Romantic Christmas Gift Ideas She’ll Love

Christmas is a magical time, especially when you get to spend it with the one you love. But finding that one Christmas gift idea for your girlfriend, fiancée or wife can be a daunting task if you’ve just started dating and you’re not sure what she’d like, or, you’ve been together or known her for a long time and you’re not sure what to buy the woman who has everything.

If you’re just stumped and can’t quite decide on what to give her, but you are looking for romantic Christmas gift ideas that will sweep her off of her feet, keep in mind that the best Christmas gift ideas require some time and effort on your part.

Here are some ideas that go beyond the impersonal gift certificate or typical scarf to get you thinking about some alternatives that may put a sparkle in her eye this Christmas.

A Christmas Engagement

There are few romantic Christmas gift ideas that can top getting engaged over the holidays. You are giving her the gift of your love and commitment, and her finger is decorated with a beautiful testament to your feelings for her.

Of course you can go over-the-top with planning the wedding engagement – renting a limo, an expensive dinner for two, and maybe even a horse and buggy ride. But if you’d rather put that money toward getting her a ring, or saving it for the wedding, you can create a memorable experience for her with little expense.

• Cook Dinner Yourself – Even if you aren’t the world’s greatest cook, she will enjoy the fact that you took the time to create a meal for her.

• A Romantic Walk – Taking a walk after dinner, under the stars, to enjoy the Christmas lights can be absolutely enchanting, especially if you get down on one knee and slip a gorgeous diamond engagement ring on her finger.

• The Family Gathering Turned Engagement Party – If either your family or hers is planning to get together a little before the holidays, contact the hosts ahead of time and let them know you will be proposing. You may be able to make the gathering twice as festive – an annual event bringing the family together, and an opportunity to celebrate your engagement at the same time.

But if getting engaged is not in your plans for the holidays, you can always express your love with jewelry. A pair of diamond earrings with a matching necklace or pendant is a classic choice, or, you can choose to start a tradition by giving her a gold charm bracelet that can be added onto holiday after holiday.

Traveling

Whether you’re going for the exotic island location, an outdoor adventure, or you want to completely romance her, the surprise of a vacation getaway (that she doesn’t have to plan) is a romantic Christmas gift idea that will have her glowing with happiness. Giving her the opportunity to relax and truly put her obligations on hold, whether for a week or a weekend, is a gift all by itself – and if she can do this in her favorite kind of setting, you will definitely touch her heart.

Here’s a few sites to visit to begin planning the trip:

• For the islands – if she wants to sit back and relax, these two sites are a one-stop shop for all-inclusive packages:

http://www.sandals.com

http://www.cruises.com

• For adventure – a vacation filled with fun, outdoor activities is easy to plan with these sites:

http://www.iexplore.com

http://www.spectrav.com

• For romance – you’ll find that Paris is not the only option for on-location romance with these options:

http://www.allgetaways.com/activity.asp?areaid=100436

http://www.vacationidea.com/romance.html

Spoil Her

Pamper her by combining a trip at the spa, a shopping spree and time with her friends for a luxurious day or weekend.

Every woman enjoys feeling like a princess, and there’s nothing quite like the VIP treatment you get at a spa. Go beyond the standard manicure and pedicure and tie both of these pamper sessions in with a facial, massage and/or body wrap. Most spas offer packages for these services, so ask some women you know to name their favorite luxurious spas.

The only thing better than a holistic spa treatment by herself is having a girlfriend or two go with her. Talk with one of her friends’ boyfriends and suggest he use the same Christmas gift idea for his girlfriend so both women can share the experience together.

Combine this with lunch or dinner reservations at an exclusive or hot, new restaurant in the area, and a shopping spree, courtesy of your credit card, and she will come home at the end of the day, relaxed, renewed and grateful to you.

The best way to find a good local spa in your city, or even in your state, is to get a referral from someone who has been there. But if you really want to take things to the next level, you can send her to a retreat at one of the world’s best spas.

Or, instead of spending the time with one of her friends, you can offer to join her for some time completely dedicated to her needs and interests. Probably the best Christmas gift idea for your girlfriend, fiancée or wife is to give her the gift of your time – turning off the Blackberry, forgetting the to-do lists, canceling the meetings, and completely focusing your attention on her and letting her know how much she’s appreciated. And, taking the time to participate in her day could bring the two of you closer together.

Any Christmas gift idea for your girlfriend, fiancée or wife should involve some thought, creativity and planning. If you combine those three elements, any romantic Christmas gift idea that you have will go over well. Because, after all, isn’t she going to put a lot of thought and effort into your Christmas gift? Truly show your love by doing the same for her this holiday season.

An Old-Fashioned Christmas For Today

You can enjoy the simplicity and beauty of an old-fashioned Christmas. It can make Christmas less stressful and more enjoyable.

Do you want to have a Christmas full of joy, instead of a Christmas full of stress? Most people feel exactly the same way that you do, but instead they go through the Christmas season feeling stressed and tired.

You can have a joyful Christmas season. There are many different ways to make your Christmas season more fun and less stressful. The best thing that you can do is to try to simplify your Christmas. If you think about your favorite Christmases from your childhood, you probably remember more times of simple fun, rather than chaotic stress. You only have to plan and prepare to make this a Christmas that you can enjoy now.

Enjoying the simplicity and beauty of an old-fashioned Christmas can decrease your stress level and be very easy. You don't have to go back to no electricity to make your Christmas more old-fashioned and simple. You only have to choose some parts of that time that will make your Christmas more enjoyable. You can help fill your home with Christmas spirit simply by using your three senses.

* Pleasing to the Eye - What do you think of when you think of when you consider an old-fashioned Christmas? If you are like most people, candy canes, popcorn strands, and homemade Ginger cookies on the Christmas tree come to mind. Making a popcorn strand is very simple and it can be a fun, quality family project that your kids will love and enjoy making. Using cookies as a decoration may not be very functional, but you could just use the cookie cutters on your tree or use them as a napkin ring.

* Pleasing to the Ear - "Sleigh bells ring. Are you listening?" Adding sleigh bells to your home can help create a pleasant Christmas sound to the ears. If you don't have a reindeer out in the yard then hang them on your doorknob. This is a great way to welcome your holiday guests.

Hearing the squeals of laughter occurs quite frequently during the Christmas season. From opening presents to decorating your home, the holidays are a source of great fun and laughter for every member of the family. You may want to consider using toys for decorating your home.

* Pleasing to the Nose - Some of the favorite scents of the holidays include spices, baked goods, evergreen, and bayberry. You can find Christmas decorations that fit both your eyes and nose. For example, fir branches with a red bow would look beautiful above a doorway. Scented candles will look great in your windows. Cooking cookies also helps to add a delicious smell to your entire home.

Having an old-fashioned Christmas does not mean that you have to sacrifice your worldly goods. It simply means that you want to have a more simple, enjoyable Christmas, without many of the stresses. Isn't that what you desire?

Add Personal Touch with a Photo Christmas Card

If you want to make a really big impact this Christmas, rather than running down to the market and buying stock Christmas cards, try making a family photo Christmas card. Even better, the photo Christmas card is not likely to make it to the rubbish bin but more likely to be kept and either framed or placed into a photo album. In this manner, you are doing your part to help save the trees. The problem with traditional greeting cards is that many people find them to be impersonal and insincere. A photo Christmas card is a personal greeting lets the receiver know that you feel they are a part of your family too.

With widespread digital photography programs available to download (some free and some for a price) or purchase from local retailers it is easier than ever to design, touch up, and print your very own family photo Christmas cards. Digital cameras allow you to take and view photos immediately and retakes only require a few more seconds of your time for those rare photos where someone’s eyes or closed or someone is giving sister rabbit ears. You don’t even need fancy printing and photo editing software to make your own photo Christmas cards, you can upload the photo to one of many online photo services and they can make, edit, and even print the cards for you (for a small fee of course, which is really a small price to pay if you lack the skills to do it for yourself).

There is absolutely no right or wrong way to make a photo Christmas card. In today’s world it is perfectly okay to be creative or casual with your card making. Some of the best cards I’ve seen are with families in jeans and tee shirts with bare feet all lying on the floor wearing Santa hats. Be silly, be creative, have fun, and let your personality show through. It doesn’t even have to be a Christmas type of setting. You can have a family photo at the beach and say something like “I bet you wish you were here instead of eating fruitcake” Anything to bring a smile to the faces of those that love you most.

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t make the process more complicated than it has to be. Keep it as simple as possible. You do not want to have a negative experience by trying to do too much or learn too much too quickly. If you do that, you run the risk of giving up and quitting all together. As I’ve mentioned before, if the process of making and printing a card seems overly complicated to you, there are many services, both online and off that will be more than happy to create and print wonderful photo Christmas cards from your family photograph.

Christmas Gift Ideas on a Budget

Today’s Christmas gifts do not have to be massively expensive in order to make the recipient know how much you care. In fact, during these post-Katrina and wartime times lavish gifts seem a little more than slightly excessive. Remember also that there are people, even in this country who are going hungry during this holiday season. With these thoughts in mind, remember that those gifts that are from the heart are the gifts that mean the most.

Hand made or crafted gifts are often among the most loved and treasured of those received. Rather than spending a small fortune buying clothes for those on your list, consider knitting something for them to wear instead. Other great clothing gift ideas can be found shopping at vintage or second hand clothing stores. Not only can you find great deals on clothes in these stores but also on costume jewelry, which can be a huge hit with the teens on your shopping list. The creative shopper can also find unique and hip glassware and collectibles in these shops as well.

