Inexpensive Craft Project - Poinsettia Basket Summer is really here in most parts of the country which makes a perfect time to start working on your Christmas craft projects, since it is too hot to go outside. There are many simple and inexpensive crafts you can make for Christmas gifts that are quick and easy. One of my favorites is a basket of poinsettias. This is a quick and easy project anyone can do! You can purchase inexpensive baskets at any of the dollar stores for $3.00 or under. You will need your hot glue gun, a block of floral styrofoam and several bunches of silk poinsettias. You can purchase the poinsettias anywhere from 99 cents to $3.99 per bunch, depending on which craft store you buy them from. You will also need some additional greenery, like holly. You can purchase a strand of silk holly that can be cut the lengths you need. Additionally, you need a bag of Spanish moss for filler. Finally, you will need 4-5 yards of #9 craft ribbon. Also, a can of spray glitter. Steps to assemble: 1. Hot glue the styrofoam block into the bottom of your basket. 2. Cover the foam with the Spanish moss. 3. Start adding your bunches of poinsettias, having them high in the center and tapering lower to the sides. 4. Make a bow from your craft ribbon, leaving lon tails that you can hot glue in ripples, along the handle of the basket. 5. Finish off by spraying the glitter all over the baskets and the flowers. You can make these arrangements as large or small as you would like. I have a large one, with the basket being about 18 inches in diameter that I keep on my fireplace hearth at Christmas. Smaller ones can be used for smaller places. This technique is also good for white baskets with spring flowers for summer and spring. I also use lots of pine cones in baskets using this techniques, sprinkling glass Christmas balls in different places with the cones, making an inexpensive, beautiful arrangement. Michele Graham-CEO and owner of Professional Healthcare Management has 41 years in the healthcare industry. She writes about business issues in all businesses and the healthcare field as well. She owened a craft shop and maunfacturing company for twelve years plus. http://www.healthcarenewsonline.com http://phmnetwork.blogspot.com
By Michele Graham
Christmas Crafts for Kids
By Catherine Spelling
With the holiday season soon upon us, it’s time to think about some fun crafts you can do with your children in preparation of Christmas. My kids love doing holiday crafts, and I’m sure yours will too! It has always been challenging to find age-appropriate crafts that all of the children will enjoy making. My children each have a few years between them, so we have amassed quite a collection of crafts and craft ideas. Here are a few suggestions you can use. Consider it an early Christmas gift from me to you!
Bead garlands are one of my all-time favorite crafts. They are fun to make, extremely colorful, and great for children of all ages. You will need some string or plastic cord, a whole lot of beads, some scissors, and some glue. Cut the string or cord to the desired length, and thread it through the first bead. Tie a knot around that bead, and add some glue to keep it secure. Now add the rest of your beads. When you reach the end, tie the string off on the last bead and add some more glue. Now that was fun, wasn’t it?
Pine cone ornaments have also become classics in our Christmas craft repertoire. They are appropriate for children of any age, and keep very well in storage. You will need to spend some time collecting the pine cones. We collect them when we are out walking the dog. We simply paint them with silver or gold paint, and cover them with glitter. Let them dry somewhere safe, and tie them to your tree with a piece of ribbon. Are you getting in the holiday spirit, yet?
Bell ornaments are also a lot of fun to make, and they will last for years to come. We feel that small terra cotta pots are the best to use. Have the children paint the pot green, and allow it to dry. Once the pot is completely dry, attach fake jewels or beads to it with glitter glue. Then thread a small bell with some ribbon, and pull the ribbon up through the hole in the pot. Tie a knot in the ribbon so the bell stays secure, and add any other final touches you might like. I am sure your kids will love these crafts as much as mine do! Have a wonderful holiday, all!
About The Author
Catherine Spelling absolutely loves spending Christmas with family and friends. When she is not counting down the days until Christmas, she writes for christmaslightsanddecorations.com– an online resources for all things relating to Christmas and decorations, with information about Decorating for Christmas, Christmas Lights, and Everything Christmas.
Christmas Gift Ideas: The Treasures Under The Tree
By Mark Dietzel
Hear ye! Hear ye! The ‘ber’ months will be here before you know it!
