Saturday, October 13, 2007

Stylish Natural Decor for the Holiday Season

FREDERICK, Md., Oct. 9 -- During the holidays, a decorated
home becomes a foundation for cherished memories. Like the dressing of a
snowman, a house takes on a life of its own when filled with the scents and
sights of the season.
A simple way to evoke the spirit of the holidays is to decorate with
beautiful elements of nature. Jason Wiles, manager of online retailer
Mastergardening.com, reminds us that decorating with nature is one of the
oldest holiday traditions. From flowers and cinnamon sticks to pumpkins and
gourds to fruit and feathers, nature can add a genuine warmth and timeless
distinction to your home.
"Wreaths and mantle swags make wonderful and versatile decorations for
walls, windows, entryways and holiday table settings," says Wiles. "If you
plan to have a Christmas tree, wreaths and mantle swags are the perfect
complement, adding additional touches of greenery throughout your home."
"Holiday flower bulb baskets are another way to add natural appeal to
your home during the holidays," says Wiles. "Bulb baskets make thoughtful
gifts too. A blooming present sends a message of cheer that will last far
beyond the holiday season."
Mastergardening.com's wreaths and mantle swags will last for a minimum
of four years when properly maintained, keeping your home filled with the
natural beauty of the holiday season, year after year. Wiles adds, "Our
wreaths, which are handmade by a local, family-owned business, are unique
and high-quality. They've attracted sophisticated clientele including the
Four Seasons Hotel chain, which displays the wreaths in their lobbies."
Mastergardening.com's holiday flower bulb baskets are available in a
variety of styles and sizes, appropriate for decorating or gift giving.
Blooming in approximately three weeks after arrival, these gorgeous flower
arrangements are guaranteed to grow.
Long-lasting and elegant elements of nature can bring any home to life
during the holidays. Rekindle one of the oldest holiday traditions and
create a natural, festive indoor setting for the holiday memories that you
and your family will cherish forever.
Decorative seasonal dried wreaths, mantle swags and holiday flower
bulbs baskets can be purchased at http://www.Mastergardening.com.


SOURCE Mastergardening.com

Branson's Christmas a Gift for the Whole Family

BRANSON, Mo., Oct. 9 -- The best family holiday vacations
are like Christmas stockings filled perfectly for each family member, from
the wide-eyed kids to grandparents. The perfect place for the whole family
to celebrate Christmas is the 19th annual Ozark Mountain Christmas in
Branson, Missouri.
During November and December, Branson is aglow with some of America's
most spectacular lighting and 200 displays from its historic downtown to
new attractions. An ideal, affordable family destination in the Midwest,
Branson's 52 theatres feature holiday sets, songs and costumes in their
live shows. There's also the 59th annual Adoration Parade with 70 bands and
floats and the climactic nativity scene lighting atop Mount Branson.
With outlet and boutique shopping; a scenic railway, showboat or
lakeside dining; and with mild early winters, outdoor recreation at three
lakes that never freeze -- certainly there's holiday magic cast in Branson.
Over the years, a leading travel industry organization has named
Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas a Top 100 Event in North America. USA
Today, A&E Network and the Wall Street Journal have recommended the area as
an outstanding holiday vacation destination. As the Live Music Capital of
the World, Branson offers more live music shows than anywhere in the U.S.
and more theater seats than New York's Broadway district.
From famed "Mr. Christmas" Andy Williams to new additions Mannheim
Steamroller and Broadway's Spirit of Christmas, Branson offers families
world- class performances to help celebrate the holidays.
Discover Christmas past amidst today's technology at Silver Dollar
City, an internationally awarded theme park. It offers strolling carolers
in period costumes, roasted nuts and cider, a 17-foot talking Christmas
tree, a five- story tree with synchronized lights and music and roller
coaster rides after dark.
"The spirit of Christmas draws families together unlike any other
holiday," says Lynn Berry, Branson/Lakes Area CVB. "Our Ozark Mountain
Christmas is built on tradition, family and fun for a wholesome break from
busy lives, yet in the companionship of loved ones. We promise good
moments, great experiences and lasting memories as you step into this
living Christmas card called Branson. There are good reasons why 75% of our
visitors return and our satisfaction rates outperform other destinations."
Visit http://www.ExploreBranson.com or call 1.800.214.3661 for a complete list
of shows, attractions and information.


