Ten Hot Gift items for Christmas

Do you know whats hot this Holiday season? Well, here is your chance to find out.

• TMX Elmo ( Fisher Price: $39.99) – A technologically improved version of the 1996 sensation. Laughing harder and beating the floor in hysterics, this Elmo goes a step further than its predecessor.

• Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses (Mattel, $24.99)- Barbie as princess Genevieve in the animated film version was a hit among children. Naturally, this group of dolls is on every child's wish list this Christmas.

• Sony Playstation 3 ($499 for core model, various retailers)- Making its debut on November 17, it will have 20 game titles, most of which are available at $60 or even less. A free online service has also been started for the same.

• Wolford Velvete de Luxe Legging ($38 at Neiman Marcus and other upscale stores and boutiques)-Available in Black only, this latest craze about town is an improved and graduated version of stretch pants.

• Gap Skinny Fit Black Jeans ($58) – A hip item among teenage girls, these jeans are truly an exciting purchase.

• Cole Haan Village Weave Small Totes and Leather Handbags ($425 at Saks and others)

• Victoria Secret Flannel Pajama Gift Set ($49.50) – This pajama gift set includes a tank top as well. Available in a large variety of colors within $60 makes this a wonderful and easily affordable gift item.

• Digital Lifestyle Outfitters Black Action Jacket for iPod ($29.99 at Circuit City)- Having an iPod is akin to making a fashion statement and accessories enhance the look creating a sensation.

• HP Photosmart R967 ($349.99 from Hewlett-Packard; before rebate)- This coveted camera offers a wonderful slimming feature which will save you from looking 10 pounds heavier.

• Gift Cards and Ecards
  

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Christmas vacation ideas: warmer territories

The resplendent glow of the mellow December sun, a starry night and the gentle murmuring gale, days packed with loads of fun, liberal ease and relaxation on the long sandy beaches- all this and more awaits those who plan to visit Hawaii, Jamaica, Bahamas or Mexico this Christmas.

Hawaii- A favorite destination for tourists wanting to get away from the intense cold during winter, Hawaii offers a glimpse of unscathed tropical beauty. Maui, a lovely island with its pristine beaches, waterfalls and rich cultural heritage, Hana Highway, Halekala national park, Oheo Gulch, Wailua Falls, Hamoa Beach, etc; Oahu and Big Island are some of the major attractions. Oahu is where Santa takes his first break walking barefoot on the Waikiki beach. The light displays in Honolulu and the musical concerts at Oahu all extends for over a month beginning from the Kawaiahao Church service, the lighting of the 63 foot Norfolk Pine and an electric parade cum concert on December 3. It is a place brimming with the festive spirit throughout the year. The Big Island festival in November is quite a tourist absorber as well.
Scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, fishing, sailing and other countless activities in the cerulean waters attract all and sundry. Alongside, listening to the native version of “12 days of Christmas” and “Here comes Santa in a Red canoe” is like taking a journey back in time on this paradisal landscape. Here's wishing you all, 'Mele Kalikimaka' or Merry Christmas.
For vacation packages, check out:
http://www.gohawaii.com/

http://www.hawaiipackage.com/

http://www.hawaii.com/

http://www.hawaiitravelbureau.com/

Bahamas- The intoxicating beauty of the exotic Bahamas beckons us. The Junkanoo festival celebrated here on 26th December where thousands of natives dressed up as God like sculptures dance to the loud and energetic music is a marvelous sight.
Miles of lonely beaches and unexplored caves offer excellent opportunity for lazing around.The mouthwatering seafood, small resorts as well as mega ones with its fabulous nightlife and exuberant dance performances leave you gasping for more. For this magical experience, peep into:
http://travour.com/christmas-celebrations/christmas-vacation-destinations/us/bahamas.html

http://www.bahamatravelnet.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Packages-g147414-Vacation-Package-Discount-Bahamas.html

