Don’t Skip Breakfast If You Want to Lose Weight

 In the morning, you may find that you are playing a continual game of “catch up.”  You’re rushing to the shower, rushing through traffic, rushing to work.  You may feel as if you don’t have time for breakfast, let alone a nutritious breakfast.  You may find that you’re just not hungry at that time of day, or you believe that you need to lose weight, so you skip breakfast altogether.  What you may not realize is that, by eliminating breakfast from your morning routine, you’re jeopardizing your health—and your waistline.
         There are a number of good reasons to eat breakfast, particularly if you are a dieter.  To begin with, the very act of eating breakfast can speed up your metabolism, which is critical to weight loss.  Think about it.  You may eat dinner around 6 p.m.  If you wait until lunch to eat again, as many as 18 hours might have passed.  Breakfast is therefore critical to your overall health and well-being.
         Another problem with skipping breakfast is that it tends to make you overeat at lunch.  Studies have shown that the vast majority of successful dieters do eat breakfast.  This may seem counter-intuitive, the idea that you must eat food in order to lose weight.  But the research shows clearly that that in fact is the case.   Breakfast can also aid your concentration.   A number of studies demonstrate that breakfast improves one’s focus, helping him or her at work or at school. 
            The type of breakfast you eat depends upon the diet you are pursuing.  You might choose a high fiber meal, such as cereal, or a high protein meal, such as scrambled eggs and ham.  Your breakfast should contain plenty of vitamins and minerals to help your body remain healthy throughout the day. 
              Another interesting aspect about breakfast is that it is a proven mood elevator.  This is quite important, since it is critical to remain positive when trying to lose weight.  Anything that you can do to lift your spirits—provided that it does not cause you to pack on the pounds—should be considered beneficial.  Also, breakfast sets the pattern for the day.  If you make healthy decisions at breakfast, you’re more likely to make the right decisions regarding the other meals of the day.
                One thing you should avoid at breakfast is eating something high in sugar, such as a sugary breakfast cereal.  While such a meal can lift your energy level temporarily, after a few hours, your energy level will drop again.  While it is always better to eat something than nothing, you should be careful in the food choices you make at breakfast.  
                  Breakfast can enhance the efficiency of the body, making it easier for you to burn fat.  This is true for both young and old, so make sure your children eat breakfast as well.    A smoothly-running body is a healthy body and one that is more likely to become lean over time.
                    At first glance, there appears to be no downside to eating breakfast.  However, it is important to issue a cautionary note.  Some people use breakfast as an opportunity to binge.  They figure that they can eat breakfast and then skip the rest of their meals.  However, this is not a healthy approach.  In order to work effectively, your body needs to eat regular meals.  Some diets call for three meals a day; others rely on five or six smaller meals eaten more frequently.  In any event, while breakfast may be your most important meal of the day it should not be your only meal of the day.
                Eating breakfast is a habit.  However, if you haven’t eaten breakfast in a while, it may be a difficult habit to get into.  The key to starting a healthy habit is persistence.  Try to eat something every morning, even if it’s only a little something.  Make sure that you have time to actually sit at the table and eat, rather than trying to eat breakfast on the run.  Scheduling time for breakfast means that you have made it a priority in your life.  If you follow this formula, you should be in a better position to lose weight over the long term.

Carbs: The Good, the Bad, and the Healthy

Carbs are a part of nearly every dieter’s vocabulary.  A number of diets are famous for fighting carb consumption.  But you should know that not every carbohydrate is created alike.  While it is true that you can lose weight by cutting carbs, carbs are also necessary for a good diet. 
        To begin with, we should define our terms.  Carbs are derived from a number of different sources.  They are present in bread, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.  There are also a number of different types of carbs.  For instance, carbs come in the form of sugars, starches, and fiber.
          For the most part, the digestive system divides carbs into sugar molecules which can be taken into the bloodstream.  The majority of carbs are transformed into glucose or blood sugar.  In this way, carbs provide energy for our bodies.   Those who lack sufficient carbs in their diet may suffer from fatigue.  
         Carbs can be filled with nutrients.  For instance, fruit contains vitamins A and C, fiber, and folate.  Vegetables are also a good vitamin and fiber source; in fact, they usually contain a greater variety of minerals than other foods do.  Whole grains can provide you with fiber, protein, and B vitamins.  Legumes can provide you with protein, iron, and potassium.  
          But carbs can also be potentially bad for your health.  For instance, cookies, potato chips, and soft drinks also contain carbs in the form of sugar and flour.  You should know that refined carbohydrates have been linked with diabetes and heart diseases, making these carbs a dangerous choice.  There are a number of good reasons to ban these carbs from your diet.  For instance, they are extremely high in calories and offer little in the way of nutrients.   Because they contain no fiber, they will not keep you satiated.  In fact, such carbs offer you zero nutrients, but plenty of fat.
           Therefore, you should avoid processed grains and sugars.  Instead, eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to maximize your nutritional intake.   Instead of eliminating carbs completely from your diet, simply ban those that increase the size of your waistline.
             There is another way to think about carbs.  You can generally divide them into two categories: simple and complex.  A simple carb, such as sugar, promotes weight gain.  As a result, you should select low-sugar foods, especially low-sugar beverages.  In contrast, complex carbohydrates promote weight loss.  Health experts recommend that dieters consume between 55 and 65 percent of their calories from these types of carbs.  Such carbs include fruits and vegetables and a number of other natural foods.
      But it isn’t enough to simply eat fruits and vegetables.  You also need to avoid fattening sauces and condiments such as mayonnaise and butter.  By adding butter to your broccoli or mayonnaise to your potatoes, you can raise the calorie amount exponentially, sabotaging your diet.
        The U.S. Department of Agriculture promotes a food pyramid that recommends as many as eleven servings of bread, pasta, and cereal.  However, a number of dieticians are suggesting that Americans should cut the carbs—period.  In one poll, 81 percent of the respondents said they were abiding by a low-carb diet. 
          It is interesting to point out that neither the American Heart Association nor the American Diabetes Association believes that the glycemic index should be considered when following a weight loss plan.  While the Diabetes Association concedes that various foods offer different glycemic responses, the Association’s leaders believe the most critical factor is the number of carbs rather than the form of the carbs consumed.  
         Granted, dietary information about carbs can be confusing.  However, a number of dieticians say that, while you might not want to cut carbs out of your diet entirely, you should eat carbs only in moderation.  Health experts also say that you should limit your carb intake to good carbs and pass up the bad ones.  By following such a plan, you should have energy—but you shouldn’t pack on the weight.  It may be difficult at first to follow such a diet plan, since many of us are conditioned to eat bad carbs in order to elevate our moods.  In time, however, you may find that you enjoy the fruits and vegetables you’re eating, and you may not even miss those tortilla chips.

The Atkins Method: Is it Right for You?

Over the years, the Atkins plan has become synonymous with weight loss.  Fans of the program say that it has proven to be instrumental in helping them to shed unwanted pounds.  They talk of improved overall health and greater energy as a result of the Atkins program.  However, critics maintain that Atkins could lead to heart damage, making it an unhealthy diet. 

         Supporters of Atkins say just about anyone can slim down using their program.   However, there are certain people that are most likely to benefit from the Atkins plan.  These include yo-yo dieters, who find themselves losing weight, only to gain it back again; dieters who feel constantly hungry;  and those who eat for emotional reasons.  Binge eaters and constant snackers can also benefit from the Atkins program.   In addition, those who suffer from a food addiction are prime candidates for Atkins.

        Atkins relies heavily on proteins and fats, along with carbohydrates that are rich in nutrients.  The idea is to strictly reduce the amount of non-nutritious carbohydrates you consume.  The theory behind this is that, when carbs are restricted, you end up burning fat rather than glucose.   In addition, it has been shown that, all things being equal, you will lose more fat with Atkins than with other types of weight loss plans.

          The Atkins plan is divided into four stages.  During the initial stage, your body moves from burning carbohydrates to burning fats.  You should also be able to kick the sugar habit during this stage.  During the second stage, your weight loss will accelerate, but you will also be able to eat larger portions of vegetables.  In the third stage, known as pre-maintenance, you will continue to add more foods to the mix.   The final stage involves lifetime maintenance.   During this phase, you can continue to fight food addictions, maintain your goal weight, and decrease the chance that you will suffer from diabetes.

