Believe it or not, the holiday season is just around the corner. If you’re like most people, that means you’re starting to think about what gifts you want to buy for your loved ones. It also means you’re starting to worry about how late you’ll be able to order those gifts and still get them delivered on time. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to avoid holiday shipping delays and ensure that your gifts arrive on schedule. Check out the tips below!

1.Start Shopping Early

One of the best ways to avoid holiday shipping delays is to start your shopping early. This will give you plenty of time to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones and have them shipped without having to worry about last-minute delays. With so many people shopping online from online clothing stores these days, retailers are struggling to keep up with the demand during the holidays. By starting your shopping early, you can avoid the stress of dealing with delayed shipments. In addition, you’ll have a better selection of items to choose from, and you’ll be able to take advantage of sales and deals that are only available for a limited time. So don’t wait until the last minute to start your holiday shopping. Start early and avoid the rush.

2. Order From Trusted Retailers

Another way to avoid shipping delays is to order from trusted retailers. Trusted retailers have established relationships with shipping companies such as MyUS, which you can take a look at here, and are more likely to get your order shipped on time. They also have a reputation to uphold, so they are less likely to overbook their shippers. There’s no doubt that retailers’ delivery services determine the success of an event, such as happy birthday flowers and cake delivery for birthdays and catering services for weddings. As a result, you can be confident that your order will arrive on time when you order from a trusted retailer. So before you start your holiday shopping, be sure to check out the shipping policies of the retailers you plan to buy from. Ordering from a trusted retailer is the best way to avoid holiday shipping delays

3.Check Shipping Policies

Before placing an order, be sure to check the shipping policies of the retailer. This will give you an idea of how long it will take for your order to be processed and shipped. If you’re planning on sending gifts to friends or family members who live far away, it’s important to check the shipping policies of the online retailers you’re planning on using. Some retailers have cut-off dates for guaranteed holiday delivery, and if you miss that deadline, your gifts may not arrive in time. With a little planning, you can ensure that your holiday gifts will arrive on time and bring joy to your loved ones this season.

4.Use a Shipping Calculator

Many online tools can help you estimate shipping times and costs. Using a shipping calculator can help you choose the best shipping option for your needs and budget. Shipping calculators can help you estimate the cost of shipping your packages and choose the best shipping method for your needs. They can also give you a delivery date range so that you can plan accordingly.

5. Avoid Peak Times

Anyone who has ever tried to ship a package during the holiday season knows that it can be a nightmare. With millions of packages being sent all over the world, delays are inevitable. However, there are some things you can do to avoid getting caught up in the holiday rush. One of the best ways to avoid shipping delays is to avoid peak times. December 15-20 and December 22-25 are typically the busiest days for shipping companies, so avoid sending your packages during these periods if possible. If you must ship during these times, be sure to allow extra time for your package to arrive. By following these simple tips, you can avoid holiday shipping delays and enjoy a stress-free season.

Are you thinking about picking up a new hobby? It is important for everyone to have at least one hobby in their life that they can turn to in their free time. Hobbies can improve your life in many ways and can prevent boredom, and there are endless options to choose from. Many people have picked up new hobbies in recent times as a result of the pandemic, and it has been interesting to see what kinds of hobbies have emerged and remained popular. With this in mind, this post will look at some of the trending hobbies from 2022 that are worth trying.

Hiking

Hiking is a hobby that has become a lot more popular since the pandemic. People are discovering the physical health benefits of hiking as well as the mental health benefits of physical activity and spending time in nature. Hiking can enrich your life in many ways, and it is something that is less intensive than other forms of exercise (but can still be rigorous and challenging). Additionally, it is never too hard to find somewhere to go hiking; it can be a solo hobby or a social one.

Journaling

Many people have also turned to journaling in recent times and discovered the therapeutic benefits of this activity. Journaling can be creative and a way to express yourself, which is important at a time when many people have been struggling and suffering. Journaling is also something that anyone can get started with, and it is a hobby that you can easily enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Journaling is also a great way to reflect on your day and gain a positive outlook on life.

Yoga

Another active hobby that has become a lot more popular in recent times is yoga. Yoga is an active hobby that can improve your physical and mental well-being and improve your life in many ways. Many people find that yoga can reduce stress, prevent injury, improve flexibility, and boost self-confidence, just as a few examples. This is also an activity that you can do at home by yourself with online videos, or you could attend a class and make it a social hobby.

