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Leisure Hotels Announces Its Christmas & New Year Celebrations Packages

  • Posted on December 28, 2009 at 1:14 pm


New Delhi: Leisure Hotels announces it’s Christmas & New Year Celebrations Packages with a promise of a life-size merriment for those who wish to escape the humdrum of city life. Not only this, special discounts on hospitality & spa therapies, free safaris & boat rides, DJ nights and gala dinner on 24th and 31st, fun-games, cultural performances and much more mark the festivities that Leisure Hotels has on offer.  Here are three best options to drive away from Delhi. The Light House, Goa The Light House, Goa is a villa style luxury cottage overlooking the stunning and azure Indian Ocean. It embraces the mystique of Goa, with all its bewildering natural charm, beauty and culture. The friendliness of Goan people combined with Leisure Hotels’ brand of personalised attention and hospitality assures of an exotic and intriguing tropical holiday experience. The cottage is ideally situated on the Sinquerim beach, barely five minutes walk from the sea line with a private plunge pool and a beautiful landscaped garden that surround it. While the cottage itself is built in a contemporary English style and commands a spectacular panoramic view of the Indian Ocean, the interiors are colourful, bright and modern. Just apt for a family who want privacy and a space to call their own when on a holiday, the villa has luxurious bedrooms with a private lounge on the first floor and a common sitting room on the ground floor. Known for its impeccable hospitality standards, Leisure Hotels has extended the same character to this new acquisition. Apart from the regular facilities like air conditioning unit, telephone and coffee/tea makers in each room which opens up to a private balcony,  personalised butler service, a wide variety of cuisine and bar facilities add a generous dose of warmth and style true to a typical tropical cottage. The guests can also avail the free use of a health centre and swimming pool at the cottage. There is a wide choice of leisure facilities for both adults and children in and around the area with major tourist attractions being the ever-popular sandy beaches, the historical Fort Aguada and Dolphin point, which is about 15 minutes away from the cottage. The cost of hiring the villa-cottage  on the Christmas weekend for two nights and three days is Rs. 70,000/-including all meals and Airport transfers and the package is valid from December 24, 2009 to December 29, 2009. The cost of hiring the villa-cottage  on the New Year weekend for two nights and three days is Rs. 90,000/- including all meals and Airport transfers and the package is valid from December 30, 2009 January 3, 2010. The Package also includes: Welcome Drink On Arrival Fruit Basket & Cookies in the room on the day of arrival Tea /Coffee makers in the room 15% Discount on F & B 15% Discount on Spa Therapies The Naini Retreat, Nainital Nestled in the Naini hills lies The Naini Retreat, one of the finest hotels in Nainital that is owned by Leisure Hotels.   