Monopoly Here and Now World One of the 2008 Best Christmas Gifts

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Welcome to the exciting new world of Monopoly. Every time you travel around the board of the Monopoly Here and Now World Edition, you also travel through six continents. If you're shopping for a board game that will truly delight your Christmas gift recipients, this new take on a long-time classic is sure to please.

This 21st-century version of the popular classic board game keeps the very best ingredients of classic Monopoly while adding thrilling new twists to the game play. The utilities--water works and the electric company--are now hip new renewable energy sources (solar and wind). The oh-that's-so-industrial-revolution railroads now include rail, air travel, ocean cruises and space travel. Banking is now effortless thanks to digital electronic banking that keeps track of your transactions.

The electronic banker doesn't exactly replace a human banker, but it sure makes their job easier. Shove a couple of AA batteries into the banker (um, the electronic one) and it's ready for business. Monopoly Here and Now World can begin when everyone picks a moving and a credit card.

The electronic banking unit really makes game play simple. Some people (like me) can find that Monopoly banking is somewhat of a chore, but the new electronic system makes everything easy, even fun. The banking unit also rides herd on all the wheeling and dealing that goes on when someone lands on a property they don't want. It even includes a random auction timer to add even more excitement and chance.

The game comes with six randomly selected mover pieces that bring even more international flair to this hot Christmas gift. Although your game will only come with six moving pieces, there's a total of 24 mover types available (I sense an eBay opportunity here). You could get any six of the following: Kangaroo, Koala, Surfer, Boomerangs, London Cab, Pretzel, Matador, Windmill, Canadian Mountie, Cowboy Hat, Baseball Glove, Nascar, Inca Mask, Easter Island Moai, Football, Inca Statue, Safari Hat, Egyptian Head Mask, African Mask, Camel, Chinese Dragon, Tuk-Tuk, Russian Dolls, or a Sumo Wrestler.

The cities on the board read like a rock star's world tour. Your properties are located in Taipei, Tokyo, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Toronto, Rome, Shanghai, Vancouver, Sydney, New York, London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Paris, Belgrade, Cape Town and more.

Monopoly Here and Now World teaches and informs the players during game play. The community chest and chance cards include a selection of international facts and holiday festivals. Every property on the board includes stunning photography from around the world.

Let's be honest. When the presents are being opened on Christmas morning, the board games may not be the first things played with. But this Monopoly Here and Now World Edition will be a long-term favorite even after Christmas has come and gone. Every family should have one (or more) Monopoly games in the house. Whether this is your first game or a new addition to the family, it's sure to please everyone.

Review the top Christmas gifts for 2008 at http://www.ChristmasToyReview.com

Find lists, reviews and links to the best deals on this year's best Christmas gifts.

Stress Christmas Game - Can a Computer Game Help Keep Your Holiday Sanity?

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Everybody needs a little stress relief around the holidays and a quick computer game might be just the thing to help you forget the more pressing issues in your life for a few minutes. There are several stress Christmas game choices available on the internet for download or immediate play. Some of them are fun, and some are a little annoying - but almost all of them will allow your brain to take a ten-minute break whether you're at the office or on the couch with the laptop.

Check These Out

So if your checkbook is empty, your boss just yelled at you, a customer just complained to you, or a report you just finished writing got erased from your hard drive; sit back, take a few minutes to relax, and Google these:

• Night of the Snowmen - try shooting and launching grenades at evil snowmen


• Arcade Lines (Christmas Edition) - addictive puzzle game


• Christmas Gifts - help Santa deliver gifts by throwing them into houses


• Chicken Invaders 2 Christmas Edition - save Christmas from invading chickens


• Loco Christmas Edition - load Santa's trains with Christmas gifts


• Evil Elves II - help Santa get his toys back from the Terrible Toy Shop


• Super Santa Ski Jump - control Santa's speed and style as he earns stars

Why the Stress at Christmas?

