Teen Milestone: Drive Like a Boss
 | In the United States and elsewhere, a teenager getting their driver’s license allows them to gain further independence from their parents. Once upon a time, this was considered an important rite of passage, another step toward adulthood. More recently, however, the desire for the freedom of the road has changed for some teens. In the last 15 or so years, the number of high schoolers getting their driver’s licenses has dropped. Experts disagree on the cause of the decline. According to a University of Michigan survey, some of the reasons cited for not getting a driver’s license include not having enough time or money, and the availability of alternate transportation Click to Read more… |
Couples’ Wedding Showers
 | The long standing tradition of a bridal shower or “hen party” for the soon-to-be bride, and a “stag party” or bachelor’s party given for the groom are evolving into a couple’s party, also known as a “Jack and Jill” or “stag and doe” party. Since weddings have grown more elaborate (and more expensive), and for many families, money is tight, a couple’s party usually combines a celebration with raising money to help defray the costs of the perfect venue, the perfect dress, the perfect catering, and the perfect cake. While some controversy exists—some people perceive a couple’s party as too blatant or crass–for many engaged men and women, asking their Click to Read more… |
5 Uncommon Wedding Party Attendants
 | We’re all familiar with the traditional roles played by bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, ushers, and a best man, but what does a Coin Bearer do? In honor of every couple tying the knot this month, here’s the scoop on five unusual Wedding Party Attendants. Coin Bearer Particularly in Filipino wedding ceremonies, it’s traditional for a young boy to carry a pillow bearing 13 Unity Coins—a collection of gold and/or silver coins given to the bride by the groom during the ceremony. The coins, called arras or arrhae, are marked with meaningful symbols and can be treasured heirlooms. Veil Sponsor Another Filipino wedding tradition. During the ceremony, the Veil Sponsor drapes Click to Read more… |
Valentine’s Day Wedding Anniversary
 | Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies—Aristotle Valentine’s Day (February 14) is a very popular and romantic time for couples to tie the knot or renew their wedding vows. Why not? It is considered a day to celebrate love in all its forms. Marrying for love hasn’t always been the case throughout recorded history. Even the concept of a romantic relationship between two people was uncommon until the twelfth century. Even then, many marriages were arranged for reasons ranging from financial gain to increased social status. To do one’s duty was the highest aspiration. As the twentieth century rolled on, marrying for love became the norm rather Click to Read more… |
Bridesman and Groomsmaid
 | National Weddings Month, with Valentine’s Day on the fourteenth, make February the most romantic time of the year! According to the US Census Bureau and Time.com, over 200,000 marriage proposals are made and on average, almost 6,000 couples tie the knot on Valentine’s Day! The tradition of wedding attendants—bridesmaids and groomsmen, maid/matron of honor and best man—has its roots in the distant past. Today, new non-traditional roles have become increasingly popular: the bridesman (a very good male friend of the bride) and the groomswoman or groomsmaid (a very good female friend of the groom). Ceremonies are often progressive than the past, allowing a bride and groom to stand at the Click to Read more… |
12 Steps to Recovery
 | Most 12 step programs run along similar principles, with certain elements tailored to fit the needs of people sharing the same addiction—to alcohol, drugs, smoking, gambling, etc. If you know someone who has an addiction, what can you do? The first step is Encouraging a Loved One to Get Help for Addiction. As a friend or family member works hard to recover from an addiction and make a genuine life change, they should have the support and encouragement of loved ones to aid the healing process. What can you do to help? Learn the language of addiction recovery so you’ll gain a better understanding. Be patient because healing takes time Click to Read more… |
Self-Improvement Makes People Feel Better
 | People choose to have cosmetic surgery to change something about themselves—to correct defects caused by birth defects, trauma, cancer, aging, etc. or to improve self-esteem by fixing a personal flaw. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the most common cosmetic surgery procedures are breast augmentation or reduction, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction and facelifts. In the United Stares, more than 14 million plastic surgery procedures are performed each year. For some, a new year is the right time to start considering a new look. Making a New Year’s resolution for a makeover to look younger or slimmer is fairly common. If you know someone who has recently done Click to Read more… |
Never Too Late to Educate
 | One of the top New Year’s resolutions made by many people is to get more or better education – such as attending a trade or vocational school or going to college. There’s no age limit and earning a degree in a chosen professional can help with employment opportunities or be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. According to the American Council of Education, more adults age 25-60 are returning to school looking for the knowledge they need to begin new careers or new business ventures. Whether someone you know is entering a university, taking classes to earn a degree, or furthering their education, or working to achieve an educational goal, Click to Read more… |
Welcoming the New Year
 | The people of different countries and cultures ring in the New Year in ways that may seem unusual or bizarre, but make just as much sense as any other tradition. Here are a few different customs that are far away from the familiar old counting down to midnight and waiting for a big ping pong ball to drop in the USA. In Ireland, giving your house a thorough cleaning before New Year’s Eve is supposed to give you a fresh start to the next twelve months. However, on the night itself, some Irish whack a loaf of Christmas bread on the doors and walls to drive out the bad luck, Click to Read more… |
Last Minute Christmas Card Solution
 | The horrible holiday question rears it’s head: did you forget to get a Christmas card for a friend? Family member? Teacher or coach? Co-worker? Oh, no! It’s Christmas Eve. The stores are packed with last-minute shoppers. The selection of Christmas cards left on the shelves has lost most of its glitter or the designs just aren’t what you’re looking for, but you don’t have the time or the inclination to battle the holiday hordes through more shops searching for the perfect card. Don’t worry! Greeting Card Universe has you covered with two simple steps to renewing your seasonal cheer. 1. Check out our huge collection of unique Christmas greeting cards Click to Read more… |
