pomander out of an orange and cloves.

Children will enjoy this project. I made my first one when I was 12. Now I’m making them with my grandchildren. Making a pomander is fun and easy.

All you do is stick whole cloves into an orange until it is evenly covered all over. Use a push pin to pierce the skin of the orange. At minimum there should be an equal amount of clove cover with orange showing through. As it dries, the cloves preserves the orange so it doesn’t rot and the aroma of the cloves and orange is wonderful! Garnish it with ribbon and you're ready to hang it on the tree, over a window, or above a doorway. You can even give it as a gift. This natural ornament will last for years.

 

Chistmas garlands

 

We love the look and feel of natural garlands. You can use a variety of natural materials – evergreen boughs, crab apples, dried flowers, cinnamon sticks, and pine cones.

Here is a very simple and rustic looking garland – made of popcorn and fresh cranberry. Again, this is a fun project to do with kids!

Use strong thread. You can also use thin fishing line but it really doesn’t need to be highly durable – you’ll throw it out when the holidays are over. You will need a large needle. Make your popcorn and set it aside to cool. Make enough to snack on too! Even young children should be able to thread the popcorn successfuly (watch out for the needle) but they may find the cranberries too difficult.

You may want to create a repeating pattern - such as three berries and one piece of popcom - or you can choose to create a random string.

 

Harvest your own tree

 

Cutting down your own Christmas tree is the stuff of romance and memories! If you have land with coniferous trees, you can harvest a tree from your own property. If not, do you know anyone who will give you permission to cut a tree on their property. Take a small, sharp buck saw with you.

When heading out to get your tree, remember you have to come back the same distance, only you’ll be dragging a tree!

The first time we did this was on property belonging to my in-laws. Our kids were about 5, 8, and 10 years old. It was a chilly day and there was a fair amount of snow. We found our tree, cut it and hauled it back. It's surprising how much a tree can change size from the time you first find it outdoors to when you bring it into the house! So make sure your tree is the right size before you cut it down. Our tree was perfect - once we took the top off so we could stand it in the house! Do you know we all still laugh and reminisce about that tree!

Real or artificial - which is greener? Despite the convenience of an artificial tree, it may surprise you that a real tree is the "greener" choice. Artificial trees are made from non renewable petroleum products. It’s the impact on the environment when the tree is manufactured and again when you dispose of it that tips the scales in favor of the real tree. We encourage you to plant a tree (or several) to replace the one you cut down.

Ready for your rustic Christmas? Not everyone has the time or inclination to pursue the type of projects outlined above. If you find yourself running out of time, with just too much to do at this time of year, check out the rustic Christmas selection and ideas at Rustic-Lodge-Lifestyle.com.

 

Coping With Thanksgiving Family Fueds

For some people, just the thought of Thanksgiving can set their nerves on edge. This is usually because Thanksgiving means inviting the family over for dinner or an extended stay. More often than not, these get-togethers can sometimes rake over old wounds and be a stressful experience for everyone. There are, however, a few ways to make the ordeal a little simpler.

Be Realistic
It might be a good idea to take a big dose of reality when it comes to planning these dinners. In some cases, these family get-togethers are things that simply can't be avoided. If this is the case, then try to work towards making the event a positive experience, at least for you. If certain people haven't been getting along for the past few years, chances are things are not going to change just for this particular gathering.

If you find yourself hosting the family Thanksgiving dinner this year, don't let the in-fighting get to you. Talk to yourself and the rest of the family before the big day. Make it clear that there are people who are just not going to get along but that doesn't mean the dinner has to be unpleasant. If everyone works together, your family gathering can be easier than you think.

I'm Ok, You're Ok
If you have two particular parties that tend to get at each other's throats at Thanksgiving, it might be a good idea to talk to them individually beforehand. Make it clear to them that causing problems is just going to make things bad for everyone and isn't fair to the rest of the family. If you feel that someone's behavior has become steadily worse, then take a stand. If you feel that having the family over is simply more trouble than its worth, then say so. Remember that a holiday is something that should be enjoyed and if you're not having fun, chances are that others aren't either.

Avoid sensitive topics of discussion
Religion and politics (this one could be extra hot with the recent election) are usually smart subjects to avoid. If you feel the mood escalating in a particular room, then quietly excuse yourself and spend some time with the children, the pets or even alone. Try and soak in as much fun and good times as possible- do not let the negativity bring you down. However, try to avoid turning to a bad habit as comfort. Having a nip of wine now and again may help you to ease the tension but if you end up having too much, it could lead to problems of a different sort.

And the most important thing to remember about family Thanksgiving dinners is to celebrate once they are over! This is something that many people don't do and it can really do wonders for you. Once the dust has settled, treat yourself to something nice. This could just be spending some time with your children or buying yourself something special. In any case, treat yourself! You've weathered a stressful Thanksgiving family dinner and deserve to be congratulated!

