Christmas Article http://www.yourchristmashome.com Christmas Article en Christmas 12-month 2005 Marketing Calendar that Boost Sales http://www.yourchristmashome.com/12-month_2005_Marketing_Calendar_that_Boost_Sales/Article/4197 Marketing http://www.yourchristmashome.com/12-month_2005_Marketing_Calendar_that_Boost_Sales/Article/4197 The following is my 12-month promotional marketing calendar. Keep it handy, as you'll need to refer to it throughout the coming year when forecasting your promotional messages. By no means is this list exhaustive. In fact, you should add to it based on your industry-related activities. There are many holidays throughout the year that may be a natural tie-in with your product or service, such as National Book Week in January, if you're an author or editorial-related service or American Heart Month in February, if you sell health-related services or products.

My calendar list focuses on the major holidays when most Americans have been trained to spend extra money or participate in a ceremonial activity. Generally speaking, you want to link your marketing promotions to a time of year when customers have their wallets out. Thus, you're simply positioning your product or service as the perfect gift or solution for the celebrated event. Be PreparedYou can never be too early in preparing your marketing campaigns. For example, in order for the typical small business owner to prepare for a Valentine's Day direct mail campaign, you'll need to get most of your materials printed and ready to go by the third week in January and in the mailstream by the last week in January, certainly no later than the first week in February.

I recommend you plan two months in advance. Thus, you should start planning your Mother's Day campaign in early March. Obviously, the more involved the campaign, the more lead time. What's more, some advertising vehicles have extensive lead times, specifically magazines that need your camera-ready ad approximately 6 weeks [possibly more or less] before publication, and newspaper inserts also require a reservation approximately 6-8 weeks before publication. Unique AngleYour promotional angle is the key to standing out from your competition.

People are going to buy gifts at Christmas, without a doubt. But what makes your service or product so interesting, that shoppers should hand over their money to you instead of the myriad of other stores? Find a creative answer, and you'll grow your business. JANUARY

  • New Year's Day, and the proceeding two weeks -- Launch your marketing messages the last week of December.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- Although not a big gift-giving time, this is a great time to spread a non- profit message.

FEBRUARY
  • Valentine's Day -- Launch your marketing messages the last week in January. **Popular Gift- giving Time**
  • President's Day
MARCH
  • St. Patrick's Day
APRIL
  • April Fools Day
  • Daylight Savings Begins
  • Easter **Popular Gift-giving Time**
  • Secretaries Days **Popular Gift-giving Time**
MAY
  • Mother's Day -- Launch your marketing messages approximately 3 weeks before. **Popular Gift-giving Time**
  • Memorial Day
JUNE
  • Father's Day **Popular Gift-giving Time** Launch your marketing messages approximately 3 weeks before.
  • Graduation **Popular Gift-giving Time** Launch your marketing messages approximately 3 weeks before.

JULY
  • Independence Day
  • Back to School -- Although not a holiday, it's certainly a popular time to find wallets open and increased spending, particularly by moms and teenagers.
AUGUST
  • Dog days of summer
  • Back to School continued
SEPTEMBER
  • Back to School -- Marketing messages can continue through the first week of September.
  • Labor Day
  • Grandparent's Day
OCTOBER
  • Columbus Day
  • Halloween **Popular Gift-giving Time**
  • Holiday preparation should be 1/4 completed, seriously. Launch your first holiday message immediately after Halloween. This message will generally go to your current customer base, offering them an exclusive early-bird holiday special to expire in early November.

  • Daylight Savings Ends
NOVEMBER
  • Thanksgiving **Popular Gift-giving Time**
  • Your Holiday advertising is in full swing
  • Election Day
  • Veteran's Day
DECEMBER
  • Christmas Day **Popular Gift-giving Time**
  • Hanukkah **Popular Gift-giving Time**
  • New Year's Eve -- Launch New Year's message late the second week in December.
.

]]> Craft crocheting from your home http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Craft_crocheting_from_your_home/Article/23100 from http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Craft_crocheting_from_your_home/Article/23100 Crocheting is not only a craft but an art. Once you master the basic stitches you will be well on your way to creating masterpieces you will be pride to share with your family and friends. Anyone can learn to crochet as long as they put their mind to it. Before you run out and buy your crocheting supplies decide what you want to crochet first. According to the item you choose, you will need different size needles and yarn weight.