The many dollar stores that are cropping up around the country are also great places to discover budget friendly gifts or goodies to fill gift baskets. You can go into one of these stores with $5 or $10 and put together quite a nice gift collection if you use your imagination. The key of course is to create a theme with your goodies. You can do this on a slightly more expensive scale by shopping at Wal-mart or other discount merchants.

If you like the gift baskets you find in department stores, try putting together a gift basket of your own. It’s much less expensive if you do the labor and you can be sure that all the gifts in your basket are gifts that will be cherished by the recipient (provided he or she is someone you know very well) at a fraction of the cost. You can find baskets quite inexpensively and if you’re making several baskets you should only need to make one investment in things such as ribbon, tinsel, and other decorations, which will make subsequent baskets less expensive.

If you have a knack for baking and candy making, these make wonderful gift ideas. Many of us are so busy running to and fro during the holiday season that we sometimes aren’t able to find the time to do the baking that reminds us so much of Christmas’ past. By baking cookies or making candy as gifts, you’re sharing those reminders. Wrap them in inexpensive wax paper or cellophane or a decorated shoebox and voila! Instant gift that is sure to hit the spot.

15 Sure-Shot Christmas Gift Ideas For Men

When you desperately want to gift them something ‘different’ this year

Anyone who has ever tried giving a ‘different’ gift to their men folk on a Christmas will know what I am talking about. It is far easier to select gift for women due to the kind of variety and range available in the market. Anyone under 30 would love to have the latest designer makeup offering. Above 40 will love some concoctions of skin creams. Bath luxuries, new shimmering evening dress, cookery classes vouchers, time saving kitchen equipment…there is no dearth of offerings for women.

However, for men, the choices are so limited. How many times can you gift someone golf clubs, socks, aftershave, watch or a good old leather wallet?? Any offbeat gift like bath marbles or a cute puppy may not hit-off with everyone. You are always in doubt while experimenting, if it’s the right thing.

Here are some alternative gift ideas that might earn you that big broad smile from your dad, grandpa or husband. The kinky ones will get you some hugs and more from your man.

. Sudoku Toilet Roll – For the enthusiasts who can’t get enough of the game. It is a sure way to pass time on the bob. Sudoku is a massive puzzling craze that has swept the world. One of those addictive little games that will keep you amused for hours. Gift one to the one you love and watch their grins on receiving this unusual gift.

. Racing Grannies – These are desktop dolls in the form of ageing, wrinkled grannies, but race around faster than a car on the desk. Race these old dears at crippling speeds, wind them up and watch them go, just adjust the grannies arms to find the perfect race position. Two grannies complete with zimmer frames and shopping baskets will have you howling with laughter as you watch them scuttle along the desk. Ultimate fun guaranteed!!

. Babe Beer Bottle Holder – If you want to gift him something kinky this Christmas, we have the perfect gift. The Babe Beer bottle holder has an alluring ahem…female figurine on the outside. He will remember you each time he holds the holder or the babe…

. Hand Mobile Battery Charger - For emergency times when he needs to recharge his cell but there is no electrical socket nearby. This neat little gadget has a shaft that is rotated by hand. A 3-minute charging results in a talk time of about 7-8 minutes. Can be remodelled to suit any mobile phone brand. Perfect gift for any gizmo-freak.

. A hammock – Rekindle the memories of that Caribbean holiday by gifting him a hammock. Who wouldn’t love to lounge around in a hammock in the sun (even if imagined!) with a beer bottle in hand? A suitable gift for those who love to rest their derrieres often enough..

. Hip flask cum Cigarette Case – A perfect gift to a Football fanatic. When he goes to see his favourite team in action, this cute little flask helps him carry his favourite spirit and upto 6 cigarettes in neat, very small case. Looks elegant too.

. Virtual Girlfriend Game – Gift this video game to your brother or friend if they recently got dumped or have been too shy to ask anyone out. It will help them polish their dating skills. A perfect gift for tongue-tied teenagers.

. Whistling, Flashing Keylighter – They will never loose their keys again. On being whistled to, this amazing keylighter whistles back at you and flashes light. So gift this to your absent-minded hubby or careless teenager, they are bound to appreciate this thoughtful gesture.

. Football club share – What do you gift a Man United fan?? A share in their favourite football club!!! They will swear by you if you give them this chance to own a piece of the magic. These shares are available in different denominations for various clubs.

. An acre on Mars or Moon – What do you gift to a man who has everything, in his own words?? An acre of land on moon or Mars will really make them reach for the stars J Yes!! They are up for grabs and the recipients of your gift will get a neat little certificate to prove it. Now you know what to gift that well-off uncle.

. Family History Gift-Box – Perfect gift for teenagers finding their roots or people living away from their native neighbourhood. This box contains personalised family history of people in Wales, England, and Ireland. Imagine the surprise on their face in knowing how many of their ancestors went to the New World and who knows, they might even have royalty as part of their lineage.

. Personalised Stationery – Surprise him by gifting him his insignia stationary. He is sure to be impressed by the embossed letters of his name on all his personalised letter-pads, cards and other business and personal markings.

. Table Football game – Who hasn’t loved a good game of Table Football on a bleak wet day? Gift this to your bachelor friends or cousins and watch them play it over and over with squeals of delight. Danger: you might feel ignored in their company…

. Espresso Cappuccino Machines - For the modern wonders of men who need a coffee first thing in the morning but cant brew it to save their lives! This classy and handy machine makes life a little easier for your dear ones by serving them hot piping Espresso or Cappuccino every single morning unfailingly.

. ‘Macho-man’ Apron or ‘Danger: Man Cooking’ Apron – If you have survived more than one of their cooking disasters last year, its time to give them a ‘Danger – Man Cooking’ apron. Or, stroke their ego and laugh as they put on a ‘Macho-Man’ apron and then sweetly ask them to fix the dinner.. Men will always be boys.

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

Christmas time and decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of many people’s holiday season. Many family traditions involve going to a tree farm or Christmas tree store to pick out the perfect tree. A real tree can add the beauty of the season to your home and fill it with a pleasant scent of pine.

Unfortunately, real Christmas trees can also pose a fire hazard. According to the National Safety Council, each year more than 400 residential fires involve Christmas trees and tragically nearly 40 deaths and 100 injuries result from those fires. To help protect your family this holiday season, below is a list of important Christmas tree safety tips.

Christmas Trees:

• Select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green.

• The needles of pine and spruce trees should bend, not break, and be hard to pull off the branches.

• For the fir tree species, the needles should snap when bent, much like a fresh carrot.

• Also, look for sticky sap on the tree’s trunk.

• Cut off approximately two inches of the tree’s trunk and place the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand.

• Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times so that the tree does not dry out too quickly.

• Make sure the tree is at least three feet (one meter) away from any heat source, such as fireplaces and radiators.

• Try to position the tree near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances.

• Do not place the tree where it blocks doorways or foot traffic.

• If you decide to use an artificial tree, buy one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant.

• Be sure the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label is on an artificial tree with built-in electrical systems.

Tree Lights:

• Only use indoor lights with the UL label.

• Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.

• Replace any damaged light sets.

• Do not use more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Also be sure to place the extension cord next to a wall to avoid a tripping hazard.

• Do not run extension cords under rugs.

• Always turn off lights and decorations on your Christmas tree when you leave the house or go to bed.

• Never use electric lights on a metal tree.

Tree Ornaments:

• Avoid placing breakable or small tree ornaments with detachable parts on the tree’s lower branches where small children and pets can reach them.

• Never place lighted candles on a tree or near any flammable materials or decorations.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on all Christmas tree ornaments.

• Use the proper step stool or ladder to reach the top of the tree while decorating.

Disposing of Tree:

• It is time to dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house, garage, or placed against the house.

To keep your family and home safe this year, be sure to check your smoke alarms, replace batteries as needed, and know what your fire escape plan is. For more tips, information, or how to create a fire escape plan, visit the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org.

Happy Holidays!

How To Take Perfect Christmas Pictures Like A Pro?

Looking for the best tips that help you take perfect Christmas pictures and snap the most unforgettable holiday moment?

Christmas is such a great time of the year when families and friends gather together and get into the festive spirit. It truly is a time to cherish when the children open their presents, eat dinner and listening to "Old Uncle Bernie" telling a few jokes.

What makes it even more special, however, is taking that perfect Christmas photo so that, when you look back on that Christmas, can really help you to relive the memories of that truly magical Christmas.

However, the truth is, although many people have expensive cameras, they may not know how to use them correctly.

A lot of people think "how hard could it possibly be?" and they just go ahead and take the photo without even looking at the instructions. What they do not realize is that it can be extremely hard to take decent Christmas pictures when you do not know how to use the camera properly.

Most of people just get the camera out, nap a picture and, when they get it back, the picture is either missing someone's head or it hasn't come out properly at all.

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

First, arrange the scenery and the people exactly how you require them to be and make sure that there are not any unwanted objects in the way. It can be extremely annoying when you take a photo and realize that some stranger making faces right in the view of your camera has ruined it.

You can use the red eye feature on some cameras that can help when the Christmas 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 Christmas 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. So 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, how about entering your best photos in a contest for a prize? This could be a really big incentive to snap those perfect Christmas pictures, as well as a sense of pride and joy.

15 Christmas Decorating Ideas

Decorating your home for the holidays does not need be stressful or expensive. Being one of the most popular times of the year to decorate, get your family involved and have fun making your home beautiful for the holiday season.

Here are 15 Christmas decorating ideas:

1. Display your favorite Christmas collections. If you don’t have a collection, now is a great time to start! My son and I collect nutcrackers and every year we have a wonderful time selecting just the right one. With a permanent marker, I write the year on the bottom of the nutcracker. Not only do we enjoy looking at the nutcrackers during the holidays, we also enjoying the fond memories of selecting them.