Once the residence of Maharaja of Pilibhit, the resort’s majestic building exudes an ‘Old World Charm’ that houses the most modern luxuries one could ask for. Furnished with all the modern day amenities, the hotel blends the world of hospitality with exceptional services for each of its guests. Just 1 km from the mall, The Naini Retreat is situated on the picturesque Ayarpatta Slopes overlooking the Naini Lake. It provides a breathtaking view at an altitude of 1,995 metres. Sophisticated bedrooms, an intimate dining room overlooking the valley, a well-equipped fitness centre, a huge conference hall and the view of the Himalayas go towards the makings of a complete experience. There are 37 luxurious rooms with wooded floor and television, intercom facilities forms a restful backdrop to verdant environs. The rooms have attached baths with running hot & cold water. Activities One can also experience trekking in the mountains, a golfing date at the regal 100-year old Raj Bhawan Golf Course, a special cultural evening featuring performances by traditional Kumaoni artists, relaxation at the in-house spa, boating or sailing in vivid coloured yachts, horse riding, walking along shaded roads, cable car riding, handicrafts shopping etc. The cost of package on the Christmas weekend for a couple for two nights and three days from Rs. 16,999/- to Rs. 25,999/- and the package is valid from December 24, 2009 to December 29, 2009 The cost of package on the New Year weekend for a couple for two nights and three days is from Rs. 23,499/- to Rs. 29,999/- and the package is valid from December 30, 2009 January 3, 2010. The Package also Include: Breakfast and Dinner Christmas Lunch on 25th Dec’09 and New Year Lunch on 1st Jan’10 Hard Drinks on the house on Christmas Eve (24th Dec) & New Years Eve (31st Dec). Evenings Only. House brand Cocktail Snacks (All Days) 20 % off on all therapies at Spa Picnic Lunch Coupons at Himalayan View Retreat (Ramgarh) once during the stay Boat Ride in Naini Lake once during stay The Corbett Hideaway, Corbett National Park Spread over an area of 13 acres, The Corbett Hideaway, one of the finest wildlife resorts in Corbett is concealed in the thick of a mango grove, where in season; the mangoes hang ripe and luscious right against your door. Exotic mixed shrubbery, alive with flowers, is crossed by pebbled paths lead to charming cottages with sit outs. The wonderful stillness is broken only by the sound of the Kosi River and myriad birds. Independently air-conditioned cottages form a restful backdrop to verdant environs. Sloping tiled roofs, cool stone floors with throw rugs, block wood furniture allow maximum comfort while continuing the illusion of being in the wilds. The cottages, blessed with every luxury you could need here, are a great hideout for nature enthusiasts, researchers, writers, artists and folks in need of getting away. The cottages have a clear area separation for sleeping and living as in a suite. Rooms have attached toilet & bath with running hot & cold water. Location: The Corbett Hideaway is located 300 km from Delhi in Garjia village, in the Kumaon district of Uttarakhand. Ramnagar, the closest town is about 10 kms away. The cost of package on the Christmas weekend for a couple for two nights and three days from Rs. Rs. 26,000/- to Rs. 35,000/- and the package is valid from December 24, 2009 to December 29, 2009 The cost of package on the New Year weekend for a couple for two nights and three days is from Rs. 36,000/- to Rs. 42,000/- and the package is valid from December 30, 2009 January 3, 2010. The Package also Include: All Meals Hard Drinks on the house on Christmas Eve (24th Dec) & New Years Eve (31st Dec). Evenings Only. House Brand Cocktail Snacks (All Days) 1 Jeep Safari during stay Picnic Lunch 20 % off on all therapies at Spa Get In Touch for Bookings:- Leisure Hotels Ltd. , F – 3/6, Ground Floor, Okhla Inds. Area, Phase I, New Delhi – 110 020 Tel : 91-11- 4652 0000 Fax: 91-11- 4652 0050 website: www. leisurehotels. co. in

