Christmas Present Crafts - Three Original Gifts For Kids To Make And Give

Are you looking for new Christmas crafts - something different? Here are three fresh ideas to get keep and your kids busy and creative.

Christmas Ornaments with Kids' Photos

Your children will love giving these to their grandparents each year.

To make one, cut two identical stars from cardboard. Cut a hole the right size to frame your child's photograph in the centre of one of them. Decorate the stars by painting them gold or silver and gluing on craft jewels and sequins. Use a black marker pen to write the year in the centre of the star that has no hole in it. Once the stars are dry, glue your child's photo into its star frame. Arrange the two stars back-to-back, with the decorated sides facing out, and glue together. Punch a hole in the top and add a loop of silver or gold cord to hang it by.

Your home-made Christmas gifts will decorate the tree each year, and be treasured as your children grow up.

Christmas Candy Crafts

These make a wonderful Christmas gift for a family. Make cookies on sticks, like lollipops, and give them happy faces with candy. Here's how:

Use any chocolate chip cookie recipe. Put balls of cookie dough onto non-stick baking paper on a baking tray, and poke a lollipop stick horizontally into each cookie before baking it. Once the cookies are cool, lift each one by its stick, dip it into melted chocolate and then coloured sprinkles to make the hair, and stick candy on with chocolate for the eyes and mouth. Wrap in small cellophane bags, one for each member of the family. Tie ribbons around the tops, and attach a gift tag with each person's name. Delicious!

The Great Christmas Candy Chase

This Home-made Christmas gift will be a hit! It's also a cool present to give a family.

Buy a large men's shirt, preferably in bright red or green, from a second hand shop. Wash and dry it. Using a hot glue gun, glue wrapped lollies and candy about every 5cm (2 inches), all over it. Fold it, and wrap it up along with these instructions:

"The Great Christmas Candy Chase: On Christmas Day, Dad needs to put this shirt on, shout, 'Ho, Ho, Ho!', and run away. This is the signal for all the kids to chase him and get the candy!"

If Dad isn't fit now, he soon will be!

I hope you enjoy these new Christmas crafts, and the pleasure of those who receive your gifts. Happy Christmas!

The author of this article is Giselle from Original-Kids-Crafts.com.

Original Kids Crafts for Every Season and Occasion - everything from juggling balls to horse chestnut animals.

Check us out for more original craft ideas.

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Fun Ideas to Create A Unique Baby Gift Basket

There are some gifts that allow us to be as creative as we want, such as gift baskets. So if you are going to a baby shower, you may want to consider making your own baby gift basket for the mom-to-be. There are fun ideas you can think of to make your baby gift basket unique. Below are some that you can choose from.

A unique baby gift basket can be a lot fun to put together, especially when gift items are made personalized. If you know how to embroider manually or if you have an embroidery machine at home, why not consider to personalize a few soft baby blankets or newborn clothes for the baby. All you need to do is to include the baby's embroidered name or initials onto the clothing or even the birth date. There are also local tailors who can do the job for you in case you cannot or don't have a machine to use.

Embroidered gifts would also be great such as baby's first Christmas ornament with his/her engraved name or initials, or you might want also to include engraved baby bottles, sippy cups and other personalized feeding supplies that the mom can be used to feed her precious little one. You can put these personalize gifts in whatever container you want to use and organize them in a way that the personalized details are obvious. You can wrap the entire gift with clear cellophane or you can leave it open, depending on your choice. You can also use a bow or a pastel ribbon to decorate the gift basket.

Sewing or making hand-crafted gift items make a thoughtful gift idea. Instead of using a traditional wicker basket, why not sew a diaper tote bag where gift items will be placed. This is one way to customize a baby shower gift and may also include other hand-crafted ideas such as cloth diapers, baby blankets, baby clothes, burp cloths, bibs, baby booties and the like. These custom presents will round out the customized gift basket you specially made for the mom-to-be and her baby.

You can think of a theme for the gift basket. This adds more fun and can make the present more creative and unique. One of the most popular themes is the color theme. This can be a single color or a combination of multiple colors that is suitable to the gender of the child. If it is a baby boy, the color themes you may want to use can be mint green, blue, light blue, brown, or yellow. But if it is a baby girl, you can use colors like pink, lavender, or orange. To further decorate the basket, you can use fabrics that match the nursery theme or reflect the mom's favorite colors, prints, or characters.

Unique baby gift baskets are just one of the most creative ideas for baby shower gifts that people can choose from. They are also available in many different selections in the market or online that suitable for a variety of baby shower themes that are popular nowadays.

Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you're looking for personalized baby gifts, visit the website Prettybabygifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Find baby gifts more online!

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Candy Wedding Favors

By far one of the most popular wedding favors is candy. The versatility of candy and the ability to coordinate it to just about any wedding makes it a guaranteed winner with brides and guests alike!

Here are just a few great candy favors ideas for your wedding:

o Buy large colorful lollipops as favors and place them in your table centers or arrange them as your table centers! Your guests can then help themselves to one as they like.
o Again give lollipops but have your guests names 'iced' onto each one. You can then use them as name cards as well.
o Visit a wholesaler and purchase candies in a range of different colors and shapes or coordinate them to your wedding colors (if possible). Present them in clear plastic boxes or mini glass sweet jars for a colorful favor!
o Remember all those great candies from your childhood? Well give your guests a trip down memory lane with some retro candies.
o Mix together candies and chocolates for a colorful favor with a touch of luxury!
o For a cheap and cheerful favor, package colorful jelly beans in a cellophane bag and tie up with curling ribbon. Or put them into clear plastic favor boxes for something a little more stylish!
o Have candies made (or make your own) in shapes and colors to coordinate with your wedding, for instance, starfish and sea shells for a beach wedding.
o A popular trend for wedding receptions in recent years has been the candy bar. A buffet style table set up with jars, bowls and dishes of different candies in coordinating colors or simply just a mix of favorites. Add in some little scoops and bags and your guests can help themselves to their wedding favors!
o Coordinate your candies to your wedding theme or season, flowers and butterflies for a summer or garden wedding; pumpkins and leaves for a fall wedding.
o Create personalized favors by having your names and wedding date 'iced' onto large candies.
o Create goody bags with other favors such as soaps, candles, mini photograph frames etc and top them up with a selection of candies.
o Be innovative with your packaging - a selection of candies in a clear topped aluminum tin looks far more stylish than candies wrapped in a bit of tulle!
o Give candy coated chocolates as an accompaniment to some thing else, for instance, a sachet of hot chocolate mix and some candy coated chocolate hearts.
o Candy coated almonds make for a modern twist on a traditional favor. Give them in threes or fives to represent health, wealth, happiness, longevity and fertility.

Mae Andrea is a professional writer who collects wedding favors and wedding related articles. She is working with a wedding planning social networking company that caters to all the wedding needs of brides in almost every major center in America.

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Make Gift Baskets For Fun & Profit

Putting together lovely gift baskets is the way to give a memorable gift to anyone at any time of the year. Now you can assemble gift baskets, and at a very low price! Baskets come in a variety of shapes from traditional round to oval, square, heart-shaped, and circular. Some have a couple of handles, others are colored brightly, while still more baskets are as natural as the reeds that make them up. Of course not all baskets are made from reeds; you'll find those made from plastic, metal, tin, fabric, or combinations thereof.

Basic Baskets

Decide what item[s] will be going into that gift basket.

Group the items together. It is best if the largest items are in the center or at the back, so it creates a pyramid shape. If in doubt about sizing your gifts to your basket, just measure the tallest part and the circumference of your gift items.

Make sure your basket will be a bit larger than the items.

Decide what you will fill your basket with: plastic grass, tissue paper, raffia, crinkled or shredded paper or a towel.

Add your items carefully and securely.

You might be able to find a cellophane bag that is large enough to cover a gift basket and add that.

If using cello wrap, make sure you have a large enough piece. Using clear tape, apply to the bottom of the basket to help secure it. Sometimes it may be necessary to tape around the width of the basket. If so, please use invisible tape!

Tightly gather the ends of the cello wrap and tie together tightly with a twist tie. Then add a bow, making sure it's securely attached.

Adding a gift card is always a nice idea. Your gift card should have a loop in which you add a short length of ribbon or elasticized band which you then attach to the perimeter of the ribbon or twist tie.

Make Your Own Shredded Paper

All you need is a nice quality paper shredder and some plain colored paper and you have your own basket lining at virtually no cost, and no effort!

Basket Themes

Creativity rules here when it comes to what you can add to a gift basket! Determine whom you will be giving this basket to, if this person is male or female, and what their interests are. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

Baby ~ Stuffed toy, blanket, booties, cap, bib, baby powder, mobile, pacifier, books, blocks, toys, bath & body items, music CD, and baby shop gift certificate.

