Tag: holiday

social distancing fourth of july activities

Fun Fourth of July Activities You Can Do At Home

On July 2, 2020

While this year’s Fourth of July celebrations will be different, it certainly doesn’t mean that it’ll be a dull holiday. Large gatherings are not advisable at the moment, but you can still have fun with your closest loved ones. Here are some ways to have a special Fourth of July while staying safe and healthy:

1. Watch Fourth of July shows

Can’t go out to watch fireworks? The internet might just be your savior: Several sites will be streaming fireworks shows, as well as concerts, plays, and other entertainment. We’ll be tuned in to PBS’ streaming of A Capitol Fourth! (watch it via this link), as well as the filmed-for-cinema version of the hit Broadway show Hamilton (watch it on Display Plus).

2. Decorate your home

You don’t get a lot of occasions to go all out with the stars and stripes-themed decor, so take advantage of the holiday! Dress up your home with Fourth of July-themed balloons and streamers, put up American flags, and fill vases with red and white blooms. You can get the kids to join in the fun by holding arts and crafts contests–they’ll have a blast decorating everything red, white, and blue.

3. Have a patriotic movie marathon

A movie marathon is a brilliant way to while away an afternoon. Set up your most comfortable cushions in front of your TV, prepare bowls of popcorn, chips, and other snacks, and get set for a few hours of Netflix (or Hulu, or Disney Plus) and Chill. Some of our picks: Glory, Top Gun, Forrest Gump, Air Force One, and Captain America: The Frist Avenger.

4. Have a barbecue in your lawn

It’s not a proper Fourth of July celebration without a barbecue! While we don’t recommend inviting your neighbors over, you can still celebrate by setting out your own grills on your respective lawns, where you can see each other and socialize from a safe distance. It’ll probably be a bit chaotic, sure, but it’s going to be a lot of fun!

Don’t forget to take pictures of your Fourth of July festivities! Share your photos directly with your friends and family using your Nixplay Frames. We have a Secret Sale going on until July 12–now’s your chance to score our bestselling digital photo frames at prices you can’t resist. Shop now!

Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash

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.

Young girls at the beach, celebrating the fourth of July - by holding an American flag and fire torches up high

5 Festive Ways To Celebrate the Fourth of July

By Mars Salazar

On July 3, 2018

In Holidays

Light up some fireworks, bring out the flags, and decorate everything in red, white, and blue: The Fourth of July is almost upon us, and it’s definitely one of the most wonderful times of the year! We’re sure you have some ideas on how to celebrate this holiday, but on the off chance that you’re still stumped, well, we’re here to the rescue! Read on to learn how you can make this Independence Day one you’ll remember for a long time.

1. Throw an outdoor party.

Take advantage of the fine weather and have some fun outside this Fourth of July! Have a pool party (don’t forget the giant floats!), or throw a backyard barbecue complete with on-theme food and cocktails. Invite the whole street, or just your closest friends and family. The possibilities of having fun are endless!

2. Get crafty.

Spend the afternoon making some fun red, white, and blue-themed projects the whole family can do. Create a Fourth of July banner to get the party started, and make an American flag backdrop for your Independence Day photo booth. Don’t forget your dining table: Create a patriotic centerpiece using recycled bottles, and put a vase filled with red and blue lollipops somewhere the little ones can easily reach.

3. Go shopping!

The week of July 4th is awash with fantastic deals from all your favorite stores. Whether you’re eyeing a new pair of shoes or thinking of upgrading your laptop, now’s a great time to do so. And if you’re thinking of getting a new Nixplay frame, you’re in luck: You can get 20% off a Nixplay Iris or 15% off a NIX Lux from July 4 to 13! Just enter the code FREEDOM20 for the Iris, and FREEDOM15 for the Lux. Don’t just add a frame to your cart–check it out now!

4. Let the kids do the planning.

It can be tiring to wrack your brain for a fun activity the whole family will enjoy. Take away the stress by getting the little ones to list the things they want to do on the Fourth of July, and tick them off one by one. Not only will this foster their creativity, but giving them a say in what you will do for the day will also make them feel like their voice really matters. This way, you’ll give the kids an Independence Day they’ll remember and treasure for a long time to come.

5. Visit an all-American attraction.

Mount Rushmore. The Statue of Liberty. The Grand Canyon. Walt Disney World. What do these locations all have in common? They’re all distinctly American landmarks, seen as symbols of everything our country and its people stand for. And there’s no better time to pay these places a visit than on the Fourth of July, where you can celebrate America alongside your fellow countrymen. If that doesn’t inspire you, just think of all the beautiful fireworks you’re guaranteed to see there!

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.

5 Simple Yet Brilliant Gift Ideas Any Mom Would Love To Get For Mother’s Day

By Mars Salazar

On May 6, 2018

In Gifting Guides, Holidays, Special Moments

Mother’s Day—the day we get to celebrate the original Wonder Woman in our own universe—is coming up in a week. If you already have a gift lined up, good for you! If not, this is your cue to start scrambling for the perfect present. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be meaningful. These five Mother’s Day gift ideas are easy to pull off—add a bouquet of her favorite blooms and a handmade card to make her feel like the queen she really is:

Offer to do her chores.

