Radio City is pleased to present The Perfect Gift. For those who want to share their love with family it is now possible online by customizing a video that takes the viewer on a heartwarming holiday journey. It is built by interfacing with your Facebook profile to gather information on your friends and family. The Perfect Gift promises not to post anything to your wall or share your info. It asks for permission for each thing it wants to do. It simply uses your relationship status and photos. This is a uniquely for those who like doing things online and want to communicate to friends and family just how much they are the perfect gift. It is up to you who you share it with, how and when. There are two videos you are able to choose from. “Making It Perfect” is about how a special child in your life makes the holidays special and “Going Home” is about a far away loved one. I personally chose “Going Home” and it created a video of two people having a conversation on Facebook with Christmas pictures and such. When it was finished previewing it had the option to share it to my Facebook wall or just getting the link to it. The whole process was a perfect gift in that it was quick and at no cost.

It is also worth mentioning that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular has a brand new show this year featuring exciting 3D scenes. The Rockettes Magical Journey from November 11 to January 2. Tickets are on sale right now, but due to Ticketmaster experiencing difficulties they are asking people that are interested in tickets to call their number at 1-866-858=0007.

With Christmas fast approaching, it is time to make a list of family and friends that you will be passing presents out to this year. While making homemade presents, we can reduce our carbon footprint we leave for our future generations by cutting down on the fuel it takes to drive around buying presents. We should also take into consideration how store bought items are produced and shipped when looking at those same carbon footprints. Oftentimes, we can save quite a bit of money by making homemade presents out of some leftover items found around the home.

1) I grow tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and jalapeño peppers to can homemade salsa in pint jars to pass out for gifts that are a real delight for family members.

2) One of the most treasured gifts by friends and family is my homemade beef jerky. With a dehydrator, you can also make fruit rollups from peaches, nectarines and strawberries. A batch of dried herbs from the garden make an excellent gift idea wrapped attractively in ziplock bags.

3) Homemade heating pads made of rice with leftover scraps of material make wonderful gifts for those sore and tired muscles. Just sew a rectangular bag and enclose 1-2 lbs. of rice and sew up the opening. Pop in the microwave for a couple of minutes and lay it around your neck for 15 minutes.

4) Recycle old picture frames with found objects. Everyone has a junk drawer that is usually overflowing with different objects such as buttons, paper clips and screws to name a few. You can also raid your garage for more items. Glue them onto the old frame and spray with whichever color spray paint you would like. Add a picture to personalize the frame.

5) I make up gift bags for the younger girls which include leftover beads, beading string and clasps so that the girls can make their own bracelets or necklaces.

It always comes in handy to keep leftover items such as gift baskets, bows, ribbons, sewing material and old jewelry that can be recycled into new ideas and presents at little cost. Whatever choices you make for gift ideas for Christmas, everyone is sure to love them because they know it was made from love and straight from the heart for such thoughtfulness to go into each and every present you made.

About the Author

This article was written by Phill from late late gifts US.

Christmas is a time for giving and it is time for huge commercial sales. However, the two do not have to go hand-in-hand. There are easy homemade gifts one can make for friends and family for Christmas. In many cases, making homemade gifts is less expensive and more personal.

Movie Night Basket

To make this gift, you will need a wicker basket, a 12- to 16-ounce Christmas tin, wide green and/or red ribbon, silver or gold glitter paint, popcorn, wax paper, semisweet chocolate, caramel, a throw blanket (store bought or homemade) and a DVD.

Wrap the ribbon around the basket near the rim and tie it in a bow. On one of the hanging ends of the bow, paint the name of the recipient in silver or gold glitter paint. Melt the chocolate and caramel while you pop the popcorn. Once the popcorn is done, lay it out on wax paper and drizzle chocolate and caramel over it. Allow it to cool and then place it in the tin. Put the blanket in the basket with the tin and DVD.

Personalized T-shirt

For this gift, you will need a printer, computer, t-shirt transfer paper, a light-colored t-shirt and an iron.