When people start to hear about months ending in B-E-R, they all feel the clock sounding tic toc as it fast approaches the holiday season.
Christmas is the season to be jolly…. Falalalalalalala! For the kids, it’s the merry month where they get so overly excited about gifts and other stuff that Santa brings. And for most, it’s the time of the year when all the streets are busy and filled up with traffic while people swoon over shopping malls to find the perfect Christmas gift ideas for their families and friends.
Christmas gift ideas need not to be repetitive or monotonous. One might say “Oh, I know what I’ll be getting this Christmas. If its from Aunt Jane, it’ll be a north pole replica paperweight.” Or “Mrs. Dunst will give me another box of her fruit cake. That has been her gift giving trademark for as long as I can remember.” Hey, there are lots of Christmas gift ideas you can up with! Be creative, resourceful and imaginative! Don’t you want people to remember you for the nicest and most unique Christmas gift ideas you send them every year?
Here are some new and exciting Christmas gift ideas to help you out:
1. Chef Santa on the run!
Cooking is not only a mommy’s craft. This Christmas gift idea is a fun learning activity for the whole family. While all the ingredients are available in the grocery down town, it is also a perfect time to teach your kids or friends some cooking and baking lessons. Try experimenting on your home-made fruitcake, gingerbread house, and Christmas cookies. This is not only a classic Christmas gift idea, but a sure fun way to develop your craft for cooking.
2. Relive the sound of Christmas carols
Everyone has a favorite Christmas song. But wouldn’t it a nice Christmas gift idea to make a compilation of old and new Christmas songs sung by various artists? A perfect Christmas gift idea that sounds music to the ears!
3. Candies, anyone!
No matter how candy canes are soooo last year, they are still a hit to all kids! Instead of the traditional white and red striped candy canes. Why not try on some chocolate candy cane? A strawberry candy cane? Or an orange candy cane? Have as many variety of candy cane as you can and try to come up with repackaged gift bags to make it more enticing. Kids, or even teens, will surely love this Christmas gift idea.
4. Christmas craft and decorations
Surprise your pal with this personalized Christmas gift idea. If he is a die-hard music lover cut out some musical notes or his favorite icons that he can hang around the tree. I’m sure he’d love to have something that no one else has. This cool Christmas gift idea is so unique and adds a bit of your personal touch.
5. Frame it up!
Want to bring your special someone in tears? No, I mean tears of joy. This cool Christmas gift idea will surely melt a snow. I mean, your sweetie’s heart. Try to create and design a picture frame and draw yourselves as Mr. and Mrs. Santa. Or if you aren’t artistic enough to draw, cut out some pictures and replace their faces with yours and your honey’s and be sure to pick your best and sweetest shot. This will make him/her think how much effort did you exert to come up with a sweet Christmas gift idea like this.
These are just some of the hundreds of Christmas gift ideas, you can come up with every year. Whether you bought it in a shopping mall or you’ve made it yourself, be sure to pick the right Christmas gift idea for the right person. After all, it’s the thought that count!
Mark Dietzel operates Santas-Wonder-Land.com a website dedicated to Christmas gift ideas
Christmas Crafts
By Karen Lavender
Christmas is the most popular holiday for decorating your home. It's also the time to find and make Christmas crafts! While it is very easy to purchase ready made decorations and Christmas crafts, it is far more festive and fun to make your own special Christmas crafts!
Christmas crafts can be made from a variety of materials. If you like working with wood, you can cut out typical holiday designs, like snowmen, Christmas trees, or Santa figures and then spend some time painting to bring life to your Christmas crafts. There are many websites that offer free patterns to make these items, or you can print an image from your computer and use it to create your own pattern. If it's your first time working with wood as a Christmas craft, start out simply- cut out a rectangle and make a sign for your holiday guests! You could paint little trees or stars, and print out “May all your Christmas wishes come true!” or a similar saying.
If you'd like to really get into the holiday spirit, try your hand at making wreath Christmas crafts. Go to your local Christmas tree seller, and ask for tree branches that have fallen from the trees as people drag them to their cars. Often, you can get them for free. You'll want to browse the Christmas crafts section of a hobby store- and pick up festive ribbon; a deep red will look beautiful. Walk down the craft aisle that contains the silk flowers and pick out some small, red holly type flowers as well as babys breath. Alternatively, you could make your wreath Christmas crafts with real flowers.
