Someone has rightly said, “Christmas is the blessed season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love by giving and receiving. “25th December is one of the much awaited days of the year. For, this is the time when the people around the world celebrate the birth of their beloved Christ. It is the time when people exchange gifts to commemorate the legend of the three wise men who showered the baby Jesus Christ with rich gifts. Today, people especially the kids associate Christmas with Santa Claus who comes on a reindeer drawn sleigh and bring the much desired gifts. But one doesn’t necessarily have to be a child to secretly wish for special gifts on Christmas. There are many gift ideas that can bring cheer to all those wishing for great Christmas gifts. A Christmas gift basket can manifest all that Christmas stands for. It can hold exquisite homemade chocolates with fresh flowers for that perfect Christmas gift. Alternately, you may also send cookies, cakes or soft toys as a combo Christmas gift. A combination of fruits is also a great idea for celebrating Christmas-eve or Christmas party. It adds variety to the Christmas menu!It can also have Christmas tree decors – jingle bells, twinkling lights, splendid ribbons, candles and angel tree-toppers. Christmas ornaments can be wonderful gifts that go into the basket. Christmas figurines, collectibles and nativity sets are perfect mementoes for the festive season. An array of fine wine is another special way of saying Merry Christmas. You can also send a Christmas tree to double the joy of a Christmas party. Christmas is the time to share happiness, spread love and enjoy from within. The Christmas Gifts that you present should reflect your feeling which can never be expressed with words. If you want to send/give unique Christmas gifts then gifting utility gifts such as books, portable electronic goods, kitchen and home appliances make amazing options. Send your loved ones a Christmas gift certificate this year to their favorite lifestyle store or food joint and rest assured, it will leave a long lasting impression on their minds. But where would you buy the perfect Christmas gifts? With life as busy as ever, and many of you shuddering at the very idea of battling the thousands of people at the local shopping centre, online marts can be the best option. Today, online marts has become very popular for Christmas shopping and with so many suppliers and such a competitive market, goods are available in many cases right up to Christmas. Check on online retail shopping marts that offer free shipping and hassle free delivery options. There are many websites offering same day delivery options for perishable gifts like cakes, flower bouquets, fruits etc.
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Great Christmas Gift Ideas for This Festive Season
Get Festive: Europe’s Christmas City Breaks
As Christmas is literally around the corner, many European cities are preparing for the festivities by opening their Christmas markets. Historically part of the advent in Germany and Austria, it has now become part of the Christmas celebration in several cities around the world. While there are several Christmas markets around the world, the most exciting ones can be found in Vienna, Budapest, Berlin and Prague.
For the uninitiated, a Christmas market consists of several booths and stalls in the town square or other pedestrian zones selling food, drink and gifts. The food on sale includes sweets like âGebrannte Mandelnâ (candied, toasted almonds), gingerbread cookies and âChriststollenâ or âStollenâ (a bread-like cake with pieces of candied fruit inside), while mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy) and âEierpunschâ (egg nog) are consumed to keep warm in the cold winter air.
In Vienna, the biggest Christmas market, Rathausplatz, is held in the square infront of the City Hall. Surrounded by the elaborately decorated trees in the park, it truly gives patrons the feel of a winter wonderland and offers several locations suitable for a souvenir photo. For most Viennese, Christmas Markets are not so much for shopping as for drinking, so it is a perfect opportunity to mix with the locals while sampling some of the local delicacies and mulled wine.
In Budapest the biggest Christmas market is held in Vorosmarty Square, where great emphasis is put on the quality of the handmade gifts on sale, being inspected by the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists. In addition, the quality of the entertainment has made it a truly exceptional Christmas market. This year it will be host to over 150 stage shows, including puppet theatre, folk dancing and folk music. Visitors can also make their own seasonal decorations in the heated marquee.
