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- Giving Baby All The Health Benefits You Can
One of the best things a mother can do to give her baby a healthy start in life is something that may also help her own health.
According to an independent survey conducted by David Burnett and Associates, 100 percent of new moms cite health benefits for baby as the number-one reason for choosing to breastfeed. Only 44 percent said their own health was part of the decision. - When Planning A Family Is A Challenge
Many couples are getting married and starting families in their 30s-often a lot later than they'd planned.
While women 25-29 have the highest birth rates, births to older women are increasing significantly, with many women becoming first-time moms in their 30s and 40s. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, birth rates for women ages 35 to 39 are up 43 percent between 1990 and 2004. - Danger In Diaperland: Giardiasis
When 16 people in Connecticut developed diarrhea and other distressing symptoms several days after eating the same salad at a picnic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined they had giardiasis. The CDC tracked the source of the infection to a woman who had mixed the salad with her hands.
She had probably become a carrier of the infection when failing to wash her hands properly after diapering her child. - Parents Are Making Lists And Checking Them Twice For Creative Toys
As kids compile their annual holiday wish list, they might be surprised to know that Mom and Dad are sneaking in a few gift requests of their own. A survey from Silver Stork Research found that the majority of parents (66 percent) plan to buy more creative toys for their kids.
What's Mom and Dad's explanation for this change in holiday strategy? It's simple-with kids spending more and more time hooked up to computers and running from activity to activity, parents are worried that a valuable piece of their children's development is being compromised: their imagination. - Fun Trick-or-treat Alternatives
As a fun and safe alternative to the trick-or-treat traditions of Halloween, theme parties held at home are a popular idea. If the thought of throwing a Halloween party for your children scares you, however, consider these frighteningly good ideas for throwing a ghoulishly great get-together.
• Decorate with fake spider-webs and cut-out bats. - Teens Celebrate Their Sixteenth In "suite" Style
Teenagers with more sophisticated tastes can now make their sixteenth birthday truly sweet with a celebration styled after the MTV show "My Super Sweet 16."
Teens can celebrate this rite of passage in true Daytona Beach style at Ocean Walk Village, an ocean-side vacation and entertainment district. - Lesser-known Holidays: Always Reason To Celebrate
For those who are always looking for an excuse to celebrate, there is a holiday for virtually every day of the year. Unfortunately, many holidays are largely unknown and underappreciated.
Some of the country's most entertaining holidays provide a special opportunity to honor someone or something, such as National Mom and Pop Business Owner's Day or National Good Neighbor Day. Every April 10, brothers and sisters can celebrate Siblings Day or offices can take the IT guys out for Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day. - Indulgent Gifts To Pamper And Delight
'Tis the season to be pleasing-and that means hunting for just the right gift to delight and pamper the people you care about.
For many, the most pleasing gifts are those that soothe the senses and help relieve daily stresses. - Enjoy The Season-and Get Your Shopping Done
Many think the holidays really can be the most wonderful time of the year-if you have time to find all the gifts you want to give.
Some say direct selling-the sale of products and services on a person-to-person basis at home, work or at themed parties-is one way consumers can shop while enjoying holiday fun with family and friends. - Holiday Entertaining...easy As Apple Pie! Make This Delicious Apple Pie Your Own!
Frozen foods can make your holiday entertaining easier and more enjoyable. You can impress guests with delectable appetizers, delicious meals and mouthwatering desserts.
According to the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA), new product introductions and innovations have made the frozen food aisle not only a convenient stop, but an essential one for finding timesaving meal solution options with the taste and quality consumers are looking for. - Take The Stress Out Of Holiday Shopping
As a recent survey showed, in order to help reduce the stress from holiday shopping, consumers are moving towards a single vendor that offers something for everyone on their list. From catalogs to Web sites, shoppers are looking for stress-free, convenient ways to take care of all their shopping needs. Consumers can find all these great gift ideas in the comfort of their own home with just a click of the mouse at Hammacher Schlemmer.
Here are some great ideas: - The Art Of Giving Personalized Gifts
A great holiday present is one that only the giver can give. This year it's easier than ever to create and give personalized gifts to your friends, family and even colleagues and business associates.
