In 1985 I wrote to Santa expressing my sincere desire for an interview. I received a letter from Santa expressing his desire not to grant one. Over the next several years I wrote more letters repeating my request and received my relies including one that let me know how close I was from winding up on the naughty list. That letter immediately stopped my asking Santa for an interview until 1989, when I received a letter from Santa that was quite different from the rest. This Santa letter was to inform me that Santa had changed his mind and would consent to an interview provided I allow him to read and approve any articles or writings done on the interview. I was thrilled.
As I packed for the North Pole I kept thinking how lucky I was to be the first person to ever interview this wonderful man. I finished loading my suitcase and carried it to the living room. I was just about to phone for a cab when I heard noise coming from my kitchen. Scared and suspicious, I crept to the kitchen door. To my surprise, when I opened the door, there, standing in my kitchen with a mug in one hand and a package of hot cocoa in the other, was the man himself. For a moment, I was too shocked to speak. Santa told me to close my mouth before I let a fly in.
These are the official notes taken during my visit with this jolly man in the red suit. I asked Santa if the hot chocolate that I made him was okay. He replied that while it had taken him almost ten years to get used to, he had found one or two brands of instant cocoa that he enjoyed. This wasn’t one of them. He gave me a list of the best instant hot chocolate brands on the market, none of which I recognized. I then asked Santa if he was ready, he sat at my kitchen table with his hot chocolate, and we began. My first question was if he was a man or an elf. Yes, he replied. I knew that meant not to ask again. My next question was how he found flying reindeer. Santa explained that it was borne of necessity.
This unique visitor of mine went on to explain that he was in a bind because the world had become to big and he had no way to reach all the children. He said that the kids had faith in him and they knew that he would make it. He was racing down a mountainside just before dawn. He knew he could not make it before daylight and the kids were going to be disappointed but he also knew that he had to try. That was the moment, he said, when the reindeer suddenly lifted off the ground and started flying faster than they could ever have run. He did not understand the mechanics of it, he just knew that because he was willing to try in the face of absolute failure was an act of faith in the children whose Christmas spirit is more powerful than you can imagine. That, he said, is a kind of magic that will never die.
I asked him what it was like to live at the North Pole. He said it was cold. I asked him how he made millions of toys in only a year. He replied that he did not make millions of toy. He personally only made about nineteen thousand. The elves, he said, made the rest. The last question I was allowed to ask was why he dedicated his life to bring toys to the children of the world. He said, and this is paraphrased, that any child is worth that and much more. He said it was the very least that he could do. He said that if everyone would have just a little bit of the child they were in them when they were older, that the world would be a much nicer place in which to live and there would be no need for Santa Clause.
Create Magic in your child’s eyes with our and letters from Santa. EZSantaLetters.com offers 15 pre-written letters or complete customization of your own Santa letters. All Letters are Northpole Postmarked with Santa seal and Free Shipping.
Posted on 31 July '10, under Christmas. No Comments.
Most of us knows that flowers are really capable of changing how we see and feel onto the several matters in life. To assist our selves in finding out for the most suitable flowers into certain situations in our life, we tend to ask some assistance from expert or professional florists in the neighborhood. They can provide us with a flower guide book wherein we can acquire various knowledge about flowers.
The flower guide books certainly has a lot of types and forms such as magazines, books and online encyclopedia. This book guide greatly includes sensible directions on how to choose the most suitable flower for a specific event and or occasion just like engagements, social occasions and festivities. Through it, you can have the most suitable flower arrangement to be given into a particular person.
Through it, you can also be able to acquire the latest issues and uses about a specific flower. Today, you can also be able to look for flower guide books that deals about the flowers myriad. On the other hand, you can try out using the internet in looking for flower information just like the online flower encyclopedia.
An example to this is the type of flower to be used in a funeral. Via online researching, you could be able to acquire information about the specific flowers to be used in a funeral. It will also enable you to show-off your deepest sympathy towards the graving family or individual who lost a special someone.
You will also be able to find flower guides that can help you select beautiful flowers for weddings, christenings, speeches and other events. These flower guides can show you various ways to arrange the flowers and you will also be told what types of flowers you may want to avoid.
Flower guides are sometimes featured in the flower encyclopedia. These type of encyclopedias are great source of factual flower details or information. It even features pictures of various flowers.
