Welcome to Writer Tips

Christmas - What To Buy For The Unusual Person

You always have to buy certain gifts for certain people that you just don´t know what you can get! Help! What are some good gifts you could buy for your preacher/head of church or other church members, fellow employees, the grands or great-grands that tend to already have everything they want or could buy anything they wanted, the grands and great-grands who need everything and you still don´t know what to get, the teacher´s at your child´s school, dance teachers or other teachers, the boss, and other hard-to-buy for people on your list. Suggest some unusual gifts to buy or make for the occasion. Are some things tasteful and some not? Which are which? Is there any one good-for-everyone gift you could keep on hand for those unexpected times?

Fun At Work Day

The first Thursday in April has been designated as International Fun At Work Day. The website at www.playfair.com gives you tons of information on how to make a workplace a funplace to work. You´ll find many article ideas here. How many businesses in your area know about this practice and participate? Do local companies promote any fun ideas to encourage employee comradery?

Christmas - The Business of Santa

Someone in your area who runs a Santa business. The making of the suit. The worst kid he´s ever met! The best parties he´s attended. Is there a Mrs. Claus? Is Santa a man? What´s the average price for Santa´s services and what are those services? The funniest kids he´s met. The most unusual gifts he´s been asked to bring.

National Humor Month

April has been designated National Humor Month. How can humor relieve or reduce stress? Subscriptions in print or on-line for humor magazines or newsletters. Can a joke a day keep the doctor away? Interview people for their favorite jokes.

Watermelon designs

It´s getting to be watermelon time! How to carve
watermelon baskets, boats and other designs. How to
make melon balls as you´re making your designs.

Wedding - Places to board guests

Scheduling places to stay for the guests that come from out of town or out of state. Procuring the rooms, finding the right hotel or motel, who pays for what, how long will they stay? Making reservations in relatives´ and friends´ homes. Who will stay where? What about those who bring unmarried partners? Even with today´s open standards, some still disapprove of unmarried partners staying together. How to avoid this problem. Can you get discounts if you reserve several rooms? What if someone cancels at the last minute? What are your options? What attractions are in your area that your guests might want to check out while visiting? Making an itinerary for them.

Wedding - the honeymoon

Don´t forget the honeymoon -- how to schedule, plan and pack for the happy occasion. Should you use a rental car? Who should know where you are. Collecting honeymoon memories for the years to come. Who is paying for the honeymoon? Will you start the marriage in debt? How much money will you need? How not to overspend.

National Diabetes Month

How do you know you have diabetes? What are the symptoms? How is it treated? Are their age limits? The newest treatments. How does one learn to give oneself shots? How special diets and special foods can help the diabetic. What foods are best?

How I Met My Someone Special

Interview with well-knowns in your area about how they met their spouse - what tips can they give about courting and keeping that someone special?

Wedding - be your own coordinator

Do you need a wedding coordinator? Not! Why pay someone upwards of $500 for something you can orchestrate yourself? Just be sure you start early in the plans, and you can do it. From scheduling of the church, to the favors, and the rental car. It´s all a matter of making a list and planning ahead.

Customer Loyalty

April is International Customer Loyalty Month. How can you get customers to come back again and again? Is there anything to do if a customer is unsatisfied? Do stores really care if you are a satisfied customer or not? Are they concerned at all that they may lose your business or do they feel there are plenty others that will make up for it? An inspiring web page can be found at www.hyken.com

First License Plates Issued

On April 25, 1901, New York was the first state to require license plates on cars. How many kinds of license plates are available in your state and how much extra do they cost? The popularity of personalized tags and the price. Are people who have personalized tags more apt to be honest since their tag may be readily remembered?

International Drum Month

How to make your own drums. Other than being used in a band, are there other uses for drums? What´s the price of drums today? Do you take drum lessons - or does it come naturally? Are there some people who just can´t play the drums? What are drums made of? Anyone in your city have any old drums or a collection? Is there someone in your city who has a collection of drumsticks? Do many people have their drumsticks monogrammed? Are drumsticks plain or designed? What are the most popular drums in the school band?

First Flag

On April 4, 1818, Congress approved the first flag of the United States. Who in your area owns the oldest flag? How can you tell if it´s genuine? How old is your state flag? Who owns the oldest flag? Can the flag be cleaned? Should it be cleaned? Should it be repaired?

Pistol Packing

On March 5, 1836, Samuel Colt received a patent for his pistol. What kind of pistol (or gun) is most popular for keeping in the home? Are locks available? Will you have time to unlock it if you need it? What are the laws in your area? Are they enforced? How many people have been shot in your area in the past year ... and how many were accidents? What is your community´s stance on this controversial subject?

Civil War Reenactments

Civil War Reenactments abound in June. Go behind the scenes and find out how such a reenactment is brought together. Are costumes bought or made? Antiques used in the event. From how far away do participants come and how many events are they participants? Is this a "career" of sorts for some? The oldest possessions used. How they don´t let "up-to-date" items slip in.

First Bicycle Introduced

On May 21, 1819, the first bicycle was introduced in New York. Did it get the recognition and excitement of the Segway? Did people expect the bicycle to "catch on" or dismiss it as a fad? Who has the oldest bicycle in your state or city? When is a bicycle too old to be reconditioned? How do you measure a bicycle to fit a kid or grown-up? How can you tell if it "fits"? Accessories for bicycles and mandatory items. Are there bicycle laws in your city or state? What are they and are they enforced? Make a quiz of the bicycle laws - how many can you get right? How many are ridiculous laws?

National Karaoke Week

The fourth week in April is National Karaoke Week. How does karaoke help with self-esteem, appearing in front of a crowd, stress release and confidence? Where can you enjoy karaoke in your area? Who can participate? Can you bring your own songs? Are there contests? What´s the average cost of your own karaoke machine? Have any local karaoke singers gone on to higher aspirations?