If you’re going to Louisiana and wondering what to visit, you should definitely take Lafayette into account. The city is stunning when it comes to architecture and tourism. On top of that, there are plenty of various activities that you may take part both during summer as well as winter part of the year.
Sights to visit
You can expect to be amazed by number of attractive places of interest in Lafayette. Among others, you can find some time to pay visit to such places, as for example:
Girard Park,
Acadiana arts center,
Children’s Museum.
No matter what type of pastime activities you’re interested in, you can be sure that the city and the whole metropolitan area has a lot to offer both in terms of architecture and building history, and of course nightlife.
Events to take part in
The area is definitely worth visiting, especially because there is so much to do here. When you’ll be getting bored with various sights, try other entertainment, for instance various events, such as:
Cajun Heartland State Fair,
Movies in the Parc.
As you can see the city is abundant with various leisure time activities, so you can be entirely sure that no matter when you’ll be staying there, you’ll effortlessly find an appropriate place to spend time in. In fact, the number of annual visitors grows every year.
The more people come here the more locals pay attention to providing appropriate entertainment and of course various types of pastime activities, not to mention convenient accommodation.
Be sure that you don’t have to take a loan in order to come here, because local places of interests and hotels turn out to be truly affordable. However, if you want to take the maximum out of available entertainment, be aware that you’re going to spend a lot of time here in order to discover all opportunities. Come to Lafayette and find out what awaits you here! You’re going to be surprised with the abundant of attractive opportunities!
Lafayette travel and relax in most beautiful place in the world.
People have very different ideas about what the perfect holiday entails, depending on if they prefer an active break, one sat by the pool or something more culturally inspiring. Other factors such as the time of year, people going on the trip and other planned holidays will all impact how you view your perfect holiday each year.
We’ve put together 3 different options for this year’s holidays which are all very different but equally entertaining if it’s the kind of holiday you’re looking for.
Golf Holiday in Portugal
For golf enthusiasts, a golf holiday in a sunny climate will always be heaven. Given the issues the UK has with its weather, golfers have to scrape around for suitable times to get out on the course for a round. This isn’t an issue in Portugal, where the weather can be relied upon and you can relax and enjoy the golf. A Portugal golf holiday is also great for a family break as there is plenty to see and do in the area for those that don’t want to play golf. From beautiful beaches to thriving shopping scenes and the stunning scenery of places like the Algarve, this really is a fantastic place to keep the whole family entertained.
Volunteering in Nepal
Volunteering might not sound like everyone’s idea of a holiday, but if you want to do something while you’re away and offer something productive as well as personally rewarding then this is a great opportunity. Obviously it also requires someone with a little more time on their hands for their hols as these types of projects are often longer than a couple of weeks. Long term volunteering in Nepal is a great way to get fully immersed in the Nepalese culture, get to know the locals and also offer something to the local communities. All the while you’ll be living in stunning surroundings in the foothills of the Himalayas surrounded by incredible views and breathtaking scenery. Makes a change from sitting by the pool in Spain…
Staycation in the UK
The UK is a beautiful place in itself and often people travel all over the world without actually exploring what is on their doorstep. In these difficult economic times, ‘staycations’ are becoming ever more popular and its no surprise given the amount of great things there are to see and do here. Visit the amazing array of cities on offer, venture into the beautiful countryside or explore the history of a nation steeped in historical significance. Creating an affordable UK break is easy if you put your mind to it. Travelling in groups means you can find large accommodation for groups at better value and will also save on transport costs – it’ll also probably mean you’ll have more fun if you assemble a good group of friends! Don’t count the UK out, your perfect holiday could be right in front of you.
Let’s face it, roadtripping is an American summer pastime. Although it has become more of a luxury pastime in recent years with gas price hikes, the amount of cars on the road hasn’t decreased and solo travelers and families alike are still finding ways to prioritize trips across the US. We are also fans of the great American road trip and we find that we learn more about our country every time we venture out. With road trips being as popular as they are, it is important for motorists and passengers to note how important it is to support small community economies and environmental conservation efforts while they are tootling down the road. Here are seven ways to make your next road trip an epic one.
