May I suggest that your time would be worth more than you think.
Check out your local rec center for a class schedule, maybe the community college arts center for affordable shows.
I think you'd be surprised how many people prefer to receive cash for the holidays. I know that a number of my friends prefer it, especially with the economy in the shape it's in, and I even put a cash fund on my online christmas list on myregistry.com so I'm definitely hoping to receive a few cash gifts this year.
Donating in someone's name is a great idea. My caveat is that the charity should be a favorite of the recipient and not the gift-giver; otherwise the "gift" is for the giver in the guise of being charitable.
A twist on this idea (not my own but I'll pass it along) is a charity exchange rather than a gift exchange: everyone donates a certain amount (either a standard amount or whatever the person would like to give) and submits the name of a favorite charity. A drawing is held to determine the winner and gifts are given to the charity winner. Just a fun and easy way to celebrate the holidays without the hassle.
For the person who has everything? How about a donation to a charity in their name? Donation gift certificates can make a huge impact in the lives of more than just the giver and receiver.
There are lots of charities out there, I would suggest Forgotten Voices International, they provide care for AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe and Zambia - two places where a few dollars go a loooong way. For instance, $15 will send a child (orphan or child at risk of being orphaned) to school for the entire academic year in Zimbabwe. That's a gift worth giving in my opinion!
I like the idea about giving them something that enables them to turn a hobby or interest into a business, there's lots of great tools out there to do that nowadays.
I'll add another gift suggestion to your list that is sure to be remembered by both parties - a donation gift certificate. Give a donation to a worthy cause in someone's name and make an impact with your gift by changing a life.
There are countless worthy causes out there to choose from. One I would suggest is Forgotten Voices International - a nonprofit organization that provides and cares for AIDS orphans in Africa. A small donation goes a long way in Zambia - if you feel inclined please check it out:
I think it is a cheaper version of a beer. Hops are a preservative. If they didn't have any, it would turn sooner. As to how soon, I can not tell. Being open to the air gives access to other things then yeast. That could have contributed to the spoilage. They would have been better off bottling it and making a malt wine. With the conditions they used, it would have large amounts of contamination, though. If you used it to distill on the 3rd or 4th day, it would be ok. If you read accounts of beer making in the last 20-30 years, you will see a change. Not just a simple beer, but flavour. Cleanliness is stressed at EVERY level.
My cousin was a NYC firefighter who was a first responder to the 9/11 tragedies. He has contracted a rare form of leukemia and is dying. He needs a bone marrow transplant.
My Christmas gift to possibly him, and obviously to someone, was to sign up to donate bone marrow.
I think its the best gift I can give to someone.
Anyone interested can contact me for more information--I won't post links or anything here because I am not into the shameless promotion of anything.
It is a simple process however. Easier than you might think.
I have a box just for 'What IS this piece of metal/plastic that may be important?' Too often I've thrown out unidentified items only to find that they belonged to something I need! Such as the needle for my blood pressure cuff after a family member dismantled it and I found it on the floor...
I always turst www.followsale.com, where I can buy any gift. The expensive watch,the unique gadget, and the cheap hat and glove set.
I do not believe one person can have everything. He or she still needs something.
Thank you for your sharing.
My grandmother used to make me ketchup soup. It's a bowl of hot water and you put ketchup in it and stir. She used to take me to the Horn and Hardart in Manhattan - it was the old automat - and we'd buy a bowl of hot water (I think it cost a nickel) and then take the ketchup that was on the table (for free) and made "soup". This was in the early/mid 60s. We weren't the only ones doing this, obviously, which is why they sold the bowls of hot water.
Now that I think about it, she also put ketchup on pasta, which I liked.
We always cut mold off cheese, bread and other stuff too. No big deal unless it was totally moldy. My mother also told me the "pennicillin" excuse too.
Give the gift of clothing that will last. But it's best to use a company that allows returns with a full refund (not just for credit) and don't pay for shipping or return shipping.
Sounds impossible. But Ogie Kanogie does that and more.