Bath & Body ~ Soap, loofah sponge, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, whipped shea butter, bath salts, sugar scrub, aromatherapy bath oils, bubble bath, washcloth, rubber ducky, spa gift certificate, relaxing music CD, and scented candles.

Birthday ~ Balloons, candles, stickers, bubbles, toys, games, teddy bears, dolls, jewelry, books, gift certificates, cookies, candies, and fruit.

Bon Voyage ~ Travel guides, maps, compass, travel diary, passport holder, atlas, travel size toiletries, and gift certificates.

Bridal ~ Scented candles, bath & body products, spa gift certificate, gourmet chocolate, flowers, lingerie, champagne, wine, crystal, other gift certificates.

Chocolate Lover ~ Chocolate bars, chocolate candy/bon-bons, chocolate cookies, hot chocolate mix, cocoa butter lip balm, cheesecake, chocolate scented bath & body products, chocolate candy, and gift certificates.

Coffee Lover ~ Sometimes you can combine this with the Tea Lover gift basket. Varieties of coffee, honey, creamer, sweetener, coffee mugs, coffee pot, Thermos, coffee-scented soap, coffee sugar scrub, coffee-scented candles, coffee shop gift certificates.

Corporate/Executive ~ Wine, spirits, gourmet foods, imported chocolate, personalized gifts bearing company logo, cheesecake, fully stocked picnic basket, and gift certificates.

Gourmet ~ Pancake mix, imported jams, cheesecake, candies, cookies, cheese, chocolate, condiments, teas, coffee, fruits, syrup, smoked salmon, truffles, olive oil, imported vinegars, pasta, biscotti and gift certificates.

Sports Lover ~ Sports Lovers baskets can include a variety of general sports, or specialize in one sport like golf, football, hockey, etc. Including tickets to a game, a stopwatch, popcorn, nuts, wine, beer, snacks, cheese, toys, t-shirts, baseball cap, autographed team/sport merchandise, and gift certificates.

Tea Lover ~ Sometimes you can combine this with the Coffee Lover gift basket. Varieties of tea bags, tea cups/mugs, honey, teapot, tea infuser, blocks of tea, tea cakes, wafers, cookies, tea-scented soap, tea-scented candles and gift certificates.

Wine & Cheese ~ Fine wine, wine glasses, champagne, napkins, cheese, cheeseballs, cheese spread, crackers, biscuits, wine soap, and gift certificates.

Other Theme Ideas ~ Movie Lover, Congratulations, Easter, Pet Lover, Retirement, Anniversary, 21st Birthday, Sweet 16, Game Lover, Music Lover, Gardener, Book Lover, etc.

Buying Your Gift Basket & Accessories

Finding an excellent bargain for the basket itself is quite easy. You can locate them at your local dollar store, Goodwill, Salvation Army, thrift shops, flea markets, swap meets, garage sales, craft stores, discount stores and online.

Also, don't be afraid to be creative when selecting a basket. You can easily find other sizes/shapes that will perfectly match your theme. A Christmas sleigh for Christmas presents is an obvious choice. But how about a bucket, mailbox, birdhouse, birdcage, or large mug to name just a few alternative basket ideas?

Cellophane, organza bags, tissue paper, ribbon/bows and plastic grass/shredded paper, can be located at discount stores, drug stores, craft stores, packing suppliers, and online.

Once you've made your first gift basket you might be hooked to this creative way to give gifts and will make many more! Gift basket assembling is a profitable business that can be started right in your own home. Make certain you have enough storage space for all your baskets and supplies! Investigate wholesale options for the products you will be adding to gift baskets. And make sure you do your research about starting a small home-based business.

About The Author

Lisa Maliga, owner of Everything Shea Aromatic Creations http://www.everythingshea.com offers a fragrant selection of designer shea butter glycerin soaps, exclusive Whipped Shea Butter, & unique SoapCakes personalized for any happy occasion. Visit http://www.lisamaliga.com/giftbaskets.htm.

Lisa_Maliga@msn.com

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Craft Bazaar Best Sellers

Many groups and organizations use craft bazaars to sell items their member's make to increase funds. The items can be as simple as coffee mugs filled with wrapped candy, or business items for desks. A mug full of paper clips might make its way to a secretary's office. Give a mug cake with icing on top to someone in your department at work. You don't even have to bake one in the cup unless you want to. Just purchase a double pack of cupcakes, and set them down in two mugs to give away! Wrap them in clear, or colored, cellophane for sanitary reasons. Decorate a card with the recipe on it to hang around the jar lid if more ingredients must be added to the contents of what is inside. Or print some labels with a special quote from you on them to attach to all the gifts you make.

The mugs are a fun project for scouts or 4-H groups to raise funds for their treasury. You can purchase a box full of coffee mugs at thrift or consignments shops very reasonably. Fill them with what you like, and business sales will boom.

Sit down with paper and pen, and think of all the wonderful handmade gifts that were given to you as you were growing up. If you can remember what they looked like, most of the time you, or someone else, will be able to find instructions on how the craft item was made.

Marking each craft item with the sale price is essential. No one likes to ask the prices of everything they look at. Make it easier on the customer, and save yourself valuable time, by pricing each item you have available for purchase. You may have three customers at once, and you don't want all of them waiting in line just to ask the sale price of an item. Walk up to the front of your display and pretend to be a customer. Are you pleased with the way each item is placed on your table? Can the display be improved in some way? Working problems out ahead of business hours will save both you and your clients time and money.

Find more information on country crafts [http://www.carolscountrycorner.com/category/crafts/] at my website Carol's Country Corner [http://www.carolscountrycorner.com/]

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Making Your Own Potpourri

Making your own potpourri is easy and fun. It can be as simple as a bowl of lavender buds, or a mass of different dried botanicals with fragrance oils. Any craft store will carry a selection of dried botanicals that you can use, along with fragrance oils. You can use potpourri oil, candle scent or soap scent for your potpourri.

Think about the size of the container you need to fill. Larger dried flowers such as globe flowers or strawflowers will take up more space than chamomile or lavender. You can either use all natural botanicals, or dyed varieties, depending on what you want the finished look to be. For more inexpensive potpourri, you can use filler made of wood chips, or wood curls. These will soak up scent and cost less than the dried florals. Common scent fixatives used in potpourri are orris root, oakmoss or cellulose fiber. These absorbent materials will soak up your fragrance and you don't have to worry about oil spots on delicate botanicals.

Here are several recipes and design ideas for your own potpourri.

Rose Garden. Use a quarter cup of fixative (orris root, oak moss or cellulose fiber) and mix with a teaspoon of rose fragrance oil. Let this sit and absorb while you mix the rest of the botanicals. In another bowl, toss together one cup of whole rose buds (any color), one cup of rose petals (any color), half cup of chamomile flowers, half cup of white statice, one quarter cup of rosehips and a handful of eucalyptus leaves for green color. Blend with the fixative.

Holiday Pine. Mix a quarter cup of fixative with a teaspoon of pine fragrance and set aside. For the botanical mix, use 1 cup of miniature pine cones, quarter cup of rosemary leaves, half cup of rose hips and colored globe flowers in red and green. For an extra festive touch, spray paint half of the miniature pine cones with gold spray paint.

Lavender sachet. For this, you need to purchase some tulle circles or sachet bags at a craft store. Mix an eighth cup of fixative with half teaspoon of lavender essential oil. For the sachet, you want small pieces of botanicals, since they aren't very big. Mix together one cup of lavender buds, half cup of chamomile flowers and add the fixative. Pour into the sachet bag, or for the tulle circle, place the potpourri in the center of the circle, gather it up and tie with a pretty ribbon. You can use these sachets in closets or a dresser drawer.

You can package your potpourri as gifts in either gusseted cellophane bags tied with a pretty ribbon, or a fancy glass jar with a lid. To get the most out of your potpourri, keep it in a covered container until you want to scent the room, then remove the cover. This will preserve the scent for a longer time. As the scent fades on your potpourri, you can place it in a zip top bag and add fifteen to twenty drops of fragrance oil to the material. Shake well and let it sit overnight before placing back in your container.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Crafts

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Great Cookie Wedding Favor Ideas

What better way to say thank you to wedding guests then a wonderful cookie wedding favor. However, the question in most people's mind is what are some good ideas for a cookie wedding favor. You do not want the cookie wedding favor to be to simple and homemade looking that others will laugh but you also do not want it to look commercial and mass produced. So there is a delicate balance that must be held with all wedding favors.

By following some of the ideas below you can easily select a fun cookie wedding favor that will please everyone.

