Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Christmas Gifts

Advice Mother's Day Gifts provides detailed information on mother's day gifts, mother's day gift baskets, unique mother's day gifts, personalized mother's day gifts and more. Mother's Day Gifts is affiliated with Homemade Christmas Gifts.

Christmas is a season of revelry, that time of the year when families unite to celebrate the bounties of the season. It is a time to show the sharing and caring spirit in all of us, and what good way to do so than with gifts. It is not uncommon to hear people complaining that they have run out of ideas for gifts. To begin with, you cannot follow a one-size-fits-all policy with gifts. Buying a set of ties or a set of polka-dotted dresses, varying in color only is not going to work.

It's easy choosing gifts when you are familiar with the tastes and hobbies of a person. What movie buff wouldn't love to possess a collection of war movies, while nothing would please a music enthusiast more than a collection of the old masters. However, when it comes to guessing, you need to play safe. For instance, with men you cannot go wrong with colognes; but do steer clear of flowery, fruity fragrances. The metro sexual man loves anything that goes along well with his macho image. A sporty tie, or a leather tote bag would probably do.

Advice So, when you're done with your Christmas gifts and have all the names of the person who will receive them neatly tucked in place, the next you have to do is head for your wallet. Keep in mind that your gift doesn't have to be expensive.

Think about the personality of the wearer if you're buying clothes. Muted tones, button-down collars and basic blacks will make the conservatives on your list happy. While the liberals on your list will probably adore anything that makes them stand out in a crowd. Other gift ideas include fashion accessories like hats, gloves, watches, scarves and belts. For those who prefer something for the home, consider artwork, tableware and outdoor decorations like birdfeeders and weathervanes.

Choosing gifts for children and teenagers can be tricky. But if you do your homework, it shouldn't be too difficult. See what's "in" for teens in the way of electronics or music. With children think toys -trucks, dolls, books and games. For those picky people on your list, you can't miss with a gift certificate.

Remember, it's not what you give, it's the spirit of giving that counts.

Christmas Gifts provides detailed information about christmas gift ideas, christmas gift baskets, homemade christmas gifts, corporate christmas gifts and more. Christmas Gifts is the sister site of Online Gift Cards.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Unique Christmas Gifts

Advice Online Crazy Deals has great Christmas gifts for your holiday shopping. Why fight the crowd this year, shop online and save yourself the headache, the long lines, and all things bad that come with the Holiday rush.

Gifts are a part of celebrating the holidays. Christmas is a festive occasion when family and friends share warm memories and meaningful gift swapping. Gifts express your love and tell those that you care about just how special you think they are. You don't have to spend a lot of money, but your gift should be one that will be remembered throughout the years.

Finding a unique gift for everyone on your list isn't an easy task. But it can be done by shopping in shops that go beyond offering ordinary gifts of clothing, music or movies. You can also go online and do a "unique gift" search. You'll find hundreds of unique gift-giving ideas.

Personalized gifts are always treasured. Gather some of you favorite photographs and turn them into a collage for a calendar or framed print. Books are great Christmas gifts for those who like to read. Find out what their reading interests are and put together a small library. Jewelry boxes, either crystal or wood, make a special statement for someone you love, and hand decorated ceramics can be something someone will cherish forever.

Advice Think of what might be useful for them in their household. Most women like to receive Christmas gifts which will help them decorate their home, especially the bedroom and the kitchen.

If you're looking for something even more unique, put together a family cookbook with recipes from your family and friends. Who wouldn't appreciate a gift with their very own recipe included? Gift certificates to spas, gyms and dance classes are great for those you know are athletically inclined. Pets for animal lovers are truly unique and will bring joy under anyone's Christmas tree.

Finally, if you want to give your loved ones something they can be creative with, give gift certificates. There are certificates to specific stores, and there are vouchers that can be used for a variety of purchases. Again, the Internet is a valuable resource for information about certificates and vouchers. Many consider gift certificates the perfect gift.

Christmas Gifts provides detailed information about christmas gift ideas, christmas gift baskets, homemade christmas gifts, corporate christmas gifts and more. Christmas Gifts is the sister site of Online Gift Cards.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Christmas Gift Ideas : Christmas Gifts

Advice Before choosing any toys or games as Christmas gifts for kids, make sure to read the age recommendations printed on the box or noted in the description. It's important that the age recommendations match that of your child for safety reasons.

