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Cheap Toys Online

Hello there everybody! If you are a constant reader of my EzineArticles, you would have realized that I am constantly talking about buying toys from online. If you still have not got it by now, I would like to tell you that buying toys online has its many benefits. Hence I would urge you to buy your toys online from now on. For this article, I would like to give you an overview of the types of toys that you can actually buy online.

Toys for the Family

There are plenty of toys online for the whole family. Starting from the youngest, you can actually purchase cheap baby toys for the babies. If you have kids or children, there are all sorts of toys for the them as well. Choose from soft plush toys and Barbie dolls for the girls to the car toys, transformers or Lego toys for the boys. If you have a teenager in the family, maybe you can get them some remote controlled toys or more high tech toys like gadgets or electronic gizmos. Even for mum and dad, they can get some cheap adult toys from online, at the safety and privacy of home.

Toys for Collectors

There are toys for collectors as well. Interested in movie figurines or action figures? You can get them online. What about limited edition memorabilia or move tie-ins? You can get those online as well. Well ok these toys may not come cheap but the easiest way to get them would be online. There are many things that cannot be found in the local toy store, and most likely can only be found in unique shops. Looking for these items online would be much easier than going from store to store to find that precious one of a kind toy.

Toys for Puzzle Lovers

This is also another special niche that I thought I would mention briefly in this article. There are stores online which specialize in puzzle toys. These toys can be just simple jigsaw puzzles. or shaped puzzles, 3D puzzle, or maybe even other puzzle accessories. The biggest puzzle toy I would say is the Rubik's cube. Now there is a new Rubik known as the Rubik's 360. These puzzle toys are very very cheap but can keep you occupied for a very long period of time.

Conclusion

The above are just a few examples of the types of cheap toys that you can buy online. With the internet, you need not hunt for cheap toy sales or discounted toys anymore as all these would be available online with the click of a mouse. Buying cheap toys online is easier, much more convenient, safer and cheaper than ever. As mentioned above, the range and availability of cheap toys is seriously better than any conventional local toy store. Best of all there are many cheap toy stores online; shopping engines allow you to find cheap toys for sale, while another big major toy retailer is Amazon which is a very good place to search for good toy bargain. The site stocks many toys and can deliver the toys fast as well. If you are starting to buy some toys as gifts for this coming Christmas, I urge you to visit the links below to order some cheap toys online.

My Name is Lincoln and I like writing about toys. As mentioned in the article, it is smarter to buy cheap toys online than to buy them from the local toy store which has less variety of toys. Toys bought online are also much cheaper. If you are interested to search for more cheap toys, you may want to check out my cheap toys online blog to look for cheap toys.

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Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name - Life Like Puppy

Puppy Grows & Knows is a new Fisher Price computerized dog that teaches small children to properly care for their pets. It also teaches a small child responsibility because it is their personal ownership, their own dog and baby to take care of. The size of this toy dog is 14.10" h x 12.00" w x 8.30" l and weighs 4.15 pounds. As the child shows this toy puppy the love, attention and TLC that all animals really want and need, the puppy will grow into a bigger dog in four days. Its body, legs, ears and tail will grow, little by little, each day, as the child interacts with it daily, playing its programmed games. Two games include singing songs and playing a barking game. The puppy can be taught to know its name, child's name, friend's name, and personal things about the child, such as the child's birthday.

This cute little puppy comes in white poodle or yellow golden retriever, and has a CD-ROM with it in order to program it to interact with your child. This interactive dog is an educational toy teaching values and responsibility. This puppy also comes with a tape measure so the child can measure it daily and watch it grow, as well as a little brush, bone, puppy growing chart, and a puppy ownership certificate with the child's name and the puppy's name that the child personally names it. As soon as the puppy grows to its full size, it can be returned to puppy size again for more entertainment, love, bonding and sharing.

A happy customer who recently bought this product for her three-year-old daughter states, "I purchased this puppy through Amazon for my daughter's Christmas present this year. She loves the puppy that she has named 'Bubbles', and has played with it every day since she got it. As the puppy grows over the four days it says more and more, and interacts with its owner. We thought at first that we had a faulty puppy, as it only 'grew' on the first day and not on the other days, but reading-up on the internet we found that if you replace the 'demo' batteries it comes with, then it functions correctly. We love this toy."

Therefore, this is a Christmas toy to be included on every family's shopping list, especially if they have a small child younger than six years old in their household. It is also perfect for an only child who needs a playmate. It will keep your toddler busy for hours, bonding and sharing, like a small child and its new best friend, and treating it like a real dog, as the child lugs the cute little toy around. It is a perfect training mechanism for a real dog, some day, as the child grows up and matures to be able to take care of a real animal. Puppy Grows [http://www.bestbabyshop.co.uk/search.php?q=puppy+grows&c=187] Is on the must-have list for every toddler this Christmas!

Amanda Isbitt is a work from home mum of 3, she specialises in baby/toys/games/consoles. Her favourite place to find the Puppy Grows is Puppy Grows [http://www.bestbabyshop.co.uk/search.php?q=puppy+grows&c=187]

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Buy Used American Girl Dolls Online

American Girl dolls are not just lovely toys for kids and women of all ages but they are authentic collectibles of historical girls living in different eras, living different lives and represents the diverse culture of America since 1974 until today. American Girl dolls generally have a story to tell. In every character comes a colorful story of events where that particular girl shares the most precious pieces of her memories and highlights the wonderful story of her life.

The American Doll characters originates from a wide range of "American" experiences across the more than 200 years of American history. American Girl dolls like Kaya, the Native American in 1764. Addy, the escaped slave in 1864 and Kit, the Midwesterner in the Great Depression. These are just some of the many other historical characters who were reborn in their doll form.

The dolls are perfect gifts this Christmas especially for girls between eight to twelve years old. Getting a really nice doll with the American Girl would be an awesome surprise for your niece and other relatives if you can afford to get one. If you are planning to purchase an American Girl, I encourage you to buy at online doll shops to get extra savings on discount prices. But just to be sure, you can visit the doll official website and look for outlet stores nearby. All American Girls outlet stores accept returns only on items purchased at the outlet. All refunds will be based on the price listed on the customer's receipt or the current selling price if a receipt is not available.

If you can't find the doll's outlets around your area, there are many reliable online shops that offers genuine and used American dolls. eBay and Amazon are two of the biggest online merchant shops in the web and you will surely find dolls of all brands including American Girl. Dolls for sale on these sites are generally cheaper if you compare its actual price out of a catalog. If you can't afford to buy brand new American Girls, these are the perfect place to shop and compare prices. The best thing of purchasing dolls online is getting discount coupons that offers either doll's accessories, free shipping and American Doll clothes. You can even get a brand new doll for free if you get lucky.

American Girls currently have five categories of dolls to fit every girl and build a bond that helps girls grow as they play and imagine together.

