Sex life is worst during the festive season: Survey

Most couples will be too drunk or full from over-eating to make love over the festive period, according to a major survey. Nearly 59% men and women in the poll conducted by sex shop chain Ann Summers said they were less likely to have sex at this time of year because they would have consumed too much food or drink.

Also, couples were less likely to get intimate because of stress, rows or fatigue. 70% men said the amount of sex they had over December dropped to an annual low, while 90% of women said their sexual appetite plunged throughout the holidays due to the stress of buying and wrapping presents.

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree; Decorating Ideas

Decorating the perfect Christmas tree is an art form that can easily be broken down into a few basic steps.

Hanging the lights

To decorate the perfect Christmas tree you should always hang the lights first. Work from the top and start working down. You should always start at the top so that you end up with the plug at the bottom of the Christmas tree.

Hanging the garland

The next step is to hang the garland - do this right after you hang the lights! Weave your garland in and out of the branches.

Hang long ornaments first

This applies to ornaments of all colours. If you are going for an all white or all red Christmas tree, then hang all of the larger ornaments first. This will keep your tree from looking lopsided.

Fill in with smaller ornaments

Once you have your larger ornaments placed, then fill in with smaller ornaments on the remaining branches. You already have an even tree thanks to the prior steps; all you need to do is fill in some space with the small trinkets!

Finish with the tree topper

The final touch is always the tree topper. You can't leave this off or all of your hard work will look unfinished. It is the tree's brightest star, literally.

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How to Buy the Perfect Christmas Gift

With Christians in mind, I've put together a few suggestions to stir your thinking toward choosing uniquely personal Christmas gifts.

Get creative: First and foremost stay far away from generic Christmas gifts and think of something unique that you haven't seen before.

Go for the frivolous: Get something that the average person would not buy on a regular basis, it will make sure that the one you will gift will love it.

Listen for clues: The best way to get someone an awesome Christmas gift is to listen to the clues they drop all year long. Think of things they want to have or to accomplish.

Santa's little helper: It never hurts to ask a sales person what the popular gifts, trends or colours of the season are. But always be sure to shop like the person you're buying the Christmas gift for, and not like yourself.

Fruit Baskets that say "Merry Christmas"
Send healthy and festive fruit gift baskets this Christmas adorned with candy canes, poinsettias and more!

Holiday Chocolate Gifts
Luxurious Holiday Baskets of Chocolate, satisfy chocolate lovers with these baskets of treasures.

The Top 5 Tips For Finding Love This Holiday Season

If there's one month that's great for hitting on beautiful babes, it's December. Think about it: cold weather designed for snuggling and intimacy, the festive holiday season, the romance involved in sharing Christmas and New Year's together. What woman WOULDN'T want to have a guy by her side during the holidays?!? It's the "Love Actually" lesson--everyone wants to be with someone come the holidays.

So it's up to you to take advantage of this special time. Use the following 10 techniques to find your dream girl NOW. You may just have a Merry Christmas...AND a happy New Year...

1. Throw a Holiday Party. This is a great way of attracting women. If there's one thing that gets women emotionally and physically excited during the season of good cheer, it's a man who surrounds himself with people during a festive time. It gives them the security that this man will show them a good time, and surround her with people so that she's never alone. An important lesson to remember with women: They need to have a man for special times like Christmas. No woman wants to be alone, so by asserting yourself as the man who has lots of people around him, you automatically establish yourself as a desirable candidate. They automatically associate the positive vibes from the holiday season with YOU, and from there anything can happen.

So invite everyone you can think of--your friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances--to a holiday get-together. Play some festive holiday music, have some holiday treats ready (cookies, eggnog, candy canes, etc.), and even dress up as Santa. Have a "Naughty" and "Nice" list, and promise the girls a good spanking if they're naughty. Women LOVE this. If things go well, you may even have the girls in "Santa's Private Sleigh."

2. Ask Her If She's Been Naughty or Nice (and Other Teases). Continuing from the previous tip, make the most of the whole "naughty or nice" gimmick. Women LOVE a man who will excite them emotionally, who won't slave over them but present HIMSELF as the judge of whether she's suitable. Make it a big game: If she's too nice, she's boring and can't have you--unless she "tones up" her act. If she's too naughty, then she needs to be meted out punishment--and you'll be the one to give it to her (subtly excluding all the other guys as the party, and making THEM look too nice). Either way, you come out a winner. This is my favorite technique for finding love, and it works because teasing is a technique that is great for attracting women--a lesson I go into heavy detail in in my online course.

