INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Practice your speech in front of the mirror, or in front of a friend or family member to get some constructive feedback. The more practice you get, the more confident and comfortable you will feel delivering it on the night. While you are practicing your speech, make sure that you speak exactly as you plan to on the night. Practice your tone, body language, and volume just as much as your speech content. If you don't want to say your speech in front of anyone just yet, record yourself and play it back so that you can hear it from a different perspective. Try and practice the speech until you know it fairly well, and only need to read your notes occasionally. Write out your speech on index cards or on a piece of paper. It's completely appropriate to have a written copy with you, so don't be afraid to bring it on the night. Having a written copy with you will help to ease your nerves about forgetting what to say. You might not even need to look at it, but knowing that you can if you need to will be reassuring and will help to reduce your stress. Notecards are easier to hold while presenting a speech. Although it might seem tempting to drink alcohol to take the edge off your nerves, leave this until the toast at the end of your speech and afterward. Drink some water or a non-alcoholic beverage beforehand to feel refreshed. Avoiding alcohol until you have said your speech means that you won't say something you might regret and that you will speak to the best of your ability. The success of your speech is just as dependent on your delivery as it is the content. Even if it feels unnatural, speak slower than normal, and don't be afraid to pause. Make sure to project your voice to the room, especially if you aren't using a microphone. Asking the guests if they can hear you properly before you begin your speech isn't a bad idea. This means that you can share your speech without worrying about your volume. Make descriptive hand movements, such as pinching your fingers together to describe something small, or holding your palms far apart to show that something is big or significant. Using gestures with open palms also helps to build the audience's trust. This will help to keep your audience engaged with what you are saying. Pick a few destinations in the room that you can comfortably move to during your speech. If you are addressing particular people in the room, feel free to move over to them to draw the attention of the audience. Find a balance between moving around confidently to keep things interesting, yet not looking like you are pacing. Try to remain in each new spot for at least 30 seconds to avoid looking like you can't keep still. Remember to offer the audience a smile regularly during your speech. You don't need to smile for the whole time, as this looks unnatural, but try to remember to do so after each main point or joke. Stick with your genuine smile. Trying to force a smile can make you look tense and uncomfortable. Smiling during the speech will not only portray warmth, but it will also communicate to the audience that you are happy to be there. Adjust the way that you deliver your speech according to how the couple and guests look. If people at the back look distracted, increase your volume and project your voice more. Avoid saying sorry during your speech. The audience will appreciate you being confident in your words.

SUMMARY: Practice your speech in the days leading up to the rehearsal dinner. Bring a written copy of your speech to the rehearsal dinner. Stay sober until after you have delivered your speech. Speak slowly, clearly, and loudly. Use hand gestures to emphasize certain points. Move around slightly if you don't need to stand behind a microphone. Smile often during your speech. Read the atmosphere of the room as you present your speech.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Move them forward and wiggle as if the ball is the spider's head and yours fingers are it's legs. You could even sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider song with actions. See how long your thumbs can hold the ball up

SUMMARY: Note/s:You need a table or flat surface. Rest your thumbs on top of the ball and use your index fingers to hold it up, then release your index fingers so your thumbs are holding the ball up. Put your other 8 fingers on the surface/table,your left fingers to the left of the ball and your right fingers to the right of the ball.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: For the best connection, make sure the Xbox is the only thing using the internet. Temporarily disconnect any computers or smartphones from your Wi-Fi. Third party headsets can interfere with wireless routers. Disconnect the power from the base station of the wireless headset rather than just turning off the headset. Electronics, even things like microwaves, can interfere if placed between the Xbox and the router. Though there should ideally be nothing between the two, make sure there's nothing electronic.

SUMMARY: Disconnect other Internet-capable devices. Disconnect third-party headsets. Move electronics away.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Ask yourself what each item represents for you. For instance, it could remind you of a special memory or might have been a gift from someone special. Think about why an item is important so you can decide if you're ready to let it go. As an example, you might have kept old birthday cards that remind you how loved you are. You might also have heirlooms that your grandparents gave you or concert stubs that remind you how much fun you had with your friends. Don't feel pressured to keep items that are stressing you out or making it hard for you to live the life you want. Ask yourself if each sentimental item you have makes you feel happy or not. Only keep items that bring you joy. For instance, let's say a loved one gave you a decorative plate they hand painted. You might choose to keep this item because it makes you feel happy. On the other hand, you might let go of a flower bouquet that you caught at a wedding because it's just gathering dust. Gifts are one of the hardest sentimental items to let go, but that doesn't mean you have to let gifts clutter up your life. To help you release gifts, remind yourself that your friends and family likely want you to live a happy life. If a gift isn't serving you, give it away or sell it. Additionally, keep in mind that the person who gave you the gift likely wants it to be used and enjoyed. If you aren't using a gifted item, give it to someone who will. It may be easier to let items go if you recognize that they aren't helping you live the life you want. When you're evaluating an item, consider if you ever use the item or currently display it as a decoration. If it's not something you use or need, let it go so it's not becoming clutter. As an example, let's say you have a stack of drawings that your child made. These can be super hard to get rid of, but it may be easier if you pick 1 to display and let the others go. This way you can remember their drawings every day without having the excess clutter. If you're a very sentimental person, it might be hard to tell what's important and what isn't. Talking to someone who isn't sentimental may help you get perspective on an item. Ask for help with difficult items if you're having trouble letting things go. For instance, you might ask your best friend to help you sort items. If you can't find someone to come over and help, snap a photo and text it to someone you trust. Ask, "Should I keep this item or let it go? It's been stored at the back of my closet." It's easier to pick out what you do want versus what you want to let go. Focus on identifying the items that you want to keep. Then, donate or give away all of the remaining items. This will help you feel like you're creating a life that you love rather than letting go of things that are important to you. If you feel obligated to keep something, it's probably best to just let it go. Only keep items you truly want.

SUMMARY:
Determine why you've been keeping each item. Decide if an item brings you happiness. Ask yourself if the giver of a gift would want you burdened. Identify how this item fits into your daily life. Get a second opinion from someone who isn't sentimental. Pick your most cherished items to keep but let the rest go.