Mothers do so much for everyone, but there is one special day we can give something back to the one who does so much for us, and a Mother's Day Holiday Party can be the key to showing Mom how much she means to the ones for whom she does the most. Whether you are an only child, from a huge family, or one of many adopted by a loving surrogate mother, it is always nice to come up with a way to show the mother figure in your life how much she means to you.

Mother's day is that one special day of the year that comes around each May, and the one day you want to be sure to let your mother know what she means to you. Of course, your Mother's Day holiday party should depend on one thing: Your mother. Of course, you know your mother and her situation. Consider her likes and dislikes when planning your Mother's Day holiday.

Some things to consider:

• Consider whether your grandmother is alive. If she is, your mother's day celebration should coincide with whatever your mother has planned for her mother, or perhaps you could plan a celebration for them both to give them both the recognition they deserve without any of the hassle.

• Take into consideration any siblings or children who might be, for whatever reason, missing. Gifts of photo collages or videos containing childhood and/or current photographs of the whole family, including missing children, mothers, or close family members are especially appreciated my most mothers.

• Decide whether a group gathering or a special, intimate gathering is best for your mother's special celebration.

• Remember, mothers love to be pampered, and often, with families who are spread out, a long telephone conversation, a video conference online, or a handwritten letter with snapshots, mean more than expensive gifts ever could in your Mother's Day Holiday Party.

It's that time of year again when the flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping. Spring has rolled in which means only one thing, it's time to start looking for a Father's Day gift. To save you the hassle of having to deal with crowds at malls and at the local golf shop, here are 5 reasons why you should shop for Father's Day online this year.

1. Convenience

By far the biggest benefit of shopping for Father's Day online is saving you the hassle of going out to find that perfect gift. This will save you time, gas money and the trouble of dealing with large crowds of people. Now you can quickly get online and find the gift you're looking for all at the comfort of your home.

2. Multitude of stores

When you shop at malls and stores, all of the stores are separated from each other. It takes a whole afternoon to go to several stores for price comparisons and to find the gift you're looking for. By shopping online for Father's Day, you can quickly scroll through several different stores with the click of a button. Now you can find what you're looking for at the price you're looking to pay for it without taking over an entire afternoon.

3. Unlimited stock

One of the biggest problems of shopping in the malls is that they are always out of something. Unfortunately, it's usually the item you're looking for that they're out of. When you shop online, it is almost guaranteed that they will have what you're looking for. Because the product that you're looking for comes from a factory, the stock is much larger than that within the store.

4. Wider selection

Shopping for Father's Day online gives you a plethora of options that you wouldn't find in a store. If you want a certain golf shirt for your father, you may only find a few colors to choose from in the store as oppose to five or ten colors to choose from on the internet. Tying in with the statement above, purchasing online means the stock is coming from a large warehouse. Because of this, there is a much larger space to fit more options of products to choose from.

5. More information

Let's be honest, when you shop at the local mall many employees aren't knowledgeable on everything in the store. When you shop online, you are guaranteed to find a plethora of information on the product you are looking for. This allows you to see what quality the product really is and what its limitations are.

If you enjoy spending an afternoon or weekend amidst the crowds at the mall, then there are plenty of stores that you can shop for a Father's Day gift at. For everyone else, shopping for Father's Day online is the way to go. With a wider selection and the convenience of purchasing something with the click of a button, shopping online is the new way to purchase the product you're looking for.

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." - Sigmund Freud.

Remember the days as a child, when you used to wait for your father to be back home in the evening? When you would jump into his arms … share your day's exploits with him? And how patiently he would hear to all your tales? How easily he would solve the most intricate problems? You would know his arrival by the sheer knock on the door… you knew it was him. You knew him by his body odor - that soothing one that always seemed to reassure you that he was near. You knew him by his touch, his sounds, his gait …… you knew him by instinct.

The picture remains same. Over time and across geographical locations – the picture of a child relating to his/her father remains unaltered. No matter which corner of the world you belong the facets of relationship with your father never seems to change – the games you played with him in the backyard, the long drives, the values you learnt …. the list is endless.

It's this universality of a father-child relationship that makes Fathers Day a global event. While dates vary across regions, so does the language of wishing your father a "Happy Father's Day".