In selecting a flower encyclopedia, you need to ensure that it contains many sensible information about flowers. In this way out, you will surely have a lot of ways to answer your questions about flowers in the forth coming days. What’s more amazing about it is the fact that you can be able safely keep it for longer through simply putting it in the any dry and clean space such as cabinets and tables.
After reading onto the various information stated above, it is pretty sure that you now have enough knowledge on how to arrange flowers and choose the right kind of flower to used in a particular occasion.
Read more on the best guide on engagement gift ideas and engagement gift idea.
Posted on 20 July '10, under Christmas. No Comments.
Have you finished getting all the gift items on your Christmas List yet? How about that “special someone”? Are you going to get them the “same ole’ same ole”…just like last year? Well, time is on your side… With a bit of homework on your part you can get them something really special this year. Here are a few tips…
a) Do you remember the Boy Scout motto “Always be prepared”? This works on those camping trips in the woods, but it also works when you are compiling your Christmas List as well. From today moving forward, whenever you are around that “special someone”, take note of what they say and do. This is especially true if you happen to go shopping with them. They will often give you hints and clues as to what they would like to receive for Christmas. Such as:
“Hmmm…what a great idea”.
“If only I could afford this”.
“I could use this if it was in yellow”.
Make a mental note of comments such as these and remember to write them down when you get the chance. These little comments are gems when it comes to ascertaining the perfect gift to get him or her.
b) What does that “special someone” like to do in their spare time? Do they have a particular hobby or pastime that consumes them? If they happen to have a favorite sports team, enjoy crafts, or like to spend their time with some other pursuit, there is often some great little gift that you can get them to help them out with this endeavor. Ah, but what is that gift? Even if you don’t know anything about their hobby or pastime, there is somebody out there who does. You just need to do a little research. Why not call up your local hobby shop, or post a question on an internet forum, asking “what would be a great gift for someone who likes to “. People will be more than helpful to help you get that perfect gift for someone who shares the same passion as they do.
c) Friends are a literal goldmine of information on people. You could always ask their closest friends for gift giving suggestions. Before you ask though, it’s often a good idea to have some sample gift giving suggestions of your own. Why? If you pose this question to someone you will be putting them on the spot and they could draw a blank. By having some gift ideas of your own you will “jog their memory” a bit. Let’s try an example. If you are going to ask your daughter’s close friends for some gift suggestions, you could have some pictures that you have cut from an old catalog on potential gift ideas. Why the picture? Well, a picture is worth a thousand words, so it can spur on even more potential gift ideas. Her friends might be reminded of something she said would really like.
These three ideas should help to get you started on this year’s Christmas List. If you would like more details, or to learn about the “Hot Items” for Christmas this year, check out the blog: www.ExcellentChristmasList.com
Looking to find the best deal on Hot Christmas Gifts, then visit www.ExcellentChristmasList.com to find the best advice on Gift Giving.
Posted on 4 January '10, under Christmas. No Comments.
Does recession kill the corporate greeting card? Is the corporate greeting card in reality just junk?
These are good questions and when the budget is stretched how do we decide if greeting cards are on or off the list? Whether or not you are management or advising management you’ll would like to be sure of your reasoning as these days all spending requests have to be supported with good business sense.
Below are three reasons to mail a greeting card even if you are feeling the financial pinch.
1. Remind your shoppers that you’re still in business. Sadly the current economic climate means that some corporations have not survived. Those who have managed to continue going are likely to have reduced their advertising budgets. Thus use the chance of a greeting card to let shoppers see that you’re there and let it double up as a smart bit of advertising.
2. Introduce yourself to new clients. Some companies have only survived this economic downturn by taking on new investors or by being bought out by others corporations interested in accessing their client base. If your trade has been through this sort of contraction of business then now may be a sensible time to introduce yourself to the new management and decision makers.
3. Create sure that people possess your contact details in front of them when they may require you. Although a Christmas card can be put in the bin, or recycled after Christmas not everything goes the same way. Once you send your Christmas greeting cards be sure to include your brochure, your business card and any alternative pertinent information for your client.
Spending helps the business world go around. Each government that is in debt is hoping that we are all going to start spending again. Without spending there’s no stimulus for the economy.