Suggestions for a Cheaper, Greener, More Eco Friendly Christmas and New Year

  • Posted on December 12, 2009 at 1:13 pm


Christmas tree

• Rather than buying a real tree thats been cut down, transported and then thrown away, purchase a large potted plant or small tree that can be used each year as your evergreen Christmas tree.

• You could always purchase an artificial tree that can be reused for many years, these range from 10 pounds to over 100 pounds. Ours actually looks real!

• If you buy a real tree, pay the Woodland Trust or a different organization to plant one in its place!

Christmas Decorations

• If you have evergreen shrubs and trees – to make sure you have an annual supply of eco-friendly Christmas decorations why not do some of your pruning just before Christmas and use the choice bits for inside? If you have not got any evergreens but have a garden ask for some of these plants as Christmas presents. They may take a few years to grow but then all you will need to do is harvest in December and be as creative as you like.

• Make a homemade wreath using branches trimmed from your garden or somebody elses.

• Purchase handmade decor made from recycled or eco-friendly materials. If possible by Fair trade as well, as they are a great way to support the disadvantaged. While some of these crafts may not be from recycled materials they provide much needed income to needy individuals.

• Ivy is good to drape around pictures, windows and the base of Christmas trees, it will hide the wires of the tree lights. There is as far as I know no substitute for electric fairy lights but as they last for years and use very little power, their impact is relatively low and they do look great.

• One of the advantages of using natural decorations is that after Christmas they do not need to go in the bin they can enter your normal garden waste on the compost heap.

Christmas tree ornaments

• Make homemade ornaments from (painted) pinecones, painted eggshells, crushed (colored) aluminum foil, paper chains, paper snowflakes, old CDs and more!

• Decorate a doll as an angel.

• Do an online search for recycled or homemade tree ornaments for numerous ideas or purchase these recycled or eco-friendly tree ornaments if you cant be bothered to make them.

Gifts

• Buy a subscription to an organisation working to make the world a better place such as the RSPB, RSPCA or Oxfam.

• If you are buying a present that uses batteries make sure the person you are buying it for has a battery charger and buy rechargeable batteries.

• Buy a homemade present, bird table, compost bin. Chocolate cakes often go down very well!

Gift wrap

• Collect extra photocopies or no longer needed papers from work for your children to draw on the back.

• Use colored pictures from your childrens colouring books.

• Use leftover pieces of fabric or wallpaper.

• Use recycled paper.

• Put the gift inside another gift such as a decorative tin, nice wooden box etc.

• Use gift wrap, gift bags and gift boxes, ribbon and bows from last Christmas or previous celebrations. Leave the tags blank on the gifts you are giving so that they can be reused.

Greeting cards & gift tags

• Send an e-card.

• Make a greeting card or tag from scrap paper, fabric or wallpaper.

• Make cards or tags from pieces of food box.

Packing material

• Use saved packing material such as foam or bubble wrap.

• Crush up newspaper into loose balls. This is cheap, quick and lightweight! This is our preferred method for box filler.

After the New Year

• Find out where you can recycle your real Christmas tree or Christmas cards, local councils and supermarkets are a good place to start. They will turn your trees into mulch for use in parks and public gardens.

• Use any wrapping paper that is no longer reusable for shelf liners or craft projects.

• Save boxes, gift bags, wrapping, filler, ribbons and bows for future gift wrapping or craft projects. Give them away to friends, neighbours etc if you have too many to keep.

What Would Be a Unique Christmas Gift for an 86 Year Old World War II Vet?

  • Posted on November 25, 2009 at 12:59 pm

I want it to honor his service in some way…

Does Anybody Know Where I Can Get Some Amazing Christmas Ornaments for My Christmas Tree This Year?

  • Posted on November 22, 2009 at 9:12 am

Other questions:

Does anybody know an amazing gift for a 13 year old? [not an iPod]

Does anybody know any Christmas songs?

Does anybody know any websites that have free down-loadable Christmas games for my cousin?

Does anybody know where I could buy artificial snow for my Christmas tree? [cuz, if I buy real snow, it my melt before Christmas, or it would get really hard, and it wouldn't be snow, it would be ice].