This is how you would say "Happy Father's Day" in different languages –

1) Spanish - Día de padres feliz

2) Russian - Счастливый день отцов

3) Portugese - Dia de pais feliz

4) Italian - Giorno di padri felice

5) German - Glücklicher Vatertag

6) French - Jour de pères heureux

7) Dutch - De gelukkige Dag van Vaders

Although most countries celebrate Fathers Day according to the American custom, on the third Sunday of June, however there are some regions where Fathers day is celebrated on other dates. Argentina, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Zimbabwe all follow the American custom ( third Sunday of June) while Austria, Belgium and Costa Rica celebrate the event on the second Sunday of June. In the southern hemisphere – Australia and New Zealand celebrate Father's Day on the first Sunday of September. Russia celebrates the event on 23rd February while In China Father's Day is celebrated on the 8th of August. Some countries again have a religious aspect to this event. While Iran celebrates Father's Day according yto the Islamic calendar on 13 Rajab, Germany follows the Biblical date of Ascension Day to celebrate the event. This year ( 2007) the date was on May 17.

No matter what date the event is celebrated on, what language is used to wish – the core emotion of expressing love, respect and gratitude on this day remains unchanged.

Father's Day is just around the corner, celebrated in 2007 on Sunday, June 17th. Every year fathers around the world are given this special day to be honored.

If you are stumped on Father's Day gift ideas for your dad this year, you're not alone. Many children exhaust common gift ideas like barbeque pits, tool sets, and such. Here are some gift ideas for Father's Day that you may not have considered:

1. Father's Day gift basket - Purchase a large gift basket and fill it with all of your dad's favorite goodies. Whether it is socket wrenches he's missing from his tool set, or a variety of his favorite junk food, your dad will love this thoughtful gift.

2. Father's Day poem - Write your dad a poem and present it to him on Father's Day. While you may not consider yourself a poet or writer, your dad will appreciate the time and thought that you put into this gift.

3. Father's Day getaway - Has your dad been talking about taking a trip somewhere special? Buy his airplane ticket and send him on that getaway for Father's Day.

4. Father's Day golf set - If your dad is a golf fan, give him a new golf club set or some accessories that he's missing. Perhaps you could give him an endless supply of golf balls or a brand new golf cart.

5. Father's Day movie - This is a gift that takes time and energy, but will be a lasting memory that your dad will have from you. Make a home movie for your dad, telling him why you appreciate him and are thankful to have him as a father. Be as creative as you want to be-the more creative, the better.

6. Father's Day album - Compile a scrapbook or photo album for your dad. Album ideas are endless: pictures of you with your dad, old pictures of your dad, your dad's military photos (if he was in the military), etc.

To all of you who are fortunate enough to to be Mothers-may you have a wonderful day and be able to celebrate it with those who have given you the title.

This year my mom is hosting a buffet dinner in her home for our now 3 generations.

There's my mom and my mother-in-law followed by my sister, my daughter's mother-in-law and me, then there's my daughter. It's a special one for her, since this is her first.

My mom. what can I say that could possibly describe what an incredible woman she is?

Through her I've become who I am. Quite frankly, I've come to like how I've turned out. If someone were to ask me what my attributes are I'd say: loving, loyal, logical, determined and realistically optimistic. I try to add a good sense of humor and caring into the pot whenever possible. Okay, I'm as stubborn as a mule, but alas, that's okay with me too.

Mom has instilled in me the importance of self-reliance. Which I, in turn, did my best to hand down to my off-spring.

The greatest gift a mother can give to her children is to make them realize their worth. It takes a while . The teen years are filled with turbulence and raging hormones, so as mothers we try to forget them and push forward and through the lessons that we deem necessary.

I feel my mom made me strong enough to get past some fairly awful stuff: My husband almost dying shortly after our 10th anniversary, the ensuing emotional turmoil it took on us as a family and as individuals. Our daughter's extremely hard adolescence and our son's bouts of serious medical problems. There were also those years of my own medical descent and remission. Without her teachings, I might well have gone "missing in action". Yet, I got through it all, not always standing mind you or without some assistance, but make it I did.

Now our daughter is having her first Mother's Day. Wow Hard to believe, but oh so true.
I know that I've given her that sense of worth (sometimes, as with all of us, it wavers)-she told me so.