Less is more

This is really true when it comes to cookies. You do not want to overload the guest with a huge bag of 25 chocolate chips cookies placed in a zip lock back. You will want to go for a more sophisticated taste in cookies for a wedding favor. So instead of piling on tons of cookies go with just a few very elegant cookies. Less is truly more, more elegant, more savored, and more of a cookie wedding favor.

Unique cookies

Touched on this concept a little bit in the above paragraph but when putting together a wedding favor made up of cookies it is important to chose very fancy cookies. You do not want simple chocolate chip cookies. It can be helpful to do some search online and in cookbooks to find some classic cookie recipies. One way to keep them unique is to do a few different types of cookies and then place only one or two of each type of cookie in the wedding favor. This means there will only be a total of maybe 6 or 8 cookies but they will all be very unique.

It's all in the wrapping

Presentation of the cookie wedding favor is also very important. No simple zip lock bag will work for this situation. The time of year, type of cookie and theme of the wedding will really dictate the wrapping. For example if it is a autumn wedding favor a pale pink tissue paper will be to subtle for the season. So try to think about all three things, theme, time, and cookies when putting the wrapping together.

Below are some sample ideas that can work well. However none of these are set in stone and it is more important to use these as suggestions only and then be creative and see what works for your situation.

Fortune Cookies

These are an easy old stand by cookie that has quickly become a very popular wedding favor item. What makes them so fun is the ability to individualize the fortune inside. Also they are easily wrapped in Chinese to go box. These can be dressed up and made more elegant by dipping them in chocolate or even dipping them in white chocolate. Also a white chocolate with orange flavoring can be a nice touch. Wrapping them in gold, silver or bronze foil can also dress your basic fortune cookie up. As for the package it is very easy to find a Chinese food carton in a variety of colors. Just make sure to think about the colors of the wedding and try to tie these in to the favor as well. A simple personalized wedding label or tag can be a nice addition to round the gift off.

Wedding Cake Cookies

Want a little more whimsical and fun cookie wedding favor? Then a cookie shaped and decorated like a wedding gift can be the perfect touch. You can easily order these online or make them yourselves. Any recipie that uses shaped cookies like sugar cookies will do the trick. Then frost them in a white and add some cake decoration with the frosting. Adding personalized touches can really make these cookies become showstoppers. For example decorating each cookie in a unique individual way so no two are the same really helps. Also adding a personalized message to the guest can be a very classy addition. You will want to display the wonderful artwork of the cookie and display the effort that has gone into making these wonderful gifts. Therefore place these in small cellophane see through bags. Then tie them off at the top with a gold ribbon and a customized wedding label or tag.

These are just two very simple ideas and it would be easy to think of a lot of others. Again by contemplating on the wedding theme, time of year, significant colors and so on you can easily derive a very creative or classic cookie wedding favor. By taking the time and planning before hand you can easily purchase the materials you need online or at your local craft store. If you decide that there is no time for homemade cookies and want to purchase them again you can do this easily online. Many people also like to go with a combination of purchasing cookies and then personalizing them with a label or wrapping. Just make sure you leave yourself enough time and plan ahead. This should be a lot of fun and if you give yourself the time to be creative you will end up with a wonderful cookie wedding favor.

Chris Ryerson is the owner of Plan Best Wedding [http://www.planbestwedding.com]. A great resource for: wedding planning articles including wedding music, wedding favors, wedding gift [http://www.planbestwedding.com] and more. Read this article on Cookie Wedding Favors [http://www.planbestwedding.com/great-cookie-wedding-favor-ideas.htm]

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Poly Bags for Many Uses

Poly bags show up in a lot of familiar places. They may be in the form of a clinging, clear plastic sack at a grocery store to hold fresh vegetables; they may show up as bags to carry purchases from a department store; or they may appear as the very well known black trash bag. All these bags are created by a blown film extrusion process.

Blown film extrusion is an interesting manufacturing process. Resin beads move from a vertical container called a hopper into the extruder, which a chamber containing a threaded rod is called a screw. A screw revolves continuously, moving the material forward; heat is applied to melt the beads to form an extrudate; the extrudate moves through a screen to filter out contaminates, then out of the extruder to pass over a die, which varies in size according to what the end product will be. Compressed air blows the molten plastic and moves it upward through a wide diameter tube to form a bubble; the air flow cools the plastic and rollers form it into flat sheets. The sheets are two ply and, depending upon the end use, may, after cooling, be trimmed for use as a single layer plastic sheet good such as shrink wrap; or, after cooling it may be processed through a sealing and perforation process to create these bags.

Poly refers to polyvinyl, which is derived from petroleum. Due to concern about the longevity of poly trash bags, a very small portion of the bags now created start with a resin that comes from plants, particularly the soybean. This type of bag is designed to decompose over a short period of time into non-toxic elements; this time period may be as little as 60 days. This approach cuts down on one use of petroleum, which grows increasingly more scarce and also mitigates the amount of man made degradation to the environment. Some concern has been expressed about the non decomposition that occurs when plastic bags containing rubbish or garbage are buried in landfills, so the advent of non-petroleum based resin has been well received.

Poly bags began as a convenience but after displacing other packaging materials became very prolific. However, consumer use of and demand for poly bags increased far more rapidly than the awareness of a need to deal effectively with the different consequences of their use. However, from a standpoint of versatility, strength and cost, there are not sufficient substitute materials that can meet the standards of performance set by poly bags, and that may be required, for example, in the medical and electronics fields. Consequently, their use will be with us for the near future.

The author has spent a lot of time learning about large poly bags and other related topics. Read more about cellophane bags at Vincent O'Neil's website.

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Baby Gift Baskets - Perfect Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Are you looking for a perfect baby shower gift for a family member or friend who is expecting a baby? The answer is a baby gift basket. Baby gift baskets are one of the most thoughtful present you can give to an expectant recipient, allowing you to provide bunch of practical items she can use for her baby and giving way for your creativity to shine through.

When it comes to baby shower gifts, there are many creative ideas to choose from. You can find baby gift baskets in various themes, ranging from simple and frugal to sophisticated and lavish gift baskets. Baby gift baskets may show of a sporty, fairytale, cartoons and other clever themes. Whether you want your gift basket frugal or lavish, there's always a joy when making and giving baby gift baskets.

A gift basket could be made of any good container other than a traditional wicker basket. You can use baby bath tub, laundry basket or even a bucket as your alternatives. Whichever container you want to use, it should be big enough to accommodate numerous gift items that will be filled in. Decorate your chosen container with matching colors and other embellishment. You can use a spray paint with a color palette that match to the gender of the baby.

Choosing fillers is the most fun part when making a gift basket. Remember that there are so many essential items a new mom will need for her baby, so you most likely have plenty of gift items to put into the basket. If the gender of the baby is not yet determined, it is safe to think about gender-neutral gifts. Consider items in neutral colors such as white, green and yellow.

For the fillers, you can have anything that both the mom and baby will enjoy using. Popular gift items that are usually included in a baby gift basket are newborn clothing, baby blankets, burp cloths, bibs, baby bottles, baby dishes, bathing supplies, booties, socks, hats, diapers, diaper bags, baby books, rattles, stuffed animals and the likes. Of course, you can always add anything you wish to include in your gift basket.

Finish your baby gift basket by wrapping it with cellophane; transparent or colored cellophane will do. You can then put a bow on the top of the package and then add a note tag. Various decorative materials are usually available at your local crafts store.

Today, you can find a wide variety of gift baskets both in local and online gift stores. There are thousands of online specialty stores these days that carry different types of baby gifts - from baby shower gifts, christening gifts to baby birthday gifts. Online specialty stores also offer personalized baby gift baskets and other personalized baby items, such as embroidered baby outfits and baby blankets; engraved baby picture frames; personalized toys; personalized nursery furnitures, embroidered diaper bags and etc. You can personalize your choice by either including the baby's name, initials, date of birth, or a personal message.

Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you're looking for baby shower favors, visit the website Prettybabygifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Find baby accessories more online!

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Tips For Setting Up a Candy Buffet at Your Reception

Candy Buffets have been steadily gaining in popularity of the last few years. They are not just for wedding receptions anymore either! Any type of reception or party can be a candidate for a candy buffet. Some of the events that can incorporate a candy buffet include:

Birthday Parties
Bar Mitzvah or Bah Mitzvah
Corporate Events
Political fundraisers
Any type of fundraiser
New Product Launches
Baby Showers
Bridal Showers
Grand Openings and more!

If you are intrigued by the idea of a candy buffet and want to do it yourself, try incorporating some of the tips below.