Berlin is host to over 50 Christmas markets, with the Gendarmenmarkt, held near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, being the most popular. Held in one of the most beautiful squares in Europe it is visited by over 4 million people every year. Berlin has a reputation for being home to young German artists, which means that in addition to traditional gifts and Christmas decorations, the fair offers unique jewellery, decorations, and artwork made by some of the most innovative artists around. The square is also surrounded by some of Berlinâs most famous department stores, making it an excellent place to do some Christmas shopping.
In Prague the two main Christmas Markets are held at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Here, visitors can sample local delicacies like corn on the cob and sausages, while local and international choirs and musical ensembles entertain them as they browse the market stalls. The goods on sale include Czech glass, scented candles, wooden toys, ceramic mugs and Christmas tree ornaments. The square also includes a Christmas tree shipped from the Sumava mountains in the South of the Czech Republic to make for a truly spectacular view against the gothic skyline.
So if youâre looking to do some shopping while sampling some scrumptious festive food, a European city break to a Christmas market is the perfect way to enjoy the seasonal atmosphere of a continental Christmas.
Festive Stocking Fillers for Fellas
As Christmas edges slowly towards us, and the sound of those Jingle Bells ringing grows increasingly louder; a divide across the nation begins to widen. On one side, those overly organised people who have already bought all their Christmas gifts, and on the other, a panic-stricken crowd who perhaps got a little bit distracted by the Santa’s Grotto, and are desperately wondering what gifts they could buy for their loved ones this year. If we go by the stereotypes then buying gifts for men should be quite simple: socks, whiskey, a sporting biography and a DVD. But no one likes to be predictable and whilst these Christmas gifts are all nice and easy to wrap up, what are you supposed to do for stocking fillers? Buying stocking fillers should be easy when the shops are filled with so many wonderful gifts, some more useful than others. But for anyone who has ever stood still in the middle of a busy high street in mid-December and drawn a blank as to where to go next, then here is a little guide to help you on your way… Stocking Fillers for the Sophisticated Man The sophisticated man is a true gent who knows how to appreciate the finer things in life. The choice of stocking fillers can be difficult but it’s always best to indulge them in their little pleasures. If the man in your life likes to cook then you could always treat him to a ‘Grow it…’ gift box. Let him grow his own chilli plants or herbs and these pocket-sized gifts are ideal as stocking fillers. He’s most likely to be an organised sort of chap who likes to keep his things in order. If this sounds familiar, then why not treat him to a ‘Vehicle Document file Folder’ or perhaps go for something a little more personal such as an ‘Engraved City Desk Set’? Stocking Fillers for the Connoisseur Christmas morning is the only day of the year when it’s considered okay to have a drop of alcohol with breakfast (a small drop of Bucks Fizz or Champagne perhaps). For the wine-buff in the family then an engraved ‘5 Piece Wine Bar Set’ can make a truly personal gift – these superior stocking fillers will out-last any hangover. If he knows his Pinot’s from his Chardonnay’s then you could always pop a ‘Wine Tasting Tour’ voucher inside his stocking – remarkable Christmas gifts that you can enjoy as well. Stocking Fillers for the Sporting Pundit So you already have the sporting biography wrapped and under the Christmas tree with the other gifts, why not go for a hat trick and throw in a couple of sporting stocking fillers too? From mugs and cufflinks, to journals and posters, there are a number of gifts, trinkets and keepsakes to honour his favourite sport. But for something a little more special, then opt for those stocking fillers that he’ll never want to throw away. Choose from a variety of personalised calendars that will display your loved one’s name on all twelve sporting-themed images. These unique gifts will make him the envy of all his friends. Stocking Fillers for the Real Romantic Christmas can be a very romantic time of year and if you’re lucky enough to have a ‘real romantic’ in your life, this is the time to make him feel special with some ‘luvvy duvvy’ gifts. For those smaller stocking fillers, a ‘Lover Duck’ or even fridge magnet gifts can easily spell out what you want to say. For a real romantic treat then you could present your man with a special record that honours the song of your choice – the first dance from your wedding perhaps or his favourite tune, even the song that was at number one when he was born. He’s bound to be bowled over when you present him with this mounted vinyl and plaque. Stocking Fillers for The Big Kid Perhaps the most familiar character of them all, the big kid is certainly catered for when it comes to Christmas gifts and stocking fillers. Whether they be gadgets or toys, the Big Kid is a man who likes to play and is the sort of chap who is usually found ’showing’ the kids how to play with their gifts on Christmas morning. For handy stocking fillers, how about a ‘Cork Screw Key Ring’ or a ‘Rubber Band Ball’? For the man who likes to play, then indulge him with his favourite toys this year or go for a twist on the traditional ones such as a ‘Devil Duck’ rubber duck that will glow red with fury when he puts it in water – a little bit of fun at bath time! With so many ideas for gifts and stocking fillers, this year is sure to be a very merry Christmas indeed.
