Category: Holidays Page 10 of 14

Stories about the occasions that matter most.

What’s The Best Thing About Being Single?

On November 8, 2018

Who says being single is only about pining for a significant other? You don’t need anyone to complete your life—just ask these fine folks:

“What I love about being single is that I can spend more money on things I love, on my own terms! Dining out and buying gifts for each other can really dent your wallet, and being single lets me invest my hard-earned cash on the things I really want, like concert tickets to see my favorite band.” – Bea, 23

“I’m currently in med school, and I barely have enough time to sleep, much less to date around. I think I’ll only stand a chance if I go out with someone who’s in the same field and who understands the struggle. But I don’t mind—at least I’m 100 percent focused on my studies. My future girlfriend can wait!” – Carlos, 25

“One of the best things I did when I was still single was to go on a seven-week solo backpacking trip across six countries. It forced me to get out of my shell and made me realize that I’m actually made of sterner stuff than I previously thought. Sure, traveling with a significant other is fun, but I think it’ll be impossible to replicate the exhilarating feeling of going on an adventure alone.” – Katy, 27

“Being single means having the absolute freedom to do the things you enjoy. I love traveling, and I like that I can go anywhere on the spur of the moment without worrying about a significant other waiting back home.” – Gerome, 32

“For me, being single is the best time to work on improving and loving yourself. Think of you and your significant other as a cube divided into two triangles—you complete each other, but you should also be able to stand alone.” – Gina, 28

“I like not having to deal with the drama that crops up in every relationship. No secrets, no quarrels, no overly clingy partners, no fits of irrational jealousy. Bliss.” – Philip, 30

This Single’s Day, join Nixplay in saying #ILoveMe! Get up to 35 percent off a new Nixplay Frame for your favorite memories, only until November 15!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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5 Great Ways To Celebrate Single’s Day (No Matter Your Relationship Status)

By Mars Salazar

On November 5, 2018

In Holidays

Single’s Day—11/11—is coming up, and you don’t have to be a solo flyer to celebrate this event. Here’s how you can commemorate the holiday, regardless of your relationship status.

1. Go on (or set up) a blind date.

To our single readers out there: If you’re still undecided about going on that blind date your pals have been offering to set you up on, we’re here to tell you to go for it. Don’t set your expectations too high, focus on having a great time, and you might just end up pleasantly surprised. And if you’re happily coupled up, use this opportunity to bring together two friends who you think would be perfect for each other. Who knows, your matchmaking skills might be on point!

2. Dine alone.

The mere thought of dining alone can make a lot of people uneasy. If you can relate, well, it’s high time you quash your fears! Get a table for one at your favorite restaurant, savor every bite of your meal, and use your me-time to observe your surroundings or do some light reading.

3. Treat yourself!

Celebrate Single’s Day in the best way possible: By treating yourself! It doesn’t have to be a major splurge—whether it’s a cupcake from your favorite bakery or the pair of sneakers you’ve been eyeing for a long time, the important thing is that your purchase brings you joy.

Take advantage of Nixplay’s Single’s Day Offer and get up to 35 percent off a new Nixplay Frame so you can display your happiest memories, only until November 15! #ILoveMe

4. Live by the rule of 1.

The Chinese celebrate Single’s Day by only using things that have the number 1 or are shaped like the number 1. If you’re part Chinese, you can join the fun by eating deep-fried dough sticks and exchanging stick-shaped presents like toothpicks or pencils.

5. Have a spa day.

Single’s Day is the best day to treat yourself to some quality me-time at the spa. You don’t need anyone with you when you’re getting a massage, after all! While you’re at it, why not get a haircut or a manicure as well?

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

8 Easy, Witty Halloween Costume Ideas

By Mars Salazar

On October 30, 2018

In Holidays

Falling behind with your Halloween preparations this year? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are some easy adult Halloween costume ideas you can create in a jiffy on the day of your party.

Need something for your kids, too? Check out our last-minute Halloween costume ideas for children!

Twin Up With This Dancing Emoji Costume

Grab your best friend, pick up a pair of bunny ears, and dress in black for a couple’s costume that’s truly symbolic of your friendship.

Have A Taste Of This Quick-Thinking Breadwinner Costume

If you’re busy hustlin’ and bustlin’, you’ve probably got no time to stitch up a spectacular costume for your party. Don’t worry though—your true friends will understand. But if you really need a costume, here’s an easy one you can pull together in less than five minutes. It doesn’t hurt that you can eat the bread when the party’s done, either!

Put A Fun Twist On A Basic Hawaiian Costume

Want to go as your favorite childhood drink, but don’t have time to take on an arts and crafts project? Get a hula skirt, a lei, and a pair of boxing gloves together and dress up as Hawaiian Punch!

Try Something Different With This Ingenious Identity Thief Costume

Dress in black, don a mask, and get people to write their names on name tags that they can stick on all over your shirt. No one wants to be a victim of identity theft, but we guarantee they’ll gladly hand over their names (and maybe even their numbers…) to help create this witty Halloween costume.

Go Wild and Dress Up In A Party Animal Costume

This one’s both easy and entertaining—perfect for that Halloween party you totally forgot about. Just dress up in your fanciest threads and sip on some bubbly all night long while rocking a face mask of your favorite animal. If you find your outfit too formal for the occasion, simply tone it down by making animal sounds all night long.

