Gifts: What Do You Give A Couch Potato?
January 15, 2008
So you know someone who likes to “veg out” in front of the TV and you’re looking for a gift for him or her. There are three ways you could go with your gift idea.
Option 1: Get them something that fits right in with their couch potato persona.
You’re not trying to change them, you just want to get them something they will enjoy. Well, there are no shortage of TV and movie gifts out there. You could choose a gift membership to Zip.ca (Canada) or Blockbuster Online (US), where they can rent unlimited DVDs every month for one price. Or get a snazzy universal remote control. They’ll be in control from the comfort of their couch - how fitting! They’ll enjoy their TV and movies more with a home theater system or a liquid crystal TV. Or how about converting them into a “chair potato” with a robotic leather massage recliner!
Option 2: Get them physically active.
Your couch potato can still watch TV while they exercise. Our favorite gift idea in this category is a portable mini cycle that you can use while still sitting on the couch (or at a desk, etc.). Best of both worlds! Similar to that (but not quite as “convenient”) is a stair climber or side stepper. But they have to actually get off the couch for that.
Simple Ways to Stretch Your Orlando Lodging Dollars
January 14, 2008
You’ve thought and dreamed about it for months, planning each day down to the minute: First Disney, then Universal Studios. Next day, Gatorland. But have you made plans yet for your Orlando lodging?
Prices for Orlando lodging can vary significantly, and you want to spend your vacation dollars wisely. Here are a few money-saving tips for your Orlando vacation.
It goes without saying, the first and easiest way to save money on your Orlando lodging is to plan ahead.
Booking your Orlando lodging early will ensure you get the dates and rates you want. Waiting until the last minute to make your Orlando lodging reservations may mean having to take your second or even third choice.
Next, make sure your Orlando lodging choice offers the amenities your family needs. Ask if your Orlando lodging facility offers enough space for your family, free wireless internet access, adult and kiddie pools, and full room service.
Third, make sure your Orlando lodging is centrally located. Even an incredibly low price for Orlando lodging can be a bad deal if you’re forced to make a long drive to get to your vacation destinations. Ideally, your choice for Orlando lodging should be no more than five miles from theme parks like Disney, Universal Studios, and Sea World.
Buying Jewelry for Mother?s Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off
January 13, 2008
Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother’s Day, but there are pitfalls, especially if you rush at the last minute. Procrastination and a lack of knowledge can be rewarded with overpaying for a piece of jewelry or even worse, being ripped-off.
A gift of jewelry can be expensive. Asking friends, family and co-workers if they can recommend a website, brick and mortar store or local crafts person can help. Checking with the better business bureau is also a commendable approach.
When you are shopping, ask the salesperson to write down any information you might rely on to make your purchase and before you buy, ask for the store’s refund and return policy. When ordering online, keep printouts of the web pages with details about the transaction, including refund and return policies if you’re not satisfied.
Six Smart Shopping Tips for Mother’s Day and Beyond
1. There’s a big difference between 14 karat gold and gold-plated jewelry. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. Gold-plated describes jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold bonded to a base metal. Gold plating eventually wears away, depending on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.
Holiday Promotion Tips
January 12, 2008
Are you ready for Mother’s Day? Yes I realize it’s still a week or two away, but if you haven’t started your Mother’s Day promotions yet it might already be too late. I know of one company that has completely sold out of their big Easter product 3 weeks prior to Easter (yes completely sold out!). So if you haven’t done so already, work up some Mother’s Day promotions and start contacting your previous customers and lists.
Why promote Mother’s (or any holiday for that matter) when it’s still more than 2 or 3 weeks away? Why do you start seeing Halloween costumes for sale in September and Christmas decorations in October? There’s several reasons, but the two biggest ones are:
- To stay ahead of the competition
- Keep your business in mind when your customers begin their holiday shopping.
It’s especially important to advertise products and specials far ahead of time in direct sales, because we need to keep in mind shipping times. If your shipping time is 1-2 weeks, your customers only have this week to shop.
If it’s too late for Mother’s Day, start thinking about Independence Day and what you can do to spice up your business!
Gift Wrapping Ideas
January 11, 2008
If you’re tired of your gifts looking like everyone else’s, put some creative thought to it. Gifts don’t have to just be paper and ribbon that you bought at the store. Let some of these ideas inspire you.
1. Name Tags - Instead of using name tags, use the front cover from leftover Christmas or other holidays. Just cut along the crease and glue or tape the card to the top of your wrapped package. Most designs have some unprinted space to allow you to write the name of the recipient and a short note.
2. Decoration - Instead of using ribbons and bows, make the decoration part of the gift. Tie a bunch of cinnamon stick on top with ribbon. Tie your package with satin or velvet ribbon and let the ends of the ribbon flow down the package. Add a silk flower inserted in the knot of the bow. If your recipient likes to cook, tie wooden kitchen utensils in the bow. Your ribbon or wrapping paper could be replaced with a decorative kitchen towel.
Come to Orlando and Vacation Like You Never Have Before in a Town Home!
