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Importance Of Cakes In Ceremonies

Have you ever wondered why at the heart of every important celebration is a meticulously prepared delectable cake? The sharing of this tasty treat is the icing on the cake, and it is not in vain. Cakes play an important role in every occasion they’re served. From symbolizing sharing and generosity, to indicating the climax of an occasion, cakes have found a special place in the heart of every celebration including weddings, birthdays, big events and so on. Listed here are some of the importance of cakes and why you should have one at your next occasion.

1. Symbol of love

In ceremonies such as weddings, cakes play an important role in symbolizing the love of partners towards each other. The cutting of the cake shows the willingness of the partners to share and take care of each other in their marriage while feeding each other symbolizes their willingness to provide and be there for each other in times of need. In birthdays, cakes symbolize the love of the birthday person towards their family or friends. The bigger the cake, the bigger the love!

2. Sharing and Generosity

Cutting the cake and distributing to the attendees is a show of generosity in certain ceremonies, and occasions that involve acts of charity usually have this important centerpiece to symbolize their generosity.

3. A Present or Gift

Cakes are a cuisine usually associated with affluence and prestige. Giving out a cake as a present is a sign of appreciation and shows the commitment you have towards the recipient of the gift. Cakes are sweet, meticulously prepared, and thoughtful. However, it doesn’t have to break the bank, and you can easily research all cake prices online. To that end, they act as a valuable gift to a loved one especially in occasions such as valentine’s day, graduation, or even career promotion celebrations.

4. Life milestone

Cakes are used to mark milestones made in someone’s life. For instance, birthday cakes are used to indicate the beginning of a new year in someone’s life. Wedding cakes indicate the beginning of a marriage, graduation cakes denote a new milestone in the education space, while baby shower cakes show the beginning of a new life as a parent.

5. Symbolizes climax of the ceremony

Most celebratory ceremonies wouldn’t feel complete without the cutting of a cake, or the sharing of one. The sharing of the cake symbolizes that the ceremony has reached the climax. In most cases, it is the sweetest of the foods in the ceremony, the best looking of them all, and the scarcest. To that end, all events in the ceremony lead up to the cutting of the cake. The birthday is not complete until the cake is cut and shared, same with a wedding, a baby shower and a plethora of other ceremonies.

Cakes are significant in any occasion they’re served. They show the generosity of the providers, their love, the cyclical nature of life, act as present or gift, and are the main show of climax of any event. It would almost be a taboo not to have this precious gateau in your celebrations!

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When To Let Go Of An Internet Catchphrase!

Internet catchphrases have become a big part of popular culture in the past ten years or so, especially since the rise of social media. However, just like any other kind of slang or in-joke, using them after they have had their day in the sun can very easily make you look like an out of touch parent or teacher trying to be ‘down with the kids’!

While that can be a bit embarrassing in normal life, it can be far worse when you have used a passé phrase in the marketing for your business or on your blog, so you really need to be able to tell when something is ‘over’ if you want to be able to incorporate trending jokes into how your brand engages with people.

Higher Turnover of Memes and Catchphrases Than Ever Before

The rate at which online jokes, catchphrases, and references get old has increased dramatically over the past few years. While perhaps in 2014 you might have a good few months to a year of mileage out of a phrase before it started to sound outdated and lame, now, some things lose their cool status after just weeks or even days. This means that if you want to use trending jokes and references in your marketing, it is best to do so only in things that expire themselves, and definitely not in things that will take weeks or months to produce. Use current catchphrases or memes in tweets or topical blog posts, for sure, but do not plan to use them in longer running strategies.

Catchphrases That Ascend The Usual Trend Lifecycle

Sometimes, however, online jokes you would expect to get old actually don’t, and instead become an accepted part of online culture. If you take a look at this analysis of internet catchphrases from 2014-2015 on Lol Hit, for example, you will see that some of the phrases that were popular back then now sound dated, whereas others such as ‘trolling’ and ‘meh’ are things that are now pretty much just accepted ways of expressing certain sentiments. The same goes for memes. Some of them have a brief period of being relevant, whereas others are still being used in new ways years after they first appeared. If you find yourself consider using something that has already stood the test of time for at least a year, it may well be safe to use it in longer-term content than just new tweets and posts.

Who Is Using It?