       However, it can be difficult to stick with the Atkins plan.  This is because the temptation to eat carbohydrates and sweets is so great.  Friends and relatives can become diet saboteurs, preventing you from achieving the results you’re looking for.  In this case, the best defense is a good offense.  This means telling your significant others in advance that you’re determined to complete the Atkins program.  Inform them that you don’t want to even be offered French fries and potato chips. 

         The Journal of the American Medical Association has suggested that the Atkins plan can be dangerous for children.  This is not surprising, considering that young people are still growing and need all the nutrients they can get, whether the vitamins and minerals are from carbohydrates or other sources.  Supporters of Atkins say that, while children may not benefit from a restriction of vegetables and fruits, they could consume fewer potatoes and breads and still remain healthy.

        Some medical experts say that the Atkins approach is not appropriate for people who already suffer from kidney or liver trouble.  Also, because Atkins reduces the amount of fruits and vegetables an individual consumes, the diet can leave people at greater risk for such problems as cancer and heart disease.  As a result, you should probably check with your family physician before resorting to the Atkins plan, or any other low-carb, high-protein diet.

           It is likely that the Atkins plan will remain controversial for the foreseeable future.  While it has been proven effective in helping people lose weight, it may also place individuals at a higher risk for serious diseases.  A great deal of additional research needs to be conducted in order to determine if Atkins is a miracle cure or a medical nightmare.  Once more studies are conducted, the long-term effects of Atkins on the human body may be easier to determine.    If you are generally in good health and have a normal energy level, you might give Atkins a try.  If, however, you suffer from any serious diseases, or are experiencing symptoms such as high blood pressure, you might consider an alternative diet plan.  In the end, you, in consultation with your doctor, will have to determine the diet program that’s appropriate in your particular case.  

The Atkins Method: Is it Right for You?

     Over the years, the Atkins plan has become synonymous with weight loss.  Fans of the program say that it has proven to be instrumental in helping them to shed unwanted pounds.  They talk of improved overall health and greater energy as a result of the Atkins program.  However, critics maintain that Atkins could lead to heart damage, making it an unhealthy diet. 

     Supporters of Atkins say just about anyone can slim down using their program.   However, there are certain people that are most likely to benefit from the Atkins plan.  These include yo-yo dieters, who find themselves losing weight, only to gain it back again; dieters who feel constantly hungry;  and those who eat for emotional reasons.  Binge eaters and constant snackers can also benefit from the Atkins program.   In addition, those who suffer from a food addiction are prime candidates for Atkins.

     Atkins relies heavily on proteins and fats, along with carbohydrates that are rich in nutrients.  The idea is to strictly reduce the amount of non-nutritious carbohydrates you consume.  The theory behind this is that, when carbs are restricted, you end up burning fat rather than glucose.   In addition, it has been shown that, all things being equal, you will lose more fat with Atkins than with other types of weight loss plans.

     The Atkins plan is divided into four stages.  During the initial stage, your body moves from burning carbohydrates to burning fats.  You should also be able to kick the sugar habit during this stage.  During the second stage, your weight loss will accelerate, but you will also be able to eat larger portions of vegetables.  In the third stage, known as pre-maintenance, you will continue to add more foods to the mix.   The final stage involves lifetime maintenance.   During this phase, you can continue to fight food addictions, maintain your goal weight, and decrease the chance that you will suffer from diabetes.

        However, it can be difficult to stick with the Atkins plan.  This is because the temptation to eat carbohydrates and sweets is so great.  Friends and relatives can become diet saboteurs, preventing you from achieving the results you’re looking for.  In this case, the best defense is a good offense.  This means telling your significant others in advance that you’re determined to complete the Atkins program.  Inform them that you don’t want to even be offered French fries and potato chips. 

     The Journal of the American Medical Association has suggested that the Atkins plan can be dangerous for children.  This is not surprising, considering that young people are still growing and need all the nutrients they can get, whether the vitamins and minerals are from carbohydrates or other sources.  Supporters of Atkins say that, while children may not benefit from a restriction of vegetables and fruits, they could consume fewer potatoes and breads and still remain healthy.

     Some medical experts say that the Atkins approach is not appropriate for people who already suffer from kidney or liver trouble.  Also, because Atkins reduces the amount of fruits and vegetables an individual consumes, the diet can leave people at greater risk for such problems as cancer and heart disease.  As a result, you should probably check with your family physician before resorting to the Atkins plan, or any other low-carb, high-protein diet.

     It is likely that the Atkins plan will remain controversial for the foreseeable future.  While it has been proven effective in helping people lose weight, it may also place individuals at a higher risk for serious diseases.  A great deal of additional research needs to be conducted in order to determine if Atkins is a miracle cure or a medical nightmare.  Once more studies are conducted, the long-term effects of Atkins on the human body may be easier to determine.    If you are generally in good health and have a normal energy level, you might give Atkins a try.  If, however, you suffer from any serious diseases, or are experiencing symptoms such as high blood pressure, you might consider an alternative diet plan.  In the end, you, in consultation with your doctor, will have to determine the diet program that’s appropriate in your particular case.  

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The Secrets to Weight Loss After Pregnancy

   Sarah is a pregnant mother of three who continues to breast-feed her 18-month-old.  After each of her pregnancies,  she has had difficulty losing weight.  With all of her responsibilities, weight loss isn’t a priority.  Still, she wishes that, once this pregnancy is over, she will be able to return to her pre-marriage weight.
   The average woman gains more than 25 pounds during her pregnancy.  The procedure of childbirth may result in a weight loss of up to 14 pounds, which means that new moms still have considerable weight to lose once they leave the hospital.   However, some women simply assume that this “baby fat” will never go away.  Yet, it is entirely possible to lose weight during the post-partum period.

    A number of medical experts recommend easing into a weight loss program after the birth of your baby.  This means that you will not start dieting until about three months following birth.  You should combine a low-fat diet with moderate exercise in order to achieve weight loss.
    Don’t expect instant results.  It will take you a good nine months to get back to your weight prior to pregnancy.  A go-slow approach is best because you need to give your body time to recover after childbirth.  Certainly, you might be able to lose weight faster, but you might be sacrificing valuable nutrients as a result. 
    Interestingly enough, breastfeeding actually enhances weight loss.  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has found that breastfeeding leads to the release of hormones which enable your uterus to return to its normal size.  However, breastfeeding alone won’t bring down your weight.  You need to combine it with a sensible diet and a moderate exercise program.  Keep in mind that you need to have at least 1800 calories a day while breastfeeding in order to keep yourself and your baby healthy.  Still, stay clear of junk food during this period.  You should rely on food with high nutritional value to maintain the proper level of calories each day.
    There are many good reasons to exercise during the post-partum period.  In addition to helping to accelerate weight reduction, exercise can help alleviate post-partum depression, improve your mood, and boost your confidence.   Exercise can also “clear your head” so that you’re better able to meet the demands of motherhood.  You might consider joining a “Mommy and Me” exercise class so that your baby can exercise right along with you.  Another helpful hint is to enlist the help of a friend or relative to act as your exercise buddy so that you’ll have some emotional support while exercising.  An added bonus of exercise is that it should boost your energy level, which is quite important when battling the fatigue which comes from caring for a newborn.
    Your diet should generally be low-fat but not fat-free; vitamin rich; and high-fiber.   Under no circumstances should you go on a fad diet.  Such a diet could be quite harmful to your health and could actually slow your recovery from childbirth.  It’s a good idea to set weight-loss goals, but don’t go overboard.  Recognize that there’s a limit to the amount of weight you can lose during a given period of time.   
    You may see a number of actress-moms gracing the covers of magazines shortly after the birth of their children.  They appear svelte and elegant, totally devoid of baby fat.  In the accompanying article, they may even talk about exercising right after childbirth.  Such articles send new mothers a dangerous message:  that you must do all you can to become thin as quickly as possible after your baby is born.  Such a philosophy is not only ridiculous, it’s also unhealthy.  As a result, you’ll need to “tune out” such messages from the media and stay the course with your own gradual weight loss plan.
    The time right after the birth of a child can be quite challenging, taxing both your physical and emotional strength.  While it is certainly a good idea to eat healthy, you’ll need to pace yourself as far as weight loss is concerned.  Over time, you should be able to lose the weight you gained during your pregnancy.   In fact, you might find that you’re actually healthier after your baby is born.  