So why do we need a game to distract us? Why are we stressed at Christmas more than at other times of the year? The reasons are many, but a major cause of stress around the holidays is personal finances. With all of the gifts we need to buy, the parties we must attend, the decorations, and travel - the costs can soar high above our normal monthly budgets. And when money is already tight, the Christmas season can put a huge burden on our ability to meet our regular financial commitments. That leads to stress that can take the joy out of what should be a time of fun, family, and celebration.

What to Do?

If you have financial stress that a quick computer game will not solve, take action to relieve that stress through the holidays and beyond. There are truly only two ways to repair a negative financial situation: take in more money or spend less money. It sounds simple, but it is a profound concept - the money going into the budget has to be more than the money going out of the budget.

There are, of course, many ways to spend less around Christmas (like making gifts, cutting back on travel, etc.) and a few ways to increase your income (find a new or additional job, start a home-based business, or have a garage sale). But whatever you decide, take the action necessary to get out of the financial hole you're in and stick to that course of action. Gaining financial freedom is maybe the best Christmas gift you will ever give yourself; and one that keeps on giving. Then maybe you will find the time to play a few crazy computer games just for fun, and not because you're trying to control your blood pressure.

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How to Find Unique Christmas Gift Ideas for the Special Person in Your Life

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With every passing year, it becomes more and more difficult for most of us to come up with unique Christmas gift ideas for our beloved ones. The more special the person, the more the desire to give them a personalized Christmas gift.

There are quite a few pointers you can follow while looking for unique Christmas gift ideas.

First of all, the best gift is not necessarily the most expensive one.

That is something we need to keep in mind when shopping for gifts. Sometimes we tend to go and pick up the most expensive item in the shop, hoping that it will serve the purpose. While it may be appreciated, it certainly may not be of any use to the person receiving it or of any significant value other than the price tag.

That is where personalized Christmas gifts come into the picture.

These gifts may not be the most expensive, but they're the ones most likely to bring smiles to their faces. Isn't that what giving gifts is all about? Sometimes it's a good idea to put yourself in their shoes while you're shopping for their Christmas gifts.

Many times, you may not find the unique Christmas gift ideas that you specifically had in mind. Keep your mind open while you're thinking of their personalities, their styles – them. That's another part of what makes personalized gifts so meaningful, it means you spent time thinking about them.

Buying unique Christmas gifts for the special person in your life is not all that difficult, really.

Though we're all similar, we are all unique and have very individual likes and dislikes. The key to finding that personalized Christmas gift is to understand the person you are buying for. The better you know about the person or the more you can find out about the person, the more relevant the gift will be and the bigger the impact it will have.

Another way of ensuring that the gift you get for that special person is unique is to make it yourself. So not only did you spend time thinking about the person while you chose your gift, but you spent time and effort actually creating it.

You'd be surprised how effective a hand-made personalized gift can be. For example, perhaps you could hand design a Christmas gift basket and then fill it up with the things that your loved one really enjoys.

A gift does not have to always be something wrapped in pretty wrapping paper. It could be something that you do for the person you love or care about.

If you have an aging aunt, maybe she will wake up on Christmas morning to find everything outside is shoveled and cleaned up, breakfast is cooking and a fresh cup of coffee, tea or eggnog is being handed to her. That might be something worth more than any widget you could buy her.

The Internet has made everything, especially shopping, an easy experience.

For collectibles or other generally hard-to-find items that you feel would be appreciated, you can log on to any one of the countless online stores and browse. There are millions of specialized, unique products to find. You could get anything that you want: useful items, exotic items, anything that you feel will be liked by the recipient, at the click of a mouse.

Finally, Christmas is about the human spirit. It is best to think a while before launching your search for the unique Christmas gift. Buy something that the person will like and be able to use. It will give you satisfaction to show them how well you know him or her and how much you care about him or her.

