Christmas tips, tricks and ideas! Brought to you by ctavideos.

com

5 Christmas Movies For The Whole Family To n!oy!

Christmas is coming! "nd, Christmas time is all about #amily and togetherness. We$ve put together some recommendations #or movies to have on hand #or the Christmas season that the %hole #amily %ill en!oy. These are all movies to buy and %atch year a#ter year! " Christmas &tory '()*+, "ll -alphie %ants in the entire %orld is a -ed -yder BB gun #or Christmas. This ()./s #amily is hilarious. 0ou$ll love -alphie$s irritable #ather, his %hiny brother, and his all1"merican mother. l# '2//+, What could be more #un #or a kid to %atch than a si3 #oot tall el#4 Bet%een Will Farrell$s great per#ormance and the %acky concept o# an l# on the loose in 5e% 0ork City, this is destined to become a Christmas classic. 6t$s a Wonder#ul 7i#e '().8, 5o list o# 9Must &ee :oliday Movies; %ould be complete %ithout this <ames &te%art and =onna -eed classic. &hare this timeless story %ith your children. "lternate> 6?ll bet you didn?t kno% there %as an good alternitive to 96t$s a Wonder#ul 7i#e; but there is and there is a really good chance you haven?t seen it. 6t also stars <immy &te%art in his prime. 6 call it the #orgotten The Forgotten <immy &te%art Christmas Classic, it?s called the shop around the corner. 5@T > 0ou have likely seen one o# the many remakes under a di##erent name. 5one are any%here near as good as the orginal movie.

The &anta Clause '())., very kids dream is to go to the 5orth Aole, but ho% many kids can say that &anta is their =ad4 Watch an un%illing Tim "llen become &anta. The Muppet Christmas Carol '())2, Breat BonCo as Charles =ickens4 :o% can you go %rong4 This lighthearted, humorous version is a per#ect introduction to the classic Charles =ickens tale.

5 Holiday Survival Tips For Retirees

The holiday season can be e3citing and #un, but it can also be e3hausting or lonely #or some. -etirees need to keep in mind some simple but help#ul tips #or making the season more en!oyable and less stress#ul. (.Deep your #ocus on the reason #or the season. The holiday season E no matter %hat your religious #aith E is a time o# celebration and spiritual re#reshment. The beginning o# a ne% year can be a time o# ne% commitments, ne% beginnings and ne% opportunities. The season o##ers a reminder and a chance to reorder our priorities and make the most o# each day. "d!usting our perspective in light o# spiritual teachings can bring brightness and hope into our daily lives throughout the coming year. 2.Aace yoursel#. Many people arrive at the actual holiday too e3hausted #rom preparations to actually en!oy the day. Many people #ind it help#ul to limit the amount o# time and energy spent on any part o# the preparations #or the holiday at a given time. &ome people structure their days to shop #or t%o hours, then rest #or one hour, and then do another task. 6t is also important to pace yoursel# in terms o# activities and events. &ometimes, %hat %e need most is control over our time and activities. 6# you are becoming over%helmed by the array o# events and activities and you #ind that your schedule is #illing rapidly, you might do %ell to make some choices. 7imiting your activities to the most important events might help you pace yoursel# and prevent the e3haustion that can drain the #un #rom everything. +.=on$t be alone unless you %ant to be. The holiday season can be very sad and depressing #or those %ho #ind themselves alone. 6# you don$t have #amily or #riends nearby %ith %hom you plan to spend part o# the holiday, you can still spend the day %ith others. Check in your community #or gatherings o# others %ho %ould other%ise be alone. @r E better yet E #ind a community opportunity to help others on the holiday. Most communities have programs that o##er meals to the homeless and needy. 0ou can be %ith others and #eel %onder#ul about the %ay you spend the day by volunteering to help %ith preparation and serving o# the meals. ..=on$t lose sight o# the budget. @verspending during the holidays is very easy. But it can create a lot o# stress in <anuary %hen the bills start to arrive. 6t is so much #un making purchases o# gi#ts #or children and grandchildren that the budget can easily be #orgotten. Be honest and realistic about %hat you can a##ord to spend on gi#ts and entertaining. Then stick to the budget. Deep in mind that a modestly1priced gi#t that #its the recipient can mean more than the most e3pensive ne% thing available. &ome #amilies manage spending by setting clear limits on the cost o# gi#ts #or the adults in the #amily. This allo%s them to spend more on the younger children. Be creative in thinking about holiday spending and try to keep your #ocus on the right gi#t #or each individual rather than the most e3pensive. 5.=on$t lose sight o# your dietary needs. Many o# us have special dietary needs as %e gro% older. Whether %e are !ust eating smart or %e are %atching sugars, #ats and cholesterol, many o# us need to maintain a healthy diet E even during the holidays. 6n most cases, it is okay to splurge a bit at a holiday dinner or party i# %e ad!ust our diets during the rest o# the day to keep our overall diet %ithin bounds. -emember that making yoursel# sick by ignoring your dietary needs %ill not make the holiday more en!oyable #or you or those around you. 6 hope these very practical tips %ill help you get the greatest possible en!oyment and rene%al #rom the holiday season. By keeping things in perspective and monitoring spending and diet, you %ill probably en!oy the holidays more. Aacing yoursel# and keeping a vie% to the meaning

