tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86734049713878006992024-03-13T22:46:47.003-07:00Family Christmas IdeasUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-25509202650996100192010-12-13T13:08:00.000-08:002010-12-13T13:08:22.100-08:00Easy affordable holiday home decorating ideas<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11659_B21_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) - <strong>Family, friends and good times - the holidays are here again</strong>. While your budget may not be what it was in years past, there's no reason to trim back your holiday decor. All it takes is a little imagination and some inspiration from decorating experts to create fun, affordable holiday decorations. Here are a few holiday decorating ideas to inspire you.<br />
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<strong>Revive last year's decorations with new colors.</strong> You don't need to spend a fortune on store-bought decorations to add a little sparkle to this holiday season. Change the color palette of older ornaments and decorations with a coat of Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X spray paint in colors like Colonial Red, Hunter Green, Key Lime, or Apple Red.<br />
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<strong>Decorate your entryway for the holidays.</strong> In addition to stringing holiday lights, use spray paint to create an impressive pathway to your home's entrance. Paint a wreath silver or gold for a contemporary holiday look. Or add a whimsical touch to patio planters. Use painter's tape to guide you in painting alternating red and white stripes. Your planters will look like candy canes that came straight from the North Pole.<br />
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<a href="http://www.paintideas.com/Angie/projects/694/snowman-door-stopper"><strong>Create a snowman doorstop</strong></a><strong>. Transform a brick or paver into a festive door stop for less than $10.</strong> This quick and easy project is a great gift idea you can do with the kids. Thoroughly clean a brick or paver block and paint it with a coat of Rust-Oleum Universal in Gloss Pure White. When dry, give your snowman earmuffs. Hold the brick or paver vertically and glue black puff balls on both sides of the brick. Connect them with a black pipe cleaner across the top to mimic earmuffs. Next, add a face. Draw eyes and a mouth with a marker and glue on a button nose. Tie on a small piece of fabric for a scarf and you have a snowman doorstop.<br />
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<strong><a name='more'></a>Count down to the holidays with a custom <br />
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<strong>Need more inspiration?</strong> Find hundreds of great ideas for personalized gifts on PaintIdeas.com. From projects like customized art easels to decorative votive holders to accessories for the home, <a href="http://www.paintideas.com/">PaintIdeas.com</a> shares project ideas from professional designers and people just like you.<br />
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<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11659&ArticleNumber=8048940510&MemberId=58323" /></strong><a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=168"><strong>chalkboard calendar</strong></a>. Use pieces of wood from your local craft store, or from around your home, and coat them with Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint. The tint base gives you an array of color options like Fresco Red, School House Green, Peapod Green, and Banner Blue. It creates a writable, erasable chalkboard surface that's perfect to countdown the days until Hanukkah or Christmas. Erase and use again year after year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-80577968073943342472010-12-13T13:06:00.000-08:002010-12-13T13:06:09.001-08:00Five tips to simplify your holiday shopping on any budget<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11541_B2_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) - <strong>The holiday season is upon us</strong>. That means the stress that comes with shopping for that perfect gift is not far behind. So, what's the best way to go about making a list, checking it twice and sticking to a budget?<br />
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<strong>Audrey McClelland is the founder of Mom Generations,</strong> an online destination for moms. She is an <strong>expert at holiday shopping</strong> for her tech-savvy husband, four boys all younger than 6, and a large extended family.<br />
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McClelland offers her <strong>top five holiday shopping tips and gift ideas</strong> that will help you conquer your holiday shopping - on budget - for everyone on your list.<br />
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<strong>1. Keep a master list.</strong> It can get overwhelming around the holidays when you are trying to decide whom to shop for. Outline everyone you need a gift for, and remember to incorporate any unexpected last-minute gifts. Then write down a realistic number on what you want to spend on each person and stick to it. Seeing it on paper will make it easier to knock items off your list while keeping your budget in check.<br />
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<strong><a name='more'></a>2. Be sure to have gifts on hand that can be given to anyone … regardless of their tastes<br />
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<strong>3. Don't waste time rushing from store to store.</strong> Try condensing your shopping visits to the fewest number of stores possible. Pick a shopping destination or two, and commit to buying as many gifts as you can for your list there. If you're looking for the newest tech items, Staples stores offer interactive displays that allow you to get a feel of the newest tech products before you buy, whether you're considering a Kindle for your mother-in-law or a Flip video camera for that next family vacation.<br />
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<strong>4. It's a digital world - follow your favorite shopping places on </strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/staples"><strong>Facebook</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/staplestweets"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Many stores reward their followers with up-to-the-minute deals via these social media outlets. Stores occasionally post exclusive print-out coupons and deals specifically for their Facebook friends, and let you know about upcoming events ahead of time.<br />
<strong>5. Check out the websites of the stores that you plan to visit before heading into the actual store.</strong> You may be surprised by the variety of products some stores offer. It also helps you to become acquainted with the product selection and can help you to nail down specific items for each person on your list, making your trip more efficient. You may even decide to purchase some items directly on the website and have them shipped to the recipient to avoid a trip to the store or post office. For example, <a href="http://www.staples.com/">Staples.com</a> offers free shipment on items over $50.<br />
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<strong>"Every year, inevitably, I get caught up in the frenzy of the season,"</strong> says McClelland. "However, by sticking to these tips, I can focus on the joy of gift giving and the satisfaction of knowing I did it all under budget."<br />
<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11541&ArticleNumber=8051090101&MemberId=58323" /></strong>. For example, Staples carries colorful Omnitech mini speaker pods in jewel tones for only $10 that can plug into any iPod, Sony PSP, or MP3 player, and are perfect for kids and grown-ups on the go. Digital photo ornaments in the shape of decorative balls or snowflakes make another universally likeable gift for less than $15. These are also time-savers to have on hand for office Yankee swaps, hostess gifts or any unanticipated presents you may need.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-52644097821805267342010-12-13T13:02:00.000-08:002010-12-13T13:02:53.026-08:00Give homemade gifts from the kitchen this holiday season.<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11951_B14_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11951_B13_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
<strong>Don't Miss the Recipes Below:</strong> <br />
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(ARA) - <strong>Buttery chocolate cookie dough</strong> with chocolate chunks, nuts and marshmallows. Creamy caramels with apple cider and warm spices. These are just a taste of some of the irresistible sweets you could be gifting this holiday season.<br />
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<strong>Homemade holiday gifts deserve special presentations</strong>, but these finishing touches don't have to mean a lot of extra time or money. Break out the crafting supplies, hit up a vintage shop or venture online to gather an inspired collection of packaging materials. With a few simple tips, you can create a memorable presentation worthy of the sweet, buttery goodness inside.<br />
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<strong>* Create a candy cone</strong>. To package small, individually-wrapped candies such as Spiced Apple Caramels, find some festive paper at a craft or scrapbook store. Roll it into a cone and tape it shut at the seam. Add ribbon or other decorations and then fill the cone with candy.<br />
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<strong>* Think outside the cardboard box.</strong> Consider packaging your gifts in a simple wooden box with a festive bow tied around it. Visit your local craft store for interesting containers to help you break free of the typical cardboard variety.<br />
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<strong>* Take and bake.</strong> A ready-to-bake treat such as North Pole Cookie Dough is the perfect hostess gift. Consider presenting it in disposable pint-sized ice cream containers. You can find them online or simply ask for a few from your local ice cream shop. Just don't forget to add a festive tag with baking instructions.<br />
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<strong><a name='more'></a>* Be sure to label.<br />
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Visit <a href="http://butterisbest.com/">ButterIsBest.com</a> to find more holiday cookie and candy recipes courtesy of America's Dairy Farmers. While there, sign up for the daily holiday cookie e-newsletter, <strong><em>"Better Baking with Butter</em></strong>," available to subscribers from Nov. 22 to Dec. 25.<br />
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<strong><u>Spiced Apple Caramels</u></strong><br />
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Makes about 75 caramels<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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2 cups apple cider<br />
2/3 cup heavy cream <br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 teaspoon apple pie spice (If you cannot find apple pie spice, substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon allspice.)<br />
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
1 1/2 cups sugar <br />
1/4 cup light corn syrup <br />
1/2 cup (one stick) butter, cubed <br />
Freshly ground cinnamon or course sea salt (optional)<br />
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Directions:<br />
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Pour cider into small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced to 1/3 cup; approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Set aside to cool.<br />
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Line 8-inch square pan with buttered parchment paper or aluminum foil. In small bowl, combine heavy cream, salt, apple pie spice, cinnamon and reduced cider; set aside.<br />
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In large, heavy-bottom saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Cook over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Insert candy thermometer and simmer until syrup reaches 234 degrees.<br />
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Remove from heat, remove thermometer and very slowly whisk in cream mixture (mixture will foam and may spatter). Add cubed butter and stir or whisk until cream and butter are fully incorporated. Return pan to heat, reinsert thermometer and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until temperature reaches 250 degrees.<br />
Remove from heat and pour caramel into prepared pan; let mixture cool slightly, then sprinkle with freshly ground cinnamon or sea salt, if desired. Cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate until set.<br />
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Once set, remove caramel from pan lifting out by parchment paper or foil. Cut caramel into 3/4-inch squares. Wrap each piece in small wax paper square, twisting at each end. Store caramels in airtight container in cool place or refrigerate up to two weeks.<br />
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<strong><u>North Pole Cookie Dough</u></strong><br />
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Makes three "pints" of dough or two dozen cookies<br />
Ingredients:<br />
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1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips<br />
1 2/3 cups flour<br />
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder <br />
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda <br />
1/4 teaspoon salt <br />
1 cup (two sticks) butter, softened<br />
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed<br />
1/2 cup sugar<br />
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract<br />
2 large eggs<br />
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks <br />
1 cup roasted almonds or toasted walnuts, roughly chopped <br />
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows<br />
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Directions:<br />