If you are looking for a gift that will truly capture memories, consider a photo gift. FedEx Kinko's offers customers ornaments and dozens of other items that can be personalized with your favorite photos-everything from tote bags and luggage tags to puzzles and mouse pads. All these items can also be customized with a company logo, perfect for holiday business gifts. - Mobile Gifts Sure To Bestow "totally Awesome" Status On Parents This Holiday Season
Once again, teens will be hoping to unwrap the latest new device or cellphone this holiday season. And parents will struggle to find that perfect present to elicit those rare words-"Thanks, you're totally awesome!"-from the hard-to-please young people in their lives. But finding the right fit for the holidays is often a tough challenge.
This year, Virgin Mobile USA is ringing in the holiday cheer with three fantastic Pay As You Go handsets that deliver great features and exciting designs at a range of affordable prices-an extra nice gift for parents. Teens can get started right away to dial up or text friends on their new phones, to compare presents, and to let them know how awesome their Mom or Dad is for choosing the perfect gift. - Personalized Gifts
The best gifts show that time went into the planning and reflect the personality of the recipient. What better way to capture this than with the ultimate in personalization, not to mention a first-class gift?
Now, with PhotoStamps, you can create real U.S. postage featuring your own digital photos. These are a great gift for anyone, from friends to relatives to co-workers: - Impossible-to-buy-for Guy? Give Automotive Art
It's a familiar challenge: What presents to buy the guys in your life?
Here's a suggestion that may steer you in the right direction: automotive art. Prints and posters showcase classic cars, sports cars and muscle cars. Racing includes NASCAR, Formula 1 and dragsters. - Themed Stockings Add Festive
Tradition holds that, long ago on a very cold evening, Saint Nicholas threw three pouches of gold coins down the chimney of a home where three poor sisters lived. According to the legend, the pouches landed inside three stockings left on the fireplace to dry. Ever since then, children have been hanging stockings by the fireplace on Christmas Eve in hopes that they may have the same fortune.
While today's holiday stockings rarely contain gold coins, a new tradition has emerged to create themed stockings for loved ones of all ages. - Holiday Shipping Tips
You always want your special packages to arrive safely and on time. However, this is particularly important during the holiday season as you send your holiday gifts to your family and loved ones around the world.
Here are some tips to help ensure your holiday packages arrive safely and on time: - Holidays: Celebrate, Plan Together
For many Americans, the holiday season is a time to celebrate together. Along with good food and good conversation, the holidays can give families the rare opportunity to talk about financial planning with older members of the family.
In fact, it might be easier than you think. Many older Americans welcome the invitation to talk openly about their goals for a secure financial future. - Ho-ho-holidays! 'tis The Season For A New Hdtv
Whether for yourself or as a gift, there's never been a better time to finally buy a widescreen flat panel television. Prices continue to drop; even larger screen TVs that used to be prohibitively expensive are now within reach.
Before buying a television, there are many factors to consider, such as what room the TV will be placed in, what features are most important to you and, of course, price. - Sewing Machines: This Season's Diy Gift
If you're looking for this season's hot gift, visit your family room.
Odds are you'll find someone tuned in to a DIY (do-it-yourself) or makeover reality show. The shows, complete with celebrities, budding fashion designers, decorators and stylists, have helped make sewing chic again and have turned sewing machines into one of the season's most popular gifts. - Stocking Stuffer Tips That Fill Kids With Cheer
Here are some unique stocking stuffers for tweens that will help get parents' holiday shopping off on the right foot.
Look for Big Presents in Small Packages-Music, media and video content players are a popular choice and allow kids the creativity to download their favorite songs year-round. Plus, these entertainment gadgets often come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, with a variety of accessories, such as headphones and multicolored cases. - A Tips Wrap-up On Shipping Gifts
To make sure those holiday gifts you ship arrive in shipshape condition, you may want to consider the following tips from the experts:
• Be sure to use shipping boxes that are new or in good shape. Use the right-sized box and avoid overpacking. - Advice For A Hassle-free Holiday Season
Although the busiest entertaining season is upon us, few homeowners have time to spend readying their homes for holiday houseguests and last- minute gatherings. According to Tara Aronson, lifestyle expert and author of "Mrs. Clean Jeans' Housekeeping with Kids," preparing your home does not have to take away from enjoying time with friends and family and the joys of the holiday season.
