Making Children Friendly Holidays While At Home

By Wendy Shand

Festive seasons of the year are often highly anticipated by adults and children alike. It is a time to get off work or school, visit with family, and have fun. However, a lot of planning often has to go into these events. Especially if there are young children around, there is always the task of making sure they enjoy themselves. The following is some quick and creative ideas for making children friendly holidays for kids of all ages. The kids will love it, and happy kids makes for less stressed adults as well!

Let Them Help Out

Almost all young children are fascinated with being able to help adults out. Of course, adults often do not see their attempts as actually very helpful, but the kids will be be very proud of being able to do something useful. We are all very busy around the holiday season, be it cookie baking for a family get together, wrapping gifts for relatives, or putting up decorations to get ready for guests. While you are doing all this, find ways to allow even the young kids to be involved in all of it. You could let them help cut shapes in cut out cookies, or teach them to put together a paper chain to decorate a section of the house. Your kids will not only have a great time, they will love to show off what they have done.

Organized Activities

Many people consider holidays a time to relax the rules and go wild. When children do this they may have a great time, but rest assured the adults will not. To help save your stress level and make sure the kids have just as much fun, come up with activities they can all enjoy. This is especially helpful if you are at a large family gathering with many children of similar ages. Traditional examples include an Easter egg hunt or Secret Santa, but you can create something for any holiday! Make a scavenger hunt with a holiday theme, or put some icing tubes out by some cookies and let them decorate them as they eat. (If they stay in the kitchen!)

Teaching the Joy of Giving

One thing about holidays that is great for parents is they provide a good opportunity to teach lessons about giving. Show a child how rewarding it can be to share their great holiday experience with others. You will find that many children really enjoy this, and are very proud of doing so. Simply ways to do this might be allowing them to pick out a present of their choosing for a younger relative, and using their own allowance to buy it, or decorating a home made card for an elderly grandparent. If you wish to extend this beyond family, many non profit organizations have holiday charities where your child could decorate a goodies box for a less fortunate child, or something similar. This will be especially rewarding if the child is able to see just who is receiving their present.

Many things can be done to make children friendly holidays that adults can enjoy as well. Don't worry or stress out about everything having to be picture perfect. All you need to do is relax and have fun, and your kids will love it too.

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Get the low down on creative ideas for making children friendly holidays for kids of all ages now in our overview of everything you need to know about kid friendly holidays

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Review of the DVD Death on the Nile

By Rob Atherton

Death On The Nile is undoubtedly one of Agatha Christies most loved novels and it was the first of the author's films I came across. The 1978 version saw Peter Ustinov star as the fictional, Belgium investigator Hercule Poirot and his travelling companion Colonel Race who was played by David Niven.

As the title suggests, the movie is set on the River Nile in Egypt. When a young heiress is murdered, Poirot is called upon to solve the crime. The motion picture is set aboard the Nile River boat the SS Cataract with visits at a number of Egypt's most widely known historical attractions.

After Linnet Doyle (nee Ridgeway) is killed it soon becomes obvious that there is more than one individual with a likely motive for murder. Linnet Doyle was on honeymoon in Egypt with her new husband Simon. The couple were being shadowed by Jacqueline, Simon's former girl friend. She follows the husband and wife from the Pyramids in Cairo down to the Nile and boards the SS Cataract.

Linnet Doyle was the initial murder victim and as Poirot started to examine, the various other suspects motives started to be discovered. Her precious pendant was coveted by Mrs van Schuyler, Salome Otterbourne faced a law suit from Doyle over a piece she had put into writing, Doyle had declined her maid the dowry she had promised and there were others too.

As the boat cruised along the river stopping at spots like the Temple of Karnak, Aswan and the Temple of Abu Simbel, other passengers were also being slain. Finally Poirot works out the clues and the murderers are unmasked. Simon Doyle had married Linnet to get easy access to her wealth. With her out of the way, Simon would be available to marry his true love, Jacqueline.

The fatalities don't stop here as in desperation, Jacqueline first shoots Simon then herself rather than face the law. Initially published in the 1930s, the novel is a Christie classic. Despite the fact that many of the trips are improbable (such as cruising from Karnak to Abu Simbel in an afternoon), this doesn't detract from the film in anyway. Luckily, modern travellers don't experience quite so much drama on their Nile Cruise holidays.

About the Author:

Nile Cruise holidays are very popular with holidaymakers and are thankfully not as eventful as in Agatha Christie's film.