1. Bitty Baby

2. Bitty Twins

3. Historical Characters

4. Girl of the Year

5. Just Like you

There are also new items found on the catalog including accessories like the Starry Doll Carrier in Doll Care, the Bitty Baby's starter collection featuring outfits, a blanket, and more.

American Dolls are extremely fascinating for today's age doll junkies. Unable to sum up in a single look, persona, or adventure, American Dolls offers authentic designs and modern styles for every character. Find the perfect dolls only at UsedAmericanGirlDolls.com.

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Top Holiday Gifts For Those With Dementia

Over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Buying a gift for them for the holidays is not difficult if you keep a few things in mind.

First you should know the persons likes and dislikes. Also important is knowing their strengths and weaknesses. In addition consider, when purchasing a gift for someone with dementia, keeping their mind and body active. Also think about a gift that will keep on giving long after Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza or other celebrated holidays are gone Keep in mind, also, that gift selections should change as Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, progress

Gifts that keep dementia persons' mind active

All stages, most interests

A book called Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals is an ideal gift because just about everyone loves babies. This book uses baby photographs to engage those with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia in mind stimulating activities. Also it has great tips and resources for caregivers and health care workers.

A journal

Anytime is a good time to record happy events or moments in a dementias persons' life. Spend some time with them after you give this gift helping them to record memorable moments. Let them write as much as they can and you do the rest.

Then later these happenings can be shared.

A photo album

You or someone who has photographs of dementia persons can put them into an album. Make sure to label the photos so recall of them will be easier.

You may want to enlarge some of the photos for easier viewing.

As the dementia progresses, Alzheimer's individuals may think recent photos of them are of their mother or father. That is OK because this gives all a wonderful opportunity to talk about their parents.

Another gift dementia persons will fancy is a classic musical video or DVD. No matter what stage of dementia they are in they will enjoy watching something from the good old days and singing the songs played throughout the picture. Here are a few suggestions: Singin' in the Rain, Meet Me in St. Louis, or Shall We Dance

Next is a sing a long CD or audio cassette of their favorite songs. There is a series of these called, Old Time Favorites by Nancy Pitkin.

You may want to get a sing a long video where dementia persons can see and hear performers singing songs they love. Folks with Alzheimer's disease seem to enjoy music from their younger days. Many times dementia folks who are non-verbal will sing many of the words of an old favorite song of theirs. A good one is: Sing-Along with Phil Bernardi: Songs We Know and Love.

Give the gift of yourself. No matter how hard it is for you to visit persons with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, they will appreciate your company even though they may not be able to express it. Take them for a walk, sing some of your favorite songs together, or give them a hand massage. Just share some quality time together. All will feel better. Do remember to be upbeat animated and excited about visiting. No arguing, please. That is a lose, lose situation.

A phone call, especially a long distance call is nice. Those in the later stages may have trouble with this especially if they are hard of hearing. However, at least they will know you are thinking of them.

Early Stage Dementia

Puzzle books

Easy crossword or word search books

Encourage them to look at the answer key if they get stuck

Suduko books are not good idea because they were not popular ten or twenty years ago

Short novels or a book of short stories

Buy one or several that match their interests

A subscription to a daily newspaper

Often those with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia look at the date on the paper to keep track of the days.

Also most newspapers have a puzzle section they can attempt. You might want to help them with it.

Mid stage dementia

All the ideas listed for all stages of dementia are especially good for those in the mid stage

Also good is a gift certificate to an adult day care center.

This will give them a good opportunity to try it out to see how much fun they can have there. Also going there will do much to keep their mind active. It also will give the caregiver a much needed break. It is a good transition to using an adult day care center on a regular basis.

The book Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals is especially good for those with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia in the mid stage. They seem to really enjoy looking at baby photographs and talking about babies

Late stage dementia

Although persons in any stage of dementia will enjoy this, the gift of hand lotion is particularly beneficial to those in the late stage. Arousing their senses is stimulating. Any kind of lotion will do. Just be aware of any allergies or pain issues they might have. If they can tolerate it, those with a pleasant scent work well. Give them a relaxing hand massage talking about how good the hand massage feels and maybe about the good old days, as well. The conversation might seem one sided. Dementia folks in the latter stages of these diseases still enjoy the company and the conversation.

A gift certificate for respite care

If the dementia person is still living at home, this is a huge undertaking by members of the family. Giving them a break, by offering to care for your dementia friend is appreciated but rarely asked for

If you can afford it, many nursing homes, with dementia units, offer short term respite care for those with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. The dementia person will have an enjoyable stay with highly trained staff, and the family will be able to have some free time. This may be a good transition to long term care

So no matter what you do, do not forget those you know with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia this holiday season because these special gifts will make you and them feel good. What could be better than that!

Order any of the products mentioned in the article at Amazon.com. Order the book, Adorable Photographs of Our Baby -- Meaningful, Mind-Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals, the audio CDs and cassettes and the videos and DVDs at seabaygame.com

Author, Susan Berg has been a healthcare professional and educator for over 20 years. She is the, activity director, of many years, at Hunt Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Danvers. While there, she has gained much dementia care and activity experience and knowledge. She has had special training in dementia care and dementia activities through the Alzheimer's Association and other educational forums. Berg is the author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful, Mind-Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals, a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals. You may visit her website at http://www.alzheimersideas.com or her blog at http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com

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One of This Year's Hot Christmas Gifts - Elmo Live!

Once again Elmo takes center stage at Christmas. Every year there's that one gift that everyone wants and is hard to find. A few years back it was "Tickle Me Elmo". Remember that one? Everyone just had to have it, though I have to admit I didn't see the attraction. Then, for the last couple of years, and it looks like again this year, it's the Wii. I remember back about 10 or 15 years ago it was Cabbage Patch kids. Then Beanie Babies. It's always something!

This year it looks like it's going to be Elmo Live! At least according to the early reports for Amazon and other experts. Elmo is talking, singing, joking in a brand new interactive way. Sesame Street has always been known for encouraging creative and entertaining play, and this toy is no different. He's designed for kids over 18 months of age, and despite one or two complaints, it looks like he's going to be a great gift.

He's kind of similar to Tickle Me Elmo in that he's an animated stuffed toy that talks. However, he's much more advanced in that his facial features and movements are quite lifelike. He's very cute and kids are enthralled with him. He does all kinds of things like blows kisses, asks for hugs, and says he loves you. He tells jokes, acts ticklish, and more.

Plus, he's very interactive. For instance, he'll ask for a hug then if he gets one he'll say "Thank you". Or he'll say he's ticklish and then if your child tickles him, he'll respond like he's being tickled. Kids feel like he's alive and their friend.

He comes with a little stool, and when he's sitting on it he actually crosses his legs. His mannerisms are extremely lifelike, and for the first time it really looks like he's talking when he moves his mouth.

15 out 18 reviews on Amazon raved about the sweet simplicity of making Elmo Live! play. They rated his animated story telling top of the list. And added his silly sounds were not to be overlooked either.

