The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Rockettes show at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee celebrates their 85th anniversary celebration and prove, once again, the true meaning of Christmas. Their show will be in Nashville from November 16-December 24.

The performance immediately showcases why the Rockettes are world renowned; the girls are able to dance and sing beautifully while perfectly on beat with one another. There are twenty girls total and they all played a wide range of characters, from elves to Raggedy Ann dolls to wooden soldiers.

The performance is divided up into twelve scenes taking the audience through the stages of Christmas and popular Christmas songs. Their dancing ranged from classical ballet, in “The Nutcracker,” to high-energy tap dance, in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” where each Rockette has a different routine for each verse of the ever-popular song. Each scene was very different from the previous, which made the performance absolutely unexpected and enchanting.

The degree of precision also varied, but perhaps the most impressive execution of precision was during “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” As the title suggests, each of the Rockettes were wooden soldiers who moved robotically and ultimately lined up like dominoes and fell onto each other in extreme slow motion. The Rockettes enthralled the audience with their talent.  The first eleven scenes were about the typical Christmas hoopla—Santa, Frosty the Snowman, Mrs. Claus, and every other iconic Christmas figure.  However, their last scene, “The Living Nativity,” was the most powerful.

“The Living Nativity,” involved re-creating the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem where Mary gave birth to Jesus. The program included a full paragraph entitled “One Solitary Life” to prelude this amazing re-creation of the nativity story, “Two thousand years have come and gone, and today He is the central figure for much of the human race. All the armies that ever marched and all the navies that ever sailed and all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as this ‘One Solitary Life.’”

There was a narrator reciting the paragraph to the audience as the living nativity was being assembled. The show included bringing in live camels, sheep, and donkeys. The Rockettes were dressed lavishly or simply, depending if they were wise men or shepherds. The wise men walked through the aisles in the audience. In the center of the stage stood the stable and the key characters to the story arrived accordingly to when the narrator brought them into the story. As the narrator mentioned the shepherds following the Star, the shepherds and sheep took their places on stage. The narrator quoted Biblical passages and included extra information, like the symbolism behind why the wise men brought frankincense, myrrh, and gold.

Unlike in the other scenes, the Rockettes were not singing or dancing; instead, they reverently reenacting this miraculous story. The reverence and Christian message behind this scene was very unexpected from the Rockettes, but showcased a very powerful message. At a time when people can get wrapped up in the presents and the traditions, sometimes it is prudent to take a step back from the holiday mania and remember why we celebrate Christmas to begin with. The Rockettes certainly showed the typical holiday iconic characters, but definitely showed the audience the true meaning of Christmas in their final and most powerful scene. The true meaning of Christmas is not all about the presents, but it is instead a time of faith and a time to be near those you love best.

Image Courtesy : The Rockettes

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Hitting the treadmill to work off the festive pounds traditionally tops the New Year resolutions list, but according to research by moneysupermarket.com, Brits are shunning the gym this year.

Research by Britain’s number one comparison site found over two thirds of consumers (68%) won’t be joining or renewing their membership as they believe the gym is an unnecessary cost, and they keep fit and healthy in other ways. This is compared to 46% of respondents in 2009.

One in ten Brits (12%) are concerned about the cost implications with 5% not planning to renew their membership as they rarely used it this year and need to cut costs. A further 6% are unsure about signing up due to the current economic climate and needing to rethink their spending.

The research also found the younger generation favour the gym with almost one in five (18%) of 18-34 year olds stating they already regularly exercise and plan to renew their membership in the new year compared to just 6% of those aged over 55. Instead an overwhelming 81% of this age group stated the gym is a waste of money and find alternative ways to keep fit and healthy rather than signing up to a fitness club.

James Clarke, Head of Protection at MoneySupermarket.com said: “Despite the indulgence of Christmas it seems gym membership is not high on the priority list for a New Year health kick as Brits look to cut costs. Joining a gym can be a huge financial commitment, and with many gym-goers admitting to rarely using their membership, it’s important to consider whether their hard-earned cash can be used more effectively.”

Quitting smoking is also another resolution many vow to take as part of leading a healthier lifestyle. A recent poll run of MoneySupermarket site users found over 13% of respondents successfully quit last year, and a further 5% have vowed to kick the habit in 2012.

James Clarke continued: “For those exercise fanatics who commit to the gym and work out on a regular basis it is worth knowing there are life insurance and critical illness policies that reward a healthy lifestyle. The same also applies for smokers who quit the habit, as there is a huge price difference between policies for smokers and non-smokers. Brits could see average savings of GBP4,347 over the term of the policy – a significant sum of money!”

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The holidays are always a time of increased focus on giving and charitable activity, but, this Christmas, the Petya I. Edwards Foundation has truly given one deserving family a gift they will not soon forget—a much-needed new car.

