There are bad gifts, and then there are truly bad gifts. These ten gifts rank among the worst ever conceived in a boardroom. In a poll of 100 lifestyle editors done by Martin Millers Gin, the following gifts came up as the worst ever.
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n1. Fruitcake: What a gift to give someone, food in plastic wrap that could double as bricks for the house if the need arose. For whatever reason, these are still sold each year and enough people buy them to add to the profit of the companies that make them.
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n2. Christmas Boxer: Nothing expresses Christmas spirit like wearing Santa boxers in July. Giving boxers that you can only wear during one season is like providing a delicious drink during one month of the year.
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n3. Stuffed animals and Santas: Stuffed animals are nice but let’s be honest, once the initial warm fuzzy feelings wear off, the stuffed animals and Santas are going to end up in a closet somewhere or in a garage sale where someone else can buy them and start the whole process all over again.
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n4. Chia Pets: It is like a plant except it looks like hair coming off an animal. The perfect gift for people who like constantly taking care of something someone else gave them.
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n5. Nut Covered Cheese ball: Mmmm… thanks for the gift of cheese during this holiday season, way to break a fiver.
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n6. Beanie Babies: Unless you are giving one of the collector items that are worth hundreds of dollars, do not bother with these. They lack the cuteness of stuffed animals and the practicality of beanbags.
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n7. Pet Rocks: This was a brief fad in the 1970s when someone had a stupid idea and got rich off it. If you don’t know this amazing invention, it is a rock that people buy and treat like a pet. It is sad really when people buy rocks from the store when there are so many stray rocks out in our world.
n
n8. The Clapper: This is the best gift for someone who lacks the motivation to walk ten feet to turn off a light. Instead, you can just clap and presto, lights are off. Nothing says ‘I think you are lazy’ like this gift.
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n9. Ginsu knives: They slice, they dice, they cut through cans. If you know someone who has the need to cut cans in half, maybe you should look at getting them counseling rather than knives.
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n10. Big Mouth Billy Bass: This is the exact kind of gift that everyone loves for ten minutes but by the end of the night, everyone is ready to smash it to little pieces and send it back to hell.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for flowers and gifts. When shopping for flowers and gifts, we recommend you shop only at the best online stores that specialize in http://www.sendflowersgift.info,best holiday gifts,best jewelry and gems.n

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December 16, 2005 Tis’ the Season to Wassail By Stan Dyer “Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green; here we come a wandering so fair to be seen:”, or something to that effect. I remember first hearing this song when I was eight years old. I didn’t know what a-wassailing was, and I was pretty sure I had never seen one, so I asked my more mature, older sister about the meaning of this strange, new word, “wassail”. She informed me that it was the old English way of saying “caroling”. From that moment on, the two words were synonymous, although I preferred to use the more familiar word in order to avoid the embarrassment of having to explain myself. It wasn’t until a number of years later that I discovered the word actually had various meanings, and a colorful history. Now, for me, wassailing will never be the same. Around the holidays in merry old England, commoners used to make a sort of homebrew or other type of alcoholic concoction to help them more enjoy the spirit of the season. They called this mixture “Wassail”. That is the original meaning of the word. The word also came to be associated with the holiday “toast”. Much as other countries would say “Salud”, or “Cheers”, revelers of the time would say, “wassail”. Not everyone could afford the ingredients for an adequate wassail. Many people of the time weren’t wealthy enough to afford much of anything extra for the holidays, and barely survived the snow and the cold each year, but they still wanted to share in the spirit of the season. Since it didn’t cost much to sing, the poorer people would go door-to-door singing songs of the season for their neighbors, or “caroling”. The delighted neighbors, under the influence of the spirit of the season and the spirits in their wassail, would often invite the carolers in for a glass of wassail. The carolers quickly learned that this was an acceptable way to acquire free libations. Instead of just caroling, they would now wassail, hoping for the reward of a little homebrew. This is the second meaning of the word, and distinguishes it from caroling. Caroling is more in the spirit of the season; wassailing is more in the anticipation of spirits. After wassailing through the neighborhood, it was very likely that one or more of the holiday revelers drank too much. As drunks sometimes do, it was common for a fight or even a riot to break out. Thus, wassail also came to mean a fight or a riot. This last meaning rather changes the whole sentiment of the familiar song, doesn’t it? This holiday season, when you and your friends are at home wassailing with cups of wassail, and a group comes to your door wassailing, be certain which type of wassail they are after before you offer to share yours with them. Now, with this knowledge shared, do you think wassailing will ever be the same?

