Saturday, December 29, 2012

Using Thank You Flowers to Show That You Care


What better way to say thank you than by sending flowers? Flowers are one of the easiest gifts to give. They don't require as much effort, are always appreciated, and are as special as other gifts. Flowers are also acceptable for most events and occasions, and can be given “just because” or simply showing you care. What's even more thoughtful is having the flowers delivered right to the person's doorstep.

Flowers are great gratitude gifts to convey how much you appreciate the other person's gesture. Based on the flower arrangement, or the kind of flower you choose, the colors, and number of pieces you choose, one can show how grateful he truly is. Vibrant colors like peach, yellow, and orange are popular in flower arrangements used to say thanks. The arrangements of the flowers ultimately depend on whom you are going to give the flowers too. For example, to express thanks to a neighbor for watching your house while you were away on vacation, or for babysitting your kids, a flower arrangement in a vase is more appropriate. Thanking someone for the opportunity of opening up a business? Then a bouquet of flowers is suitable.

Saying thank you with flowers is also considered classy and elegant. Whether it's a dozen roses, or flowers of different assortment, it is surely guaranteed to elicit a positive response. Did your friend help you get promoted by helping you wrap up your resume? But then you are too busy to invite her over for dinner or coffee, what do you do? Say thanks with flowers. Even if she's not really a flower person, just the thought of expressing how thankful you are will make her feel special.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

With National Whiners Day, Thank-You Note Day and Kwanzaa, Holidays Aren't Over Yet

It's National Whiners Day. Actually, the day was set aside for the opposite purpose, to encourage people to be grateful for what they have, according to the Christian Broadcasting Network, which explained the following:While you're being grateful, send a thank-you note to folks who gave you gifts this year. It's also Thank-You Note Day.

"In 1986 Rev. Kevin Zaborney designated December 26 as National Whiner's Day. Zaborney founded the holiday in hopes of encouraging people to be thankful for what they have rather than unhappy about what they don't have. Suggestions for celebrating National Whiner's Day include visiting a mall or store to watch people whine as they return or exchange unwanted gifts, inviting friends over for a 'Whine and Geeze' party, and holding a whining contest with family and friends."

According to Oprah's website, "Experts say not to underestimate the power of a thank you. ... People really appreciate getting mail that's not a bill, for one thing, and just taking that extra bit of time to write a thank you note really means everything."If you have children, there's no better time than now to get them into the habit of writing thank you notes to send out for the gifts they received for the holidays. It's a great way for them to express their thankfulness in a gracious manner.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

A children's guide to saying 'thank you'

The holidays are about a lot of things: family, big dinners, religious services, decorating and, kids, let's be honest here, presents! Whatever your holiday traditions are, a gift or two may be in your future. That's why this time of year, it's especially important that you know how to say "thank you.""The nicest 'thank you' of all is the one you give in person," says Cindy Post Senning, an expert on manners for kids. Senning says you should make eye contact with the gift-giver and say something nice, such as "Thank you! What a great gift!"

If you don't love the present, you don't have to lie, Senning says. But you can find something to say that makes the gift-giver feel appreciated.Be polite about gifts, even those ugly socks. Try: "It was so nice of you to think of me."If your holiday party includes a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins, all opening gifts at the same time, it may be hard to thank everyone in a special way — especially when all you want to do is check out your new Cool Baker Cake Pop Maker.

For those times, or for relatives who send you presents but whom you don't actually see over the holidays, it's time to write a thank-you note. (Be honest: Did you cringe when you read "thank-you note"?) Don't think of that as a chore. Thank-you notes are a "nice way to connect" with people and to make your relationships stronger, Senning says. Writing them is easy, too! "A thank-you note is just two, three sentences," Senning says. "That's all it takes. It's just, 'Dear Grandma, Thank you so much for thinking of me. I always enjoy the gifts you send. See you soon!'"

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Be polite about gifts, even those ugly socks

Expressing gratitude is important, sure. But not wrinkling your nose when you open a hideous pair of brightly patterned, itchy socks on Christmas morning is important, too. We want our children to be grateful, but they also need to know how to be polite.So we asked Daniel Post Senning, a spokesman for the Emily Post Institute, how to coach little ones to not show disappointment when they open a present they don't like and what is acceptable these days in terms of acknowledging gifts.

"The situations and circumstances of our lives change, and the ways that we express, show or share [gratitude] may change, but a good high-quality thank-you is still a fundamental part of etiquette," Senning said.Senning says parents need to teach children how to receive every gift — even the ugly socks — with the same spirit and thought that it was given.

"Let them know that's part of the expectations," Senning said. "You can always say thank you for something, for thinking of you, or the thought behind the gift. Prepare them for the possibility ahead of time and be clear with the expectations."A warm, spoken thank-you is perfectly acceptable on its own, Senning said, but a written thank-you note is always a nice added touch. If your child is not able to thank someone personally, she should send a handwritten thank-you note (with help, depending on her age).

