10 Money Facts About Christmas you never knew about
Christmas is the time of year when money is a central issue and even in the most austere of times, we spend more during the festive season than at any other period in the calendar.
Here are 10 interesting Christmas Money Facts that you may not know.
- The Christmas Bonus
If you’re very lucky, you may still get a Christmas Bonus in your pay cheque at the end of December and even if you don’t pick up a little extra cash over the festive period your employer may reward you with a free turkey for the Christmas table.
You may feel lucky and grateful for these little extras but might also feel aggrieved to learn that in Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany and the Phillipines, workers are given a bonus, equivalent to one month’s salary by law.
- The Origin of Chocolate Coins
It may seem like just another gimmick to decorate our Christmas trees with gold coins but there is some significance to this practise. The coins were originally produced to commemorate St Nicholas, who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
There are many stories of St Nick throwing up to three bags of coins into houses and the three gold balls that you see outside a pawnbroker’s shop are an acknowledgement of his philanthropic life.
- A fortune in Christmas trees
Around 60 million natural Christmas Trees are sold all over the world every single year.
It’s a little hard to pinpoint the exact moment in time when a Christmas tree was first used but historians claim that the original trees appeared in Livonia (now Estonia and Latvia) in the 15th century.
The practise spread throughout Europe and beyond and the first artificial tree has been traced to Germany. It used goose feathers painted green and probably left the owner longing for the days when all he had to clear up was pine needles.
- The largest grossing Christmas Film
It may come as a bit of a surprise for some to learn that 2000’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas is the highest grossing festive film of all time. Starring Jim Carrey, the film is based on the 1957 Dr Seuss book of the same name and to date, it has raked in over £175 million.
As far as TV Exposure is concerned, the classic It’s a Wonderful Life is the film with most showings to date and will no doubt be appearing on the TV schedules at some point over the holidays.
- The Best selling Christmas Song
The most popular Christmas single of all time is ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby which has sold over 50 million copies across the world since its release in 1942.
In the UK, this particular accolade is held by the original version of Band Aid’s Do They Know it’s Christmas which was released in 1984 and has sold 3.5 million copies to date. Following on in second place is Last Christmas by Wham which may have sold even more than its 1.4 million copies had it not been released in the same year as the Band Aid record breaker.
- The most expensive presents
If money is no object then you can choose from some of the most expensive presents around. A list compiled by national newspapers in the UK revealed these to include:
- A golf course for your back garden designed by Jack Nicklaus which comes in at £580,000
- Lego models of yourself and your loved ones for £35,000 per person
- A Guiness home pub complete with a year’s supply of the black stuff for a cool £145,000
- The world’s most expensive Christmas Card
The very first Christmas cards were used in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, a civil servant who wanted to save time by dispensing with the tradition of sending long, hand written letters to his friends. He was also interested in expanding the fledgling postal system and went on to have a number of these cards produced.
The practise of sending cards continued to grow through the 1860’s and at the start of the next decade, the post office produced a special, half penny stamp for cards of this type.
As for Cole’s originals, he had 1000 produced and sold them at 1 shilling apiece. This would have been a decent investment if you’d picked one up because in 2005, one of the surviving cards sold for £8,469.00.
- Spending on the High Street
It’s estimated that the average person in the UK will spend £359.00 on Christmas presents every year. That’s the overall total from online and high street spending and although you might feel that we all spend more time online these days, traditional stores will pocket around 57% of our festive cash.
However, purchasing gifts on the internet is on the increase as more people go online every year with a view to finding the best deals from a greater range of suppliers.
- The true meaning of Boxing Day
The notion of Boxing Day has financial roots to it as well and much in the same way as St Nicholas distributed to the poor, churches too opened their doors to help those in need.
This was the time when the collection boxes were traditionally opened and the cash that had been collected over the year was distributed among the poor in the parish.
- Some final figures
Overall, there is a colossal amount of money spent during the festive season and some of the figures involved make for impressive reading.
Across the world, the true cost of Christmas is estimated at around £300 billion pounds when you add up the cost of gifts, food and all the extras that we all buy at this time of year.