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Place 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips in microwave-safe dish. Microwave 30 seconds on high, stir and continue to microwave in 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Set bowl aside and cool to room temperature.<br />
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In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and both sugars using electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add melted, cooled chocolate and vanilla, blend until fully incorporated. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture slowly; mixing until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chunks, nuts and mini marshmallows.<br />
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Fill pint containers with cookie dough and refrigerate up to four days or freeze up to one month. When giving as a gift, attach following baking instructions:<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons, or using small cookie scoop, onto parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Flatten dough slightly using back of spoon. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly cracked but centers are still soft.<br />
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Remove from oven and cool slightly on baking sheet before transferring cookies to wire rack to cool completely.<br />
<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11951&ArticleNumber=8052940102&MemberId=58323" /></strong> Use festive gift tags with the name of your recipe so your lucky friends and family know what a special treat they're receiving. Custom complimentary gift tags can be found at <a href="http://www.eatwisconsincheese.com/wisconsin/other_dairy/butter/default.aspx">butterisbest.com</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-46891029750591091272010-10-26T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-26T08:00:07.613-07:00Fun and games help create family traditions this holiday season<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sfrewerd&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003UTTEAA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span><img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11581_B1_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) - <strong>Ah, the holidays are nearly here once again</strong> -- a busy time when most homes are bustling with visiting friends and family, shopping, cooking, parties and present-wrapping. Although parents have many things to check off on their to-do lists, they continually look for ways to navigate this hectic time and keep family at the top of the list. This is often done by <strong>finding affordable activities</strong> that bring the whole family together and fostering traditions that can be carried on year after year.<br />
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<strong>This is a time when keeping things simple</strong> will yield the most <strong>positive results</strong>. Tradition doesn't have to mean outdated or boring, and many annual rituals now have a modern twist. An afternoon walk or a game of touch football gets everyone active and outside. A day of cookie baking and decorating is fun, delicious and creates lasting memories. <strong>Many families enjoy watching annual holiday television specials</strong> like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Frosty the Snowman" and "It's A Wonderful Life." This year, the iconic holiday favorite, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," comes to a fun and interactive <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rudolph-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-DVD-Game/dp/1933318996/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1285178229&sr=1-4">DVD board game</a> that will be the perfect activity for a family game night.<br />
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The <strong>benefits of holiday activities</strong> are boundless, and time spent together as a family is priceless. All of these suggestions <strong>promote communication, working together, fun and building annual family customs</strong> that can be enjoyed every holiday season.<br />
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The <strong>first step to make these activities a success</strong> is to get the family excited. Let the majority decide what they want to do. Next, if cookie baking is the activity of choice, assign age-appropriate tasks for each family member. If everyone is going to sit down and play an interactive game like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer the DVD Game," "Scene It?" or another classic like "20 Questions" or "Charades," designate a start time and give everyone a role. <strong>Perhaps the youngest child chooses the snacks</strong> and the oldest sets up the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rudolph-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-DVD-Game/dp/1933318996/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1285178229&sr=1-4">gameboard</a>, cards or DVD player. If there is a large age-range, team everyone up with a partner who can help. Be sure to get rid of distractions, let phones go to voicemail and don't allow PDAs.<br />
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<strong>Set aside a specific amount of time for the activity</strong>. Making sure to end a game or sport before kids get bored or frustrated is key, and that gives parents a set time to resume errands and projects. Also, be flexible whenever possible. Bend the rules a bit if it makes <a href="http://www.screenlifegames.com/">family games</a> more fun. <strong>Don't worry about a mess</strong> in the kitchen until the baking is done, and let kids help even if it means the project takes longer.<br />
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<strong>No matter how you choose to keep everyone entertained</strong> during the holiday season, the most important thing is to enjoy being together. These are the memories that will last the longest, no matter what the season brings.<br />
<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11581&ArticleNumber=8051380101&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-25425625836295568342010-10-25T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-25T08:00:03.099-07:00Food gifts inspire holiday memories<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11622_B1_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) - <strong>What are your most wonderful childhood holiday memories</strong>? Anxiously waiting for Santa to arrive? Picking up each brightly wrapped package and giving it a gentle shake? Sneaking in the kitchen to get the first taste of Grandma's special <a href="http://www.kansascitysteaks.com/">prime rib</a>? The memories are so vivid it's hard to pick just one. <br />
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<strong>It's that time of the year when many people are starting to get their holiday gift-giving lists together</strong>. But rather than relying on ties, candles and candies, why not aim a little higher? This year, when putting together your holiday gift list, try starting a new tradition of creating memorable moments for your family and friends that they can look back on, years from now, with big smiles on their faces.<br />
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<strong>Many memories revolve around the family dinner table</strong>, especially the guest of honor at all meals: the meat. Whether it's a mouth-watering prime rib, a melt-in-your-mouth turkey or a flavorful ham, the family holiday meal evokes many heart-warming memories.<br />
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<strong>Evoking memories with food gifts is easier</strong> - and less expensive - than you might think. Here's how to get started. Sit down with a blank sheet of paper. Divide it into two columns and jot down your favorite holiday memories in the first column.<br />
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<strong>In the second column,</strong> add the individuals on your gift list. Then, start to match the memory-making items you'd like to share. To make the gift even more special, write down the memory in a special card for the recipient.<br />
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<strong>Ed Scavuzzo, president of Kansas City Steaks,</strong> says he receives notes every year from customers who are trying to re-create that special holiday meal. "One gentleman wanted to find a Beef Wellington his mother used to serve on Christmas Eve. A young woman called, asking if we had a special Hickory Smoked Turkey, like the one she remembers from Thanksgiving with her great aunt Mary," says Scavuzzo.<br />
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<strong>The scents of the holidays may also inspire some holiday food gifts</strong>. Cloves, cinnamon, sage and garlic are just a few of the wafting scents that greet you when you step into your memory holiday kitchen. Look for food gifts that bring those scents to life to add another dimension to your holiday present.<br />
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<strong>Look for items to extend the giving, and the memories, throughout the year.</strong> Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is becoming popular in many areas of the country. Gift certificates for fresh produce throughout the year to supplement the main entree is a great new way to give - and to give back to your community at the same time.<br />
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<strong>There are many online holiday gift resource</strong>s to help you make these memories come to life. One great resource to help you re-create those special holiday meals is <a href="http://www.kansascitysteaks.com/">http://www.kansascitysteaks.com/</a>, where you can order all kinds of holiday favorites, from <a href="http://www.kansascitysteaks.com/">filet mignon</a> to steaks, online. They'll do all the leg work for you, providing direct delivery whenever you want it to arrive.<br />
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<strong>By making memorable food the center of your holiday giving,</strong> you'll not only bring your loved one joy this year, but bring them back to the joyful times of the past.<br />
<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11622&ArticleNumber=8051550103&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-20786561114172873782010-10-24T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-24T08:00:00.982-07:00Safely store and preserve your holiday decorations<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11141_B46_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) -<strong> As seasons change, so do the holidays being celebrated</strong>. Pumpkins and gourds make way for twinkling lights and snowmen, and the big question is: What is the best way to store this year's decorations so I am more organized next year? There is nothing more upsetting than pulling out Grandma's vintage tree-topper to find that it has succumb to dust and mold.<br />
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<strong>Often, the only place to store holiday decorations is in the garage</strong> or attic, according to organizing expert, Barry Izsak, author of "Organize Your Garage in No Time." "The problem is that these storage locations leave your precious holiday decorations and family heirlooms vulnerable to excessive heat and moisture, as well as a cavalry of <a href="http://www.scotts.com/smg/learn/video/videoPage.jsp?detailId=14800040">insects and rodents</a>," he says.<br />
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<strong>Here are some easy ways to properly store your holiday items:</strong><br />
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* <strong>Store holiday decorations in enclosed plastic containers</strong> to guard against water and moisture damage. Check the storage area to ensure there are no water leaks due to the roof or a wet basement, potentially causing damaging mold and mildew to occur.<br />
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* <strong>Clearly label the contents of each container on the outside</strong> to ensure that items are easy to locate. Most large retail stores sell plastic bins in varying sizes and colors; color-coding boxes can help in identifying the contents quickly and easily. Valentine's Day decorations can be in red bins, Halloween in orange, etc. This will save you time and energy in the long-run. For example, a red box labeled "Holiday lights" is easier to identify and locate than one labeled "Holiday."<br />
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* <strong>To cut down on frustration next year</strong>, take the time to check all light strands, and throw out or repair the strands that don't light properly. This is also a great time to replace any worn out lights with LED lights that conserve energy, omit less heat and last longer.<br />
* <strong>Organize as you pack your decorations away</strong>. Neatly wrap up cords to prevent that dreaded tangle next year. Wrap breakables in bubble wrap or tissue to prevent damage. Keep linens, such as napkins, table cloths and tree skirts away from anything containing wood pulp or dyes which can bleed onto them, and avoid using paper, cardboard or tissues that aren't labeled "acid-free." Launder and press linens now to save time next year and prevent damage to fibers.<br />
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* <strong>Warm, cozy boxes full of tissue paper, linens and decorations</strong> are perfect places for <a href="http://www.scotts.com/smg/solve/solution/solutionArticle.jsp?detailId=300018&subNavId=200003&navId=200002&parentId=100015">unwanted pests</a> to hide and nest. "I have seen extensive collections of holiday decorations destroyed by insects and mice because simple precautions were not taken to guard against it," Izsak says. He recommends using Ortho Home Defense Max products for pest protection because these products are effective and easy to use. Using Ortho Home Defense Max Perimeter & Indoor Insect Killer keeps out unwanted bugs that can nest in and destroy your precious decorations. Simply spray around the inside perimeter of your basement, crawl space, attic or garage to provide protection against listed insects for up to 12 months indoors.<br />