Jamaica- A place which has never seen snow but where Christmas happens to be the most festive time of the year. The two main tourist resorts here are Negril and Montego Bay. The Grand Market, a community fair and Jonkonnu, a parade having its roots in Africa are two of the most popular occurrences for revellers. The warm ocean breeze, the sweet scent of sugarcane in its plume, the fertile vegetation and luxurious flora and fauna meliorate its unparalleled beauty.
The ever popular Christmas fruit cake made from mixed fruits marinaded in wine and the Jamaican Christmas feast of rice, gungo peas, roast chicken or duck, curried goat, ham and roasted beef makes me want to catch the next flight and reach there right now. What about you all?
For more information, take a look here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g147309-Jamaica-Hotel-Deals.html

http://www.jamaica-travel-vacation.com/

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/130/country_guide/Caribbean/Jamaica.html

Mexico- Visit the comely beaches, colonial cities, national parks, mountains and forests of this wonderful landscape and Oaxaca as well for a rejuvenating experience. It is any shopper's paradise as indigenous markets offer a wide variety of colorful jewelery and handicrafts. Parashuting, jet skiing as well as scuba diving are other relaxation techniques. However, what beats all is the evening entertainment at the beautifully decorated hotels and the numerous fiestas taking place during Christmas. So sit back and let the show begin.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/north-america/mexico/

http://www.si-mexico.com/

http://www.go2mexico.com/

Xmas Gift Ideas for Keep Fit Fanatics

I have come up with a few ideas to get the ball rolling. There is such a host of products costing from a few pennies to hundreds of dollars that I cannot hope to do more than scratch the surface in this short article. Holidays are the time to actually make merry, but not to mention the party and festivities does add to the waistline ...Here are some great ideas for Xmas that would add to all the holiday mood and yet help you to keep fit.

His & Her Prezzies:

A Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Sand Pearl) that tracks calories, percentage of fat burned, works out body mass index, establishes personal target heart rate zones and can transfer online exercise data. Oops forgot to say it’s also water resistant to 30 metres!

A gift voucher for a neck, back or shoulder massage, better still all three or how about a reflexology session.

A very special duffel bag or backpack, Stella McCartney has a great design that any sports woman will love.

Line dancing classes for togetherness.

Designer Sunglasses especially for sports people.

Specially designed clothing for his or her favorite exercise or sport routines.

One of these Exercise Aids might trigger an ideal present idea. -Ankle, Thigh or Arm Weights, Barbell or Dumbbell Sets, an Exercise Ball, a Forearm or Wrist strengthener, Exercise mats, Books and DVDs on Exercise Routines, Yoga or Martial Arts, a Skipping Rope, a heart monitor Etc., Etc.

For Him:

A Weight Lifting Belt, a must for helping or preventing back pain during a work out. Step & Step and Distance Pedometer, an electric infrared hand held massager, assorted after shower essentials and luxuries.

For Her:

Lots of fashionable work out clothes for the Gym! Shower gels, Hair Lotions, a Japanese Bath brush, Bath Salts that ease Aches and Pains, Makeup Tools and Accessories to bring some added excitement to your lives give her some sessions at a Pole Dancing class, that should keep you both fit!

Finally for a joint present, what about a Wall Clock clock to time your at home workouts? You can find them with an amusing face featuring your favorite sport or exercise.

Hope this helps to give you some ideas to help you have a very happy and fit Xmas.

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Funky Christmas Gifts for Teenagers

I remember when I was a teenager, my favorite Christmas gift was either gadgets, gift cards/certificates or money to splurge at my favorite CD, DVD store or the movie theatre. The girls were crazy about the latest perfumes and trendy jewelery. Not much has changed since then but as it is common knowledge that pleasing a teenager is not an easy job, perhaps an insight into the funkiest trends this year might help many anxious parents.

