The Heart of Valentine's Day

Before you know it, Valentine's Day will be here. A time of love. A time of romance. A time of enormous profits for flower shops, greeting card and perfume companies and the advertising agencies connected with them. Pretty soon we will be deluged with a plethora of newspaper ads, radio and television commercials and banner equipped bi-planes, reminding us of how much we care about our significant other.

Resisting the risk of being labeled a "sexist," I will give two examples of these ads guaranteed to trap you into turning over your wallet to a salesperson, because of their ads aimed directly at your sentimentality factor. The first is a cologne advertisement showing a scantly clad young lady holding a bottle of this swill with the caption, "Show him how much you care this Valentine's Day." This ad is two-fold:

1. It shows the men reading the ad that scantly clad women make great Valentine's gifts. And,

2. It gives women a wonderful serving suggestion when it comes time to present the gift.

The other ad is for an extremely expensive fine gem that injects the subliminal message into the already mashed potato remains of the male cerebellum, "Tell her you'd marry her all over again." I have a feeling that the slogan is not complete and should probably read, "Tell her you'd marry her all over again, just as soon as you get out of the poor house."

Keeping these two slogans in mind, let's take a look at the past year and see which situation clearly matches the appropriate slogan.

Okay, ladies first. Can you honestly say that the words, "Let me show him how much I care this Valentine's Day," were the exact words that went through your mind when he decided to clean that four-barrel carburetor on the kitchen counter that you just spent all morning cleaning?

Guys, would you really ask her to marry you all over again after you discovered that she used your three-wood to kill a spider in the bathtub? (Especially, when everybody knows that a bathtub spider is a five iron shot.)

Ladies, after he went to his twentieth year college class reunion, told his class chums that he could drink as much as he could back in "the old days," and then proved it by consuming the equivalent of Lake Erie, only to come home and pass out, while praying to the Porcelain Princess? Can you honestly say that dressing in a scantly clad costume and presenting the "love of your life" with a bottle of expensive cologne was numero uno in your mind?

Guys, how about when you came home after a hard day at work, sat for two hours in traffic that moved about as quickly as a supermarket express lane, only to witness her snaking the kitchen drain with your new two hundred dollar fishing rod, because she wouldn't spend the three dollars on Drano? Was giving her an expensive piece of jewelry the uppermost priority on your agenda?

And ladies, be honest, how much did you really want to show him how much you care when you discovered that he used the only known copy of your videotaped wedding to record the finals of the Monster Truck and Tractor Pull Rally on the All Redneck Channel?

And guys, were the words, "I think I'll marry her all over again" on your lips after she let the kids eat ice cream cones in the back seat of your shiny new BMW and then tried to clean the mess by running your pride and joy through the car wash with the back windows down? I think not.

So, before you spend the kids' college tuition on a gift of love, let's weigh the good versus the bad and draw a sensible conclusion. Is he or she really worth it? Uh, excuse me, how much is that tennis bracelet over there?

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Elmo Live Doll Review

Elmo Live is the latest in the series of charming, cuddly and plush Elmo dolls based on everyone's favorite Sesame Street character and this time they have Elmo talking, singing, telling jokes and much more.

The plush Elmo dolls started with Tickle Me Elmo in 1996. Fisher Price released Elmo Live nationwide on October 14, 2008. If you want something really unique for your child as a Christmas gift, then Elmo will be the right choice.

He is definitely the toy to have this holiday season Elmo Live is an innovative and engaging toy for children between 2 and 4 years old.

Younger children can engage in cause-and-effect play by simply pressing Elmo's buttons to see what he does.

However, an older child will have the attention span and comprehension skills to appreciate them, as well as the silly jokes that Elmo tells.

Elmo Features:

• Elmo even blows kisses, asks for hugs, and says he loves you.
• Elmo makes lots of fun movements and gestures
• Elmo waves his arms, sits and stands, and even crosses his legs while telling stories
• Jokes, sing songs and plays games
• Children activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo's foot, tummy, back or nose
• Press Elmo's foot and he will sit down on his stool to tell you a story.
• If Elmo Live is on his back or if he has been left alone for awhile, Elmo will goes into battery-save mode.
• Tilt Sensor: After falling over, Elmo asks you to help him back up and then says, "Thank You".

Pros:

• It is a known fact that Elmo Live will keep your child's attention for as long as your child keeps up with him.
• You have the rare combination of the latest technology with the Sesame Street Elmo muppet.
• He is fully automated and performs brilliantly.
• Activates easily with just a touch or a squeeze.
• Even Parents love to watch the performance
• Fantastic companion for your child (reminds you of a little boy with all with his little tricks and movements).
• Elmo Live is definitely not a toy that will just sit in the closet waiting for attention.
• Sesame Street characters have been around for nearly 40 years teaching important life lessons.
• Intended to teach children to learn and grow academically
• You can order Elmo while sitting comfortably at home as long as stock lasts.

