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	<title>Holidays and Celebrations</title>
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	<pubDate>Mon, 31 May 2010 16:41:28 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Homemade Valentine&#8217;s Day Gifts</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/31/homemade-valentines-day-gifts/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/31/homemade-valentines-day-gifts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 May 2010 16:41:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Valentines Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4736</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Homemade Valentine?s Day Gifts

Stores and florists spend a great deal of time, money and effort promoting their products as perfect for Valentine?s Day. This is done for good reason as most people turn to commercially available products on Valenti]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Stores and florists spend a great deal of time, money and effort promoting their products as perfect for Valentine&#8217;s Day. This is done for good reason as most people turn to commercially available products on Valentine&#8217;s Day to give a great gift to their loved ones. However, with a little effort you may find you can give your partner a really great gift on Valentine&#8217;s Day which comes straight from your heart. This can be done in the form of a homemade gift. Despite what you may be thinking it does not take a great deal of time or talent to make these great gifts. This article will provide a few ideas for homemade gifts you can give to your loved one on Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>A scrapbook is one of the most obvious homemade gifts you can give to your partner on Valentine&#8217;s Day. It is also one of the easiest homemade gifts you can make and also one of the gifts which is most likely to be greatly appreciated by your partner. This is a great combination if you want to give your partner a spectacular gift on Valentine&#8217;s Day. To make a great scrapbook start out by selecting the pictures you want to use in the scrapbook. You can select pictures of each of you individually, pictures of the two of you together, pictures of places the two of you have visited together or any combination of the pictures previously mentioned. Once you select a series of pictures you really like there will likely be an obvious theme for the scrapbook. Once this theme emerges you can search for the scrapbook as well as accessories for the scrapbook such as stickers, ribbons or other graphics. Finally, assembling the scrapbook is as easy as gluing the pictures and accessories to the page and putting everything together in an order which makes sense.</p>
<p>Homemade candles are another great gift you can give your partner for Valentine&#8217;s Day. Making candles is actually quite simple. You can find kits in craft supply stores which will not only include everything you need to make a great candle or two but also provide you with simple step by step instructions on how to melt the wax, insert the wick, pour the candle and allow the candle to set before releasing it from the mold. Also, there will likely be the opportunity to use dyes and perfumes to create a candle of a customized color and scent. When adding color or scent to a candle, care should be taken to add the dye or perfume at the appropriate time for the best results.</p>
<p>One final idea for a homemade Valentine&#8217;s Day gift is a CD filled with your partner&#8217;s favorite music or a DVD with pictures of videos of the two of you together. You can even combine the videos with movie clips or music which you think fits well with the rest of the images or video. This may sound like it is extremely difficult but it really is not. With the technological advancements being made, many of us would be surprised to learn that we can do a lot of these things on our own computers at home. However, if you are having a great deal of trouble, you might want to consider consulting a friend or family member for advice on how to accomplish your goal. This way you can still give your loved one a homemade gift for Valentine&#8217;s Day but you will have some help with the most difficult parts of the project.</p>
<p>Technorati Tags :  <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/great">great</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/valentine">valentine</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/pictures">pictures</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/homemade">homemade</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Giving Flowers for Valentine&#8217;s Day</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/24/giving-flowers-for-valentines-day/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/24/giving-flowers-for-valentines-day/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 May 2010 19:05:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Valentines Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4735</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Giving Flowers for Valentine?s Day