3. Spread Some Holiday Cheer on the Dance Floor. Teasing is a great way to show you don't take girls too seriously. Dancing is a great way of showing you don't take life too seriously. Even if you suck at dancing, the fact that you go out there and have a good time will impress women big-time. They love a man who can have fun and enjoy the holiday season. Going out there and having the time of your life dancing shows a woman that you will show her a good time during the cheery season. And in the end, that's what they really want. So have fun, loosen up, and ask a woman to dance. If she sees you're having a good time, believe me, she'll want to join you--in more ways than one. Seriously!

4. Talk to Miss Lonely. While at any party--your own, a work party, a club-hosted holiday party, whatever--be sure to take advantage of my old "Love Actually" lesson: NOBODY wants to be alone during the holidays! So if you see a girl standing/sitting by herself or looking miserable at a holiday party, be the "knight in shining armor" who goes up to her and cheers her up. Tell her a joke, comment on the party, even tease her with "C'mon, it's the Christmas season, you can't possibly be sitting here all by yourself!" Women love a man who cheers them up, and if you can take her from a negative state of mind to a positive one, believe me, she won't forget that. Just be the man who lifts her mood, and you'll be sure to see her again.

5. Use the Mistletoe/Midnight! Finally, never underestimate the power of the mistletoe and the strike of midnight on New Year's. Both are amazing props for setting up a first kiss; nothing compares. They work especially well with women you've had at least a few minutes of quality chat with. You won't want to use it right away--build up the suspense for an especially good kiss--but once you sense things are going well, "conveniently" position yourselves under the Mistletoe. Don't even hide the fact that it's an obvious ploy; play it up: "WOW, we've somehow managed to land ourselves under the mistletoe. How did THAT happen?" Believe me, if you add enough humor and charm--and you don't need a lot--then women will be glad to comply.

The same goes with the strike of midnight on New Year's Eve. I met my present girlfriend two years ago on New Year's Eve, using this very technique. We had talked for hours that day, but once 11 pm hit, I unabashedly told her, "Can I tell you a secret?" As women LOVE secrets, she enthusiastically responded "Yes!" So I told her, "It's only one hour til midnight, and I have no one to kiss. I'm thinking you can help me out..." This of course made her laugh, but more importantly gave her an "excuse" to want to kiss me on New Year's. By playing sly and making it KNOWN that I wanted to kiss her, I gained her respect and, even better, her assent to a great New Year's Kiss. You can do the same, just by presenting your find with your "problem" and asking HER to be a part of the solution. As long as you keep your cool and say it with a grin, she'll be more than happy to help you with your "problem." And hopefully give you a VERY happy New Year!

Congratulations! You're on your way to a great holiday season. Remember these five tips:

1. Throw a holiday party
2. Ask her if she's been naughty or nice (and other teasing)
3. Spread Holiday Cheer on the Dance Floor
4. Talk to Miss Lonely
5. Take advantage of the Mistletoe and New Year's Midnight

and you're bound to have a great holiday season. Have fun, and good luck!

And don't forget, if you want to learn more about making yourself unforgettable to women during the holidays or the rest of the year, visit my website at "How to Be Irresistible to Women."

Now it's YOUR turn!

James Brito
Author of "How to Be Irresistible to Women"

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About the author: James Brito is the author of the 2006 Edition of "How to Be Irresistible to Women." His years of dating experience and international travel have tutored him in the art of meeting and seducing women the world over. His immersion in international dating circles brings forth a gritty, no-nonsense approach to dating and developing relationships necessary for the modern single man.

The "How to Be Irresistible to Women" package offers single men a dynamic and comprehensive tool-kit to attract women and establish an honest and supportive relationship. You can learn more about how to attract the woman of your dreams right here at: 000relationships.com

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The Top 5 Gifts You Can Give Your Lover This Holiday Season

We tend to connect Christmas with gift-giving, but when it comes to your lover, diamonds and other expensive gifts aren't necessarily the best presents. If you truly want to build up your relationship and show your girlfriend or wife how much she means to you, you don't actually have to spend lots of dough. Just give her these five great gifts that say you treasure her more than anything. Your relationship will be sure to last longer, and prosper more:

1. Tell Her You Need Her. As I mention on my blog, telling a woman you need her is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Your girlfriend NEEDS to feel valued: she needs to know that of the 3 billion women in the world, SHE is the one you choose. Stuff like destiny and fate really turns women on, as does the unlikelihood of meeting. Tell your girlfriend how amazing it is that you met, how lucky and grateful you are that your lives crossed paths, and you relationship is sure to flourish. As long as there is an appreciation for each other, you'll never have to worry about losing the one you care about. And more importantly, things between the two of you will be better than ever. Just tell her you need her.

