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There is a world of people out there just waiting to get to know you. That may seem implausible, but it is true. There are many people who would like you and want to be your friend if they only knew you. And so, part of winning more friends and being popular is getting out there and meeting more people. There are several other ways to win more friends and be more popular but let's start right there.

1. Get out and meet new people
Of course, you can make friends with people you have met and had a little to do with for years. But the chances are that if you have known them a while and you still don't count them as friends, they aren't the kinds of people with whom you would want to strike up a friendship. That means, to make more friends, you have to get out and meet new people. Find a new interest or hobby and get out to relevant gatherings so that you can meet like-minded people.

2. Strike up conversations
Talking with a stranger can be difficult, but until you have had a conversation with them, you can't know whether or not you like them. You can't make them your friend without talking with them. This is easier if you have met over some mutual interest, like at a concert, sports meet or club. If you have met someone this way, you already know that they share a mutual interest with you so you can talk about that. Even if you just make a comment about what you think on the topic, the chances are that they will reply with a comment of their own, and then you have started a conversation and you're on the way to becoming friends.

3. Be a good listener
Friendship is based upon communication. That is a two-way street. So, as well as having to be able to start conversations if you want to win more friends and be more popular, you have to be able to listen to the answers that you get so you can respond to them appropriately.Conversations need to be two-way processes. In order to make friends, you have to get to know people quite well, and you can only really do that by not only talking to them, but by listening to what they say to you. In order to have the confidence to talk to people and to have them ask you questions too, you have to:

4. Like yourself
Again, you may not find this easy, especially if you have had a lot of negative feedback in your life, but you need to do it. It sounds like a cliché, but if you want other people to like you, you really do have to like yourself first. If you like yourself, you will project yourself differently and deal with people in quite a different way to how you would if you didn't like yourself. If you are negative or down on yourself, you are more likely to evoke feelings of pity rather than friendship. So, learn to like yourself and make it easier for other people to like you and be your friend. Start with finding just one thing that you like about yourself. Make as much as you can of this attribute and let it buoy up your confidence.

5. Know yourself
If you are truly going to like yourself and not compromise on your happiness in order to say you have friends, you need to know a few things about yourself. You need to be honest with yourself about what your ideas, values and beliefs are. Are some of these beliefs blocking you from making friends? These could be all manner of things: offensive ideas, negative self-beliefs which stop you talking to people etc. On the other hand, are there ideas and beliefs which you really hold dear and don't want to change? These things should be reserved in your personality even as you seek friends. It would also be a good starting point to think of finding potential friends who share these ideas, too.

6. Smile
If you smile at people, it helps to make them feel more important and valued. People like and respect people who value them, so you will appear much more positively in their eyes if you smile at them. Smiling makes it look like you are having fun, and consequently, as if you would be fun to know. People will be attracted to that and want to get to know you better. They may even be intrigued and wonder what your secret of happiness is!

7. Stay true to yourself
Part of liking yourself and being able to smile openly and be receptive to new friends is in staying true to yourself. You can't really like yourself if you change yourself to fit in with the 'in' crowd, doing things that you don't agree with. So don't do it! Having found what you like about yourself, keep it that way. Of course you can adapt slightly. Friendships, like all relationships, require adaptation to another person, but in doing that, you shouldn't lose sight of who you are. You shouldn't do things you don't agree with, just to make friends. They aren't the right friends for you if you need to change yourself that much for them to like you.

8. Be selective about your friends
More friends are not necessarily better than good friends. With good friends, they will know the real you and like you for who you are. They will share your interests and at least some of your opinions. Those are the people who will make you happy, so choose your friends with care. Don't be talked into doing things you don't want to do, just to have their approval.

9. Put yourself out for people
True friends don't just make small talk. They help each other. So, if you want to be more popular, you should be there for the bad times as well as the good. If you have a friend who needs you, you should be willing to help them. It may be as simple as giving someone a heartfelt compliment. That will make them feel good and make them want to be friendly with you. Of course, there is no need to compromise your standards or to bankrupt yourself to help a friend. Sometimes all that is necessary is for you to be there to listen to them as they tell you their troubles. Sometimes they may call on you for practical as well as emotional support. Good friends give this support to each other.

10. Give friendship time to develop
Friendship isn't born in one or two conversations. It develops over time. Trying to force the issue of friendship will actually push people further away from being your friend.

Relax and trust that you are someone worthy of friendship. Smile and appear as if you are open to friendship by talking to people and listening to what they say to you. Look for friends in the people who share your interests and stay true to yourself. You will soon attract people to you and develop friendships with them. Let it happen!

A kid's eyes shine bright while opening his present. When he sees that his presents are clothes, his bright eyes suddenly turn dim. Kids are not known for hiding their disappointment. But give them a toy as a gift, and you'll see a display of appreciation that could warm the cockles of any gift-giver. It seems that instinctively, kids prefer something that will engage his mind, not just something that will make him look good. But not all toys or gifts are equal. There are those that engages him for a long time, and those that amuse him for just a few hours, and then forgotten.

Educational gifts get your child's attention for a longer time, as they feed his or her stimulation-hungry brain. More importantly, the impact of the best educational gifts lasts a lifetime. These gifts give him a head start in reading, math and science. They develop his love for learning, the most important attitude to make your kid grow up smart. A great educational gift even triggers what will be your kid's lifelong passion.

Because of the internet, you do not have to waste time and energy going through the mall looking for the best educational gifts. You could shop right in your bedroom in your pajamas!

