Marianne is Nixplay's Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
Father’s Day is just around the corner! While our options for celebrating the holiday are more limited now, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make the day extra special for dad. Here are some ways to make the holiday fun.
1. Prepare his favorite lunch
The saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” certainly applies to dad. Father’s Day is the perfect occasion to serve him a juicy ribeye, cooked to his preferred doneness, or indulge in lobster or sea bass. Serve it with a nice glass of wine (it’s a special day, after all) and his favorite sides. Don’t forget dessert!
2. Watch his favorite movie with him
Since it’s not yet advisable to go to the theaters, bring the movies to dad instead! Set up a cozy movie nook, complete with dim lighting, comfortable seating, and lots of snacks, and stream dad’s favorite flicks. Some of our recommendations: The Godfather trilogy a classic pick, while the Indiana Jones and the Star Wars series are fail-safe options for the father who’s young at heart.
3. Have the young ones create greeting cards for him
Most fathers have a sentimental side, especially when it comes to their children and grandchildren. Tap into this by getting the kids in the family to create colorful greeting cards for him–the more colorful and expressive, the better. Trust us, dad will be treasuring these mementos forever.
If they live far from dad, have the kids take pictures of their creations and show them on a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame. They can also record a short but sweet Father’s Day video greeting, which can be displayed alongside the photographs of the cards. If Dad doesn’t have a Nixplay Frame yet, now’s the perfect time to get him one!
4. Be genuinely interested in his hobbies
Fathers usually feel a sense of pride when their kids or grandkids show interest in their passions–there’s no better feeling than knowing that the young ones take after him! So if your father is into woodworking, Father’s Day is the best time to help him out with his latest project. Does dad have a green thumb? Get him some seeds or a new plant and join him for an afternoon in the garden. You might even learn something new from this!
5. Plan a board game night
If your father is the brainy, competitive type, an evening spent playing board games should be right up his alley. You can go for classics such as Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble, or opt for newer games like Pandemic (a very timely pick) and Spontuneous. Hours of fun, guaranteed–as long as nobody cheats!
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
Mother’s Day is coming up, and if you’re like us, you’re probably going to spend it at home, away from your loved ones. But you can still make it memorable for mom despite the distance! Here are some easy ways to do so.
Give her a call
Sometimes, it’s the simplest gestures that make the biggest difference. Pick up your phone and dial your mom to ask how she’s doing in these trying times. Tell her about your pup’s latest antics, ask for her special beef stew recipe so you can recreate it, and have the kids greet her a happy mother’s day over the phone. Think of it as a preview of your conversations when you get to see each other again in person!
Send her flowers
Flowers are a surefire way to brighten up someone’s day! A bouquet of mom’s favorite blooms should have her smiling from ear to ear in a jiffy. A houseplant would also be a good idea, while potted herbs would make a great present for the mom who enjoys cooking.
Set up an online party
Thanks to technology, you can easily celebrate with mom at the same time even if you’re miles away from each other. Simply set up a video call on a video conference program like Zoom, agree on a certain time, and dial in. You can even plan family activities, such as a cooking demo, as well as games, such as Pictionary and Charades, to make your call more fun!
Have her favorite food delivered
Yes, you can treat mom to a great dessert or meal even if you’re thousands of miles away! See if her favorite restaurant or bakery delivers and order a dish she loves in time for Mother’s Day. Don’t forget to request for food pictures! Speaking of which…
Send her photos
Delight mom with the most thoughtful gift: a trip down memory lane via a compilation of photos of her favorite moments! Gather as many photos as you can: snapshots of mom being a heartbreaker in her teens, her wedding photos, pictures with you and your siblings growing up, and images of her with her grandchildren.
Set up the photos on a Nixplay Frame so you and your family can keep adding to her album! Get up to 30 percent off on selected bestselling digital photo frames, only until May 10!
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
Growing up, you probably couldn’t imagine spending your everyday life without your siblings. They might have teased you mercilessly, but you can count on them to be on your team through thick and thin. And you’d do the same for them because your siblings are simply the best.
