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Family Activities How To Parenting

2 Ways to Support Your Little Ones As They Grow Up

As soon as you learn that you’re bringing a child into the world, your attitude and priorities change. Rather than focusing your whole world around yourself, you begin to center it around someone else. You want the best for your child, and you’ll do whatever you can to achieve this. Of course, knowing what’s best for your child and what you should do to provide them with the best upbringing can be difficult. Nobody receives a book or guide on how to do this, and often, most people find that it’s a matter of trial and error and finding their own way to do things as best as they can. Of course, there are a few key things you can consider and work on to support your little ones and provide them with the best upbringing possible. 

How to Support Your Little Ones As They Grow Up

Prioritize Their Health and Wellbeing

Children can’t take care of themselves. They don’t have the emotional or mental capacity to create a healthy and positive environment for themselves to grow up in. Instead, this is your responsibility. Taking care of your child’s health and wellbeing ensures that they are physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. 

If your child experiences a major injury, you’re going to take them into urgent care. But it’s also essential to focus on small and less severe situations and conditions. If you notice that your child has an ongoing issue, such as skin complaints, wheeziness, or anything else, take them in to visit a general practitioner who can diagnose any issues and recommend a course of treatment. Make sure to take them for regular checkups with healthcare professionals like doctors, dentists, optometrists, and audiologists. Tackle any problems about mental health following medical advice and with the support of charities and support groups. Doing these things can all benefit your children greatly.

Provide Them With a Good Education

Education can be one of the most influential factors in a child’s life, direction, and future. Good quality education can open up all sorts of doors and opportunities that provide your child with potential and a better quality of life down the line once they become dependent on themselves. Of course, the unfortunate truth is that all schools aren’t equal, which means you have to look into the best schools in your area and do your utmost to get your children into them. 

Remember that education doesn’t begin and end in the classroom. There are all sorts of educational activities you can carry out with your children at home out of school hours. Nature walks, visiting museums and art galleries, and encouraging creativity through arts and crafts are just a few examples.

Support Your Little Ones As They Grow Up

These are just a couple of areas of focus, but they’re important ones. Hopefully, they’ll be able to kickstart your journey towards providing your little ones with the best upbringing possible.

Categories
For the Home Home

4 Easy Ways To Keep Your Home Dry All Year Round

No matter what kind of home you live in, it is essential to keep it dry all the time. While this is easier said than done, it is necessary and for many good reasons. Allowing the home to become damp can lead to property and foundation damage. It can also lead to mold, which is a severe health hazard. Avoiding these issues is important, so you must ensure that you keep your home dry all year round. Here are some tips.

How To Keep Your Home Dry

Extractor Fans

One of the first things to look into is whether or not your home has an extractor fan. You will need one of these in the kitchen at the very least. When you cook, you create a lot of steam and, if you don’t allow this steam to exit the home, you end up with a damp environment. Extractor fans are even a legal necessity in many parts of the world. If you don’t have one already, get one installed soon. It will make a world of difference.

Vapor Barriers

You might not have heard of vapor barriers, but they are useful, powerful things you should consider having in your home if you have a basement or crawl space. The crawl space can be a handy place to store items, but it is also prone to dampness and mold. The solution is simple: a vapor barrier installation that stops moisture from collecting under the house and allows you to use it to keep the whole space dry. If you don’t have one of these already, take a look today.

Dehumidifiers

A dehumidifier is a really handy and quite simple tool. It does exactly what the name suggests, which is that it removes humidity (water) from the air. You might not even be aware of how humid your air is in the home until you go to remove it with one of these. Modern dehumidifiers come with a digital smart display to tell you what percentage humidity the air is, and they are very effective at removing it as and when it might be necessary. Dehumidifiers are affordable, and highly effective, so definitely worth looking into if you are keen to keep your home dry.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Fans

If you have a basement, you can keep it dry without a dehumidifier. The simple, old-school solution is to have a fan installed. Ceiling fans keep air moving around, and they will also have the bonus of keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter. Modern fans are highly effective and more affordable than you might think, so it’s worth considering.

Keep Your Home Dry All Year Round

As you can see, there are some great ways to keep your home dry all year round. It’ll protect your home and health, making it an essential issue to consider. Do you have any other tips for keeping your home dry? Leave a comment and let us know.