Included in those figures, the artificial tree and ornament market is worth around £100 million alone while charities will also benefit at Christmas, with around £165 million being donated worldwide.
Overall, Christmas is the most expensive time of year but maybe we didn’t realise quite how much money was involved until we considered some of these amazing festive financial facts.
Guest post by financechoices.co.uk
What is clinical grade Omega 3?
Omega 3 fish oil first hit the headlines a few years back as clinical trials heralded some major medical finds in connection with a number of health benefits. The claims surrounding Omega 3 as a dietary supplement have varied and to an extent that research is still going on but the news saw a huge number of products come on to the market and a clamour from customers looking to achieve those results for themselves.
However, many of those initial customers were left with little or no results from their own products and began to wonder if the claims over Omega 3 were even correct. Rest assured that you can achieve those results but only with a supplement that matches the strength of the Omega 3 used in those initial trials.
We’ll have a look at the potential benefits that this nutrient can provide in a moment but for now, let’s look at the comparative strengths of the various fish oil supplements currently on the market.
Starting at the bottom, cod liver oil is the weakest followed by the type of Omega 3 products that you can pick up from the shelves of your local supermarket, chemist or health food store. You can boost the strength of those fish oil products by obtaining pharmaceutical grade products and this would involve obtaining a prescription from your doctor or chemist.
At the top of the tree is clinical grade Omega 3 fish oil which is ten times more powerful than its pharmaceutical grade equivalent. That’s great but if you ask for this version of the supplement then it won’t be stocked on the high street and chances are that the shops won’t even know what you’re talking about.
Until recently, clinical grade Omega 3 wasn’t even available to the average consumer but now you too can take advantage of the power that was used in those initial medical trials. With PuraEPA from Mind1st you have the most powerful form of Omega 3 fish oil on the market today and you finally have access to the supplement that the medical professionals use.
While claims may vary from one set of research to another, we can confidently tell you the benefits that our customers have experienced including,
• A stronger immune system making you far more resistant to everyday illnesses.
• An overall improvement to your skin and nails and a smoother complexion
• A thicker and healthier head of hair
• A more positive outlook to life in general
• More energy than you could have thought possible
PuraEPA can provide these benefits simply because it carries a higher concentration of Omega 3’s key component. That vital ingredient is known as EPA, an essential fatty acid that is at the heart of all these great results. We pack in more EPA into our product than anyone else so if you’re tired of wasting time and money then speak to us today.
Our supplement is totally safe so take it with complete confidence and look forward to some amazing results.
A guide to choosing the best corner sofa
If you’re looking for a new sofa for your home then you might want to consider one of the beautiful handcrafted corner units here at Multiyork. You won’t find this range anywhere else so take your time to browse our exclusive selection or if you prefer, our talented team of designers can work with you to create and build a unique item specifically for your home.
Some consumers may shy away from corner sofas because they consider them to be too bulky whereas in fact, they are among the most versatile and practical pieces of furniture that you can buy. A corner sofa makes use of the space in your home better than any other style and they can also be supplied in a more extensive range of sizes than you might think.
A small corner unit would typically seat up to five people while bigger sofas can cope with even the largest families. There are many sizes in between so whatever you need from our range, you can be certain that we have it covered.
Before you make a purchase you will of course need to measure the space set aside for your new sofa. Before you get the tape measure out, remember that you should leave a gap of at least 36 inches between the sofa and any other items of furniture in order to avoid bumping or scraping anything when you walk around your room.
Finally, don’t fall into the trap that many consumers do by forgetting to measure the space in their front door. You’ll need to make sure that your new corner sofa can be delivered easily and without damage to your door or the sofa itself.
If you need to the check the dimensions of any of our corner sofas, they can be found on our site or you can just give us a call if you’re not sure.
You now need to choose your cover from the many options we have in our range. Overall, leather sofas look fabulous and while the prices of this style have reduced over the years, they still remain your highest priced option. However, for extreme comfort and luxury, a leather corner unit is hard to beat. Leather is also much easier to clean and our range of sofas can all be treated with a damp cloth for stains and spills.
