Gold Italian Charms

Italian Charms come in tens of thousands of designs and can symbolize almost anything in the world such as colleges, buildings, monuments, places, food, animals, cartoons, sports, phrases- even birthday cakes and decorations! The charms usually made of gold or gold plating, can be interchanged to make a new charm everyday. These links are easy enough to interchange and offer versatility to the wearer. Charms are the most popular jewelry items for gifting and small, elegant purchases for self.

Gold Italian Charms originated in Italy and are usually made out of two base metals, such as copper or iron, plated with 18 K gold and enamel. Nothing looks classier than gold, and a gold plated Italian Charm can catch one's eye like no other piece of jewelry. Quality gold Italian charm manufacturers and exporters offer thousands of pieces, each better than the other, with seasonal and festive discounts for bulk and retail customers. All gold Italian charms are made from high quality stainless steel, which is later painted with gold enamel, then decorated with semiprecious gems such as garnets and lapis. This gold enamel gives the charm a very beautiful and sparkling appearance. Shining stainless steel and gold make an absolutely breathtaking contrast. In the gold category of Italian charms, the ones most in demand are symbols of the zodiac, letters of the various alphabets of the world, animals and hearts, sports and hobbies, apart from an ever widening range of designs, modified every day to suit customer demands.

The more exclusive gold Italian Charms are made of white gold, which is comparatively costlier and rarer, but can be bought from a reputed retailer who may have a host of Christmas charms, 14-karat gold charms, bracelet charms, and crown charms. For those wanting to be different from the rest, this white gold Italian charm might well be a rare choice when it comes to charms, but if looking for love, this is one jewelry gift few are known to resist.

The Great English Tradition - Afternoon Tea

When we talk about tea, one of the first thing we talk about is afternoon tea and the English way of drinking tea. Its been practiced for years and has been well published in books, TV and movies alike. Not many people actually know the origins and history behind this quintessential English way of drinking tea.

History
It is said to have started two centuries ago with the 7th Duchess of Bedford named Anna Maria who was the lady in waiting to Queen Victoria. It started due to the Victorian having there dinner late at night and she was always getting hungry earlier in the afternoon. So she arranged the butler to prepare her tea and a few cakes and biscuits to be served around 5pm. Over time see invited her friends to the afternoon tea and soon after Queen Victoria began with afternoon tea then it truly became popular. As time went by the price of tea became affordable and then more and more people began to enjoy.

Over time references to low and high tea have been made, it does not have any reference to the status of the people drinking it but more on the height of which the tea is served. So basically the height of the table and nothing to do with upper or middle class.

Low Tea
Afternoon tea is typically served between the hours of two and five in the afternoon and will be served with sandwiches, pasties, scones, jam, butter and biscuits. It would be generally served in the drawing room or sitting room on a low table, hence the word low tea. The tea is normally the loose form and is served in the best china teapot with milk and sugar. If its an important guess the cakes and pastries will be more elaborate. Tea will be served in the formal rooms of the house accompanied by the best linen and accessories.

High Tea
This is slightly different compared to low tea, its normally an early dinner which will be held at around 5pm. The foods accompanying the tea is cold meats, eggs, cakes and sandwiches and is a more formal event. Due to the type of foods it is normally served at the dinning room table and hence the word high tea.

Type of Tea
There are many different types of tea that can be served with afternoon tea. Typically the tea is made with boiled water that will reduce the time to brew the tea. Normally loose tea is used and that gives for a better cup of tea due the higher quality of tea used.

Non-Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas For a Change This Year!

Are you one of those families who like to switch it up a notch and try out new and inventive ideas for the holidays? No stinkin' turkey and mashed potatoes for you? No problem! There is no rule book for the holidays. True, traditions are widely practiced, especially during the holidays, but these are unwritten rules and there is no reason why you need to follow these rules during the holiday season. Spice it up a little and make a meal that you know will please your guests, even if it is not the traditional holiday menu that people are used to. In fact, you can make a new tradition and have a different international flair each holiday. Bring in a menu from every corner of the world during the holidays. These Christmas dinner ideas will most definitely be a conversation piece that will keep your guests talking and wondering what nationality they will be celebrating this season!