Time To Get The Home Ready For Christmas

It is always fun when the time of year comes around to start decorating for Christmas time. Years ago it seems that time did not roll around until right after Thanksgiving, but over the last several years it seems to have started even earlier. It is very noticeable in all the stores right after Halloween ends. Seems the very next time all the Christmas decorations are out lining the shelf’s.

Though most people probably start the actually decoration process until after Thanksgiving ends, there is more to it then that. Depending on how much effort you will put into the decorating of your house you may need to start months before mapping everything out.

Part of that is getting a list of all the indoor and outdoor decorations you would like to display. To get some ideas you can browse websites to look a products or view pictures of homes decorated for Christmas from years past. There are many unique thing people do to decorate for the holidays, but most people follow a similar theme.

They all typically put lights on the house and maybe some outdoor decorations get put out, and then there are those that go to the extreme with their holiday cheer and end up doing so much that people drive to their house from all over the place just to see it. Those people must really do some serious planning.

Where the average person falls is usually somewhere in between either doing nothing or going to the extreme. If you plan to do things outside in your front yard and want to go somewhat beyond doing nothing you may want to make sure to buy some commercial grade Christmas lights for the house. In addition if you do not want wires hanging out everywhere another good idea may be to look into using Mr. Christmas Wireless Lights and Sounds of Christmas as part of your display. Just make sure to have lots of fun and make it great for the kids and adults alike to enjoy your hard work and efforts.

After Thanksgiving Dinner

Every year, families all across the country have their Thanksgiving traditions, one of which is taking a nap after a huge meal.  So, instead of doing nothing all afternoon, Here are a few actives to keep your bodies moving and burn off some of those extra calories. 

1.  Take a walk - while it may seem simple, just the act of taking a walk will wake you up after the feast, as well as being very healthy for you.  Go enjoy the fall leaves, see who can collect the prettiest ones along the way.

2.  Touch football - instead of watching the bowl games, organize your own backyard bowl game. Call it the Potatoes and Gravy Bowl if you want. 

3.  Volunteer - take some time out of your Thanksgiving to give back to those who don't have as much.  There is probably a shelter or soup kitchen that is looking for people to help serve meals to the homeless.  Consider making it a regular family activity, even year round.

4.  Put on a play - have the children reenact the first Thanksgiving.  A few simple costumes made out of paper bags, and they can put on a delightful show for the family.  Don't leave the grownups out of the action; have them improvise some scenes with the children as well.

5.  Winter sports - if it's cold enough to have recently snowed, have a sled riding party. If you don't have a large enough hill, try a nearby park instead. Have a snowball fight or build a snowman.  Ice-skating is another fun activity, and there may even be an indoor rink (but they might not be open due to the holiday, so it's a good idea to call first.)

6.  Turkey Hunt - take a stuffed turkey, or paper turkey, and hide it in the house or yard, weather permitting.  The first person to find the turkey gets to hide it the next time.  Keep playing till everyone's had a turn to hide the turkey.

7.  Turkey Bowling - make turkey bowling pins out of two-liter bottles.  Fill them with a little sand to weight them down and spray paint them brown. Let the kids decorate them with paint or feathers.  Set them up and then try to roll a turkey (three strikes in a row).  If you have a lot of people, you can make more than one set to keep the action going.

It's easy to just curl up and let the turkey take over after a large Thanksgiving meal, but it is a good idea to get up and get moving and make memories that last a lifetime.  The fact that it also happens to be good for you is an added bonus.

Thanksgiving Crafts to Do With Kids

Spending time creating Thanksgiving crafts with your kids can turn a holiday that isn’t quite as exciting as getting Halloween candy or Christmas gifts into a fun kid’s day! Just a few simple activities can really help bring family happily together at a time when stress levels are at their peak.

Turkey Apple

Turkey apples are a fun craft to make with the kids as well as a healthy snack. You will need an apple, 6 toothpicks, 1 large and 5 miniature marshmallows as well as some raisins and one piece of candy corn for each turkey.

Set the apple stem up on a flat surface. Stick a toothpick in the top part of one side of the apple. Add the large marshmallow to the top of the toothpick. Decorate the face of the turkey with two raisins as eyes and stick the candy corn in upside down into the marshmallow to make the beak.

Thread each of the remaining toothpicks with 3 raisins, and then top it off with one of the miniature marshmallows. These will be the tail feathers of your turkey. Stick the 4 toothpicks evenly spaced on the opposite side of the top of the apple.

Corn Collage

Cut a basic corn shape out of yellow construction paper. Tear little pieces of yellow and purple tissue paper and crumble them into little balls. Glue them on the corn shape to represent kernels of corn. Cut leaf shapes out of green construction paper and glue them behind your ear of corn.

Pilgrim Hat

You need a large paper grocery bag and some construction paper in black and yellow for each child. Fold the rim of the bag over to make a brim for the hat. Then cut a large strip of black construction paper and tape or glue it around the hat. Cut a belt buckle shape out of the yellow construction paper and glue it to the belt in the front of the hat.