Online Casino Games

Online casino games have also been hugely popular in 2022. People are discovering that you can enjoy the thrill of being in a glitzy casino from the comfort of your own home and playing on a smartphone or computer. You can play blackjack, poker, roulette, craps, slots, and much more at online casinos, and these games can be a great way to blow off some steam. You can also find free spins or bonus no deposit casinos online to improve your experience. This will also help you to find the best casinos to sign up with so that you can enjoy many different types of games.

These have been a few of the trending hobbies of 2022. Everyone should have hobbies in their life that they enjoy, and the above are all worth trying if you are thinking about trying a fun new hobby that will improve your life.

Uber and Lyft are the world’s best-known rideshare companies; they completely changed the travel industry and opened up the world of the sharing economy, making it easier, cheaper and more convenient to get around. But, if you’re anything like the rest of us, you may find it challenging to get around in a city with many travel options. It seems like every day; another app pops up offering ridesharing services. But which ones should you choose? For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite rideshare apps and other alternative ways to make your commute more straightforward and efficient.

Try Monthly Parking Apps

What if you could pay one monthly fee and park at any city-approved lot or garage worldwide? That’s precisely what monthly parking apps do for you. These services allow users to pay a flat rate for unlimited access to a network of garages and lots around the globe. They’re great for travelers who don’t want to spend time finding parking or worry about meters running out (not all cities have them).

Monthly parking apps also make it easy to find offbeat locations and learn about new spots on your next trip. For example, when I was road-tripping across the USA, I decided to stay in Washington DC, for a month to take my time taking in the sights. Monthly parking in Washington DC is far cheaper than parking somewhere different every day. In addition, I could park within walking distance of convenient public transport and get around the city. Pricing varies depending on location but starts at $100 per month, which isn’t bad considering how much time this saves you!

Car Share Companies

Car share companies are a great alternative to Uber and Lyft. It often works out cheaper and is far more environmentally friendly. What is car sharing? Well, car sharing is slightly different from your ordinary car rental; you can rent a car for a few hours at a time. The biggest car-sharing company in America is Zipcar. You can find a car, rent it for as long as you want and then return it to the exact location.

HopSkipDrive

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly ride-sharing service, HopSkipDrive is the right choice. This service connects families with drivers who can safely transport children of all ages. In addition, the drivers are experienced and trained to handle your little ones and even provide entertainment if needed.

Avail

Avail is an app that allows you to rent cars by the hour, day or week. You can rent a car for as little as $8 an hour, which makes it ideal for people who need a car on short notice and don’t want to commit to a monthly payment plan. While this may seem like it might be more expensive than other services (like Zipcar), adding in all the extra fees after using their service can quickly bring your total cost up to $40 or more per hour, making Avail very competitive with Uber and Lyft.

Easy Taxi

Easy Taxi is a taxi-hailing app. It was launched in 2010 and is available in more than 100 cities worldwide. It has about 200,000 drivers who operate from its platform. The service is available in the US, UK, Canada, Brazil and Argentina.

The company’s goal is to make it easier for you to get a ride from one place to another whenever you need one—without worrying about how much your fare will cost or when your driver will arrive (or not).

Via

The ride-hailing app Via is an excellent option for those who want to travel in style and avoid the surge pricing of Uber and Lyft. The service is available in most major cities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Moreover, it’s easy to use: All you need to do is open up your app, request a ride, pay through the app (you can pay with cash or card), get picked up by one of their stylish vehicles driven by drivers who have been background checked by Via themselves.

The best part about using this service? You can split the cost with friends or family members if they also travel with you. Or if someone else has already requested a ride at roughly the same time as yours—maybe they ordered one right after you did—you can get picked up together for no extra charge! A nice feature that other services don’t offer is that users can share rides with other passengers going on similar routes within minutes of each other; this way, everyone saves money while helping reduce congestion caused by too many cars driving around town at once.

Wingz

Wingz is a ride-hailing company based in San Francisco that provides customers with private drivers. It’s a subsidiary of Uber and operates similarly, but unlike Uber, the company has a rating system for drivers and riders. You can rate your driver after each ride to help them improve their service. You’ll also be able to see how other riders rated their experience with each driver before you get into the car so that you can choose who you feel most comfortable riding with next time.