Food Addiction: A Craving You Can’t Seem to Control

You may overdose on potato chips or tortilla chips once in a while, but would you consider yourself to be a food addict?  The answer is important, because it could be the key to determining what course of action you need to take in order to lose weight.  A number of medical experts say that food addiction is just as serious as nicotine or cocaine addiction—and can potentially be just as deadly.

         When you suffer from food addiction, you have an overwhelming desire for a particular food.  The desire is so strong, in fact, that if you are unable to consume that food, you suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and depression.   Food addicts crave the comfort that a particular food gives them.  They also may engage in binge eating.   Their cravings for food may be both physical and psychological.

       It should be pointed out that there are different varieties of food addiction.  For instance, there is compulsive overeating, where an individual goes on eating binges that can last several days.   The addict may sometimes lose weight, but tends to gain it back again.   Symptoms include eating quickly, compulsively eating alone, and eating when there is no evidence of hunger.

         Yet another form of addiction is bulimia, in which an individual overeats, then purges either by vomiting or by taking laxatives.   Signs of this condition include isolating oneself when eating, trying to consume huge portions of food rapidly, and being preoccupied with one’s weight.

         Food addiction can also come in the form of anorexia, where an individual attempts to starve oneself in order to achieve an unrealistic weight.  Anorexics tend to be 15 percent below normal body weight and have a phobia about being fat.  They have difficulty eating with other people and appear to be obsessed with weight.  They may engage in ritualistic behavior involving food and may suffer from depression.

      The good news is that food addiction can be successfully treated.  This treatment can come in a variety of forms.  A food addict may work with a psychotherapist to develop new ways to deal with food and his or her emotions.  The therapist might be able to identify the source of the individual’s fear or anger—the reason behind the individual’s addiction.   In the majority of cases, the psychologist will help the individual to develop a treatment plan which spells out expectations and goals, both for the short-term and the long-term.   In the most serious cases, an individual may have to undergo in-patient treatment at a psychological facility.   Treatment often involves helping the individual to return to healthy eating methods, dealing with the underlying emotional causes of addiction, and learning effective coping techniques.

           Food addicts often follow the tenets of the same kind of 12-step program used by alcoholics.  This involves admitting their powerlessness over food, their belief that they could be restored to sanity, and an admission of their faults and failings.  In addition, food addicts often draw strength from support groups made up of people who have similar difficulties dealing with food.  Just knowing that there are other people who face the same challenges can be incredibly therapeutic.

       It is unclear at this point whether food addiction is a genetically-based illness.  Certainly, however, there is evidence of eating patterns being passed down from one generation to the next.  In fact, many food addicts may only seek help after they have determined that their illness could adversely affect their children.

       It is entirely possible that a food addiction can never be cured, that it can only be treated.  In other words, the recovery period for the addiction can last a lifetime.  However, one should never lose hope of beating a food addiction.  With patience and with time, individual addicts can learn the behavioral skills which will enable them to keep their weight under control.  Of course, there will be times when individuals will be tempted to indulge in sweets or excessive carbohydrates.  However, knowing the pain that they will undergo if they continue their harmful eating habits could be just the incentive they need to stay the course. 

When You're Lonely on Your Birthday

There are certainly a plethora of reasons to be happy on your birthday and there are many ways to go about celebrating. But what happens if you have recently experienced the death of a family member or what happens if your husband or wife died many years ago? If those are some of the same situations that you've had on your plate then you may be experiencing a whole lot of sadness, grief, and perhaps loneliness. Furthermore, if you have never married then you may be experiencing loneliness also. The fact of the matter is that there are various reasons for which you could be feeling lonely on your birthday. However, there are plenty of ways to overcome this loneliness. Nobody should have to feel lonely on their birthday, but if you do, here are some tips to staying upbeat and positive:

The Power of People

If you are feeling down in the dumps on your birthday for one reason or another then the number one tip is to surround yourself with some important people in your life. These can either be coworkers or close friends that know your inner secrets. Chances are that if your friends know you very well then they'll know that you are usually down on your birthday anyway. But the secret here is to surround yourself with these people because chances are that they truly want to help.

Along with surrounding yourself with people comes the next tidbit of information: throw yourself a party and invite friends over. The number one way to combat loneliness and depression is to actually do something about it. Throwing yourself a birthday party is one of the best ways that you can possibly think of to get over the lonely feelings that you're having. The party doesn't have to be anything extraordinary, either, but just some rough outlines of what you want to do at your personal birthday party with your friends!

Just Go Shopping!

There is a very important phrase that has nothing to do with being lonely on your birthday, but the phrase is "Money Can't Buy Happiness." However, it wouldn't hurt to go shopping and splurge on yourself if you're feeling lonely. Even though going shopping will not help with the problem of loneliness, it definitely will help you feel better in some aspect about yourself and your situation. After all, buying birthday presents doesn't just have to be something that other people do for you, but you can get yourself what you've been wanting for a long time!

The number one thing to remember on your birthday is that the occasion is all about you. Yes, it is perfectly okay to remember those who have left you in some manner or another, but feeling down and lonely definitely won't solve the problem. Since it's your birthday the best thing to do would be splurge on yourself, hang out with the close friends that you have, and try to be in a good mood for your special day!

What to Buy for your Child's First Birthday

Let's face it: your child's first birthday is probably one of the most important birthdays that you'll be helping them to celebrate. Whether they eventually remember their first birthday down the road is a whole different story, but your child's first birthday is an occasion and something that should be cherished for the rest of their lives. Since it is such a big and special occasion then naturally you will want to make sure it's a day that you and your son or daughter never forget! Amidst the other children抯' presents that they'll give to your son or daughter if others are invited, there are some special birthday presents that you should buy for your son or daughter's first birthday that will be a big hit no matter who they are!

My Little Pony

When your child is about one-year-old then this will be about the time that he or she will begin to hold his or her head up perfectly, as well as crawl all over the place. One of the major things that you'll want to make sure that your child has is a small rocker that he or she can ride all by himself! Your one-year-old child will be so proud of himself that he'll be able to rock back and forth on the toy that you bought him and he'll want to do it over and over again!

A Savings Account

Even though this is something that won't be as important to your child right now as it is to you, you definitely don't want your child to be without a college education in today's day and age. A savings account is the perfect birthday gift to start on his or her birthday and it should be continued throughout the time the child turns 18. If you do decide to start your child out with a savings account for his or her first birthday then putting $500 or $1,000 into it is an excellent start for their future. Of course you'll want to get your child other toys and such things for their first birthday along with this savings account, but this is a great gift to invest in for your child's future!

Educational Toys

There are all sorts of educational toys out on the market today and there continues to be new toys like this that come out every once in a while. If you are one of those parents who are big on your child starting to read or develop early then educational toys for their birthday is a perfect way to get the ball rolling.

Of course, you may have to be limited in the educational toys that you get for your child's first birthday since they really won't be able to do a whole lot of interacting at this age. Buying him or her a sophisticated play mat with blocks and learning toys are products on the market aimed right at your child for his or her birthday.

All of these things are great ways to start out the traditions for your child's birthday! By getting him or her birthday gifts that they'll appreciate now and later, like a savings account, you'll be dong a huge favor for your child and your child will have a Happy First Birthday!

Throwing Yourself Your Own Birthday Party

Usually birthday parties are thrown by the friends and family members of the birthday guest of honor, but that is not how it always has to be. There are many cases in which individuals choose to throw their own birthday parties and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you have no one else to spend your birthday with, though, you can always decide to throw yourself a birthday party and have a good time! Who says that you can't go to the movie yourself to have a good time on your birthday? The honest truth is that there are plenty of things that you can do by yourself on your birthday and you don't have to have anyone else with you to do them.