SOURCE Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau

Spice Up the Holiday Season: Entertain With Eggnog

LYNNFIELD, Mass., Oct. 9 -- Each year, when the holiday
season rolls around, so too do a multitude of varied holiday traditions.
Different families, in different parts of the country, have different
rituals. One holiday tradition that has remained constant throughout the
years, however, is the serving of eggnog.
For centuries, hospitable hosts all over the world have been sharing
this rich and creamy beverage with their lucky guests to spice up the merry
atmosphere. What started in England as a drink enjoyed primarily by the
upper class is now available to all-and in a variety of flavors.
HP Hood, a New England-based dairy company that first introduced eggnog
in 1953, has added Gingerbread- and Sugar Cookie-flavored EggNogs to its
existing line just in time to jazz up the holiday season.
Hood now offers seven varieties of its holiday staple: Cinnamon,
Pumpkin, Golden, Vanilla and Light, in addition to Gingerbread and Sugar
Cookie.
"For years, customers have been telling us that, not only do they like
to drink eggnog, they like to cook with it too. We've heard over and over
again that it's an excellent substitute for milk or cream when you're
looking for a richer, creamier taste," said Lynne Bohan, Vice President,
Public Relations and Government Affairs. "Like the Cinnamon and Pumpkin
flavors we unveiled last holiday season, our new Gingerbread and Sugar
Cookie EggNogs aren't just good for drinking but also for making that
extra-special holiday dish."
"We have responded with four delicious flavors of Hood EggNog, which
can be enjoyed alone or as an ingredient in that extra-special holiday
dish."
The limited-edition flavors were developed using a proprietary recipe
that blends extra-creamy milk with sugared egg yolks, cane sugar and a
combination of nutmeg and rum flavoring. Because they can be frozen for up to six months, Hood's EggNog products can be enjoyed right through to early summer.
To help inspire consumers this holiday season -- and beyond -- Hood has
developed a series of tried-and-true recipes featuring its new EggNog
flavors.
-- Looking for that perfect Christmas-morning meal to serve your family?
Try the gingerbread pancakes.
-- Instead of making sugar cookies, experiment with sugar cookie creme
brulee.
-- Forget about fruitcake; opt for gingerbread spice cake instead.
-- Bored with bread pudding? Test out the chocolate gingerbread pudding.
-- Bring eggnog back to its roots with the EggNog English Trifle.
To view these recipes -- and more -- in their entirety, and for more
information on Hood products and availability, please visit
http://www.hood.com/kitchen.
If you have a homegrown Hood EggNog recipe you think is worthy of
merit, be sure to enter it into the company's third annual Holiday Recipe
Contest. The winning entry will receive a grand prize of a weekend getaway
at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt. The official Hood Holiday Recipe
Contest Online Entry Form will be available at http://www.hood.com in early November.


SOURCE HP Hood LLC

Holiday Entertaining Ideas from Partybluprints.com

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Oct. 9 -- It is the ideal time to
entertain as the temperature drops and cozy hearths warm our hearts.
Impress your guests this holiday season with fetes offered by
Partybluprints.com(TM) at http://www.partybluprints.com, the ecommerce
website that creates and sells comprehensive eparty plans for entertaining
in the home. "We've designed parties that are easy to execute and sure to
captivate your guests while building lasting memories," said Elizabeth
Mascali, chief executive officer and president of Partybluprints.com(TM).
Partybluprints.com(TM) unveils four new parties for men, women and families
that will bring loved ones together, nurture relationships and create
lifelong memories:
* Delight your guests with an evening excursion into the breathtaking and
abundant countryside of Napa and Sonoma Valley, California. A Wine
Country Crush "Holiday" transforms your home into a rich, authentic
California vineyard for a celebration of "the crush." This
extraordinary adventure in entertaining combines a Napa/Sonoma
"Standoff" Wine Tasting with a Harvest Dinner, both feature hand
selected products from this region.