• Sports Gear- Team gaming chairs, color handheld TVs for watching the game, autographed NBA basketballs, NBA superstars jersey basketballs, stunning lifesize wall graphics of their favorite players, skateboards, and so on.
• Gadgets- Nintendo Wii Console, Xbox 360, Action and Adventure Movies, Guitar Kit, Pen Scanners for writing copious notes, compact digi cams, Apple video iPods, WiFi enabled Sony Mylo communicator, wireless headphones for iPods, Digi cam keychains, Multi-feature keyboard Phones, MySpace compilation CD.
• For College goers- College funds, Watches, wallets, camping gears, funky alarm clocks, 'The Collegehumor guide to college', first drive on a ferrari or getting them enrolled for driving classes.
• Books- Harry Potter series, Chicken Soup for a teenagers soul, journals or diaries to jot down their secrets and experiences. A book of charms for girls. Magazines like Campus Life, Cosmo Girl, Teen and many others.
• Clothing and accessories- Funky T-shirts with unconventional messages and their faces superimposed on them, a designer dress, Tokidoki bags, jucy couture handbags and backpacks, stylish boots, personalised initital necklaces, unique jewelery hangers in the shape of trees, perfumes, room or dorm décor furniture, cute and colorful cellphones.
• Encouraging them to join hobby clubs if they are not members already.
• Movie Tickets or gift coupons to shop with at their favorite stores are two readily available options which most teens appreciate.
  

Further options available at :
http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/familylife/a/xmasgiftideas.htm

http://www.gifts.com/ideas/teens

http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Christmas-Gift-Ideas-for-Kids-and-Teens&id=206790

http://www.123greetings.com/events/christmas/family/son_and_daughter/

http://festivals.iloveindia.com/christmas/christmas-gifts/christmas-gifts-for-teenagers.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061022103458AA3h0ke

http://www.unusualonline.co.uk/GiftsforTeenagers.asp?objecttradersearch=1&GroupID=1130

Christmas in New York

A walk around the illuminated Times Square, the aroma of roasted chestnuts on street corners, star studded concerts and erupting perfomances, ballet and divine carollings, the Rockefeller Center and its brilliantly lit Christmas tree, luxurious lifestyle hotels, skiing and humongous shopping opportunities, that is what makes New York the best place to be in during Christmas. Though born in Los Angeles, my mom and I shifted to New york when I was 11. It was like stepping into a wonderland. As bewitched as I was then, so am I now and will be forever. After all, the Big Apple rocks!
A jeep full of Santas whizzing down Broadway would be an unusual sight for many but in the lighted city of New York where the Rockettes wear Santa outfits at Radio City Music Hall, this demonstrates the spirit of the revellers.

For that exquisite dining experience, here are a few restaurants you could check out:

Feast of Seven Fishes at Babbo
Tocqueville
La Vigilia
Sparks Steakhouse
The Sea Grill

Or take a peep into:
http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmasdinner/

As for hotel accomodation, just drop in at:
http://www.nyctourist.com/christmas.htm

http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_more.php?id=D9470_0_11_0_M

http://www.thisistravel.co.uk/travel/citybreaks/A-classic-New-YorkChristmas-article.html?in_article_id=45817

Board your flights at the earliest and come and visit the spectacular city of New York for a scintillating larger than life experience.

A Christmas tribute to our American troops

It is difficult to imagine staying away from our families and friends for years on end and not even getting an opporunity to meet them during Christmas or Thanksgiving. But when we are busy packing our bags to catch the next flight back home, the American soldiers are fighting for our freedom and protection in unbearable climactic conditions and foreign lands.
I am writing this post to honor those courageous young soldiers in my own special way. Stephen Crane in his novel, 'The Red Badge Of Courage' describes the experience in the life of a teenager when he first steps on to the battlefield. The initital fear and uncertainty of a novice slowly transforms itself into a desire to prove one's mettle and crush his adversary. This spirit survives even today but it is targetted against man's faceless enemy, terrorism.
Yesterday, my closest friend's brother Jim who is posted in Iraq, sent her a note saying that he may not be able to make it home for Christmas. As expected, she burst out crying but along with the tears, I found respect and great pride exuding as well. Jim has been away from home for quite a while but even today his letters express love, gratitude and appreciation for United States of America. Working in dismal weather conditions surrounded by enemies on all sides has not dimmed his spirits. In fact, in addition to feeling sad at not being able to spend time with his family, he also mentioned what he would like his Christmas gift to be- The American Flag.
Its time to show your support, love and affection as well as gratitude to these brave warriors so as to make them feel remembered and closely connected to their fellow Americans during Christmas. Click on the link below for the same:
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/Message.aspx?SectionID=5