Provide containers for your guests to fill and take home. Use Chinese style to go boxes or cellophane treat bags for guests. You can also embellish the take home containers with stickers or printed ribbons with the bride and grooms name and date or a company name or product.
Use candy colors that match your event or company logo.
Add signs or words for the decor of the table like - Love Sweet Love, Sweet Dreams, Love is Sweet, Our Sweet Day, etc... Add flowers, photos or other decor that matches your theme to really make it a special display.
Use different heights and shapes of jars and vases to make the buffet interesting to the eye.
If you use the cookie jar type jars, take the lids off for presentation. It makes it easier for guests to fill their treat bag or box
Create risers if the jars and vases you are using are close to the same height.
Cover the risers with fabric or table cloths that coordinates with your colors or theme.
You will need 8 to 10 types of candy and about 15 to 20 lbs or each type for a large event. For showers or small birthday parties 6 to 10 lbs of each candy is usually plenty.
Buy your candies in bulk form for the best prices. If ordering online, allow plenty of time ahead of the event for shipping.
Don't forget to provide scoops for dipping out the candies!

Get creative! While Clear glass containers are the standard (they allow the colors to show through), if you have a theme, consider mixing in containers or other decor that capitalize on the theme. For instance, if you have a western theme, use a cowboy boot vase for licorice sticks or another tall candy. If you are using a garden theme; place a small, decorative watering can on the table with flowers or greenery at the base.

If your candy buffet is part of a product launch or company event, showcase your product on the candy buffet as part of the decor. The ideas are limitless! Have fun with it, after all, Candy is Fun!

Mandee Sears has been part of the event industry for 20+ years as a caterer, venue manager, venue owner and event decorator. Learn more tips and tricks for wowing your guests at your next party by visiting Setting Buffets or How to Decorate a Buffet

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Inexpensive Bridal Shower Favors

Inexpensive bridal shower favors don't have to be unimpressive. You may be on a tight budget, or have a very large guest list and need to control your costs per item. Whatever the reason, your bridal shower favors can still make a positive statement. The following are tips and ideas that will make your favors shine.

o Adding a hang tag to any item, with the bride's name and date of the shower, automatically makes it more appealing. You can make them yourself, for pennies. Attach with a ribbon in one of the party colors.

o Buy candy bars, packets of gum, or boxed mints on sale. Create a label with a party design, name of bride, and date of the shower. Cover the bars, and you have a great personalized idea. You can also order these wrappers very inexpensively online.

o Check out your local dollar store. If you haven't been to one lately or ever, you may be surprised at the quality of what you find.

o Mini soaps come in different shapes. Find some that match your party theme or colors. Wrap in tulle, tie with a ribbon, and add a hang tag. You can do more than one, but even one soap done this way, looks nice.

o Candles are inexpensive bridal shower favors. They come in all different, shapes sizes, and scents. You're sure to find some in your price range.

o Make your own cookies. Put in a cellophane bag, and add a decorative sticker that relates to your party theme. You could also use a mini box.

o Small frames, or magnet frames can be found at reasonable prices. Add a picture of the bride, bride and groom, or just the name and date of the shower, for a cute favor.

o Add drink charms to plastic party glasses. Make them yourself, easily. Add beads in party colors, or designs that relate to your theme, to drink charm holders sold in craft stores. Let guests take home their glass with the attached charm.

o Fresh flowers from your garden are free. Put them in a vase or pot, for an easy idea.

o Use a low cost item that relates to your theme. For instance, tea bags for a tea party theme, or a spice for a cooking theme. Just attach a ribbon and hang tag to it. Your guests will get the idea.

The above suggestions were to get you thinking. Inexpensive bridal shower favors can be fun, pretty, theme related, or personalized. They definitely don't have to be boring.

Trish Burrell is founder of Bridal Shower Ideas For You. Visit this informational site on all areas of bridal shower planning, at http://www.bridal-shower-ideas-for-you.com, http://www.bridal-shower-ideas-for-you.com/bridal-shower-favors.html

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3 Tips for Gorgeous Mishloach Manos (Purim Gift Baskets)

Mishloach Manos Improvement #1 -Wrapping a package well makes all the difference in the world. You could give only 2 items and if they are wrapped well, your mishloach manos will be the favorite. Work on perfecting your wrapping style.

A friend of mine is exceptional in this way, and she gives only 2 items. Last year she gave a small bottle of liquor and chocolate gold coins. She put each in a box and then stuck a piece of double sided tape to stack the boxes on top of each other. She wrapped the boxes in cellophane and then tied them up with a brown plaid ribbon.

She also mentioned that the items inside of the packaging need to "sit well" in the package. For outstanding mishloach manos, do not merely throw in a potato chip bag with jellybeans in a box. Fill the box with tissue paper, lay your items on top of the tissue paper, and perhaps place another layer of tissue paper on top. Fit your items in tightly and neatly for the best look. You'll find that your mishloach manos look a lot more appetizing when they are wrapped neatly inside and outside.

Here are suggestions for wrapping specific kinds of containers:

Bag - It is easy to dress up a paper or cellophane bag. Line the bag with tissue paper. You can also punch holes in the bag and tie a ribbon through it or something you've put on craft wire, like plastic grapes.

Bottle - Tie ribbons, raffia or twine around the neck of each bottle. Attach a gift tag or make a "necklace" for the bottle. Tie a spoon to the bottle with ribbon if your recipients would need one to eat your mishloach manos with.

Dish - Check discount stores and flea markets for unique plates, serving bowls, platters or tins. Put in your foods and wrap the dish with cellophane and a bow.

Jar

· Paint a Design on your Jar before filling it

· Wrap the entire Jar in Tulle or Fabric

· Attach a Tag using ribbons or Raffia

· Wrap the entire Jar with Colored Cellophane or Fabric

· Simply add a finish tag & Pretty Label

· Purchase odd shaped jars at dollar stores & fill them

· Attach small whisks, wooden spoons, mini garden trowel, jute, etc to spruce up your jar

· Decoupage photos to your jar, or pieces of tissue paper for a stained glass effect

· Attach a cookie cutter with some ribbons or raffia

· Use Baby food Jars for Dip mixes & Single serving "Mug" Mixes (when the ingredients to a recipe all all divvyed out and layered in a jar-like sand art)

· Create a natural feel to your jar by attaching dried flowers, leaves, or pine cones

· For a western theme, wrap bandana around jar & attach mini straw hat

Mishloach Manos Improvement #2

It is hard to stay in touch with all of our friends. Purim is one of those "catching up" times. People you have not seen in a while may come to your door because they've been thinking about you and are just too busy to call.

Give Mishloach Manos that provide a glimpse of what is going on in your life. Since you are going to give mishloach manos to your friends anyway, keep them updated on what is new through your actual basket.

Say your daughter just got engaged; you can include wedding themed items in your baskets with a poem.

Here is an example of something I did last year. I put a poem inside my Seder Plate themed Mishloach Manos. Here's what it said:

At Jewishlifeorganized.com there is a course,
That tells you how to make Pesach from the source.
We've been working on it week by week,
And have yet to get to its peak.

When you get to the deep cleaning and cooking, don't get nutty.
A Freilechin Purim from your Slatkin buddies!

I glued 5 paper muffin tins to a paper plate and filled each one with a goodie. The poem was to let my friends and family members know what I've been busy with.

Mishloach Manos Improvement #3

Do you build your mishloach manos off of your costume? Here are some examples:

Costumes

Misloach Manos Container

Curious George and the Man with Yellow Hat Costume

Bananas and Grape Juice in cellophane

Doctor and Nurse

Cotton candy for cotton balls, a bottle of alcohol in a clear plastic case

School boy and girl

Alphabet cookies, candy erasers, yoyos in a small lunch box

Wine and Cheese

A cardboard circle with a small wheel of cheese, crackers, and a small bottle of alcohol with cellophane

If it's a nice day, walk around the neighborhood to deliver your shaloch manot. Just put the shaloch Manot in a wagon if you have one. You can decorate the wagon in the "theme" of your costumes too.

***

If building your mishloach manos off of your costume is not a new idea to you, how about creating a "survival kit" themed Shaloch Manos.

How about the "Everyday Survival Kit"-

Toothpick: Pick the good qualities in everyone including yourself.Rubberband: Be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want.Band-Aid: To heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.Eraser: Everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our mistakes.Candy Kiss: Everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.Mint: You are worth a mint to your family and friends.Bubble Gum: Stick with it and you can accomplish anything.Pencil: List your blessings every day.Tea bag: Relax daily and go over your list of blessings

Or the Tax Survival Kit-

Taxes: If taxes have taken a BIG HUNK out of your PAY DAY, and you're staring down a ROCKY ROAD with no hope of SWEET ESCAPES, here's a little LIFESAVER to make you feel like you've gotten your MILKY WAY. Just sit back, SNICKERS, and grin because you have in your hands the only $100 GRAND the IRS can't take away. Now isn't that an ALMOND JOY? (475 Gift Basket Ideas)

(Remember that the Halacha requires 2 brachos be given in your mishloach manos. Consult with a rav if you have any questions.)

