Category: Lifestyle Page 3 of 20

On September 3, 2020

There’s a saying that goes, “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” While that’s the dream, the reality is that we’re not all as passionate about our jobs as we’d like to be. And even if you’re lucky enough to be able to do what you love for a living, there will still be days when work feels like, well, work.

Fortunately, there are plenty of hobbies that you can monetize to earn a little extra–something we could all use during these trying times. Try these on for size:

Baking

If your friends and family have always raved about your baking, why don’t you take that as a sign to start selling your goods? When you already have the recipe for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, apple pie, or carrot cake, you can join online selling groups around your neighborhood to promote your goods. You can also try asking local cafes and restaurants to sell your products.

Gardening

With everyone filling their homes with plants, there’s never been a better time to take up gardening. If you’ve got a green thumb, you can cash in the fad by sourcing low-maintenance indoor plants, repotting them, and selling them online. Soon, you’ll be making the kind of green your wallet loves.

Design

When you’ve got the design chops, use them to your wallet’s advantage by offering your services at competitive prices. You can create logos for up and coming brands, artwork for homes, marketing materials for small businesses, and even stylized portraits (which make for adorable gifts). There are so many things you can do, and you just have to be great at marketing your services in order to succeed.

Making Drinks

Got a knack for making the perfect cup of joe? Make the most of your brewing skills by selling your coffee to your neighbors working from home. Cold brew coffee is very trendy right now, as well as boba drinks.

Nixplay respects your hustle, and we salute everyone working hard to earn an honest income during these unpredictable times. We’re celebrating the American Worker with our Labor Day Sale: Get up to 25% off on selected frames, only until September 6!

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.

4 Sweet Surprises Your Siblings Will Always Appreciate

On August 26, 2020

When it comes to your siblings, distance truly makes the heart grow fonder, especially when you’ve always been so close to them growing up. It wouldn’t hurt to surprise your siblings with something to express how much they mean to you and how much you miss them. Here are some ideas:

A New Book

It would be nice to give your siblings a new read that they would appreciate. Maybe there’s a biography that they’ve been eyeing for a long time, or perhaps you can get them the latest release from their favorite author. Maybe there’s a coffee table book or a graphic novel that just has their name on it. It’s a great way to let your siblings know that you’re thinking of them.

Flowers or Plants

Truly, the best time to give flowers is when it’s least expected. After all, who wouldn’t be delighted with a surprise bouquet? Surprise your siblings with a colorful arrangement to show them that you’re thinking of them. Another option is to send them plants that they can add to their homes.

Food

The best way to anyone’s heart is through food, and this rule applies to your siblings as well. Have one of their favorite dishes delivered to them, just because. If you live nearby, you can make it yourself and give it to them personally (but make sure you follow all the necessary safety protocols!). Plus points if it’s a dish from your childhood–they’ll love the dose of nostalgia!

A Nixplay Frame

When everyone’s working and studying from home and physical distancing is encouraged, we have limited means to stay connected with your loved ones. A Nixplay Frame will help you stay connected to your siblings easily and safely. All you have to do is plug it in, upload your photos and 15-second videos, and share your favorite content with your siblings. It’s the most fun, easy way to stay close. Get your favorite Nixplay Frames at up to 25% off during our Labor Day Sale, only until September 6!

Photo by Jeremy Cai on Unsplash

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.

4 Easy Ways To Show Your Grandparents That You Care

5 Easy Ways To Show Your Grandparents That You Care

On August 19, 2020

Grandparents are some of the most special people on the planet. They are absolute gems, fussing over their grandkids and making sure they’re always happy and well-fed.

Your grandparents might be feeling lonely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, having been forced to stay at home as they are more at risk. Fortunately, there are a lot of things that you can do to keep their spirits high in the midst of a global health crisis. Here are some of them.

Deliver food to them

While nothing compares to your grandmother’s cooking, even grandma must get tired of cooking her own food every now and then. Repay her for all the times that she plied you with food by sending her go-to dishes from her favorite restaurants. It’s a thoughtful gesture that she will appreciate, and will keep her tummy happy.

Share photos with them

Your grandparents always want to know what’s going on in your lives, especially during these days, when visiting is frowned upon. Frequently sending them photos will make their day and will make them feel loved and remembered.

Take it one step further by sending them a Nixplay Frame so your latest family photos are instantly displayed! Our Secret Sale is still going on, and you can get up to 30% off on selected frames until August 23.

Hop on a video call

If your grandparents are more tech-savvy, you can get on a video call with them. It’ll be nice to see their smiles and reactions through the screen as you tell them about the latest updates on your side of town.

Send them flowers

Flowers have a way of brightening anyone’s day. Surprise your grandparents with a beautiful arrangement every now and then to make their day better in a pinch. Don’t wait for a birthday or a special occasion–the best time to send flowers, after all, is when they’re least expected.

Mail them hand-drawn cards

Snail mail may be overlooked in favor of emails and text messaging, but handwritten letters and postcards will always be a delight to receive. Get the kids together to write letters and create cards for grandma and grandpa. You can expect their crafty masterpieces to be displayed for months to come!

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.

How To Easily Adjust to Home Schooling

On August 14, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has effectively corralled us indoors, forcing us to prioritize our health before anything else. This also meant doing as many things as possible from within the safety of our homes–including educating our children.

A lot of parents now have to play a more hands-on role in the education of their kids. Despite the many benefits of at-home learning, adjusting to the system can be a challenge for both parents and students. This can lead to frustration and anxiety, and might even cause students to fall behind their learning goals.

Here are some ways parents can make their homes more conducive to learning.

Set specific goals.

Homeschooling allows children to learn at their own pace. For first-time homeschoolers, it’s important to set short- and long-term goals that are aligned with those of the school’s. Parents should also consider non-academic aspects of a well-rounded education such as physical activity, arts and crafts, music, and extracurriculars. These should be integrated as safely as possible in the child’s schedule.

Follow a daily routine.

While homeschooling introduces flexibility and spontaneity to your child’s learning routine, sticking to a basic routine can add focus and direction and help build good habits. You can try an hourly timetable that sticks to the school’s schedule, or opt for a simple flowchart if you’d rather place the emphasis on productivity. It might take some time before your children find a routine that works for them. Don’t hesitate to try different processes and schedules, as long as the students meet their study goals.

Designate a learning space.

As anyone who’s had to work from home during the pandemic knows, living and working in a single space can lead to disorganization and stress. That’s why it’s important to create a conducive learning environment where your kids can concentrate while studying. Keep your children’s study materials organized in a specific area of the house. It doesn’t have to be a proper study room–the kitchen table or the study table in their bedroom would work, as long as schoolwork is confined to that single space.

Collaborate with the parents of your child’s classmates.

We’re living in unprecedented times, and never forget that you’re not alone in your situation. Get in touch with the parents of your child’s classmates, and exchange tips and resources with them. This will expand the students’ opportunities in and out of their virtual classrooms, making the homeschooling process easier and more enriching for all families involved.

Take the learning outdoors.

Learning doesn’t stop once you leave the four corners of the classroom (or in this case, your home). Try to incorporate “field trips” in your child’s homeschooling curriculum. You can head to the garden to study photosynthesis or go to the park for a simple physics lesson. Make sure to abide by government-mandated health and safety regulations when you do this: Wear masks properly avoid touching your face, and practice social distancing.

Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash