http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/hobbies/why-sending-paper-christmas-cards-online-check-these-3-reasons.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/hobbies/why-sending-paper-christmas-cards-online-check-these-3-reasons.html Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600 Paper Christmas cards or Christmas e cards? This is a very common question when it comes to the most important holiday season in a year.

Most of people choose to send Christmas greeting cards online because they want to save their time and money. However I usually go for paper greeting cards.

You may not agree with me, so here are the 3 reasons why I think paper cards are the best choices:

1) Keep the Christmas greetings for a longer time eve a life time.

These cards make sure that your close friends and family members can keep and treasure your personalized holiday greetings. On the other hand, if I ask you where are the Christmas e cards you received from your friends last Christmas, I bet you have no idea where they are.

2) Show people your personality and your care about them.

It's a lot of fun when you send personalized paper Christmas cards by making your own with die-cuts, rubber stamps, or designer paper.

One of my favorite greeting card ideas is angel Christmas cards which are holiday cards with images of angels as the focus point in the Christmas card design.

Another idea use Christian clip arts and adding Christmas card verse. You can use clip arts like angels, the three wise men, Mary and Joseph in the manger with baby Jesus. Also add contemporary Christmas clip arts, such as reindeer, snowman, Xmas tree, Christmas ornament, etc. I must remind you use "Blessed Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas" if you're making a Christian Christmas greeting card.

For people who love pets, you can make pet photo or picture card for them. For example, you can use any kitty rubber stamps with kittens playing with a ball of thread or doing other cute activities. This is cute.

3) Family photos - It's the best time to use them!

If you are good at taking digital photos, instead of just another typical card with a picture of Santa Claus or a snowman, or other such typical images, you can now send far more personalized paper Christmas cards that are relevant to both you and the recipient. And the beauty if it is in its simplicity – all you need is a digital camera and a computer.

Once you have taken your photos, the next thing to do is to upload them to your computer so that they're easily accessible when you need to transfer them to an online photo site. This is where you can use the various tools that companies such as Shutterfly.com and Tinyprints.com have on their websites. Using these tools, you can add various effects such as festive costumes, additional winter background effects, and many other features your digital camera software wouldn't come supplied with.

The true beauty of these sites and more is that for those of you who love traditional Christmas cards, you don't need to forego this touch even with online Christmas cards. Although mainly used for creating the cards and then sending them via your email system, you can also create the cards and then turn them into 'hard copy' cards.

Ok, it's very enough to show you why I choose to use paper Christmas cards and make it on your own.

Just imagine when you say "Don we now our festive holiday appear!" or you find your dog love wearing costumes and posing for holiday photos, you know what you should do for your paper Christmas cards.

Have fun!

Looking for more holiday card ideas? Qing Gu shares with you useful tips on choosing photo Christmas greeting cards.

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Qing Gu is a party planning expert, freelancer, and owner of a few websites about celebrating holidays and special occassoins. Learn the essential idedas to celebrate your next Christmas holidays and get free monthly tips and how-to advice at Coolest-Christmas-Holidays.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/pregnancy/tips-on-baby-shower-etiquette.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/pregnancy/tips-on-baby-shower-etiquette.html Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The traditional rule with a baby shower is that anyone can throw it except for the couple that are having the baby.

The proper baby shower etiquette says that someone who is not related to the couple should throw the baby shower. The reason for this is that it won't look as though the family are asking for gifts. But this isn't necessarily true and we don't always follow tradition anymore. It should be that anyone who is close to you and willing to plan your baby shower should do so.

It is good to do baby shower planning prior to the birth of the child. Hosting a baby shower after the arrival of the baby would not be so much of fun without the pot belly mother. The best time for hosting a baby shower would be somewhere between seventh and the ninth month when the mother has a big round belly. Take care not to plan the party just before the due date, in case the baby arrives sooner than expected.

On the other hand a baby shower party in the first few months would not be as exciting without the bulging belly.

Before any invitations are sent out, the mom-to-be needs to decide on a day that would suit her and also go through the guest list to make sure that no one has been left out. If it is for a second or third baby, the guests would normally just be close friends and family.

Normally, for any baby shower, it is just women who are invited. Though men were not normally invited, but it was quite common for the man to show at the end of the party to help his wife with the presents. Now days, it seems that it is fine for men to a part of the baby shower.

Baby showers are quite commonly held at country clubs, parks, restaurants, bars or any other place where people are able to get together. It is, however, a bit more personal and more comfortable if it is held in someone's house.

