Some of the interesting holidays in January are Happy Mew Year for Cats Day, Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, Thomas Crapper Day, Squirrel Appreciation Day, and Penguin Awareness Day.

Holiday

Dump Your Significant Jerk Day, Weather Person’s Day, Be Electrific Day, and Ferris Wheel Day are some weird observances of February.

In the month of March come Pig Day, Panic Day, Unique Names Day, National Children’s Crafts Day, and Act Happy Day.

Weird holidays in April include Sorry Charlie Day, Blame Someone Else Day, Pecan Day, and Tweed Day.

Save the Rhino Day, Paranormal Day, and Kite Day are some of the weird holidays celebrated in the month of May.

Hug Your Cat Day, and Take Your Dog to Work Day come in June.

Weird holidays of July are I Forgot Day, Canada Day, and Country Music Day.

Sister’s Day, Happiness Happens Day, and Professional Speakers Day are some August daily observances.

Labor Day and International Literacy Day are some in September.

Devil’s Night, Internet Day, and Mother-in-Law Day come in October.

Among the weird holidays celebrated in November are All Hallows or All Saints Day, National Family Literacy Day, and Sadie Hawkins Day.

Coats for Kids Day, Special Education Day, and National Dice Day fall in December.

Bonza Bottler Day is a kind of fun holiday, which happens every month when a day and month coincide.

There are a fine number of websites or CDs providing a list of weird holidays and observances. These websites help to keep you informed about daily, weekly, monthly weird holidays and celebrations. Besides exact dates and list of the weird holidays, its history and holiday-related activities are also provided.

Weird Holidays

Holidays provides detailed information on Holidays, Jewish Holidays, Mexican Holidays, Federal Holidays and more. Holidays is affiliated with Valentine’s Day Gifts.

So here’s a Youth Christmas Planning Checklist…

Reservation

Form a Christmas Party planning committee

Who needs to be involved in the planning for the Christmas Party? (i.e. parents, youth workers, youth, pastoral staff, others?)
What are the roles in the planning and preparation for the Christmas Party and who will be responsible for each role?

Coordinate your Youth Christmas Party with the church as a whole

How will the Christmas Party fit into the over all schedule of Church activities? Does it complement the Church Christmas theme or focus?
Will there be duplication? Should some parts of the Christmas party be jointly organised?
Will there be conflicts of manpower and facilities?
Is your planned date for the Christmas Party on the overall church calendar?
Who will you need to coordinate with? Will it be part of the overall church Christmas plan or separate?

Decide the Christmas Activities Schedule

List the individual activities that will be part of your Youth Christmas program.
What are the times and dates of each event?
What is the venue or location for each event?
How will the Christmas Party fit into the schedule?

Decide your Goal for the Christmas Party

Purpose: What is the purpose for the Christmas party? Is it evangelistic? In appreciation? A simple celebration? To reach out to the community? To help the needy?

Target group: Who is the target group for the Christmas Party? Who do you want to attend the Christmas Party? (age group, Christians / seekers, friends of youth, parents, youth workers, community, etc.)

Brief Description: Write a clear description of the Christmas Party and its goals.

Theme: What is the theme for the Christmas Party?

Plan the Details for the Christmas Party

What is the official name of for the Christmas Party? Does the name clearly communicate the purpose and content?
You should have already written down the date and time and venue for the Party. In addition you will want to add directions to the venue? Is there a map available? About how long will it take travel there? Is it difficult to find?

Tentative Christmas Party Program

What activities will fill the time during the Christmas Party? OVER PLAN and have ALTERNATIVES. (e.g. Icebreakers, gift exchange, Bible study, Movies, Large Group Games, etc.) If you are using another venue, doing an on site inspection in advance will help you better prepare for Christmas games and activities. If there is a gift exchange, how will the exchange be coordinated?
Christmas Party Finances

What’s the expected actual cost?
What is the budget for the Youth Christmas Party?
What is the cost to participants?
If there is a Christmas gift exchange, what is the price range for the participant’s gifts?
Are there sponsors / sources of supplies or food for the Christmas Party? Will parents or church members make contributions of Christmas goodies and food?
Are there scholarships available?
Does the cost change for early or late sign-ups?
When is payment for the Christmas Party due?

Christmas Party Arrangements
Reservation of Venue?
Recruit Adult chaperones / volunteers for the Christmas Party – A good rule of thumb is to have one chaperon (parent/youth pastor/leader) for every eight youth that attend. (Some groups may require more or less supervision)
Are there to be Special speakers / special items or programs utilizing outside people?
Someone trained in first aid or medicine on site in case of an injury.
What food will be available at the Christmas party? Meals and snacks should be designed to meet the needs of all attendees. Are there any special dietary requirements or restrictions?
Are there any transportation requirements?
Contact information for those responsible for major roles and duties?
Address and contact of nearest medical emergency aid?
What Rules will be enforced?
Create an ‘Incident Report’ form for any injuries, accidents or security breaches that occur during the Christmas Party?