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Poor old Dad. Did you know that more collect calls are made on Father’ Day than any other day of the year? Alright Mom’s before you laugh too hard, Mother’s Day is right behind at number 2. So maybe you’ve decided you’re going to make up for all those bad neckties you gave dad when you were younger, and let’s not forget the time you left the garage door open and it rained on all of his tools.

Like most holiday’s Father’s Day gift giving ideas have gotten much more sophisticated in recent years, here are a couple of ideas to get you in the right frame of mind. Is your Dad a big golf fan, if he is, how about some personalized golf balls or club covers. That’s something he can show off to all his buddies at the course. If your Dad’s not the athletic type but more of grill master there are some other great gift ideas you may want to think about. Why not find some gourmet bar-b-que sauces flavors from Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia are starting to become very popular nowadays. If your Dad is more of a traditionalist how about a smoker box for his grill. Find some exotic flavors like apple or peach wood to make thing interesting. If money’s no object look into one of the bar-b-que camps that are popping up across the country. Think of it as a spa-vacation where dad gets cooking tips from a famous or celebrity chef.

Let’s say you’re really ready to kick things up and money’s no object, then why not consider race car school. They come in one or two day packages with professional race car drivers. Then Dad gets to take an actual stock car for a few laps around around the famous racetracks you see on TV. Some schools are now offering exotic cars like Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s as well. But what if your Dad really has the need for speed, then you air combat. Retired military aircraft pilots take you up jets and through a series of white knuckle maneuvers and acrobatics, and throw in some simulated air to air combat. This one is sure to put a smile on Dad’s face.

? Copyright Holiday-Central.net, All Rights Reserved.

Kevin Buyer is the webmaster of Holiday-Central.net where he writes about holidays and other gift giving occasions like <a href='http://www.Holiday-Central.net/fathersday'<Fathers Day</a<

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We often fret for hours on end on what we should give to someone. We look over catalogs, analyze their habits and try to determine what gift best exemplifies our friendship or love for them. So what is the best gift to give? Is it an expensive high-definition television, or is it the simple homemade quilt? According to a study done by Harris Interactive, it is none of those.
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nIn this study that included 12,000 individuals, most of the respondents chose experiential or life experience gifts over material gifts. This is a great idea for you to give as a gift that will be sure to please. For most of us, while a handmade gift has sentimentality behind it, nothing beats the gift of a life experience.
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nWhat is a life experience exactly?
n
nTo know that, you must first ask yourself what the person you are buying for wants to experience more than anything. We are not talking about experiencing the newest home theater system or luxury car, but things that change someone’s image of the world and of oneself.
n
nFor some, it may be seeing a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, or a hot air balloon ride through the Alps, while for others it may be touching the Pyramids. No matter what it is, the life experience will stay with the person you give it to, long after a material gift has found a spot in the back of the closet.
n
nOf course, life experience gifts are not exactly cheap. Flying someone to Egypt for a tour of the Pyramids comes at a lofty price, but is that one-time price not worth the joy and sheer exhilaration you will give to that special someone?
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nOften we put too much emphasis on material possessions and during Christmas, this is more evident than ever. It is often easier and quicker to just pick up that gaming system for someone rather than spending the time finding the right white water rafting trip that will blow their minds.
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nHas the Harris Interactive poll has anything to say about it? Of course. The extra effort is worth it because while the gaming system will provide countless hours of entertainment, the white water rafting trip will stay with that special someone for many, many years.
n
nSo throw out those notions of buying gift cards, socks or any other material things during the holiday season. Go out, buy a life experience and help open up the mind of that person you care so much about.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for flowers and gifts. When shopping for flowers and gifts, we recommend you shop only at the best online stores that specialize in http://www.sendflowersgift.info, http://www.sendflowers4.info, http://www.usedjewelrysell.com.n

