15 sure-shot Christmas Gift ideas for Men

When you desperately want to gift them something ?different?
this year

Anyone who has ever tried giving a ?different? gift to their
men folk on a Christmas will know what I am talking about.
It is far easier to select gift for women due to the kind of
variety and range available in the market. Anyone under 30
would love to have the latest designer makeup offering.
Above 40 will love some concoctions of skin creams. Bath
luxuries, new shimmering evening dress, cookery classes
vouchers, time saving kitchen equipment?there is no dearth
of offerings for women.

However, for men, the choices are so limited. How many times
can you gift someone golf clubs, socks, aftershave, watch or
a good old leather wallet?? Any offbeat gift like bath
marbles or a cute puppy may not hit-off with everyone. You
are always in doubt while experimenting, if it?s the right
thing.

Here are some alternative gift ideas that might earn you
that big broad smile from your dad, grandpa or husband. The
kinky ones will get you some hugs and more from your man.

. Sudoku Toilet Roll ? For the enthusiasts who can?t
get enough of the game. It is a sure way to pass time on the
bob. Sudoku is a massive puzzling craze that has swept the
world. One of those addictive little games that will keep
you amused for hours. Gift one to the one you love and watch
their grins on receiving this unusual gift.

. Racing Grannies ? These are desktop dolls in the
form of ageing, wrinkled grannies, but race around faster
than a car on the desk. Race these old dears at crippling
speeds, wind them up and watch them go, just adjust the
grannies arms to find the perfect race position. Two
grannies complete with zimmer frames and shopping baskets
will have you howling with laughter as you watch them
scuttle along the desk. Ultimate fun guaranteed!!

. Babe Beer Bottle Holder ? If you want to gift him
something kinky this Christmas, we have the perfect gift.
The Babe Beer bottle holder has an alluring ahem?female
figurine on the outside. He will remember you each time he
holds the holder or the babe?

. Hand Mobile Battery Charger - For emergency times
when he needs to recharge his cell but there is no
electrical socket nearby. This neat little gadget has a
shaft that is rotated by hand. A 3-minute charging results
in a talk time of about 7-8 minutes. Can be remodelled to
suit any mobile phone brand. Perfect gift for any
gizmo-freak.

. A hammock ? Rekindle the memories of that
Caribbean holiday by gifting him a hammock. Who wouldn?t
love to lounge around in a hammock in the sun (even if
imagined!) with a beer bottle in hand? A suitable gift for
those who love to rest their derrieres often enough..

. Hip flask cum Cigarette Case ? A perfect gift to a
Football fanatic. When he goes to see his favourite team in
action, this cute little flask helps him carry his favourite
spirit and upto 6 cigarettes in neat, very small case. Looks
elegant too.

. Virtual Girlfriend Game ? Gift this video game to
your brother or friend if they recently got dumped or have
been too shy to ask anyone out. It will help them polish
their dating skills. A perfect gift for tongue-tied
teenagers.

. Whistling, Flashing Keylighter ? They will never
loose their keys again. On being whistled to, this amazing
keylighter whistles back at you and flashes light. So gift
this to your absent-minded hubby or careless teenager, they
are bound to appreciate this thoughtful gesture.

. Football club share ? What do you gift a Man
United fan?? A share in their favourite football club!!!
They will swear by you if you give them this chance to own a
piece of the magic. These shares are available in different
denominations for various clubs.

. An acre on Mars or Moon ? What do you gift to a
man who has everything, in his own words?? An acre of land
on moon or Mars will really make them reach for the stars J
Yes!! They are up for grabs and the recipients of your gift
will get a neat little certificate to prove it. Now you know
what to gift that well-off uncle.

. Family History Gift-Box ? Perfect gift for
teenagers finding their roots or people living away from
their native neighbourhood. This box contains personalised
family history of people in Wales, England, and Ireland.
Imagine the surprise on their face in knowing how many of
their ancestors went to the New World and who knows, they
might even have royalty as part of their lineage.

. Personalised Stationery ? Surprise him by gifting
him his insignia stationary. He is sure to be impressed by
the embossed letters of his name on all his personalised
letter-pads, cards and other business and personal markings.

. Table Football game ? Who hasn?t loved a good game
of Table Football on a bleak wet day? Gift this to your
bachelor friends or cousins and watch them play it over and
over with squeals of delight. Danger: you might feel ignored
in their company?

