Are you limited on money or space in your home, but you still want a Christmas tree?  Don’t like to fool with putting Christmas lights on your tree? If so, maybe a fiber optic Christmas tree is the perfect solution for you. You can create a really beautiful holiday display with a fiber optic Christmas tree.

They are safe to use around the whole family and since the fiber optic elements do not emit heat, you do not have to worry about it catching on fire. You can get a timer to go with your fiber optic Christmas tree to turn your tree on and off at preset times. Read More »

My favorite time of the year is Christmas time. I love everything about the season. I live in Minnesota so this is the time of year when we begin to have snow on the ground and ice on the lakes. It is a beautiful time to begin with, then as people begin adding outdoor Christmas decorations the neighborhoods become magical. I love to take walks at dusk and watch the lights come on creating a winter wonderland before my eyes.

Although I love Christmas I am very particular about outdoor Christmas decorations. My favorite decorations are the use of lights in trees and bushes in the yards. I am not a fan of the huge blow up snowmen and Santa’s or the cartoon characters that are dressed to look like Santa Claus. When I was growing up the neighbor across the road from us had a huge pine tree. Read More »

As a designer, I have always thought that one of the most neglected materials is paper. People simply do not recognize how many wonderful applications paper has, nor do they consider how many varied uses that they already put it too. This is especially true going into the Christmas season. From Paper Christmas Ornaments, to Christmas wrapping paper, to Christmas stationary, almost the entire holiday season runs on paper, and yet it is sort of viewed as an afterthought.

People make a big deal out of their blown glass Christmas ornaments that they keep in their families for generations as heirlooms, yet few will even spare a thought for all of the wonderful decorative things that they can do with simple paper. But, once you get started on your first Paper Christmas Ornament, you will not stop. There is nothing simpler and easier than making a Paper Christmas Ornament that is spectacular. Read More »

I have always thought that Christmas was, above all, about the personal touches. Sure, if you are a parent, you might be besieged by requests for video games, bicycles, and all of the other things that kids want. It is okay to get your kids this stuff, but you must always remember that Christmas is more than just an economic exchange. You should not buy Hallmark gift cards, but make your own, and encourage your family to do the same.

If you can not get personalized Christmas gifts for all of the people who you love, you can at least personalize the cards, that way. And of course, everyone loves sparkly decorations from the tree, but even heirlooms do not compare to Personalized Christmas Ornaments made by someone who you love. Read More »

In my family, we have always been big believers in the spiritual value of craft. All year long, we nit, carve, sand, sculpt, and do any other work of art or craft that you could imagine. But at no time of year is our craftiness more apparent than at Christmas. We make Personalized Christmas Gifts, homemade xmas cards, and anything else that you can think of. We even make our own Christmas ornaments. But the prize of the day goes to the family’s Personalized Christmas Stockings.

There is a ritual that we follow every year leading up to Christmas. Everyone puts their name in a hat, and then everyone pulls out a name. Whoever you get the name of, you have to make them a Personalized Christmas Stocking. Read More »

In the old days, a fake Christmas tree did a good job in living up to its name. There were thousands of them, but not a single Prelit Artificial Christmas Tree looked the part at all, and that is no joke. I do not know if plastic technology has gone a bit farther since that point, or if they have just gotten better at designing lifelike Prelit Christmas Trees, but whatever the reason, there is almost no comparison between the old ones and the new ones.

A new Prelit Christmas Tree actually looks like a real tree in this day and age, and seeing is believing. With all that is going for it, it only makes sense to leave the real Christmas trees in the tree farm and get a nice Prelit Christmas Tree that will last you for years and years to come. Read More »

Every family wants to create a magical feeling during the holidays and one way to do this is with the Christmas tree. Finding different and original ornaments to decorate the tree is a great way to add a personalized touch. Adding a pewter Christmas ornament or two will add to the charm of your holiday tree.

They are classic in design and can really make your Christmas tree stand out. You can even get them custom made online. You can create your own pewter Christmas ornament that you can pass down from generation to generation. It will be created in fine, lead-free pewter for your holiday enjoyment. You can get custom shapes and designs or you can possibly get 3-D molding from some websites; however it will come at an additional charge.  Read More »

Walking through our local antique store several years ago (in disguise of course), I came upon the most exquisite antique Christmas decoration that I had ever seen. I frequent antique stores fairly often, usually just for browsing. Every once in a while something catches my eye that I absolutely must have.

This antique Christmas decoration was one of those items. The cost for this antique Christmas decoration was only $20 and I scooped the tiny angel up and proudly took her home. After I cleaned her up somewhat, very delicately, it revealed a tiny angel sitting on top of a gold ornament with elegant filigree surrounding it. I assumed that there had once been a small bell inside of the ornament but that had long since been lost. After doing a bit of research, I discovered that she most likely dated back to the early 1900’s. I was enthralled. She was gently placed on top of our family Christmas tree when the time came.