Hailo

Hailo is a London-based car hire app that allows users to book a taxi in cities across the UK. It was founded in 2011 and launched its services in London in 2012. The company’s goal is to make it easier for people to get around their city by eliminating the time spent waiting on street corners or calling local taxi companies to see if they have any available cabs.

Hailo works with licensed private hire cabs, minicabs and black cabs, so you can choose which type of vehicle suits your needs best. There are also different pricing options available depending on how far away from your destination you are travelling:

• Zone 1-2: £2 per kilometer; £0 for waiting time
• Zone 3: £3 per kilometer; £0 for waiting time (min charge applies)

Conclusion

We hope these alternative transportation apps will help you find a better way to get around. But if you don’t see any of these services in your area, don’t fret! There are plenty of other options out there. Likewise, there are plenty of cheaper ways to get around than Uber and Lyft. And while no one should settle for less than the best service they can afford, sometimes it’s nice to know there’s a little extra wiggle room in your wallet.

Annabel Boom turned her adversity into her advantage and that is when she launched her brand, Spritzy.

With an inspiring backstory, we couldn’t wait to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand, Spritzy…

I have always wanted to run my own company but it was only when I delved into the world of botanicals and Ayurveda, after I suffered a severe allergic reaction over 10 years ago, that I realised I wanted to build my own natural luxury skincare brand. I healed my skin through a lengthy exploration of pure plant extracts and having lived with eczema my whole life (and gone through endless pots of E45 cream) I was excited to develop my own skincare products that really helped nourish and support my skin.

Anyone who has sensitive skin knows how frustrating it can be and how unglamorous it can make you feel, so with Spritzy, I wanted to create a sense of luxury when using our products and to make our customers feel amazing, which we have done through the quality of the ingredients we use, the packaging and design. Our aim is to take our customers on a luxury sensory journey wherever they are!

I really love working on and evolving our skincare range, and so, to expand my knowledge and understanding of formulating skincare products, I took a Natural Skincare Diploma, which has really supported our new product development.

Being a vegan and sustainable brand is at the forefront of what you do. Why is this important to you?

Our ethos is to be mindful of the planet, so from the very beginning, we made sure that sustainability was at the forefront of our business and product development. We cannot ignore the impact of global warming or plastic pollution and the effects it is having on the planet. As a brand, we feel that it is our responsibility to produce products that have as small an impact on the environment as possible. We are by no means perfect, but being sustainable, vegan and cruelty free is hugely important to us. We believe in natural ingredients and sustainable growth.

For the launch of our natural, vegan hand sanitiser we partnered with Sea Shepherd @seashepherduk – an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organisation, whose primary mission, is to end the destruction of habitats and illegal killing of wildlife around the UK’s coastline and across the world’s oceans, in order to conserve and protect marine ecosystems and species. We donate 10% profit from the sale of our Blue Tansy Hand Cleanser to Sea Shepherd.

As we develop and grow our brand, we ensure that our products and packaging can be infinitely reused, refilled and recycled and our products are free from parabens, SLS and palm oil.

What’s your skincare routine?

I have always found that simplicity is key, so not overloading the skin with too many products/ingredients is really important to me. It also makes a good regular skincare routine manageable (especially with a busy lifestyle).

Learning to care for my skin began very early on – growing up, my Mum always told my sisters and I “your face has to last you” so she always made sure that we used a good quality cleanser, toner and facial oil. I love face serums and oils, which is why I created our Organic cold pressed Rosehip Facial Oil and I use it every day. It feels incredible on the skin, provides daily support for all skin types and is very high in Vitamin C and A which helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

I also dry brush when I can. This is hugely beneficial as it helps with circulation and it promotes lymphatic cleansing by stimulating the lymphatic system which is so important for overall health.

For any skincare beginners, what would you say is a must have product regardless of their routine?

I would say a must have product is our Geranium, Pine & Rosemary hand and body wash (which recently won an award). It is a castile soap derived from organic sunflower and coconut oil and is incredibly soft on the skin. Making sure you have a high quality soap that you can use on your whole body, that doesn’t dry out your skin is really important. Regardless of your routine, this is an easy place to start for anyone, no matter what age or skin type you have. The scent we have created for our Geranium, Pine & Rosemary soap is also very luxurious and uplifting. It is a fantastic product, easy to use, effective and you can enjoy it daily. Making sure you are washing your skin with the right ingredients is a really good place to start and you can build from there.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

Overall I am really happy with the way the brand launched and is growing. It is hard to say if I would do anything differently, as I have learned so much along the way. I think the key thing is to be open to learning and having clear communication within the team.

