Say “Happy Birthday” with the Best Gifts for Kids in 2011!

“What does he want for his birthday?” It ‘s the question du jour – it comes back with the R.S.V.P. Lt’s face it – trying to buy kids birthday presents is like playing roulette; sometimes you hit the jackpot, and sometimes your gift gets discarded while the “Thank-Yous” are being given out. Kids aren’t necessarily rude – they’re fickle, and when they get a dozen gifts to choose from, there’s room to be picky. So how do you guarantees that your gift doesn’t end up on the floor? Take a peek at the Top 5 Kids’ birthday gifts for 2011 and your gift just might be the hit of the party!

1.       Playmobil: This German toy company has combine educational toys with the best imaginative and realistic play sets that any kid could ask for. Playmobil sets start at only about three to four dollars and are appropriate for ages 1 and up. The sets say up to age 5, but there are a lot of seven and eight year olds that still can’t put them down. Children can play with knights and dragons, Pharaohs and Mummies or play house with a traditional family set. You name it, Playmobil has it… and if they don’t they will soon! These toys fit every interest and are such high quality that they can be passed down from generation to generation (if you can keep all of the pieces together!)

2.       Building Sets: Building sets come in all shapes and sizes and can always keep kids entertained. Whether they prefer the basic wooden blocks or traditional sets (Lincoln Logs are still extremely popular) or the slightly more advanced and more expensive LEGO versions, building sets allow kids to create their own worlds and build their own forts, and they’re appropriate for all ages.

3.       Arts and Crafts and Science Experiments: After about the age of 8 years, it’s hard to buy the right gift. Luckily, many toy stores stock unique and inexpensive arts and crafts selections or science experiments for older kids too. Get the birthday boy or girl a “How to Sew” or crocheting set; or how about a “Build and Paint your own Birdhouse”? Simply find out what kinds of interests the kids have and you’ll find a craft for it. Science experiments range from “make your own slime” to “make your own gum “– the fun could be endless! The best part is that most of the sets are under $30.

4.       Books: Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. Books may not sound like an exciting gift, but books are not what they used to be. Try board books for little ones who still like to chew on everything, and chapter book sets for older kids who enjoy a longer read. And for those in between, there are many Explorer books, Knight Books and Princess type stores that offer insights into the real histories behind the fairy-tales. Kids are inquisitive and love to learn about their favourite subjects – don’t rule out educational gifts.

5.       Gift Cards: If you just don’t know what to get that kid, why not try a gift card? Gift Cards are often touted as impersonal or “lazy” gifts, but with all of the choices out there, they can be a truly wonderful and fun option. Give the birthday child a Gift Card to the local toy store or specialized boutique and let them have their own shopping adventure. Or how about a gift Card for music downloads or the nearest movie theatre? (Their parents will thank you too…)

Don’t despair when you get the birthday invitation; be imaginative and tailor the birthday child’s gift to his or her personality and do it inexpensively. Birthdays are supposed to be fun, for everyone – buying the gift is only the beginning.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is a mom of two and is currently researching educational toys in Edmonton and toy stores in Canada.

Trying to Sell a House with an Ex: 7 Tips for a Speedy Sale

Divorce and separation is not an ideal situation for any couple or family, especially when there is a home involved. The best type of separation you can hope and strive for is an amicable one that does not involve too much legal input; a straight split down the middle is usually the outcome of a home sale in this case. And a quick sale is coveted but can be hard to achieve if a couple doesn’t follow some basic home sale tips when trying to sell a house with their ex.

Tip 1: Find the Right Realtor. Ask around for referral for a real estate agent that specializes in divorce home sales or selling houses fast. There are some realtors who specialize in this type of situation and can be wonderful assets to couples who need that extra bit of expertise. Trust in their home sale tips and your house will be sure sell faster.