We all know that the holiday season can be fast and furious. Why not give yourself the gift of being extremely organised and frugal, yet creative, for Christmas this year? Here are some ideas you can get to work on right now!

Consider Christmas gifts in a jar or Christmas in a box. Set aside a place to store jars or boxes labeled with each person's names, for whom you intend to get gifts. When you do your weekly shopping, if you see something that may be just right for one of your friends or family, buy it and place it in their box or jar. Add to each container as you go, through the year. Near Christmas time you can simply and decoratively package these gifts with their bows and cards. Each gift can be wrapped in its own tissue paper in the box and then glue wallpaper to the outside of a box instead of using wrapping paper.

Advice When you're low on funds during the holidays, the secret is to buy unique things for people. Hopefully, the above list will give you a head start on finding inexpensive Christmas gifts this year.

Alternatively, buy a bunch of cheap baskets/boxes and create generic gift baskets/boxes. You could have themes for each such as aromatherapy, sports, car care, music, entertainment. Fill each with items relative to their themes such as restaurant vouchers, music CD's, car wax, lavender oils. A basket like that is bound to please someone you know or it's a great way to store smaller gifts that are just right for the friends you may have forgotten on your gift buying errands.

Purchase a bunch of photo frames that you may spot on sale at some point through the year. For family and very close friends you might collect a nice photo during the year that you can enlarge or reduce in size to put in the frame. For other friends, the frame is simply the gift.

Grow cuttings of some of your favorite plants and these can then be put in a decorative ceramic pot at the end of the year and used as a Christmas gift or, kept at hand for gifts at any stage of the year.

Advice Here is another a tip about Christmas gifts. Every year, you and your kids would get gifts you do not like and spend money on gifts for your loved ones which they do not really like either.

Sponsor a child with World Vision or similar organisation. The receipt for each month's contribution could be enclosed in a beautiful envelope as an individual gift for 12 different people that Christmas. Perhaps a letter or photo of the child during their gifted month can be enclosed with the receipt copy. Invite the recipient of the gift envelope to write a letter to the child letting the sponsored child know of your friend or family member's indirect involvement.

Get creative this Christmas and start your preparations early. Allow yourself to be relaxed and able to simply be in the company of the people who you love spending time with during the holidays.

Copyright Glenda Erceg.

This article may be used without permission as long as it is shown in its entirety with links intact.

For more Christmas Gifts resources visit http://christmasgiftsinfo.com/

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Christmas Gifts - The Thought That Counts?

Advice Instead of thinking about the physical aspects and inconvenience of buying Christmas gifts, of the costs and effect on your credit card, think about the love, respect and caring that you feel for those to whom you will be giving. That way you will beat the stress before it surfaces, and enjoy the act of giving as a true pleasure.

Indeed, the very first thing that comes to your mind whenever you think of Christmas is Christmas gifts. They come in great sizes, big or small, cheap or expensive, but probably the most important is the thought that goes into picking a gift. A gift that shows you put a lot of thought and care into your decision will be appreciated even if cheap or homemade much more than an expensive gift with little thought or regard to the recipients personality or tastes. You may consider buying some high-tech gadgets for the geeks on your shopping list. These state-of-the art Christmas gifts are truly built for tech-savvy people. These Christmas gifts ideas range from mobile phones to PDAs, from higher processors personal computer to modern entertainment systems, from digital camcorders to high-tech wrist camera watches.

Advice You may consider buying some high-tech gadgets for the geeks on your shopping list. These state-of-the art Christmas gifts are truly built for tech-savvy people.

However, if you're not wanting to break the bank on the pricey features of these super technologies, you might well opt for simple yet practical Christmas gifts. But before you go out and do some shopping, you may want to give some thought first on for whom the Christmas gifts are intended. If you have a girl friend, a wife, a mother, a sister, or a special someone you may want to consider jewelry as an ideal Christmas gift. As they say, jewelries are a girl's best friend, even if it's not a diamond.

On the other hand, if you are thinking of for-him Christmas gifts this time of the year, then the best things worth considering are sports paraphernalia. These may range from gadgets to sports jersey's. And because many contend that Christmas is for children, then picking that perfect Christmas gifts for kids could just be as rewarding. Looking for Christmas gifts for kids is not that hard because most children would vie for toys.

Advice And because many contend that Christmas is for children, then picking that perfect Christmas gifts for kids could just be as rewarding. Looking for Christmas gifts for kids is not that hard because most children would vie for toys.