Powering down is even fun. When Elmo hasn't been played with for a while, or if he's laid on his back he yawns and says he is tired. This is good because it helps him not go through batteries so fast.

A couple of tips about playing with Elmo. His adorable movements do sometimes make a slight mechanical sound, which can make what he says hard to understand at times. Also, if he's not on a hard surface he can fall down, but even then he asks for help in getting up and remembers his manners by saying thank you.

He's pretty cute, and your kids will most likely overlook these small details because he's their "best friend".

It comes with Elmo Live! doll, with 6 AA batteries included.

If you've got to have the hottest Christmas gifts every year, you're going to want to check out Elmo Live! pretty quick!

Take a look at Elmo Live! today at our Good Christmas Gifts website. Remember how it was impossible to find Tickle Me Elmo a few years ago? This promises to be just as bad. Go to http://findgoodchristmasgifts.com to find family-oriented toys and gifts for the hard to shop for person who has everything.

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Interactive Dolls Are Always Great Gifts and It's No Different for Christmas 2010

Christmas is right around the corner and sales are already picking up at merchant's stores and with online retailers. It's Black Friday week at the writing of this article so the high shopping season has begun. The big question every year for every parent is just what toy will be the must have toy of the year because somehow the kids always know.

One big toy item each year that is purchased for girls are dolls, lots of different kinds of dolls. With each passing year as technology increases those dolls become more lifelike able to do amazing things. They seem more and more like real infants, toddlers or even pre-schoolers. Each year, these lifelike interactive dolls are sure to found among the top toys to appear under the tree.

The different toy manufacturers such as Hasbro, Mattel and Fisher-Price, compete to provide that one interactive doll that will be the Cabbage Patch doll this Christmas. Remember the long lines of parents frantically searching and hoping to purchase those Cabbage Patch dolls? Or the Tickle Me Elmo craze when it was so hard to find one and they were selling for a small fortune on eBay thanks to Rosie O'Donnell?

One good way to check out what dolls are popular is by checking various lists such as Amazon's Best Sellers lists. Appearing on the Amazon top 100 interactive dolls list you will find such toys as Elizabeth, the Fully Interactive Baby doll and the 8 inch tall Little Bo Peep musical doll that comes with her own sheep. Right now there is even the 25 year celebration Cabbage Patch Kids Babies Carvel Ice Cream Cone doll from Cabbage Patch Kids. If you are a collector, there's one to add to your collection this year.

The big winners in Amazon's top 100 list though are Hasbro's Baby Alive dolls. As a matter of fact, right now the various interactive dolls and their accessories hold 14 of the top 20 places on the interactive dolls best sellers list. This will mean getting one for your little girl will be sure to place you at the top of her list. You won't go wrong choosing from one of the Baby Alive doll line for your little girl this Christmas or any Christmas.

The dolls in the line have all levels of interactivity. You can get simple ones that rely on the child's imagination for all of the interaction. Or you can find dolls that bounce and babble. Even some of them eat, drink, wet their diapers, and talk. There's even one that a little mommy can potty train.

But Baby Alive dolls are only a few of the interactive dolls available. Watching this year's commercials aimed at kids show several more that will make acceptable gifts. Learn what your child wants her doll to be able to do and you will find an interactive doll that will do just that.

Learn more about some available interactive dolls at interactivedoll.net. Find great interactive ones in the Baby Alive doll line at babyalive.org as well.

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Declutter by Donating

Many of us like to collect things and let them stack up and pile up on us. If you are one of these people then I have a tip that is sure to make your life so much less stressful. Donate those items you tend to collect. If you are afraid to give your stuff away then sell it.

One of the biggest sources of accumulated items is baby clothes. Kids grow so fast and in a year's time, your child probably has so many clothes over taking their dressers and closets there aren't even room for the new ones. In addition, half the clothes you've collected probably don't fit anymore. Clothes are easy to get rid of. Simply donate them by taking them to your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, or church. If you don't like the thought of giving away all those clothes then have a garage sale or take them to a local thrift store that specializes in children's clothing.

Another item that people tend to collect is books. How many people read a book more than once? Not many. Many reference style books and technology books are outdated after a year and serve very little use and most fiction is not something that gets read over and over. Sure you can keep a few books, but most should be donated to Goodwill or your local library. Again, if you have the time and desire, you can sell books on eBay rather easily or Amazon.

Again with the children, but they do collect many toys as well. If you don't have all the pieces for the toys then do everyone a favor and toss them. If you are able to find all the pieces then it's time to donate them or host a garage sale. You should make a commitment to control these things and go through your clothes, books, and toys at least once every 6 months. The best time is the spring and then around thanksgiving time. Many kids get lots of presents around Christmas time and it's good to have room for everything.

Looking for a baby monitor? Check out the baby monitor reviews site!

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The ABCs of Shopping Frugally

If you're Aware of penny-saving ideas when shopping, you can accumulate many small savings that will Amount to big bucks.

Books do not have to be expensive. Beyond getting a library card you can buy pre-read books cheaply at church bazaars, on Amazon, or at yard sales. There are online sites that allow you to rent numbers of books each month, less than buying, and have no late fees.

Computer savings are possible. Check eBay for refurbished computers, and if you buy a new computer, make sure you are getting basic software as part of the deal, but check that it is not trial or limited edition software.

Discounts are available; you need to look for them. Look online for merchant coupons and discounts. Become a member shopper of outlets and merchants like Borders and get weekly and monthly discounts. Go to discount stores such as Sam's Club, and find discounts online.

Energy Star puts its name to appliances and other products from light bulbs to furnaces. Government approved, these labels save you money in energy over the life of the product.

Furniture can be expensive. Here are some tips to save when shopping in furniture stores Shop both the outlet section of furniture stores and discount stores. If you buy a roomful of furniture or more, ask for a bulk discount (10%).

Groceries that are at the top or very bottom of the shelves are the least expensive. Look up and bend down, and compare.

Holiday gift costs mount up quickly. Buy everyone the same thing like books, pillows, or robes. Then buy them when they go on sale and customize for each person receiving the gift. Another good idea is to buy gift cards. People can shop after Christmas at huge savings so your money will go further.

Impulse buying costs shoppers money, especially at the grocery store. Always go into stores with a list and a budget. It will save you money in the end.

Junk or another man's treasure? Don't throw things out before putting your things on consignment at resale shops or selling them at a yard sale or on eBay. Then you'll have extra money to shop with that will save.

Kitchen cabinets are a high cost item if you are remodeling or improving your home. You can get about 50% off the costs if you are willing to assemble them from kits. Online savings are also available, and you might consider refacing old cabinets for savings.

Label buying seems to give people both a lift in spirit and status. However, you can get label clothes and shoes at box stores like T-J Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory and on line for much less with the same feelings.

Meat can be the most expensive part of a meal. Try other types of meats, less known or common cuts, and save. Instead of pork shoulder, try pork shank and braise for tenderness. Instead of chicken breast, try chicken thighs; they are very tasty.