Christmas Events Publicity

Promotional fliers
Church Bulletin
Church / youth Calendar or events
Invitations – Your invitations should state the starting and ending time of your Christmas party and should mention the food you will be serving. And don’t forget to include directions to get to the venue, expecially for first timers. You also will want to include any cost and indicate whether or not participants should bring a gift for a gift exchange and costing for such gifts.
Sign-up form / Permission slips
Postcards to invite friends
Posters / Bulletin Boards
Website / emails
Local newspaper

Equipment and resources needed for the Christmas Party

Are the tables and chairs available at the venue sufficient for participants and the food?
Sound system? Upbeat Christmas Music?
Special lighting?
Special equipment?
Materials and resources for games?
Parking space? Drop off and pick-up point for parents?
Requisition forms for supplies, Checkout / return out form for any equipment or supplies that are borrowed?

Handling emergencies
Any time you get a group of youth together there is a possibility of accidents. They will happen. So be prepared for them.
Christmas Party Attendee list – Name, contact number for parents, and permission slips if you are leaving the church premises. Keep the contact information together in a folder and available at all times in case of an emergency. Make a master copy and a standby copy.
Sponsor list
Emergency contacts
Fire, medical, and police department numbers
What is the name, address and phone number of the nearest hospital or urgent care facility? (This information should be included on your health form/parent release.). What is the most direct route from the venue?
What are the venue management contacts?
Prepare a Parent’s contact list.
Prepare a Volunteer list with assigned roles and contact numbers?
What transportation arrangements are required. Contact numbers?

Christmas Party Volunteer Training
Screen Volunteers
Meet with volunteers as a group before party.
List responsibilities and contact numbers for each volunteer including a ‘Chain of Command’ – who reports to whom, who makes final decisions?
Make sure volunteers are clear on the rules.
Familiarize volunteers with the layout of the venue – especially exits, potential problem areas or hazards.
Assign people in your team to be responsible for cleaning up any spills/ broken glass as soon as it happens?
Trouble shoot with volunteers. What things could happen during the party and how should the volunteers respond?
Have people and vehicles on standby to travel with youth in case of emergency.
Instruct volunteers in how to complete the ‘Incident Report’ form for any injuries, accidents or security breaches that occur during the Christmas Party and what information is needed. They need to get signatures of any eyewitnesses.
Go through the entire Party schedule. What resources are needed for each item on the schedule and who is responsible to make sure they are ready?
Volunteers must be flexible and ready to help out as needed.

The Day of the Christmas Party

Set up the decorations according to your theme.
Set up for games / activities
Test the sound system and Christmas music
Delivery and storage of food and supplies
Identify key volunteers to participants, especially the medical person.
Are floor surfaces clear of trip hazards and electrical cords?
Are all security, staff and volunteers easily identified with either a uniform, t-shirt, ID badge or cap?
Are Emergency/Fire exits clear of any obstructions and will they have adults monitoring them?
Are there first-aid supplies, fire extinguishers? If so, where are they located?
If you are going to have a gift exchange, have quite a few backups for those that forget or unexpected gifts. Try to insure that everyone gets a gift.
Be sure to have someone take photos and video of the event. They make great Christmas Party souvenirs.
Clean up – It’s important to leave the hall or building in the same shape as you found it.
Involve everyone in this process.

After the Christmas Party

Return rental or borrowed items
Thank everyone who made the Christmas Party possible
Meet with the Christmas Party planning committee and evaluate. Ask: What worked well? What could we have done differently? What did we learn from this process?
Review any incident reports completed and see what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents happening at future youth events.
Complete and file a written event summary including any resources and suggestions for future planning of Christmas Parties.
Send “thank you” cards to everyone who help in any way

This document is a guide only. It contains general information and is not intended to represent a comprehensive checklist. Have suggestions to add? Any words of wisdom? Please click on the comments link below and share with us your wisdom and experience in regards to organizing Christmas Parties for your youth!

Youth Christmas Party Planning Checklist

Ken has been actively involved in youth ministry for almost 20 years and has been writing youth materials since 1988. He has written for numerous Youth weekends and summer camps around the world. He also does training workshops for youth leaders and teachers in Asia and is recommended by others for his creativity and for his passion in mentoring youth. A great resource for planning your Christmas Party is the Creative Youth Ideas Christmas Collection found at http://www.CreativeChristmasIdeas.com

My Top Ten Workplace Safety Tips:

Maintain a clean work area. Not only will you remove many hazards from a work area by keeping it clean, but you will also provide a more productive work environment for your employees.

