Tips for holidays : Tips for holidays blogs

How to make a restaurant reservation for Valentine's Day

2008-01-11T14:16:57Z

If you and your significant other have decided to have dinner in a restaurant on Valentine�s Day, the time to make a reservation is now. Restaurants receive a lot of reservations for this day, so you had better call early to secure a table. Here are steps to guide you:

1. Determine the type of cuisine you would like for that day. Would you go for the typical American dishes, or would you rather have Thai, Persian, or French?

2. Determine the time convenient for you. If you can have dinner before 8pm or after 10pm, the better. An 8-10pm booking is difficult to make.

3. Call several restaurants to get the best reservation. The best reservation gives you the best time and the best view, if there is any. Also, ask if the restaurant strictly honors reservations (reliability factor). You can ask for an email confirmation and terms on reservations, so that if ever something goes wrong in the process or the reservation is not honored you will have a basis for a just complaint.

4. Call a few days before your reserved schedule to secure your slot. Call also a few hours before the date.

Making an early restaurant reservation and making sure it is honored takes time and effort but this will give you a nice payoff�a well-planned and smooth Valentine�s Day dinner date that you and your special someone will enjoy.

A Christmas Poem

2007-12-28T15:56:50Z

Christmas is not yet over

as far as I know

for in my family of four

it lasts the whole year through

For our son, it's about family and friends

Our daughter sees it as a time for wonderful things

For me it's about get-togethers and celebration

And my wife highlights the sharing and giving

All throughout the year we have wonderful things

to thank for, give away, or share

We make time for get-togethers

with family, loved ones, and friends

Everyday can be Christmas

For families everywhere

Here's my family wishing you

a year-round Christmas bliss!

- Townsend Family, Georgia

The Christmas Story

2007-12-27T15:29:16Z

I first heard the story of the first Christmas in Sunday School. I was around five, and our teacher told us the story with her flannel board and felt-paper characters.

I remember taking pity on Mary and Joseph as they were sent to the stable. And I can remember my delight over the birth of the baby Jesus. The angels appearing in the sky singing Halleluiah gave me the goosebumps. I think it was cool and awesome.

My husband never got the chance to attend Sunday School, but he heard the story from his grandma.

Now I see little kids participating in our church's play production. The really little ones dress up as lambs or sheep, and they never fail to endear the audience. When it's a musical, the score can be very good and moving.

The story of Christmas might be told in many different ways, but the appeal of Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, the sheep, shepherds, and angels is always there for kids and adults alike.

Post-Christmas Introspection

2007-12-27T13:16:56Z

It's funny (or not so funny) to realize that my Christmas celebration was just a short burst of fun. The month-long preparation of gifts, decorations, and even food all got reduced to a few hours of merrymaking.

Now I'm faced with the leftovers. With everything around that reminds me of the celebration, it's hard not to ponder on the meaning of it all.

I have gifts and wrappers lying all around. They represent the time and thoughts of those who gave them. I think about the gifts I gave and the cards I sent. I wonder if they are appreciated as I hope they would be?

Pause.

Come to think of it, I am the gift. I gave of myself--my time, resources, emotions, thoughts.

I am the gift that I need to celebrate, give thank for, care for.

Til next Christmas.

My Christmas Job

2007-12-27T12:04:39Z

Who could have thought I would have a job in the middle of my winter break, Christmas day in particular?

Our next-door neighbors Bert and Frannie decided to hire a "lively elf" for the children's party they organized in the neighborhood, and too many of the ladies mentioned my name. Perhaps they've seen me skip and hop and run around too much, I'd make for the perfect lively elf they were looking for.

My job was simple. I had to wear a green and red elf costume and distribute goodies to the children. It was such fun I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or me. I had to dance, too, but that has never been a problem for me, fortunately.

From that experience I have seriously considered donning up as Eric Elf each Christmas. This might just turn out to be my calling, or a lucrative side job, at the least.

Now that Christmas is over

2007-12-27T09:35:49Z

The Christmas tree would still have to be there with the lights and all. We took photos of the different nooks of our house, and I'm pretty proud of how nicely decorated our house really is. The lights are magnificent, the decorations festive. The kids have certainly contributed to the house decorating. They did their own stockings.

My toddler was very adorable the day he opened his gift from Santa. He was wide-eyed and obviously gleeful with the surprise gift. This is what makes the story of Santa so irresistible to us adults even. We simply want to believe in the magic of being rewarded, loved, thought of.

I took photos of our present exchange. It's always nice to go over the photos once in a while. And I can make decorations out of these next Christmas. Pictures hung on the tree creates a homey atmosphere.

Now that the presents are out, the kids play until they tire with them. I hope they don't tire of their toys, but that is rather improbable.

My Christmas dinner was a lot like last year's, I just realized. Tradition has a way of molding our actions, even our preferences. I guess we "go home" to what we're used to.

I have a lot of photos to reminisce with now that the holiday season is drawing to a close. Thank God for technology.

Christmas and Aunt Patti

2007-12-26T16:29:04Z

She was our next-door neighbor and I called her Aunt Patti. Having neither a husband nor children, she lived alone and would often ask my mother to send me over to her apartment to keep her company.