o# the season in your belie# system %ill help you avoid e3haustion and rene% yoursel# as the 5e% 0ear begins.

5 Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas For Him

6t$s holiday time again and %hat should you get #or him4 :e has everything, so %hat else could there possibly be4 =on$t give up yet because there are plenty o# uniFue ideas #or the man %ho$s di##icult to shop #or. Bi#t 6dea For :im G(> 5aming a &tar in :is :onor 6# the man in your li#e is also a star in your eyes, let him kno% %ith the per#ect Christmas gi#t idea. There are many online novelty stores, %hich o##er star naming kits. For a set price, you can have a star named a#ter the man in your li#e. The complete kits come %ith a certi#icate, a map so that he can locate his special star and other in#ormation about star naming and astronomy. 0ou can also select a date in %hich the star %as o##icially named. Maybe it$s an "nniversary or Birthday. Aerhaps, it$s in honor o# Christmas. The star naming service %ill imprint any date that you choose on the certi#icate. Many o# the stores o##er custom #raming, or you can #ind a #rame at a local department store. 6# he$s into astronomy, o# !ust to let him kno% that you think he$s a star, this is a great gi#t. 6n addition, it$s unlikely that most people %ould already have a star named a#ter them so this %ould be very original. Bi#t 6dea For :im G2> " Watch 6# you %ant to let him kno% that you love it timeless, buy him a %atch. 6t$s practical, thought#ul and carries a %onder#ul meaning. &lip a note inside the %atch bo3, %hich reads HTime #lies %hen 6$m %ith you.H Bold %atches are nice and they don$t al%ays have to be e3pensive. &hop around at some o# the online stores and bro%se their huge selection o# %atches. Bi#t 6dea For :im G+> Tools 6# the gentleman in your li#e is also the home$s handyman, consider a toolkit. There are some terri#ic kits, %hich contain hundreds o# items, %hich are available and make %onder#ul Christmas gi#t ideas. When searching #or the per#ect toolkit, keep in mind %hat he likes to do. 6# he pre#ers to build things, look #or a kit %ith the tools necessary #or building. 6# he likes to repair, look #or a kit %ith a lot o# #i31it tools and spare gadgets. 0ou kno% %hat they say 1 busy hands are happy hands. Bi#t 6dea For :im G.> IniFue &ports 6tems 6# your guy is a sports nut, consider the ultimate uniFue gi#t. 7og on to his #avorite team$s %ebsite and read about any construction or ne% pro!ects being built #or use by the team. Many times, during construction o# a ne% #acility or building, the teams %ill sell customiCed bricks to help %ith #inancing o# the pro!ect. 0ou could purchase a brick used #or construction,

have it engraved %ith his name and present a certi#icate to let him kno% that he %ill #orever be a part o# his #avorite sports team. 6# his #avorite team is building a ne% stadium or other brick structure, the brick %ould be used and #orever remain as part o# the #acility. Talk about a homerun, this %ill be it! " better Christmas gi#t idea, #or a sports #an, %ould be di##icult to #ind. 6# he$s a race #an, check out the "uto -acing :all o# Fame J Museum in 5orth Carolina, %here you can purchase actual race1used tires #rom some o# 5"&C"-$s top drivers #or less than K(//.//, %hich includes the Certi#icate o# "uthenticity. Bi#t 6dea For :im G5> " Bi#t Card 6# you$ve looked all around and still can$t #ind the per#ect gi#t, consider a gi#t card. For the man that is truly impossible to shop #or, let him do the shopping #or himsel#. Bi#t cards are great because they give the recipient an opportunity to buy anything in the store, as determined by the value o# the gi#t card, %ithout spending a dime.