Use guards and engineering solutions wherever possible instead of relying on PPE – personal protective equipment. PPE is hard to police and uncomfortable to wear. Find a way to prevent the exposure in the first place. Your workers will be much more productive if they are comfortable

Assume your employees want to work safely and give them that chance. Many safety incentive programs seemed to be based on the idea that employees want to get hurt and you have to bribe them not to stick their hand in the machine. If you have that idea, then these tips are not for you.

Give clear work instructions. Make sure your employees know the right way to do what you expect of them. Don’t just give them a list of things not to do. Include safety instructions in every procedure you write.

Don’t dwell on worst case scenarios but focus on what is most likely to occur. Start by focusing your energy in preventing your most common incidents. That means you will have to keep an accurate OSHA incident log even if it looks bad to some manager you report to.

Love your employees. Don’t confuse this with something that might get you a sexual harassment claim. I mean, care about your employees and let them know you do. If a machine is becoming unsafe, shut it down before someone gets hurt.

Spend time getting to know the work your employees do. Even if you once did that job, it is likely it is done differently by different people. Look at what people are actually doing and compare this to what is written in procedures. If the procedures are different from the actual practice , find out why.

Maintain the machinery in good working order. Many times employees get into dangerous situations by having to compensate for a machine defect or wear. In the case of wear, it may have occurred so gradually that they think it is normal. A strong preventive maintenance program makes for a strong safety program.

Avoid unnecessary hazards. Look for new materials or equipment that can eliminate the hazards your workers are exposed to.

Maintain a clean work area. See workplace safety tip number one above. Potential exposures to hazardous material and conditions can be dramatically reduced simply by keeping the work area clean. And the benefit in employee productivity and morale is worth the effort even without the safety incentive.

Travel Tips

Workplace Safety Tips – My Top Ten List

Mike Strawbridge is the owner of Straw Solutions Performance Improvement Consulting http://www.mikestrawbridge.com

For more workplace safety ideas see http://www.mikestrawbridge.com/workplace-safety-training.shtml

The humor comes in a wide range of tastefulness, and that is OK because there are a lot of people in the world with all kinds of different opinions on what is appropriate for a given situation and what is not. You just need to be sure that the card you are picking out is right for the person you are going to send it to.

Holiday

Sometimes the cards in the humorous section of the Christmas websites are subdivided by kind of humor. There are cards which would be termed whimsical in nature and often have animals like dogs and cats or rabbits delivering a cute but humorous Christmas greeting.

Some of the most popular kinds have Santa on the front and he is in various situations which come from the artists’ imaginations. Sometimes you see Santa in the living room trying to explain to the wide awake children what he is doing there. Sometimes Santa is on the beach, kicking back after finishing his rounds around the globe. Sometimes Santa is in a bar having a couple of beers after getting finished with delivering his toys before he goes back home to Mrs. Claus.

There are cards with gently humorous sentiments (the words inside the card) and some where the situations and the words are downright raunchy. Not everybody appreciates the kind of card where the sentiments are x-rated but that kind of cards does exist. And is in fact, a pretty popular kind of Christmas item. But they are probably not the kind of Xmas card to send to your retired aunt and uncles living in a retirement village in Florida.

But the best thing is that you can have a choice. There are plenty of Christmas cards that can fill almost anyone’s idea of what is appropriately funny in a given circumstance. And as long as you don’t mind looking around the internet a little bit, you can find some pretty good deals on humorous Christmas cards, no matter what kind sense of humor you have.

Humorous Christmas Cards For A Festive Holiday Season

The internet is ready to serve up a big bunch of bargains on humorous and personalized Christmas cards with just a little bit of searching online. Visit www.DiscountChristmasShop.com for some of the best bargains on discount Christmas shopping.

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company’s address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

Cheap Flights

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver’s license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you’ll suddenly be “in the dark” and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of ‘staged’ car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child’s name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend’s or relative’s contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.

33. Consider renting an escort [security] service if traveling in areas where crime is high.

The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.

33 Travel Safety Tips

Matt manages the Corporate Flight Attendant Community a comprehensive resource center for business flight attendants who travel throughout the world. You can visit the community at http://www.corporateflyer.net or http://www.cabinmanagers.com

Brazil is fun, interesting, and warmly welcomes everyone. So you might expect it to be an expensive place to live. It is not. Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil are among the cheapest cities in the world to live in, according to a study by the British consultancy firm Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Cruises Travel

It is often said in Brazil: “You either have a housekeeper or you are a housekeeper.” Even middle-class working families usually have a maid or housekeeper in Brazil.