Flowers are undoubtedly one of the most popular gifts for a man to give to a woman on Valentine?s Day. In fact flowers are so popular that many men typically give flowers along with other gifts as an addition to]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Flowers are undoubtedly one of the most popular gifts for a man to give to a woman on Valentine&#8217;s Day. In fact flowers are so popular that many men typically give flowers along with other gifts as an addition to the gift as opposed to giving flowers as the gift. However, many men often make the mistake of thinking red roses are the only gifts they can give to their loved on Valentines Day. This is simply not true. There are not only other flowers which are appropriate but there are also a number of different ways to give flower related gifts. This article will provide some great information on how to give flowers on Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>Roses can be very expensive on Valentine&#8217;s Day but they are not the only flowers you can give on this special day. Any type of flower which your partner really likes and will appreciate can be an appropriate gift on Valentine&#8217;s Day. In fact your partner may be extremely touched that you knew them well enough to pick out a different type of flower which you knew they would like. This shows that you put a great deal of thought and effort into buying flowers as opposed to buying red roses which may be more expensive but do not require nearly as much effort.</p>
<p>Another way to give the gift of flowers on Valentine&#8217;s Day is in the form of potted plants. These last much longer than fresh flowers which means your partner will be able to enjoy the gift for much longer. You will also have the option of choosing from a large variety of different types of plants. If you know what type of plants your partner will like, selecting a plant will be easy. However, even if you are not sure you can simply select a plant which you think your partner will find aesthetically appealing. The one caveat to buying potted plants is that you should seek out a plant which is relatively easy to care for so your partner will not have a difficult time caring for the plant.</p>
<p>You might also want to consider giving artificial flowers on Valentine&#8217;s Day. This may not seem overly romantic but artificial flowers are now actually made to look quite lifelike and some women may actually prefer artificial flowers to real flowers. This may be because artificial flowers require very minimal maintenance and do not require any special abilities to maintain the appearance of the flowers. Unlike potted plants which can be difficult to maintain and may die as a result of too much water, not enough water, too much sunlight, not enough sun or any number of factors artificial plants only need to be cleaned and dusted regularly to maintain their appearance.</p>
<p>A final way to give the gift of flowers on Valentine&#8217;s Day is to give your partner seeds or bulbs which they can plant in their own backyard. This can be a great deal of fun because it can be something you and your partner can do together. This type of gift is especially a good idea if your partner has an interest in gardening. However, even if your partner does not have much of an interest in gardening you can include a few books on gardening and a homemade coupon offering your services for an afternoon of work in the garden. This will make the give more special and will allow the two of you to spend some quality time together planting the flowers.</p>
<p>Technorati Tags :  <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/flowers">flowers</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/partner">partner</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/which">which</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/valentine">valentine</a></p>
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		<title>Valentine&#8217;s Day Gifts for Your Boyfriend</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/18/valentines-day-gifts-for-your-boyfriend/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/18/valentines-day-gifts-for-your-boyfriend/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2010 15:15:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Valentines Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4734</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Valentine?s Day Gifts for Your Boyfriend

Many women are often excited about the thought of buying a Valentine?s Day gift for their boyfriends. However, when they actually start shopping for a gift, they often run into a few problems. The most sign]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Valentine&#8217;s Day Gifts for Your Boyfriend</p>
<p>Many women are often excited about the thought of buying a Valentine&#8217;s Day gift for their boyfriends. However, when they actually start shopping for a gift, they often run into a few problems. The most significant problem is they have trouble coming up with a gift idea which they think is both appropriate for Valentine&#8217;s Day and is also appropriate for the current state of the relationship. In many cases the biggest problem is that women do not realize that men most likely do not view Valentine&#8217;s Day in the same way as women. Women put a great deal of importance of Valentine&#8217;s Day when they are in a relationship but most men do not feel as strongly about this holiday and do not have expectations which are as high. This article will provide some gift ideas for women to give their boyfriends on Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>For a relationship which is rather new, choosing a Valentine&#8217;s Day gift for your boyfriend can seem like a daunting task. However, it does not have to be. One of the best ways to select a Valentine&#8217;s Day gift at this point in your relationship is to carefully consider your boyfriends interests in selecting a gift. Instead of trying to find a gift which will be symbolic of your feelings, try giving a gift which your boyfriend would appreciate for any holiday. He is not likely expecting an ornate gesture of love so a simple gift with his interests in mind is likely to be appreciated. For example if your boyfriend enjoys running you might buy him a subscription to a running magazine or enter him in a race you know he would be interested in running such as a local marathon.</p>
