Category: Holidays Page 9 of 14

Stories about the occasions that matter most.

5 Date Ideas For Valentine’s Day

On February 6, 2019

Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few days, and we’re beyond excited. We love celebrating love. To us, it’s not just a saccharine hallmark holiday, but an excuse to show those near and dear to us how much we appreciate their presence in our lives.

If you haven’t made any plans for V-day, fear not: We’re here to help. The best part is that you don’t have to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day. As long as you’re capable of loving, then you’ve got a reason to revel in romance. Here are some ~*date ideas*~ you can try with the people you love on the 14th.

With your significant other

For those in a happy relationship, a Valentine’s Day celebration wouldn’t be complete without a little fanfare. And while a fancy dinner, complete with wine, flowers, and sweets, is par for the course on the holiday, going the sentimental route wouldn’t hurt either!

Surprise your S.O. by recreating your first date. Book the same place, order the same food (or go for the dish you wish you tried), and play songs that speak to your hearts. Trust us—they’ll swoon.

With your parents

Your parents—your first loves—deserve all the best, especially on Valentine’s Day. Spoil them by serving their favorite breakfast in bed, and let them enjoy the day by doing their chores (or get someone to do it for them). You can also spoil them with a day at the spa for some well-deserved pampering. Don’t forget to surprise mom with a lush bouquet of her favorite flowers!

With your kids

Time goes by so fast these days, and before you know it, your kids will be all grown up and leaving the nest. Relish each moment you can spend with your little ones, and take every chance to create fond memories with them. Take them out to the park for a fun afternoon—prepare a picnic, bring a kite, and enjoy the sunshine. Don’t forget to take lots of photos to display on your Nixplay Frame—you can get the Nixplay Iris at 25 percent off, only until February 14!

With your best friends

Celebrate V-Day with your closest pals, the ones who have stood by your side through thick and thin! Plan a night in with your all-time favorite movies, food, and drinks (VERY important!), and spend the day reminiscing on the good old days. Got more cash to spare? Plan a trip to a destination you’ve always wanted to visit. Wouldn’t that be so much fun?

With yourself

You can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day without showing love to the person who needs it most: Yourself. You have to learn to love yourself, flaws and all, before you can love others. So go ahead and spoil yourself a little on the 14th: treat yourself to your favorite pastry, get that thing you’ve been eyeing for a long time, book a massage. Trust us: You totally deserve it.

19 New Year Resolutions For 2019

By Mars Salazar

On January 1, 2019

In Holidays

The new year is the perfect time to get rid of bad habits and start better ones. We’re sure you’ve made new year resolutions in the past, but were you able to keep them all?

Sometimes, the key is to start small. Focus on accomplishing realistic, achievable goals, and gradually work your way up. Start with these 19 resolutions.

1. Be kinder. Not just to others, but also to yourself.

2. Be smarter with your money. Instead of splurging on new clothes or treating yourself to fancy drinks every day, invest it in mutual funds or bonds, buy insurance, or use the cash to finance that short course you’ve always wanted to take. Speaking of courses you want to take…

3. Learn a new skill. Take painting lessons, enroll in a cooking course, maybe study how to code. It’s always great to invest in yourself, and it’s never too late to learn something new.

4. Be more understanding. We’re all going through our own struggles, and a little empathy in this day and age goes a long way.

5. Get more exercise. Walk more often. Take a yoga class with your friends. Go for a jog at the park. A little extra cardio never hurt anyone!

6. Read more. Aim to read at least one book each month. The books you choose should be relevant to your life and should help you become a better, wiser person. Make every word you read count.

7. Face your fears. The beauty of life lies in taking risks and leaping into the unknown. What’s the worst that could happen, anyway?

7. Lessen your sugar intake. It’ll do wonders for your health.

8. Go outside more often. Spend more time in the park near your apartment or the woods in your backyard. Go for a hike one weekend. Drive to the beach and bask in the sunshine. Enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature while you still can.

10. Go somewhere you have never been to. It doesn’t have to be an exotic foreign destination: You can simply visit a museum in town that just opened or drive to a town nearby. Stay curious and explore as much of the world as you could.

11. Be happy at your job. Or find a new job if you’re not happy where you are. And remember: A high salary doesn’t always guarantee that you’ll be fulfilled by what you’re doing.

12. Take better care of your skin. Wash your face every evening. Moisturize. And most importantly, use sunscreen daily—it helps keeps fine lines (and skin cancer) at bay.

13. Go for a checkup. Prevention is always better and cheaper than cure.

14. Reconnect with old friends. Give them a call if you’re in the area and set aside time for a quick catch-up.

15. Do volunteer work. Philanthropy will do wonders for your heart and soul.

16. Get more sleep.

17. Spend less time on your gadgets. The world’s too pretty to spend your days hunched down on your phone or computer.

18. Be more grateful and content.

19. Give your family a call every now and then. Better yet, share your milestones with each other using a Nixplay frame!

Happy new year, Nixplay family! Cheers to new beginnings and a brand new you! 🎉

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 Of The Best Black Friday Deals Online

By Mars Salazar

On November 23, 2018

In Holidays

If you’ve ever ventured into a department store or a mall on a Black Friday, you’ve probably…

1) Pushed, shoved, or fought your way through a sea of customers
2) Waited in line at the cashier for an ungodly amount of time
3) Dealt with stressed salespeople who just cannot wait for the day to end
4) Encountered erstwhile peaceful shoppers that lose all sense of morality at the prospect of getting a new TV at 70 percent off

Indeed, Black Friday can get crazy. That’s why our Black Friday strategy is to stay in and do all our shopping online instead. It can still get chaotic, sure, but at least you can comfortably navigate the online shopping wilderness in bed, clad in your comfiest pajamas. To help you start your search, we’ve rounded up some of the nicest deals we’ve found online. You’re welcome!