Turkey Handprint Crafts

This craft is a family tradition in many homes. First, outline your child’s foot once on a piece of brown construction paper. Then, outline her hands twice on red or yellow construction paper. Cut a beak out of orange construction paper. Put them all together and you get a turkey made from impressions of your own children.

Of course, if you visit craft stores like Michaels or online craft supply stores, like Oriental Trading, you’ll find thousands of craft ideas for your kids. Oriental Trading offers foam leaves, felt Pilgrim hats, quilts in fall colors, foam turkeys, stickers, craft kits and more.

Antiquers Seek Victorian Christmas Tree Ornaments

Many people enjoy antiquing - searching out rare treasures often at bargain basement prices. At an antique store, one can find many different items in various conditions. In antiquing, the old adage, one man's junk is another man's treasure, is definitely true. An increasingly popular item among antiquers is Christmas ornaments, especially Victorian Christmas tree ornaments.

Christmas Tree Ornaments from the Victorian Era

The long period (1837-1901) during which Queen Victoria ruled England - known simply as the Victorian era - is normally associated only with England, but the United States was also hugely affected by Victorian tastes and morals. Victoria was famously rigid, yet her era also saw extremely fine decorations, and Victorian Christmas tree ornaments often reflect this.

During most of the Victorian era, electricity was simply not available or at best, it was a luxury for the rich. So there weren't any strings of Christmas lights as we know them - instead, Christmas trees were adorned with actual candles. While very few candles survive from that time, the candles themselves were set in brass candle holders, and those candle holders are now prized as classic Victorian Christmas tree ornaments.

"Father Christmas" was another common theme on classic Victorian Christmas tree ornaments. The characters of Father Christmas and Santa Claus are essentially the same -- they are both based on the real person known as Saint Nicholas -- but they do not have similar appearances. There was no familiar red suit with white trim and a black belt -- instead Victorian era "Father Christmas" ornaments showed a man with a long beard and flowing robes. This resulted in an appearance that people these days would associate more with an ancient wise man or wizard. And a decent number of Victorian Christmas tree ornaments based on this image of Father Christmas still survive and can be found by the determined antiquer.

One type of Victorian Christmas tree ornaments that are rather hard to come by these days are velvet ribbons. Crimson colored velvet ribbons were prized tree ornaments, and were placed decoratively throughout the Christmas tree. Velvet does not keep for a very long time, so if you do find any examples of these antique Christmas tree ornaments, they will probably need to be restored.

Thus, it might be easier just to visit a fabric supply shop and get some new velvet for your Christmas decorations and ornaments. In fact, if you or someone you know can sew, you can purchase a piece of velvet, cut some strips out of it, then just sew the sides, and you've just made your own velvet ribbons. Whichever method you choose, the key is to have fun decorating your Christmas tree! Remember there are always websites on the Internet that can help with any and all of your holiday decorating questions.

Put the Joy Back Into Your Thanksgiving

Why do people always get stressed at the holidays?  Is it the rush to get everything done? Is it wanting everything to be "perfect"? Is it having to deal with family members that know how to push our buttons? Most likely it is a little of each.  So how do we have a stress free Thanksgiving dinner?  Here are a few simple tips to have a more enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner.

1. Plan ahead - While planning the Thanksgiving meal, do you plan who is going to help?  Instead of doing it all yourself, recruit your family to help.  Not only will the work go faster, it's more fun working together.  Make a list of what needs to be done before everyone arrives.  Give everyone something to do and assign things that are age appropriate to the children.  Before you know it, the leftovers will be wrapped in foil and everyone will have had a great time.

2.  Covered dish meal - If you are having a large group get together for Thanksgiving, divide the menu amongst all those attending.  The host family can provide the main dish (turkey or ham) and the drinks. Each family brings a favorite side dish and dessert. If you want to make sure there is a variety, provide a menu and mark things off as people choose what they want to fix. 

3.  Simplify - Instead of having a huge feast, prepare a smaller meal.  We all tend to overeat at Thanksgiving, so make an effort to make fewer dishes.  Not only will the preparation be smaller, so will our waistlines.  Another option is to prepare as much ahead of time as you can.  Slow cookers can be used to make all kinds of foods, even desserts.  Many things can also be made as "freezer meals" and stored for weeks before re-heating them.  The less actual cooking you need to do on Thanksgiving, the lower your stress levels will be.

4.  Family harmony - While you can't make everyone happy, there are ways to promote a peaceful, relaxing dinner.  Use place cards to put the people who tend to bicker further away from each other during dinner.   This will help alleviate some of the tensions.

5. Be thankful - Simply taking the time to be thankful for all your blessings can reduce your stress level.  Before everyone arrives, take the time to list all that you're thankful for over the last year.  Have everyone share their blessings before dinner.  Having a better attitude will help everyone enjoy the day more.

Stress doesn't have to ruin the holidays.  If you stop to smell the turkey, and plan ahead, you can have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Planning and organization, while not great fun, can help you enjoy things later once all the guests arrive.