All this information is with the patterns and you will see just how easy it is to achieve your goal of crocheting your first work of art. You will be crocheting from toys to sweaters in no time. There are so many different items you can crochet. There are snowflakes for the Christmas tree, sweaters for your best friend, and house slippers for every member of your family. You can even learn to crochet baby bibs, blankets, and outfits.No matter what you choose to crochet you will find everything you need on the Internet! No need to leave the house.

Some websites provides you all the supplies for crocheting and knitting with just a click of your mouse. You will need crochet hooks, yarn, and sometimes needles. The crochet hooks come in several different sizes. The yarn is in different weights and you can find them all right by shopping online.So, when you need to buy your crocheting supplies, come at crochet Resources first. Save yourself some time and money by shopping online..

]]> Be Hangover Free this Holiday Season Even While Drinking at Holiday Parties http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Be_Hangover_Free_this_Holiday_Season_Even_While_Drinking_at_Holiday_Parties/Article/5398 Hangover http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Be_Hangover_Free_this_Holiday_Season_Even_While_Drinking_at_Holiday_Parties/Article/5398 Rebound Hangover Formula is the hot little purple pill taking the party scene by storm this Holiday season. Why? Because it works by preventing your hangover before it starts.Don't feel awful the morning after your office Christmas party or New Years Day. Take REBOUND? --the next morning you will wake up without a hangover. I am sure many of you have tried other hangover prevention pills that have either not worked or have not worked very well. REBOUND? has been proven effective.

It really works. Visit our site to watch clips of the recent media coverage if you are not sure. Switch to REBOUND? this season, you'll be glad you did. REBOUND? Hangover Formula (http://www.reboundhangoverformula.com) is a safe, all-natural dietary supplement that helps to regulate the metabolism of alcohol to safely and effectively prevent hangovers before they start. Is REBOUND? safe? You could gobble down an entire package without side effects.REBOUND's innovative patent-pending formulation of amino acids and bioflavonoid superantioxidants also helps maintain your health against potential future problems caused by alcohol toxicity, including liver damage and premature skin aging.

REBOUND? lets you enjoy the social scene while taking responsibility for your health, so you can enjoy many years of responsible drinking. Benefits Of Taking REBOUND? Enjoy the party, and wake up in the morning clear-headed and able to function.Say "good riddance" to debilitating hangovers by minimizing the effects of the most toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism.Take two pills for every two alcoholic beverages. REBOUND? has even been reported to work the morning after. That's comforting to know if you happen to forget to bring yours to the party. REBOUND? does not prevent intoxication, absorb alcohol, reduce blood alcohol levels, or any potential health and safety hazards resulting from abuse.

Have fun, but please drink responsibly. Say NO to underage and binge drinking, and never drink and drive!Aral Distributing located in Washington state is proud to distribute these new hangover prevention pills (manufactured by Dynamarketing Group Inc.)They are not yet available in stores but can be purchased on our site (http://www.reboundhangoverformula.com) for as low as .51 cents per serving and fast priority mail shipping is free with our holiday value pack. Visit our site to learn more about this fantastic product.To view the all natural ingredients please visit our Faq's page here (http://www.reboundhangover.net/Faqs.html).To order securely online (use Paypal or CC) visit: (http://www.reboundhangover.net)or (http://www.reboundhangoverformula.com)Shipping is always free in the USA.

]]> The Ironies Of MASH http://www.yourchristmashome.com/The_Ironies_Of_MASH/Article/25542 The http://www.yourchristmashome.com/The_Ironies_Of_MASH/Article/25542 The TV show MASH ran for 11 years taking nearly every opportunity to bash the US involvement with the Korean War, which was actually an allegory for Vietnam. Many episodes showed a moral relativism between the US side and the communists, the doctors(with the exception of Frank Burns) made no distinction between the wounded and often talked about declaring the war a tie so they could go home. The MASH set sometimes was a tense place to work, especially in the early years. One episode featured a sniper who was eventually shot by an army helicopter. Alan Alda objected to the use of gunfire to settle the issue, some on the writing staff pointed out that he had recently played an armed sheriff who had drawn his gun in a TV movie which angered the star who retreated to his dressing room.