<p>Books can also make great gifts for your boyfriend on Valentine&#8217;s Day. In selecting books carefully consider your boyfriend&#8217;s dreams, interests and hobbies and try to select a book or a few books which reflect these interests. For example if you know your boyfriend wants to study to be a personal training you might consider purchasing books related to this idea such as books on how to become certified as a personal trainer or how to start your own personal training business. This type of gift really shows that you pay attention when your boyfriend is talking and that you support his hopes and dreams. You can also purchase books related to his hobbies. For example if enjoys doing work around his house you can purchase a few home remodel books or other books for do-it-yourselfers.</p>
<p>Women often overlook the gift of jewelry when they are shopping for their boyfriends on Valentine&#8217;s Day. However, there are opportunities for women to buy jewelry as a Valentine&#8217;s Day gift. For example, a nice watch is one gift which will likely be appreciated. If your boyfriend is often without a watch or wears a sports watch all the time, you might consider purchasing a more sophisticated watch which would be more appropriate for work or going out. Cufflinks or a tie tack can also be appropriate gifts of jewelry for women to give their boyfriends on Valentine&#8217;s Day. Your boyfriend may not dress up often but when he does, he will likely appreciate these little touches to make his outfit more stylish.</p>
<p>There is an old saying that says the best way to get to a man&#8217;s heart is through his stomach. Many women already know this and are well aware that a gift of a homemade meal is one of the best gifts they can give their boyfriends on Valentine&#8217;s Day. Most men do not cook much. This means if they are living alone, they typically have simple meals or order takeout. This can become very boring after awhile and many men would love for their girlfriends to cook them a romantic dinner on Valentine&#8217;s Day. It may seem overly simple but it is definitely one gift which is likely to be appreciated. Try cooking something you and your boyfriend don&#8217;t eat often or try making his favorite restaurant meal at home.</p>
<p>Technorati Tags :  <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/valentine">valentine</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/boyfriend">boyfriend</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/women">women</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Valentine&#8217;s Day with a Friend</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/12/valentines-day-with-a-friend/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/12/valentines-day-with-a-friend/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2010 19:19:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Valentines Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4733</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Valentine?s Day with a Friend

Valentine?s Day is traditionally a day for loved ones to celebrate their love for each other. However, not everyone is in a relationship each year when Valentine?s Day rolls around. This does not mean these people hav]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Valentine&#8217;s Day is traditionally a day for loved ones to celebrate their love for each other. However, not everyone is in a relationship each year when Valentine&#8217;s Day rolls around. This does not mean these people have to spend the day alone at home. Just because you don&#8217;t have a significant other on Valentine&#8217;s Day does not mean you can&#8217;t have a great Valentine&#8217;s Day. Spending Valentine&#8217;s Day with a friend can be a wonderful way to spend the day. You and your friend can do all sorts of things to celebrate Valentine&#8217;s Day and keep both of you from feeling left out on this holiday. This article will focus on some ideas for spending Valentine&#8217;s Day with a friend.</p>
<p>Going out to the movies can be a great way for friends to spend Valentine&#8217;s Day. Going to movies is not one of the most popular activities on Valentine&#8217;s Day so you will likely not have to worry about long lines or shows being sold out. If couples do choose to go to the movies, they are likely to flock to romantic movies so you and your friend can avoid the crowds by choosing a comedy or a science fiction movie you have been wanting to see.</p>
<p>Another fun way to spend Valentine&#8217;s Day with a friend is to get dressed up and go bowling. Bowling can be a lot of fun and it is not normally an activity couples tend to favor for Valentine&#8217;s Day. Try getting dressed up in your old prom attire and head to the local bowling alley. You will not only be having a lot of fun but you will also be making the activity seem more special. You can also try dressing for a specific theme such as the 50s or the 80s for your bowling outing.</p>
