If you’re shopping for Christmas presents for someone you know who will be starting an exercise regimen come January first, then you might consider getting them an elliptical machine. Or maybe it’s something you want to ask Old Saint Nick to bring to YOU this year?

For those who want proper and healthful exercise equipment, there are many types to choose from. The newest machine that is making all the others take second seat is the elliptical machine and you can bet Santa will be delivering many of these because they’re hot sellers on Amazon, what with the FREE Shipping they come with!

But a very good question to ask before buying is “do elliptical machines work?” Before you lay out any sum of money, it will pay to do some homework ahead of time – and you’d better research fast because Christmas is right around the corner! Let’s look at elliptical machines and how they can help you:

To know if elliptical machines work, it helps to know just what kind of exercise they are meant to simulate. The whole point of exercise is to create some kind of physical challenge all the while not harming your body. The elliptical machine, or elliptical treadmill as it is sometimes called, is designed to simulate natural walking movement without the damaging jarring to your knees and hips.

This motion is accomplished by using an axle similar to a bicycle only the stride is longer and flatter, rather than circular. In this way the knees are protected from the unnatural pounding associated with jogging, running or even walking.

So you can expect to be able to work out for longer periods of time. In this sense you will find an elliptical machine works better for those whose knees and hips are already in bad shape. Another feature of the elliptical machine is that you can do interval training or whichever form of cardio training you are used to with upper body exercise, too, if the machine is so equipped.

Make sure you find out if the handle bars give you a workout, too, because some machines just allow the arms to swing to and fro with the foot action basically acting as a way to stabilize yourself while working out.

How do they differ from other gym equipment, you may be wondering? Although the elliptical trainer helps you with walking/running motion like a standard treadmill, the main benefit of the elliptical treadmill is that it “saves the knees.” So, which would you stay with longer: a machine that gives you a workout and eases joint discomfort or one that simply gives you a workout?

You already know you need to add exercise to your daily plans. It just makes sense to make that exercise as beneficial and healthful for the long term. The elliptical trainer does just that and now with models designed for the home user, you can gain the benefits of walking from the comfort of your own home.

Here are the top five elliptical trainers selling online – and if you buy from Amazon, you pay ZERO for shipping (can’t beat that!). Get it in time for Christmas and come New Year, you’ll be losing weight and toning up – working off all those yummy Christmas cookies you downed that were left out for Santa.

Christmas is celebrated in America and in many other parts of the world as a season of gift giving, holiday feasts and a time of good cheer. But, Christians believe the real reason for the season is the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus.

To study the history of Christmas we have to go back more than 4.000 years, centuries before Jesus was born. But, traditions say that Christmas as we know it, has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. It wasn’t until 350 AD that December 25th was chosen as the official observance of Christmas but the exact day of Jesus’ birth has never been determined.

The Bible says Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth when Mary was visited by an angel who told her she was to give birth to a child who was the Son of God and was to be named Jesus.

To escape a tax being levied by the emperor, Mary and Joseph fled to Bethlehem on a donkey. When they arrived, Mary was great with child but they could not find lodging except in a stable where the virgin birth was given.

A great star appeared in the heavens with angels declaring “Fear not, a Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord. His birthday is still celebrated today.”

Don’t forget to teach your children the real reason for Christmas. And if you don’t have little ones at home anymore, make sure you take the time to remember His birthday, too. Here are some ways I help make it fun for my kids to connection the dots between “Christmas” and “Christ:”

Christmas is just around the corner and kids everywhere are getting excited to see what will be under the tree this year. One gift genre that shouldn’t be overlooked is games. Kids love games, whether they’re board games, games of skill or electronic and video games. Games are a great way for a whole family to come together for an afternoon or evening and have fun. So, what are the top games for Christmas, 2009? Let’s look at the top 12.

Bowling Bunnies

A fun game for preschoolers and even older kids, Bowling Bunnies was created after the German lawn game Skittles. The bunnies sit on a wood base and players bowl them over with soft, kid safe “cabbage” beanbag bowling balls.

Wild Planet Animal Scramble

This award winning preschool game teaches kids to think on the fly with a tag styled game that develops the skills of listening, thinking, sharing and cooperating. Kids can play by themselves or with friends.

Monopoly

Kids young and old still love this oldie but goodie classic board game. Monopoly is a great way to spend some time having fun and building empires. Players learn to strategize and think ahead. Money handling skills are also part of the fun.

Hullabaloo

Full of fun and surprises, Hullabaloo keeps players moving with a game that is reminiscent of Twister, but with a twist. Players listen to the game console, which instructs them to jump here and slide there. Movement is constant until the console says, “Freeze”. The game is fun and funny for kids of all ages.

Scene It

There are several different versions of the Scene It game, but they all revolve around the same theme – your favorite movies. Watch the scenes from the movies, answer questions and race your friends to get to the Winner’s Circle.

Here’s the First Five, but scroll down to see the rest!

Cranium

The first version of Cranium is as popular as ever. Players complete artistic, language, performance and trivia activities in teams. The result is usually lots of laughter, a bit of mayhem and even some drama!