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* <strong>Place Ortho Home Defense Max No Touch Bait Stations</strong> along the walls of your storage area <a href="http://www.scotts.com/smg/learn/infoHowToArticle.jsp?detailId=13000029">to take care of mice</a>. Not only is this product easy to use, but you never touch the bait-- mice just enter and feed inside the station. After use, simply dispose of the entire station.<br />
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"With little added effort, you can <strong>ensure that your holiday decorations will endure season after season</strong> for future generations to enjoy," says Izsak. "Isn't it worth taking the time now to preserve your holiday traditions?"<br />
<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11141&ArticleNumber=8049860203&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-10932761483544759532010-10-23T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-23T08:00:00.441-07:00Great, affordable Christmas gifts for kids<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11321_B7_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) - <strong>Sure they love the cookies and candy, visits to Santa, and drop-ins from family</strong> and friends, but let's face it - for kids, gifts are the real highlight of the holiday season. But if you, like many parents, hope to keep the holidays affordable this year, you may be worried about finding gifts that will thrill your child, but not break your budget.<br />
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<strong>Some creative and expert advice</strong> can help ensure the holidays stay bright for your children - and affordable for you. The gift experts at <strong>Montgomery Ward</strong> offer some guidance on choosing <a href="http://www.wards.com/Gifts/For-Kids/index.cat?index=0&viewall=1">gifts for kids</a>:<br />
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<strong>Sensible stocking stuffing</strong><br />
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It's easy to get carried away when it comes to stuffing stockings. Many great items fit easily into a stocking, but small gifts don't always come with a small price tag. Establish a budget for stocking stuffers, such as $20. Then look for simple, reasonably priced items. Younger children might love sparkly toothbrushes (you can even buy battery-operated ones for less than $10) featuring favorite cartoon characters. Toy cars, stickers or an inexpensive digital watch are great for boys, while girls might enjoy flavored lip balm or a small bottle of glittery nail polish. Older, tech-savvy children could use a USB flash drive to store music and photos. <br />
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<strong>Main-event gifts</strong><br />
Watching the joy in a child's eyes as she unwraps a gift that she really wanted - or discovers the advantages of a toy she didn't know she wanted - is the reward of creative parents. Certain types of gifts are sure to elicit just that type of response from a child. <br />
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* <strong>Remote-controlled items</strong> have been popular for decades and thanks to advances in electronics and technology, it's now possible to find an affordable <a href="http://www.wards.com/Gifts/For-Kids/index.cat?index=0&viewall=1">remote-control</a> toy to tickle the fancy of almost any child. Younger children who are dinosaur aficionados may enjoy a Remote Control Dino Buddy - a stylized T-Rex that stomps around and swings his tail. Nature lovers might adore a remote-controlled skunk that pretends to "spray" without the stink. And of course, who doesn't love remote-controlled classics like robots, cars and airplanes? <br />
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* <a href="http://www.wards.com/catalog/search.cmd?keyword=kids+personalize&siteId=60&sortByColumnName"><strong>Personalized</strong></a><strong> gifts</strong> are fun for children of all ages, not to mention adults. Tots 3 to 8 are particularly fond of receiving a gift with their name on it as many of them are learning to recognize their own names. You can have a child's name printed or embroidered on numerous items, from piggy banks and sleeping bags to rocking chairs and even wallpaper murals.<br />
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* <strong>If your youngster loves kids' spy movies</strong>, he may jump at the opportunity to play with some fun spy gear. Items like the Wild Planet Spy Gear Lie Detector, toy night vision goggles, a Stealth Voice Changer and even a Lazer Tripwire, will encourage kids to act out their secret agent dreams.<br />
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* <strong>If you have a budding artist on your holiday list</strong>, art supplies like a big pad of blank paper and a case of colored pencils or markers can be an inexpensive way to foster creativity.<br />
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* <strong>Emerging thespians may enjoy playing dress up</strong>. Instead of pricey store-bought costumes, consider taking a trip to the secondhand store to stock up on hats, dresses, coats and accessories. Visit <a href="http://wards.com/">Wards.com</a> for more gift ideas and to shop online.<br />
<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11321&ArticleNumber=8044980304&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-39041769592383646322010-10-21T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-21T08:00:09.012-07:00Great gifts for the holiday season<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11673_B291_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11673_B292_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sfrewerd&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001SIY3EC&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>(ARA) - <strong>It's that time of year again</strong> when you wonder what to give those impossible-to-buy-for loved ones on your gift list. You know; the ones who are so noncommittal it's hard to know what they want, but who secretly hope you'll figure it out.<br />
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<strong>But fear not, holiday shoppers</strong>. The following gift ideas are sure to make those hard-to-buy-for folks think you dreamed up the ideal present all by yourself. <br />
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<strong>Read on to read their minds:</strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">For the snacker.</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Snacking is synonymous with the holiday season</strong>, but with the abundance of tempting, fattening treats available, choosing snacks that fill you up and not out, is not always easy. Satisfy your snack lover with the gift of <a href="http://www.jacklinks.com/#SubChannel_Channel_HealthySideTheBeefonProtein">guilt-free snacking</a> this holiday season. This year, slide a bag of Jack Link's Jerky in your snacker's stocking. Made with premium cuts of beef, pork, turkey or chicken, Jack Link's snacks taste great, and are naturally high in protein and low in fat, calories and carbs. Here are a few of this year's trendiest, tastiest, stocking stuffers:<br />
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* The "Classic:" Jack Link's Original Beef Jerky<br />
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* The "Night Out:" Jack Link's Steakhouse Recipe Beef Jerky<br />
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* The "Just like Mom Makes:" Jack Link's Oven Roasted Turkey Nuggets<br />
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Jack Link's Jerky is available in grocery stores, mass retailers, convenience and drug stores nationwide. <br />
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(Suggested retail price per 3.25 ounce bag: $5.99)<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">For the angler.</span></strong> Your loved one could be angling for a gift like this one.<br />
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<strong>Make sure the angler on your list has the latest go-to lures from Rapala</strong>, the <a href="http://www.rapala.com/products/lures/">Clackin' Crank</a> and Clackin' Minnow. Designed to target multiple species, these <a href="http://www.rapala.com/products/lures/">fishing lures</a> feature a single stainless steel ball that transmits a loud cadence rattle that fish not only hear but feel as the lures produce vibrations through the water, while their hard-flashing side-to-side action calls fish in for the bite. Both lures feature translucent textured bodies with internal holographic foil and are available in 16 must-have color patterns and two sizes. And, if the weather keeps your angler indoors, check out Rapala's new video game, Rapala Pro Bass Fishing, available for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii and DS. <br />
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(Suggested retail price for lures: $12.99 - $13.99)<br />
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(Suggested retail price for video game: $49.99 - $69.99) (with controller), $39.99 (without controller)<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">For the music lover. MP3 players make perfect stocking stuffers.</span></strong><br />
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<strong>This year, an MP3 player is sure to be a highly requested gift</strong> whether it's for a son or daughter, mom or dad or anyone else on your wish list. MP3 players come in a variety of price points and hold more than just music. The majority now hold videos, pictures and some even have access to the Internet, along with the ability to play games. You can even personalize the MP3 player by choosing your recipients' favorite color and size. Whether placed in a stocking or wrapped as a gift, the smiles and excitement that will come when unwrapping this gift will last all season long. <br />
(Check with your local electronics store or other retail locations.)<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">For the workout enthusiast.</span></strong> Form meets function with sports watches.<br />
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<strong>Whether you work out every day, a couple times a week or are looking to start</strong>, keeping track of those workout essentials can be easy with a new sports watch. Today, watches don't just keep track of time or distance. A variety of sports watches now feature a heart rate monitor, speed and distance tracking, data transfer capabilities from the watch to your computer, workout session history recording, pace alerts and some even allow you to train against a digital person. Some sports watches also come with a chip that attaches to your running shoe, tracking further data. <br />
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(Visit your local sporting goods store or other retail locations.)<br />
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For more information: <a href="http://www.jacklinks.com/">http://www.jacklinks.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.rapala.com/">http://www.rapala.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.rapalaapparel.com/">http://www.rapalaapparel.com/</a> or <a href="http://www.rapalafishinggames.com/">http://www.rapalafishinggames.com/</a>.<br />
<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11673&ArticleNumber=8051820101&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-38304771797453041272010-10-20T13:02:00.000-07:002010-10-20T13:02:27.205-07:00Celebrate favorite memories with keepsake gifts this holiday<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11554_B8_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sfrewerd&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0061055859&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>(ARA) - <strong>As the holiday season approaches</strong>, you're starting to think of gift ideas for everyone on your list - from family and friends, to those people who've touched you or your family's lives in a special way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>You would like to give each one on your list a truly personal gift</strong> that will be remembered and cherished long past the holiday season.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>One way to do this is to create custom photo gifts</strong> online using your own digital photos or artwork. Think of a special photograph that captures a fun memory or important milestone and use that image to create an affordable gift that they will use and treasure every day. Whether you choose a puzzle, a deck of cards, keepsake box, or coffee mug, you're creating a one-of-a-kind gift that celebrates a unique memory that you share. You don't need to have special design talents to be creative; you can use online tools like www.jostens.com and click on <a href="http://www.jostens.com/photogifts/photo_gifts_cd_main.html">photo gifts</a> to quickly and easily add your treasured artwork or photos to a great keepsake gift.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>If you're in need of some fun photo gift ideas</strong>, here are a few suggestions from Jostens, a company with a rich history of helping people share their unique stories and connections:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">*<strong> Keep their favorite vacation memories</strong> going long after the trip when you turn their coffee mug into a memorable keepsake they'll want to show off every day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">* <strong>Scan your precious old family photos</strong> to create timeless gifts such as a keepsake box crafted in beautiful hardwood with a glossy mahogany finish.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">* <strong>Grandparents take great pride in showing off photos</strong> of their grandchildren, and you can make it really easy for them by creating a <a href="http://www.jostens.com/photogifts/photo_gifts_cd_main.html">Jostens calendar</a>. You can choose between a 12-month or 18-month calendar, and print images of all the grandchildren from the past year for them to admire and lovingly display in 2011.