Holiday Homes Camping

Ref: P220 - Villa in Pennsylvania USA

2006-12-04T20:56:00.000-08:00

Ref: P220 - Villa in Pennsylvania USA

Madam Rings But Who Will Answer?
Dec 05, 06 1:58 am
With star-rated hotels mushrooming across China, the hunt is on for a good supply of managers to ensure guests may enjoy a comfortable stay.
According to statistics from China Business News , China has nearly 10,000 star-rated hotels but is lacking in senior management staff.
"Luxury hotels have been expanding at a surprising rate in recent years," said Zhao Huanyan, a manager with the Shanghai Jinjiang International Group. "It is quite often the case that several hotels open in the same business area within a few months."
Zhao said the rapid expansion had meant an acute shortfall of manpower, especially middle and senior executives.
Tao Yue, public relations manager of InterContinental Hotels Group's Greater China division, said an abundance of opportunities had resulted in little loyalty as staff frequently job-hopped around the industry.
"A person with two or three years experience in hotels is hot property," Tao said. "It is not surprising that a luxury hotel in Shanghai will be unable to recruit a chief chef with an annual salary of 100,000 yuan (US$12,500)."
"The shortfall of trained manpower in the hotel industry is a result of a relatively backward professional education system in China," said Liu Dingjun, associate professor with Nankai University's Department of Tourism. "University students majoring in tourism management nowadays receive insufficient professional education," Liu said.
Liu said his department, for example, has cancelled some tourism-related courses due to stiff curricular requirements by the Ministry of Education.
"Courses offered to tourism majors are made too general and theoretical, without enough education and training on the fundamentals of the industry," Liu said.
Liu said China's hotel industry will face numerous challenges, as the number of star-rated hotels could well double over the next decade.
China at present has over 300,000 hotel management professionals, but less than 10 per cent are actually qualified.
"Good senior hotel managers should have the spirit of serving people," said Ning, the marketing manager of Beijing's five-star Marriot Hotel West. "They are expected to have high moral standards as well as professional skills."
Ning said successful senior hotel managers are mostly steady workers, accumulating rich experience on their way up the chain of command.

Ref: P263 - Self-catering house in Washington USA

2006-12-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

Ref: P263 - Self-catering house in Washington USA

Choice Hotels International and CHE Hotel Group Sign Agreement Transferring Franchising Operation in Europe to Choice
Dec 05, 06 1:58 am
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. and CHE Hotel Group, PLC today announced the execution of a definitive sale and purchase agreement to transfer the franchising operations now conducted by CHE Hotel Group in France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, and portions of Switzerland to Choice. Concurrent with the signing of the sale and purchase agreement, the master franchise agreement between Choice and CHE for these countries was also terminated, and all of CHE's employees and infrastructure involved in its franchising business were transferred to Choice. As a result, Choice will directly operate the franchise in these countries now consisting of 139 properties from the existing headquarters in Bretigny sur Orge, France.
The transaction is a follow up to the announcement Choice and CHE Hotel Group made on October 30, 2006, regarding the execution of a similar transaction, in which the franchising operations previously conducted by CHE Hotel Group in the central European countries of Austria, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, and portions of Switzerland were transferred to Choice. Concurrent with the signing of that sale and purchase agreement, the master franchise agreement between Choice and CHE covering these countries was also terminated, and all of CHE's employees and infrastructure involved in its franchising business were transferred to Choice and continue to work from the existing Munich offices.
The Choice franchise in continental Europe currently consists of 71 Comfort, Quality, and Clarion branded hotels. Of these properties, CHE continues to operate eight hotels in Germany, as well as eight hotels in France and Belgium as a franchisee of Choice.
"We are pleased with the mutual benefits that these two transactions provide Choice and CHE," said Joseph Squeri, president and chief operating officer of Choice. "By transferring the franchise operations from CHE to Choice, we are able to more closely direct the growth of our branded properties in Europe, while maintaining a strong relationship with CHE Hotel Group as a major franchisee of Choice."
Peter Cashman, director of asset management and European operations for CHE, added, "We look forward to our continued strong relationship with Choice as a franchisee of properties in Germany, France, and Belgium, as well as the master franchisor for Choice properties in the United Kingdom and Ireland."
For 2007, incremental revenues expected as a result of transitioning from a master franchising to direct franchising business model will be substantially offset by direct franchising costs associated with the acquired businesses. In addition, these acquisitions do not result in incremental international franchise system units or rooms on-line.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,300 hotels, representing more than 430,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 40 countries and territories. As of September 30, 2006, 736 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 57,117 rooms, and an additional 72 hotels, representing 6,462 rooms, are under development in more than 20 countries and territories. The company's Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands serve guests worldwide.
About CHE Hotel Group PLC
CHE Hotel Group operates 60 owned, leased or managed hotels in the UK, France, Germany and Belgium, and holds the Master Franchise for Choice's brands for the UK and Ireland, which includes 121 properties. Choice brands in Europe include Comfort, Quality, Clarion Hotel and Sleep Inn. CHE also operates the New Connaught Rooms conference and banqueting suite close to London's Covent Garden, as well as hotels under their own Stop Inn brand. A placing and open offer raised 18.6m pounds Sterling net of cost in January 2006, which is being invested in upgrading CHE's hotels and accelerating the development of Sleep Inn, its premier limited service brand in the UK.
The CHE management team includes Michael Prager, Chief Executive Officer; Paul Mitchell, Finance Director; and Peter Cashman, Director of Asset Management and European Operations.
Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Ref: P146 - Bed & breakfast in Massachussets USA