But as time passed, you and your siblings expanded your respective worlds, met new people, started careers, and set different priorities. And though life might have caused you and your siblings to be separated by distance, the good news is that it’s never been easier to stay close, no matter how far apart you may be. Get started with these five thoughtful ideas:
Keep In Touch Via Social Media
Thanks to social media, you can stay updated on your siblings’ musings, achievements, and adventures in a jiffy. Set up regular video calls, send them messages on Facebook, and post your favorite photos with them on Instagram. Even tagging them in posts you think they’ll like will warm their hearts–it’s a sweet reminder that somewhere, someone who loves them is thinking of them.
Send Them Snail Mail
While technology has made communication more efficient than ever, nothing beats the nostalgia and anticipation that comes with good old-fashioned snail mail. Send your siblings postcards from your trips, write them letters once a month, and mail them greeting cards on their holidays. It may not be the fastest method of communication, and there’s nothing you can send via post than couldn’t be typed out in a test or an email, but t’s more thoughtful, more personal, and therefore, more special.
Make Your Get-Togethers Meaningful
If you and your siblings live in faraway cities or in different countries, chances are you probably don’t see each other too often. So next time you do, make it count by making your reunion as fun as possible. You can go down memory lane and indulge in activities you enjoyed when you were younger, or do something that reflects your current interests. It doesn’t have to be a grand affair: Even if it’s just hiking in the woods near your childhood home or baking your mom’s signature cookie recipe, the most important thing is making them truly feel how much you love spending time with them.
Surprise Them With Presents
An unexpected package containing something they’ll love is always a welcome surprise. Be it a bouquet of cheerful flowers for your sister or something for your brother’s next golf tournament, they’re bound to appreciate and treasure your gift. Make sure to include a card with a sweet message that lets them know you’re thinking of them!
Make A Family Photo Album
Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to gather photos and videos of your family. It’s even easier when you all have Nixplay Frames: Just create a shared playlist that you and your siblings can collaborate on so you can share and display family photos on your frame in real-time. You can create shared playlists by year, or by occasion. Either way, it’s a private social network for your family and a brilliant way to keep your favorite moments alive.
Stay in touch with your family and friends with Nixplay! Get up to 30 percent off on some of our bestselling frames, only until April 12!
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
St. Patrick’s Day is usually celebrated on March 17 with lots of parties and events. Here are some of the unique ways the holiday was commemorated this year.
An out-of-this-world commemoration
Astronauts marked St. Patrick’s Day with photos of Ireland taken from the International Space Station, located 408 kilometers above the earth. It’s a fitting way to honor the Emerald Isle.
Silven screens turned green
A simple way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is to watch movies about Ireland and its people. Some folks opted for classics like My Left Foot and Far And Away, while others went for fresher films like The Irishman. There’s no shortage of movies on the topic–and it’s not yet too late to join in on the fun!
An Irish Jig
Some folks celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by learning how to do the jig, a lively folk dance that’s commonly associated with Ireland. It’s a fun way to celebrate the occasion while working up a sweat. Learn how to do so below:
Having virtual celebrations
Several musicians and DJs, including Irish punk band The Dropkick Murphys, held online concerts so people can enjoy their concerts from the comfort of their homes. Some farm owners also held livestreamed St. Patrick’s Day parades around their property, much to the delight of their online audience.
Verdant buildings
St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without some of the world’s most famous landmarks going green. The London Eye, Madison Square Garden, and the Burj Khalifa are just three of several sites in 50 countries that glowed a viridian hue, bringing hope and spreading cheer to people across the globe.
It’s not yet too late to have your own St. Patrick’s Day celebration! You can also reminisce about the previous St. Paddy’s Day parties you’ve attended by displaying your fun moments on a Nixplay Frame. Take advantage of our St. Patrick’s Day sale today!
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on the 8th March as the focal point in the movement for women’s rights and equality. To celebrate this year, we’ve pulled together a list of some of the top women in tech to honor their accomplishments. While the technology industry has a reputation of being male-dominated, these inspiring women—along with thousands of others–are proving that gender is no barrier to success.