We were at dinner, just the two of us, when she said, "You know mom, I could never understand why you hated me. I couldn't believe I was so awful that you wouldn't do anything for me and made me do it for myself. I had to talk to my teachers, take the lumps for my decisions, buy my own car and other stuff. Everyone else seemed to be given whatever they wanted You made me work for it.Now I realize you were doing it to make me be able to do things for myself. To be able to stand strong no matter what kind of "____" life tossed at me. And I can."

What I'm saying is-for me I don't need or want flowers, fancy meals or presents that come in a fancy bag or box, finding out I've succeeded in my most important job is the best thing in the world.

Mom taught me that as well.

Father's Day is June 17th this year, and now is the time to starting thinking of interesting activities for celebrating your father on his special day. Your father has done so much for you, so be sure to thank him and have fun with him this Father's Day.

One activity your dad is sure to enjoy is opening a special gift just for him. Personalized Father's Day gifts make a lasting impression, because they show that you care. Father's Day gift baskets are fun to put together, and more fun to watch your father open.

The gift basket can be focused around an activity that your father enjoys. If he is a sports enthusiast, and loves baseball for example, give him a great sports-themed basket, which might include a baseball cap for his favorite team, and tickets to go see his team play. Many fathers would be thrilled with a gift that was personalized with items that he would especially enjoy.

It is usually customary to have a special meal in honor of your father for Father's Day. Everyone loves gourmet foods, and your father is no exception, so why not create a gift basket that focuses on some of his favorites. You could put together a basket that features a lovely bottle of wine and snacks that might come from the same region as the wine. If it is a French wine, then perhaps include some caviar, Nicoise olives, French cheeses and some lovely crackers for a super Father's Day gift.

If your father enjoys cooking, you could turn this activity into a great gift basket idea, and create a basket that offers ingredients that could be used for his special meal. You could do a Thai-themed gift basket with lovely rice noodles, Jasmine rice, canned bamboo shoots and water chestnuts, and include a super Thai cookbook, a beautiful bowl and set of chop sticks. Your "foodie" father will flip for this thoughtful gift basket.

Does your father like to work on projects out in the garage or workshop? If so, this activity could be a starting point for a glorious gift basket that features items a handyman would enjoy. An electronic level, for example, is always appreciated, as are some new hand tools, and a selection of nails and screws. A great pair of work gloves will be appreciated, as well as the latest handyman magazine. To make it really special, put a gift certificate into the basket so your father can redeem your help on a big project, and you can enjoy his hobby together.
Every father has activities that he enjoys, and it can make for a fun Father's Day to spend time with dad doing any of them.

Unlike most of us, mothers rarely get their chance to furnish their cars to look new and neat or "cool". Moms are often too busy with work, doing chores and taking care of the kids to have time for their car.

As Mothers Day is coming on May 13, the Car Care Council recommends surprising our moms with the simple gift of a clean car that will not only make them smile, but will also lessen her driving distractions.

Car Care Council Executive Director Rich White said just about every mom knows what it feels like to have a water bottle rolling dangerously close to the brake or gas pedal. Getting this stuff out of the car and giving it a good thorough cleaning will go a long way toward eliminating hazards that can be a distraction to the mothers, making for safer driving conditions.

Car Care Council suggests when cleaning the car, clean and set first the accessories of the interior and then it will be followed with the exterior. Remove all the trash, including what has accumulated in the trunk. Vacuum the interior the dash board, seats, and the VW floor mats in the case of your moms VW car. Don't forget to wipe the windows.

Do some car washing. When doing this, include the tires and wheels and the underside and fenders to remove any road salt or grime. It is further suggested that wheels and tires be cleaned with a mitt other than the one used to wash the body. By doing this, contamination the vehicle's paint with debris from the wheels and tires will be avoided.

The vehicle should be washed in the shade. Car Care Council recommends the use of a product sold specifically for cars. Washing one section at a time and thoroughly rinsing away the soap as you go on is also advised. The fenders and bumpers are the last parts to be cleaned since they will have the most dirt and grime that can contaminate the wash mitt.

According to the council, the car should get a final rinse by letting water cascade down the surfaces of the vehicle. It is also suggested to use a chamois or other product made for drying to dry the car to avoid water spots.

If time permits, you may also want to wax the car according to the manufacturer's instructions for application. Car Care Council says waxing should always be done out of direct sunlight and every six months.

Any stone chips, rust or other problem spots identified while washing your vehicle should be taken care of immediately to prevent further damage.