If, however, you opt for a fabric corner sofa you can rest assured that we have an extensive range to choose from. If you are undecided as to the style and colour then please ask for up to five fabric samples to help you with your purchase and remember, all of our fabric covers can be unzipped and changed later in the life cycle of your sofa.
We offer guarantees with every sofa that back up some of the best workmanship you will see anywhere and we also provide free delivery on purchases over £1000. So for the most beautiful, handcrafted corner sofas, speak to Multiyork before you go anywhere else.
The best singles holidays to Italy
There has been a sustained growth in the popularity of singles holidays in recent years as more and more solo tourists experience the freedom that may have previously been denied to them by traditional package deals. Travelling the world on your own has never been easier and while there are many top destinations available across the globe, when it comes to singles holidays Italy is hard to match.
Before the rise of solo holidays, many single travellers may have been forced to opt for a standard package holiday. This would usually come with strings attached such as a financial penalty known as the single supplement and chances are that the traveller concerned would be sharing their resort with couples and families.
Thankfully there are no such concerns these days and while singles holidays are popular across the globe, Italy is certainly one of the most visited locations.
The reasons why that should be the case are obvious and there really is so much to see and do here. There are some of the most impressive man made artefacts on the planet in Rome, Venice, Naples and many other cities right across the country. Don’t forget a trip to the Vatican City to see some of the world’s most important buildings, sculptures and paintings and remember to see as many museums and galleries as you can during your stay here.
For singles holidays Italy provides more besides and if sightseeing isn’t really your thing then why not take an activity break here? There are more sports and pastimes available than you might expect and golfing breaks in particular are immensely popular. You can enjoy some first class locations without the crowds that you can run into in other parts of the world but if golf isn’t for you then there is much more besides.
The northern parts of Italy offer some great ski resorts while there is some fabulous water based activities available in the inland lakes and on Italy’s coastal locations. Sailing, fishing and snorkelling are just some of the popular pastimes here and you can enjoy them all via a singles holiday.
Don’t forget to try as much of the local cuisine as you possibly can and if you’re really lucky, you can be based near one of Italy’s famous wine growing regions. Make sure you take the time to explore as many types of food and wine as possible during your stay here.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of a singles holiday is the ability to travel with like-minded individuals. Here you can enjoy the company of people who love the same things, whether it’s the location or the activity that you’re all participating in and many travellers have formed life-long friendships from a holiday of this kind.
Whatever you’re looking for from your break, a singles holiday has never been easier to arrange and with fast and secure online booking to hand, you can soon be joining thousands of solo tourists in enjoying all that Italy has to offer.
Helpful Tips In Saving Money
Saving money is an essential thing to do these days. It helps countless people become more prepared for unfavorable events. There are various reasons why people want to save money. One of which is that they want to get rid off their debts. Another thing is to raise their financial status. Whatever reasons a person have in saving money, it is essential that he knows some of the helpful tips that assure him to save more money online.
This kind of task is not something that is taught in school. There are no teachers who explain various ways on saving money. Instead, saving money requires practical ways and solutions to do so. A person may find various ways that can definitely help him save money. One important thing that a person should take note is that he needs to know that saving money requires spending less. Once a person spends less, he is able to save more.
Another thing that can help a person in saving money is to buy only those that he truly needs. Some people buy stuffs that are useless and unimportant. Sometimes they have this impulse shopping wherein they tend to buy items without truly thinking whether they need it or not. It is important that a person makes a list of the things that he needs and wants to buy before heading to the shop or mall. This is a helpful tip for the reason that a person can only buy those that he needs and are on his list. This also avoids those instances that are considered as impulse shopping.
Another helpful tip aside from making a list and spending list is to check out sale items or discount products. This allows a person to purchase items and products that are cheaper but have the same quality. There are even great deals and huge discounts that a person can find once he searches over the internet. There are coupons of which a person can find over the internet. He can use these coupons whenever he buys items or products in the grocery stores.