The best part about throwing yourself a birthday party is that you can do anything you want and not feel bad about it. For example, if you want to get bloated with pizza you can. One of the best ways to throw yourself a birthday party is to have a movie marathon day. Going out to rent several movies, ordering pizza, and buying candy is the best way to go if you're going to spend the day at your house just relaxing on the couch. If you're a guy, or a girl for that matter, you can always buy a pack of beer or alcohol and spend the evening on the couch sipping alcohol with your favorite movies and television shows!

Upsides to Your Own Birthday Party!

There are also some upsides to throwing yourself a birthday party and not inviting anyone else. The first upside is that you absolutely don't need any invitations at all. Since you are the only one that's going to be at your birthday party then you don't need to worry about any invitations or any RSVP cards. Another upside to being the only participant to your birthday party is that you don't have to decorate if you don't want to. In fact, there's no reason to decorate because you're not going to have anyone see them anyway.

A third upside to the whole throw-yourself-a-party birthday is that you can do whatever you want whenever you want. If you have a planned birthday party with friends and family then chances are that you'll have to stick with what they want to do. On the other hand, not inviting anyone else over means that you can do whatever you want and can even go out to a bar or a club if you want to. All things considered, there are virtually no downsides to throwing yourself a birthday party!

Birthday Party Essentials

Of course, you don't want to miss out on all the birthday party essentials even though you are going to be the only one at your party. For example, you'll definitely have to buy a birthday cake so that it'll actually feel like your birthday! One thing that you'll miss out on, though, if you don't invite anyone over for your birthday is the opportunity for someone to sing the song "Happy Birthday" to you. Even though that's not a huge part of your birthday, it will still be missing from your special day.

All in all, though, having yourself your very own small and relaxing birthday party is just something that everyone needs every once in awhile. If you are tired of all the hype and commercialization of birthday parties in the store then this may be your perfect opportunity to kick back, relax, and enjoy your own birthday!

Throwing a Surprise Birthday Party

Surprise birthday parties are always a fun way to celebrate your or somebody else's birthday. Of course, if you are going to throw a surprise birthday party then it may be a little strange to throw one for yourself. Nevertheless, people do throw themselves surprise birthday parties every once in a while, even though the great majority of the time they are thrown for other people.

If you are excited about throwing your best friend a surprise birthday party then chances are that you've thought about just how you're going to do it. However, if you've never ever thrown anybody a surprise party then you may be a little confused or worried as to how you are going to pull it off. Fortunately, here are some tidbits of information to go off of when planning this big hit:

Involve Many, Many People

It may go without saying but birthday parties are always more fun when they involve a whole lot of people. A surprise birthday party just wouldn't be as fun if it was just you and one other person. But inviting more people can also help get a lot more things done than if it was just yourself. By inviting more people to the surprise birthday party for your friend or family member then you easily delegate out some of the responsibilities of actually planning and making the whole birthday party come together to be an awesome evening of fun! For example, you'll need plenty of decorations, food, and door prizes, as well as music and entertainment if the surprise birthday party is going to be a success!

Decorate, Decorate, And Decorate!

Of course, this also may go without saying, but anytime you want to throw a surprise birthday party then you definitely need lots and lots of decorations. Depending on where the location you are holding the birthday party at then it may be easy or more difficult to decorate. However, you'll want to have plenty of balloons, streamers, as well as Happy Birthday banners to hang up so that it'll feel like a lot of hard work and planning went into this surprise birthday party!

The Trick of the Surprise Birthday Party!

The main element, of course, of the surprise birthday party is the actual surprise for the person that you are holding it for. You definitely don't want the birthday guest of honor to know that anything is going on, so you may have to have a co-conspirator in the surprise birthday party planning take your friend or family member out that day so that plans can be made and the house or other building can be easily decorated.

Surprise birthday parties are always a whole lot of fun and these are just some of the things that you need to have an awesome one for your family member or friend. Decorations, keeping it a secret, as well as inviting plenty of people to celebrate this special occasion are all essential elements of the surprise birthday party!

Special Birthday Traditions

Everyone in the world certainly has some special birthday tradition that they hold dear and that they've practiced in their family for as long as they can remember. In the United States, birthdays are certainly a special occasion and are made so even more by the family and friends that we celebrate them with. Youngsters always have special birthday blowout parties, while older adults find themselves doing something special on their birthday as well.

However, have you ever wondered about some of the birthday traditions and how they got started? Why do people get "spanked" on their birthday, for example? What's the significance of the birthday cake and how did it get started? There are actually many things that we do on our birthdays, especially in America, which we may be totally clueless as to how the tradition started. Well, if you are wondering why we get "spanked" and how the birthday cake became popular then keep reading as we will debunk these mysteries as well as tell you about some of the other interesting facts about birthdays.

Why do we get "Spanked" on our Birthday?

Children are the ones that typically get spanked on their birthdays as adults are much too old for this kind of ritual. However, if you have ever wondered why children get the number of spanks as they are for each year they've turned, you may be interested to know that this tradition started a long time ago with some early folklore. Children would typically get spanked on their birthdays because people were actually afraid of death. People believed that spanking would toughen your body up so that you wouldn't die. Now how's that for an interesting story?

How did the Birthday Cake originate?

The birthday cake did not originate in America as most people would have thought. In fact, most people don't even give a second thought to the people who actually started this tradition. As it turns out, in the early times Greeks made round cakes (which later became called "Birthday Cakes") to symbolize the moon and the candles on the cake would symbolize the moon's brightness. Even more interesting, though, is that they were actually praying to the goddess of the moon when they did all of this on their birthdays. So Americans can thank the early Greeks for contributing to the tradition of the Birthday Cake.

Another interesting Birthday Tradition

Religious traditions are always interesting to read about, but one of the most interesting of all traditions comes from the Pagans. Paganistic individuals actually celebrated people's birthdays but not for the sole purpose of having a good time. These people thought that parties full of celebration and laughter kept evil spirits away, which is why they celebrated birthdays!

All of these little known facts are pretty interesting stories about birthday traditions and folklore. So the next time you celebrate your birthday just think about all the small traditions that you continue to do and how they actually got started.

Popular Kids' Birthday Party Themes

There are thousands of ways to celebrate your kids' birthdays and if you are a new parent then you are certainly welcoming yourself to a whole new world! Many excited young kids of elementary age always are interested in the latest and most popular new cartoon on television or the latest gadget or movie that they saw! If you are about to throw your child a birthday party for him or her with all of their friends then there are some excellent birthday party themes to go with!

Superheroes Galore!

Whether you are having a boy birthday party or a girl's birthday party there are superheroes to meet every need. For example, parents can choose to throw their boys a Superman, Batman, or Spiderman themed birthday party, while girls have the option of the Powerpuff Girls, Power Rangers, or Cat Woman to choose from for their birthday party!

If you are going to have a superhero themed birthday party, though, there are some essential things that you need to make it happen. For example, if you're throwing your son a Superman birthday party then you may consider buying all the birthday guests a Superman cape to wear while they're there. Additionally, if you're throwing a Batman birthday party then you can more than likely find some batman eye costumes. Girls?birthday parties are easy too, though. Infiltrating the birthday party with lots of pink and other girl colors will be certain to attract applause from all the kids. There are all sorts of ways to think creatively when dealing with superhero birthday parties and these are a couple ways to have a great party!

The Latest and Most Popular Cartoon Themed Party!

If your son or daughter is not interested in superheroes then he or she may love some of the cartoons that are on television. For example, Spongebob Squarepants is a popular cartoon that a lot of youngsters love to watch! If you want to go with that type of a theme then you could decorate your entire house to go along with the Spongebob Squarepants cartoon show! For example, a real life replica or Spongebob's pineapple that he lives in could be made. Other artifacts of the show could be produced and everyone who attends the birthday party could receive a Spongebob Squarepants DVD to take home.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to have a kids-themed birthday party. You could make up the theme yourself or you could even enlist the help of the little birthday boy or girl to help plan the whole party! For example, you could create your own character or even just decorate the entire house with one color and make that the theme of the birthday party. All it takes, though, is a little creativity to make your son or daughter's birthday party a smash hit with them and their friends Superheroes, television shows, cartoons, as well as other creative themes will make for a great time for kids' birthdays!

