Impress friends and family this holiday season by ditching the wrapping paper for a more personalized gift presentation. Creative packaging can heighten suspense and make gift exchanges more memorable and meaningful. The gifting experts at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM suggest the following wrapping ideas that are guaranteed to dazzle all those on your gift list!

Make reusable gift bags from silk, taffeta, burlap, chintz or another fabric; or from dishtowels, doilies or pillow cases. These are great for wrapping odd-shaped or un-boxed items in a hurry.

Use colorful shoelaces, artificial rope pearls, leather strips, vinyl cording, jump ropes, strips of netting, paper twist, raffia, hemp rope, twine or yarn as creative alternatives to ribbon when tying a package.

Mislead shakers and squeezers by adding marbles, bells, weights or padding to your package before wrapping it.

Design your own gift-wrapping paper by splatter-painting, rag-rolling, sponging or stenciling sheets or rolls of plain-colored paper.

Use sheet music to wrap concert tickets or other small gifts for the music lover.

Hide a small gift in a huge bouquet of flowers, a jar of penny candy, a bucket of marbles, a box of chocolates or a bag of popcorn.

Going to Florida can be, for most, a holiday of a lifetime quite literally as families choose “The right time to take the Kids” and will only ever go once.

Imagine if your holiday of a lifetime turned into a complete disaster just because you didn’t do some simple planning that the ‘Kids’ could easily do for you?

You may choose to stay in a hotel for ease of planning although the cost of a package deal can use up some of your spending money. Planning your own trip is more fun for all the family and staying in ‘your own villa’, in most cases, works out less expensive and offers you more freedom and relaxation. And it really isn’t as daunting as it may first seem.

There are a number of ‘Hints and Tips’ that you can use to ensure you get what you want when you go to Florida and stay in a beautiful Floridian Home.

Follow these simple instructions and you will enjoy your well earned break in the Sunshine State.

1. Rule number one, get all the family involved in the choice of home you stay in. There are 1000′s to choose from and if only one or two of you make the choice, and it doesn’t suit the rest of your family on arrival, guess who gets the blame? You do! Let the ‘Kids’ search on web sites and be specific with what you are looking for, with all villas available for rent there are so many variations of amenities. So start by making a list of what you ALL want for example:- Private pool (not shared), near to a food store (walking distance for all), more than one Television, Free Internet access, Free telephone calls (local and International), short drive from main attractions (so you can pop back for a mid-day swim) and the list goes on.

Two important tips; Look for villas with a ‘Virtual Tour’ so you can see what the villa is really like as photographs can sometimes be deceiving. Also choose one with an on line guest book so you can read what others have had to say about the home, don’t just take the owners word on how nice the home is.

2. OK, now you have found a place to stay check the availability; most advertisers have an up-to-date calendar of availability on their sites. DON’T BOOK IT YET, send a provisional enquiry and ask that the owner holds on to your booking until you get your flights confirmed. Most airlines advertise prices around 11 months in advance so shop early and don’t think the longer you wait the cheaper it will become. In most cases the first price offered is normally the best, unless you are only one person traveling then you may get a last minute deal. But do shop around.

3. Once you have booked your flights re-contact the villa owner and ‘use’ them for advice. When all said and done if they want your business they should help you all they can. So ensure they work in your favor, ask about car hire, restaurants to visit (although not everyone has the same taste), best place for theme park tickets and any other burning questions you may have. A good home owner will know the area and should be able to supply you with a list of ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ to ensure you make the most of your stay and the villa you are renting. Also you should be able to contact the villa owners Management Company in cases of emergency 24 hours a day, ask before you book what the policy is on this.

Finally, ask about cancellation there are many reasons for you having to cancel make sure you are aware of them before you even make a deposit or you could lose all your cash.

I trust this helps you plan, enjoy and re-visit the Sunshine State of Florida, and that you have a holiday of a lifetime.

My mom used to say, “we remember a friend with a flower.” In other words, it’s the intention and not the size of the gift that counts. But in a materialistic-driven society, where everything has a price tag even friendships and holidays, that’s considered “uncool” and politically incorrect.

Remember the famous line from the hit movie “Harry Potter” which best captures today’s mentality of excessive self-indulgence and a sense of entitlement, “But Mum, how could you get me only 22 presents for X-mass this year…?”