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Native Instruments Holiday Giveaway

Native Instruments today launched their annual holiday giveaway with two special gifts as a thank you to all registered users. Until December 31, both gifts are available for download from the Native Instruments website. For producers, DRIVER is a filter distortion effect designed for subtle to drastic sound manipulation, while five new Remix Sets for TRAKTOR's Remix Decks will be released as a free bundle for Native Instruments' DJ community. Here's what they have to say about each...

DRIVER is a creative filter distortion effect for adding dynamic motion and texture to source material, designed by the creator of MASSIVE. The filter section delivers a wide range of effects, from extremely smooth to completely saturated. DRIVER offers low pass and notch filters, plus a distortion unit and versatile modulation sources. Special Thank You Gifts with A Special Thought.The diversity and quality of the resulting sound are consistently inspiring, and let producers segue smoothly from a warm, high-quality filter effect to all-out sonic mayhem.

An envelope follower and audio modulation allow users to animate or transform the original signal, taking the sound beyond what the filter and distortion sections do alone. DRIVER can also be triggered via sidechain for dynamic effects that move with the music and integrates seamlessly with MASCHINE.The five TRAKTOR Remix Sets in Native Instruments' holiday giveaway provide users with diverse sounds ready for immediate use in TRAKTOR's Remix Decks.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Special Thank You Gifts with A Special Thought

Bestowing thank you gifts is one attitude that is practiced in pretty much every society. Expressing appreciation and acknowledging our open recognition to others are universally accepted rules that societies encourage. No matter whether a thank you gift is for your loving husband, wife, dear significant other, your child's teacher, a co-worker, venerable parents, particular friend, or a thoughtful neighbor, letting them know how they have positively affected your life, it will always be appreciated.

With so many opportunities to send a straightforward thank you gift, it's a shame folks often make this gesture for only the indisputable particular functions. The intelligent principle: "It is often the little things that can make such a big difference in our lives," genuinely applies to the giving of a canny thank you gift.Corporate thank you gifts with a unique message to an associate, to a long time trusty employee, or to a new or long time client brings accord, and communicates your gratefulness with the absolute dignity. It may seem like a small sign, yet have favourable long-lasting results.

All of us wantto discover the perfect thank you gift, but at times, specialized support is vital. The best web based gift shops make the procedure standard, with useful online picks and acquiring. Any in depth internet shop needs to supply an substantial choice of gifting solutions ranging from the straightforward and joyful such as bouquet of colorful Mylar balloons with a "thank you" theme that are hand delivered, to flowers, plants, and hand-crafted spa sets, to extravagant wine and sweet and savory treat-filled baskets.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Thank you for the most meaningful gift

This is a thank-you note for persons unknown but suspected. Maybe, it is also an idea for others. Last year, 12 days before Christmas, I found a gift at my back door. Thinking it was cookies, I opened it right up. It was a manger. Puzzled, I put it aside.Next morning, lo and behold, there was a lamb. Next, a donkey. Now getting the message, I started each day looking for the next arrival. The baby Jesus arrived Christmas morning. This Nativity is the most beautiful and meaningful gift I have ever received.

It was also the most fun. It has stayed on display all year and gives me joy every time I look at it. So, thank you,Poinsettia a perfect gift , to my gift-givers. I love you all.I'm a US Service member from Fairchild AFB deployed overseas to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The other day I received a package from Mr Mark's class at Garfield Elementary School. I was quite surprised to learn I had a package since I had not given out a mailing address to anyone.

When I opened the package and saw the picture, letters and cards from the class it nearly brought me to tears. Being away from home during the holiday season is very difficult (especially with two small children at home), but the kindness showed to me by this class was both heartwarming and humbling. You'll never know how much it means to receive a gift like this from complete strangers when you're thousands of miles away from home, but it makes being away from home just a little bit easier.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Poinsettia a perfect gift

I'll tell you the secret for a gift that fits everyone: the poinsettia. It says "Merry Christmas," "Happy Hanukkah," "Thanks for your business," "Thank you for hosting." It does not require wrapping paper, a trip to the mall, a gift receipt or ordering online.A blooming poinsettia is the quickest way to decorate a home for the holidays – with class and without electricity, nails in the wall or needles on the floor.Early December is when you should purchase a poinsettia plant.

The selection is best and you have all month to enjoy the world's most-loved holiday houseplant.Here's a guide to buying and keeping one alive.Why you should want a poinsettia plant: A living plant is your best defense against the plastic commercialism and fake sentimentality of Christmas.Gift plants such as poinsettias have no calories, are one-size-fits-all, can help clean indoor air of pollutants and you won't have to store it away or cart it to the thrift store when the season is over. (I just add my poinsettia to the compost pile each spring – a great way to recycle the potting soil.)

Where to use poinsettias:Christmas Card Messages for online cards, March a line of potted poinsettias up a stairway (indoors only, they hate the cold); line up a few poinsettias on the mantel; display a single plant in a silver bowl on a dining room table; arrange a dozen poinsettias on risers to create a living tree form; or place a tiny poinsettia in the guest bathroom, on the kitchen counter, in an office cubicle or beside the bed on a night stand.