2. Make simple bows out of Christmas ribbons and attach them to your curtains with pins. This is a very charming look.

3. Decorate your house plants by hanging small Christmas ornaments on them.

4. Place a collection of Christmas books on your coffee table.

5. Fill a glass bowl with pine cones and Christmas balls and place on a shelf or table.

6. Wrap your staircase banister with indoor Christmas lights, garland, and bows.

7. To add scent throughout your home, tie 5 or 6 cinnamon sticks together in a bundle using Christmas ribbon. Make as many bundles as you wish and place around your home in baskets or bowls.

8. To decorate your table, tie Christmas ribbon to the stems of glasses and/or handles of cutlery

9. To dress up your chairs, tie Christmas bows around the chair so that the bow is on the back of the chair.

10. Using a small brush or q-tip, paint the edges of pine cones with glittery gold craft paint. After the pine cones dry, place them in a decorative basket.

11. Add Christmas garland to door frames, window frames and mirrors. You can use tape to secure the garland to the surfaces.

12. Tie bows around door knobs using festive and colorful Christmas ribbon.

13. Attach garland and Christmas bows to your chandelier. You can also weave strings of red beads in the garland that will dangle down from your chandelier and reflect the light, which will add sparkle.

14. If you live in a milder climate, consider decorating with Amaryllis plants. These beautiful plants come in red and white, grow tall, and provide a very elegant look.

15. Don’t forget to decorate your fireplace mantel and hang your Christmas stockings. A few fireplace mantel decorating ideas are adding garland, different styles and sizes of Santas, teddy bears, and candles. You can also display your favorite nativity scene if you have a large enough mantel.

Be creative with your fireplace mantel because most mantels are the focal point during the holiday season. Another decorating idea for your mantel is to purchase a bunch of miniature rosemary trees shaped like Christmas trees, add mini ornaments to them and line them up across your mantel. These miniature rosemary trees are readily available during the holidays and come in festive containers.

Christmas decorating is a great time to create traditions and spend quality time with your family. Get out some snacks and drinks and create a little “decorating party” that you’re family will love and look forward to year after year.

Happy Holidays!

6 Great Ways to Spend Time with the Kids this Christmas

With all the hustle and bustle this time of year, it’s really easy stressed out! One of the things that is really important and we cannot leave out is to take time to relax. Spend time with the kids and just enjoy them. They are so excited and amazed at the different sites and sounds of Christmas.

1. Go Looking at Christmas Lights – Every year, we load the kids up in the mini-van and spend an evening touring around looking at Christmas lights. Some cities even have contests for the best light display. We have houses in our city that the kids can get out and walk around the displays. Santa and Mrs. Clause are available and handing out hot chocolate and candy canes. The kids think this is really cool.

2. Watch a Christmas Movie – Pop some corn, make your best cup of hot chocolate and snuggle up with your kids in a blanket on the sofa with the Christmas tree light on. Spend the night watching Christmas movies. I know for my kids, they don’t even need to be the new release movies. It’s just the time we take from our hectic schedules to spend with them that they will remember.

3. Christmas Baking – You’ve got to do it anyway. Invite the kids to help you one Saturday afternoon. They love it. I know in my house, the kids know there are certain things that they get to help make each year. We’ve made a tradition of it.

4. Christmas Crafts – An afternoon of Christmas music and craft making is perfect for getting your kids to make presents for Grandma/pa’s and Aunt/Uncles.

5. Decorating the house – We did this last night in fact. I know sometimes it’s hard to include the kids in this. Ornaments are breakable; we have a certain plan for the way we want the house to look. Including them in even a little part of the decorating makes children feel like they’ve helped you and that’s an awesome feeling for kids.

6. Make a Christmas shoebox for less fortunate– This a great way to show your kids that Christmas is a time of giving, and that it’s not just about the toys they get. My kids really look forward to doing this project each year. I think this is one of the most important Christmas activities you can do with your kids.

Whatever you choose to do this Christmas season, take time to slow down and enjoy it. After all, isn’t Christmas supposed to be a time for family?

Six Tell-Tale (And Funny) Signs That You're Addicted to Christmas

In case you didn't know it -- it is possible to be addicted to Christmas. Certainly, some level of excitement over Christmas is normal, but at what point does it border on unhealthy (or even insane)?

For many individuals, a Christmas addiction poses a greater threat than getting run over by a reindeer. If you want to know what the top six signs of being addicted to Christmas are, read on...

#1 -- Boycotting Anti-Santa Malls

If you refuse to shop at a mall that doesn't have a Santa on duty at all times, you're probably suffering from a Christmas addiction. (Reality check: Once you hit the age of 7 or 8, you probably don't need to get your photo taken sitting on Santa's lap!)

#2 -- Spiking Your Eggnog?

If you need spiked eggnog just to make it through your Christmas shopping marathon, it's a telltale sign that you're probably addicted to Christmas.

#3 -- Desperately Seeking the North Pole

If you've tried Googling directions from your house to the North Pole five times and still aren't sure how to get to Santa's house, you are probably addicted to Christmas.

#4 -- Expecting Mail from Santa

If you check your mail everyday hoping Santa sent you a letter, you should seek help to deal with your Christmas addiction.

#5 -- Taking the Christmas Theme Too Far

If you sleep on red and green plaid sheets and wear red and green pajamas with socks and underwear decorated with Santa every night beginning on December 1 until Christmas Eve, you are definitely addicted to Christmas (and you should really keep that secret to yourself).

#6 -- Identity Issues

Finally, if you've submitted a name-change application to legally change your last name to Clause (and you're getting all new monogrammed towels embroidered with a red and green ?S? and ?C?), you have some serious Christmas addiction issues.

What Is the Solution for Christmas Addiction?

Eat two Christmas wreath cookies each and every day until December 25th and call me in the morning. It has been documented that Christmas addiction rapidly subsides at 11:59 p.m. on December 25. Take your cookies, drink plenty of eggnog, and wait it out until then.

6 Popular Gift Ideas For Father's Day

6 Popular Gift Ideas For Father's Day
By Nicola Kennedy

Father’s Day is a special day for any man who is a dad. Handmade cards by little ones and his favorite home-cooked meal are not all you can do for him, though. There is a wide variety of popular gifts for Father’s Day that you can choose from to surprise him with. Some easy ideas are:

A gift card to Home Depot, Lowe’s, or his favorite hardware store – I have learned from years of experience with my husband that hardware stores truly are a man’s “toy store”. Any man can make twelve trips to a hardware store in one week and never get tired of it. Not only will he appreciate the gift, but you will get something done around the house or yard!

Fun electronic gadgets – Think digital camera, MP3 players, wide-screen TVs, DVD players, laptop computers…anything electronic. Many of these popular gifts for Father’s Day can be pricey, so make sure you save up.

Personalized gifts – Picture frames, plaques and figurines can commemorate a particular Father’s Day. You can also purchase mugs and t-shirts with photos and special messages.

A gift certificate to a hobby or specialty shop – Whether dad likes golfing, photography, woodworking, or wine, there is a specialty shop for that! Get him a gift certificate that he can use however he would like.

A gift certificate to his favorite restaurant – Most restaurants offer gift cards or certificates in many amounts. Choose dad’s favorite restaurant and get him a gift of a meal. To make it extra special, plan the whole night out on Father’s Day and treat him to a meal there instead!

Apparel – Dads can always use work clothes, casual clothes and chore clothes. Find out what area of dad’s wardrobe is lacking the most and fill in the gaps. Trick dad by taking him to the mall and finding out what colors and styles he likes before you buy.

Other popular gifts for Father’s Day are, of course, the crafty items you can make with your children at home. Anything from the heart will be popular with dad!

Why Did We Start To Celebrate Father's Day?

Why Did We Start To Celebrate Father's Day?
By Nicola Kennedy

Not many countries of the world celebrate fathers with their own official day. However, that is what is done in the United States every third Sunday in June. Father’s Day is a special day for dads when they are pampered by their children, given gifts, and even surprised with breakfast in bed!

There are many different stories as to the origins of Father’s Day. Some of the possible scenarios telling the story of the first Father’s Day are:

1. It started in 1908 during a church service in West Virginia.

2. Vancouver, Washington was where the first Father’s Day celebration occurred.

3. Harry Meek, president of the Lions’ Club branch in Chicago, created the first Father’s Day with his organization. It was celebrated in 1915 on the third Sunday of June, since that was a date very close to his birthday.

Even though we don’t know exactly when the first Father’s Day was celebrated, we do know who promoted this holiday with a great passion. Mrs. John B. Dodd, who resided in Spokane Washington, felt that her father was outstanding and deserved to be honored. He had fought in the Civil War and had raised six children on his own after his wife had died.

Mrs. Dodd spoke to her minister and other ministers around Spokane to see if they would have a church service that was solely dedicated to fathers. She wished this service to be held on June 5th, her father’s birthday. It was actually scheduled on June 19th however, since a June 5th date was not long enough for her minister to prepare such a service.

After that, the whole state of Washington began celebrating “Father’s Day” on the third Sunday of June. Children prepared special meals and desserts as a treat for dad. If they happened to live apart, children would make an effort to visit.

Other states and organizations now wanted an annual Father’s Day for the whole country. They began lobbying Congress to declare such a holiday. The idea of a “Father’s Day” was approved by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but it was not official until President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event in 1924.

Now, we celebrate Father’s Day every third Sunday in June!