Looking for more personalized Christmas gifts? Qing Gu shares with you more personal experiences with these unusual Christmas gift ideas. To win the chance of getting a FREE iPod shuffle, simply share your Christmas pictures and holiday party ideas here: http://www.coolest-christmas-holidays.com/contest

Outside Christmas Decorations - How to Make a Christmas Light Show

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The ultimate goal of anyone who loves to decorate their yard for Christmas is to set up a full light show that includes music. These shows can be difficult to set up, but they are spectacular to see and are well worth the effort.

Here are some steps to get your started on creating your own show:

Do your Research.

Before going any further, be aware that setting up a Christmas lightshow as part of your outside Christmas decorations take a lot of time and patience. It can be a great hobby, but it’s not as easy as plugging some lights in flipping a switch. So, if you are ready, keep reading.

You are going to need a few items to make this work:

1. A computer to do the programming.

2. A light controller with multiple channels. This is what controls the lights.

3. A software program to program the light controller. This will define when the lights turn on and off in relation to the music.

4. An FM transmitter to broadcast your music. Another option is a pair of speakers on your front porch, but it is unlikely that the neighbors appreciate the same song playing over and over again.

5. The lights! For a complete effect, this should include not just regular lights, but icicle lights, net lights and yard displays.

Organize and Plan.

Now you are getting down to the fun part. To make the show work, you will need to sit down with pencil and paper and design your system. Decide what music you want to play (preferably something that has to do with Christmas), and where the decorations will be. Your plan should include a drawing of your front yard, with sketches and notes on how the show will work.

Buy Your Equipment and Decorations

Now that you have your plan, you are ready to buy your decorations. This can get expensive fast, so do some research to make sure you aren’t overpaying. I suggest going through the internet for the software and control box for the lights. A search in Google or Yahoo should yield several results and allow you to compare several options.

Test, Test, and Test!

It’s important enough to say again: Test, Test, and Test! The first thing you should do is set up your controller for a single set of lights and make sure you can get it to turn on and off. Then get it to turn on and off to music. Then add a second set of lights and make sure you can get that one to turn on and off. See why this takes so long? It can be tedious, but the results are well worth it.

Set It All Up

After everything is programmed, it’s just a matter of setting it up. Hang the lights, set up the displays, and plug it in.

Now, all you have left to do is sip hot cocoa and watch your neighbors scramble to get their decorations looking half as good as yours!

Good Luck!

Ryan Harris has celebrated 30 Christmases and has loved every one! He currently has a blog of tips and how-to advice for Christmas decorations at Outside Christmas Decorations.

How to Find a Christmas Gift for Dad

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One of the hardest people to find a Christmas gift for is your dad. In addition to being a man, which translates to “not-much-into-material-things”, dads also do not need much of anything.

So what to give them besides the gifts that you have already given them for the past Christmases, birthdays and other special occasions? Here are some pointers on how to decide on what to give your dad for Christmas.

1. Raid their closets and their desks

Look inside their rooms and look for things that they still do not have or things that need replacement. For instance, does their wallet look tattered? Do they need a new one? Is there cuff links already tarnished? Will they appreciate another pair?

Are they missing a white polo for the office or for formal occasions? Another area where you can look into for potential gift ideas is their desks. Get inside their study or their home office and look for things that they can possibly use.

2. Connive with mom

Who better to ask about what your dad needs but your mom? Ask your mom what gift will your dad most appreciate. Chances are, she will know something that your dad can really use. If she has no idea, you can ask her to try and ask your dad for you. She can either be direct about it or try the subtle approach. Whatever works!

3. Ask

To cut everything short and to minimize all the work, you can always directly ask your dad what he wants for Christmas. Nothing beats not beating around the bush! Of course, make sure that your dad is the type who will tell you what he wants. If not, don’t bother asking as you will only ruin the surprise. There are just some people who are not comfortable telling people what they want as gifts.

4. Consider their interests

When buying gifts for your dad, you should always look into their interests. For instance, if he is a golf enthusiast, then you can probably buy something that is related to golf or with a gold emblem to it, a golf clock or a paperweight of a golf player swinging.