Take Back the Backroads
While sticking to the highways and main arteries of the nation during your road trip is a good way to save time and get where you’re going quickly, it isn’t always the most scenic or engaging way to see the country. By taking backroads and scenic byways across the country, you have the chance to see parts of the nation that few have seen. Roll down your window, breath in the clean air and contemplate how rare a joy it is to have a fellow motorist wave at you as you pass. Discovering memorable sites such as local parks, quirky museums, unexpected landmarks and diners that serve homemade pie is something that is guaranteed when you take backroads; and who doesn’t love stumbling across fresh baked pie?
Randomize
If you aren’t on a tight schedule, you can turn your mundane road trip into something epic by stopping at random sites along the way. Are you an artwork fan? Plan to stop at art galleries and public sculptures along the way. Love stumbling across a great restaurant? The chances of this dream coming true are much higher when you take time to investigate eateries. Have a pension for finding weird and wonderful things? Take a detour to see the largest pumpkin in the states; play a round of mini golf at a Flintstones theme park in the middle of the desert; drive through the middle of a redwood tree. Amazing and memorable things can happen when you mix things up and take the time to randomize your road trip.
Steer Clear of Starbucks
We know that consistency can be very comforting when traveling away from home; however, hunting for and sampling local coffee shops is one of the best ways to start each day of your road trip. Often, coffee shops, such as our local favorite Dripp, provide freshly roasted and ground coffee that is full of rich flavor that you won’t get from Starbucks. We have also discovered these places offer delectable treats like gooey cinnamon rolls, bear claws, morning glory muffins, smoothies and other morsels that will jumpstart your road trip mornings. Coffee shops are also great places to find insider information about a town: where to visit, how to get around, where to stay, etc.
Find Your Inner Ranger
One of the best reasons to take a road trip across the states is the added opportunity to visit one or more of the nation’s 59 parks. Whether it’s the humbling views of the Grand Canyon or the spectacular wildlife of Yellowstone or the majestic mountains of the Grand Tetons, taking a few hours to appreciate the glory of a national park will make your road trip truly epic.
B&B it Up
Even though commercialized hotels are easy to book, they aren’t guaranteed to be cleaner or cheaper options than local venues such as bed and breakfasts, homestays, hostels and even camping. What better way to see and experience the country than by staying in locally-owned lodges? With the robust internet of today, finding local places to stay is easier than ever. Companies like Airbnb, Couchsurfing.com, Hostelling International, Hostels.com, WWOOF, NightSwapping,and others are making it easier for travelers to find affordable local options for overnight excursions. For the outdoor enthusiast, camping might sound like the best alternative to staying in a hotel, and for those adventurers, there are sites like Reserve America, where road trippers can plan their route according to campground schedules.
Be a Culinary Explorer
We understand that eating adventurously is not the easiest activity for many roadtrippers. Fast food restaurants and chains offer the same menu across the 50 states and we get how convenient that can be. But, road trips are inherently adventurous and trying the local cuisine is all part of the experience. Don’t let fear stop you from grabbing a burger at the alien spaceship diner on the street corner. If you’ve been eating out all week and are craving the need to cook, seek out a farmer’s market or co-op for fruits, veggies, meats and other treats that were grown or raised nearby. This is a great way to get an inside look at a town.
Green Up Your Pit Stops
Last, turn your road trip into something of true epic proportions by fueling up with biodiesel or bioethanol instead of petrol. This is a project all in itself and requires converting your car into a biofuel burning machine (talk to your mechanic about how to do this). If this doesn’t sound like an experiment you want to tackle, you can still promote conservation by visiting the growing number of biofuel stations across the country. These stations still serve regular gasoline and they are often involved in community education and conservation projects. One of our all time favorite gas stations is called SeQuential in Eugene, Oregon. Apart from sandwiches that will blow your mind, this station offers fresh baked goodies, local beer, kombucha tea and other snacks. It also sports a green roof, solar power and bioswales that protect the local waterways from petrol runoff.
Another way to support conservation efforts is to book tours with companies that use biofuel in their own operations, such as Incredible Adventures, a company dedicated to the task of bringing visitors to national parks in an eco-friendly way.
While it’s good to protect your best and most expensive shoes by carrying them with you and changing when you need to walk in inclement weather, you can waterproof shoes of all materials in just a few minutes so they’re protected from rain and snow. This is especially important when the seasons change and spring arrives and when you spend hundreds of dollars on your shoes. After all, you want to protect that investment!