Some who worked on the show speculated that the pro-feminist Alda had problems reconciling playing the skirt chasing Hawkeye. Although, he was always professional he stayed aloof in the early years of the show, going to his dressing room whenever there was tension on the set. Part of the job of being the star is setting standards of behavior for the cast, but Alda just wanted to deliver his lines, contribute his creative ideas, and fly home to New Jersey on Friday. One time he was asked to record a video greeting to Navy stations, he refused claiming it would encourage the troops to prolong the Vietnam war. Even at Christmas he remained withdrawn refusing to buy any presents for the cast and crew, going against traditional television star rituals.

With Alda being aloof, some of the rest of the cast became difficult. McLean Stevenson began to demand he only do one take. Why? Because Sinatra only did one take. He wanted to sit down in his scenes? Because Sinatra always sat down. Gary Burghoff, who future co-star Mike Farrell would later call the greatest actor on the show, drove directors crazy by causing delays, asking what Radar's motivation was for every scene.

Loretta Swit became argumentative and difficult. Only Wayne Rogers and Larry Linville caused no problems. Yet the ratings continued to rise. The ultimate irony came from the source material. MASH continued to blast the army, often making Generals look like buffoons, and making several communist characters noble.

Alda seemed to lighten up as the show got new cast members and became even more successful. But one person who found it difficult to watch was the man who wrote the book from which both the movie and television show were inspired by, Dr. Richard Hornberger. He was especially bothered by Alda's portrayal of Hawkeye, the character he patterned after himself, because Hornberger was a Conservative, flag waving, pro-military hawk..

]]> Smart Holiday Eating: A 10-Point Healthy Eating Plan for School-Age Children and their families http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Smart_Holiday_Eating:_A_10-Point_Healthy_Eating_Plan_for_School-Age_Children_and_their_families/Article/5402 School-Age http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Smart_Holiday_Eating:_A_10-Point_Healthy_Eating_Plan_for_School-Age_Children_and_their_families/Article/5402 With families and, especially children, celebrating the month-long holiday season now through Christmas and New Year, poor eating habits can quickly become an unwanted part of family life. What better time than the holidays to make healthy eating a family affair?The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is offering a 10-point family eating plan, which focuses on the dietary habits of the school-age children and their families during the Holiday Season. Bonus Tip: Do not starve yourself or let your family go without eating all day and then sit down to a huge meal where overeating is the result!Here are a few of the 10 Holiday Eating Tips from members of AAFCS:1.???Parents should be a positive role modela. limit portion sizes?do sample all the Holiday meal and trimmings, but in small portionsb. cook with less fat2.???Get activea.

plan family activities to get everyone movingb. encourage fun activities with friends3.???Make eating an activity in itselfa. don't eat while watching TV or riding in carb. sit down in the kitchen/dining room as a familyc. involve kids in menu choices, prep, and clean upFor the complete list of Holiday Eating Tips, please visit:http://www.aafcs.org/newsroom/dec1.html About AAFCS and Obtaining Quotes/InterviewsFounded in 1909, AAFCS is the only not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing people together to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

AAFCS' more than 10,000 members are elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, researchers, and administrators, cooperative extension educators, and other professionals in business and industry, not-for-profit organizations, and government. These professionals develop, integrate, and provide practical knowledge about life skills? dietetics and nutrition, financial literacy; child care and parenting; conflict resolution; consumer education; safe and secure housing and environment; and apparel and textiles. For complete results and Quotes, please contact Linda Wilson using the contact information at the end of this release. Interviews with AAFCS teachers may be arranged through Linda Wilson or her staff.Access the AAFCS Electronic Press Kit: http://www.aafcs.org/newsroom/epk/newsletter.htmMedia Contact:Linda WilsonDivision DirectorCommunications703-706-4609????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????.

]]> Personalized Music CD With Your Child Name In the Lyrics & Hand Drawn Pencil Sketch From Your Kids? Photographs http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Personalized_Music_CD_With_Your_Child_Name_In_the_Lyrics_%26_Hand_Drawn_Pencil_Sketch_From_Your_Kids%92_Photographs/Article/8263 From http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Personalized_Music_CD_With_Your_Child_Name_In_the_Lyrics_%26_Hand_Drawn_Pencil_Sketch_From_Your_Kids%92_Photographs/Article/8263 Mychildmusic.com is a distributor of personalized music CDs for children, with the child's name in the music. Original compositions featuring your child's name will dazzle and delight your child. You will be amazed how much your child will enjoy singing and dancing to these fun songs containing their name. Professional vocalists have sung every single name.The quality of the music is what makes mychildmusic.com different. The music on each CD is a mix of tempos teaching your child rhyme and verse.