The Texas-based charity is known for offering vital financial assistance to families in need, but what they do is far from merely giving handouts. On the contrary, the Petya I. Edwards Foundation chooses individuals and families who have been dealt difficult hands, such as unemployment or health expenses, but who are resolved to regain their footing.

The Foundation offers the family help and educational services and ultimately allows them to stabilize, which is precisely what is happening through their work with one Texas family. The family in question is made up of mom Sally*, her husband, and their three daughters. Sally lost her job in June, following which the family lost their apartment.

Sally has since found new work, but her husband is still diligently searching for employment. The family has been staying with friends, and remains in need of such essentials as clothing for the girls, a washing machine, and more. But, up until this holiday season, their greatest need was for an automobile. Sally’s new work requires her to make an hour-and-a-half commute, by bus, every morning.

However, as a gesture of Christmas charity and compassion to the family, the Petya I. Edwards Foundation gifted them with a new car over the holiday season, something that will surely prove to be a great and immediate blessing to Sally and her entire family.

While the new car is certainly a great asset to the family, their needs remain very numerous, and very urgent. Says Sally, “I am just trying to make it through the holidays without them seeing all their friends getting presents and knowing I cannot afford to get them much.” The girls, ages 5, 14, and 16, are in dire need of clothing and other life essentials. The Petya I. Edwards Foundation is asking for its patrons to become involved with the wellbeing of this highly deserving family.

All of the charitable actions of the Petya I. Edwards Foundation are made possible by the generous donations of caring supporters. Checks and cash donations can be sent directly to the charity, where they will be administered to families in need, such as Sally’s.

* Name changed to protect the privacy of the family.

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The holiday season means party time for many people.  However, hosts who serve alcohol should take steps to limit their liquor liability and make sure they have the proper insurance.

Social host liability, the legal term for the criminal and civil responsibility of a person who furnishes liquor to a guest, can have a serious impact on party throwers. Social host liability, also known as “Dram Shop Liability” laws vary widely from state to state, but 43 states including New York have them on the books. Most of these laws also offer an injured person, such as the victim of a drunk driver, a method to sue the person who served the alcohol. There are circumstances under these laws where criminal charges may also apply.  Even if the Dram Shop Act does not apply, a host can still be civilly liable under ordinary negligence standards.

“Because you can be held legally responsible for your guests’ actions after they leave your party, hosts need to be particularly careful,” said Ellen Melchionni, president of the NYIA.  ”While a social host is not liable for injuries sustained by the drunken guest (as they are also negligent), the host can be held liable for third parties and may even be liable for passengers of the guest who have been injured in their car.”

Whether you are hanging out with a small group of friends for cocktails or throwing a big family bash, remember that a good host is a responsible host and needs to take steps to ensure guests get home safely if they have been drinking.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Guests

If you plan to serve alcohol at a holiday party, the following tips promote safe alcohol consumption and reduce your social host liability exposure:

• Make sure you understand your state laws. Before sending out party invitations, familiarize yourself with your state’s social host liability laws. These laws vary widely from state to state. Some states do not impose any liability on social hosts. Others limit liability to injuries that occur on the host’s premises. Some extend the host’s liability to injuries that occur anywhere a guest who has consumed alcohol goes. Many states have laws that pertain specifically to furnishing alcohol to minors.
• Consider venues other than your home for the party. Hosting your party at a restaurant or bar with a liquor license, rather than at your home, will help minimize liquor liability risks.
• Hire a professional bartender. Most bartenders are trained to recognize signs of intoxication and are better able to limit consumption by partygoers.
• Encourage guests to pick a designated driver who will refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages, so that he or she can drive other guests home.
• Be a responsible host/hostess. Limit your own alcohol intake, so that you will be better able to judge your guests’ sobriety.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages, and always serve food. Eating and drinking plenty of water, or other non-alcoholic beverages, can help counter the effects of alcohol.
• Do not pressure guests to drink or rush to refill their glasses when empty. Never serve alcohol to guests who are visibly intoxicated.
• Stop serving liquor toward the end of the evening. Switch to coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
• If guests drink too much or seem too tired to drive home, call a cab, arrange a ride with a sober guest, or have them sleep at your home.
• Encourage all your guests to wear seatbelts as they drive home. Studies show that seatbelts save lives.

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Out-of-towners who call Miami home will find getting there for Christmas this year an extra strain on the wallet. According to a new survey compiled by CheapCarRental.net, renting a car in Florida’s southern tip over the Christmas period will cost visitors close to quadruple what they are used to paying.