No one—not even Mom—truly enjoys doing housework, especially on Mother’s day, a day when she’s supposed to be treated like royalty. Take the weight off her shoulders for a day by offering to do the cleaning in her stead: It’s a simple, priceless gesture that’ll truly make her day.

Make it better: Mothers need a break, too. Create “chore vouchers” that Mom can cash in so another family member can do a chore for her. Better yet, ditch the vouchers altogether and voluntarily take on a chore she usually does, like shopping for groceries or doing the laundry, for the rest of the year.

Let her spend uninterrupted quality time with the family.

Moms are some of the busiest people in the world: They’ve got children to chase, food to prepare, homes to clean, pets to take care of, and spouses to love. It’s not easy juggling all these in addition to her career and hobbies, so giving her the chance to bond with her family without worrying about her other obligations would be great. Remember to take lots of pictures!

Make it better: If the kids live away from home, it shouldn’t be a problem. A Nixplay frame can help bridge the distance: help Mom set it up so she can have her precious memories at her fingertips. Take advantage of Nixplay’s Mother’s Day offer to get 20 percent off on all Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frames and 15 percent off on all NIX Digital Frames until May 13. Buy your own frame here.

Get the kids to clean up after themselves

A mother’s unconditional love for her children gives her the willpower to make sacrifices for them. She’d willingly forego vacations and shopping trips, just to be able to secure her kid’s future. The least the little ones can do is to help her out by minimizing the mess they create at home.

Make it better: Make tidying up more fun for the kids by making a game out of it! You can time them doing a specific task like organizing their toys, and you can give them small prizes if they beat their best time. Or you can sneakily get the tots to help during laundry day by making them race against each other to gather dirty clothes in a certain color. Do it regularly, and you’ll soon be surprised at how eager they’ll be to clean up.

A gift card for her favorite spa or salon.

If there’s one day in the calendar when Mom deserves to be spoiled, it’s Mother’s Day. Treat her to a massage at her favorite spa, or accompany her to the salon for a haircut and a mani-pedi date.

Make it better: Mom deserves to feel her best the whole year round. You can take her to Sephora or Ulta and have her pick out a product she’d really use and love. That way, she’ll remember you every time she uses it.

Treat her to a delicious home-cooked meal.

Give Mom a break from cooking, even if it’s just for one day! Get the whole family to help out in the kitchen: the younger kids can help prepare the food and set the table, the older kids can cook, and dad can do the groceries. Don’t forget to wash the dishes after!

Make it better: Why stop at Mother’s day? Set aside time every weekend to prepare a meal in Mom’s stead. Aside from being a great way to hone the little ones’ culinary skills, it’ll also give Mom some much-needed “Me” time.

What will you be giving Mom on Mother’s day? Share it with us below.

Join our contest for a chance to win a Nixplay Iris for your mom!

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.

Top 5 Unforgettable Family holiday destinations this Summer

By Beatrice Bisais

On July 14, 2017

In Holidays

Unforgettable family holidays always come with the right destination. Families all over the world gave us their feedback and have recommended the following top 5 destinations.

Singapore

Why Singapore? At first glance it looks like a very small city with limited entertainment. But you’d be wrong. This metropolis is full of amazing family attractions, delicious food, a variety of different and diverse cultures and customs form all over Asia.

Top attraction is Universal Studios and it is perfect to take unforgettable family pictures with the Minions or other characters your kids, husband, wife like the most.

Another important point to note is that English is the common language which make things even easier.

vickyluminiq

Japan

Japan has a lot of benefits for a family. First of all it is safe and clean, their cuisine is very rich and tasty. Kid-friendly museums and public events are everywhere in Tokyo and many of them are very cheap or free for children. Japan has few castles and Himeji Castle the largest one and one of the most beautiful. It is a great opportunity to have fun while learning more about its legends and ghost stories.

The downside is that travelling in Japan can present challenges such as the language and narrow crowded streets. Nevertheless we will have very memorable with your children.

trexjapan

Thailand

For many reasons, Thailand is a great destination to go with children. You can visit Buddhist Temples, experience elephant riding, enjoy snorkeling in the ocean, … With new technology, cameras can take pictures underwater and it will be left with remarkable memories.

Thai people are very friendly and especially in regards to children. The cost of living is very affordable for a family which make it possible to do a lot of activities.

cg_sby

New Zealand

If your family is a big movie lover, you can visit The Lord of the Rings filming locations. It is very lovely to see their small and lovely houses. Your second step can be a whale and dolphin watching in Kaikoura. Snorkeling and seals are available over there too.

If you like outdoorsy staying, all over the country you can find kid-friendly camping sites. It is very nice for kids to experience a different Life style.

nickiluis

Australia

If you are looking for a very big Country, Australia is made for your family. There is always something for everyone: beaches, animal park, art and of course kangaroos. Spend the day at a wildlife park and we will see unique animals. Always great when you see what reaction your kids have.

mariioon_mrn

So many souvenirs that will make you smile when you look at your pictures on your digital photo frame Nixplay . Don’t only select 1 or 2 pictures. Choose all of them.

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.