Keep it fun and get the kids involved. You can do anything with creativity and planning, even if you are on a budget!

Rivka Slatkin started http://www.jewish-life-organized.com to post her own notes and findings about getting her own Yom Tov preparation and overall Jewish life organized. She is overwhelmed and amazed by the popular response her website has been getting. "I guess I wasn't the only person that wanted to get my Jewish life organized!" Visit http://www.jewish-life-organized.com now to sign up for Rivka's free newsletter.

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How to Make Your Own Birthday Gift Basket

A gift basket can make for a great present for celebrating a birthday for any age. The most important part is finding appropriate items based on the person's interests and age. It also helps if the container itself is appropriate for the occasion and matches the overall theme of the gift. These gifts do not have to be in a traditional wicker basket anymore. We've seen people use coolers, dump trucks, miniature wagons, golf ball buckets and more. The sky is the limit when it comes to imaginative containers. Here are a few ideas on what to put in your next birthday gift basket and instructions for assembling the perfect birthday gift.

Your first step is to choose a basket or container. Make sure the container you choose is appropriate for age and gender. For example, for a little boy you could just a dump truck. A teenage girl might enjoy a purse. For adult men, popular containers include sports themes, and for an adult woman you could use a watering can. You need to pick a container that has openings to place your gift items inside. Also look for something with a flat bottom so your gift basket will stand upright. You stuff the inside of the container with crumpled newsprint so that it will hold its shape and also as a base to place your individual gift items. If the newsprint is visible, cover it up with shred to match your container. If you don't have any newsprint, you can buy it at most packing stores. Shred is available at many craft stores. You can also find many different shapes and sizes of wicker baskets at craft stores if you want to keep your birthday gift basket more generic.

Once you have your container picked out, the next step is to find some birthday gifts and treats to put inside. This again can be anything that the birthday celebrant would enjoy. For young kids, you can use small toys, board books, and candy. Teenage girls love nail polish, hair clips, jewelry and more. For adults, snack items like cookies, pretzels, nuts, etc. are always great, but try to also add something tailored to the birthday celebrants specific interests like golf tees if he is a golfer. Your gift basket will look better if the container is full, so we recommend that you bring your container with you when picking out items to fill it with. That way, you won't buy something that is too big for you to use in the container and you can make sure that you buy enough items to fill the container to the brim.

Once you have the container and items, it is time to assemble your masterpiece. We recommend that you fill the inside of the container with crinkle shred. You can also use some double-sided tape to hold items together and keep them from moving all around. Put taller items toward the back of the basket and smaller items toward the front. If you purchased any embellishments like silk flowers or mini birthday balloons add them once your contents are in place. Once your gift is fully assembled, carefully place the basket inside a basket bag (can be purchased at local craft store), gather together the excess cellophane at the top of the basket and tie it off with a curling ribbon. Another hint is to tape the excess cellophane at the bottom of the basket underneath the gift with some clear tape. That way you can get a professional tight looking fit around the gift. Add a big bow and fun gift card to finish off the perfect birthday gift!

Don't have time to make a Birthday Gift Basket yourself? Check out the great selection of birthday gift baskets at All About Gifts & Baskets. They have many birthday designs to choose from, for kids and adults. Choose from gift baskets, cookies, candy, and of course birthday cakes delivered!

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Play Dough Recipe for Vibrant-Colored, Fruit-Scented, Best-Ever Play Dough

If you have kids, one of the classic activities to enjoy with them is making homemade playdough. A hallmark of childhood playtime, making things out of play dough is one activity that is sure to keep kids enthralled for hours, particularly if they have lots of different colors to work with. This is a wonderful recipe for homemade, non-toxic play dough that is easy to follow. Each batch produces a generous amount of play dough, roughly the size of a huge orange (or small grapefruit) if you round it into a ball.

This play dough also makes for a special, but inexpensive gift, especially if you make a few batches in different colors and wrap them up with cellophane or plastic wrap gathered at the top with craft string or ribbon. Give this a try for a play date activity, and divide the dough up to send home with visiting kids as a gift. It adds a nice touch if you include a few inexpensive cookie cutters tied to the top of the play dough pouches. No child can resist this tempting play dough!

What You'll Need per Batch:

*1 cup White, All-Purpose Flour (plus extra for kneading on a floured surface or to get the right consistency)

*1/2 cup Salt

*2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar (find the cheapest one you can, and get a few containers-it goes quickly if you make several different colors-1 oz. makes 4 batches of play dough)

*1 cup Water

*1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil (any oil will do)

*2 Kool-Aid packets of the same flavor per batch-small, unsweetened (I recommend Cherry, Orange, Lemonade, Lime/Lemon-Lime, Blue Raspberry and Grape for red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple play dough)

*1/2 teaspoon Wilton Food Coloring Paste in Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple (found at craft stores or party stores in the cake decorating aisle)

*Optional: Instead of Wilton Food Coloring Paste, 1-2 teaspoons of regular food coloring can be substituted (the colors won't be as vibrant and will be more pastel-like)

*Optional: Glitter or other creative add-ins found at craft stores (tiny metallic beads, sequins, etc.)

Instructions:

1) Mix dry ingredients (flour, salt, cream of tartar, Kool-Aid) together in a 2 quart saucepan. Add water, oil and food coloring (use a toothpick to add the food coloring paste a little at a time) and stir with a wooden spoon until blended smooth.

2) Put pan on medium heat and stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until the mixture forms a sticky ball. Remove from heat and turn out onto a floured surface. Knead dough, adding flour until dough isn't sticky and forms a nice, smooth ball.

3) Clean-up is easy with hot water and dish soap.

4) Keep dough in a Zip-Loc bag or covered plastic container. Add a little water and knead if dough gets dry over time or if you add too much flour when first kneading it out.

Extra Tips:

*For white play dough, find a clear Kool-Aid flavor of your choosing; the play dough will still have a nice scent!

*If giving the play dough as a gift, put in the center of a cellophane or plastic wrap square, gather like a pouch and tie a length of craft string or a ribbon into a bow around the neck of the pouch. Attach a cookie cutter with string or ribbon as an extra accent.

Where motherhood, tenacity and advocacy meet. Alphamomfia.com is a blog written by Julie Harris, who left a successful career in sales to advocate on behalf of one of her sons, who battles with anxiety. She muses about life, children and gardening and also provides a resource for parents wanting to advocate on behalf of their own children. Funny, insightful and irreverent, Alphamomfia is worth checking out! Alphamomfia represents a whole new breed of Alpha Mom.

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Proteins, Carbs, and Fats - Macronutrients 101

Proteins

Function: Build, repair, and maintain body tissues and structures

Types: Complete and Incomplete

Common Sources: Complete proteins contain all eight essential amino-acids and come from sources such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. Incomplete proteins are missing one or more essential amino-acids and come from sources such as grains, nuts, and green vegetables.

Tip: "The fewer the legs, the better!" Salmon is better than chicken. Turkey is better than beef.

Caloric Value: 1 gram = 4 calories

Carbohydrates

Function: Provide energy for all body functions, including the digestion and utilization of proteins and fats

Types: Simple, Complex, and Fiber

Common Sources: Simple carbohydrates (sugar) are found in candy, cookies, soda, and white bread. Complex carbohydrates (starches) are found in vegetables, brown rice, and whole grains. Fiber is also found in foods rich with complex carbohydrates and boasts the benefits of increasing satiety, intestinal health, and regulation of the body's absorption of glucose.

Tip: "Choose good carbs, not no carbs." Life will be much more filling, and fulfilling with veggies and grains!

Caloric Value: 1 gram = 4 calories

Fats

Function: Provide energy, carry vitamins A, D, E, & K, and aid in the absorption of calcium

Types: Saturated, Unsaturated, and Trans-fatty acids

Common Sources: Saturated fats are found in beef, pork, butter, and cheeses and are known to raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. Unsaturated fats are found in fish, nuts, and olive or canola oils and are considered to have a favorable effect on blood lipid levels. Trans-fats are a bi-product of partially-hydrogenated oils and have been known to not only raise LDL levels but also lower HDL (good cholesterol) levels as well!

