You might not realize how fast time moves, and soon your loved one will be walking across the big platform to receive their graduation certificate. Writing a ‘hey congratulations’ might not get you off the hook this time, as you might have to create custom graduation cards. You could write celebratory graduation notes reminding your loved ones about their education journey, how you are proud of their educational achievements, and encourage them about the road that lies ahead.

Begin with Congratulation Remarks

Although you might not have to write a whole congratulatory commencement, you could create a basic message that makes the graduate feel appreciated.  You could personalize the graduation message by including the recipient’s name and make it casual if you know them personally. However, if you do not know the graduate personally, you could choose to be more formal.

Talk About Their Education

Even when a custom greeting card could be created online, it could be better to leave some blank spaces to write some text and notes to the graduate.  You could talk about how much they have accomplished in the education journey and that you are proud of them. You could let family members like children sign the graduation card with encouraging words.

Look into the Future

Graduation could be the best time to encourage your loved one to look ahead, and you could tell them that you are excited about their future. Encouragement and optimism might set the graduate on the right foot as they prepare for their careers. You could choose a more casual way of embracing the future, and you could tell your loved ones that they deserve to see their future come true. You could tell them that you could be proud of where their life could take them and that your prayers are with them.

Graduating Through a Difficult Time

Suppose your graduate is graduating during a difficult time when it is impossible to celebrate, such as during a lockdown like that imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, you could still make them smile. You could tell your loved ones that although you do not get the chance at the moment to walk with them on their graduation day, you could be celebrating with them as soon as you get the chance. Moreover, if the graduate is struggling personally, you could encourage them through their challenging moments. You could wish them that although the graduation happened during their dark days, you are proud of their achievement.

If You Won’t Make It to the Graduation

If you do not attend their graduation, you could note your absence and ensure that you could have loved to be with them on their graduation if you had the chance. Afterward, you could inform the graduate that you are proud of their achievement despite you being absent on the day. Remind the graduate that you are cheering for them and wishing them the best on their big day and with their plans.

The Bottom Line

Graduation is a celebratory moment for your loved one, and it could be wise to write them a custom celebratory message. You could write encouraging graduation messages about their achievements. You could remind them that their future could be more promising and that your prayers are with them.

The dropping temperatures and a sparkling white coating over the streets are a source of great joy. However, without a routine adjustment, the colder weather can be harmful to your pets.

Let’s check out the six essential tips for keeping your furry friend happy and toasty in wintertime.

Tip #1: Ensure Shelter

Ideally, your animal companion should stay inside at least from December to March. Take them out for walks and playtime, but don’t leave them outside when the temperatures drop.

Your pet might prefer to spend time outdoors, though, especially if you have a big garden. Introducing sufficient shelter space is your go-to solution.

For example, the best outdoor cat house will be big enough for comfortable movement but small enough to maintain body heat. The same goes for pups.

Tip #2: Consider the Food-Activity Ratio

Like people, animals aren’t as active when it’s cold outside. So, you might need to adjust their food intake to ensure adequate nutrition.

The changes can go both ways. You might have a puppy who loves snow and going out several times a day. In this case, up their intake to make up for the energy loss.

On the other hand, some pets avoid going out during the winter months. So, they should consume fewer calories. If you’re worried your animal isn’t getting enough activity, you could:

• Spread meals around the house
• Throw snacks for them to catch down the hall
• Introduce mobile food-dispensing toys

Mixing it up a bit can help with their motivation to eat and move.

Tip #3: Check Their Paws

Tails, ears, and legs are the areas of dogs’ and cats’ bodies most susceptible to frostbite. You can’t do much for ears and tails except for keeping the walks short and during daylight hours. However, putting on boots provides some welcome warmth.

Plus, both these animals lick their paws. If they stepped into a harmful chemical such as a deicer, they could get sick after touching it. If footwear isn’t an option, at least wipe the paws with a warm towel when you come back home.

Tip #4: Don’t Bathe Them as Often

Bathing dries out the skin in people and pets alike. While you can mitigate the effects with moisturizer, your companion doesn’t get to enjoy the same luxury.

Don’t cut out baths altogether, but reduce their frequency to help them avoid dry skin discomfort. You could explore alternative cleaning methods or find a shampoo with extra moisturizing features to balance cleanliness and comfort.

Tip #5: Keep Them Leashed

Even if your regular outings don’t include a leash, in wintertime, they should. For one, your dog could run out in the snow, and it’ll be much harder to locate it. Plus, snowfall can disguise recognizable scents that a pet would typically use to find its way home.

