If there’s something I learned as a child that I am teaching my children, is to make the best out of the cards they’re dealt by life. If you get lemons don’t mope… make fresh lemonade! Now there’s the kind of positive reasoning I’m a big fan of! And when it comes to winter, the same principle could be applied: don’t just complain about the chilly weather, keep focused on the shiny ice!

Sure, feeling cold is annoying, but that’s nothing you can’t get around with a simple heavy coat. Once you think about it, the cold is just a technicality, and there are many beautiful things that you can experience in the cold winter outings! Who doesn’t like watching the snow, or trying skiing or snowboarding? Which child has fully experienced childhood without making a snowman, getting into a snowball fight, making angels in the white show and feeling blushed from the cool ice? If you live in a place where there is no snow, you should serious think about getting a true winter outing, this year!

Sometimes, you’ll find resorts in the mountains not too far away from your city, where you’ll get to experience the best winter thrills with the least expense. There are winter resorts out there with ridiculously low fees, and sometimes it’s just a matter of shopping around until you find something that perfectly fits your budget. Think about this next time you find yourself complaining about the weather, and make sure to get yourself some icy lemonade!

  So, you’re thinking on how to reward your employees after one of the most stressful years in recent memory, but you have a small budget, or lack ideas? First of all you should keep in mind that’s not really a problem: people expect from corporate holiday parties is just spending a good time far away from the pressure of the work place.  Most employees view corporate oliday parties as a way to improve personal bonds with co-workers, thus promoting a more relaxed – and productive working environment. Once you realize the global goal of the get together, the occasion is all about sharing experiences, thoughts, and socializing out of the office.

With that in mind you shouldn’t be concerned about renting an expensive place for the party… actually, if the weather is inviting, fresh-air activities are always one of the best choices that you can make. You can start by arranging collaborative activities that can stimulate the group, while encouraging people to communicate collectively. It’s always nice coming up with some fun activities or sports that will keep people entertained and promote a friendly environment. Such scenario will get people to speak freely even with their superiors.

Cutting the formalities right from the onset of the party will be a good way of promoting friendly interactions. Naturally, it’s always a good idea to get some snacks offer your guests, using the less formal attitude you can find, and why not give some symbolic awards (with no material relevance) to the top performing teams from the events you organized?   

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="344" caption="Buy favors for your events at the Planaganza Event Shop and get Free Shipping when you spend more than $50! Use Discount Code "Holiday08" to save 10% off your purchases over $100!"][/caption]

It’s true, these holidays we are getting back to the 1920′s, with the ghost of the recession hanging on our heads! But in the end, it could be all about returning to the basic, to the meaning of the season itself!! ‘’Saving it” only depends on your ability to show others your feelings for them, to be kind to the others, to really get the meaning of it in the personal sphere, without the material requests of this society of consumption!

So, this season keep it simple: be with your family, show the support they need, and be gifted with the affection and the wellbeing that they provide you! Be a present member of your community; help the others with your own work and dedication, stand for a greater good, putting aside your personal goals to archive a common one.

That is the true spirit of the season, the ability to be and to give something to the others, rather than a material gift, to ‘’catch-up” with your loved ones, to be part of a celebration that is intended to be a spiritual reflection about your year, about your projects, and about yourself!

In the end, you will see that, sometimes, in this stressful world, all you need is to lie back, and enjoy the simple things in life… like a smile, a simple conversation, or even an ‘’Hi, how are you?”! That’s really something you can hold on to!

If you really want to spend your money on gifts, be sure to visit sites like: eBay and Fatwallet to find deals!

Also, visit the Planaganza Event Shop to save on items to make your gatherings a blast! In addition to FREE SHIPPING on orders greater than $50. We are offering 10% off orders over $100. Use Discount code “HOLIDAY08″ (offer good until 12/31/08).

Memorial Day is a  U.S. holiday that  is observed on the last Monday in May.  The holiday is set aside to commemorate the men and women who have served and died in military service to the country dating back to the American Civil War.  Some people also view Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer.  If you are among this group of people who are ready to come out of winter hibernation, here are some great ideas for celebrating the start of the summer season.

• Caribbean Wine Festival at Linganore Winecellars
  • May 24-25, 2008
  • 12PM – 6PM
  • Mt. Airy, Maryland
  • 2 Caribbean bands, winery tours and wine tastings
  • $15 for Adults, $10 for 18-20 years old, Free for children under 18
• Captain Morgan’s Jam on the River at Penn’s Landing
  • May 23-25, 2008
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Musical  festival with various acts and musicians
  • Tickets are $45 and need to be purchased in advance from TicketMaster.com
• Navy Pier Memorial Day Celebration (Fireworks display)
  • Starts May 24, 2008
  • Chicago, IL
  • Twice weekly from Memorial Day until Labor Day
• Fiesta Hermosa in Hermosa Beach
  • May 24-25, 2008
  • 10am – 6pm
  • Los Angeles, California
  • Over 270 vendors, Doggie Costume Contest, live music and art

Plan these and other events at Planaganza.com