AP9 Articles

Privacy MattersSM Reminds Consumers About the Do’s and Don’t of Password Safety

Privacy Matters, a leading security and privacy membership program from Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, prompts its members and all consumers alike to create safe passwords for their online accounts. The damage an online hacker can do to someone’s life once his or her password has been decoded is infinite.

These hackers don’t even need high-tech tools to guess the passwords. Once they have access to a computer, all the stored files and family photos can give them the clues to simply guess by trial and error. That’s why Privacy Matters encourages consumers to go beyond the pet names and birth dates when deciding which passwords to use for online accounts.

Here are some valuables do’s and don’ts of password security, from PrivacyMatters:

Do:

-- Create an atypical mix of characters. The possibilities of creating a unique password are endless. Choose a sonorous word, or perhaps one in another language, and change it by replacing letters for special characters such as %, @ or &. Adding a couple of uppercase letters will also make it more difficult to decipher.

-- Use a pass phrase. If a made-up word isn’t easy to remember, try using the first letter from each word of a sentence. Think of a famous line from a movie, a poem or a song. For example, “Say hello to my little friend,” from the 1983 movie “Scarface,” will be something like: shtmlf1983. To make it more difficult to decode, use some other tips from this list: $htm!f1983 or 19$Htm!f83, etc.

-- Create different passwords. Ideally, online travelers should have a different password for each application or site, especially for those that involve financial and personal information. The longer the password, the more time hackers have to spend decoding it, suggests Privacy Matters. Experts recommend a minimum of six letters and at least one number.

-- Change passwords frequently. Passwords should be changed every 30 to 90 days and should not be reused for at least a year.

-- Employ technology. There are password management tools in the market that are easy to install and easy to use. These programs maintain a list of user names and passwords in encrypted form, to increase the security of all personal information.

Don’t:

-- Use family names or nicknames. Personal information should be banned from all passwords. Information thieves can easily guess pets’ name, special dates and others.

-- Utilize single words. Hackers can try with every word on the English dictionary until they find the one that will “open the door” to all the information they need. Even if the chosen one is in another language, it should be changed drastically by using numbers or other characters on the keyboard.

-- Be so obvious. Using the same user name and password for one site or creating passwords based on keyword layout are simply “Internet rookie” mistakes. These are some of the patterns hackers try first before moving on to more complicated tactics.

Privacy Matters helps members manage, monitor and protect their personal credit information. Continuous access to their credit report and scores, at the click of a button, is another advantage of a membership in PrivacyMatters.

PremierHealth PlusSM Wants Consumers to Stay Fit During This Holiday Season

Food is an essential part of the holiday festivities. Along with presents and tender family moments, though, people may take something else from these joyful days: a couple of extra pounds. PremierHealth Plus, a leading healthcare savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, reminds consumers that one day of overeating won’t make or break their diet, but balance and moderation are good ideas anyway.

Temptation is always around during the last two months of the year: coworkers bring leftover brownies or cookies, party hosts offer enough food to feed an entire army, and in some cases the emotions, whether joyful or nostalgic, increase the yearning for tasty treats. Premier Health Plus advocates for a healthy approach to food during the holidays. It’s not necessary to overindulge or to deny the desire to eat —or skip a couple of invitations— but it’s important to be aware of eating patterns and to plan ahead. Consider the following tips for enjoying the holidays without gaining weight:

--Leave the diet for later. Holidays are not the right time to start a new diet. The focus during these weeks should be to maintain one’s current weight, and that can be a challenge by itself. Losing weight can be a New Year’s resolution, but even then, it might be smart to wait until the second or third week of January, when life is usually back to normal and it’s easier to focus on a new eating and exercise regimen.

--Stay active. The most common excuses people use to neglect their usual exercise routine are the cold weather and the extra activities around the holidays. Unfortunately, this is the worse time of the year to stop exercising. Even just 20 minutes of moderate physical activity a day — especially aerobic exercises such as walking or cycling — will help to release stress, regulate appetite and burn extra calories.

--Make a food journal. There is no need to jot down exact quantities or to bring a notepad and pen to every party. What’s important is to keep track of all the things eaten, for two specific reasons: one, to be consciously aware of the amount and type of food consumed; two, to know when to cut back and balance out the day in a healthy way.

--Reduce the fat in recipes. Cookbooks and online sites are excellent resources for low-fat and sugar-free holiday recipes. Use those ideas to take control over homemade treats and dishes prepared for family gatherings.