2006-12-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

Ref: P146 - Bed & breakfast in Massachussets USA

Choice Hotels International and CHE Hotel Group Sign Agreement Transferring Franchising Operation in Europe to Choice
Dec 05, 06 1:58 am
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. and CHE Hotel Group, PLC today announced the execution of a definitive sale and purchase agreement to transfer the franchising operations now conducted by CHE Hotel Group in France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, and portions of Switzerland to Choice. Concurrent with the signing of the sale and purchase agreement, the master franchise agreement between Choice and CHE for these countries was also terminated, and all of CHE's employees and infrastructure involved in its franchising business were transferred to Choice. As a result, Choice will directly operate the franchise in these countries now consisting of 139 properties from the existing headquarters in Bretigny sur Orge, France.
The transaction is a follow up to the announcement Choice and CHE Hotel Group made on October 30, 2006, regarding the execution of a similar transaction, in which the franchising operations previously conducted by CHE Hotel Group in the central European countries of Austria, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, and portions of Switzerland were transferred to Choice. Concurrent with the signing of that sale and purchase agreement, the master franchise agreement between Choice and CHE covering these countries was also terminated, and all of CHE's employees and infrastructure involved in its franchising business were transferred to Choice and continue to work from the existing Munich offices.
The Choice franchise in continental Europe currently consists of 71 Comfort, Quality, and Clarion branded hotels. Of these properties, CHE continues to operate eight hotels in Germany, as well as eight hotels in France and Belgium as a franchisee of Choice.
"We are pleased with the mutual benefits that these two transactions provide Choice and CHE," said Joseph Squeri, president and chief operating officer of Choice. "By transferring the franchise operations from CHE to Choice, we are able to more closely direct the growth of our branded properties in Europe, while maintaining a strong relationship with CHE Hotel Group as a major franchisee of Choice."
Peter Cashman, director of asset management and European operations for CHE, added, "We look forward to our continued strong relationship with Choice as a franchisee of properties in Germany, France, and Belgium, as well as the master franchisor for Choice properties in the United Kingdom and Ireland."
For 2007, incremental revenues expected as a result of transitioning from a master franchising to direct franchising business model will be substantially offset by direct franchising costs associated with the acquired businesses. In addition, these acquisitions do not result in incremental international franchise system units or rooms on-line.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,300 hotels, representing more than 430,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 40 countries and territories. As of September 30, 2006, 736 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 57,117 rooms, and an additional 72 hotels, representing 6,462 rooms, are under development in more than 20 countries and territories. The company's Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands serve guests worldwide.
About CHE Hotel Group PLC
CHE Hotel Group operates 60 owned, leased or managed hotels in the UK, France, Germany and Belgium, and holds the Master Franchise for Choice's brands for the UK and Ireland, which includes 121 properties. Choice brands in Europe include Comfort, Quality, Clarion Hotel and Sleep Inn. CHE also operates the New Connaught Rooms conference and banqueting suite close to London's Covent Garden, as well as hotels under their own Stop Inn brand. A placing and open offer raised 18.6m pounds Sterling net of cost in January 2006, which is being invested in upgrading CHE's hotels and accelerating the development of Sleep Inn, its premier limited service brand in the UK.
The CHE management team includes Michael Prager, Chief Executive Officer; Paul Mitchell, Finance Director; and Peter Cashman, Director of Asset Management and European Operations.
Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Ref: P4 - Bed & breakfast in Alaska USA