5. Give him a new interest

Another great gift idea is to give your dad something this Christmas that will start off a new interest. This is especially great with dads who are already in their retirement or those who are about to retire.

Low Jeremy maintains http://christmas-gift.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

Bake Cookies and Still Cut Calories - Learn How to Avoid Gaining 10 Pounds This Christmas

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When you open your favorite magazine, you see delicious Christmas cookie recipes. Stop by the grocery store and you can't avoid the special baking displays lined with brown sugar and cake mixes. Christmas means "start baking!" The old Pillsbury advertisement said it well, "Nothing says loving like something from the oven!" So how can a mother bake delightful treats for her children without gaining ten extra pounds in December?

1. Bake & Give. Make a list of the neighbors and friends you'd like to bless and then make up a plate for each household. Pull out your favorite recipes: sugar cookies, seven layer bars, chocolate peanut butter balls, and go to town! Have your kids help you bake and decorate your delicious cookies. By the time you get all your cookies wrapped up, there shouldn't be too many leftover. Just enough for you and your family to enjoy as a special treat, instead of a cookie invasion to last for weeks.

2. Freeze & Save. Freeze leftover cookies and enjoy them slowly in the New Year. They will keep perfectly delicious in your freezer for three months. If you receive lots of treats from different neighbors or co-workers, you can freeze those also. Just enjoy a few cookies and freeze the rest to enjoy in January, February and March. You can divvy up the cookies evenly among family members and bet on who can make the cookies last the longest.

3. Shop & Skip. When you're out grocery shopping, skip buying the gingerbread pound cake they're sampling, the egg nog, and the special holiday M&Ms. Don't buy any special treats for yourself or your family. There will be plenty of opportunities for treats at school Christmas parties, office parties, neighborhood parties...you get the picture.

You don't need to be a Scrooge and outlaw all cookies in December. But you can't say yes at every temptation or else you'll look like Santa Claus come New Year. So bake your favorite cookies, share them with your friends and loved ones, and enjoy the tastes of Christmas in moderation.

Arlene Pellicane, mother of a toddler and infant, helps women lose their baby weight and thrive as wives and mothers. Her weekly podcast "Losing Weight After Baby" is full of practical ideas that work for busy moms. An everyday mom herself, you can visit Arlene's website for free articles and exercises at http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com

Memorable and Fun Christmas Traditions

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Christmas means a great many things to different people all over the world. Everyone has their own favorite Christmas memories and traditions he or she will re-create from year to year. Best of all Christmas is also that magical time of year where our differences can be laid aside for awhile as we all celebrate together at home and all over the world.

Following is a collection of Christmas traditions that I've put together, however for the ones that I've missed I apologize. Here are some of my personal favorites: cutting down the tree or purchasing a tree, followed by decorating the tree, making popcorn strings and caramel popcorn balls, hanging the Christmas lights, baking cookies and of course sampling while they are still warm and fresh, listening to Christmas music, sipping egg nog, buying and wrapping presents, hanging the stockings, mistletoe and the holly, not to mention the huge feast and getting to spend time with family and loved ones. As a child these were among my favorites and as an adult I look forward to each year and each activity with fond memories and excitement. Some years I make a new tradition, while other years I help to pass on traditions to my small nieces and nephews who seem to get the most enjoyment of everybody when it comes to Christmas time.

Over the years I've gotten to know neighbors and other families and have also been fortunate to participate in some of their traditions as well. Lighting the menorah and experiencing others traditions and customs is both enlightening and enjoyable. Some families go from house to house singing Christmas carols and spreading holiday cheer, while others volunteer their time and money to helping individuals who are less fortunate then we are. Other families gather together and tell Christmas stories and some give poinsettias or Christmas cactus as thoughtful and cheerful gifts to neighbors and friends. While other families even create beautiful luminaries and release them down a river or into the air or just display them outside and inside throughout the Christmas season. Whatever the tradition and whomever it is shared by, they all have one thing in common; there is a sense of camaraderie and oneness during this special time of year that inspires us as individuals for the new year to come. Sometime we make new year's resolutions and sometimes we vow to be better people in the coming new year.