Tip: "Get it from nature, not a wrapper!" Fresh foods from a local market are much better than processed items shipped from a factory in a sealed cellophane bag, stuffed in a cardboard box and shipped cross-country in a semi-trailer before being placed on a shelf, still managing to carry a multi-month expiration date!

Caloric Value: 1 gram = 9 calories

Balanced Diet

A balanced diet should contain each of the three macronutrients. Depending on variables such as your age, weight, gender, and goals, the exact nutrient balance may vary a bit from one person to the next, but in most cases your daily caloric intake should be comprised of these approximate percentages:

Proteins...20-25%

Carbohydrates...45-60%

Fats...15-20%

Hi, I'm Robert Kennedy. My wife, Kristin and I have been training people in Omaha, NE since I moved up from Texas in 2004. We started Kennedy Fitness, LLC in 2007. I attended the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research and we both are certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In March 2008, I was asked to serve Team USA as a "Fitness Ambassador" during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Through Kennedy Fitness we provide "Private, Professional, Personal Training" to our clients at a small studio in west Omaha, Elkhorn's Common Ground, and most significantly in the privacy and convenience of your own home! To learn more or to schedule a FREE consultation, please visit our site at:

http://www.kennedyfitness.net

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How to Make the Perfect Newborn Baby Gift

In my opinion, stop searching the shops and try making them something. It may sound like hard work, but when you do give them your gift, you will see that it was worth all the effort. There's something special about giving people handmade gifts. I regularly make gifts for my friends and family whether it be for Christmas or a Birthday, and it never fails to put a smile on their faces. You don't have to be particularly creatively gifted either! Sometimes the simplest looking thing can be the most stylish too.

Where I'd start is with what your goal is. Do you want to create a box, a basket, something unique? Do you want to go "all out" on big expensive items to fill your basket with? Are you sticking to a small budget? What colours do you want to fit in? There are lots of things to consider.

One thing I highly recommend is looking on the internet for inspiration. Once you have an idea of what you'd like to put in your basket, do a search for your items before even setting foot in a shop. Just doing some quick searches online could save you money, all this and you don't even need to leave your house. By looking online you will be able to refine what exactly you are looking for. Many online stores let you search by preference, which is great as you can narrow down to the exact size, even colour you are looking for.

What I tend to include in a simple baby basket is 3 core items.

1. Soft toy
2. Baby basics (clothing, bibs etc)
3. Trinket/Frame/Photo Album

If you stick to that you will keep your costs down if you shop wisely and it will look great too. I start by taking a simple basket, you can find these in any good homewear department store. I look for the ones that are lined with material, they give a more unique look. I then place the items I have in the basket and build it up to get an idea of what it will look like. Once I am happy with my design I secure the items in place.

Now there are many different ways to secure your items. You can use gardening wire (make sure to make it clear to the recipient that there is wire holding it together, as want to make sure there are no hidden dangers for the baby.)You can use tape, however I would avoid using this if you decide to put in clothing as it may stick and stain. Another great way to keep it all together is to use shrink wrap. Its relatively inexpensive but gives a great look. You can find the shrink wrap bags ready made on most online auction sites.

Once I have all my gifts in place I decorate the basket with ribbons and cellophane. You can be as elaborate as you like - add some baby confetti, sweets, cards, pictures, balloons, have fun with it!

Juan is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. For more information on new boy baby gifts [http://www.ryubaby.com/browse/New-Baby-Boy-Gifts_153_0_0_0_0_0.html] I recommend you visit the website RyuBabyGifts.com and choose from their huge selection of baby gifts [http://www.ryubaby.co.uk]. See other articles.

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Bulk Party Favors - You Will Be Happy to Know They Exist

Getting ready for a big birthday party? Do you want to know a great resource that people don't often think about? Bulk Party Favors. One of the many reasons to go with bulk is to get the cost down. If you have more than one child and more than one birthday party, bulk favors can really help out. Or, if you accidentally invited the whole neighborhood to your 3-year old's first birthday bash, and you need a lot of little things to go in their party bag, buying bulk will make all the difference.

So, now that you have that vital information running around in your head, you may be asking yourself what exactly is available in the bulk party favor department. Well, here's where it gets fun. There are so many options, it is almost staggering. And the great news is...there is something for everyone. You can get gender specific and theme specific too.

Check out the list below to get those wheels turning.

Boys: Bouncing balls, small animals, insects (ew!), tooting horns, cards, toy cars, and army guys--just to get started.

Girls: Rings, bracelets, necklaces, lip gloss, stickers, crayons, and crafts--to name a few.

Something for Everyone: pinwheels, plastic eggs to fill with candy, crayons, bubbles, pencils, fun erasers, pens, and lots and lots of candy.

Visit a party store and you will be pleasantly surprised at the myriad of things to choose from. Their favors aren't just plain, simple little things. Many are in interesting shapes and colors, or match a particular theme, like soccerball tooting horns or zoo animal bubbles. Party stores also carry holiday specific items, such as red and white pinwheels for Valentine's Day, or Shamrock shaped lollypops for Saint Patrick's Day. The options are seemingly endless.

Once you get started, you will probably have a harder time stopping than you think. There are so many cute things out there. Fun toys to play with, bubbles to blow, crafts to put together. Get an idea of what crowd you are trying to please, and stock up with Bulk Party Favors. Just don't forget the party bags. You can go with plain colored paper, printed cellophane, sports themes, or holiday themes. The choices are phenomenal. There are bags to match any occasion, and any theme. And, as you remember when you were little, half the fun of the party was getting your own little gift to go home with.

Zurchers is always offering amazing discounts on all bulk purchases on their bulk party supplies [http://bulk.zurchers.com] page. Whether you're planning for a birthday, wedding, bridal shower, or any other special event, Zurchers is ready to lend a helping hand to make sure you get your supplies at a great value.

For smaller purchases, yet still discounted, visit Zurchers' online party store. The online process is both quick and easy, making your life just a little easier.

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Panama Bound - 8 Startle Factors to Consider Before Taking the Relocation Plunge

You haven't even unpacked the suitcases from your sun-drenched vacation to Panama and a still, small voice is tickling your imagination, whispering, "I could live there." Who hasn't experienced drifting off to daydream of residing in a tropical paradise where everyone is tanned, laid back and friendly? Visions of being liberated from hip-confining stockings or neck-stretching ties appeal to your senses. Emancipation from raking fall leaves or shoveling winter snow drifts arouses your emotions. You even begin rehearsing your retirement speech which begins with the words "take this job and..."

This may be how you envision your newly transformed life through the pina colada colored eyes of a turista. (tourist) But before you take the relocation plunge you must first consider what I call the "startle factors" (aka the unanticipated but well documented factors) and explore rational ways to overcome them.

Will you be able to adjust to a foreign environment?

As your life stands today, you get in your car and drive out of your neighborhood waving to people you have lived around and socialized with for years. You find comfort in knowing exactly where every product is located in your favorite grocery store and how to ask for items in the local hardware store. Before deciding to make a move to a Spanish-speaking country you must determine how adaptable you are to the changes you will experience in a vastly different social environment. Will you miss that over-the-fence chat with your nosey neighbor? Will you get frustrated if you cannot find that special food item you are used to eating? Can you handle walking into the hardware store without knowing how to ask for the simplest item? Can you overcome this first startle factor? Begin by meditating on releasing everything you know about the life you are currently living. Your mantra will be, "things will not be the way I'm accustomed to. Things will not be the way I'm accustomed to." Even though it is bad grammar, repeat it 50 times, then wake up and realize that Panama ain't Kansas and prepare your mind for a culture adjustment.

How much of your "stuff" can you live without?

As you are deciding to relocate, look around your finely appointed home. One of your biggest startle factors will be to decide what to take, what to sell and what to give away. Years of collecting what I call "dustables" stand in between you and the reality of a simplified lifestyle. The truth is you can't (or shall I say "shouldn't") bring all your things with you. So, long before the 40 foot moving container is dumped in front of your door you will need to make your list of "must haves," and "can't bear to part withs." Then do like Santa Claus. Make your list; check it twice, then three times and up to ten times. Then be nice to yourself and decide to move with only what will fit comfortably in the container.

How much do you really like hot weather?

Everyone loves to get away to hot weather and the beach, especially after being beaten up by a severe winter. But if you love having seasonal wardrobes you will want to know that in Panama there are only two seasons, dry and wet, which means you will need to exchange your spring coats, your fall sweaters and your winter jackets for ponchos and umbrellas. Since the temperature remains steady and comfortably warm throughout the year you can keep your summer wardrobe as long as it is cotton and doesn't require ironing. After all, ironing is over-rated. And if you are in the hot flash stage, be sure to bring a couple of nice hand fans. That way you will look chique instead of sweaty.