2006-11-07T15:32:00.000-08:00

Ref: P4 - Bed & breakfast in Alaska USA

Quiet comfort in an Alaskan Log House at the base of spectacular Thunder Mountain.Imagine sitting on the porch of the Alaskan Log home described in Sidney Sheldon's new bestseller; 5 minutes from the airport and shopping, and 15 minutes from the Capital steps. The quiet of the forest and majesty of Mendenhall Glacier are only heartbeats away.Breakfasts may include fresh picked raspberries; blueberry pancakes; smoked salmon or other Alaskan delights. Cozy Log offers reasonable rates without sacrificing quality. Amenities:- Television in room- VCR- Antiques- Brass beds- Exercise room- Full breakfast- Room with scenic view- Laundry facilities- In-room or on-deck coffee/tea service- Evening dessert/cordials/hors d'oeuvres- Limited handicapped/wheelchair access- Corporate rate availableArea Attractions: - Eaglecrest Ski Area- State Museum- Mendenhall Glacier 5 minutes away- Tracy Arm Cruise - summer only- State Capitol- Glacier Helicopter Tours- Alaska Microbrewery- Gold Creek Salmon Bake - summerThese recreational facilities and attractions are all within 10 miles of A Cozy Log Bed & Breakfast.Member of : Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bed and Breakfast Association of Alaska -- Inside Passage Chapter, Alaska Visitor Industry Association.

Ref: P69 - Hostel in Maryland USA

2006-11-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

Ref: P69 - Hostel in Maryland USA

Sophisticated and stylish, yet warm and inviting describe the downtown luxury Hotel Monaco Washington DC.With exceptional accommodations found only in the most inviting Washington DC hotels, the Hotel Monaco features 184 luxuriously appointed guest rooms set in the classic ambiance of an historic landmark. Every room features the original vaulted ceilings or segmented arched ceilings and a blend of eclectic yet comfortable furnishings.Located at 7th and F Street NW in the former Tariff Building, Hotel Monaco is a completely renovated Registered National Landmark built in the mid-1800s and the city's first all-marble building. This luxury boutique hotel has emerged as the discerning traveler's premier choice among Washington DC hotels. Surrounded by the goings-on of our nation's capital outside and a vibrant, welcoming feel inside, the luxury Hotel Monaco Washington DC caters to the savviest of travelers accustomed to world class service.Our luxury boutique hotel offers these exceptional services and amenities, along with the sophistication and style you've come to expect from the Hotel Monaco: - AAA four diamond luxury hotel - Conde Nast Traveler 'Hot List' Top 80 New Hotels in the World - Complimentary high-speed Internet access in our Living Room- 'Tall Rooms' offering 90' king-sized beds and higher showerheads - Hotel suites feature CD players, DVD players and Nintendo - Luxury bath amenities - Plush terry cloth robes - Complimentary evening wine reception - Complimentary morning coffee - Valet / laundry service - Concierge service- 24-hour room service - Valet parking - 24-hour business center - Complimentary newspaper - Complimentary in-room safety deposit boxes (can hold laptops) - Complimentary on-site 24-hour fitness center including cardio equipment and free weights - Four-story YMCA with swimming pool less than four blocks away - We are a pet friendly luxury boutique hotel - Companion goldfish delivered to your room for the duration of your stay upon request Rooms & Suites:Discerning travelers love our spacious rooms and hotel suites in Washington DC , appointed with a blend of eclectic yet comfortable furnishings, fabrics and textures. Contemporary colors - black and white, surrounded by creamy yellow, periwinkle blue, vivid red and vibrant orange - combine perfectly with the original vaulted ceilings or segmented arched ceilings of our historic building in all 184 Hotel Monaco rooms and hotel suites.In addition to our comfortable surroundings, guests at the Hotel Monaco will enjoy elegant Washington DC lodging with: - Complimentary high-speed Internet access - 'Tall Rooms' offering 90-inch king-sized beds and higher showerheads - Cordless telephones with voicemail and two-line data ports - 24-hour business center - 24-hour room service provided by Poste - Moderne Brasserie, located adjacent to the hotel - Complimentary morning newspaper - Complimentary evening wine hour - Complimentary morning coffee service in our lobby - Personalized wake-up calls including daily weather reports - Luxury bath amenities - Plush terry cloth robes - Complimentary in-room safety deposit boxes (can hold laptops) - Hotel suites feature CD players, DVD players and Nintendo - All guestrooms feature 5-disk CD players Our exceptional amenities reflect the graciousness among Washington DC hotels. Guests are invited to indulge in our fitness center or stroll through the historic carriageway portal to the courtyard to dine at the adjacent Poste - Moderne Brasserie. From complimentary high speed Internet access to plush terry cloth robes, from personalized wake-up calls to the complimentary evening wine reception, the offerings of Hotel Monaco Washington DC pamper guests with exemplary comfort and unparalleled service.