The way you waterproof your shoes will depend on the material. You use different treatments for suede, leather, vinyl, and other shoe materials and will also use different application methods. The easiest way to waterproof your shoes is to purchase a spray that is meant for the shoe material in particular and use that over all parts of your shoes, but even with this treatment method you need to use caution. Some sprays are very lightweight and don’t protect well and may not work for all the materials of shoes you have.
Wax-based polishes are good for waterproofing various forms of shoes as the wax provides a thin coating over the shoe material which repels water as well as dirt, salt, and mud. The wax also nourishes and moisturizes leather and vinyl materials so they’re less likely to crack. If you polish your shoes once per week with a wax-based polish you’ll be providing it with a waterproof coating at the same time.
Specialty waterproof compounds are made to provide a barrier against moisture but don’t give your shoes that shine that you’ll get with wax. These compounds are usually found in those sprays you purchase but the better the brand, the better the seal you’ll get. It’s often recommended that you use your waterproof compound and then a wax polish on top of that. Those that are sold in solid form will be thicker and provide a better seal for your shoes.
Before you use any type of waterproofing material on your shoes, you want to determine if the material will withstand the treatment without fading or changing the color. Choose a part of the shoe that won’t show such as the back of the heel and test just a part of it. Before you waterproof your shoes, clean them thoroughly with a brush or wet rag so you’re not waterproofing over dirt and mud. Make sure the shoe is completely dry.
It’s good to waterproof once a month during winter or any rainy season so you know your shoes are completely protected. Be sure you treat them everywhere, including along the sole and the stitching between the sole and body of the shoe, and the heel. This will keep your shoes dry and comfortable all season long.
San Francisco’s streets are so very drenched in culture that each year it attracts approximately 16 million visitors. Those iconic downhill dips and ramps of the long expansive roads, as Steve McQueen roars past to a melody of sirens, in a flashback to 1968′s groundbreaking chase movie, Bullitt. But what is it that can make a holiday there, especially for the more culture-hungry visitor? You’ll be glad to know that the Golden Gate city has much more to offer than what it displays on its foggy surface.
The City
San Francisco is a bijou yet picturesque city overlooking a stunning bay. The weather is cool and crisp, not great for people who prefer warmer climes; however microclimates mean that the east of the city is warmer than the west. This cultured and cosmopolitan city bears the echoes of some of America’s most exciting eras and movements. You can see – and ride in – cable cars, gliding serenely up Nob Hill, which opens onto the popular shopping Mecca of Union Square. This shopper’s paradise is a place where you can buy anything from exquisite antique china to a sheer t-shirt from a high street retailer.
The Bay
The San Francisco bay is spanned by one of the Modern Wonders of the world – the Golden Gate suspension bridge. Walking or cycling is the best way to visit, with reserved times for each throughout the day, but be aware that pedestrians are banned from the Pacific facing side of the bridge. You can also try a bus tour of San Francisco’s landmarks. Alcatraz also overlooks the bay and is a National Historic Landmark. This beautiful island, populated by charming wildlife, is home to the now abandoned Alcatraz prison; which became notorious due to its isolated location and desperate escape attempts, as well as hosting inmates from Al Capone to Robert Stroud. Entrance to the prison is free, but the ferry trip costs; however it includes a guided tour of the island with first person narration from former prisoners.
The Life
The City Lights Bookstore is a must see destination for literary tourists – and the main reason I’m going to San Francisco. City Lights have published books (including the Pocket Poets series) as well as selling literature. The company originally published Howl by Allen Ginsberg; the resulting obscenity trial revolutionised freedom of speech in the USA, enabling the publication of works hitherto deemed appallingly immoral. Nowadays, they put on a few readings a week and no holiday would be complete without attending one. It embodies the culture, passion and liberal politics that makes San Fran one of the best places to live in America. The Castro Fair is on every October, and well worth the trip by itself. If you have a further taste for culture, the Marrakech Magic Theater features a range of fantastic magic and comedy shows, complemented by a delicious menu and a selection of exotic cocktails.
No question about it – cruise ship vacations are fun. You will struggle to find someone who does not want to do a cruise at least once in their lifetime. What however puts some people off and can be a blot to an otherwise unforgettable time is the formality and strict procedure that characterizes the days on board.
Specific meal times go hand in hand with a specific table throughout the cruise. You have to dress for the occasion – no wandering into the dining area in slippers, shorts and a t-shirt. One of the largest cruise companies in the world, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) identified this inflexibility and decided to try out a new form of cruising where patrons were under no obligation to adhere to specific dining, accommodation and entertainment rules.