There are still thousand of gift ideas that can help you pick the best Christmas gift ever. But remember, it's important that you consider the person's personality, interest, and the lifestyle as well. Making extra effort to take these demographic details into account will definitely make your receiver feel deeply valued. Do keep in mind that giving Christmas gifts are not mere matters of the physical aspects. It's the concept of giving without expecting something in return that establishes the very essence of Christmas gifts.

In fact, gift giving was first manifested when the three kings found the new born King cuddled with hay on the manger. What they offered were variety of things, not as mere gifts but symbols of offerings reflecting their unified adoration to the Lord. So, when you're done with your Christmas gifts and have all the names of the person who will receive them neatly tucked in place, the next you have to do is head for your wallet. Keep in mind that your gift doesn't have to be expensive. As they old adage quips, it's the thought that counts.

Mark Dietzel operates e-Christmas-Gifts.com a website dedicated to e Christmas Gifts.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Christmas Gifts

Advice Make a Present List - this is a powerful tool to get you organized and ensures that no-one will be missed. Head up another page in your exercise book �Christmas Gifts� then write the name of everyone you need to buy for and write an approximate amount of money you will spend on each person.

Christmas is not only the season to be jolly but also the best time to share and give. Gift giving has always been associated with Christmas. Just imagine how dull Christmas will be without gifts. For sure, you would not like the sight of your Christmas tree without any gifts underneath it. If you have trouble picking the right Christmas gifts for your loved ones, you don't have to worry because you are not alone in this. Most people also experience difficulty finding the right gifts not because they do not have the money to purchase expensive ones but because they want to see to it that the gifts they give please the recipients.

So, before you begin Christmas shopping, first you have to make the list of people to whom you will give a gift. The list can include your mother, father, spouse, children, brother, sister, and also your closest friends. After listing down their names, you have to think about the interests and hobbies of each person so you have a slight idea about what to give them. For example, if your mom loves baking, perhaps you can buy her a new set of baking pans. If your child loves to play with dolls, then you can consider looking for a nice walking and talking doll.

Advice On the other hand, if you are thinking of for-him Christmas gifts this time of the year, then the best things worth considering are sports paraphernalia. These may range from gadgets to sports jerseys.

Aside from the ready-to-buy Christmas gifts that you can get, you can also exert some effort and use your skills to craft self-made gifts that your loved ones will surely be glad to receive. Some of the simple things that you can do are wooden framed cross-stitch pictures, scented candles or soaps, handmade bags, and baked cookies and goodies. These are not only very affordable but since you exerted effort to make them, they will be more appreciated than those ready-to-buy gifts. Christmas indeed would never be complete without gift giving. However, you should always remember that the true essence of this season is still the birth of Jesus Christ in the manger, which is the most wonderful gift of all time.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Inexpensive Christmas Gifts

Advice Before choosing any toys or games as Christmas gifts for kids, make sure to read the age recommendations printed on the box or noted in the description. It's important that the age recommendations match that of your child for safety reasons.

Christmas is a time of joy, piece, and giving. It is also a time of being broke. Adults often think that the idea of making Christmas gifts is only for children who do not yet have their own money to buy gifts. However, with a little bit of ingenuity, some clever shopping, and a fair amount of free time, you can make some very grown up do it yourself Christmas gifts. The first step is to spend an afternoon at a craft store, and see what sticks out at you as things you would be comfortable sitting down to work on. Some very basic, but very nice final product ideas include:

(1) Knit caps. If you have time to pick up crocheting or knitting, Christmas is a perfect time of year to put that talent to good use. You can make knit caps, mittens and scarves for men and women alike on your holiday shopping list. With all of the different available colors and textures in yarns today, it is virtually limitless what you can do to personalize a knitted gift. For some extra special fun, you can work in some fun beads fairly easily to jazz up a more basic design.

Advice Born is Vancouver, BC Jessica Cander is a professional freelance writer who currently calls the Southern tip of Ireland home. You can read more of her writing on all things Christmas gifts related at the Christmas Gift Center.

(2) Pick up some shadow box frames at the art store, and make some personal home decorations. For example, if you have someone on your list who is a big fan of Beethoven, you can create a shadowbox picture with some music notes in the background with a copy of a Beethoven songbook and maybe a dollhouse piano in the frame. Stuff like the dollhouse furniture as well as lots of great designs for backgrounds and the like can usually be found in the scrapbook section of your favorite craft store.