"Break the cleaning process into manageable loads," advises Aronson. "Tackle problem areas that your guests will notice when they first enter your home- entryways, floors and the kitchen-and skip areas that won't play a role in your entertaining." Aronson adds that focusing on specific areas rather than the whole house will allow time to decorate and create an inviting atmosphere for guests. The following tips will quickly have your home prepared for holiday entertaining while impressing last-minute houseguests: - A Home For The Holidays, Hockey Style
There's no need to skate onto thin ice when shopping for the hockey fans on your holiday list. You can be sure to shoot-and score-with apparel and other items from the National Hockey League.
For example, for the die-hard fan, authentic and replica jerseys may be the best way to show support for the team they love. Have a favorite player's name and number embroidered on the back. Or help the recipient get closer to his dream of becoming an NHLer by adding his name and favorite number. - Give The Gift Of A Child's Future
It's never too early for kids to learn about stocks and ownership. Why not spark their curiosity, interest, involvement and financial education at an early age?
Kids grow up with thousands of images that teach them how to spend, but almost none about the power of owning, investing or spending money wisely. Even gifts of cash can perpetuate careless spending and reinforce bad habits. But if you are able to get children interested-and begin teaching them how to value, invest and grow their money-you are providing for them a lifelong lesson and a smart financial future. - Secret Santas Gain Inspiration From The Internet
The popular tradition of Secret Santa was created to solve a problem. Faced with buying gifts for a large group of colleagues, people came up with the idea of each person just buying a gift for one person. Everybody gets to share in the spirit of the season and no one spends a small fortune on presents.
Problem solved? Not quite. For many people, there can be challenges involved with picking out gifts for Secret Santa exchanges. - Five Smooth Moves During The Holiday Season
The holiday season can be stressful for guys, from finding a date for holiday parties to the awkward banter with your boss at the company get-together. One thing that can help is to make sure you always look your best. This season, you can relax and enjoy yourself with these five tips from Gillette Fusion, as part of your holiday season survival plan, for the best shave ever.
Shower, then shave before the holiday party! Although beard hair is as tough as copper wire, applying warm water causes hair to expand, making it softer and easier to cut. The force required to cut beard hair is reduced by almost 70 percent after a two-minute application of warm water. - Holiday Gift Giving Steps Out Of The Box
When searching for unique holiday gifts for your loved ones, find some inspiration in unexpected places. Your local office superstore is a great place to start. This year, creative gift giving is easy with fun tools for crafty kids, cool cameras, and surprising new ways to groove to music. Even traditional business accessories have a new fashion twist. Say good-bye to the ho-hum sweater and consider these surprise holiday gifts:
Find your way to holiday parties without stopping to ask directions with the TomTom One GPS Navigation System, which combines ease of use, portability and touch-screen technology into a sleek new design. Easy to take from car to car; just plug in, switch on and go. - Wholesome Dolls Preserve Fleeting Moments Of Childhood
In this day and age, little girls are growing up before their time. Cell phones and MP3 players are replacing childhood toys, while TV shows casting the next pop star and supermodel are becoming substitutes for wholesome family entertainment. As mainstream media continues to bombard young girls with provocative imagery and attitudes, it's no wonder they try emulating mature behavior.
"Wholesome dolls are the perfect way to reinforce it's okay to be a kid, enjoy childhood, and not be in such a hurry to grow up," advises Sheilah Gilliland, spokesperson for eToys.com, which sells close to 900 types of dolls. - Ice-cold Collection
What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a gift that embraces the season's icy elegance.
Snowflakes, stars and sparkling dreams make up the Swatch Holiday Collection, which is available now. The collection features Dreamy Star, a set of white enamel bijoux, and Arctic Touch, a brilliant gift specially designed for the holiday season. Five other pieces complete the collection: - High-tech Holiday Shopping For Kids
For many kids today, technology is second nature, especially when it comes to the world of tech toys. Last year, consumer electronics were among the most popular gifts of the holiday season, with electronic toys topping many kids' wish lists.
From educational laptops to robots and radio-controlled toys (RCs), RadioShack takes the guesswork out of holiday shopping by offering high-tech toys for children of all ages. - Five Tips For Year-end Planning
Aside from gift buying and holiday planning, there are a number of things investors should do to prepare for 2007. By working with your financial adviser to address the following issues now, you can be ahead of the game when January rolls around.
