Teach your kids to give back this holiday season

(NC)—Everyone knows the holidays are a time for giving to family and friends; however, it’s important to teach children about the multiple benefits of charitable giving as well.

Habitat for Humanity Canada offers three charitable giving tips to help teach your children the importance of giving back this holiday season:

1 Make giving a family affair—Should you decide to donate to a charity, involve your children in the decision-making process, so that they too can see that there is a thoughtful and clear manner in which you make contributions to charities. Volunteering as a family is another great idea and a way for you to spend more time together.

2 Give a gift to your community—A great way to show your children how to give is by making a donation to a charity that positively impacts your community. One way to do this is by supporting Habitat for Humanity Canada’s 360 Built Smart Partnership—a program designed to support local Habitat for Humanity offices to help them build sustainable communities.

3 Give time and money—Almost every charity will appreciate a donation of time instead of, or in addition to, a monetary donation.

More information on how you and your family can make a contribution this holiday season can be found at www.habitat.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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Ten holiday tips on gifting, entertaining and celebrating without the stress

(ARA) – The holidays are about seasonal traditions and making merry with family and friends, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to have so many events to attend and to-do lists to complete. In fact, more than 80 percent of Americans find the holiday season to be “somewhat” or “very” stressful, according to an About.com poll. As you plan celebrations and gift giving, forget the stress and consider these 10 tips to keep you organized, spirited, and best of all, relaxed and ready to enjoy the season.

1. Start the day with a smile – The holidays are a season of giving and sharing. Treat your coworker to a cup of coffee or holiday treat, or simply wish a stranger a happy holiday season. An unexpected surprise for a friend will make her day and also keep your spirits high.

2. Be ready for anything – Alleviate last-minute stress by having goodies on hand should a visitor stop by unexpectedly. You don’t have to go out of your way. Stock up on simple, easy-access essentials like your favorite holiday snack mix and Starbucks(R) Christmas Blend. Impress guests by brewing one cup at a time, especially for them, with a Starbucks Pour-Over Kit.

3. Personalize it – Make every gift stand out with personalized wrapping paper. Jenn Sbranti, editor-in-chief and founder of Hostess with the Mostess recommends using creative rubber stamps or stencils with festive-colored inks and paints to decorate white or kraft paper with your favorite holiday images. Take it up a notch with a gift-wrap-making party complete with festive music and your favorite holiday snacks and drinks.

4. Give gifts that everyone will love – Know someone who can’t go a day without their favorite coffee or espresso beverage? Look no further than the coffee shop around the corner or for a gift that everyone loves, like a new coffee mug, travel tumbler or a gift card. Quick and easy, these gifts are no-brainers and sure to please.

5. Treat yourself – Remember to do something nice for yourself too. Whether it’s indulging in quiet time with a new book by the fire or an afternoon treat, relax and enjoy. Grab a Starbucks Chocolate Creme Whoopie Pie for a perfectly sized treat less than 200 calories. Pair it with a Skinny Peppermint Mocha for an afternoon break.

6. Give back – Make a donation, big or small, to your favorite charity. Whether it’s giving to a local animal shelter or contributing to the neighborhood food bank, every bit helps and there’s nothing better than giving back during the holiday season.

7. Start fun, new traditions – Instead of the same old holiday cookies, create a major “wow” factor with holiday cake pops. Gather family and friends to bake and decorate with the new Starbucks Cake Pop Kit. For a festive presentation, display the finished cake pops in pretty boxes lined with gift wrap covered Styrofoam. Your creations will look like they came from a seasoned pastry chef and stand out among all the traditional cookie baskets.

8. Old holiday movie night with the kids – Introduce your kids to the classics. From “Miracle on 34th Street” to “It’s a Wonderful Life,” these movies are sure to bring back fond memories for you and create a memorable impression on your kids.

9. Plan ahead for travel – Airport delays and long flights can take their toll. Keep your energy level up and frustrations down, even in the most trying circumstances. Bring along your favorite pair of cozy socks, invest in noise-cancelling headphones, a good book, and a stash of Starbucks VIA Christmas Blend for a perfect cup of seasonal coffee on the go.

