BoomerYearbook.com, December, 2008 - Grab bag? Secret Santa? Dirty Santa? Any one of these are great ways to give gifts during the holidays, especially if you have a large family. For those of you who may have never heard of these traditions, let me explain each of them.
Grab bag: This is pretty simple. A name is put on a small piece of paper, and put into a hat or bowl. Each person in the family picks a name and that is the person they buy a gift for. With a grab bag, there is usually a price limit set so that it makes it more fair. The best time to do the name distributing is perhaps at Thanksgiving when the same members are most likely to be together that will be together for Christmas, plus it gives a month for them to buy the gift. It is ok to know who picked your name, then you can give that person some gift ideas you may like.
Secret Santa: Pretty much the same as a grab bag, except that who is buying your gift, is kept a secret. This is fun, because after getting the gift, you might be very surprised how well the person does or does not know you, based on the gift they bought.
Dirty Santa: This has to be my favorite of all time. Everyone brings a wrapped gift (again this usually has a maximum price limit set) . The gifts are placed on a table, and each person takes a number from a hat or bowl. The person that has number one picks a gift from the table, however when the person with number 2 picks a gift, they can take from the table, or “steal” the gift from #1. Then the first person has to take another from the pile of gifts. You continue to do this to the last person and the last gift is taken. Its fun, to see what gift you would have had, if someone wasn’t “dirty” and taken the gift from you.
What traditions do you have when it’s time to give gifts? What is your favorite? Why not share them over at Boomer Yearbook, and hey who knows, maybe someone will find a new and exciting tradition to try with their family and friends.
www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
How to Ship Edible Gifts
Planning to dispatch your edible items, just ensure that your holiday goodies make it through the shipping practice undamaged; track these guidelines for packing baked commodities for shipping.
Placing food items well while packaging is like a peace of art which will not only save your goods from getting spoiled but will also give you the peace of mind that your edible commodities are safe during transportation.
•Make foods without delay before packing and mailing, and allow foods to cool entirely prior to boxing up and distribution. Prefer a swift process of transport.
•Moist quick breads, brownies, bars, and sturdy cookies (soft cookies in contrast to crisp varieties) are perfect choices for shipping, as are many non-fragile confections such as fudge and caramels.
•Avoid humid fillings and frostings in view of the fact that they become sticky or soft at room temperature.
•Packaging soft cookies with a slice of apple or bread helps them to retain moisture. And don't put together crisp cookies in the same container with soft cookies; dampness from the soft ones will make crisp ones soft.
•Stock up cookies with sticky glazes, icings, and fragile decorations in single layers sandwiched between sheets of waxed paper.
•Cover all types of cookie individually to preserve flavors and textures. Pack wrapped cookies in rows as closely as possible to avoid jerks and breakage.
•When shipping quick breads, brownies, and bars, purchase a new, decorative baking dish or pan and formulate it as part of the gift. Position the baked good in the container to afford extra protection during transport.
•Wrap all fragile containers in bubble wrap, and fill boxes with packing peanuts or popped popcorn for supplementary safeguard.
•Shield a gift bow by casing it with an overturned berry basket.
Hope you find these tips beneficial while shipping edible products and gift items.
About the author:
Author is operating a website related to container shipping ,
Freight Exchange and Container tracking
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Placing food items well while packaging is like a peace of art which will not only save your goods from getting spoiled but will also give you the peace of mind that your edible commodities are safe during transportation.
•Make foods without delay before packing and mailing, and allow foods to cool entirely prior to boxing up and distribution. Prefer a swift process of transport.
•Moist quick breads, brownies, bars, and sturdy cookies (soft cookies in contrast to crisp varieties) are perfect choices for shipping, as are many non-fragile confections such as fudge and caramels.
•Avoid humid fillings and frostings in view of the fact that they become sticky or soft at room temperature.
•Packaging soft cookies with a slice of apple or bread helps them to retain moisture. And don't put together crisp cookies in the same container with soft cookies; dampness from the soft ones will make crisp ones soft.
•Stock up cookies with sticky glazes, icings, and fragile decorations in single layers sandwiched between sheets of waxed paper.
•Cover all types of cookie individually to preserve flavors and textures. Pack wrapped cookies in rows as closely as possible to avoid jerks and breakage.
•When shipping quick breads, brownies, and bars, purchase a new, decorative baking dish or pan and formulate it as part of the gift. Position the baked good in the container to afford extra protection during transport.
•Wrap all fragile containers in bubble wrap, and fill boxes with packing peanuts or popped popcorn for supplementary safeguard.
•Shield a gift bow by casing it with an overturned berry basket.
Hope you find these tips beneficial while shipping edible products and gift items.
About the author:
Author is operating a website related to container shipping ,
Freight Exchange and Container tracking
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Why Donate to Charity's
16 Many people ask why about most things in their lives, especially when it comes to a sacrifice that they must make. One of these aspects in life includes work done for noble causes. This includes donations, charity work and volunteer work for the greater good. Many people need to see on paper why they should do such a thing like donate their car. There are social reasons as well as personal reasons that you will want to donate a car. Read below for more.
The Social Reasons for Donating a Vehicle
The social reasons for car donations are innumerable. There are so many services that are available to the community when cars are donated. Volunteers of America has a Vehicle Donation Program that is dedicated to helping the community through the charitable donation of cars.
Volunteers of America offers children and youth services that are built for the purpose of protecting children, teenagers and families. There are also elderly services that offer retirement communities, meal programs and assisted living programs.