Categories
Health Healthy Living

9 Surprising Foods That Can Make Your Teeth Look Brown

Most people’s teeth are a natural shade of white – not pure white, but something close. However, sometimes their diets can change the color of their teeth, making them look closer to brown than pearly white. 

What’s more, certain foods are worse than others. That’s because they’re higher in compounds called chromogens that give them their color. These pigments not only change the appearance of food but, over time, can actually adhere to your teeth as well.

So what are the most common tooth-staining foods that cause people to seek tooth whitening dental services? Let’s take a look. 

Foods That Make Your Teeth Look Brown

1. Beets

Beetroot is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. This brightly-colored root vegetable is packed with phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Unfortunately, it contains a lot of chromogens – something you’ll know all too well if you’ve ever spilled beet juice on the carpet. 

If you’re a fan of beets but also worried about your teeth, you can drink beet smoothies through a straw. Using a straw to bypass your teeth keeps them shiny and white. 

2. Berries

Berries are another superfood that you should have in your diet every day. As with beets, though, they contain pigmented compounds that can stain the teeth if you eat them regularly.

3. Curry

Curry is another source of tooth discoloration. The primary culprit is the spice turmeric – although many other ingredients in regular curries contain chromogens. 

4. Balsamic Vinegar

If you love putting balsamic vinegar on your salads, then you’re doing something healthy. However, like the other foods in this list, the rich color is also a source of staining compounds for your teeth. Balsamic vinegar is one of the worst culprits because not only does it contain deep tannins, but it is also acidic, which means that it softens the tooth enamel, making it easier to stain. 

5. Cola

It’s a similar story with Cola. It is highly acidic due to the phosphorus content, and it contains a lot of color compounds that give it its characteristically dark hue. 

6. Fruit Juices Make Your Teeth Look Brown

Fruits naturally contain many color compounds. Cranberry, grape, and blueberry juices coat the teeth and leave them looking stained over time. 

7. Red Wine

Red wine is another culprit because of the color pigments contained in grapes. While many people love to enjoy the odd glass of wine here and there, doing it every night can darken teeth and make them appear a different color. 

8. Coffee

Perhaps the biggest tooth-staining culprit is coffee – the world’s second-most popular drink after water. 

Coffee is made of roasted coffee beans. The roasting process brings out their pigment more. When mixed with water and drunk warm, it creates the perfect tooth-staining combination. Not only is it brown, but it is also highly acidic. 

9. Soy Sauce can Make Your Teeth Look Brown

Asian cuisine makes heavy use of soy sauce. However, as you might imagine from the color, it also can stain your teeth. Eating it with plenty of vegetables, though, can help counteract some of the effects by making it easier to flush it from your mouth once you finish chewing.

Categories
Adulting For the Home Home Life

4 Important Things To Consider When Buying An Apartment

Buying an apartment can be a daunting task. Your choice might forever alter your lifestyle and that of your family. To ensure a good decision, you must learn all about the ins and outs of buying an apartment.

Choosing the best apartment now is essential because it could save you from problems later on when your chosen apartment turns out to be much different than was promised. Some houses will not be worth living in because of questionable designs and shoddy craftsmanship. Inspections before signing the contract tend to be the most effective, but you will still need to do some research on your own.

Things To Consider When Buying An Apartment

The Location

The building’s location and proximity to amenities like stores, parks, beaches, transport, open space, and libraries are factors that should be at the top of your list. The place of the apartment within the structure is also vital to consider. Think about the way it faces, whether it is near the elevator or maybe garage doors, and where the parking and storage spaces are. These are just some of the questions you must think about before committing to an apartment. All the above should be looked at during the initial walk-through and utilized to help establish the home value.

Layout and Aspect

There’s no questioning the appeal of a great view but at times, choosing the right part is more vital. Think about the natural sunlight, cross ventilation or breeze, and the orientation of the bedrooms to living spaces. 

Check to see if the floorplan allows for natural light throughout the space. Some of these aspects are subjective to personal preferences, so make sure you find what you are personally looking for. If access is flexible, go to the home during the time of day you’ll typically be home to figure out just how much the natural lighting you’ll enjoy. Going when you’ll typically be home is a great way to avoid any surprises when you move in.