4 Terrific Gifts To Make For Father's Day

4 Terrific Gifts To Make For Father's Day
By Nicola Kennedy

Going to a store to buy a gift for dad this Father’s Day may be the easy route to take. However, you should take a look at these terrific gifts to make for Father’s Day so that it is personalized and so dad feels super special:

A Father’s Survival Kit – Take a box of any size. Cover the box with dad’s favorite color construction paper. Decorate the box in any way you want, with crayons, stickers, glitter glue, markers, stamps…it is up to you how you want to decorate the box! Once the box is decorated, you can keep it looking nice by covering it with clear contact paper. Now, fill it with everything dad needs to survive: A picture of the family, a band-aid, a mini screwdriver, a bag of mini Oreo cookies, a video or DVD telling him how much he means to you…what you include is limited only by your imagination. You can make the survival kit out of any kind of plastic container, as well. Use puffy paints and glitter glue to decorate.

Special Father’s Day T-Shirt – On the computer, create a picture all your own. Include “Happy Father’s Day Dad” and pictures of his favorite hobbies, like golf, baseball, grilling, fishing, boating, etc. (All these can be found on free clip art sites online.) Print out your creation on special iron-on paper found at your local discount store (in the craft area). Now, iron-on your creation to a special shirt just for dad!

One of a kind paperweight – Find a big rock or shell. With paints and glitter, write “Happy Father’s Day Dad” on the item and then decorate as you want. This will make a great paperweight for dad’s desk, either at home or at work.

Don’t forget Father’s Day coupons – Create your own coupons, or find templates online, for coupons for dad. Offer anything you like: one “mowing the lawn” coupon, one “breakfast in bed” coupon, one “empty the dishwasher” coupon, one “do your laundry” coupon. Great Father’s Day gift for teens!

Anything you give dad for Father’s Day is special, but when you personalize the holiday with terrific gifts to make for Father’s Day it can be even more special.

How to Find the Perfect Father's Day Gift for a Sports Dad

How to Find the Perfect Father's Day Gift for a Sports Dad
By Kirk Lawrence

Father’s Day is the perfect day to celebrate a Father’s many contributions to the family. All you have to do is figure out what gift to get ‘Dear old Dad.” Have you ever found yourself asking this question: "Where do I find a thoughtful gift for my father, who insists that he doesn’t need anything?" There are the traditional Father’s Day gifts like tools or ties. However, buying a gift that is both unique and that he will enjoy requires a bit more creativity. The experts at FanOGram, an online store offering an extensive selection of gifts for the sports enthusiasts, have these tips for choosing a Father’s Day gift:

What are Dad’s special interests? Try finding a Father’s Day present that combines his favorite interest or hobby and their favorite sports team. Here are some examples:

1) If Dad loves golf, consider a Callaway putter with his favorite NFL team’s logo or a Callaway golf bag with his favorite NASCAR driver’s logo…or both!

2) Does dad like to have tailgate parties at or during the game? How about getting him a portable Keg-A-Que grill or a snack helmet with his favorite team’s colors.

3) How about helping decorate the garage or office? FanOGram offers a variety of products that you can mix and match, like 3x5 team flags, wastebaskets, and clocks.

4) Another great gift idea is to order 2 car magnets, 2 car flags, 2 license plate frames, a key chain and some decals of his favorite NCAA team. Then when he is not around or still sleeping turn his favorite set of wheels into a sports-fan-mobile. This one is really fun if you have kids around.

5) What could possibly be a better Father’s Day gift than tickets to the game? You can’t go wrong with this one. Just make sure to get your seat cushions, can coolers and tote blanket before you leave for the game. FanOGram has some of the lowest prices on the internet and is most definitely cheaper than getting it at the stadium!

Of course, the best gift idea for fathers is your time. Remember to make time for Dad this Father’s Day by calling or visiting. He will appreciate that more than anything. Happy Father’s Day from all of us at FanOGram !

FanOGram provides a unique web-based retail sports store that encompasses all of the sports products available on different sites around the net. They offer items from every sport including NFL, NCAA, MLB, NHL, PGA and NASCAR.

Buying Cheap Designer Clothes Online!

Buying Cheap Designer Clothes Online!
By: Roger Martin

Being well dressed is not about wearing the latest fashions; it is about knowing yourself and the styles that look best on you regardless of the latest trends. Keeping up with the latest trends is not only time consuming and costly but hard work. What does it take to dress well? Having lots of money? Well, that helps but most of all it takes organization, knowing yourself and your body and taking the time to get it right.

The boom in online shopping comes as the traditional High Street had a mixed experience over the Christmas period.

While many companies, such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco, enjoyed excellent sales, others such as Next, Body Shop and HMV had a tough time.

HMV and fellow music retailer MVC have also complained about the impact of online sales on their businesses.

IMRG chief executive James Roper said it was time for High Street retailers to make all their product ranges available online, and not just a limited number of items.

Of those retailers that have embraced the internet, Tesco said a record one million customers bought through its website in November and December, while department store John Lewis recorded online and catalogue sales of more than £100m in 2005.

The internet has been doing wonders for people’s wallets for years. In almost every case items that you can purchase in a local store can be found online for less. Designer clothes are no exception and there are literally hundreds of e-commerce web sites that will be more than happy to sell you everything you need for your wardrobe at considerable savings compared to what you’ll pay at the local shopping centre. In many cases you can get free shipping as well.

It won’t only help you find the latest cheap fashion styles but also the much sought after designer labels that are nearly impossible to find in the UK shops. Those like Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, Hollister, Von Dutch, Juicy Couture and many other fashionable American brands that can normally only be bought on a trip to the states can now be found on the internet.

But don’t worry if you’re thinking you still have to purchase from an American online store, with those expensive shipping costs and delayed delivery, as the top labels are finally hitting our shores from websites like www.stand-out.net which offer these hard to find labels and the other top designer brands all at discount prices. Launched just a year ago, Stand-out.net boasts a large selection of designer labels cheaper than other places and including the latest brands including Diesel, Hugo Boss, Armani, Moschino, Replay and the hard to get American brands. Offering a huge range of current and harder-to-find styles, Stand-Out.net has developed into a website you are sure to find something you like at cheap prices.

If your wardrobes in doubt ... Its time 2 Stand-Out.

Womens Plus Size Clothing Style Guide

Womens Plus Size Clothing Style Guide
By Claire Calkin

For an effective and easy shopping experience for a plus size woman we recommend the following advice. Hopefully this will give women a carefree way to buy clothes that are beautiful, stylish and look great.

Buy clothing that is comfortable and makes you look your best

Ditch the sweat pants and slacks and trade in for clothes that are just as comfortable and will accentuate curves and heighten style. Choose shoes that are comfortable and if you want wear shoes with a heel, as these will make the person feel taller and stand up straight which means a great posture too. Keep in mind the colors you prefer when selecting clothes. Take note of styles that flatter and fit your shape. Look for similar fabrics, styles and shapes when shopping. For a comfortable bra, get refitted when buying a good selection of new bras as the shape can change over time and different requirements may be sought after. Wear a boatneck style top to highlight your shoulders and neckline and will also contour the waist. Avoid this top is you have broad shoulders.

Large handbags are best when buying new accessories. They will flatter shape and carry your daily items easily. Strapless bags can stop the bag brushing the body if this is what is preferred. Avoid clingy clothes that will distort your figure and avoid baggy clothes for the same reason. Choose clothes that accentuate the bust with V-neck tops and also light fabrics are great for creating a stylish, breezy look. Create an interesting look by wearing tops and bottoms with the same shade of color but with different fabrics. This will create a clean lined look that will contour your body shape. Enhance the bust with bright color shirts and create curves around the hip with dark pants and skirts. Match shoes and pantyhose with the same shades of color for a great look with pants or skirts.

Contour your shape with clothing

Vertical lines can add shape and definition in the top half of the body. This can be done with a cute cardigan or blazer with undone buttons; this look will also lengthen your shape. Avoid horizontal lined clothes as this makes the body appear wider. Use vertical lined clothes to heighten the body. Balance the look of the body with skirts that are knee length or longer. With fashion in mind, avoid the latest craze of wide belts as they will cut the figure in half and distort the clothing. An undergarment will create smooth bodylines under the clothes and keep you warm.

Classic fashions for your wardrobe

A wrap styled dress is great for all body shapes and figures. They are sexy and very stylish as they wrap the body and accentuate the best features. Wrap skirts is very sexy and can be work night or day. Pants designed with bootleg cut in a dark wash are very versatile and can work any shape. For a flattering cut, bootleg or wide leg jeans or pants are recommended. Black is a great color for a coat as this color works with just about all other colors. Skirts with a quarter length cut are great for a formal occasion. Tailored jackets work great with dresses and pants. For a slim look, try skinny shouldered jackets. Accessories are great for adding style to an outfit. Try belts, jewellery and scarfs that will keep you warm and looking great.

Every wardrobe should have most of the following items for a great recipe for a very fashionable and classic look.

Two pairs of pants and two skirts; with one in a print or check and one in a solid color. Two simple tops with one in a solid color and one in the same print. Four tops in the colors which work best with the solids and one jacket in a solid color or simple cardigan. With all of these items in no time you will have a timeless and perfect look. Create a new and exciting look each day by mix and matching items. Keep the clothes to three basic colors if you want your accessories to match with your wardrobe. Choose quality clothes rather than quantity, this enables you to have a wardrobe that will last longer and include styles that will look great with years to come.

5 Unusual Gifts For A Friend

5 Unusual Gifts For A Friend
by: Andre Antoo

It is not always easy to come up with an unusual gift idea for a friend . Here a few of unusual gift available :

1. Puzzle alarm clock

It wakes you up by firing four puzzle pieces up in the air, and then it is your task to get the pieces and put them back in the alarm clock - it won’t turn off until then . Pretty annoying but could be a great gift for your friend .

2. Tree adoption

Give this gift to your friends especially who interested in tree or garden . Not only makes an unusual and timeless gift but also provides a great excuse for a holiday to the south of France .