<p>You might be spending Valentine&#8217;s Day with a friend instead of a boyfriend or girlfriend but you still have to eat dinner on Valentine&#8217;s Day. Just because Valentine&#8217;s Day is traditionally for couples, doesn&#8217;t mean you and your friend can go out for a great dinner together on Valentine&#8217;s Day. If there is a new restaurant in town you want to try or a place you have always wanted to try, why not try it on Valentine&#8217;s Day. You will likely have to make reservations well in advance as going out to dinner is a very popular idea on Valentine&#8217;s Day but if you make your reservations in advance; you can enjoy your dinner in a fabulous restaurant on Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>If you and your friend are looking for something to do on Valentine&#8217;s Day, try volunteering to serve dinner in a homeless shelter that night. Holidays can be difficult times at shelters because there may be fewer volunteers than usual. While there are some who make an effort to volunteer on days such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, many people tend to overlook volunteer opportunities on Valentine&#8217;s Day because they are focused on enjoying a special evening with their loved one. You and a friend can spend the evening dishing out dinner to those in need. You will likely leave feeling as though you have made a difference in the lives of others which is a great way to spend Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>Finally, if you and your friend are looking for a great way to spend Valentine&#8217;s Day, you might consider renting a bunch of movies and ordering a pizza. This can be a great way to spend time with a friend on Valentine&#8217;s Day. You won&#8217;t have to worry about getting all dressed up to go somewhere fancy. Instead you can just relax, be yourself and enjoy a great evening with an old friend. You can even rent a bunch of romantic movies, open a bottle of wine and toast all those who are out celebrating with a loved one this evening.</p>
<p>&#8216;</p>
<p>Technorati Tags :  <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/valentine">valentine</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/friend">friend</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/spend"></a><a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/great"></a></p>
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		<title>Valentine&#8217;s Day Date Ideas</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/07/valentines-day-date-ideas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/07/valentines-day-date-ideas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 May 2010 16:12:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Valentines Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4732</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Valentine?s Day Date Ideas

For many Valentine?s Day is one day of the year where couples really want to have a great date and show their partner how much they love them and care about them. However, many people have a great deal of trouble decidin]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Valentine&#8217;s Day Date Ideas</p>
<p>For many Valentine&#8217;s Day is one day of the year where couples really want to have a great date and show their partner how much they love them and care about them. However, many people have a great deal of trouble deciding planning a Valentine&#8217;s Day. This may be because there is a great deal of pressure to plan a fabulous date or simply because the person planning the date just doesn&#8217;t know how to plan a great date on any day of the year and is particularly stressed about planning a date on such an important day. Whichever the case, this article will provide a few date ideas for a great Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>A romantic candlelight dinner is one of the most classic ideas for a Valentine&#8217;s Day date. Whether you plan and cook an elaborate meal by yourself, order in pizza and eat by candlelight or go out to an elegant restaurant with a great atmosphere, this type of date is likely to be well received. Although a romantic candlelight dinner might seem like a boring idea for a Valentine&#8217;s Day date just because it has been done so often and isn&#8217;t very original but it is a date idea which is always appreciated and never goes out of style.</p>
<p>Going out for a night of dancing is another great idea for a Valentine&#8217;s Day date. If you and your partner are already great dancers you can simply head out to a local dance club and plan on dancing away the evening. However, you might want to make things a little more interesting by changing things a little. For example if you and your partner typically enjoy country dancing you might try heading to a nightclub featuring salsa music. This will help to make the date seem more interesting. If you and your partner do not have a great deal of experience dancing, you can try arranging ballroom dancing lessons as a Valentine?s Day date idea. This will give you and your date an opportunity to learn something new together and connect in a new way.</p>
<p>Another great idea for a Valentine&#8217;s Day date idea is to rent a series of movies according to a particular theme and spend the evening watching movies and making popcorn at home. You can opt for renting several romantic movies to set the mood for Valentine&#8217;s Day but you don&#8217;t have to have the evening focus on romance. You can choose any theme which you and your partner will enjoy. For example you may try a few different sports related movies or a series of comedies. Whichever you choose, you are sure to have a great time because you are getting the opportunity to spend some quality time alone with your date.</p>
<p>A helicopter ride is a really romantic date idea for Valentine&#8217;s Day. Depending on where you live, you are likely to find pilots who offer scenic rides for this type of occasion. Whether you opt for a ride over a city or through scenic mountains, you and your date are sure to enjoy this unique Valentine&#8217;s Day date. This could be rather expensive and will likely not be a rather long event. To cut down on costs you might consider combining the helicopter ride with coffee and dessert afterwards instead of an expensive dinner.</p>