Make Your Own Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

A nice touch for any Thanksgiving dinner table is handcrafted napkin rings.  They are relatively simple to make and something that the kids could easily do to help.  It could be a great project for children to work on while the food is being prepared.

First, you need to decide which napkins you want to use; cloth or paper napkins.  Roll the napkin to the size you want, allowing a little overlap for the ring to hold the napkin.  To make the ring itself, either purchase them or create your own by cutting toilet paper rolls into the desired size.  The cardboard rolls work especially well for napkin rings that stand upright, instead of lying beside the silverware.  Then the fun starts. It's time for decorating the napkin rings.  There are many different things you can use including:

Stickers - Stickers are the quickest and easiest way to decorate the rings, especially for younger kids.  There are many delightful holiday stickers available. The hardest part will be deciding which ones to use.

Paper Turkey - By gluing a simple turkey body to the ring and adding a few colorful feathers to the inside of the ring, you can create a delightful turkey napkin ring.

Indian Headband - To create a simple Indian headband napkin holder, use brown construction paper strips to make the rings and then add colorful feathers.

Pilgrim Buckle - Traditionally, pictures of Pilgrims show a wide black belt with a buckle (also found on their hats). This is easy to make into a napkin ring. Use black strips of paper for the "belt" that makes the ring. Then cut a square, with the center cut out, from yellow paper that is a bit wider than the strip for the buckle and paste to the Pilgrims belt.

Pilgrim Hats - Cutting out a simple Pilgrim hat or bonnet silhouette could make for cute napkin ring designs. If you want a 3D version of the black hat with the buckle, you could make the center of the hat from a toilet paper roll adding a brim around the bottom.  Next, glue on a buckle made out of yellow paper and put the napkin in so it stands upright.

3D Turkey - To make a 3D turkey, make the body of the turkey from sections of a toilet paper roll, cut about an inch wide.  Glue on the head and feet in the front and tail feathers in the back to complete the turkey.

Fall Foliage - Cut out some leaf shapes in different fall colors. Glue them all the way around the napkin ring, overlapping them slightly.

The possibilities to create Thanksgiving napkin rings are endless, limited only by your own imagination.  There are many variations that could be created for fun and funky or lovely and elegant table accents. Make Thanksgiving crafts a part of your holiday tradition.

Edible and Easy Christmas Crafts

For many people, Christmas is about the family, the festivities, and of course, the food! There are different kinds of treats you can make during the holiday season. Candy canes, cookies, and apples are some easy Christmas crafts that you can make and give away as presents. You can also combine various food items and create lovely gift baskets to give to your family and friends.

The great thing about Christmas food is that it is not merely limited to being served on the dining table and consumed. Food can also be used to make other easy Christmas crafts that you can adorn your homes with. Edible ornaments are quite popular during the Christmas season.

An example of a food idea used as an easy Christmas craft is a miniature Christmas tree that you can make out of an ice cream cone. Just turn the cone upside down and place it on a paper plate. Next, use green frosting to color the cone. Spice up your mini Christmas tree with an assortment of candies, chocolates and sprinkles. Finally, shower the tree with confectioner’s sugar to make it appear covered in snow.

Aside from using an ice cream cone, you can also use green jell-o to shape anything into a Christmas tree. Just cook the jell-o until it dissolves, and shape it into a cone before you freeze it.

You can also make ornaments for your regular Christmas tree using food. Cookies are great for this purpose. Once you have the dough ready, use cookie cutters to shape the cookies into the design you want. Cookie cutters are available in various shapes, such as Christmas trees, balls, and angels. Don’t forget to make a hole at the top of the ornament before baking it. This is where you will pass the string or ribbon so that you can hang the ornament on the tree. After baking the cookies, you can design the ornaments with paint, stickers or glitters. To make the ornaments last longer, coat them with acrylic varnish once they are completely dry.

Another food idea that you can make into a Christmas craft is a Christmas ginger bread house. Once you have the basic ginger bread house, you can embellish it with candies and cookies. You can also add a mini cookie version of Santa Clause and his sleigh, and candy cane reindeer outside the house.

Food ideas are definitely easy Christmas crafts to make. With some effort, you can create amazing ornaments and gifts, and a great snack to boost!

 

Tips for a Frugal Thanksgiving Holiday

If you're preparing the Thanksgiving meal for friends or family you'll be happy to know that there are things you can do to save money. By following these tips, you can have a wonderful holiday meal without spending a lot.

1. Look for a free turkey.
Many grocery stores offer a free turkey with a certain amount of groceries purchased. You can also find rebates on turkeys from specific brands. Local agencies and the United Way also have free turkey programs available. Ask around and you'll be surprised with what kind of deals you can find.

2. Suggest a potluck dinner.
If you provide the turkey for the meal and everyone brings a side dish, it definitely lowers your costs. The practice is becoming more and more common, especially with families. Assign each person a portion of the meal. Not only will you save money, but everyone at the party will feel involved in the meal.