In a traditional cruise, what you pay for covers the major meals each at a specific time of the day. If you do not make it to the restaurant within meal times, you effectively forfeit the food you ticket paid for. In addition, each guest’s meals are limited to the same restaurant (even though there may be several other restaurants on board) and the same table throughout the cruise. Freestyle cruising on the other hand adopts a dine-as-you-please philosophy. You can eat anytime and in any restaurant on the ship.
In a conventional cruise, you must dress up for formal nights. There is no such rule in a freestyle cruise. You can be jeans and a t-shirt even if everyone else chooses to don a tuxedo or an evening dress. The third difference between traditional and freestyle cruising is in the variety of entertainment. Freestyle cruises will have multiple partying and clubbing spots with some open to guests throughout the day.
Whereas NCL have been the pioneers and the cruise line that is best associated with freestyle cruising, other shipping lines such as Princess Cruises are coming up with freestyle packages too.
Has travelling alone ever been in your bucket checklist? If sure, then discover your good vacation spot within the USA amongst the plethora of touristic locations it presents. Selecting the highest locations to journey solo appears to be tough, however we’ve bought you coated. Head out on your hassle-free enthralling journey to those 11 greatest locations to journey solo in USA:
Listing OF Greatest Locations To Journey Solo in USA
1: MIAMI, FLORIDA
Overlook your worry of travelling alone and got down to see among the finest cities to journey solo in USA. In your journey, you would possibly discover different solo travellers within the metropolis. The oh-so-lovely seashores of Miami let you have the most effective time of your life, all by your self. Get pleasure from these beautiful seaside hangouts all throughout the town:
Sightsee by way of combo tour packages, cruise on the Biscayne Bay, and revel in airboat and sea-plane rides over the town.
Get insights of the Cuban tradition and their delicacies on the Little Havana Meals and Strolling Tour in Miami.
Meet pleasant and playful Dolphins on the well-known Miami Seaquarium.
Behold superb Graffiti art work on a Golf Cart on the Artwork Basel Pageant on December weekends at Wynwood.
2: San Diego, California
This coastal metropolis is stuffed with enjoyable and frolic. The colourful and chirpy neighborhood, the attractive seashores, and the majestic pure panorama are a deal with to the eyes and coronary heart. When in San Diego, bask in these actions to raise your spirits: You may also prefer to learn 10 solo travel tips for beginners.
Extensively hike alongside Level Loma and sightsee whereas paragliding alongside the pink sandstone ravines on the Torrey Pines State Reserve.
Get tipsy & get pleasure from tasting new cuisines at San Diego’s vibrant neighborhood – Gaslamp Quarter.
Surf and sun-bathe at stunning seashores like Coronado and Mission Seaside.
See the ocean creatures on a ship/kayak on the La Jolla Cove, standing on the turquoise-coloured sea waters.
Go to the San Diego Maritime Museum together with whale-watching from the cruise.
Spot the rarest species like Pink Panda, Amur Leopards, and Californian condors on the San Diego Zoo.
3: San Francisco, California
The brilliant sunny metropolis is among the most secure cities for solo-travelling females. Benefit from the foggy mornings from hilltops and bay openings. The nice and cozy and welcoming locals all the time assist vacationers get comfy travelling safely within the metropolis. You possibly can go to these locations at San Francisco:
The Golden Gate Bridge at Marin Headlands is an ideal Instagram-worthy place with an internationally iconic background.
Tour the town by way of the pocket-friendly transports from Muni to the Bay Space Speedy Transport (BART).
Take a ferry experience to the very best safety jail of North America – Alcatraz Penitentiary at San Francisco.
Get pleasure from exploring the Asian Artwork Museum.
4: Washington D.C.
The capital metropolis of the US, named after its first President, George Washington, is among the most secure but spectacular metropolis to go to. Town’s tradition, heritage, and structure will hold you engaged all through. Even on this ultra-modern period, this metropolis retains its historic values in the most effective vogue. You possibly can go for an thrilling touring to those locations:
Go to the historic buildings just like the White Home, Washington Monument, and Congress Home, to call a number of.
See the Cherry blossoms in its full bloom on April from the Potomac Park and Tidal Basin.