The Festive, Fit Family: Ten Ways to Combat Childhood Obesity by Getting the Whole Family Healthy…Holiday Style
By Tom Gilliam, Ph. D. The holidays are here in full (fattening) force. And unfortunately for the health conscious, along with the tinsel and the tree comes the onslaught of temptation: the rich turkey gravy, the dressing, the sugar cookies, the eggnog, the pieâall those comfort foods that taste especially comforting during a recession-marred holiday. But as we mentally prepare ourselves to push away from the festively set table, itâs easy to forget we arenât the only ones facing tempting treatsâour kids are too. Thatâs right. Between parties at school and stockings stuffed with sugary surprises, our kids are just as susceptible to the guilty pleasures we allow ourselves during the holiday season. The bad news is that the âspecial occasionâ indulgences we allow during the holidays can quickly morph into harmful bad habits for our childrenâhabits that will last long after the gifts have been unwrapped. A lifetime of fitness always begins at home, and thatâs also true when the home is covered in tinsel and lights. Research shows over and over that the only way to combat childhood obesity is to make nutrition and exercise family priorities. And while itâs okay for them to indulge a little bit during the holidays, you should gently steer your kids away from the third buttery dinner roll and the double handful of chocolate candy. âItâs no surprise that childhood obesity is a growing problem in the U. S. In fact, the New England Journal of Medicine recently reported that one in three kids is now overweight or obese. This reality has encouraged more and more companies to teach the âfamily fitnessâ principle to their employees, helping the âget kids and families healthy togetherâ trend gather momentum. Kids live what they learn, and parents are their number one source of information. If they see you making unhealthy choices, they will naturally assume itâs okay for them too. With busy holiday schedules and tightened budgets, it may seem impossible to come up with new and creative ways to help get your family on the fitness bandwagon. Not so. Making just a few simple changes to your familyâs daily routine can have a huge impact on everyoneâs overall fitness. Here are some tried and true tips for getting your family in shapeânot only during the holidays but at any time of the year:Find âhiddenâ exercise in your holiday housekeeping routine. It may seem like a no-brainer, but good old fashioned chores can be one of the best ways to keep in shape. And, luckily, there are many reasons to do chores this time of year. Be sure to involve your kids in any pre-holiday festivities clean-up or just the general tidying up of the house. Vacuuming, dusting, mopping, sweeping, and taking out the trash are all ways your kids can do their part for the family while helping to get in the physical activity they need each day. Crank up the volume on some good music during chore time to get everyone moving and the house will be clean in no time! Brave the frosty air and enjoy winter workouts. On snowy days, get bundled up and get moving. Go sledding, build snow angels, and have a snowball fight with your kids. If youâre near a city, hit the sidewalks and enjoy the holiday window displays. Or if itâs too cold or rainy, visit an indoor sports facility like a batting cage or an indoor rock climbing center. It certainly beats sitting inside being a couch potato! Alleviate winter break boredom with a spirited game of Duck, Duck, (Christmas) Goose. Know how restless your kids get when theyâre out of school for a few weeks? Add instant entertainmentâand sneak in some exerciseâby showing them the games you used to love to play when you were a kid. Teach them all about Red Rover; Mother, May I?; Duck, Duck, Goose; and Red Light, Green Lightâthen spend an hour after dinner playing one of them. Itâs a great way to stay active and create some special childhood memories for your own children. Check out www. gameskidsplay. net for a complete listing of instructions plus other suggestions for new games to learn and try together! Model good âsnackingâ habits. As mentioned before, your kids learn their eating and exercising habits from you. If they see you make a healthy snack choice like an orange instead of reaching for yet another handful of holiday party mix, theyâll go for the good stuff too. But donât rely on pure willpower. Try to keep the house low on junk food. Help kids avoid temptation by keeping the house stocked with healthful