Often times, treasures such as the antique Christmas decoration that I found can be found in antique stores or at auctions. I’ve even found some simple treasures at flea markets. You simply have to have patience and a keen eye for them ( i do have the advantage of being around for some time so iI also have a very large collection). Of course, everyone sees something different in antiques. What I find to be breathtaking, someone else may find to be appalling. It is all in the eyes of the beholder.

But, I knew that I had found something very special in my angel antique Christmas decoration. After doing more research, I found that it was valued at approximately $150. Not only had I been lucky enough to find such an antique Christmas decoration, but I had gotten a real bargain on it as well.

The reason that I am drawn to antique Christmas decorations is because of the elegance of the years gone by. More time and elegance was placed on holiday décor many years ago. People took the time to make decorations by hand and make each one differently.

Today, decorations are produced in factories and many households across the world have the exact same decorations. Previous time periods didn’t have the luxury of factories. Everything was different and made with care. When things were made in that manner, the elegance was always obvious. It still is. With the antique Christmas decoration that I’d managed to find, you could tell that someone had put quite a bit of time and energy into making it.

The etchings were perfect and the sense was that someone had put quite a bit of time into creating it. When finding such a treasured antique Christmas decoration, it is almost as if you are keeping that time period and that creator alive in a sense. The memories and the story of that antique Christmas decoration continue to live on when it is seen at the top of my family’s Christmas tree.

Take some time to walk through an antique store. See if anything catches your attention. Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to find an antique Christmas decoration like I did. Or something even better.

HO HO HO!

Santa Claus

Christmas is the season when we all stop and take the time to show our love and appreciation to others by giving them different types of gifts. Some of us shop for Christmas gifts all year round in order to find the perfect gift. Many times I have heard that the most difficult thing is to get a Christmas present for a man; well, here are some tips, which I hope will help you to pick the perfect gift this Christmas season.

First and foremost you must take in consideration the relationship between yourself and the man in question in order to decide how much you want to spend and how intimate a present to purchase. Once you have decided these two options you basically know what Christmas present for a man to look for.

If the man is your husband or close friend, I suggest you pay attention to his likes and dislikes well before Christmas in order to get the perfect Christmas present for a man; why, well, because your husband or friend is bound to express some desire to acquire something, which you can purchase and surprise him with at Christmas time. The Christmas present for a man does not have to be expensive, remember, it is only the gesture that matters in the end.

If it does happen however, that you are part of the last minute shopping frenzy before Christmas and you have not yet come up with a great Christmas present for a man you can use the following suggestions: DVD games, power tools (all men love power tools but you need to know what he already has so you don’t end up buying doubles) or indulge in adding to some of his hobbies for example if he collects stamps try and find him a unique one that will fit nicely into his present collection.

Choosing a gift is not hard at all when you know the man however, it can be a bit tricky when you are mere acquaintances and yet you still need to get something. Here are a few suggestions which hopefully will help you when choosing a Christmas present for a man you don’t know very well and don’t have the resources to find out or the time: a tie is a great gift especially if he is your office colleague, a pen, chocolates as everyone loves them and/or the latest big movie release on DVD.

When you are getting a gift remember to have a couple of little things besides the main gift, for example, a tie is the main gift and you also have a chocolate in a Christmas ornament shape and a symbolic greeting card. The extras add to the main Christmas present for a man and therefore to the excitement of the person receiving them; it’s always more fun opening a few gifts rather than just one.

With all of Santa elves to help I never seem to have a problem finding the right christmas present for my man and if I do run out of ideas I can always make him another Santa suit.

Good luck with your christmas search for a present for your man. 

HO HO HO!

Mrs Claus

Have you started your essential and festive Exterior Christmas Decoration scheme yet? Yeah, yeah I know; it’s a little early for Christmas decorations. However, if you truly want to get a jump start on things, you’d better get cracking. Okay, I’m actually just joking a bit. However, you don’t want to put that outstanding Exterior Christmas Decoration scheme aside until the very last moment. That’s never a prudent idea. Then you end up with the neighbors showing you up on Christmas Eve with their spectacular array of lights and nativity scenes.

Is it really ever too early to go out and do some Christmas shopping? I would have to say no in regards to this. I mean think about it for a moment. When is the worst time to Christmas shop? That would be right around Christmas time. Heck, no one wants to be out browsing the shopping malls in that utter chaos. It’s plain and simply annoying at best. The same goes for any Exterior Christmas Decoration plans you have.