These recommended products can be purchased through the special
Partybluprints.com(TM) click and buy feature, allowing you to support
the local merchants. In effect, Partybluprints.com(TM) is taking you
and your guests on a virtual trip through "etourism". Savor "the
crush," it's a worthy one! (40+ page eparty plan is $75.)

* Feminine, Fancy and Fabulous ... What A Girl Wants is the ideal
afternoon or evening event to host for your gal pals. Scintillate the
senses by hosting a luxurious party full of heavenly scents, calming
pink nuances and "feel good" tunes mixed with shopping! This
sophisticated soiree allows women to shop 'til they drop while sipping
chic champagne and designing their own haute couture handbags. What
woman wouldn't enjoy lounging in the lap of luxury with her friends,
nibbling on dainty delights, dancing and delving into decadent
desserts? (30+ page eparty plan is $60.)

* Get your game face on for the Partybluprints.com(TM) Football Fantasy
eparty plan, a bold, masculine and easy to organize "guys-only" get-
together. Call the plays as any great quarterback would, by simply
purchasing all the necessary man essentials with the click and buy
feature -- all ingredients for a winning day will be delivered directly
to your door! (20+ page eparty plan is $25.)

* Bon Appetito! A great way to gather the entire family together is to
add a fun twist to a classic meal. The Easy As Pie Pizza Barbeque from
Partybluprints.com(TM) turns a traditional communal meal into a festive
and fun gathering for guests of all ages. This eparty plan converts
your guests into pizzaiolos and your grill into a pizza oven by
allowing them to create individual and special pies of their own.
Mangia! (30+ page eparty plan is $45.)
All Partybluprints.com(TM) comprehensive eparty plans include step by
step instructions, menus, recipes, tablescape ideas, photos, favors, music
and more!
Partybluprints.com(TM) is a comprehensive, electronic and interactive
resource for people wishing to entertain despite today's hectic lifestyles
-- providing real parties for real life. Party Bluprints Inc. is a
privately- held company, incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in
Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Partybluprints.com(TM) is a trademark and
service mark of Party Bluprints Inc. Elizabeth Mascali is chief executive
officer and president and Dawn Sandomeno is chief operating officer and
executive vice president of Party Bluprints Inc. Join the party today at
http://www.partybluprints.com and experience our passion for parties!


SOURCE Partybluprints.com(TM)

Marriage & Family: Celebrating Holiday Traditions

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 9 -- 'Tis the season for newlyweds to
celebrate holidays with their newly acquired families. Despite the joy,
exchanging holiday cheer with extended family members and participating in
new traditions, especially religious and ethnic customs can be daunting,
challenging and stressful.
To mitigate the anxiety of celebrating the holidays with new family
traditions, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
(CAMFT) recommends engaging with the new contemporary family by making
seasonal visits more meaningful, rather than allowing the occasion to
threaten your own beliefs and traditions.
-- Avoid stereotyping. Limit yourself on categorizing people in groups.
Look for differences that you value about your family members.
-- Respect cultural differences. Some customs are difficult to understand
and hard to accept. Even though you may not agree with certain customs,
learn to respect your family member's beliefs.
-- Express yourself. Closing yourself to your family members will only
make them feel more uncomfortable. Don't be afraid to be yourself and
share your personality.
-- Share your cultural background. Help them to understand what is great
about your customs. Talk to them about family stories that promote your
culture.
-- Listen. By listening, we can improve relationships and show that we
care about what others have to say.
-- Learn new things. Don't be afraid to interact with family members even
if there is a language barrier. Maybe you can learn some phrases or
research about different cultures.
If you still feel that these differences are too overwhelming or
difficult to resolve, consider contacting a Marriage and Family Therapist
to help. Therapy can help with relieving stress, communicating more
effectively, and addressing issues that might be difficult to handle. To
learn more about mental health or to locate a MFT, visit
http://www.TherapistFinder.com
About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT),
with 27 chapters throughout the state, is an independent professional
organization, representing the interests of licensed Marriage and Family
Therapists. CAMFT provides http://www.TherapistFinder.com as a resource to
prospective patients looking for Marriage and Family Therapists located in
California. For more information CAMFT, please call (858) 292-2638 or visit
http://www.camft.org.