Do you like open air markets?

Personally, I find no greater thrill than going to the open-air markets on the weekends. It is certainly one way to become wholly immersed in the culture. You will see fruits and vegetables that you never knew existed, let alone know how to prepare. But it is not Kroger's. The aisles are not clean and wide, the sprinklers do not come on to lightly mist the produce, there is no hypnotizing background Musak and nothing is pre-weighed and wrapped in clear cellophane packages. There are no check-out registers, no coupons to redeem, you don't get a receipt and you will be wise to bring your own environmentally-friendly bags. There are, however, three really good things about the market: there is never a monotonous moment; there is always a delightful delicacy to discover; and even often-hurried husbands enjoy the market! These three factors make for an enjoyable market experience.

How much do you like your spouse?

Take note. I did not ask "how much do you 'love' your spouse?" I know you love him/her, but how much do you LIKE...? I think you get my drift. A solid relationship, a friendship, must exist with your spouse because you are going to spend more time together than you ever have before. No room for ennui in Panama. You are going to go to the market, to the bank, to do other shopping, to the restaurant, touring, even to the hardware store, (yes, to the hardware store) TOGETHER! You will realize that one of you will speak better Spanish than the other, hence, will be needed to translate and carry on vital conversations with vendors, taxi drivers, waiters and just about anyone you need to do business with while the other one stands around looking like window dressing. My advice if you need help in this area is to download multiple family self-help books for your Kindle and read them together.

Can you handle "bad hair" days?

This may sound shallow, but is there anything worse than a series of "bad hair" days? The good thing about Panama is you will soon learn that your bad hair day is just a normal hair day and you look like everyone else. I'm not being chauvinistic because men and women suffer equally from the bad hair syndrome. The secret is to get a good haircut/style that falls back into place when the wind blows or the humidity steams the freshness out of your coif and then go about your business. After all, you're retired now, so who cares?

Can you drive like a mad man/woman?

When I moved from Atlanta I figured that I could handle anything when it came to craziness on the road. Was I wrong! What I knew in the states as "road rage" I exchanged for the term "road insanity" in Panama. Take comfort in knowing the difference between road rage and road insanity. Road rage is personal and someone could end up seriously hurt. Road insanity is random. You just happen to be there when someone else is doing what they normally do. Yes, you could still end up getting seriously hurt, but at least it was not personal. The secret to preparing for road insanity in Panama and all of Central America is to practice playing video games that will sharpen your reaction time. Learn to aim your car where you want to go and then don't hesitate. Don't expect the other driver to be courteous. Anticipate what I call "what the h..." moves. And by all means, don't get angry because it won't change a thing. Just do as the locals do. Blow your horn, wave your hand (no one finger salutes, please), shout something inaudible out your window and go about your merry way. Once again, this ain't Kansas and "we are not used to driving like this" doesn't work here. Look at it this way. You're no longer watching NASCAR. You are actually on the track.

How often do you "need" to see your grandchildren?

The key word here is "need" not "want." If you are the kind of Nana and PeePaw who just can't live without the constant slamming of the screen door, the commands to turn off the lights and the demand of "stay out of the refrigerator until I finish preparing lunch" then the other seven startle factors don't even matter. But, look at it in a new light. Imagine how enjoyable it will be to introduce your grands to all of the fun and excitement that is Panama: from the contemporary, fast-paced Panama City to the colorful, laid back Caribbean style of Bocas del Toro; from azure colored oceans teeming with whales, dolphins and other ocean life to emerald mountains rich with tropical flora and fauna; to friendly children who love to play outdoors to diverse surroundings that beg to be explored. You and your grand kids will realize a new meaning to quality time as you create lasting memories. And, they will think you are the coolest grandparents ever (this may be the biggest startle factor of all). The cost of being elevated to such high esteem? Priceless!

If you scored between 6 and 8 in terms of things you can handle you are ready to take the relocation plunge. If you scored 4 or 5 rethink your life and pray over it before making the move. If you scored lower than 4 consider vacationing in Panama a few more times before making a decision.

Panama is a wonderful place to live but first you must acknowledge the startle factors and adjust your mind to accept the situations. Participate in the lively online forums where you can chat with expats who have taken the plunge. Review the forum archives and discover threads that discuss the many lifestyle differences. Give yourself at least six months to live in Panama to experience first-hand if you can make the mental adjustment. Do all these things with an open mind and in time the startle factors won't seem as startling.

Ellie Wharton is an international traveler and writer who has lived in various cities in the US, Jamaica, Mexico, Belize and is currently living in Panama. For more information about activities in Panama go to http://whalewatchingpanama.com

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Discover How You Can Make a Diaper Cake the Easy Way

Diaper cakes are a wonderful idea of presenting a surprise package to an expecting mother. The number and type of baby items you put in for the cake, determines the size of cake and its number of tiers. Baby items may include patterned diapers, baby hygiene products, bottles, pacifiers, baby towel, toys and so on.

Steps to Make A Diaper Cake:

1. Apart from baby items, you will also need cake decoration stuffs such as artificial roses, ribbons, baby confetti, a cardboard and rubber bands.

2. To make diaper cakes, use at least 10 diapers for the upper tier. Open and tape the first diaper in a jellyroll method around a baby lotion bottle. Similarly, open other diapers and continue rolling them and taping them on the bottle unless you have used all 10 diapers. To make it tight and firm, use rubber bands and double-sided tapes to tie around each tier.

3. Use the remaining diapers (around 50 in number) for the bottom tier. However, do not tie them in a similar fashion. Do not open them, but place them around the bottle one after the other so that they surround the bottle. Use double-sided tapes to tie the first tier firmly with the second.

4. Fun part in making the diaper cake lies in decoration process. Cover all rubber bands and tapes with colorful ribbons. Use baby accessories and items such as a cute bib, to make the cake more decorative.

5. After finishing with the entire process, wrap the it with a cellophane paper and decorate it with ribbons and pins.

Making a diaper cake is not a tough task, but requires time, patience and creativity. The more of these elements one puts in to make it, the more one may expect it to be attractive.

You can learn how to make a beautiful diaper cake by 2 ways. One is by reading lengthy and boring books, and get tired after reading it. Or, the second way is by watching videos how to make a perfect diaper cake.

The concept is the same as learning to ride a bicycle, you cannot learn it from a text book. The same goes for making a diaper cake. If you are going to learn how to make a beautiful diaper cake, make sure you learn it the right way.

So do you want to learn how to make a beautiful diaper cake in just 23 minutes or less by simply watching videos? Click here. Or you can visit http://www.makediapercakes.com/ for more information.

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How to Make an Old-Fashion Dutch Apple Walnut Bread

Fall is a great time to share apple recipes as apples are so plentiful. And breads are great for the holiday table, as hostess gifts, gift baskets, housewarmings, and Christmas gifts for co-workers, family, and friends. And the combination of apples and walnuts is not only a tasty one but also a healthy one. Both apples and walnuts are known to have beneficial health traits. Make this tasty old fashion bread recipe to share with your family and friends. For gift-giving wrap the bread in pretty cellophane bags or plastic wrap and attach a seasonal bow.

DUTCH APPLE WALNUT BREAD
This recipe is from Northern Indiana.

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 cup chopped peeled apples
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until creamy. Beat in the eggs and the vanilla. Combine the flour with the baking soda and salt; stir into the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Fold in the apples and walnuts. Pour into a greased 9-inch loaf pan. Make the following topping and sprinkle over the batter. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes until done. Cook in pan for 10 minutes before removing.

TOPPING:

1/3 cup flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbsp butter

Combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the batter before baking.

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's old fashion recipe collection visit her blog at http://grandmasvintagerecipes.blogspot.com. For her diabetic recipes visit her at http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com

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Kids Party Favors - Fun Ideas For Do-It-Yourself Party Favors

Before you start planning your kids' party favors, make sure you know what your party theme will be. It is more fun if you can tie your party favors directly to the overall party theme. The second piece of information you need to know is how many favors you'll be making. Helpful hint - always make a few additional favors because you never know when an unexpected guest may show up at the party.

Favor Containers

There are so many creative containers for kids' party favors these days. For example, if your party is during the summer, consider using a sand pail or bucket as the favor container. You can also buy cute, little galvanized pails in a variety of colors that make fun favor containers. Another unique idea is to use Chinese food boxes. These are also available in a rainbow of different colors and can be decorated with stickers or markers. Use a glitter pen to write the guests' names on the front. Other ideas include cellophane bags, mini purses, or the more traditional favor boxes and treat bags.