A person can find practical solutions and ways in saving money. In fact, each person can have his own saving technique or method. What he just needs to know is that he needs to spend less in order to save more. But, not all the time spending less is the only helpful thing that a person can do. There are various ordinary and simple things that a person can do every day in order to save money. Saving is not a one time deal. Instead, it should be an everyday task. Once a person gets the hang of it, he will surely feel that it is no longer a special task but a habit.
Saving money definitely requires spending less. These days, there are countless and various methods to save money. It just depends on a person’s creativity and eagerness to pursue this habit. It does not require having countless jobs or having a job that pays much but it requires spending less and saving more for the future.
Buy only the best Omega 3 fish oil
If you’ve ever bought Omega 3 Fish Oil in the past then you may well have been persuaded by the potential benefits that a supplement of this kind can provide. Some appealing results in terms of your physical and mental health are on offer here but in order to enjoy all the advantages it is imperative that you choose your product wisely.
It’s a popular misconception that all Omega 3 supplements are the same in terms of strength but that simply isn’t the case. It may be true to say that the products you buy on the High Street are standardised with regards to ingredients but sadly these contents simply aren’t strong enough to give you any sustained results.
The key component to any successful supplement is something called EPA. This is an essential fatty acid that links to all the brilliant results that Omega 3 has the potential to provide and for any supplement to be successful, it has to have a high concentration of EPA.
However, the vast majority of Omega 3 Fish Oil tablets for sale on the high street carry a measly 12% EPA and incredibly, that is the minimum requirement in order to meet the industry standard. At first glance, that looks like a relatively small amount for an element that is the key ingredient to any supplement and it is very weak indeed. In fact, it is so weak that it makes your programme destined to fail leaving you with wasted time and money.
There is an alternative however with our supplement that carries an impressive 60% pure EPA. That figure will get you success and we have a wealth of testimonials and reviews to prove it.
For every 500mg capsule, we provide you with 300mg of EPA, mixed with borage oil – another health giving ingredient – and together they can help you attain all the potential results that Omega 3 Pure EPA Fish Oil can possibly provide.
Those that have used our supplement have reported some positive changes in their body including a thicker, healthier head of hair and smoother skin. Overall immunity has improved too as our customers have become more resistant to common illness and disease but the benefits aren’t just physical.
Mental health stands to gain from a product that contains such a high concentration of EPA and you could benefit from a more positive outlook on life while experiencing more energy and ‘get up and go’ as you go about your daily routine.
Our supplement is perfectly safe and for the best results you should take between two and four capsules a day to really experience the great benefits that pure EPA can give you. This gives the body time to absorb the oil and make it go to work.
Remember, only the best Omega 3 pure EPA fish oil tablets can help you get the best out of this supplement so if you don’t want to waste your money again, speak to us today for a product that truly works.
2 Last Minute Side Dishes for Christmas Dinner
Wait, what? Aunt Carol just called and asked you to bring a side dish for Christmas dinner? Never fear! These quick recipes will make her day and make you a Christmas hero... All while reducing your Christmas stress!
1) Fragrant Carrots
This is one of those easy recipes you will want to store in a safe, accessible place—they’ll become a family favorite in no time. While carrots are good for the eyes, Fragrant Carrots are easy on the eyes. Vibrant in color and full of flavor, this Christmas side dish can be served either hot or cold. What’s more, it will fill up the house with a pleasant Christmas aroma. Simple. Delicious. It’s simply delicious!
Servings: 5
Ingredients
4 large carrots (1 lb.), peeled, cut into matchlike sticks
1/4 cup Planters Slivered Almonds
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 cup Light House Italian dressing
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Cook carrots in boiling water 5 to 8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, cook and stir nuts and cumin in large skillet on medium heat 5 minutes or until nuts are toasted.
Drain carrots. Add to skillet with dressing; simmer on medium-low heat 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cilantro.
2) Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
What’s better than twice-baked potatoes among your smorgasbord of Christmas side dishes? Twice-baked sweet potatoes! If you’re the kind of cook that runs the other direction when you read twice baked, resist the urge this time around. These potatoes are not only easy to make, but guaranteed to delight guests’ taste buds as well.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes (1-1/2 lb.)
2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
2 Tbsp. fat-free milk
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped Planters Pecans
Directions
Heat oven to 425ºF.