On an average day, a typical budget car rental in Miami costs a daily rate of $30. Come the week of Christmas, however, that rate will be rising to $111 per day. Such a price hike represents a 268% increase over the everyday rate, positioning Miami as the highest-percentage rate-spiker of the 30 cities surveyed.

Miami isn’t alone in its Christmas car-rental gouging though. Other cities instituting significant price-increases include Los Angeles (+91%), Chicago (+95%), Honolulu (+194%) and Orlando (+218%).

Not all cities, however, are playing Scrooge with heavy price increases. Many have initiated only moderate rate-hikes. New Orleans (+25%) and Atlanta (+18%), for instance, aren’t using the Christmas holiday as an excuse to jack their car-rental costs sky high. And for some lucky home-for-the-holidays visitors to certain cities like Washington, D.C. (–6%) and Dallas (–16%), renting a car for Christmas will actually be less expensive than usual.

The following table shows the ten cities with the most costly car rental rates for the 2011 Christmas period. The percentage increase, based on a comparison with regular rates, is shown next to each city making the cut. The prices illustrated reflect average rates for the cheapest available car during the period spanning December 23 through December 28, 2011.

1. Honolulu: $147 (+194%)
2. Miami $111 (+268%)
3. New York: $99 (+70%)
4. Boston: $70 (+135%)
5. New Orleans: $69 (+25%)
6. Jacksonville: $68 (+118%)
7. Philadelphia: $57 (+90%)
8. Orlando: $51 (+218%)
9. San Diego: $50 (+85%)
10. Las Vegas: $49 (+63%)

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Most people are looking forward to the food, family gatherings and gift giving that comes along with the holiday season. Dr. Robin Gurwitch, a psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, reminds parents that this is also the time of year when they should pause to say thanks and also reinforce this idea in their children.

“The holiday season is a perfect time for parents to teach the quality of gratitude to their child,” says Dr. Gurwitch. And she says parents should start teaching that lesson early. “Children model adults in their lives. Gratitude does not come automatically. It takes time to develop and we as adults need to do things to encourage it and show it.”

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and all of the other celebrations, Dr. Gurwitch suggests the following tips on how to help a child understand the concepts of thankfulness during the holidays.

• Model thankfulness to a child by using good manners and language and by asking other adults in the child’s life to do the same.
• Remember to say “thank you” to people no matter how big or small their assistance to you.
• Praise the child when he or she shows thankfulness. When we praise grateful behaviors, children are more likely to repeat them.
• Encourage a child to help others. Explain to the child what you are doing when you contribute to a charity, collect food for the food-bank or perform other acts of giving. Use those situations to explain the needs of others to the child. Encourage young children to collect gently used toys or clothing and encourage older children to volunteer to help those in need. Consider doing this together!
• Remember that being thankful is not only for holiday times. Consider other opportunities for the child to acknowledge people and things he is grateful for in his life.  Examples of doing this include a parent encouraging their small child to list the toys and belongings that the child is thankful for.

Consider thank you notes. Having children write (or draw pictures) to say thank you for a gift or act of kindness is a simple way to help children develop gratitude.

Dmitriy Shironosov / Shutterstock

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According to a new holiday retail survey commissioned by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), more than one-third of Americans prefer to give loved ones gifts that offer meaningful, life-enriching experiences.

Perhaps telling of which experiences consumers may likely share with their families this year, the survey also found that 58 percent of those surveyed regretted not learning to play a musical instrument.

“The only way a retailer is going to drag a consumer away from their PC or mobile phone this holiday season is by offering a compelling experience, one they don’t want to miss,” said Robin Lewis, CEO, The Robin Report and co-author of The New Rules of Retail. “Whether it’s Lululemon’s yoga classes, cooking classes at Macy’s or music lessons at their hometown music store, these are life-enriching experiences that consumers cannot get online.”

Of those surveyed who do play a musical instrument, the most common benefits citied were that it’s fun and reduces stress. And contrary to popular belief, learning to play a musical instrument does not have to break the bank. Instruments such as harmonicas, ukuleles and keyboards can provide training for the same skills needed to play their larger counterparts and cost much less, as well as help burgeoning musicians learn to read music and recognize different tones.

Buying used instruments versus renting can actually save more money, and many local music merchants provide warranty protection and trade-in programs should interests change over time. Additionally, many retailers offer free music lessons with the purchase of an instrument during the holiday season.

Visit your local music retailer for advice on which instrument best suits your budget and musical interests. To locate your nearest local music retailer, visit www.wannaplaymusic.com.

About the Poll

Findings are the results of a nationally-representative telephone survey of 1,049 adults ages 18 and over, conducted by Toluna Research, October 27-31, 2011, on behalf of NAMM. The data was weighted by demographic variables to ensure the sample accurately reflects the U.S. adult population.

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