Favor Fillers

Filling your kids' favor containers can be fun and something you can have your child help you with. Suggestions for fillers include bubbles, stickers, glow sticks, slime, play jewelry, lipstick, nail polish, hair clips, pencils, erasers, sunglasses and candy. You can even get personalized items such as stickers, buttons, bag tags and zipper pulls with your guests' name on them. Another fun idea I ran across recently is personalized M&Ms. You can actually buy M&Ms in any color you can dream up and you can have the candy printed with photos of your child as well as text such as their name, age or a 'Happy Birthday' message. What a great idea for a truly unique party favor!

Above all have fun as you plan your kid's birthday party and party favors.

Julie is a busy Mom of 3 young children and a Marketing Director at an online greeting card store. She also has her own kids' websites at http://www.cakesandkids.com and [http://www.partiesandkids.com]

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Stress and Multiple Sclerosis - Good Or Bad?

Stress plays a major roll in the way Multiple Sclerosis effects you. We all have had those days when everything is going wrong. The kids are fighting, not enough money to pay the bills, Somebody just pulled out in front of you while driving to work, etc..Stress comes in many forms. Stress can be in the form of "BAD" stress but also in "GOOD" stress. We need to find ways to be prepared or at least as prepared as possible to cope with these stressors so that we can help have some control of our Multiple Sclerosis.  
 
I can't think of a better time to talk about this then now because we are facing the most stressful times of the year. Right now most of us are dealing with kids going back to school. That in itself becomes a stress. The kids are not wanting to be there and not wanting to get back into routine of bedtimes and homework. Of course when the kids are miserable they have a magical way of making everyone around them miserable. I don't know if I have an answer to this situation. However, with the kids being back in school they are sitting in close quarters with other kids sneezing, coughing, and touching all the same things our kids are going to be touching. It is very important to talk to your kids and sometimes their friends if they are over at the house a lot.

Explain to them it is very important for themselves but also for you to make sure they wash their hands immediately when they get home. Explain to them that blowing their noses in Kleenex and throwing it away is a huge help too. Cover their mouths when they are coughing and most importantly not to be drinking out of each others' cups. All these little easy things can help you stay healthier. I am very surprised when I hear other MS'ers say that they never realized that they are more susceptible to illnesses because of having MS. Multiple Sclerosis is an Autoimmune disease. In our case our antibodies are over working. They don't take time to rest so that they are prepared for when you get a cold or the flu or even a cut on the leg. Which of course leads me to the subject of when you get sick.

The cold and flu season is quickly approaching us. Some people with MS chose to get the flu shots to try to help. Some chose not to for there own reasons. Personally, I have chosen not to. I am not sure if there is a right or wrong answer to this. I think it boils down to what your preference is. You can try to prepare for this season. stock up on some Kleenex, soups, cleaning supplies like antibacterial sprays. I know that they come in regular and also green/all natural cleaners. Whichever your preference. Find a bucket and label it the "SICK" bucket. This way you know where things are when needed. This is helpful when your kids are sick or yourself. I am not going to tell you to stay away from your poor sick children or parent or loved one when they are sick and lock them in a room. But it is important to try to avoid the illnesses as much as possible. The things you can do is make sure you are constantly washing your hands when you are around your loved ones when sick but also when you leave a store or are in public places. Here is the thing... If you get sick that is a STRESSOR on your body which in return can cause your MS to start to act up. Just as being in the sun in the Summer and your body temperature rises, even 1 degree, can trigger some symptoms to act up until your body temperature comes back down. Enough about this. Let's move on to some of the other stressors that we can prepare for.

The Holidays will be here soon enough. I see those as good and bad stressors. Good because we get to spend time with family and friends that we might not be able to do throughout the year. The bad part of this is the stress of money being spent on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can't prepare for all of it but you can try to prepare and plan. By doing some planning and preparations now, will lessen the stress on your body as we approach this time of the year. I would have to believe that a lot of us will be not spending as much at Christmas time due to the economy but that alone can cause stress. Especially for parents of kids. Our kids just don't understand what is going on with the economy. They are used to past years where we all went overboard. Now is a good time to try to explain to them some of the changes that will happen at Christmas this year. Some things I have been doing is when I have an extra 15-20 dollars left to use. I am trying to start picking things up a little at a time. Even if it is stocking stuffer stuff. I don't know about you but those stocking stuffers total up to being a lot of money. So 1 or 2 things every week or every two weeks here and there is less you will have to do in Dec.

Also try to think of things you can do simply for your friends or neighbors if you haven't stopped already buying for each other. There are simple gifts to make and you can wipe out a bunch of people in no time at all for very cheap. For example. Pick up coffee mugs .99cents and as you get closer to the Holiday time. Make up a bunch of chocolate covered pretzels. Buy or make a big tub of hot chocolate. Scoop out the measurement of the hot chocolate and put into clear cellophane bags place inside coffee mug along with some chocolate covered pretzels and "wa la". Perfect gift for the neighbors. Make a basket ful for the neighbor with a family and a movie from the 5$ bin at Wal-Mart. You'd be surprised what movies you will find n those bins. Even if each week when you are at the store buy a movie and store away for those gifts. All I am saying is there are ways to prepare now a little at a time and be able to take care of your family along with the other people in your lives that you want to give something too them, just to say Happy Holidays. Taking a few steps in preparing now can help with the stress as December approaches.

Happy Stressors that can cause havoc on someone with Multiple Sclerosis can be going on a vacation, planning a party at the house, or even going to a family reunion. As odd as it sounds. sometimes being overly excited for something can cause stress on the body and trigger MS symptoms yet again. I don't think anyone can have an answer for this either except to prepare a little. Take a nap if you can before hand, have things prepared and planned for the best you can. Don't over plan and run yourself ragged trying to do too much in a short period of time because that can trigger the fatigue to kick in along with whatever other symptoms decide to pop up.

Again I thought this was the perfect time to talk about how stressors in life good or bad can trigger symptoms. Try your best to prepare and plan for what you can. Obviously there are many things in life that you can not prepare yourself for but these are things you can prepare for.

http://livingdaytodaywithmultiplesclerosis.blogspot.com/

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5 Inexpensive But Elegant Gifts to Create Yourself

No, you don't need to give away expensive gifts this year. Neither do you need to hand out the latest toys of the decade. You can find at least 5 inexpensive but elegant gifts to send to your friends and family.

You don't need to overspend or to overbuy. With the economy going the way it is, won't it be much more reasonable to scale back yet still have something no one would turn their nose up at. It just takes being more creative with the gift choices to have something classy, unusual, and inexpensive all at the same time.

There has never been anything wrong with giving a handmade gift. Although you do need to start preparing a bit earlier and planning may be a bit trickier, it's a sure way to cut back on spending and on using up unnecessary sources.

Have you ever met anyone that has refused baked goods? No matter what the time of year, a gift of breads, cake, cookies, or a special pastry will always be met with a smile and a "Did you make this yourself?!"

These are also easily and prettily packaged in a variety of containers. To be really eco-friendly, it would be best to recycle glass containers that have been thoroughly cleaned. Simply decorate the top with a piece of cut fabric over the lid tied up with an attractive ribbon. If the lid is presentable, all you would need is a festive ribbon tied up in a bow and a sprig of dried or artificial flowers and greenery to pretty it up.

Why not share a much-needed jolt of caffeine with your friends? All you need to do is purchase a hand-thrown or inexpensive commercially available coffee mug and pair it with individual packs of instant brewed coffee. For fun, take a metal teaspoon and dip it in some white sugar that you've caramelized. Before it sets, dip the spoon in either ground cinnamon or mini chocolate chips. Wrap up the spoon in a sparkly piece of cellophane held in place with a clear twist-tie and put everything in either a pretty cloth napkin or a large cellophane bag. Accent it with a homey fabric ribbon and a dried orange slice or cinnamon stick.

Don't want to give an edible gift yet are faced with a sugar addict? Why not create a luxury basket with a homemade body scrub made of brown sugar, white sugar, extra-virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil and the essential oil of your choice? Pair it with a luxurious bar of super fatted soap and it will be a gift long remembered.

How about making a romantic massage kit for your partner? A bottle of massage oil, a set of votive candles, and a CD of romantic, Zen, or nature-based massage music wrapped in a silk pouch will be the basis of an unforgettable experience. The only thing you'll need to add are your own two hands to deliver that blissful massage.

For that extra-special someone, why not have a piece of personalized artwork commissioned? You can find online art galleries which can make a portrait from a picture sent to them. It's a truly special gift that can be passed on to the next generation.

Jamie Highland writes about various family and baby topics. For more info or to check out some inexpensive baby shower favors or some baby shower gifts, visit My Baby Shower Favors. If you want more articles, visit our site and click on the Contact Us link.

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