10. Recharge with a non-holiday day – You’ll enjoy the hustle and bustle of the busy season more with a break. Refresh with a non-holiday day of activities. Hit the salon, check out that exhibit you’ve been eying at the museum, or take a leisurely stroll. A day away to recharge is the best cure for seasonal stress and frustration.

Celebrate festive gatherings and joyous occasions this season stress-free and make the season merry and memorable with friends and family.

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Holiday greetings made more affordable

(NC)—Celebrating the holidays with faraway friends and family is getting easier and more affordable thanks to advances in Canada’s mobile phone market, says Anthony Booth, chief customer officer at Mobilicity, an unlimited wireless carrier.

“Canadians are finally starting to enjoy lower wireless rates with unlimited plans that include free long distance across Canada and the U.S.,” he explained. “Now, calling relatives located thousands of kilometres away can be as affordable as calling people in the same city from your mobile phone.”

Long-distance calling aside, Booth says there are many other ways to inexpensively stay connected to everyone over the holidays using a smartphone.

• Send quick holiday greetings, updates and photos via Twitter or BlackBerry Messenger (BBM). If you don’t have a data plan or would rather text, go with a carrier like Mobilicity that offers free global texting.

• Use your smartphone with a front-facing camera, like the HTC Panache, to film a video holiday card as an alternative to a traditional greeting card. Simply upload to a private link on YouTube and email your loved ones the link. Prefer talking in real-time? Some carriers offer affordable global long distance rates that rival calling card rates.

• Alternatively, use Internet-based calling apps like Skype and talk to your heart’s content without the worry of a costly bill.

www.newscanada.com

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Tips for mounting that greatest of holiday gifts: a flat screen TV

(ARA) – Flat screen TVs are sure to be a popular holiday gift this year, as they’ve been for the past several holiday seasons. Last year, flat screen prices tumbled before the holiday shopping season, and retailers are likely to offer deals again this year.

If a flat screen is on your wish list, or you’ll be giving one as a gift, you should keep in mind that how you mount a flat screen is almost as important as the quality of the unit itself. A properly mounted flat screen can offer many hours of safe, quality entertainment. Mounting your TV in the wrong location or at the wrong height could mean a poor viewing experience.

Fortunately, your mounting options are nearly as varied – and definitely as high quality – as your choices in TVs. So after the wrapping paper is tossed, and you’re ready to set up your flat screen, keep these mounting tips in mind:

* Don’t wing it. You may be tempted to try perching an ultra-slim flat screen on the mantle above your fireplace, or place a more compact model on top of your bedroom bureau. But even the lightest flat screen can pose a safety hazard if it’s not properly secured. Whether you’re wall mounting the TV or want to put it on top of a piece of furniture, stick with products that are made to accommodate a flat screen.

* Wall mounting is a great way to show off a flat screen, and one of the safest ways to reduce the risk of the TV falling on someone. For situations where you’ll be watching the TV from right in front of it, a stationery mount works well. If you need to expand your range of possible viewing angles, look for a full-motion mount that locks securely to the wall, like the Sanus VisionMount series, which are rated by Underwriters Laboratories.

* Consider the size of the TV and the size of the room where it will be used. You may fall in love with that 52-inch beauty, but is it really going to be that enjoyable crammed into a 10-by-12 bedroom? Keep scale in mind because the larger the TV, the more viewing distance you’ll need to have an optimum experience. You’ll need to consider this when choosing where and how to mount your TV.

* Avoid component chaos. Of course, you’ll want to connect your home theater system, Blu-ray player and game system to your new flat screen and that can lead to a mishmash of cables and components. Consider a specially designed storage unit for components and opt for cables, like the Sanus Elements ELM4308 Super Slim HDMI cable, that are specially designed to work in tight spaces while preserving a neat appearance.

For more ideas on how to mount your flat screen TV, visit www.sanus.com.

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Swiss Colony

When I was growing up I looked forward to my mother ordering big boxes of Swiss Colony.  Meats, cheeses and especially, the petite fours delivered to my door before the big day.  Since I’ve grown up and now have a family of my own I think my palate has changed a bit.  I’m not sure why, it just doesn’t taste the same as when I was growing up.  Don’t get me wrong, it is still delicious, just different!