Vertical Communities

Lots of apartment buildings function as their very own towns. Make sure you think about this when looking for Luxury Apartments for Sale. By understanding its tradition and raising insight into its neighborhood vibe, you’ll know if it suits your life. The percentage of apartment owners that are investors versus owner-occupants likewise can affect how future buyers may look at their expenditure. Consult your representative about the building manager, concierge, and strata committee. Plus, take some time to understand the regulations, the needs of owners, and any rules for sound, animals, and common areas.

The Amenities 

Pools, saunas, gyms, trash services, lobbies, and mailboxes are important in apartment buildings. Watch for unkempt common areas that indicate a badly maintained system. Take a look at the security and privacy measures, such as safety doors, cameras, keyless entry, illumination in pathways and hallways, and the hardiness of door frames. 

The Things You Must Remember When Buying An Apartment

This guide should help you to understand what you need to consider when looking to buy an apartment. Is there anything else that you would add to the list? Add them in the comments below. 

Categories
Adulting Learning

4 Simple Errors You Must Avoid As A Rookie Lawyer

A career in law is something that appeals to many people. Whether you are just getting started or you have been involved in the legal sector for quite some time now, there are some common mistakes that a rookie lawyer needs to avoid. While I am not a lawyer, these mistakes are ones that commonly hinder the success of lawyers.

Things to Avoid As A Rookie Lawyer

1. Email Mistakes

Anyone can make a mistake when sending an email. However, in the legal sector, you need to portray a professional image, and email errors can be even more costly. One of the biggest mistakes is failing to respond promptly. Other errors include writing emails when angry, not having a signature block, incorporating fancy effects, and sending an email that states ‘sent from the desk of [name].’

2. Misusing Certain Words

Clients often get frustrated when lawyers use complicated legal jargon that they do not understand. Not only do you need to keep your client in mind while communicating, but you also need to be careful about the words you use. From ‘adverse’ to ‘honed in,’ you must be careful when using certain words and phrases in a legal context to ensure that your client fully understands what you are implying.

3. Failing to Delegate and Outsource Tasks as a Rookie Lawyer

Failing to delegate or outsource is one of the biggest mistakes lawyers and other legal professionals make. Despite their ever-growing mountain of work, they attempt to take on everything themselves. Overworking yourself can lead to sub-standard work; you could end up delegating it at the last minute to someone that is not suitable, or you could miss deadlines altogether.

The modern-day lawyer needs to realize that outsourcing and delegating allow you to provide five-star service to your clients. When you outsource, you can get all of the information from your case to give you a competitive advantage. If you were to delegate this to someone without the experience or capacity to deliver, you could have a nightmare on your hands. You may also want to consider outsourcing cases to nursing home neglect lawyers or other specialists who are better suited.

4. Choosing Tech Solutions Based on Cost Rather Than Effectiveness

There is no denying that technology has changed the legal industry considerably. All law professionals have a wide range of different software and technologies they use to enhance the services they provide to their clients. However, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is choosing a cheap solution instead of an effective one.

If you choose an inexpensive but ineffective option, it will be more of a hindrance than anything. You will especially experience an inconvenience when you consider that most low-cost solutions do not come with effective security. Imagine what would happen if you were to suffer a data breach. A data breach could leave your reputation in tatters, not to mention the hefty fine you would have to pay as well. It is not worth the risk.

Categories
Healthy Living How To Life Mental Health On My Mind

5 Ways To Love Yourself And Feel Better About Who You Are

Are you unhappy with the way you look? Do you find yourself admiring your friends or celebrities and wishing you looked more like them? You are not alone. Many people are unhappy with their appearance, but you must start loving yourself. These tips can help you love yourself and feel better.

How to Love Yourself And Feel Better About Who You Are

Focus on Staying Healthy

Beauty starts from within, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can make you feel better about your appearance. When you feel good about yourself, you tend to feel better overall. You will have more energy and fewer mood swings from eating lots of sugar and other unhealthy foods. A healthy lifestyle will also improve your physical appearance. It will help you maintain a healthy weight, and your skin will glow.

Think Carefully Before Making any Major Decisions

Many people have plastic surgery when they are unhappy with their appearance. While there is nothing wrong with this, you need to think very carefully before doing so. Will you be happy and content once you have had the surgery? Or, will there be something else you want to change? If something goes wrong, you will need a medical malpractice attorney to help you take legal action. Whatever you choose is fine, but make sure you think it through and consider these things. 