Negotiate! Service companies have leeway for discounts, but you need to ask. Cable companies can reduce your monthly bill without reducing your services, deliveries can be made for free, and no furniture should be bought without asking for a discount.

One-stop shopping may be convenient, but it doesn't save you money. When you buy items like cleaning products at the grocery store to save a trip to the Dollar Store, you lose. Tools are best bought at stores like Home Depot, not at the drug store; and bird seed at Wal-Mart is actually more than buying bulk at Blue Seal.

Pajamas are good gifts. Buy them on sale in all sizes with thematic prints for birthdays, Christmas, or Valentine's.

Quest for the best buy. Your quest should include comparison shopping, then looking in less-common places for the products you're buying, like online or at yard sales. Never buy before checking out other alternatives for better cost.

Rx medications can cost you less on the Wal-Mart savings plan. Although you get generic medications you pay only a $4.00 co-pay. You can also ask your doctor to write the prescription for double strength and cut the tablets in half, getting twice as much for the price of one.

Sports Equipment can be expensive and quickly outgrown or outdated. Try Play It Again Sports and Craigslist. Don't always buy the fanciest stuff. Also, ask coaches and school if they have equipment for loan or on hand for use.

Sales Tax is not in every state. You should look to see which states have no sales tax and buy big ticket items there. New Hampshire is one such state. The travel time and cost may well be worth it.

Used clothes not only work for projects and Halloween outfits. Baby clothes are hardly worn out before they're outgrown and will work for your child just fine. Also, people who can afford good clothes can afford to donate them to Good Will and other re-sale shops. Go looking and you'll find bargains.

Videos games can be bought for less. You can save 10% on video games at Amazon if you sign up as a member of Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA). They offer other discounts from other retailers, too. Or, just wait 6 months; the game price usually goes down $5 to $10 dollars.

Knowing When to shop is important. Certain items come on sale during certain months. January and July are for furniture. Buy cars at the end of the month and at the end of the year. White sales are in January. And, buy at the end of the season for anything seasonal.

Xtra items that you use should be bought at sale times and stored or frozen. Buy hot dogs and hamburger on sales at the grocery store and freeze. Buy Aspirin and toilet paper at discount stores and closet them, and buy jeans on sales in different sizes and save for your children as they grow.

Yarns are seasonal. At the end of the winter buy your wools and in the fall buy your light-weight sock yarns. BTW, knit scarves, booties, and vests or sweaters makes less expensive and more meaningful gifts.

ZZZZZ....Now you can sleep soundly knowing the little things you do to save in the stores can save you big $$$$$$$s.

Jan Rideout is co-founder of http://Pennypinchinghints.com, a comprehensive site dedicated to helping people manage their money, access shopping coupons, and find savings with deals and freebies.

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My, What A Nice Back-End You've Got Baby!

First of all, get your mind out of the gutter -- I said

"back-end", not "rear-end", O.K.?

You see, today I'm going to teach you about getting

"back-end" sales and why you must make them.

And, if you're still struggling with your back-end sales,

and you can't seem to nail down "what" to sell as your

back-end product, I'm also going to give you a unique

mind-set to use, so that by the time we're finished...

coming up with a back-end product should be a cinch!

We're going to talk about 3 things:

1. What is a "back-end" sale?

2. Some specific examples of back-end sales! And...

3. How to make a back-end sale even when you think you can't

get one! (And why there's ALWAYS a sale to be made!)

O.K., so without any further adieu...

What's A Back-End Sale?

A back-end sale is, your "sale after the sale". Meaning,

it's what you sell one of your clients or customers, after

you've sold them you're "main" service or product.

You see, most people are so possessed with just "getting" a

new customer, once your sale is made and your euphoria is

gone... you're so excited, you just start thinking about

your "next" piece of business and you leave a bunch of money

lying on the table by not helping this new customer of

yours out, even more.

The truth is, you're not finished with that first customer

yet -- not by a long-shot.

What you should be thinking about, is... your "back-end"

sale.

In fact, you shouldn't ever think of selling anything unless

you've got a back-end sale behind it.

Why?

Well, just think about it: What's the toughest time to get

money out of someone?

The first time, right?

And what's the easiest time to get money out of someone?

Either the same time they're giving you money or after

they've given you money, right?

Back-end sales are the sales you make just after your

customer gives you money.

Listen, in business there's very little "low-hanging" fruit

to pick off the trees. So please don't leave one of the

few opportunities you have to make some "easy money" left

lying around unattended, O.K.?

And sometimes, the only low-hanging fruits you get to

stretch your arm out and snap off that beautiful bountiful

fruit-tree, are called a "back-end" sales or "upsells".

Whenever you sell someone something, always think about

another logical sale you can make to your customer, either

at the same time (an upsell)... or shortly afterwards (a

back-end sale).

Just start getting yourself into that mindset --

re-programming, or re-training your thinking so this becomes

your "norm" -- and over time you will become SERIOUSLY

wealthier because of it.

Let me show you some specific examples here so you can see

what I mean:

Here Are Your Back-End Samples:

A few weeks ago I took my older son to the Incubus concert.

Aside from having a fantastic time, sharing some quality

father-son "bonding", we were able to teach see some solid

back-end marketing being done at the show.

For example, after forking over $70 bucks for the tickets...

once we were at the show, I also got the pleasure of

droppinganother $35 Dollars on a t-shirt for my son.

If I wanted, I also could've bought a $25 Dollar baseball

cap... a $15 Dollar program... and a $20 Dollar CD.

Lucky Me!

My point is... each of these related items being sold at the

concession stands are "back-end" sales to the up-front

ticket sale. And in actual fact, when it comes down to

it... the concert itself, is a back-end sale.

The original sale was made when I bought the Incubus CD in

the first place.

As an aside, you want to hear some curious differences

between going to a concert today, versus going to one in

1981, which was the year I graduated high school?

Well for starters, when I went to concerts at Madison Square

Garden, kids were passing around loose joints.

Now, they're passing around their cell phones and capturing

pieces of the concert "live" to show their friends in

school tomorrow morning.

Another difference I noticed, was... I never had an

opportunity to sit in the "good seats" when I was a kid, and

so of course, back then I rationalized... "It didn't

matter -- I was there for the music."

But you know what? The truth is, 4th row center really is

better than the nosebleed section!

Anyway, let's take a look at a couple more "back-end"

examples.

Here's one: Ever buy something online, and then a

week-or-so later, you get a coupon e-mailed to you, or a

notice about a sale on a "similar" item?

Of course, right?

Well, that's your "back-end" sales pitch?

And it works because you have a tendency to "want" in

droves.

For example, if you buy some bodybuilding supplements,

chances are you're going to be very open to buying some more

"amazing new" supplements or some "unique inside secrets

the Russians have been hiding about their strength

training", soon after that.

Make sense now?