Thanks

Magical Presents for a Magical Time of the Year

  • Posted on November 20, 2009 at 1:54 pm


There’s no denying that Christmas is a truly special time of year and with so many Christmas presents to buy and wrap, all that catering and family entertaining; it seems unlikely that we’d ever get through it all without some sort of miracle. But the real spirit of Christmas lies behind the eyes of those who truly believe in its magic; and you don’t have to dress up as Santa Claus to get the party started. Spread the Christmas Spirit early this year with a set of handmade Christmas Cards. Ideal for getting the younger kids involved, they bring a real personal touch to the festive season. Whilst they’ve got the pens out, you could also get them to write out those all important letters from an official ‘Christmas Letter to Santa Kit’. These charming Christmas presents come with pre-addressed envelopes to the big man himself and are sure to heighten that magical feel. One of the greatest traditions on Christmas Eve is leaving out some Christmas presents for Santa and Rudolph in the form of a mince pie, sherry and perhaps a couple of carrots (who eats what should be clear). For the ultimate in magical Christmas presents this year, why not invest in a ‘Dear Santa Mince Pie and Carrots Plate’? Not only does it leave a lovely little message for him but it makes a nice addition to the Christmas decorations too. But the magic of Christmas is not exclusively for the little one’s; Christmas should be a special time of year for the whole family and for some really magical Christmas presents, why not make someone’s dreams come true? Perhaps you know someone who has always harboured a desire to drive a Ferrari, do a bungee jump or even parachute out of a plane? Well, making those dreams come true can be easier than you think with a choice of experience day Christmas presents. For something a little bit more relaxing then you could treat someone to a day of pampering at a health spa, or how about a professional makeover and photo-shoot? If the real idea of Christmas magic is spending time with your family then you could also invest in some Christmas presents that you can all join in with. From paintballing fun to a day at the races, these Christmas presents are a great way of making sure that Christmas doesn’t have to be over by Boxing Day. Perhaps you know someone who has always had a particular ambition or dream, such as being a premier league football player or a famous movie star. Well, the magic of Christmas can at least help you along the way with a selection of personalised Christmas gifts. With the personalised calendars, all you need to do is supply the recipient’s name which will appear in a number of spectacular images, one for every month. It will appear as though their names are on the back of a football shirt or written as the star attraction outside a West End theatre or perhaps just spelt out in the stars; these Christmas presents make for some truly unique keepsakes to be enjoyed all year round. The best magic tricks are those where the real secrets are never fully revealed and there are a number of Christmas presents you could give this year that will astound and confuse. You could bring back Andy Warhol with a personalised ‘Andy Warhol Style Popo Art Print’ – simply send in a photograph of the recipient and they will appear in the images that were made most memorable by the likes of Marilyn Monroe. You could even put someone in the headlines with a ‘Personalised Mirror Spoof Newspaper’ – these Christmas presents are a hilarious way of making your loved one a celebrity for the day. Why not let the Christmas magic sparkle this year with some shiny Christmas presents? For some truly unique gifts you could engrave a number of Christmas presents for that ultimate personal touch. From carriage clocks to photo frames, cufflinks to Wine Bar Sets; you could out-do Santa Claus this year and give someone a very Merry Christmas. Engraved gifts can be treasured forever and therefore make great Christmas presents for younger children too. With all those magical Christmas presents under one tree you’ll be able to give Harry Potter a run for his money, but then wouldn’t be a proper Christmas without any Wizzard now would it? Everybody…. “Oh, I wish it could be Christ-mas every-daa-y…”