Find a great picture or make personalized text and prepare it to print. If you would like to customize it, use a photo manipulation program like paint or Photoshop to perfect the image. When you go to print the image, make sure to size it so it will look nice on the t-shirt, load the transfer paper into the printer and reverse the image. Print the image and make sure it is backward before proceeding. Place the t-shirt on an ironing board front facing up. Line up the paper with the image facing down. Make sure it is centered. Iron the image onto the t-shirt using the instructions on the transfer paper packaging. Allow the transfer to set and then put the t-shirt in a gift box.

Homemade gifts like crafts, baked goods and chocolates still work wonders during Christmas. People can decorate their houses with crafts and serve food gifts at holiday celebrations. Some of the more modern homemade gifts include homemade DVDs made with pictures and home videos and digital cards. Clearly, there are homemade gift ideas for the old-fashioned and the modern alike. What you decide to make is entirely up to you, but remember to keep the recipient’s taste in mind.

- – - – - – - – - – -

My name is Nisha, I represent a site called Wish.co.uk.  I love to write especially about crafts, gifts, health and beauty. Feel free to visit our site for more great Christmas gifts!

Please click on the above image to view
and print in a larger, easy-to-read format.

Have you ever wondered what gift to give that special someone in your life? They already have everything they need, and you’ve been racking your brain each holiday and birthday for the last several years to come up with something unique, something that is truly as special as they are–and now you have completely run out of ideas.

A personalized poem by Karen Jean Matsko Hood is the perfect answer. Affordable on any budget, personalized poems can be anything you want: fun and lighthearted, romantic, friendly, or sympathetic; they can be tailored to fit almost any occasion including birthdays, engagements or anniversaries, holidays, bereavement, as well as any other important event or milestone. A Personalized Poem by Karen gives you the opportunity to select extra options that many other personalized poems don’t bother with, such as whether or not you want the poem to rhyme, and whether or not you wish to add artwork or have your poem printed on special paper. Furthermore, most personalized items simply add the name of your gift recipient to an already-existing poem, but a Personalized Poem by Karen is always a unique creation, written specifically for you.

Karen Jean Matsko Hood has been writing poetry for many years, and her poems have appeared in numerous magazines and literary journals both national and international. You can read a review of her first volume of poetry, Frost of Spring Green, here. Karen’s experience and expertise in writing well-crafted, poignant poems makes her a natural for personalized poetry. Her deft touch and finely-woven words are guaranteed to touch the heartstrings no matter the subject or event you are looking to commemorate. Give a gift that will be treasured forever–give a Personalized Poem by Karen.

Mountain Valley View Farm is absolutely thrilled to announce that we have received the license for our commercial kitchen! The Mountain Valley View Farm Kitchen in located inside our Getaway Studio and is officially licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to produce small batches of artisan foods and sell them directly to you!

Our artisan Mixes in a Jar are a quick and convenient way to bring home that fresh, made-from-scratch quality you are longing for. They take all the difficulty out of making your own cookies and soups from scratch, with all the ingredients provided for you and quick, easy-to-follow instructions that make your time in the kitchen a breeze. Mixes in a Jar also make fabulous gifts for any holiday or event, and are affordable enough to buy for everyone on your Christmas list. Perfect for busy moms, newlyweds, and even to make mealtimes easier on yourself, these quick mixes are wonderful any time.

Currently, Mountain Valley View Farm offers the following Mixes in a Jar: Oatmeal Cookie, Friendship Soup, and Love Soup. We will be adding more delicious cookie and soup mixes to our line of artisan foods in the upcoming months, so please check back with us regularly. All of our artisan foods are made in small batches and use the best quality ingredients, so give us a call at 509-928-1800! Delivery may be available for a reasonable fee, or we can schedule a time for you to drop by the farm to pick up some wonderful, homemade cookie and soup mixes!

You can find our delicious, handmade artisan foods at the Spokane Public Market year-round, and seasonally at other area farmers’ markets.

Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed – Fri

You may also purchase directly at the farm, located at:
4301 South Chapman Rd
Greenacres, WA 99016

Mountain Valley View Farm is thrilled to announce that we have received the license for our commercial kitchen! The Mountain Valley View Farm Kitchen in located inside our Getaway Studio and is officially licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to produce small batches of artisan foods and sell them directly to you! Our artisan foods are a quick and convenient way to bring home that fresh, made-from-scratch quality you are longing for.

