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Christmas
Parlour Games
By: Wendy Legendre, Sat Sep 30th, 2006
Christmas parlour games are fun, relaxing, group-involving
games played indoors in a cozy sitting room. They are
competitive, yet scoring is rarely important. A hearty pat
on the back for a game well played is usually the best
reward. One of the most popular parlour games of all time is
charades. To play Chrismas charades compose a list of
Christmas carols, Chrismas movies or Christmas items and let
the drama begin. (Note: To avoid being stumped for material
at your gathering it is important to prepare these lists
ahead of time.)
When you've finished acting up, gather the family in the
livingroom (parlour) and enjoy some more Christmas parlour
games. That's right, take a break from the tv and share lots
of good old-fashioned family fun. Try one or more of the
following parlour games and create family memories that will
last a lifetime.
Christmas Parlour Game #1 - Yes and No
Give each player five pennies. Have the players pair off and
engage in conversation with each other. Players must trick
their conversation partners into saying either 'Yes' or
'No'. The first of the pair to say 'Yes' or 'No' is given a
penny by his opponent. The players then split up and move to
different partners. The first player to get rid of all five
of his pennies wins.
Christmas Parlour Game #2 - Pan Tapping
One player is sent out of the room. The remaining players
then choose a task they would like this player to perform
when he returns (eg. pick up and open a particular book,
remove another player's shoes, sit on a particular chair).
When the outside player returns he is guided towards the
task he must perform by one of the players who has been
given a pan and a spoon. This player taps faster and louder
as the outsider gets closer to the object he needs to use
for the task and taps slower and softer as the outsider
moves away from it. This continues till the outsider has
found the object and performed the task required. It then
becomes the pan-tapper's turn to leave the room while a new
task is chosen.
Chrismas Parlour Game #3 - Thimble Hunt
Everyone is sent out of the room except the person whose
turn it is to hide the 'thimble' (or other small object).
That person must hide the thimble in a place where it can be
seen without moving anything. When the players are called
back into the room, they are instructed to hunt for the
thimble without moving anything or touching anything. The
player who finds the 'thimble' will be the next one to hide
it.
Christmas Parlour Game #4 - Picture Frame Game
Each player takes turns holding an empty picture frame in
front of his face, through which he can look at the other
players. He must keep his face completely immobile for a
period of sixty seconds (except for the odd blink) while the
other players make as many silly, distorted sounds and faces
as possible to get him to laugh, smile, or move his face.
Kudos to the player who can actually last for sixty seconds.
Christmas Parlour Game #5 - Pass the Stocking
Have all players sit in a relatively tight circle. Pick a
player to sit in the center of the circle. Have this person
close his eyes while a stocking is passed from player to
player behind their backs. At a time of his choosing, the
center person opens his eyes and the passing stops
immediately. The center person must then guess who has the
stocking. If he guesses right he trades places with that
player. If he guesses wrong he closes his eyes and the
passing begins again.
Christmas Parlour Game #6 - Odd or Even
Each player is given 10 pennies. A player puts any amount of
those coins in one hand, chooses an opponent, holds out his
clenched fist to that opponent and asks 'Odd or Even?' If
the opponent guesses correctly he hands over one of his
coins to his challenger. If he guesses incorrectly he is
handed a coin by the opponent who just challenged him. These
two players then reverse roles, going through the same
challenge. Next, the two players split up and seek new
opponents. The first player to get rid of all his coins
wins.
About the author: The author has hosted hundreds of kids',
youth, ladies', and community programs and events, showers,
birthday parties, slumber parties, and camps over the last
25 years. She also directs local theater productions and
teaches drama at a small private school. If you are planning
a party, shower, scavenger hunt or any other gathering or
event visit
http://www.diva-girl-parties-and-stuff.com/christmas-party-games.
html for party games and ideas.
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Have a
Christmas Party- a planning guide
By: M Johnsona, Mon May 15th, 2006
This is a favorite time of the year for many people. Why not
take one night in December and set up a nice holiday party.
Plan a small get together with family and friends.
It is a great excuse to get together. Plan it early in
December so it doesn't conflict with all the Chrismas Day
events. Before you get too deep in the planning see how many
people will be able to come. Then base your plan off that
number.
I like to make it a simple potluck meal with everyone
bringing part of the meal. Whatever works, Then you can fill
in the blanks.
All you need for a small get together is a few decorations,
set the table and chairs up, refreshments, music and some
fun games to play.
Try to set up a couple of different seating areas, so people
can just sit and talk while others play games.