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>If you have children in school,</strong> teachers and coaches may also be on your list.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>* Art projects are a big part of elementary school</strong>, and you can recognize your son's teacher this holiday season by having his favorite drawing from the year printed onto a magnet or luggage tag. It will also help his teacher bring back fun memories of their time together even after your son has moved on to the next grade.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>* For a great coach's gift, take a camera to your daughter's practice</strong> to capture a few images of her training with the coach. Pick out the best action image and put it on a <a href="http://www.jostens.com/photogifts/photo_gifts_cd_main.html">water bottle</a>. This idea also would work for music teachers, dance instructors or any other mentors sharing their expertise with your child.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Celebrating the great moments in your life and sharing them with friends, family and mentors</strong> is a fantastic gift idea. Every time the recipient sees the gift, they'll think of those special stories and feelings the photo or artwork recalls and the special person who created it just for them. Visit www.jostens.com for more ideas on personalized gift ideas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11554&ArticleNumber=8051200101&MemberId=58323" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-27545921008646236752010-10-20T12:53:00.000-07:002010-10-20T12:53:55.666-07:00Turn your holiday decorating into a fun event<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sfrewerd&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0848727290&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span><img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11720_B34_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) - <strong>The holidays seem to come around earlier every year</strong> - and with the economy still in a funk, everything about this season takes careful planning and budgeting. If shopping early makes the holidays less stressful, then planning early for decorating your home brightens the family's mood and makes this time of year more fun.<br />
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<strong>When you're decking the halls</strong>, you should remember what the holidays mean - spending time with family and friends and those you love. <br />
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<strong>"Family is the most important thing in my life</strong> - and I think most people feel that way," says <a href="http://www.kmart.com/jaclynsmith">Jaclyn Smith</a>, whose Kmart home collection includes fun and inexpensive holiday decor. "So taking time to have family gatherings in comfortable, inviting and beautiful surroundings is very important. It's during these gatherings that new memories are made and old ones are remembered."<br />
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<strong>Smith has some pointers</strong> for helping to make this time of year as joyous - and stress-free - as possible.<br />
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<strong>1. Choose one high-impact piece or setting and decorate around it.</strong> Whether it's an extravagant centerpiece for your dining room table, a festive mantle or a warm and welcoming entryway, decide on one area where you'll go all out and choose accent pieces to complement throughout the rest of the house. For example, if you want to make your dining room the focal point, take a large clear vase and fill it with one type of seasonal item: ornamental balls, either multicolored or all the same hue, work well; so do pinecones, small Santa figurines or small wrapped "gifts" (wrap wooden blocks from your children's toy box). Once you've decided on the theme, follow it throughout the house.<br />
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<strong>2. Make decorating one of your regular traditions.</strong> Involve the kids in as much as is appropriate for their ages. Some of their best holiday memories will be the time spent decorating with the family. Emphasize for them that these moments are what makes this time of year special (not just, as many kids seem to think, tearing open gifts). As much as kids love the other "fun" aspects of the holidays, they also love to help string popcorn, hang tinsel, decide where decorations will be placed and just being part of the process.<br />
3. Have a home-decorating party. Make decorating an event - choose one day on a weekend, or even a few hours, for the "family decorating party." You can even create "invitations" to your fabulous fete. Make hot chocolate and cookies (let your kids help in the preparations) as special snacks for before, during or after. Set up a few areas where kids can engage in crafts - making those popcorn garlands, creating easily constructed <a href="http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/search_10151_10104?x=0&y=0&keyword=jaclyn+smith+christmas&i_cntr=1287159049169">ornaments</a>, whatever your kids would enjoy. Most importantly, just have fun with it.<br />
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<strong>4. Light up an entryway.</strong> Make your home inviting to guests by adding some sparkle to the doorway. You can go all out, and hang lights around the outside of the doorjamb and along the porch railings. Use LED lights to save energy and money on your electric bill. Stores like <a href="http://www.kmart.com/">Kmart</a> have wonderful selections to match any theme you've chosen. Or you can choose to make it as simple as a lighted wreath adorning your front door. If you go with the latter, you can fashion your own with small strands of LED lights made especially for that purpose, or you can purchase a ready-made lighted wreath.<br />
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<strong>However you decide to adorn your home,</strong> keep in mind that the process should be a pleasure for you and your loved ones, not an additional stress. Seasonal accessories should be happy reminders of the best parts of the holidays: the love, the warmth, the beauty. And don't worry if you don't think you've got an eye for interior decorating, there's no wrong way to dress up your home for the holidays. You can purchase items that are already coordinated from a themed collection, or you can mix and match your own. Don't make it a competition with the neighbors, either. Remember, it's all about what makes you and your family happy, not about what anyone else thinks.<br />
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<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11720&ArticleNumber=8051940101&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-42847286529984295952010-10-06T14:22:00.000-07:002010-10-06T14:22:24.228-07:00This Holiday Season: Be prepared for guests - even the unexpected ones<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/11234_B230_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) - Between <strong>family reunions and the holidays</strong>, you're probably planning on having guests in your house at least once this <strong>holiday season</strong>. Some planning and preparation to keep your home in tip-top shape can help you be ready at a moment's notice for anyone, especially unexpected guests. There are simple steps you can take now that will save you time and energy down the road when the holiday season gets busy.<br />
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"Don't become overwhelmed at the thought of overnight guests and the work you'll have to do to get your home ready," says lifestyle expert Jill Cordes. "With just a little upkeep on a regular basis, you can keep your home looking and smelling clean."<br />
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<strong>Try some of these tips from Jill to get your home clean and fresh for the arrival of guests:</strong><br />
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<strong>* The linen closet:</strong> With the changing of the seasons, you probably need to dig out and freshen up the linens you've stored away. You'll want to make sure that your tablecloths, linens, and sheets are freshly washed and cleaned for upcoming entertaining and houseguests.<br />
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When you have your laundry piles sorted and ready to be washed use a product like<br />
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<a href="http://www.powergeldetergent.com/">Arm and Hammer Power Gel Laundry Detergent</a>, which features a unique gel formula armed with twice the OxiClean stain fighters in every drop. The first of its kind in America, this gel detergent easily dissolves in the wash and will help get rid of grease, oil, food, soil or grass stains you may have on your fall linens or clothing. You can even pre-treat stains with Arm & Hammer Power Gel, if you or one of your guests happens to spill something during their visit.<br />
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<strong>* The bathroom:</strong> If the guest bathroom is used by family members on a frequent basis, make sure you set up a weekly cleaning schedule so it's always looking fresh. That way you aren't rushing around when you get one of those "surprise, guess who's coming to visit?" calls. But if it's only used by guests, make sure you stock the bathroom with enough supplies like tissues, toilet paper, hand soap and lotion so that it's always ready for use.<br />
<strong>* The guest bedroom:</strong> If you've turned the guest bed into a dumping ground - kids' school work, photo albums to be organized and empty luggage from your summer vacation - take the time to clean it up and organize. Also make sure the room has an alarm clock, a reading light and space in the closet to hang clothes. All these little features will help your guests feel extra comfortable in your home.<br />
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<strong>* The kitchen:</strong> You know your kitchen will turn into the gathering location when your guests arrive. Make space in your kitchen drawers now so you won't have any knick-knacks lying around your counters or kitchen table when guests arrive. Take just 15 minutes each week to wipe all kitchen surfaces down and clean out your refrigerator.<br />
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Taking small steps now to keep your home and everything in it fresh and clean can make a big difference, and you can avoid the rush when guests arrive this fall and winter.<br />
<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=11234&ArticleNumber=8050430101&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-33473350141622379332010-09-24T13:25:00.000-07:002010-09-24T13:27:03.790-07:00Go Green This Holiday Season<strong><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sfrewerd&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0976317834&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>It pays to be eco-friendly all year round</strong>. Here are a <strong>few tips to help</strong> you celebrate the season while being kind to the environment.<br />
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<strong>• Do you love hosting holiday parties?</strong> How about a party with a farm-fresh theme? Stop by the farmers' market for locally grown ingredients. Not only will you be reducing your dishes' carbon footprint, the food will taste better too!<br />
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<strong>• Forget visiting shopping mall</strong> after shopping mall - that's not energy or time efficient. A craft and art fair is a great one-stop place for finding unique gifts while supporting independent artists. From handcrafted jewelry to striking art pieces, you'll find one-of-a-kind gifts for nearly everyone on your list. Homemade treats are also thoughtful gifts that will be greatly appreciated.<br />
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<strong>• Re-gifting is controversial but common.</strong> If you plan to re-gift, please be considerate that the item is something the new recipient will enjoy.<br />
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•<strong> Rather than purchasing pricey wrapping paper,</strong> consider using packing paper or newspapers you may have lying around the house. Or, better yet, place the gift in a pretty reusable tote.<br />
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<strong>• Consider reducing or skipping energy-wasting</strong> Christmas lights. Hang up a pretty wreath you can use year after year. If a Christmas tree is a must, be sure to recycle it after the new year.<br />
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<strong>• If you want to send out holiday cards this year,</strong> Minted has a great 100% recycled paper option.<br />
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As we all know, a <strong>little effort can go a long way</strong>. Wishing you and your loved ones a delightfully green Christmas.<br />
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Sandra plans to send out Christmas cards that have been printed on <a href="http://www.minted.com/christmas-cards">100% recycled paper.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-29227970903787034052009-11-29T12:01:00.000-08:002010-09-24T13:29:07.594-07:00<strong><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sfrewerd&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003KVKUM4&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>Everyone loves receiving gifts during the holidays</strong>, but even more special than a gift you buy at the mall is a gift you make yourself. Many crafty folks whip up a homemade ornament or other decorative item to give as gifts, while others head to their kitchens to create delicious homemade food gifts such as quick breads, marmalades and jams in festive jars, candy and cookies wrapped up in holiday tins. Ideas for holiday food gift giving are boundless, so get your apron and rolling pin ready and make your kitchen into 'Holiday Central' and prepare some yummy gifts for your family and friends.<br />