Additionally, make sure that your microchips and collar are up-to-date if they do run away so they could more quickly and easily return to safety.

Tip #6: Remove Hazards

Finally, the snowfall is home to many potential hazards for animals. Clean up spills and shovel snow from your backyard. When you take your dog or cat outside, keep an eye out for antifreeze, rough terrain, and hidden debris on the ground.

It might make walks mentally straining, but it’s worth avoiding the health risks that come with these outdoor threats.

Safety First

As long as you keep these tips in mind and apply them for every walk, bath, and feeding session, your pet will be happy and healthy once the snow melts.

Finding gifts for our loved ones can often be one of the trickiest things to do in the holiday season, especially when you feel overwhelmed with choices of what to get for everyone. To help you work out the perfect gift to bring a smile to your family members’ faces, read on for some great suggestions of meaningful presents to wrap up this year.

Choose something practical

A practical gift might not seem like the most exciting at first glance, but if chosen well, it can be something truly meaningful that reminds the recipient of their relationship with you, whenever they use the item.

When it comes to buying a practical gift, there is always something for everyone. Keen cooks might enjoy some exceptional kitchen tools and kitchenware that will stand the test of time, while an ardent DIY fan will always appreciate a well made tool to add to the cabinet. There are great practical options for kids too, such as beautiful stationery for school, or sporting equipment for a team member.

Gift a subscription

If you can’t find one item that you can decide on, you could instead choose to give someone a whole year of gifts. A subscription to something they would enjoy can be a brilliant gift for a family, and there are plenty of different kinds of subscriptions to choose from.

For fashion lovers, a magazine subscription might make a wonderful gift, while someone who loves life’s little luxuries may really adore a subscription from Scent Magic, for a regular variety of perfumes to enjoy.

Give them your time

A gift doesn’t always have to involve spending enormous amounts of money and long lines in store. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts a person can receive can be the most deceptively simple. A gift of time might not immediately seem like a lot, but for someone with a busy lifestyle, it can be a welcome treat.

There are many ways that you can offer someone more time and connection. Busy parents who are stressed and tired may appreciate a regular offer of a helping hand, or a chance to take a break themselves. For younger family members who might be feeling overlooked by adults’ working lives, the chance to spend quality time together doing a fun activity of their choice can be a great way to bond and make a valuable connection.

Make them something yourself

Homemade gifts are often associated with reams of sticky tape and misshapen ornaments, but they can actually be great gifts, when done well. Think of your skills and use them to create something special.

If you are an expert in the kitchen, some delicious homemade treats can make the perfect present, especially when presented well. Try making a hamper collection of jams, pickles, preserves, or baked goods. If woodwork is more your thing, you might like to craft a practical but beautifully made item that can be used around the home.

Christmas 2020 promises to be memorable for no reason other than it is the first one Americans are spending in a pandemic in more than a century. Since COVID-19 has profoundly affected every aspect of our lives this year, it should come as no surprise that Christmas will bear the same fate.

Whether you are spending the holidays alone out of choice or because of our ‘new normal’, here are some suggested activities:

Online casino games

With a smart device or computer and an internet connection, why not add a little zing to your holidays by trying a casino online? These platforms offer loads of entertainment, giving you a choice between slots and table games. Some even provide for sports betting if that better whets your gambling appetite.

If you are playing for fun and not because you need a huge payout, it is possible to spend hours playing games at an online casino. Make small bets and take advantage of bonuses that these platforms provide new and existing players specially during Christmas time.

Observing Christmas traditions

While you might be moving to a new city and not know anyone, it is still possible to observe some common Christmas traditions. Even if it is a tiny light-up tree, have something out to remind you of this special time of year. Friends and family may have had packages delivered to you before Christmas. Do not open them until the big morning and try to video call people as you open their gifts.

Most stores are closed on Christmas Day, so ensure you have bought food ahead of time. Cooking for one or two people is a lot of effort, so that is one tradition you might want to ditch in favor of a prepared meal you only need to microwave.

Put your feet up and relax

Christmas is about family and friends, but it is also about taking time to reflect on your year. Between all that thinking, use the holidays to download the best TV shows in 2020 that you might have missed. This is the ideal time to kick back and binge-watch a few seasons of your favorite shows.

If you are alone, there will be no arguing over the remote and whose viewer choices need to be observed. For this reason, if no other, make a bowl of popcorn, put your feet up, and take advantage of the privilege.