--Practice portion control. Moderation is a good rule to follow when it comes to holiday eating. Choose to be served on smaller plates, and be selective when going down the buffet line: add more vegetables than fried food, and stick with the tried, true and preferred instead of making a point of sampling a little bit of everything.

PremierHealth Plus members enjoy discounts on a wide range of healthcare needs, with access to a nationwide network of 300,000 healthcare providers. Benefits include chiropractic care services and other alternative medicine treatments. No matter what season it is, the whole family can take advantage of the benefits offered by PremierHealthPlus.

HomeWorks PlusSM Offers Tips for Christmas Tree Decorating

Large, medium or small, with a thousand lights or a few prominent ornaments, down the hallway or in a corner of the family room … the Christmas tree is a must for American families, and — finally — the time to decorate a new one has come! Home Works Plus, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, reports that millions of Americans will keep the tradition alive by making their Christmas trees look like a work of art.

The Christmas tree has a long association with Christianity, tracing its roots back to the 16th century in Europe. Germany is the country where many customs, songs, images of Santa, pine trees adorned with ornaments and other Christmas traditions come from. In the hundreds of years since then, the Christmas tree has become more than a religious symbol, evolving into an emblem of a time of the year to celebrate love and family union. HomeWorksPlus members use their benefits to save on decorative purchases for the tree and all the areas of the home that need a touch of the holiday spirit.

From the ornaments to the lights to every branch of the tree, Home Works Plus has a few ideas about Christmas tree decoration:

Family decision. It’s up to the family members to choose a specific theme or color, or simply to use their ornaments as family heirlooms and try to display them every year in a different, more creative way. No matter how the family approaches tree decorating, the goal is to achieve is a unique piece that reflects the family’s personality.

The green trend. In this age of environmental awareness, many families are opting for an organic tree. To be part of this trend, the first step is to purchase the tree at a reputable farm (one that doesn’t use pesticides and plants different types of trees). The second step is to purchase or make nature-friendly decorations. Use LED lights, which don’t present the fire risk of conventional bulbs and also run on about a tenth of the energy. There’s a great variety of colors and shapes in the market, all of which can be complemented with biodegradable ornaments made at home using recyclable paper and other materials.

The single-color tree. The key to a beautiful single-tone tree is to prepare beforehand. Once the color’s been selected, the challenge is to get the ornaments in different shades, shapes and sizes. Begin with a single-tone string of lights as the base of the design, and build the rest from there. Pick only three or four kinds of ornaments, so the tree looks elegant and fun but not overstuffed.

A rainbow of colors. A multi-colored tree can easily look messy if ornaments and lights are not carefully selected, notes HomeWorksPlus. Follow a pattern, and pick at least one element that’s going to bring unity to the design, like the same color ribbon to tie the items on the tree. Begin by wrapping the lights (all blue, red or green is a nice way to add color and break away from tradition) from top to bottom. Next, place larger ornaments first, evenly around all the branches, and continue randomly adding the others in decreasing size.

Ornaments. When it comes to Christmas tree ornaments, less is often more. Whatever the theme of the tree, be sure to keep some kind of pattern with the chosen ornaments. Beware of using too many garlands or too much tinsel, though; it’s okay if the tree looks “snowy,” but too much of it might create an “after a storm” look.

Top and bottom of the tree. This is the place where the originality of the family can really be showcased. Cap the tree off with a ceramic or a craft made by one of the kids, or pick something totally different from the traditional angel or star. You can use the same motif for the tree skirt, an item that’s often forgotten but is equally important as the other decorative elements.

HomeWorks Plus members can access a variety of savings on home and Christmas decorating needs as well as gardening and entertainment interests. When it comes to finding elements for decorating, improving the house or creating a stunning look for a party or gathering, members can always count on HomeWorksPlus.

24 Protect Plus SaysSM, “Prepare Pets for Winter Climes!”

24 Protect Plus, a premier security program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, knows that for many, pets are truly part of the family. From dogs to cats to tropical fish — and many other living creatures in between — most domesticated pets may need some extra life lessons and a few pointers, especially heading into the winter months.

While few people will doubt an animal’s loyalty and strength of character, pets do need direction. And although 19th century novelist Mary Ann Evans (best known by her pen name, “George Eliot”) was no doubt barking up the right tree when she wrote, "Animals are such agreeable friends they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms," she would likely agree that even the most intelligent pet can’t read a thermometer or go online to check the latest forecast. For that, pets decidedly need the “human touch.”