SOURCE California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Seeing the 'Big Picture' in Your Home Theater

NEWARK, Del., Oct. 9 -- Whether Hollywood or
Bollywood, when a filmmaker has a vision, it's imagined on a grand,
larger-than-life scale. That vision may be lost when it comes to home
theaters because most consumers are not getting the big picture.
"Many families, even with flat panel televisions, are missing out on
the magic of the motion picture experience at home," says Scott Oglum, CEO
of Theater Xtreme, Inc., a niche retailer of real home movie theaters. "A
flat-panel television may only be part of the equation when it comes to
creating a true home theater experience."
Experiencing the Big Picture
Customers, more than ever before, are intrigued by the idea of
designing real movie theaters for their homes, just like many seek the help
of interior designers or custom kitchen retailers. Big-box retailers only
emphasize single products or individual components. Oglum and his team of
design consultants at Theater Xtreme, a more boutique-type store,
specialize in complete home cinema rooms for their customers.
At any one of the company's sixteen stores in twelve states, visitors
are greeted with a bag of popcorn and then taken on an educational tour.
Customers preview cinema showrooms to feel what they might experience at
home, right down to the seating, interiors, and accessories, essentially
"trying on the room" and deciding which one best fits their needs.
"Customers should come with big imaginations and be prepared to be wowed,"
adds Oglum, who spent years perfecting the shopping experience at his
stores.
For example, a movie enthusiast with limited space might appreciate a
theater package with a motorized, retractable screen and hidden speakers,
allowing the room to double as a more traditional living room. A die-hard
sports fan might gravitate toward a 123-inch screen in an effort to see
more of the action, along with two rows of seating embroidered with
favorite team logos to give it a clubhouse feel.
"Our design consultants always ask about more than just movie
preferences, because our theater rooms go beyond cinema and television,"
says Oglum. "In this digital age, all of our packages include on-screen
access to music, the Internet, video games, digital photos, e-mail, and
more. Customers tell us their theaters become the most-used room in the
house. That's because we believe the experience should encompass the
biggest picture of all -- your style and life."
For more information, visit http://www.theaterxtreme.com.


SOURCE Theater Xtreme

Guild, Inc. Unveils Highlights of Holiday Season

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 9 -- The Guild, Inc., the leading
online retailer of original art and fine craft items shipped direct to
customers from artists' studios, unveils the highlights for its 2007
holiday season. Among them:
-- more artist-made ornaments then ever before, including blown-glass tree
toppers being offered for the first time through The Artful Home(R)
catalogs and website, http://www.artfulhome.com.

-- Seventy-nine new styles of ornaments and 25 returning customer
favorites. Nine new ornament artists have created 20 of the styles.
Seven styles are special editions for 2007 such as the collectible
"Murrini Sphere" by Ralph Mossman and Mary Mullaney which
incorporates the year into its canework. The ornaments are available at
http://ornaments.artfulhome.com and The Artful Home and Artful(R) Gifts
catalogs.

-- new artists in popular gift categories including jewelry, clocks, and
wearables.