Swiss Colony has been a family owned and operated business since 1926, founded in Monroe, Wisconsin.  Once only a mail-order operation it is now on the world wide web to order from as well.  The company offers not only a plethora of edible delights but furniture, home decor, apparel and entertainment products as well.

Although Swiss Colony offers lots of other products besides food they are must known for cheese, sausage, chocolate and fruit cake.  I can say I have all of those, except the fruit cake.  My favorite meat is the summer sausage and again, I’m all about the petite fours.

Swiss Colony is also a good idea for those looking for a quick and easy way of Holiday entertaining.  Sampler packs full of options from sweet to savory are just a click away and can be delivered to your door step in just a few days.  So if you’re looking to start your own holiday memories, or rekindle the ones from the past, Swiss Colony may be what you’re looking for.

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Our First Christmas Together 2011 Hallmark Ornament

After I got married in 2007 my husband and I started collecting Hallmark ornaments.  It all started with an adorable “Just Married” ornament I received from my sweet Mother-in-Law.  Since that time my husband and I have started giving each other special ornaments each year.

There was also the “Our First Home” ornament which we purchased in 2008.  It was an adorable Gold Key with the words “Our First Home” etched on it.  So lovely and pretty that I get excited to see it come out of its box every year.

A Christmas Story Leg Ornament

Hallmark also offers lots of ornaments from famous Christmas movies – our favorite being from A Christmas Story.  We have a couple different ones from that movie.  One is the leg lamp that lights up and the other is Ralphie dressed as the big pink bunny.  They’re too cute and we giggle every year as we open up our boxes of Christmas decorations and find them nestled away.

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Full Sized Prancer Warmer - Perfect for the Holidays!

I’m new to the world of Scentsy but I love it.  It is so lovely and makes my home smell wonderfully delicious.  That is truly saying a lot as I have three dogs that live indoors and sometimes, bless their hearts, they stink up the joint.  Another great thing about Scentsy is they offer a wonderful variety of smells made just for the Holidays.  Here are a list of my favorite Holiday scents:

Festival of Trees - Dance in a forest of evergreens as fir needles fall amongst aromatic white cedar and musk, with a wintry whisper of citrus.  I have never been a fan of Pine-type scents because they remind me too much of cleansers; however, this is very pleasant and mild.  The citrus and the musk take the edge off the fir and it creates a heavenly and inviting aroma. 

Christmas Cottage - A cozy, inviting blend of Valencia oranges, raspberries, cloves, and spices.  If I had to describe this in one word it would be DELICIOUS!  It’s spicy, it’s crisp and it is the perfect scent to usher in the Holidays. 

Cinnamon Vanilla -  Inviting blend of vanilla beans, cinnamon, coconut and cassia.  A classic scent that is indicative of Holiday baking.  It will remind you of Christmas at Grandma’s house. 

Sentimental Cider - Rich, musky apple cider infused with heady allspice and star anise.   Apple is cider is my favorite Holiday beverage and this Scentsy offering warms me all over. 

Whiteout - Exhilarating blast of cool peppermint and sweet, golden apple, blanketed over frosty winter pine.  Fresh, cool and invigorating just like a trek through the snow!

Scentsy has many other Holiday scents but these are just a few of my favorites.  They also make great Christmas gifts for the candle lover in your life.

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Teach children about the holiday spirit

“What would you like for Christmas?” This question, whether it comes from Grandma or the jolly man in red, seems easy enough. But as the options multiply and the shopping frenzy escalates, the answer becomes more and more complicated… and expensive! It is important to help children put the holiday season into perspective.

Parents should take a look at how they are spending money and time this holiday season. If their list is more about expensive gifts, party clothes and concerts. Think about deliberately cutting something back.

Make time for the pleasures of family this Christmas: skating on an outdoor rink, baking and decorating Christmas cookies, driving around town to look at Christmas decorations, or, calling a snow day and staying home for a movie marathon. This creates traditions that children will remember.

Helping somebody less fortunate is an important reality check for the whole family. One Canadian family uses the World Vision Gift Catalogue (worldvision.ca/gifts) to help a child in need. “We give each of our children some money to choose a gift from the catalogue,” says Lucie, of Montreal. “They not only practice an act of kindness, but they learn about how other children live. It helps them appreciate everything they’ve got.”