The unholy power and the negative effects of commercialism of the holiday season, which is perpetuated by the media (driven by profits), simply can no longer be ignored. We spend a lot of time and energy in a trance-like manner trying to survive the jungles of shopping malls while getting into further debt just to meet expectations that not only don’t bring us joy at all but also create a sense of resentment as well. We feel darn too drained to even enjoy the holiday spirit and the fruit of our labor. To ease our conscious some of us resort to sending checks but avoiding any personal contact or having any meaningful spiritual connection with others. When the intent behind the act of gift giving is diluted with other reasons such as giving out of a sense of obligation with resentments attached to it, or when it’s for PR purposes with strings attached, it defeats the whole purpose of the true spirit of the holidays.

What once used to be an experience we eagerly looked forward to, had become a major source of stress and even dreadful in some cases. That’s because whether we realize it or not, in the rush to satisfy our insatiable desire to consume and “keep up with the Jones’s” and because we were brainwashed to believe that “He with the most toys lives,” rather then “He with the most joys lives,” we neglect our spiritual roots and the fact that we are spiritual beings experiencing the human experience and not the other way around. As such we were meant to live a life of meaning and purpose by connecting with others with kindness and compassion through the act of giving with no strings attached. When we lose our spiritual foundation, we lose the biggest part of our existence that enables us not only to prosper with dignity and pride but also we experience an artificial type of joy and life itself becomes an empty experience devoid of true meaning and purpose or real joy.

Nowadays the holiday season is not talked about in terms of celebrating the miracle of life, faith sharing, giving and connecting with the community, but rather in terms of dollars and accumulating lots of toys that produce artificial joy. The holiday season is simply a geniuses marketing concept. In fact it has become so commercialized that the holiday season is the biggest marketing season. Businesses rise up or fall just based on that season alone.

But when we ignore the true beauty of a rainbow, we miss out on a great experience and limit our joy. Perhaps when we reflect on what really matters in life, we can once again discover the true spirit of the holiday season which has no price tag, and realize that indeed the best things in life are free, and great things still come in small packages. That’s when we can once again find joy in simple pleasures that comes from connecting with real people which creates real joyful experiences in the face of any adversity or perceived lack.

The holiday spirit is all about faith and miracles too. But when it comes to faith and miracles, it’s shocking to discover how faith in achieving a piece of the American Dream is increasingly fading away. The American Dream is becoming more and more like the Impossible Dream. So much so that most Americans today believe that their chances of winning the lottery are probably better than achieving the American Dream. With the current Enron type of economy, the huge debts and budget deficits (which are really a reflection of our deficit in integrity), most Americans believe that nothing short of a true miracle will restore an economy that was once the envy of the world.

And yes, we could certainly use a miracle to deliver us from environmental and spiritual pollutions (characterized by a lack of integrity and an erosion in morality) and restore failing systems and institutions from our lagging behind the world education, failing family systems, social ills (senseless violence in our schools, higher crime rates on our streets, substance abuse, increased youth suicide, perversion and more) to corrupted politicians who are more concerned with getting elected thus exhibiting love of power rather than power of love and fraud in businesses that has become an accepted practice in our society.

Many Americans believe that America has seen its finest hour, unless we adopt a new attitude. It would take a miracle to restore the greatness of this nation who was once a source of great inspiration and earned the respect of the world, but now we find ourselves going dangerously from a nation of innovative producers into a nation of insatiable consumers willing to get into debt just to support a lifestyle we can no longer afford because we feel compelled to keep up with the Jones’s. This is a by product of the newly evolved American Dream which is based on materialistic values system and drives people to greed and corruption and the erosion of morality and integrity.

Since the holiday season is also about sharing the good news, so here it is. America who is now in a desperate need for healing, hope and transformation, can be revived by restoring integrity and wholesome values system and the true spirit of the American Dream, which was based on perspiration, innovation, risk and reward, creating total prosperity, joy and peace. Now that’s something to get excited about and even sing Hallelujah!

With daily lives run by cell phones, e-mails, and “personal digital assistants,” it’s no wonder Americans feel such a strong desire to reconnect with family, friends, and tradition during the holiday season. And what better way to reconnect than by giving traditional gifts with a handcrafted, personal touch?

Teddy bears have always been a welcomed site on Christmas morning, especially an old fashion teddy bear, like the one you remember as a child. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company handcrafts their teddy bears in the Green Mountains of Vermont and their bears feature the same fully jointed design as the first American Teddy Bear made in 1902.

“It’s an old fashioned high quality teddy bear, just as they describe in their catalog,” said Thomas Frazier, a Vermont Teddy Bear Customer from New Milford, New Jersey.

The company has over 100 bears to choose from and each one is guaranteed for life, so they’re sure to become old friends. Shoppers can choose a bear that reflects a person’s hobby, occupation, or lifestyle, such as the Snowboarder Bear or Biker Bear. The Baby’s First Christmas Bear can be personalized with baby’s name on the bib. Or try some tradition with a twist, with the officially licensed Elvis Bear perfect for that rock-n-roll lover!