You may find that something you want to use is still very much in use, but is still actually ‘over’. To establish this, you need to look at who is using it. The more mainstream and non ‘pop culture’ someone is, the more power they have to actively make a meme or phrase less fashionable – a good case in point is when a politician uses internet slang to try and appeal to millennials. This is always cringe-worthy and will kill any trending meme stone dead. Older celebrities can also have this effect.

As you can see, you have to be careful when trying to use fads and trends from internet culture, and if you don’t actually have your finger on the pulse of what is cool, it can often be best to just not!

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How To Have A Great Movie Night When You Cannot Afford The Movie Theater

The theater can be an expensive day out; with the ticket costs and food and drink, it can cost a lot to see the latest blockbuster. Instead of spending money going out, why don’t you have a movie night from the comfort of your home, perfect with friends, for a date or with your family. Here is how to have a great night from the comfort of your own home.

Have a Theme

Why not go one step further and have a movie theme night where you must bring something relating to the movie or movies you are going to watch or wear something related to the theme. For example, if you are having a Disney night with the family or girls, you could all wear your favorite Disney pajamas. If you are having a Harry Potter marathon you could all get your wizarding hats out! This can be a bit of fun and some great picture moments.

The Food

Going to the movies is not complete without food! The best thing about being able to eat at home means you aren’t stuck to whatever your theater sells. You could have movie related food or this could be the perfect time to order from that takeaway you have always wanted to try, or perhaps everyone could bring their favorite food for everyone to share. Popcorn is an essential too, and Indreviews has reviews of the best popcorn poppers for your home for your next movie night.

Setup

This is where you could make it extra special. You could make a fort, or tell everyone to bring their pillows and duvets to make it extra cozy! You could even set up a mini theater. There are plenty of places where you can buy a cheap projector to project the film onto the wall from a laptop or TV. You could get your fairy lights from your room and light some candles if you want to make it extra special for your girls or your date.

Games

Why not make a real night of it and have a game and movie night? This could be a drinking game (for the adults) such as every time a character says their catchphrase or does something, you must drink. If you are struggling for ideas there are so many on the internet to choose whether you watch Lord of The Rings or Marvel. You could play a quiz with trivia from your favorite movies that you are about to watch with a prize at the end, or there are many board games relating to movies such as Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit or Cluedo. For the children you may want to have questions that they need to answer throughout. If you sometimes struggle to get them to sit through a movie, this is great encouragement.

However you decide to do your movie night, do it in style and you may want to stay in more often!

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Tips On How To Choose The Proper Wine Glass

Wine is included in the top most consumed beverages in the world. This is all thanks to its numerous health benefits and its distinct fruity but bold taste. (Did you know wine has health benefits?) However, not a lot of people mind the type of wine glass they use to drink their favorite bottle of white, red or sparkling wine. Most of the time, only avid wine drinkers pay attention to the glass used to serve a particular type of wine.

We can’t blame you if you think they are all the same because their shapes do look similar. But if you want to enjoy your drink, and impress your guests when they visit, choose the appropriate wine glass. To help you determine which glass to pick for a specific type of wine, here are key features you need to notice:

1. Bowl Shape. The bowl shape can either be wide or narrow. The wide bowl is ideal for red wine because it promotes oxidation, while the narrow type is best used for white wine. Oxidation is a process that enhances the aroma of the wine. According to studies, the aroma heavily influences the taste of the wine. Compared to red wine, the white variant requires less oxidation. This is why it’s better to use a specific bowl shape for each type of wine.
2. Stemmed wine glasses are more commonly used compared to the stemless version because they are easier to store. The main reason why wine drinkers prefer the stemmed ones is that the temperature of your palm can alter the taste of the wine. If you only plan to serve alcohol mixes, you can select the stemless type instead.
3. Rim Shape. The rim shape can either be tapered or flared. The tapered type suspends the aroma of the wine so it won’t be wafted away when the glass is swirled. This type of rim is made to serve any type of wine, including Pinot Noir. However, if you have a fruity type of liquor, experts suggest pouring the wine in a glass that has a flared rim because this type of glass ensures that the wine first hits the front palate.

Aside from the features mentioned above, there are also other factors you need to consider such as the thickness of the glass and the raw material used. Ideally, you should choose glasses that are thin because they will keep your wine cool. Also, thinner glasses help you drink the wine more smoothly compared to the thicker types.