Cons:

• Movements generate a somewhat loud, mechanical sound that may interfere with being able to understand
• Elmo could be a little cushier
• Not technology expandable (add more programs via Bluetooth/USB/Cartridge)
• No program sequence so children can take him to bed
• Elmo Live is a fairly expensive toy but if want to be frugal and had to make a choice of many or just one. This would be the one.

Recommendations:

• If you are not sure visit Elmo Live at a store and see your child's reaction.
• If Elmo Live is anything like his predecessor Tickle Me Elmo whose popularity was so great that retail stores couldn't keep them on the shelf you might want to place your order today.
• Elmo Live retails for $65.99 but it has been predicted that it will be selling for over $130.00 on Ebay by Christmas. This is because previous Christmas best sellers have seen this kind of price increase on the Internet auction website.

If you would like to more information about this or other toy or games. You can visit Fisher Price Elmo Live Doll and read the other reviews.

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Exclusive Personalized Christmas Gifts

Give an additional touch and make the gift more exclusive and memorable! While finding out with all the shopping stores, you can find quite several personalized Christmas gifts, which includes pen sets, jewelry, clothing, leather goods, personalized photo mosaics and many more. Personalized Christmas gifts will generally be engraved, etched, embossed, painted or drawn or even it might be written! Matching your desires and expectation, you can purchase the best, unique Christmas gift for your dear ones.

Buying exclusive and unique Christmas gift for your loved ones will involve great deal of time, as you want to find something special and particular. Photo mosaic is an excellent personalized Christmas gift and usually everyone loves having it. If the gift is for your close friend or someone near, you can buy exclusive personalized photo mosaic as your Christmas gift. The look brilliant and undoubtedly they will create the impression of understanding and love. If the Christmas gift is for your dear ones or friends or to your family people, the choice of collection will become endless. Take a quick look to find the best personalized Christmas gifts!

While considering Christmas gift, the first thing that sparks everyone's mind will be Cufflinks. If you are to present to your colleague or superior officer, then why not you gift a monogrammed cufflink? Well, they will be the best and unique Christmas gift that makes the moment more special. Cufflinks are the best personalized gift that most of the men never consider buying it by themselves, but they love to use it while it is being gifted by someone.

As an epitome and sign of luxury, gifting a personalized vase that is beautifully engraved will be the excellent choice to present your near ones. This prestigious gift will be worthy and they can be gifted to your parents, wives and sisters. Have you ever considered buying a classy monogrammed tote as a gift? Why not you try it... You can find the tote bags in diverse size, made out of different materials. Also, you can find wide ranging colors of tote bags that are engraved with lettering.

Are you absolutely sure that your relative or friend have a photograph that he or she is really fond of? You can buy the best engraved frame, where your relative can showcase their memories to lights. Their eventful, special moments can be depicted and can certainly make them remain good and classy. Personalized photo mosaics are usual photographs that are made out of smaller photographs. To describe them in the other way, personalized photo mosaics are the pictures which would be divided in small bits and pieces of rectangles or squares to formulate a good looking picture. Every square or rectangle will be framed with unique photograph matching the background color it has. They give overall rich look and they are always considered as the unique Christmas gift.

As an epitome and sign of luxury, personalized photo mosaics, Personalized Christmas gifts vase that is beautifully engraved will be the excellent choice to present your near ones. This prestigious gift will be worthy and they can be gifted to your parents, wives and sisters.

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Watching The Trends Of Time - Fashion And Function In Today's Timepieces

When watches were first invented, they did little more than give the approximate time of day. Nowadays, with the advent of the digital watch, there are all manner of additional functions that can be built into the traditional timepiece, from calculators to calendars, yet it is the simple analogue watch that has remained the most fashionable, stylish and popular type of watch.

Watches have moved away from simply being a timekeeping tool, and are now often used to accessorise an outfit, a trend which means more people are now owning two or more watches to be worn on different occasions. Today's leading watch brands are increasingly taking their inspiration from jewellery designers, and brands such as Accurist, Burberry, Citizen, Emporio Armani and Sekio amongst others, have created watches that combine designer fashion with precision and accurate timekeeping function.

One of the ways this trend is being manifested is through the creation of interchangeable watch straps. Several prestigious watch brands, such as Christian Dior have collections that include watches with interchangeable straps, to allow the wearer to tailor the watch to the occasion, whether that’s an evening at a cocktail party or a scuba diving trip.

Men's watch trends seem to be turning back the clock, with the resurgence in popularity of the traditional mechanical watch, which is driven by a slow release of power from a mainspring via a set of small cog wheels. The spring is wound up by hand and mechanical watches are revered as works of art as much as timepieces. Manufactures such as J & T Windmills, Jean Pierre, Gucci, Maurice Lacroix and Omega watches are combining early watch making technology with classic designs, creating contemporary and stylish timepieces.

A modern twist on this is the use of solar power, perfect in this age of environmental concern, but using light to power a watch doesn't have to mean a cheap looking digital. Citizen watches use their award wining Eco-drive technology across their men's and women's ranges, to create a line of classic timepieces that will never run out of power.

