Holiday

Holiday Gift Idea for a Birthday Party

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Last weekend I was invited to one of my friends birthday party. It was actually a birthday and picnic party combination. The celebration started at 3pm on Saturday afternoon out in one of the nicest local parks. This particular park has a water play area for the kids, a playground, a small lake with ducks, geese and so many other birds.

Since it was a weekend there were a lot of people in the park. Many young mothers were walking around the lake with their children and pushing the strollers getting fresh air for themselves and their babies.

Most of the guests arrived on time, still there were some who came a little late still everyone got to the party one way or another. Late or not the host didnt care, he started dinner as soon as the majority of the guests arrived.

The birthday girls husband received a brand new BBQ grill as a Christmas gift from his wife and was just ecstatic to show off his new toy. Since I knew ahead of time what his wife purchased for him for Christmas she told me – and I also know they just love camping, hiking and picnicking, my present for the wife for her birthday was an absolutely stunning wicker picnic basket for 4 with all accessories included and a lovely picnic blanket. You could just see the glow and joy on her face when she opened that present.

Because they had a camping trip scheduled for the following month for their 15th anniversary, she promised me they were going to take their new picnic basket on that trip. They were both so excited to go on this trip because grandma would take care of the children, so they would be free as birds for a whole week. Imagine, just the two of them, alone on a romantic anniversary camping trip somewhere in the back country.

While our dinner was cooking, the grown ups were talking, some telling jokes and the children got to play games, run around in the grass, splashing water at each other in the water park, and they had too much fun jumping on the huge bouncer that was rented just for them.

I got so carried away talking about these wonderful holiday gift ideas like a wicker picnic basket for 4 and the fun weve had that I completely forgot to talk about the food. Dinner included marinated grilled chicken, Cesar salad, grilled giant shrimp, homemade potato salad, hamburgers on homemade buns, pies and so much more. All was so fresh and tasty, the meats were juicy and the pies. Oh my! The pies were yummy! My favorite was the banana cream pie with the whip cream on top. Our birthday girl mother must have worked all night on those pies.

Our birthday girl was given so many presents and her husband was such a sport about carrying all those gifts to their car while we helped with the cleanup and the leftovers. The party was scheduled for about four hours but because all the guests had a blast it lasted much longer and Im glad to say, the park was left so much cleaner than it was before the event.

All in all it was fantastic! Everybody had an awesome time and the kids did not want to stop jumping on the bouncer even after the Sun went down. I am certain I will be back next year for this party if I get invited.

Holiday

Holiday Driving Safety Tips Help Avoid Auto Accidents

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Even though your chances of having an auto accident during the holidays is much higher than normal, holiday accidents are preventable to a large extent. The increase in holiday auto accidents is due to the fact that there are just more people out there driving–both short and long distances–as well as the fact that the holidays bring celebrations, and celebrations typically come with alcohol. Add the generally more inclement weather to the mix, and you have a holiday recipe for an auto accident. You can substantially increase your chances of getting where you are going without suffering an auto accident that ruins your holidays-and perhaps even changes your life-by following a few simple rules.

Top Auto Accident Prevention Tips

Most especially if you will be driving cross country, there are basic maintenance and vigilance tips you can implement which will substantially reduce your chances of an auto accident far from home.
1.Check the oil: Even if you are a few hundred miles away from your next scheduled oil change, get it done early.
2.Check the tread on your tires: Nothing puts a damper on holiday trips more than getting into an auto accident due to worn out tires. Check your tire pressure as correctly inflated tires improve handling, make tires more resistant to punctures to help you avoid an auto accident.
3.Slow down! Though it seems self-evident, you need every trick in your arsenal during the holidays. Drive defensively; drive the posted speed limit, pay attention to the road and you will arrive at your destination whole and happy.
4.Plan ahead: Allow extra time for the heavy traffic immediately before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
5.Plan to stop: Although you and your family might be excited to get to destination as soon as possible, plan to make stops along the way. Getting out of the car for just a few minutes will help you stretch your legs and even give you time to grab a coffee to stay fully awake while driving. Switch drivers if necessary to avoid an auto accident.
6.Avoid distracted driving: Distracted driving had become the main cause of auto accidents in the US and many states have already passed laws punishing this behavior. Avoid texting, playing with your GPS, adjusting the radio or talking on your cell phone while driving and you will reduce the chances of having an auto accident.
7.Prepare a safety kit: Pack a safe road trip kit with essential items such as a cell phone, flashlights, ice scrapers, blankets, jumper cables and a first aid kit, drinking water and snacks.
8.Designate a driver: Since there is drinking involved during the holidays, avoid getting into an auto accident by having a designated driver.
9.Buckle up: Always use seat belts and car safety seats for your children.

They will protect you and your family in case of an auto accident.
Remember that during the holidays many drivers are worried, hurried or distracted, making them less careful, and demanding that you be more vigilant than normal to avoid an auto accident that can leave you with less-than-festive memories of your holiday.

Holiday

Reasons to book your holiday accommodation through an auction

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Find out how bidding on a holiday rental could be the right decision for you.

It’s always exciting to win something, so imagine the feeling of winning the perfect holiday accommodation in an auction.

Holiday rentals are strongly becoming the accommodation of choice. With extra space to relax and unwind in comparison with hotels, the price per square foot can calculate up to four times less expensive in some European destinations.