Selecting the right wine glass may be easy once you take notice of the three key features above. Once you get the hang of choosing the best wine glasses you can surely enjoy drinking your favorite brand of wine.

 

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Things To Do On A Long Weekend Without Spending A Lot Of Money

Having long weekends is great if you have something planned in advance. Otherwise, it could be very boring. You might rather just get back to work. While you can’t stop the long weekend from happening, you can at least do things that will make you feel fulfilled. You can check online for things to do near me or you can also do activities at home.

Host a game night

Game nights are always fun. You can just invite your friends to come over, prepare something to eat and just have fun. Your friends can also bring a dish for everyone to share. Charades and card games are among the most common options.

Visit a local museum

You may find that you have a museum in your local neighbourhood, one that is easily accessible or one you have yet to visit. Museums can be very educational, children can learn lots of new things and experience many different activities. You maybe surprised to see just what’s going on in your neighbourhood. If not movies, you could try reading all those books you’ve been meaning to read but just never got round to it. Some of them can be educational too. Your kids will love to see those places and learn new things. You might be surprised by what other local attractions there are.

Do a movie marathon

How many movies have you missed because you were too busy with work? This is your chance to finally catch up. You can list down all the movies you have yet to watch and spend the entire long weekend watching them. Take the time to go out just to buy some snacks, and just watch the movies. You might also ask your friends to come over. If not movies, you can try reading books that you are yet to read.

Have fun outdoors

There are a lot of exciting outdoor activities that you and your friends can do. During a snowy month, you can go for a snowball fight. You can also just go out to breathe fresh air. You may also want to go sledding. A day at the park where you can just eat and spend quality time with your family can also be very relaxing. Regardless of the activity, it will be fun if you are with the people you love.

Bake with friends

Baking is always a relaxing activity. You just have to mix stuff up and eventually, you come up with something really amazing. Baked goods smell good and taste great. You might have also find some recipes online and you want to finally give it a shot.

Just sleep

While you are working, you might complain about not having the time to just take a nap. This is your chance to do so. You know that you are not working the next day, so you just have to turn the alarm off and have a good night’s sleep. This opportunity does not come often, so you don’t want to waste it.

There are a lot of activities that you can do over a long weekend. You don’t have to feel like you want to lock yourself up at home and do nothing. Choose whatever makes you feel satisfied or something that you have not done for a while.

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The Worst Lottery Winner Horror Stories

For most people, winning the lottery is a dream come true. Overnight, all of your worries have seemingly been erased and a whole world of opportunity has opened up to you. From fast cars to luxury holidays and dream houses, you now have the money to do it all. While this is very true in the majority of cases, unfortunately for some it does not turn out like that.

In rare cases, the dream of a lottery win can soon descend into a real-life nightmare. From grasping friends, greedy family, and strangers all desperate to access your new-found wealth to more self-inflicted issues, navigating the minefield of a lottery win can be too much for some.

Here, we take a look at some of the worst lottery winner horror stories in history.

Marie Holmes

Before winning the lottery, Marie Holmes was a normal person who worked a standard job at her local Walmart. Her life changed for the worse overnight when she discovered her random numbers in the lottery had netted her $188 million! The fortune soon dwindled due to poor financial investments and the multiple lawsuits that she had to fight. Added on to this was the fact that her boyfriend had to be bailed out of jail numerous times, which ate into her money. By the end, she was emotionally and financially drained. 

Curtis Sharp

Back in 1982, Curtis Sharp won big on the lottery. Scooping $5 million, which was a huge sum back then, he soon set about spending his wealth. Sharp certainly enjoyed himself and was thought to have spent $1 million each year after the win to see it all gone within five years. Much went on cars, women, houses, and gifts to family, and what started as a massive amount soon trickled away. Now a minister in Tennessee, his advice to future lottery winners is to think carefully before starting to spend. His story is certainly a cautionary one of the trouble and dangers inherent in many lottery winner horror stories. 

Billie Bob Harrell Jr

Another resident of the US who thought his prayers had been answered was Billie Bob Harrell Jr, who scooped an insane $30 million in 1997. After quitting his job at the Home Depot, he planned to retire from work and live the high life. Not wasting any time, he took his family on a Hawaiian vacation before buying houses and cars.