So, it's an exciting time to be choosing a watch. Whether you want pure functionality, a unique fashion item or a combination of the two, there is a watch to suit your needs and style and to reflect your lifestyle, so there'll never be an excuse for being late again - unless of course, it's fashionably late!

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.

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What Are the Top Toys For Christmas 2008

Are you wondering what your little ones are hoping to find under the tree this year? The top toys for Christmas, of course! There are more of these than you can imagine, but some stand out among the rest.

High on the list of hi-tech kids out there are robotics. This year you will see the introduction of a dinosaur named Pleo. Pleo is the most interactive robotic child friendly to date. Big enough for your child to actually ride, you will be amazed by all its features. The different way your child interacts with Pleo sets the pace of Pleo growing up. These features make this one of the top toys for Christmas.

There is a new Elmo Live being added to the line of Elmo's we all know and love. Every child can learn from Elmo. Whether it's a new song or dance, a story or a joke, your child will be entertained by this new friend. If it's creativity you want to encourage, the traditional art easel has a new design making it very user friendly for your child. Also something to consider is the new, what is being toted as "indestructible," digital cameras just for kids. This updated version is waterproof. As one of the top toys for Christmas, bringing photography to your child has never been easier.

An indoor or outdoor game, Hyper Dash will certainly burn off the extra energy the kids have stored up being patient for Santa to arrive. Entertaining and never boring, it's a game that never gets old. It is also reasonably priced and holds up well. For those who love disguise, a voice changer helmet will transform them into Darth Vader or Dr. Who. This one is guaranteed to provide hours of adventures for ages 5 and up. Accessories such as gloves are available with some characters. Top toys for Christmas this year include plenty of role playing and entertainment.

Lego's is sweetening up the market with 6 new play sets. What do you wish to add, or even introduce to your child? From the police station to the cherry picker the play time here is endless as your child reaches a new level of creation with the old favorite Lego's. Some favorite board games have a new look and a new spin. Candyland, for example, now has a castle that is a game all in itself! Twister Hopscotch is just that, more interactive and designed for even more fun than before as one of the top toys for Christmas.

Does your child crave speed? Is he old enough to handle one of the many riders out there? There are so many to choose from you may have just as much fun picking it out for your child, as your child has riding it. From a Ford150 to a John Deere tractor, your child's favorite should be easy to pick out. Of course there is the new Ford Mustangs and the Jeep Hurricane that would suit your daughter just fine. The scooters and skaters on the market will have your speed demon ready to roll, making them top toys for Christmas.

If you would like more information on what are the Top 12 Girls Toys For Christmas 2008 visit the authors site http://toptoysforxmas.com/Top-12-Girls-Toys-For-Christmas-2008.html

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Elmo Live Vs Hasbro's Fur Real Biscuit Doll - Which is the Better Gift?

There are two top 'robot dolls' fighting for the spot of Top Christmas Gift in 2008. These two battling it out are Elmo Live on one side, and Fur Real Friend's Biscuit: My Lovin' Pup on the other. But both of them represent a decent investment of money... so which one should you get? The answer of course lies in each doll's features and how they relate to you and your child personally.

First of all, both Elmo Live and Biscuit: My Lovin' Pup react to their owner's actions, but in different ways. Elmo Live will do things like sneeze when you pinch his nose, or laugh and shake and go 'That tickles!' when you tickle him in the stomach. Biscuit, on the other hand, will do things like lie down in you pat him on the back, or some to you when you call him. So Elmo Live's reactions are just a little bit more tender and personal than Biscuit's, whose main strength lie in doing things like interacting with his bone and learning tricks.

So speaking of tricks, Biscuit can recognize and react to a variety of commands, like speak, sit, and lay down. He does this to imitate and act like an actual real live puppy dog, which he succeeds at. Meanwhile, Elmo Live doesn't react to spoken commands, but he does do another kind of trick; mainly he tells stories and jokes, just like the real Elmo character does on his TV show. The stories are pretty funny, and are based an fairy tales and stuff that appeals to young children.

Of course, we would be amiss if we didn't take into account Elmo's attraction and fame from Sesame Street. For many very young children, this is bound to be the make-it-or-break it factor, as meeting Elmo in person is going to be a huge thing for them. Obviously the same child would be much less impressed by meeting Biscuit, although he might still like it. The puppy doll doesn't fall too far behind though, since slightly older kids who wouldn't be as impressed with Elmo Live are often at the age where they would be very impressed indeed with the idea of owning a puppy.

So all in all, we can say that if your child is on the slightly younger side, you're really best advised in going with Elmo Live, while if your kid is a bit older or he's never watched Sesame Street, your better choice is definitely Fur Real Friend's Biscuit. Whichever gift you choose from these two is bound to make a huge impression anyway, so don't sweat it too much.

Have a safe and happy Christmas by becoming informed on every gift you buy this year! Simon Schwartz advises on every worthwhile Christmas toy in 2008, including Elmo Live at Fisher Price Elmo Live and Biscuit the animatronic puppy at Fur Real Biscuit My Lovin Pup.

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