INPUT ARTICLE: Article: One way to give the vacation gift in a fun way is to surprise the person with the trip. You may wrap the trip details in a card and leave it on the person’s pillow for them to find when they wake up. Or you may leave the card somewhere the person will find it, such as under the Christmas tree or in their pile of birthday presents. If you decide to surprise the person with the trip, try to keep the details secret. Instruct others who know about the trip not to tell the person anything so they can be surprised when they finally open their gift. Another fun option is to have the person guess the destination using a clue or a series of clues. You may wrap several clues and have the person open them so they can guess where they are going. You may not hand them the travel tickets until the person guesses the destination correctly. For example, you may tell the person, "Use these clues to guess where you are going. Once you guess correctly, I'll hand over the travel tickets." If you want to make the gift opening memorable, you may take the person to a specific setting. The setting may relate to the vacation trip or just be a specific place that you and the person enjoy. You may then have the person open the gift in the setting to make the moment extra special. For example, if you are giving the person a trip to Morocco as a gift, you may take then to a Moroccan restaurant so they can open their gift there. Or if you and the person have a special park bench you go to often, you may have the person open their vacation trip gift at this location.

SUMMARY: Surprise the person with the trip. Have the person guess the destination. Take the person to a specific setting for the gift opening.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: People who are graceful are known to be in control of their bodies. They don’t tend to trip over their own feet or to let their limbs wildly flail, knocking over vases or cups of coffee. They carry themselves well and are comfortable in their own skin. If you want to be graceful, then you have to work on being aware of what your body is doing and where it is going at all times. This may sound easy to do, but you’d be surprised by how often people get distracted and don’t realize that they are invading another person’s space or sitting in an awkward position. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to be in control of your own body or to feel comfortable in your own skin. Still, working out, whether you’re running or rock climbing, helps improve your strength and stamina and lets you get in touch with your own body. If you want to be graceful, then you have to stand up tall and proud and maintain a straight back even when you’re sitting. It can be tempting to slouch if you’re tired or just want to relax a bit, but if you get in the habit of having a straight back, you won’t even be bothered by having proper posture after a while. Even if the people you’re talking to tend to slouch, you shouldn’t follow suit just to mimic them. Work on standing tall and keeping your eyes straight ahead instead of looking at the ground if you’re walking and you’ll instantly look more graceful. Having correct posture also helps you have confident body language. People who are graceful are also known to be confident because they’re proud of what they have to bring to the world. Slouching or curling up makes it look like you’re trying to hide, even if that’s not the case. Not only does this look and feel better, but it also improves your cognitive functions. Be mindful about your breathing and feel aware of your body as you breathe in and out. If you feel yourself getting stressed or overwhelmed, make a point of taking deep breaths until you feel yourself calming down. As you may know from yoga, breathing in and out, and focusing on your breathing, helps you be in touch with your body and can make you a more centered person. This is a must if you want to be graceful. Having strong flexibility is part of having control over your body. You should make time for daily stretches so that you feel relaxed and not too tight throughout your day. This is especially important after you work out, or if you’re sitting at a desk all day and need to relax your back and neck a bit. Make time for stretches, even if you’re doing them in front of the TV, and you’ll be surprised by how much more graceful you feel. Doing yoga can improve your flexibility tremendously. Take a beginner’s class and see what a difference just a few hours a week can make. Your clothes don’t define you, but they can help you look more graceful. The most important thing is that you wear clothes that are clean, stylish, and well-fitting, and which give you an elegant and put-together look. Your clothes don’t have to be expensive; instead, they should be tasteful, not too loud or bright, and flattering.  Don't wear clothing that restricts your movement in awkward ways. High heels may look graceful, for example, but they shouldn't be worn for long periods. Baggy oversized pants give you a weird shuffle that is not very graceful. Always wear clothes that make you feel confident and attractive, and style your hair accordingly. Make sure that your clothes are free of wrinkles, and check them for stains after you eat. It’s also not graceful to have a button popping open or to have your shirt halfway untucked, so do a clothes check every few hours. If you want to go for a more elegant style, a simple black dress can do the trick. Also clothes in subtle colors, such as browns, pale pinks, or grays, can help you look more graceful. To accessorize, just a pearl necklace, some simple stud earrings, or a silver bracelet can do the trick. You don’t want to overdo it with bulky accessories, which can keep you from looking graceful. Not all people like to wear makeup. If you don't, then don’t feel the pressure to change. But if you do wear makeup, you should make sure your makeup is balanced so that it highlights one or two key features on your face that you really want to stand out. For example, you can wear bold eyeliner, but then you may not want to have super thick eyeshadow and heavy mascara as well. Just a bit of lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow and you should be good to go.  Make sure that your foundation matches your skin color. Remember that not enough makeup is always better than too much. If you wear concealer or blush, make sure that it’s fully blended. Keep your head up, your eyes forward, and walk at a natural brisk stride. People who are graceful don’t hunch over or shuffle their feet; they know where they’re going. If you look at the floor, you’ll look lost or like you’re not confident. Looking straight ahead will also make it more likely that you’ll be making eye contact with people, which will also make you look and feel more confident and graceful. Pick up your feet, take purposeful strides, and walk with confidence.  Of course, if you’re walking next to someone with a slower walking pace, then you should slow your pace down out of respect. Jogging or running can help you improve both your form and stamina when walking. When you sit, don't flop in a chair. Pull the chair out and sit down carefully. Though you don’t have to look like royalty sitting on a throne, you should avoid slouching and continue to sit with straight posture. Don’t lean back with your legs spread, and sit with your legs together or crossed at the ankles instead. When you sit down, make sure you do it with care, no matter how tired you are. If you’re sitting on a bus or a train, try not to take up too much room. Being a space hog isn’t very graceful.

SUMMARY:
Be comfortable in your own skin. Maintain proper posture. Breathe deeply and fully. Improve your flexibility. Dress gracefully. Wear makeup, if it suits you. Walk with purpose. Sit with grace.