1. Organize your financial files. Get your tax records in order now so you will have time to request copies of missing documents. Start by getting rid of documents you no longer need. For example, when you receive annual summaries of your 401(k) and other retirement plans, you can discard the quarterly statements once you confirm that everything matches up. Eliminate excess statements by canceling credit cards you no longer use. - Give A Child The Gift Of Creativity
There's an art to finding the right gift for a child and one gift that benefits a child's development is the gift of being able to create art.
Educators and developmental experts know that art provides a way for young children to express their thoughts and feelings. - A Practical Gift That Says A Lot About You
What does your handwriting say about you-and could a great pen portray you in a more favorable light?
A recent survey found that 30 percent of Americans believe that their handwriting could reveal something about their personality that they've kept secret from family, friends or employees. - Five Tips For A Stress-free Holiday Shopping Season
The holidays can be a hectic time of year. Between holiday parties, shopping for the right gifts and spending time with your family, the balancing act of getting everything done within your budget or forgetting a gift can be stressful. However, with the proper time management, money and budgeting tools, and a little creativity sprinkled on top, gift givers can enjoy the holidays and stay stress-free. This year, Visa's Chief Shopping Officer and celebrity shopping expert, Jaye Hersh, offers some tips to help boost your holiday cheer and maintain your shopping Zen.
Start early and plan ahead. Plan your holiday shopping instead of squeezing it in between other obligations. November and December see epic mall traffic, so allow plenty of time to accomplish what you need without feeling rushed and stressed. Also, try hitting the stores with a friend or loved one. Shopping with a buddy is a great way to spend time with friends and family during the hectic holiday season, and a second opinion can be crucial when shopping for the perfect gift. - A Giving Quilt
If you want to give friends and family more peace, health and justice in the world, a new gift idea may have it all sewn up.
That gift is a donation to the Lutheran World Relief Community Quilt. Donations to the LWR Community Quilt support one of 12 different facets of the organization's work in the developing world. - Remembering The Holidays
Like a whirlwind, the holiday season flies by in a sea of chaos filled with family, friends, food, shopping and gifts. Before people know it, the holidays are over until the following year. Families are left asking themselves where the time went and how the holidays were spent. As time passes, many people find it hard to distinguish the events that happened and the family members who were present from one year to the next.
Discover some ways to preserve your holiday memories this year and in the future. These ideas will help many families remember what happened in years past. - Deck The Halls For Less
The holiday season is a time for making your house bright and festive as the days shorten. Now, new technology lets you light your home without lightening your wallet.
Most decorative holiday light strings use standard incandescent bulbs. However, these bulbs consume a great deal of electricity and frequently burn out. That's why more and more people are turning to Light Emitting Diode products, also known as LEDs. You may know these little lights as the red numbers on the display of your clock radio or the multiple red dots in the third-brake light on several different automobiles, but now these colorful light sources are making inroads into the festive holiday lighting market. The U.S. Department of Energy is working cooperatively with research institutions and private companies to accelerate the development of better and more efficient LEDs to replace traditional lightbulbs. - Festive Decor 101
Whether you're a gifted holiday decorator or prefer to let others deck your halls, following are a few tips that can help you add a festive feel to your home this holiday season.
Something In The Air - Festive Holiday Tables Made Easy
Create fabulous holiday memories that will impress every guest. Celebrity Home and Style Designer Stephen Saint-Onge shares holiday entertaining ideas that are easy and affordable, to help create a memorable holiday setting for you and your guests to enjoy all season long.
"The holidays are all about your senses, and being affected and moved by your surroundings," says Saint-Onge. "A few simple details added to your space--candlelight, tableware, festive accessories and luxurious linens--all create an instant holiday makeover by making an ordinary room extraordinary." - Your Big Gift Ideas Can Bring Big Holiday Smiles
There could be a perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list--even if finding it may seem daunting at times. This year, shoppers are looking to explore the personality of gift giving, armed with the knowledge that every recipient has a unique personality, and every gift can fit that personality perfectly.