(3) Jewelry is a great personal do it yourself gift. There are all different skill levels for creating your own jewelry, and lots of different pieces that you can purchase to make your gift as professional looking and beautiful as you want. If you go to a good bead store, they will have lots of different settings on which to put earrings and a great selection of different and interesting beads for you to use. The best part though, is that they have expertise. With a little bit of help from the experts, you can make beautiful, one of a kind jewelry for less than a dollar a piece.

Advice When you're low on funds during the holidays, the secret is to buy unique things for people. Hopefully, the above list will give you a head start on finding inexpensive Christmas gifts this year.

(4) Ornaments are a great way to celebrate the Christmas season. There are so many different ways to create your own unique ornaments, that you could make a different type of ornament for nearly everyone on your list. You could cross-stitch some ornaments, hand paint a box of regular glass ornaments, create egg shell ornaments with glitter or paint, make picture frame ornaments, bead Holiday shapes with pipe cleaners and pony beads, string some Hawaiian flowers for a funky tree garland, or just put a glittery hook on a plain ornament bulb. The best part about this gift, is that you get to see it every year on your loved one's Christmas tree.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Christmas Gifts for Dad

Advice Toys and games are terrific Christmas gifts for kids also because they promote sharing while keeping the child entertained and happy. Some toys promote learning, such as math and board games.

Is Dad hard to buy Christmas gifts for? If adults have difficulty choosing holiday gifts for men, think of the problem it is for children. Here are four possibilities.

Fire Starters for Dad

Most dads have either a fireplace or barbeque and can use fire starters. Have the child pick up pine cones at the park or anywhere there are pine trees. Let them dry out. You can decorate them with a little glitter if you wish. Pile them up in an attractive basket or bucket, add a big ribbon and the gift is ready. It's also inexpensive! If pine cones are not available, twigs will work fine for fire starters. Gather them in sheaves and tie them with ribbon. Stand them up in a basket or bucket. Add a big ribbon to the handle.

A third type of fire starter is made with adult help. Save up your cardboard egg cartons. Cut off the tops and recycle them. Get some cotton twine and thread it through the bottom of each section of the egg carton, tying a knot underneath so it does not pull through. Cut the twine at the height of the egg carton plus one inch. This is the wick. Melt paraffin (adults only) and pour it into each section, very carefully. Keep the wick upright. Sprinkle a little glitter on top. Let dry. When dad needs a fire starter, he cuts one or two sections, puts them in the fireplace under the wood and lights them.

Advice If you have trouble picking the right Christmas gifts for your loved ones, you don't have to worry because you are not alone in this. Most people also experience difficulty finding the right gifts not because they do not have the money to purchase expensive ones but because they want to see to it that the gifts they give please the recipients.

Bird Feeders: A Project for Dad and His Kid To Share at Christmas

This gift is a project for Dad and his kid to do together. The Christmas gift for Dad is the materials for the bird feeders. You need: a few pine cones, the larger, the better. Yarn, a scissors, two butter knives, a jar of peanut butter, and bird seed are also needed. Decorate a box big enough to hold everything, with a lid. Put everything in the box, cover, and add a ribbon. When Dad is ready to help his kid with the project, they use the butter knives to spread peanut butter on the tips of the pine cone sections. Sprinkle bird seed on top of the peanut butter. Use the scissors to cut the yarn and tie it to the pine cone to make a hanger. Hang your bird feeders outdoors.

These simple Christmas gifts for Dad should help solve the problem of what to buy him for Christmas!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Don't Miss the Variety of Large Angel Christmas Tree Toppers

By Nancy Fitzgerald

Tip! Ivy or holly � add these to the bottom of your candles, decorate around your mirrors and mantles. This really adds to the Christmas cheer.

Your large angel Christmas tree toppers may be going to the dogs. If you have a yen to honor your favorite pooch you can adorn the top of your Christmas tree with a large angel with a decidedly doggie countenance.

One such large angel Christmas tree topper has the beautifully dressed white gown and body of an angel but the head of a golden retriever. 17 inches tall, this is certainly meant to become a keepsake for the canine companioned household.

One of the newest of the large Christmas tree toppers is a lighted porcelain black angel. 12 inches tall, these topers have porcelain hands and head.

These gorgeous black angels are adorned in ivory and gold long sleeved dresses, with sleeves and bodice made of gold lame. These bodice and sleeves of these beautiful black angel tree toppers have pearl and sheer lace appliqu�s as Christmas decoration. They also come with ivory satin pleated skirts and short overskirts that are decorated with magnificently festive pearls and sheer lace the color of ivory.

