Christmas Article

Christmas Article http://www.smartchristmashelp.com Christmas Article Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:31:29 +0000 en Christmas Inexpensive Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Kids http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/Inexpensive_Christmas_Stocking_Stuffer_Ideas_For_Kids/Article/9665 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:31:29 +0000 Kids Christmas http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/Inexpensive_Christmas_Stocking_Stuffer_Ideas_For_Kids/Article/9665 After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under the tree, that is the time that many remember in a panic that the stockings over the fireplace still need to be stuffed. Holiday budgets have most likely been spent and there isn't a whole lot of extra money available. Even with a limited budget, there are a number of quality stocking stuffer ideas that are both practical and will bring a smile to to faces of the little ones.If you are at a complete loss of what to get, take a trip to your local dollar store and walk the isles. There should be a large selection of goods at a price that is right for you to choose from which should quickly fill up the stockings. In addition, consider the following Christmas stocking stuffer ideas that can have a dual benefit:Batteries: Instead of wrapping up the batteries with the gift, separate them into stocking stuffers.

Since you'd need to purchase them anyway for the toys, they aren't an extra expense. By separating them out, you make a start on your stocking stuffing and the kids will love them because they can start playing any electronic devices they received. School Supplies: Here is another practical stocking stuffer that you'd have to purchase in the future for your kids anyway. You kill two birds with one stone by getting them the school supplies they need and filling up the stocking a little more.Disposable Camera: With all the activity going on during Christmas day, you probably don't have the time to take pictures and document the day. Let your children do it for you.

They'll have great fun taking photos from their own unique perspective that will add to any photo album.Art and Craft Supplies: Again, these are supplies that you are likely to need for other activities in the future. Kids love to create and any arts and craft materials make great stocking stuffers. Coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, markers and paints all fit the bill and can be used for other activities long after Christmas is over.Mini Games or Card Games: Travel size editions of their favorite games or card games that can be played in the car are another good stocking stuffer. The kids can play these on their own, but they have the multiple benefit that they can be used in the car to keep the children occupied during any holiday trips you make.Christmas Letter: You might want to consider writing a Christmas letter to your child telling him or her all the fun things you remember from the past year. This doesn't cost any money, can become a lovely Christmas tradition and will be a gift that the child will treasure long after Christmas is over.By taking a little time to consider stocking stuffers, you won't need to spend a lot of money to fill those socks over the fireplace mantle while still bringing smiles to the faces of your children when they peak inside..

]]> This year for Christmas give a unique present that your man will never forget. http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/This_year_for_Christmas_give_a_unique_present_that_your_man_will_never_forget./Article/41554 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:41:24 +0000 This+year+for+Christmas+give+a+unique+present+that+your+man+will+never+forget. This http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/This_year_for_Christmas_give_a_unique_present_that_your_man_will_never_forget./Article/41554 This year for Christmas give a unique present that your man will never forget. What man would not love the experience of being a race car driver for a short while? You can find places on the internet now that offer half day race car driving experiences. What about driving a Ferrari or even a military truck or tank. Give a unique Christmas present of excitement. Your man will really enjoy one of these awesome gifts.

If your man is really into trying new things a great unique Christmas present would be one filled with danger. You can find packages that include bungee jumping, aerobatic flying, hot air balloon trips and lessons, and even helicopter lessons. Let him feel the danger and excitement from the sky.Has your man ever wanted to be a cowboy? Give him the unique Christmas present of being a cowboy for a half a day. You can find several different packages that will allow your man to go out west or at least be a part of the western lifestyle. These types of presents are ones that are not forgotten easily.

Any man would love to wild with this unique Christmas present.If he ever dreamed of working in a circus give him the unique Christmas present of joining the circus for a few hours. Learning the ropes of trapeze, juggling, acrobatics and acro balance will be great fun for the man that always wanted to walk a tight rope. Finding unique Christmas presents is not that hard any more. The world is at your fingertips. You will find so many different ideas you will have a hard time choosing one that is right for every man on your gift list.You can also find many traditional Christmas presents that are also unique for every man.

What about a personalized gift from a Swiss watch maker or chocolate made in France? Or even a trip to a secluded island can be found online. No matter what type of presents your man enjoys receiving you will find the perfect present for him.Clothing can be also be a unique Christmas present for your any man. Finding that special sweater or even leather jacket they have been wanting will not be a problem.Finding unique sports items are as easy as turning on your computer. Many of the teams have a variety of items available that are very unique that your sports man will enjoy. You can find clothing, mugs, posters, and even tickets to their games.What about entertainment tickets for that unique Christmas present.