-- a repeat of the successful Ornament-A-Day Giveaway promotion, launched
in 2006, in which one artist-made ornament is given away every day from
November 26 through December 20. Visitors will be able to view each
day's ornament and enter to win it at
http://ornamentaday.artfulhome.com. Entrants without e-mail can enter
each day's daily giveaway by faxing their name, address, and phone
number to Ornament-A-Day-Giveaway at (608) 257-2690.

-- an expansion of The Artful Home's successful gift packet program,
making it possible for customers to shop until the last minute. These
beautiful packets include a picture of the artwork, the name and
description of the piece, information about the artist, and a gift
message if desired. The packets provide customers with something to
wrap or send if the artist-made item they are purchasing as a gift
won't be completed in time to arrive for the holidays.

-- an enhanced online Holiday Gift Guide to help customers find all of the
artist-made gifts that can arrive in time for the holidays. It will be
available at http://holidaygifts.artfulhome.com in late October.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071009/NYFNSJ07 )
The Guild, Inc.(R) presents the work of today's finest artists through
the artfulhome.com website, and The Artful Home(R) and Artful(R) Gifts
catalogs, which offer collections carefully selected from the 10,000 items
available online.
For more information, go to http://www.artfulhome.com.


SOURCE The Guild, Inc.

Holiday Entertaining Tips for the Host or Hostess

UNION, N.J., Oct. 9 -- Follow these simple tips from the
experts at Bed Bath & Beyond(R) to ensure your holiday event gets rave
reviews.
-- Plan ahead. The key to minimizing holiday-induced anxiety is to plan
in advance. Take inventory now to make sure you have the essentials
you will need to serve your holiday meal - both basics and serving
pieces.

-- Save time and space. Use serving pieces with warming trays to free up
essential cooking space on your stove. To create additional space in
your oven, use a three-tier oven rack on one side that leaves the
other side open for more bulky food like the turkey allowing you to
cook more than one dish at a time.

-- Think off the wall. If you're hosting a buffet set up the buffet
table away from the wall to utilize both sides of the table to serve
food. Add unique, multi-level serving dishes to give your table a
fresh look.

-- Cover up. Give dining room chairs a more formal look by covering them
with chair covers. Remember, you can also cover folding chairs for
uniformity.

-- Offer your guests a choice. Set up at least 2 urns for your party,
one with coffee and one with hot water for the tea drinkers. Consider
a third for decaf.

-- Kids corner. Set up an official "kids table" covered with craft paper
and provide crayons so they can create works of art while eating.

-- A sign of a good meal is a messy table. Remember to use a microfiber
tablecloth which allows spills to bead up and wipe away cleanly. Also
double the amount of napkins you need so guests will have one for
dinner and a clean one for dessert.

-- Seasonal Solution. Transform your entertaining area by replacing
sheer window treatments with more luxurious ones made of taffeta or
chenille in warm, rich colors of the season.

-- Sweet Dreams. If you are having overnight guests, set up the spare bed
before they arrive. Make "Sweet Dreams" packages by placing a
toothbrush and a chocolate treat on their pillow wrapped with a
ribbon. Attach a "Sweet Dreams" card with the guests' name for a
personal touch.

-- Bathroom Makeover. It doesn't take a coat of paint to freshen up the
guest bathroom. A new bath ensemble and some decorative seasonal hand
towels will do the trick. Fresh flowers and scented lotion on the
counter are welcoming treats.
Visit Bed Bath & Beyond stores nationwide or online at
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com. Whether shopping in stores or online, you will
find all the products you need to put together the perfect holiday event.