Tip! Anchor Steam Christmas Ale The Ale recipe is different every year as is the label! This ale's motto is to celebrate the newness of life. http://www.

These porcelain black angel Christmas tree toppers, lighted for the holidays, have shoulder-draped shawls made of sheer ivory. This fabric flows beautifully down the skirt front. Each of these Christmas angels carries a light in each of its hands, and is adorned with acrylic wings that are clear but with highlighted edgings.

Tip! When next Christmas comes around withdraw your money and repeat the process again.

Other choices in large angel Christmas tree toppers are figurines of green or cream colored angels, adorned with two faux fir strips along their organza dresses. These tree topper angels have green shawls as well.

Nancy Fitzgerald makes it quick and easy to find the best 8 foot artificial Christmas tree and more. Read expert information here.

Monday, October 02, 2006

Christmas Stress Relief: 7 Simple Tips

By Judy Hardaway

Tip! Take your Christmas Dinner budget and make a shopping list.

Everyone loves Christmas, but the biggest complaint I hear is, "It gets too hectic." It's still the favorite season for most of us, but we do get tired. We still have to make a living; we still have to maintain our daily lives and then we add shopping for gifts, wrapping the gifts, decorating, entertaining or attending parties and possibly baking. It's fun and festive, but we get tired.

Take some of the stress out of Christmas. Don't wait until the Christmas season begins to start thinking about it. Plan ahead and you'll enjoy it even more. Here are seven stress-relieving tips to make your favorite holiday relaxed and worry-free.

Tip! Save your Christmas letter for Spring. Everyone gets so many letters at Christmas that none are really written, read, or enjoyed properly.

Decide Who You Want To Buy For

Make a list of the people you want to buy gifts for: Recipients. Keep it with you as a reminder, or at the least, keep it in your head. Open your eyes and window shop. When you see something you know you like, go ahead and buy it. And think outside the box. When you shop all year, you have the opportunity to do this. Every Christmas gift doesn't have to be a sweater or winter-type gift.

Shop From Home

Shop on the Internet. Have fun and explore. Many gift sites run promotionals off-and-on year round. When you're not under pressure to buy immediately, you have time to "window shop". And don't forget to keep your gift list in front of you.

Tip! Remember that Christmas is only one day a year. You don't have to spend a weeks worth of grocery money on one day.

Record What You Buy

Make a list of the gifts that you buy: Gifts Purchased. Each time you make a gift purchase, whether it's on the Internet or in the store, put it on the list. If you know specifically to whom you are giving it, put his or her name next to it. Go back to your Recipients list and write the name of the gift next to the person you are giving it to. You now have a cross-reference. Sound too complicated and organized? It's not. It's really easy. If you don't make some kind of notes, you'll get real confused when it comes time to wrap. You won't remember who was supposed to get what.

Tip! Add up all your Christmas expenses including gifts, food and any other costs.

Buy Decorations In The Off-Season

Buy Christmas decorations year-round on the Internet. And in the off-season you can get them at reduced prices. Buy your decorations all year and when the Christmas season arrives, you'll be ready.

Tip! Pray that it will snow on Christmas day.

Wrap Sooner Not Later

As soon as Christmas wrapping paper is placed on the shelves, start selecting and buying. By this time, you should have a shelf full of presents to wrap. Wrap at your leisure; a few at a time or all at once. Just enjoy it. You have time to make the presents look outstanding. Give them that added decorative touch that will make the recipient feel special and give you the opportunity to be creative.

Tip! Take the time to plan ahead this Christmas.

Record What You Wrap

You have two lists to cross-reference. Check off or make changes as necessary. If you didn't make a list, you should make one now. Don't make the mistake I made one year. I got all my wrapping done early, and by the time Christmas came, I couldn't remember what I was giving everyone or exactly what it looked like. I remember wishing I had a digital camera. I could have taken pictures of the presents before wrapping them. I don't have to worry about that now. I have a list and a digital camera.

Collect Recipes

Don't wait until you have to prepare a dish for a party to decide what you want to make. Start collecting recipes from magazines and friends. But don't stop there. You have plenty of times to try them out. Put stars beside the ones you especially like and will be proud to serve. When the time comes, it will be fast and easy to make choices.

Christmas can be a pleasure, even before the season begins. Enjoy your window-shopping whether it's in the stores or on the Internet. But be ready to buy when you see something you like. Make your choices wisely and keep up with your lists. Following this plan will be a great stress reliever come Christmas time. Have fun and keep on enjoying Christmas.