5 Stress Reduction Tips To Help You Avoid Holiday urnout

The #estive season is #ast approaching and #or many people, stress depression and an3iety can make this season anything but merry. :ere$s 5 stress reduction tips to help you avoid burnout during the holidays> L 7o%er your e3pectations. The holidays are so e3citing! Being %ith loved ones, Christmas decorations, lights, presents and much #easting! "s the holiday approaches, e3pectations increase as to ho% the holiday %ill be only #or them to be dashed %hen the holidays arrive. &o, try not to place high e3pectations on ho% events %ill un#old. "l%ays e3pect the une3pected and remember that humans can react unpredictably and surprisingly. "lso, li#e can thro% us the odd curve ball, especially %hen %e least %ant it, so !ust have a 9%hat %ill be %ill be; attitude and hope#ully, the holidays %ill be per#ect. "voiding high e3pectations means you %on$t become stressed out or upset should things not turn out the %ay you %anted. L Alan ahead. Make a detailed plan #or all o# the things you need to do. Be thorough and try to do as much in advance as possible. The more you can get done be#ore the holidays the less stress#ul the season %ill be. 6nclude shopping, decorations, %rapping, meal preparation, sending cards, visiting #amily, and a schedule #or the big day. This %ill help you get organiCed so you$ll get more done and you$ll #eel less stressed. Make checklists so you can mark progress as you go. "nother great tip is to have a backup plan in case things go a%ry. L =elegate. There$s a lot o# %ork that needs to be done to ensure happy holidays. The Christmas dinner alone really can be hard %ork #or the cook! Too much %ork leads to stress burnout so make sure the %hole #amily share the %orkload. =elegate by sharing chores amongst the %hole #amily and get children involved too. 6t$s true E many hands make light %ork E and they also reduce stress in doing so. L "s much as the holidays are about spending time %ith #amily, having the #amily over can be highly stress#ul. 5ot all #amilies get along, and stress levels can soar at get1togethers. 6# you have #amily members %ho are unappreciative, argumentative, aggressive, sulky E the kind o# people %ho %ill spoil the day, then say 9no!; and don$t invite them. The holidays are about !oy

and happiness, so inviting people %ho %ill ruin everyone$s day isn$t on. But a sense o# duty can lead to inviting someone around against your better !udgement. 0our only duty is to your immediate #amily E your spouse and your children E not to any other #amily members. 6# your #amily get along, #ine, but i# you kno% there$s going to be #ire%orks, then make everyone$s day by not having stress as an un%anted holiday guest. L &et your budget and stick to it. 6t$s really tempting to spend money during the holidays and many people %ill rack up huge debts doing so. The debt then becomes a ma!or stress #actor a#ter the holidays have ended. 0ou don$t need to buy people e3pensive gi#ts and you don$t need to go into debt to impress people. The 6nternet is a #antastic source #or #inding creative and imaginative gi#ts that %ill give the receiver a highly valued special surprise because it sho%s thought#ulness. =ebt is to stress %hat piCCas are to %aistlines and you can pay a heavy price #or impressing people %ith gi#ts. &tick to your budget and you %ill reduce stress, not !ust over the holidays but #or many months a#ter.