On the Previous Put up Workplace Pavilion’s clock tower get an awe-struck night view of Washington’s cityscape. Additionally dine within the post-office pavilion, now refurbished as an opulent resort.
Science-geeks can get pleasure from an academic tour of the worldly innovations and creations on the Nationwide Geographic Museum.
5: BOULDER, COLORADO
For the out of doors thrill seekers, that is the proper vacation spot for you. Get pleasure from trekking, automotive experience or bike experience alongside the 45,000 acres open panorama. The awe-struck scenic magnificence will positive blow your thoughts. Positioned on the foot of the North American Rockies, it’s rightfully referred to as “the town nestled between the mountains and actuality”. Amongst a great deal of stuff obtainable, listed here are a spread of issues, you possibly can devour in:
Stroll down the traffic-free neighbourhood of Pearl Avenue and discover a good spot to eat alone.
Behold wealthy cultural heritage on the Museum of Boulder. You possibly can spend a fun-filled day trip at this place with out tad-bit bored.
Stroll round and purchase contemporary native harvest from the farmers on the Boulder’s Farmers Market. Open on Saturday mornings from April-November and Wednesday mornings from Could-October.
Hike to get picturesque views of the Rockies Mountains and Flatirons pink sandstones.
6: NEW YORK
The uber-chic atmosphere coupled with a wide range of enjoyable actions will revive your mundane life. Travelling solo and assembly totally different folks within the busy metropolitan will enhance your spirit and confidence. When in New York, head out to those locations to have an satisfying time alone:
Cruise from Manhattan to see the Statue of Liberty and the cityscape on each side.
Discover a new delicacies and revel in a delicious meal or get drunk on the bars and eating places.
Get pleasure from a pleasant metropolis tour wandering across the metropolis on bike or double-decker buses.
Behold the fantastic thing about trendy artwork on the Museum of Fashionable Artwork and discover intricate sculptures and work on the Frisk Assortment.
Get pleasure from on the Rockaways seaside viewing the sundown and dipping your toes within the cool sea waters.
7: SANTA FE, New Mexico
The second oldest metropolis of the US, with its Pueblo-style Spanish architectural heritage, is a must-visit for solo travellers. Even in case you aren’t an artwork lover, you’ll nonetheless be mesmerised by the even mixing of historical past with the quirky trendy tradition. You possibly can got down to discover a spread of issues on the capital of Mexico:
With over 80 artwork galleries within the Canyon Street, your boring day will come to life with a wide range of artworks.
Stroll across the Pecos Nationwide Park – ruins of the traditional Pecos Pueblo settlers, virtually a millennium outdated.
Journey on an enigmatic psychedelic expertise on the Meow Wolf Artwork Museum, visualising the summary gentle and artwork reveals.
Journey again to the 1800s, gown up in historic Mexican type and have a gala time on the Ranch of Swallows
8: MOAB, UTAH
For solo travellers looking for a good place full of outside actions, this small and desolate metropolis is a gem. The thrilling actions amidst the guts of the scenic pure panorama are an ideal deal with for self. Amongst an entire lot of issues to do, listed here are a number of enjoyable stuff so that you can get pleasure from in Moab:
Raft within the waters of the Colorado River viewing the enthralling pink sandstone rock canyons and benefit from the picturesque scenic view in your method.
Have a topsy-turvy enjoyable drive alongside the extraordinarily rugged terrain on the Hell’s Revenge 4*4 path.
Hike or climb on the Canyonlands Nationwide Park to see the pure arches, mesas, and buttes from the highest.
Camp with the breath-taking view of the scenic panorama, 600 metres above Colorado River on the Lifeless Horse Park State Park.
9: LAS VEGAS
If you’re on the lookout for a mind-freshening guilt-free journey then Vegas is your greatest place-to-be. Splurge into an all-luxurious solo journey to this high-spirited metropolis within the US. It has made it to the highest 11 locations to journey solo in USA for all the correct causes.
Free your fears and skydive on the coronary heart of the Grand Canyon viewing the astonishing panorama.
Sip on champagne on a scorching air balloon experience exploring the town from the highest.
Gamble and occasion all evening on the 24-hours open casinos and themed bars of the well-known Fremont Avenue.
E-book an evening city-tour to discover Bellagio’s dancing fountains and the artificially erupting volcanoes on the Mirage.