Spice up your Christmas Eve dinner with a Mexican fiesta! There are so many different items you can make to create a really delicious holiday meal using Mexican recipes and many of these dishes you can prepare ahead of time which will leave you more time to sit and visit with your guests and will allow you to enjoy the holidays more! Make a couple of batches of enchiladas prepared different ways, perhaps cheese enchiladas with a red sauce and chicken enchiladas with a creamy sauce. Don't forget to add the delicious side dishes such as Spanish rice, refried beans, nacho chips, guacamole and salsa. For dessert, prepare a tasty flan to complete your Mexican holiday fiesta feast! The following year, instead of a Mexican feed, why not go for Italian route and prepare some delicious pasta dishes. A large bowl of spaghetti and meatballs and a baking dish of lasagna or cannelloni can be prepared for a large gathering of people. Add some fresh garlic bread a and a Caesar salad and you have a quick, easy and delicious Italian menu that will be delicious to feast on at Christmas.

You don't have to use traditional Christmas dinner ideas to make your menu and gathering warm and inviting. All you need is family and good friends, lots of laughter and a delicious meal to make any holiday gathering memorable.

Feast of the Seven Fishes - Christmas Eve Italian Style

The holidays are a magical time and to the Italians, La Vigilia (the vigil) is considered the most magical and festive night of the year. Italians share a rich culture, a zest for life, a love of good food, and strong religious and family values. Holiday meals are an integral part of our social culture, and while every culture has its own traditions, no culture celebrates tradition with more passion than the Italians. Christmas Eve is a special time for family and friends to gather together to celebrate, reminisce about the past, create new memories and share a delicious meal of seasonal foods.

Cena della Vigilia (the dinner of the vigil), the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner, known as Festa dei Sette Pesci or Feast of the Seven Fishes, is a meal without meat, honoring the midnight birth of the baby Jesus; a custom that originated in southern Italy and has since spread throughout Italy and around the world. Today many Italians and Italian-Americans still celebrate this old-world custom that has been handed down from generation to generation.

There are several religious theories that support the origin of this symbolic feast but the most popular belief is that the seven fishes signify the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The meal is also believed to bring buona fortuna (good fortune) in the New Year.

In order to honor this ancient tradition, a variety of seven different fish must be served, and while the menu and preparation varies from region to region and family to family, traditionally it is a meal that begins with antipastos and bread, soup and salad, an abundant feast of seven types of fish, pastas, vegetables and ending with an assortment of dolce served with espresso, Anisette or Sambuca. This celebratory feast captures the spirit of Christmas and offers Italians a chance to unite with their families while honoring their faith.

However you celebrate this season of miracles, may you be surrounded by the love of family and friends, and may the spirit of Christmas fill your heart with peace, joy and hope for the new year.

Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo!

Why Go Camping in Italy?

When people think of European camping holidays, Italy often isn't their first thought. But there are many reasons why this overlooked camping destination should be higher on their list of places to go.

Quality Campsites and Mobile Homes

The campsites in Italy offer you choice, reliability and comfort as well as hotel style facilities. Spacious tents and mobile homes with en-suite and cooking facilities are available in a range of locations. You also have a huge amount of choice as to where you take your Italian camping holiday; you can go to areas of breathtaking natural beauty, such as Lake Garda, or decide on a more city based break, camping within easy driving distance of Rome, Venice, or Milan.

We suggest trying the Marina di Venezia, our favourite campsite in Italy. Close to the Venetian lagoon itself, the Marina di Venezia is one of the largest and best campsites in this area of Italy. It has direct access to a beach, a brand new swimming pool and fountain complex as well as plenty family activities to keep everyone happy.

The Weather

As a nation where it seems to rain a lot of the time, many British people believe that Europe must be the same way. However, Southern Italy has weather similar to the rest of the Mediterranean and parts of central and northern Italy are on average two degrees hotter than the UK! In the far north it becomes much cooler, but since the far north of Italy is dominated by the Alps it makes this location ideal for walking or other sporting activities.

The Things to Do

There's a huge amount of things to do when you holiday in a tent or a mobile home in Italy. If you choose the Marina di Venezia site I talked about earlier, you have Venice right next door. The city has a long history of culture and extravagance, and has some of the best known architecture on the planet.

The floating city is a maze of waterways, bridges and pontoons and has something for everyone. Huge historic buildings such as St. Mark's Basilica and La Fenice opera house will delight architecture buffs, and the scale and construction of Venetian building on such uncertain foundations amazes all visitors.

Venice is incredible at any time, but to see the epitome of Venetian life you have to go during "Carnovale" or carnival time. Throughout February the city bustles with parties and events, a key factor being the masked balls and revels which have an ancient tradition there since the thirteenth century in Italy. The buzz of city life is heightened to a pitch and visitors can join in with the colour, sights and splendour of this amazing tradition.