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Chill and Hang Out on Vacation Under the Jamaican Sun

By Rafael Wallace

We all have our ideas of what its like to be in Jamaica. Perhaps relaxing under the sun on a white sand beach comes to mind. The more imaginative might think of sipping frappe while listening to reggae music in complete union with nature and without a thought for lifes many worries. In reality, a vacation to Jamaica has more to offer than this common stereotypical scenario can offer.

Of course, no one is stopping anyone from enjoying these relaxing activities in Jamaica. The stories of laid back days doing nothing are true. But you need to know where to go in Jamaica to find the experience. If casual respite is all you really want, head on over to Negril which is accessible from Monetgo Bay.

For many years, Negril has been popular for individuals who just want to kick their shoes off and forget everything. In Negril, you can get your fill and more of its seven mile white sand beach stretch that is so perfect you will never forget it. Aside from dozing off on the sand, you might also want to try swimming, sailing, diving, windsurfing, water skiing and deep sea fishing while in Negril.

Beach bums need to look no farther than Negril. If you want a spot that is more accessible from the capital though, you might want to visit Port Antonio. Although there is bound to be some sand and water here too, the place is known for other kinds of laid back diversions. Instead of the beach, you can fill your vacation days in Jamaica with white water rafting in the Rio Grande and swimming in the Blue Lagoon.

Negril and Port Antonio are the only two places you need to go to. That is if your major intention is to bum around. If you are looking more for the thrill of city entertainment, the undisputed hot spots are Kingston and Montego Bay. These two are the largest cities in the country and offer the best experiences when it comes to present day attractions. These are the spots to wear down your shoe soles on hard core shopping, dining and clubbing.

Do note though that there are other busy cities like Kingston and Montego Bay that can offer you authentic Jamaican urban pulse. Kingston in particular is the heart of Jamaica and can be an unnerving spot to immerse yourself in if you are less inclined to city noise and movement.

Culture also abounds in Kingston and Montego Bay. For genuine cultural education you can check the Bob Marley Museum and the National Gallery of Art in Kingston. In Montego Bay, you can drop by Rose Hall or other similar locations for a look at colonial structures and old plantation life.

That rare warm chill you hardly find anywhere else on earth can be found in your Jamaica vacation. At the same time though, you can also experience fast paced fun and thrilling adventures.

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Thinking of going on Jamaica vacation packages? Get the best offers on Caribbean and Europe vacation packages and book your reservations hassle-free, online!

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The Best Board Games For Adults

By Faye Elliott

When it comes to the best board games for adults, there are a number of types out there. Here, one can learn what they might be. When you learn about this, you can get them as a gift or more. This can make those times you get together not so bad, but really fun. Learn about the different types in this article.

One thing that people might seem to enjoy would be these games that are strategic. When you look at this, you have to plan your every move. It is a bit more skilled than others, but when you see this, you can see that as you capture the enemy and beat the enemy, you know you did so as you really had to work at it.

Others might find the two player games to be the best. These would be the ones where it involved you to think and plan quickly. They have made contests and all that jazz. Many love to teach children, but men and women of all ages play these board games.

Words are something that we use in every day life. As you think about that, you will learn that word board games are in. There are many who find that they actually learn new words which they might nor might not have used before or even have heard about. It will sharpen your skills and more.

There are some that are like the television shows. You know the ones we are referring to. You are the ones looking for the criminals. The clues will lead you to the truth. Just as popular as the shows are, the games are just as popular. You might get a kick with these as well.

Last of all, there are the trivia ones. You have to answer questions and all that and more. You are trying to get from point a to point B. When you do this, you win the game if you are the first one. Sometimes, you might have to collect houses and have the most money too. There are all sorts that are just roll of the dice and see what the next space gives you.

As you will see, there are plenty of types to choose from. There are plenty of things you can stock up on. There will be something for everyone to play now that you know what people like to play. So, get game nights going. Read more about: Best Board Games for Adults

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What Can Be Done In Moving Residence

By Adriana Noton

Finding the right house to move to is exciting, but once you have bought it you need to get organized. There is the packing to be done and organizing the removals. Letting the utility companies know then a final clean of your old house and a first clean of your new house. Say goodbye to your old house as you hand over the keys before moving to your new house to unpack. Call some friends and invite them to help you, in exchange for food and drink.

The first thing you should do is get organized and make a list of what needs to be done. You can tick each item off as you complete it, that way you will not forget anything. This also means that you are able to let everyone who is helping know which jobs you want them to do, and put their name next to the job.