. Espresso Cappuccino Machines - For the modern
wonders of men who need a coffee first thing in the morning
but cant brew it to save their lives! This classy and handy
machine makes life a little easier for your dear ones by
serving them hot piping Espresso or Cappuccino every single
morning unfailingly.

. ?Macho-man? Apron or ?Danger: Man Cooking? Apron ?
If you have survived more than one of their cooking
disasters last year, its time to give them a ?Danger ? Man
Cooking? apron. Or, stroke their ego and laugh as they put
on a ?Macho-Man? apron and then sweetly ask them to fix the
dinner.. Men will always be boys.

Gifts generally bring out the true essence of Christmas.
What you are gifting someone paints the true picture of your
feelings for the other. Here is a list that has been
compiled to help you figure out a few things that will make
your Christmas merrier.

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Drinking and Its affects on Diet

There has been quite a lot of literature written in the past
few years on the benefits of wine on overall health.
However, there has also been a push away from people
consuming 'empty' carbs like the ones found in beer and
wine. On top of that, alcohol sugars are regarded by some
physicians as harmless to the body except for possibly the
liver. So, where does all of this confusing information
leave us?

It leaves some of us still wanting to enjoy a beer or glass
of something a little stronger from time to time. Should we
allow ourselves to indulge in that pleasure? Should we shy
away from nature's bounty of lost self control and frequent
urination? Should we just eat to live and not enjoy our
time on this Earth? Are the first three letter of 'diet'
really 'die'?

Let?s back up for a second. Ignoring the possible impact
that a couple of hundred calories may have on your diet for
a day, the only issue doctors are 100%PRCTG% certain about when
dealing with alcohol is regarding dosage. Anyone who has
eaten the worm knows this concept well. A drink and a lot
of drinks are two separate things and here is why.

First of all there is the issue of dealing with one's own
drives and the push to succeed. These are the foundations
of goal setting . You become what you think about
ultimately. In terms of your diet goals, this is to lose
weight or get into shape. Unfortunately, alcohol, and most
other recreational drugs, go right after our conscious mind
and blindside our self control. Forget about endorphin
re-uptake and brain chemistry, what keeps us in line is our
conscience.

Conscience is our restraint from doing remarkably dangerous
or just plain dumb things. It is the six foot five inch 250
pound Nun with a yard long ruler in her hand slapping our
knuckles just before do things that you know are wrong.
However, as imposing a force as she can be, she has a very
low tolerance for alcohol. In other words, she is a cheap
date.

To put this another way, drunk people tend to make lousy
judgements concerning what they should do and especially
what they should eat. A couple of hundred calories of
scotch is pretty meaningless compared to the whole bag of
Doritoes you wind up scarfing down with it. And, just try
sitting at a bar, having a few ?tinis and not eating a few
bowls of those stale bar-nuts. It can?t be done.

So, if after one drink you feel more relaxed and can
maintain your self control, that drink really should not be
a problem. But, if one beer is just the start of your
party, then you should really just forgo alcohol all
together as much as you can. It is not getting you where
you want to go and, as fun as a loss of control might be,
once you have seriously committed to achieving an important
goal, taking two or three steps back regularly can only add
to your chances of failure and increase your level of
frustration? thus causing you to want to ?unwind? and,
possibly, drink even more. Do not get caught up in this
type of vicious cycle.

After all, achieving your goals is mostly a matter of
sticking to your game plan, so why sabotage yourself anymore
than you have to? The task you have set before yourself is
going to de hard enough without having your willpower eroded
regularly. Let your better judgement and conscience do
their jobs. In the end, you will feel better about
yourself.

Sure, have another beer. Oh wait, what about your
waistline! Well, there is certainly more to think about
before having that cocktail than a few calories and here is
why!

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What You Should Know About Ales

The world of ales is larger than you think. You may already
have a favorite type of beer but did you know that there are
many different varieties and beer brewing manufacturer's all
across the world? There is a distinct different between the
ale and the pilsner.

Stouts and lagers are also very different from each other.
All these fermented tasty beverages may have the word "beer"
on the label somewhere but it does not make them all the
same. The best thing you can do is to become informed and
give other drinks a try.

The first thing you should know about ales is that the
brewing system is different than the one used for lagers,
stouts or meads. Ale is brewed using a top fermenting
brewer's yeast and it has a sweet, fruity taste that is full
bodied.