Who’s involved in the business and what are their roles?

Spritzy is a small family business, founded by myself and my husband Omar (the creative brilliance behind the scenes) so as you can imagine, the pair of us are really busy and we juggle a lot! However, we also have an amazing team of freelancers who work with us and make the day to day running of the business much easier. We also work with a fantastic team of suppliers for our ingredients and products, ensuring only the best goes into what we make and create.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

Whatever’s going on in my life, I try really hard to give myself at least 5- 10 minutes to meditate at the start of each day. The house then comes to life around me and an average day always starts (and finishes) with looking after my beautiful 3 year old daughter, Lola. After nursery drop, my husband and I then head into the studio where we focus on new and existing product development and work on our sales and marketing strategies.

What do you do when you are lacking creativity?

If I need a bit of inspiration and motivation, I always talk with Omar and soon enough we are bouncing ideas off each other. Otherwise I absolutely love to listen to a really good tune to re-energise and re-set me!

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

It has really helped a lot – it is a great way for new brands to get exposure and followers. We have had a lot of interest on our posts.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe” (Oprah Winfrey).

I love this quote and I truly believe in myself and our vision here at Spritzy. Thanks to the support of so many amazing female empowering networks – such as ‘The Stack World’ and ‘All Bright’ – I have grown in my self confidence and determination, which plays a huge part in starting a business and turning an idea into a reality. Female-owned businesses in the UK are on the rise but it is still very male dominated and it is also very difficult for female businesses to attract the same funding as men. These networks are empowering women in business and we are lucky to have such easy access to this support and create these strong connections.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is on your must visit list?

I would really love to visit Egypt. I have never been and my husband is half Egyptian so it would be so special to explore their culture, especially as it is one of the oldest civilizations and offers so many different experiences.

What does self care mean to you?

To me, self care means looking after myself both mentally and physically. Both my life’s experiences and my career path have taken me on a personal journey to find this out.

In regards to my physical health, I spent 8 years working for a cooking agency and we were so interested in nutrition, we wrote a book exploring various diets (raw, vegan & vegetarian). It was great fun trying all the recipes but we agreed that balance is key – so having a healthy, varied diet is a good way to nourish and support yourself. A year of Nutrition Training further helped me to gain an understanding of anatomy and physiology and discover all that the body needs and wants to function beautifully.

Mental health is equally as important to me – I learnt to meditate after I lost my Dad to cancer, which was a very difficult time in my life. A friend recommended I try Vedic Meditation and it helped me enormously. After a career change, I spent a year working in the meditation and mindfulness industry and I still meditate regularly today.

Also – nothing beats spending time with my family and friends. It is essential “food for the soul” and this is what keeps me happy and healthy.

Where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?

What is really important to us is that Spritzy remains a quality, trusted and accessible brand, with a really good customer base. Spritzy’s core ethos is to be part of the necessary shift towards more sustainable, environmentally friendly products – that’s why our skincare range uses organic and 100% natural ingredients to support and nourish the skin. We are currently working on an amazingly clean and nourishing ‘Spritzy Mama’ and ‘Spritzy Baby’ range (spoiler alert), which will be the epitome of natural and organic cosmetics for children and Mums-to-be. So, as long as we continue to evolve the business, by creating quality natural products that also give our customers that sense of luxury and self-care that they deserve, then we will be very happy.

www.spritzy.co.uk

@spritzy_ldn

Are you wanting to get on the property ladder? Often, advice on buying a home is aimed at couples but if you’re wanting to buy on your own this article could be for you! Firstly, congrats on embarking on this journey, buying a house is a massive achievement, particularly if you’re doing so on your own.

Here are some top tips on where to get started when buying solo:

Admin

Unfortunately, when buying a home there is lots of associated admin before, during, and after the purchase itself. This can become overwhelming, particularly when all responsibility falls to you. It is wise to get ahead of admin where possible to save yourself from some of the stress further down the line.

Before any viewings, speak with a mortgage advisor and get a mortgage in principle in place so that you have a clear idea of how much you can borrow and are in a strong position to make an offer. Speaking with a professional will mean you are sure to receive accurate and helpful information on single-person mortgages. They may also be able to advise on whether there are any current schemes in place for helping people buying alone get onto the property ladder; it is also well worth researching this yourself too.