If we are going to get the world back in working order we need to consider how we are going to achieve it. Opt for the printer of your company greeting cards carefully. Select a printer who will be grateful for your business. Maybe they can advertise you with thanks on their net site. Strive to build up a relationship from which you can both gain.
Success in this international economic climate can require thinking in a different way. This is often not business as usual. This is business for the brightest and most inventive. If you don’t start thinking smart then there’s a probability you won’t live through this climate.
So pay some money, get the economy going and drum up some new business for yourself. Do everything you’ll to try to keep your business going, maybe you’ll help a few others at the same time.
Success and Christmas spirit in one. What more can you ask for?
Look at more about corporate greeting cards at www.finestchristmas.com
Posted on 3 January '10, under Christmas. No Comments.
Christmas is all about loving and sharing. It is the season where families share things that would help them feel that they are truly appreciated, that they are valued and that they are always given importance. But what about those family members who are away from us, who are not around, unreachable and are a little bit lonely from where they are?
It is important for us to greet those friends, family members and loved ones that are far from us this Christmas season, because it is the only way that we let them feel that we care and love them. Also sending them our warmest greeting this Christmas would bring joy to their lonely hearts while they are far from their respective friends, family members and loved ones.
Surely sending them a simple greeting card could already bring so much joy to them, because of the simple thought that you have remembered them this holiday season. However, there is another great way for you to send them your greetings that could not only bring joy to their hearts but also it can bring inspiration to whatever they are doing.
This new way of sending them you greeting is through the religious Christmas cards. These Christian resources have different designs and styles than the usual greeting cards that you usually send your friends, family members and loved ones every Christmas.
You see, if you receive the same kind of Christmas card each year would sometimes be wearisome. It could even diminish the essence of the season. If Christmas cards given are not Christian themed, then there will be this feeling of a missing piece. This is why if you are thinking of what kind of greeting card you would give on Christmas, then pick the set of religious Christmas cards.
These wonderful religious Christmas cards and other Christian resources are readily available in stores and online stores. They are offered in a variety of designs and contents. For sure there will always be the perfect Christian card for everyone you know.
Although the card may look simple for dignity’s sake, yet the messages contained in it are powerful and touching; just like how Christian resources are supposed to be. Hearts which are lonely, cold, and pained will surely be comforted and be kept warm.
Be it noted that these religious Christmas cards are not only limited for family members. You can send these to anybody you know and to whom you give much love and care. They could be anybody. So… go on and spread the love.
When you think about it, items for Christians are what make our churches so great. Things like religious Christmas cards really touch the heart and soul, especially at this time of year.
Posted on 31 December '09, under Christmas. No Comments.
Christmas time is here! It’s time to figure out the best toys to get for that special girl or boy on your Christmas list. What is one to do? With all the choices via the television, or the radio, or the newspaper, or the web, or the “you fill in the blank”, it leaves one in a state of confusion. No worries, we are here to help you navigate the cloudy waters of Christmas gift giving, and help you find those finest Christmas toys. Here are our top three picks:
It seems that everywhere we go these days “Guitar Hero” is there as well. It seems that every boy and girl is playing this game these days. It’s basically a game where you listen to your favorite songs, and click on this little input device in rhythm with the lyrics (very simplistic I realize). With so many kids addicted to this game, what are they supposed to do when they are away from home? “Miniature Guitar Hero” is here to provide some relief. In a nutshell, it’s a miniature version of the real thing. Battery operated, it’s only 6″ long, and with a fold-down neck for easy transport, you can take it almost everywhere (but not underwater). It has 5 wav tone buttons and a “whammy bar” to sustaaaaaaaain those long notes. It comes packed with some of the hit songs from Guitar Hero I and Guitar Hero II…songs like: (1) Smoke on the Water, (2) Killer Queen, (3) You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, (4) and Surrender. If you are just a beginner, or a real pro, this little item will be able to fit your level…it has 5 levels of play available. Be sure to give this little gem a look over…
Remote control helicopters (RC Helicopters) are fun, Fun, FUN! You can take off, fly around, and land. How fun is that? Well, this next item we are about to introduce takes RC Helicopter flying to a whole new level. With the Havoc Heli Laser Battle 2 RC Helicopter Pack you can participate in actual dogfights. How does this work? Well, each helicopter is equipped with a laser and an infrared sensor. If you score a direct hit onto the opposing helicopter’s infrared area with your laser, you will send it crashing to the ground. You may be able to celebrate now, but beware, the next time around it might be your turn to spiral downward. These little helicopters are small and light enough (a mere 6.5″ long) to fly around the house, yet they can be operated in the great outdoors as well. Three frequency bands are available, so three friends can fly separate helicopters at the same time. No glue, no tape, no fuss, they are ready to fly right out of the box. Be sure to check this popular little item out…
Everyone likes to be recognized for their accomplishments…but what about those “almost” times? What if you have played baseball all your life, but have never been able to win the championship? What if you have entered poetry contests for years, but have never been able to win? Everyone would love to be the next American Idol, but so few of us (myself included) will ever be able to achieve this goal. No matter…we have just the thing. For every boy and girl who deserves to be recognized, “Build Your Own Reward” is here to the rescue. With the customization service that this company provides you will be able to create a special reward for every boy and girl through the following three, easy steps:
Steps #1-3 are:
Step #1 – Select the type of award (i.e.: trophy, medal, or plaque).