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<strong>Need some ideas for getting started?</strong> Here are three easy to make recipes that you'll enjoy making as much as giving:<br />
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<strong>Cocoa and Cinnamon Coffee Mix</strong><br />
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2 cups sugar<br />
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1 1/2 cups instant coffee<br />
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1 cup powdered nondairy creamer<br />
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1/2 cup cocoa<br />
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1/2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
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Combine all ingredients in clear containers and decorate with festive ribbons and gift tags. You can also make a recipe tag with instructions for making one serving.<br />
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<strong>Gingerbread Muffins</strong><br />
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1 cup shortening<br />
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1 cup sugar<br />
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4 eggs<br />
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1 cup molasses<br />
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1 - 8 oz container sour cream<br />
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4 cups flour<br />
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2 tsp baking soda<br />
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1 tsp baking powder<br />
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2 tsp ground ginger<br />
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1/4 tsp ground allspice<br />
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1/4 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
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1/2 cup raisins<br />
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1/2 cup chopped nuts of choice<br />
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Cream shortening; gradually add sugar, beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in molasses and sour cream. Combine remaining ingredients, stirring well; add to batter, and stir just until moistened. Spoon into greased muffin pans, filling one-half full. Bake at 375F for 12-15 minutes. Makes about 1 dozen. Put your muffins in baskets lined with decorative tea towels or tissue paper. Add a matching gift tag that contains the recipe too.<br />
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<strong>Zesty Cheese Ball</strong><br />
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2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese<br />
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9 oz cream cheese, softened<br />
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1 medium onion, grated<br />
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3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce<br />
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2 drops hot sauce<br />
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1/2 clove garlic, minced<br />
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1 cup chopped pecans<br />
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Combine all ingredients except pecans, mix well. Chill overnight. Shape into a ball and roll in pecans. Wrap in colored plastic wrap and place in a holiday gift box just big enough for the cheese ball to fit in nicely. Make sure to add a gift tag with the recipe and your personal holiday greeting.<br />
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Find quick and easy dinner tips and ideas at 'Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas' <a href="http://quickandeasydinnerideas.com/">http://quickandeasydinnerideas.com/</a><br />
For easy crock pot recipes visit 'Family Crock Pot Recipes'<br />
<a href="http://familycrockpotrecipes.com/">http://familycrockpotrecipes.com/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-59091957542577649672009-11-06T08:46:00.000-08:002010-09-24T13:35:40.151-07:00Decking the halls: Holiday ambiance is more than just decorations<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/9083_B27_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
(ARA) - <strong>The holly boughs on the front porch railing</strong> and the evergreen wreath on the door may be visible signs of the holidays, but to really savor the spirit of the season, you need to engage all your senses.<br />
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Just like a romantic dinner where all your senses are involved – soft music, gentle candlelight, enticing aromas, mouth-watering flavors and the soft touch of holding your sweetheart’s hand – celebrating the holidays also can be a feast for the senses … all season long.<br />
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Each sense you engage adds a layer of appeal to your home environment, creating a complete and satisfying <a href="http://www.yankeecandle.com/">holiday ambiance</a>. Follow these helpful hints to enhance the holiday season in your home in a special way this year:<br />
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<strong>Sight</strong><br />
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You might think creating the look of the holidays is easy. After all, you probably bring out the same boxes of holiday decorations each year. While beloved ornaments, photos and decorations always will have a place in your holiday decor, spice things up every year by adding a new item or trying a new effect.<br />
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For example, if your family loves decorating outdoors with twinkling lights, this year consider upgrading to eco-friendly LED lights. These energy-efficient alternatives may cost a little more up front, but will last longer and use less energy than traditional incandescent lights. In fact, decorating a 6-foot tree with LED lights and keeping the lights on for 12 hours per day for 40 days can save 90 percent or more energy compared with traditional incandescent lights, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.<br />
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<strong>Sound</strong><br />
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Definitely bring out those holiday CDs – music is an integral element of holiday ambiance. Traditional carols, Elvis and even “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” are sure cues the holidays have arrived. But don’t stop there.<br />
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Mix up your holiday audible decor with recordings of your children’s recent holiday pageant, or record the whole family singing holiday favorites and play that in the background when guests visit. Your kids don’t have to be the Jonas Brothers, just sincere, enthusiastic and relatively in tune.<br />
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<strong>Scent</strong><br />
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What <a href="http://www.yankeecandle.com/">aroma</a> evokes the holidays for you? Does vanilla bring back memories of Sunday afternoons baking with Grandma? Does mistletoe make you think of your first kiss? Or perhaps the scent of evergreen reminds you of bringing home that special Christmas tree.<br />
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“Although we tend to associate sights with the essence of the holidays, scent is actually the sense most powerfully associated with memory,” says fragrance expert Rick Ruffolo of Yankee Candle. “It may not be practical to bake a batch of holiday cookies every time you want that wonderful aroma, but you can recreate that effect with a scented candle.”<br />
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In addition to being a simple, cost-effective option, candlelight coupled with your favorite scents is a great way to create a warm, inviting and memorable atmosphere. Yankee Candle offers a range of seasonally appropriate scents, such as Balsam & Cedar, Mistletoe, Christmas Cookie and Sparkling Cinnamon. In addition to traditional scents, try innovative approaches to traditional holiday scents and flavors like Christmas at the Beach (a tropical themed scent with a bright, festive blend of pineapple, coconut and cilantro), North Pole (a blend of icy cool mint and sugary rich vanilla cream), Sparkling Snow (the crisp, naturally fresh scent of gleaming snow-covered pines), or Christmas Cupcake (an irresistible treat of rich, moist vanilla cupcake covered with sweet buttery holiday icing).<br />
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“Having great-smelling scented candles in your home will put the finishing touches on your holiday celebrations,” Ruffolo notes. “Your guests and your family members will appreciate how these scents will bring back endearing memories of your experiences together for many years to come.” Visit <a href="http://www.yankeecandle.com/">http://www.yankeecandle.com/</a> to learn more.<br />
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<strong>Touch</strong><br />
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Anyone who’s ever tried to keep a toddler away from the tree knows there’s a very powerful tactile element to the holiday. Instead of discouraging touching – not just by toddlers but guests as well – give visitors to your home an appropriate opportunity to touch the holiday.<br />
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Children will love being able to touch holiday-themed stuffed animals. And tinsel is wonderfully appealing to all age groups – and easy to put back on the tree if it gets pulled off. Decorate banisters with crisp garlands that encourage a brush of the fingertip as guests climb the stairs.<br />
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Finally, keep your home cozy for the holidays – for nothing is more associated with the season than warmth and happiness. If you have a fireplace, light it when guests arrive. Be sure there are no drafts and seal any doors or windows with weather stripping. And be sure to offer guests the opportunity to curl up next to the fire in a cozy holiday-themed throw.<br />
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Courtesy of ARAcontent<br />
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<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=9083&ArticleNumber=8031970505&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-53820954210605949862009-10-20T16:46:00.000-07:002010-09-24T13:36:53.156-07:00Handmade crafts are the ultimate customized holiday decor<img align="right" src="http://www.aracontent.com/images/9194_B16_rgb5.jpg" /><br />
<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sfrewerd&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1600596150&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>(ARA) - <strong>Here’s another silver lining to the dark economic clou</strong>ds still on the horizon this holiday season: handmade holiday decorations are not only less costly, they’re perceived as more meaningful as well.<br />
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From <strong>spending more time with loved ones</strong> to an improvement in our overall health, stories abound on the positive side effects of the shaky economy. Increased enthusiasm for <a href="http://www.joann.com/createchristmas">handmade items</a> may well be the latest good by-product of troubled economic times.<br />
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<strong>“Social science experts tell us that tough economic times realign people’s prior</strong>ities, and we’re certainly seeing that all around us,” says Riddi Kline, vice president, marketing of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, a leading craft supplies retailer. “People are placing greater emphasis not just on cost-savings but on the meaningfulness of a decoration or gift. Nothing is more personal and customizable than something you make yourself. And this year, you can find craft ideas to fit every holiday decorating theme.”<br />
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So how do you decide what <strong>handmade decorations will enhance your home’s holiday décor</strong>? Margaret Skinner, director of customer education of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores offers a few pointers:<br />
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* Choose craft items that complement your home’s overall theme. For example, if you love clean, contemporary modern lines, make items that mimic that look. Crafts that incorporate reflective surfaces and metallic looks will fit well with contemporary themes. Softer fabrics and materials will mesh with a country theme.<br />
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* Make crafts that will endure and be durable for seasons to come. “You’ll invest your time and a bit of yourself in every item you make,” Skinner says. “Opt for items that will be easy to care for and that will appeal to your sense of the holidays not just this year, but next year and the year after that as well.”<br />
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* Give yourself plenty of time and space in which to create. You’re not rushing the season if you start working on your <a href="http://www.joann.com/createchristmas">holiday crafts</a> in early November or even late October. You’re just giving yourself plenty of time to accomplish everything you want to do. Also, dedicate a specific area of your home to your crafting and keep all your projects in one place – this way you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.<br />
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* Get kids involved. When you create crafts with your children, you’re not just making decorations, you’re making memories that will stay with them throughout their lives. Plus, making crafts together will make each item feel that much more meaningful when you use it to decorate your home.<br />
