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Home Entertaining
Luxury Consumer Research - Affluent Consumers Plan Less Spending on Home Entertainment Equipment
A record low level of spending by affluent consumers for home entertainment equipment is suggested by the most recent survey in a series of twice-yearly studies that began in Spring 2002.
Negative attitudes about the current economy and the economic outlook for the next 12 months are contributing to plans for reducing their spending on home entertainment equipment (TV, stereo, etc.) by affluent consumers during the next year, according to the Affluent Market Tracking Study #15 conducted by the American Affluence Research Center.
In the Spring 2009 survey of the wealthiest 10% of all U.S. households, spending plans for home entertainment equipment during the next 12 months, in comparison to their spending for such items during the past 12 months, are to be increased by 11% of the affluent consumers and to be reduced by 45% of the affluent consumers. The remainder (44%) expects to spend the same for home entertainment equipment during the next year as in the past year.
The survey respondents indicated a negative 12 month outlook for business conditions and personal household income. They also reported declines in their net worth, as a result of substantial declines in the value of their home and their investments/savings during the past two years. Together, these factors have contributed to a general attitude toward reducing or deferring expenditures in all areas.
The intentions to reduce spending for home entertainment equipment are consistent with the overall mood of the affluent market. Over 80% of the survey respondents reported that they had made a general effort to reduce or defer expenditures during the past 12 months, would make a conscious effort to do so during the next 12 months, or had both done so in the past and would continue to do so in the future.
The survey is representative of the population of the most affluent 11.2 million households in the U.S. that account for almost 40% of total personal income and two-thirds of the personal wealth of all Americans.
The 640 men and women included in the national survey have an average annual household income of $290,000, an average primary residence value of $1.2 million, an average net worth of $3.1 million, and average investable assets of $1.4 million. This survey of the affluent market has a maximum margin of error of five percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
These surveys track how affluent consumers assess current business conditions and their 12-month outlook for the economy, the stock market, personal household income, and their spending plans for different products and services that include major appliances, home computers, furniture/furnishings, home entertainment equipment, casual and upscale dining out, entertainment, recreation, domestic and international travel, designer and non-designer apparel, collectibles, fine jewelry, and political and charitable contributions.
About the Author
The American Affluence Research Center, led by AARC President Ron Kurtz, provides marketing research and mailing lists of affluent consumers to prominent companies targeting the affluent market, commonly referred to as The Luxury Market. AARC is an independent, private research organization dedicated to providing reliable marketing information about the values, lifestyles, attitudes,investments, and purchasing behavior of the most affluent segments of the U.S. population through both custom and multi-client surveys.
How do you entertain a 5yr girl & 18mth boy at home for a wk when all they do is whine and moan?
My 5yr old will be on holiday next week and I desperately need some ideas on entertaining her and my 18mth old son together. Because of their age difference my daughter cannot always do what she wants to do (eg: painting) as her bro constantly interrupts her and messes her work. This gets her very annoyed and we land up having to pack away which leads to tantrums and tears. I am home alone with the kids and we do not have transport to get to play centres/parks. It's too cold to let them play outside so we're stuck indoors! HELP!!!
The simplest things keep my children occupied 1 year old and 4 year old. One day I put a blanket over some chairs and made a fort, I couldn't believe how much my 4 year old loved playing in such a simple thing and it kept her busy for quite some time. Get some leggos the bigger sized ones and spill them out on the floor. Here are some things I found on the internet. You just gotta let them be kids make a mess and have fun....... A nice walk outdoors and exploring things you find (leaves, bugs, rocks) is another good idea or just walking around in your front yard, put some muddie buddies or snow pants on them and boots, warm jacket and let them explore your front yard or a walk around the block, a visit to a relatives house or someone that you could have a play date with. Our daycare takes our kids outside everyday no matter what weather and they have a blast of course they are dressed in the appropriate gear before going out, put on some snow pants or muddy buddies (pants with rain coat material), a hat, boots, and a warm jacket, gloves.
Here is the stuff I found on activities for indoors.
make playdough
Koolaid Claydough
1 package Koolaid (the kind where you add the sugar yourself)
1 cup flour
1/4 cup (yes, CUP) salt
1 tbsp oil
1/2 tbsp alum/cream of tartar
1/2 cup hot water
You can get the hot water by boiling a kettle or by running
your hot tap very hot, which is what I do. Dissolve everything
except the flour in the water. It has to be good and hot to
dissolve all that salt. Then add the flour, mix, and knead.
Resist the temptation to add a little more flour because it's
too sticky just keep kneading.
Have a Picnic in your house:
It's amazing how much your child learns with each activity—even at a Teddy Bear Picnic!