Their line of floor length sweater coats, winter coats, mini dresses, long sleeve dresses, hoodie tops and mens coats are all machine washable, beautiful, fun and dramatic. Tops start at just $45--with free shipping both ways.
Ogie Kanogie is doing everything to maintain good old fashioned customer service and quality products in these tough economic times.
If he doesn't like guns, dremmels, slippers, and such then you can always give him a book of coupons involving acts like a day free from nagging, doing chores for him, and such. I got that for a gift one year and since my wife actually did what was on the coupons. it really was a great gift.
Just follow this link to boardgamegeek.com, they have a simple tweak for a 2-player setup, with all the game-play rules staying the same. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/48838
For some guys this might work but not me. Of all the thing on this list the Raedy Wrench is the only thing I would possibly want. I am not interested in guns, knives and camping equipment. I will admit I am a geek in knowing raw coding in several computer languages but I will stay far away from the LED Headlamp. I can see where it could be handy but not for me. I don't want to look like a dork too. And isn't the point of portable computing to be able to get away from carrying all the extras? Why have a mouse, an external keyboard and a portable printer just take the desktop with you and run it with a AC/DC converter in the car. I would never recommend anyone buy a cell phone as a gift as this requires the receipent to pay monthly fees.
If you want these things, good for you but not me. Give me gift cards so I can buy what I really want.
I was talking to some prohibition era guys and they mentioned they would mix malt, 5 pounds of sugar, and yeast in 5 gallons of water in a tub and just cover it with cheesecloth to keep trash out. In 3 days they'd cut through the solid trash at the top and siphon off the liquid, being careful not to draw from the bottom. They said the alcohol would be between 14-18%. The problem being that since it wasn't cooked that it would spoil in a days time so they'd 'brew' up a batch starting on Wed. to have for Saturday nights. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else. Does anyone have any experience in doing this. Does it sound practical to do it this way. How would it taste?
I've successfully used MagicJack for a year now. Here are some tips:
1. Buy from Radio Shack so you can return it if you don't like it.
2. Use on a computer that has a wired internet connection if possible. (Mine works fine however on my wireless connected laptop).
3. Do not engage in processor-heavy usage on the computer while on the phone (depends on the computer, but playing a game or having multiple applications open can affect the call quality/connection).
4. Expect to have to re-start the application occasionally as it may glitch from time-to-time. Does not typically drop connected calls however.
5. Expect to have to re-call occasionally as the initial call can sometimes less-than-stellar quality at one end (usually the other end, when this happens).
6. Go to the MagicJack Forums to learn how to install it on your computer without using the dongle: This will enable using MagicJack without the dongle BUT will require a computer headset instead of using a regular phone. Carry your headset with you and you can make calls wherever you have wifi!! Or carry the dongle and a phone...
7. Try out Google first or at the same time to see if it meets your needs, though I'm sure Google is collecting a lot more data on you and your internet usage than MagicJack ever will...
8. Check out the very inexpensive international calling rates, AND the new provision to get those same rates on your cell phone!!(Program allows a second phone line for the same rates).
9. Use the Contacts Directory provided with the interface, and notice that when you change computers the directory of your contacts will follow you - very handy, as I have worked from home and office computers using MagicJack for international calling.
10. See the following sites for having some hacking fun with Magic Jack (e.g. using with Skype or running it as a service etc.): http://magicjackhacks.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.magicjacksupport.com/
10. Have fun with it - I once called a foreign radio station and made an on-air request for a song...which I subsequently listened to over their internet streaming radio link!!
great blogs, and great ideas! love it!
relax at themall? sounds like an oxymoron! I like the first idea, REST!
What exactly is a "wrap and mat"?
Great ideas!
I like the "give charity" idea. Its a good idea for the one who has everything.
I prefer to use Camtasia for screencasts but it is costly. Snagit is a solid option.
Just read on Twitter that Think Geek has the code TAUNTAUN20 to take $20 off your Tauntaun order today (12/22). ;)
May I suggest that your time would be worth more than you think.