It is also wise to do some research into what documents solicitors are going to require once you have offered and been accepted for a property, as some of these things you can begin compiling now. These are likely to include various forms of identification, as well as evidence of where your deposit has come from.

Viewings

Viewing houses can be an intimidating prospect, especially if you are new to all things property. However, it can and should be something really enjoyable if you are well-prepared. If it makes you feel more comfortable, take someone else along to viewings with you, but be sure to not let their personal preferences interfere with your own opinions. It is always useful to take someone along who knows about property or has experienced buying a home.

Before the viewing, make sure to compile a list of questions you would like to ask about the property, this way you will be sure to not miss anything.

Expectations

When buying a house alone it is really important to manage your expectations and be realistic. This isn’t to say that you can’t buy the property of your dreams but being realistic about what you can afford and the level of effort you are able to commit to a property will stand you in good stead. It could be good to explore new build homes as these are ready to move into straight away and require little to no work. This isn’t a reflection of your abilities but more a reflection on how much time you want to spend doing up a home vs. moving straight into a house.

Feminism stands for resistance to sexism, oppression, and sexist exploitation. Its goal is to make gender equality a reality in law and practice. It might sound simple, but the history of the struggle is quite layered and complex.

Although there are a set of inalienable human rights as we understand them, a separate struggle for women’s rights specifically surfaced due to the inferiority women have been subjected to throughout history. Even today women’s salaries tend to be lower despite their workload being equal to men’s, and sometimes even surpassing it. Other injustices such as physical and psychological violence in the form of marital rape, child brides, female genital mutilation, and “honor” killings are still very much in practice.

Therefore, feminism continues to serve its purpose and fight against gender inequality in every form. As long as women suffer as a result of being treated disrespectfully due to their gender alone, a need for a feminist movement will remain.

People who identify as feminists support the movement and can belong to any sex and gender. Being a feminist is not tied to someone’s sexual orientation or gender. It simply means that a person believes women’s rights should be respected and fought for if needed.

If you are not convinced women need feminism, consider that Saudi Arabian women were first allowed to vote and run for office only seven years ago. In comparison, women in Finland have had the opportunity to vote since 1906.

The Origin of Feminism

As North American women became increasingly involved in social reform like the Abolitionist movement, the disparity between treatment of men and women because more glaringly obvious to the women that pursued social change. While men were able to speak and vote at the first World Anti-Slavery Convention, women were only allowed to watch and listen.

This inspired Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, among others in attendance, to form a convention of their own to advocate for women’s rights. The First Women’s Rights Convention took place in 1848. Their goal was to better women’s social positions with equality measures like receiving their own salary and being able to become homeowners, as well as their children’s legal guardians.

Four Waves of Feminism

So far there have been four waves of feminism. Currently, we are living through the fourth one also known as cyberfeminism and networked feminism.

First Wave of Feminism

The first wave of feminism took the form of the ‘suffragette movement’ in the 19th century. Its goal was to provide women with the right to vote in elections. This was the time when the terms ‘feminism’ and ‘feminist movement’ began to be used worldwide.

During this time mass demonstrations took place, along with public debates, newspaper articles, and the founding of international women’s organizations.

By the 1920s, throughout Europe and North America women have gained their right to vote which led to them becoming active members of political parties. In addition, women have started to look for job positions outside their homes opting for work in offices and factories and earning their own pay.

At this time, women were also allowed to attend universities for the first time.

Later on, after World War II, women’s emancipation continued and they attained the right to divorce and work full-time as well.

Second Wave of Feminism

By the 1970s, feminism began to focus on two areas mainly: women’s liberation and the fight against violence.

Feminists’ agenda included reform of schools, media, and churches. They believed the root cause of gender inequality and violence against women was found in both patriarchal and capitalist society.

This is the time when new scientific disciplines emerged including women’s studies. Books about women in arts and science began to be published covering and highlighting their achievements.

One of the feminists’ greatest accomplishments and contributions to society was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979).

Third Wave of Feminism

Although women’s movements had always faced certain opposition, it wasn’t until the 1990s that feminism was openly dismissed by conservative politicians and media. During this time feminists faced institutionalized forms of attacks on women’s rights, but have also managed to address the question of women of other races, classes, and sexual orientations, globalizing the feminist movement.

Towards the end of the 20th century, feminists managed to establish many non-governmental organizations with a focus on feminist issues and finding solutions rather than just proclaiming feminist ideas.