Materials:
• 1 or 2 teddy bears
• Sandwiches, drinks, cookies, and other treats
• Picnic basket
• Picnic blanket
What to do:
1. Have your child find his teddy bears and tell them they're going on a picnic.
2. Prepare sandwiches, snacks, and drinks together.
3. Pack the food into a picnic basket. Be sure to include a picnic blanket.
4. Hike to the park with your teddy bears and basket, and find a nice picnic spot or have one in your living room. Enjoy your lunch together while chatting about all sorts of things, and don't forget to include the bears in the conversation!
Letter Search
Your child will have fun running around the house searching for letter cards you've hidden. Each time he finds a letter he must say it aloud. Once he finds all the letters he can be rewarded with a small prize.
Mystery Box *
Back to top
Kids love a mystery. Create a mystery out of a simple box by hiding something mysterious inside!
Materials:
• Several non-breakable items familiar to your child such as his shoe, toy, doll, special cup, favorite book, and so on
• Paper bag
• Small box such as a shoebox
• Tape
What to do:
1. Collect several familiar items and place them in a paper bag so your child can’t see them.
2. Tell your child to close his eyes, then remove one item from the bag and place it in the box.
3. Close the lid, tape the box shut, and give it to your child to hold.
4. Tell him there’s something mysterious inside.
5. Let him feel the weight, shake the box, and think about it for a while.
6. Give him a clue about what’s inside and let him guess what it is.
7. Continue giving clues until he guesses the item correctly.
8. Open the box, reveal the item, and play again!
Safety: Be sure all items are safe to handle and not breakable.
Finger or sponge painting buy washable finger paints and use white paper plates (a great way to teach the colors too... )
We have snacktime, and then they might help me with some chores sweeping, dusting, etc.
During meal prep times, or whiny times, I have a few solutions...they sit at the table and do puzzles, pull out pots and pans and other kitchen gadgetry.
box of playclothes for dress up
books I took from the library on creative ideas for kids that are filled with simple and fun things to do.
construction paper, tape, scissors. They could play with this stuff for hours
macaroni tubes and string for making necklaces
the paintwithwater coloring books
helping to make bread, playing with the "real" dough
rubber food and play dishes
tape, art paper, scissors
lacing cards
simple puzzles
duplos (not swallowable) or legos
blowing bubbles
playdough
house made out of refrigerator box
playing with sudsy water
Your child will learn about letters and letter shapes when you make easy ABC bread snacks together.
All the senses come into play when you make bread letters with your child. She'll be helping you measure and mix the ingredients, knead the dough, and form the letters, perhaps copying them from a letter chart or letter tiles. While she's enjoying herself, she will also be taking in the delicious aromas that surround her and, when they come out of the oven, finally tasting the yummy results. Say the letters aloud as you shape the dough and you have created a complete sensory experience for your child.
What you need:
1 tbsp. quick-acting yeast
1 cup water
1 tsp. sugar
2 cups flour
1 tbsp. oil
Utensils:
measuring cup
wooden spoon
bowl
plastic knives and forks
craft sticks
wooden board
baking sheet
What to do:
The parent should preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and be in charge of using the oven.
Measure the water, sugar, and yeast into a bowl and mix. Wait two or three minutes for the yeast to soften.
Stir in one cup of flour. Then add the oil, salt and remaining cup of flour.
Sprinkle flour onto the wooden board. Place the dough on the board, and knead for about five minutes. You can add a bit of flour to the dough if it begins to stick to your hands.
Put the dough into the bowl and cover it, letting it rise for about 45 minutes.
Punch the dough down, and work it into a ball. Next, separate the dough into smaller portions.
Using the plastic knives, forks, and craft sticks, shape the dough into letters. You might shape the dough into the letters in your child's name, in the names of other family members, even in the names of family pets.
Place your letter shapes on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
What your child can do:
Help you measure, pour, and mix the ingredients.
Test the yeast with a finger to see if it's soft.
Sprinkle flour onto the board and knead the dough.
Decide what letters shapes to make.
Help you shape the dough into letters, using letter tiles or an alphabet chart as a guide if needed.
Peek at the dough periodically to see how it's rising.
Teaching Tips:
While you're waiting for the dough to rise and the letters to bake, read an alphabet book together and sing the ABC song.
Fill a large plastic bin with different shaped dry pastas dry beans rice whatever you can buy least expensively. Give them cups and "sand" toys and you have a winter alternative to the sandbox. (Spread a sheet under the bin they will get it everywhere then you can just gather up the sheet and dump it back in the bin.)
Books on tape and stuff like that from the library.
Camp in the house. One of our tents can be set up without the stakes so we have camp outs in the living room and make smores in the microwave. You can always drape a blanket over a table.
Make a tower from paper cups as tall as you can. Then remove the bottom piece and watch it tumble.
Subscribe or go to Family Fun's website. They always have a ton of creative ideas to try!
Invite some friends over
Learn something new together.... A foreign language, an instrument, how to sew, candle making, jewelry making, typing, etc.....