In about the same amount of time it takes to wrap a present, holiday shoppers can enjoy stress free shopping by purchasing and sending a personalized, handmade Teddy Bear through the company’s Bear-Gram delivery service. In most cases, delivery to the recipient’s doorstep can be made within 24 hours.

“Last year for Christmas, I wanted to find my wife something special, and my purchase was all that and more,” said Tom Reich from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. “The bear was received ahead of the promised date and in beautiful condition.”

The company’s embroidery service makes it easy to get really personal for the holidays. Names and messages can be stitched or printed on many of the bears’ outfits, or on Santa hats. Every Bear-Gram gift comes with a free personalized holiday card and chocolate, all packaged in a colorful gift box with an air hole so the bear can “breathe.”

If you’re looking for other traditional gift ideas, check out one of Vermont Teddy Bear’s sister companies. The PajamaGram Company has over a hundred styles of sleepwear that can be sent as gifts in a keepsake organza hatbox complete with free lavender bath tea, “Do Not “Disturb” sign, and personalized gift card. The TastyGram Company features the finest and freshest food gifts shipped directly from the kitchens and bakeries of our country’s most talented culinary artisans. And Calyx & Corolla offers luxury flowers fresh from the best growers around the world.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has officially arrived. As Jack Frost begins to nip at your nose, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the variety of toys available for your little ones. In perusing toy shelves during holiday shopping this season, you’ll be sure to notice the popularity of Japanese influence in American kids’ brands continues to dominate.

Go to the movies, walk down a toy aisle, or turn on Saturday morning cartoons and you’re more than likely to find all sorts of Japanese influence on current American pop culture.

A prime example of this trend is Power Rangers, the colorful taskforce of teen do-gooders that recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in the United States. But the Japanese have known about the Power Rangers for much longer than that. In 1975 “Himitsu Sentai Goranger!” first premiered on Japanese television and began the Ranger craze. It would take 18 years before Haim Saban would import the hit live action show for American audiences, replacing Japanese actors with a cast as ethnically diverse as the colors of their uniforms. Today in the United States, the Power Rangers craze has taken various forms of entertainment, including a wildly popular television series and top-selling toy line. Numerous licenses, such as books and video games, have made Power Rangers a holiday favorite for boys.

Master toy licensee Bandai America Incorporated introduced Power Rangers action figures, megazords, vehicles and playsets to American kids more than a decade ago. This has earned Power Rangers the distinction of “best selling action figure brand of all time.” Today, enough Power Rangers action figures have been produced to fill toy chest space in two thirds of U.S. households.

Another embodiment of Japanese influence, and extremely popular import fodder are robots. From Astro Boy to Voltron, robotic heroes of all forms have translated well from their native country to the United States. Most recently leading that trend is “Gundam” (and its various incarnations), an animated series and toy line with a rich, 25-year history in Japan that is attracting an increasing, loyal American fan base. Gundam features giant robots controlled by human pilots battling one another in stories set in the future.

In terms of collectibles, what sets Gundam apart from others is its focus on customization. “Action Figure Model Kits” are the core staple of the toy line. Fans assemble a highly articulated action figure from various parts, and are given an array of decals and paint schemes to make it their own. To ensure smiles of glee during this holiday season, Gundam guarantees to be a success.

With giant robots, megazords and black knights, it is easy to assume that only boys are leading this trend. But girls, too, are caught up in the flurry of the holiday spirit and enjoy the popularity of Japanese trends. For example, girls of all ages are attracted to the feline phenomenon known as Hello Kitty. Starting out as a greeting card character for the Japanese company Sanrio in 1974, Hello Kitty proved so popular she quickly adorned everything from backpacks to toasters. She made her way to the United States just two years later, and now you can find a Sanrio Surprises store in almost any mall filled with dolls, T-shirts, stickers and more.

So what is the fascination with Japanese influences and how do they crossover to American pop culture during the holiday season? Besides the unique appearance of the characters and toys, and the appeal of complex action sequences, what is so special about these imports that make audiences respond with such fervor? Some say it is the underlying message that accompanies the stories and images.

“There’s always a unique subtext to a majority of the Japanese characters,” says collector and fan Dan Goldberg. “I grew up watching Godzilla movies on Saturday afternoons, and while the initial appeal was watching these giant creatures battle one another, what you had underneath the surface was a parable about messing with Mother Nature and overarching lessons about good guys and bad guys.”