3. Have your guests RSVP.
Although leftovers are a hallmark of every Thanksgiving dinner, you don't want to spend too much at the grocery store buying for guests who won't be there. Confirm your guests a few weeks ahead of time so you know exactly how much food you need to prepare.

4. Shop smart.
Start shopping for canned foods, such as yams and vegetables, early. You can make a lot of different side dishes from inexpensive canned foods. They often go on sale in the weeks prior to Thanksgiving. Stock up so you can make Thanksgiving dinner as well as a few other inexpensive meals in the holiday season.

You can also shop smart by clipping coupons for your holiday shopping. A lot of stores offer double or triple coupons on specific days. Call the grocery stores in your area to see where you can get the best deal. With coupons, you can significantly cut the costs of your holiday meal. Printable grocery coupons are becoming more prevalent online as well, and that can save you time with locating and clipping coupons because you only print the coupons you plan to use. You can also save money by ordering wine by the case, in plenty of time for all of your holiday celebreations. Several online retailers offer wine coupons and discounts throughout the year, so you can stock up and save by planning ahead.

5. Keep your meal simple.
If you're trying to host a frugal holiday dinner, this isn't the year to try truffle whipped potatoes or gold leaf chocolate cake. Even if you're not planning anything so extravagant, make sure to use familiar ingredients and cook from scratch as much as you can. A store bought pumpkin pie can cost three times as much as one made at home. Cook what you can and use the expensive substitutes only if you are crunched for time.

6. Decorate on the cheap.
If you need some decorations to make your table more festive, don't step foot inside a department store! Head to your local discount store and you'll be impressed with what you'll find. You can pick up inexpensive toys to entertain the kids, holiday dish towels and even serving plates. Take a look at the selection of nuts and party mix there as well to round out your holiday meal.

The Normal Holiday Present Is Not For Me

I've never been one to ask for a normal gift under my LED christmas treeEvery year around Christmas time I start wishing for something special that no one else has. {Believe it or not|You may not think what I say is true}, I would always get my wish granted by Santa Clause, who ever since I've been a small child I've believed in.

For an instance, one year for Christmas I wished that Santa would make two men fall for me by the end of January. A goofy smile came over my face later that month, since I was thinking that yet again Santa had brought me exactly what I asked for. I thought I would try my luck again the next year, I again wished for something extraordinary, I wished with all my heart that I would meet the man of my dreams when I took my trip to Germany. And then three days before the next Christmas day, when I went to Germany on the train, I was sitting beside a man who I talked to for the entire ride. Six months later I married that man and he is now my Husband of many years. Now that is a great gift no one gets under their LED xmas tree.

This year, I am already through of wishing something for my self. I would like to wish something great for one of my patient who is suffering from diabetes. She is supposed to have her foot cut off that she is losing to the disease on the 1st of January, because it got infected . She is a Native American, and a mother of six girls; the eldest is only twelve and the youngest is two and a half. She lives alone since her mother died of a heart attack six months ago. I can’t imagine how life will be for her family, knowing that her income only comes from a simple family business of pottery and blown glass.

If I can decide what I really wanted this Christmas season, I would ask that I do a good job on the operating table, and let me give her the bet advice I can, and let her follow it. A less realistic wish is that people in powerful positions like government would care more about disadvantaged groups.

Discount Gifts: Four Tips for Saving Money on Gifts this Holiday Season

If you need some ideas to make your holiday dollars stretch, you’re not alone this year. Many people are faced with tough decisions regarding their spending and gift-giving habits. Look to the following tips to reduce your spending this year and make this holiday season enjoyable for everyone.

1. Try to limit gift exchanges.
Most people are in the same boat this season and could do without the extra expense of yet another gift exchange. If you feel comfortable with doing so, pitch the idea to your group of friends or family members. Plan a potluck holiday party so that you can all spend time together, without the pressure of buying gifts. Many families have reduced their expenses by having an exchange just for the children, or by drawing names so that each family group exchanges with one other small family group. Groups of friends can exchange Christmas cookies instead of spending money on separate presents. You might be surprised by how many people want to skip the gift exchanges (or limit them) this year.

2. Make your own gifts.
If you’re a crafty person, there are tons of presents that you can make that can reduce your costs this holiday season. Crocheted blankets, scrapbooks, personalized note cards and beaded bracelets are just a few of the craft items that you can give as gifts. Visit your local library to look for craft books to get even more ideas. Buy your supplies at a wholesale or craft discount store so you’ll save even more. Try to bundle gifts together. For example, make bracelets for all the women in your family so that you can make them all at once, which saves you time and money.

3. Bake your gifts.
Everyone will enjoy baked goods this time of year! Scour the Internet for new cookie and sweet treats recipes. In addition to cookies, you can bake fudge, bread or biscotti. Decide on three to four recipes. Plan to spend a Saturday before the holidays baking your gifts, and, before your baking date, start stockpiling ingredients by watching the sales. Many grocery stores will put holiday baking supplies on sale in the winter months. Purchase inexpensive decorative plates at a discount store and then use colored cellophane to cover the plates. You can also buy jars and layer the goodies in them.