In the current climate, many holiday makers look for ways to make their budget go further. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider booking your holiday accommodation through an auction.

First, Its fun
There is fun to be had in participating in an auction. The thrill of getting the winning bid can only be overshadowed by obtaining your dream holiday rental.

Great Deals
By bidding in the auction for your holiday rental you can receive savings and special offers that are not normally found through more standard holiday rental portals

Take a break, last minute
If you are looking for a last minute escape, holiday rental auctions are a good place to start, as last minute availability is often listed. Searching by date and duration saves you the time of going through pages and pages of rentals that are not available.

Keep your options open.
Have more than one favorite? Bidding in auction for a holiday rental means you can participate in more than one auction at a time. Simply stop your bids in others when you’re sure to win one.

Variety of lengths
Many standard holiday rentals can be fixed for the duration of 7 nights, with a fixed change over day. Holiday rental auctions have a variety of durations and arrival days. Auctions help you find the rental that fits the free time you have to take a vacation. In the search for a short break with a difference, a holiday rentals auction could offer an ideal solution for a stay of 2 nights or 3.

Holiday

Holiday cottages in Devon

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Devon is one of the most popular holiday destinations in England. Devon is situated in South West England, and offers plenty for tourists sandy beaches, open spaces of national parks, historic villages, bustling seaside resorts and rolling countrysides. There is much to do in Devon including attractions and activities, shopping and restaurants, stunning scenery and sandy beaches, making it the perfect destination for a family holiday.

In keeping with this, Devon offers several accommodation options for all your needs. You name it, from luxury hotels to camping sites, there is something for all in Devon. Holiday cottages are an excellent accommodation choice they are comfortable, self catering, affordable and most are baby friendly and even dog friendly!

East Devon is an ideal location for a break at any time of the year. It is composed of rolling farmland countryside, coastal towns and villages and the Exmoor National Park. Here are a few holiday cottages situated in East Devon.

Bothy, Spreyton: This is a gorgeous 16th century romantic hideaway that is buried in the glorious countryside. It has its own large private garden and even has an extensive library! It is close to the Dartmoor National Park, the Two Moors Walk and the glorious Teign valley which hosts the famous Castle Drogo.

Hannaford Quay, Topsham: This is a beautifully refurbished and comfortable holiday cottage situated on The Strand, close to the edge of the River Exe. It is a five star property, well equipped and set in a fantastic location.

Idehill Cottages, Colyton: These cottages are situated overlooking the Coly Valley and an 18 hole golf course, which is exclusively for guests to use. The cottages are located in a peaceful setting and provide an excellent opportunity to sport a wide variety of birds and local wildlife. The cottages are comfortable and have good views, and have their own personal patio/sitting out area with garden furniture and a barbecue.

The Mede, Topsham: This is a gorgeous self catering cottage set in a quiet residential cul-de-sac on the edge Topsham. It has wonderful views up and down the Exe estuary, and a recreation park nearby. This holiday cottage is suitable for those with walking disabilities, as it is all on one level and no steps involved. The area is famous for its birdlife, pleasant riverside walks and excellent shopping.

Holiday

Vacation and holiday home rental – 4 things you must know!

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Want to rent a holiday home, but don’t want to get scammed or waste money on the house that you THOUGHT was your best choice, only to find out that you made a big mistake? Or are you interested in getting cheap holiday homes or even package deals!
Below are some solid tips you can use to find and rent your vacation home without any hassles or problems, and even save money.
Know what your getting
When you look for short-term vacation rentals, everything should be included. Always double-check for hidden charges on the invoice. Do you have Wi-Fi or internet? Is it basic or premium? Does the price involve the whole months cost? Maybe the internet is free up to the first 5 Gigabyte.

What if you have to leave early? will you get a partial refund? They might tell you that everything is included, but check the invoices just to make sure, because it might be up to some amount.

Knowing the manager
Knowing the manager of the holiday house is very important. Your contract should say they’re exact contact information for when you need help. What if your washing machine breaks, or the hot water won’t work anymore and you need to stay another 3 weeks on holiday.

Try keeping the contact information in and out the holiday home, so you can always get in touch. If you can get a second person to contact, do it! Make sure you have at least the telephone and e-mail of the owner.

Family and Pet friendly
If you are with a pet, look for pet friendly vacation rentals! Imagine traveling all the way to your holiday home just to find out that pets are not allowed in the house. Some people don’t like it when the previous guests had a pet (hygiene).

Or if you have 3 kids and the guest-room only has a king-sized bed, this could be a big problem. Make sure you see enough pictures of the house, to make sure. Check the location, is it safe for the kids? Is it close to local activities?

Booking early
Book early to make sure that everything will be as promised. Certain times in the year, villa rentals are very busy due to holiday seasons, so try to book early. You can look for holiday homes with the availability slightly out of season time, to get better deals.

Don’t be shy and contacts the owner/manager of the property, most of these villa renters have package deals. They might be able to offer a rental car, cheap flights, attraction tickets, and more. Just ask and see for yourself. Now you have the tips needed to rent a holiday home that fits your needs. But… this final tip is the most important one. Especially if you’re from out of the country, and don’t want to get scammed, conned or your money taken…

Learn to rent holiday homes safe and smart.

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