10: MAUI, HAWAII
Go to this tropical island at Hawai named because the sixth greatest journey vacation spot on the planet. The plush greenery throughout amidst the volcanic panorama is a spot for a surreal expertise. Set out for a pleasant journey right here having fun with at:
Haleakala Nationwide Park
Watch a fascinating dawn at Haleakala Nationwide Park, positioned above a dormant volcanic crater.
Get pleasure from an exhilarating and scenic tour of the Maui’s forest on a zipper line.
Go to the Maui Ocean Centre to have a style of the brilliant marine lifetime of Hawaii indoors.
Solar-bathe, snorkel, and usher in these tan traces at Napili and Wailea seashores and Waianapanapa State Park.
11: MICHIGAN
On the lookout for a has-it-all vacation spot? From all-natural scenic wonders to enjoyable and thrilling leisure areas, Michigan presents all of it. If you’re planning to journey solo to Michigan, then you definately ought to go to these locations:
Mackinac Islands
On the Mackinac Islands go for the Nice Turtle Kayak Tour or a city-wide carriage tour of the cultural panorama.
See the wind mills, bloomed tulips, museums of Holland and Kruizenza, and revel in Dutch tradition at Holland.
Tour the Sleeping Bear Lakeshore Heritage Path, kayak on Platte River and Loon Lake. Spend time on the Glen Haven village.
Behold the picturesque pure surroundings at Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore. Take pleasure in out of doors enjoyable by the Lake Superior.
Worrying in regards to the security of your pet whilst you journey? The professionals at Michigan’s Canine Watch centre will customise their pet-keeping companies suiting your wants and your canine’s wellbeing. Additionally, take a look at our information on Michigan Dog-Friendly Beaches.
Select your favorite vacation spot from the checklist. E-book your tickets, pack your rucksack, and got down to any of those greatest locations to Journey Solo in USA. I’m positive that it’ll be among the finest selections you’ll ever make and the expertise of a lifetime.
If your product or service can be given as a gift, a publicity windfall awaits at the end of the year – but you need to start working in June. Each December, media outlets cover the newest,the hottest and the most unusual Holiday gifts. The reporters assigned to develop these pieces typically depend on two sources of information:
1. Phone interviews with local store owners
– and –
2. Press materials that have been sent by publicity seekers.
Let’s deal with Point 1. Here’s a cool trick: In early November, write a letter to stores and major websites that carry your product. Remind them that they may be hearing from journalists soon about hot gift ideas, and request that they consider mentioning your product when that happens. Point out afew reasons why your product is the newest, coolest, best or whatever. Ask the vendor to drop you an e-mail or give you acall if a story results that mentions your product.
Now, on to old-fashioned publicity. When to contact the media depends on the publication or program’s lead time (how far in advance of publication or airing the material is developed). Magazines like Woman’s Day have a lead time up to six months, so get materials to them now. Newspapers have a lead time as short as a week for feature material, so send materials in November. In between are wire services, medium-lead magazines, “in-flight”magazines and others. To learn the lead time of a particular media outlet, call the editorial department. If that doesn’t work, try the advertising department.
What you send should be kept simple — a press release about your product/service, a pitch letter explaining why it’s such a great gift idea, and, if applicable, a disk with color product photos.See our articles “How to Write a Great Pitch Letter” for more details.
As you craft the materials, think about where your product/service fits. Based on its nature, cost, rarity or usefulness, it may work with a variety of typical Christmas Gift stories such as: Great Stocking Stuffer Ideas, Gifts for Teenagers, Gifts for the Person Who Has It All, Gifts for Executives, Gifts that Relax, etc. By suggesting a category for your product, rather than simply stating “Here’s a product that would make a nice holiday gift”, you’re making yourself stand out– and maybe even giving the journalist an idea for a story angle that he or she wouldn’t have thought about otherwise. Either way, your chances of getting coverage are greatly improved.
The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying season has shifted into high gear. Remain calm and prepare yourself for the most jam-packed month in the calendar year. There are a small percentage of you who may actually have completed your to-do list long before everyone else. (If this is you, then kick back and relax.) The rest of you needn’t despair! Just read on for the essential steps in holiday preparation. The key to preparing yourself for all the craziness is a well thought out plan. Believe it or not, the simple act of putting it down on paper can give you some peace. I am not sure why seeing my obligations and tasks in black and white are more calming than letting them race through my mind, but it really works.
