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Attitude Scale:
1. Happy and excited and in the
mood for the decorating, the shopping, the crowds, the
snow.
2. I feel rushed, but I CAN do everything
because I'm superhuman and I'm in the holiday mood.
3. I'm getting cranky, I mumble under my breath
at everyone that stops dead in front of me or gets in
my way at the mall.
4. I'm so tired, I need to go
to bed at 8:00 PM each night to function.
5.
Totally Humbug - I just want to hide and hope
everything gets done by itself or goes away! Maybe I'll
just skip the holidays.
If you think you're busy right now, what are you going
to do about your schedule from now until January when
your "to do" list is overwhelming? Do the words Chaotic,
Hectic, Frazzled, and Exhausted come to mind? If so,
maybe it's time to do some easy preparation so you will
be able to enjoy this wonderful and peaceful time of
year. Here are some ideas to help you save time and
enjoy your holiday experience, maybe for the first time
ever!
Holiday Time is Together Time - Relax and Enjoy
Bundle up and get thee to one of the local parades.
Feel like a kid again and introduce your children to a
good experience you STILL remember from your
younger days. The Lansdale Mardi Gras Parade
takes Place on Saturday, November 20th, 2004.
Your child will have fun using an Advent Calendar to
build anticipation. Available at The Lord's Shop, 835 W.
Main Street, Lansdale, 215-368-LORD along with
numerous holiday and blessed occasion gifts. Say hi to
my Mom, Thelma, if you stop in. Advent calendars can
also be found at holiday bazaars and some retail
outlets.
Sing Carols at the Tree-Lighting Ceremony with
your neighbors and enjoy some hot spiced cider or hot
chocolate after the event. Hatfield's Tree Lighting
takes place on Sat., Dec. 4th at 7:00 PM at Railroad
Plaza, Hatfield. Lansdale Borough lights their tree at
Railroad Plaza on Main Street on Fri., Dec 3rd. Call 215-
368-1691 for time.
North Penn High School Art Department Students
painted over 30 shop windows on Main Street in
Lansdale on 11/11/04. There's big talk about the
Holiday House Tour taking place from 10 - 4 pm on
Sat., December 4th. Four to five homes around
Lansdale have been beautifully decorated in different
themes to get you into the holiday spirit. Contact
Marge Booz at 215-855-9258 for ticket information.
Musical Holiday Events include:
TUBA Christmas at Railroad Plaza in Lansdale. Sunday,
December 5th, 2004. A musical experience to BLOW
you away!
GAUDEAMUS willl perform in concert on Sun., December
12, 2004 at Epithany of Our Lord Catholic Church,
Walton Road in Plymouth Meeting. This concert is free
and open to the public. Sales of Gaudeamus' "Blessed
Christmas" CD will benefit The Wellness Place for the
Cancer Community. www.wellness-place.org
Annual Holiday Concert @ Montgomery County
Courthouse Grand Staircase, Airy and Swede Streets,
Norristown takes place on Wed. December 15 at 11:00
am. No charge.
"Let Heaven & Nature Sing" - Voices of Gwynedd
perform at Julia Ball auditorium, Gwynedd Mercy College
on December 3 & 4th, 2004 at 8:00 PM. No
charge.
For my readers out of state, call your local town or
city office for a list of holiday events in your area.
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Memorable Presents |
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Gift Certificates - A gift certificate takes the difficult
choice away from you and places it in the hands of the
recipient, who knows much better what makes
him/her happy. A certificate not only provides the
recipient with a gift, but also the opportunity for a fun
day out with friends or family to buy their gift.
Many stores and malls now offer Gift "CARDS". These
cards replace the old paper gift certificate. TEEN &
PRE-TEEN girls are particularly excited to receive these
as they look and act like "credit cards". They are
used and will retain any unused balance on the card
until the next purchase. Drawback: The cost is about
$1.50 in addition to the amount you choose to put on
the gift card. What's the cost of a smile?
Check this newsletter for Yours, Mine & Hours gift
certificate pricing.
Stockings full of Goodies - Make a stocking THE
gift. Personalize the stocking itself. You can create
any theme for its contents. How about Hair
Care Products for the ladies of the house? A fancy
mirror, comb and brush dresser set, mousse, styling gel,
exotic shampoo, hairspray, temporary spray on glitter
or color (for the holiday parties), hair ties, accessories,
a hairstyle magazine, etc. We women LOVE to get
prettied up and boy, do we love parties!
Office Treats for that small business owner or office
workaholic you know - Colored paper clips, fun pens,
gel markers, special tape, large multi-colored bulletin
board push pins, scissors (scalloped edge and regular),
white out, computer disks, CD's, designer paper for
computer projects, cards, and more.
