• Ladies Night! February 5th is the night to snag a table at that fancy, new restaurant you haven’t been able to get a reservation for. Catch up with your gal pals and make Superbowl Night a Ladies Night! (Just stay clear of all sport’s bars and establishments with televisions.

• Gym it! Make good on already forgotten New Year’s resolutions and put that gym membership to use. It’s pretty much a guarantee that you won’t have to fight the crowds for a treadmill on game day.

• For the practical gal. Get your grocery shopping done for the week without lines! The stores will be deserted but the Super Bowl sales will most likely still be in effect.

• Relax with spa treatment. Spas frequently offer discounts for those looking to escape football. For example, The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami is offering 15% of spa services all day long every Sunday through the Super Bowl, plus you getfree strawberries and champagne!  http://www.thepalmshotel.com/spa/spa-specials-gift-cards/

• Golfing is not just for men. Many golf courses have Super Bowl Sunday specials! Get your swing ready!

• SHOP! Fabric and quilting stores commonly have Super Bowl sales. Make that scarf you have been wanting to make before winter is over!

The post 6 Fun Tips for Ladies to Survive Superbowl Madness! Written by Jeanette Pavini appeared first on Michelle Rivera Lifestyle.

NYE with the kids: If you have young children, look into daytime activities. A lot of museums have special events, some even for free, for kids on New Year’s Eve. For examples, the Balloon Drop at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, lets kid celebrate midnight around the world with a countdown and balloon drop at 11 am, 1 pm and 4 pm. Kids can catch balloons and receive prizes.

Cheap Eats: If you want to go out to dinner, buy a discounted gift certificate online. You will find hundreds of restaurants where you pay $40 and get $100 gift certificate.

Culture Craving: Check with your local performing arts centers, opera houses and theatres for discounted tickets.  Many times you will be able to buy standing room only tickets for about 10 bucks!

Skip the driving: Check for extended public transportation hours. Many buses and trains will offer extended hours on New Year’s Eve (some may even offer free rides). That way you can save on parking costs and the hassle of driving which is especially handy if you live right outside of a major city.

Blackjack anyone? If you want to throw a party at home, choose a theme to make it special like casino night. As guests arrive give them each an equal amount of play money. Set up casino favorites like black jack and poker, board games and dice games. Grant a prize to the player who has the highest winnings by midnight. You can have a buffet dinner to add to the casino theme, make it a potluck to split up costs.

Shop Resale! Go to more affluent neighborhoods to buy your New Years Eve outfit.  You will find like new clothes for up to 80 percent off of the retail price.

Black is best: Instead of spending all your money on a shimmery, sequined New Year’s Dress you may only be able to wear once, buy something that is wearable year-round (nothing beats a black dress) and accessorize to make it festive. Aside from jewelry and hats, tights are an easy way to make an outfit unique, they come in every color, pattern and texture and you can find them for under $10. Stores that sell discontinued or overstock merchandise are a great place to look.

Ask before you pay: If you are paying for a party in a big city where there is a fireworks show, concert or some other outdoor celebration at midnight, you should ask about in and out privileges. Otherwise you may be paying $200+ to watch the celebration from a television set.

When to splurge: Consider Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, as an inexpensive alternative to champagne. You can also add a fruit puree and turn it into a Bellini for a more luxurious drink.  Save a bottle of champagne for midnight to make the celebration special.

The post New Year’s Eve Deals! Written by Jeanette Pavini appeared first on Michelle Rivera Lifestyle.

1. Set up very clear gift giving guidelines, especially by establishing an amount for your gift exchanges. Money talk can feel uncomfortable, but your gift giving experience will be much more pleasant if you know you will both be aiming for $25 gifts. Shopping can be stressful enough without having to worry about your gift being too big or too small.

2. Downscale your holiday party. You want to be able to enjoy your guests, not be tied to the kitchen the whole night, so serve dishes that can be assembled ahead of time and just need to be heated in the oven, have a potluck, or make it an appetizer party or a dessert and cocktail party. Save money by using coupons and buying what’s on ad.

3. Stay healthy during the holidays.  In 2000, the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development did a study that determined we only gain about a pound during the holiday season. That doesn’t sound so bad, but here’s the catch, that weight tends to stick around and accumulate through the years, So in order to stay healthy and happy during the holidays, don’t use the celebrating as an excuse to slack on your exercise routine. Try to exercise the day of Christmas parties, get those endorphins moving and you may be more likely to decline that second slice of pie. Try things in moderation, eat one holiday cookie to appease the baker, but stop there and fill at least half your plate with vegetables before hitting the other dishes.  Staying active is really important this time of year so that you can enjoy the holidays and cut stress.

4. Slow down. Between decorations, shopping, baking, cooking, wrapping, traveling, entertaining – it can be easy to go through the motions of the holidays without stopping to enjoy it. Think of activities that will force you to stop, breathe and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. Take a walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights, cozy up next to the tree with a cup of hot chocolate, host a gift-wrapping party with your friends, and play holiday music while you bake.

5. One of the best ways to be happy is to make others happy.  Include a personal note with your holiday gifts rather than the standard “To” and “From” tag.  It is a good reminder of what the spirit of giving is truly about, reminding the gifter and the giftee why they made it on your “nice” list this holiday season.

6. Prepare for shopping!  Make sure you bring water, comfortable shoes, snacks and dress in layers. Have a separate envelope with you for all of your receipts. This will make your experience more relaxing and enjoyable.

7. Use sites like coupons.com to find restaurants and outings in your area offering great deals on having fun!

Visit Jeanette Pavini’s website at www.realdealshow.com!

The post Top Ways To Keep The Happy In The Holidays: Written by Jeanette Pavini appeared first on Michelle Rivera Lifestyle.