Tip 2: Have All Your Ducks in a Row. Make sure that the belongings and assets have been separated and legal counsel has been consulted before the house is sold. These types of negotiations can become heated and are best handled before the final paperwork is signed. Also, sell the house before the divorce becomes finalized as that way regardless of any changes in heart, the money is guaranteed to be divided equally.

Tip 3: Focus on the Future. Even though letting go of your family home is an emotional time, try to look forward to the future and the positive outcome of the situation. Remove personal belongings and make the home as neutral as possible. New families or couples don’t walk into a dwelling stacked with reminders of an unhappy marriage.

Tip 4: Stay Cool, Calm and Collected. Don’t give into anger, pettiness and emotion when trying to sell property with your ex. Emotional reactions can cause rash decisions that you might regret at a later date. I think we all remember the War of the Roses – an extreme situation that hopefully most couples can remain distanced from.

Tip 5: Price to Sell: Houses should be priced comparably to neighbourhood houses, and if you’re hoping for  a quick sale (as most separated couples are) talk to your realtor about pricing to sell your house fast. Id time is of the essence, price can make all the difference.

Tip 6: Beware of the Lowball. Besides keeping your sanity, this is another great reason to keep emotions in check. There are certain people out there who will try to lowball sellers that are in emotional distress. Keeping your feelings out of the sale process may help you get a better price.

Tip 7: Shake Hands and Call it a Day. When the dust has cleared, the papers are signed and the money has been divided, make it easier on yourself your family and your ex but sticking to the original agreement and walking away with your head help high. The situation is hard enough without backtracking and backbiting.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. Lilly Gordon is a freelance author and web publisher. She is currently researching how to sell a house in Edmonton, and the Canadian Real Estate Market.

Help Me Sell My House!

Selling a home is always filled with trials and tribulations. Sometimes the stress is at the outset; divorce, death and separation can be a stressful time and often the decision to sell is mad for you. Sometimes people sell to due to expanding families, or cash flow. Whatever the reason, selling a home can be filled with anxiety … but it doesn’t have to be a perilous journey. There are 7 simple steps to take you from anxious to relieved, as quickly as possible.

1. Trust Your Realtor. Your real estate agent is there to help you sell as quickly and for the most money possible. Listen to what they have to say about pricing and comparable neighbourhood pricing – don’t let your ego do the talking on this one. Also, let him or her give the tours – don’t stick around for viewings or open houses. And be sure to take the agent’s advice when staging your furniture or making the best of your space – they are professionals after all and you don’t want hurt feelings to compromise the sale of your house.  Above all –be honest about problems your house has had in the past; this will allow the agent to answer questions quickly, truthfully and with the best attitude possible.
   
2. “Spring Clean”, even if it’s September! Before one prospective buyer walks through that door, clean like you’ve never cleaned before – inside AND out. All of the yard work you would typically do in the spring, do it now. Prune, mow, sweep and weed. If there’s snow on the ground, shovel. Hose down the windows and the walk – the outside of your home makes a huge impression as to whether people will come in and stay or duck their heads and keep on going.
   
   After clearing the outdoors, sanitize your space. Dust all of the areas you haven’t gotten to in a while, vacuum and scrub. Many buyers leave viewings simply because bathrooms look dirty or kitchens look less than appetizing. This is the time to make your house sparkle. A full cleaning should be done before every viewing, if possible.
   
3. Depersonalize and Detach. Start your journey before the “SOLD” sign is up – emotionally detach from your current house and remove personalized items. Family photos can be packed, as can the “Bless this Mess” sign hanging in the hall. Remember that you have probably had sufficient time to customize your home – now is the time to de-customize so visitors can envision their own style taking over.
   
4. Freshen Up. Every house could use a fresh coat of paint before newcomers venture in. Try to paint the walls a neutral colour and make things light and airy. If there are any little fixes that can be made (small holes in the wall, dripping faucets, stains in the carpet, etc.) try and do the best you can without spending too much dough. The new owners will probably change the things that need changing after the fact.
   