A stocking filled with auto accessories for the young
male driver in your home. Been to Pep Boys lately?
Would your cell phone junkie like some great new
accessories for their invaluable communication tool? Bet
they'd love a new faceplate, hands free headset, case,
etc.
Magazine Subscriptions - ONLY if you know the gift
recipient has the time and inclination to read.
Otherwise, you're simply adding to their guilt and stress
by sending them a gift that will pile up in the "to read
sometime" bin, which usually gets tossed before it gets
read.
Fragrance gifts, including perfume or aftershave -
Does the recipient have any allergies? Do they only
wear one favorite scent? If you know the scent,
terrific. If you don't know and you choose a different
fragrance, chances are your gift will go down the drain
or be "regifted" to someone else. Fragrance is a very
personal thing.
Stay away from generic holiday gifts for anyone close
to you. Every year most of us receive so many "holiday
things" like dishes, hand towels, oven mits, Christmas
socks, sweatshirts and the like. Holiday items have
such a limited use cycle - 4-6 weeks at most and you
can't wear them till next year. Choose something that
gives the recipient joy and happiness most of the year,
not just at the holidays. Trust me on this -
acquaintances and pollyannas will take care of
the token holiday gifts. One EXCEPTION: your friend
or loved one who collects holiday sweatshirts,
sweaters, etc. THEY'LL enjoy adding to their
collection.
Gourmet Gifts - A bottle of wine pairs with so much.
Wine adds a festive atmosphere to any meal.
Chocolates, cookies, cheese and crackers can be
used to create beautiful baskets. You just need to
know how to "put it all together".
YMH gift collections are created to your personal
specifications. Give me a theme (if you have one) or
leave the choice to me. My gourmet baskets this year
include some wonderfully scrumptious new products
from Cherchie's Specialty Foods, Ltd. Cherchie's
signature ingredient...champagne! How divine.
Ice Cream Surprise with STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE
DESSERT TOPPING and sundae fixins'. (Kid fun)
Creamy LOBSTER BISQUE SOUP with fresh breads, etc.
for a warm, winter, light supper (Can you see the
candlelit table now?)
HOT STUFF - Chili and Cherchie's "Hold on Hannah Hot
Sauce", nachos and salsa, snacks and more.
Cherchie's New Products available in YMH gift baskets »
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ICEA "Capital Connections" |
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Great News for Yours, Mine and Hours. The
International Concierge and Errand Association's Fourth
Annual Conference is being held in Washington, DC.
August 4 - 7, 2005. A contest was held to choose the
theme of this year's international conference. The
choice for the meeting is CAPITAL CONNECTIONS.
Anyone want to guess who won the contest??????
Correct! What a thrill to have MY suggestion chosen
as the winning conference theme. I'm working with
the Marketing committee and you'll be hearing more in
the coming months.
Speaking of Conferences and Travel - allow Yours, Mine
and Hours to monitor your home while you're away. No
worries while you're gone and a "lived-in" look for your
home. Choices include pick up of mail every day at
your home or just one-time from the Post office
immediately prior to your return. Imagine having
everything ready to review without delay. Plant care
while you're gone and to treat yourself, I'll even stock
your refrigerator with the necessities so you don't have
to stop at the store on your way back from the
airport. Ah, isn't life grand? Simple pleasures are the
best. My job is to make your life easier.
International Concierge and Errand Association »
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GIFT OF TIME Certificates |
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During the holidays YMH is pleased to offer GIFT OF
TIME certificates. Give someone you know a special
treat. Offer them a helping hand when they need it.
Give them the gift of time to spend as they will. YMH
gift certificates are available in any denomination.
Create your own certificates. You choose the amount
of personal concierge service you wish to give the
recipient. Gift certificates can be combined with gift
basket presentations, if desired, or presented as stand-
alone items. We provide unique, creative, personalized
certificate presentations -
Gift Certificate Rates:(adjusted from normal hourly
service)
1 full hour of service @ $ 35.00
1.5 full hours of
service @ $ 50.00
2 full hours of service @ $
70.00
2.5 full hours of service @ $ 85.00
3
full hours of service @ $ 105.00
3.5 full hours of
service @ $120.00
Always affordable and always exceptional.
Sample Services »
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Copyright Stuff |
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© 2004 Deborah Stanek Reast - Yours, Mine and
Hours - Personal Assistant and Concierge Services.
To reprint any portion of this newsletter, send a
request to deb@yoursmineandhours.com and I will
forward you a brief note to attach to the article.
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