And for an added touch after the car is clean, the council recommends adding a liter bag or car freshener, or accessorizing your mom's car with new floor mats.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign that promotes the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.

St. Patrick's Day is also known as St. Paddy's Day and at this day one can teach the kids about the importance of this day through St. Patrick's Day Party Games. This day is annually celebrated on March 17th every year. On this date, St. Patrick died and this day is celebrated throughout the world. St. Patrick was one of the patron saints of Ireland and on this day, Ireland observes a national holiday. This day is celebrated with wearing green and eating Irish food and attending parades. We can make the kids learn about this day through the games and below are a few that you can add to your St. Patrick's Day Party.

Name Green Things That You Can Think

For the St. Patrick's Day Party Games, you can add this classic game for the kids. In this game, you need to ask the kids to sit in the circle and when they are settled, you can tell them that you are going to ask them about the things that have a green color and those kids who will tell one green thing for example leaves, they are going to get a candy for the right answer and if they are unable to answer then they are not going to get a candy and they can think of one when they can get another turn. It is good to let everyone be in the circle and participate, which is a good idea rather than making the game a lot competitive.

Hide Chocolate Gold Coins

Now that is a really interesting St. Patrick's Day Game. For this game it is important to note that you are not going to hide the chocolates at a place where children might hurt themselves, so you have to be careful with that. Before the game, you need to ask the kids to sit around in a circle and tell them that you have hidden chocolate gold coins in the room and that they need to find them and the one who finds the most will get a bowl of chocolates. The kids would love this game and that would be a whole lot fun.

St. Patrick's Day Games is going to be a wonderful way to educate our kids about the St. Patrick's Day and would make the learning process really easy and smooth.

Mothers spend most of their lives caring for the two things most precious to her--family and home. There are days when her back breaking chores are almost endless, and it takes a toll on her health. It is time to give back, time to make her relax and invest on her health. Time to visit a spa.

A visit to a spa, especially for someone who has worked so hard all her life just as mom has, is truly a dreamlike escape. Think back to thousands of years ago when the Romans built huge and extravagant bath rooms (literally) with high ceilings and marble floors and pillars. These were the places where the emperor and empress would submerge themselves for a hot/cold bath and receive a vigorous oil massage afterwards.

This type of relaxation has not only been passed on through the centuries, but it has been enhanced by combining different methods and innovations from other cultures. Nowadays, this is not merely a routine but has become both an art and science. The result is the mainstream popularity of the spa.

There are many things to do in a spa other than just bathing and receiving a massage. With the instant availability of information, people nowadays are more health conscious and have focused on prevention through adopting a healthy lifestyle and relaxation. Services like therapy and treatment, aesthetic enhancement, manicures, pedicures, nutrition and even dental checkups are readily available.

For mom, the most logical place to visit would be a day spa. These places are the most flexible for people that have a daily routine. Mom's beauty experience may include a facial, bath, oil massage and foot massage.

In case mom is experiencing pains in some parts of her body, then it is off to a medical spa for her. These establishments are manned by professional medical doctors and in some places, they operate alongside practitioners of alternative healing (who says the two cannot co-exist). Aside from receiving the usual services found in a day spa, mom can get practical advice in the form of a wellness program. Nutritional experts can also offer advice on the possibility of adjusting her diet in order to be rid of the aches and pains.

For jetsetting mothers, they will be pleased to know that there are all kinds of spas in every corner of the world. As mentioned above, the operation of a spa has become a science so there is no need to worry whether the services found in your local spa will also be available elsewhere. It might even come as a pleasant surprise that spas in faraway places may offer some unique regimen of their own.

These days, how often do you hear someone saying "invest in your health"? In fact, this should be taken further--invest in your and your loved ones' health. Visiting a spa and receiving healthful services is not just an investment but can even be a fun routine. Aside from the relaxation, mom gets to meet new people and acquire new information. The result is a feeling of rejuvenation and renewed preparedness for the tough chores ahead. Every mother deserves that.

The conclusion of a research conducted by Salary.com, a firm based in Waltham, Massachusetts reported their findings this week. Salary.com specializes in determining compensation.