Cut potatoes lengthwise in half; place, cut-sides down, in foil-lined 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until tender.
Scoop out centers of potatoes into bowl, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Add Neufchatel, milk, sugar and cinnamon to potato flesh; mash until well blended.
Fill shells with potato mixture; top with nuts. Bake 8 minutes or until potatoes are heated through and nuts are toasted.
Go Green With Self Build Houses
In these present times, there are countless campaigns regarding going green and saving the environment. There are more and more people who are aware of saving the environment by using energy efficient items. Also, there are several ways and means that a person can help the environment. One of which is to recycle. This has been an old age campaign that surely provides a great impact to the environment. In addition, there are also several items and products that can be used that do not harm the environment. Hence, their usage is being encouraged. Moreover, nowadays, there are so called environment friendly self build houses.
These days, there are a number of these environment friendly homes. These homes have amazing and beneficial features and functions that are definitely good for the environment. A homeowner can have solar panels in her environment friendly home. He can truly add these features when he chooses to construct his very own environment friendly self build houses. In addition, there are also other features that are considered good for nature as well. Aside from the self generating solar panels, a homeowner can also design his home is such a way that it is energy efficient.
When a homeowner chooses to construct his own environment friendly self build houses, he is able to have total control of his layout and floor plan. He is able to design his own in such a way that provides him an energy as well as environment friendly atmosphere. He is able to design large windows at the side or corner of his home. This is to enable the natural light of the sun to enter and brighten the house. Hence, the homeowner can do away with using the electrical lights. In addition, he is able to design his home in such a way that the ceilings are constructed in a high altitude. Having this feature in a home provides a cooler ambiance. Hence, he does not have to turn any air conditioning on.
It is truly an advantage to be able to construct self build houses especially when these houses are environment friendly. It can definitely help the environment and it can also help the homeowner save money from electricity or other bills. Hence, when it comes to self build projects, the homeowner can oversee and decide about the project. However, there are times that deciding alone can be confusing especially when it comes to constructing or doing something big. That is why, before a homeowner acts of his do it yourself projects, he needs to gather enough information and details. It is always recommendable to learn the project well in order to accomplish it on time and avoid any delay.
These days, there are truly several homeowners who choose to construct environment friendly self build houses. These houses may cost more than the traditional or old types of houses. But, with total control and supervision of the project, the homeowner can definitely see to it that everything is within his likes or interests.
Name a Star this Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner and everyone is already looking for various gift ideas for friends, family and loved ones. It is advisable to start your search for Christmas gift ideas as early as possible to avoid getting rushed. If you only think about it at the last minute, you may only end up purchasing a mediocre gift that the recipient might not appreciate.
Therefore, you need to do some research to find the perfect gift idea that the recipient might like. Most customers just go directly to a shopping mall and check out the various options personally. This can be a great idea as you get to see the items upfront. You might come across a specific gift that may suit the preferences and needs of the recipient. However, this also takes a lot of time and effort because you might need to go from one store to another until you find that perfect gift.
For best results, you might want to take your research online for a quicker and more convenient shopping experience. Online shopping has truly grown over the past few years, because it provides an extensive range of gift items, from suppliers located all around the world. You just need to use a search engine to initiate your search, and you will be able to get a lot of listings in just a few seconds.
When browsing through the different gift ideas online, you might come across various websites that offer unique and creative gift ideas. One of the best gift ideas that has been introduced in the market is the “Name a Star” concept. The “Name a Star” concept is a very unique gift idea, because you actually get to give a star as a gift. Well, you do not really buy a star, but you will be able to name a star in honor of the recipient. You will also receive a certificate that confirms the name of the star.
For those who are not familiar with this type of gift concept, all you really need to do is find an online star registry that offers a wide range of products and services. Some star registries even offer personalized gift packs along with your star name. These gift packs usually contain a map with the exact coordinates of the star, so you will be able to find the actual star or constellation up in the sky. To avoid any disappointment, always stick with a reputable and experienced star registry. This way, you can be confident that you will receive a high quality service that is worth the price and the effort.