I am also planning to send Christmas ecards to these soldiers shedding their sweat and blood for us from http://www.123greetings.com/events/christmas/american/ which has a section dedicated to American troops. This is my way of saluting them and if possible those families as well whose sons are out there making them and the nation proud.
Lets keep the stars and stripes flying high.

Christmas travel destinations

Christmas holidays are a time to party, spend time with the kids, friends and family. But is it always essential to stay back at home and enjoy? Last year we went on a grand Europe tour. The breathless beauty of the sites left me gaping in amazement. Besides, I was also taken in with the Christmas celebrations happening there. This time once again, I am burning with the desire to travel and so while surfing through the net, this is what I came across:
An Alaskan vacation- This is sure to be any child's dream holiday haunt. Being close to Santa's den, and covered with snow nearly althroughout the year, the Alaskan North Pole stay can prove to be a delightful experience for all. The dog sledge rides and the Santa House where one can buy souvenirs from, are a great attraction.Hotel accommodations can be booked at Fairbanks and the Chena Hot SpringsResort. Lodging is also available at Santaland RV park. Click here,
http://www.myalaskavacations.info/alaska-vacation-packages.php

http://www.comparecruises.com/alaska.asp
for further details.

A vacation spent at Hershey, Pennsylvania is another interesting option. Must have heard of Hershey's candy, right? But did you know that hotels in Hershey offer delectable chocolate baths to customers whereas the restaurants serve people with beautifully decorated mouth watering fondants with just about any dish? I was completely bowled over by this piece of information. But here's more, Hershey Park, home to Christmas Candyland, comes alive every year when decked with millions of lights during Christmas. A place for the young as well as the elderly, my vote goes to this holiday destination.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g52819-d102256-Reviews-The_Suites_at_Hershey-Hershey_Pennsylvania.html

How about a skiing vacation at Aspen in Colorado, Massachusets, Vermont or Utah? Sounds cool to me. Well, in Aspen you can even indulge in some world class shopping. The glamorous night life, plush hotels and exquisite dining experience will leave you feeling like a Hollywood celebrity.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Colorado/Aspen-756913/TravelGuide-Aspen.html

http://www.wordtravels.com/Resorts/Colorado/Rocky+Mountains/Aspen

Massachusets with its quaint little villages and beautiful scenery is one of my favorite winter hangout destinations. How about you? Maybe this will help you to decide better:
http://www.massachusetts.worldweb.com/
This website offers a huge list of hotels and motels, transport details and a review on the best shopping malls as well. Take a look and enjoy. Also, check out http://www.visit-massachusetts.com/ for information not just on how to go and what to see in Massachusets but Vermont as well.

Christmas is the perfect time to spend at Disneyland.The Walt Disney Parade with all the Disney characters marching to and fro and waving to their fans is an amazing sight.A number of special Christmas shows of the 'Nightmare Before Christmas', Mickey Mouse, and so on are also put up. The magic of Christmas unfolds itself every winter in the enchanted world of Disney and it is not worth a miss.

Travelling during Christmas ensures immense fun at lower costs. Also, a number of hotels offer accomadation at cheap prices. Besides, this is the only month when you get to spend a generous amount of quality time with your friends and family, so why not take them out on a wonderful joy ride across the world this year making this the most memorable Christmas ever.