Making Personalized Birthday Party Invitations

Whether you are inviting close family members, extended family members, or even your friends to your very own birthday party then chances are that you'll want to let them know in a creative and fun way that you are going to hold a birthday party! There are many ways to do this, ranging from calling them on the phone and letting them know personally all the way to sending out actual birthday party invitations with an RSVP card and everything. Suffice it to say that there are plenty of ways to create your own birthday party invitations. Here are a few extra special and creative ways, though, to make sure that everyone knows about you special day!

Ring, Ring, Ring!

As mentioned, one of the ways in which you can let everyone know about your birthday party is through a phone call. However, the manner in which you do this is the way in which it can be turned into a creative announcement. For example, speaking to everyone you would like to invite individually can be fun, but a more fun way to announce your birthday party is through phone call announcements.

For example, the first step to creating your phone call birthday announcements is by recording yourself on a recorder. You can make a short announcement about your birthday party or you could make up another creative script that tells about your birthday party. You'll want to make sure that you include all the pertinent information, such as where it will be held, what time, as well as what to get you for your birthday gift! These phone call announcements sure will be cute, fun, and a good time for your guests to hear!

Email Birthday Party Invitations

This is another unique way to announce that you are going to hold a birthday party for yourself! You could either write out a regular email to all your family and friends that you're going to invite or you could do this in another creative way. For example, sending out Happy Birthday e-cards to everyone is a cute idea to announce that it's going to be your birthday and that you are going to throw yourself a great birthday party! As with the phone birthday invitations you'll want to include all of the same information like where it'll be and what to bring, if anything.

When sending out email birthday announcements and e-cards you always have the option of being more creative than just telling people over the phone when your big day will be! Not only that, but they are fun methods, too!

Of course, the tried and true method of announcing your birthday party is always still available; however, many people nowadays seem to think this way is boring. Also, by following the suggestions above just think about how many trees you'll be saving! Nevertheless, making phone birthday party invitations or announcing it by email are two great ways to let your family and friends in on the fun!

Important Birthday Milestones

Unless you are a total downer then you are probably among the billions of people who celebrate their birthday every year. Birthdays are a fun event to be celebrated and there are a dozen ways in which your birthday can be turned into an awesome day for everyone! There are definitely some important birthday dates, though, and these usually revolve around a special birthday tradition for the age that you're celebrating. Chances are that you already know about the birthdays that you have celebrated, but here are some important birthday milestones for the ages that you have not quite reached yet!

Your 16th Birthday Milestone!

When your young and in high school many people could not wait for their 16th birthday! In many of the States in America age 16 is the age at which you can officially get your drivers license and go out driving without your parents. Many high school students continue to celebrate their 16th birthday by taking road trips during the Summer or during Winter or Spring break if their birthday falls during the school year. An even more important concept is parents who buy cars for their children at this age because a car is an excellent gift for a 16th birthday!

Your 18th Birthday Milestone!

This is an even more important birthday milestone just because of the fact that many young adults can't wait to graduate high school and leave the house that they've lived in all their lives so far! The 18th birthday signifies freedom, usually maturity, as well as independence for most people.

Your 30th Birthday Milestone!

Some people don't consider their 30th birthday to be all that of a big deal, however, some men and some women do find it a little disheartening to turn 30. Sometimes it means that they're on their way to being old-aged and other times individuals may become a little depressed over the thought of their goals that haven't been accomplished yet. Turning 30, though, doesn't have to be all gloom and doom and should be celebrated!

Your 50th Birthday Milestone!

This is another birthday that may have some gloom and doom along with it and it may perhaps be followed by a short mid-life crisis. As with your 30th birthday, though, age 50 should be celebrated. It shouldn't be a sign that you're getting older; on the other hand, you should look at it as though you are getting wiser and smarter than the younger people on the planet!

Your 75th Birthday Milestone!

Even though some people may not make it to 75, you may be reminiscing at this point if you have reached age 75. Many elderly people think back to the good days when they were young and would relish the thought of being 20 again!

Homemade Birthday Cakes

Birthday plans are always a nice thing to think about, especially when it comes to your own birthday every year! There are plenty of popular birthday traditions to consider and many people use the traditional birthday cake and ice cream as the dessert of their choice. However, more often than not many people simply decide to purchase a birthday cake at a local grocery store, possibly with a birthday message written on the top. It is safe to say that this is the way that over half of all birthdays are celebrated. There definitely needs to be a birthday cake revolution, though, because homemade birthday cakes are a great way not only to give a gift to someone, but to also celebrate your own birthday!

It's all in the Technique!

Homemade birthday cakes are definitely the yummiest birthday cakes on the planet and there are literally an unlimited number of ways in which one can go about making their own birthday cake. However, the simplest way to do so is to use a simple recipe that consists of sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, and milk. Many people who make homemade birthday cakes do so without a recipe, but for first-timers it may be necessary to actually have a recipe in front of you. It really is all in the technique, though, and how much of each ingredient you use in your birthday cake! But this is definitely the most easy way to bake a birthday cake for yourself or someone else.

Add some sprinkles, chocolate, or other sweet ingredient!

One way to spice up your birthday cake is to throw in some other ingredient which you like. This can range anything from chocolate chips to sprinkles and even cinnamon. As mentioned, there are literally millions of ways to arrange your birthday cake. If you are going to add cinnamon or sprinkles to your cake, though, one of the best things to do would be to search in several cookbooks for the type of birthday cake that you're looking to bake! Experimenting, though, always works and is a great way to get baking experience!

Give Away Your Cakes!

An interesting thing to do with your homemade birthday cake is to give it away to your friend or family who's having their birthday! You can bake the birthday cake in a small pan so that it can be like a personalized birthday cake or you could choose to make cupcakes out of the batter that you make. Either way, both of these gift ideas are great if you're looking for an inexpensive but creative way to give a birthday gift to your friends or family.

If you want to try something different rather than buying a birthday cake at the local grocery store, choosing to go homemade is the best thing that you can do! Not only do homemade birthday cakes taste so good, but they also have that flavor and pride inside because you put your hard work and dedication right into it!

Gifts for your Teenager's 18th Birthday

There are thousands of parents all across the world who take part in celebrating their teenager's 18th birthday party! It's not indisputable that a kid's 18th birthday is an important milestone in their life, which is why it needs to be celebrated. In America, there are plenty of birthday traditions that go along with an 18th birthday party. For many, turning 18 means that they'll soon graduate from high school and move out of the house and possibly go on to college or a university. For others, turning 18 means that they'll soon be free from their parents' rule. Whatever the case, though, your son or daughter's 18th birthday is definitely important enough to go shopping for an important birthday present.

A New Car

Even though this is something that some parents get for their child for their 16th birthday, usually first cars are done with by the time they reach the end of high school. A brand new car is a perfect 18th birthday gift because it really shows how much parents care for their children! There are some high school teenagers that complain an awful lot about not having a new car, which is why there is no better time to buy your child a new car than on his or her 18th birthday!

A Blank Check

Even though you literally shouldn't give your soon-to-be-graduate a blank check written out to him or her unless you are rich, a perfect 18th birthday gift is to give your son or daughter a large check written out to them. Many parents actually start saving money when their child is young so that they can be surprised on their 18th birthday when they hand them over a personal check! This is also an excellent way for your son or your daughter to step out into the new world, live on his or her own, and experience real life events. Sometimes the money that is saved is used for a college education, but a better thing to do would be to leave it up to your son or daughter what he or she wants to do with it! There's no doubt that they'll definitely appreciate it!

A Hug & Kiss

There certainly is nothing better than receiving your parent's approval for the things that you do in life. Even though it's not always possible to give your son or daughter two really expensive gifts as mentioned above, a great gift to give to your child on their 18th birthday is your love and approval. Let's face it: most teenagers who turn 18 will more than likely leave the nest egg soon, so what better time to spend with him or her than on their 18th birthday? This, of course, can be coupled with other inexpensive or expensive gifts.

All of these things are awesome gifts to give to your teenager on his or her 18th birthday! Just remember: a child's 18th birthday is an important milestone in his life, and celebrating it by giving him or her something very special is an excellent way to go!