Mario Kart: Double Dash

With a cast of twenty characters to choose from, players can be anyone they like in Mario Kart: Double Dash. The video game is different from other Mario Kart games because it uses not one player in a kart, but two. The game also features multi-player battle codes. Double Dash has been out for a while, but it’s still a favorite.

Guitar Hero III

The third in the Guitar Hero series of video games, players win by hitting the correct notes on their “guitar” as the notes scroll to the bottom of the screen. Staying in time with the music requires a fair amount of skill, but kids (and parents) get a kick out of playing it.

Buzz! Junior Jungle Party

This award winning video game actually contains several mini-games, many of which are quite easy and suitable for young children. The quiz games can be played and enjoyed by older kids and even adults. Up to four people can play at a time, but the game can also be played solo.

SpongeBob Square Pants: Creature from the Krusty Krab

Sponge Bob is fun no matter what, so this video game has to be fun, too. Players can be Sponge Bob Square Pants, Patrick Star or Sheldon J. Plankton and must find their way through nine levels of play in a Krusty Krab dream world. If you and your kids love Sponge Bob, this is a must-have.

Here’s the second batch of five, but scroll down to see the last two!

Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

This video game was created with Lego fans in mind. Most of the games settings and pieces are made from Lego bricks. Creating new Lego Star Wars character is one feature of the game, and players must fend off attacks from blasters and other evils.

Wii Fit

When did fitness become so much fun? Family fitness is now a video game called the Wii Fit. You can do Yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance games with the Wii Fit. It’s hard to tell whether this is really a game or a fitness tool.

This is a mix of board games, active participation games (where you have to do something other than sit or interact with the TV or computer) and video games. Some can be enjoyed alone, and all of them can be enjoyed by two or more players. The whole point is to have fun.

I put my kids to work each October – making a holiday wish list for their Christmas presents. They go through the catalogs (like the Toys R Us Biggest Toy Book Ever one that came this past weekend) and they circle what they want and I save it for later.

They also go online (with parental blocks) and shop around to see what toys and gadgets they want. I like to have a whole list so I can use it to suit my budget. They usually pick a few big ticket items, a few medium priced toys and then lots of cheap toys (for stocking stuffers and some under the tree ones too).

Kids have fun shopping for what they hope they’ll get. My kids create theirs on PowerPoint – getting very specific with price ranges and listing them from “must have” to “I might want it.” I don’t make them – they just get that excited!

Have you started YOUR Christmas wish list? I pay attention to what people mention throughout the year and I write it in the back of my checkbook. For instance, I know my mom needs an address book because hers is deteriorating. I know my son wants a treasure box to put his sentimental keepsakes in. These aren’t things they would think to ask for Christmas, but they’ll be pleasantly surprised because I have a thoughtful gift for them.

It happens right around Thanksgiving every year. Before the last of the turkey has been put away, Christmas movies start popping up everywhere from television to theaters. Themes range from thought provoking to hysterical and from the birth of the Christ child to a laughable Christmas vacation.

Christmas movies bring us joy to warm our hearts and restore our faith in humanity. They give us hope and a new perspective of life and living. Some make us cry, some make us laugh and some tell a story of people just like you or how you would like to be. Movies this time of year fill our need to feel better and encourage us to help others in order to enrich our own lives.

Vicariously, actors make mistakes for us in the Christmas movies but we know they’ll correct them and make things right in the end with peace and happiness for all. They show us the joy of being alive and sharing with others helping us to explore the real reason for the season. Few people say “Bah, humbug,” after watching a meaningful Christmas movie.

We watch many of the same movies at Christmas again and again. And, each time it gives us that same magical feeling. Below are some of my favorite Christmas movies of all time!

Okay and here are some more of my favorite Christmas movies:

We’re back again for the 2009 Christmas season and I know parents everywhere (like me) are wondering what to get their kids. First of all, the economy is suffering – so our budgets might be a little tighter. You might get fewer toys or buy cheaper toys – but you want a good deal!!

What’s hot this year? For boys it’s going to be Bakugan Battle Brawlers 6 pack. It’s the #2 selling toy for boys on Amazon right now!

For girls, it’s probably going to be the Vtech Kidizoom Digital Camera in Pink.

Toddlers are toppling all toy sales on Amazon with the Elmo Live Doll! It’s now the #1 top selling toy on Amazon!

Here are some of the other most popular toys for Christmas 2008 and there’ll be more gift buying tips to come, so bookmark this page for later:

Elmo Live is two things – it’s a live stage show you can take your kids to, PLUS it’s an animated Elmo doll that will bring thousands of smiles to your little one’s face!

This Elmo toy dances and sings – he plays games with your kids. He even crosses his legs and tells jokes! That’s very silly. This Christmas toy for 2008 is going to be flying off shelves. Remember Tickle Me Elmo? Same thing – it was a duel between parents to see who could grab their kid the last Elmo doll in the store.

You can learn more about the Elmo Live doll and order it here to avoid those unruly crowds:

Elmo Live Sesame