The following are the top 10 educational toy and other unique educational gift ideas that you can find on the internet:

1. Educational Toys

The best toys and gifts are those that make your child learn while he is having fun. This way, learning happens while he plays. And the more he plays, the more he learns! Make sure that the toy you give is appropriate for his age and gender, and that it is safe. Avoid toys that can only be played with one or two ways. The more activities a kid can do with a toy, the better it is. For younger kids, find one that can be opened, closed, twisted, pulled, dragged, formed, changed, preferably all at the same time. For older kids, the best toys are those that stimulate the imagination.

2. Hobby and Science Toys

Brilliant engineers, inventors and mechanics get their beginnings from tinkering with toys when they were kids. Chemists begin by mixing stuff and biologists play with their ant farms.

Hobby toys catches your kid's interest and this could lead to a lifetime passion. Examples of hobby toys are science projects, electronic kits, Lego Mindstorms and robot projects, chemistry, biology, anatomy and physics sets, stamp, coin, and other collections.

3. Nature Toys and Pets

Nature toys make your child explore the wonder and mystery of the world around him. These can make him eternally curious and thus be a lifelong learner. Examples are microscopes, telescopes, planetariums, and globes.

Pets are also great gifts. An aquarium can teach your kid about aquatic life, and kittens and puppies can be a great way to introduce your kid to love for animals. Seeds will fascinate your kid when he sees them grow into a plant. Who knows, your kid's appreciation of nature may be key to his being able to help save the planet in the future.

4. Personalized Gifts

Studies show that children learn when their activities are personalized. When they are a character on a book they read, they are fascinated and their minds open up. Personalized books, music, and toys also improve your child's self-confidence and positive view of himself. Babies and kids will love hearing their OWN name sung in songs, printed in books, built with trains, or just hanging on the wall.

5. Computer Software and Games

The best educational software and fun and entertaining and helps your kid achieve success in school. They help build math, reading, and critical skills, as well as instill confidence, joy and excitement around learning. With the best educational software, your kid will beg to learn!

The best computer games are those that teaches him strategy and problem-solving, and not merely "fragging" the enemy. Although "fragging" the enemy is said to develop hand-eye coordination, some psychologist are concerned that the violent nature of these games can desensitize your child to hurt in others.

6. Magazine Subscriptions

Aside from books, magazines can be a great way to start kids off on a life-long passion for reading. Since magazines feature what is current and up-to-date, it is always interesting to your kid.

7. Puzzles and Board Games

Puzzles and games exercise the brain. And like any part of the body, the more exercise your kid's brain gets, the more powerful and tougher it becomes when faced with challenges. The best puzzles and board games teach your kid how to plan, decide, think and think through a difficulty. Board games, when played with friends or family, enhance social skills. He learns about taking turns, following rules and cooperating with teammates or opponents.

8. Musical Instruments

Many studies have proven that learning music has a profound effect on your kid's brain. Music is shown to increase IQ, improve school grades, and prepare your kid to learn the advanced concepts of math and science.

Most kids are interested in learning to play guitar, the drums, and the keyboard, although they may also want to take up the violin and brass instruments.

9. Educational Videos

Educational videos have proven beneficial to preschool and above kids. (Videos for kids aged 2 and below are more harmful than helpful) Kids who watch informative and educational shows as preschoolers tend to watch more informative and educational shows when they get older. They use TV effectively as a complement to school learning. On the other hand, kids who watch more entertainment program watch fewer informative programs as they get older. There are educational movies on the internet where kids of the "You Tube" generation not only watch, but also interact for a great learning experience.

10. Books

This list will not be complete without books! Books are and will always be your kid's brain's best friend. Among other benefits, reading builds the language neural connections in your kid's brain and expands his chain of knowledge.

Being new to the dating scene allows you to meet many new men. Whether you find new dates via the internet, blind dates, or social gatherings, the sooner you find your true love the faster you are able to move on to make that love a lasting relationship.

But, how do you find out which of the men you date are "the one?" What may feel like a close connection could be nothing more than lust. If you plan on achieving your mission to find true love fast then it's best to know how to read the signs.

1. Your conversation with one another will flow freely. You will be able to talk as if you two have been friends your entire life.
2. When you part, you actually feel sadden that you are leaving him. You feel as though you want to spend every waking moment with him.
3. You care for each other. If anything bad happens to him, you feel a need to desperately help him in any way you can.
4. When you two are together, you laugh and joke freely. You have many happy moments that you don't want to end.
5. You want to spend every waking moment with him. You two can enjoy time together with just the two of you.
6. Any event that comes up, there is no doubt in your mind to include the other person.
7. You both have a lot of things in common. Your businesses compliment each other. Your hobbies are similar.
8. You two feel as though you are both maturing on the same level. Neither one of you feel as though you are superior to the other.
9. When either of you make a mistake, it is easy to overlook because you two feel so much love for each other.
10. Your are sure that you want to be with only that person and no one else. Your commitment for each other is stronger than you've ever felt.
11. You are supportive of each other's endeavors. Whenever one of you accomplishes a task, you recognize the other for their efforts.
12. You tend to be protective of each other. If anyone is doing the other harm, you both feel the need to step in and defend your partner.
13. Any domestic problems such as financial or career issues can be resolved by just discussing it with one another.
14. Your attraction for each another is strong. Your sexual chemistry is elevated whenever you see each other.
15. Your relationship is positive. The longer the time you are together, the stronger your relationship becomes.
16. When you two are together, you light up. You both become joyous and happy to be in each other's presence.
17. You both share a certain level of respect for each other. You love each other just as they are and don't try to change the other.
18. You both are open to making sacrifices in your life to be with the other.
19. When you two are together, you have no doubt that you have his undivided attention as though you are always the only person in the room.
20. When things get tough, you can both count on each other to make it through.

Finding that perfect someone may seem like a challenge with all the potential men you meet through dating. However, if you understand the characteristics that make true love, you are more open to create a long and lasting relationship.