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Order invitations only when you have confirmation from your wedding and reception sites. Note the time of the reception on the receptions cards in the event of an extended lag in time between the wedding and reception beyond the normal transit time needed between sites.nnA broad range of prices is available among the different styles of invitations, but the price of comparable invitations varies little from store to store. Most stores require a 50% deposit when ordering, with the balance to be paid at delivery.nnIt is wise to order about 5 percent more invitations than needed to cover any mistakes or forgotten people.nnHow to Write Wedding InvitationsnnAt the time you order the invitations, have the correct form for the names of the persons giving the wedding, the full names of the bride and groom, and the time, date, and location of the ceremony. Do you want a general idea of how to write wedding invitations? Look below.nnIf the wedding is given by your mother and father:nnMr. and Mrs. James T. Smithnrequest the honor of your presencenat the marriage of their daughternMary SuentonRobert John Brownn(etc.)nnIf the wedding is given by you and the groom:nnMary Sue Smithnand Robert John Brownnrequest the honor of your presencenat their marriagen(etc.)nnIf the wedding is given by your mother, and your father is deceased,nnMrs. James T. Smithnrequests the honor of your presencenat the marriage of her daughternMary Suen(etc.)nnIf your mother has remarried, use her present husbands name:nnMr and Mrs. John C. Howardnrequest the honor of your presencenat the marriage of her daughternMary Sue Smithn(etc.)nnIf the wedding is given by your mother, and your parents are divorced, use your mothers maiden name plus your fathers last name:nnMrs. Anne Miller Smithnrequests the honor of your presencenat the marriage of her daughternMary Suen(etc.)nnIf the wedding is given by your father, and either your parents are divorced or your mother is deceased:nnMr. James T. Smithnrequests the honor of your presencenat the marriage of his daughternMary Suen(etc.)nnIf your father has remarried:nnMr. and Mrs. James T. Smithnrequest the honor of your presencenat the marriage of his daughternMary Suen(etc.)nnIf the wedding is given by your divorced parents, and each has remarried,nnMr. and Mrs. James T. SmithnandnMr. and Mrs. Scott .M. Jonesnrequest the honor of your presencenat the marriage of their daughternMary Sue Smithn(etc.)nnHow to Write Wedding InvitesnnWhen deciding how to write your wedding invites, and what style of wording to use, remember that… the honor of your presence… usually refers to a religious or formal service and…. the pleasure of your company… usually refers to a civil or casual service. Consultants at specialty shops are available to help you with the wording.nnThe only difference in wording between military and civilian weddings is in the use of service titles. These titles are used in the following manner:nn- army, marine corps: rank of captain or highern- navy: rank of commodore or highernnTheir rank precedes their name, and the service designation follows on the next line under their name:nnCaptain Robert John BrownnUnited States ArmynnFor officers whose ranks are below those listed above, list their name on a single line, with the line below showing their rank and service designation:nnRobert John BrownnLieutenant, United States NavynnFor military personnel without rank, list their name on a single line, with the line below showing their service designation:nnRobert John BrownnUnited States Marine CorpsnnA bride in the military may omit using her own rank and service designation on the invitations unless she plans to be married in her uniform.nnThe addressing should be handwritten. Traditionally it is done in black ink, but the same color as the printing may also be used.nnThe invitations will come with two sets of envelopes.nnWhen addressing outer envelopes:n- All formal titles such as doctor, captain, and reverend are written out.n- Semi-formal titles such as Ms., Mr., and Mrs. are abbreviated.n- Avenue, street, road, etc., are written out, as are the city and state.nnThe wording on the inner envelope should include the titles and the last names only of the invited adults. If you wish to invite children under the age of eighteen, write their first names on a line below their parents on the inner envelope. Older children in the family should receive their own invitations. The phrase… and family… instead of the childrens name should never be used.nnMr. and Mrs. JohnsonnJohn, Scott, Sarah, and