Hops are then added to the ale mixture to give it a bit of
bitterness to counterbalance the sweetness. You wind up with
a perfectly balanced ale that still retains its sweetness,
yet has an edge to it.

If you are interested in the history of the ale, then you
should know that ale was a very standard drink during the
15th century. It was as common to drink as water. In fact,
you would have been served ale for any meal that you
indulged in. Of course the breweries of that time were
individual households, when homebrewing was a common
household chore that was done repeatedly, although they did
not have the brewing equipment that people have today.

Today's breweries have the best equipment that allows the
brew master to carefully monitor the temperature of the
mixture. This means that the brew master can control when
hops or yeast is added and how long it is cooked.

Fermenting for too long may mean that you will wind up with
a lager versus having the ale that you set out to make. It
is a very precise method. Experienced brew masters are
always in high demand with beer manufacturers.

With today's market, anyone can find great ales. You no
longer have to worry about making your own. You can simply
go to the local liquor store and pick up as many types of
ale as you wish. Of course, you probably do not drink ale
with every meal but it is still a fabulous beverage to enjoy
when you are relaxing with friends and family.

There are hundreds of different manufacturers throughout the
world, all of which are experts at brewing beer. Experiment
and try different brands; you may be a fan for life.

As any beer drinker or beer brewing master knows, not all
beers are alike.

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Beer Can Chicken Recipe: Grilled Beer Can Chicken

This is an easy way to create a tasty chicken dish. All it
takes is a can of beer and some spices you have around the
house.

1 ( 3 pound) chicken, split in half lengthwise

Garlic powder to taste

Ground black pepper to taste

1 pinch seasoned salt

1 ( 12 oz.) can or bottle beer

1/2 cup butter

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon seasoned pepper

Directions

Preheat grill for high heat.

In a microwave safe bowl, combine the beer, butter, 1
tablespoon garlic powder and seasoned pepper. Heat in the
microwave for 2 minutes, or until butter is melted and
mixture is hot. Set aside.

Season chicken generously with the garlic powder, ground
black pepper and seasoned salt to taste.

Brush the grilling surface with oil. Place chicken onto the
grill bone side down. Close the lid, and cook for about 45
minutes, or until the skin of the chicken starts to blister.

Turn the chicken over, so it is bone side up. They will be
black and charred, but the chicken meat will be fine.

Pierce the membrane of the bone with a fork, and ladle some
of the beer mixture into the ?cup? formed by the bones.
Throw a teaspoon or so of garlic powder on the coals. Close
the lid and seal the vents.

Repeat ladling the beer mixture into the chicken, and
throwing garlic powder onto the coals every 5 minutes, until
the mixture is gone. The chicken should be tender and juices
should run clear.

=> Blackened Chicken Recipe: Classic Blackened Chicken

The key to this recipe is searing in the spices before
baking in the oven. Chicken should be blackened on the
outside and tender on the inside.

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes until
it is smoking hot.

In a bowl, mix together the paprika, salt, cayenne, cumin,
thyme, white pepper, and onion powder.

Oil the chicken breasts with cooking spray on both sides,
then coat the chicken breasts evenly with the spice mixture.

Place the chicken in the hot pan, and cook for 1 minute.
Turn, and cook 1 minute on the other side. Place the chicken
breasts on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the
center and the juices run clear.

=> Chicken and Dumplings Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Need to make dinner in a hurry? Whip up this creamy chicken
dish in 30 minutes.

6 boneless chicken thighs

2 ( 10.75 oz.) cans condensed cream of celery soup

Salt and pepper to taste

1 ( 12 oz.) package refrigerated biscuit dough

Directions

In a large pot over high heat, combine the chicken with
enough water to cover, and boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain
some of the water from the pot, reserving 3 cups in the pot.

Remove chicken and allow it to cool, then pull it apart into
bite size pieces; return to pot.

Reduce heat to medium, and add the cans of condensed soup.
Season with salt and pepper.

Pull the biscuit dough into pieces, and add to the soup.

Simmer over medium heat for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the
dough is cooked through.

This article features recipes for Grilled Beer Can Chicken,
Classic Blackened Chicken and Easy Chicken and Dumplings.

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What is a Fine Malt Whisky?