Check out your local rec center for a class schedule, maybe the community college arts center for affordable shows.
come see what i found about getting rid of pimples theres so much info here on how to rid pimples
I think you'd be surprised how many people prefer to receive cash for the holidays. I know that a number of my friends prefer it, especially with the economy in the shape it's in, and I even put a cash fund on my online christmas list on myregistry.com so I'm definitely hoping to receive a few cash gifts this year.
Donating in someone's name is a great idea. My caveat is that the charity should be a favorite of the recipient and not the gift-giver; otherwise the "gift" is for the giver in the guise of being charitable.
A twist on this idea (not my own but I'll pass it along) is a charity exchange rather than a gift exchange: everyone donates a certain amount (either a standard amount or whatever the person would like to give) and submits the name of a favorite charity. A drawing is held to determine the winner and gifts are given to the charity winner. Just a fun and easy way to celebrate the holidays without the hassle.
For the person who has everything? How about a donation to a charity in their name? Donation gift certificates can make a huge impact in the lives of more than just the giver and receiver.
There are lots of charities out there, I would suggest Forgotten Voices International, they provide care for AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe and Zambia - two places where a few dollars go a loooong way. For instance, $15 will send a child (orphan or child at risk of being orphaned) to school for the entire academic year in Zimbabwe. That's a gift worth giving in my opinion!
For anyone interested here's the link:
http://www.forgottenvoices.org/2/index.php?option=com_content&view=artic...
Happy holidays!
I like the idea about giving them something that enables them to turn a hobby or interest into a business, there's lots of great tools out there to do that nowadays.
I'll add another gift suggestion to your list that is sure to be remembered by both parties - a donation gift certificate. Give a donation to a worthy cause in someone's name and make an impact with your gift by changing a life.
There are countless worthy causes out there to choose from. One I would suggest is Forgotten Voices International - a nonprofit organization that provides and cares for AIDS orphans in Africa. A small donation goes a long way in Zambia - if you feel inclined please check it out:
http://forgottenvoices.org/2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&i...
Happy holidays!
I think it is a cheaper version of a beer. Hops are a preservative. If they didn't have any, it would turn sooner. As to how soon, I can not tell. Being open to the air gives access to other things then yeast. That could have contributed to the spoilage. They would have been better off bottling it and making a malt wine. With the conditions they used, it would have large amounts of contamination, though. If you used it to distill on the 3rd or 4th day, it would be ok. If you read accounts of beer making in the last 20-30 years, you will see a change. Not just a simple beer, but flavour. Cleanliness is stressed at EVERY level.
My cousin was a NYC firefighter who was a first responder to the 9/11 tragedies. He has contracted a rare form of leukemia and is dying. He needs a bone marrow transplant.
My Christmas gift to possibly him, and obviously to someone, was to sign up to donate bone marrow.
I think its the best gift I can give to someone.
Anyone interested can contact me for more information--I won't post links or anything here because I am not into the shameless promotion of anything.
It is a simple process however. Easier than you might think.
I have a box just for 'What IS this piece of metal/plastic that may be important?' Too often I've thrown out unidentified items only to find that they belonged to something I need! Such as the needle for my blood pressure cuff after a family member dismantled it and I found it on the floor...
I always turst www.followsale.com, where I can buy any gift. The expensive watch,the unique gadget, and the cheap hat and glove set.
I do not believe one person can have everything. He or she still needs something.
Thank you for your sharing.
My grandmother used to make me ketchup soup. It's a bowl of hot water and you put ketchup in it and stir. She used to take me to the Horn and Hardart in Manhattan - it was the old automat - and we'd buy a bowl of hot water (I think it cost a nickel) and then take the ketchup that was on the table (for free) and made "soup". This was in the early/mid 60s. We weren't the only ones doing this, obviously, which is why they sold the bowls of hot water.
Now that I think about it, she also put ketchup on pasta, which I liked.