That’s why 24ProtectPlus wants to provide these helpful tips and hints as winter fast approaches — just in case your pets have been too busy living the “life of Riley” to notice those changing weather patterns:

-- Dress ’em up in style. Winter can be tough enough on people, and surprisingly, winter temperatures can do a number on our four-legged friends too. Just because dogs and cats have fur, it doesn’t mean they can sit outside in the cold for that long. They can’t. Sweaters for dogs and cats are all the rage these days, so consider decking out those canine and feline pals in animal outerwear. Not only will they look “cool,” but staying warm will also protect their hair from harsh winds and chemicals.

-- Don’t drink the water. Better yet, keep pets far away from liquids that look like water. Antifreeze, for example, hangs out in the garage and driveway just waiting to be lapped up, warns AP9 24 Protect Plus.

-- When in doubt … let ’em in. Most cats like to spend the winter months indoors, but some like fresh air too. Try not to leave cats outside in the cold too long, though. If they can’t get back inside to get toasty, they may resort to ducking into a warm car engine. And that’s sure to cost them all nine lives.

-- That’s a fine kettle of fish. When winter hits, take steps to keep fish tanks clean and change the water regularly. And keep an eye on the water temperature, too, making sure that it is as close as possible to what the fish was used to in his/her “former life.” While pet fish may seem independent, like most domestic pets, they can be “dead in the water” without you.

So show those pets some love this winter. And take heed of these safety-minded messages from 24Protect Plus.

Credit DiagnosisSM Says, “Do Your Research”; Credit Card Offers Are Many

Credit Diagnosis, a leading security and privacy membership program from Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, offers its members tips and insights on what credit card best fits their needs.

Not all credit cards are right for all people, so shopping for them is hardly a “one-size-fits-all” type proposition. That’s why Credit Diagnosis suggests doing some research to narrow down the choices. As the number of credit card offers has ballooned in recent years, so too have the “loopholes” associated with those offers. The expression “read the fine print” applies very directly to the credit card world, and CreditDiagnosis encourages a “show me” attitude when doing research.

So when it comes to finding the best credit card offers, be sure to shop around. For folks who are unsure about where to begin, Credit Diagnosis offers the following tips to help get the hunt off to a good start:

-- Take the lead. As it is with most things in the consumer world, there are definitely credit card companies out there that everybody knows — leading credit card issuers that spend big bucks on marketing, spreading their respective messages. Start with them. Chances are one of the major credit card “players” will offer the right combination of rates, perks and other conditions to match virtually any budget.

-- Bend it like Bernanke. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke might not have a set monetary policy on what credit cards to use, but he might well agree that financial flexibility is key when it comes to choosing a credit card. Choosing a credit card that offers flexible spending, for example, not only allows cardholders to carry a zero balance and avoid hefty finance charges, it can also help avoid revolving debt.

-- Fight fraud. Credit card fraud is an industry unto itself. So in case credit cards are lost or stolen, it’s probably best to go with a card that has built-in fraud protection. And read the fine print. Those “loopholes” we mentioned can be well-hidden amongst the disclaimers.

-- Reap the rewards. A lot of credit card issuers offer rewards programs, giving cardholders opportunities to earn points that can be redeemed for goods and services. Frequent flyer programs yield savings on airfares and other travel-related incidentals that can add up fast. Other rewards-based programs may even offer cash back, just for using the card.

When it comes to choosing a credit card, focus on those cards whose features best support individual and family lifestyle and spending habits, advises Credit Diagnosis.

Passport to FunSM Offers a Preview of the Hottest Toys of the 2007 Holiday Season

When the leaves begin to turn color, it’s probably a good idea to at least start thinking about holiday shopping, reports Passport to Fun, a premier recreation and entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. After all, the holiday season seems to kick off earlier and earlier every year, and no one wants to be left behind as the hottest toys and gadgets are swept off the shelves by ambitious (or, in the eyes of some people, obnoxious) pre-holiday-rush shoppers.

PassportToFun recognizes that holiday traditions are deeply rooted in almost every family across the United States, and one of those traditions involves holiday shopping. For some folks, getting an early jump on buying gifts is almost hard-coded in their DNA. For others, the holidays just wouldn’t feel right unless they waited until the last possible second to begin their shopping ritual, online or otherwise.