One of the achievements that stand out is US Congress passing a federal law known as VAWA in 1994. What is VAWA (the Violence Against Women Act)? WAVA is an act that helps victims of abuse related to US citizens who also have permanent residence in the US to file for an adjustment of status by themselves without relying on a relative of any kind.

Third-wave feminists made use of pop culture and media to familiarize people with feminism in their everyday lives. They were mostly concerned about domestic violence, sexual harassment, unequal pay, reproductive rights, body image, sexualization and objectification of women, and female genital mutilation.

Fourth Wave of Feminism

As previously mentioned, the fourth wave of feminism is also known as cyberfeminism. Cyberfeminism makes heavy use of the Internet and digital technology in the pursuit of educating today’s society on contemporary gender inequality issues.

Another form of feminism is known as ‘networked feminism.’ It entails organized groups of people taking action against misogyny, violence against women, and sexism on the Internet. For example, the #MeToo movement arising in 2017 took the form of ‘networked feminism’ as an online reaction to Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment of women in the movie industry.

Conclusion

As long as there is gender inequality, people of all genders will be fighting for women’s rights. Although women’s rights should be equal to human rights, this is not yet a practice in reality. Therefore, we might expect further development of feminist movements and a change in people’s perspective as they become more educated and aware of the gap that needs to be closed pertaining to men’s and women’s rights in modern society.

Growing up in the same household, or under the same roof, you probably share a lot of memories with your sister. So, be it a bad memory or a good one, the fact that you share it with one another as a part of your childhood or adulthood makes it special and adorable. So, if your sister’s birthday is around the corner, you probably want to give her something meaningful and worthwhile.

A lot of people spend a lot of money buying expensive gifts which go unused or aren’t relevant at all. While outfits, jewelry, watches, and accessories make great gifts, they sometimes lack a personal touch!

What you want to give your sister, ought to be meaningful and must have your personal touch. A personal touch is important as it communicates a sense of belongingness. While there are numerous birthday gift ideas for your sister, let us check out how you could in fact surprise your sister on her birthday.

A group drive away

One of the most celebrated gift ideas is a group drive away. If you and your sister have a common group of friends, you could plan a surprise trip for her on her birthday. This works even better if you plan this trip to a place that means a lot to her, or if you have significant memories attached to this place. If she is already planning a trip with her friends, you could plan a short and memorable experience with the family members who she loves. You can either have this place decorated and celebrate her birthday here or make it even more exciting by planning an adventure such as hiking or mountaineering. This works even better if your sister is into such adventures and activities.

Broadcasting over the radio

This is one of the most unique ideas when it comes to birthday gifts, especially if you’re wanting to make a person valued and special! If your sister really admires a Radio Jockey or follows a radio channel, you could send her a birthday message through this radio channel. You can also have this birthday message followed by a song which means something to her or you both! Not only will this surprise her, but reflect the efforts you put in.

Video message

One of the most trending and popular birthday gift ideas is to make a birthday video compilation! You can have all the family members and your sister’s friends, record short videos for her and then make a collage of these videos and present them at her birthday party! This is a great way of including those members who live far away but are really close to her heart. This one’s a pretty easy and effective birthday gift idea as several online platforms offer easy video compilation at a pocket-friendly fee!

Surprise handwritten email

Gone are the days when people would send emails to convey messages. You can make use of this to send a gift to your sister. This will work extremely well if she’s old school and loves receiving unexpected gifts! You can also leave an envelope in the mailbox along with the gift, with an anonymous letter to keep her guessing, and a personal message to give her a hint.

A themed dinner/party

For a themed surprise birthday party, you could plan a destination party, and invite all the family members and friends. Further, if she’s into any specific TV show or series, you could plan a theme of that particular show to surprise her. Themed parties are quite common, and you can find a lot of ideas and themes on the internet.

The scrapbook surprise

A scrapbook might seem like an old idea, but it works most of the time. A scrapbook is basically a wide collection of all the memories in the form of personalized notes, messages and pictures that are common to you and a person. You can glue such memorable pictures together and stick them in a scrapbook, along with small messages for your sister. You can also leave some space for her to write her thoughts about you. This can be an ideal form of a birthday gift, which is only about you and her!