You can retire in Brazil. There is a retirement visa available, but to qualify for it you must have proof of an income of at least 00 per month (plus an additional amount for dependents). There is also an investment category, as well as other ways to become a permanent resident in Brazil.

Permanent residents of Brazil may apply for Brazilian passports and can also keep their current citizenships and passports too. It is perfectly legal and common to do so. There can be some benefit to holding a Brazilian passport. Sometimes citizens of the USA are targeted by terrorists when traveling overseas. Brazilians are not targeted.

Health care is a high priority for retirees. Health care in Brazil is very good. The poorer people depend entirely on the free national health care system. It is not necessary to be a citizen of Brazil to use the national health care system. Any person who is legally in the country is welcome to use the national health care system. The national health care system does a good job of providing all health care needs at no cost to the patients. National health care patients pay nothing at all for doctors’ fees, lab fees, hospitalization, surgery, and even prescription drugs are free.

Brazil’s national health care system is toughly equal to the caliber and operational style of the V.A. hospital system in the USA. There are some drawbacks to this system. You will not receive the very highest possible quality of health care in the national health care system. There is a trade-off. If you want completely free health care, including all your prescription drugs, Brazil’s national health care system is very good. Free health care is a good safety net. If you want the very highest possible quality of health care, then you must pay. The more affluent Brazilians favor two different private market providers for health care, much like Blue Cross & Blue Shield.

The first private market medical provider is UniMed , which is owned and operated by doctors. They have their own hospitals and clinics throughout Brazil, they use a referral type system whereas you have a primary doctor and he refers you when needed to a specialist for any special treatments. A plan for a family of three costs about R0.00 per month (less than 0 USD). I would recommend UniMed if you demand the highest quality healthcare. Personally, I prefer the completely free national health care system, but to each their own.

The second private market medical provider is Banco Bradesco , which is a major financial institution in Brazil offering health insurance and directly employing a substantial and high caliber medical staff. The difference with this type of policy is they only have private clinics and have to buy the hospital stay coverage from someone like UniMed. Costs are also higher. A comprehensive health insurance policy for a family of three runs in neighborhood of R,000.00 (0 USD) per month.

The bottom line is you can get more for your money in Brazil than almost anywhere else on earth. You can enjoy a higher standard of living for your money.

Brazil Ranks Near Lowest Cost of Living In The World

The author, Arthur Wyss is a resident of Beijing, China. He specializes in immigration assistance for those who wish to live in Brazil. He also operates Brazil Land Sales, which primarily sells land in the State of Tocantins, Brazil. He is the former President of Adventure Spa Cruise. His website is: [http://www.brazil-land-sales.com/index.htm]

You may be thinking…Why improve my interpersonal skills when most businesses do 99% of communication by telephone, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, e-mail, and on rare occasions, snail mail. A popular way of thinking today…but, is it really the correct way? “Face-to-face communication remains the most powerful human interaction,” says Kathleen Begley, Ed.D., author of Face-to-Face Communication, Making Human Connections in a Technology-Driven World. “As wonderful as electronic devices are, they can never fully replace the intimacy and immediacy of people conversing in the same room and it has worked for millions of years.”

Reservation

In business, we talk about “B2B” (business to business) and “B2C” (business to consumer) methods. I try to buck the trend (in a positive way!) to stress the importance of face-to-face communication. You’ll hear me talk a lot about the “P2P” (people-to-people) connections and how important it is to get beyond technology and talk face-to-face with friends, family, colleagues, customers, vendors, and the like. You may think that’s a bit old-fashioned, but in my opinion, there is no substitution for the human, up-close and personal contact. Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for the terrific technology tools we have today and I use it regularly, but it’s not always my first or best choice.

Several decades ago, John Naisbitt, in his mega 1960′s best-seller, Megatrends: Ten New Directions Transforming Our Lives, brought a new concept to the forefront called “high tech, high touch.” His idea was that “as human beings became capable of anonymous electronic communication, they would concurrently need more close-up personal interaction.” Seems to me that he was right on target!

We live in a society when flocking to the local coffee shop or diner for coffee chats with business associates or friends is a testimony to our need for human togetherness, especially when most coffee lovers can make a latte or cappuccino right in their homes. Think about the fortunes coffee establishments are making on our need for face-to-face communication! The people-to-people connections…

We hear of the many children (and adults) who spend countless hours alone playing video games. However, The Game Manufacturing Association reported in 2003 that family board game sales (like Monopoly and Scrabble) are booming and growing at 20% per year. Cranium has recently come out with a whole new line of board games for our “little people” (ages 3+). The people-to-people connections start at an early age – if you haven’t heard it, ask me to tell you my “Papa Zitto” story!