Unfortunately for many of those last-minute consumers, they usually need to complete the shopping equivalent of a Hail Mary pass to score the most popular gifts of the season. To offer them a few hints on what to look for if they happen to wander across a shopping opportunity before their appointed rounds, Passport to Fun takes a quick look at a few of the toys receiving the most attention early in the 2007 holiday season:

-- Nintendo Wii. Nintendo’s response to the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 came out last year, but it’s still a hit among consumers. Affordably priced in the market, the motion-sensitive gameplay device of the Nintendo Wii allows users to get off the couch and get into the action with a wide variety of games that the whole family, kids and parents alike, will enjoy.

-- T.M.X. Elmo, T.M.X. Ernie and T.M.X. Cookie Monster. The “Tickle Me” line of toys has come out in its tenth version (hence the “X”) and shows no signs of losing its appeal among America’s kids. These new versions focus even more on the tickles, naturally, featuring almost uncontrollable laughter the more the fuzzy little creatures are tickled, making them an ideal gift for young ones who love to laugh along with things that laugh.

-- The Pleo Dinosaur — A Ugobe Life Form. Millions of years after their demise, dinosaurs still roam — and rule — the American toy industry landscape. The Pleo Dinosaur represents the latest evolution in toy dinosaurs, offering nearly 40 sensors and more than 100 specially designed gears that allow the Pleo to interact with its environment, seeing, hearing, sensing, feeling and even communicating with things — including other Pleos — in the area. Due to its advanced technology, the Pleo is targeted for children age 8 and older.

-- The Fisher-Price Digital Camera. For parents who are tired of entrusting their high-priced digital cameras to their children, Fisher-Price has a solution: The Kid-Tough™ Digital Camera, an affordable, working camera that can handle the clumsiness and carelessness that young children sometimes exhibit in their weaker moments (and plenty of others). Designed for kids as young as 3, the camera helps youngsters start honing their photography skills without causing parents conniptions when the camera inevitably bounces off the floor.

With the holiday season kicking into high gear, consumers can find plenty of ways to stretch their gift-buying budget with the savings available on home entertainment and amusements, gift cards, movie tickets and more from PassportToFun.

Simple EscapesSM Wants to Help Holiday Travelers Stay Healthy, Wherever Their Destination May Be

With the holidays approaching, airports and highways are about to become jam-packed with folks heading home or jetting off to vacation resorts, notes Simple Escapes, a premier travel and entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. Amid all of the holiday hustle and bustle, however, healthy precautions can be overlooked, and when they are, the best-laid plans can easily turn into waylaid plans.

The holiday season coincides with the beginning of flu season in the United States, so travelers can expect to be inundated with reminders about flu vaccinations and other such precautions. Even if sojourners pay attention to those reminders, though, more than a few of them will likely overlook other health issues, particularly those directly related to traveling.

To help keep the holiday travel blues to a minimum, SimpleEscapes offers a few suggestions on embarking on a healthy trip:

-- Prepare for jet lag. A common ailment after trips across time zones, jet lag can weaken the immune system, which obviously lowers the body’s defenses against the common cold and other, worse ailments. To help reduce jet lag, travelers flying west to east should avoid the sun for the first day of their arrival. Folks flying east to west should consider taking a quick-paced walk upon their arrival. Melatonin, an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement, can also help fight jet lag.

-- Pay attention to prescriptions. Folks who are taking prescribed maintenance drugs (heart medication, cholesterol pills, anti-depressants, allergy medications, etc.) should be sure to stock up adequately beforehand. Ideally, they should get a supply that will last longer than the scheduled trip, just in case travel delays occur, reports Simple Escapes.

-- Vaccinate well beforehand. People who are flying to another country should check well in advance with their doctor (and/or visit the Centers for Disease Control website) to make sure they’re up-to-date on any and all required vaccinations. Some vaccinations require multiple doses, so it’s important that international travelers give themselves enough time to get inoculated before departure.

-- Visit the hometown pharmacy. People planning trips to foreign countries should also pick up a travel supply of OTC medications, like pain relievers, cold remedies and even vitamin supplements, since OTC drugs in other countries don’t always contain the exact same dosages available in the U.S. Packing a supply of OTC diarrhea drugs and other medications for digestive problems is another good idea; it’s better to have it and not need it than the alternative.