1. R2-D2 App-Enabled Droid, $39.99 (from $99.99)

Feel like you’re in a galaxy far, far away with your very own droid! From a galaxy far, far away, now in your very own home.

2. Box of 12 Sharpie Permanent Markers $7.56 (from $16.44)

No work desk or study table would be complete without a Sharpie! This box will ensure that you’ll always have a marker on hand should inspiration strike.

3. Napier “Classics” Boxed Gold tone and Yellow Bee Brooch, $9.99 (from $20)

To bee or not to bee? With this stylish entomological brooch, you’ll definitely make a fashionable buzz wherever you go.

4. Flents Quiet Please Ear Plugs (50 pairs), $8.06 (from $15.07)

There are some people who can fall asleep easily, whether they’re in bed, on a plane, or standing in a crowded train. For everyone else, these foam ear plugs should be able to help.

5. Cards Against Humanity card game, $18.75 (from $25)

Even the nicest people will find their inner horrible selves exposed in this fun party game.

6. AmazonBasics 6-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set, $17.41 (from 24.99)

Practice your baking skills this holiday season on this bakeware set! It’s got everything you need to churn out cookies, pies, cakes, muffins, and more.

7. Jabra Move Wireless Stereo Headphones, $49.99 (from 99.99)

Connect these wireless headphones to your phone via Bluetooth so you can listen to your favorite tunes and take calls on the go.

8. Nixplay Seed 10 inch Wi-Fi Cloud Frame, as low as $134.99 (from $179.99)

Of course, we have to mention that you can get a Nixplay Seed Frame for up to 25 percent off this Black Friday! Our pick from the Seed line: The Nixplay Seed 10 Inch Frame, which comes in four chic matte hues. We’d hurry and snap this up ASAP—the black version’s already sold out!

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.

4 Black Friday Shopping Tips You Should Know

By Mars Salazar

On November 19, 2018

In Holidays

Black Friday is almost here, which means that hordes of bargain-loving shoppers will be descending upon stores across the country, all hoping to secure an amazing bargain without receiving an injury in the process! If you’re looking to get the most out of this year’s deals, check out these Black Friday shopping tips.

1. See whether shops will match prices.

Competitive retailers will happily match prices on their Black Friday promotions, ensuring you get the best possible deal from their store. On the other hand, some stores may refund the difference if you complain about a drop in the price after you bought a product from them. Not all retailers will offer these deals, so find out who will and hold them accountable!

2. Do your research beforehand.

There is a wide range of web tools which can be used to check how much a product sells for at various locations and various times of the year. Before you walk into a store and check the Black Friday “deals”, look at how much the item you want is priced at other shops first. Some stores advertise “deals” yet price their “deals” as they normally would, or at least very close.

3. Don’t disregard lesser known brands.

Watching out for lesser known brands is one of the best Black Friday shopping tips we can give you! You may be able to score a good deal on less famous electronics brands that don’t scrimp of quality—they’ll make for great gifts for your loved ones, too. Check out all your options, compare product specs, and shop away!

4. Avoid brick and mortar shops!

We’re living in the digital age now. Why would you want to fight the crowds and wiggle through all the other shoppers, when you can stay home and shop online instead? After all, many of the best Black Friday deals are found in online stores like the Nixplay shop, where you can get up to 25 percent off the Nixplay Seed range!

Besides, the holidays should be a time for relaxing and enjoying yourself, not stressing out and exhaustedly jogging around a mall with 15 heavy shopping bags in tow. Shopping online means that you can compare deals much more quickly and easily, and you’re less likely to end up with an injury! Stay at home and go online instead!

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.

4 Small Things You Can Do To Honor Army Veterans

By Mars Salazar

On November 11, 2018

In Customer Testimonials, Holidays

This Veteran’s Day, it’s important to show our soldiers our support and appreciation, especially considering all the sacrifices they have made for our nation. Nixplay has partnered with MilitaryBridge, the premier online resource connecting military families with local businesses, to give military families 30 percent off a Nixplay Seed 10 Inch Frame until November 30 by using the promo code MB-VETERAN at checkout. We’re also raffling off three Nixplay Frames to deserving military families to honor their service.

Now, what can YOU do to help honor our loyal army veterans? Read on to learn some small acts of service that can go a long way.

Volunteer at a VA hospital

There are VA hospitals all over the U.S. that cater to the needs of military veterans who have served our country bravely. This is one of the best ways you can show your support to your local veterans. In the U.S., there are over 75,000 volunteers at VA hospitals across the country, contributing a total of 12 million volunteer hours. This saves VA hospitals more than $232 million every year.

Donate or send gifts to the VA

If you’re a bit pushed for time, considering donating cash or gifts to the VA instead. Money always helps to keep veterans’ lives running smoothly, especially if they were significantly injured in battle. The VA receives over $77 million in donations and gifts every year, so why not join in and let our veterans know how much you appreciate them?

Send care packages to deployed military personnel

Perhaps you know a veteran who has recently been deployed for duty once again. If so, official bodies such as military.com can provide you with many ideas of packages to send to someone who is deployed. Of course, there are certain limits as to what you can send, but food enhancers such as relish, ketchup, and spices are common, in addition to home comforts such as scrapbooks, mementos, or songs. If you wanted to get really creative, you could even send a Nixplay Frame featuring pictures of their friends and family back home.

Pay your respects

It doesn’t matter if you know people in them or not, the United States National Cemetery System is open to all visitors. All Americans can pay their respects to their fallen brothers and sisters on Veteran’s Day by visiting their graves and reading their names. Reading each fallen veteran’s personal name and standing atop their resting place helps to humanize these men and women–it makes them more than just a number, a statistic, or a general group of people.

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.