<p>Cultural events such as plays and visits to museums also make great Valentine&#8217;s Day date ideas. These types of events can be especially good ideas if you and your date do not normally engage in these types of activities. You can spend an afternoon or an evening comparing opinions on art displays or sit through a play or opera. However, it is important to remember these types of activities are only good ideas for a Valentine&#8217;s Day date if it is something you and your date will enjoy but normally don&#8217;t have time to do. If you and your date don&#8217;t normally do these types of things because you don&#8217;t enjoy them, then it would not be a good idea for a Valentine&#8217;s Day date.</p>
<p>Technorati Tags :  <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/valentine">valentine</a></p>
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		<title>Spending Valentine&#8217;s Day Alone</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/01/spending-valentines-day-alone/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/05/01/spending-valentines-day-alone/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 May 2010 19:05:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Valentines Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4731</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Spending Valentine?s Day Alone

Whether you are in a committed relationship and your partner is away for the holidays or you just do not have a date on Valentine?s Day, spending this day alone can be very sad for some people. Women especially are l]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Whether you are in a committed relationship and your partner is away for the holidays or you just do not have a date on Valentine&#8217;s Day, spending this day alone can be very sad for some people. Women especially are likely to dwell on the fact that they are alone this day but some men may wish they had someone special to spend the day with as well. However, spending Valentine&#8217;s Day alone does not have to be such as sad day. This article will offer a few tips for how to have fun on Valentine&#8217;s Day even if you are alone for the day.</p>
<p>Those who are in long distance relationships often find themselves alone on days such as Valentine?s Day, anniversaries or birthdays. If you are in this situation you likely realize there will be times when you are spending Valentine&#8217;s Day apart from your loved one. For example if you and your partner live miles away from each other because of work and only see each other on the weekends, you will likely be alone on Valentine&#8217;s Day if it falls during the week. However, there are other ways you can make the day seem special. For example if you know you are going to be alone on Valentine&#8217;s Day, try to keep yourself busy throughout the day. Schedule appointments such as manicures or pedicures, run errands or make plans to meet a friend for lunch or dinner. This will help to keep you from dwelling on the fact that it is Valentine&#8217;s Day. You can also make plans for the following weekend ahead of time so you will have something to look forward to. You may still be alone on Valentine&#8217;s Day but if you know you will be celebrating on the weekend it will help to make the day feel less sad and will help to make you feel less lonely.</p>
<p>If you are alone on Valentine&#8217;s Day because you are not in a relationship, you can still have a great time on Valentine&#8217;s Day. One way to do this is to rent a few movies and order in diner from a really nice restaurant. Try ordering from a restaurant you have always wanted to try or from a place which you know is very popular with couples on Valentine&#8217;s Day. This will help to make the day more special for you and you will be less likely to feel as though you are left out from the day&#8217;s activities. Just because you are alone does not mean you can&#8217;t enjoy a great meal and have a fabulous night by yourself.</p>
<p>If you have other friends who are single, you might consider hosting a singles only party on Valentine&#8217;s Day. You can invite all of your single friend and ask them each to bring someone else who is single. You and your friends will enjoy spending time together away from all of the couples who can make Valentine&#8217;s Day seem so lonely for those who are not in a relationship. You might even wind up meeting someone great at your Valentine&#8217;s Day party and next year you will not be alone on Valentine&#8217;s Day. You can even try playing match making games at the party which encourage the guests to get to know each other. Even if you do not wind up meeting someone great, one of your friends might. Examples of games you might play are the dating game or scavenger hunts which encourage guests to find other participants who have certain interests or personality traits.</p>
<p>Finally, if you are alone on Valentine&#8217;s Day, it is important to remember it does not mean you will always be alone. One of the biggest mistakes singles often make on Valentine&#8217;s Day is spending too much time dwelling on the holiday. It is very important to remember that being alone on Valentine&#8217;s Day is not the end of the world. Try doing something for yourself like giving yourself a manicure, going for a run or taking a long bath. This will help you to focus more on yourself and your good qualities than the fact that you do not have a date on Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>Technorati Tags :  <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/valentine">valentine</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/alone">alone</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/spending">spending</a></p>
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		<title>Traditional Christmas Cooking</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/04/26/traditional-christmas-cooking/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/04/26/traditional-christmas-cooking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:12:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking For Special Occasions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4895</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Traditional Christmas Cooking