To assemble your wreath Christmas crafts, bend a wire coat hanger into a circular shape. Using string or bread ties, start winding your Christmas tree clippings around the wire to form a circular shape out of the branches. Keep attaching the pieces to your wire coat hanger until you get a full, round wreath. Here is when making your own Christmas crafts becomes fun! Wrap your ribbon around your wreath decoratively, and move it around until you like it's positioning. Tie a fancy bow in the center. Then, using a hot glue gun, you can finish your wreath Christmas crafts by attaching pieces of babys breath and holly berries that you purchased from the craft store. Scatter them all around the wreath to create perfect Christmas crafts.
The holiday season is a festive time, and making your own Christmas crafts can really add to the special feeling of that time of year.
Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Christmas Crafts blog for more information.
Paper Quilling 101 – Essential Basics to Getting Started
By Jennifer Walter
Paper quilling is a form of art or craft born out of creating decorative designs using thin strips of curled paper. This age-old quilling craft has emerged since the Renaissance time, and dated back to about 3 centuries old. It was during the time when all the nuns used small edges trimmed from the Bible pages. From there, those pieces were used to create simple but beautiful form of artistry. This craft was known as “Quilling” due to how the scrapped of paper were wrapped around goose quills to create “coiled shapes”.
Getting into paper quilling craft was not expensive as most of the time you will only need few inexpensive basic materials, which you can buy at most art and craft stores.
Because of this, paper quilling has created much interest in family and friends especially home makers into creating endless opportunities around this paper craft. They are some enthusiasts who are totally involved in the craft, making their own sets of designs and ornaments, and even making it big by having inventories large enough to enter into local arts and crafts show.
With hard work and perseverance, anyone can be assured that the opportunities opened up by this unusual and highly flexible medium are endless. Christmas ornaments made through paper quilling are quite common and in-demand. According to a paper quiller, Lana J Bates had earned $900 in a farmers’ market Christmas crafts show. That’s quite a good to gain.
Moreover, the tools used in paper quilling are rather simple and straightforward. Some of the common tools used in the process are slotted quilling tool, needle, glue, tweezers and pins. Just by using these simple tools, long strips of paper are wound tightly and released, and hereby forming complicated and complex shapers. To get higher precision of quilling accuracy, these tools should be made with better metal quality and made to last longer.
Here are some of the basic uses of such tools Slotted Quilling tool – the slot that is attached along its shaft is used to hold the paper securely as you turn the tool in your hand. Generally, the knurl on the handle ensures a firm grip of your hand that will be helpful in the rolling of a neater and even tight roll.
Needle tool – Basically the needle used to used to enable a finer centre hole after rolling. This will generally produce a much tighter roll with a smaller hole in the center.
Glue – One of the most important tools in paper quilling. The glue is widely used in joining the shaped quills. In order to produce better and tighter quills, a basic mastery of glue handling is necessary ie the quantity and how you apply them onto your paper.
Tweezers – Tweezers are excellent tool to put together small bits and pieces of your paper quilling in right place. They can be used to hold the coils that have been shaped, while you put a few drops of glue on the edges you are glueing together without damaging it.
Pins – While the tweezers will help you to put together all the small bits and pieces when you are sticking them, pins are used when you are drying up the glue. The pins will allow you to put the project aside and finish it later, while waiting for the glue to dry up.
Jennifer Walter is an avid paper quiller who provides free quilling information on her website http://www.mypaperquilling.com Join her in the forum together with many other paper quillers around the world for some great discussions and tutorials.
Good Christmas Party Activities
By Arthur Stoller
The holidays are the perfect time of year to host a kid-friendly gathering. Christmas party activities can range from games to crafts; but the key is to keep things light and accessible to all ages. Read on for some great Christmas party activities you can include in your next children’s holiday event.
Gingerbread Man Book Exchange This is a great Christmas Party activity for children because not only does it keep them entertained, but each child leaves with a gift. Buy enough inexpensive children’s books for each of the children invited and gift wrap each one. Give each child a wrapped book and ask them to hold them in their laps while an adult reads the story of The Gingerbread Man. Every time the word “run” is spoken (Run, run as fast as you can; you can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbread Man!), the children turn to their right and pass their book to the next person, accepting a new book from the child on their left. At the end of the story, the children open and keep the book they’re left with.