Packing requires lots of boxes and tape, marker pens and padding for delicate items. Mark each box as you pack it, with the name of the room you would like it in, so it goes in the right place in the new house. The less directing the movers need the sooner you can begin to unpack.

Many removal companies will provide packaging materials with their service, some even do the packing for you. Removal companies provide a team of professionals to move your belongings and often offer insurance in case of accidental damage. If you are leaving a small house or flat you may be able to hire a van which, with one or two trips, will hold everything you need to move.

It is sometimes the case that within the documentation of sale of the house, you are requested to leave the utilities on. Ring your providers and let them know that you are changing address and make sure that your payments are up to date.

When leaving a house, unless it is to be demolished, it is good to clean it one last time. This lets you check for any forgotten items that might have been left around. It is also nice for the new tenant or owners to come into a clean house. More than likely though, even if you move into a house that has been thoroughly cleaned you will probably clean it again as you unpack.

Unpack your most needed items first, kitchen for tea and coffee making and the bathroom, then bedrooms and other rooms. If the boxes were marked when you packed up, you should find them in the right place. This means that if it gets too late, you can find the items you will need first thing in the morning, and only unpack the things you need. Remove the packaging from each room as you work and it will seem like a quicker job.

If you have plenty of friends willing to help, why not buy some food and drink and have a packing party and an unpacking party at the other end. This will shorten the time spent packing and give you more time for the unpacking party at the new house.

With organization your packing and removals can be done quickly and efficiently, the utilities dealt with and everywhere cleaned. This means you are ready to travel to your new house sooner, to unpack and party.

About the Author:

Montreal's most experienced demenagement movers can help you get to your new home! When looking to move, look to the most trusted movers demenageurs Montreal with experience in handling any furniture with care.

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Things To Bear In Mind When Boarding A Santa Monica Taxi

By Diana Moore

When boarding a Santa Monica taxi, take into consideration that even though hotels, restaurants, and other tourist outlets have a vested interest in keeping complaints minimal and revenues high, taxi cabs aren't typically bound to any one area. As such, a lot of taxi cab operators have developed notoriety for ripping off unsuspecting people who don't know the ins and outs of the area. Be prepared for major price fluctuations during rush hour or when the weather is uncooperative. Even taxi drivers who stay honest most of the time will at times take advantage of certain situations. In case a sudden lightning storm materializes and you desperately want to get home, expect the costs to go up. Whether or not you accept conditions such as these is for you to decide.

Be sure to check for door handles. There are many testimonies of people getting kidnapped by "fake" taxi operators. Unsuspecting passengers get in and soon discover that they have got no way of getting out because there are no door handles accessible from the inside. Even when there's no malicious motive involved, having door handles is a must. What if you get involved in a vehicle accident and can't get out of the vehicle?

In case you're especially careful, you might take into account sending a text message to friends and family members before boarding the taxi. In your message, be sure you include the driver's name, identification number, and license plates. It is a good habit to have your mobile phone on you all the time, so that you'll be able to phone someone for help right away. The best thing you can do to remain safe when boarding taxis would be to never be alone. Having one other individual with you makes you far less of a target, and the more people together with you makes you all the safer. The risk, of course, in having other people along is that you have conversation and peer pressure as added dangers. Prevent this by establishing distinct rules that in case one person feels bad about a situation, everybody will get away from that scenario immediately and that if it's time to change from one manner of travel to another, conversations which distract from the changeover need to come to an end.

If the operator attempts to make a deal with you instead of utilizing the meter or claims his meter is busted, do not use the cab. The city's or state's cab enforcement commission necessitates that meters needs to be operable all the time so as not to cheat the public. Ask a trusted friend, relative, or individual who has used the service prior what the fare should be. The key to successful bargaining is to ask the taxi operator what the fare should be before boarding a taxi.

In case the Santa Monica taxi is unclean, either inside or out, pass on it. It's that easy. The taxi cab operator makes use of this vehicle as his or her money-maker, so it should be well-maintained. If the automobile is in less than excellent condition, the driver isn't as focused on a properly operating vehicle and a great experience for their passenger as they should be.

About the Author:

You'll find additional information online about advantages of having a taxi Santa Monica for your own use. Being familiar with just how an excellent Santa Monica taxi operates might be most beneficial to anybody in the end.