Unfortunately, this was about as good as it got for him. Beginning to get lots of unwanted attention from strangers after his money, he also made a poor financial investment that saw him lose a lot of his fortune before his wife left him.

Tonda Lynn Dickerson

When Tonda Lynn Dickerson found out that she had won $10 million on the lottery, she was working as a Waffle House waitress. What makes this story interesting is that all the other Waffle House waitresses also thought that their luck was in due to a verbal agreement between them. The waitresses claimed that they had agreed to split the winnings between everyone. Tonda didn’t remember this agreement, however, and kept all the money for herself!

The other waitresses were furious and sued her for the money that they thought she owed them. Though she won all the cases against her, the stress left her worn out. Figuring that she needed to find a way to protect her assets going forward, she created a corporation to this effect. The only problem came when she gave a gift in shares through the corporation – the IRS hammered her for around $1 million in taxes!

Abraham Shakespeare

Winning $30 million in 2006, Abraham Shakespeare has a tale as tragic as a play from the Bard of the same surname. A decent chap by all accounts, he suffered from people leeching off his winnings and stealing away his cash. He also gave away a lot of his fortune to people who needed it most, which saw it dwindle quickly. However, his real undoing was getting mixed up with Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore.

Moore approached him on the pretense of being interested in helping him write a book on the dangers that lottery winners face. Agreeing to the proposal, she gradually took over all his property and money as his de facto financial advisor. After a heated argument one time, Moore shot and killed Shakespeare.

Lottery victory is still a dream for many

Of course, the above tales are rare, and for many lottery winners it really is a dream come true. As long as you are prepared for what follows and how to handle it, then you should be fine. Be careful about who you trust, who you tell about your win, and your level of spending. With a sensible approach, you should live a happy life with your new fortune and avoid becoming one of the horror stories in the news.

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5 Reasons Why Playing Strategy Games Online Is Better Than Playing IRL

Source: Pexels

Throughout human history, games have been played face-to-face. Tension, the joys of winning and the crushing melancholy of defeat were all experienced people in the same vicinity, and there was no escaping it. If you wanted to play, you literally had to have your game face on.

In no other gaming genre was this more true than in strategy games. Instead of basing moves and the ultimate result on luck or a roll of the dice, strategy games are determined by each individual players’ choices and skill. To win, you must come to the table equipped with tactics, a solid knowledge of the game you’re about to play and the patience to see each session through until the end.

Some of the world’s oldest games are strategy based, whether they be board-based like chess or card games like poker. So, it was no surprise that when the internet came along they transitioned almost seamlessly into the online space. Now, you can play chess with people around the world, battle others on video games, while poker rooms and online casinos continue to thrive. But is playing strategy games online better than playing than in real life? We think so, and here’s why.

Poker Face Anywhere: Ultimate Accessibility

Source: Pexels – To access millions of online games, all you need is an internet connection.

Out there in the real world, organizing a strategy game is quite the Endeavour. First of all, you have to find a game, then a place to play and of course people to play with. In the online world there’s no need to do that, as everything you could ever need is just a Google search away. No matter what genre of strategy game you fancy playing, chances are you can find it on your PC, tablet, console or even your smartphone. Fancy playing an MMORPG? Settle down for the evening with March of Empires or get on Overwatch. How about trying your hand at Texas Hold’Em or blackjack? There are literally thousands of games going on right now that you can join.

Then, once you’re ready to play you can join others who are already online around the world or invite friends to come play with you. Really, one of the best things that the internet has brought us is the ability to connect with anyone, anytime – and this is a great benefit for anyone who loves strategy games.

A Vast Variety of Games

In addition to being more accessible than live games, online games are incredibly varied and diverse. While specific brands may not be available on every platform, chances are you can find some variation of your favorite board or video game on the internet or as an app. You never know you may even find something you prefer.

Even games that really don’t require a lot of equipment and can more easily be played in real life have evolved in the online world. Take card games such as poker for example. While you may only need a pack of cards and some chips to get started with your own live game, chances are you still won’t get the variety available online due to the skills, experience or knowledge limits from your fellow players. Meanwhile, at gaming operators like 888poker there’s Texas Hold’em, Omaha hi/lo, 7 Card Stud, SNAP and even live streamed webcam poker games that you can play at any time with players that have mutual skills.