Children should be trained to perceive homework with positivity. Just like the guardians and parents care about the child’s welfare, especially in education matters, children must take assignments as a must-do activity in their lives. As a parent, you must create an environment that shows the importance of homework in your children’s lives. But then, how do you ensure your children stray on track and finish the task on time? Well, use the tips below:

• Remove Distractions.

There are things in the studying environment that will always divert a child’s attention from concentrating on doing homework on time. Items such as toys, televisions, mobile phones, noise, among many more, are a significant distraction in the studying environment. Ensure there are no toys around, the television is off, and no noise in the background to create attention.

• Show an Interest.

Children learn a lot from their parents or guardians. The example you set is what the kids will always emulate. If you show you don’t care whether the child has done homework or not, they will think it is not a must. To achieve this, talk to the child on the importance of homework, gather some necessary resources to help the kid to do math homework, or even create some time and take the child to the library. With all these efforts, the child will view the assignment positively. In any case, follow up on what your child has done for each day. Ask them questions relating to what the teacher taught.

• Set a Specific Time.

Any vital thing happens best at a specified time. The same applies to homework. Since the homestead has different activities, it is crucial that you set time to enable children to accomplish their tasks. Analyze your child and find a suitable time for them to do their homework effectively. When selecting the time, consider the age of the child. Some prefer doing the homework after dinner while others, especially the younger ones, concentrate best after playing in the afternoon.

• Offer the required Resources.

For homework to be useful, there must be requirements like textbooks, exercise books, a pencil, dictionary, pens, among other things. Imagine if your child luck the basics to accomplish the assignment. Will they manage? Well, they can’t. As a guardian, step in and provide all the requirements, and your child won’t have trouble finishing the homework.

• Select a Suitable Place.

Not every place qualifies to be a study area. A study area should have a captivating environment that encourages the child to accomplish the homework. There must be a study chair and table with good lighting to encourage the kids to do their homework without straining much. Include some colorful arts and plants that create a calm serenity for reading and doing homework.

Conclusion

Children, just like any other adult, need guidance on how to do their homework. It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to keep checking on their kids to ensure they are on track. Provide the right environment, resources, and above all, be a good example as you encourage your children to do their homework.

Moving is never easy, and moving to a new state comes with its own set of unique challenges. Without planning and preparation, relocation is even more difficult. Whether your reason for relocating is professional or personal, a new start in a new city can be an exciting new chapter. While adjusting to a new place can be a process, take your time and invest time and effort into the moving process, you’ll find it makes everything go a little bit smoother. If you’re planning to move and you’re unsure where to get started, let’s go over five tips for moving to a new city.

1. Enlist expert help.

 

It’s important that you work with professionals who know the city you’re moving to and can help you with all the specifics when planning your move. Try to focus on people and companies with specific expertise in your area. Venterra Living, for example, manages apartment communities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Kentucky. Every city has a different real estate market, a different climate, and a different lifestyle. Trusting a company like Venterra Realty that has local expertise and a focused approach on just a handful of states or locations is a great way to make sure you’re choosing a great place for your new home.

2. Find a storage unit.

 

Most of the time, you’ll find that you pack more than you actually need, and sometimes more than you can actually fit in your new home. If you don’t want to throw everything away, it’s easy to rent a storage unit from a local storage company and hold on to your belongings without letting them take up so much space in your residence. Whether you’re moving to Columbus or Los Angeles or Tupelo, it’s easy to look online and find the best deals on a storage unit. Often you can find great deals like heavy discounts on your first month’s rent. You’ll be grateful for all the extra space you have in your self storage unit, without the clutter in your new place.

3. Be realistic about packing.

 

While you’re thinking about packing, remember to be realistic when you’re deciding what to take with you. If you’re moving somewhere with a radically different climate, you might not want to bring clothes you don’t have a use for. Get measurements for the space you’re moving into and think carefully about how much you’ll be able to fit in that space. It’s easier to sell, donate, or discard old furniture before you move rather than waiting until you’ve hauled it to a different city.

4. Look for career opportunities.

 

If you’re not moving with a job already lined up, finding work is one of the most important parts of moving to a new place. Look for opportunities that offer advancement and a reasonable wage considering the cost of living in your location. Understanding the cost of living and estimating your monthly expenses is essential to know before you start looking for work.