Christmas is a time of year when different families around the world will get together and observe traditions that are the same for them year after year and yet vastly different from those that other families share ar]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Traditional Christmas Cooking</p>
<p>Christmas is a time of year when different families around the world will get together and observe traditions that are the same for them year after year and yet vastly different from those that other families share around the block. There are very few universal Christmas traditions any more and there is nothing wrong with that. In America however, there are some items that many people consider traditional holiday cooking and there is little that will be done to dissuade these opinions. The truth is that many of these traditional holiday foods are largely traditional in specific regions rather than the United States having one nations wide traditional Christmas dinner.</p>
<p>Turkey or ham? For some families the answer is both while others answer quite quickly that it is neither. One of the best all-American Christmas cooking ideas I&#8217;ve ever seen was lasagna. It was a Christmas Eve tradition but a delicious tradition just the same. There are no right or wrong traditions only those traditions that work well for you and your family. If you feel the need to change a long-standing tradition for a large extended family by all means discuss it with everyone involved. Otherwise it is your tradition and you should feel free to make it your own.</p>
<p>At the same time, there is something comforting and reminiscent of home to have those traditions to come home to year after year. I can&#8217;t help but think of the movie Christmas with the Kranks. The entire movie was spent in an attempt to break with the traditional Christmas trappings and trimmings only to make a mad dash to return to them in the end. That is often the way things go when attempting to break with tradition. If you are considering this for the first time this Christmas be sure to hang on to some of your old traditions in case you find that it just doesn&#8217;t feel like Christmas without them. You certainly don&#8217;t want it to be too late and miss out on the spirit of Christmas in your home.</p>
<p>Other great traditional favorites for many Americans as far as Christmas cooking goes are: sweet potato casseroles, devilled eggs, dressing or stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, apple pie, mince meat pie, and pecan pie. Of course there are regional favorites that are often highly dependent upon where you live such as key lime pie, lemon icebox pie, oyster dressing, deep fried turkey. If one of these is a Christmas tradition for you, no matter where you are in the world you will think of home or Christmas whenever you come across them. It&#8217;s really amazing how that happens and quite nice too when family and friends seem far away to have something as simple as a dish of food make them seem that much closer.</p>
<p>That, of course, is the great, and almost perfect things about Christmas traditions. We pass them along to our children who one day will find that they are a little less alone because someone in an airport is eating a slice of key lime pie or having a dish or macaroni and cheese. If you don&#8217;t have Christmas traditions it is time to develop a few just so that you can share something special and almost sacred with your friends and family.</p>
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		<title>Valentine&#8217;s Day Gifts for Your Husband</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/04/25/valentines-day-gifts-for-your-husband/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/04/25/valentines-day-gifts-for-your-husband/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:55:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Valentines Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4730</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Valentine?s Day Gifts for Your Husband

Some may argue that women have the more difficult job on Valentine?s Day. This is because there are many websites dedicated to finding the perfect Valentine?s Day gift for your wife for girlfriend but there a]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Some may argue that women have the more difficult job on Valentine&#8217;s Day. This is because there are many websites dedicated to finding the perfect Valentine&#8217;s Day gift for your wife for girlfriend but there are considerably less resources dedicated to helping a woman to find a great Valentine&#8217;s Day gift for her husband. This can make shopping for your husband very difficult. However, this article will hopefully provide a few ideas for women who are looking for the perfect gift to give their husbands on Valentine?s Day.</p>