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* Shop smart when shopping for craft supplies. Jo-Ann Fabrics is a leading seller of supplies for virtually every type of crafting activity. You can find craft ideas and directions to fit every type of holiday décor at <a href="http://www.joann.com/createchristmas">http://www.joann.com/createchristmas</a>.<br />
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<strong><em>Try this creative craft – a handcrafted birdhouse – that can be customized to fit with either a city or country theme:</em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">A Country Birdhouse</span></strong><br />
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Designed by Connie Glennon-Hall<br />
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Supplies and tools:<br />
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1 wood birdhouse<br />
1 can Rust-Oleum multicolored texture spray paint, autumn brown<br />
1 each acrylic paints in dark brown, green and ivory<br />
wooden picket fence<br />
Deco Art Snow Writer<br />
1 piece, 12 inches by 12 inches, brown cardstock<br />
1 piece, 10 inches by 4 inches, Homespun fabric<br />
Xyron 510 machine with adhesive cartridge<br />
Tacky glue and glue stick<br />
1/2-inch flat paintbrush<br />
1/2-inch detail paintbrush<br />
wire cutters<br />
scissors<br />
paper trimmer<br />
ruler<br />
sandpaper<br />
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Assembly instructions:<br />
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1. Sand the birdhouse hole openings to remove rough edges.<br />
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2. Paint the entire birdhouse with dark brown acrylic paint. When dry, spray with autumn brown multicolored textured paint. When dry, paint ivory lines with the detail brush.<br />
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3. Cut a rectangle of cardstock slightly smaller than the bottom of birdhouse. Glue cardstock to bottom of birdhouse using glue stick.<br />
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4. With wire cutters, cut a nine- to 10-picket length from the fence. Dilute green paint and apply a wash coating over fence. When dry, glue to the front of house, along the front base.<br />
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5. Measure the three sections of the roof and cut brown cardstock to fit. Run the cardstock through the Xyron machine. Press the sticky side of the cardstock onto the homespun fabric, aligning plaids and allowing 1/4 inch margin around each piece.<br />
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6. Trim around roof panels – keeping the 1/4 inch margin of fabric – and fray the edges by pulling out threads. Glue the three panels to the birdhouse roof, allowing fringe to remain exposed.<br />
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7. Decorate the house base, fence, perch, openings and fabric roof with Snow Writer.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Uptown (City) Birdhouse</span></strong><br />
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Supplies and tools:<br />
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Wood birdhouse<br />
Rust-Oleum textured paint, desert bisque<br />
Deco Art Dazzling Metallics acrylic paint, Champagne gold<br />
1 piece, 12 by 12 inches, tan or gold cardstock<br />
1 piece, 4 inches by 9 inches, Glitter Organza 5/8-inch ribbon<br />
Deco Art Snow Writer<br />
Xyron 510 machine with adhesive cartridge<br />
tacky glue and glue stick<br />
double-sided tape<br />
scissors<br />
paper trimmer<br />
ruler<br />
sandpaper<br />
paintbrush<br />
beaded trim<br />
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Assembly instructions:<br />
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1. Sand the birdhouse hole openings to remove rough edges.<br />
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2. Spray birdhouse with desert bisque textured paint to obscure wood grain. When dry, paint entire house with champagne gold acrylic paint.<br />
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3. Cut a rectangle of cardstock slightly smaller than the bottom of birdhouse. Glue cardstock to the underside of birdhouse using glue stick.<br />
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4. Attach beaded trim to the side edges of the upper roof using tacky glue.<br />
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5. Measure and cut a piece of ribbon slightly longer than the length of lower roof. Put a strip of double-sided tape on one side of ribbon. Squeeze a thin line of tacky glue over the lower roof and then apply the ribbon strip over that. When dry, trim ribbon ends.<br />
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6. Measure the two sections of the large roof and cut two pieces of cardstock to fit.<br />
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7. Run the cardstock through the Xyron machine. Position the cardstock on work surface with adhesive side up. Cover adhesive side with five overlapping strips of ribbon. Repeat for both roof pieces. Trim ribbon edges.<br />
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8. Place the two roof sections, peak to peak and ribbon side down, over the wrong side of the sheer fabric; cut the sheer fabric 3/4-inch larger all around the roof shape. Create a “hinge” between the two roof pieces (wrong side) with a strip of tape. Apply two more pieces of tape along the bottom edges of the wrong sides of the roof sections. Fold the sheer fabric over both long edges of the hinged roof, sticking the fabric to the three strips of tape. Add bits of tape to the bottom roof corners and fold raw fabric edges in, as though wrapping a gift. Secure the roof to the birdhouse with tacky glue. Glue only one roof plane at a time; tip the birdhouse over and weight it down, until glue is dry. Then, repeat for the other roof plane.<br />
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9. Decorate the house with Snow Writer, covering up the raw fabric edges between fabric and wood roof.<br />
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Courtesy of ARAcontent<br />
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<img src="http://www.aracontent.com/PrintSite/ViewTracker.aspx?ArticleId=9194&ArticleNumber=8037610303&MemberId=58323" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-24830564147255575822009-09-07T07:19:00.000-07:002010-09-24T14:06:08.956-07:00Decorating for Christmas While On a Budget<div align="justify"><strong><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sfrewerd&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0373892225&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Are you one of the millions of Americans who loves to celebrate Christmas?</strong> When asked, the majority of individuals respond that Christmas is one of their favorite holidays, if not their favorite. If you love to celebrate Christmas, there is a good chance that you may be interested in decorating your home for Christmas. Unfortunately, as you likely already know, decorating your home can get quite expensive. However, if you want to decorate for Christmas, but you do not have an unlimited amount of money to do so, <strong>there are a number of ways that you can go about decorating for Christmas while on a budget.</strong><br />
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Perhaps, the <strong>best ways to save money</strong> on Christmas directions is to decide ahead of time what you need. Unfortunately, a large number of shoppers, possibly just like you, have a difficult time with impulse buying. Impulse buying is when shoppers purchase an item as soon as they see it, an item that they may not have intended on purchasing. <br />
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If you are shopping for Christmas decorations and you are on a limited budget, you are advised to not give into your impulse buying urges. That is why it is advised that you determine what you would like to buy ahead of time. If you are unsure exactly what you would like to buy, that is fine, but you may want to focus on which rooms that you want to decorate for Christmas and which rooms you do not. This will also make it easier for you eliminate unnecessary purchases.<br />
<a name='more'></a><strong>Once you have decided which type of Christmas decorations</strong> that you would like to buy, you can then start shopping; however, it is important to remember your goal of saving money. Christmas decorations are nice, but you will not want to spend more money on decorations than you have. <br />
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<strong>The less money you spend</strong> on Christmas decorations, the more money you will have to put towards a nice Christmas dinner or Christmas gifts. That is why it is important that you take where you are shopping, as well as when, into consideration.<br />
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If you are shopping for <strong>Christmas decorations on a budget</strong>, one of your first stops should be your local dollar store. While many individuals assume that the items sold within dollar stores are poor in quality, they aren’t always. In fact, around Christmastime, you could get some really nice Christmas decorations for a dollar or less. <br />
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<strong>Depending on the dollar store</strong> you choose to shop at, you should be able to walk away with Christmas pictures, Christmas wall hangings for kids, Christmas tree decorations, Christmas lights, and even Christmas potholders for your kitchen. As previously mentioned, all of the items found inside a dollar store should be one dollar or less.<br />
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In addition to <strong>dollar stores</strong>, you may also want to check out your <strong>local discount sto</strong>res. Discount tores, in most cases, are a cross between a convenient store and a department store. They tend to be somewhat small in size, but most dollar stores carry a wide variety of different products, including Christmas decorations. <br />
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While the <strong>prices at discount stores will vary</strong>, you should be able to find beautiful Christmas decorations for fewer than five dollars each. Of course, there will always be items that cost more than five dollars, but you may be surprised with the selection of low-cost Christmas decorations that can be found at your local discount store.<br />
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Although there is a <strong>good chance that you may prefer</strong> to have brand new Christmas decorations, it might not always be possible. If you are looking for low-cost, but specialty Christmas decorations, you may want to try shopping on an online auction website. By carefully examining which items you choose to buy, you could walk away with Christmas decorations that are slightly used, but look new.<br />
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As previously mentioned, it is also <strong>important that you keep when you are shopping in mind</strong>. For the largest selection of Christmas decorations, you will want to shop early, but for the best prices, you may want to wait until it gets closer to Christmas. In the days leading up to Christmas, some retail stores offer discounts on their Christmas supplies, including decorations. <br />
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In fact,<strong> right after Christmas</strong> many of these discounts reach up to seventy-five or ninety percent off. Although shopping right after Christmas won’t help you this year, but it may be able to help you decorate your home, at an affordable price, next year.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-32458619167221949202009-09-07T07:17:00.000-07:002009-09-07T07:18:25.498-07:00Christmas Decoration Ideas for Kids<div align="justify">Are you a parent? If so, there is a good chance that you already know just how much kids love the holidays. That is why you may want to think about letting your children help you decorate for Christmas. In fact, in addition to just letting them help you hang Christmas decorations, you may also want to let them make their own handmade Christmas decorations. Not only will you find that there are a number of benefits to doing so, but you will also find that there are a number of fun and exciting Christmas decorations that they can easily make.<br /><br />Almost every family that celebrates Christmas has a Christmas tree; therefore, there is a good chance that your family will have one. One fun and exciting Christmas craft project that your children could do involves making their own Christmas ornaments. Christmas ornaments can be made from regular paper or any other type of material. In fact, you can purchase a number of Christmas ornament cutouts or guides from your local craft store. These ornament pieces are likely plain, but already shaped like something, such as a star or a cross. It would be up to your child to paint their ornament. This type of Christmas decoration craft project is great for small children or those who may be making their own Christmas decorations for the first time.<br /><br />In addition to Christmas trees, a large number of families have small Christmas signs or pictures throughout their home. These signs and pictures often state a Christmas message or have a picture of Santa. Your children could easily make their own paintings or drawings, often with the supplies that can already be found inside your home. Your child’s picture would likely look great on your refrigerator or you could even frame the picture and hang it up somewhere else inside your home. This type of Christmas decoration craft project is ideal for children of any age and, as previously mentioned, is a great way to save money since you likely already have all of the needed supplies.