Even when disaster strikes and the news media bring these events into our homes and workplaces via TV, radio and the Internet, we seek out opportunities to share grief. I personally waited in line for almost three hours with hundreds of others to visit Ground Zero in New York when it opened to the public in December 2001. Many people also left makeshift shrines nearby to honor the victims of that tragedy. The people-to-people connections…

We lead hectic, multi-tasking lives both at home and in the workplace these days and we find the need for balance even more critical than in days gone by. We understand that technology can be impersonal, but it’s quick! We know we need to make time for more people-to-people connections but, the reality of the hectic pace doesn’t leave us much time for this more intimate form of communication. You may be thinking, isn’t it much faster to make a quick phone call, send a brief e-mail, or hook up via video-conferencing to have a meeting of the minds? Yes and no. It’s a communications paradox…faster is not always better.

So the better question may be, how can we make the best of both worlds – technology and face-to-face, people-to-people connections?

Just as fashions are redesigned and come back with a variation on a style from days-gone- by, I believe it is time for redesigning and revitalizing face-to-face (P2P) communication skills.

We need to get the balance right! People-to-people (P2P) communication skills remain one of the primary success factors in business, even in this age of technology. There are many situations – often those involving conflict, hurt feelings, high priority, or a large sum of money – that demand business people take the time and trouble to get in the same room to share information. Video-conferencing has become a good simulation and cost-effective method when individuals are in remote locations, but there is still no substitute for good, old-fashioned, face-to-face communication.

Don’t take my word for it…Let’s take a look at what some of the experts are saying.

Tom Peters, internationally known business guru, says without reservation that you should constantly attend to your face-to-face communication. Not to do so, will lead to career disaster. “We believe in high tech, high touch,” Peters writes. “No question, technology is the Great Enabler. But, paradoxically, now the human bit is more, not less, important than ever before.”

Sheila Hodge, author of Global Smarts: The Art of Communicating and Deal Making Anywhere in the World, says “The modern office is full of gadgets – computers and the Internet, uplinks and downlinks, videoconferencing, and online databases. Many people think they should let the fancy technology handle the messy task of interfacing with people.”

Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, in her book Reading People, talks about how young, technically oriented employees tend to communicate mostly in computer chat rooms. “If you want to become a better communicator, you must make a conscious effort to engage other people (in person),” she writes. “Even the most entrenched Internet junkie can learn the true meaning of ‘chat’ if the desire is there, but you have to get off the couch and make it happen.”

Gary McClain and Deborah Romaine in their book, The Everything Managing People Book, put it this way…”Consistent, daily face-to-face communication promotes more than just good feelings; it also promotes effective and collaborative teamwork.”

“One of the most critical areas of communication to get right in business is the one-on-one situations – especially offering advice, constructive feedback, and annual performance appraisals,” says Chris Roebuck in Effective Communication.

One of my favorite quotes stated very simply by Margaret Wheatley, Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope for the Future, says “I can believe we can change the world if we start talking to one another again.”

Sounds like we’re on to something here…So, what can you do? Start out by taking an honest look at your communication methods and your attitude about technology vs. (P2P) face-to-face interaction. Are you e-mailing more and meeting less for financial reasons? Are you avoiding human contact mostly because of a lack of interpersonal skills? If the latter is true, you need to take action before it’s too late.

The next time you are tempted to send an e-mail, text message or make a phone call for other than routine purposes, stop! Get back to basics. Go out of your comfort zone and, instead, send the e-mail, text message or make the call to set up a face-to-face, in person meeting with the person behind the technology! Why? Because it works!

Make the people-to-people connections… You and your business will be glad you did!

A Positive Workplace Means Business! TM

Face-to-Face Communication – Old Fashioned? Not!

Mary Jane (MJ) Paris, Founder and President of Positive Impact Consulting Services, LLC in Shelton, CT, brings a broad base of experience to her practice gained from more than 25 years in people management, sales, retail banking, training, recruiting, coaching, project management, event planning and community leadership.