South african retreats

2006-11-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

The Delivering Group grows again through the launch of Delivering Australia in Sydney
Nov 06, 06 1:58 am
The global expansion of independent hospitality sales and marketing organisation The Delivering Group is continuing with the launch of its Australian office.Established during 2001 in Hong Kong, The Delivering Group operates out of Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok, Singapore, London, Los Angeles, New York and now Sydney.The Sydney office opened in November 2006 and will be led by Executive Director Mr Brett Jowett who has led a distinguished 24-year career in the travel industry. Mr Jowett’s office will also cover New Zealand. Mr Jowett joins The Delivering Group, working for Delivering Australia, after running the highly successful groups and incentive travel division of Sanford Travel in Sydney. Previously to Sanford Travel, Mr Jowett worked for Continental Airlines.The Delivering Group Managing Director Mr Joe Cauchi said Australia was of strategic importance to the organisation and was a vital addition to the Group’s worldwide network. “Australia has always been on our radar as a market of incredible strategic importance, it has just been a matter of finding the right partner and we believe we have this with Brett now,” Mr Cauchi said.“Brett is highly networked and understands the travel industry and how it operates in Australia and New Zealand and will provide great value and benefits to all of our clients.”Mr Jowett said he was delighted to be joining the Group as Australia’s surging economy had created a platform for a larger outbound base of Australians travelling internationally. “To be a part of the fantastic global network The Delivering Group has established is indeed a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “All of the team with Delivering Australia will be working diligently to ensure we provide great value to the Group’s clients and get their brands established and sold in to such a vibrant market.”The Delivering Group also remains in well-advanced talks to open offices in Russia and India with announcements expected to be made soon.

Camping took a different light

2006-11-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

TravelCLICK Names Dhar Chief Information Officer
Nov 06, 06 2:00 am
Former Galileo Senior Technology Executive Joins Leadership Team. Abhinav (Abhi) Dhar has joined the TravelCLICK leadership team as Chief Info rmation Officer (CIO) to direct the company's pioneering technology strategy and the development of its integrated distribution and marketing applications for hoteliers worldwide. Dhar is a seasoned information technology executive experienced in travel distribution technology and ecommerce systems with a specialty in software development, information technology management and rapid development strategies.
Before joining TravelCLICK , Dhar served as the Applications Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in the Galileo Americas organization within Travelport, responsible for the application architecture of its GDS platform. Joining Travelport's predecessor, Cendant, he served as Cendant Vice President of Travel Distribution Product Delivery and Vice President of the Corporate Strategic Technology Solutions group. Before becoming the Galileo Applications CTO, he was the CTO of Gullivers Travel/Octopustravel, an international travel distribution company based in London and a business unit within Travelport. There, he led the company's information technology organization through acquisition, remediation and integration activities into the Cendant organization. He also has been a principal consultant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers' Management Consulting unit.
Dhar holds a Master's Degree in Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from University of Mysore in India.

http://www.holidayhomeseuro.com

When we last went out........