If you choose Marina di Venezia (or any of the other great campsites in Italy) you are bound to enjoy yourself. The Italian lifestyle, the change of pace, the opportunity and the enjoyment to be found on a camping holiday in Italy are immense and not to be failure. So if this sounds like your kind of holiday, why not consider camping in a tent or mobile home in Italy this summer?

Reasons Why Wearing White After Labor Day Is Frowned Upon

Why is it bad to wear white after Labor Day? Many people wonder why it is a tradition for people not to wear white clothing just a day after the celebration. It is a holiday observed in many countries all over the world. In the United States this is an event annually observed to acknowledge the hard work of the work force in the society. Most of the nations celebrate Labor Day on May 1. Other nations celebrate it at different months like in the United States where it is celebrated in September first. To know the answer to the question, why is it bad to wear white after the holiday, we have to study the history of this tradition.

1. The first answer to the question, why is it bad to wear white after the holiday is because it was a common custom started in the latter years of the nineteenth century until the early years of the twentieth century.

2. The second answer to the question, why is it bad to wear white after the holiday is because white was the color that represented the status of the middle class workers. They believed then that it should be a color that should be respected because most of the people belong to the middle class.

3. The third answer to the question, why is it bad to wear white after the holiday is because many people back then believed that white is the hue that will give less protection from cold weather. Labor Day also signals the beginning of the autumn season for several people.

4. The fourth answer to the question, why is it bad to wear white after Labor Day is because a big movement for labor causes wanted to make the rich class in the society become aware of the existence of the Labor Day. It is one of the best ways they can get them to pay attention.

Based on the records Labor Day began as a celebration by the movement called as the Eight Hour movement. The group made all the members rest for eight hours and enjoy some form of recreation for eight hours as well. In Turkey, Labor Day is called Solidarity Day. In the Philippines this event is observed by marching on the streets to fight for the rights of the laborers. Jamaicans celebrate this holiday to give emphasis to the significance of the workers' input to the economic development of the country.

The Italian Stallion Explained

If you are coming to Rome on vacation or thinking of making it your new home then maybe some inside information on the infamous 'Italian Stallion' is what you need. Italians are so dramatic its in their blood and the men more so than the women. Italian men have reputation that proceeds them and maybe its this reputation they are seeking to uphold. Over the last few year I have come to realize what you can expect from them and I am going to share it with you. 

Step one: Getting your attention

As I mentioned before Italian men are dramatic and they are far from shy.  If they see a woman they think is attractive walking down the street they feel its their duty as a man to let her know. This is done by calling "Ciao Bella!", or if you're really looking good you will get the full "Mama Mia Che Bella!" of course after while you begin not to notice it, the  catcall of Italian men  is the what the wolf whistle is to construction works in the States. A more subtle way they may try to get your attention is to ask you directions, and they can be quite persistent even if you have your earphones in a pretend not to hear they will just tap you  on the shoulder to get your attention- once they do its on to step two...

Step Two: Your Number  

If you decide to take the gamble and give a guy your number expect him to call. Italian men waste no time, there is no rules for them to follow, no waiting 3 days to ring they will call you right there and then but in most cases that's just to check that you gave them the right number!

They are persistent too so be prepared when you give your number that you are going to be asked out. If you need time to think about it, best you take their number and you can call them in your own time then.. which lead us to step three...

Step Three: Dating

Italians are in love with love. They love to romance women. They are extremely romantic and old fashioned.  Italian men are great at showing how much they care, by paying 'little attentions' to the woman they are with, including small gifts and romantic Italian phrases and of course paying for your night out, like a true gentleman.This aspect is one of the more intriguing to women of other cultures.

However, while romanticism is definitely at the forefront of Italian relationships, an Italian man will not find anything wrong with looking at other women. In fact, jealousy plays a large part in a relationship.

Finally: Cultural Curiosity

In many other Western countries, the roles have changed between men and women, woman can sometimes be the main breadwinner with the man staying home being the house husband or indeed both partners working and the household chores shared evenly.  In Italy they still  stay true to tradition. This means that many Italian men do not cook or clean, and many live with their families until they are 30%2B, or until they are married (hence, wife becomes their mother). Mammone is the term for a "mama's boy" in Italy, a very common thing.

In Rome and Italy, it is important to understand the people who live there. The Italian Stallion is a very real thing, and as a woman it is a phenomenon you will definitely encounter on your journeys. I  find it easier to take the loudly voiced comments as compliments. And if you are lucky enough to find a handsome Roman, or otherwise, who wants to grab a cappuccino with you, just remember that if you give them your number, they will call and more than likely introduce you to their mother!