With a focus on “The Positive Workplace,” MJ and Positive Impact specialize in leadership and professional development programs, speaking engagements, and small business coaching that bring “Positive Energy” to your workplace. Engage employees, maximize productivity, improve customer service and business results…

mj@posimpact.net
203-929-6702
http://www.posimpact.net

Castles:

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Cloisters Castle: This private home that was commissioned and completed in a twenty seven year span screams with uniqueness. From the exterior built of Butler gold and gray stone, gables taken from a medieval house in France as well as medallions from a 16th century Venetian home, it’s a work of architectural brilliance. Located in Luthersville, MD this venue is surrounded by sixty acres of trees and a lovely garden. Its insides are furnished with authentic medieval pieces and antique furniture. The fireplace was even commissioned to be built from an antique chest carved with Renaissance figures. Famously, it was the site of actor Will Smith’s and Jada Pinkett’s wedding in 1998 but that hasn’t put a damper on the delightful and unforgettable atmosphere the house creates. Either the outside or the inside can be made available and there is only one event per day, allowing your day to be uninterrupted in its magic. The fee for rental allows for up to ten hours on the grounds and more time can negotiated through the contract via an extra hour’s fee. The venue comfortably fits 175 guests and as a bonus the staff acts as your wedding planner directing set-up, timing, and valet parking.

Maryvale Castle : Functioning as a preparatory school, Maryvale Castle boasts huge grounds complete with wedding chapel if the bride doesn’t envision herself walking down the castle’s much talked of grand winding staircase. Built in 1917 in Greenspring Valley, MD, this treasure houses an oak-paneled Great Hall, a solarium, and a bridal suite. A stone manor house sweeping off in both directions takes its influences from Warwick Castle in England with its Gothic arched windows, port cochere, and imposing gray towers. A rental agreement includes four hours of time which includes the rehearsal time and full use of the property. However, because it is still a working school, hours on the weekdays are more restricted than weekends. With an indoor guest capacity of 125 people and an outdoor capacity of 200, this venue is worth the strict appointment-only tour.

Mansions:

Montpelier Mansion: A mansion straight out of a Jane Austin piece, this brick Georgian structure sits on seventy acres of land flanked by dogwood trees. Built between 1781 and 1785 this national historic landmark is open to the public for tours and festivities and once housed George Washington and his wife Martha. It is also home to an uncommonly found 18th century summer house which is beautifully preserved. The maximum capacity inside and outside is somewhat small, eighty-five guests total, but the unique floor plan with crown molding and period furniture lends itself to an opulent and old-fashioned charm all its own. For people set on a Sunday wedding this venue isn’t for you as they don’t allow rentals on Sundays, however, having free reign over this delicate place is well worth the date change. Located in Laurell this mansion radiates country elegance akin to many a bride’s favorite novel, complete with circular stone driveway.

Glenveiw Mansion: Situated in Rockville, MD as part of a Rockville Civic Center Park the house is within the neoclassical tradition sporting pillars and an infinite number of beautiful black shuttered windows looking out over the lawn. The dining room is veiled in class and luxury as are its floor-to-ceiling dark paneled wooden walls and long oval windows. The conservatory shines with old-fashioned chandeliers whose light bounces off the Italian green marble floors. The rest of the house is touched with intricate details pertaining to the period in which it was first built housing a number of turn of the century, one- of- a- kind antiques sure to make any wedding memorable. Maximum capacity for this venue is 225 guests and amount charged allows for two hours of set-up and one hour of clean-up. Some strict drawbacks to possible brides are the impossibilities of seated dining, no cooking allowed on-site, and no red-dyed beverages of any kind.

Stronghold Mansion: On top of Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, MD the completely white mansion with pillars and latticed widow’s peak lends itself to the country simplicity surrounding it. The straight lawns emphasize the well designed rock walls that glide around the property housing a variety of elegant but simple flora and fauna normally seen in a country garden. The shimmering, circular lake to the side of the house has large willow trees surrounding it and making a path towards the house itself where the architecture inside matches the outside in its refined gentile decor. A standard contract allows for 7 hours and includes set-up and clean-up times. . Additional hours can be negotiated. Maximum number of guests in attendance is 200 and the rental includes 40 by 57 inch tent over the patio and can be added on to encompass the lake area as well. Parking is limited as there are only 85 spots available and clearly marked by the owners , small shuttle buses are permitted.

Liriodendron Mansion: An 1898 ornate masterpiece encompassed by a landscape dripping with flowers, this antique summer home in Harford County leaves nothing unchecked in your imagination. Whether it’s the Grecian old-world architecture built around intricate carvings, urns of flowers and stone pillars, or the wisteria vines that form a canopy over the porch for a otherworldly rehearsal dinner, the house is awash in magic all its own. The Palladian styled mansion reminds guests of a fairyland surrounded by woods and fountains with a variety of romantic stone sculptures throughout the grounds. Maximum capacity is 150 guests outside, 100 guests inside with seating and there are plenty of guests parking. The renter has a choice of 6.5 hrs on weekdays where as on weekends they must choose between both rental times and party times in a wide selection of choices. Wedding rehearsals are extra payment as well as table and chair rental fees, but this is no different from most other venues.