SuennOnce the invitations are addressed, place all the enclosures in the envelopes in this manner:nn- Place the reception card inside the invitation.n- Put the response card in its envelope, and place inside invitationn- Place map, if used, inside invitationn- Place tissue over printing on invitation to prevent smudgingn- Tuck the invitation, folded edge down, into the inner envelope.n- Place the inner envelope into the outer envelope so the writing on the inner envelope faces flap.nnWhen purchasing stamps for mailing, have the invitation, including all enclosures, weighted to determine the correct postage.nnMail all the invitations at the same time, using first-class stamps.nnA stamp must be provided on the return envelope if response cards are used.nnThe following example of response card wording eliminates confusion for your guests and increases the likelihood that they will return the cards on time.nnThe favor of a replynis requested beforenJune first.nnnM_____________________________nwill _________ will not _______ attend.nNumber of persons: _______________nnWhen ordering invitations, also order any other stationery accessories you may need. This includes:nn- Reception cards, showing the time and place of the event.n- Response cards with printed reply-address envelopes, to be enclosed with the invitation so you can plan for the number of guests that will attend the reception.n- Informal thank-you notes, having the name of the bride or the bride and groom on the outside, and blank on the inside.n- Thank-you notes, with a preprinted message to acknowledge when a gift is received.n- Personalized napkins and matches for the guests to use or to keep as souvenirs.n- Announcements, to be sent to those you would have liked to attend your wedding, but who could not.n- Pew cards, rarely used, but appropriate for ultra-formal wedding situations, e.g., with celebrities and dignitaries: the cards may be enclosed with the invitation or sent after the acceptance has been received to ensure tha correct number of seats.n- Wedding programs, showing the order of the service and listing all participants. These can be folded or rolled like a scroll and tied with ribbon. Not only does a printed program serve as a guide to your wedding ceremony, but it is also a keepsake for your guests.nnPrograms can be engraved, printed with offset printing, or produced by word processor on a laser printer, with calligraphy added later.nnThe program covers may be obtained from printers who offer a variety of paper stocks, from manufacturers of wedding invitations who offer several different styles, or from religious supply houses of bookstores who carry appropriate church bulletin covers. Or they can be of your own creation, including a photograph of the bridal couple, special drawing, etc.nnThe program could contain the wedding date, time, and location; the names of all the participants, their positions in the wedding, and their relationship to the bride and groom;; and the order of the ceremony, with any special reading or observances. Expressions of the gratitude from the bridal couple to their families and guests, and any clarifying information regarding the wedding service or reception, could also be included.nnIf possible, have your programs printed only two weeks or so before the wedding, to include any last- minute changes. Allow enough time, however, for proofreading the copy, making any corrections, and receiving delivery of the finished product.nnThank-you notes do not have to be long, but they should be personal. to achieve this goal:nn- Mention your spouses name.n- Mention the gift.n- Tell what you liked about the gift.n- Tell how you will use it.nn- It is better to use the blank thank-you note (informals) rather than the preprinted ones.nn- Thank-you notes that denote the couple as being married – Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown or Mary Sue and Robert Brown – should be reserved for use after the wedding. For notes sent before the wedding, the printing should read as in these example: Mary Sue Smith and Robert Brown, or Mary Sue and Robert, or Mary Sue Smith.nnIf the engagement is broken after the wedding invitations are in the mail and there is sufficient time, you may send a printed announcement of the change of plans, as in this example:nnMr. and Mrs. _____________nannounce that the marriage of their daughter,n__________ to Mr. ______________,nwill not take place.nnWhen there is not enough time, you will need to phone each invited guest. It is not necessary to reveal reasons for the breakup. Any gifts must be returned to the sender.