5. Store Your Clutter Off Site. Most people accumulate clutter at some point. Whether it’s in a closet, drawer (or three), or toy boxes, make sure to pack it up and ship it out before people start moseying through. De-cluttering will make your house look bigger and more streamlined.
   
6. Fur is Murder… For the Sale. Fido, Snowball and harry the Hamster may be members of your family – there’s no disputing that – but they are not good sales points for your realtor. Animals are stinky, they shed and, well, leave little “surprises” all over the yard and sometimes the house. While you may love their habits and quirks, it’s doubtful that anyone else will. Before any showings, remove any sign of your animal and de-scent the house. Litter boxes and pooper-scoopers can be can be hidden, the yard should be free of debris, and cages can be transported to a friend or relative’s house (or at least freshened and cleaned.) If your dog has to be in the home, make sure he or she is in his / her kennel as dogs can get nervous or overly excited when strangers come through.
   
7. Self-Promote! Your realtor may be a whiz, but with the market the way it is lately, it’s always a good idea to put the buzz out about your abode. Social Media sites like Facebook, Youtube and local listing sites like eBay and Kijiji are great places to post pictures, videos and details about your house. Most modern realtors will offer this service, but you can always use your friends and family to help you out as well. If you are taking your own photos, be sure to take them on a bright, sunny afternoon (after your big cleanup) so people can see the home in its best light.

Take a deep breath and get out the Mr. Clean… It’s time to sell a house – fast!

Lilly Gordon is a freelance author and web publisher. She is currently researching how to sell a house in Edmonton, and the Canadian Real Estate Market.

Small Space Solution: Container Vegetable Gardening

If you live in an apartment, condo or your backyard simply doesn’t have enough space, container vegetable gardening may be the solution for you. Everyone can have their own vegetable garden, even those of us with balconies instead of yards. Even those who do have the space turn to container gardening for many reasons.

Advantages of Container Gardening
Container gardening allows for a lesser instance of plant disease and root rot if done properly, as well as virtually eliminating weed infestation. It also gives you heightened control over moisture and sun exposure. Because you can move your container anywhere you choose, you can correct sun exposure on extremely hot and dry days by simply relocating your garden.

How to Start Your Container Garden
First, you’ll need to decide what you’ll be growing in your small space. If you’ve decided on herbs or vegetables, choose something that you like to eat frequently and that will work with the amount of space you have available.

After you’ve chosen your veggies, you can decide on the type of container that will best suit your gardening needs. There are many different types of containers: planter boxes, large plastic pots, hanging baskets, growbags, barrels, etc.  Here are some important factors to consider:

·         If you are growing root vegetables like potatoes or carrots, you will need a very deep container.

·         Wood containers may rot unless you use a more expensive wood like cedar. Do not use treated wood as the chemical will leech into your yummy veggies.

·         Plastic containers can break down pretty quickly due to the constant barrage of water, UV rays and fertilizer.

·         Clay pots tend to dry out very quickly as they are extremely porous and absorb water.

Whichever container you purchase from the green house should allow for drainage; if there are no holes, be sure to drill some that are about ½” across and then layer a bit of newspaper or landscaping cloth on the bottom before you start planting. This will keep soil in while allowing excess water to escape. Also, your container should have a nice wide opening – narrow openings are not conducicve to proper aeration or easy harvesting.

Care for Your Container Garden
Depending on which vegetables you have chosen, pick the location that’s best for proper sun exposure on a normal basis. As stated before, you can move your container if absolutely necessary but you won’t want to do that all the time. The soil you choose for planting must contain an even mixture of peat moss, soil, sand and compost. Before you fill your container, wash it with a biodegradable or natural cleaning agent, rinse, drain completely and then dry it. After the initial planting, be sure to water your new garden on a regular basis and fertilize each time you water. (Container gardens often need a bit more watering than an in-ground garden simply because of the efficient drainage system.) Be careful not to use chemical fertilizers, but rather natural means such as manure. It is usually readily available at your local greenhouse and will ensure excellent plant growth.