<br /><br />Another fun Christmas decoration that your children could do is make a centerpiece for your dinning room table. In fact, you may also want to use that centerpiece for your Christmas dinner. If you are looking for a somewhat elegant centerpiece, you could easily have your children make their own. You can do this by purchasing artificial flowers, a large bowl or vase, as well as other decorative items. Your children can easily arrange these items to create their own unique centerpieces for your dinning room table. It may also be a good idea to let them be crafty. Your child may also be able to create a centerpiece in the shape of Santa or a Christmas tree by using construction paper and a few other small supplies.<br /><br />The above mentioned Christmas craft decoration ideas for kids are just a few of the many that exist. In addition to using your own craft ideas, you can also find a number of other fun Christmas craft projects for kids online. You can find a collection of ideas by performing a standard internet search. Also, in your local library or at one of your local book stores, you may also be able to find a collection of Christmas craft books for children. These books tend to outline the supplies needed, as well as give detailed directions on how to make Christmas decorations. These decorations may include Christmas drawings or paintings, tree ornaments, table centerpieces, and much more.<br /><br />Regardless of which type of Christmas decorations you allow your child or children to make, they will likely enjoy the experience, especially if you participate as well. For a child, there is nothing like seeing their Christmas drawings hanging on the walls or their Christmas ornaments hanging on the tree. That is why you are advised to let your children make their own Christmas decorations. As mentioned above, there are a number of decorations that they can easily create; decorations that may require little time and money.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-53647719471122417292009-08-15T17:30:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:32:27.068-07:00Saving Money this ChristmasEvery year there are reports on the news about how deeply in debt people become every Christmas. It is possible to have a nice Christmas without maxing out the credit cards. Here are a few simple tips that could save you a bundle.<br /><br />Hide the credit cards - By not using credit cards you are already a step ahead of the game. There’s no worry about the interest and all those payments that come due after the first of the year. If you are already using credit cards carefully you might be able to continue using them for Christmas gifts, just be sure to pay it off when the bill comes due.<br /><br />Make a list - Sit down and make a list of all the people you would like to give gifts. Once the list is made, stick to it. Decide how much to spend on each person and write it beside each name. Then when you go shopping there will be a price range for each gift. It will help avoid overspending. Even a dollar over expected spending can add up if there is a large shopping list.<br /><br />Draw names - Many families help cut back on holiday spending by drawing names. Each person in the family only shops for one other person whose name they have drawn. Instead of buying several gifts, even if they are inexpensive, each person can get one nicer gift. This makes shopping easier too. Instead of trying to fill a huge list, just take your time and focus on getting that "perfect" gift for just one person.<br /><br />Shop ahead - Get organized and have good hiding places. By doing this you can purchase Christmas gifts all year round, taking advantage of after Christmas sales, out of season and clearance sales. Go ahead and wrap and label the gifts. This helps keep people from seeing what was purchased and you won't forget which gift was for whom.<br /><br />Lay-away - Some stores offer a lay-away program, so you can pay a little at a time each month. By doing this, you can budget things out over a period of time. By combining this with the list and budget plan, you can cut out the interest incurred using credit cards and still make a monthly payment.<br /><br />Gift cards - While gift cards are convenient for gift giving, many people feel they are impersonal. Gift cards can also help you shop on a budget, if shopping ahead of time. Purchase the gift cards in the amount you can afford each week or month. Tuck them away in an envelope in a safe place until you have the amount needed to purchase the gifts. You can keep an eye out for sales on certain items this way, as well. Be sure to check to see if the cards have an expiration date. Some expire after a certain time once activated and others have no expiration date at all. Some are even "rechargeable" and more money can be added as needed.<br /><br />No matter what plan you choose, the best thing is to get organized and plan ahead. Spur of the moment shopping is the worst for anyone's budget. It's too easy to just grab something on impulse and blow the best of intentions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-10042837721089816152009-08-15T17:29:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:30:40.164-07:00Where Did the Tradition of Santa Claus Come From?According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Santa Claus started with a real person, Saint Nicholas, a minor saint from the fourth century: Poor St. Nick lived a difficult life. Born in the ancient Lycian seaport city of Patara, he was imprisoned during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians but was released under the rule of Emperor Constantine the Great.<br /><br />His reputation for generosity and kindness gave rise to legends of miracles he performed for the poor and persecuted. People from all over the world honored him. He became the patron saint of Russia and Greece. The legend of St. Nick came to the United States when Dutch colonists brought the traditions and folktales with them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-353467011145561282009-08-15T17:27:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:29:04.491-07:00Where did Holiday Traditions Come From?Do you hang Christmas stockings by the fireplace?<br /><br />According to legend, a kind nobleman in despair over the death of his wife, squandered his fortune and left his three daughters without dowries, which meant they faced the life of a spinster.<br /><br />St. Nicholas, yes the one and only, heard about the girl’s problems. He rode his horse by the nobleman's house and threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were miraculously captured by the stockings the young women had hung by the fireplace to dry. They awoke to find stockings full of gold and their problems were solved.<br /><br />Do you hang mistletoe?<br /><br />The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace. It is said that among Romans, that enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace.<br /><br />Do you place Poinsettias around your home?<br /><br />The poinsettia is a native Mexican plant named after the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, who brought the plant to America in 1828. Poinsettias were likely used by Mexican Franciscans in their 17th century Christmas celebrations. One legend has it that a young Mexican boy, on his way to visit the village Nativity scene, realized he had no gift for the Christ child. He gathered pretty green branches from along the road and brought them to the church. Though the other children mocked him, when the leaves were laid at the manger, a beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each branch. The bright red petals, often mistaken for flowers, are actually the upper leaves of the plant.<br /><br />What about the ever present candy cane?<br /><br />Perhaps you might be familiar with this strategy…legend has it that candy canes were given to children to keep them quiet during religious ceremonies and the custom worked so well that it rapidly became a custom throughout Europe.<br />Urban legend tells us that the candy cane's symbolism hold that the color white represents Christ's purity, the red the blood he shed, and the presence of three red stripes the Holy Trinity. There are also stories that indicate the candy cane is actually a letter J to represent Jesus. There is no evidence to support either of these stories but it doesn’t really matter to families who enjoy them year after year and adorn their Christmas tree with the sweet treats.<br /><br />Do you send Christmas cards?<br /><br />Sir Henry Cole is purported to have s credited the first Christmas card. As the story goes, Sir Henry, the first director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, was too busy to create individual greetings for his friends so he commissioned an artist, John Calcott Horsley, to illustrate a card and inscribe it with a holiday greeting.<br /><br />Do you have a Christmas tree?<br /><br />While a decorated Christmas tree can be traced back to the ancient Romans who during their winter festival decorated trees with small pieces of metal in honor of Saturnus, it is really credited to Martin Luther. Luther, after an inspiring evening walk through a forest of evergreens, attempted to describe the starry scene to his family. Unable to express in words what he had witnessed, he brought a tree into his home and decorated it with candles.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-60878463119303531952009-08-15T17:25:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:26:31.522-07:00Holiday TraditionsChristmastime is a time for children, right? Well yes and no. It’s true that as parents we don’t get the same type of joy from the holidays that children do. As adults our joy often comes from watching our children enjoy the holidays. However our joy of the season doesn’t begin and end there. We each have expectations attached to the holiday.<br /><br />Whether you live in a tropical climate or the picturesque traditional snowy scene greets your door every holiday, everyone has their own picture of Christmas. Christmas trees, angels, wreaths, caroling, hot chocolate, silent midnight church services, candles, delightful cookies, rich eggnog, Figgie pudding, lights, and of course the jolly St. Nick and presents wrapped in colorful paper.<br /><br />We also expect to follow certain traditions. Maybe they are traditions that we grew up with – like cutting down a tree every year. Maybe they’re traditions that evolved due to circumstances – like going to your local Christmas Eve church service. Maybe they’re traditions that appeal to you for other reasons – like the desire to educate your children about other cultures. So…<br />How do you celebrate Christmas?<br /><br />When I was a child Christmas meant following my mother and my sisters around for hours until the ‘perfect’ tree was found. Then my poor dad would cut it down and haul it back to the car. Christmas also meant midnight church services, caroling with friends, my father reading us “the night before Christmas” while my sisters and I sat around him in matching red and white flannel pajamas and of course the wonderful Christmas morning where presents were opened. In retrospect it was the perfect “Norman Rockwell Christmas.<br /><br />My best friend from Finland had different traditions. Her family feasted on pickled herring and boiled cod and opened their presents on Christmas Eve. A beautiful friend from the Philippines, her family spent much of the day in church and the day ended in a pageant. As a child I quickly learned that everyone celebrates Christmas differently. As an adult I can look back and see that the traditions my family followed weren’t just for their benefit, they were for us – the children.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-4104764040615157572009-08-15T17:08:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:10:16.581-07:00Storing Your Special Christmas DecorationsAfter you’ve spent so much time and effort, and put so much love into your Christmas decorations, you will want to store them and use them year after year – for many years to come. You may even want to eventually hand them down to your grandchildren so that your great-grandchildren can enjoy them.<br /> <br />Unfortunately, some decorations won’t store well. Anything that was made with live materials, such as live foliage can’t be stored, unless that foliage can be removed and replaced each year.<br /> <br />When you are creating your decorations, think about storage and only use materials that can be stored well. Also make sure that pieces of the decorations are attached well.<br /> <br />Wrap each individual decoration in tissue paper. This not only helps protect them, but it also keeps all of the ‘parts’ of each decoration together in the event that they fall off. Glue has gotten stronger and stronger over the years – but it does ‘wear out’ over time.<br /> <br />After wrapping each individual decoration, store them in a big, airtight plastic container if possible. This will keep air and moisture out, but it won’t prevent the ornaments from being affected by heat. Therefore, if your ornaments may suffer from heat, don’t store them outdoors or in attics. Instead, store them in a closet or spare room.<br /> <br />Note that you don’t want your decorations ‘squashed’ by other, heavier decorations. Place your decorations into the container carefully.<br /> <br />You may want to use shoe boxes inside of the larger container for better protection. Some decorations, such as the tree topper, may need its own shoe box. Other smaller decorations can share shoe boxes.<br /> <br />When you drag the Christmas decorations out next holiday season, carefully unwrap each decoration and closely inspect it. Have a hot glue gun and a sewing needle and thread nearby for any needed repairs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-57274902933300375022009-08-15T17:03:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:08:00.921-07:00Pine Cone Christmas DecorationsWhat can’t you do with a pine cone? You can do all sorts of neat things, in terms of creating decorations, with pine cones. Pine cones are free if you live in an area where pine trees grow – and if you don’t, you can purchase pine cones from a crafts store.