All of our artisan foods are handmade by the Hood family in small batches so you know you are getting that wonderful homemade taste. Karen Jean Matsko Hood is the versatile and innovative author of the Cookbook Delights series and has appeared on Good Morning Northwest many times to demonstrate her delicious recipes. Her many years of experience in the kitchen translate to amazing dishes that you can take home to delight your family.

Mountain Valley View Farm has the following refrigerated items for sale: old-fashioned apple butter, crepes, lemon curd, and pizza crust. We also sell a variety of baked goods, jams, and gift mixes in a jar. All of our food is made with the highest quality ingredients, including organic produce from our farm whenever possible. You are guaranteed to love our fresh, homemade artisan foods, so give us a call at 509-928-1800! Delivery may be available for a reasonable fee, or we can schedule a time for you to drop by the farm.

You can find our delicious, handmade artisan foods year-round at the Spokane Public Market and seasonally at other local farmers’ markets.

Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.    Wed – Fri

You may also purchase directly at the farm, located at:

4301 South Chapman Rd
Greenacres, WA 99016

Karen Hood’s first collection of poetry, Frost of Spring Green, is a masterful collection of poems in a wide range of topics that will delight serious readers of poetry and those new to the genre alike. The poems deal with a wide range of topics including nature, everyday life, social and environmental issues, and the deepest, most profound emotions experienced by all of us.

Hood’s poetry is clear and confident, elegant in its simplicity. She is adept at crafting layers of meaning and impact that work on the heart over time, providing powerful insight into the wonders of the natural world and the human condition. At first glance, her poems appear straightforward and can be easily read and grasped by those inexperienced in the nuances of poetry. A deeper reading, however, will prove that there is much for a more experienced reader to discover beneath the surface.

Frost of Spring Green‘s imagery is powerfully visual, painting vivid pictures that are poignant and breathtaking whether the subject is a beautiful flower or mountain vista, or the cardboard box an orphaned, homeless child has used to construct a home for herself. Hood’s metaphors are equally strong, and with them she is able to bring the reader to a deeper understanding of her themes. Her knowledge of the craft is excellent, and she demonstrates an innate skill with rhyme and meter that enhances the impact of her poetry–although she also knows when to withhold them. Alliteration is used to create greater emphasis on particular phrases that will linger hauntingly long after the book has been set aside. One of Hood’s favorite devices is the use of stark contrasts, comparing and sometimes even equating opposites in such powerful ways that the poem creates a lasting effect on the reader. Personally, I have never encountered a poet who crafts more potent contrasts than Karen Hood.

Frost of Spring Green is a compelling read for anyone who enjoys poetry. It provides the opportunity to slow down and consider the world we live in, in all its beauty and heartbreak–a rare thing in this hectic modern lifestyle. I will close my review with one of my favorite poems from this collection, one that demonstrates the depth and power in Karen Hood’s writing.

~

Night Whistle

Do you remember that
Hot August night?

Iowa humidity so dense
You could backstroke in the breeze.

Mom and Dad, we came home with
You, back to our tiny apartment.

The brassy train whistle
Pierced our silence.

One quiet night with you, now
Dead within my body.

My beautiful dark-haired
First baby boy, still.

The last long night
I shared together with you.

Karen Jean Matsko Hood ©2010

~

Order your copy of Frost of Spring Green today!

Frost of Spring Green ©2010 & 2011

Copyright Year and Binding

2010 Paperback $ 19.95 2011 Paperback $ 19.95 2011 Paperback Large Print $ 22.95

Frost of Spring Green ©2004 & 2005

by Robert Pagliarini
Source: Yahoo

Are you long on Christmas shopping lists but short on cash? Last week I wrote about how you could save a sleigh-full of money this holiday season, but for some that just wasn’t enough. “Save money?” they sneered, “What if we don’t have any money?” Fair enough. You may have to use some of your other 8 hours, but it’s better than going into debt buying a bunch of gifts for others. And you don’t want to follow George Costanza’s lead by making donations in your friends’ names to the Human Fund.