Tudor Place: This home to Martha Washington’s late granddaughter, Martha Custic Peter, is bursting at the seams with rich history and warm, comfortable elegance. The house itself was built in 1805 by Dr. William Thorton who was also famous for building the first United States Capital and The Octagon building in Washington, DC. Inside the house there are over one hundred objects belonging to George and Martha Washington and it’s all been documented in an archived collection of letters, diaries, books, and photographs. As far as guests, the mansion can hold up to 35 guests for a wedding ceremony and for parties over 35 guests they must pay extra. This venue is for ceremonies only and the reservation includes an hour block of time for that ceremony. They also have their own on sight photography for a fee.

Ceresville Mansion: With a variety of ceremony options to suit any bride as well as an in-house consultant to coordinate everything smoothly, this Mansion comes with superior services. Whether the perfect wedding uses their white Grecian Pergola surrounded by dogwoods in bloom, or the terrace climbing with Ivy and backlit with candles shimmering over the reflecting lily pool, it will be something to remember. The white and black sweeping Cape Cod style home was built in 1888 alongside rivers, hillsides, and a ten acre meadow also open for events. Much of the original architecture as well as the antique furniture and fireplace are still the same as 1888. This venue has everything covered in the rental fee from seven hours of event coordination to all the outside details a catering company would normally provide like linens and a dance floor. Every Thursday evening they also offer an unusual wedding discount for those on a budget and cut the price nearly in half for the same services as a Friday or Saturday wedding event. The venue can provide for up to 200 guests and also gives a complimentary list of Food and Beverage minimum pricing so it is free of confusion and out of the way.

Inns and Taverns:

Slades Inn and Tavern: A Victorian dream painted in lively light blues and dark blues, this Inn sets itself apart with two matching circular turrets, high brick chimneys and a white wrap-around porch that Anne of Green Gables would envy. The laid-back romantic space is in Fredrick, MD a few minutes away from Baltimore. The land is dappled with greenery and horses while the exciting night-life and history of the city are in close proximity. Enjoy an easy day as all the guests are accommodated with places to stay after the reception and perhaps even stay past the ceremony for a honeymoon to enjoy hot air ballooning or a carriage tour. From beginning to end of that extraordinary day, Slade’s takes care of everything from “his and hers” massages, bridal party hair and makeup sessions, as well as brunches and teas. Indoor buffet seating is for 100 guests whereas larger parties can be accommodated with tents for seated dinners and dancing for up to 150. Once the party is over, guests too busy having fun can tumble up to their rooms leaving the bride and groom clear and free of worry.

Morningside Inn Teaming with wildlife such as Heron, Deer, and Red Fox, the visuals of this open, out-doors setting guarantees a one of a kind wedding atmosphere. In Fredrick, MD with three hundred acres the Inn dates back to the 1900′s where it functioned as a bank barn. Newly restored the structure still has its original dark, heavy structural beams which serve as accent to the clean Amish lines of the house. Once rented, every bit of acreage is yours to do with as you please and the choice of ceremony is limitless. The dining room allows for two levels of fun, a more casual mix on the lower level and elegance on the upper level. They also house their own on site flower shop and Event’s planning that includes, photography, videography, and musical entertainment.

Unique Places to Get Married in Maryland – A Guide

Elise Clark

However, with an entire wedding to plan, you may be pressed for time and feeling little overwhelmed. Here are some quick tips and wording ideas to make writing your bridal shower thank you cards and notes easy.

Holiday

Etiquette and tips for Your Bridal Shower Thank You Notes

o Each guest gets a thank you for coming card regardless as to whether she brought a gift

o Ideally cards are sent within two weeks of the shower (but a late thank you is better than no thank you)

o Send them in the mail. No email thank yous.

o No combo cards. Even if a particular friend sent and engagement gift, brought a bridal shower gift, and then sent you your wedding gift early, each act of kindness and gift gets its own note. The only exception is the “thank you for coming” card can be combined with the gift.

Ex. Thank you for coming to the bridal shower and the lovely nightgown.

o Hand write your cards.

o Do not forget to thank the hostess for planning the shower in the note. Ideally, she would receive a small thank you gift such as an engraved compact, charm bracelet, picture frame or other small keepsake.

o Mention the specific gift and give it or the sender a specific compliment.

o Save the gift tags and write what the gift is on the back with a note. Then use these when you write the cards.

o Address your envelopes all at once or as gifts arrive. Then put them in the mail as you write them.

o Carry the cards, your notes and a roll of stamps with you in your purse. Write a note or card on your lunch break or while waiting for laundry.

o Write only four or five notes at a time maximum to keep your handwriting neat.