Think up 100 things you can do besides watch TV
Ask a question and find the answer
Go to McDonald's playland and get a soda for the morning.
Movie night - a special night a week where we rent a kid-friendly movie and eat popcorn.
Take a nap (you can always try)
Make a teepee
Let them sort your spools of thread or stick pins into your pin cushion (if you think he wouldn't hurt himself).
Write on a white board we all like that!
Make your own word search puzzles
Make a book of favorite animals, trees, bugs, etc.
Kids' Aerobics Video.
Play basketball with the Little Tikes basketball hoop.
Line up cans etc and get a ball and bowl
Go to the local appliance store and get large refrigerator boxes etc and make big forts (similar to McDonald's playland...okay use your imagination). The kids can have hours of fun running through them turning off the lights and using flashlights getting dad to play monster and even sleeping in them. You can also decorate them with paint or turn them into cars etc. My kids love to "invent" stuff out of them. I have even seen playhouses made that include curtains wallpaper etc. Check your local library for "The Great Big Box Book" by Flo Ann Hedley Norvell.
Play chase
Chin up bar we put it in one of the boy's rooms. This also helps to get out energy. - Diane
Set up an obstacle course in the living room or the basement using chairs with pillows over them (kids crawled under) different things to make circles they could step in with different feet a jump rope and a mini-trampoline.
Play racquetball in the garage or cellar (as long as you don't mind ball marks all over your walls)
Have an indoor "snowball" fight. Divide; give each one a stack of newspapers yell go and they have to wad up the sheets of newspaper into "snowballs" and throw them. Great fun! Last part is seeing who can gather the most balls into a trash bag!
Jump on a mini trampoline
Clean out a drawer
Clean the house fold laundry do dishes vacuum the rug... - Hee Hee
Mend
Help a child re-organize or decorate his/her room
Let them sort your canned goods or jello boxes.
Plan a treasure hunt
Do a craft
Use large dry beans (limas etc.) and school glue and let him glue beans onto heavy paper or old folders. (You could dribble out a line of glue in the shape of something fun--a car for example--and then let him press the beans onto it.)
Save boxes and containers then give them a roll of foil and duct tape and let them create.
Make & send a card to someone who needs encouragement
Start a new collection of something (besides dust 
)
Color
Make and color paper dolls
Draw a picture together - take turns adding details
Grab a pencil a notebook and practice drawing as a family
Have him draw a picture and tell a story about it (you write down the story) and send it to Grandma.
Start early to plan homemade gift ideas for Christmas!
If he can cut give him some old magazines glue sticks paper and let him cut out pictures and glue them to paper.
Finger-paint with chocolate pudding on a paper plate then lick the plate clean 
Work on family photo album together
Perform an experiment
Play with the globe
Make play dough
Make puppets
Sew
Rubber Stamp
Bake or cook
Bake cookies and invite a neighbor over to help eat them
If you have a fireplace do a hotdog roast and make s'mores.
Have a picnic inside on the floor
Play board & card games!
Make up your own game
Charades
Play ‘How many things can you remember to do?’: Give them a list of activities and make the list longer each time. For example hop to the door knock on it 2 times crawl under the dining room table and do the crab walk back to me. If they successfully complete this then I name 5 things the next time.
Bake some goodies to take to your community's firemen or policemen & attach a card telling them how much you appreciate their work to keep us safe
Make a treat or meal for someone going through a hard time
Write a letter to a relative/friend
Play dress up
Put a blanket on the floor and pretend you are on boat fishing etc...
Play post office
Playing 'restaurant': make the menus set the table take orders serve (& clean up)
Play school: you are the student & kids take turns being the teacher
Play store
Have a tea party
Sing
Worship the Lord sing dance play instruments to God
Grab a pillow and a blanket and lay them in your lap and sing with them. (I just enjoyed this moment with my two-year-old.)
Make music (pots and pans etc)
Write your own praise songs with everyone contributing lines; make your own instruments to play as you sing!
Tell a story (can't use a book).
Listen to a story on tape (we love Adventure in Odyssey!)
Play cars
Give them a wide roll of masking tape and let them go to town making "roads" for Matchbox cars.
Play cars
Yahtzee or Uno
K'nex!
Legos are a major attraction and my kids spend hours creating cars etc...
Puzzles are contagious. Just start one on the table and they won't be able to keep away from it!
Learn to do tricks with a yo yo
Fill the tub or sink w/water & float boats
Long playtime in the bath (I use the baby monitor so I can keep an ear out for any trouble he may have or for if he needs me).
"Washing" dishes at the sink--get a big pan of soapy water some plastic bowls and cups and let him stand on a chair and play. This would keep some of my kids busy for 45 minutes or so.
Write a story
Write postcards or better yet a letter
Make a family "newspaper" of recent events or happenings
Kate Bush - The Kick Inside (Efteling)