Forty thousand (40,000) mothers responded online to Salary.com explaining their job duties and how many hours they worked each week. It was reported the typical mother puts in a 92-hour workweek and works at least ten jobs. In order of hours spent per week on these duties, they are: housekeeper, day-care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive officer and psychologist. Salary.com figured out the median salaries for each position and calculated the average number of hours worked at each, and the firm came up with $138,095, which they said was three percent higher than last year's results.

Gospel artist Shirley Caesar did a remake of a country gospel song in 1975. I was reminded of the following lyrics as I read this report.

"For the nine months I carried you holding you inside me, no charge. For the nights I sat up with doctored you and prayed for you, no charge. For the time and tears and the costs through the years, there is no charge. When you add it all up the full cost of my love is no charge. For the nights filled with gray and the worries ahead; for the advice and the knowledge and the costs of your college no charge. For the toys, school, and clothes and for wiping your nose, there's no charge son. When you add it all the full cost of my love is no charge."

One must give Salary.com credit for their wisdom in not attempting to put a monetary value on a Mother's love. Positions the survey failed to include in a mom's job duties were: doctor and nurse, Ambassador of Peace/Referee, coach, personal shopper, seamstress, hair stylist, and liaison specialist. The survey said even a mom who works full-time outside of the home puts in $89,939 worth of work as mothers.

We pay tribute to all mothers everywhere. One does not have to have conceived and given birth to be considered a mother. There are males who are fulfilling the role of "mother" today. There are mothers who gave life to their babies, only to give up their babies in the hopes of a better life.

If your work is your family, your contribution is immeasurable. Moms wear many hats. They just do what needs to be done. A day is set aside to give honour where it is due. Telephone companies have reported for years Mother's Day is the busiest call-day of the year. This seems rather appropriate to me.

All of the job duties listed does not a mother make. It is what's inside her heart.

The gospel song, No Charge, ends with these lyrics:

"Well you know when I think about that, I think about the day that Jesus went out to Calvary and gave his life as a ransom for me. When I think on the words "If any man be in Christ he's a new creature," I like to think about the very minute that He shed his blood. My debt was paid in full and I want you to know today when you add it all up the full cost of real Love is no charge."

A Mother's love is priceless. Mother's Day is every day!

Copyright © 2007 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Life

Cruising has become an important vacation choice. And an important part of being comfortable on a cruise is to get a cabin that suits your needs. A cruise ship is a huge maze and has cabins of different choices and set ups at all levels. As a part of the booking process you must make an effort to choose a cabin that will make your vacation cruise a dream one.

1. Try and study the layout of the ship you are traveling in either online or at the cruise line office. Whether a mainstream cruise or a luxury one each ship will have a wide variety of accommodation choices. Find out what are the choices of cabins available on the ship you are booking on. Often you will find that a ship has over twenty different categories.

2. Find out what the differences are between a cruise ship cabin and stateroom. Ask about standard, ocean view, balcony, and suite.

3. Know your personal preferences and needs. Think would you enjoy a cabin with a balcony or one with a large window? Would you like to be situated a little far from traffic or close to where all the activities are?

4. Take into consideration the fact that it is in the cabin that you will be able to relax, watch TV, enjoy a long bath, or read a novel without being disturbed. The cabin will be your haven, home away from home for the duration of the cruise. So, take all your personal needs into consideration when booking a cabin. If the kids are going with you, look for family accommodation suites with adjoining cabins that have connecting doors.

5. Ask which cabins will be below or close to the water line, which ones are located way below deck and close to the engines or kitchens; check out how many stairs you will have to climb to reach deck.

6. Consider location carefully. Find out which cabins are close to the disco or just below a jogging track or close to an elevator or lobby. Remember you may be woken up by the thud of feet while early morning joggers enjoy the sea air. Similarly try and avoid cabins that are at the bow or stem of the ship, here you will experience first hand movement of the seas and ship as well as the drone of machinery such as anchors, or propellers. Most experts would recommend cabins that are mid-ship and recommend against forward facing balconies because of the winds.

7. The price range varies according to size, location, facilities and so on. So, determine how much each kind of cabin will cost and which one will fit into your budget and needs. Think cost and convenience.

Ask while booking about cabin guarantees. This means that you will be allocated the cabin chosen by you or one in a higher category. When a cruise line offers a run of ship guarantee it just means that you are assured a space but not a guarantee of which kind.

While planning a cruise pay special attention to accommodation, it is as important as where the ship will sail and dock.