Step Number 2 – Include a special figure or emblem, and then choose a color.
Step #3 – Personalize it. For example, you could say something like “To My Loving Son. In My Eyes You Will Always Be a Baseball Star”.
The company who offers this service is a leading provider of plaques, medals, and trophies, and other fine awards of recognition. They have competitive pricing, and quality service, and have been in business for 50 years…so they know their stuff.
Our web site Finest Christmas Toys can provide you with ordering information on these items if you are interested. We also highlight a number of other great gift giving ideas. We’d love to have you come visit us…
Learn more about the Best Christmas Toys. Stop by Faye Thompson’s site where you can find out all about great gifts and how you can order them.
Posted on 31 December '09, under Christmas. No Comments.
Calling all Santa’s, Santa suits for sale, come and get yours. These suits are majestically created, and they are on sale. You can be the best looking Santa around. Professionally designed they come in various fabrics.
Choose from polyester, crimson velvet and plush velour fabrics. Buy your suit this year instead of renting. Save money using your suit year after year. They have prices that are affordable
Red and white are traditional color choices, but the suits are now available in other colors too like green and white and blue and white. This way you can blend in with any Christmas color theme.
There are suits available for Mrs. Santa too! Santa also looks great in a robe. They are long, reaching to the ground and are warm and cozy. Wear them with traditional big black boots and complete a wintry look.
Living in warm weather climates does not keep Santa from making a visit. He just wears shorts in his traditional flair. Father Christmas and Kris Kringle can show up too. It is the season to be jolly, cold or warm.
Women, girls, boys and men can find a suit complete with wigs and beards. A pair of big black boots for the guys and pretty bows for the girls will bring the joy of Christmas to anybody who sees you.
There are good suits that come in red fleeced. Perhaps you desire a better suit that is made of crimson imperial? Maybe you require the best that a Santa suit has to offer, and prefer regency plush. Find all three for sale at affordable prices.
Calling all Santa’s, Santa suits for sale are going fast. Do not forget for a complete look to accessorize. This includes the wig, beard, boots, and belt. Gloves, hat, and even socks, and no look would be complete without Santa’s glasses.
Calling all Santa’s, Santa suits for sale, come and get your own. These Christmas Costumes are majestically created, and they are on sale. You can be the best looking Santa in town. Professionally designed they come in various fabrics.
Posted on 26 December '09, under Christmas. No Comments.
This holiday season, one of the biggest categories of toys that kids will want is from major media franchise. This is not just the Disney Channel or Disney movies. It also includes age old favorites such as GI Joe and Star Wars. The great thing about these gifts is that you will already gauge the reaction of your children from whether they enjoyed watching the shows or movies. This is what makes this category appealing for the parent who is looking to get the right gift. However there are some downsides. In a way you pay for the convenience of knowing that your child will be happy with your pick. The simple fact is that name brand toys will often cost more than a generic item. However there is good news this year since many retailers like Toys R’Us are aggressively cutting prices to make these toys sellable. Here are some great holiday gift options for franchise merchandise.