4. Shop online with coupon codes.
Look for particularly deep discounts and coupon codes on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) as well as Cyber Monday (the Monday following Thanksgiving.) Make sure to shop as early as possible so you don't end up with extra shipping charges for expedited delivery.

The best way to save money on holiday gifts is to purchase items throughout the year when you have find them on sale. So, once the holidays are over, keep a running list of gift ideas and shop the clearance sections. That way, you'll have more time and energy left over for all of the holiday merriment.

Have a Heart Healthy Thanksgiving!

It's time for Thanksgiving - a time when families and friends get together to enjoy a bountiful feast. Holidays can be wonderful, but they can bring added stress and excesses.

So here are some tips from the folks at Smart-Heart-Living.com to help you have a heart healthy Thanksgiving.

Reduce Your Stress

Hosting the Thanksgiving dinner, visiting with family and friends, and having house guests can lead to upsets if you have unrealistic expectations of yourself or others. Go with the flow and keep things in perspective. So what if a cup gets spilled, the dog barfs, the cousins natter, or the pie crust is burned. Sure it may not be perfect, but ask yourself if, in the big scheme of things, does it really matter?

Manage your expectations. As David Posen says in his book The Little Book of Stress Relief, "the quest for perfection is guaranteed to end in frustration and disillusionment, because nothing will measure up."

Not every meal has to be elaborate and the house doesn't have to be show home spotless.

And everyone can contribute in the clean up. One woman remembers, "after a holiday feast all the grown kids in our family used to head for the kitchen and there we'd do the clean up while visiting and catching up. I have so many fond memories of those times."

Whether you are hosting guests and making the feast, or you are traveling to be with others, make sure you plan time for yourself to relax.

A Thanksgiving dinner can be heart healthy!

Turkey, the traditional mainstay of the harvest feast, is a concentrated source of protein, a good source of Vitamin B6 and niacin. And, it's recognized as a heart healthy food by many experts including George Mateljan, author of The World's Healthiest Foods. Turkey is also a concentrated source of sleep-promoting tryptophan, so don't resist... take that nap after your Thanksgiving dinner.

Consider getting an organically raised turkey, and roast it in the oven or barbecue. DON'T deep fry it in fat.

Winter squashes (Butternut, Acorn, Hubbard, Turban, Kabocha, and Spaghetti squash), also standard fare on the Thanksgiving table, are a concentrated source of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega 3 essential fatty acid that is very good for heart health. It's also an excellent source of Vitamin A.

To retain maximum nutrition, steam your squash and add flavor with fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage or thyme, honey and nutmeg, or toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin pie?

Pumpkins are another winter squash. It is traditional across America to serve pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving dinner. Probably the best way of eating pumpkin is not in a pie but then again, Thanksgiving only comes around once a year! But make or buy a homemade pie with fresh (not canned) ingredients. And go lightly on the whipped cream!

See Smart-Heart-Living's recipe page for recipes for Thanksgiving dinner.

Get Some Exercise

Why not go for a walk or bike ride while the turkey roasts? What better time to get outside than in autumn when the leaves are colorful, the air is crisp, and when you return home, the house will welcome you with rich aromas!

Exercise is known to reduce stress levels, increase your energy, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep and digestion. After a plentiful Thanksgiving dinner it will help burn off any additional calories you've consumed. Get the whole gang out for a 30 minute walk. Let it become part of your Thanksgiving ritual.

What if it's raining? A walk on a rainy day can be a wonderful experience. Do you remember how much you enjoyed going out in the rain with an umbrella when you were a child? Don't let the weather stop you. Dress for the conditions and you'll be surprised at how enjoyable it can be.

Count your blessings

Strong positive emotions induce physical and emotional responses that are thought by many to have significant health benefits.

At your Thanksgiving dinner, take the opportunity to go around the table and have each person share what they are thankful for. Everyone can participate. One family says, "We've been doing this now for years. It's always an emotional time - but that makes it more meaningful. We've often had at least one person at the table choke up when they share what they are thankful for in their lives. And the little ones enjoy it too. When our granddaughters were only three they understood the concept and they talked about how grateful they were for their Mommy and Daddy and the things in their lives that were important to them. Of course there are tears of laughter and joy too! It's a family tradition that means so much to everyone year after year."

Whether your Thanksgiving dinner is for two or for 20, you can still count your blessings.

Have a hug, give a hug

Hugs are good for your heart. Human contact through hugs lowers blood pressure and reduces stress, which cuts the risk of heart disease. On Thanksgiving, hug your friends, your family, and your guests. Not only will it feel good, but it's healthy for everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

All I Want For Christmas...

