Christmas is around the corner and the department stores are jam-packed of people jostling around just to find the exact gift. However many of us yearn to make Christmas more simple and more significant by giving stuff made out of love instead. You can easily make important gifts for everyone on your roll using scrapbook materials you may by now have. I love to create and give little scrapbook albums. They are fast and simple gifts that can be arranged with the use of pictures, patterned papers and a few add-ons. Here are some fundamental instructions to make an uncomplicated mini-album and ideas on how to customize it.
First buy a reasonably priced small photo album at a dollar or discount department store. Remove the front and back covers and make use of them as patterns to form new covers by means of colored cardstock or a preferred patterned paper. Make the heading using stickers, stamped or die-cut letters, chipboard, and add a few small trimmings. Slip the fresh front and back covers back into their niche. Tie a length of match up ribbon around the backbone of the album to dress it up.
Now settle on what will be contained by the album. Your first alternative is to make and give a "completed" album, filled of both photos and embellishments. What grandparent wouldn't adore receiving a mini-album filled of fresh photos of all the grandchildren? This would also be grand for family members who are distant or you haven't seen in a long time. Or how about making an album for your best friend packed with photos of the both of you over the years?
Another choice would be to make an "incomplete" album that holds ornamented pages, but no pictures in it. This would be functional for a hectic mom who doesn't have a moment to scrapbook the photos of her own family, or the traveler who has plenty of pictures from their adventures and trips. I also like to offer unfilled albums festooned with holiday themed ornaments so pictures from this year can be effortlessly slipped inside - an instantaneous Christmas album! If you prefer this alternative, make and beautify the pages, but put down bare spaces for the recipient to add their own pictures and journaling.
Lastly, this type of mini-album provides itself to many other ideas. It would also be exquisite filled with a compilation of inspiring quotes and complementary photos. Or how about replicating your much loved recipes onto 4 x 6 recipe cards, adorning them and slipping them inside the album? Or fashion a small calendar for the forthcoming year with monthly calendars downloaded from the internet highlighted by an assortment of seasonal photos and added extras. It can truly be customized for anyone.
Mini-albums are easy on the pocket, yet important gifts. And the best part is that because of their size they can be completed very promptly - you still have enough time to create one for everybody on your list for this Christmas.
Manufacturers and sellers of these specialized computer keyboards state that ergonomic keyboards are highly adjustable and comfortable, let you adopt a more natural typing position, reduce the risks of damage to your wrists and forearms with Repetitive Strain Injuries, and are better for those who have difficulties with the standard non ergonomic keyboards..
Certainly if an ergonomic keyboard can perform as claimed, wouldn't it be an ideal Christmas present?
Lets look at a few factors:
Certainly, injuries and 'days off sick' from keyboard use have increased rapidly in the last decade, and most experts believe traditionally designed keyboards can distort your hands into awkward and possibly harmful positions, particularly if if held for long periods.
These awkward positions include having your hands in the flat, palm-down position, and bending the wrist sideways toward the little finger.
So you can now buy split keyboards
Split keyboards split and curve the main key sector, usually with a raised section in the middle
This in theory allows the shoulders and wrist of the user to be in a comfortably relaxed position, and allows all the fingers, including the little finger to easily extend and flex, while hand motion is reduced.
The fixed split keyboard is one in which the keyboard is split as described above, lacks adjustment but is cheaper,
However a quality adjustable-split keyboard will lets you adjust the precise angle of the keyboard halves from near flat to to nearly vertical in two planes.
However no controversy, next-keyboard size is DEFINITELY important.
Keyboard usage Injuries in children as young as 5 are now appearing worldwide. A major part of the problem is children are often expected to use non-ergonomic keyboards designed for larger, adult hands.
Many companies are beginning to make compact ergonomic keyboards designed for their special needs. Why not consider a childrens computer keyboard?
Especially as there are even left handed keyboards, for people like me!
Another point are your computer keyboard keys big enough? The smallest size for an adult is about 3/4 in (18-20 mm). Many compact computers have keys smaller than this. Uncomfortable.
A solution for this is a chordic keyboard where you type combinations on just 8 spaced keys to create standard numbers and letters (said to be ideal for novices,those with disabilities are those who want an easy Braille keyboard). Repetitive arm and wrist movements are virtually eliminated. They claim less mistakes too!
There are also non QUERTY keyboards (like your cell phone!) such as Dvorak keyboards, where commonly used letters are grouped and theres less hand movement.
(Your PC may in fact let you rearrange your existing QWERTY keyboard layout, but you will have to rename each key,which seems a lot of effort...)
As for flexibility of where youre working, you can buy a wireless ergonomic keyboard which will do away with wires, and let you move away from your PC. Or go the whole hog and treat yourself to a Bluetooth wireless ergonomic keyboard, that will let you communicate with other Bluetooth devices nearby.
No research available has conclusively proved that ergonomic keyboards are a cure all for everyone. But hey, why not check out prices availabity and return policies online. Or give one a tryout at your local store!
For most people a brand name ergonomic computer keyboard, should work well if the keyboard is used in its proper position in a proper workstation setup
So why not give your digits a treat, and check out ergonomic keyboard for healthy computing 2006 and beyond?
Both Melanie Smith & Mick Madigan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Melanie Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Heartwarming Stories, Parenting and Women. Melanie Smith is a regular writer at . Read more of her articles and get gift ideas by clicking on this link. Melanie Smith's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Mick Madigan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Health and Arts. Get Christmas gift resources and tips for ALL your Healthy Computing needs at Mick Madigan's latest information site, 'Christmas Ideas NOW', at