This Mother's Day -- Give The Gift Of
Fitness.
by Lynn Bode
Do you know a Mom that deserves a special gift this
year for Mother’s Day? I’m sure you know at least one,
if not more. Sure, flowers can always brighten a Mom’s
day and a dinner out is always appreciated. But,
doesn’t she deserve something more personal, something
that won’t wilt and something that lasts longer than
an evening? This year give that special woman a gift
that will improve her well being.
I’m talking about the gift of fitness. Improved
fitness is a gift that is invaluable to everyone.
After all, what woman doesn’t want to look better,
have more energy, and be healthier? Plus, all Moms
need to take time for themselves, but most are
reluctant to schedule that “me” time. So, give them a
gift that will help encourage them to enjoy some alone
time .
When you give a woman the gift of fitness, you are
helping her open a door to better health (both
physically and mentally). I can’t think of a more
thoughtful gift that shows the recipient how much you
care about their well being. By giving the gift of
fitness you are providing them with unlimited health
benefits. And, it’s a gift that you can truly feel
proud to give.
Of course, we all know that exercise can help people
stay slim and fit. But, do you also know about all the
other great benefits of exercising? Daily physical
activity reduces stress and can help you sleep better.
Fitness has been linked to reducing the risk of some
diseases and to warding off depression. Researchers
also believe that strength training can help prevent
osteoporosis. Not to mention that exercise also
improves self-esteem, increases stamina and ultimately
helps you be able to do continuous work for longer.
All Moms would find these fitness benefits incredibly
invaluable. If she is like most of us, she’s probably
even mentioned how she would like to drop a few pounds
or just get in better shape. In fact, experts say that
about 62% of Americans are currently on a diet. By
giving the gift of fitness you are helping provide her
with extra motivation (which is one of the biggest
obstacles in getting fit). She may be more motivated
to actually get fit because she doesn’t want to feel
guilty for ignoring such a thoughtful gift (personal
training gift certificates and gym memberships are
especially good for helping with motivation).
While fitness gifts are incredibly valuable, they
don’t have to be expensive. Gifts can cost as little
as $5 or range into the $100s of dollars. Here are a
few suggestions in the various price ranges:
Under $15: Resistance Band Dumbbells Jump Rope
Exercise Mat
$15 - $35 Fitness Ball Online Personal Training
Program (custom designed for the gift recipient) Home
Exercise Video Heart Rate Monitor
Over $35 Full dumbbell and barbell set Treadmill
Bicycle Yoga Kit
Giving something that supports health and wellness
will be appreciated for years to come and may even
turn someone's life around. The gift of fitness will
make her feel special – she’ll know that someone cared
enough to give her the opportunity to improve her
health. And, giving a gift that will help someone lead
a healthier life is also one of the most rewarding
gifts you can give. So why spend another Mother’s Day
searching for the perfect gift only to end up with the
same old things? Surprise her this year and give the
gift that comes from the heart and truly keeps on
giving throughout summer and beyond.
Want to enjoy the benefits of improved fitness for
yourself? There’s no need to wait for someone to give
you the gift of fitness. Treat yourself to a special
fitness gift – you deserve it!
Written by Lynn Bode, founder of
WorkoutsForYou.com. Workouts For You provides
affordable online exercise programs to help even the
busiest of Moms lose weight, tone-up, build muscles,
increase stamina and more via the Internet. Get fit
either at or away from home. Let our certified trainer
guide you one-on-one through your fitness journey.
Visit:
www.workoutsforyou.com for a free sample workout.
info@workoutsforyou.com
German Gift -- Make The Right
Decision.
by Marcus Hochstadt
The Right German Gift Is Often Something Different
Than A Flower Or A Bottle Of Wine. Read On To Find
Out.
The most given German gifts are flowers for women an a
bottle of wine for men. But you could do better.
A bottle of wine, unless it is 50 years old, will be
drunk at one of the next evenings. And the flowers a
woman gets are withered in a couple of days.
Here is what I would do instead. And that will
fascinate both, women and men.
==> Bring something with you that is from your country
or represents the culture of your home in particular.
Now back to the flowers and the wine bottle.
If these flowers are so unique and last for a long
time, means that it is a plant, than it is a good
German gift. And if the wine is a few decades old so
that your recipient won't empty that bottle unless you
come back and you both celebrate a big deal (or
something else extraordinary), that bottle will get
the best place in his house, and he will show every
guest this German gift he got from his friend. He even
will remember the day and the reason he got it for.
And this is my point here. Your friend, whom you give
that gift, has to feel special that it brings tears in
her/his eyes. Your gift has to be so unique that your
friend makes everything possible to get a special
place in her/his house for that German gift.
A friend of mine from South-Africa, when she visited
me the other day, she brought a brown South-African
tribal mask, which looks pretty scaring and amusing at
the same time.