They are a fun way to teach children speech and music. The CDs build your child's self esteem through the affirming lyrics. Mychildmusic.com has currently 3 CD titles available: (1) You are my friend (2) You're an angel (3) Jesus loves you. Each CD is personalized with your child's name throughout the lyrics. To further personalize the CD, your child's name is printed on the CD label, together with a three-line message of your choosing.

You can create a birthday message, Christmas message or something as simple as "You're So Special" on each CD label. Our Kids Personalized Music CDs are great gift ideas for sons and daughters, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and your friends' children.The sister site of mychildmusic.com, www.mychildpencilsketch.com creates hand drawn pencil sketch from your kids' photos. Size varies from 8" X 10" to a giant 20" X 28".Music samples are available by phone by dialing 302-372-6967, and by visiting mychildmusic.com. Parents with an email address can receive free samples by email with their own child's name in the music or a digital viewing of a pencil sketch from their child photographs for only a few bucks. More information can be obtained from their websites: www.mychildmusic.com or www.mychildpencilsketch.com..

]]> Sillyasstoys.com Announces Launch of an Unusual Online Toy Store http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Sillyasstoys.com_Announces_Launch_of_an_Unusual_Online_Toy_Store/Article/8348 of http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Sillyasstoys.com_Announces_Launch_of_an_Unusual_Online_Toy_Store/Article/8348 Richmond, VA February 1, 2005 -? Sillyasstoys.com is proud to announce the first release of its online toy store for extraordinary toys. The site focuses on unusual toys and games, such as Giant Microbes, Airzooka, and the Zing Shot, not found in most retail stores. Along with unique toys the site also features more traditional games and toys such as jacks, hopscotch, and yo-yos. "We feature more of the fun and cool stuff that you can't find at Toys'R'Us or Wal-Mart," says Dave Luebke, site founder and owner. "We're trying to break the kids away from the computer monitor and remind parents of toys they enjoyed as kids.

There really is something here for everyone, from baby to adult." By launching the site, Sillyasstoys.com brings the same quality shopping experience to the web that currently exists in its sister store, Dave's Comics. Each toy on the Sillyasstoys.com site is extensively play tested through demonstrations in the store and customer feedback is used to ensure maximum fun."We launched the site right before the Christmas season to take advantage of the number of parents shopping online for gifts for their children," says Luebke. The Christmas season's hottest sellers were Giant Microbes, Airzooka (popular as an interactive family toy), and the Bender Family (a great gift for coworkers).About Sillyasstoys.comSillyasstoys.com is the brainchild of Dave Luebke founder of Dave's Comics Inc., a brick-and-mortar comic store located in Richmond, Virginia, which has been going strong for over 22 years. Contact:David Luebkewww.sillyasstoys.comPhone: 804-282-1919Email: e-mail protected from spam bots.

]]> Scrapbooking Memories of 25 Years! http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Scrapbooking_Memories_of_25_Years%21/Article/24756 Christmas http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Scrapbooking_Memories_of_25_Years%21/Article/24756 Over the years, I have taken numerous photos of my children probably just like many thousands upon thousands of parents. This past week my son turned 25 years old, and I decided to make him a scrapbook of his first twenty-five years. My first thoughts were to do a page of pictures for each year of his 25 years. Once I started going through the pictures, however, themes started to emerge. Along with these themes, I put motivational quotes on each page.

The quotes seemed to fit nicely with the pictures and also had wonderful words of wisdom for his next 25 years. Here are a few examples of the pages: Santa sees Curtis Grow Up This took up two pages. I pasted pictures of Curt with Santa. Along with these pictures I put the following quotes: "If I could wish a wish for you, it would be for peace and happiness not only now, but for the whole year through!" Catherine Pulsifer "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." Norman Vincent Peale "It came without ribbons, It came without tags, It came without packages, boxes, or bags. Christmas can't be bought from a store...

Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." Dr.Seuss Curtis with His New Baby Sister This filled 4 pages of the scrapbook. It showed pictures of when his sister was born and pictures of the two of them growing up. I also pasted quotes throughout these pages: "Sisters are for sharing laughter and wiping tears." Author Unknown "Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there." Amy Li "A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life." Isadora James Special People in Curtis' Life These pages were filled with people in Curtis' life over the years. It brought back wonderful memories of family and friends over the years.