This all has to do with the 3 Magical Elements you should be

using to nail down your offer list, but we'll talk about

that next week.

Another example would be when you buy retail items,

especially when your sales person gets paid a commission, as

opposed to... let's say an hourly department store

employee, where you're lucky if they're even conscious or

civil.

When you go up to the counter, don't the best sales people

try to accessorize your outfit?

Scarf with your blouse ladies? Handcream with your perfume?

Tie with your shirt fellas? Appetizer with your frozen

margaritas?

Each of these items (the scarf... the handcream... the

tie... and the appetizers) are all upsells to your original

purchase.

Are you starting to get this concept here a little better?

Good.

And what about when you buy a book or a CD on Amazon.com?

You know how, once you put your book into your shopping

cart, they show you "people who bought this book also

bought..." and then there's a bunch of titles listed?

Well, that "pitch" is a back-end pitch, and it's following

all the rules:

They're pitching to you when you're already agreeing to pay

them some dough...

They're pitching you a similarly-priced item...

And, they're pitching you a relevant item! If you bought a

book on parenting, they're not going to recommend something

that has to do with the history of rubber tires in lower

Slovenia. They're going to recommend another book to help

you raise your little guys.

Think those back-end pitches don't work?

Au contraire...

Let me tell you a little story about those Amazon back-end

pitches.

Back in 1988, Joe Simpson wrote a book called "Touching The

Void".

Joe was a British mountain climber and "Touching The Void"

was his story of the near-death experience he had, while

climbing up the Peruvian Andes mountains.

Now even though Joe's book got pretty good reviews, it

didn't really sell very many copies, and in fact, 10 years

later it was nearly out-of-print.

O.K., now roll the clock forward 11 years later to 1999.

Jon Krakauer writes "Into Thin Air", another book about a

mountain-climbing tragedy -- this time about a climb that

took place in 1996 along Mount Everest.

(And by-the-way... did you know Mount Everest is located in

Nepal, which is a small country about half the size of New

Mexico, just in between India and China? I didn't know

that.)

Anyhow, for whatever reason, Krakauer's book becomes a hit.

All of a sudden, from out of nowhere... Joe Simpson's 11

year-old and for all intents and purposes, "dead" book

"Touching The Void"... starts selling again.

But this time it's selling...

Like Hotcakes!

How well did "Touching The Void" start selling this time

around?

It sold so well, Random House (the publisher) had to crank

out a whole new edition, just to keep up with the demand for

the book.

Then because of all the new online activity, offline

booksellers began a flurry of new in-store campaigns... and

before you know it, it's on the New York Times Bestseller

List...

For 14 Freakin' Weeks!

Not bad for a book that was all but written off 6-months

earlier, is it?

And how did this happen?

The answer is simple: Amazon.com recommended "Touching The

Void" as a back-end sale to people who bought "Into Thin

Air".

Incredible, huh?

The moral of the story is... back-end sales and upsells may

be the easiest money you're not getting if you're not doing

this right!

You must start training your mind to always think of

selling, like a "1-2" punch from a heavyweight boxer.

You tag 'em with your jab, and then immediately afterwards,

send 'em an solid uppercut, like this: "Front-end,

back-end... front-end, back-end... front-end, back-end."

O.K.?

Lastly, let's take a look at...

How to make a back-end sale even when you think you can't

make one!

(And why there's ALWAYS a sale to be made!)

There are some professions where you think, "Hey, I can't

get a back-end sale here -- I can only get one sale because

nothing's "left" after that."

Well ye of little faith... come hither... settle down... and

listen very closely to what I'm about to say... because

what you really need to do is just start looking at things

differently.

Sometimes, you need to look at your business, as a series of

little "mini-systems" all put together.

When one system ends, another one begins...

Each of your systems are going to have different

end-results, but the overall goal is always going to be...

To Stuff More Greenbacks Into Your Fat Little Piggy Bank!

Make sense? Comprende? Comprenez-vous?

Good. I was running out of languages to use.

Anyway, here's an example of what you'd probably think is a

traditional "one-shot sale" kind of business, and how

you're going to get a back-end product out of it.

I'm talking about the proverbial real estate broker.

Imagine you're a real estate broker. You're probably

thinking, "After I sell someone a house, what could I

possibly sell them after that?"

Well, you've got a few choices here:

If you look at your business a little differently, you don't

look at what you can sell them. Instead, you look at "What

other sources of income can you get out of them?"

Like...

Referrals for example!

Let's look at the numbers here to see what I'm talking

about.

If you sell a home or a condo for $200,000 and you split

your 6% commission evenly with another realtor, you wind up

making $6,000 Dollars, right?

Right.

Now what do most real estate brokers do after their

transaction is over?

After they help you buy or sell your home -- if you're LUCKY

-- they send you a nice fruit basket that costs $50 bucks,

and then every Christmas after that, they send you a cheesy

calendar with their picture on it.

And usually when you get the cheesy calenday, you look at it

and then you toss it in the garbage.

(Or else you give it to one of your older relatives that

either lives in another country, or that you don't really

like very much. True?)

But what if instead of doing this, you take 10% of your

commission, and buy your clients 2 round-trip airline

tickets to Las Vegas, or somehwere else they'd really enjoy

going?

And then, instead of the cheesy calendar you send out at

Christmas, what if you sent them a monthly newsletter called

"Craig Garber's Low-Cost And Easy Two-Minute Tips To

Keeping Your Family Home Looking Like A Million-Dollar

Estate!" (except you'd put your name on your newsletter

and not my name, of course)

Don't you think if you did these 2 things alone, you'd have

your clients endorsing you all over town emphatically,

each-and-every single opportunity they could?

These folks wouldn't be clients, they'd be hard-core members

of your fan club, and ANY time they heard someone wanted a

realtor, they'd do absolutely EVERYTHING in their power to

make sure it was you.

Plus, what if you reminded them every month in your

newsletter, you'd pay them $500 Dollars for every person

they referred to you, who ultimately either bought or sold

a house using you!

How much of a raving fan would each of your clients be in

THAT case?

So you wind up spending $1,100 Dollars to get a new client

that's going to put at least another $6,000 Dollars in your

pocket!

Sounds like a winner to me, doesn't it?

And, these new clients will be much better than your average

run-of-the-mill clients, too. Remember, these clients

called on you for your expertise, and they don't need to be

"sold" on anything.

They've already been "pre-sold" on you. You've been so

heavily endorsed by the people who referred them, they're

going to do everything you tell them to do, including

working with you exclusively, and you're going to love it.

And here's yet another way you could make some back-end

sales. What if you had articles in your monthly written by

local people like designers... furniture store managers...

pest control operators... caterers... landscape artists...

insurance agents... accountants... and other people who

could help your clients.

And each of these articles contained a special offer, only

for people who read your newsletter.

Then, whenever someone called and used one of those coupons,

you'd have an arrangement with the vendor that says you get

"X" percent of the gross purchases, or a flat referral

fee, or free pest control, or whatever.