Maybe this man on your list really loves the opera or a certain rock group, find out where they are playing, buy the tickets and if they are performing in another state, reserve a motel room for the evening of the concert. You are sure to please any man on your list with his favorite music.Another unique Christmas present would be to reserve a recording studio for him and his band. Almost all men would love the chance to be recorded. Who knows maybe he will become a famous rock and roll star? Anyway, he will love the chance to be one for a few hours while recording.Don't despair, you will find the most unique Christmas present for every man on your gift list this year. You will be the hit at Christmas with the most enjoyable presents ever given!.

]]> Teens Deck Their Cell Phones with Sounds of Christmas http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/Teens_Deck_Their_Cell_Phones_with_Sounds_of_Christmas/Article/55367 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:49:01 +0000 Phones Deck http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/Teens_Deck_Their_Cell_Phones_with_Sounds_of_Christmas/Article/55367 Brittany Komisar, 15, likes Christmas music, but only a few weeks before Christmas. And, she doesn't like hearing it in stores or on TV commercials; she only likes it on her?cell phone.Brittany is like many teens that are as likely to enjoy listening to Christmas carols as much as they would enjoy listening to disco. That is, until her phone rings. "Most of them (Christmas carols) are just plain boring. A ringtone makes it more upbeat.

No lyrics to listen to. So you get the whole tune out of it without the annoying words," said the Guilford, Connecticut ninth grade student.Seasonal ringtones are part of a big business in an industry that is ringing up profits for many companies across the United States. Independent ringtone operators are earning $300 million per year from the sale of ringtones and some industry analysts estimate that carriers are deriving five percent of their annual revenues from data applications, the biggest of which happens to be ringtones. Billboard magazine even ranks the Top Ringtones each week. "Ringtone sales have far exceeded our expectations for this year," said Eric Deininger, product manager of Monstertones.com, a ringtone company that provides the newest type of ringtones, MP3 ringtones."Of all the holidays, Christmas ringtones and Halloween ringtones make the most sales," said Bob Bentz, marketing manager for one of the industry leaders, Ringingphone.com.

"Our best selling Christmas ringtones are the upbeat ones like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. We also recently added the Mr. Grinch ringtone and that one is very popular too."Ellie Hodson, 13, of suburban St. Louis, agrees that Christmas carols are way uncool. "The music in the stores starts way too early and you get sick of it by the time December comes around.

Plus, the songs like Silent Night are just too slow." Christmas ringtones are a different story. "Say your phone rings when you are with your friends and it's a Christmas ringtone. It puts you in the mood for Christmas."Ellie's classmate, Hunter Sampson, likes Christmas ringtones more for their comedic effect on his friends. Sampson, a devoted hip-hop fan who usually has the latest Fabulous ringtone on his phone, says his friends are surprised when his phone rings and it's the Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer ringtone. "It cracks them up.

I put it on for like two weeks just before Christmas and then I'll put it on again in like June or something and then I really get some laughs."http://www.coolringtones.blogspot.com.

]]> New Ways to Use Old Christmas Cards http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/New_Ways_to_Use_Old_Christmas_Cards/Article/9675 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:21:05 +0000 Christmas Cards http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/New_Ways_to_Use_Old_Christmas_Cards/Article/9675 Forty years ago when I was growing up on our dairy farm in Wisconsin, my mother always saved the Christmas cards she had received in the mail. In those days, people sent many more Christmas cards than they do now. Today, I still find myself saving the cards that I get each Christmas. When the holiday season is over, I take them down off the dining-room side of our kitchen cabinets. I look at each one and think about the person who sent it.

Then I tuck the cards into Christmas canisters and store them with my Christmas decorations. The next year when I take the decorations out, I discover the cards and then I look through them again. They are still much too pretty to throw away, but unfortunately, I only have so much space available for keeping cards!If you save your old Christmas cards, too, but don't know what to do with them, here are three ways that you can put them to good use:? Make ornaments.

Cut out the pictures and glue ribbon or lace around the edge. Craft shops and variety stores carry an amazing assortment of ribbon and lace.
Punch a hole in the top and hang from the Christmas tree with yarn or ribbon.

? Make gift tags.

Cut around the pictures, leaving enough room at the edge to write "To" and "From" if the pictures are arranged in such a way that there is a large open space around the perimeter. Glue ribbon or lace around the edge to add a bit of decoration.
Cut out the pictures and glue onto pieces of colored paper folded in half (so you can write your message inside). Add ribbon or lace, if desired.
Cut out the pictures, write your message on the back up-side-down and tape just the top edge to the package so that recipients only have to lift the tag to read your message. Once again, glue ribbon or lace around the edge for extra decoration

? Make collages.

Purchase a 5x7 or an 8x10 picture frame with glass (or a larger frame, if desired).
Cut out the pictures from the Christmas cards.
Glue the pictures onto a piece of cardstock or other heavy paper cut to fit the frame. Cover the paper with pictures. Experiment with different arrangements before you glue them down.
Display the collage on a coffee table or end table or hang it on the wall. Christmas card collages also could be given as gifts to family and friends.