!ntertainin" #ids $ith Christmas Crafts

Brought to you by ctavideos.com veryone remembers ho% di##icult it %as as a kid to be patient during the %eeks be#ore Christmas. There %as !ust too much e3citement about presents and candy and having #un %ith #riendsM %ell %hat %as a kid to do4 :ere are some Fuick and easy cra#t ideas to help you entertain your kids during the pre1Christmas season this year. Christmas Cards> 6nstead o# spending a lot o# money buying commercial Christmas cards in the store, ho% about having your kids make Christmas cards to send out to #amily and #riends4 Cards are easy to make and can be done using cra#t material you can #ind around your home or purchase ine3pensively in a local cra#t store. :ere are some card ideas to get you started> Ahoto Christmas Cards> use photos you already have or take some speci#ically #or the cards. These are great #or grandparents, aunts and uncles because they love seeing updated pictures o# the kids. Ise card stock or construction paper #or the card and cut out a rectangle, sFuare, or circle in the middle o# the #ront o# the card. 7ay a #avorite photo o# the kids on the inside over the cutout so that the photo sho%s through on the #ront o# the card. =ecorate the card %ith holiday stickers and crayon dra%ings #rom the kids and you have a %inning card that anyone %ould treasure. Make sure you remember to place a poem or short holiday greeting on the inside o# the card. Treat Cards> Ise cardstock or construction paper to make the card and then #ind some %inter scenes #rom an old magaCine. Aaste or glue the scenes on the #ront o# the card. @n the inside o# the card tape an envelope o# hot chocolate drink mi3, dry soup mi3 envelope or a tea bag to the inside o# the card. Write a %arm greeting and place some NNN/// 'Disses and :ugs >1, and the child?s name. Wreaths are special at Christmas time because they celebrate the circle o# #riendship. Make this season special around your home by decorating the doors %ith special holiday %reaths. Wreaths> Cereal Wreath Take a %hite paper plate and have the kids paint %ith green non1to3ic paint all around the outer edge o# the plate 'i# no edge have them paint like an inch or t%o in,. @nce the plate is dry have them cut out the inner circle o# the plate. :ave on hand colored cereal in di##erent shapes. Blue the cereal pieces to the green part o# the plate. 5o% attach a big red bo% to the bottom o# the plate and you have a beauti#ul handmade cereal %reath to display on one o# your doors.

Card Wreath Take a large piece o# cardboard and dra% a circle. 5o% cut out the circle and dra% another circle in the middle so that you leave at least 8H all around the outside o# the circle. This is your %reath. 5o% go get all those old Christmas cards you have stashed a%ay in the attic #rom last year, and the year be#ore, and the year be#ore that. :ave the kids go through this pile o# old Christmas cards and pick out their #avorites. 7ine them up so they encircle the %reath side by side. 0ou can overlap the cards #or a great a##ect. 5o% glue the card backs to the %reath %here you %ant them until the entire %reath is covered %ith Christmas cards. "ttach a holiday bo% and you have a #antastic %reath #or your home. What better %ay to remember %hat your child %ants #or Christmas then to make a Christmas Wish 7ist Tablecloth4 They are #un #or the kids to make and very use#ul #or &anta %hen it comes to making those special gi#ts appear. Christmas Wish 7ist Tablecloth> Aurchase a %hite plastic tablecloth at the store and make sure you have plenty o# non1to3ic markers on hand. Alace the cloth on the table or #loor and give the kids the markers. Tell them to dra% pictures o# %hat they %ant #or Christmas or i# they are older have them actually %rite out their list 'in great detail,, this should keep them busy #or a %hile and you %ill end up %ith a Christmas cra#t you %ill treasure #or years. n!oy some old time radio in video #ormat %ith amaCing photography as a backdrop. Oery uniFue presentations!

% Christmas Shoppin" Tips You &ust #no'

Christmas &hopping Tip G(> &hop arly 6# you$re heading out to the mall this year, have your shopping list ready. 6t$s a good idea to shop early in the season because, i# you %ait too long, that per#ect gi#t may already be under someone else$s tree. Christmas &hopping Tip G2> Be Aolite "l%ays remember to be polite... Dey%ords> Christmas &hopping, Christmas gi#t idea,Christmas gi#t "rticle Body> There are a variety o# opportunities #or holiday shoppers, including stores, catalogs and the internet. Belo% are 8 Christmas &hopping tips that should> Christmas &hopping Tip G(> &hop arly