Getting that Birthday Gift that You Want

There is no doubt that your birthday is a special time of the year and you definitely need to celebrate it in any way that you can! If your family and friends are around then chances are that they'll want to help you celebrate your birthday also, but what about what you want? If there are certain birthday gifts that you've been dying for then your birthday is the perfect chance to be able to get them all!

If you're wondering how to go about telling your family and friends what you want for your birthday, there are definitely several ways to go about doing so. First of all, making a list and passing it around to your family and friends is an excellent way to go about telling them what you want, but this may come off as pretentious and conceited. Gift lists are also made around Christmas-time, which is why it shouldn't come off as conceited, but many times it is. One idea to tell everyone what you want for your birthday is to hint at what you've been wanting for quite some time. For example, if there is a list of movies that you want for yourself then you can always strike up a conversation about movies with your family and friends. Conversations are excellent ways to get what you want for your birthday!

What to Do if your Family and Friends Fail

The simple fact of the matter is that many times family and friends may put off getting you a birthday gift until the night before or the day of your birthday! When that day comes they may be at a loss for what to get you and they may end up getting you something that you didn't even want. If this happens then there are obvious choices that you have.

First, you can always return the gifts that you were given and exchange them for the stuff that you actually want. This may strike a discord with the people who gave you the gifts, though, so you may not want to do that.

Another idea, and perhaps the best idea of all, is to buy yourself the birthday gifts that you've been wanting. If you are the type of person to hardly ever spend anything on yourself then your birthday is the most excellent time to do this! Certainly if you can't afford it then it is another story, but there are plenty of people who will spend hundreds of dollars on themselves just because it's their birthday! This is a totally healthy thing to do, especially if you hardly ever buy anything else for yourself year-round. Everyone deserves to splurge on themselves every once in a while!

All in all, the point that is being made here is the fact that you shouldn't feel bad that you want yourself to receive nice things for your birthday! After all, this is your day to do whatever you want to do! So if your family and friends just do not come through for your birthday wishes then the best thing to do would be to make it happen for yourself!

Deciding on a Birthday Cake

Treating yourself to something sweet on your birthday is something that everyone needs to do every once in a while. Even though ice cream and cake are the two traditional types of sweets that people have for their birthday, there are actually different styles of these things that are different for every person. On your next birthday you may be tempted to try some of these sweet suggestions that are listed below, even though they technically may not be a traditional birthday cake!

Take a Splurge and try a Cheesecake!

This is one of the sweet suggestions that would not necessarily be thought of as a birthday cake, but it certainly can be used in place of a birthday cake when it comes right down to it! Some of the best cheesecakes, furthermore, come from The Cheesecake Factory. If you have never eaten at The Cheesecake Factory before then you are in for a bit of a surprise. The main point here, though, is that this restaurant has some of the best dessert cheesecakes for everyone that can certainly spoil you on your birthday! For example, if you like carrot cake then you'll have fun with The Cheesecake Factory's Crazy Carrot Cake Cheesecake. As far as the other types of cheesecakes go, there is a Tiramisu-flavored cake, chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake, as well as an Oreo, Pumpkin, Reese's, and every other flavor under the sun! The Cheesecake Factory definitely has winning birthday cake sweets to treat yourself to!

Combine Ice Cream with Cake!

Another opportunity to have an interesting form of the traditional birthday cake is to make it an ice cream cake. There are plenty of stores and restaurants that now carry and sell ice cream cakes. One of the more well known chain restaurants that specialize in ice cream cakes is Dairy Queen. Dairy Queen has been producing popular ice cream cakes for many years and there are plenty of varieties to suit anyone's tastes and birthday needs! And just remember: if you buy an ice cream cake then there's no need at all to buy a separate pint or quart of ice cream because it'll already be combined with the cake!

Have a Cookie!

Having a cookie for your birthday? This may seem like an odd request, but there are many people who buy cookies for their birthday! But these aren't just any ordinary cookies, though; "cookie cake" is the correct term for them. In fact, cookie cakes are made by many companies around the world and they can be decorated with any type of icing that you want!

These are just some of the types of sweet indulgences to have on your birthday instead of having plain old birthday cake and ice cream! You definitely will not be disappointed with the variety that you抣l see! The Cheesecake Factory, Dairy Queen, and those companies who make cookie cakes are just some of the places to start with where you can buy awesome-tasting "cakes" for your birthday!

Creative Birthday Party Ideas for your Kids

If you are a parent of a young child then you definitely know that there are plenty of ways to throw a biggest birthday party ever. And if you are like most parents then you want your child to be happy. Unfortunately, though, many kids' birthday parties involve having many kids over at your house only to clean up after everyone at the end of the night. Even though these types of birthday parties are sometimes messy and crowded, there are some creative ways in which you can make sure that there is plenty to do throughout the afternoon and evening for your child and the other kids as well.

Creative Birthday Tip 1: Use Fun Stuff!

The term "fun stuff," may be a little vague, so let me define it for you. If you are a kid, "fun stuff" usually means something that they can do which will occupy them for hours on end! This is the exact type of thing that you need to have at your kids' birthday parties. One example is to have a huge trampoline so that kids can entertain themselves for hours! Of course you'll need to be careful with this idea because of some of the dangers with trampolines, but if you have a safety net or safety pads on the trampoline then this idea will be a big hit with every child at the birthday party!

Another "fun stuff" idea includes the use of blow-up mazes and ball crawls. These are the huge types of things that can usually be rented out from birthday equipment rental places. If you want to go all out then you may just need to invest in purchasing a couple of the huge blow-up slides or other things so that you can store it for other birthdays down the road. Kids will always be entertained by these things just because they are so huge, but they are also a whole lot of fun! Ball crawls are also a big hit, and usually kids just get to use these things at a McDonald's play area or Chuck E. Cheese. But who says that you can't own one? There are plenty of places that will rent or sell them to you and they are a great idea to have around in time of your child's birthday party!

Creative Birthday Tip #2: Decorate Voraciously!

Even though the word "voraciously" may not even be in your child's vocabulary yet, there's nothing that says that you can't decorate like it. For example, you could blow up hundreds of balloons to fill your entire house (which can be done) and have a scavenger hunt! Of course, the children who come to the party will need to take off their shoes before they enter the balloon-filled rooms, but this is an idea that is actually great for any birthday party!

All of these things are certain to make your child jump for joy at the thought of inviting friends over to have and celebrate their birthday party! They are also ideas that will make the clean-up just a little bit easier! Having blow-up equipment, ball crawls, and balloon-filled rooms are just some of the many creative ways to make your child's birthday party fun!

Romantic Birthday Ideas with you Spouse

If you are like most people then you are probably thinking that you birthday is just one more year to chalk up to the rest of your life. Although if you're married and it's your birthday then something definitely needs to be said about the romantic factor. Whoever you are married to there always needs to be romance in your marriage with any special occasion and your birthday is the perfect chance to have one of the best times of your life with your spouse. A lot of times spouses celebrate each other's birthdays in the beginning of their marriage, but oftentimes birthdays just turn into a dull and boring occasion throughout the marriage. This should not happen. If it has already happened to you then it's time to stand up and put that zing back into your marriage while celebrating your birthday. Here are a few ideas to make it happen:

Traditional Birthday Dinner

We've all heard about the birthday ritual of choosing a place to go out to eat on your birthday, but if you are looking for a romantic time to celebrate yours or your spouse's birthday then there is nothing better then celebrating the occasion with a romantic birthday dinner. It doesn't necessarily have to be homemade, but it sure is a whole lot more romantic if it is! Try cooking up a couple steaks, barbequed ribs, or your favorite meal along with a candle-lit scene to bring you two into the mood. The dinner can be followed by your favorite dessert and then a more romantic dessert that's shared by the couple.

Take your Spouse Out

There are plenty of ways to be romantic on your spouse's birthday. For example, you can get them the birthday gift that they've been wanting for quite some time and they'll be sure to appreciate it. However, couples should definitely go beyond the gift-giving event of the birthday and do something totally special and out of the ordinary. Going to the movie theater is always romantic, but there are more creative ways to have a romantic time out also. For example, you could have a romantic picnic in the park followed by a round of ice skating. Going to the zoo is also something that many couples usually don't do and a birthday is the perfect occasion to do something like this!