I am not pretending to be an authority with 40 years
knowledge of the whisky business but I do remember in my
younger days enjoying from time to time a malt whisky. I
also new by choice I?d ask for a malt, though never quite
sure why.

I?ll try and provide a simplistic view of what and why a
malt whisky is a fine whisky and with Scotland having in the
order of 140 distilleries producing one or more whiskies
then I must confess I tend to think of a malt as fine Scotch
whisky.

Generally speaking people mean a single malt whisky when
they refer to a malt whisky and this is because the malt
whiskies are distilled in distilleries which usually only
produce one whisky. It is possible to have more than one
brand of whisky from a distillery and this can be
attributable to a number of factors. For example a
distillery may have a single malt whisky which is a mere 10
years old and then another brand name which is matured for a
full 20 years. Similarly the unique flavour of a fine
whisky is as much about how the whisky is matured and stored
and specifically the history of the casks that are used.
The Benriach distillery, for example, produces several
brands and they are a mix of age and the casks that have
been used. Benriach specifically refer to whisky being
matured in originally American oak casks and then finished
either in casks having been used for storing sherry, port or
dark rum. In all these cases the actual distillation
process may have been the same but how the fine whisky is
stored and for how long are the key factors to the product
which is eventually consumed and enjoyed.

The ingredients of a fine malt whisky.

Almost all malt whiskies and made by malting barley gain
(though rye grain can be used). The barley, yeast and water
are the only ingredients used in the production of single
malt whisky.

In the first instance the barley used is malted, which
means, it is soaked in water for a few days. This malting or
soaking process is the start of the germination process
which leads to the natural starch being converted to a
fermentable sugar. This process is then stopped and the
malted barley is dried. Eventually the dried and germinated
malted barley can now be ground or milled to produce
something which the industry calls a grist. From here the
grist is combined with hot water to remove the sugary liquid
which is called a wort. This wort will now have the yeast
added. This where the first alcohol is produced and anyone
familiar with brewing beer will recognise this process as
both are very similar until this stage.

The next stage is where beer making (brewing) and whisky
making (distilling) differ because the wort liquid is then
distilled which means it is heated to boiling point such
that the alcohol boils away but is captured on the cooler
condensing surfaces and the alcohol is collected. This
distillation initial process produces a relatively low
alcohol strength liquid so the process is repeated (and
sometimes a third time) until such time as a liquid is
produced which is typically two thirds alcohol by volume.

These are the initial processes of making a scotch single
malt whisky. Note it is not a scotch whisky for another
year or two yet!

For many consuming a fine malt whisky is pleasure in itself,
but understanding how it is made and what provides the
distictive taste and aroma brings immense enjoyment to many.

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Restaurants of Breckenridge

Breckenridge's restaurants are almost as delicious as the
mountains, no matter what your preference is, I guarantee
you will find delicious food that will stimulate your taste
buds. Let's start with the American cuisine of Breckenridge.

If you enjoy a nice import micro or a fresh brewed beer with
your delicious meal be sure to check out the Breckenridge
brewery. The Breckenridge brewery was founded in 1990 and
was instantly a local's favorite. Take a seat in the dining
room and enjoy the view of the 10-mile range while dining on
excellent pub grub at a very reasonable price. They are open
for both lunch and dinner so for the very best brews and
grub make sure you stop by the Breckenridge Brewery. My
personal favorite beer at the brewery is the avalanche; it
is very smooth yet hoppy flavored ale.

Downstairs at Eric's is the greatest sports bar in
Breckenridge. Eric's specializes in wings, pizza, beer, but
they also offer many televisions with direct TV. This will
allow you to watch your favorite local sporting event.
Eric's food is that of the bar variety with half pound
burgers which will fill any skiers belly. Eric's buffalo
wings are the best in summit county and their pizza is
outstanding. Their sandwiches and dinners are simply the
best.

Eric's also features Breckenridge's finest game room,
conveniently located in the lobby, with pinball and classic
arcade games. The game room has the tendency to keep your
children extremely busy and happy. Try Eric's if you want
good times, great food and entertainment for the whole
family.

Rasta Pasta has been rated the number one restaurant in
Breckenridge for the last three years. Rasta Pasta features
the very best in pasta dishes ranging from ravioli to an
amazing jerk chicken pasta dish. There pasta dishes use the
most amazing spiced vegetables, meats, and seafood which
form into an explosion of flavors in your mouth. All of
there dinners come with garlic bread and a salad with a
delicious sun dried vinaigrette dressing. Rasta Pasta's
atmosphere is a mix of reggae meets mountain town. My advice
is to arrive around 4:30pm or 5:00pm at the latest to beat
the mountain traffic.