January 10, 2008
Of course you are anxious to take a vacation this year, to enjoy time with your spouse and kids and to have a great time away from work and the daily grind. So why not come to Orlando, Florida where you can relax and enjoy time away from home while having a great time at theme parks such as Walt Disney World and attractions such as Universal Studios and Sea World?
The best way to do this, of course, is to first find a great accommodation to stay. Booking lodging accommodations at resorts, through time shares or even at hotels can be difficult and pricey. The following is what you need when you come to the Orlando, Kissimmee, or Davenport areas for vacation.
A townhome rental
? It’s a home away from home in a real townhome where you can put your feet up and not have to worry about the following pesky vacation peeves:
a. No personal space ? you won’t be jam-packed into one hotel room with only one bathroom for your whole family.
Mothers Day is coming-Dont Blow It!
January 10, 2008
Mother’s Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all of the things that the Mom in your life has done for you and your family, right? Then you must know that a bouquet of flowers and card, though very sweet, are not all it takes to make Mother’s Day a true holiday.
To make Mother’s Day special for any Mom in your life, try some of these tips:
1. Watch the kids! Think of giving a "Kid Free Night" Coupon or taking the kids to the park for a few hours.
2. Cook ? No mother should ever have to cook on Mother’s Day, so plan ahead. Pick out something for everyone to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just one less thing for Mom to worry about on her special day.
3. Pick up after the kids. Come on, now, if Mom is supposed to feel pampered on this one day of the year, why should she have to pick anything up? Leaving the mess, though, will likely cause her stress, so help out by picking up.
Gods Gift to You… Mom
January 9, 2008
Have you ever thought what you would have done without your Mother? Then why is it Mom’s are usually the low woman on the totem pole? God thought enough of us to give us an earthly Guardian Angel and so many times, more than we could truthfully count this is the person we lash out at the most with the excuse it’s OK it’s only Mom. Thinking of the old cliché “we always hurt the one we the love the most” truly believing that all is forgiven… Mom’s tough she can handle it… Mom knows deep down that I really don’t mean it… well, Mom’s don’t know that.
I am following my guidance in the writing of this article because Mom’s need to be exalted…not trodden upon. Remember what I stated previously… God loves us enough that we are personally given an earthly Guardian Angel. Think about this for a moment… allow the monumental impact of that statement to sink in and all that encompasses. The one person that will always love you no matter what.
Town Homes for ALL Your Pleasure in Orlando, Florida!
January 8, 2008
Have you ever done something spontaneous? Are you in love with warm weather? Do you have young kids who are dying to be near Walt Disney World? Do you love the beach? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be interested in town homes for sale all over Orlando, Florida.
This can be your town home that you live in all year round. Where your kids will grow up, maybe where you’ll spend the first few years as newlyweds, or where you’ll retire and ask the family to come visit.
Or this could be your winter home where you come and crash to get away from the freezing Northern winters. Whatever you decide, the town homes for sale in the Central Florida area are simply waiting for you to come and have a look at what they have to offer!
Why you should look in town homes for sale in the Orlando, Kissimmee, and Davenport, Florida areas:
Experience Mothers Day In A Whole New Way
January 7, 2008
Mother’s Day is the day when sons, daughters and husbands buy gifts and flowers to recognize the incredible work mom has done raising the children. But some moms are unknowingly cheating themselves out of the full experience of Mother’s Day. Many moms treat Mother’s Day as a completely external experience when Mother’s Day could be about so much more than just the well-deserved flowers and gifts. Just Gifts & Flowers May Not Make Mother’s Day Special All the gifts and flowers in the world will not make Mother’s Day special unless you, Mom, are making Mother’s Day a truly special day. Make this Mother’s Day a truly special Mother’s Day by recapturing that wonderful feeling of anticipation you felt before your child’s birth and that incredible feeling of elation you felt when your child was born. Embrace the feelings you felt when you held your baby for the first time. And then reflect upon the special moments you felt as your child developed into the wonderful son or daughter you have today. Do you feel that welling up of emotion when you think about your child in this way? Feels good; doesn’t it? Make This Mother’s Day Special by Sharing Your Feelings Now that you have these special feelings on Mother’s Day, share them with your child. If your child lives too far away to visit, then experience these memories and feelings as you speak with your child on the phone. If your child is close enough to visit, then recapture these feelings while you are with them. Tell your child how you felt as you prepared for their arrival and how you felt on that incredible day when they were born. Then tell your child about the special childhood memories you cherish and why those memories are so special to you. End the conversation by telling your child how much you love who they have become and how they have made your life so much more complete. This Mother’s Day Will Have More Meaning When You Share Your Feelings By experiencing Mother’s Day in this way, you may feel you are doing all the work when this day is supposed to be the day you don’t lift a finger. But experiencing Mother’s Day in this way will give back far more than you give. You will feel so alive this Mother’s Day that the gifts and flowers will have more meaning for you and your children. You will remember what is important in life. You will make this Mother’s Day a truly special Mother’s Day by experiencing it both inside and out.