2006-08-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

International Travelers To The U.S. Increased 6.7% In 2005
Aug 28, 06 1:58 am
International travelers to the U.S increased by 6.7 percent in 2005, according to research from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. During 2004 and 2005 international travelers to the U.S. increased by 20.3 percent, the largest two-year increase since 1996, but below 2000 and 2001 levels, the firm found.Following 10 quarter-over-prior-year quarter declines beginning the first quarter of 2001, international travelers increased during the fourth quarter of 2003 and have achieved robust gains since then. A number of factors, including lingering travel concerns, a global economic slowdown and more strict visa and immigration procedures contributed to the declines in international travelers. Some of the factors contributing to the recovery in international travelers include:- Global economic performance has accelerated. - The dollar remains weak relative to most currencies and is forecast to continue modest declines through 2007, which will encourage increases in international travelers.- The Department of Commerce has initiated marketing activities to increase awareness and develop a positive image of the United States as a tourism destination. The U.S. promotional campaigns were started in the United Kingdom and Japan in December 2004 and May 2005, respectively.As of 2005 international travelers to the U.S. - excluding Mexico and Canada - had reached 22 million, representing 83.5 percent of the peak of 26 million reached in 2000.In 2000, international guest room nights accounted for 12.8 percent of total U.S. lodging demand. That share declined to a low of 9.5 percent in 2003. As of year-end 2005, the share of international guest room nights had increased to 10.3 percent of U.S. lodging demand."The return of international travelers is especially important - international travelers have longer lengths of stay, pay higher room rates and spend more in other hotel departments including restaurants, business centers, retail outlets, communication, laundry and valet," adds Bjorn Hanson, Ph.D., a principal with the Hospitality & Leisure practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

My Favourite Camping trip

2006-08-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

When First Impressions Flop: The Power of Getting a Second Chance
Aug 28, 06 1:59 am
It's your big night. You've somehow landed at the same party as the CEO of your dream company. You want desperately to impress him, but when you're introduced you find yourself trying too hard, talking too loudly, and even blurting out an off-color remark. You know this is not who you really are, but the expression on the guy's face makes it plain: You've blown it.
According to Jerker Denrell, assistant professor of organizational behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, what's key in dispelling negative images is making sure you get a second—and third and fourth—chance. Having the opportunity to show different sides of yourself to bosses and colleagues in numerous situations—both social and professional—is, in fact, critical to your career advancement.
Denrell's research shows that when someone makes a negative impression on us, we're less likely to seek out that person again, making it difficult to gather additional information that could change our first impression. If, however, external factors force further interaction, there is opportunity to soften the first negative judgment, if not reverse it altogether.
The problem has interesting workplace implications, particularly in environments where social activities are encouraged outside of work. "People tend to socialize with those who are similar to themselves in terms of gender, race, educational level, and so forth," Denrell says. In most organizations, for example, men tend to socialize with other men in bars or on golf courses. By getting to know one another better, they have the opportunity to change an incorrect negative opinion as they learn about that person's other qualities and strengths. But because men don't usually interact in this way with women coworkers, they don't have the same opportunity to alter false negative evaluations. The same phenomenon similarly affects people who are members of minorities or perceived to be in any sort of "out" group in an organization.
Such a dynamic can have serious consequences for people's careers. Individuals who actually possess similar skill levels may be evaluated differently simply because they have different social ties. People who come across badly early on—whether due to real errors or biased perceptions on the part of their evaluators—can be disadvantaged when it comes to promotions because they don't have the same opportunity as others to interact with their evaluators and correct the poor image.