During December, the holiday plan that I depend on is divided into four separate sections or categories. They are:
– Cards
– Gifts
– Social/Community Obligations
– Decorating
(Keep an extra copy of your gift list in the car, because you never know where your daily travels will take you.)
Holiday Cards
This year, if you have not already, transfer all of your names and addresses from your address book to a word processing file so you can easily print labels. My recommendation is to use clear labels, because they go with any choice of envelope color. Tip: if you are mailing over-sized envelopes, go to the post office early to have a sample weighed so you can purchase the necessary postage. (Don’t forget about adding those new friends and purging the ones that drive you crazy. I especially like to purge those who can only talk about themselves and their stuff, how boring!!)
Presents, presents, and more presents
Make a list of all the people that are going to be the recipients of your hard work. To minimize some effort, consider different options. If individuals are in the same household, consider a group gift. If you have children to buy for and their parents don’t have any suggestions (because Tommy and Susie have every possible toy out there), offer to pay for a special activity or a couple of lessons of their choice. Last year my parents picked up riding lessons for our daughter and it was a great gift for all. Our daughter loved it, my husband did not have to open his wallet, and I did not have house more “stuff”.
Social and Community Obligations
‘Tis the season to be merry and party ? but my suggestion is not to overdo it. Our daily routines are so overscheduled anyway that the extra commitments can make it difficult to juggle everything. Attend the parties and social gatherings that are truly important to you and politely decline the rest. (Sorry, but this does not apply to family functions!). The season is too short and busy to spend an evening watching the clock.
Community or charitable contributions are important during the holiday season. There are many people in your community that are less fortunate, so as a family or as an individual make some extra time for those in need. There are many local organizations that would be happy to guide you as to what is needed. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for people to make a difference and experience the true holiday spirit.
Indoor/Outdoor Decorating
Last, but not least, make two separate plans for attacking decorating: one for indoors and the other for outdoors; and remember this does not need to be accomplished in one day. My husband and I allow significant downtime between the two tasks. Decorating should be a fun family event and if you get stressed out and exhausted the enjoyment will disappear.
Pick a theme for your outdoor display: all out, Clark Griswold-style or a more elegant approach, such as a simple wreath with a spotlight on your front door. Anything goes, so make it a reflection of how you and your family celebrate the holidays. Have fun with the indoor decorating and remember to take a quick inventory of what you have so there is no duplication. Light a fire and put on your favorite CD and let the decorating begin.
Good luck, relax, check those lists twice and remember what the season is really about.
Whether you are looking for an affordable way to celebrate your anniversary or just want to give your partner a romantic experience, a staycation special dinner is a good option. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars because with creativity, you and your partner can have that romantic getaway feel on your own backyard. There are many things you can do to make it extra special.
A romantic staycation is never complete without a candlelight dinner. Candles have a great way of setting a mood. Maybe it is our primitive fire loving natures or perhaps it is the nice scents of some of the more expensive candles. Whatever it may be, make sure you don’t set the house on fire. Be safe, but the more candles the better.
If both of you are at home, consider preparing the food together. Even if only one of you has culinary skills, preparing the ingredients is a fun way to enjoy each other’s company. It also ensures you finish preparing the food faster. Cook foods that you enjoyed on your previous vacation, especially those that you had on your trip abroad. Eating a delicious foreign cuisine will make you feel that you are in some other places in the world. Otherwise, if you have not been abroad, then try cooking local dishes from where your partner or their family is from. Old family recipes are a great treasure trove of bringing up cultural fun and interesting conversations. Make sure you’ve done your research before because you might need special ingredients that you don’t have readily available in the pantry.
The romantic candlelight dinner is just the icing of the cake. It is the time you spend together while preparing the dinner that make your staycation extra special. There is no need to do things perfectly; the important thing is you are able to share laughter and light-hearted conversation. It will strengthen your bond, and serve as a reminder of why you adore each other.
Pro-tip: If you are feeling very adventurous…try to do all of this outdoors.
If you try to set up an outdoor candlelight ambiance you will really impress your partner. Weather permitting, you could take old blankets and set up a bedouin tent scene. Even if you’ve ordered in take out it will seem so amazing because of the ambiance. WORD OF WARNING: Do NOT set the house on fire! Make sure if you are setting up the blankets that you are not at risk of setting them ablaze. It’s best to have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher ready. Use your brain, that’s why it’s a pro-tip.