Stay Warm With This Pig In A Blanket Costume

Trick (or treat) your friends into thinking you didn’t forget about their Halloween party with this last-minute costume idea. This one is easy and practical—because you won’t be caught shivering in the cool autumn breeze if you’re toting a blanket. Talk about a prize-winning outfit!

Serve Some Laughs With This Delivery Boy Costume

Make an entrance and be everyone’s favorite party guest by dressing up as a pizza delivery boy! Just make sure your box actually has pizza in it (but it better not have pineapples!).

Dress Cool In An Ice Cream Cone Costume

Not into pizza? How about dressing as an ice cream cone? Don a frothy white frock and a brown cone hat, and add some sprinkles by sticking brightly colored bits of paper all over your dress.

Don’t forget to take lots of pictures of your easy Halloween costume! Display them on your Nixplay frame so you’ll always have your favorite memories of the holiday at your fingertips. Don’t have a Nixplay frame yet? Shop online today! No tricks, all treats—just the way it should be.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

nixplay blog halloween celebrations picture perfect ways to celebrate halloween

7 Picture-Perfect Ways To Celebrate Halloween

By Mars Salazar

On October 25, 2018

In Holidays

Halloween’s almost here: The one date on the calendar when you can literally be anything you want to be, whether that’s a princess, a ghoul, a unicorn, or your favorite cartoon character. with everyone bringing their creative A-game, not having a camera during this occasion is a major no-no. Below, we list some of the most picture-perfect events of the season. Read on!

1. Throw a Halloween party

Why wait for an invite to a party when you can throw your own bash? Decorate your home in orange and black (plus some spiderwebs), mix up some bloody good drinks, and cook some scary-looking treats to get your friends and family in the mood for a killer time.

2. Go trick-or-treating

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without some trick-or-treating! Gather the kids, dress them up in their favorite costumes, and brace yourself for a spooktacular night of candy collecting.

3. Dress up your pet

You may have planned your Halloween ensemble months in advance, but have you considered also decking out your cat or dog in its own costume? Your fur baby will be absolutely adorable dressed up as a hot dog bun, don’t you think?

4. Go all out with the pumpkins

Nothing spells Halloween like a generous sprinkling of pumpkins! Visit a pumpkin patch with the kids, and take home a few to carve. Take photos of your jack-o’-lanterns and display them on your Nixplay Frame (Psst: You can get up to 20% off until November 4!).

5. Celebrate out of town

This year, why not celebrate Halloween in a different city or country for a change of scenery? It’ll be fun to see how different cultures celebrate the holiday. Here are some places for your consideration!

6. Visit a haunted house

What’s Halloween without a good scarefest? Make your way to a haunted house and try to get through all the rooms without screaming. Extra points if you dare visit in the evening!

7. Visit an amusement park

For screams and thrills of another kind, a trip to a nearby amusement park would suffice. Some parks, like Disneyland and Universal Studios, go all out during Halloween with special themed events like haunted houses, special concerts, and zombie runs.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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5 Spooktacular Places For A Picture-Perfect Halloween

By Mars Salazar

On October 19, 2018

In Holidays

Still deciding on where to celebrate this Halloween? This handy guide should get you started.

Tokyo, Japan

Photo by Cat Fish Club / CC BY 2.1 JP

Halloween in Japan is a vibrant spectacle, with several celebrations across the country. Tokyo’s Kawasaki Halloween Parade, where you can march through the streets dressed in the most elaborate costumes, is the biggest of them all. If you’re in the city on the last weekend of October, don’t miss it!

Oaxaca, Mexico

Photo by Eduardo Robles Pacheco / CC BY 2.0

The Mexican city of Oaxaca celebrates Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 1 and 2. It’s not the rambunctious, spooky festival most people associate Halloween with. Rather, it’s a 3,000-year-old tradition of paying tribute to loved ones who have passed away, marked by cemetery visits and overflowing food and drinks.

Transylvania, Romania

Photo by Todor Bozhinov / CC BY-SA 4.0

Transylvania is the location of Dracula, probably the most famous vampire tale in history. It’s a fitting setting with its dense forests and medieval castles, one of which was the home of Vlad the Impaler, one of the most notorious monarchs of the Ottoman empire. What better place to celebrate the most haunted day of the calendar than the hometown of the man Dracula was based on?

Corinaldo, Italy

Corinaldo is a well-preserved medieval town located in Italy’s Le Marche region. It’s a lovely place to visit, with its churches, museums, and historical buildings. But every October, this charming locale becomes the “Italian capital of horror,” marking the holiday with the annual Feast of the Witches carnival.

Salem, Massachusetts

Photo by Robert Linsdell / CC BY 2.0

Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of US history (or anyone immersed in pop culture) knows that the town of Salem in Massachusetts is one of the best places in the country to celebrate a goosebump-inducing Halloween. Step back into the past to visit the city’s haunted houses and historical attractions, then ramp up your celebration in the evening by attending one of the many parties and activities in the city.

Wherever you end up this Halloween, don’t forget to take lots of photos and display them on your Nixplay Frame! Take advantage of our Halloween offer and get up to 20% off all Nixplay 13-inch frames, only until November 4. Don’t miss out on the Halloween fun!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.