 

If you’re having trouble or want to make a switch, look into a training program or certification program that could help you qualify for more advanced positions in different fields. One great example of a certification that can help in the modern job market is an OKR certification. OKR, or objectives and key results, have become a crucial part of the business world, and an OKR certification can qualify you to be an OKR coach. You’ll learn how to promote growth, manage an OKR program, and boost productivity in any working environment. People with OKR certification can find work as project managers or even as a regional manager, handling a variety of difficult decisions and paperwork for large companies. This kind of training program can be a great opportunity for advancement in a great company.

5. Prepare to make changes.

 

A move is, ultimately, a big lifestyle change, and you have to be ready for the fact that your day-to-day life in your new city might not look the same as what you’re used to right now. Being open to change and embracing what makes the place you’re living special is the best way to adjust to moving. While it can be hard to let go of the routine you’re familiar with, in the long run, you’ll find that you’ll feel comfortable more quickly if you let yourself try and enjoy all the new things your home has to offer.

 

There’s no doubt that a big move to a new home is a huge undertaking, especially in trying times like these with the ongoing global pandemic. From finding storage for your belongings and making plans for your career to making lifestyle changes, it can often seem like you have more to do than what feels possible. Start to evaluate logistics, find helpful information about your new zip code online, and make plans at least six months in advance if you can. Be thorough and efficient with your packing, and be open to trying new things once you move. After you’ve settled in, take some time to relax, and then go ahead and get started exploring your neighborhood, you’ve earned it.

Parents just want the best for their kids, so when it comes to birthday parties most parents try to pull out all the stops to ensure that their little ones have a memorable and fun day. While some parents may choose to hire a professional party planner to make sure their children get the very best, many parents cannot afford this kind of expense and others prefer to keep the day special by planning it themselves.

Planning a kids’ party can be stressful, so when it comes to planning the perfect day, parents should focus on the following key aspects:

Theme

While a theme isn’t strictly necessary for a children’s party, having a planned theme is a great way to make a party memorable. Themes can also add a special touch of fun to the event.

Choosing a theme for a party can be tough, as children’s interests can vary wildly from day to day. While some parents will be able to pick a theme almost instantly, others may not be so lucky. For those unlucky parents whose children can’t decide on a particular theme, choosing a popular but general theme may do the trick. Some of the most popular party themes of 2020 include llama parties, princess parties, pirate parties, superhero parties, and, a more recent favourite, escape room parties.

Party Food

No parent wants to spend days in the kitchen preparing food that, chances are, won’t appeal to small kids at the party. That is why party food should always be simple and fun.

When planning what food to have at a kids’ party, finger foods are a great way to offer guests a range of different foods in small, bite-sized portions. The other advantages of finger foods are that they are typically easy to prepare, a variety of different foods can be made, and serving finger foods typically results in less washing up after the party as guests can eat with their hands.

Games and Activities

Aside from the food, the games and activities at a party can make or break the day. This is why it is important to plan a few activities for a kids’ party. Include some active games, such as treasure hunts, as well as some quieter activities, such as colouring competitions, to ensure that there is an activity suited to all your small guests.

Hiring out entertainment is also an option for parents looking to add something special to the party. While hiring performers such as clowns is an option, parents can also rent out play equipment for parties. This can include things like waterslides, trampolines, ball pits, bouncy castles, and other child-friendly activities.

Before hiring out any equipment, parents should always consult with the hiring company regarding their public liability insurance. When hiring out equipment such as a bouncy castle, insurance is imperative as accidents do happen and you always want to ensure that all your guests will be covered should there be any issues. If you’ve bought a bouncy castle instead of hiring one you can take out your own bouncy castle insurance as well as insurance for other party essentials.

Planning the perfect party can be stressful, and there is always a chance that something unexpected could happen to throw a spanner in the works. By concentrating on the key aspects of party planning, parents can take some of the anxiety out of the process and focus on perfecting the parts of the day that they can control.

Christmas is right around the corner, and you’re probably already working on the list of people you need to buy gifts for. But while you’re making that list, don’t forget your furry friend, the family dog. You already consider your pupper a part of the family, so why not add them to your Christmas list? In this article, you’ll find a few pleasant presents for the puppy dog in your life.

Ear Cleaner

In a human, there is nothing worse than having an ear infection, it’s almost as bad as having toothache. You try to prevent those aches by keeping your ears clean and the same holds true for your dog. But since you can’t get down into your dog’s ear canal with a Q-tip, getting them a dog ear cleaner for Christmas is the best way to keep your dog’s ears healthy. Not only does it work to prevent infections, but the cleaner also keeps their ears clean and increases the ability to hear as well.