No Physical Tells Or Psych-Outs

Source: Pexels – By playing through a screen, the ability to call your bluff is removed entirely.

During real-life gameplay, it is incredibly easy to tell whether your competitors are doing well for themselves or when they are heading down a slippery slope. This, of course, is also true for you and chances are you’ve been sending signals giving away your game throughout most of your live gaming sessions. It’s human, it’s just something we all do, but it can really affect the outcome of the game entirely.

Fortunately for online players, this isn’t a problem, unless of course you shout about how your game is going over the microphone. This is why games that require some secrecy and discreetness like turn-based games are best online – there’s no way for opponents to garner information from your physical tells or psych you out because they can’t see you. Now, you may think that this also removes the conversational aspect that is crucial to games such as first-person shooters and even poker variants like Texas Hold’em, but most developers have already set chat boxes and other conversation tools in place to fill this gap. That means that you get to socialize without compromising your game.

No More Wagering Woes In Games Like Poker

When it comes to games where money is involved such as blackjack, poker or maybe really intense sessions of Settlers of Catan, playing online is a huge advantage for you and for your wallet. When playing live, there’s often a real sense of false bravado and competition involved – that is, if someone starts raising the stakes a little, you may feel obligated to the same. After all, if you don’t then you’ll probably be kicked out of the game entirely.

However, online money games often have preset wager amounts. This is most noticeable in online casino games, where players can usually open for 2x, 2.5x or 3x the big blind, a modest amount considering that ensures the high rollers can’t push other players to bet more than they can afford. Combine that with the inability for others to psych you out or make you feel less than if you decide to bow out and you’ll find yourself having a much more enjoyable game.

The Pacing Is Far Faster

Much like the online wagering system allows players to have more reasonable monetary controls, online games also promote more reasonable pacing. However, whether this is a benefit of online games depends on the specific game as well as you as an individual. If you enjoy fast play then you will no doubt enjoy many of the MMO and online FPS titles out there, as players have to be on their toes to keep up. The same is true of iGaming releases, especially card games such as baccarat and poker where players have a set amount of time to deal with their turns. In the case of poker, specifically, certain operators have focused on bringing fast-fold variants such as SNAP to their sites, to allow for ever greater speed.

Live games, on the other hand, are probably preferable for anyone who enjoys a slower pace and doesn’t find waiting around for others tedious. If you need more time to think and experience the game, you can stick with real-life games, otherwise it’s time to get online for the real fast-paced stuff.

There’s no doubting the appeal of strategy games, whether they’re online or offline. They offer incredible social, interactive and engaging experiences for players of all kinds, allowing players to find entertainment while also being thought-provoking. For anyone who plays strategy games often, there’s no doubt that they will find themselves applying skills they have developed in-game to their lives overall.

Still, we stand by the idea that live games have less to offer than online experiences when compared. As we’ve found, online strategy games are far more accessible and there’s more variety, plus limitations are removed such as physical tells, wagering woes and pacing issues.

Do you prefer playing online or playing strategy games in real life? Do you dabble in a bit of both? Let us know in the comments below.

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How To Make The Most Of Your First Trip To New York

The Big Apple. We’ve all seen countless films and television shows set in the famous city, but for travellers in Europe, Asia and elsewhere, it’s not easy to make the way over. It’s truly worth it though – The City That Never Sleeps is always an exciting and eye-opening one to visit. So for your next trip, make sure you head over and see what all the fuss is about. It’s worth preparing though – there are plenty of pitfalls adventurers can fall into when it comes to New York, so be a savvy traveller (even if it’s your first time) by making sure you follow this guide.

‘New York’ – Pedro Szekely via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Preparing

It’s important to do a bit of thinking about when and how you’re planning to head to New York. The summer might seem appealing, but remember the streets are rammed with holidaymakers in July and August. If you like cold weather head over in the winter – the city looks beautiful decked in snow and no-one does Christmas like America. But the best time may well be in the Spring – Central Park will be blissful in bloom and the weather is warm but not boiling.

Book flights a couple of months beforehand, and make sure to do some comparing before you do. Flying into JFK is handy, and beware that getting into the city from Newark, the nearby airport in New Jersey, can be costly overnight. If you’re in the area for a week or more, staying outside of Manhattan may well be a good move.