Signature name jewelry

While jewelry is a great idea for a birthday gift, it’s just something everyone can buy. But if you want to give it a personal effect, you can give your sister a necklace with her signature or name on it! A rose gold signature name necklace can be personalized with your sister’s name or initials on it. You can also personalize it with her birth date on it. Gifting jewelry can, thus, be taken to another level. Apart from a necklace, you can also try a bracelet, which makes another personalized keepsake gift for your sister. Place it in an aesthetic gift hamper or box and you’re good to go!

Conclusion

While there’s a wide spectrum of options available out there, you may want to consider something that has a definite sense of belongingness and a personal touch.

If there is one skill that you will pick up in college, it’s how to juggle everything. You will be forced to find time to attend classes and complete assignments, and at the same time, maintain a healthy social life.

After all, college is not only about getting a degree. It offers an opportunity for students to experience different facets of life, including having fun. However, many students often compromise their social lives due to academic pressure.

In this article, we will take a look at how students can keep their social lives active while in college.

Get Academic Support

Unfortunately, our educational systems demand that students submit tons of assignments throughout their academic years. This means that apart from doing actual studying, students are required to spend hours writing college term papers, most often in subjects that they are not majoring in.

This can prevent students from having a social life outside their dorms. So, our first recommendation is for students to find a way to deal with the pile of assignments. Thankfully, there are a number of platforms that students can turn to for help. You can simply do a Google search on ‘help to write a paper for me,’ and you will find tons of different websites that offer writing services. They can offer samples of college papers for any topic and for any academic level.

Moreover, students will also be at liberty to find a writer that suits their requirements. This means that they can delegate the work and find time to focus on themselves, and have an active social life outside.

Manage Your Schedule

It is tempting to think that you don’t need to be organized when it comes to college life. You might assume that your brain can remember all your class schedules, test dates, and which assignment is due when.

On top of this, you will also have to remember your plans with your friends. So, remember that there are only 24 hours a day. You might be cramming too many things and find yourself too tired to do anything by the end of the day.

It would be better for you in the long run if you have a proper schedule that will help you organize your day. This will also give you a chance to assess where you are spending most of your time and where you need to reallocate time.

Join College Clubs

You need not always go out of the college campus in order to engage with other students. Instead, one of the best ways to have an active social life in college is by being a member of student clubs.

These present an effective way for you to enjoy yourself while getting a chance to meet others with similar interests. Wherever activity you prefer, the chances are that you will find a college club for it. And if not, why not start one yourself?

Use Online Tools

It is no longer necessary for you to be out in person in order to participate in a social activity. You already use your phone to improve your academic grades, so why not use your smart devices for social meetings as well?

By that, we don’t mean to watch videos on our phones all day. Instead, join virtual events, meetups, and other fun activities online. You need not consider the commute time to take part in these.

However, when considering this option, make sure not to rely entirely on virtual events for social interaction. This cannot replace the idea of meeting people and in-person and spending time with them.

Coordinate Time With Friends

The easiest way to have a social life is to have a reliable group of friends. When you meet people you like, it is necessary to make it a point to find time for them. You need not always find ways to go out with your friends. You can also spend time together studying, cooking, or completing your assignments.

That said, it is also crucial for students to meet new people outside their friend group. You can try networking events or clubs, as we mentioned above.

Reward Yourself

For the majority of students, college is the first time they live an independent life and manage multiple tasks on their own. However, most students fail to understand their accomplishments and reward themselves. You are indeed managing your studies and taking care of your health on your own.

So, if you are unable to meet some friends or miss a deadline, don’t be too hard on yourself. Try not to be discouraged by failures, and rather, be confident in your ability to improve. Making it to class on time might not seem like a big accomplishment to you; however, after pulling an all-nighter, when you arrive at the right time for a class, then you indeed need to reward yourself.

It would be best to create a to-do list for every small thing you would like to do in a day, and when you strike each one off, remember the feeling of accomplishment. This will help you feel motivated about getting work done, and you will find time to reward yourself with a social activity later.

Learn to Say No

Yes, social activities are a big part of college. However, that does not mean you have to party or go out drinking. Your idea of social activity might be going to a book club or participating in group fitness activities.

In other words, there is no need to feel pressured to follow social norms. You can always say ‘no’ to social activities you don’t enjoy. Everyone, including students, needs time for Netflix and friends without feeling bad about themselves.

While everyone might expect you to become giddy over a social invitation, you are obliged to accept it if you don’t feel happy about it. Stay true to who you are and what you like – that’s what college is all about.