6# you$re heading out to the mall this year, have your shopping list ready. 6t$s a good idea to shop early in the season because, i# you %ait too long, that per#ect gi#t may already be under someone else$s tree. Christmas &hopping Tip G2> Be Aolite "l%ays remember to be polite. The holidays are e3tremely busy and store employees are %orking overtime, so be patient as you %ait #or assistance. Christmas &hopping Tip G+> 7aya%ay 6# you have a big list, but not Fuite a budget to match, consider a laya%ay. Many stores o##er a convenient laya%ay plan, %hich %ould allo% you to make payments up until Christmas. 6t saves you #rom having to charge up credit card bills or spend a lot o# pocket money all at once, so consider a laya%ay i# you have a big shopping list. Christmas &hopping Tip G.> &hop @nline 6# you do decide to shop on the in#ormation superhigh%ay this year, it %ill save you a lot o# time standing in line at the mall. 0ou can literally shop %orld%ide %ith the click o# a button. Bro%se photos, compare prices, read customer revie%s and see a huge variety o# products %ithout having to leave home. Best o# all, in some cases, you %on$t even have to pay sales ta3 on internet orders. &ome stores o##er #ree shipping, Fuantity discounts and all kids o# other incentives to lure you into their site. 6n addition, several televised shopping net%orks have %ebsites in %hich they o##er an easy payment program on select items. This means that you make one payment, using a creditPdebit card, and the product ships out to you immediately. The remaining payments are billed to your credit card, until the item is paid in #ull, #or the speci#ied number o# months. Christmas &hopping Tip G5> Alace 0our Catalog @rders arly 6# you$re shopping #rom a catalog this year, be sure to place the order early. The most popular items sell out #irst, so get your order placed and on its %ay as soon as possible. There$s no need to %ait #or a catalog to arrive in the mail because you can log on to the internet and #ind many catalog companies online %ith product photos, descriptions, siCe charts and special Qinternet only$ sale prices. Christmas &hopping Tip G8> Buy in Bulk 6# you have a lot o# people to buy #or, and aren$t e3actly certain o# their taste, consider buying in bulk. 0ou can purchase a nice package o# scented candles, divide them up into multiple gi#ts and present them %ith a beauti#ul bo% %rapped around the glass !ar. These types o# gi#ts are ideal i# you have teachers, doctors, co1%orkers or other special people that you %ant to %ish a Merry Christmas. "nother terri#ic idea is to purchase small Christmas tins and several bags o# assorted miniature candies. =ivide the candies up into each tin and present them %ith a beauti#ul bo% on top. These are ideal gi#ts because they are thought#ul, but also budget conscious. 0ou can purchase a pre1designed tin similar to the one described, but you %ill get

a much better deal i# you make your o%n. "s an added bonus, you get to decide %hich candy to include, %hich isn$t al%ays the case %ith pre1packaged gi#ts. :appy shopping!

% Family Christmas (acation Tips You &ust #no'

" #amily Christmas vacation can be a %onder#ul e3perience. 6t can #ill you %ith %onder#ul memories that %ill last a li#etime. Christmas is a magical time to be surrounded by loved ones, #riends and the spirit o# the holidays. 6t$s also one o# the busiest traveling times o# the year. But, not to %orry 1 there are still plenty o# %ays to en!oy a #amily Christmas vacation. " #e% tips %ill make your trip a breeCe. Christmas Oacation Tip G(> Alay &anta 6# you$re planning a Christmas vacation, be sure to %rap your gi#ts early i# you are taking them #or the trip. "l%ays pack each gi#t care#ully, especially i# they are #ragile, to avoid breakage or other damage. 6# you don$t have the e3tra room to travel %ith a gi#t, ship it be#ore you leave home. 6# you ship to the address that you %ill be arriving at, the gi#t's, should arrive %ithin several days and %ill save you #rom traveling %ith them. Christmas Oacation Tip G2> =on$t Forget Make sure that you plan a trip that is en!oyable #or everyone in the #amily. Be#ore #inaliCing any details, sit do%n %ith your entire #amily and make sure they each person has something special to en!oy during the trip. Make sure that your trip is long enough so that everyone can en!oy their #avorite activities. Christmas Oacation Tip G+> Weather Alanning 6# you are planning outside activities, check ahead %ith the %eather #orecast. 6# you are going skiing, make sure to check %ith the local ski resort to inFuire about their conditions. Christmas Oacation Tip G.> "rrive arly When making travel plans, al%ays buy tickets as early as possible. "irlines and other #orms o# transportation, especially near the holidays, tend to #ill up early. 6# you$re #lying, call to con#irm that your #light is on time be#ore you even leave home. Ipon con#irmation, make sure that you arrive at the airport early. The same is true i# you are traveling by train. "l%ays call ahead to make sure that everything is on schedule because you certainly don$t %ant to be le#t standing in the cold. Christmas Oacation Tip G5> =on$t Forget The Che# 6# you are having a #amily gathering, %hich may include Christmas dinner, al%ays pitch in to help %ith the cooking or clean1up. Catering to an entire #amily is a real !ob and it reFuires a lot

o# %ork. There#ore, any e3tra help that you can provide to the #amily member, %ho is acting as che# #or the day, %ill de#initely be appreciated. Christmas Oacation Tip G8> &anta Ruestions @ne o# the best %ays to en!oy a #amily Christmas vacation is by simply being together. When your children start asking Fuestions like H:o% %ill &anta #ind me i# 6$m a%ay #rom home,H have your responses ready and reply %ith reassurance that &anta is al%ays %atching. 6t$s these little moments that %ill be treasured #orever and nothing %ill ever take their place.