 

 

Dog Harness

You’re probably going to be taking a lot of walks with your furry friend over the busy holiday season, whether it’s to get them out of the house when preparations are being made for the holidays, or simply for your daily walks. The streets are certainly going to be busier with holiday travel being on the uptick, so you want to make sure you have the best dog harness available to keep your pup secure, safe, and comfy on your walks. A lightweight but durable dog harness, with a helpful adjustment strap, makes the perfect present for your canine pal, because it keeps them safe and secure as the holidays proceed but is the perfect fit all year round!

 

 

Chew Toys

What dog, big or small, doesn’t love to get chew toys as presents? Not to mention that all-natural chew toys have quite a few different benefits, from helping with dental care, to giving your pup something to do when you’re busy with Christmas preparations. It’s natural for your dog to chew on things, so giving them chew toys for Christmas is helpful to them and better for your furniture as well.

 

 

Subscription Box

The trend of subscription boxes has really picked up in the last couple of years. You can get a box for everything from books to self-care items and kitchen stuff to coffee. You can also get subscription boxes for your dog. Why not start a subscription for your pup for Christmas this year. You can keep it all year long and it’ll be like Christmas morning once a month for the two of you.

 

 

Doggy Bed

Your pup might already have a doggie bed, but it’s never a bad idea to upgrade. Besides, today they have doggy beds that are heated and even some that massage your dog as they sleep. On top of upgrading, you need to have the right type of bed for your dog anyway. The bed that was right when your dog was a puppy, certainly isn’t going to be right for your pup now that he’s an adult. He’s probably outgrown that first bed, and they do wear with age and become less comfortable for your pal. Wrap up one of those amazing modern beds for your pup this Christmas. You’ll be glad you did and your pup will thank you.

 

 

These are just a few of the best gifts you can give the furry member of your family for Christmas this upcoming season. Don’t forget, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, that the best gift you can give your furry bundle of joy is your time, love, and compassion. The holidays can be rough on a dog, so make sure to calm them and spend as much time with your pup as you can.

When women become pregnant, their bodies go through a lot of changes, including increases in hormone levels. This means that things change, that you’re probably going to be happy about, and other things that change, are going to make it quite sad. On the upside, your breasts will get larger, and your libido will increase. On the downside, your hair and skin are going to change. The hair might become a little more brittle, and your skin may start to lose its moisture. With regard to your clothing, things are not going to fit you anymore, and you’re going to feel fat, and unattractive. Although these things are going to make you very sad, you need to keep in the back of your mind, that at the end of all of this, there’s going to be a beautiful baby.

However, just because you’re pregnant, doesn’t mean that your beauty routine should stop. In many cases, pregnant women get glowing skin, while others, suffer from greasy skin, that may cause skin issues. You’re taking care of two people now, so it’s important that you keep yourself healthy, and eat and drink all of the right things. In order to make yourself look and feel beautiful, the following beauty tips should help you during your pregnancy.

• Keep yourself & your skin hydrated – As mentioned briefly before, some women get glowing skin, while other’s skin begin to dry up. You need to make sure that you drink plenty of water, and this will help to clear out your body of toxins. Fruit and vegetables should be at the top of your list of things to eat, because they are not only good for you, but they good for your new baby as well. Many women complain about stretch marks on their tummies, but as long as you use GAIA Skin Naturals belly butter for pregnancy, everything will be fine.
• Get pedicures & manicures – You are never going to have nails as strong, and as long as this again, unless you get pregnant of course. This is when you need to make the most of manicures and pedicures, and while you’re there, get your feet scrubbed, and get them to use a nail file on your hands as well. Have fun during this time, and play with different colours and patterns with regard to nail varnish. When you are happy, your baby is happy and healthy, as well.
• Have your hair styled – You might want to get some kind of fancy hair style, but this is a bad idea, and you need to be going for something that involves less maintenance, and something that you don’t have to spend hours on every day. A lot of your time is going to be occupied with your pregnancy, and you just won’t have the patience or the time, to take care of your hair. For other free advice on taking care of yourself during pregnancy, have a look here.

This is a fantastic time in your life, so try to make the most of it. You can do all of the above things with your best friends, and really make a day of it. A visit to a juice bar, and some healthy salad, is a great way to finish off your afternoon, and you will be ready to settle down for the evening, and just watch some television.

Picking out the right gift for that special someone in your life is an opportunity to show them how much you care and how well you know them. The right kind of gift can pave the way for a conversation centered on how committed you are to one another. It can change everything. So, let’s take a look at four gifts that will show your partner that you are truly committed.