Women In Technology
While more and more opportunities are available for female undergraduates in IT, in 2018 only 25% of all US tech jobs were held by women. The percentage of female IT leaders across the globe also remains at just 9%. But why?
Stereotypes surrounding the tech industry have contributed to the decline of women working in the sector. But following the hit film “Hidden Figures”, it’s clear that people are becoming more interested in how women are making an impact in tech. The women in “Hidden Figures” were mathematicians and engineers who made valuable contributions to the space program. Along with the fact that they dealt with both gender and racial discrimination at work, they made a pivotal impact on the way that women in tech are perceived today.
That’s why the Women in IT Awards were launched in 2015: to address the gender imbalance in the technology sector by showcasing the achievements of women in tech. The awards organization works across several divisions around the world to provide a high-profile platform that supports women in tech and eliminates gender stereotypes.
To coincide with this year’s awards and to celebrate International Women’s Day, here are 7 influential women in tech, from the past and present:
1. Ada Lovelace
Born: 1815 Died: 1852
Ada Lovelace is an English mathematician who, despite the fact that she was the daughter of renowned poet Lord Byron, paved her own way to success. One of the most famous women in technology, she is widely regarded as the “first computer programmer” and is known for writing a crucial algorithm for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, an early computing machine that only existed on paper in the mid-1800s.
Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy. She was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer and had invented one of the first linkers. Following her studies in math and physics at Vassar College, she completed her master’s degree in mathematics at Yale, going on to earn a Ph.D. in the subject. She was one of the first few women to accomplish this academic feat. Hopper then joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, where she was assigned to program the Harvard Mark I computer.
3. Margaret Hamilton
Born: 1936
Margaret Hamilton is a computer scientist, systems engineer, and business owner who was critical to landing the first astronauts on the moon. She graduated with a minor in philosophy from Earlham College in Indiana before working in the meteorology department at MIT. Impressively, she went on to join the team that created the onboard flight software for the Apollo space missions. Her talents are out of this world, so it’s no surprise that she’s also one of the most famous women in technology to date.
Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook as well as the founder of the non-profit LeanIn.Org. She graduated from Harvard in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and was awarded the John H. Williams Prize for being the top student in her graduating class. She’s now a top technology executive and author, who was one of the first women to serve on Facebook’s board, bringing them from a $56 million loss to $22.1 billion in profit in 2018.
5. Jen Fitzpatrick
Born: 1976
Jen Fitzpatrick started out in Google’s very first class of interns and went on to become one of the first female engineers at the company. She has since co-founded Google’s user experience team and worked on search, advertising and Google News, all before taking on the responsibility for Google Maps and Local as the company’s VIP for geo. Prior to her career at Google, she graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in symbolic systems and a master’s degree in computer science.
6. Tracy Chou
Born: 1987
Alongside Nadine Harik and Jennifer Tsai, Tracy Chou was one of the engineers behind Pinterest’s mobile redesign. More importantly, Chou, a software engineer with a computer science degree from Stanford University, promotes diversity in her line of work. Following her experience at Pinterest and Quora, she has become a voice of authority on diversity issues within the technology industry, inspiring young women to take classes in science, technology, and engineering.
Ginni Rometty is the chairman, president and CEO of IBM, and the first woman to head the company. Since becoming CEO of IBM in 2012, she has transformed and reinvented the business to lead in the new era of Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies. And that’s not all: She also finds the time to serve on the Council on Foreign Relations, the board of trustees of Northwestern University, and the boards of overseers and managers of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Now it’s time for you to honor the women in your life—or even yourself! Looking for International Women’s Day gifts? This year Nixplay is offering up to 35% off on selected frames*, so treat an inspiring woman or send yourself a gift to celebrate the occasion. Our smart photo frames are the perfect way to showcase the women in your life and their accomplishments: by sending those memorable moments straight from your phone to your frame.
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
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