% Great )nline Christmas Shoppin" Tips

Christmas shopping is no longer con#ined to the local mall or an annual catalog that happens to #ind itQs %ay into your mailbo3. Thanks to advanced technology, there is literally a %hole %orld o# shopping at your #ingertips. The internet has revolutioniCed the %ay people shop and, besides, %hat better %ay to do your Christmas shopping than #rom the com#ort o# your o%n home. 5o longer must %e suit up and %eather the harsh %inter days in the hopes o# checking a #e% names o## o# our Christmas list. The store aisles, as %e kno% them, are cro%ded and hectic. But no%, many store aisles are becoming virtual, a shopping cart is something you #ill %ith images o# a product and a checkout is something that you click on to con#irm your order. Things have changed a lot in the past years and 6 %onder ho% many o# us couldn$t even imagine %hat li#e %ould be like %ithout the convenience o# shopping on the internet. There are several tips #or online Christmas shopping, %hich can make the e3perience a smooth and pleasant one. @nline Christmas &hopping Tip G(> Be prepared 6t$s a good idea to start your shopping %ith a complete list. This %ill save you both time and money %ith having to go back and place a separate order later on. With most online stores, you pay a #lat shipping #ee. 6n some cases, i# you spend a certain amount o# money on your order, the shipping and handling #ee is %aived. 6t$s al%ays best to get everything you %ant, all at once, to save on shipping. Be#ore you commit to buying #rom one store, shop around and compare prices on both the product and shipping. @nline Christmas &hopping Tip G2> The early bird gets the gi#t 6# you %ant to get the best selection, begin your holiday shopping early. 6nternet stores generally carry large Fuantities o# every item, but even they can sell out. "s Christmas dra%s near, it becomes more di##icult to #ind the e3act item that you$re looking #or. There$s nothing like #inding the per#ect item and seeing the %ords, Q&old @ut$ %ritten under the price. @nline Christmas &hopping Tip G+> &hop &a#e

When ordering anything online, check product revie%s i# available. "l%ays shop secured %ebsites because you %ill be entering your credit card, or banking in#ormation, #or payment. 0ou don$t %ant your #inancial in#ormation accessed by anyone else, %hich is %hy all secured %ebsites let you kno% ho% they protect your data. @nline Christmas &hopping Tip G.> Wrap it up 6# you$re like most, there$s not a lot o# e3tra time around the holidays. 6# you need to save some time on %rapping, most online stores o##er a gi#t %rapping service #or a small #ee. "t some point during the ordering process, you may be asked i# you %ould like to add gi#t %rap or a name tag. 6t$s as easy as the click o# a button, %hich is much easier than trying to tie the per#ect bo%. @nline Christmas &hopping Tip G5> Check =elivery =ates When placing your order, check to make sure that the item is in stock or %ill be delivered in time #or Christmas. Many times, especially near the holidays, items %ill go on a backorder status. 6t$s not uncommon #or an advanced order item to have a delivery date o# <anuary, so be sure to check the status o# the items in your shopping cart, along %ith their e3pected delivery dates. 5ot only that, but it$s also a good idea to check on the company$s shipping policy and delivery time #or in1stock items. @nline Christmas &hopping Tip G8> Christmas Cards4 With all the stu## going on in =ecember it?s easy to #orget to send out Christmas cards to #amily and #riends. But i# you #orget to send traditional Christmas cards in time all is not lost. 6n #act, there are some great sites and services online that %ill send your christmas cards out #or you 'saving you precious time,. 0ou can #ind services that are both #ree and paid, and services that send both digital and tradition paper Christmas cards. Best place to shop online4 -ight here.

