Country Christmas Idea: Milkweek Pod Poinsettia Ornaments
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweek Pod Poinsettia Ornaments
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed plants and poinsettias don't seem to have much in common. If you live in an area where milkweed grows wild, however, you can use the dried milkweed pods to make poinsettia ornaments for your Christmas tree. Here's how:1. Collect some dried milkweed pods. In the fall, the milkweed plants have already gone to seed but the dried pods will still be attached to the plant. You will need six "halves" of a milkweed pod for each poinsettia flower that you are going to make.2. After you have collected the milkweed pods and have brought them into the house, put them in a warm spot for a few days or a week to dry out more. This is especially important if it has been rainy and damp outside.3. Glue the milkweed pod halves together side-by-side in a circle so that they look like a flower. A hot glue gun works well for gluing the pods together.4. Decorate your poinsettia flowers with spray paint and glitter, or, if you don't want to spray paint your poinsettias, just use glue and glitter. Mix and match and experiment with colors.5. Glue a loop of string, yarn, twine or ribbon to the back of the poinsettia flower. Once the glue is dry, your ornament is ready to hang on the Christmas tree. You could also give these as gifts - four or six to set, or however many you want to give.About The AuthorLeAnn R. Ralph is a freelance writer in west central Wisconsin. She is the editor of the Wisconsin Regional Writer (the quarterly publication of the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Assoc.) and is the author of the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm) (August 2003; trade paperback). Share the view from Rural Route 2 and celebrate Christmas during a simpler time. FREE SHIPPING on autographed copies. Free sample chapters on-line. http://ruralroute2.com; bigpines@ruralroute2.com
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – How to Tap in to the Holiday Publicity Bonanza
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - How to Tap in to the Holiday Publicity Bonanza
If your product or service can be given as a gift, a publicitywindfall awaits at the end of the year - but you need to startworking in June. Each December, media outlets cover the newest,the hottest and the most unusual Holiday gifts. The reportersassigned to develop these pieces typically depend on two sourcesof information:
1. Phone interviews with local store owners
- and -
2. Press materials that have been sent by publicity seekers.
Let's deal with Point 1. Here's a cool trick: In earlyNovember, write a letter to stores and major websites that carryyour product. Remind them that they may be hearing fromjournalists soon about hot gift ideas, and request that theyconsider mentioning your product when that happens. Point out afew reasons why your product is the newest, coolest, best orwhatever. Ask the vendor to drop you an e-mail or give you acall if a story results that mentions your product.
Now, on to old-fashioned publicity. When to contact the mediadepends on the publication or program's lead time (how far inadvance of publication or airing the material is developed).Magazines like Woman's Day have a lead time up to six months, soget materials to them now. Newspapers have a lead time as shortas a week for feature material, so send materials in November. Inbetween are wire services, medium-lead magazines, "in-flight"magazines and others. To learn the lead time of a particularmedia outlet, call the editorial department. If that doesn'twork, try the advertising department.
What you send should be kept simple -- a press release about yourproduct/service, a pitch letter explaining why it's such a greatgift idea, and, if applicable, a disk with color product photos.See our articles "How to Write a Great Pitch Letter" http://www.publicityinsider.com/pitch.asp and "How to Write aGreat Press Release" http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.aspfor more details.
As you craft the materials, think about where yourproduct/service fits. Based on its nature, cost, rarity orusefulness, it may work with a variety of typical Christmas Giftstories such as: Great Stocking Stuffer Ideas, Gifts forTeenagers, Gifts for the Person Who Has It All, Gifts forExecutives, Gifts that Relax, etc. By suggesting a category foryour product, rather than simply stating "Here's a product thatwould make a nice holiday gift", you're making yourself stand out-- and maybe even giving the journalist an idea for a story anglethat he or she wouldn't have thought about otherwise. Eitherway, your chances of getting coverage are greatly improved.Bill Stoller, the "Publicity Insider", has spent two decades asone of America's top publicists. Now, through his website, eZineand subscription newsletter, Free Publicity: The Newsletter forPR-Hungry Businesses http://www.PublicityInsider.com/freepub.asp , he's sharing -- for the very first time -- his secrets of scoringbig publicity. For free articles, killer publicity tips andmuch, much more, visit Bill's exclusive new site:http://www.publicityInsider.com
The Fathers Day Celebration
The Fathers Day Celebration
Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult in the family. If some of our media sources would have it though, you would think that there are no real fathers around to celebrate on Fathers Day.Sure there may be many deadbeats who not only have never given a bath, given pep talks to their children or never cooked a meal for their family but there are way, way more good Fathers willing to go that very last mile for their family! But for some very odd reason, it is not publicized like the negatives around fathers.So what can you do to honor the father in your life who's willing to run to the store in the middle of the night for a last minute treat? So what can you do to honor the father who figures out how to pay that unexpected bill? So what can you really do to honor the father who makes sure if it's within his powers to make sure his family has a place to sleep, food to eat and more, honor him and here are some suggestions;Fathers Day - Honor Suggestion!Make every effort possible to have a peaceful family day and for dinner everyone can share with dad why he is so special to them. For example mom, you could lead with "I am glad that the kids have you as a father, we made a great pick." And assist the smaller children - ask them did you enjoy for example playing with dad? And if they say yes, tell them to tell him.Fathers Day - Honor Suggestion!Give him a free day from his life responsibilities and duties by pampering him. Men also need breaks or down time to renew from life! And please don't pitch a fit if he decides he would like to spend the rest of his last few Fathers Day hours with the guys - hopefully respectful hours. Pamper him on this day.Honor all the fathers in your life by letting them know how you feel! Remember this old saying, "action speaks louder than words?" Well, nothing beats words and action with meaning from the heart.Angela Renee really enjoys giving moms the information they need to succeed in every aspect of their life as a woman, as a partner in a relationship, and as a mother. Do you want more tips to help you with every area of your life? Well visit http://www.worlds-best-mothers-guide.com today! Ask us a question, signup for our rss feed and newsletter to never miss out on the information you need again. Go to http://www.worlds-best-mothers-guide.com