Homemade Christmas Gifts: Digital Photo Collage As a Great and Inexpensive Christmas Present

If you are looking for ideas for homemade Christmas gifts, a digital photo collage can be the perfect one. This gift is both personal and decorative. Whether you are making the collage from your home computer or using the assistance of a print shop, a picture collage can make a great gift for a Christmas present.

Digital photo collages make great Christmas gifts because they allow you to gather several pictures together to form a new design. When put together, the pictures occupy less space than they would if they were in separate frames. This helps make them a convenient gift for people who have limited wall space and a personalized gift that anyone can appreciate.

The first step to complete a digital photo collage is to select the pictures you want to use. If you do not have all of the photos in a digital format, you can scan them to turn them into a digital format. Choose pictures that suit the recipient. For example, if the gift is going to a grandmother, use several pictures of her grandchildren. A collection of pictures over the years may be another good idea. If the recipient is a new bride, use a collection of wedding pictures. Also, include pictures of the couple’s courtship for a reminder of their pre-marriage relationship. For the adventure seeker, select pictures of various trips and stunts that he completed. Selecting the right pictures can help you make Christmas gifts that are personalized for the recipient.

Next, you will have to decide the dimensions of the collage. You can use an online feature of an online shop or photo editing software to form the shape of the collage. You may want all of the pictures to be the same size for continuity. Another option is to make some pictures larger and more prominent than other pictures. The total dimensions of your collage will depend on whether you are printing it at a print shop or on a home computer. If you are using a home computer, the size will be limited to the constrictions of your home printer. Print shops can print collages that are the size of posters or even larger formats.You may want to keep the photo collage in the digital format so it can be used in a digital picture frame.

Finishing touches include adding a title and a border. Decorative accents can be added to the corners to help make it more glamorous.

If you are using a print shop, look for coupons before making the purchase to save. Some print shops provide coupons each time that you purchase prints. You may also be able to find online promo codes to use during an online checkout with the collage. You may even be able to find a coupon that will allow you to buy one collage and get another free. It should be no problem, especially in Christmas season which is full of different promotions.

A digital photo collage, in my opinion makes one of the best present between homemade Christmas gifts ideas. It is highly personalized, and usually means more than just another tie or a perfume for the recipient.

Giving Your Presentation the ‘X’ Factor

Human Psychology has always been a subject that has fascinated sociologists and anthropologists for a very long time. Understanding the intricate dynamics of our behavior patterns, value systems and instincts for flourishing has always been the subject of intense scientific study for decades. Some people have the incredible ability to memorize things almost photographically. Others can calculate equations and algorithms a lot easier than most people. People also vary immensely based on what type of personality they might be. Some are very laid back and calm while others can be focused and driven. And then there are the rare few – the few whose traits don’t quite fall under conventional categories of human diversity in abilities and appeal. Some people would say that these rare few have what is generally called, ‘charisma’ or ‘chutzpah’. But even those words don’t do justice to the traits that these people have. These rare people have what is intangibly yet unanimously called, ‘the X factor’. These people, while they may be as normal as you or I, seem to have the ability to command one’s attention, assume authority or leadership roles with ease and in general have no problem in getting people to comply with their ideas or visions for something. People just seem to like being around them and give them their undivided attention. This is the effect of the enigmatic ‘X Factor’! But not only do these rare few have the ‘factor’ but they also know how to or put it to good use. People with the ‘X Factor’ have naturally good presentation skills.

While not everyone may have this intangible quality, there are certain aspects of it that can be successfully simulated to create the impression of actually having it. And when practiced long enough, it can actually become a part of one’s own aura. And learning to wield it well in your own presentation skills will certainly almost always make people to sit up and pay attention to what you have to say! Lets examine a few of these aspects of the ‘X Factor’:

  1. Kinesics or Body Language – After the 1960 presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, psychologists discovered an interesting phenomenon. People who watched the debate on TV were convinced that JFK won the debate while those who listened to the debate live on radio felt that Nixon had won the debate. Psychologists concluded that it didn’t matter ‘what’ the candidates were actually saying about their own convictions or policies but instead it was their non-verbal communication that people instantly picked up on. The human brain has the ability to pick up faint, non-verbal cues that a person may exude just as well as the words it hears. Good presenters know the importance of exploiting this well. Standing up straight, making eye contact with listeners and smiling while looking relaxed all do well in exuding confidence and a sense that you know what you’re doing. This makes your listeners more likely to be receptive to what you have to say.
  2. Voice Modulation – Sometimes a presenter may look the complete picture of confidence visually but may sound unconvincing if he or she sounds weak or unsure. Confidence can just as well be exuded in the volume, tones and fluctuations of the voice during a presentation. A well-paced, well-spaced verbal delivery with optimal volume and clarity makes for a clear, audible and convincing presentation. This subconsciously gives the listeners the impression that you really believe in what you are saying and sound confident talking about it too. It will make them want to listen to what you have to say.
  3. Clear Presentation - Finally, of course, is the actual presentation of the content itself. Often presentations can look like ‘information overload‘ with tons of numbers, stats, graphs and charts. After a barrage of details and information, the listeners can often be left overwhelmed and ambiguous about what exactly was said. Presentations, whether presented as slides, notes or bullet-points must be clear, concise and to the point while avoiding unnecessary details and verbal ornamentation. Hence, we recommend having one central objective or theme that guides the presentation and not more than three key ideas that the presenter wants the audience to take-away from the presentation. This is the crux of a good presentation!

Presentation Skills Training is a vital aspect of teaching employees the significance of efficient human communication dynamics. Learning to understand how the human brain works in relation to the five senses is an important and useful aspect of effective presentation skills.

A Holiday Dog Sweater for a Christmas Present

Christmas is in the air and it is time again to give your pet a treat by giving him holiday pet clothing. And what could be the best Christmas present for your pooch?

You can make your choice from a variety of holiday dog clothing. It could either be a dog sweater, a dog snowsuit or a dog raincoat. These items are suitable gift you could give your canine friend. Yes, they are indeed appropriate for the holiday. Christmas falls on a winter season and so your dog needs something to keep him warm. A sweater will be useful when he is indoors. A dog snowsuit and a dog raincoat will protect her from cold and snow when he is outdoors.

Here are some facts that you should know about your pet:

• It is true that dog’s hair protect them from cold. But not all the time. In periods of extreme temperature your dog will still feel the cold. This will make them vulnerable to catching cold and chills and worst hypothermia. So you should take extra precautions during cold season especially winter. A holiday dog sweater will be a wise present to keep him warm indoor.

• Not all breed of dogs are gifted with thick fur. Some breeds are born with less hair and this makes them feel cold easily compared to those with thick hair.

• Small breed of dogs get cold easily compared to large breeds. Because small breeds have lesser body fat, they are also vulnerable to cold. Examples of this breed are Chihuahua and miniature Poodle. These kinds of dogs really love to curl themselves on your sofa or prefer to lie by your side to keep themselves warm.

If your dog falls into one of these categories, then you should consider buying him a holiday pet clothing that will keep him warm. There are plenty of designs that you can choose from but make sure that your choice is made of the appropriate fabric. Holiday dog clothing made of fleece will be enough to provide your pet the extra warmth he needs.