Santa’s Sleigh Easy games are great as Christmas party activities. Santa’s Sleigh requires all of the children to sit in a circle, with one child blindfolded. Another child is given a toy sleigh, and he or she recites this poem: Santa, Santa, where is your sleigh? Someone has come to take it away. Guess who, guess who? The blindfolded child gets three guesses; the child with the sleigh is the next to be blindfolded.
Christmas Word Find Word finds are more appropriate for slightly older children. The point of this Christmas party activity is to find as many words-within-words as possible before the timer runs out. Give each child a list of Christmas-related words like sleigh, present, or candy and ask them to write down smaller words that can be made from the same letters. For example, the word Christmas can be turned into sit, is, his, miss, rat, tar, this, and math.
Christmas Crafts – Make a Holiday Ornament! Our list of Christmas party activities would not be complete without a craft. Let the children create their own beautiful Christmas ornaments using last year’s holiday cards, lids from frozen juice containers, construction paper, scissors, ribbon and glue. The children can cut pictures out of the holiday cards and attach them to a circle of construction paper that has been traced from the juice can. An adult can then use a glue gun to attach the construction paper to the juice lid, and a paper clip to the back of the whole ornament. Slip a ribbon through the paper clip and hang their ornaments on the tree!
If you need some santa props for your http://www.thepartytimeshop.co.uk/ christmas party activities you could visit this online store.
Christmas Party Ideas For Memorable Holiday Celebrations
By Dee Schrock
I don't know about you, but when I think of Christmas parties, I think of warm, toasty get-togethers with family and close friends. A cozy fire complete with sentimental stories. Do we ever really let a year go by without mentioning, "You'll shoot your eye out kid" from "A Christmas Story"?
Or maybe your idea of a Christmas party is a little more like "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"? Well, maybe not quite that eventful- but here are a few ideas to start your holiday season off right!
Christmas parties are thrown for a wide variety of guests, and each should be considered in order to be a success. Christmas parties can be for family, friends, office co-workers, or one big combined party. Here are some ideas for different guests in mind:
Activity Ideas
Games
I hope these Christmas party ideas helped spark some fun ideas for your upcoming celebration!
About The Author
Dee Schrock has put together hundreds of theme party tips and fun ideas for easy (and budget conscious!) party planning.
Visit her website http://www.fun-theme-party-ideas.com for tons of popular theme party ideas, including decoration, costume, game, and party drink ideas, as well as printable invitations.
Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
By Paul Duxbury
Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look quite impressive yet are easy enough for small children to make. This is one Christmas craft idea to use again and again. Older people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas tree.
To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in desired colours and acrylic beads. Two types of beads are particularly effective when strung on pipe cleaners. One type are called sunburst beads, but are also known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a centre that contains the hole for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively, they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.
The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung consecutively. For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colours of red, green, and clear. The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.
Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all colours. For the Christmas craft, the best colours to use are the metallic and Christmas colours. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.
Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don't fall off. The pipe cleaner works like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children how to alternate colours when stringing, or start a pattern of three colours. When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape. Or alternate red and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use red pipe cleaner to form a small bow to decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.
If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some beautiful snowflake or star ornaments. Snowflake designs can be twisted of silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.
Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself using every year. Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple yet pretty Christmas craft.
Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation. He owns one of the UK's Leading Information Providers PK eBooks (http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk) and has recently launched http://www.profitable-crafts.co.uk
Easy Christmas Crafts for Children
By Nicole Dean
Remember how much you had creating Christmas art projects? Nothing brings out the kid in you better than sharing some together time with your own children and there’s no better time to do it than during the holiday season! Start the season with some cute and fun to make Christmas crafts that your kids will love.