Take a Break From the Mirror

Are you constantly looking in the mirror all of the time? If so, it is time to take a break because obsessing over your appearance won’t help. Beauty is all about how you feel inside, not about what you look like in the mirror. Have you ever met someone who thought she was ugly when you thought she was beautiful? It shows how beauty comes from within – it is more of a personality trait if you think about it. You have to feel beautiful yourself, and that feeling comes from the heart, mind, and soul, not the eyes.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

Do you try to squeeze yourself into fashionable clothes that you don’t like wearing or wear high heels even though you hate them? Or, do you plaster makeup on and wear false lashes even though they irritate your eyes? If so, time to stop! You need to wear what you feel comfortable in if you want to feel beautiful.

Smile to Love Yourself And Feel Better

Last but not least, try to smile more! It is clichéd, but people do look much, much better when they smile. It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, what you look like, or how bad you think your smile is; you are going to look and feel much better and healthier if you appear happy.

Love Yourself And Feel Better

If you follow these steps, you should start to feel better and more confident. Many people hate their appearance, but it is often due to misbeliefs and misconceptions we have planted in our minds due to society and social media. You are you. You are unique, and that is why you are beautiful!

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Adulting Gifts Holiday How To Parenting

4 Ways To Save More Money In Your Christmas Budget

Most of us are trying to figure out how to save more money this holiday season. This can be useful if you are struggling with your personal budget right now. Or, it can be useful if you are simply trying to stay ahead of your finances. Luckily, there are some great ways to keep the costs low and ensure that you still have fun with your family. 

Check Out A Gift Guide 

First, you might want to think about exploring a Christmas gift guide at The Art of Doing Stuff or a similar resource. You’ll find lots of guides like this around the festive season that can be ideal for people who are trying to save.

There are always a few budget-friendly choices for a variety of individuals to choose from. You might also want to think about looking at guides that are laid out specifically for certain people. For instance, you can find him/her guides as well as guides for kids, boyfriends, and even those who are tricky to buy for. 

Gift Guides You Make Enjoy

Don’t Forget The Deals 

Next, you can think about exploring different business deals. There are always deals around the holiday season that will be perfect if you’re looking to save.

For instance, you should definitely explore the deals around Black Friday. Be aware that this is starting earlier this year, seemingly as a result of COVID-19. It’s worth noting that Black Friday deals aren’t always quite as they seem. Some products will rise in price a few months early only to drop later. 

You should also think about exploring coupons, codes, and vouchers. You’ll find lots of these online and potentially even a few in your email.

Start Early to Save More Money

A great way to ensure that you can save more money in your Christmas budget is to make sure that you are starting early. It doesn’t need to be the holiday season for you to start buying presents. You can do this at any time during the year and get some great deals on items, too. You could even start buying towards the end of summer. 

Make Your Own Decorations 

Finally, you could think about making your own decorations rather than buying them in-store. This is a great choice if you are concerned about how much you spend decorating your home.

It’s fair to say that the cost of Christmas decorations can certainly add up. You might discover that you are spending at least a couple hundred on your electric bill just to make your house look festive.

If you are interested in this possibility, then you might want to think about exploring a few DIY decoration guides online. This is also something you can do with your kids

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Save More Money In Your Christmas Budget

It isn’t difficult to cut costs and save more money on Christmas this year. COVID-19 has hit everyone hard and you might not be prepared for the massive expense the festive season brings. With these tips you can avoid this expense completely or at the very least, reduce it. Do you have any tips for saving money on Christmas? Tell me about it in the comments!

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Family Activities How To Learning Life Parenting

How to Teach Your Kids Responsibility By Using a Chore Store at Home

We all want to raise responsible kids that help out, take care of things, and understand the value of money. Sometimes it’s hard to teach these concepts, though. In our house, we use a chore store to get the kids doing chores and learning about earning/spending.

The chore store is something that I set up once each week, usually on Saturdays. Throughout the previous week, the kids work to each chore store money. For each chore they do, they earn one chore store dollar. When Saturday rolls around, they can choose to save their chore money for something bigger, or they can cash it in on the items in the chore store.

