Holiday gift buying can feel a little empty, when all of those endless lists, long lines at the shopping center and dollars spent lead to a 5-minute excitement of flying wrapping paper. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} The following tips can help make gift giving more meaningful for both the giver and the receiver.

1 Know the person

    The most important thing in the exchanging of gifts is that it shows that you really know the person well, and you really care about him. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

2 Donate in their name

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Research suggests that happier people give more to others, and that giving more makes people happier. Moreover, charity-related happiness is highest when people give in a way that promotes social connection. So, try giving to the less fortunate in someone's name this holiday season.

3 Give handmade goods or hand-me-downs

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}  A study suggests that people feel that homemade items show more love, and love is what they want to express to the gift receiver.

    Family heirlooms(传家宝) may be another good gift option. A 2009 study found that when families hand down even a very depersonalized thing — money — to the generations, the symbolic value of the cash is greater than the numerical value alone.

4 Provide chances for participation

    If there's a golden rule of gifts, though, it's this: {#blank#}5{#/blank#} People who receive experiential gifts, such as concert tickets or a zoo membership, feel more connected to the gift giver than people who received material gifts.

A. Give experiences rather than objects.

B. But it doesn't have to be that way.

C. Giving gifts to friends or to charity is linked to happiness.

D. That is always beyond their expectation.

E. That means catering to another's pleasure.

F. Start listing every person you plan to give a holiday gift to.

G. The new and store-bought is not always best.

    As a child grows out of being an infant and begins to notice and react to the world around him, you may find yourself wondering how you possibly impart all of the things that he needs to become a responsible, respectful adult.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} A child who learns to respect all he meets not only receives respect from others, but also learns to respect himself as well.

●Show your child respect. This is perhaps the best way to teach your child how to respect others. Listen to your child by giving him your full attention and he will learn to listen to you, understanding how important this is in communication.

●{#blank#}2{#/blank#} The more you say “please” and “thank you” to your child, the more likely he will learn to use them with you and others. Politeness then becomes a normal part of any conversation.

●Agree to disagree.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Explain your decision so that he will understand your reasoning and expect respectful responses. Disagreeing with you doesn't equate to disobedience.

●Control your impulse to overact. When a situation arises between you and your child that requires calmness, keep in mind that you are supposed to be modeling correct behavior. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

●Praise, praise, praise! So much is focused on what a child does wrong and how to correct it that the accomplishments are not celebrated enough.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A．Teach manners by using polite requests and responses.

B．Try to remember that a child won't always agree with you.

C．Respect is necessary for a meaningful and successful life.

D．If he sees you lose temper, he is more likely to respond that way in future.

E．A child may act like he pleases, but will respect being given limits.

F．When you see your child exhibit respectful behavior, make sure he knows just how proud you are of him.

G．Setting a good example is the best way to start a child on the path to respect.

Helpful ways to deal with a know-it-all friend

    Sometimes having a friend who thinks she knows everything and always offers her unsolicited(主动提供的) advice can really make one upset. But with some ways to deal with know-it-all, you can easily cope with that friend. Also a know-it-all friend often acts as if she were the best. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Try to understand. There may be a reason why your know-it-all friend does so. Maybe she has low self-esteem(自尊),or she's not happy in her life. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This tip is very important, especially if the know-it-all is your best friend

    Give her a little attention. Giving a little attention is one of the best ways to deal with a know-it-all friend. Show some enthusiasm about what the know-it-all says to give her enough attention, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Or this can lead to her giving more unsolicited advice {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Often the know-it-all friend can say some not-so-nice things, and these things are usually about you. Instead of thinking that something is not okay with you, never take her comments and advice personally. If you do so, you may really begin to become unnecessarily anxious.

    Have a talk with her. If you're sick and tired of all those unsolicited advice, come right out with it. Speak politely and don't insult(辱骂)her. Try to find a good time to talk to her. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Tell your know-it-all friend how it makes you feel and maybe she will respond well

A. Feel free to ignore her all the time.

B. Don't take her comments personally.

C. However, make sure you don't overdo it.

D. Try not to go to those places where you think she'll be.

E. If you have such a friend, here are a few tips on coping with her.

F. Try to understand her and understand why she acts the way that she does.

G. You need to know what you're going to say and be sure to use only kind words.

    I have seen how having an animal in your life can make things much better for all concerned. Here are some reasons.

