Category: Holidays Page 2 of 13

Stories about the occasions that matter most.

social distancing fourth of july activities

Fun Fourth of July Activities You Can Do At Home

On July 2, 2020

While this year’s Fourth of July celebrations will be different, it certainly doesn’t mean that it’ll be a dull holiday. Large gatherings are not advisable at the moment, but you can still have fun with your closest loved ones. Here are some ways to have a special Fourth of July while staying safe and healthy:

1. Watch Fourth of July shows

Can’t go out to watch fireworks? The internet might just be your savior: Several sites will be streaming fireworks shows, as well as concerts, plays, and other entertainment. We’ll be tuned in to PBS’ streaming of A Capitol Fourth! (watch it via this link), as well as the filmed-for-cinema version of the hit Broadway show Hamilton (watch it on Display Plus).

2. Decorate your home

You don’t get a lot of occasions to go all out with the stars and stripes-themed decor, so take advantage of the holiday! Dress up your home with Fourth of July-themed balloons and streamers, put up American flags, and fill vases with red and white blooms. You can get the kids to join in the fun by holding arts and crafts contests–they’ll have a blast decorating everything red, white, and blue.

3. Have a patriotic movie marathon

A movie marathon is a brilliant way to while away an afternoon. Set up your most comfortable cushions in front of your TV, prepare bowls of popcorn, chips, and other snacks, and get set for a few hours of Netflix (or Hulu, or Disney Plus) and Chill. Some of our picks: Glory, Top Gun, Forrest Gump, Air Force One, and Captain America: The Frist Avenger.

4. Have a barbecue in your lawn

It’s not a proper Fourth of July celebration without a barbecue! While we don’t recommend inviting your neighbors over, you can still celebrate by setting out your own grills on your respective lawns, where you can see each other and socialize from a safe distance. It’ll probably be a bit chaotic, sure, but it’s going to be a lot of fun!

Don’t forget to take pictures of your Fourth of July festivities! Share your photos directly with your friends and family using your Nixplay Frames. We have a Secret Sale going on until July 12–now’s your chance to score our bestselling digital photo frames at prices you can’t resist. Shop now!

Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash

Mars Salazar

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.

5 Simple And Thoughtful Ways To Celebrate Father’s Day

By Mars Salazar

On June 8, 2020

In Holidays

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!

Mars Salazar

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.

5 Unique Ways To Surprise Mom This Mother’s Day

By Mars Salazar

On April 27, 2020

In Holidays

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!

Mars Salazar

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.

7 Day Photo Challenge: Easter Edition

By Alice Murray

On March 31, 2020

In Holidays

Learning how to take the best photos entails more than knowing how to work the camera. It’s about setting up the right shot and working with the materials and subjects that you’ve got. This new 7 Day Photo Challenge series lets you get more creative with your photography and lets you share these moments with family and friends.

Start Your Easter Photo Challenge

To celebrate Easter this year, we want you to take part in our 7 Day Photo Challenge, filled with fun activities that you and the family can enjoy. Upload your photo challenges to your social media profiles with the hashtag #NixplayEasterPhotoChallenge and showcase your favorite snaps this Easter season!

Check out our Easter Instagram photo challenge ideas below.

1. All The Chocolate

Since a large portion of the Easter period is spent munching on chocolate, we’ve taken the opportunity to challenge you to take the best chocolate-filled photo. We’re looking for candid shots of your little ones diving into their first Easter egg, or mouthwatering snaps featuring your edible Easter bunnies. This Easter photo idea is simple but effective–and as a sweet bonus, you get to eat all the chocolate, too.

2. Fresh Flowers

Head down to a flower garden or meadow, or pick up some fresh blossoms to feature in your photos. Spring is all about colorful blooms and new life, so there’s no better way to celebrate than with a beautiful photo of fresh flowers, be it a charming bunch of hand-picked daisies, a scenic photo of a meadow, or a portrait of a loved one with a bouquet. Get creative and play around with petals, leaves, and blossoms to come up with a memorable image. If you’ve got time to play around, you could even put together a flower crown for each of your family members to wear. If all else fails, don’t forget that green grass and brightly colored flowers make for the perfect Easter photo backdrop!

3. Painted Eggs

Give your family another challenge and have a competition for the best decorated hard-boiled egg. Painting and decorating eggs is a classic Easter activity that both children and adults can get involved in, so why not treasure the moment with a photo challenge? Here are some egg painting ideas to get you started:

Dye your eggs using drops of food coloring in a bath of water
Draw faces on your eggs using a permanent marker
Paint Easter bunnies, flowers, and polka dots
Use finger painting techniques

If you want to up the ante, let your family and friends who live far away vote by sending photos of your finished eggs to their Nixplay Wi-Fi cloud frames! It’s a great way to get the whole gang involved, no matter where they are.

4. Easter Egg Hunt Candids

It’s finally spring, so make the most out of the weather and step outside for the ultimate Easter egg hunt. Take your camera out with you to snap some cute candids of your little ones while they’re on the lookout. Prepare lots of Easter eggs and wicker baskets to get the perfect snaps. You can set up in the back yard, or head over to the local park for your Easter egg hunt.

Top tip: When taking candid photos, use Burst Mode on your Smart Phone to get the best in-the-moment shot.

5. Bunny Ears

Pick up some bunny ears from your local fancy dress shop for our Day 5 photo challenge. Put them on the kids, on your furry friends, or on the whole family for the perfect Easter snap! You can even have a little fun with it and wear them out in public, sharing your snaps with friends and family using the Nixplay App as you go.

6. Easter Cupcakes

We challenge you to bake and decorate some delicious Easter cupcakes! Whether they’re topped with baby chicks, adorable bunnies, fluffy sheep, or an edible bird’s nest made of chocolate, we want to see it. Be as creative as you can be with it, but here are some top tips to get you started:

Use piping nozzles and green icing to top your cupcakes with “grass”.
Decorating with sheep? Use mini marshmallows to make them look nice and fluffy.
Dip strawberries in orange icing and stick them on the tops of your cupcakes to create the illusion of baby carrots sticking out of the ground.

After this, have a mini photoshoot with your Easter cupcakes to show them off to your friends and family (that is, if you can wait to eat them!).

7. Baby Animals

Celebrate new life at Easter and head to your local petting zoo to take some shots of the adorable lambs and baby chicks, plus the cute puppies, bunnies, and kittens. Try to get the best shots for your final submission to the Nixplay 7 Day Photo Challenge–and we’ll give you bonus points if you can capture a smile!

Sharing Your 7 Day Photo Challenges

Remember to keep everyone up to date with your 7 Day Photo Challenge! Share your photo challenges with other Nixplay users and connect your digital photo frame to your social media accounts. You can also send your Easter photos to your frames via email, the Nixplay app or our website–so sharing memories with the family has never been easier.

Unique St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

By Mars Salazar

On March 19, 2020

In Holidays

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!

Mars Salazar

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.