Great holiday ideas are habit-forming. So why just save them for the holidays? Going easy on the expenses, investing in fun family time, and remembering people who are less fortunate are lifestyle choices.

www.newscanada.com

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Creative packaging carries the holiday spirit

(ARA) – ‘Tis the season for wrapping, sending and giving holiday gifts to family and friends. This year, make your wrapping and packaging as memorable as the gift itself. With these simple, easy tips, you can add extra-special touches to your presents – and have fun doing it.

Add charisma to plain packaging by decorating with printed packaging tapes and unique package fillers. In a variety of new designs, EZ Start Printed Packaging Tapes from Duck brand (duckbrand.com) can transform the ordinary exterior of a brown or white box into an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind present.

Match the style of the box’s exterior with creative fillers on the interior. The fillers will hold the gift in place and add an element of surprise. Use your imagination to pick packaging fillers that will help build the anticipation of opening the gift. Fillers can range from houseware items to edibles.

Not sure how to combine these ideas to create the most appealing package? Try the following suggestions to make your own unique holiday gift wrapping:

* Match a printed packaging tape to the theme of your present. Wrap a box holding a stuffed animal with EZ Start’s Pink Zebra print or send a nostalgic present decorated with the Tie Dye print … the options are endless.

* Sending a holiday care package to a loved one in the military or a long distance friend? Help it stand out among the rest by sealing it with EZ Start’s Cinnamon Snow or Reindeer Games seasonal packaging tape prints. They’ll be sure to open yours first.

* Wrap your gift with a gift. A cuddly baby blanket can cover a new toy or book. A decorative dishtowel can conceal a piece of new cookware and an inexpensive scarf can beautifully disguise a jewelry box. It’s two presents in one.

* Wrap a present with pages from a gossip magazine or newspaper to help a student away at school stay current on the latest news, styles or their favorite celebrities.

* Use uniquely textured fillers such as colorful buttons, felt cutouts or crinkle fabric. A quick trip to a DIY home center or craft store can help spark your imagination and add sparkle to your gifts.

* Make your gift even sweeter with candy. Colorful M&Ms or Skittles will be an added bonus for any gift recipient with a sweet tooth.

* For environmentally conscious gift givers, go green and wrap your presents using eco-friendly shipping products such as recycled boxes made from renewable resources and biodegradable peanuts.

Don’t be afraid to use your imagination, take risks and be bold when decorating holiday packages this season. The added creativity is simple, fun, exciting and always appreciated.

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Trapp Seasonal Candle Collection

I’m looking forward to trying the new Holiday Collection from Trapp Candles.  I have been a long time fan of Trapp because personally I think they’re quite possibly the best candles around.  Their motto is a “a bottle of perfume in every candle” and they they mean it!  Now the makers of this wonderful candle are offering four new scents for the Holidays!

Trapp Lemon Sugar Cookie Candle

Lemon Sugar Cookie – Tart lemon balances the sweetness of oven-baked cookies drizzled with frosting.  Ok, so I love lemon and I also love sugar cookies so this sounds like a match made in heaven!  I imagine this would be the most divine candle for burning in my kitchen.

Trapp Hearth Candle

Hearth - Notes of autumn leaves, wild black currant, crushed nutmed and sweet apricot for a comfort with feelings of family and memories of home.  I like the sound of this one as it seems like it would be perfect for burning during Holiday gatherings. I know my house is a hustle and bustle with in-laws, friends and coworkers during the Holidays so I’m always looking for a scent that is inviting. This sounds right up my alley!

Trapp Snowberry Candle

Snowberry –  the invigorating smell of iced cassis berried mellowed with creamy vanilla.  This seems like the perfect candle for burning in a bedroom for a relaxing environment.  Currently I have a lavender/vanilla candle burning in my bedroom but I may try this one next with the comforting vanilla mixed with sweet berries.

Trapp Winter Air Candle

Winter Air – an orchestra of sparkling snowflakes, Siberian pine and holly leaves embody the crisp outdoors.  So sometimes, even though it is the Holiday season I crave light, refreshing smells and candles.  I believe this would be the perfect one.

I’m looking forward to trying all of the limited edition Trapp Holiday fragrances.  I’ve already dropped hints to my hubby about this but I may need to take matters into my own hands – I don’t think I can’t wait much longer!

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