http://www.holidayhomeseuro.com

Holiday Resources

2006-05-22T02:26:00.000-07:00

Today’s fast-paced world is a breeding ground for stress, and holidays often add an extra layer. Unlike our parents and grandparents who enjoyed simpler lifestyles, our lives are so busy we rarely have time for everyday tasks much less the luxury of time to enjoy the holiday season.
Don’t let the holiday season get you down this year. A positive mindset and preparation before the actual season begins can take the edge off of high expectations that can leave you drained and stressed to the max.
· Start Early: Plan for the holidays all year long.
. Shopping
Keep a Christmas list of people you always buy a gift for and pick up items throughout the year (mark them off so you don’t forget you have the gift). This will help stretch your Christmas budget as well.
. Cooking
Cookies, cakes and quick holiday meals can be prepared in advance and kept in the freezer until needed (be sure to label the contents).
. Gift wrapping
Buy wrapping paper after Christmas at clearance prices and wrap gifts as you buy them (be sure to firmly secure the tag). Keep gifts in a box in your closet so they stay in nice condition.
. Cards
Purchase Christmas cards after Christmas at clearance prices and prepare them in September (place the cards in a small box on your desk so you don’t forget to mail them).
. Parties
Plan holiday parties early and buy items that will keep ahead of time.
· Spend quality time with family and friends.
. Plan several special activities or outings with friends and family members: lunches, dinners, shopping, holiday movies or programs. Quality time spent with friends and family can energize which helps fight stress.
. Plan a tree-trimming party.
. Go ice-skating if you have a rink in your area (mobile rinks are often set up in large towns).
. Don’t feel obligated to attend every holiday function if you prefer to spend the time with a friend or family. Politely decline. This is your holiday season.
· Don’t count calories during the holidays
. This doesn’t mean the smorgasbord is open and you can eat all you want (unless you’re one of those lucky people with a hollow leg) but feel free to sample small portions of the goodies. You can always go on a diet after the holidays.
. Don’t avoid baking totally because you are on a diet. Splurge and make a few recipes you enjoy, keep a small portion and take the rest to the office or an elderly neighbor who might not bake for one.
. If Aunt Helen shows up with her famous dumplings, go ahead and have a second helping. You can walk an extra mile or two after the holidays.
. Eat guilt-free. Holiday treats and feasts are half the fun of holidays. If you feel you shouldn’t eat certain things during the holidays you will only end up stressed out as tempting foods pass you by.
· Financial Budget
. Create a Christmas account at your local bank. Have whatever you can afford taken out of your check each payday or deposit the amount yourself.
. Make a list of how much you expect to spend on each person on your gift list and try to stick to it.
. Make a list of activities you plan to do during the holidays and note the cost on your budget
. Allow extra money for unexpected activities or last minute gifts you may need to purchase.
· Fun activities
. Plan an afternoon of cooking and baking with your children.
. Host a cookie exchange. Have each friend or neighbor bake four to six-dozen cookies and bring them with a copy of the recipe for exchange with everyone. Each participant will go home with an assortment of cookies to share with their family.
. Instead of hosting an entire party, ask friends to host a rotating party: drinks and appetizers at the first house, main meal at the second house followed by dessert and coffee at the third.
. Go for a family drive around your town late one night to see the lights.
· Delegate
. Learn to say no. Don’t take on more than you can comfortable handle. If you have already signed up to bake two batches of cookies for your son’s class at school and receive a call to bake cupcakes for his Sunday school class, don’t feel you have to take on both projects. Explain that you are already committed to a school function and suggest another parent in the class. Volunteer committees often find a handful of people who always say yes and only contact those people.
. If you have teenagers who drive, send them to the grocery store armed with a list and cash. You can accomplish an hour or more of tasks in the time you would have spent shopping for food and your teenager will experience a lesson economics.
. Assign meal night. Each family member is responsible for preparing a meal and cleaning up afterwards. Small children can make sandwiches or with a little assistance heat prepared meals [frozen dinners or pizzas].
. Rotate housework. Family members can take turns dusting, sweeping, vacuuming and doing laundry. Small children can dust and fold clothes.
· The Workplace
. Schedule one or two personal days during the holidays [request these days well in advance of the holiday season] to enjoy mid-week shopping when malls aren’t as crowded.
. Schedule major projects after the first of the year.
. Complete as many tasks as possible early in the week so you will have energy for weekend activities.
. Avoid overtime hours if possible.
· Pamper
. Take a long hot bath while aromatherapy (scented candles or incense) sooth your nerves.
. Go to bed early with a book you’ve wanted to read with orders not to be disturbed.
. Sleep in on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
. Go out to eat at a nice restaurant in the middle of the week or buy something for yourself because you deserve it.