]]> Another View of Christmas http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/Another_View_of_Christmas/Article/43238 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:25:51 +0000 of View http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/Another_View_of_Christmas/Article/43238 Christmas is a blessed time and one when we honor the birth of our Savior. We often have warm fuzzy feelings when we look at the nativity scene. I think we need to take a closer look. Mary, the mother of Jesus, gave birth in a cave with animals all around her and really no privacy. Can you imagine the smell in the cave? She certainly did not have any drugs to relieve the pain of childbirth.

Some Bible scholars believe Mary was 14 years old. Picture being 14 and giving birth in a cave. All she had was Joseph to be with her, no mother or sisters to comfort her. She was very alone. Yet, she was not alone ? God was with her.Mary was trying to recover from childbirth and had to worry about clothes to wrap the Son of God in and keep him warm.

Mary was exhausted, but greeted by shepherds and angels. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart ? Luke 2:19. When Jesus was 8 days old he was circumcised and taken to the temple. Listen to what Simeon said to a very young mother still recovering from childbirth "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Luke 2:34-35.

Wow, a sword will pierce your soul. We are not told how Mary reacted, but can only imagine. Often when our children are born it is a very happy time, but Mary was already hearing and knowing what would happen to her son. The lesson I think we can learn from taking a different look at the Christmas story is this; God is always with us no matter what. We can trust him to provide and take care of us now and in the future.

He may not take care of us the way we expect, but he will provide and it will be best. I pray you trust God this Christmas season for every area of your life and celebrate the gift of our Savior and Redeemer.I think it is increasingly hard to remind and keep in the forefront of our children's minds the true meaning of Christmas. Find some small way to reach out to others in your community or church to show God's love. Children can bake cookies and give to others. You can buy toys for a family that does not have much for Christmas.

We have done Operation Shoebox with Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse organization for a few years and my children love picking items for the box. May our children learn from us through our actions and word the true meaning of Christmas..

]]> Dear Santa: Christmas Sucks! http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/Dear_Santa%26%2358%3B_Christmas_Sucks%21/Article/47430 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:51:39 +0000 Dear Dear+Santa%26amp%3B%2358%3B+Christmas+Sucks%21 http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/Dear_Santa%26%2358%3B_Christmas_Sucks%21/Article/47430 Christmas time is finally here, and most people during this holiday are happier than a fat kid eating a Krispy Kreme donut. Christmas brings so many great things to the table; the caroling, the NO SCHOOL, the snowmen and hour long snowball fights that ends with bloody noses, the eggnog and drunken relatives, the presents, holiday parties, and the drinking hot coco next to a roaring fire while cuddling up with your loved one. How could anybody not love this great holiday! It's a hiatus from the dark sadness of reality and a time where you can be ridiculously happy! But maybe too happy?In a recent poll, over 45 percent said that they dreaded the holiday altogether. Not everyone seems to see the light that Christmas brings, and if you look harder into the eyes of this joyous holiday, you may see why. More people kill themselves around Christmas time than any other time of year.

"Well," Khayeni Sanders, a fellow Christmas lover states, "I think you should make a club, or a house, for those people. It's like an equivalent of a homeless shelter! Wait, what's the question again?"There are several reasons why people just don't like Christmas, one is that spending Christmas alone is a very depressing situation for anyone. The couple theme that constantly exists with this holiday is not easy to hide from if you are single. For people who are already suffering from depression, the Christmas season only makes it worse. Another reason is the belief that Christmas has become too commercial.

In fact, over 50 percent of people polled said that they think Christmas should be toned down a bit. "It definitely has become too commercial with people putting out decorations two months in advance, but the spirit behind it has generally stayed the same for most people" declared Sarah Geiger. A third common reason why Christmas isn't favored by some is that there is often a feeling that everyone else is having a better time than you. The constant belly-full-of-jelly laughs around the company water cooler may have you thinking, "Did I miss something? Am I being left out? What's going on?!" Other more common dislikes are the constant money spending, the overeating, and the Christmas parties. Christmas time can also remind people of a lost one, which could make anyone, have a miserable Christmas time.

All of these horrible things that tag along with Christmas could make even Satan cry a tear of sympathy for the people who just can't see the joy Christmas can bring. It's a shame not everyone can be happy during this time of year, but being depressed on Christmas is completely understandable. These poor saps seem to miss the Christmas bliss train every year, but who knows; this year maybe, just maybe, they'll catch it..

]]> What Do You Want for Christmas? http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/What_Do_You_Want_for_Christmas%26%2363%3B/Article/20923 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:40:12 +0000 What Christmas%26amp%3B%2363%3B http://www.smartchristmashelp.com/What_Do_You_Want_for_Christmas%26%2363%3B/Article/20923 Headphones to grant me some private space . . . tickets to some far-off exotic place . .