Most folks tend to get started on this right after Thanksgiving. It is brilliant! You shouldn’t wait until the 20th. That would be a mess trying to get everything together at the last minute. Not to mention that you would hardly enjoy it. That’s one of the greatest things about any Exterior Christmas Decoration schemes. You want to enjoy them for as long as you can. If you don’t, what fun is that? It’s all about the beauty and aesthetic appreciation.

You want those jealous neighbors to drive by and wince at the sight of your unique and amazing Exterior Christmas Decoration. That one that they could never find, but wanted so badly. Hey, it’s all about where you do your shopping. Turn to the Internet for a vast plethora of Christmas decorations and gifts galore.

Now I’ll bet you’re all stoked about the holidays coming up fast. Hey, join the club. We all get enthused about the Christmas season and the several days off, and maybe even the Christmas bonus we’ll receive. So, are you about to get on the web and find the most outstanding Exterior Christmas Decoration you can find? Your mission is to beat the neighborhood.

Who says you can’t have the coolest looking house this year? Maybe those carolers will actually stop at your door this time. It’s all about that perfect Exterior Christmas Decoration, but just don’t get to competitive with the neighbours.

As we approach Christmas, everyone’s looking for their Christmas decorations and new Christmas decorating ideas. It’s such a wonderful time of year, a magical season where thoughts of peace on earth, and  kind feelings and laughter abound. So let’s look at some ideas to kindle your creative side and get your creative juices flowing.

Going to a production of the Nutcracker Suite is a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Many theaters in large cities sell unusual, Nutcracker-themed Christmas decorations in their gift shop.

Go to the mall, right after Thanksgiving. Their lavish displays can help inspire you with new ideas for Christmas decorations.

Baking cookies can do double duty if you set aside a portion of the batch to make into ornaments. Use a pencil to poke a hole for ribbon hanging before baking. Cookies and Christmas decorations in one fun activity.

Bake a gingerbread house. There are many recipes and patterns available in magazines. Use a variety of small candies, candy canes, gel icing, frosting and other edibles. String popcorn to use as “lights” for roof edging.

Outside lighting is one of my favorite Christmas decoration projects. If you have a porch or balcony, try weaving strings of lights around railings. Trees can be transformed into living Christmas decorations. There’s no reason a potted plant on your balcony cannot be given the same treatment.

If your apartment is on the fourth floor, and you have no porch or balcony, use a staple gun (do not staple through the wire!) to dress your windows from the inside. Very pretty!

Many communities have whole neighborhoods participating in blocks of Christmas decorations and light displays. Visit one for inspiration if you have the opportunity. Kids love them.

The Nativity is one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations. An oval-shaped mirror placed beneath brings this display to life. Think of places in your home where this might be shown to best advantage. A buffet, coffee table, mantel or entry hall are good locations.

Make a wreath. Make garlands. String cranberries and popcorn for garlands or the Christmas tree. Explore the dried flower aisles of a craft store. You’ll find many combinations of colors and textures to make festive vase displays in each room of your home.

Poinsettia and Christmas cactus plants make beautiful Christmas decorations. If you take good care of them, they last for years.

Craft stores carry many types of wreath bases, and more Christmas decorations than you can shake a stick at! Many craft stores have handouts with pictures and instructions of Christmas decorations you can make with their products.

Now’s the time to get busy! Spread the joy!
 

The holiday season is such a magical time for children that there is little wonder that we embrace the images of kids for our holiday decorating. We also choose child Christmas ornament selections that appeal to kids and can be created by children as well during this most festive time of year.

The first child Christmas ornament that you probably have added to your collection is a keepsake that you will pass down from one generation to the next. This kind of holiday decoration is bought for a child when he is young and some families use the decoration as part of a tradition in their holiday decorating activities.

I used to hang a special decoration that was given to me by my grandmother when I was just a baby. This child Christmas ornament is still with me today and I make sure that I add it to the decorative tree before anything else. This keepsake will be with my family for generations.

Part of the appeal of the item is that it is specific to the things that were important to me when I was a baby. I love puppies and this love for the most wonderful animal on the planet was apparent before I could walk or talk. My grandmother chose a child Christmas ornament that featured this most beloved pet.

What makes the child Christmas ornament so special is that my grandmother took the time to add a note in the box giving the reason that she chose a puppy for the theme. I now tell my kids about my early affection for puppies and we share a little holiday time talking about our own child Christmas ornaments and why each one is important to us.

Maybe one day my kids will have an opportunity to share a special story associated with their memories as well. One of the best ways I have found to make a child Christmas ornament extra special is to make a project out of it. My kids love to make their own holiday decorations and there are lots and lots of ideas that can be found in craft books as well as online.

Now I have a whole collection of child Christmas ornaments in my home. Each precious item has a wonderful story behind it. Some are images of children while others are made by children. No matter what I find that nothing is more valuable than a child Christmas ornament during this time of year.

Merry Christmas