Following that same ideology, Power Rangers spend much of their time battling villains with less than noble intentions who attempt to wreak havoc with the delicate eco-system of the Earth. While themes of teamwork, camaraderie and victory over evil are constant among the Power Rangers storyline, the franchise is constantly reinventing itself each season with a new cast, new plot and a new line of “Megazords,” motorcycles and action figures — making Power Rangers an ideal gift for your little ones.

Bandai America, which produces toys for both Power Rangers and Gundam properties in the United States, is more than happy to quench American audiences’ thirst for this recent cultural explosion during the 2003 holiday season. “Power Rangers is a proven phenomenon that works in the United States because the toys and the TV show work together to translate the brand’s theme of teamwork and good versus evil,” said Bill Beebe, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Bandai America. It will be difficult not to notice the Japanese influences in toy aisles during this holiday season, which is translating loud and clear to American culture – creating a whole new breed of entertainment in the United States. And what kid doesn’t like the trendiest gifts during the holidays?

VegasWedlock is an online magazine dedicated to Las Vegas brides that provides Las Vegas wedding tips and tricks, but recently, they have revealed a secret kept undercover for months.
VegasWedlock recently unveiled an additional Web site to sell massive amounts of Las Vegas themed wedding invitations designed exclusively by professional graphic designers for the Las Vegas bride.
The Web site will now be the largest retailer of Las Vegas themed wedding invitations in the world.
The invitations were secretly designed by professional graphic designers who were told not to leak the information about the new Las Vegas invitations to anyone.
The new site, www.VegasWedlockInvitations.com, is easy to navigate and a user can quickly see the wide variety that VegasWedlock has available. With over 50 exclusive Las Vegas wedding invitations designed already, VegasWedlock’s designers are creating more each month and will continue until they reach well over a thousand.
Within the Las Vegas wedding invitations already designed, VegasWedlock has styles to satisfy any bride and groom’s taste. They have informal, formal and contemporary invitations along with new collections that they call “holiday” and “location.”
The “location” collection includes places that couples often get married in Las Vegas like the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, the Venetian, and more. The “holiday” collection has holiday dressed invitations with a Las Vegas touch as well.
While VegasWedlock is the only organization in the world to sell these Las Vegas wedding invitations, they are willing to work with affiliates and help spread the Las Vegas themed wedding invitations to other sites as well.
“We have seen a high demand for Las Vegas themed wedding invitations and want the brides and grooms getting married in Las Vegas to find these invitations easily, without a lot of hassle,” the publisher of VegasWedlock said.

Sending holiday cards does not have to be a tedious chore. I remember when I was little, my mom would tape all the pretty cards around a special doorframe in our house and I would love to see where they all came from. The pretty trees, stars, snowmen made it fun to see what the mail carrier would bring that day.

There is nothing more special than the smile created at the mailbox from a friend or loved one when they receive your card. It should be something that we want to do in showing those we care about that we are thinking of them, not something we feel obligated to do just because it’s “that time of year again.”

To make sure that your holiday card writing doesn’t become a chore starts with some very basic planning.

Let’s face it; December is a very busy month, so the time to plan your holiday card writing can be as early as September depending on your schedule. The first thing to decide is on the list. Who do you really want to send cards to? Family, friends, close acquaintances? There are a number of Christmas card organizers available, but making your list can be as simple as going through your address book and writing the names and addresses on a plain sheet of paper.

Once you have your list together, and you know who you will be sending them to, it’s time to buy holiday cards. If you didn’t purchase any on sale from last year, that’s o.k. just make a note that you’ll do some after-Christmas shopping this year. Holiday cards can be found for as much as 70% off the pre-Christmas price, so this will be a great time to stock up for next year. Keep an extra box on hand just in case there are a few last minute cards to sent.

Of course, you will also need stamps. Now that you know the number of recipients on your card list, you will know how many stamps to buy. Each year, the USPS presents a few different holiday designs to choose from. Buying them early will assure that you will be able to get the ones you like.

The next thing to ask yourself is when you want to mail your cards. This way, you can plan a day where you can take a couple of hours to sit down and write out and address your cards. I know this can be challenging, so why not do it as early as possible? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with addressing holiday cards as early as October so that they are ready for you to mail.

Pick a day or an evening when it’s quiet in the house. Make your favorite beverage, put on some relaxing music or even Christmas music to gather your thoughts. It’s time to gather what you need, your card list, cards, and stamps, return address labels, envelope stickers and your favorite pen.

Wear something comfortable like your favorite pajamas, grab your favorite beverage and just have a nice, relaxing time. You’ll get your cards and signed and ready to go and you’ll enjoy a nice quiet evening at the same time.

There is nothing more special than sending a card personally signed by you to bring a smile to those you care about. It can be fun and relaxing if you plan ahead and get organized.