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How To Choose A Cambridge Taxi Service In Canada

By Adele Bolton

One couldn't agree less on the beauty the northern part of America has, and Cambridge, Ontario is one of those worthy to behold not only for its pretty spots but also for its cultural events. For tourists to be able to do this promptly, they'd be needing a transportation company like a Cambridge taxi service.

Just like online shopping, getting this kind of transportation assistance would require one to do some homework. Tourists would have to do some degree of researching considering how they are unfamiliar with the place. This should be done as part of the planning process of the vacation.

Asking other people who might have been there to the city would be a good idea to get referrals. Moreover, if you have friends living in Ontario, they might also be able to provide valuable information on which services are good in the place.

But if the two seem impossible to have, swimming on the pool of information in the internet would be a good start. There are several ads posted online from different companies and to make clients aware of their reputation, testimonies are available from previous clients. New customers have to take time reading them.

Make sure the establishments offer online booking features which would allow clients to reserve a vehicle days before their arrival in the city. The dispatching protocol of the company should be efficient enough in order for clients not be delayed in their travels.

Pricing is another thing to be concerned about and looking for a company that offers prepaid cards and gift certificates would allow one to spend lesser. The cards and certificates allow fixed rates for the usage of the taxis rather than paying on the basis of daily use and mileage.

Safety is of utmost importance; so get to know how well the company maintains their vehicles and how insured their drivers are. This would prevent additional financial damages on the part of the clients. In addition, the company should offer services for handicapped clients such as wheelchair services and the likes.

Most importantly, experience is vital to achieving the right expertise. Hence, getting a Cambridge taxi service that has been in the industry for long and is very big would somehow provide clients the assurance that they are availing the services of a good establishment. Read more about: cambridge taxi service

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Diving In Taba

By Rob Atherton

Situated in the north of the Gulf of Aqaba, it is one of the quieter resorts in Egypt. Although it doesn't attract the larger marine life such as manta rays or sharks, Taba is blessed with many stunning reefs that are home to a stunning array of marine life.

One of the great things about diving in Taba is that there are only a few dive boats operating so often you will be the only people at the dive site which is in striking contrast to Sharm el Sheikh a couple of hundred miles away at the southern tip of the Sinai. Although the diving is superb in Sharm, the number of boats at popular sites like Jackson Reef or Shark & Yolanda means that it does get quite busy underwater.

It doesn't take long to get to the dive sites in Taba and this means there is normally plenty of time for a 3rd dive of the day. One of the more popular sites is Pharoah's Island (aka Farun Island). Back in the time of the crusades, the Saracen Saladin who was Richard the Lionhearts nemesis built an old fort and lookout post on the island. In addition to dive boats, it is also a popular destination or snorkelling trips which is hardly surprising as it is a beautiful setting and easy site to dive.

Taba Heights is the perfect destination for underwater photographers. It's shallow dive sites are home to countless species of colourful marine life including the hideous looking Frogfish. It is a type of Anglerfish that ambushes it's prey and the speed of attack happens faster than the eye can see.

There is a spectacular array of creatures to be found in and around Taba including Moray eels, nudibranchs, clownish, lionfish, sea stars and shrimp. Sadly, night diving isn't permitted due to various restrictions imposed as the borders of Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia as so close. Divers visiting Taba will miss out on what would certainly be stunning night dives in Taba.

About the Author:

The destination of Taba Heights is more widely known as a golf resort but it offers superb diving.

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Modern-Day Mixed Media Art

By Clara Berta

The beginnings of mixed media painting are in the late Victorian years from around 1870 to 1914, referred to as "La Belle Epoque." Translated from the French, this actually means "the beautiful age," or "the gilded age." Rapid advancements in science, technology as well as loosening social mores encouraged artists of that time period to discover uncharted waters of creative expression. For that reason, the arts experienced a radical transformation. Completely new, revolutionary styles such as Impressionism and Art Nouveau began to cross over from the underground avant-garde to the mainstream.

In the visual arts, a mixed media painting is actually a work of art that uses several medium. A good example of mixed media might be a collage that has paint, seashells, and bird down. A fairly common technique for painters is mixing oil, watercolour and also acrylic paints into a single painting. Practically any combination can be utilized, restricted only by the artists' creative thinking and available materials. A mixed media collage has several design layers, each one made from a different medium. An artist can use any medium he / she wants, but paper, pencil, marker, as well as pen are usually employed in a mixed media collage. These types of collages can possibly be two-dimensional display art, like a painting on a canvas or a page in a scrapbook, or a 3D sculpture.