It is a great night and really is nice to see everyone while
they are in the holiday spirit. Here is a short guide to
give you some ideas of what a party entails:
1. Pick a night 2. Invitation phone calls 2. Plan food needs
based on what others are bringing 3. Shopping for food,
refreshments, decorations and games 4. Verify with phone
calls 7 days prior to party 5. Clean house 6. Decorate and
set up chairs 7. Any last minute cooking and food prep 8.
Set table 9. Greet the guests 10. Relax and enjoy the
Christmas Party, it is just a casual event.
About the author: M Johnsona operates the
www.funchristmasideas.com
website A great source for Chrismas tips and ideas.
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Board Games,
DVD Board Games, Family | Adult Board Games
By: Julie Weeks, Wed Feb 22nd, 2006
This article will explore traditional board games and how
they have evolved over the years. People have been playing
board games for many years. Board Game manufacturers from
the 1960's and before such as Parker Brothers have created
much entertainment for many a family over the years.
Traditional board games such as family favourites Monopoly,
Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble still remain firm favourites
with buyers today. Twister ranked very highly amongst the
top selling action board games last year and new variations
of Monopoly such as Monopoly Here and Now are out for
Cristmas this year and is set to be a firm favourite with
consumers.
Also hitting the stores this Christmas are new variations of
the fantastic Trivial Pursuit range such as Disney Trivial
Pursuit DVD Game, Star Wars Trivial Pursuit DVD Board Game,
and Lord of the Rings Trivial pursuit DVD Board Game. Cluedo
DVD Board Game is a new variation of Cluedo on DVD for
Cristmas this year and is set to be a great game.
Does a pattern seem to be evolving? Does every game that is
coming out this Cristmas seem to be a DVD board game? Does
this mean that we have finally entered the technological
arena in all means, shapes and forms?
The range of DVD board games available this year from last
year is massive. Trivial Pursuit DVD board game last year
was hugely successful as was Scene It. Scene IT 007 DVD
Board Game is also fantastic and is a must have for all
James Bond fans. Harry Potter has also jumped on the
bandwagon this year with their own version of Harry Potter
Scene It DVD Board Game. Yet another game aimed specifically
towards Harry Potter fans. Atmosfear Dvd Board Game is
another traditional game (Remember the video format of the
traditional Atmosfear game) that as evolved to a DVD game.
It has to be said that the new DVD board games are
spectacular and are so much fun. It is also great to see
that board games have continued to evolve instead of being
made no more by manufacturers. It was popular consensus that
video games such as those made for Playstation 2, and the
Xbox would totally take over traditional toys and boar games
for children but it as not happened that way. In fact if
anything else the choice that children are now getting is
much better quality toys and games.
It is also nice to see that traditional board games such as
Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Cluedo, Operation, Twister,
Buckaroo, Dream Phone, AtmosFear and Candyland are all
evolving with technology.
Traditional board games have changed with today's children
and that is good because it as meant that they have
continued to be made and to be purchased. Hopefully in ten
years time we will be able to say the same thing.
If you are a fan of Board Games (Board Games), Family Board
Games, Adult Board Games, Action Games or DVD Board Games
then please visit the authors Toy Shop ToyGrotto below for
great prices and a fantastic Board Game range.
If you like this article and share the same passion for toys
and board games then please feel free to pay a visit to the
authors own e-commerce store at ToyGrotto. The author would
very much appreciate any kind of feedback that you have to
offer regarding ToyGrotto. Please feel free to submit your
comments to the author, Julie Weeks at
toygrotto@toygrotto.net. All comments and suggestions of all
natures will be greatly appreciated and will be taken on
board. The key to writing good articles is by having a
wealth of knowledge and sources which then can be analysed
and shared with others.
About the author: If you like this article and share the
same passion for toys and board games then please feel free
to pay a visit to the authors own e-commerce store at
ToyGrotto. The author would very much appreciate
any kind of feedback that you have to offer regarding
ToyGrotto. Please feel free to submit your comments to the
author, Julie Weeks at toygrotto@
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Are Toys &
Video Games The Right Christmas Gifts For Kids?
By: Rosie Fletcher, Tue Jan 10th, 2006
It's the age of innocence when their eyes a little brighter
and their smile are full of possibilities. Their minds are
being shaped by everything around them and it's important to
make sure that those surroundings are positive and promote
good character traits.
The question is are toys and video games the right Cristmas
gift for kids? The simple answer - yes.
Creative Development
Children love toys and they love to play video games.
Imagination is the greatest gift that we can give our
children and toys are essential to their creative
development. With so many toys on the market, it's difficult
to choose which are best for our little ones during this
holiday season. The best way to know is to ask your child to
write a Cristmas list. Go over the list and make sure that
everything will be a positive learning, or playful,
experience for your child. Avoid buying anything with an
implication of violence or negative influences, which is
sometimes present in current video games.