Breckenridge ski area has four mountain dining lodges; you
can either try one of the many sandwiches sub fusion offers,
or try a huge burrito from burrito borders all at the Vista
Haus. The Bergenhoff restaurant offers an incredible
breakfast which will fill the heartiest appetite; they also
have a great lunch menu with great burgers and sandwiches of
all varieties.

If you want some of the best views of the mountain head to
the 10-mile station for some buffalo chili or a delicious
buffalo burger. The Maggie at the base of peak 9, is a nice
place to be at and they offer spirits and a delicious lunch.
Tiffany's in the Beaver Run resort has live Apre ski
entertainment.

The Hearthstone is the very finest of fine dining in
Breckenridge with delicious wild game dishes, like elk
chops, and fresh water trout. The heart stone offers the
most romantic dinners in a victorian house setting, with
some of the best culinary cuisine money can buy. So if you
do not mind spending a little extra cash to get the very
best dinning experience ever, try the Hearthstone.

We hope to see you soon!

This article describes some of the restaurants at
Breckenridge Ski Resort. The restaurants are described, so
you know what awaits you atop the mountain. Visit
www.yourskivacation.com for more information!

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Visiting The Brewing Industry Can Be A Pleasant Vacation

If there is one thing that the brewing industry definitely
wants, then it is to have you visit and take a tour of their
facilities. Touring breweries is a great vacation option
that many people try to schedule at least once a year. Even
if you do not have a particular favorite, you may come away
from the brewery loving a certain type of beer made by a
certain company.

The tours are very informative and you can get a great look
into how the beer brewing system works. Beer has been around
for centuries and is a staple in many people's lives. Even
if you are not a regular drinker of this great tasting
drink, you can still find great things on the tours.

There are so many choices when it comes to the brewing
industry that you may want to narrow down your selection
before you begin planning that trip. Your first trip should
be to a brewery that produces the finished product you like.

For instance, if you are not a Coors brewing fan, then you
may want to skip that tour and concentrate on a brewery that
makes the beer you do like. Sure, a brewery tour may not be
the same thing as a trip to Octoberfest overseas but it is a
great start.

One great beer brewing city to visit is St. Louis, Missouri.
You can take a tour of the Budweiser brewing facility.
Budweiser has a long history as one of the favorite beers
found in the United States, yet if it is not quite your
preferred beer, then you may want to try a microbrew in a
different city.

Many large cities have microbrew manufacturers that produce
excellent local beers to suit any palate. You may not find
an authentic Belgian beer but you can still enjoy new,
refreshing blends. One place that makes a great beer is
found in downtown Dallas. The Copper Tank makes a wide
selection of microbrews that vary depending on the season.

There are plenty of places to visit if you take the time to
look. This is a vacation that will not only be relaxing but
it will get you away from the kids for a while.

Take a break from the pressures of modern day life and take
a look towards the brewing industry to quench your thirst
for fun and entertainment. It may be a beer and wine tour in
California or a trip to the mid-west and that famous arch to
visit an iconic brewery. You will be glad you did.

If you have not scheduled a vacation recently, then you
deserve to take a break.

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Miller Brewing - A Leader In American Beer Brewing

If you were to name a few of the most prolific beer brewing
cities in America, then you would definitely have to include
Milwaukee, Wisconsin among the list. Birthplace of Miller
Brewing, this unassuming city has provided the world with
quality brewed beverages since 1855.

If you are a fan of beer, then you have undoubtedly tried at
least one of the Miller beverages at some point in your
adult life. It is one thing to understand how a brewing
system operates and something else entirely to see quality
examples of the beer making process sitting in your
refrigerator.

Miller Brewing all began in 1855 when Frederick Miller
purchased a small brewery. The Plank-Road Brewery soon came
to be known as Miller. It also did not hurt that it was
situated in Miller Valley. Since that initial purchase,
Miller has acquired and been acquired by several different
people.

One of the original owners of Miller was against the use of
alcohol so she sold her portion of the company to W.R. Grace
& Company. It has changed since that time and grown much
larger. The most recent merger was between Miller and Molson
Coors, making it Miller Coors.