If you have tried all of these suggestions and have found that none of them have worked then it's time to ask your spouse directly what he or she wants to do. Having a romantic time on your birthday definitely is a two-way street, a street in which both individuals should discuss what they want to do.

Communication is a large part of having the romantic occasion that's being talked about and who knows how to have a romantic birthday better than the two in love? Nevertheless, though, romantic dinners, candle-light dinner, as well as a romantic occasion out on the town are all sure-fire ways to light up the night and romance in a marriage!

Celebrating your Birthday at Work

There are many ways to celebrate your birthday; however, most people usually dread the thought of having to spend their birthday actually working. Even though many people celebrate their birthdays while they're in the office or at work all the time, chances are that most of the time they're wishing they were at home enjoying the occasion with their family and friends. But if you absolutely can't be home on your birthday or at least celebrate it in the way that you want, there are some great birthday ideas which you can bring to the office in order to celebrate your birthday and enjoy this, "Happy Birthday To Me" day!

Birthday at Work Suggestion #1: Liven up the place! If your workplace doesn't have strict policies and regulations on what you can and can not wear then you may as well come dressed like it's your birthday! This doesn't mean showing up in your actual "birthday suit," but it does mean that you should wear whatever you want to show that it's your birthday to all your coworkers! For example, wearing a birthday hat and taking in one of those birthday blow-horns shouldn't be out of the question. If you are someone that doesn't mind the attention and loves to receive "Happy Birthdays," then these are some fun suggestions so that you can have more fun in your office with your coworkers.

Along with the party hat and birthday party blow-horns, one should also not let their coworkers feel left out in the process. Taking more than enough party hats and birthday party favors is a good idea to get everyone involved!

Birthday at Work Suggestion #2: Have your cake and eat it, too! There's nothing that says that you can't celebrate your birthday at work by bringing in a birthday cake. If you know that you'll be at the office for pretty much the whole day then you should definitely bring in a birthday cake so that you can share it with everyone and have a big piece of the cake by yourself!

Another suggestion that could go along with bringing in a birthday cake is to make up a birthday brunch, lunch, or some sort of potluck dinner at your office. Of course, these things will probably need to be cleared with the big boss first, but they're good ideas to celebrate and snack on some munchies if you're in the office for the whole day of your birthday!

Of course, you could scrap all these ideas and suggestions about celebrating your birthday at work and just skip a day at the office to be home, relax, and spend time with your family and friends. Your workplace may not look so kindly on this idea, but who wants to work on their birthday? If you absolutely have to, though, taking into account some of these suggestions would be the best ideas ever for celebrating your birthday in the office!

Celebrating Your 50th Birthday!

Millions of people turn 50 each year and you are not alone! There are actually many individuals who have those feelings of sorrow on their 50th birthday for one reason or another. Sometimes those feelings are combined with thoughts that your life is almost over and other time the feelings are accompanied by a mild depression and thoughts that you haven't accomplished much of anything in your life. However, chances are that none of what you are thinking about on your 50th birthday is true and the reality is that your 50th birthday is just as important as the one before it and the birthday that comes after it!

If you are one of those individuals who are starting to feel hopeless on your 50th birthday then you may just want to take a look in the mirror. However, you are not going to look in the mirror for the sole purpose of trying to find all the wrinkles that you've gained, but you'll be looking deep inside yourself to see the things that you've actually accomplished, the people that you've helped, the family that you've given joy to, along with many of the other hopes and joys that you have experienced along the years!

Finding Hope When You're 50!

Hopelessness and helplessness are two feelings of despair which you absolutely do not need to be feeling! As was mentioned, there are many people throughout the world who turn 50 each year and you are absolutely not the only one. If you have a family then you can bet that they'll be wishing you a "Happy Birthday" as well, but maybe you should consider beating them to the punch-line! Here are a few reasons to be happy about your 50th Birthday!

Benefits for Senior Citizens

One thing that may be a fun and cute little perk to enjoy about your 50th birthday is the ability to receive the Senior Citizens' Discount at the many stores and restaurants that offer them. Many stores and businesses appreciate their fellow senior citizens by giving them special discounts up to 10, 15, and even 25% off of the items that they buy! Wait, though: it might not be at age 50 when you are able to receive the Senior Citizen's Discount, but it's sure a fun thing to look forward to!

Retirement!

Depending on what age you are going to retire at, you may be just nearing that retirement stage. There are many people who decide to retire at age 50, but then there are many others who decide to retire a few years after their 50th birthday! In any case, though, your retirement years are just around the corner and you can begin to start thinking and dreaming about all the fun things you'll be doing!

All in all, there is no reason to be depressed and down in the dumps on your 50th birthday! Just by thinking about your 50th birthday as another year on the chalk line should make you happy and relieved! After all, turning 50 is not the end of the world!

Celebrating your 21st Birthday

Everyone deserves something a little extra on their birthday! What's better than getting a party started to celebrate the day of your birth? Certainly the 21st birthday has a milestone attached to it, at least in the United States, because of the fact that individuals are allowed to drink alcohol without the supervision of their parents! For many people that's a special and unique milestone to surpass, which deserves the occasion of partying your heart out! Many men and women take the occasion of their 21st birthday to hit up the clubs, bars, and whatever other drinking and party scenes that they can think of at the time. However, there are very dangerous situations that one can get into by celebrating their 21st birthday in this way. This is not to say that you shouldn't give yourself a little bit of fun, but your 21st birthday should be something that you deal with responsibly also.

So if you are about to turn 21 and you're thinking to yourself that you're going to hit the town the eve of your 21st birthday, here are some important tips and reminders to think about before having a night out on the town!

Bring a Responsible Friend

This is one of the most important messages that young adults turning 21 need to hear. If you do decide to go out to a bar, club, or other alcohol scene then a designated driver is a must! Many people use designated drivers as their way to get home and to help them if they accidentally get into trouble while they're intoxicated. You may be surprised to learn that hundreds of thousands of people already use designated drivers on their birthday, but many others still haven't learned the concept! Not only will a designated driver chauffer you home but he or she also should be responsible to either not have anything to drink at all or to have very little alcohol in their system!

Enjoy the Night-- Don't get Trashed!

Everyone loves to get a little buzzed every once in a while and what better time to do this than your 21st birthday? However, you should remember to have fun on your birthday and not just get trashed because you're turning 21. So what if you're able to drink legally and without the consent of your parents? Certainly you will have plenty more days, months, and years ahead of you where you can drink legally without your parents, which is why the number one focus of your 21st birthday should be about yourself and remembering to have fun in the midst of this awesome milestone and celebration!

Of course, there are absolutely other great alternatives to celebrating your 21st birthday if you don't necessarily want to get drunk and be forced to hitch a ride from your D.D. For example, getting together with a bunch of friends and going to the movies, restaurant that serves alcohol, as well as many other fun entertainment ideas should be used. You could even celebrate your birthday by having a little alcohol in the house and sharing it with your friends!

These are all excellent ways to celebrate your 21st birthday and they are all important things to remember if you insist on going to clubs and bars on your birthday! A designated driver can be a good person to help you out, but remember: you may not even need to hit up all the clubs and bars on your birthday as long as you抮e having fun and celebrating!

Buying Birthday Presents for your Child

If you are a parent then you probably know all too well about the messy living or family room with all the scattered toys around! Birthday occasions are certain to bring more of the same with your son or daughter receiving multiple gifts at his or her birthday party from all their friends. Of course, even if your child does get many birthday gifts from the other children they certainly still want to get birthday presents from their Mommy or Daddy! After all, the most special of gifts come from their Mom's and Dad's. But if you're going to buy presents for your child, which, of course you definitely should do, here are some important tips about buying presents that'll make the messy toys all the more easier to clean up!

Buy Easy Storage Toys!