We all wanted to have something that is special during Christmas, and we both wish for something that is always good and nice. For some of us we want something under the black christmas tree and others want something else. Not everyone gets what they want though. What I want for Christmas this year is that I would like to have something that I really want for myself. For a lot of years I've been asking for one, and it would be very good for me and Labron if it happened.

This year I want to buy a car for myself, so that when I go somewhere I liked, I could easily just drive there and get through it. I actually have a car right now that I drive only if under work hours, since it’s a company car. And usually we are not allowed to use company cars in driving or attending to our personal needs. And my husband Labron does drive his own car when he goes to work but our office is both situated in different locations. Besides that, something else I would defiantly enjoy receiving is a brand new digital camera so I can take pictures when I see something cool. Along the way, I see some great scenes that I could include in my collections of pictures, and it will be a great idea if I could have something that testifies my kind of passion.

For several years of working as a delivery driver, the road is the only partner that I had. And it’s far better to have some type of a hobby while I go off to work. It surely doesn’t bore me at all or let me think of something else rather than thinking about some problems or being alone in the road. That is what I want for Christmas this year, and now that I've written this my hopes are sky high, so hopefully I'll get lucky pink christmas tree.

Cool Disney Diney Camera

Digital camera technology moves forward so quickly these days that it often alienates its potential customers. Researching what you consider to be the best digital camera may at first seem daunting but there are a number of web sites that carry out comparisons to assist.

Many parents are looking for a good digital camera for children. The

Digital Pink 626 Disney Pix Click Princess Digital Camera is a very good choice.

Eventually saving enough money to buy that eye-popping, 10 megapixel, 10x optical zoom with up to a sixteen gigabyte expandable memory using super hi-speed SD memory card and of course, very compact; which we hope be the envy of almost everyone we know. By the time we actually go to the mall armed with our life savings, we pass by a new display with an all new model that has even more mega pixels, and larger expandable memory, with built it microphone and video playback with stereo sound and 22 scenic modes.

We sigh because the manufacturer of this amazing gadget claims that this is the best digital camera yet out in the market. However, the decision to purchase the best digital camera has been made for us because why would we now want second best. If you are in the market for a digital camera then you will find some interesting information in this article.

First off try and search out a model with a higher number of pixels, referred to megapixels; you ideally need over 5 although with today's cameras it would be hard to find one under that anyway.

If you are looking to print your photos then the more pixels you have the greater the image definition will be. Color depth and the ability to enlarge the image sometimes up to and beyond poster size are the two main reasons for higher megapixel cameras. LCD screens have over the years become much larger which means you can frame your shot easier and view the result with more ease than ever before. Making adjustments to the photo you have just taken is just one of the many functions now incorporated into good digital cameras helped by having a big LCD screen.

The larger the display the better but remember that the greater the size the screen shorter the life of the batteries. A digital zoom facility is available on almost every digital camera these days but optical zoom cameras cost more but the result is far superior. However, the lower price range cameras rarely come with an optical zoom and where fitted, optical zooms range between 3x to 12x power. Always make sure that your memory card is the right one for your camera.

Some of these memory cards may already be familiar to you: the XD, SD, Memory Stick and Compact Flash. As the large megapixel cameras use a large amount of memory then purchase the largest capacity card your camera can use within your budget. Whereas a few years ago a large storage card would be somewhere in the region of 128mb to 256mb, it is not uncommon to use cards with 4 gigabytes or more of storage now.

Remember, the camera must suit the type of person you are as much as your wallet as there is no point having the best digital camera if you do not use it. Ultimately, the camera you choose should be one that you will take with you everywhere and use all the time.

Toys That Are Cool

Christmas Toys

Toys have fascinated people of all ages, ever since we can remember.

This years top seller so far has been; Fur Real Pets

With time, people's interest in toys has gone through many changes. People across the globe are now participating in the club culture and you can see teenagers making a beeline for club toys. In reality club toys can be the ideal additions which are aimed to cater to the club culture.

A large selection of such toys is available in club stores and online shops which can suit any lifestyle preference. Following the items listed below to hone your party spirit further during the coming season.

This ball keeps on flashing bright colors which is so cheerful to look at and the colors are also varied. The circles of light seem unbelievable and would definitely be a source of great amusement. This is portable so carry it whichever party you are going to next.

To prove to the world that you firmly believe in the club culture, you could brag about this toy and show off to others. A state-of-the-art material makes these balls glisten brighter and for a longer period of time. It is unique in the sense that it reflects its glow for a much longer time than the usual 'glow-in-the-dark' light toys. In the field of club toys, this toy is unforgettable if you consider its recyclable property.

In the world of club toys, body lights are perhaps one of the jaw-dropping options which have left the party animals asking for more. They are latest of the kind illuminated jewelry available for almost all the visible parts of your body.

You can get them in a range of colors and styles and can be clipped anywhere on the body, like belly, arms, ears, and hair. You would be able to splash a range of vibrant colors and it is no wonder that party buffs are making a beeline to procure them. These can be purchased from club stores or fashion stores selling merchandise on the net.