That's the somewhat surprising philosophy that's caught on with gift givers as they use the Internet to find a gift that's just right. And now more than ever, if you can't find the right gift, technology will help you create it. - Making Wishes Come True Is A Wonderful Gift
Making wishes come true is a heartfelt holiday tradition--and this year it's easier than ever with sparkling gifts that capture the season's spirit.
A percentage of the sales of five glittering crystal gifts will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the fondest wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Make-A-Wish gifts are offered by Things Remembered. - The Art Of Reading Gift Clues
Earth to men: The person at the top of your holiday gift list is probably signaling what she wants--if only you'd listen.
Of course, men aren't the only ones who can be tone-deaf. Women need to remember that guys are sending out messages, too--they may just be a bit harder to understand. - Shop Smart And Stay Safe: Top Tips For Finding Gifts Online This Holiday Season
An increasing number of consumers are going online this holiday season to find the perfect gift. According to Jupiter Research, 114 million shoppers are expected to spend over $32 billion on holiday items online this year.
The Internet offers shoppers a wealth of benefits, including selection, convenience and ease. Online, you have access to a world of sellers that can provide unique and memorable gift options. - Gifts For Racing Fans
If you've got a NASCAR® fan on your gift list, you're not alone. NASCAR bills itself as the fastest-growing spectator sport, packing tens of thousands of people into stadiums each week.
The good news is that even if you've yet to become part of the NASCAR faithful, shopping for a racing fan can be a breeze. There are numerous NASCAR-themed gifts you can give, ranging from die-cast cars and commemorative plaques to dish sets and clothing. You can even take a page out of the pros' book and give a watch such as the one presented to the Top 10 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Drivers following the 2006 season. - Kindling Creativity Among Gift Givers
Most people could use a spark of creativity when trying to come up with gifts for certain people--those hard-to-buy-for individuals who pose a challenge at birthdays and during the holidays. Fortunately, a simple, practical solution could be just the thing to ignite your imagination.
For example, an easy-to-use utility lighter can make many daily household tasks much more manageable. A lighter with a flexible stem allows you to light candles with hard-to-reach wicks, ignite grills and light a wood-burning stove or fireplace with ease. - For A "safe" Gift Idea, Think Inside The Box
For the person who has everything and needs to protect it, consider the gift of a fire-safe, waterproof security chest.
With identity theft, in-home and weather-related disasters occurring more often, consumers are more aware than ever that many important electronic and hard-copy documents are at risk and cannot be restored or would be too costly or troublesome to replace. You can give peace of mind with a unique, yet practical gift that can be enjoyed year-round. - The Right Holiday Spirits For A Spirited Party
Helping your guests get into the holiday spirit may have a lot to do with what spirits you stock the bar with. Here are key tips so you can mix delicious cocktails with the right garnishes and the perfect glassware.
The Core Spirits - New Face Of Gift Cards
Giving a gift card just got a lot more interesting in time for the holiday season.
Shoppers now have a new way to give a magazine subscription gift that lets the recipient choose from 50 high-profile titles including People, Time, O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Esquire and The New Yorker. - Christmas Gift Shipping Do's And Don'ts
Choosing those holiday gifts is hard enough, so shipping them so they get there on time should be easy. It can be if you follow these holiday do's and don'ts from the shipping experts at DHL.
• Do ship as early as possible to get the best rate and make sure your shipment gets to its destination on time. - A Holiday Classic: The Poinsettia
In addition to their role as traditional Christmas decorations, poinsettias can serve as tokens of goodwill, friendship and joy during the holidays and beyond. More than 50 million Americans will purchase a poinsettia plant this holiday season.
While 75 percent prefer the familiar red version, there are more than 100 varieties available. White, pink, yellow and even variegated poinsettias are gradually gaining popularity. Named after Joel Poinsett, who introduced this indigenous Mexican plant to the United States during the 1800s while he served as the U.S. ambassador to that nation, poinsettias have become America's best-selling potted plant. More than 85 percent of all potted plants sold annually are poinsettias. - Gifts Get Personal
If you want to give a present worth remembering, make your gift as personal as possible.