Of course, I could cop out and simply tell you to rise above the commercialization of the holiday and to simply love one another (although that wouldn’t be bad advice), but it’s hard to gift wrap pretension. Instead, I’m going to show you how to give real gifts without spending a dime.

Here are 10 low cost FREE gifts you can give your loved ones this year:

1. Gadget training. If you have less tech-savvy people on your Christmas list (i.e., anyone over the age of 15), give them something they desperately need — training for their gadgets. Show them all of the features of their cell phone, how to record their favorite shows on their DVR, etc.

2. Babysit. When your tolerance for screaming kids exceeds your bank account balance, consider giving babysitting “coupons” that your friends can redeem. If you’re a masochist, schedule a night where multiple families drop the kids off at your house. This way you’re not giving up so much of your time.

3. Swap services. If you have smart but broke friends, this tip is for you. Have a friend who provides a valuable service such as personal training, financial planning, or computer consulting give you several one hour vouchers you can give to your friends. In return, you give your friend the same number of one hour vouchers for whatever service you provide.

4. Teach them. Now’s your chance to be a know-it-all. Do you have a special skill such as speaking a foreign language or the ability to play an instrument? If so, you could provide weekly lessons for a month or six weeks. Bonus benefit: If you’re a good teacher, they may just want to hire you at the end of their free lessons.

5. Start a book club. Tap into your inner Oprah. Offer to host a book club at your house every month. To avoid having to buy the books each month, download from thousands of free titles such as “Pride and Prejudice,” “A Tale of Two Cities” and “Moby Dick” from Project Gutenberg or Amazon’s free eBook program.

6. iTunes transfer. This can take some time, but for that special person, this is the ultimate gift! Import all of their CDs into iTunes for them (no, it’s not piracy).

7. Be a host. Be the host with the most when you’re the host with the least (cash, that is). This is an efficient gift because you can give it to all of the people on your list. Offer to host a monthly or quarterly party or game night at your place. Tell them you’ll plan it, send the invites, etc. To make sure you’re not spending money, require attendees to bring food and drink.

8. Share lottery winnings. If your idea of asset allocation revolves around having a mix of scratchers and Powerball lottery tickets, consider sharing one of the lottery tickets you’ve already purchased with those on your list. If you win, share the proceeds equally with everyone on your list. If you win really big, simply keep it all and get new friends.

9. Cook. Who doesn’t love being served by a friend? Give those on your list the experience of eating out at home. Shop for the groceries (they pay), prepare and serve the meal, and then be sure to clean up. You might even get a free meal out of it.

10. Workout partner. They may both thank and curse you for this gift! Offer to be a workout partner to a friend. When you exercise with others you are more inclined to keep going even if you lose motivation. It’s a superb gift that will also benefit you.

Whatever you decide, you don’t have to feel guilty about not spending money — I guarantee you that the less money you spend the more thought you’ll put into the gift. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Whoops, I guess not …

Now it’s your turn … what’s your favorite FREE holiday gift you like to give?

By Meghan Casserly, Forbes.com

For a new twist on low-stress holiday shopping, how about applying the Costco mantra of buying in bulk to gift-giving?

LearnVest.com’s Allison Fast is a believer: “This approach can save you time, money and stress.” You can get 10 gifts out of the way with one purchase and you have more bargaining power to negotiate by buying in bulk—not to mention who wants to run to 10 different stores to buy 10 separate gifts?

Exactly. The plan this holiday season is to cut down on the run-around and shipping fees by one-stop shopping. “You know that you can get discounts for buying in bulk at wholesale clubs like Sam’s, Costco and BJ’s,” says Fast. “But buying multiples of an item at a regular store can also earn you a discount since it allows the store to unload inventory. Mention to the store manager that you plan to buy five or more of a particular item and ask for a discount or a “buy four get one free” deal. We’ve seen users get up to 20% off the total price.”

Monogrammed Totes

Depending on the size, the classic carry-all tote bag from Land’s End costs between $12.50 and $30.50, but if you buy three or more you save $3 per bag. Coworkers and kids can use the small size as a lunch bag, the mid-sized works great at the grocery store and the large is more than ample for a weekend away.