http://www.holidayhomesthestates.com/resources/links.php

· Exercise
. Go for walks through different areas of your neighborhood to enjoy the holiday décor. Take your spouse or your child along to share the experience.
. Take a late night stroll to enjoy the lights.
. Arrive at the mall a half hour before the stores open and speed walk. You’ll have a lot more energy to shop.
. Take your kids roller skating or play a game of basketball with them.
· Sleep and Rest
. Get at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep every night.
. Put your feet up for ten minutes before you start dinner.
. Take a fifteen-minute power nap (any longer could make you more fatigued).
. Try to go to sleep and rise at the same time of day.

Holiday Camping Grounds

2006-05-22T02:25:00.000-07:00

From Christmas, to Easter, to Valentines Day, and every other holiday that comes to mind, customs abound from these time-honored days. A ‘custom’ is defined as a ‘habit’, something that you do over and over. Many of these customs involve children and family, allowing us to make use of these special days to spend some quality and quantity time with our family members. They give people reasons and excuses to send cards and gifts, and allow us to step outside the day to day grind of daily life to let those around us know we care for and love them.
Christmas is steeped in customs. From sitting down as a family to write letters to old St. Nick, to hanging stockings over the fireplace so he may leave some candy and fruit when he pays his yearly visit. Some families trek off to the woods to cut down the family tree, or more often the tree lot in this modern day, then finish off the day by decorating the tree together and sharing a cup of eggnog in front of the newly lit tree. These practices are repeated year after year, forming family traditions, or customs.

http://www.holidayhomesthestates.com/properties/

Easter is often celebrated by the coloring of eggs. This custom is central to the meaning of Easter, as eggs symbolize ‘new life’. Rabbits are also considered representative of new life, and the giving of a newborn bunny to someone you love is a customary Easter gift.

Halloween is a celebration for the dead, yet has become a festive time for children and adults through many of the customs that have arisen from this celebration. Dressing up in the image of monsters, vampires, and other scary creations, even the not so scary, such as cartoon favorites, even Presidents, (well, those are kind of scary!) is the most commonly associated custom with Halloween. The carving of jack-o-lanterns, going door to door trick-or-treating, and playing old fashioned games at gatherings are also customs.

Thanksgiving is often thought of as a celebration native to the United States, but this is not really true. Many countries celebrate ‘Thanksgiving’, in tribute to a bountiful harvest. In the United States it is not Thanksgiving without the customary turkey feast. The family gathering is also considered a part of Thanksgiving Day worldwide.

Valentines Day is a day to let your loved ones, and that secret love that you may have, know that they are the ‘apple of your eye’! Giving of flowers, candy, and cards are all customs associated with Valentines Day. The symbol of Cupid, the god of love, adorns many of these gifts. The color red, oversized hearts, white doves, and elaborately decorated cards are all customs of Valentines Day.

New Years Eve is a time to celebrate everything new. From this, the custom of New Year Resolutions has started. Promises to stop bad habits, try better at this or that, lose weight, quit smoking, etc., are all common resolutions. A new custom now associated with New Years Day, is the game of football. New Years Eve, worldwide, is spent watching the customary ‘ball’ drop. This represents the ‘out with the old, in with the new’.

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States. The most common custom of this holiday is the lighting of fireworks. Sparklers, firecrackers, and other fireworks are often set off at family and town gatherings on the night of the Fourth. Parades are also a custom that many towns across the United States put on for this celebratory day. Picnics, the eating of watermelon, and small town fairs are all customs associated with this national holiday.

Whatever the holiday, and no matter how many customs are already associated with it, go ahead and make your own family traditions and customs. Family after all is said and done, is the beast custom of any holiday!