<p>One great gift idea for a woman to give to her husband on Valentine&#8217;s Day which is often overlooked is a gift of flowers. Flowers are one of the most popular gifts for men to give to women on Valentine&#8217;s Day but women often do not even consider giving flowers to men on Valentine&#8217;s Day. This is a shame because men receive flowers so rarely, if ever, that they are very likely to really appreciate a simple gift of flowers from their wives on Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>Another great gift idea for women to give to their husbands on Valentine&#8217;s Day is something that really reflects his personal interests or hobbies. For example if your husband is really into following a particular sports team, you might consider buying him tickets to a game or a piece of memorabilia. For a man who has an interest in an activity such as fishing, you might consider buying him something related to his hobby such as a new fishing reel or other accessories for fishing. These types of gifts may not seem overly romantic which is why many women do not consider these gifts at Valentine&#8217;s Day but they do show that you really know your husband well and appreciate his interests and hobbies. This is a very important part of being in love with someone and therefore these gifts are perfect for Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>A homemade dinner is also a great gift idea for women to give to their husbands on Valentine&#8217;s Day. Again, most women cook every night so they wouldn&#8217;t consider cooking dinner as a Valentine&#8217;s Day gift because they think it is too ordinary. However, if they just make a few changes by creating an elegant menu and serving dinner by candlelight it can transform everyday dinners into and excellent gift idea. You may spend a little more time preparing the meal than you normally would spend to cook dinner but both you and your husband will get the benefit of being able to relax and enjoy a fabulous dinner together.</p>
<p>If you are running out of ideas for gifts to give your husband on Valentine&#8217;s Day, you might want to consider giving him some clothing as a gift. This really is a good idea because if your husband is like most men, he rarely shops for clothing for himself. In fact he may still be wearing clothing from high school or college. Try buying your husband items he normally wouldn&#8217;t purchase for himself such as a stylish pair of jeans or a new pair of shoes. He will likely appreciate the gift because he will now have a few more clothing options but will not have to worry about doing his own shopping.</p>
<p>A final gift which can be a good idea for women to give to their husbands on Valentine&#8217;s Day is a gift certificate for a massage. Men often give these types of gifts to women on Valentine&#8217;s Day but women typically don&#8217;t give these types of gifts to men. Men enjoy being pampered just as much as women do, and your husband will likely appreciate a gift of a gift certificate for a massage. However, you might consider giving him the gift certificate and also scheduling an appointment for him. This is helpful for a couple of reasons. First it helps to make sure your husband doesn&#8217;t accidentally forget about the gift. The other reason is that some men may be shy about this type of gift because they have never had a massage before and may be apprehensive. If you make the appointment for them, it will take away some of the anxiety.</p>
<p>Technorati Tags :  <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/valentine">valentine</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/women">women</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/husband">husband</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/gifts">gifts</a></p>
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		<title>Cooking for the Day of the Dead</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/04/20/cooking-for-the-day-of-the-dead/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/04/20/cooking-for-the-day-of-the-dead/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:58:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking For Special Occasions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4894</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cooking for the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is an important holiday in Mexican culture in which the departed adults that have gone on to the afterlife once again walk the earth for a night. It is an opportunity to hon]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Cooking for the Day of the Dead</p>
<p>The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is an important holiday in Mexican culture in which the departed adults that have gone on to the afterlife once again walk the earth for a night. It is an opportunity to honor those who have left us behind and a very healthy approach to death that many other cultures would do well to adopt. This is a family event and as such there is typically a good deal of great food involved.</p>
<p>If this is your first celebration of the Day of the Dead you are not alone. Most Americans never adopt this custom and those that are interested enough to try out some of the cuisine of this important day in Mexican society are very rarely versed in the tradition, which makes it difficult.</p>
<p>Sugar skulls are a very important part of the Day of the dead festivities and can be decorated quite elaborately by skilled artisans. If this is a tradition you&#8217;d like to explore there are many recipes for the mixture as well as forms for the skulls that can be found online. It is a fun art project that takes place in the kitchen for kids and grown-ups alike that also happens to provide a somewhat unique peek at another culture. The painting of the skulls can be very simplistic or as elaborate as you wish to make it. You should note that days when it is either raining or very humid are not good days for trying to make the sugar skulls so plan ahead and pay attention to the weather reports.</p>
<p>Pan de Muerto is a staple for cooking on the day of the dead. It has become known as day of the dead bread. There are many recipes ranging from simple in nature to extremely complex. They are all somewhat different and you may need to try a few before you find that one you like best. The best solution is probably to taste several different varieties and request the recipe for the one you prefer if you know the person who did the baking.</p>