There are plenty of toys on the market today that have a whole host of parts and little trinkets to take care of and keep track of. The trick to buying birthday presents for your son or daughter, though, is to find the toys that have minimal clean up! This doesn't necessarily mean that you should deprive your youngster from the popular toys that every other kid is buying them these days, but it simply means that you should look for toys and activities for your kids that will be able to be easily stored away when they are finished playing with them!

Guidelines for Certain Presents!

If you are going to invest in birthday presents for your child that includes a lot of smaller parts then there are also certain things that you can do which would make it easier for your child to store them. For example, if you decide to buy your son a box of legos then you may know that they'll sometimes end up on the living room floor scattered about! However, one of the creative storage ideas to get your son to clean up his toy mess when he's done playing with his legos is to buy him a child's luggage set. A child's luggage set is usually small enough to store some of the smallest packages of legos around and also offers an excellent solution when he wants to take them over to his buddy's house to play.

Buying Dollhouses as Birthday Presents!

If you are dealing with a girl's birthday and you are going to buy her a dollhouse then there are certain dollhouses that are on the market that have easy storage compartments that can also be easily accessed by your child! For example, some dollhouses on the market actually fold up so that all the small pieces are able to fit comfortably inside them and some even have a lock on the side so that nothing will escape!

It's doesn't take an absolute genius to be able to find some of these birthday toy products on the market, however, it takes a little searching to be able to find those fun and exciting toys that are combined with easy storage abilities for the parents of the child that will usually have to clean the toys up! All in all, though, is that these toys should make your son or daughter happy no matter the storage and cleanup factor that goes along with them!

Birthday Presents for Boys

Throughout the years birthdays are sure to come and go. If you are a parent of an 8 or 9-year old child then you know this all too well. In fact, you may be thinking that your birthday parties for your son or daughter always turn out to be real fun for both your and your child. Additionally, you may be reminiscing about the fun times that you've had with your little boy or girl on his or her birthday. However, you may also be at a loss for what to get your son for his eighth or ninth birthday. Last year you may have gotten him a construction set or a huge set of legos and possibly everything else imaginable, so what else should you get for your son this year? There are literally millions of suggestions that any parent should think about when it comes to birthday gifts for their eight or nine-year-old son and there are creative ways to gift a gift also.

Birthday Boy Gift Suggestion #1: Tickets!

Is your son too old to go to a sporting event with his father? If you are trying to decide what to get for your son then you may take into consideration buying him tickets to an event that he can go see with his father. For example, what about a football game that he's been dying to see for the past year? Or perhaps he loves baseball games or basketball games? No matter which sport it is then chances are that you can make your son's day by not only giving him a day out with his dad, but making that day a big hit by giving them tickets to a sports event! A birthday event like that can also be coupled with a set of sports items, like a basketball if you are going to see a basketball game and the same goes with football or baseball!

Birthday Boy Gift Suggestion #2: Action Figures Galore!

There are always going to be some sort of action figure out on the market that are just perfect for boys to play with. Small action figures like G.I Joe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as other small boy toys can make a great gift for your son! Think about filling an entire small toy box or bucket with many of these favorite action figures. You can give it to your son, along with model toy cars and whatever else you can fit into the package birthday deal!

Of course, if you son is of the inquisitive type then there are always educational toys that are available in stores. For that matter, educational toys are a great way to introduce new things to your son for his birthday. For example, a telescope kit is a perfect way for you and him to check out the universe and sky together. A couple other educational and learning-type gifts include chemistry sets, electric kits, as well as model airplane birthday sets. There are all sorts of fun ways to experience educational lessons and your son's birthday is one of the perfect times to introduce such things!

As you can see, there are all sorts of interesting toys and things that you can do for your boy's birthday! If you get your son something one year then switch it up the next year by taking into consideration one of these fun, excited, and awesome birthday gifts for your son to enjoy!

Birthday Party Tips for your Kids!

There are probably times when you have reminisced about and remembered the many birthday parties that you had as a kid and remembered how they were real fun for you and your friends! Today, kids still want to have fun at their birthday parties and there seems to always be some parents who want to throw their kids the birthday parties of a lifetime! If you're one of those parent's then you probably already know that you should not only keep the birthday party safe but that it should also be well chaperoned. If you are bound and determined to throw your child a great birthday party then there are always some tips to keep in mind to make sure that it's a safe and happy time for everyone.

First of all, if your child's friends are coming over to your house then you'll want to be prepared. One of the first steps in preparation for your kid's birthday party is the activities that'll be done. There are a whole host of activities that the children can do when they come over to your house to have fun at a birthday party! For example, you could turn the whole day into a big movie marathon with plenty of candy and popcorn to go around. If you want to go this route then a good idea would be to hold a vote with the children about which movies that they'd like to watch. Or, if you'd prefer, the birthday son or daughter can be the one to pick out the majority of the movies that everyone will be watching.

Aside from a movie marathon event, however, there should always be some backup activities. For example, having a pi馻ta at your home is always a fun event for a children's birthday party, as well as traditional birthday party games, like "Pin the Tail on the Donkey." There are plenty of ways to get ideas for birthday fun; whether you research different birthday games on the internet or you ask for advice, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy for the whole time that they are at your house!

Another birthday party tip that you'll want to remember is to always have food on hand. Whether it's plenty of pizza to go around or a non-stop candy bowl, children are always going to be hungry. And what's better then being able to pig out at a birthday party! Kids are usually voracious little creatures, so be sure to have plenty of soda pop, food, and snacks around for everyone to enjoy! One safe thing to keep in mind, though, is food allergies of the other kids. You may want to ask each individual parent if their children are allergic to any food items so that you can be sure that it won't be served. This is the safest way to protect everything from anything potentially harmful!

If you opt not to hold your child's birthday party at your house, though, you can always take it upon yourself to take everyone to a bowling alley or other fun place. For example, Chuck E. Cheese is another excellent place to hold your child's birthday party. If you decide to go this route, though, making sure you have plenty of help and supervision is crucial!

All of these things are important to remember when thinking about holding a birthday party for your son or daughter! Your child's birthday party absolutely does not have to be a big hassle, but you do have to remember important advice about fun and safety!

Birthday Party Safety at a Child's Party

If you're a parent of a young child then you probably always have something to worry yourself about when it comes to your child. Whether it's making sure that they don't access your prescription medications or keeping household cleaners up above where they can't be reached, small children usually always keep their parents on their toes. Holding a birthday party at your house is also something that has the potential of being very messy; however, with a few simple guidelines it shouldn't be hard to throw your child the birthday bash of a lifetime! There are millions of parents that give their children birthday parties every year with the best of intentions, but invariably there are some children who do get hurt in the process. But birthday parties are about fun, and you're worried about the other kids at your child's birthday then be sure to take into account some of the information that is being provided about birthday party safety for your child.

Enlist the Recruitment

If you're not married and don't have a significant other then you don't have the luxury of having a built-in helper. However, what happens when your child asks if he or she is able to have some friends over for their birthday? Of course you want to throw your child a great birthday party for him or her and the rest of their friends, but you may just be worried about what your liabilities are and what could happen. If you find yourself in this type of a predicament then you may try to enlist help from a couple of the other parent's of the children who are going to attend. Many single parents find that other moms or dads may be more than willing to help out, but they just would like to be asked first. A good rule of thumb is to have 1 adult to every 5 children there, so think about this before you decide to enlist help and plan the party!

Child-Proof your House

You may have had to baby-proof the house when your newborn baby started to crawl and walk and now you may need to do some of these same things, except on a larger scale. For your son or daughter's birthday party you definitely will want to start by cleaning and vacuuming your home. You may also want to cover the electrical outlets and get rid of everything big and breakable throughout your house. If you are unsure about something then chances are that it's a good idea to put it up for the night!

Keep the Birthday Party Alive!

Of course there are plenty of children's games that you can play at your son or daughter's birthday party, but the key here is to keep every child busy almost the whole time throughout the birthday party. What's that saying about idle hands? If there are several children who are bored during the party then that will make for a good recipe for mischief. You'll want to make sure that activities are planned for the whole birthday party!

All in all, giving your child a birthday party is usually fun for everyone involved. Making sure that you child-proof your home, get help from other parents, and have plenty of activities planned are just a few of the ways in which you can have birthday party safety for your child and others.