Where to stay

There’s no shortage of hotels across New York’s five boroughs, so you’ll want to have a think about where’s best. Midtown Manhattan is where it all happens, and there’s plenty of budget hotels catering to tourists around there. But they aren’t exactly plush – so if you want comfort for a reasonable place, you may want to hop across the bay and stay in Brooklyn. The trendy, cool borough is only a few subway stops from Manhattan, and it’s a peaceful place to head home to after a day of sightseeing. It’s a pretty awesome place in itself, too – Williamsburg is an insanely cool spot with coffee shops and bars aplenty, so you might even forget about Times Square while you’re there.

‘New York City’ – Jörg Schubert via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

How to get around

The subway is the cheapest and quickest way to travel big distances, and stretches throughout Manhattan and into the surrounding boroughs. If you’re taking short trips, yellow taxis aren’t too expensive (and they’re pretty iconic, too). The good news is that the city is easy to navigate thanks to its grid system, and walking distances aren’t usually too difficult, so the cheapest way to get around is by foot. And if you want to do a bit of exercise and slip in some sightseeing during your journeys, use the city’s public bikes to cycle around.

What to do

So, you’ve arrived in NYC and the city is your oyster. What to do? There’s plenty to choose from – you could start by ticking off the necessary tourist traps, like Times Square. It may seem a little commercial, but it’s certainly worth a visit, if only to marvel at how many people flood into the city from all over the world every day. If you like your shopping, stroll down Fifth Avenue and treat yourself to a few new garments. You’re on holiday, after all.

But there’s plenty of less touristy areas which are definitely worth checking out. You might recognise Greenwich Village, towards the southern end of Manhattan, from television shows like Friends. But in real life, it’s a laid-back and pretty part of the island which doesn’t feel all too much like it’s part of one of the world’s biggest cities.

‘New York Cabs’ – Sakeeb Sabakka via Flickr

The good news is that there’s plenty of free activities in the city, so enjoying your trip doesn’t have to break the bank. Of course, taking a walk through Central Park is a must – the huge square of gorgeous green land and stunning lakes sit right in the middle of Manhattan, and there are worse ways to spend a warm afternoon than finding a quiet patch of grass in the park. And plenty of museums are walking distance away, which you have a peek in for free or for a low admission fee – check out MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art, for some of the most jaw-dropping contemporary art pieces in the world, or visit the legendary Metropolitan Museum of Art if you’re after a more traditional collection.

Come evening, you’ll need a new activity – and what could beat heading to Broadway and taking in a show? The best theatre in the world is located right there on that glittering street, and walking down the sidewalk is another of an experience. But it’s worth taking the time to enjoy a show, with plenty of dramas, comedies and musicals to choose from. Favorites like Aladdin, Chicago and Phantom of the Opera are currently showing – or, of course, you could try your luck at getting a ticket to Hamilton, the hottest show of the decade.

‘New York City’ – Yoann Jezequel via Flickr

For sport lovers, New York is also a super-sporty town – so there’s plenty of opportunities to take in some action. If you’re over during the NFL season, hop across the Hudson River into New Jersey and enjoy a game. The area has two teams – the New York Giants and the New York Jets. They share a stadium, so see who’s playing while you’re there and pick up a ticket. The Giants are one of the league’s most famous and storied teams, with four Super Bowl wins and a hard-nosed history.

They’re about as legendary as the New York Yankees, the baseball team which plays up in the Bronx, who are also well worth a visit. And if basketball is your game, head over to a Knicks game. The great news is that the city is crazy for any kind of sport – so head to a sports bar and watch whatever’s going on at the time. If you’re over in the spring, put down a bet on the Grand National, the famous annual horse race, which will be shown across the city. Take a look at Oddschecker first to make sure you’ll be onto a winner.

New York, New York – so good they named it twice. Follow in Frank Sinatra’s footsteps and find out what all the fuss is about as soon as possible, because the city is truly one of the best in the world. And the great news is that there’s something for everyone – shopping, theatre, sports, bars and plenty of food; New York City has it all. Remember to stay safe while you travel and most importantly have a great time!