A latest entry into the club scene, club toys has caught the fancy of every person who wants to have fun at parties and the makers are happy that their produce could win so many hearts. These are designed to dominate the club culture and would soon become the number one item amidst the party circuit.

Entertaining on a Budget: Simple Tips for a Memorable and Inexpensive Evening

Everyone likes to get together with a group of friends, but these days going out to a restaurant together can be pricey. If you're trying to save money and your friends are trying to do the same, try entertaining in your home.

You don't have to spend a whole lot to have a fun evening in. The next time you want to have some friends over, try out a few of these ideas. The memories you'll make at your gathering will be well worth the little bit that you spend.

Before you decide on the type of party you'll have, you should spend keep a few simple rules in mind.

1. Don't be afraid to share duties, whether you split hosting duties with a friend or have other people pitch in with the food and drinks.

2. Borrow what you can. Instead of buying enough place settings, borrow extra plates from your parents or a friend. Need a specialty serving dish? Ask if anyone you know has one.

3. Use creativity instead of dollars. Fun parties do not have to be expensive. Get creative when it comes to games and decorations.

4. Try not to pay full price. Look online for printable grocery coupons. You can often find online savings and promotions on prepared meal delivery or gourmet food delivery as well. These two options are really great when you're short on time - or skills - in the kitchen.)

With these rules in mind, here are a few of inexpensive party ideas to get your started with entertaining on a budget.

Host a themed potluck dinner.
Having a potluck dinner is a time-honored tradition for cutting down on food costs. You can give this old practice a new twist by creating a fun theme for your potluck dinner. Try having a "comfort food" potluck where guests come up with new twists on old  favorites. A "foods named after people" potluck is a great way to try out a Quiche Lorraine or Caesar salad recipe. You could also create a potluck around a themed ingredient, such as a peanut butter potluck or a lemon potluck. Make sure to provide your guests with a list of recipes that fit within the theme. Since each person makes just one dish, you'll all have a full meal without spending a whole lot of money. Plan an activity or game to go along with your theme, and you're all set for a cheap night in.

Throw an Hors d'oeuvres or Finger Food party.
If you'd like to prepare the food yourself, but don't want to spend a whole lot of money, try a Hors d'oeuvres party set for late in the evening. Although finger foods such as these are typically served during a cocktail hour, there's no reason you can't mix things up a bit. Make sure that your guests know that only finger food will be served, and not an entire meal. This way, your guests can eat dinner on their own and then come nibble at the treats at your party. You could also hold a traditional cocktail party in the early evening.

Have a Movie night.
Make some homemade popcorn and other movie treats and settle in for a movie that you rent ahead of time. Make it a double feature for even more fun. You can create a movie trivia game with your computer and printer or play movie bingo with a film you know well. With the cost of food, this type of party can be accomplished for less than $25.

Halloween Props That Everyone Recognizes - Magic Broomsticks

People may come to eat your holiday treats, but many people enjoy adding Halloween props to their parties, or just when decorating for this special day. The obvious ones are skeletons, witches, or ghosts. 

If you consider witches, one prop that is quite a lot of fun is a Magic Broomstick. These can be added into classroom or home craft activities for children, too. Literally anyone can make these, and children love watching them come to life.

Start off by gathering 3 empty paper towel roll tubes, 2 small brown paper lunch bags, brown and yellow yarn, 1 sheet of construction paper, scissors, glue, stapler, paint, masking tape, markers, and a paint brush. Once these are all checked into inventory, you are ready to start.

To begin the process of making your own broom Halloween Props, paint the tubes whatever color you choose. The most common colour is, of course, black, but you can break tradition! Cut a several strips from the construction paper measuring 6” long and 2” wide. When building the broom handle, put the tubes together using the masking tape to keep them attached together. Put some glue on the paper strips and wrap them around the tape, as you don’t want the tape to show.

To make the broom base of these Halloween props, cut the paper bag into a rectangle. This is done by cutting both sides and the bottom edge from the front of the bag. Cut 8 slits measuring 5” in the base. These become the broom bristles. Cover the bristles in glue and add 15 – 20 pieces of the 5” lengths of yarn.  Make sure that you lay the yarn so that the top lines up.

For a border, you need to cut the brown yarn into 5 pieces and glue them over the edge of the yellow pieces. You can now cut the other paper bag the same way as the first one. This makes the other side of the broom bristles. After this is done, staple the sides, but not the top, together.

Now, you are ready to add the handle between the bristles to finish the look of the brooms. Put the handle about an inch down, and staple the top together. Add a string tied into the shape of a bow around the top of the bristles where the handle comes together. Once the glue has completely dried, you have your completed Magic Broom.

You should make at least 3 of these and hang them up in various places in the party room. The atmosphere they help create will be more magical. A number of your guests will be asking you how you made them, so be prepared to explain the process.

The brooms are neat, but if children are involved, especially the boys, you need a slime recipe (click here for one)!!!