% $ays to !n*oy a +e' !n"land Christmas

What image does a 5e% ngland Christmas con!ure up in your mind4 " Currier and 6ves scenes o# a sno%1bound village %ith #estive decorationsS skating on a #roCen pondS or taking in an e3citing holiday sho% in Boston4 "nd i# you have kidsS no Christmas is complete %ithout a ride on the Aolar 3press E 5e% ngland style. :ere$s %here you can e3perience si3 holiday magic events this seasonS B-6B:T 56B:T& "T F@- &T A"-D

Billed as 5e% ngland$s single most popular holiday destination, 9Bright 5ights at Forest Aark; is entering its ninth season. 7ocated in the Forest Aark area o# do%nto%n &pring#ield, Western Massachusetts, it$s a %onderland o# marvelous displays such as this year$ lost in time display %here eight mammoth dinosaurs come to light along side an e3ploding volcano %ith #lo%ing lava. ntrance #ee is K(2 per car and the sho% begins on 5ovember 2+, 2//5 at 8>//pm and operates through <anuary (, 2//8.

C:-6&TM"& "T T: 5 WA@-T M"5&6@5& ach holiday season the 5e%port Mansions o# The lms, The Breakers, and Marble :ouse put on a stunning sho% o# spectacular evergreens, trees, thousands o# poinsettia plants, #resh #lo%ers and %reaths. The great entrances and hall%ays display magni#icently decorated trees. The dining tables are set %ith period silver and china, and manneFuins are dressed in authentic costumes. 0ou can see this stunning display o# seasonal decorations at these 5e%port Mansions yoursel# 5ovember (2 through to <anuary (, 2//8. 5 W 5B7"5= C:-6&TM"& "T @7= &TI-B-6=B O677"B Bet%een =ecember (, 2//5 and <anuary (, 2//5 @ld &turbridge Oillage in Massachusetts %ill be trans#ormed so you can e3perience a ()th century 5e% ngland Christmas. @ld &turbridge Oillage has al%ays been one o# my #avorite places to visit and discover about li#e in ()th century 5e% ngland. 5o% %ith the holiday season upon us, the village once again displays its ability to provide a discovery e3perience in a #un and entertaining %ay, and %ith a 5e% ngland Christmas #lavor. T: B@&T@5 C:-6&TM"& & "&@5 Whether you delight in taking in the seasonal #avorite o# Boston Ballet$s 9The 5utcracker; or soaking up 9glad tidings o# !oy; at &ymphony :all %ith the Boston Aops :oliday &eries, Boston kno%s ho% to celebrate the season %ith special sho%s and concerts. "nd o# course there$s al%ays the Candlelight Carol Concerts at Trinity Church in the Back Bay area, and the #amous 9First 5ight; celebration. The Boston Aops kicks o## on Friday, =ecember )th at *>//pm and continues through to their annual 5e% 0ear$s ve celebration on =ecember +(st at (/>(5pm. The Boston Ballet per#orms 9The 5utcracker; at The @pera :ouse, and the season starts on 5ovember 25th %ith per#ormances through =ecember +/th. A@7"- NA- && E C@55 CT6CIT &T07

The 5orth Aole 3press is a popular nighttime steam train ride %ith live readings o# Christmas stories, hot chocolate and cookies, sing1along, and holiday surprises. &pecial guest &anta Claus has a treat #or all children, and you$re guaranteed lots o# #un and lots o# e3tras. sse3 &team Train$s 5orth Aole 3press operates Fridays through &undays =ecember 2 through =ecember 2+, %ith special early trips on 5ovember 2512T. Tickets are sold at the sse3 Train &tation in sse3, Connecticut 1 call '*8/, T8T1/(/+ or toll #ree *// +TT1+)*T. 5 W 5B7"5= C:-6&TM"& T6M "T &"5T"$& O677"B Way up north is the village o# &anta. 0ou can visit him in the summer, and you can visit him in the #all, but the best to time visit him isS Christmastime! &anta$s Oillage is located in <e##erson, 5e% :ampshire 1 a spot deep in the White Mountains. &anta is preparing #or his %orld tour on Christmas ve, but you can take a peek #or a brie# time i# you hurry. The village opens #or the Christmas season on Friday 5ovember 25th #rom ((>//am to T>//pm. Then every &aturday #rom 5ovember 28th through =ecember (Tth #rom ((>//am to T>//pm, and every &unday #rom 5ovember 2Tth through =ecember (*th #rom ((>//am to 8>//pm. Make your 5e% ngland Christmas magical this year by e3periencing one or more o# these attractions. 6t is a#ter all the season to create un#orgettable memories.