Another variation of contemporary mixed media painting is combining paint with other paper media including pen-and-ink drawings. Advances in technology also make it easier for present-day artists to combine traditional printmaking techniques with digital photography or images. Multimedia art, an associated form, was influenced by mixed media painting. Multimedia art differs from mixed media in that non visual elements can be utilized. An example might be mixing recorded music, dance and spoken word poetry to a single work. The various art supplies used by mixed media artists range from the conventional to the creative. Oil- and water-based paints are regularly utilized in mixed media artwork along with ink, pastels, and pencils. In preserving the non traditional facet of mixed media art, wide variety of materials is utilized in mixed media sculpture and collage art. Modern mixed media artists have been known to utilize string, buttons, newspaper clippings, and bits of glass or metal into their mixed media art installations.

Mixed media is typically made in layers. The artist selects each layer carefully and allows enough time for every layer to dry completely. Discovered things like bottle caps, matchbooks, or rocks are often used for effect. Bits of jewelry, mismatched buttons, pens, bolts, cereal boxes, screws and nails may well give some added visual colour as well as interest. Using these kinds of elements in a mixed media painting can provide brand new meaning to these kinds of seemingly insignificant stuff. This technique brings even more texture and depth to the artwork.

Only the creativity limits a mixed media artwork. A few mixed media artists work only with natural materials to deliver an earth-friendly message. Reused materials are usually utilized in mixed media art projects, making it possible for artists to convey their creativity by repurposing daily things and used objects. Metal containers, plastic containers, along with locally made materials may help show a certain story by means of art.

About the Author:

Clara Berta is one of the finest mixed media artists worldwide. She's in demand for her outstanding mixed media art that uncovers a whole world of imagination. She definitely does not disappoint!

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Various Methods Of Working With Mixed Media

By Clara Berta

Mixed media does mean you can use multiple form of media such as objects, paint, ashes or trash. Putting together a found object piece can be achieved fairly easily and you don't need any sort of skills. Having a bit of creative flair will let you consider the positioning and usage of the discovered items.

Paint media includes acrylics, oils, watercolours and tempura paints as well as airbrushing allure. Paintings are usually created on canvas, though they may also be done on paper or other surfaces, like wall murals. Mixing media in a painting could add more fascination to the artwork and can add more enjoyment to your usual painting process. The secret to making mixed media work is how you layer the media and what media you use. Drawing involves the use of charcoal, coloured pens, pastels, markers, crayons, pen as well as ink, chalk or metals such as silverpoint. Drawings could be done on paper, canvas, wood, cardboard, chalkboard, whiteboard, plastic or even leather.

Sculptors utilize raw materials to make sculptures, reliefs, carvings, sound sculptures, light sculptures or perhaps moving sculptures, like water fountains. Sculptors might work with stone, marble, granite, wood, ice, metals, plastic or glass. Printmaking means the transfer of photos to cloth, canvas, paper or wood through woodblock printing, etching, lithography, screen printing or stencilling. Printmakers may work by hand or they might use digital media techniques in their work. Ceramic art is the creation of pottery or stoneware, although it may also include tilework or mosaic art. Ceramic artists generally use clay; ceramic art methods include molding, hand building, glazing, burnishing and also weaving.

The word "art medium" means tools and techniques which an artist uses to make a painting, drawing, statue or any other artwork. Art mediums normally fall into one of two categories, traditional or digital media, despite the fact that more artists are beginning to combine the 2 to make mixed media artworks. Digital media requires the development of art through technology, like computer software or digital photography. Artists working in digital media might create installation art pieces or graphic art or they may transform an existing work utilizing digital technology. Textile artists use different kinds of materials and thread and make use of numerous methods like embroidery, embellishment, stitching as well as weaving. The kinds of cloth a textile the artist could use consist of cottons, silks, chiffons, commercial cloth, plastic fabrics, laminated fabrics, quilted fabrics, woven fabrics or knits.

One technique of working with mixed media would be to layer and mix the different art mediums on a canvas, paper or object to create a collage. An artist can start by drawing in graphite just before she applies a paint-based medium in an expressive method to create the background for the mixed media composition. She then introduces some other materials to the piece by pasting them in layers. An additional technique is assemblage, which is a 3D form of collage. It includes using discovered objects and also other non-traditional art materials to create a 3D artwork.

About the Author:

Clara Berta is one of the best mixed media artists on earth. She is popular for her impressive mixed media art which reveals a whole world of imagination. She certainly doesn't disappoint!

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