No matter how small the space you too can have your own delicious, convenient and weed-free vegetable garden.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is currently researching Edmonton Greenhouses.

Call the Job Recruitment Agency! Canada’s 5 Hottest Careers

Are you scratching your head wondering what to do with your life? Are you looking for a career that not only challenges you but also helps you get the salary you have been dreaming of? A lot of people enter college or university without researching the salaries, number of jobs available or training required for their desired career. You definitely have to have an interest in the field you’re studying in, but if the jobs aren’t available and the money just isn’t there, you may be flat broke and beginning a career search that seems like it will never end! What about taking a look at the careers that offer decent salaries, interesting opportunities and a ton of job openings? Take a look at the hottest jobs flooding the local recruitment agency and then choose your new career.

Hottest Jobs in Canada:

Pharmacist / Pharmacy Tech

Because of the aging baby boomer population and the growing need for enhanced healthcare and medical treatments, the pharmacy field is booming. Pharmacists measure and dispense medication, so attention to detail is key, as well as an interest and passion for chemistry and science. Pharmacists need an average of 6-9 years of schooling at a University and have to obtain a degree. Pharmacy Techs, on the other hand have slightly less schooling (about 2-4 years depending on your location) and lower tuition fees as a result. Pharmacy jobs are available at community drugstores, hospitals, government; many pharmacists are self-employed, choosing to own their own dispensaries. Pharmacists usually earn around $80,000 per year while Pharmacy Techs take home about $30K. 

Computers, Telecommunications and Internet

Computers, computers, computers! It’s all about computers. There are literally dozens and dozens of different fields within these industries that are filling up job boards across the nation. Three are so many types of positions to choose from, anyone could satisfy their tech itch. From I.T., Digital Communications, Web Developers, Analysts, Programmers… the list never ends. Computers, telecommunications and internet are so prevalent in our lives that the demand for people to fill job openings in these fields is huge. The college time is minimal – on average 2 years in a diploma program – as is the tuition. The average salaries for these jobs can range anywhere from $35,000 - $65,000 per year depending on your employer and job duties.

Finance

If you love money, this industry is for you! Job openings in this field include: Financial Managers, Accountants, Bank Managers, etc. Whether you like to count money, manage money or save money, after 2-4 years of education, you very well may be rolling in it. Salaries in this are range anywhere from $24K (bank teller – no post-secondary required) to well upwards of $100,000 per year for Financial and Bank Managers. If you want to climb, this is also a great industry for writing your own pay-cheque as long as you are prepared to continually upgrade your training and education.

Dentistry

Dentists and Dental Hygienists are in high demand due in part to an aging population and also to the heightened interest in cosmetic dentistry. If you’re a keener, 8 years and over a hundred thousand dollars in tuition will give you the title of “Dentist”. If you’re looking for a faster route, Hygienist diploma programs generally take two years of your life, and then you’re free and clear to start earning your $50K - $80K per year. (As opposed to the $80K - $120K that your superiors will be pulling in.) Dentists and Hygienists need a passion for teeth and people.

Skilled Trades

If you’re not that into sitting lab coats or teeth, this may be the career choice for you! Pulling in anywhere from $30,000 - $100,000 per year the Skilled Trades industry is in search of some dedicated people to help meet the high demand for Construction, Service, Automotive and Industrial Trades people. After attending a skilled trades school or college (usually for 2 years) the job possibilities are endless. Broaden your view of the trades world and think Chef, Early Childhood Development, Lab Tech, etc.

Before you pick out your career take a good look at the list above – the more job openings there are in a field, the better you chance you have of determining your own career path and your pay cheque. Take the recruitment agency by storm and take control of the hot job in your future!

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is currently researching the job market in Canada and job recruitment agencies.