Since the kids can earn one chore store dollar for each chore, they can choose how much they want to earn that week. It helps them understand that the harder they work, the more they get rewarded. If you don’t want to use chore store dollars, you can also use chore charts from Dollar Tree and implement a way to earn rewards from the chore store with the chart.

You can put anything in your chore store, as long as you know your kids will like it. I pick up small things to add to it when I see something I know they’d love, but I typically get most items from Amazon. I also go to Dollar Tree for multi-packs of items to include.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Chore Store

What to Put in a Chore Store

The options for what to put in the chore store are limitless. I love browsing around for new items to add. Some ideas include:

1. Invisible Ink Pens

Kids love invisible ink pens, as they can pretend to be a spy or share secret messages with their friends. These pens were a hit in our chore store!

2. Play-Doh in the Chore Store

Play-doh is always a good option. No matter how careful you and your kids are, play-doh gets mixed together or dries out. When you keep play-doh stocked in the chore store, you won’t have to feel bad about throwing some away. I buy it in a 10-pack case for variety and excitement each time.

3. Pop Its

Fidget toys are super popular right now, with pop it’s being at the top of the list. These fidgets come in all different shapes and sizes, and your child will be excited to see them as a choice.

4. LED Lights

If my kids can save up the chore dollars, they can use them to buy bigger items. Sometimes I let them pick whatever they want on Amazon, but other times I keep items I know they’ll love in our store store. When they can see these bigger items, it encourages them to save up and work hard to get what they want. LED lights were a hit in my house.

5. Super Hero Capes and Matching Bracelets

These superhero capes and slap bracelets are perfect for your store. I love items like this because we can just throw them in the dress-up bin instead of having random little stuff laying around the house.

6. Kinetic Sand

Sensory play is always one of my favorites, and my kids love it, too. It’s easy to clean up and your child can do so much with it. These small, individual containers are perfect because you won’t have so much kinetic sand out at once. Plus, your child can choose it each time they earn chore store dollars.

7. Sand Art Kits

I was so excited to see these sand art kits on Amazon. As a kid, I loved sand art. I didn’t even realize they still made things like this!

8. Mini Animals Building Blocks Sets

If your child likes Legos, these are the perfect option for your chore store. The blocks are smaller than Legos, but they are still super cute. You can use them as a learning opportunity, too, if you teach your child about the animals they build.

9. Candy for the Chore Store

I don’t love including candy in your store, but occasionally I’ll add some. Ring pops are always a hit, so they are one of my go-to’s. I also add smarties and sour patch kids.

10. Make Your Own Bouncy Ball Kit

I love any toy that involves science and learning. These bouncy ball kits are so much fun, and they are easy to make. Then, your child can have fun with the ball they created, giving them positive feelings about learning.

11. Coupons

I love adding coupons to the chore store because it offers an experience rather than toys. You can print some pre-made coupons for your child, or you can create your own with paper and markers. Think about things your child loves to do, and create eye-catching coupons for them to purchase from your store. For some ideas of things to put on your coupons, check out this post – 15 Ways to Give Your Child the Perfect Day

12. Stickers in the Chore Store

My kids love stickers, and they are easy to find. I typically get the stickers from Dollar Tree, but you can pick them up pretty much anywhere. Target also sometimes has a good selection of stickers.

13. Crayons, Colored Pencils, or Markers

Crayons, colored pencils, and markers are always good options for the chore store. My kids love to have a fresh pack, so every couple of weeks they’ll choose these items. You can have fun with these items by including specialty packs or the mega box of crayons.

14. Books

We all want our children to read, but some books are expensive! I would never charge my child the same price for the book that I paid, but I still like to make them an option in the chore store. When your child gets to choose the book for themselves, they’ll be much more excited about it. Plus, the chore store is a fun treat so your child will associate books and reading with rewards.

15. Craft Supplies

Crafts are exciting, and they get your child’s mind going. When you see fun craft supplies while you’re out shopping, pick them up for the store. Your child will be so excited to see something new in there to choose from.

Chore Store

Using a Chore Store to Teach Responsibility and get Your Kids Doing Chores

Whatever items you decide to fill your chore store with, have fun with it! Be creative and choose items that you think your kids will be excited about. Anytime I see something that I think my little ones will like, I pick it up and add it to the chore store next time. My kids love seeing random little additions. What would you fill your store with? Leave a comment and let me know!