I loved the visits to Aunt Patti's. She always had freshly-baked cookies or pies for me. Sometimes she would let me play with her precious doll collection, and I would be in awe everytime she opened the huge display cabinet where all the dolls were.

I remember the Christmas I spent in her place. I was her only guest. Nonetheless, she had all the Christmas foods on the dining table, all the gifts under the Christmas tree, all the lights outlining the windows. She gave me a pair of red winter boots as a gift. I have since passed the boots to my younger cousins.

For some reason, my family lost touch with Aunt Patti when we moved to another city.

Twenty years passed and I found myself one December day remembering about Aunt Patti. To make the long story short, I contacted her relatives and was given her address--she was now in Germany with her sister's family.

The card I sent her was simple. I just told her that I used to be her neighbor, and that I remember the Christmas that I spent with her. It was my way of saying thank you for making a child's Christmas memories so rich and meaningful.

At the start of the New Year, I was so delighted to receive a letter from Aunt Patti. She was 82 years old now, can't remember much, but was sure touched by the card I sent. She said that I seemed to be a well-mannered and kindhearted lady, and she is proud to have met me years ago. If only she could remember the details....

Her memory may have failed her but her heart is still alive, and that's what matters. I am glad to have touched her heart in her twilight years. She sure has left an imprint in mine as well.

Cake for Christmas

2007-12-10T14:55:43Z

You can prepare your cake for Christmas as early as November. Spoon brandy over it weekly (or twice weekly), and ice it just before Christmas Day. What you will have is a delicious Christmas cake that the family will enjoy all throughout the Christmas season.

For your food shopping needs, check out Christmas Holiday Shopping.

Children as Christmas kitchen helpers

2007-12-10T14:31:40Z

The holiday season can be a wonderful time to bond with your kids. Call them your �Christmas kitchen helpers,� and they would be all too willing to lend you hand. Just make sure the tasks given to them are safe and manageable. You can do the chopping and cutting, while they help out in the mixing and spooning and tossing. In Christmas parties, you can set low pizza, sandwich, and punch stations of which your children can take charge. That way they will not only free you up from tasks but will be having a blast as well! This will stand out in their Christmas memories.

www.tipsforholidays.net

Perfect side dishes for the Christmas turkey

2007-12-10T13:56:09Z

You have the perfect Christmas turkey. Now it�s time to add the side dishes. First, you have the stuffing of the bird. Next, you have the gravy, and the starchy ones�mashed potatoes, pasta, and rolls. Add to these the greens�green beans, broccoli, sprouts. And of course, do not forget the cranberry sauce, the real deal made with cranberries, apples, oranges, and walnuts. Mmmm�perfect for the holiday celebration!

For your Christmas food shopping needs, visit Tips for
Holidays and find the best items at bargain prices. Check it out at www.tipsforholidays.net.

The Christmas dinner centerpiece

2007-12-10T13:27:29Z

Roast turkey makes the Christmas dinner complete. As the centerpiece, the Christmas turkey symbolizes prosperity and bounty. Preparation takes time, and this may very well be a bonding time for those who cook it. Recipes, as well as cooking styles and techniques, are passed from generation to generation. It has truly become an iconic symbol of the festive holiday season.

Check out the food section of Christmas Holiday Shopping for your Christmas food shopping needs.

Christmas treats for children

2007-12-10T13:04:22Z

The holiday season offers a lot of delectable goodies to children. Christmas is synonymous with sweets and where the sweets are there you will also find kids also. Christmas treats you will find easy to prepare are drop cookies, sandwiches, cocoa fudge, iced cakes and cupcakes, and your own Xmas holiday punch. And don�t forget, you need some Xmas paper towels handy, too!

Find delectable food items at Christmas Holiday Shpping. There are
great holiday gift ideas for kids, too! Check out the site at www.christmasholidayshopping.net.

Christmas gifts from your kitchen!

2007-12-10T11:29:19Z

If you are the queen of the kitchen and can�t resist cooking especially this Christmas season, then now is the perfect time for you and your creativity! Some of the Christmas gifts from your kitchen are mixed spices, candied berries and peels, bars, fudge, cookies, and cakes. And remember, it�s always smart to personalize your Christmas gifts, so buy matching keepsake baskets or jars, as well as cards or tags that will bear your name and holiday wishes. This way, you are not only celebrating the holiday season�s spirit of giving, but promoting your skill as well!

www.tipsforholidays.net

Food and cooking this Christmas season

2007-12-10T11:04:56Z

I believe this holiday season is the busiest time for most families. In the home, the kitchen is the busiest place as this is where family members prepare the Christmas feast. Traditional Christmas foods are hard to resist; they are the year�s best�roast turkey, ham, cream pies, cakes, bars, cookies, fine wine, and many more! This mouth-watering feast is one of the reasons families gather and celebrate the holiday season.

For great Christmas food and party items, visit Tips for Holidays at www.tipsforholidays.net.

Food safety practices for the holiday season

2007-12-10T10:42:23Z

Accompanying this holiday season�s cooking and eating are food safety practices. We are reminded to Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. Holiday foods such as turkey, ham, and sausages should be cooked sufficiently. Holiday desserts such as cakes and cream pies must be kept refrigerated. The holiday season is a merry time for the whole family and the last thing we want are foodborne illnesses.

www.christmasholidayshopping.net