<br /><br />If you are using pine cones that you pick up yourself out of the woods, make absolutely sure that you shake them well before bringing them in to dispose of any live bugs that are inside the pine cone. If they are especially dirty, it is fine to spray them with a water hose to wash them off. You can then either leave them outside to dry, or bring them in to dry.<br /><br />Pine cones have seeds inside, and may produce sap. To avoid this, put the pine cones that you want to use on a cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven for an hour.<br /><br />Pine Cone Christmas Ornaments:<br /><br />Here, you are free to let your imagination run wild. You can spray paint the cones either gold, silver or white. Spray paint the cone, and then sprinkle glitter on it while the cone is still wet – or use glitter glue after the paint is dried for a more controlled decoration. Ribbons, sequins, beads – the possibilities are endless. It’s kind of like decorating Easter eggs – there doesn’t have to be a set pattern to anything.<br /><br />Pine cones can be hung from the tree branches either upside-down or right-side-up. The choice is yours. Use wire and wrap the wire around either the top or bottom of the cone, making sure that you push the wire as far into the opening of the cone as you can so that it doesn’t show. Form a hook from the end of the wire, and it is ready to hang on the tree.<br /><br />Pine Cone Clusters:<br /><br />Pine cone clusters can be used as center pieces, tree ornaments, or even wall<br />decorations. They are commonly used in wreathes as well. You will need pine cones that still have stems on them for the best possible results.<br /><br />Cluster the pine cones together by the stems. You can tie them together with string for security, and then cover the string with a bow. Add some berry clusters to the cluster as well. You can decorate the individual pine cones as you see fit. Again, get creative. You are only limited by your own imagination! Make it unique, and make it special.<br /><br />Pine Cone Basket Decorations:<br /><br />Pine cone baskets are very popular and classy. All you need is a basket – again, this is your choice. Choose a basket that appeals to you. It can either have a handle or not have a handle.<br /><br />You will need several pinecones, in various shapes and sizes. Arrange the pine cones in the basket. Further fill the basket with bits of holly and other evergreen foliage. You can even decorate the basket with Christmas tree lights, ribbon, glitter glue, or a variety of other materials. If it has a handle, make a nice bow and attach it to the handle of the basket.<br /><br />These work well on coffee tables, dinner table center pieces, and on fireplace hearths. If you have cats or small children, you may want to glue the contents of the basket in place.<br /><br />Pine Cone Angel:<br /><br />Get a nice sized pine cone, and spray paint it white. Use glitter glue to decorate the angels ‘dress,’ which is the pine cone.<br /><br />Purchase an angel doll head or use a 1 inch to 2 inch wooden bead. If using a bead, purchase doll hair and glue it on top of the bead. Decorate the face with markers or paint.<br /><br />Place glue inside the edges of the hole in the bottom of the doll head and press it down over the top of the pine cone firmly.<br /><br />Wings can be made out of a variety of material. Some suggestions include white netting, white felt, white cloth, and white lace. Cut the wings in the shape of a butterfly and attach them to the back of the pine cone – on the angel’s back – with hot glue.<br /><br />Pine Cone Christmas Tree:<br /><br />For this project, choose a pine cone that is opened up really well.<br /><br />Using green or red ribbon, form and tie a loop to the tip of the pine cone. This will serve as the hanger. Spray paint the pine cone green, and sprinkle either silver or gold glitter over the pine cone while it is still wet. Allow the pine cone to dry.<br /><br />Glue sequins on the ‘tree’ for ornaments. Use a variety of colors for this. Finish decorating your tree with garland. You can use a couple of single strands of silver tinsel for this – or use rick-a-rack, which can be found near the sewing supplies in any crafts store.<br /><br />You can even put a little snow on your tree with some white paint. Again, use your imagination and try different things. Pine cones are free, and if they aren’t free, they are very cheap!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-79848410697954889992009-08-15T17:02:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:03:54.996-07:00Non-Candy Candy CanesCandy canes are a vital part of Christmas. Most of us buy candy canes and put them in candy dishes designed for stick candy, and we even use them as decoration on the tree. When we take the tree down, we either eat the candy canes used for decoration – or we throw them out.<br /> <br />You can make non-candy candy canes very easily – and use them year after year. One advantage of this is that the non-candy candy canes that you make won’t break as easily as candy canes do. They also don’t get eaten.<br /> <br />Non-candy candy canes can be made out of a wide variety of materials, depending on how large you want your candy canes to be. Possible materials include wood, yarn, foam, Styrofoam, and cloth.<br /> <br />Some materials, such as cloth, will need a stabilizer which the cloth will be placed over. This might be wood or pipe cleaners, depending on how strong you need your candy canes to be. Spray starch can also be used to make many candy canes stronger, if cloth or yarn is used.<br /> <br />The easiest possible candy canes to make for your tree are made with pipe cleaners. Pipe cleaners, however, are typically thin. You may need to twist five or six pipe cleaners together to form your candy cane.<br /> <br />This form can then be covered with shinny ribbon, for the best looking candy cane. You will need white and red ribbon, and the ribbon should be about 1 centimeter wide. It should have plain edges, as opposed to fancy edges. Cut small pieces of the red ribbon, and cover the bottom end of the candy cane and the top end, under the hook. Glue the ribbon in place.<br /> <br />Using a hot glue gun, glue the edge of the red ribbon to the bottom edge of the candy cane. Spiral it up until the entire candy cane is covered with the red, and glue the other end to the candy cane as well. Cover the entire thing in red, so that none of the pipe cleaner shows.<br /> <br />Next, take the white ribbon and glue one end to the bottom edge of the candy cane and spiral it up, leaving spaces between the white spirals so that the red shows through. Glue the end to the top edge of the candy cane, at the hook. <br /> <br />Candy cane shapes can also be cut out of Styrofoam, but it is ideal to have a pattern to work with and to cut carefully with an exactor knife, so that you have nice smooth edges. The foam can then be wrapped or painted.<br /> <br />Yarn candy canes are fairly easy to make as well. Simply braid strands of red yarn together and then braid strands of white yarn together. With the red braid, form your candy cane, and use spray starch for stiffening. Allow it to dry – and use a lot of starch so that it holds the shape.<br /> <br />Once the red yarn is dry, simply wrap the white braid around it, leaving space so that the red shows through. The ends of the white braid can be attached to the candy cane with a thread and needle.<br /> <br />With yarn candy canes, you may need to re-spray them with starch each year. Remember that candy canes hang from the tree by the hook of the cane. Therefore, the hook needs to be fairly sturdy to support the weight of the candy cane.<br /> <br />You could even make a large wall decoration with two candy canes crossed at the stem. These are made of cloth, and are actually appliqué type constructions, in that they are stuffed with quilt batting. You could also stuff them with some mint for added effect. Simply cut the ‘stripes’ of the candy canes and sew them together. Be sure to make bows for the bottom of the hooks!<br /> <br />For lawn candy canes, the shapes are usually cut from wood, with the use of a jigsaw. The wood is then painted with red and white paint, and you will most likely want to put some weather resistant coating over the paint, after it has dried.<br /> <br />These candy canes are set up with the use of a ‘T’ type stand on the back of the candy cane in most cases. This is done by attaching a block of wood to the top of the back of the candy cane. For this to work the candy cane wood must be at least a half inch thick – you don’t want the nails to come all the way through the front of the candy cane.<br /> <br />You can then just prop the candy cane up with a dowel or a piece of wood that goes from the ground – at an angle – to rest under the block of wood that you have attached.<br /> <br />All candy canes don’t have to be plain. You can dress then up with bows. The bow is usually placed on the straight part of the candy cane, just below the hook at the top. The bow can be made of any materials, and decorated as you see fit. Obviously, the size of the bow will be dependant on the size of the candy cane.<br /> <br />Note that making your own non-candy candy canes does not save money. Real candy canes are very cheap, and can cost just a few dollars for a box of eight to ten at any discount store.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8673404971387800699.post-41877371100094947942009-08-15T17:01:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:02:44.503-07:00Make Christmas StockingsMaking your own Christmas Stockings is a great deal of fun, and this is something that each member of the family can participate in. Kids can decorate their own stockings – or at the very least, design their own. <br /> <br />Materials Needed:<br /> <br />· Felt – the traditional color is red, but you can use any color that you want. You will need two complementary colors for each stocking. One color serves as the base of the stocking, while the other color serves as the ‘cuff’ at the top of the stocking.<br /> <br />· Appliqué shapes – You can find a multitude of small Christmas oriented shapes that you can print out for patterns. These can then be sewn and stuffed with cotton. Remember that you need two of each shape to make the appliqué, and you may need various colored materials.<br /> <br />· Beads, ribbon, glitter glue, sequins – These are all used to decorate the stocking and the appliqués used on the stockings.<br /> <br />· A stocking pattern – like appliqué shapes, these can be found all over the Internet and printed out. You will use these patterns to cut the shape of the stockings. Use legal sized paper for printing.<br /> <br />· Letter Stencils – for tracing names on the stockings.<br /> <br />· Other Materials – scissors, needle, thread, glue<br /> <br /> Directions:<br /> <br />1. Using the color of felt desired for the ‘foot’ or base of the stocking, cut two stocking shapes from your pattern. Using the appliqué patterns, determine how the appliqués will be placed on the stocking. It is a good idea to take a digital picture of your layout for future reference.<br /> <br /> 2. Cut out and make all appliqués. Sew them together and stuff them, and decorate them as you see fit. Pin them onto the stocking, using your digital<br />picture for reference. Sew the appliqués to the front piece of the stocking.<br /> <br />3. Cut the cuff for the top of the stocking. Cuffs are usually about three inches<br />long, depending on the size of your stocking. The cuff should cover the top and back of the stocking.<br /> <br />4. Sew the two ends of the cuff together. There should be enough room at the top of the cuff for it to fit snuggly down into the stocking once it is attached. The persons name can be stenciled on and filled with cloth letters, ribbon, or glitter glue. This goes on the cuff of the stocking, before it is attached to the stocking.<br /> <br />5. Sew the back of the stocking to the front of the stocking along the edges, leaving the top open. A quarter inch seam should be used, and it should be sewn with the insides facing each other, and then turned right-side-out once it is sewn.<br /> <br />6. Place the cuff of the stocking over the top of the stocking, and pull it down until the name is where you want it to be. Tack the stitched side of the cuff to the stitched side of the stocking. Stuff the top of the cuff down into the stocking to make the top edge of the stocking nice and smooth.<br /> <br />7. Attach a loop just inside the stocking, on the side that you wish the stocking to hang from. The loop can be made of felt, cord, or any other material that you desire. Make sure that it is strong enough to bear the weight of a filled stocking.<br /> <br />That’s all there is to stocking making. Note that you can also purchase stocking kits at craft stores and online that provide everything you need to make your Christmas stockings. These cost anywhere from $20 to $60however.<br /> <br />The overall design of a Christmas stocking is fairly simple and straightforward – it is the decoration used that makes a stocking unique. Get really creative and use the beads and sequins in unique ways.<br /> <br />Note that fake white fur can also be used for the cuff of the stocking, but it is difficult to get a name on the fur. If you want a white cuff, and you want a<br /> name, choose white felt as your cuff material, instead of white fur.<br />Alternately, you can still use the white fur and put the name on the body of the stocking instead.<br /> <br />Another stocking idea, instead of appliqués, is to transfer a Christmas or winter scene onto the stocking body. The design can then be filled in with cloth paint, glitter, or even needle point or cross stitch depending on the pattern that you have chosen. Again, such patterns can be printed from the Internet for free.<br /> <br />Make sure that you double sew the seams of the stocking. Stuffed stockings can come apart if they are not sewn well. You can use a machine or hand stitches for this – just make sure that you use strong thread, and double stitch it for greater stability.<br /> <br />If your stockings need to be stiffer than the material allows for, use spray starch on the inside pieces of the stocking before piecing it together.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0