Candy cane Reindeer
What you’ll need:
Candy Canes
Glue
Brown Pipe Cleaners
Small googly eyes
Small Red Pom Poms
Thin festive ribbon
Small jingle Bell
Instructions:
Take your brown pipe cleaner and twist it into a V shape under the curve of the candy cane, or ‘neck’ of your reindeer under construction… Bend the pipe cleaner again to shape into antlers. Take your googly eyes and glue them onto the candy cane. Glue a red pom pom on the candy cane for a ‘reindeer’ nose. Tie the thin ribbon around your reindeer’s neck and string the jingle bell on for the final touch! You might want to glue the ribbon to the candy cane to secure. Make a bunch of these cute candy cane reindeer, and hang them on your holiday tree!
Pasta Holiday Wreath
What you’ll need:
Small Paper Plates
Variety of different pasta shapes
Glue
Holiday color tempra paint
Festive ribbon for bow
Instructions:
Cut the center out of your paper plate. Choose some really interesting pasta noodles, and glue them all around the outer ring of the plate. Try real hard to cover the entire plate! After the glue has dried, take your tempra paint and color the pasta. Have an adult tie the ribbon into a bow and then glue it to your wreath. Display them all around your home during the holiday!
For more holiday crafts and activities for your children, visit http://www.showkidsthefun.com/holidaythemes.html.
Don't Throw Away Those Old Light Bulbs!
By Lynda Smith
Christmas is just around the corner and it's not too late to start those craft projects. This Christmas craft project is ideal for kids under adult supervision. Not only is this a fun craft project, but using old light bulbs to make ornaments for the Tree will cut down on waste and help our environment.
Materials:
1 old light bulb (any shape or size )
Ribbon, Yarn, or any type of Craft String
Paint Brushes (you can use multiple sizes)
Paint or Paint Markers (Preferably the classic Christmas Colors)
You can use any color you wish..
Instructions:
Lay out newspaper on your work area. Be sure to lay newspaper on floor as well in case you accidently drop the bulb or paint on the floor.
Choose a basic color for your base. Paint the entire bulb with this color except for the top part. Let dry. Drying time depends upon the paint used.
After the bulb is completely dry create and paint a festive holiday scene.
After the bulb is completely dry tie a piece of ribbon, yarn or craft string at the top ”base” of the bulb.
Viola! You now have a decorative ornament to adorn your Christmas tree.
Ideas:
Use Christmas stencils, rubber stamps, and stickers instead of free hand painting.
You might want to add a little shimmer to your ornament by spraying a clear glitter finish coating..
Safety Precautions:
Because light bulbs are thin and can easily break if not handled delicately cuts can occur. To avoid this from occurring, Please be careful when handling and make sure your hands are dry at all times. Keep plenty of paper towels around. If a Child is participating in this craft project adult supervision is advised.
Lynda K. Smith is the Owner/Webmaster of http://www.craftsxcetra.com a Free Craft Projects website. She is a Digital Graphics Artist and Website Designer. She loves to do crafts at every level. Visit today
Ideas For Your Kids' Christmas Party
By John Lenaghan
Since the Holiday season is a very special period of the year a party at this time is always more than welcome. The Christmas decorations which are still up save extra work and give the desired festive air.
When entertainment and games have been carefully planned ahead of time the party goes off smoothly without long lapses of nothing to do. The following games have been tried out many times and are most entertaining.
A good way to start off is to hand each guest a pencil and four cards; one card with a band of brown across the top, another blue, another gray, and one of green. Each youngster is asked to list the names of the guests according to the color of their eyes.
For instance if Johnny has brown eyes his name goes on the card topped with brown, etc. The youngsters greatly enjoy this game and have a lot of fun discovering the color of their friends' eyes. It's surprising to find how unobserving most of us are.
For a more active game divide your group into two or more teams, depending on the number of players. Line the teams up single file on one side of the room. Set a goal across the room. Mark a starting line. Give the leader of each line two smooth, medium-size buttons. One he places on the starting line, with the other he snaps the first one to the goal as soon as the signal is given.
"Snapping" consists of pressing the edge of one button with the other in such a way that the under one flies ahead. As soon as the players reach goal they race back and hand the buttons to the second player in line. The line finishing first wins the relay.
After this rather hilarious game a quieter one called "Shopping" requires that all the children but one sit in a circle on the floor. The remaining one is the "shopper." He stops before one of the seated group and says, "I'm going to Chicago. What can I buy?" He then counts to ten.
