To make your card a bit more festive, add string or ribbon. You can do this by taping or gluing the ends down, tying the ribbon or thread around the card, or by punching a small hole in the card to run the string or ribbon through. String will make a card feel more whimsical and handmade while ribbon will make it feel classy and elegant. Flowers or flower petals can take your card to the next level. To make something happy or festive, glue a flat sunflower onto one of the pages. To make something romantic, put scented rose petals into the card so that, when opened, they will fall out and leave a nice scent. Use fake flowers instead of real ones, that way they will preserve over time. For puzzle-minded people, try adding a small game to the card. A puzzle or word game will give the card a unique flair and, if the recipient is inspired to complete it, will help your message stick out among others. Just make sure the game is fair before putting it in the card!  For word games, try adding a riddle or simple crossword puzzle. If you're going to give the card in person, try adding a game you can finish together like tic-tac-toe or hangman. Cut out a small strip of paper made from similar material to your card. Glue the ends to the inside of the card, one on each page, and fold the card multiple times to make sure it creases properly and pops up. Then, glue a small photo or drawing to the area where the paper creases. A handmade pop-up graphic can add a nice surprise to a card. If you're more digitally minded, try using computer software to make an insert for your card. General programs like Word can make simple handouts, while specialty programs like Photoshop can make more advanced images.  For something simple, try adding a digital border to a photo you want to use. For something complex, try putting the card recipient's face on an image of their favorite celebrity or character.

Summary: Add ribbon or thread to the card. Add flowers to the card. Add a game to the card. Make a pop-up card. Use computer programs to make a card insert.


Your mother may have told you it was good manners to look other people in the eyes while speaking to them, but it also helps attach an additional air of confidence to your words.  Like an animal asserting authority in the wild, stand tall and directly face those whom you intend to lead.  If you are giving a presentation, for example, assume the “power position” at the start — stand in front of the podium, directly facing the audience and making eye contact throughout the room.  If you are going through slides, don’t get caught facing the screen or standing perpendicular to both screen and audience the whole time.  Face the people and look at them whenever possible. You don’t need to intensely stare at someone while speaking to him/her.  But return your gaze regularly to the person, and try not to look down at all while talking. Being confident and sounding confident are not always one and the same.  Some people may be bursting with confidence in their authority, and yet the way they speak gives away this entire advantage.  Once you feel authoritative, make sure you sound that way as well.  Don’t go to ridiculous lengths to deepen your voice, but adding just a bit more depth can help make what you say sound more authoritative. Practice not allowing your voice to trail off at the end of a sentence.  Some people tend to raise their voice inflection at the end of every sentence, making even declarative statements sound like questions.  Don’t let it seem like you doubt what you’re saying. Some people feel like silence is a sign of weakness, and want to fill any gaps by talking.  Prattling on, however, is more likely to be taken as a lack of seriousness or certainty.  Taking time to think through what you want to say, and using pauses and silence for effect while speaking, helps to bestow authority to your speech.  Always think through what you want to say before speaking.  Even when you’re “on the spot,” take a couple seconds to gather your thoughts before you begin.  That small period of silence will demonstrate that you are serious about addressing the topic at hand and saying exactly what you mean.  Practice getting rid of “fillers” like “um,” “uh,” “I think,” etc.  Even if you aren’t using them because you’re uncertain of what you want to say, they tend to sound that way.  A silent pause is preferable. Use “chunking” while speaking — pause for effect between bursts of speech that each emphasize a key point.  Give people a chance to soak in what you are saying. Making eye contact and facing the audience have already been mentioned in this article, but there are additional steps you can take to demonstrate command of the room when you are addressing a group of people.  You want all eyes on you as much as possible.  Walk around the stage or the part of the room you are occupying, as if you are marking it as your territory.  You don’t need to stalk it like an animal, but walk and stand with confidence — as mentioned, it will be reflected in your voice. Don’t be afraid of hand gestures either.  Keeping your hands glued to the podium or clasped together may appear like fear or submission.  No one needs to see you pound your shoe on the desk or anything of that sort, but some confident, deliberate gesturing will add weight to your words and your appearance. In addition to adding some depth to your voice, finishing off sentences properly, and eliminating “fillers,” you can also work to perfect the tone and pace of your speaking.  Speaking too quickly, too softly, or without enthusiasm can all be remedied with practice, and give your words more authority in the process.  You might feel silly reciting famous speeches from Shakespeare’s works in your bathroom mirror, but doing so can in fact be helpful.  Think of yourself as a great actor on the stage, tackling Hamlet or Macbeth.  Speaking with authority will come naturally. More practically, you can practice the speech you’re going to give in a similar manner.  Take note of your tone, pacing, volume, gesturing, and so on.  Consider recording yourself so you can examine your practice run.

Summary: Face people and make eye contact. Talk in a deep, steady voice and finish each sentence. Make use of silence. Claim the stage. Practice your authoritative voice.


Click the blue, face-shaped icon in your Mac's Dock. This tab is in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear. You'll find this option near the bottom of the drop-down menu. A new window will open. For example, if the folder is named Pickles and it is inside of the Documents folder on a computer named Hal, you would type Hal/Documents/Pickles/ on the right side of the smb:// tag. Depending on your network type, you may see ftp:// or something similar here instead of smb://. It's to the right of the address bar. This will add the folder's address to your Mac. This blue button is at the bottom of the window. The login and password you need to enter here will vary depending on your network, so check with your system administrator if you don't know how to log in. Once you log in, you should see the folder's drive icon appear on your desktop.

Summary: Open Finder. Click Go. Click Connect to Server. Enter the address for the folder that you want to use. Click +. Click Connect. Enter your credentials when prompted.


Tap the App Store on your iPhone or iPad to launch it. Type in “Xend” on the search field and tap the “Search” button. Locate the app from the results, and tap on it. To download, tap the “Install” button beside the app. This app is free. Locate the app on your mobile device. It has a blue icon with a capital “X” on it under a banner “MOBILE.” Tap on it to launch it, and you will be brought to the sign-in screen. Use your Xend account to sign in. Key in your email address and password, then tap the “SIGN IN” button.
Summary: Launch the App Store. Search for the Xend app. Download Xend. Launch Xend. Sign in.