Tip! Fires have been associated with Christmas since 400AD. If you have an open fire � keep a Yule log burning day and night to keep away the legendary mischievous Christmas goblems from coming down the chimney and causing lots of mayheim! Adds to lots of fun for the children.

Judy Hardaway is the writer for Amazing Christmas Ideas - a website that provides gifts and decoration ideas for Christmas. For some unique Christmas decorating ideas as well as great Christmas gift ideas, visit Amazing Christmas Ideas today.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Ideas For Your Kids' Christmas Party

By John Lenaghan

Tip! Family Fun Cookies for Christmas: 50 recipes for You and Your Kids by Deanna F.

Since the Holiday season is a very special period of the year a party at this time is always more than welcome. The Christmas decorations which are still up save extra work and give the desired festive air.

Tip! Pray that it will snow on Christmas day.

When entertainment and games have been carefully planned ahead of time the party goes off smoothly without long lapses of nothing to do. The following games have been tried out many times and are most entertaining.

A good way to start off is to hand each guest a pencil and four cards; one card with a band of brown across the top, another blue, another gray, and one of green. Each youngster is asked to list the names of the guests according to the color of their eyes.

For instance if Johnny has brown eyes his name goes on the card topped with brown, etc. The youngsters greatly enjoy this game and have a lot of fun discovering the color of their friends' eyes. It's surprising to find how unobserving most of us are.

Tip! Gift an afternoon tea - type up a flyer for all the neighbors in your street to come for a Christmas afternoon tea.

For a more active game divide your group into two or more teams, depending on the number of players. Line the teams up single file on one side of the room. Set a goal across the room. Mark a starting line. Give the leader of each line two smooth, medium-size buttons. One he places on the starting line, with the other he snaps the first one to the goal as soon as the signal is given.

Tip! While today the Christmas tree is an enduring symbol of the season, it wasn't always a holiday tradition.

"Snapping" consists of pressing the edge of one button with the other in such a way that the under one flies ahead. As soon as the players reach goal they race back and hand the buttons to the second player in line. The line finishing first wins the relay.

Tip! Go to www.organizedchristmas.

After this rather hilarious game a quieter one called "Shopping" requires that all the children but one sit in a circle on the floor. The remaining one is the "shopper." He stops before one of the seated group and says, "I'm going to Chicago. What can I buy?" He then counts to ten.

Tip! www.ChristmasGiftsWithHeart.

Before he finishes counting the player before whom he is standing names three objects beginning with the letter "C," as "cats, crossings, or caterpillars." If he fails he must take the place of the shopper. Any city may be named by the shopper, but the articles to be bought must always begin with the first letter of the city named. The children are greatly amused by the weird assortment of objects they are supposed to buy.

Children always like relays. One that can be played in a small space is called "Over and Under." The teams can be lined up as for the button snap game. The first player in each team is handed a bean bag or ball�even a potato will do. When the signal is given he passes this object over his head to the second in line who passes it between his knees to the third who hands it over his head to the fourth.

The object goes alternately overhead and between knees to the last one in line who then runs to the head of the line and starts it back over his head. The game proceeds until the line is back in its original order with the first player at its head. The line finishing first, of course, wins the race.

Tip! Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale This is one you definitely want to put under your Christmas tree and make a beer lover very happy this season! This is a dry hopped ale with an intense aroma has been specially brewed for the holidays.

Another active game children enjoy is "Bounce," which can be played with a rubber or tennis ball. Place a waste basket on a chair some distance from the wall. Mark a line about six feet back from the chair on which the player stands. The game is to bounce the ball on the floor so that it goes into the basket. Each one has three trials, as this is not as easy to do as it seems. A point is given for every basket made. After a given length of time points are counted to determine the winner.

Tip! To prevent quarrelling on Christmas day family members must place their shoes side by side Christmas Eve.

After the games and before refreshments the children will enjoy singing Christmas carols, especially the old favorites, "Silent Night, Holy Night," "The First Noel," "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "O Come All Ye Faithful."

Sandwiches and hot cocoa are always popular. These can be followed with apples, Christmas cake and candies.

Tip! When next Christmas comes around withdraw your money and repeat the process again.

John Lenaghan writes about Christmas party ideas and other party-related topics for the Party Ideas 4u website. Read more at http://www.party-ideas-4u.com