-- Don’t drink the water. It may sound like a cliché, but it’s true: Visitors to foreign countries usually haven’t built up any tolerance to the bacteria in the local water system, and digestive problems can and will flare up when foreign elements enter the intestines. The safest way to avoid such problems is to rely on bottled water — for everything, even when brushing one’s teeth. If bottled water isn’t available, be sure to clean the tap water first by boiling it or by using an iodine tablet.

-- Pack a brief medical history. If health problems do occur, the local doctor(s) may need to know more about the patient than just his or her symptoms. Travelers should carry a summary of their medical history, from blood type, allergies and immunizations to ongoing health problems, current medications and the name and phone number of their regular doctor. Be sure to include the name, address, phone number and policy number of the traveler’s health insurance carrier as well as a list of emergency contacts and their phone numbers.

Holiday travelers can typically expect long lines at the airport and congestion on the highways, but with some advance planning, they can take the proper steps to avoid health problems commonly associated with traveling, reports SimpleEscapes.

Privacy Matters 1-2-3SM Says Practice Online Banking Safety Every Day

Privacy Matters 1-2-3, a leading security and privacy membership program from Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, reminds its members that online banking safety has never been more important. With online thieves waiting for any opportunity to swipe banking and other personal information and spin it into instant profit, PrivacyMatters123 offers its members valuable tips to improve online banking security.

Computer hackers, identity thieves and other online miscreants can certainly be called "lowlifes," yet the folks at PrivacyMatters 123 know that they're anything but stupid. In fact, the art of "making something out of nothing" seems to have been perfected by these resourceful opportunists. Why spend time and energy "working" when it's easier just to make money ripping off the bank codes and passwords of others? Right?

That's why Privacy Matters 1-2-3 offers these watchwords and safeguards, designed to keep personal banking and financial information with its rightful owners:

-- Keep it private. The thing about public computers is that they're usually crawling with online thieves, those same people who can convert careless mistakes into big bucks instantly. So to beat hackers at their own game, don't make financial transactions on public computers, many of which may be located in libraries and full-service copy facilities. Also, try to avoid using wireless service when doing banking business. When in doubt, stick to a private, home computer.

-- Go with a middleman. When making purchases online, try to avoid using debit cards, and consider using credit cards instead. Better to have a middleman like an established credit card company between an online thief and a personal checking account. Besides, many credit card companies offer no-liability fraud protection as part of their service.

-- Don't get rooked. Online scams are so feared because they've been proven to work. Just ask the millions of people who get ripped off every year providing sensitive financial information to phony online bank operations. If a financial institution sends an e-mail relating to some sort of "urgent problem" with a bank account, use caution before relinquishing any information. It could be a trap.

-- Mix 'em up. Don't use the same user ID and passwords at different banks and other financial institutions. If a thief grabs one password that works the same for all accounts --- including any accounts with online merchants --- then he's got them all. So mix things up.

For these and other handy credit, identity theft and financially-oriented tips, finding help is as easy as PrivacyMatters123.

At Home RewardsSM Helps Spread a Little Holiday Cleaning Joy

The holidays are a time to celebrate the season with friends and family, whether it's a big party or a small, informal gathering, reports At Home Rewards, a premier family and home savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. Before folks start popping in for visits, though, it's a good idea to put a little extra shine on the old homestead.

Entertaining loved ones and close friends is just one of many bright spots in the holiday season, but keeping it bright usually requires a little polishing. No one wants to be remembered for their holiday crumbs rather than their holiday cookies, so a pre-holiday cleaning program is often the best way to prepare for guests, expected or otherwise.

Of course, lengthy cleaning chores aren't usually at the top of anyone's holiday wish list, so AtHomeRewards offers a few quick ways to address some season-specific cleaning needs:

-- Candles. A popular decorative touch around the holidays, candles offer a special challenge because they drip wax wherever they go. To remove wax from candlestick holders, pop them in a freezer for an hour or so. Once the wax is frozen, simply peel it off. (For quicker results, try soaking the candlesticks under very hot water, then use a soft towel to rub the wax off.) To remove warm wax from a tablecloth, rub the wax with an ice cube to make it stiff, and use a spatula to scrape it off, reports At Home Rewards. Then put a paper towel on both sides of the tablecloth, and apply a warm iron. The paper towels should absorb the melted wax. Be sure to run the tablecloth through the washer, of course.