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Do You Want To Have The Perfect Indian Wedding? Here’s What You Should Know

Planning a wedding is difficult enough, so how much more for a traditional Indian wedding? Even if you are in another country, such as the UK, you can still have the beautiful Indian wedding of your dreams with the proper knowledge and planning. Do you want to have the perfect Indian wedding? Here’s what you should know.

What makes an Indian wedding so special?

Many of us have the impression of Indian weddings as bright and colourful events, and rightly so. An Indian wedding is a celebration of colours and textures, but the ideal Indian wedding isn’t just comprised of that. One factor which makes Indian weddings special is the different customs – there are rituals for different regions, so these have to be taken into consideration to give the wedding its unique flair. Some modern couples choose to forego certain practices, but if you want your Indian wedding to be extra special, it’s a good idea to stick to the traditional – and the beautiful and memorable. Luckily, there are many Indian wedding venues which can cater to your express requirements, so have a look around and see what your options are.

When to begin preparations

For many Indian couples, preparing for the wedding starts quite soon after the formal betrothal or engagement ceremony. This is often held a few months prior to the wedding itself. Traditionally, the betrothal is also when the families decide on the wedding date. Bear in mind that according to scripture, weddings should not be held on Saturdays, and the time of the event is also significant. A priest is often called to participate in the planning of the date and time of the wedding.

The bride’s attire

To have that perfect Indian wedding, the bride needs to have the right clothing and accessories. This means using gold as well as a ‘kanjipuram saree’. The gold is important because it symbolises prosperity and wealth, and the saree, according to tradition, is a favourite of the god Vishnu, and brides wear it to ask for a blessing.

The rituals before the wedding

There are ceremonies which are often held about 2 to 3 days before the wedding, leading up to the wedding itself. One such ritual is the nallunge, which is a cleansing ceremony where the bride and groom are rubbed with a paste made of sandalwood and oil (haldi) prior to taking a cleansing bath.

The wedding day

A ceremony, referred to as parasam, allows the mother-in-law to present the bride. Afterwards, the groom and bride go to the wedding venue for a last ritual of cleansing. They then exchange garlands, and the groom ties a garland or thali around the neck of the bride. A classic Indian wedding feast to celebrate the union is called a ‘banana leaf’ feast, where the dishes are often vegetarian.

So, now that you know what you need to consider to have the perfect Indian wedding you are all set to prepare. Next stop, is the honeymoon. Remember to stay safe when you travel and to have fun!

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Why You Need To Get The Best Birthday Party Planning Services

Planning a party can be time-consuming. It can also drain a lot of your energy. For these reasons, most people dread holding a party for their children on their birthdays. Worry not, as you can have the best party, thanks to the best party planners. Here are reasons why you need to have a party planner.

Make dreams a reality

A professional party planner can easily make your dreams come true. For your children to be happy, they need every detail to be included in their birthday party. You only need to forward your ideas and photos to the people organising the party. Party planners are aware of the materials necessary for each party to be a success.

Commitment

For every party to turn out successfully, you need to have a planner who is committed. This is to ensure each and every plan runs according to your wish. While a relaxed planner might mess up your party, one with commitment will ensure your satisfaction. This is what you ought to look for when searching for a great party planner.

Timeline

Every plan you have needs to have a timeline. This is to ensure that you do not run late on some items such as the cake. You need to place all the orders in time so that they are delivered a day before the day of the party. This allows you time to cover any inconveniences. Running and coordinating all these activities can be tiring when planning on your own. However, there are experts in party planning in Oxfordshire who can help. These experts are professionals in planning, assembling and arranging everything you need for a birthday party.

Appropriate goodies

Goodies at a party are necessary. They, however, need to be appropriate depending on the age of the children. The guests need to enjoy the snacks and the food, as well. If they are appropriate for their age, they will enjoy the party. This will ensure the party remains memorable for them.

Party theme

There are various party themes that make children happy, for example, fairies, magic gardens, and puppet shows, as well as others. Choosing the theme for the party can be tricky. With an experienced party planner, you can choose the most popular themes. Hire the best planner, for the best party.

Cake ideas

Most party planners will have multiple cake ideas. This is due to the multiple parties they have planned. They are experienced and will give your child the best party, according to the likes and the age of the child.

The best thing about hiring a party planner is that they will help keep the children busy. Not just before the party but also during the party. Therefore, it is important that you choose professional party planners. This will help you have an easy time planning the party and making your child happy.