Robert Reno works for Encore Entertainment. His team provides DJs and lighting for Michigan wedding receptions. Visit the following links for more info about a <a href="http://encorepartydjs.weblog.com/2008/3/How-to-Write-Wedding-Invitations.html"< How to Write Wedding Invitations</a< or <a href="http://www.encorepartydjs.com"<Michigan Wedding</a<.

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If you love to go all out with your Christmas decorating, here is a whimsical, original idea for your bathroom:

Materials needed:

White shower curtain, canvas, or fabric (a new canvas drop cloth works great)
Shower curtain liner (to protect curtain from moisture)
Projector*
Permanent black marker, preferably a thick one
Paint pens
Paint
Fiberfill or cotton balls
Santa hat
Black felt (about one yard)
2 red hand towels or red fabric

*If you can draw, you may not need the projector. If you are not artistically inclined, and do not already own a projector, see if you can borrow one.

Let’s get started!

If you’re using fabric instead of a shower curtain, you’ll need to make it standard shower curtain size, which is about 72″ x 72″. Cut the fabric 73″ x 73″, fold each side over one half inch, press into place, and hem each side to make smooth edges. Purchase plastic rings (usually found near the curtain rods) and sew them to the top for shower curtain rings. If you don’t already have a second rod, pick up a tension rod. They are inexpensive and simple to install.

The next step is finding a great picture of Santa Clause. Look in coloring books, storybooks, or online. Once you find a picture you like, blow it up on the projector until Santa looks life-sized. Hang the fabric or shower curtain on the wall or a door with thumbtacks or straight pins, and project the image onto it. Santa’s knees should be about 6″ from the bottom of the shower curtain. Stop at the knees and do not draw the rest of the legs (you will see why later).

Next, trace the image with a permanent black marker (put paper behind the curtain to keep marker from seeping through). Fill in the details for Santa’s face as well as other intricate areas with the paint pens. Fill in his suit with paint. Nearly any kind of paint will do, but craft paint is the least expensive.

In order to create a three dimensional effect, use fiberfill or stretched out cotton balls for Santa’s hair and beard. Apply with regular school glue or use fabric glue. Use a real Santa hat instead of painting one. These can be found at dollar stores and discount stores for very little money. Simply stitch the hat onto the curtain from the backside, or attach it with fabric glue.

Add a piece of black felt for Santa’s belt. A real buckle makes a nice touch. You can remove a buckle from an old belt that you no longer wear and thread the felt through it, or you can purchase a used belt at a thrift store and simply remove the buckle to use it for this project. Stitch the felt into place or apply with fabric glue.

Hang the curtain and tuck the bottom edge inside the tub. Santa’s knees should line up closely with the edge of the tub.

Here’s the really fun part: Fold the red towels in half lengthwise and stitch or glue the sides together. If using fabric, cut to the size of regular hand towels (not fingertip towels) and proceed as directed above. Next, arrange the towels so that the attached edges are in the middle instead of along the side then press into place with a warm iron. This seam should face the shower curtain so it won’t show. Stitch or glue the towels to Santa’s knees. Santa now has three-dimensional legs that swing when the curtain moves!

Make mittens and boots from the leftover black felt. Attach the mittens to the curtain and the boots to the towels. Another neat idea is to set a pair of boots outside the tub and tuck the “legs” into the boots. This looks terrific and makes the effect even more dimensional. This idea is best used in the guest bathroom or on the day company is coming, after everyone has showered, if used in the main bathroom (otherwise, you’ll have to keep moving the boots each time the tub is needed).

To make your shower curtain even more festive, wrap small empty boxes to look like gifts and attach them to the curtain, or sew on tiny plastic ornaments or candy canes. Just use your imagination.

This is a fun, yet fairly simple project to complete, and you will get lots of compliments on this unique, whimsical decorating idea.

Johann Erickson writes for such sites as Online Discount Mart (<a href="http://www.onlinediscountmart.com" target="_blank"<http://www.onlinediscountmart.com</a<) and TV Products 4 Less (<a href="http://www.tvproducts4less.com" target="_blank"<http://www.tvproducts4less.com</a<).