That's the advice from gift- giving gurus who say it's smart to take a few minutes to consider the personalities on your gift list, before you shop. - Celebration Stress Busters
I start thinking about celebrations about a month ahead of time. Regardless of what I'm planning-a birthday party, a holiday meal or a dinner with friends-I need a lot of time to decide on a menu, shop, cook and get the house ready. Planning ahead works for me because it lowers my stress level. One or more of these strategies may help to reduce your stress:
Give up your inner "Martha." Many of us strive to be the perfect host, trying to prepare perfect food and decorations to create the ideal celebration. Unfortunately, doing too much in too little time increases stress, as well as disappointment when the results don't match the promise in the magazine or television show. - Holiday Mail Tips: Be Prepared
To put the stamp of knowledge on the holiday packages you're sending, here are some packaging tips from the experts at DHL that may help to ease your mind:
• Choose the size of the package according to its content. Understand that poorly packed boxes may collapse and overloaded ones may burst. - Faster, Safer And Easier For The Whole Family
A little forethought and ingenuity can help keep your family from being among the more than 171,000 people involved in ladder-related accidents each year.
Many of these accidents occur while hanging lights during the holiday season. In response, a number of retailers now carry products designed to make holiday decorating faster, safer and easier. - Tips For Less Stress And More Sparkle
One way to make the season less stressful this year is to use a service that has delivered holiday cheer for 231 years.
That punctual bringer of cheer is the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and this year they will deliver more than 20 billion pieces of mail between Thanksgiving and Christmas. - Re-creating The Scents Of The Season
Holiday decor can be as much about delightful seasonal scents as it is about festive sights and sounds.
A sprig of pine, a cinnamon stick or even apples and spice can trigger memories of holiday snowfalls and times spent around the fire with family and friends. Or, if you have a few guests on their way, some peppermint sticks and mint leaves hidden throughout the room can create a fresh and joyful atmosphere. - A Nice Way Of Sweetening Your Neighbor's Day
From the woman across the street who collects your mail when you're out of town to the man next door who shovels your sidewalk, a neighborhood is filled with sweet people--and it's always a sweet idea to let them know how much you appreciate them.
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) suggests a neighborhood-wide way of sweetening everyone's day this year, starting with materials you can download from its Web site: www.CandyUSA.org/sweet. - Taking You Up, Up And Away
There are gifts that are perfectly adequate and then there are gifts that soar above the others.
One that soars is the gift of silent flight-which can be drifting in a gondola of a beautiful hot-air balloon, or soaring quietly in a sleek world-class glider or floating to earth under a parachute. According to the experts at Soaring Adventures of America, here's what's involved: - Every Card Tells A Story™
As the holiday countdown continues, shoppers are making their lists and checking them twice.
According to a Consumer Reports survey, gift cards will be the second most popular gift in 2006. This year, about 80 percent of consumers are expected to buy someone at least one gift card, according to a Retail Forward survey. - Great Gifts Made Simple
For many, the most "wonderful time of the year" can also be the most harried. Holiday shoppers would love to minimize the time and stress associated with shopping for friends and loved ones.
According to gift expert Alison Deyette, gift cards make finding that perfect present a whole lot easier. - Discounted Software Often Comes With Hidden Costs
It's that time of year again, when friends and family give you long lists of desired presents. Maybe there is a designer handbag or music CD or upgrade to the latest software somewhere on those lists. Of course, you want to get the most value for your money, so you decide to scour the Internet for the best bargain. If you're thinking about using an online auction site or discount download source to purchase games or other software this holiday season, you may want to think twice about what you're giving your loved ones.
A new Microsoft Corp.-sponsored study from IDC reviewed data from the company's legal team, which examined 115 software CDs purchased at online auctions in 2005 and found that just over half of them were either counterfeit or contained tampered code. All the discs were presented as being genuine. - The Gift Of Giving
It has long been said it is better to give than to receive, and the growing popularity of gift cards has made giving to those less fortunate during the holidays a lot easier and more rewarding.
The holiday season brings a spirit of giving that inspires many people to donate to homeless shelters and other charitable causes. With gift cards, there are a variety of choices that allow the gift giver to respond to the specific needs of the recipient. - What To Know Before Giving A Gift Card
Gift cards can be a convenient way to make wishes come true, but they may fall short if you don't check the card's fine print.
It's important to learn about any applicable fees and expiration dates, and how to handle complaints and lost or stolen cards. - The Sweet Smell Of Successful Giving
The next time you want to show you have the gift for giving, you may care to follow your nose and present a present with a pleasant scent.