See the back-end potential of this "one-shot" business now?

Remember, with a little thought... a hell of a lot of

ambition... and a willingness to take action...

Everything's Possible!

Now go sell something.

P.S. Check out all the prior archives you've been

missing, right here at:

http://www.kingofcopy.com/tips/tiparchives.html

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All About Tripods - Or at Least the Affordable Ones

It came time recently for me to buy a tripod (my Christmas gift from my wife). So I started the research online and quickly discovered that I did not know squat about tripods. I knew I wanted a strong and light tripod. My old one was an aluminum leg, very inexpensive (under $40) tripod that I have used for the last eight years. It worked, but it was a little heavy and it was not the most sturdy tripod. I sometimes had to brace it against my leg to keep it from shaking and forget about using it in the wind.

I soon learned that you can have a sturdy tripod, you can have a light tripod and you can have cheap tripod, but you can only have two the three with the "cheap" part going out the window first. Scott Kelby and Joe McNally (two of the best photographers that I follow) recommended Manfrotto Carbon Fiber legs (around $375) and a Really Right Stuff Ball Head (that is the thing on the top that moves and rotates and holds the camera) (another $350+) for a total of over $700. Well I don't know about you, but that is still out of my budget so I had to go looking for some options, not quite as good, but a lot less expensive.

First, we need to look at when you need a tripod.

You need it when it is getting dark or in other low light.
You need it when your shutter speed is slower than one divided by the focal length of your lens (oh no, math-see examples below).
You need at tripod If you are going to enlarge your photo a lot.
The first issue comes when you need to capture a lot of light in aperture and also need a slow shutter speed and high ISO.

The second bullet describes the shutter speed math as an example of a standard 50 mm lens needing more than 1/60th without tripod and on a 500 mm telephoto lens you would need to be 1/500 or faster. The logic is that the longer lens magnifies any vibration in the camera or the way you hold it.

The last is that large enlargements will bring out any little imperfections, including camera shake at the high magnification.

There are two kinds of tripod heads: ball heads and pan heads. The ball head is simplest and provides a full range of movement for your camera. If you tend to shoot quickly or at moving objects you will like a ball head. With pan heads you have multiple locking levers that adjust the pan in different planes of movement to allow you to move the camera on the tripod. Pan heads are quite useful for panoramic shots. The trade-off is speed, it takes more time to unlock and adjust the levers than with a ball head.

For the legs of the tripod you are limited to aluminum or carbon fiber. The aluminum is fairly strong, but compared to the stronger carbon fiber. Aluminum is heavier and carbon fiber is far more costly.

I came down to two options. I wanted a carbon fiber leg and chose a pan head. Because cost was a factor, my budget was in the $150 to $220 area (sorry Scott and Joe). I would love to have one of those $700+ babies, but its just not in the cards until I win the Lottery. I first chose to reject the component tripods where you buy the legs from one company and the heads from another. I wanted an integrated leg/head setup.

My first option was the Sunpak - Pro 523PX 64" Tripod sold on Amazon and at Best Buy. It featured a 64" inch reach and collapsed down to 12". It weighed in at 4 lbs. The pan head was controlled by a pistol grip mechanism that seemed very slick. It retailed for around $199.

My other option was the Rocketfish 65" Carbon Fiber kit, It reached up to 65.5" and weighed in at 5.8 lbs. Rocketfish is owned by Best Buy which sells their tripods exclusively. It listed at $ 150.00. So it came down to one unit that was slightly lighter and more expensive. The other unit was very solid with a sturdy feel and smooth moving levering that tilted to allow both portrait and landscape modes.

Both units would work for me and were within my budget. The Sunpak had a that very cool pistol grip mechanism and the Rockfish seemed more solid. What sold it was the Christmas sale at Best Buy that dropped the Rockfish down to under $120. Well, sometimes you just have to buy the most economical. These are not the only good and reasonable tripods on the market. I urge each of you to do your own research and learn from what you have read on Ezine articles.

Randall Jackson (known to his friends as Randy) is an experienced Arizona photographer. His photography is about nature and events such as sports. He writes about photography and technology on his blog and displays his work at a photography site. More information can be gleaned about Randy at his blog: http://randyonphotography.com.

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37 Ways My Wife Says I Can Improve

I was talking to my wife the other day while eating my breakfast in front of the television. She said, "That's the only way I can get you off that computer."

I said, "Yes, Dear."

"You never listen," she said.

I said, "I'll be taking the garbage out right after I finish my breakfast."

Sometimes my wife says that I never listen to her. She said it just a minute ago, but of coarse she always has my undivided attention.

I thought it over the other day. Even if I am just about perfect I could take a few steps to improve myself. I said to her, "I'm taking a few steps to improve myself. I can't seem to think up a list."

"Don't give up," she answered.

After seventy-three years of self-improvement, using statistical process control, it is hard to generate a comprehensive list of things you should do to improve yourself. Think about it. The Devil has pretty much lost control of you.

I spoke to the Devil the other day. This is what he said, "You're just perfect, John."

I thanked Satan for the compliment. I said, "Why, thank you, Satan!"

He swished his tail like he does and said, "I'll be seeing you!" He gave that impish grin of his and disappeared in the red plume of smoke he has developed over the eons. It's no wonder that we have so many Devil worshipers.

I try to remember what he did to poor Ol' Job. I really hate boils?

I decided not to make a list of things I could improve upon using my computer. It's much better to use pen and paper if you want to be creative. Who was that mystery writer who sat on his veranda in Florida and wrote out each novel on a legal pad. When he was done, he took the pad to a typist and then sent it to his editor. He did that over and over again. Not once was he interrupted by the computer he didn't own. Think about it!

There was the blank page in front of me begging for me to list my self-improvement items. Even without the computer, I couldn't think of one thing except I could have ice cream every other day instead of just twice a week.

I asked my wife, "You don't have any items that I could put on my self-improvement list, do you?"

My wife hangs out in her craft room where she is currently knitting Christmas stockings for our three grandchildren in Seattle. When our first grandchild was born, she knitted a stocking for her. I said, "You'll be sorry!" But she kept knitting Christmas stockings and she is doing 30, 31, and 32.

I look at the stocking she was working on. The name of the stocking was that of our first great grandchild. I could see no reason to tell her she would be sorry again. She says I don't listen!

I ran back to my blank piece of paper and wrote: Don't tell your wife to stop knitting.

When the triplets were born, my granddaughter said, "I've got a new baby sister and she has two brothers!" We went up there for the triplets first birthday and watched them shove cake into their faces. The women from our church who had manned the three-women-to-a-shift five times a day for over six months were all there. I'd never heard of such devoted service before.

Anyway, I went to my wife and said, "Did you come up with anything?"

She was in the middle of a tricky stitch. She nodded and I saw that she had written down a few things. The list had fallen to the floor. I picked it up and left her lair without reading it. But it did look longer than I had expected. I thought this is one of her tricks. She is going to spoof me. It's going to be fun to read this thing. I sat down in my rocking chair and went down the list:

Pick up your socks.