Before he finishes counting the player before whom he is standing names three objects beginning with the letter "C," as "cats, crossings, or caterpillars." If he fails he must take the place of the shopper. Any city may be named by the shopper, but the articles to be bought must always begin with the first letter of the city named. The children are greatly amused by the weird assortment of objects they are supposed to buy.
Children always like relays. One that can be played in a small space is called "Over and Under." The teams can be lined up as for the button snap game. The first player in each team is handed a bean bag or ball—even a potato will do. When the signal is given he passes this object over his head to the second in line who passes it between his knees to the third who hands it over his head to the fourth.
The object goes alternately overhead and between knees to the last one in line who then runs to the head of the line and starts it back over his head. The game proceeds until the line is back in its original order with the first player at its head. The line finishing first, of course, wins the race.
Another active game children enjoy is "Bounce," which can be played with a rubber or tennis ball. Place a waste basket on a chair some distance from the wall. Mark a line about six feet back from the chair on which the player stands. The game is to bounce the ball on the floor so that it goes into the basket. Each one has three trials, as this is not as easy to do as it seems. A point is given for every basket made. After a given length of time points are counted to determine the winner.
After the games and before refreshments the children will enjoy singing Christmas carols, especially the old favorites, "Silent Night, Holy Night," "The First Noel," "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Sandwiches and hot cocoa are always popular. These can be followed with apples, Christmas cake and candies.
John Lenaghan writes about Christmas party ideas and other party-related topics for the Party Ideas 4u website. Read more at http://www.party-ideas-4u.com
Top 10 Hangover Cures
By Rob Kingdom
The morning after the night before. You wake up on the floor of your room in the same clothes you wore last night and you can still taste the remnants of the takeaway you devoured on the way home. Upon opening your eyes you utter the immortal and too often spoken words “I'm never drinking again!”. The promise is made every saturday and sunday morning by anyone who has overindulged themselves the night before and you can gaurantee that as soon as the following weekend comes around these same people will be out drinking themselves into the same state.
Of course I am referring to every drinkers nightmare – The Hangover. It simply drains the energy from you and turns you into a walking zombie. If like me you suffer with terrible hangovers then never fear because help is at hand. I have prepared a top 10 list of hangover cures and remedies to get you back to your old self as soon as possible with minimal hassle.
Cure Number 1 – The Hair of the Dog.
OK so this is probably not the best way to cure the hangover. The last thing anyone wants to do after a severely heavy night on the town is to go back down the pub. This technique is simply a way of postponing the horror of the hangover by topping up the levels of alcohol already floating about in your bloodstream. This method is commonly used among students and younger drinkers who love to live the party lifestyle but beware it only postpones the inevitable.
Cure Number 2 – Re-hydration
This is a common mistake made among most people. Making sure to take on as much water as possible is one of the best ways to avoid a hangover. Around about 200ml of water per 30ml of alcohol is a good rule of thumb. Usually most people are either too tired or too drunk after their night of drinking and simply collapse when they get home. So make sure you drink lots of water before you go to bed. It may mean several trips to the toilet in the night but believe me its worth it.
Sports drinks are also a good idea. The taste might not always be any good but try and consume as much Lucozade, Powerade and any other “ade” you can find.
Cure Number 3 - Food
If you've got a steaming hangover get over to your local café and order a huge big fry-up.
Protein is a good source of amino acids and a good hearty breakfast has loads, so you'll soon be on the road to recovery.
Actually food is a good idea all round - before, during and immediately after drinking. Food doesn't absorb alcohol, but it does increase metabolism, activates alcohol absorption, and increases the speed with which the body processes alcohol. You may not be able to keep any food down but as much as it might not feel like it it is helping.
Cure Number 4 – Lots of Rest
Going back to bed is an effective way to help your body regenerate and recover. The reason I say “go back” to bed is because simply staying in bed all day is not a good idea (unless you have found some poor mug to cater for your ever need). Make sure you get up, have something to eat and drink, maybe even have a shower to freshen yourself up. Only then should you consider going back to bed. Wouldn't you much rather be asleep for the pounding headache and the upset stomach?
Cure Number 5 – Don't drink so much in the first place!