The tree will be planted on your behalf in a 20 square meter plot and any truffles found under your tree or trees will be harvested, sold, and the profits sent straight back to you at the end of the season, unless of course you decide to keep the truffle in which case Truffle Tree will post them to you.

3. Purchasing land in the moon

Buy your friend some acres of land on the Moon from THE LUNAR EMBASSY. They has been selling land on the Moon for the past 22 years . They claim to be the first and the only company that possess a legal basis and copyright for the sale of lunar . Not only moon , they also serve other extraterestrial property in our solar system. Unusual indeed .

4. Taketombo - Dragonflies

This gift is best for someone who plays a lot . Taketombo are Japan’s hand-made toys made from bamboo that able fly like mini-helicopters on their one propeller . Rub the stick with your hands and rotate it. The wing will fly off it with great force. The package comes with a complete English instructions on how to make you own Taketombo . Its easy and simple . Practice often then by the time we could improve the Taketombo design to gain more heights and speeds

5. Classic Atari Games

Remember the old time ? Take a step back in time to the early days of video arcades with Atari’s 80 Classic Games, a compilation of unforgettable and authentic Atari titles. Each one is faithfully reproduced with all the great sights, sounds and fast action that made them so popular. Whether you played these games in their original arcade cabinets or on an Atari 2600 console, you’re sure to find a favorite. Great unusual gift for your friends .

Mini Ipod, Music And Everything In A Box

Mini Ipod, Music And Everything In A Box
by: John Rivers

The smaller version of Apple iPod is the iPod mini. It is a small audio player. The release of this audio player was on February 20, 2004. The machine was from Windows PCs and Macintosh, and with support from Linux and other UNIX work likes. The devise got the same sensitive touch scroll pad, but instead of four touch notches, the buttons are made mechanical for easy navigation. The wheel is the “click wheel”. You must push the edge of the wheel inward over one of the four levels of the iPod for full access to one of the four labels.

There are two almost identical generations of iPod, the difference is with their battery capacity and storage. They are both 3.6 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches and weighs 102grams. The case composes of anodized aluminum. The five first generation colors of iPod were green, blue, pink, silver and gold. Because of the unpopularity of the gold version, they dropped it to the second generation. In the first generation, the button labels are colored grey, in the second generation the buttons were colored matching the color of the iPod case.

The first generation battery can last up to 8 hours. The users criticized the short duration of the battery. Because of that, Apple released the second generation claiming an 18 hours of continues play. Nevertheless, the only problem with the second generation is that they no longer contain FireWire cable or an AC power adaptor. This is the reason why the price of the device was reduced.

At the bottom of the device, you can find dock connector, specifically Hi-Speed or FireWire, which connects to the computer device. The battery of the unit is being charged when connected to the computer. It has a hold switch at the top and headphone jack and a jack for connecting some accessories. It supports AIFF, WAV, AAC/M4A, MP3 and Apple Lossless audio formats. Integration to iTunes and iTunes Music Store was retained as well, allowing for true Auto-sync between the software application and the iPod mini.

Special features:

• With 128 kbps AAC format that can hold up to 1000 songs

• Super lightweight music device with 4GB hard disk drive

• With FireWire that is used to store data

• 138 by 110 pixel resolution, 0.22-mm dot pitch

• It weighs 103 g

• Up to 25 minutes anti skip protection

• Its audio formats support AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, AIFF, WAV and audible

iPod mini accessories:

• AV connection kit- used to connect your iPod to your home stereo or television. You can now share your favorite tunes, photos and movies to your loved ones.

• Radio remote- you can listen to your favorite Fm radio stations and control it with a convenient wired remote. In addition, an earphone comes up with shorter cable that perfectly fits your remote.

• Apple remote - Universal Docks support this. It is plugged in the Dock, connect to a television or stereo and be ready for a control of everything.

• Universal dock – is convenient for home charging, it also used to connect your iPod to home audio system. It also lets you connect your iPod to television for slideshow of images.

• USB power adapter- you can charge your iPod even with the connection to your computer.

• Camera connector- use to transfer photos directly to your iPod.

• In-ear headphones- it offers quality sounds with bass response.

• USB cable- a cord used to connect your iPod to your computer.

Digital Cameras – Quality Vs. Size

Digital Cameras – Quality Vs. Size
by: Sara Wells

When looking to purchase a new digital camera there is always the debate between size and quality within the range of your budget. No matter what the budget, the choice will have to be made between a smaller size, more portable camera and a higher resolution camera with more features. Making the choice between the two is simply a matter off considering what the camera’s purpose.

Digital camera users who plan to use a camera for simple point-and-shoot purposes will want to focus their budget on a small, portable camera. These individuals are most likely using their camera to document travels, family events, and personal experiences for their own memory. The photos don’t need to be or a super high resolution because they will not be blown up to poster size, but will remain 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 in a frame on the mantel. It is important to consider that when size is traded for quality, while the photos will be higher quality, users may be less inclined to take photos as the size of the camera becomes a hindrance to taking it along for the fun.

Photographers who are more interested in the end product will want to sacrifice size for a higher resolution camera or one with more features and/or accessories. The bulkier high-resolution cameras or digital SLRs will be the better choice for users who are taking artistic or professional photographs. Even the amateur artist, will want to invest in quality over size to produce the kind of photos that can be enlarged to show detail. Cameras used for professional shots, whether to be displayed in a portfolio, brochure or website, will also need to be of higher quality, and it will be worth hefting the extra weight to get the higher-end photos.

Knowing the type of photographer you are, will help you make the right choice in cameras. When you have an idea of what characteristics are most important to you, take the time to shop, read the reviews, and compare the various cameras in your price range.

Personalized Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Personalized Mother's Day Gift Ideas
By: Niall Cinneide

So many days roll by without a thought to the daily life of our mother. How is her day going? Is everything going well? Does she need to relax? And so on. We are so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget that mom’s have tough days too, even after we are all grown up. And husbands forget that wives, the mothers of their children, do get forgotten in the daily hubbub of life.

So this year, do something that is absolutely and completely all for her. First, make arrangements for a full day at the spa. The works. It is relatively inexpensive and will bring the glow back into mom. While she is at the spa, clean the house, or hire someone to come do it for you. Order out for the best restaurant to deliver a full course meal and set it up for you so that when mom comes home, there is no cooking to be done. Make arrangements to have it cleaned up also. Make sure all her dry cleaning is taken to the shop, the dog is bathed and groomed. The sheets on the bed are fresh and clean.

This may not sound original to some, but for moms, it is the most personal thing you could do for her. Make it so mom does not have to lift a finger for anything.

Another idea, if you want to spend the money and do the footwork, is have a family quilt made for her. There are dozens of ways to do it. You can even have old family pictures incorporated into the quilt. Have the names of her family added to the quilt, this will turn into a “Memory Quilt”, something she gaze upon year after year and in a sense be surrounded by her family each night.

Depending on what “personal” means to your mom or wife, can decide how you want to personalize her Mother’s Day gift. There is engraving, embroidery, painting, and sculpting, or you can do something that mom has wanted done for a very long time and make that personal. Taking a cruise or short trip to a place that she has wanted to go.

To a mom, all things are personal, especially when it comes to her family.

Mothers Day - Selecting The Right Ecard

Mothers Day - Selecting The Right Ecard
By: CD

Mother's Day is coming nearer. We all will be trying to make this day a memorable day for our Mothers. Giving her gifts, taking her out for dinner and making her happy in all the possible ways. It is also the time to send the right ecard to Mother. This is a day to thank Mother for bringing us up. Only the Mother knows how many nights she stayed awake to feed us and pamper us when we were infants. After that it was school, helping in home work, getting the right dresses and most of all giving us a sense of total care and protection.

What kind of ecard should be sent to Mother to make her feel good? Any ecard essentially has three components- design, colors and text. If all of these combine properly, the greeting card can make a big impact on your Mother and make her happy. You will find Mother's day ecards on most of the ecard websites. Some of them are paid and some come totally free. Why not to chose free if the quality is equally good? Look around for free ecard sites and select the ecard for your Mother.

Talking of the card design, avoid using animated cartoons. Younger people may like those designs. But they don't evoke the feeling of warmth, love and gratitude. Try cards with video shots of nature - flowers, birds, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, clouds etc. These will make your Mother feel good. Next is the choice of colors on the Mothers Day ecards. Select the ones with muted colors. Colors that are warm and soothing. You know the choice of your Mother. Try to get one in the colors she loves. A Mother's Day ecard with the right text can make your Mother very happy. Chose one with text that is full of memories, warmth and thanks to express gratitude.

Getting the right ecard for your Mother is very important. She is the one mostly responsible for bringing you up. You are here largely because of her. Invest enough time and select the right Mother's Day ecard to make your Mother happy on Mothers day.

Finding the Perfect Gift

Finding the Perfect Gift
By: Smiley Jack

Holidays, birthdays, weddings, baby showers, anniversaries, the list is endless. When you have a gift to buy for someone special or as a social requirement, how do pick out the best one? When the recipient opens their gift from you will they say “How perfect! I love it!” or will they say “Oh, you shouldn’t have.”? With so many choices and so little direction how do you even start on your search for the perfect gift?

Have no fear, help is here. The answer lies in learning to think like the intended recipient. For example, let’s say you need to buy a birthday present for a little girl. You look for something pink and frilly-she’ll love it, right? It may look adorable and perfect to you, but what does it look like to the little girl about to receive it? Stop for a moment and think about things from the perspective of our little girl. It’s your birthday. There is a mountain of packages just waiting for you to open. There are only two things on your mind: TOYS!!! and CANDY!!!! If you can’t throw it, shake it, push its buttons, or eat it you are not interested. Okay, come back to me now. You have just learned the secret to great gift buying. Don’t buy something you love, buy something the person getting the gift will love.