Star Wars is already an iconic brand with six movies and countless toys, books, and video games. It is literally becoming its own universe. One good thing about getting toys related to Star Wars is that the brand has managed to become fresh for each new generation of little boys. It also innovates and branches out. You no longer have the model ships and figurines that you probably had as a child. You can now get Lego’s kits. Video games, and other toys ties to the franchise. Star Wars has even taken advantage of cutting edge technology with its Yoda force trainer which allows kids to control the game with their mind using state of the art sensors.
Disney has several popular brands that are becoming hot toys this year. The most famous is Hannah Montana doll’s and gear as well as the Disney princess collection. Girls of any age will want to have items from this collection. Disney princesses are also getting a huge boost from the release of The Princess and the Frog this December. The movie is getting a lot of press for its good reviews and its groundbreaking princess. So if your daughter hasn’t shown interest is prepared for her pleas after she sees the movie.
Another popular brand that has come back to the forefront is GI Joe. The toy line is already iconic have a history as old as another famous toy, Barbie. However the line is getting new characters for figurines as well model vehicles and possible a couple video games titles. So look to find some interesting toys that your child is interested in especially if you took him to see the movie.
Transformers are once again likely to be high on many little boys’ wish lists. This is another popular franchise that has only gotten better with the release of Transformers two last summer. Aside from the popular transforming toys there are now other accessories such as helmets, toy weapons, and of course video games. So it would be prudent to get items from this line if your son, nephew, or grandson has shown some interest.
Something extra that you can do for you kids this Christmas is to have them receive a letter from Santa. You can order them from online vendors for a decent price and personalize them. They also come with an authentic Santa signature and North Pole postmark. This is a great way to make Christmas magical for your children.
Create magic in your child’s eyes with our Santa Letters. EZSantaLetters.com offers fully personalized Santa Claus lettersand 15 pre-written ones. All letters are postmarked from the North Pole and will definitely put a smile on your child’s face.
Posted on 23 December '09, under Christmas. No Comments.
I write all about men’s gifts, and one of the most common questions I get asked through my website is “what gift do I buy for my man. He has plenty of money and buys what he wants, so he already has everything he wants”.
Now of course there’s lots of men with enough money to buy whatever they want, and when birthday time or Christmas time comes he’s got it all. Men like this don’t drop hints about what they would like because if they want it they buy it. Whatever he wants he’s got.
Not always of course, often it’s a question of cost. There are men with a list of wants that they would like to fill, but just can’t afford them. If your man is like that, and you can afford those gifts, then ask him and see what he’ll say, he’ll probably jump at the chance to tell you about those things he’d love the most but can’t buy for himself.
But lets assume that he’s got all he wants, and maybe it’s his birthday coming up, or Christmas. What hot mens gift ideas are there that will set his juices going anyway?
So here’s 7 hot mens gift ideas that most men will love. Few will love all of them, but you know your man, there’s bound to be some in there he will love. Some are cheaper, some are more expensive.
1. Lingerie. Now of course I’m not the first person to suggest lingerie as a great gift idea for a man. But it works. Men love to see their women in hot lingerie, so it’s a gift for him that you wear for him. I see lots of lists of hot mens gifts ideas and lingerie is always there at or close to number 1. Affordable and it works.
No matter how many pieces of beautiful lingerie a woman has, if she selects well and chooses the right piece I can just about guarantee her man will love it, provided of course she wears it for him. It’s almost a can’t fail gift.
And there is wonderful lingerie available for women of any size, so girls it’s no excuse to say that you’re a little large. If your man loves you large he’ll love you large and looking great in some sexy lingerie.
2. Adventure gifts. Most men love adventure and adrenalin. Not all, but most. And many women aren’t aware that there are some excellent companies around that cater to this extremely well. It’s possible to find all sorts of adventure gifts for men and women that you would never have thought existed.
Would your man love to do his first parachute jump? How about white water rafting? Or maybe he’d love to drive a supercar or a tank. Or how about go Zero-G like the astronauts? There’s so many options from high adrenalin down, there’s something for everyone.
3. Why not an eco holiday? Men love to travel, like women, but a gift of a holiday in France might be a little ordinary. How about an adventure destination working with people who are less fortunate than us doing charity or volunteer work? There’s lots of options.
Perhaps he’d like to be in the wilds of Africa working with animals or maybe on a research vessel off the coast of Mexico counting turtles? It’s fun, it’s really exciting and it’s very different. It helps those less fortunate and it’s a great holiday and gift idea for him (and why not you too)?