The Best Books of 2010

Each year, Amazon lists their top 100 of the annum from editors and customers. It’s serious one-stop shopping for the most voracious to most reluctant readers. Free shipping on orders over $25, which equals at least two gifts on your list.

Trapper Hats

These trendy hats are a great purchase for friends and family, whether they hail from the country or are urban fashionistas. They’re a steal at $15.60 each when you buy a dozen from WholeSaleHats.com.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device

The price has dropped to $139 each at Amazon, just in time for holiday shopping season–which will make both your wallet and your loved ones happy this year.

Droid Phones

The Verizon holiday deal means giving smartphone gifts is easier than ever. For $199, you can both buy one and get one gratis: select from DROID Incredible, DROID Global or DROID X.

Digital Cameras

No one on your list will be less than 100% delighted with a new point-and-shoot camera–even if his or her sister unwraps one too. At $59 each, the Kodak Easy Share can upload photos directly to your Facebook account. Make sure you’re smiling!

Plaid Pajamas

Imagining everyone around the Christmas tree? The photos will be that much better if the whole family’s in plaid. J. Crew has pajama sets for kids, men and woman from $19.50 and free shipping on orders over $150.

Cozy Bathrobes

Bathrobes are luxurious, and can make lazy mornings at home feel hotel room cushy. The price on these red Turkish cotton robes is right at $33.99, but even better if you buy a dozen, which drops $2 a robe and scores free shipping.

Monogrammed Polo Shirts

For coworkers, go with the company logo–for newlyweds their new monograms will do just fine. At Ralph Lauren, you pick a polo shirt and the design or initials and they do the handiwork for the biggest to smallest members of the family. Prices range from $29.50-$79.50. Monogramming up to three letters is gratis.

When You Reach Me

The New York Times called Rebecca Stead’s When you Reach Me, winner of 2010′s prestigious young adult John Newberry award, “smart and mesmerizing.” Pick up a few copies as the critics concur it is sure to please readers of all ages. The coming-of-age story of 12-year-old Madeleine L’Engle fan Miranda is set in New York City at the dawn of the ’80s. Kids will stay up late to read it, and parents will look forward to reading aloud. Starting at $5.99.

Source: Christmas2010.net

Christmas gift baskets have become a new tradition for many people who love a convenient approach to holiday shopping and this will be no different this Christmas. There are plenty of reasons to consider these kinds of presentations this year and for years to come. The Christmas gift baskets offer everything you need to make a memorable impression.

A well chosen basket makes for an ideal holiday present because the recipient gets so much in the package. I like to give Christmas gift baskets to coworkers and to those nearest and dearest to my heart. There are many designs and countless arrangements to consider. You are certain to find Christmas gift baskets for everyone on your list.

This approach is ideal if you are buying one present for a family. You can find many different themes that are perfect for a family of four or you can find ideal Christmas gift baskets for couples. Following are three quick examples of the many basket arrangements that you can consider.

Tradition is important to many of us who celebrate the holiday season. Even though the Christmas gift baskets are relatively new, you can still make choices that are traditional in nature. For example, the gingerbread man arrangement is a popular choice for many people who love the old fashioned theme.

You know that your Christmas gift baskets filled with traditional items like gingerbread cookies, flavored popcorn and hot chocolate will be greatly appreciated. Some basket designers add special touches like a solider nut cracker or a container shaped like a sleigh. Add some ornaments and you have a fantastic traditional present.

What about the office? Christmas gift baskets can have a corporate theme. These holiday containers are filled with various office inspired items including mugs, coffee, gourmet treats as well as handy desk supplies including pens and frames. If you can fit the item in a basket, it can be included in the presention.

Want something a little more personal? Why not check out the many breakfast inspired Christmas gift baskets? These presents are wonderful for any family who loves a nice meal in the morning. Imagine how the recipients will appreciate having all of the ingredients necessary to make the perfect traditional holiday breakfast.

The Christmas morning gift baskets are wonderful because they are so useful. I love presenting this gift to my brother’s family. They look forward to the bed-and-breakfast style meal on the very special holiday morning.

There are countless other Christmas gift baskets to consider. Once you see how convenient and inexpensive they are, you’ll know why these presentations are being adopted as a new holiday tradition.