Deck the Halls With Dallas Cowboys Christmas Decors Starting This Year

  • Posted on November 20, 2009 at 1:52 pm


Die Hard Dallas Cowboys fans are guaranteed to have a Christmas they will never forget, starting this year. The online NFL sports shop boasts of a wide selection of Christmas gifts and ornaments that will truly catch the fancy of Cowboys fans everywhere. Dallas Cowboys Christmas gifts:Are you thinking of the best gift for your fellow Die Hard Cowboys fan? Check out this Cowboys Fiber Optic Snowman – it will surely catch the attention of all their visitors and friends. This décor features a fiber optic display – a snowman wearing a Cowboys sweater complete with winter wear in blue – that can be plugged into most electrical outlets. This looks great in any part of the house and gives your home a winter feel. For the serious collector, you will also consider giving any of the limited edition photo mints. There are photo mints that pay tribute to the Cowboys Texas stadium, star players’ photo mints, and official game coins preserved in acrylic. You surely won’t have a hard time finding a gift for yourself here, as well. Cowboys Christmas decorative ornaments:The online NFL sports shop boasts of a wide selection of Dallas Cowboys decorative ornaments for Christmas. Open your door warmly to your guest by putting the Cowboys Logo Snowman Christmas wreath on it. This wreath has Mr. and Mrs. Snowman both wearing a Cowboys jersey. It is complete with snowflakes, pinecones, holly berries, and Christmas trees and a “Happy Holidays” greeting displayed on Cowboys colours. The online NFL sports shop also has a couple of stockings to offer. The 22″ Dallas Cowboys Santa Claus stocking features Santa’s head on top of a stocking in Cowboys blue. It sure is the perfect décor and gift container in one. The online shop also has something for the little ones. The Cowboys Baby Mascot Stocking is perfect for all your kids. It features the Cowboys plush mascot and the Cowboys logo in official colours. Now, Santa knows where to put all the toys!Dallas Cowboys also has several Santa figurines that stay true with the Cowboys spirit. The Cowboys Rock & Roll Santa is sure to send your guests roaring with laughter with his dance moves while singing the song “Shout. ” This Santa wears Cowboys apparel and official logo proudly. There’s also the Cowboys Santa’s Gift figurine. This décor features a child sleeping on a chair waiting for Santa to come. Santa is shown placing a Cowboys helmet beside the child as his gift. Both Santa and the child are wearing Cowboys colors. This figurine will simply bring back your childhood memories. Football Christmas ornament:What is the best way to make your Christmas NFL-themed? The online NFL sports shop has the answer – football Christmas ornaments. The Cowboys Logo Football Ornament is simply perfect on your Christmas tree. It is made of glass and hand painted with the NFL logo. It also proudly shows the name and logo of your favourite team at the centre. The Dallas Cowboys Logo Mascot Football Ornament is another dazzling item for your tree. This ornament is engineered from mouth blown glass and expertly hand painted, too. It has the Cowboys mascot on top of a football which displays the Cowboys logo, the NFL logo and the Wilson logo. One more football ornament that should adorn your Christmas tree is the Cowboys ‘Peggy Abrams’ Football Ornament. This glass ornament has Santa himself on top of the football. The football bears the Cowboys logo and name. Even moms will make sure this décor is well taken care of for many Christmases. With these ornaments, you will no doubt make the best pass and score a true Cowboys Christmas.

Reykjavik: Magical Christmas and New Year Destination

  • Posted on November 20, 2009 at 6:20 am


With city breaks to Reykjavik becoming more affordable since the downturn in Iceland’s economy, now is an ideal time to visit the country for a holiday. Reykjavik is becoming more and more popular and a magical time to visit the city is around Christmas and New Year. Iceland celebrates Christmas on a grand scale, so there are numerous events to enjoy as part of your Reykjavik holidays. The ‘Let’s Talk Christmas’ Show One not to miss if you are taking children with you on Reykjavik holidays is the ‘Let’s Talk Christmas’ show. The musical play runs every day in December and is based on a folk tale about thirteen boisterous Yule Lads and their mother, Grýla. You are likely to hear about the Yule Lads several times during a festive holiday in Reykjavik. They are naughty mountain trolls that create mischief and fun around the neighbourhood for the thirteen days leading up to Christmas. Grýla narrates the story of her troll sons and describes the history of Christmas in Iceland. If you are lucky, you may leave the show with a little surprise gift that you can take home as a keepsake of your festive Reykjavik holidays. Christmas Village in Hafnarfjördur If the idea of millions of multicoloured Christmas lights twinkling against snow-topped town houses sounds appealing, then your city break to Reykjavik would be incomplete without paying this wonder a visit. Just twenty minutes from the city, the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjördur is another ‘must see’ for a festive holiday in Reykjavik. The charming gift shops provide an opportunity for some last-minute Christmas shopping, and you can sample delicious traditional handmade Icelandic nibbles while watching the village’s entertaining musicians and performers. The children will love discovering the hidden communities of Christmas elves as well as experiencing Viking banquets and horse-riding. The Christmas Village, which is surrounded by a lava landscape, is open to visitors on weekends leading up to Christmas. Dog Sledding Dog sledding is a truly magical experience that you can enjoy all year round on holiday in Iceland. It is a unique adventure and a great way to see the sights. The best season for sledding is winter when the snow is better. The trip can last up to nine hours and you will need to wrap up warm. You can book the excursion prior to your Reykjavik holidays or while you are actually on your city break in Reykjavik. The dog sleds move surprisingly fast but, if you’re looking for a more adrenaline-fuelled experience, skidoo excursions are also popular ways of exploring Iceland’s dynamic landscape. New Year Celebrations If you are on holiday in Reykjavik over New Year then why not join the locals at one of the many public bonfires? You can look up into the clear Arctic sky and experience colourful fireworks all over the city. But Iceland is famous for natural fireworks too. When on your New Year city break to Reykjavik, why not choose an excursion to see the fabulous Northern Lights within just a few hours drive of the city.