It costs, it’s not free, but it’s an extremely unique and fabulous holiday that he’s unlikely to better.
4 Chinese art. This is a favorite of mine because I lived in China for a while and just love Chinese art. We have so many pieces that we don’t have enough space to hang them all. From beautiful Chinese wall hangings to the absolutely fabulous and quite unique teapots of Yixing, there are so many Chinese artworks that would go so well in so many of our Western homes.
Chinese art is extremely cheap compared to the equivalent in Western art. And it’s a mens gift with a difference.
5. And elephant painting is another fine gift for a man who loves his art. These are painted by real Asian elephants on paper made from elephant dung. Believe me, I haven’t gone mad, you really can get paintings done by elephants on elephant dung paper, and they look great. They can even paint recognizable objects. And again an elephant painting looks great on the wall, and is a good way to get conversation started at the dining table.
6. And for the man who has absolutely everything and who won’t like anything at all from number 1 to 6, then buy him a whale. It is perfectly possible to do. He doesn’t actually get a whale wrapped in paper to unwrap on his birthday. However there are organizations like the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin trust that track and identify individual whales and dolphins, and allow you to name his own whale or dolphin. There is a real whale or dolphin out there that is named for him.
And the money goes to help protect the whales, and it’s a unique mens gift idea too.
So there you have it, 6 suggestions for great gifts for the man who has everything. Ranging in price from $50 or so, to seriously expensive.
No reason to say “I have no idea what to buy him for his birthday” any more, no excuses.
Peter calls himself The Mens Gift Guru and runs a website about mens gifts where he looks for Unique Gift Ideas For Men.
Posted on 21 December '09, under Christmas. No Comments.
There are now a number of exciting new features being added to recliners. You may be familiar with the traditional recliner with a hand operated lever. Today’s recliners have integrated many electronic and other therapeutic features for a wonderful new experience and a recliner. You can find features such as heat, vibration massage, air compression massage and even MP3 music players.
Recliners come in many different types of fabrics in many different colors. Typical fabrics include cotton based materials, leather, micro suede and even faux leather. These materials vary in they are comfort and also durability.
Most recliners come in your standard black, brown and slavery. You can find more specialty materials by some manufacturers while others are more limited. Most fabrics being used are designed for long-term durability and stain resistance.
Manual control levers are now being replaced with powered recline systems. A powered recline is a great way to go to find the exact position comfortable for you. These powered systems usually include the chair back and the leg rest.
Getting comfortable is what a recliner is all about. Many recliners make it easy with a motorized recline feature. Simply touch a button and select the angle of recline perfect for you.
Many recliners now come with built-in remote controls. These remote panels allow you access to the recliners automated features. You can activate these features to increase your enjoyment of your relaxation time.
There are many recliners built for relaxation. Some of these recliners have integrated air compression massage. This system uses airbags to push and pull on different muscles for relieving tightness and stiffness.
You will now start to find vibration massage being integrated into many recliners. This provides a great way to get deep tissue relief. Different programs are being developed using pulsing, rhythmic and other vibro motions for great relief.
Why not listen to your favorite music while in your recliner? Many recliners now have built-in MP3 music players. This enables you to listen to your favorite music while relaxing in your new chair. Music is a great way to relax your mind. It is used by many therapists to help calm and quiet the mind so that the body can also relax.
Another feature you find in recliners is heat. Heat is a great way to convert your body. It is also used extensively in sports to enhance blood flow and reduce swelling. Besides heat just feels good on a cool night.
If you haven’t shopped for a recliner in a while, then you will notice that there are many new features being added all the time. Why not get a recliner that is more active than passive. Many of these new features are a great way to reduce your stress, tension and provide relief.
The recliner is finally getting updated into the 21st century. Why not have a recliner that is more than just passive. These advanced recliners are able to provide you with a number of soothing treatments and therapies while you relax and enjoy. Check out what is new with recliners now.
Find out what is new in Recliners. You will find excellent options to provide a relaxing environment. Experience the comfort and convenience of a powered recliner. This gives you a new way to power lounge. The genre of Relaxing Recliners are hitting the market with some exciting features to titillate your senses.
Posted on 19 December '09, under Christmas. No Comments.