I no it seems obvious but its true. Try and think about moderating the amount you drink during the night. Don't be conned by your mates or crack under peer pressure to have that “one more” shot or that “swift pint” before you go home. Make sure you no when you've had enough.
Cure Number 6 – Fresh Air and maybe some exercise.
The second last thing you probably want to do is to crawl out from under your duvet and brave the sunlight. The last thing however would be to do any exercise. However this is good for you as it speeds up your metabolic rate and processes the alcohol quicker. It doesn't have to be anything too strenuous just a simple walk around the block would be fine.
Cure Number 7 – Headache Pills
Some people swear by the notion that taking headache tablets before you go to bed is a great way to prevent a hangover or at least reduce the pain. Wrong! A better idea is to take a couple of headache tablets, preferably ibuprofen based ones, in the morning followed by a big glass of water then head straight back to bed. At least his way your head won't feel as thought there is a Frenchman living in it.
Cure Number 8 – Don't mix your drinks.
A good way to make sure that the hangover from hell doesn't come and invade your skull is to stick to one type of drink. Drinking spirits, lagers, shots and anything else you may get your hands on is not a great idea. Its not big and its not clever.
Cure Number 9 – Banana's
Bananas have sugar in the form of fructose, they also have potassium, which is one of the things you lose a lot of when you've been out getting hammered. Bananas are also a natural antacid which helps with the nausea, and are high in magnesium which can help relax those pounding blood vessels causing that hangover headache.
Cure Number 10 - Tomato's
Tomatoes are full of antioxidants and vitamins and they're healthy so get munching. If you don't like eating tomatoes, drink them in a Bloody Mary. You'll feel better in about 15 minutes.
Bloody Mary
-1.5 oz vodka
-Dash of lemon (or lime) juice
-Worcestershire sauce
-2 or 3 drops Tabasco sauce
-Pepper, salt and celery salt
-5 oz tomato juice
-Serve in a tall glass over ice
If the idea of more alcohol turns your stomach why not try making a Virgin Mary, it's exactly the same recipe except without the Vodka.
Special Tip Number 11 – The Sauna.
This is a potentially dangerous method of recovery and will involve you having to set some sort of world record for the most glasses of water drunk consecutively. If you and a few friends take a trip down to the local sauna then stay in there for around 10mins (No Longer!) then you will sweat out all the toxins in your body. However you will have to drink as much water as you possibly can because you will obviously be dehydrated to begin with. Beware because there are some nasty side effects of you spending time in this sweaty environment. The place will smell of pure alcohol and sweat and it will not be pleasant.
This is about all the advice I can offer you except for good luck and happy drinking. You may reprint this article on your site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and the resource information remains intact.
For the chance to attend a Christmas Party in London with a difference then check out the "One Night in Havana" extravaganza at the Vinopolis.
You may reprint this article on your site or in your ezine as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and the resource information remains intact.
3 Great Christmas Party Ideas
By Gail Leino
It's a time of good cheer for one and all, but if you have a large family Christmas can be quite expensive. You can try to get everyone a small gift for Christmas, but with prices these days you may still end up with a large bill. Try introducing the Secret Santa game to your family and at the party everyone can give one bigger gift to the person they picked. Or you can make up the Santa Grab bag. Where everyone buys one gift and puts it into a common bag for people to remove gifts at random. Though this can lead to an excessive number of gift cards in the grab bag. You may wish to reserve the grab bag game as a way of giving little gifts such as are found in the Christmas stocking.
Set up a crafts table for the children to stay entertained while adults sit around talking after Christmas dinner. Some simple craft ideas are making a construction paper Santa or kids can make up pine cone bird feeders as a special Christmas gift for the wildlife. You'd need pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed, coat the pine cone in peanut butter and roll it in the birdseed until it's entirely coated. These can be set up in trees or before coating them in peanut butter you can tie a string around the ends of them to hang on a branch or hook.
Sometimes the effort of the traditional Christmas dinner can be too much. To stay out of the kitchen and in with the party ask people to each bring something for dinner. You can call it "Potluck Christmas" and guests can bring things like That way you only need to worry about the main entrée and guests can make sure they bring something they like. So get planning and give, eat and be merry this Christmas.
Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Christmas Fun has free party games, ideas, activities, word find, menus, recipes etc. to help complete your event.
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