Monday, December 27, 2010

Time for Shopping for Christmas Items

American Greetings Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Gift Wrapping Paper Three RollsYes Christmas day has come and gone and now it time to go shopping! Why? Because right now you can find left over Christmas stuff cheap. Some stores are offer 90% off left over Christmas items. Buying items now can save you lots of cash next year.

Some things to look for right now is wrapping paper, bows, boxes, and tape. Items to wrap gifts can add up quickly, but buying them right after Christmas and you can find items for fraction of the price. Find that $5.00 roll of Christmas paper at 90% off and pay only $.50!! This is how I try to get those cute more expensive designs wrapping paper. At discount prices after Christmas I can afford to get what designs I really like instead of what I can afford.

Winter gear can also be purchased much cheaper as well. It is getting close to the end of the season so the stores are getting rid of their winter stock. If you have something that is starting to get too small or will need to be replaced by next year, now is the stop to shop if you can. You'll save lots of money in the long run.

Have fun shopping.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas blessing

I found myself very blessed two days before Christmas of 2010. My husband's aunt Sue sent me this video:
I almost cried remembering all the blessing that I have. Christmas is about family, love, joy, peace, and God. I find myself very blessed with all of the above. I wanted to share the above video with all my friends and blog readers so we can all be reminded of our blessing. Christmas is the perfect time to share our blessing with those who are less fortunate.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Great Gift Idea for Tea and French Vanilla Lovers

French Vanilla tea is amazing. With this article you can make that french vanilla tea into a French Vanilla tea dream. Rich creamy flavor of french vanilla will dazzle your taste buds while you sit back and relax with a nice hot cup of tea.
Turn all of this into a great gift. Put these directions to make an amazing cup of French Vanilla tea into a basket or tin along with all the ingredients. Add a little more piazza with flavored stir stick and snack that go great with tea. Place a box on the basket or tin and you have a perfect gift for people who love tea or the flavor of french vanilla. This gift will be sure to warm the hearts of those you love.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas after the Children are grownup

Christmas can still be a fun and joyful time of the year even without children. It all depends on what a person does with the time they have. Forget everything and treat Christmas as just another day and Christmas will fade away. That warm and peaceful feeling of the Christmas spirit will never be felt again. Instead of loosing Christmas here are some ways to keep Christmas alive even after the children are grownup and moved away.

Read more Here

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Children gate around the Christmas tree

I have come across some article I read on Helium about Christmas safety with toddler. Click the widget at the bottom to read them as well for more safety tips. There were many great ideas, but there is one that stood out the most to me was putting up a sturdy child gate around the Christmas tree.

I like this idea of putting a child gate around the Christmas tress. It is a great way to really draw attention to the Christmas tree as well as keeping the Christmas tree, presents, and ornaments safe.

A nice clean sturdy white children gate around the Christmas will look great and it can look even better by decorating the gate as well. Ribbons, bows, lights, and/or garland are perfect for turning the children gate into a wonderful Christmas gate. Then when it is time to open the presets the gate can be open or removed. Simple place the gate back when the gifts are all passed out to keep the Christmas tree safe until it can be safely put away.

Turning a child’s gate into a Christmas gate is a great way to make a Christmas tree the main focal point of the room as well.



HeliumHow to child-proof a Christmas tree

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Christmas Stress; Tips to improve the stress on Christmas

Christmas can be very stressful. There is lots of things that need to get done before Christmas day or the Christmas party. The decoration need to be put up, gifts need to be bought,  bought gifts need wrapped, cookies need baked, and much much more. With everything that needs done there is no wonder that people get stressed out. Organization and starting early are two tips for reliving the stress on Christmas but there are many more ways to reduce the stress.


The article of Christmas stress is about tips for reducing stress caused from some of the common problems that arriving getting ready for Christmas day or Christmas party. Find out more Here

Don't be shy. Share some of your tips for Christmas in the comments as well. We'd love to hear them.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Cheap Christmas Gifts: Gingerbread Cookie Recipe in a Jar

200+ GIFTS in a JAR RECIPES eBOOK CookbookA fun gift to give of the gingerbread cookies recipe in a Jar. Not only does the gift of the gingerbread recipe in a jar look beautiful but it is also a great way for sharing about making your own gingerbread Christmas ordainment.