and delicious snack foods like yogurt, fresh fruit, raisins, and natural peanut butter. Just because itâs the holidays doesnât mean itâs okay to gorge on sugary and fat-filled foods. On the other hand, donât ban all holiday treats. When trying to get the family eating more healthfully, many parents make the mistake of throwing out all of the candy, cookies, juice drinks, and other foods that kids tend to love. That is the wrong approach. Donât make any food totally off limits. As long as food is consumed in moderate amounts, itâs okay! Making something off limits can cause your child to binge on treats when they are available at school or at Grandmaâs. Besides, the holidays just wouldnât be the holidays without the occasional Christmas cookie or Hanukkah doughnut. Make exercise a daily habit. Whether itâs a 30-minute stroll after dinner each night or a weekly trip to the local walking trail, make exercising with your family a consistent routine in your day-to-day lives. Besides being good for you, it can help you alleviate some holiday stress and help your kids burn off some of their excited energy. When itâs a part of your regular schedule, like going to Grandmaâs on Sundays or having spaghetti for dinner on Thursday nights, your kids will expect it. And who knows? If you keep up the fitness routine, your kids might even look forward to the additional family time. Set up a holiday fitness competition. Kids are naturally competitive. Use that quality to their advantage. Buy everyone a pedometer and tell the kids that whoever logs the most miles gets to open the first Christmas or Hanukkah present. Alternately, create a goal that the whole family can work on together. Set a number of miles for the week and chart each family memberâs progress at the end of the day. At the end of the week, if the family has achieved their collective goal, then celebrate with a movie night or a special (low-fat!) frozen yogurt treat. Encourage kidsâ culinary curiosity. You should never stand in the way of your child trying something new, even if you suspect she wonât like it. Always encourage their interest in trying new foods and you will be rewarded when they discover they do like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. You might also be surprised by what you can sneak by your kids. The holiday season is a great time for them to try out foods they donât eat every day that are nutrition powerhousesâpumpkins, cranberries, and spicy teas, for example. Let them help make the figgy pudding. Kids love to help in the kitchen, and by allowing them to be a part of the food prep process, you can seize a great learning opportunity. And theyâll especially enjoy having a hand in preparing your Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa feast. Explain to them why you use certain foods and techniques to be healthier. Allowing your kids to help in the kitchen gives them a sense of ownership over the meal, and they will be more eager to gobble up a healthy dinner that they had a hand in cooking! Sneak âfitnessâ gifts into their stockings. There are lots of great (and inexpensive) resources out there that can help you keep maintaining a healthy lifestyle on your kidsâ minds. For older kids a subscription to a fitness magazine might make a good stocking stuffer. You might also throw in a fitness DVDâbeginnerâs martial arts and beginnerâs yoga or pilates are great options. For younger kids, my own series of brightly illustrated childrenâs books, featuring cartoon characters Heart âEâ Heart and friends, is a huge hit and a great way to get them thinking about healthy living. And jump ropes, stretch bands, and dumbbells are appropriate gifts for kids of all ages and can be bought for under $10. While the recession has caused many families to cancel fitness club memberships, the good news is that many, many fitness items are reasonably priced. You donât have to bust your budget to give your kids the best gift of allâthe keys to a healthy life. Remember, getting fit and healthy is not about going to extremes. Itâs about making small, gradual, incremental changes in your day-to-day life. And thatâs why the holidays are a good time to help your kids start the processâthereâs something valuable about practicing the art of moderation in a season known for the exact opposite. You know the cliché about New Yorkâif you can make it here, you can make it anywhere? Well, the same is true of the holidays. If you show your kids they can exercise when itâs 20 degrees outside and they can stop with two sugar cookies instead of wolfing