I used the following quotes on these pages: "Family isn't about whose blood you have. It's about who you care about." Trey Parker & Matt Stone "The love of a family is life's greatest blessing." Author Unknown "And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today." Author Unknown "My family. I realized they are the most important part of my life. Throughout the year I had many challenges, but my family were always there offering support and encouragement." Catherine Pulsifer Curtis's Many Vehicles These pages were filled with pictures of Curtis' younger days?.pictures of him riding different vehicles at the fairs, pictures of him standing beside his Dad's car. The quote that I used for these pictures was: "The important things in life are not things." Author Unknown The scrapbook was filled with many more themes some as described above.

It turned out to be a wonderful present. So, if you are looking for a simple, inexpensive but meaningful gift, and you have trouble journaling in a scrapbook, take your pictures and add quotes. You will find quotes will express the thoughts you have. You will end up with a scrapbook that has both meaning and memories!.

]]> Internet Marketing: Going Nowhere Fast http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Internet_Marketing:_Going_Nowhere_Fast/Article/8004 Internet+Marketing%3A+Going+Nowhere+Fast http://www.yourchristmashome.com/Internet_Marketing:_Going_Nowhere_Fast/Article/8004 How and why do you surf the 'Net? Do you turn on your computer, open your browser, then scratch your head and wonder, "Hmm? what I should look for today?" Hardly. I'll bet you dollars to donuts you've got specific goals in mind when you surf the 'Net. Imagine for a moment that you gained a couple pounds over Thanksgiving. You're concerned that the fast-approaching Christmas feast, may have you wearing a mumu on Maui this January. There's no way you're going to let that happen, so you decide to research treadmills on the 'Net.

Naturally, you start at Google.com, and type in 'treadmills'. You click on a link that reads 'Treadmill Buyers Guide - Unbeatable Low Prices & Expert Info, Buy Direct and Save 40% - 45%'. Would it frustrate you to land on a page that has no information about treadmills, and no obvious way to get to that information? What about when you have to click on several links? First you click on 'Sports', then 'Running', then back up when you don't see 'Treadmills' under 'Running'. Finally after 10 clicks you find the 'Treadmill' page listed under 'Fitness Equipment', which for some reason has different stuff than 'Sports Equipment'. There are 3 treadmills listed on the page, so back you go to Google.

Fortunately, searching at Google gives much better results than depicted above. Indeed, when searching for 'treadmills' at Google, the first page of search engine results all go to pages specifically about treadmills. Nearly all the natural and sponsored listings belong to sites that sell just treadmills, or are sports equipment sites. So why is it that many newbie webmasters think that building an all-purpose super mall, that sells everything and anything, will bring them fame and fortune, and save them the work of having to build multiple sites? The answer to that question is beyond me. Those sites just don't get found, unless their name is Yahoo!, Epinions, ConsumerSearch or About.com.

And if a site doesn't get found, it certainly doesn't get famous. As for saving time by building only one site - what a pipe dream! Building a 1-stop shopping directory site with universal appeal and umpteen hundred categories, requires umpteen hundred pages. That takes time - lots and LOTS of time? unless you've got a Yahoo!-sized staff and advertising budget. Lacking that type of investment, your best bet is to focus on a single theme. A five-to-ten page site that is easy-to-navigate with excellent reviews and information beats out a willy-nilly mall site every day of the week.

So put yourself in your customers' (running) shoes, and give them treadmills when they want treadmills. ? Copyright Rosalind Gardner, All Rights Reserved..

]]> What Does James Bond Do on Christmas? http://www.yourchristmashome.com/What_Does_James_Bond_Do_on_Christmas%3F/Article/28586 Do http://www.yourchristmashome.com/What_Does_James_Bond_Do_on_Christmas%3F/Article/28586 Judging from his past actions of helping people in distress and rescuing the world when it's on the brink of destruction, the answer is easy if you think about it. Here's a hint. When he leaves the casino at the beginning of 'Dr. No' he casually tips the doorman. Yes, he's free with his money.

He's also free with his compliments as he tips the craps dealers in 'Diamond's Are Forever', saying, 'Thank you gentlemen, for such a sterling service.' As he leaves the craps table, he then gives part of his winnings, ($5,000), to 'Plenty O'Toole' (Lana Wood) for rolling the dice for him, and continues walking without expecting anything in return. Are you getting close to the answer? What does Bond do on Christmas? He gives..

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