In addition to these, there are also emergency services, homeless services, and housing services that benefit from something as simple as donating a car. The goal is to reach out to the community and to keep the hungry fed and housed. The housing services help individuals who may never consider owning a home become first time homebuyers.
The Personal Reasons for Donating a Vehicle
There are many personal reasons to donate the car, boat, RV, SUV or other vehicle. The first is the sense that you have done something good for someone else. The feeling you have done something for the community will give you a greater sense of connection within the community.
Also, the process is much easier than trying to sell a car whether through a car company or through for sell by owner. There is also the financial aspect. Donating a car can be a nice tax write off and you can often save more off of taxes than you could actually sell the car for.
It shows to all your freinds and family that you actualy care about those in the world with nothing and makes you have a freind far away who dont know about you, however there are aware of the fact some person who knew nothing about them had a heart big enough to donate one of there possesions for him/her while they were in dire need.
About the Author:
charity phone cards runs an informative charity site that looks into all aspects of donations from smallest donations the biggest donations.
To find out more visit Education Programs
Article Source:
http://www.freearticles.co.za/culture-and-society/why-donate-to-charitys.html
The Social Reasons for Donating a Vehicle
The social reasons for car donations are innumerable. There are so many services that are available to the community when cars are donated. Volunteers of America has a Vehicle Donation Program that is dedicated to helping the community through the charitable donation of cars.
Volunteers of America offers children and youth services that are built for the purpose of protecting children, teenagers and families. There are also elderly services that offer retirement communities, meal programs and assisted living programs.
In addition to these, there are also emergency services, homeless services, and housing services that benefit from something as simple as donating a car. The goal is to reach out to the community and to keep the hungry fed and housed. The housing services help individuals who may never consider owning a home become first time homebuyers.
The Personal Reasons for Donating a Vehicle
There are many personal reasons to donate the car, boat, RV, SUV or other vehicle. The first is the sense that you have done something good for someone else. The feeling you have done something for the community will give you a greater sense of connection within the community.
Also, the process is much easier than trying to sell a car whether through a car company or through for sell by owner. There is also the financial aspect. Donating a car can be a nice tax write off and you can often save more off of taxes than you could actually sell the car for.
It shows to all your freinds and family that you actualy care about those in the world with nothing and makes you have a freind far away who dont know about you, however there are aware of the fact some person who knew nothing about them had a heart big enough to donate one of there possesions for him/her while they were in dire need.
About the Author:
charity phone cards runs an informative charity site that looks into all aspects of donations from smallest donations the biggest donations.
To find out more visit Education Programs
Article Source:
http://www.freearticles.co.za/culture-and-society/why-donate-to-charitys.html
Saturday, December 6, 2008
How to Receive a Lousy Gift Graciously
Unless you are an Oscar-worthy actor it is really quite difficult not to show at least some disappointment when presented with a putrescent gift.
Here are some tactics you might want to use in this situation.
1. Go for the Oscar anyway and say it's just what you always wanted. This has the advantage of minimizing any embarrassing moments but it's probably obvious that you don't mean it. And keep it short, Forrest Whittaker you ain't.
2. Pretend that they have actually given you a million dollars. This might be slightly embarrassing after you have danced around the room whooping, hugged everyone in sight and planted a big kiss on his or her mouth.
3. Start to say thank you and then pretend someone has just come into the room that you really need to see. This could be a problem if there are just the two of you but should work in large crowds.
4. Clutch your chest, start wheezing and shout "I think I'm having a heart attack!". This only really works if you can belch on demand and claim it was gas before anyone calls 911. It's also worth pre-warning any loved ones so they don't get too worried. Although this could mean they won't do anything if you really do have a heart attack!
5. Talk really slowly, or repeat yourself, to give yourself time to come up with a response. "Well, well, well. Will you look at that. Wow. Well I never. Never got one of these before" should give you time to work on a diplomatic response.
6. Change the subject rapidly. Start talking about the gift and then branch off onto how you saw one on vacation once, and what a great vacation it was and have they ever been there? Vacation stories always drive people away!
7. Resolve to get them an equally bad gift next time that should put a smile on your face!
Above all remind yourself that they have tried their best and have taken the time to get you something. And remember - there's always eBay!
Source: Free Articles
Here are some tactics you might want to use in this situation.
1. Go for the Oscar anyway and say it's just what you always wanted. This has the advantage of minimizing any embarrassing moments but it's probably obvious that you don't mean it. And keep it short, Forrest Whittaker you ain't.
2. Pretend that they have actually given you a million dollars. This might be slightly embarrassing after you have danced around the room whooping, hugged everyone in sight and planted a big kiss on his or her mouth.
3. Start to say thank you and then pretend someone has just come into the room that you really need to see. This could be a problem if there are just the two of you but should work in large crowds.
4. Clutch your chest, start wheezing and shout "I think I'm having a heart attack!". This only really works if you can belch on demand and claim it was gas before anyone calls 911. It's also worth pre-warning any loved ones so they don't get too worried. Although this could mean they won't do anything if you really do have a heart attack!
5. Talk really slowly, or repeat yourself, to give yourself time to come up with a response. "Well, well, well. Will you look at that. Wow. Well I never. Never got one of these before" should give you time to work on a diplomatic response.
6. Change the subject rapidly. Start talking about the gift and then branch off onto how you saw one on vacation once, and what a great vacation it was and have they ever been there? Vacation stories always drive people away!
7. Resolve to get them an equally bad gift next time that should put a smile on your face!
Above all remind yourself that they have tried their best and have taken the time to get you something. And remember - there's always eBay!
Source: Free Articles
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