Year of First John Deere Pewter Christmas Ornaments?

  • Posted on November 19, 2009 at 8:38 pm

Does anyone know when the first John Deere Pewter Christmas Ornament came out? My father collects these & I know he doesn’t have the first few, but I can’t find out when they started making them. Thanks for the help.

Personalise Your Christmas Cards This Year and Make Them a Keepsake

  • Posted on November 19, 2009 at 2:14 pm


Have you ever found yourself in a supermarket in your lunch break searching for a greetings card that didn’t look like you bought it from a supermarket? Remembering a birthday can be a nightmare if you remember at the last minute, I’m sure you’ve been there and wished you’d not forgotten that important occasion. Having that ‘light bulb’ moment whilst busy at work leaves you little time to find a special greetings card, and rushing around a packed convenience store in the afternoon, only to be caught up in the queue for a stamp at the counter and finding a pen in the bottom of your bag to write out the card has happened to us all. Wouldn’t it be great if someone offered a free service? Perhaps an email reminder sent a week in advance? How about a website who not only reminds you but also offers greetings cards and gifts that you can order online and send from a PC anywhere in the world? Now you’ve found www. funkypigeon. com. Create an account and add the birthdays or memorable dates of your friends and family in your account. The Funky Pigeon will send an email reminder in advance of these dates and offer to you the latest designs of greetings cards for you to browse. The biggest advantage with ordering cards from www. funkypigeon. com is that every card can be personalised. The latest text editor allows you to personalise the design on the front of the card, as well as typing your message on the inside of the card. With over 3,000 designs to choose from, there will be a card that’s perfect for your needs. Personalising a greetings card really makes a difference, and with the festive season approaching fast you can now order your Christmas cards and personalise them with your message of good cheer. Box sets of 12 are available now, with 4 designs and in a range of styles. Here’s the link: http://www. funkypigeon. com/Pages/Main. aspx?type=boxSets&majcat= Do you know a child that would like a special letter direct from Santa himself? The Funky Pigeon can send a letter personalised throughout to good boys and girls. A great gift idea that will be a memorable keepsake. Funky Pigeon cards are protected by a special UV (UltraViolet) coating to give an incredible gloss on the outside, yet the inside is a traditional feel where any pen will smoothly write – even fountain pens. There’s a wide range of gift ideas on the website and our personalised printed products include: Personalised greetings cards in 3 sizes, A6, A5 and A4 Personalised 2010 Calendars in A4 and A3 size Personalised Santa letters and matching personalised Santa door hangers Fun spoof movie posters personalised with any name A4 and A3 Fresh flowers sent next day delivery anywhere mainland UK Gifts and experience days, something to suit everybody Order your personalised printed product before 2pm Monday to Friday and the Funky Pigeon will post First Class Royal Mail.

Any Ideas of Easy Christmas Ornaments to Make With an 8 and 9 Year Old?

  • Posted on November 19, 2009 at 1:16 pm

I am a Nanny and was thinking of doing a Christmas ornament craft with the kids. I’m looking for something cheap, easy and quick because these kids have a low attention span!

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