Stretching Dollars

Archive for December, 2011

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR HIM

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

If men are so easy to please, how come Christmas gift ideas for him are so hard to come by? Make your list and check it twice. You have to find a gift for your man if he is naughty and even if he’s nice. But, finding a Christmas gift for a guy always seems to be a struggle. So here is a list to help you find the perfect gift for your Santa this year.

Microbrew of the month- Perfect for the beer aficionado, a microwbrew of the month club is the gift that keeps on giving. Each month the lucky recipient gets to sample specialty, handcrafted brews delivered right to their door. By the end of the year he will be a connoisseur of the premium stuff. There are quite a few reputable companies online to do all the hard work for you.

Grilling Tools – Let your man be the king of his domain with a top of the line grilling set. There are packages of all sizes, with all the specialty tools needed to be a grill Master. Set’s often include, grill tongs, spatula, basting brushes, cleaning brushes all in a carrying case. He’ll never need to borrow your utensils again.

Automotive Accessories- Men love to pamper the number one lady in their life –their car. Any item them helps keep her in tip top shape well go over well. A portable code reader gives the auto enthusiast a way to check the diagnostic trouble codes. You can also give him personalized floor mats, a GPS, or an upgraded car stereo.

Bar Accessories- Is the man in your life a genius behind the bar. If so, he will love a few tools to elevate his game. Pick him up one of the new infusion pitchers on the market that makes flavor infused beverages. Another great idea is a soda maker for maker signature seltzers or a wine saver vacuum to keep the open bottles fresh.

Poker Night- Give a Christmas gift idea for him he will love. Deliver to him everything he needs for a Poker night. Poker chip sets, an automatic card shuffler and a tabletop poker table is everything he needs for a night in with the boys.
Movie Box Set- Let him experience his favorite movies again and again with a box set. There are quite a few genre specific special edition collections and popular movie series like Star Wars, the Omen, and Lord of the Rings. There are also great historical documentaries and ESPN films gift set collections he can watch to his heart’s content.

Video Games- There is a gamer in every man. Whether XBOX, PS3, PC or the Wii there is a perfect video game to make him as giddy as a boy. And the best thing is you don’t have to browse through the stores to pick it up. You can buy one of these easy Christmas gift ideas for him online without leaving the couch.

christmas-pie-girl-

christmas-pie-girl-

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WHAT MAKES BOARD GAMES THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR FAMILIES

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

When people think of the best Christmas gift ideas, board games don’t always top the list but they should! Board games build communication, create family bonding, educate, and offer hours of fun - all in one box. Played in most societies and cultures throughout history, board games capture people’s imaginations and allow for face to face interaction that is sadly rare today.

According to a report by the Council of Economic Advisors, kids 8 -18 spend seven and a half hours each day exposed to media. The rise of people glued to the computer is believed to be one of the main reasons for the decline in board games. It is not uncommon for each member in the family to be in separate rooms engrossed in a different form of media. Mom’s shopping online, Dad’s watching the game, Sis is texting, while Junior plays a shooter online with his friends. What makes board games great Christmas gifts is they force us to unplug and spend time together.

Parents and family members can have a positive impact on how children see and approach life. Kids who feel a close bond to their parents indulge in less risky behavior and are more successful in school. The earlier you start forming positive connections with your kids the more likely they are to stay close and keep the lines of communication when they hit the challenging teenage years.

Now is the time to reclaim at least one night a week to spend with the entire family. There is no simpler way than designating a family game night. With so many different types of board games, there is style of game for all taste and gameplay all ages can enjoy. Settle on a nonnegotiable day to hold game night every week. Rotate who decides what game will be played every week and post the weeks choice on a calendar. Consider letting the person also choose a special snack to compliment the chosen game. Crack open the box, and watch as the entire family loosens up with laughter and a whole new family interaction unfolds.
In the midst of all the storytelling and smack talking, a few lessons slip through. Kids learn the concept of following rules, flex their problem solving ability and improve general reasoning skills. Maybe even more important, the different game strategies compel your kids to reason through moral problems. Simply playing with parents they can learn how to lose, and win, with good manners and grace.

This year wrap a board game or two and slip them under the tree. In no time at all you’ll see why board games are some of the best Christmas gift ideas. Who knows, you may even start a new Christmas tradition.

jumanji

jumanji

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