Keep the wash basin in your bathroom clean. No spitting!

Don't pick your nose.

Try bathing more than once a week even in the winter.

Change the furnace filter more often. Once every two years is not enough.

Balance the checkbook.

Pull the dandelions even if you think they are pretty.

Rake the leaves. They are NOT good for the grass.

Stop giving the grandkids everything under the sun. You are spoiling them. No more toasted marshmallows.

Get away from the computer and take the grandkids fishing.

Don't wash your paint brushes in the kitchen sink.

Stop building piles of books and papers around your desk. I need to be able to find you.

Don't start anymore web sites. That's why you are always broke.

I know you lost a novel while downloading Service Pack II. That doesn't mean you can't write another one. Back to Canyon Diablo!

Stop buying books at Amazon every time you turn around. Did you really need to buy I was a Headhunter for $25.00 just because you liked it when you were a kid?

(That last one really hurt!) Back to the list:

Stop loaning out my pickup to every poor soul you think needs it. The last guy kept it for a week.

Sour milk is not good for the trees.

Stop calling the neighbor's dog, "Orville." His name is "Wilbur."

Stop going to the track at exactly 4:00 when that Mexican lady is jogging.

We only need one bundle of bananas at a time. You don't have to fill the cart.

There is only so much room in the refrigerator for eggs.

You only need two boxes of cake mix a week for the grandkid's cake. You don't have to buy cake mix in case lots.

Frosting is adequate for a cake. You don't have to pile fruit on it until it looks like Carman Miranda's hat.

(Now, that was cruel!) Back to the list:

Stop hugging all the ladies at church, especially Sister Corolla.

Five pans are enough when you are cooking up one of your gourmet dinners.

Don't put pans on top of dishes in the sink.

Don't but glasses under plates either.

When you are cooking, the broom is behind the refrigerator.

When Alice Brown asked you to take a look at her thesis, you didn't have to rewrite it for her. I think maybe that is why she didn't get her degree. She hasn't been around since.

Do you really need seventeen fishing poles? Give some to the grandkids.

(That was another blazer!)

Don't buy that hunting rifle you've been hefting at Wal-Mart. You have to be able to walk up a hill to hunt.

Start working on your Christmas poem. December 26th is too late.

Don't wait three days to take the garbage cans off the curb.

Stop trying to reenlist in the army to fight in Iraq. I know you old guys could fix things in three weeks, but the army doesn't want you. Do I have to keep telling you that? Does the recruiter in the mall have to keep telling you that?

(Well, we could clean it up in three weeks!) The last one was:

Bring me another piece of paper.

Copyright©John T. Jones, Ph.D. 2005

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com), a retired college professor and business executive, Former editor of an international engineering magazine. To learn more about Wealthy Affiliate University go to his info site. If you desire a flagpole to Fly Old Glory, go to the business site.

More info: http://www.InternetBusinessToolCenter.com

Business web site: http://www.AAAFlagpoles.com

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Best Toddler Toys - 7 Tips When Buying Christmas Gifts For Toddlers

Before you know, it Christmas, time will be upon us again and with it will be stress filled shopping days, dinners to plan and decorating to do all while still maintaining your day job! Here are 7 tips to make your Christmas shopping much more enjoyable this year.

Shopping with Children

When it is time to go shopping the best scenario is to have the day to yourself by hiring a sitter. However, this is not always possible and you need to have a plan for shopping with little ones. Preparation is key when shopping with small children, make sure they have had a good nap and take plenty of snacks along with you. To cut down on boredom in the store you can allow the kids to pick out one cheap toy or snack.

Kid Swap

One handy way to organize Christmas shopping is to swap children with a friend or family member. You agree to watch their children while they shop for a few hours and they agree to return the favor. This way everyone has the opportunity to leisurely shop.

Shopping Time

Waiting until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping is not conducive to a stress free trip. Try to wrap up all your shopping a few weeks ahead of time to avoid all the madness.

Online Shopping

Perhaps one of the best ways to Christmas shop for toddlers is to do the bulk of it online. Today you can order directly from many retailers, for instance Wal-Mart has the option of ordering online and having your product delivered to the store. Other great sites for Christmas shopping include Amazon and eBay, just be sure you order in plenty of time to beat the Christmas rush.

Keep it Simple

While it is tempting to want to buy your toddler the hottest toys for Christmas, you have to remember that the toy will likely be forgotten in a few days time. Spending several hundred dollars for a motorized car they will outgrow by summer is probably not the best course of action. Stick with simple gift ideas that will not break the budget.

Boy Gift Ideas

Toddler boys love things they can push around the house. Oversized plastic trucks and cars are a toddler's best friend and they are generally a fairly cheap gift idea. They also enjoy simple crayons, coloring books, large puzzles and blocks. Kids at this age are pretty easy to please.

Girl Gift Ideas

A very popular gift idea for girls of all ages is the timeless dollhouse. For toddlers companies like Playskool have created dollhouses with rounded edges and heavy construction to stand up to the rigors of toddler play. Of course, girls of this age also love bouncy balls, moveable toys like cars or trucks and baby dolls.

Caution

When shopping for the best toddler toys be mindful of the recommended age on the package. Many toys will have small moving parts or pieces that can easily become a choking hazard. Safety is the number one consideration when purchasing toddler Christmas gifts.

Conclusion

Have a cup of hot chocolate and relax, the Christmas season is meant to be a joyous time of year. Do not let stress and money woes get you down, plan a simple but enjoyable dinner with simple gifts and everything will be just fine.

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Making Scrapbook Gifts For Mom - Three Gifts to Make Your Mother's Day

Traditional gifts for Mothers Day center around chocolates, flowers and other pleasant but ephemeral items. Why not be different and give your Mom something she can keep forever, something deeply personal and something which tells her you love her, all at the same time.

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby which can be used in many different ways to create gifts which will become genuine family treasures.

A star scrapbook - a small scrapbook designed in the shape of a star which can sit on a shelf as a lovely display, or pack neatly into a handbag, all tied with a ribbon, ready to be shown and admired by all. This is a very personal gift and absolutely perfect for proud grandma's who will want to take the pictures of the new baby to be admired by all. Star scrapbooks are relatively simple to make.

An alternative would be a full size scrapbook album devoted to you and your mother. You can feature pictures of the two of you from the time of your birth right up to the present day. Begin with the first picture you have of the two of you together; if you're lucky you'll have one taken just after you were born, then move through the album recording milestones. There will usually be 9 double page spreads a title page and an end page, so plan each one before you start, then it's easier to get your scrapbooking supplies and embellishments for a project like this all at the same time.