Categories
Gifts Holiday

11 Gifts No One Wants to Get This Christmas

Each year when Christmas rolls around we buy gifts for the people in our lives. We exchange gifts with our family members, friends, children, and parents. When it comes to giving gifts to those you are closest to, it’s a little easier to buy something you know they’ll like. Sometimes, however, the gift-giving occurs in a group gift exchange or among co-workers, and you may not know what to buy. When this happens, try to avoid buying the gifts no one wants to get.

In these cases, you usually don’t know what specific item to buy, because you either don’t know who will be receiving your gift or you don’t know the person well enough to make an educated decision. This leaves you searching for and buying a gift that most people would like. This can be tricky, as many commonly given gifts in these settings are gifts that no one actually wants.

Now I don’t know about you, but I love to give GREAT gifts. If I gave a gift that no one was excited about or that paled in comparison to the other gifts, I would feel terrible! I would be so embarrassed, and I would feel bad for the person who was stuck with it. No matter who is receiving your gift, you should make sure the gift will be loved so that no one is disappointed (including yourself!).

To help you out, I have compiled a list of the gifts you should avoid giving at Christmas time. Also known as The Gifts No One Wants to Get This Christmas.

11 Gifts No One Wants to Get for Christmas

1. A pet

Giving someone a pet as a gift may seem like a good idea, but it really isn’t. A pet should be personally chosen (by the pet owner) to ensure that there is a bond between the owner and the pet. By gifting a pet, you are giving the receiver a HUGE responsibility.

Welcome to the world of cleaning up after a pet, feeding, grooming, and paying vet bills. While this world is great, it should be something that the pet owner (or the gift receiver, in this case) chooses for themselves. Unless someone specifically asks for a certain pet, avoid this gift at all costs.

2. Exercise equipment

Exercise equipment is a gift no one wants for a couple of reasons.

First, it puts potentially unwanted pressure on the receiver. Either they feel pressured to begin working out, or they just got a gift that will collect dust. There is no in-between.

The second reason that exercise equipment is a bad gift no one wants is that it could be insulting to the receiver. They may feel like you are implying they need to lose weight, which you never want to do when giving someone a gift.

3. Anti-aging cream

Just like with exercise equipment, anti-aging cream could be unintentionally insulting to the receiver. This is a gift best left for personal purchase instead of as a gift.

4. Cleaning supplies

How exciting is it to buy cleaning supplies? Now, consider how fun it is to use or look at cleaning supplies? Not much fun, right? Think about that when you’re buying a gift.

Would someone be excited to unwrap a gift only to find all-purpose cleaner or sponges in the package? I wouldn’t be, especially if everyone around me was opening exciting gifts. If there is nothing pleasurable about it, don’t buy it as a Christmas gift.

5. Gag gifts

While everyone may get a good laugh out of a gag gift at first, it is going to quickly lose its charm. There isn’t much that a person can do with a gag gift, so it ends up being clutter or trash. You don’t want to give a gift that is never used and barely remembered.

Now, ignore this tip if the theme of your gift exchange is gag gifts. Also, ignore this if the gift exchange is between children because children do love a good whoopee cushion or bubble-gum zapper (their parents may hate you for it, though).

6. Lingerie

So, not only could lingerie be an embarrassing gift for the receiver, but it is also a gift that isn’t of much use. If a man gives a woman lingerie as a gift, he is essentially buying a gift for himself. Um, what?!

Men, don’t buy lingerie as a gift for women. Women, don’t give lingerie as a gift for Christmas, either. Save it for a bachelorette party.

7. Socks

Unless the person receiving the gift specifically asked for socks, don’t buy them as a gift. Socks are so impersonal, and it isn’t always very exciting. If you do buy socks as a gift, make sure they are high-quality, fashionable socks. Regular white socks from Walmart should not be a gift.

8. Fruitcake – Gifts no one Wants

I have never in my life met someone who actually likes fruitcake. Why is it still such a popular gift at Christmas time?! Please don’t.

9. Seasonal clothing

If you give someone a Christmas sweater or Christmas leggings as a Christmas gift, they will only be able to wear them that day and then not again until next December. Even if you give the gift a week early, the receiver will only get to wear it a couple of times before the Holidays are over.