Promote Healthy Competition and Creativity
On the other hand... Video games can offer a very positive
learning experience if selected carefully. They have the
ability to promote healthy competition and creativity. If a
child fails to achieve the next level in a video game, they
are forced to come up with more creative ways to move
forward. This creativity can lead to a wonderful imagination
in all areas of life. Video games can also promote
persistence and shows a child that patience is a key factor
in achieving any goal. If a child begins playing a video
game and stays with that game until he/she defeats it, this
promotes patience, determination and intelligence. The child
will learn that, if he/she works hard enough, they can
achieve anything. This will carry over into other aspects of
life and will be a positive experience. The most important
thing is, that now, the child is simply having fun and
doesn't even realize how beneficial a creative mind can be.
They don't realize that they are learning and, to them,
they're just enjoying their toys.
Promote Sharing
Toys and games are terrific Christmas gifts for kids also
because they promote sharing while keeping the child
entertained and happy. Some toys promote learning, such as
math and board games. Others, such as building blocks,
promote creativity and the ability to build things on their
own. A karaoke unit could help a child overcome shyness
while a Barbie doll will allow a child to make up story
lines and create fictional events.
Age Recommendations
Before choosing any toys or games as Cristmas gifts for
kids, make sure to read the age recommendations printed on
the box or noted in the description. It's important that the
age recommendations match that of your child for safety
reasons. If a toy needs batteries, don't forget to include
them in the box.
Unconditional Love
Keeping in mind that children are very influential, the best
gift that we could ever give is unconditional love. Perhaps
you can't wrap it up or even add a fancy red bow, but that
just goes to prove that the best things in life really are
free.
Happy Holidays!
About the author: For great Cristmas gift ideas check out
http://gifts.christmashub.com
and my main site
http://www.christmashub.com
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Fun Christmas
Costumes
By: Jim Newton, Thu Jul 6th, 2006
Does your family wear Christmas Costumes? We all remember
being kids. The excitement of Christmas. Starting just after
Halloween, the stores start putting up the holiday
decorations, the TV. starts advertising all the great new
toys, and showing our favorite Chirstmas shows like Frosty
the Snowman, Rudolph, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, It's a
Wonderful Life, just to name a few. Then our parents climb
into our attics, and basements and start hauling out all the
Chirstmas decorations. I'll never forget the frustration my
Dad had going through the Christmas lights and replacing
bulbs. Thank goodness technology has progressed to eliminate
some of those problems. My parents always liked to get the
Chirstmas spirit going by adding to those decorations each
year.
No doubt about it, my parents went all out for Christmas.
Some of our fondest memories deal with Chirstmas traditions.
A lot of us have a Dad, or uncle, or other family member
that would dress up like Santa and stop by and bring a big
bag of toys for the kids. That was always a fun moment. We
knew that was uncle Bob, but we didn't care, the excitement
just filled us with joy. Everybody would wear funny little
Chirstmas hats, and sing carols. Don't forget all the great
food too. Such delicious fun.
Chirstmas costumes can really make some happy memories.
Little elves, and Santa, reindeer hats, Mrs. Santa. Seeing
the grownups dress up for the occasion built the excitement
and made the experience of Christmas surpass the gift
giving.
Christmas Costumes gave us the spirit of Chirstmas, which in
my view is about being together, and not about putting
presents under the Chirstmas tree. Christmas Costumes have
become a tradition in many families. Just because they are
fun, and set the atmosphere of joy, and happiness. If it's
not part of your family tradition, you can always start one.
Thats the great thing about traditions. They can be started
by anyone at anytime. I think if you were to show up in a
Chirstmas Costume, and pass out antler hats, Santa hats, and
Elf hats, you just might kick start a new and fun tradition.
My family had the tradition of wearing funny hats for the
kids, and one relative dressed like Santa Clause, one
dressed like Mrs. Clause, and having the holiday music
playing in the background. Just like it was a tradition for
the youngest of the family to put the star on top of the
tree, assisted by the oldest member of the family. That
tradition got a little hair raising when some of our oldest
members were barley able to lift themselves, let alone a 2
year old. So, sometimes it involved more than the two family
members to complete the task, but, that was a tradition that
stuck.
Traditions like those instill a common thread of memory. It
tells each generation what they need to do, and how to
celebrate. So that each generation can have memories of a
great Christmas together. Reminiscing about the year that
Grandpa knocked over the Chirstmas tree while holding little
Susan up to put the star on, will bring many laughs to each
generation after that. Be the one to start a new tradition
in your family with Christmas Costumes.
About the author:
You can find fun
Chirstmas costumes at our online catalog at
Hot Stuff Leather and Lace
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