Some other traditions that also make Christmas so anticipated are: giving and receiving of gifts, waiting for Santa Claus and leaving Santa some goodies, building snowmen and snow castles or making snow angels, watching your favorite Christmas specials on TV and getting all decked out in your best attire for Christmas parties and various gatherings are all part of our favorite Christmas traditions. Whether it's going to a Christmas party or just spending quality time with your entire family, Christmas is all the more magical when it is shared.

Each year we re-create that Christmas spirit while creating new memories to last a lifetime. And if you can't be with your own family this holiday season, for whatever reason, re-create your traditions for yourself or with whatever "family" you do have at the time. Take time to remember and thank our brave soldiers, who fight every day for our freedom and others as well. May your holiday season be happy and safe in 2008; full of good cheer and fun traditions. Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Happy Hanukah :-)

Angelique writes articles for helping shoppers find gifts, providing shopping tips and how to benefit from personalized gifts, promotional products, and awards.  Her work is sponsored by Wealthwood Gifts and Blog Wealthwood.

Monopoly Here and Now World One of the 2008 Best Christmas Gifts

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Welcome to the exciting new world of Monopoly. Every time you travel around the board of the Monopoly Here and Now World Edition, you also travel through six continents. If you're shopping for a board game that will truly delight your Christmas gift recipients, this new take on a long-time classic is sure to please.

This 21st-century version of the popular classic board game keeps the very best ingredients of classic Monopoly while adding thrilling new twists to the game play. The utilities--water works and the electric company--are now hip new renewable energy sources (solar and wind). The oh-that's-so-industrial-revolution railroads now include rail, air travel, ocean cruises and space travel. Banking is now effortless thanks to digital electronic banking that keeps track of your transactions.

The electronic banker doesn't exactly replace a human banker, but it sure makes their job easier. Shove a couple of AA batteries into the banker (um, the electronic one) and it's ready for business. Monopoly Here and Now World can begin when everyone picks a moving and a credit card.

The electronic banking unit really makes game play simple. Some people (like me) can find that Monopoly banking is somewhat of a chore, but the new electronic system makes everything easy, even fun. The banking unit also rides herd on all the wheeling and dealing that goes on when someone lands on a property they don't want. It even includes a random auction timer to add even more excitement and chance.

The game comes with six randomly selected mover pieces that bring even more international flair to this hot Christmas gift. Although your game will only come with six moving pieces, there's a total of 24 mover types available (I sense an eBay opportunity here). You could get any six of the following: Kangaroo, Koala, Surfer, Boomerangs, London Cab, Pretzel, Matador, Windmill, Canadian Mountie, Cowboy Hat, Baseball Glove, Nascar, Inca Mask, Easter Island Moai, Football, Inca Statue, Safari Hat, Egyptian Head Mask, African Mask, Camel, Chinese Dragon, Tuk-Tuk, Russian Dolls, or a Sumo Wrestler.

The cities on the board read like a rock star's world tour. Your properties are located in Taipei, Tokyo, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Toronto, Rome, Shanghai, Vancouver, Sydney, New York, London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Paris, Belgrade, Cape Town and more.

Monopoly Here and Now World teaches and informs the players during game play. The community chest and chance cards include a selection of international facts and holiday festivals. Every property on the board includes stunning photography from around the world.

Let's be honest. When the presents are being opened on Christmas morning, the board games may not be the first things played with. But this Monopoly Here and Now World Edition will be a long-term favorite even after Christmas has come and gone. Every family should have one (or more) Monopoly games in the house. Whether this is your first game or a new addition to the family, it's sure to please everyone.

Review the top Christmas gifts for 2008 at http://www.ChristmasToyReview.com

Find lists, reviews and links to the best deals on this year's best Christmas gifts.