10. Gift cards to expensive stores

Unless you are using a large amount of money to buy the gift card, the receiver may actually be inconvenienced here. If you give a $20 gift card to a store that only offers items that cost more than $20, you are forcing the gift receiver to pitch in money for their own gift. They can only use your gift at one store, but if they can’t even afford to buy one item with that gift card, it isn’t really a useful gift. See the problem?

When is a Gift Card Appropriate?

If you want to buy a gift card, make sure it’s to an affordable store or website and put enough money on it that the receiver can buy something without using their own money. Amazon gift cards are my favorite because the receiver of the gift card can literally buy ANYTHING.

11. A vacuum cleaner

If you have carpet in your home, you need a vacuum cleaner. This doesn’t mean anyone (even if they have carpet) wants a vacuum as a Christmas gift. You can say Merry Christmas in a better way than dishing out chores to the receiver. Unless someone specifically requests a new vacuum as a gift, don’t do it.

Gifts No One Wants

Some of the most popular gifts to give are gifts that no one really wants. You may be guilty of giving these gifts yourself. If so, don’t feel bad. Most of us have done it.

This year, avoid giving the worst Christmas gift by avoiding these 11 gifts no one wants. By figuring out which gifts people don’t want to get for Christmas, you have made your choice so much easier. Even if you don’t know what someone DOES actually want, your chances of hitting the mark are much better now.

What gift can you think of that no one wants to get? Better yet, is there a gift that you receive every year that you don’t enjoy? Tell me about it in the comments! Also, tell me what you do with the gifts that you didn’t want after you get them home.

Related post: 5 Tips to Get Away With Re-Gifting (Kidding, Kind Of)

11 Christmas Gifts No One Wants to Get
Categories
Health Healthy Living

Beneficial Drinks That Can Help You Improve Your Dental Health

When it comes to your oral health, many aspects can affect it. The drinks you choose each day can make a big difference, and some drinks assist your dental health. Increasing the amount of these fluids you consume will help you notice improvements to your overall oral health.

Drinks to Assist Your Dental Health

Water

Water is very beneficial in maintaining teeth. Drinking water helps flush food debris from the teeth and mouth and helps maintain high saliva levels in the mouth. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that can neutralize the acid that damages the outer layer of the tooth (enamel), and therefore, it is the best protection against tooth decay. Saliva contains more than 95 percent water, so if you want to avoid damage to your teeth, you should drink a large amount of water throughout the day to enjoy complete and lasting protection. Consider having regular checkups at your dentist to ensure that your teeth are in good shape. You could look at Morgan Dental, for example. You will be able to get the treatment that you may need.

For those who drink water with lemon – lemon juice is an acidic drink. Acid (of any kind) damages the enamel layer of the tooth. The enamel is the coating layer that protects the tooth. Caries (holes in the teeth) occur when sugar residues remain on the teeth, and bacteria that consume this sugar residue in the fermentation process, produce acid as a by-product of the process. The acid (not the bacterium) that damages your enamel and forms a hole in your tooth. Drinking an acidic beverage frequently can cause damage to the teeth. You can reduce this damage if the consumption of water and lemon is through a straw, which will reduce the contact of the acidic water and the teeth. If you drink water with lemon every morning, rinse your mouth immediately after drinking the lemon water. It may be advisable to gargle with baking soda (an acid-contradictory powder). 

Green tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidants that inhibit the development of bacteria, causing gum damage and gum disease. The tea was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks more than 1000 years ago. The fluoride concentrations in tea are the same as those in the medical recommendations to prevent tooth decay. You can consume up to a liter of tea per day to maintain dental health. Of course, green tea is beneficial for many other things too!

Catechins and fluoride are two main ingredients in tea, and they work to maintain dental health. The catechins reduce the production of acid, which damages tooth enamel. Black, green and white tea extracts inhibit in vitro the proliferation of bacteria, which form acid. Consider drinking more green tea for better physical and dental health. 

Improve Your Dental Health

Your teeth are often the first things people see when they look at you or talk to you. Maintaining your dental health can make you feel better about yourself, but it can also improve your overall health. Are there any other drinks you can think of that improve your oral health? Leave a comment and let us know!