It is only fair that the person who is organizing or hosting the baby shower should pay for it. It should be considered as a gift to the mom-to-be. The rest of the gifts should be practical. As a baby shower could work out quite pricey, multiple people could throw the baby shower, which then helps with splitting the costs.

Choice of food can vary depending upon the tastes. While hosting a baby shower, you can take your pick from finger foods, appetizers or having full course at a big restaurant. Light snacks at such parties have disappeared since long.

Nowadays, people often opt for buffet with cold beverages, coffee, wine and other drinks during baby shower planning. A cake is still a standard party etiquette at a baby shower.

I think you've learned a lot from the baby shower etiquette above. In the end, remember that baby showers are meant to have fun, so enjoy!

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Looking for more ideas for baby showers? Qing Gu shares with you loads of helpful articles here for baby shower beginners...plus many advanced topics:
http://www.coolest-baby-shower-idea.com/babyshower.html

Also sign up with the Planning A Baby Shower FREE eCourse, you'll be enjoying all the fun and innovative ways to make sure your baby shower party a great succes.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/pregnancy/a-guide-to-perfect-diaper-cakes.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/pregnancy/a-guide-to-perfect-diaper-cakes.html Fri, 25 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
These charming cakes are available in various sizes and can be found in a number of different colors and themes.

Diaper cakes, as the name implies, are made of the most needed items for new parents, newborn baby diapers. Though it is designed like a traditional tiered cake, these baby shower cakes are not edible! The entire cake is full of useful little treats for the new baby. Besides a number of diapers, these cakes typically include soft blankets, useful burp cloths, and many other small items commonly selected as baby shower gifts.

One tier baby shower diaper cakes are a delightful gift and are affordable as they can be made from just fifteen disposable diapers. Baby girl cakes are pink and blue is common for boys. You can also opt for pastel shades for boys and girls equivocally. Two tier cakes require twenty five or more diapers and more items of baby use.

Standard diaper cakes can also be found in a three tier design with at least thirty diapers and an average of fifteen to twenty other items like pacifiers, rattles, grooming accessories, and more. Four tier baby shower cakes contain over fifty disposable diapers and may include wardrobe items, stuffed toys, and more than twenty small baby accessories.

For an even more unique gift, choose a themed diaper cake.

If the new parents have already selected a nursery motif for their bundle of joy, look for a baby shower cake to fit the design. From common nursery characters like Winnie the Pooh to sports related baseball themes, you are sure to find the perfect design. Like standard cakes, themed cakes are available in several sizes and include a number of disposable diapers. The other items that fill a themed diaper cake are all designed to match the theme, making nursery decorating a breeze.

Diaper cakes can also be customized and personalized for the most endearing baby gift a new parent can receive.

Select baby shower cakes that are color coordinated with baby's nursery or a seasonal themed cake for moms who will deliver around holiday times. Some diaper cakes are even designed specifically for multiples with two or three of everything! Add a special touch to your Shower gift by choosing to personalize your diaper cake. Baby's new name can be sweetly embroidered across a bib or blanket and displayed on the cake for a gift that will be cherished for years.

Diapers make useful gift for to-be-parents. Baby shower cake is just one of the imaginative and wonderful manners to give them what they need the most for the baby. Can there be any gift so apt and yet so attractive at the party? Look for charming diaper cakes next time when you are invited for a baby shower.

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If you are in need for for more ideas for baby diaper cakes, Qing Gu shares with you the personal experiences of these adorable and cute diaper cakes. Also sign up with the Planning A Baby Shower FREE eCourse, you'll be enjoying all the fun and innovative ways to make sure your baby shower party a great succes.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/tips-on-family-ski-vacations.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/tips-on-family-ski-vacations.html Thu, 17 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
These vacations are great fun if you are into winter activities. All it requires is for you to take your family to ski resorts during the Christmas vacation and enjoy the various winter sports activities like skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and tubing. If you do not know any of these sports, a skiing vacation is the best time to learn them. You can also teach these sports to your kids; after all there is no better time to learn than childhood.

Family ski vacations are not just about skiing and other sports. There are other fun things that you can do with your kids, like getting them to enjoy the snow.

Why would you want to plan your family ski vacation during the Christmas holidays? Because, with the onset of the winter, many people experience the winter blues. The best antidote for these blues is sitting down and coming up with some great Christmas vacation ideas.