SOURCE Bed Bath & Beyond

Tips from the American Heart Association

DALLAS, Oct. 9 -- Between parties, late nights,
feasts and traveling, the holidays can play havoc with a health regimen.
The American Heart Association provides tools and tips to ensure that
positive health habits play an important part of any holiday celebration.
Move More This Season
Make a New Year's resolution to join Start!, the American Heart
Association's worksite wellness campaign, by going to "MyStart! Online" for
access to a free fitness and nutrition tracker and to find out how you can
get in better shape and your place of business can become fit-friendly.
For many women, the winter months mean less physical activity. But you
can manage to fit in fitness during the busy holiday season with help from
the free Choose To Move program. This 12-week physical activity plan can
help women of all ages and lifestyles focus on fitness. The program offers
exercise and nutrition tips along with flavorful and easy-to-prepare
recipes.
Cold weather doesn't have to mean couch time for kids. Visit the
Parents section of HealthierGeneration.org, where you will find creative
ideas on how to keep your family moving during the winter months.
Eat Your Way to a Healthier Holiday
Because the winter months are often a time to feast, eat wisely and
Face the Fats by familiarizing yourself with trans and saturated fat, and
replace them with "better" fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated
fats.
Before you head to the supermarket, use the American Heart
Association's free online grocery list builder to create a heart-healthy
shopping list filled with products bearing the heart-check mark. It's your
assurance the food is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and/or high in
whole grains. Remember Your Risks during the Holidays
If you are one of the 100 million Americans who have high blood
pressure, talk to your doctor before you are exposed to colds and the flu
this holiday season. High blood pressure patients need to be aware that
many common decongestants can raise their blood pressure even more and may
conflict with prescribed blood pressure medications.
The rate of depression in the population peaks during holiday months. A
heart or stroke patient who has recently suffered an event may be
particularly vulnerable. The American Heart Association has resources to
help manage and identify depression for both patients and their caregivers.
Giving From the Heart
This holiday season, not only can you give gifts that friends and
family will want or need, but you will also be supporting American Heart
Association programs.
Go Red For Women merchandise can be purchased online at ShopGoRed.org
to help support the movement's mission: empowering women to wipe out heart
disease, their No. 1 killer.
Power To End Stroke merchandise such as tote bags, gym bags, clothing,
cookbooks and more can be purchased online at ShopPower.org. Your purchase
supports the Power To End Stroke campaign, which is targeted toward African
Americans, who have an increased risk of stroke compared to other groups.
To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org/holiday.
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's
oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building
healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases,
America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases
claim over 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2005-06 the association
invested over $543 million in research, professional and public education,
advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer,
healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit
americanheart.org.


SOURCE American Heart Association

Give a Custom-made Movie This Holiday Season

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 9 -- For those who have everything,
what can you give that is truly special? Roll it! How about a movie about
their lives?
Hindsight Media out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, creates entertaining
family documentaries for the enjoyment of generations to come. Pulling from
personal and historical sources, these films are treasures that preserve
history and sensitively capture lives fully lived. Give them as a gift to a
parent or grandparent; honor them by celebrating their lives.
"Families are rich with stories of love, conflict and laughter," says
Bill Parker, director. "For a family watching a finished film, it's a slice
of their history, a fascinating reconstruction of all those aspects of life
-- good or bad -- that make us who we are."
Hindsight Media's clients are almost always surprised at how little
they knew about their parents' past, let alone their ancestry. Dick Belin,
the company biographer, observes, "it's not just the interviews, old photos
and home movies that come to life, it's the narration underneath that pulls
all those stories and images together. For so many clients, they are
witnessing a history that is both fresh and revealing."
Hindsight Media films are cinematic and developed by experienced
documentary film-makers and historians. "We shoot and edit in high
definition so that the films can be projected on a big screen," says
Parker. "The finished film is a wonderful family experience, a real movie
night." Movies run 20-30 minutes depending upon budget. The folks at
Hindsight will travel to you.
Prices range from $2,000 -- $10,000 or more, depending upon the scope
of the project. For more information, please visit
http://www.HindsightMedia.net, email info@hindsightmedia.net or call
617-491-0377.

SOURCE Hindsight Media