Miller's process of all grain brewing is very much like
other beer brewing companies. They produce lagers, pale
lagers and light beers. Even though it has the same process
as competitor Bud Light, there is still a difference in the
techniques that are employed.

Bud Light fans will definitely tell you that Miler Light is
not the same thing. Everyone has a personal preference in
how their beers should taste. There are types of beer that
Miller does not offer, such as a pilsner or a stout.

To find those you may have to turn to a different beer maker
and a different region of the world for your particular
tastes. Miller is not an imported brand and while it may be
a household name, it does have its limitations.

Most companies, no matter what the product, have a website
these days. Miller Brewing is no exception. You can check
out all of the fine products that Miller has to offer by
visiting "Miller Brewing", though there is one thing that
you have to keep in mind.

The people at Miller take drinking responsibly seriously and
do not allow anyone under the age of 21 to visit the site.
Sure it may seem trivial but it is one way that Miller is
trying to be responsible and stop underage drinking.

A tour of the beer brewing cities found in America and
across the world would not be complete without a trip to
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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20 World Wide Whacky Festivals

Celebrations and traditions hold a special place in a
nation. It is a time of national solidarity when the general
community and families come together and forget the day to
day grind and celebrates a holiday, for a particular
purpose. It is a way of expressing the very heart of the
nation and a time for the people to express themselves.

You can travel the world celebrating twenty of the
universe's most whacky celebrations.

? Every August thousands of Spaniards take part in the La
Tomatina festival in Bunol. Truckloads of tomatoes are
pulled in each year and dumped in the city centre. The
people throw tomatoes at each other for the whole day, but
the only rule is that the tomato must be flattened in the
hand first, before being thrown. Even elderly grandmothers
have been known to take part.

? Cooper's Hill in Gloucester England is the scene of a
whacky contest when contestants tumble, chase, roll, and
somersault after a wheel of cheese down a ridiculously steep
hill. The result is numerous broken bones, bruises and
sprains. No one has ever caught the cheese, but whoever gets
down the hill first gets to keep the giant wheel of cheese.

? The cheese-chasing feat is however, less daunting than the
horses and riders racing down a 69meter slope with a 62
degree angle, known as Suicide Hill in Washington.

? You can run with the bulls in Pamplona,

? Or race bulls in Madura. Either contest is a bone
crunching, horn-goring festival.

? Alice Springs in the dry heart of Australia, hosts the
Todd Regatta in a riverbed that normally has no water. The
boats are bottomless and have no paddles. They are usually
constructed of beer cans, which must first been emptied by
the boat builders. The teams run the riverbed with their
feet sticking out the bottom of the boats. In 1993 the race
was canceled due to the threat of a once in a blue moon rain
storm.

? In the UK there is a mobile phone throwing championship,

? While in Wisconsin State, USA in September there is a
champion dry cow pad (manure) throwing contest.

? If you like it hot Finland is the place for you to enter
the Sauna Bathing Championships. Every 30 seconds the heat
is turned up. All contestants must keep their naked
backsides firmly on the wooden seat and remain in an upright
position. The last person left in the sauna is the winner.

? In Greater Manchester UK they throw black puddings

? While the Scots are legendary in their ability to throw
large items.

? There is a Boryeong Mud Festival on the East Coast of
Korea for fully clad contestants

? While France has a yearly International Contemporary Mime
Festival.

? In Kawasaki there is a festival where the men carry 12
foot phallus and the women two foot versions. No one is
quite sure what this festival celebrates.

? In the Rocky Mountains there is an annual ball where
daughters pledge their purity to their dads. Some do not
even permit a kiss before their wedding day and many never
dance with anyone other than their father or brothers. Tough
luck on all the single guys of the area.

? In Vanuatu there is the annual land dive on the tropical
island of Pentecost to celebrate the end of the yam harvest.
The virile young men of the village dive off a 30 meters
high, very rickety looking tower, using home-made vines.
Their aim is to let their shoulders (or heads) brush the
ground. All this is so the next yam harvest will be a good
one. Queen Elizabeth, from England, witnessed the death of
one of the jumpers in 1976.

? Japan hosts the Naked Festival. All male contestants are
dressed in oversize diapers and parade through the winter
streets. Bystanders throw cold water over the contestants,
who drink copious amounts of sake in an effort to stop from
freezing.