Family ski vacations during your Christmas holidays can be great therapy, and can give you the chance to recharge your batteries for the coming months ahead. Another practical reason for planning family ski trips during the Christmas holidays is that during these vacations, you get enough time off, no matter which walk of life you come from. School-going kids get a long holiday during this period. The more time you get to stay away holidaying, the fresher you will feel. Also, this will give you more time to learn and hone your skiing skills.

Planning the Ideal Family Ski Vacation

While family ski vacations may be great Christmas vacation ideas, the next thing to do after deciding to take one is to plan for it.

The first step in planning such a vacation is to identify a good ski resort in a scenic locality, a place that is child-friendly and has good accommodations. All ski resorts may not be suitable for families and skiers who are at the beginners' level. While some resorts may have lovely accommodations, the skiing slopes may not be suitable for beginners. However, it will not be difficult for you to find such a resort, as there are plenty of resorts that are great for new skiers.

Once you have identified a few such resorts, you now need to look at which of these offers the best holiday package. Your idea behind a skiing vacation is to pack in skiing with having fun with the rest of the family as well, and the resort you choose should fulfill that objective.

If you have family members who are beginners at skiing, then it would be a good idea to look for beginners ski resorts . Such resorts should have beginners slope so that they come up easily. The resort should be well equipped with skiing gear such as boots, skis, etc. for beginners as well the experts. Training session, poles etc should also be provided by the ski resorts . This way it would be easy for each family member to learn skiing easily.

What Makes a Good Ski Resort?

Today, ski resorts are enormously profitable ventures. Now days, there are numerous ski resorts, all of which provide custom or specially-designed slopes and facilities for profit in their business, by providing their customers good facilities. There are numerous ski resorts offering free tickets for kids. There are other incentives as well – some offer free tickets and free lodging while buying a ticket for you.

Again, some of them have childcare facilities, also. They take special care of those children who are raw in this sport and easily get tired on the slopes.

Whether you are a novice or you bring your children for their first ski trip, family ski vacations make for great Christmas memories, and with a little research, you can find the perfect destination!

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Want to know more tips on Christmas ski trip? Only 20 minutes a day, Qing Gu will help you to learn how to create unique family ski vacations in this 5 Day FREE eCourse.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/hobbies/how-to-take-perfect-christmas-pictures.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/hobbies/how-to-take-perfect-christmas-pictures.html Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Holiday pictures never lose their charm or their sentimental value. Even years after you've taken that happy holiday picture, somehow, just looking at it can bring back the wonderful memories of sitting around and laughing over a joke or opening presents or the joy of a Christmas meal together.

So taking Christmas pictures to store up memories is so necessary to relive the emotions later.

Even though many people have the advantage of really great camera equipment, the point is: do they use them well?

Most people think that having an expensive camera is enough but in reality, it isn't.

You have to read the instructions well in order to use it properly and take good festive pictures. More often that not, people use these cameras as a point-and-click device without even checking to see if they have framed the picture well or not.

You need to put in a bit of effort to get good Christmas pictures.

So, as well as knowing how to work the camera, it is a good idea to feel confident in how to take perfect festive pictures. There are a few tips that you can use to make things easier.

When you want perfect Christmas pictures, make sure that the setting is right. Whether it's the background or the people or anything distracting in the background, it is better if you were to organize things before taking festive pictures. After all, it wouldn't look too good later, would it, to see some extraneous person or thing in your picture ruining the whole effect?

You can use the red eye feature on some cameras that can help when the festive pictures have been developed.

If this feature is not on your camera, you can ask the person to turn slightly to the left, which should stop the problem. A great tip for taking a photo when there is a group of three or more people is to take more than one picture. The reason behind this is that it is almost guaranteed that one person will have their eyes shut or be looking the wrong way. Take precautions and do not pin all of your hopes on one photo, otherwise, you may be disappointed!

So, make sure you capture that perfect Christmas moment by following some of these basic tips. However, remember that it is all about having fun so be sure to enjoy yourself at the same time!

As well as having that perfect photo for your family album or for Christmas pictures, how about entering your best photos in a contest for a prize? This could be a really big incentive to snap those perfect photos, as well as a sense of pride and joy.

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Looking for more holiday photo tips? Qing Gu shares with you more photo taking experiences with these cool Christmas photos. To win the chance of getting a FREE iPod shuffle, simply share your Christmas pictures and holiday party ideas here:
http://www.coolest-christmas-holidays.com/contest

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>