2. Go Somewhere Romantic. Don't think that gifts are the only way to please your girlfriend. In fact, a night out, where you can talk, share, and express your love for each other, is really a great way to build up your relationship. Take her somewhere festive yet romantic, a nice dinner spot that's full of holiday decorations and music.

3. Have a Private Holiday Celebration. Conversely, it can be just as effective to have a private dinner with your lover. Make her a special dinner, play some upbeat holiday songs, and drink quality wine (no beer or mixed drinks...not so romantic!). Make it a surprise and she'll really appreciate your efforts. If you can get your friends involved and have them bring your lover to your place, only to show her a surprise romantic dinner. This is one surefire way of creating newfound romance and strengthening your relationship. It's also a fantastic way to enjoy the holiday season together.

4. Spend Quality Time with Her. Even something as simple as spending a quality evening or day together will make your relationship sizzle. Take her out for a romantic drive, ice skating, or just for a stroll through the park. Talk about how much you value her and love having her around during the holiday season. Do things together that you've always talked about doing, whether it's a trip somewhere or just sitting before a fire. All these things show your lover you're serious about your relationship. And in the process, it's guaranteed to fire it up like nothing before.

5. Give Her Sentimental Gifts. Finally, give her gifts. But not just any gifts: something she talked about wanting, or something that specifically shows your love for her, such as a framed poem, a painting, or a photograph of the two of you together. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to let her know that you need her. The way you present it is just as important--Don't just hand it to her, but make a game out of it. Make it a "gift hunt" or something entertaining. That way, when she does get the actual gift, she'll appreciate it all the more. And she'll see what a fun, thoughtful guy you are in the process.

Don't forget, if you want to learn more about bolstering and reviving your relationship, there's only one place to go: 000Relationships.com! Check out my "How to Be Irresistible to Women" e-book and audio series here to learn everything you need to know about dating, love, and keeping the girls you find:

Now it's YOUR turn!

********************************************************************

About the author: James Brito is the author of the upcoming 2006 Edition of "How to Be Irresistible to Women." His years of dating experience and international travel have tutored him in the art of meeting and seducing women the world over. His immersion in international dating circles brings forth a gritty, no-nonsense approach to dating and developing relationships necessary for the modern single man. The "How to Be Irresistible to Women" package offers single men a dynamic and comprehensive tool-kit to attract women and establish an honest and supportive relationship. You can learn more about how to attract the woman of your dreams right here at: 000Relationships.com

***********************************************************************

Instant Messaging Divides Teens From Adults

Teenager Michelle Rome can't imagine life without instant messaging. Baby boomer Steve Wilson doesn't care that it even exists. They're a part of an "instant messaging gap" between teens and adults. And the division is wide, says an AP-AOL survey on how Americans use or snub those Internet bursts of gossip, happy date-making and teen tragedies that young people exchange by the hour while supposedly doing homework.

Rome, 17, a high school senior in Moristown, New Jersey, spends more than two hours each day spending and receiving more than 100 instant messages - or "IM-ing." I use it to ask questions about homework, make plans with people, keep up with my best friend in Texas and my sister in Connecticut," she said. "It has all the advantages."

The 51-year-old Wilson, a mechanic in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, prefers using e-mail and the telephone. Instant messaging "is the worst of both worlds," he said. "It manages to combine all the things I don't like like about each. I'm more or less a dinosaur. I use the Internet for things like buying car parts, reading celebrity gossip."

Almost half of teens, 48% of those ages 13-18, use instant messaging, according to the poll. That's more than twice the percentage of adults who use it.

According to the AP-AOL poll:

- Almost three-fourths of adults who do use instant messages still comunicate with e-mail more often. Almost three-fourths of teens send instant messages more than e-mail.