Simple solution. Simple, but not always easy. How do you know what they will love? The best way to start is to think about what that person does. What they enjoy doing. Who they enjoy doing things with. Consider our example of a little girl. What do little girls do? They watch cartoons. They love to watch cartoons and play with their dolls. They watch cartoons with their favorite doll. So now that you know how she sees life, what would make a great gift? A pink, frilly dress? No. She would love to have a new dvd full of her favorite cartoons, new clothes for her favorite doll (but none for herself, mind you), a little tea set she can use to play house, and any other number of similar items. Now you have some ideas for great gifts. The key is to examine what the gift recipient enjoys, what keeps their interest and ignore what you yourself want. In fact, you may find that as you get better at giving gifts people actually want, you start receiving more gifts that you actually want. Funny the way things work sometimes.

So in a nutshell, figure out what gift your intended recipient will want and find it. After brainstorming some great ideas, do you have to go brave the crowds a the mall? Of course not. The other secret to great gift giving is knowing where to shop. I recommend www.shopatmoes.com you can always find some great gifts there, no matter who you are shopping for. They have excellent discount prices and top quality merchandise. Best of all, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home. Remember to think like the lucky person getting your gift and always shop at Moe’s. www.shopatmoes.com

The Best Facial Care Regimen For Beautiful Skin

The Best Facial Care Regimen For Beautiful Skin
By: Kerri Stalton

Taking great care of your facial skin is easy once you establish the right routine, and sticking to a regular cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing schedule can help you achieve a flawless, smooth complexion that glows with health. Every person’s skin is unique, so developing your facial care regimen will be likely to require some trial and error. Knowing thoroughly what different kinds of products do, and what your skin type needs, can help you create the ultimate skin care plan custom designed for your individual complexion.

The first thing to consider when choosing skin care products and coming up with your treatment plan is your skin type. If you often notice flaking, find your skin is easily irritated, or feel that you are prone to premature wrinkles, you probably have a dry skin type. If you are vulnerable to acne and blemishes, or find that you constantly need to powder your nose to keep shine at bay, you have an oily skin type. If, like many people, you have pimples and grease in some areas and irritation and flaking in others, you have combination skin, which usually requires the most individualized care.

Keep your skin type in mind when buying the four products that will make up your skin care routine. You will need a cleanser to use twice daily, an exfoliant to use a few times per week, a moisturizer to use as needed, and one intensive treatment for weekly use. The cleanser should wipe away dirt, makeup, and excess oil, and will keep your pores free of clogs. The exfoliant will slough away dead skin cells that can cloud your visage, and exfoliating will help keep your skin looking youthful and vibrant. The moisturizer will tackle dryness, redness, and irritation so that you can maintain a silky smooth texture and a fresh, dewy look. The intensive treatment should be a commercially available or homemade mask that will tackle your biggest skin problem.

For your cleanser, look for a product free from alcohol or other potentially drying agents, and choose the gentlest product possible. It should be strong enough to cut through excess grease, but not so strong that it strips your face of the natural oils that keep it resilient. Your exfoliant should be especially designed for facial skin, the most delicate skin on the body, so don’t try to make your body scrub do double duty on your face. The moisturizer you pick must be non-comedogenic to keep your complexion clear, and should be water based for maximum effectiveness. Use your moisturizer only when you notice redness or dryness. For people with dry skin this may mean applying a thin layer after every cleansing, but for others it might mean occasional spot treatments. Use a mask treatment once a week for a luxurious, deeply penetrating solution to your skin problems. You can find a mask recipe or premixed product for any issue under the sun, so whether your dominant skin trouble is acne, dryness, or visible wrinkles, or if your skin is in great shape but could use an infusion of nutrients, you will be able to find a treatment ideal for your skin.

Anti Aging Skin Care Tips

Anti Aging Skin Care Tips
By: Natalie Aranda

As we all get older we seem to lose that youthful glow that we once had. There are many factors fighting against us to keep our youthful looking skin including, sun, wind, the foods we eat, or the lack of hydration our skin so desperately needs.

Quite a few skin care products can help us keep our skin looking better than ever, however, without proper skin care treatment, all the skin care products in the world will not help. To look your best and provide your skin with anti aging skin care you should turn to natural skin care and all natural products.

Let’s begin by first looking at your overall daily routine. You need eight hours of sleep, stay out of the sun as much as possible, use a good all natural moisturizer and above all else drink plenty of water. It is recommended in order to have youthful healthy looking skin the best anti aging skin care starts with eight glasses of water per day.

Exposure to the sun makes our skin dry and weather beaten. If you must be out in the sun, use sunscreen and moisturizers for natural skin care. Read the label, though, you do not want any product that has any type of alcohol in it; alcohol will dry the skin causing it to age as well.

One of the best skin care treatments you can add to your anti aging skin care routine is the use of moisturizers. Our skin loses water constantly and if you are like most people you do not enjoy drinking gallons of water in order to keep your skin hydrated. This is the reason you should use moisturizers every day. You should apply an all-natural moisturizer to your face before you apply any type of make-up.

When you are searching for the best anti aging skin care, you will of course look for anti aging products. The best products for skin care treatment that aid in anti aging are ones that include antioxidants. Antioxidants aid our skin by protecting the collagen and the elastin that we need to keep our skin feeling firm and supple.

The overall thing to remember with all skin care treatment including anti aging skin care is that what you put into your body will show on the outside. You should eat a proper diet and healthy foods. Eating well-balanced meals and nutritional foods will give your skin a healthy glow especially when you remember to drink plenty of water.

How To Select Body Wash

How To Select Body Wash
By: Kerri Stalton

A luxuriously scented body wash can transform a boring morning shower into a lavish treat that you will look forward to at the start of every day. Body washes can offer as deep a cleansing experience as bar soap, but with an added explosion of pleasant aroma. And, many body washes have moisturizing benefits that can help bring out the beauty of your skin. Choosing the right body wash for your skin type and applying it with the right technique can help you achieve the gorgeous skin you’ve always craved from head to toe.

When selecting a body wash, look for a product that has natural ingredients rather than a product that is based in chemical additives. Many chemicals promise great results, but in most cases you can gain the most benefit from products that get their moisturizing power from natural elements like shea butter, Aloe Vera, or honey; all of which have been shown to nourish skin without causing any damage. An all natural body wash is likely to be completely biodegradable, which makes it better for the environment as well as better for your body.

Remember that your body wash is something that you will be exposed to every single day, so don’t choose anything that has ingredients that could prove harmful after long term use. Avoid any body wash that includes alcohol, which can be drying to skin; or silicone, which can leave behind a thin layer of residue that can clog pores. To be sure that your skin stays clear and fresh, look for body washes which specifically state that they are non-comedogenic, which means that they won’t cause pimples or blemishes.

Of course, shopping for the right body wash is only one piece of the puzzle. The way that you apply your body wash is just as important as what kind of product you choose. Using a loofah or other slightly abrasive scrub brush can provide an invigorating wake up for all of your senses while helping your skin glow with health. A loofah will exfoliate your skin while you scrub, helping you buff away dingy dead skin cells while you clean and moisturize. This simple tool packs quite a punch, and incorporating a loofah into your shower routine can help you get the most out of your body wash by making sure that moisture and nutrients fully penetrate the youngest, freshest layer of skin. Using an all natural moisturizing body wash with a loofah can help your natural beauty shine through all over your body. This is especially important during the spring and summer months when you are likely to be showing a bit more skin than usual, making a body wash a part of your daily beauty routine can help you look great and feel confident.

Benefits Of VoIP In The Home

Benefits Of VoIP In The Home
By: Willie Reynolds

As the Internet grows ever larger and can be found in increasing numbers of homes across the world, the communities in which we live are shrinking in terms of contact ability every day. As more contacts are made among people globally, there has been a strong demand to improve conversational abilities beyond the capacity and cost of the traditional phone market.

One technological innovation that seeks to bridge the distance gap between people is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This procedure is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet through a packet-switched network, as opposed to the telephone system of circuit-switched networks.

The immediate benefit that is apparent for users of Voice over Internet Protocol at home is in the cost. Traditional telephone long distance costs have made it unaffordable to call distant friends or family members to all but the most dedicated, which results in a loosening of the family ties which can be detrimental to the individuals and also will end with most families feeling a significant amount of regret. With the VoIP technology, family members and friends who live far apart from each other need worry no longer about the significant costs involved in keeping in touch. When both parties are using the VoIP technology, for example, the entire call may be free of charge, no matter where in the world the parties are calling from. It is important to remember, if you are a brass-tacks budgeter that the cost of the overall Internet charge to your premises should be included in the overall cost, but this s usually still significantly less than just one call to a family member in Florida from Canada or even the northern United States would cost.

It is also possible to use VoIP technology to call a regular phone line, but in these cases there will be a cost involved, usually to the VoIP user. These costs are usually lower than equivalent telephone services, and the charges depend on the type of public switched telephone network to VoIP connection that is used.

VoIP in the home also carries some significant advantages in terms of functionality. The technology can be used concurrently with video conversation, so that the callers can also see each other and their homes as they talk. It can also act simultaneously with file exchange or instant message services such as MSN in order to achieve immediate discussion and application of the files being exchanged. Incoming calls that use VoIP can also be routed from anywhere, regardless of where the connection to the Internet is taking place.

Finally, the technology available through VoIP makes it possible to take your phone number with you anywhere in the world without having to inform your numerous contacts of where they can reach you at a certain time and number. The number assigned by the company, such as Skype, remains the contact number no matter what location the user may be at.