Scent can affect your mood, your memory, your entire sense of well-being. For example, in a Russell Research survey, 39 percent of respondents said the smell of pie produces happy memories. Anthropologists speculate that humans have been making and wearing flower-scented ointments for 9,000 years. - Electronic Twists On Favorite Pastimes
Surprisingly, shopping for gifts can be a snap-when you stop and consider the things that the intended recipients do for fun. Throw in some advances with fun electronics and you have a surefire winner: modern twists on popular pastimes.
For example, what's a duffer to do on a day when the weather isn't cooperating or no one else is available for a foursome? Golf fans can now enjoy their activity at home, arcade style. Officially licensed from Incredible Technologies, Golden Tee Golf Home Edition features a unique trackball interface and offers realistic game play of the hugely popular arcade-style golf game. Just plug the unit into a TV or VCR and tee off for addicting golf play. - A Million Ways To Say "i Love You"
On Valentine's Day, two traditional ways of capturing the essence of luxury and romance are diamonds and chocolate. And this year, one lucky individual will be able to take those indulgences to the extreme.
The winner of a popular contest sponsored by Godiva and Hearts On Fire, The World's Most Perfectly Cut Diamond, will be able to celebrate the holiday with a $1,000,000 diamond shopping spree and a year's supply of delectable chocolate. In addition to the Grand Prize winner, two finalists will get $50,000 in diamond jewelry and a year's supply of chocolates. - Rosy Tips For Valentine's Day
A stunning floral bouquet can express a range of feelings, from romantic to friendly to something in between. Not only will your wife or sweetheart love to receive a gift of flowers, so will your mother, daughter, sister and friends. From roses to tulips to orchids to lilies, there are flowers to please all the important people in your life.
The most popular Valentine's Day flowers are roses. For many people, roses are a well-known statement of love, the perfect way to say "I love you." To make this loving gift a long-lived one, recipients should follow some simple steps from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM: - Trendy Bouquets For Spring Celebrations
Here's a party-planning tip: Whether you're celebrating Mother's Day, a wedding shower, graduation or even spring itself, fresh flowers create a warm, welcoming ambiance-plus, they're easy and fun to arrange.
A festive spring bouquet starts with your choice of flowers, says Rene van Rems, noted floral designer and educator in Vista, Calif. Bring the vibrant spirit of spring into your home with daffodil, narcissus and hyacinth, available from January to May. Irises and tulips also herald the season, along with daisies, freesia, lily of the valley and calla lilies. In fact, there are more than 200 different flowers and foliages available from California in spring-just choose your favorites. - What's In Your Easter Basket? 10 Easter Tips To Add A Golden Touch
Parents looking to add a special golden touch to Easter this year can conjure up a lot of creative fun without too much effort.
Here are 10 fun tips from the official home of the legendary candy maker Willy Wonka that will add a dazzling golden touch to festivities, egg hunts and Easter baskets. - What Mom Really Wants For Mother's Day
It may come as a surprise to some, but the fastest-growing segment of the online games market is "casual games," those nonviolent, easy-to-learn games that can be enjoyed in quick spurts. Women, many of them moms between the ages of 25 and 54, make up nearly two-thirds of players.
Why Do Moms Love - Flowers Remain A Mother's Day Favorite
Mother's Day is May 13th. What will you give Mom this year? A recent survey found that 64 percent will give Mom a card, while more than 35 percent plan on sending flowers.
It's a good thing, because the survey shows that a high percentage of moms said the best Mother's Day gift they ever received included flowers, cards and perfume. Mom sure is loved, as nearly 80 percent said they will spend more or about the same for Mom's gift compared to what they spent for their significant other on Valentine's Day. The survey was sponsored by The Emily Post Institute and 1-800-flowers.com. - What Moms Really Want
According to the Mother's Day quiz, 37 percent of the respondents said that they picture the perfect "me" day sitting on a beach in a new solar shade chair listening to their iPods, while a handsome silent manservant pours chardonnay. Twenty percent envision a spa day with that same handsome silent manservant massaging their feet.
One-third liked the idea of their kid's ceramic handprint holding a pair of diamond earrings, while another third wished the handprint was wrapped in a pair of tickets to St. Barts.
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