<p>Beef tamales are another excellent food for the day of the dead. They are also great to make ahead of time and freeze so that there is little actual prep work to be done on this day. You can also make tamales with the help of your little ones if you are so inclined. It makes them feel important and allows them to be big kids and big helps in the kitchen. Not only that, but when all is said and done they will appreciate the tamales that their efforts produced even more than if they had taken no part in the preparation.</p>
<p>Another great tradition is to serve foods that the departed family members considered favorites. This means that you may have quite a variety of foods on the table, depending on how large the family was and how many family members are dead. This is a tradition that was Indian in origin and is more strongly observed in areas that have the largest Indian population within Mexico and in some southwestern states within the United States. If you are looking to add a little excitement to your cooking feel free to do a little cooking for the Day of the Dead next time it comes around.</p>
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		<title>Valentine&#8217;s Day Gift Ideas</title>
		<link>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/04/19/valentines-day-gift-ideas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.7daysfestival.org/index.php/2010/04/19/valentines-day-gift-ideas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:58:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sybella</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Valentines Day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogwork.lautremonde.net/?p=4729</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Valentine?s Day Gift Ideas

Valentine?s Day is one of the most special days of the year for many couples. Although there are many who will argue that Valentine?s Day is a commercialized holiday created for the purpose of making people buy cards, fl]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="KonaBody"><p>Valentine&#8217;s Day is one of the most special days of the year for many couples. Although there are many who will argue that Valentine&#8217;s Day is a commercialized holiday created for the purpose of making people buy cards, flowers and candy. However, there are others who do not care how Valentine&#8217;s Day started and are just happy for a day where they have the opportunity to plan a romantic day with someone they love. For many this day includes giving a gift of some sort. Whether it is a small token gift or an extravagant gift, deciding what to give your loved one for Valentine&#8217;s Day can be a difficult decision. This article will offer a few suggestions for gift ideas on Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p>One of the simplest, and most popular, Valentine&#8217;s Day gifts is a simple card. It may not seem like much but many people, women in particular, would say a card is one of the best gifts they could receive on Valentine&#8217;s Day. However, not just any card makes a great gift. The best cards are cards which really express your feelings about your loved one and your relationship. You can find cards available with a printed statement which may work well for your situation. You can also find cards which are blank inside where you fill in the card with your own emotions. If you can&#8217;t find a card that suits your needs, you can even try making your own card.</p>
<p>Jewelry is another great gift idea for Valentine&#8217;s Day. Simple earrings might be appropriate for a new relationship while a more expensive gift would be appropriate for a relationship which is more deeply rooted. Regardless of the price of the gift, the jewelry you give to your partner on Valentine&#8217;s Day will be something she will really appreciate. Pay particular attention to the type of jewelry she already wears and this will give you a good indication of the type of jewelry she likes. For example, if she always wears silver or white gold jewelry, purchasing yellow gold may not be a great idea because she may not particularly like this style.</p>
<p>A weekend getaway is another great gift idea for Valentine&#8217;s Day. Although this type of gift is definitely most appropriate for couples who have been dating for awhile or who are married. If you and your partner have never traveled together before, it may still be okay to give this type of gift for Valentine&#8217;s Day but you might want to discuss the gift with your partner beforehand as opposed to surprising him or her with the gift. This will help to make sure your partner is comfortable with this type of gift.</p>
<p>What would Valentine&#8217;s Day be without candy? One of the most traditional gifts on Valentine&#8217;s Day is flowers and candy. While this a gift which is most appreciated, most women will agree the candy is their favorite part of the gift. Flowers are beautiful and are always appreciated but chocolates are also always appreciated. If you are planning to give chocolate for Valentine&#8217;s Day try making the gift a little more unique. Instead of a traditional heart shaped box of assorted chocolates, try making a bouquet out of your partner&#8217;s favorite candy bars. You can even wrap up the candy bouquet like flowers. This puts a unique spin on a traditional gift idea and helps to ensure your partner will love the gift.</p>
<p>Finally, there is no reason why Valentine&#8217;s Day gifts have to be any different than gifts you would give for other occasions such as a birthday or Christmas. You can certainly give items such as clothing, DVDs, CDs, electronic gadgets or any other item you know your partner will appreciate. As long as you are giving your partner a gift you know he or she will appreciate, it can make a great gift idea for Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
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