Here are some suggestions for pages you could create:

I am born - a page about your birth, but this time focusing on mother, not baby.
your christening/naming ceremony - a page showing the family - add journaling to show who was there, when it was, again from your mothers point of view. Was she stressed out arranging it? See what you can find out without asking her so it's all a surprise.
Family Gatherings. Lots of families have times they get together, sometimes for big occasions, sometimes not. Whether it's Christmas, New Year or a golden or diamond wedding, be sure to add pictures and labels to show who was who, and write about your mothers role in the event, not yours.
Your parents significant anniversaries. Have you celebrated a silver, golden or diamond anniversary as a family? Has you Mom been married more than once? Use your judgment here and create an accurate history, but don't go out of your way to bring back unpleasant memories.
Your mothers significant birthdays. Did your Mom have a big party at 40, 50 or older? Is she regularly 21 again? Any birthday where you were together and have something to record is fair game. Don't forget this is a scrapbook not a photograph album. Add invitations, programs, tickets etc. as well as pictures.
Family holidays. Maybe the last holiday when you were all together before you or your siblings left home.
Your graduation. A school or university graduation is usually an occasion for pictures with parents. What was your Mother wearing, where did she get it?
A previous Mothers Day
A wedding - yours or maybe your mothers!
Your mothers first grandchild (if she has any)

The bond between Mother's and daughters is a very strong one, especially when the daughters become mother's themselves. If you find it difficult to find words for the way you feel you can use rub one and stamped words to convey emotion.

Lovely as it is, a whole scrapbook can take time to make, if are just starting with your gift, maybe plan the full scrapbook for next year and do something a little different; a single scrapbook page, framed so it can be hung on the wall as an artwork. Half way between a simple picture and a full album, these single pages can make wonderful keepsakes and give you the opportunity to take your creativity in a slightly different direction. You can buy a shadow box frame easily from amazon and then, because this will be hung in a deep frame and not kept flat in a book, you can explore the world of three dimensional embellishments.

For inspiration look at some of K and Company's Grand Adhesion's. These are relatively simply constructed using pads to raise some items of the page. Butterflies are easy to make 3D, one flat one duplicated cut out and added with just a dot of silicone and gently teased into shape. The same thing can be done with flowers, using something like the petal packs from Petaloo or, for a different approach the 20 blossom template from Hot Off The Press. Trace the flowers through the template onto paper, cut them out and assemble them. Curl the petals for the 3D effect and add a little glitter, or even a gem or brad at the flower's center. It's all down to the paper you use, experiment with plain paper, patterns and of course vellum which gives a lovely delicate effect.

Shadow boxes are great fun, don't take too long to do and its always nice to see your work displayed, rather than shut away in an album.

Once you've completed your gift, don't spoil the effect by forgetting to wrap it and if you really don't have time for any of this, visit your Mom. She'd rather see you than a whole house full of scrapbooks.

Check out my blog at Dinglefoot's Scrapbooking Supplies and learn how easy it is to make a star scrapbook album with my simple video tutorial. See you there!

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Kitchen Toys - 5 Things to Consider Before Purchasing

If you thinking about purchasing some kitchen toys for your little ones, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the choices available both online and offline. There are many things you will want to consider before making your purchase. Whether you are a parent of one child or multiple children, a grandparent, a relative or just a friend, you want to make the best choice when choosing a gift that will last for hours and even years of enjoyment. The following article will share with you the top five things to look for:

Price

Kitchen toys like the very popular kitchen play sets are made by several companies and sold in multiple stores. Some products are made by companies who are known for their quality and other products are not so widely known. Many times an affordable price can mean cheaply made, and other times, it can mean a steal of a deal. Knowing what to look for and the companies to trust is the key to making sure you get the right price. If you like the price of a kitchen play set and are not sure if it is worth the amount, you can go to Amazon and read some of the testimonials there, or ask a friend if anyone has purchased the product before. This will save you from purchasing the product and finding out that it had to be thrown out because it was too cheaply made. Some people cannot afford a high ticket price but with all of the choices on the market today, there should be no reason why with a little research, you can't make sure you make the best choice for your budget.

Durability

This is a big one. I have two rowdy boys who love to beat up on things or throw them around. Because of this, I need to always make sure that the items I purchase are going to endure the abuse. While I may not have a big budget for some kitchen toys such as a play set, this does not mean that my children have to go without. There are some affordable toys that are made to last with plastic that is strong and parts that will close properly and not be torn off their hinges, and products that will not fall over when climbed upon even if they were not intended for that purpose. Some companies like Step2 or Little Tikes or even Fisher Price are known for always creating durable products that will last for years no matter how many children it may go through.

Size

We all live in different environments. Some people live in tiny basement apartments, some maybe in a townhouse, while others may live in spacious homes. You will want to buy something that will fit in a specified room. If you decide to purchase a giant 6 foot kitchen for $400 and your daughter or son barely has any room left in his playroom or bedroom, you will soon be wanting to throw it out, trade it in or put it in the backyard. This could cause problems if your child really likes it.

While most products will list their dimensions, it is often hard to figure out if you do not know how to convert inches into feet or centimeters into inches. You can find free online converters if you need to check. But often times people buy things thinking they know the size but when put up against their children they realize that the toy will not be something that will be big enough to be played with for very long. This is OK if you are buying a specialized kitchen for a baby. If you purchase a $40 toy kitchen play set and your little one has 2 years to play with it, than it is worth the money. If on the other hand, you purchase a $300 kitchen for an 8 year old and find that there is not much room for her to play and do things, you know that it will be a played with toy for too many years.

Features, Educational Considerations and Entertainment Value

Depending on what age you purchase for, there will be certain things you want included. If you would like something for your baby or toddler, you want something that is engaging, going to make lots of sounds but at the same time enable her to be able to learn things like various shapes and where they go, practice how to eat using a fork and spoon, recognize different noises such as the opening and closing of doors, a pot making bubbling sounds on the stove top and other fun and exciting things.There are some kitchen toys you can buy that will teach another language such as Spanish, as well as other language options. While you may look for all of these features, you also do not want to be buying something that requires a ton of batteries and will use them up quicker than you can purchase them. If the batteries run out and there are still features your child loves on the toy, it will not be such an urgency to run out to get more.

Ease of Assembly

You will need to assemble most of the kitchen toys you purchase. Many of them will come in plastic molds you will need to pop each piece out, then you will need to screw all the pieces together, and finally stick the decals on where they are needed. If you need special equipment, it takes days to assemble or the average non handy person can't figure it out, you will want to stay clear of the item unless you love a challenge. This is where reading through customer reviews can come in good use. If you find that too many people are complaining that it was a nightmare, it may not be a wise choice.

Especially if this is a Christmas present or birthday present, you will not want an impatient child waiting hours to play with their new toy.

There may be many other considerations you may think of before deciding to purchase the right kitchen play set or various other kitchen toys but with these top 5, you should be able to come to a decision that will work for you and allow your child to explore their imagination while playing for hours and days to come.

As a great gift idea for your special little one find out more about where to buy kitchen toys or a kitchen play set online today.

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