    A pet's love never stops.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Even if you cannot return that unconditional love, just knowing that it is there will make your life better.

    Caring for something other than yourself is emotionally healthy.

    Giving and getting a little love, even if you have to say "sit down" 270 times a day, can take your mind off your troubles and help you to see what really matters.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    If you have a dog, you need to take it (and yourself) on walks. Dogs are happiest when they are walking. And it's common knowledge that taking regular walks is also good for your heart and brain health.

    Just the act of petting a creature lowers your blood pressure and helps you relax.

    The next time you are feeling uncomfortable, I suggest going to your local shelter and giving some love to an animal there. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, but notice how you feel when the two of you are exchanging emotional energy. And don't be surprised if you do adopt!

    Saving a life will make yours better.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, but what about the used ones? All my animals have been rescued, and they are as sweet as can be.

    Maybe you think you don't have enough room in your heart.

    You may already have a family to love, and that is totally wonderful. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. I know not everybody is an animal lover, but if you think you might be, don't lose this chance.

A. You won't have to take it home

B. Some people want lovely pets

C. Having a pet is also physically healthy

D. If you want more love in your life, consider a pet

E. Taking your dog for a walk can make your dog happy

F. Some people prefer their new puppy to be from a pet store

G. No matter what, your pet will always love you and remember you

How to write an email?

    While many people are accessible by email, sometimes it is difficult to determine how exactly to write an email to them. Here are some tips for you to follow.

    Write an appropriate subject line. The subject line should tell the recipient (接收者) immediately what the email is about. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Remember that your wording also has to be brief.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is best to be more formal rather than informal, so when writing to someone you have never met or written to before, a "Dear Jane Smith" is appropriate. When addressing someone whom you are a little familiar with, a "Dr. Smith" is okay until they tell you to address them by their first name, in which case a simple "Jane" will be okay.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Within the first two sentences of your email, your recipient should know exactly why you are writing to him. Sometimes an introduction may have to precede (先于) the sentence that states why you are writing, and sometimes it has to follow.

    Use appropriate language. You may be used to using informal language in certain social settings. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Even when dealing with colleagues or friends you are familiar with, do not immediately fall back on informal language.

    Keep it simple. People may get dozens and even hundreds of emails a day. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In that way, they can save much of their time when reading emails.

A. Use proper greetings.

B. Express your ideas clearly.

C. State your purpose at the beginning.

D. Be as specific as possible when writing the subject.

E. However, an email may not be the best place to use such language.

F. It is important to check the language to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes.

G. It is always easier for them if you keep your email as short and brief as possible.

Ways to be safe in school

    School safety issues involve more than violence. It may also address such concern as natural disasters, illness, fire and local emergencies. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Have a plan

    Teachers and students should know where to go and what to do in case of a school security situation. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Schools can also post guidelines in each classroom with simple pictures pointing out emergency exits, fire extinguishers (灭火器), and other emergency equipment.

    Screen visitors

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Give school visitors temporary badges (证章) to identify them. Install cameras at all entrances and restrict access as much as possible. Ask teachers and hall monitors to stop anyone in the halls without appropriate identification.

    Panic buttons

    Provide teachers with panic button in classroom so they can ask for help immediately. Provide clear and brief instructions about use and immediate response when .started. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Establish a hotline

    Establish a hotline so students can report crimes and threats anonymously (匿名地). Post the number in obvious locations so students can see it on a regular basis. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Establish a student disciplinary committee, and develop peer counseling programs for newcomers and victims of bullying (欺负).

A. Teachers and students should be certain that immediate help will arrive.

B. Visitors are not allowed to enter schools.

C. Students may report crimes and threats more quickly without being identified.

D. Require that all visitors enter the security office and explain why they are there.

E. It is said that about 16,000 students die in school accidents every year in China.

F. So what can we do to make the school a safer place?

G. Just as schools practice fire drills, they can conduct safety drills.