down six, think how much easier it will be to make healthful choices when itâs warm outside and thereâs no endless supply of treats to tempt them. Get them in the habit now and maintain it all year long; eventually theyâll grow up to be what you want them to be: healthy and happy adults. # # #About the Authors:Thomas B. Gilliam, Ph. D. , is the founder and president of T. Gilliam & Associates, coauthor of the book Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy. : The Simple Truth About Achieving & Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight, creator of the Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy. ® wellness program, designed to teach workers how to achieve a healthy body weight, creator of www. moveitloseitlivehealthy. com, and founder and owner of Industrial Physical Capability Services, Inc. (IPCS). Since 1982, Dr. Gilliam has designed and managed many corporate fitness centers ranging from 500 square feet to 34,000 square feet. He has established a variety of wellness programs to deal with such health issues as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, physical inactivity, stress, osteoporosis, low back pain, and many more. In addition, Dr. Gilliam is a pioneer and acknowledged expert in the field of dynamic strength testing for industry based on the sports medicine model. Since 1982, he has provided isokinetic physical capability assessments for Fortune 1000 companies through his company Industrial Physical Capability Services, Inc. (IPCS) (www. ipcs-inc. com). Dr. Gilliamâs programs have dramatically reduced workersâ compensation costs and decreased injury incidence and severity rates for major industrial clients. In addition, Dr. Gilliam has been instrumental in identifying and presenting to industry the higher risk for injury and disease caused by obesity in the workplace. Dr. Gilliam is the creator of the Heart âEâ Heart program, which is a healthy lifestyle program for children and their families. He was the principal investigator in a National Institutes of Health research study investigating the impact of physical activity and nutritional habits on heart disease risk in young children. Conducted in the late 1970s, this research resulted in numerous scholarly publications and television and radio interviews throughout the world, including NBCâs Today Show and NBCâs Nightly News with its science editor, Robert Basel. In 1973, Dr. Gilliam earned a doctorate degree in exercise physiology with a minor in graduate statistics and research design from Michigan State University. From 1974 to 1982, Dr. Gilliam was a tenured faculty member at the University of Michigan. Before resigning from his tenured faculty position, he was involved with numerous funded research projects (i. e. , N. I. H. , Kellogg Foundation, State of Michigan, and others) that resulted in twenty-nine refereed scholarly publications. Jane C. Neill, R. D. , L. D. , is the 2004 recipient of the Nutritionist of the Year Award for the State of Alabama Public Health. She is an active member of the American Dietetic Association and currently employed by the Alabama Department of Public Health, where she works with the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program as a WIC coordinator and a licensed dietitian. She has worked in the WIC program for over ten years, providing daily nutrition counseling for women, infants, and children. While on the staff as a registered dietitian at the University of Michigan Health System in the late 1970s, Jane was instrumental in working with Dr. Gilliam as an investigator on the National Institutes of Health research study to investigate the impact of physical activity and nutritional habits on heart disease risk in children ages six to eight years. Ms. Neill is a member of the team that developed and wrote the Heart âEâ Heart program for children and their families. She received her bachelorâs of science degree from the University of Alabama in 1977 in food, nutrition, and institutional management. Ms. Neill has been working as a registered dietitian for over twenty-seven years. About the Book:Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy. : The Simple Truth About Achieving & Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight (Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy. , LLC, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0-9762703-5-5, ISBN-10: 0-9762703-5-8, $19. 95) is available in bookstores nationwide and through all major online booksellers. For more information, visit www. moveitloseitlivehealthy. com.