We always cut mold off cheese, bread and other stuff too. No big deal unless it was totally moldy. My mother also told me the "pennicillin" excuse too.
Give the gift of clothing that will last. But it's best to use a company that allows returns with a full refund (not just for credit) and don't pay for shipping or return shipping.
Sounds impossible. But Ogie Kanogie does that and more.
Their line of floor length sweater coats, winter coats, mini dresses, long sleeve dresses, hoodie tops and mens coats are all machine washable, beautiful, fun and dramatic. Tops start at just $45--with free shipping both ways.
Ogie Kanogie is doing everything to maintain good old fashioned customer service and quality products in these tough economic times.
If he doesn't like guns, dremmels, slippers, and such then you can always give him a book of coupons involving acts like a day free from nagging, doing chores for him, and such. I got that for a gift one year and since my wife actually did what was on the coupons. it really was a great gift.
Oh I would love an ice cream maker!!
Just follow this link to boardgamegeek.com, they have a simple tweak for a 2-player setup, with all the game-play rules staying the same.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/48838
For some guys this might work but not me. Of all the thing on this list the Raedy Wrench is the only thing I would possibly want. I am not interested in guns, knives and camping equipment. I will admit I am a geek in knowing raw coding in several computer languages but I will stay far away from the LED Headlamp. I can see where it could be handy but not for me. I don't want to look like a dork too. And isn't the point of portable computing to be able to get away from carrying all the extras? Why have a mouse, an external keyboard and a portable printer just take the desktop with you and run it with a AC/DC converter in the car. I would never recommend anyone buy a cell phone as a gift as this requires the receipent to pay monthly fees.
If you want these things, good for you but not me. Give me gift cards so I can buy what I really want.
I agree that real surprises have the greatest impact, and cost has nothing to do with it.
John DeFlumeri Jr
I was talking to some prohibition era guys and they mentioned they would mix malt, 5 pounds of sugar, and yeast in 5 gallons of water in a tub and just cover it with cheesecloth to keep trash out. In 3 days they'd cut through the solid trash at the top and siphon off the liquid, being careful not to draw from the bottom. They said the alcohol would be between 14-18%. The problem being that since it wasn't cooked that it would spoil in a days time so they'd 'brew' up a batch starting on Wed. to have for Saturday nights. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else. Does anyone have any experience in doing this. Does it sound practical to do it this way. How would it taste?
I've successfully used MagicJack for a year now. Here are some tips:
1. Buy from Radio Shack so you can return it if you don't like it.
2. Use on a computer that has a wired internet connection if possible. (Mine works fine however on my wireless connected laptop).
3. Do not engage in processor-heavy usage on the computer while on the phone (depends on the computer, but playing a game or having multiple applications open can affect the call quality/connection).
4. Expect to have to re-start the application occasionally as it may glitch from time-to-time. Does not typically drop connected calls however.
5. Expect to have to re-call occasionally as the initial call can sometimes less-than-stellar quality at one end (usually the other end, when this happens).
6. Go to the MagicJack Forums to learn how to install it on your computer without using the dongle: This will enable using MagicJack without the dongle BUT will require a computer headset instead of using a regular phone. Carry your headset with you and you can make calls wherever you have wifi!! Or carry the dongle and a phone...
7. Try out Google first or at the same time to see if it meets your needs, though I'm sure Google is collecting a lot more data on you and your internet usage than MagicJack ever will...
8. Check out the very inexpensive international calling rates, AND the new provision to get those same rates on your cell phone!!(Program allows a second phone line for the same rates).
9. Use the Contacts Directory provided with the interface, and notice that when you change computers the directory of your contacts will follow you - very handy, as I have worked from home and office computers using MagicJack for international calling.
10. See the following sites for having some hacking fun with Magic Jack (e.g. using with Skype or running it as a service etc.):
http://magicjackhacks.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.magicjacksupport.com/
10. Have fun with it - I once called a foreign radio station and made an on-air request for a song...which I subsequently listened to over their internet streaming radio link!!