Bridal Shower Thank You Card Wording Ideas

o Say thank you with by pre-printing or hand writing a poem or verse in your card and then a few words of your own.

Example: “Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”~ Amanda Bradley

You write: Thank you for the lovely (insert specific gift such as silver, picture frame)and coming to the shower. With friends like you, every day is truly a celebration.

o Use this basic thank you bridal shower thank you wording template:

Dear (Insert name)

Thank you for coming to the bridal shower and the beautiful (insert name of gift). It was the/a (insert compliment such as perfect color). Your generosity (or kindness) is truly appreciated. Thanks again.”

Sincerely, (or Warm Regards, Love, Best)

Your Name

Your bridal shower thank you cards do not have to be long to be effective. Just a quick note to let your friends and family know their thoughts and well wishes are appreciated. Be as specific as possible and remember, it is the thought that counts.

Bridal Shower Thank You Cards – Sample Wording, Tips and Etiquette

For more ready to copy go to bridal shower thank you notes. Christy Murphy is the creator of http://www.my-thank-you-site.com/ which provides free, ready-to-copy sample thank you notes for all occasions, including weddings, bridal and baby showers, along with other practical tools to demonstrate and attract gratitude in every day life. She is a writer, public speaker, and comedian, who has been featured on numerous television shows including CNN’s Showbiz Today, Australia’s Seven News, and CBS News in the U.S. Thank you for reading her bio.

You see, getting laid successfully in nightclub and bar

situations is all down to understanding women’s

psychological view of casual sex…and the actual process of

meeting guys socially when on a night out.

Hotel

Most guys don’t believe that a “nice” girl would ever sleep

with a guy she just met that night in a bar or a club. Well,

this kind of thinking is out-dated and not entirely true.

You see, modern society places a social “stigma” on girls

who are considered “cheap” and have sex on the first night

but the real FACT is that, under the right circumstances, a

lot of “nice” girls would sleep with guys they just

met…IF…nobody else knows about it!

If you don’t believe this, just think about how WILD young

girls get when they go to a foreign country on vacation,

when all their usual friends and family are not there to

watch them. You would be amazed at how “loose” they can get

in those exceptional circumstances. So you can see that if

you want to succeed in having easy one night stands with hot

women, all you have to do is…CREATE THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT

where they can relax and not feel watched and judged by the

rest of society.

Now, let’s look at how to create this environment. First of

all, you have to plan the entire night BEFORE you even leave

your house that evening. I’m going to repeat this point

because it’s so important: “Planning” is absolutely crucial!

You must make sure you’re your house is nice and tidy for

when you bring girls back. Make sure you’ve got soft, dim

lights, nice music and some drinks. You’ll see why you need

these in a minute.

One night stands generally work better if you’re going out

with friends although it’s still possible if you’re on your

own. Okay, the next thing is to have a very easy way to get

back to your house from the last club of the night. I always

try to find a club very NEAR my house or if I’m out of town,

I’ll make sure to go to a club near the hotel I’m staying

at.

Why is this so important? Remember why women don’t feel

comfortable having sex with guys they just met: the social

stigma…well, the closer you are to your place, the less time

she has to consciously THINK of what she’s about to do with

you. Trust me, this is a very BIG factor in your getting

laid.

Okay, so here’s how you arrange everything: go to a bar

first early in the night with your friends. Look for a

couple of girls to hook up with…even if they’re not your

first choice, your aim here is to get them to come with you

to your final club (which is close to your house).

You see, by arriving with girls, other girls will see you as

desirable…and not desperate (which is very important). Then

just keep your eyes out for other girls that might be

interested in your “group” of friends. Instead of looking

for any one particular girl you like, focus on just getting

GROUPS OF GIRLS into your own group so everybody can mix

together. You see, by creating this large group, you’ll be

ready for the final stage of your “getting laid” plan.

At this stage, all the girls would feel comfortable and safe

in the group and once the night is winding down, just

announce to the group that you just heard there’s a great

party happening “down the road” from the club and there’s

lots of free drinks and good music. Say to the group that it

is an exclusive “invitation” only party and because you’re a

personal friend of the guy having the party, he’s allowed

you to bring about ten friends.

I hope you can now see where this plan is going! Once

everyone’s cool with the plan, you all head back to your

house where you have your “party” situation already arranged

in advance. And of course once you get the girls in this

“exceptional” situation, it becomes easier to get physically

intimate with the one you like in the group and take her to

your room and the rest should happen pretty naturally.

Get LAID: The Easy Way to Pick Up Very Hot, Beautiful Girls In Bars and Clubs For Same-Night Sex

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