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You’ve spent endless hours selecting the perfect dress, flowers, music, location, and man(!), and through it all, your bridesmaids have been by your side. Your friends helped you pick the wedding colors, listened to you complain that your future mother-in-law wants to wear white, and threw you a beautiful shower and outrageous bachlorette party. Up until now you’ve had to make a lot of decisions, but don’t forget to take the time to do something special for your bridesmaids. Why not create the perfect, personalized gift that will be meaningful and celebrate your friendship. Anyone can run to the mall and order 5 engraved silver frames, and it’s not uncommon for the bride to give jewelry to their bridesmaids to be worn at the wedding. It’s nice, but not unique, and certainly has more to do with the bride than the bridesmaid. Another new trend is monogrammed robes and spa slippers. Personalized yes, but unique… not so much. And while many brides give engraved jewelry boxes, key chains and even wine glasses, it is still a gift where “one size fits all.” One of the latest trends in creating unique bridesmaids present is a personalized photo gift created from your favorite memories. With today’s technology, photos can be put on just about anything, and I’m not talking about mugs, calendars and t-shirts. Some of the newest items are pillows, stationary, cookies, candy and jewelry that can all hold your photographic memories. For something really special consider a custom photo make up bag that your friend can carry in her purse everyday. And, if you still want your bridesmaids to have matching jewelry, why not put them inside the make up bag. If you have a few extra bucks, you can further personalize the gift by adding their favorite lip-gloss, gum, mints, perfume, and any essentials they may carry with them daily. When looking for the perfect images, think about your friendship. If you’ve known her a long time, a great idea is to use several photos; a photo from your childhood, paired with a current image

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I can recall from my days in England, watching television at Christmas and seeing how others celebrated across the world. At one time I used to think about people in Australia, who seemed to be featured on the news every Christmas Day: “it’s not like Christmas, hot weather and going to the beach”.

Why I used do think like that I really do not know. I did not like the cold once I got past the age of about 30. Or was it 35? Who cares, I hate the cold now. That’s one of the many reasons I live in what many call paradise: Palawan, in the south west of the Philippines.

Being a predominantly Christian country, Christmas is a big occasion in the Philippines. It is also still a religious occasion, which of course it should be. Only a tiny percentage of people can afford gifts, so the emphasis is on family holidays, time together, and for many going to church. Very few families have anything special for Christmas lunch, they just don’t have the money. They do make up for it, though, as Filipinos certainly know how to enjoy themselves.

Despite the lack of money in most families, Christmas starts early in the stores, around August. One thing they go in for in a big way here is Christmas lights. Sometimes even the poorest homes will be adorned with fairy lights, some having quite spectacular displays. Even in early November last year, as I travelled back from the jungle’s edge about 90km south, it was quite magical to see the Christmas lights as we got near the city.

My first Christmas in the country was memorable. I was invited to a girlfriend’s house Christmas Eve, a very poor but very friendly neighbourhood with mostly small timber houses cramped next to each other; intimate to say the least. Outside in the garden (a tiny yard) there were lights everywhere, set up for the party that would last all evening and into the night. I remember sitting there as they got everything organised around me, how magical and special it all was. Just a few months earlier I had been a resident in England and had only experienced Christmas in England. Now, I was sitting outside on a hot Christmas Eve, the sound of tropical insects a prelude to the modern disco music that was to follow later. I loved it.

As with most occasions in the Philippines, there were lots of children. Neighbours came and went, people moved from one party to another, and there was a constant flow of people and especially children. Children’s games were followed later by adult versions of children’s games, most of which had come from Western influence, but Filipinos always put their own stamp on the foreign habits they adopt. Alcohol would not have been a part of the occasion, but the adults were delighted when I offered to buy beer and rum.

At midnight, I was advised to go inside. I soon saw why. All hell broke lose with fireworks as midnight approached, exploding from every tightly packed, confined little garden in the neighbourhood. Fireworks that would have been banned in the UK, but I have to admit they were very loud and impressive. I was amazed, as nobody had warned me of this tradition beforehand.

Now, all my Christmases are tropical, and very different from those in England. I sometimes wonder how much Christmas would change here if it ever became a wealthy country. The major differences between here and England are the profligate spending and materialism in England, and the normal subdued spending in the Philippines. Yet, it is the Filipinos who seem more able to enjoy it that the English.