Many people take their national holidays with them when they
emigrate. Some celebrations have become so popular, they
have been adopted outside the immigrant community, by the
host country. It is sometimes difficult to assess the origin
of a celebration.

? The Munich Beer Festival is one such celebration. Numerous
countries now lay claim to their own beer festival.

? While Halloween was Irish in its origin, many countries
around the world now celebrate Halloween, particularly the
United States of America.

? Easter and Christmas which originated in the Middle East
have become worldwide celebrations handed down through the
churches and adopted by commerce.

Other celebrations remain more localized to a particular
community inside the host country.

? Melbourne Cup Race Day is celebrated by Australians, no
matter what country they live in.

? Thanksgiving is an American harvest festival. Americans
all over the world, stop to celebrate this festival.

? While Chinese New Year is limited to the Chinese
population in a country, there are many countries around the
globe where it is celebrated.

While many feel festivals express something about the people
who celebrate them, I wonder! It is important as a universal
community, however, that we respect without censure, how and
what others choose to celebrate. Each festival meets a
particular need in the individuals of that nation and
becomes an integral part of their way of life. Maybe you can
come up with some whacky celebration of your own.

People love something to celebrate. Here are just 20 of the
world's whackiest celebrations.

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Pairing Holiday Foods With Festive Beverages

It doesn't take a special gift to pair the right holiday
foods and drinks-just a little knowledge.

Experts say you are no longer tied to serving the
traditional recommendations for wine, beer or spirits.
Instead, they say to simply go with what you like.

Appetizers

Begin your holiday gathering with appetizers such as a
seasonal cheese plate or prosciutto accompanied by a
refreshing cocktail like a Miracletini. It features apple
cider and ginger. Just mix 21/2 oz. Svedka vodka, 1 oz.
Merlot, 11/2 oz. apple cider, a pinch of ground ginger and
1/2 teaspoon of chai tea powder. Serve chilled.

Entr?es

There are a number of red and white wines available that
complement the traditional holiday entr?e.

• Turkey: If a red is preferred, select a
medium-weight wine that enhances, not overpowers, the flavor
of the bird. If guests prefer white wine, a Kim Crawford New
Zealand Sauvignon Blanc complements the bird's flavor with
grapefruit and tropical notes. The wine also goes well with
seafood and is a great complement to appetizers such as
fresh oysters.

• Ham: White wines such as a Riesling, Gewurztraminer
or Chardonnay are the best options to enhance the meat and
sweet glazes. But if you want to offer a red, a more fruity
variety like an Estancia Pinot Noir or a Zinfandel are good
options.

• Roast: For traditional holiday fare such as a rib
roast, lamb or venison, try a dry, full-bodied red like
Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Merlot 2005. It offers pleasing
aromas of fresh raspberry, black currant, clove and vanilla
with a hint of earthiness. The wine is full bodied with
layers of bright red fruit, coffee and clove, finished with
a velvety mouthfeel.

Another red option is Woodbridge 2006 Cabernet-Merlot. This
wine has the vibrant aromas and opulent, dark, fruity
flavors laced with spice and warm vanilla nuances. Other
good options are Ruffino Chianti, a classic old world wine
from Italy, and Alice White Cabernet-Shiraz, from the heart
of south eastern Australia.

• Seafood: To enhance but not overpower seafood,
select a white wine such as Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc
produced in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It's
light with flavors of tropical fruit, herbal tones and
mouthwatering acidity. If a red is desired, it's best to
avoid tannic wines, so choose a lighter fruity wine like a
Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.

Beverages & Desserts

When thinking of what beer to serve, remember that a number
of craft and bold dark beers complement foods and are found
in unexpected places like after-dinner drinks and desserts.
A rich St. Pauli Girl Dark from Germany with its creamy
espresso flavor can be served with the meal and as an
after-dinner drink on the rocks with a splash of coffee
liqueur.

Beer can also be used in desserts such as a luscious
espresso fudge cake made with Negra Modelo from Mexico.

Pleasing Palates

Remember that each person has his or her own individual
preferences for beverages. Offering a number of options to
complement special meals makes the occasions even more
memorable. With more than 250 brands of wine, beer and
spirits sold in approximately 150 countries, Constellation
Brands offers an extensive portfolio of beverages for every
occasion.

It doesn't take a special gift to pair the right holiday
foods and drinks--just a little knowledge.

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