Around the Home / Special Occasions
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GENERAL
Greetings! 101 Greeting Card Messages - by Donna Thomson
Do you ever get stuck for words when writing in a card or perhaps want to make your own cards from scratch and need a special message? Well here's 101 greeting messages to help you along - from the simple to the poetic, thoughtful to funny, or sweet to cheeky.
Making Your Party Special - by Donna Thomson
This article includes a range of tips and ideas for party planning - from invitations and themes to food and organisation. If you have some useful tips of your own please send them to us or tell us about them on the Forum.
Affordable & Unique Gift Ideas - by Donna Thomson
It's that time of year again when we search our minds and the stores for gift ideas for family and friends. We all know how expensive Christmas can be but I'm here to help you with some ideas that won't break the bank and have a special personal touch to them.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Crafts for Kids - by Lila Rosethorn
Over the years I've created all sorts of fun Christmas decorations and now I have my own family, I get great joy out of showing them how creative they can be at Christmastime. It's also very rewarding to see your own decorations hanging from the Christmas tree and around the room.
Great Ideas for Christmas Gifts on a Tight Budget - by Judith Stanley
Are you beginning to drop the idea of Christmas because it is becoming too commercialized or because it seems to leave you in debt that you only get paid off just in time for the next Christmas? Well here are some great ideas for gifts that you can make yourself that others will love and they'll save you money too.
Recycling after Christmas - by Jared Bamford
Ever wonder what you were going to do with another tree? How about the piles of Christmas cards that gather up each year? Well here are some helpful ideas for getting rid of them and helping the environment or your community.
Tips for a Less Stressful Christmas - by Ronnee Ruselle
Christmas is a beautiful time of year, but it's also an expensive, stress-filled time of year. Due to the commercialisation and the pressure to give the latest techno-gifts etc. on the market, some people are spending almost as much on Christmas each year as they could on a new car.
MOTHER'S DAY
Mothers' Day Clipart - Peaceful Willow
Here we have an assortment of free clipart suitable for making Mother's Day cards and gifts. See our page of Mother's Day Quotes & Verses and our Free Mother's Day Poetry Gifts for more resources for cards and gifts.
Mothers' Day Poems to Print - Peaceful Willow
We have some lovely poetry for all ages to give on Mother's Day, whether for your Mother, Grandmother or Godmother. Each poem has been turned into a lovely graphic, ready-to-print. Here are some gift ideas using these poems: Frame in a store-bought or hand-made frame; Glue onto coloured cardboard background...
Mothers' Day Quotes & Verses for Cards - Peaceful Willow
Welcome to an assortment of quotes and verses that are suitable for adding to Mother's Day cards. When you find one you like, click on the [Printable version] link and it will take you to a page where you can print that quote or verse and paste into a card. Verses have a graphic to decorate them. Enjoy!
The 'Father' of Mothers' Day - Author Unknown
It was while Frank Hering was a young professor of history at Notre Dame University that he had the idea for which he is remembered as the "Father of Mothers Day." One day in 1902, Frank happened to step into the class room of a Universily priest, where the instructor was passing out penny postcards to the students.
VALENTINE'S DAY
Planning the Perfect Valentine's Day - by Ronnee Ruselle
Many people today think that Valentine's day is too commercialized and some choose to ignore it altogether. It's understandable, but upon thinking about it, I realized that it may just be a day that we really need. As couples in a busy life with so much going on, we rarely find the time to devote an entire day to showing the one we love just how much we love and appreciate him/her especially when we're parents.
WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES
5 Top Tips When Planning a Wedding - by Ronnee Ruselle
We have all heard stories about how stressful it is to plan a wedding. With so much to organise, even the most positive of brides-to-be can soon feel daunted. Remembering these tips will make what is a difficult job much more pleasant. To do this, it's a good idea to make a list of words that come to mind when you think of your wedding and from this you can get an idea of the style or them that you would like to have.
Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries - by Donna Thomson
Celebrating a wedding anniversary is usually done by the couple, by having a special dinner, buying flowers, exchanging gifts, or simply acknowledging each other and your continuing love and appreciation. My husband and I sometimes like to watch our wedding video or look through our wedding photo album to reflect on our special day.
Helpful Tips for Brides and Grooms - by Ronnee Ruselle
Six months prior to your wedding day, begin having a facial once a month to ensure that your skin is looking its best on the day. Also, ensure you get plenty of rest on the days leading up to the wedding and remove makeup before sleep using a gentle makeup remover.