Roy Thomsitt is the owner and author of <a href="http://www.xmas-ornaments.com" target="_blank"<http://www.xmas-ornaments.com</a< and <a href="http://www.gifts-for-xmas.com" target="_blank"<http://www.gifts-for-xmas.com</a<

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You’ve spent endless hours selecting the perfect dress, flowers, music, location, and man(!), and through it all, your bridesmaids have been by your side. Your friends helped you pick the wedding colors, listened to you complain that your future mother-in-law wants to wear white, and threw you a beautiful shower and outrageous bachlorette party. Up until now you’ve had to make a lot of decisions, but don’t forget to take the time to do something special for your bridesmaids. Why not create the perfect, personalized gift that will be meaningful and celebrate your friendship. Anyone can run to the mall and order 5 engraved silver frames, and it’s not uncommon for the bride to give jewelry to their bridesmaids to be worn at the wedding. It’s nice, but not unique, and certainly has more to do with the bride than the bridesmaid. Another new trend is monogrammed robes and spa slippers. Personalized yes, but unique… not so much. And while many brides give engraved jewelry boxes, key chains and even wine glasses, it is still a gift where “one size fits all.” One of the latest trends in creating unique bridesmaids present is a personalized photo gift created from your favorite memories. With today’s technology, photos can be put on just about anything, and I’m not talking about mugs, calendars and t-shirts. Some of the newest items are pillows, stationary, cookies, candy and jewelry that can all hold your photographic memories. For something really special consider a custom photo make up bag that your friend can carry in her purse everyday. And, if you still want your bridesmaids to have matching jewelry, why not put them inside the make up bag. If you have a few extra bucks, you can further personalize the gift by adding their favorite lip-gloss, gum, mints, perfume, and any essentials they may carry with them daily. When looking for the perfect images, think about your friendship. If you’ve known her a long time, a great idea is to use several photos; a photo from your childhood, paired with a current image

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Christmas is a wonderful time for everyone, and decorating your house can enhance that joy, this can be something small like a table display or you could decorate your whole house inside and out. Christmas decorations have been around a lot longer than Christmas it’s self, as pagans were doing it for over two centuries.

The Christmas Table.

You can do a lot to your dinner table without spending too much money, get into the woods and find some fir cones, some gold spray paint along with some fake snow and you have a centre piece to grace any table on the special day and for a long time after. Tinsel with holly leaves and mistletoe makes a natural and cheap adornment and is a very old Celtic symbol of fertility.

A Christmas Tree.

Christmas trees have been brought into our houses for years, probably it was the Germans who started it, but now everyone has a tree for Christmas. A real tree is beautiful, but could make a mess of needles on your floor if it hasn’t been treated with chemicals. If you want a real tree get one with roots, you can keep it alive and then re-plant it in the new year and it shouldn’t make a mess, or get a fake tree, these can look realistic but you will not fool anyone, they are not real but will look beautiful every year when you pull it out of the cupboard.

Originally candles were used to light Christmas trees, this proved very dangerous, so now electric lights that flash and play Christmas carols are a safer option. Some people go over the top with tree decorations, keep it simple, tinsel, balls, stars and of course a fairy or an angel on the top to finish it all off.

Inside The House.

Coloured paper, silver tinsel and fake snow around the house will bring a festive feel to your home, snow on the windows, holly above the doors and you must have mistletoe to get those Christmas kisses from your guests. House decorations, like your tree should be subtle, Christmas is a happy time of the year and a time to relax with the family in a calm joyous atmosphere.

Outside The House.

A wreath of holly on the door was all that people used to show at Christmas, now people have father Christmases climbing up their roofs, light shows and carols played from loudspeakers. Fake snow on all the windows is nice, but covering your house in it is probably going too far. So do what pleases you (and your neighbours), but have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Adam Peters writes regularly for <a href="http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com" target="_blank"<http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com</a<. Peters contributes adding reviews very often on decorating and design topics. You can also reach interesting articles on easter and christmas decorations at his site (<a href="http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/christmas/christmas-decoration.html" target="_blank"<http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/christmas/christmas-decoration.html</a<)

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