It is Time to Switch to VOIP

It is Time to Switch to VOIP
By: Chris Hancock

It’s always been AT&T and the Bell Companies. They have been in control for a very long time. They have been able to decide what you pay for telephone service and what you pay for long distance. Just like TV took advertisers away from radio, the Internet is taking phone service away from the old monopolies like AT&T and Bell.

The phone company giants are trembling. They are filing court cases. Their lawyers are working overtime trying to stop the tide of people who are switching from traditional telephone service to VOIP. When the giants are scared, you know we are onto something big.

What is VOIP? Voice Over Internet Protocol. According to http://www.shiftnetworks.com/glossary.cfm “Voice over Internet Protocol is the technology used to transmit voice conversations over a data network using the Internet Protocol. Such data network may be the Internet or a corporate Intranet.”

“http://www.novacon.com/faq_s-z.htm has a better explanation. (Voice over Internet Protocol) - A category of hardware and software that enables people to use the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls. Voice data is sent in packets using rather than by traditional POTS circuits. One advantage of VoIP is that the telephone calls over the Internet do not incur a surcharge beyond what the user is paying for Internet access, much in the same way that the user doesn't pay for sending individual e-mails over the Internet.”

That is the explanation that is getting many people to switch to VOIP. You pay for Internet access. You send all the email you want to even though the US postal service had wanted to control it and charge you money for each email. That didn’t happen. The fact that the Internet’s definition is International Network keeps the US Postal Service from having any control over it.

The big phone companies would like to be able to charge for every phone call made using VOIP, but again, they do not control it. Don’t count them out. They are trying. However, history shows if you try to control or get in the way to block progress, you lose in the long run.

VOIP is here to stay. You can make calls over VOIP without telephone charges and most of all without the normal FCC taxes you see on your telephone bill each month. There are VOIP services available for $20 per month out there that include your normal phone service and all of your Long Distance.

If I use VOIP, who can I call? According to one vendor’s website, “Anyone and everyone! Any local phone, mobile phone, long distance, or international number — if a number can be dialed, you can call it with voip. And if you have domestic long distance included, you can say goodbye to your long distance bill as well.”

Internet phone service or VOIP replaces your existing phone service much the way cellphones have for many people. Most of these Internet based services provide you a lot of features, like voicemail, call waiting, and three-way calling, at no extra charge. They provide free local and long distance calling. And unlike cellphones, it’s not just free on the third rainy Saturday of the month between 3am and 3:45am.

I am comparing some of the services for myself as I write this article. I just saw one plan for $15.95 per month with unlimited calling. No long distance fees to add on, no activation fee if you sign up for a one or two year plan. I like VOIP already, but I am a shrewd customer. I am going to keep looking.

You should do the same. Start looking through the Internet for VOIP services. Compare plans. See what they have to offer. Make the best deal for yourself and your family. But no matter which plan you choose, VOIP is the future of telephone and long distance services.

Got A Cellular Phone?

Got A Cellular Phone?
By: Matthias Reightman

Almost everyone I know has a cellular phone now. I remember a few years ago when cellular phones were only owned by wealthy mothers and occasionally by a snobby teen. Have you been hesitating to join the cellular phone band wagon? If so, you really should consider how owning a cellular phone can benefit your life.

One of the biggest reasons that people love to own a cellular phone is because they are so convenient. You no longer have to hassle with trying to locate a pay phone and dig up the correct amount of spare change. You do not have to wait until you get home to order a pizza or to set up an appointment. Owning a cellular phone allows you to make calls from wherever you are at any time you want. What can be better than that?

Owning a cellular phone brings a great measure of safety because you have access to your cellular phone at all times. Having a cellular phone is great for people who spend a lot of time on the road and for teens who are just beginning to drive on their own. Parents will love knowing that their teen can be reached at any time or make a call if they get into any trouble while driving. You never know when an emergency situation will arise, so it is great to a have the comfort of a cellular phone at all times.

Having a cellular phone allows you to stay connected with people better. When you have a cellular phone you are able to make calls and stay connected with people at any spare moment throughout your day rather than having to wait until you return home or have an extended period of time to talk. You might be surprised how much more you can talk with your family and friends simply by carrying a cellular phone.

Many people who own a cellular phone actually save money on their phone bills each weeek. Because cellular phone companies are coming up with better plans all the time, people are able to use their cellular phone instead of having a long distance phone plan. What a great way to save money! Simply use your cellular phone to make calls to the people you love near and far and see your phone payments decrease.

Stop into a cellular phone store and see what adding a cellular phone to your life can mean for you!

5 Reasons Why Mobile Video’s Wont Take Off

5 Reasons Why Mobile Video’s Wont Take Off
By: Shayne West

There are conferences being held at iHollywood forums about coming up with full-motion videos for your cell phone. This service will be provided for the new Nokia 3650 wireless phone. At first one might think this is a cool new idea and concept, but it is not.
The idea has been around since the early 80’s and it never took off then and most likely won’t now and there are good reasons it won’t, some of which are and not limited to:

1) The screen resolution is way too small to properly enjoy and view the full-motion pictures designed for large screen plasma TV’s.

2) It can be almost guaranteed that if this movie was attempted to be played on another phone, the battery would give up half way, if not earlier. Regardless, even on the Nokia, the batteries can only last up to an hour longer after the entire movie is done playing (provided the movie is approximately 1.5 hours in length)

3) Lastly, the quality of the movie would not be so great, as referenced in point one, not only that but the movies will be in the RealOne format, which in geek terms means, long buffering time and very poor video quality.

4) The price of this is targeted at $20 per movie, because of “the ease and mobility” carriers’ provide for the content. This as we know, is more expensive then watching the movie in the theatres and almost the same as buying a DVD that you can keep forever or renting up to 4 blockbuster movies.

5) If there is a call or incoming message, it will most cover and block the screen that the movie will be playing on temporarily.

These reasons are sufficient enough to not want to go and subscribe to a mobile content provider that are over-charging for a service that is not new or very user-friendly.

Game on: the allure of games on phones

Game on: the allure of games on phones
By: Philip Nicosia

With mobile phones becoming more and more powerful and getting more colorful and brighter screens – the prospect of gaming using mobile phones become more and more viable.

Mobile gaming had its start when Nokia introduced the game “Snake” on its 6100 series of phones in 1997. It was a simple game that anyone can play immediately without reading the instructions. The concept met with tremendous response. Here is an actual application (aside from the calculator) that has been embraced by the mobile buying public. What followed where two more games from the company – logic and memory – also met with tremendous success and proved that there is indeed a market for mobile games and that the sky is the limit when it comes to its future and potential.

There are so many factors that make mobile gaming such a runaway success that it has established brand new markets virtually overnight.

One important factor is that, with their portability, mobile games have turned into what experts and researchers call a “digital snack”. There is a study that revealed PC and console gamers are more likely to play mobile games on their phones when they are away from their game consoles, PCs and handhelds. These gamers though shift to the kind of games that are better presented within the limited screen size and navigation options of a mobile phone. These are usually puzzles and card games. But of late, there has been a slow shift to more conventional gaming genres because of new workarounds to these limitations.

Another factor cited for mobile gaming’s popularity is that mobile games are a great way of killing time. Whenever you have a few minutes to spare or you are in the middle of a commute and you are bored because of the traffic, you can just whip out your mobile phone, choose a game and your boredom is alleviated. The very nature of mobile games are perfect for short bursts of gameplay – which is the perfect description for the situations in which mobile users play games. For example, short lulls in between meetings or appointments, commutes in between office and home, or the interminable waiting that happens when you visit a doctor.

An additional reason why people also prefer mobile gaming is because it is a free, no-expense way of enjoying yourself. When you are bored you can always use your mobile phone to call someone and chat or even send text messages to family and friends and initiate a text-chatting session. But both of these methods would entail shelling out money. You pay charges for the phone calls you make while there are mobile phone companies that also put charges on text messaging. With mobile games you don’t have to pay anything. Just open the game in your phone and you can spend as much time as you want to without fear of incurring any kind of charges or costs.

It will be exciting to speculate how mobile gaming will evolve in the next few years. The industry is still in its formative stage. When it hits its stride it will be an exciting time for avid mobile gamers.

Nokia N Series Mobile Phones

Nokia N Series Mobile Phones
By: dave4

Packed with the latest technologies such as 3G, Carl Zeiss Optics, megapixel cameras, multi-gigabyte memory, VHS resolution video and WLAN, the Nokia Nseries offers new fusions of digital media and mobility to the hands of mobile users. Consumers can now use a single device to do everything from snapping print-quality images, reading email, listening to music, browsing their favorite websites, watching mobile TV and much more. The Nokia Nseries multimedia range is styled to meet the expectations of the most demanding customers with stainless steel finishes and black pearl and smooth silver color pallets.

"This next step in digital convergence brings together mobile devices, Internet content, still and video cameras, music, email and much more. Nokia Nseries devices share similar design traits as mobile phones, but they are actually powerful pocketable computers with a comprehensive set of multimedia features," said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Multimedia, Nokia. "The Nokia Nseries offers the world's most powerful functionality in the mobile space. As Nokia Nseries is based on Series 60, people can choose from thousands of add-on applications to customize their device to best suit their needs. The Nokia Nseries range is the perfect choice for customers who want to have mobility with the latest technologies and great design - for both work and play."

Nokia Nseries - high performance multimedia

Nokia Nseries leads the formation of new mobile product categories through the fusion of rich functionality into one beautifully designed, easy-to-use device. All Nokia Nseries devices support print-quality photography and high quality video recording. In addition, Nokia Nseries devices offer rich music experience including over-the-air downloads, gigabytes of memory and stereo audio.