-- Frosted windows. Some people like the frosted-window look, which occurs when windows fog up in cold-weather locales. For those who don't like that look, cleaning the windows with a solution of a half-cup of rubbing alcohol with a quart of water will help keep the condensation --- and therefore the frost --- to a minimum.

-- Carpet spills. Carpet spills aren't a holiday-specific concern, but the more guests there are, the more chances there are for an accident. The key is to work on the spill as quickly as possible, before it sets in. Mix a tablespoon of mild liquid dishwashing detergent with a half-cup of warm water, and use that to dab at the stain with one paper towel while using another paper towel to contain and soak up the spill.

-- Fireplaces. The fireplace can be a focal point of holiday gatherings, so it's important to keep it up to snuff. To remove ashes without creating a cloud, scatter damp tea leaves across the ash pile before gently sweeping the ashes into a dustpan. And to bring a shine to brass fireplace accessories, simply clean them in warm, soapy water.

-- Knick-knacks. Keeping small glass, china and glazed ornaments and figurines clean and free of dust can seem like a very involved task, but it doesn't have to be. Just set them in the kitchen sink, spray them with a window cleaner, rinse them off, wipe them down, and leave them to dry on a paper towel. If the knick-knacks shouldn't be exposed to liquids, use a microfiber towel and a small dose of dust cleaner.

Holiday entertaining should be as easy and enjoyable as singing a verse of two of "Jingle Bells," and being able to focus on company rather than cleaning can be a snap with a few quick tips from At Home Rewards.

Todays EscapesSM Offers a Few Ideas for Thanksgiving Fun for the Whole Family

One of the true joys of the holiday season is the wide number of reunions that spring up all across the nation, reports Todays Escapes, a premier recreation and entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. As families and friends converge to reminisce, catch up and make plans for the future, it's the perfect time for fun and frivolity as well.

These annual gatherings offer a regular snapshot of each family and each circle of friends. In ideal circumstances, the gatherings grow every year, with new faces joining familiar ones to give thanks and raise a toast to another year well-spent. As heart-warming as such toasts are, they're usually not long enough to last the whole day (thank goodness); savvy hosts and hostesses know how important it is to spice things up with some games and other activities.

For folks who are hosting their first holiday gathering, and for others who'd like some additional ideas to pass the time enjoyably, TodaysEscapes has a few tips on how to keep the family parties entertaining:

-- Touch football. The Turkey Bowl is a tradition with roots in every town in the United States on Thanksgiving Day. While younger, hardier lads might want to engage in tackle football, touch football (or flag football, if flags are available) is a safer bet to avoid a detour to the emergency room on the way to the dinner table. Simply find a plot of open land, mark off the boundaries with cones (or jackets or scarves or ...), pick sides, and kick off. Just check with the chef first to make sure the game won't intrude on cooking or, more importantly, dining schedules.

-- Stuff a scarecrow or two. An ideal kid's activity, all that's needed are some old clothes, some newspapers or leaves, and a pumpkin or two. Just set the clothes down on a porch or against a tree, and have the kids stuff them until they expand. Then help the kids carve faces into the pumpkin and prop them up on top of the shirts. Not only will this offer the youngsters a creative outlet, it's also a good way to clean out the closet, notes Todays Escapes.

-- Name that tune. All that's needed is a CD player, a few dozen CDs, and a couple of pens and pads of paper. Pick one person to be the host, then split everyone else up into two teams. The host cues up a song and plays a second or two of it. Each team then writes down what they think the name of the song is. If both teams fail to name it correctly after the first round, the host plays a slightly longer clip and keeps doing so until one team correctly names that tune. The first team to correctly name a predetermined number of songs has first dibs on the food line.

-- Fictionary. Who says learning can't be fun? Fictionary can expand vocabularies while leaving folks in stitches. Just pull out a dictionary, and give everyone a pencil and a pad of paper. One person picks a word out of the dictionary that no one's ever heard before, spells it out for everyone, and writes down the real definition. Meanwhile, the other players write down their own, made-up definitions. The person who chose the word then reads all the definitions out loud, and everyone votes on the correct definition. Whoever votes for the real definition earns a point. Anyone who receives a vote for their made-up definition also earns a point, as does the person with the funniest definition. The person who earns the most points in a round gets to choose the next word.

The holiday season is always a joyous time to begin with, and with a few games and activities to keep kids of all ages entertained, it's easy to kick up the fun another notch or two, notes TodayEscapes.