- More than half of the teens who use instant messages send more than 25 a day, and one in five send more than 100. Three-fourths of adult users send fewer than 25 instant messages a day.

- Teen users (30%) are almost twice as likely as adults (17%) to say thay can't imagine life without instant messaging.

- When keeping up with a friend who is far away, teens are most likely to use instant messaging, while adults turn first to e-mail.

- About a fifth of teen IM users have used IM to ask for or accept a date. Almost that many, 16%, have used it to break up with someone.

For couples, reacting to good news is important

When Something Good Happens To Your Partner,
It's A Terrific Opportunity To Strengthen The Relationship

Scientists who study relationships have long focused on how couples handle love's headaches, the cold silences and searing blowups, the child-care crises and work stress, the fallouts over money and ex-lovers.

But the way that partners respond to each other's triumphs may be even more important for the health of a relationship, suggests a paper appearing in the current issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The study found that the way a person responds to a partner's good fortune - with excitement or passive approval, shared pride or indifference - is the most crucial factor in tightening a couple's bond, or undetermining it.

"When something good happens to your partner, it's a terrific opportunity to strengthen the relationship - that's what this study really says," said Art Aron, a social psychologist at Stony Brook University in New York, who was not part of the study. "It fits with this whole thrust in the field, focusing on how to make things better rather than trying to avoid making them worse."

In the study, researchers asked 79 heterosexual couples who had dated at least six months to fill out questionnaires characterising how their partners typically reacted to positive news. People often had different styles in different contexts: a boyfriend who withdrew when his partner was upset or overwhelmed might glow with shared excitement if she was promoted. The researchers filmed the couples interacting in the lab, as they discussed positive events that happened to one or the other, to check their self-reports. The researchers also had members of the pairs rate how satisfied they were in the relationship, based on a battery of questions at the start of the study and again two months later.

The study was conducted by Shelly Gable, a psychologist at the University of California, Los Angeles; Gian Gonzaga, a psychologist and Amy Starchman, a graduate student there. In the laboratory as in life, constructive support is generally better for a relationship than detachment, as many people have learned the hard way. Couples who lace their arguments with sarcasm and mean jabs, studies find, are usually headed for a split. But in their analysis of response styles, the researchers found that it was the partners' reactions to their loved ones' victories, small and large, that most strongly predicted the strength of the relationships. Four of the couples had broken up after two months, and the women in these pairs rated their partners' usual response to good news as particularly uninspiring.

Celebrating a partner's promotion as if it were one's own provides the partner with a tremendous emotional lift, said Gable, while playing down or belittling the news can leave a deep and lasting chill. In most relationships, positive events outnumber negative ones by at least four to one, studies have found, and "you get much more bang for your buck" by amplifying life's rewards than by soothing its bruises, as important as that is, Gable said.

Gaze of known face attracts women more

The next time a beautiful woman gives you a passing gaze, don't rejoice, your face probably seems familiar to her. Women follow the gaze of a familiar face more readily than men do, researchers suggest, after carrying out a small study, reports NewScientist.

Michael Platt at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, US, and colleagues asked 32 volunteers to watch a screen that showed the face of either a stranger or a colleague looking to the right or left for 200 milliseconds (one-fifth of a second). The participants then waited to see whether a dot appeared on the right or left of a screen, and pressed one of two buttons accordingly.

Under all conditions, women in the study were slightly slower than the men to push the buttons, the team found. But when a familiar onscreen face looked at the side opposite to which the dot appeared, the women performed even worse - taking about 24 miliseconds longer than men to press the button, on average. In cases, where the familiar face gazed toward the side where the dot then appeared women lagged behind men by only 10 milliseconds.

Although the experiment involved few subjects, and all the onscreen faces were all of men, Platt believes it is possible to draw some general conclusions from the findings. He says the results suggest that women follow the attention of familiar faces more closely than men do, and that brain differences between men and women might account for this finding.

Previous studies have shown that the brain regions that process facial expressions - including the amygdala and obritofrontal gyrus - are highly sensitive to sex hormones. But Platt stresses it remains unclear whether potential brain differences are inate or the product of environmental influences. He does admit that since all of the "familiar" faces used in the experiment were pictures of men, the results could be skewed.

More experiments are needed to find out why the gaze of familiar faces influences women more than men. Platt's team says. They saw understanding this difference could shed light on the causes of autism, which affects four times more males than females,