Featuring large color displays, HTML web browser and streaming video, the Nokia Nseries devices enable access to entertainment, news and information anywhere, anytime. The Nokia Nseries range helps consumers balance personal and work life with a broad range of productivity features such as push email with attachments and full organizer features. PC synchronization of music, images, videos and organizer data are made simple with Nokia PC Suite and multiple connectivity options. As Nokia Nseries is based on the Series 60 smartphone platform, users can choose from more than 3 000 applications to add new functionality to their device. Rich communication is naturally at the core of all Nokia Nseries devices, including telephony, two-way video call, video sharing and multiple messaging options.

First Nokia Nseries products

The Nokia N90 multimedia takes mobile photography to a new level. Being the world's first camera phone equipped with Carl Zeiss optics, the Nokia N90 offers superior quality photography with a possibility to instantly print and share the shots over distances. Boasting a 2 megapixel camera and VHS resolution video capture among its advanced imaging features, the Nokia N90 multimedia helps people to capture memories at their convenience.

The Nokia N91 multimedia is the company's latest device optimized for music. Consumers can store up to 3000 songs on the integrated 4-gigabyte hard disk, making the Nokia N91 a true mobile jukebox. Packed with multiple connectivity options, such as 3G WCDMA, WLAN, Bluetooth and USB 2.0, the Nokia N91 makes it easy for people to manage and enjoy their favorite music when and where they want.

The Nokia N70 multimedia is the world's smallest Series 60 based 3G WCDMA device with a 2 megapixel camera, combining the elegant Nokia Nseries design with easy mobile photography. Offering the full Nokia Nseries multimedia feature set, including push email, HTML browser, music player and FM radio with stereo audio.

About Nokia Nseries
Nokia Nseries is a range of high performance multimedia devices that delivers unparalleled mobile multimedia experiences by combining the latest technologies with stylish design and ease of use. With Nokia Nseries products, consumers can use a single device to enjoy entertainment, access information and to capture and share pictures and videos, whenever and wherever they want.

Ringtones For All Occasions!

Ringtones For All Occasions!
By: Dave Carter

We all know that ringtones are the perfect way to match the phone to the person holding it, but did you realize that there are myriad other ways to use the enormous variety of ringtones that are available today to customize your phone? You can easily assign different sounds to the many people in your life, but aren’t there any other ways to adapt your ringtone to suit the occasion? Of course there are! There are as many options to personalize your phone as there are days in the year!

With the great variety of ringtones available, it is a shame to stick to just the one. You could easily change your ringtone to match your mood, or even just every day, but there are other creative ways to customize your cell phone. Take your cue from the seasons and match your ringtone to the changing world around you!

Is there anything more fun than the holidays? Finding warmth indoors with trees and tinsel as the weather closes in outside, sitting by the fireside, toasting marshmallows and supping something warm. What better way to add to your seasonal joy than by choosing a festive tune to alert you to the calls of loved ones wishing you a merry Christmas! Whether you are feeling whimsically festive or more gravely thankful for all that the past year has delivered, choose a ringtone that reflects the mood and celebrate the holidays with every call you receive.

And don’t forget that holidays come all year round! From New Year celebrations to birthdays, there are always special occasions to be celebrated. Mark the turning of the yearly tide with songs that remind you of the milestones you are passing. Whether it’s with a birthday song or a summer ditty, there is always a great choice of ringtones available to add that extra touch to your special day.

The advancements made in cell phone technology mean that ringtones now sound better than ever before. Playing sounds now comparable to the music you hear on your favorite CDs, your cell phone now has the ability to give you a snippet of your favorite tunes every time it rings. So spoil yourself with little bursts of seasonal joy with each call you receive and choose a ringtone that is music to your ears.

Expert’s Quick Guide To Buying Your Perfect Gold Jewelry

Expert’s Quick Guide To Buying Your Perfect Gold Jewelry
By: Alexander Michaels

Why Should I Buy Gold?
The world has been in love with gold ever since it was discovered. It is called a precious metal because it has a high economic value and is relatively scarce in relation to the level of demand for it. Gold was the standard in which the values of many currencies around the world were based until recently; because of confidence in its ability to hold it’s value over the long haul. At times of trouble, people always default to valuable portable property such as gold, diamonds and other valuable gems.

Gold has been the preferred metal for wedding rings in the west for a long time. It is very rare that couples exchange rings other than gold rings when getting married. In fact, in some Asian cultures, wealth is transferred unto the newlyweds in the form of gold jewelry.

Gold is very malleable and so has been the preferred metal for jewelers over centuries. It also does not rust or decay. If it gets dull, just applying a quick polish restores it’s luster and shine.

Gold is virtually indestructible and everlasting.

Gold keeps it’s value over time and is easily marketable
Gold is easy to work with so you will get the most beautiful jewelry made out of gold
Everybody loves gold.

What kind of Gold Should I Buy?
Before buying gold jewelry the most important thing to ask yourself is the reason why you are buying. This is important because it will help you determine how much to budget for your purchase, what quality and type of jewelry to buy and from where to buy it.

If you are only interested in buying a gold ring for fun, then you might not care too much about the quality of the ring or the supplier as long as it looks good on your finger. If, however, you are buying an engagement ring, an anniversary ring or a wedding ring, you had better pay more attention to the quality of the ring and the service you can expect from the supplier. A wedding ring, we hope, will be appreciated for a long time and you will want your partner to know that you put some thought into the selection of their ring. You want the perfect ring so you need to make sure that your supplier has a good return or exchange policy and that they are easily contactable.

There are different qualities and colors of gold used in jewelry. The different types of gold jewelry are determined by the metals mixed in with the pure gold, and whether the piece of jewelry is formed as a solid piece, plated or maybe hollow.

Gold Quality:
Pure gold does not rust or tarnish, and people that are allergic to some metals are rarely allergic to pure gold. However, pure gold is very soft and easily bendable. It is also very expensive. So to make it practical for jewelry that can be worn everyday it is mixed with different metals.

Gold jewelry is generally marked 18K, 14K, or 10K. The higher the Karat (k) the higher the percentage of pure gold to other metals in the jewelry.
· 24K gold is pure gold.
· 18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 75% gold.
· 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 58.3% gold.
· 12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 50% gold.
· 10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 41.7% gold.

10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called "gold" in the United States. A high proportion of gold Jewelry is made in 10K gold.
European Markings:
Jewelry from Europe may be marked is a different manner with numbers that indicate their percentage of gold like this:
· 18K gold is marked 750 to indicate 75% gold
· 14K gold is marked 585 for 58.5%
· 12K gold is marked 417 for 41.7%

Genuine gold jewelry should have, in addition to the karat marking, a hallmark or trademark that identifies its maker. Sometimes the item's country of origin might also be included. The hallmark or country of origin may sometimes be left out in very small and delicate pieces of Jewelry.

Colors of Gold:
Pure gold is, of course, gold in color. However, gold can be made into jewelry of different and exciting colors by adding different metals to it. When other metals are added to pure gold the result is called an alloy. Any gold alloy from18K, down to 10K can still be called solid gold. Anything less that 10k is not solid gold.
White Gold: Created by adding Palladium or Nickel to pure gold.
Rose Tint Gold: Created by adding copper to pure gold.
Greenish Cast Gold: Created by adding silver to pure gold

Gold Coated Jewelry
Applying a coating of gold on lesser value metals has always been a way of producing jewelry that looks as valuable as gold but not as expensive to manufacture. This is OK as long as the buyer is aware that the piece of jewelry they are buying is not SOLID gold and as long as they are also aware of the quality of the plating.
Gold Filled Jewelry:
Gold filled jewelry is usually 14k gold heavy-layered over sterling silver. More recent gold-filled jewelry have markings that indicate how much and what type of gold was used for the layer. A marking that says 1/20 12K G.F. means that the jewelry is at least 1/20th 12K gold by weight. Gold filled jewelry generally retain their coating longer than gold plated jewelry.
Gold Plated Jewelry:
The gold layer in gold plated jewelry is usually thinner than the gold in gold-filled jewelry. This means that the goal plating usually wears away more quickly. However, all gold plating is not the same. Some will be thicker and more even than others and thus may provide you with long lasting true gold finish, sometimes comparable to gold-filled jewelry.

Dangers to Watch out for
Gold plated jewelry can provide a great deal of satisfaction and joy to the buyer as long as they know what they are buying. It is unfortunate, but there are still unscrupulous people out there that try to pass off gold plated jewelry as solid gold. The only way to protect yourself from this is to look carefully at the markings on the jewelry; observe the color; feel the weight in relation to the size of the jewelry; and most importantly, know whom you are buying your jewelry from. If you’re not sure take an expert with you when buying.

So Now You’re Ready To Take The Step
When buying gold always aim to buy solid gold if your budget allows. This will last you a lifetime, many lifetimes actually. Anything from 10k to 22k or 24K is good.
If you are allergic to nickel or other metals then you should aim to buy the higher karat gold jewelry such as 18k or 22k gold. It will cost more but you can offset this by buying a smaller piece of jewelry or by buying fewer pieces and only buying ones with higher pure gold content. Your skin is still your most important and valuable piece of jewelry and you should treat it accordingly.
Gold plated and gold-filled jewelry is great for fashion jewelry that will not be subject to heavy usage. And oh yes, try not to wear your gold plated or gold filled jewelry when washing up or using any form of detergents. Although not as valuable or durable, gold plated and gold filled jewelry are cheaper and can last for years if treated kindly.
When wearing Jewelry always remember that a confident and happy wearer can make almost any piece of Jewelry look more beautiful and valuable.

By Alexander Michaels
© 2006 Alexander Michaels
www.kensingtonjewelers.com