She brought it for my mom, and it has still its unique
place in her home. Everybody who hasn't seen it before
ask her what it is and from whom she got such a
unique, historical and picturesque gift. Some even
asked if she bought it on an auction (no, not ebay, a
place such as "Christies") and how much my mother paid
for it.
The point is not how much it costs. The South-African
mask does not cost very much, even for them. The point
is the feelings you will tap by giving this.
So now I have a short checklist for you to focus on.
* Unique and Extraordinary -– If you get this gift at
each and every corner, better forget it.
* Cultural –- your gift has to represent your culture
and its history
You see, what you can cause with a gift that is
probably normal for you and your culture, but very
special for us here in Germany.
Marcus Hochstadt,
www.smart-travel-germany.com/ Marcus Hochstadt has
a high interest in helping you gain the delightful
form of a smart travel to and through Germany. Just
recently, he has written a special report on How to
Travel for Free! You can download it at
www.smart-travel-germany.com/freetravell
International Success Tips - Business
Meeting Gifts - Part 1.
by Kimberley Roberts
A gift is a social gesture that may be expected in
some countries, and could be considered a bribe in
others. Knowing the gift guidelines for the country
you’ll be visiting will help make your meeting a
success.
Preparing for a business meeting requires a working
knowledge of the information to be discussed or
presented, careful attention to all details on the
printed material to be distributed, and perhaps a
gift. This gift is a social gesture that may be
expected in some countries, and could be considered a
bribe in others. Knowing the gift guidelines for the
country you’ll be visiting will help make your meeting
a success.
Some multi-national companies and some governments
have very strict policies regarding their employees
accepting gifts. To avoid creating a problem, it’s
imperative you learn the policies for the companies
you do business with.
Countries like Malaysia and Paraguay, concerned with
corruption, frown upon any gift that could be
construed as a bribe. In Malaysia you wouldn’t give a
gift until you had established a relationship with the
person. In Singapore, government employees are not
allowed to accept gifts, and the United States limits
the acceptable dollar value to $25.
However, in some countries like Japan, Indonesia and
the Philippines, exchanging gifts is strongly rooted
in tradition. Part of the tradition is the gracious
style used to present and receive them. It’s important
to plan time and focus on the process.
It’s very important in Asia and the Middle East to
only use your right hand, or both hands, to offer or
accept a gift. In Japan and Hong Kong, use both hands.
In Singapore a recipient may “graciously refuse three
times” before accepting your gift. But in Chile, gifts
are accepted and opened immediately. And in Indonesia,
small gifts are given on a frequent basis.
Always be cognizant of religious laws when selecting
gifts. For instance, liquor and pork are prohibited in
the Jewish and Muslim religions, so you wouldn’t
select a gift made from pigskin. As in India, don’t
offer a gift made from cowhide.
A standard to keep in mind for any gift you select is
quality. Choose quality items that are not
ostentatious. If you have gifts with your company
logo, it’s better if the logo is discreet. And don’t
give company logo gifts in Greece, Spain and Portugal.
Hosting a meal at a nice restaurant is always a good
business practice. A fine dinner is a wonderful way to
give a “gift to your hosts”, to show your guests you
appreciate the business relationship you have with
them, and an opportunity to build rapport. People in
Brazil, England, Panama, and Peru enjoy being invited
guests for a meal, and the Greeks look forward to an
evening filled with dining. In China, plan a banquet,
especially if you are being honored with one.
Next month I’ll discuss gift giving in greater detail
by region and country, but following are some
highlights to use.
If a country isn’t listed in a category, it means
gifts may or may not be exchanged. Should you receive
a gift, and don’t have one to offer in return, you
will not create a crisis. However, this is a good
reason for planning to host a meal. It becomes your
reciprocal gesture.
Countries in which a gift is expected:
- Europe – Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Ukraine -
Latin American – Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica
- Pacific Rim – China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,
Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand
Countries in which a gift is not expected on the first
visit, but would be expected on a subsequent visit:
- Europe – Portugal, Spain
- Latin American – Brazil, Chile, Guatemala,
Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Venezuela
- Pacific Rim – Malaysia, Singapore
- Scandinavia – Finland, Norway
Countries in which a gift is not expected, or gifts
are infrequent exchanged:
- Africa
- Australia
- Europe - England, France, Hungary, Italy
- Latin America - Uruguay
- Scandinavia – Denmark
- Middle East – Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
- United States
Kimberley Roberts has conducted hundreds of seminars
and helped thousands of women and men find more
self-assurance and confidence, creating greater
success in their lives. Her simple but powerful ABCs
of Success can help a person get more of what they
want. Kimberley also writes articles for international
business women and men on etiquette and manners for
countries throughout the world.
|