Find out how here

Time to make Christmas Cookies

Betty Crocker's Cooky BookChristmas time is near and many of us are getting our baking done. Baking can be fun and if there are children in the home they will want to help bake as well. Here are some tips for making baking easier with children.

Allow butter to sit out at room temperature to soften. Using the microwave to soften the butter doesn't work out the same, the recipe will be much better with room temperature butter.

Clean as you go. If you use an item that you will need again, rinse it out and keep for any future use. Put in soap water or dishwasher as soon as you are completely done with item.

Allow the kids to do as much as they can. Let them add the ingredients, help stir, and even help put the cookies on the cookie sheet.

Make it clear that when the oven door is open the children stay away. There is a danger with the oven and the children thinking they are helping, but the oven is for adults only because of the possibility of being burned.

Kids want to decorate the cookies, but you're not big on frosting. Instead of using frosting try using colored sugar instead. Put the colored sugar on the cookies while they are still warm or put back in the oven to melt the sugar..be careful not to burn the cookies. Pull the cookies out a few minutes early, put the color sugar on and then finish cooking.

Don't be perfect. If you have a cookie that you want made perfect. Make two batches. One the kids can help with and one that you do by yourself. This allows the kids to have fun and you to get the perfect cookie you wanted. However family members will enjoy seeing the children made cookies as well.

Making cookies should be fun. Relax and take your time. It could also be a great time to set up a camcorder and record the children helping with baking the cookies.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas Feast with Christmas Finger Foods

Festive Finger Foods (Christmas at Home (Barbour))Many people make a large feast for Christmas. A couple of years ago we had a talk with the children. What they loved most about Christmas was playing with us and their new toys. One things they disliked was the time we had to spend in the kitchen and having to help clean up the kitchen. This started our first finger food Christmas.

Instead of making a large meal we made simple foods that we mostly made the day before. Our first finger food Christmas including crackers with meat and cheese, Nachos Chips with a bean dip, cookies, vegetables, and lots of Christmas candy. May have not been the healthiest but for just one day the kids ate nothing but finger foods and loved it.

Now I work to getting a little bit of nutrition into the Christmas finger foods fest, but we still keep it easy things to make and clean up.


Top Five Christmas Foods for Kids is a great list with foods that will fit perfectly into our Christmas finger food feast. Best of all most of them can all be made ahead of time.

One of things I love the most about just having Christmas fingers food is it takes the stress of me, the mom. I get to relax and have fun instead of worry about possibly burning food or something not turning out right. Christmas finger foods is the perfect solution to ease on the stress that can happen on Christmas day. Besides the kids don't really want to eat on Christmas Day; they want to play and eat that new candy Santa gave them.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Winter Garden Wreath

This is a great wreaths made from outdoor items you can find in your own back yard. Save lots of money from those store wreaths. This wreath is even better with those store boughten wreaths. Find out How Here

Stocking Stuffers, Only 18 days till Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 is only 18 days away right now.  The biggest thing on our minds are stocking stuffers.

There are lots of great ideas for stocking stuffers from small toys to candies. The biggest problem is choosing what to get. There are traditional items like M&M's and Hershey Kisses that are a must. Then your choice of other yummy candies. Then what? Here are some idea's for stockings.

Holiday rubber ducky are perfect for little children or any age duck lover. These ducks are fun to play with even inside the bathtub. The average age for these cute little duckies is around five and under. However some of the older children, like my nine year old, are just plan duck lovers. They love these duckies regardless.

 For older duck lovers keep an eye out for the collectible wooden ducks. They will be great with as a stocking stuffer as well.



Card games can still be fun for today's kids. All we have to do is show them how to play. Starts with a little gift of the card game of your choice. There is lots to pick from like phase 10, Uno, or even new ones like Monopoly deal card game.

Then you just have to make a family time to play the game. Perfect thing to do one Christmas afternoon. Once the kids learn to play they love the games. Now you just have to set aside a family night. Making card games a great stocking stuffer that can help pull the whole family together.



Silly bands are a huge new fad with today kids. Both boys and girls. The kids love to wear and trade these silly bands. The glow in the dark ones seem to be the hottest ones. There are non-glow in the dark ones that start as low as $1.00. They are great stocking stuffer ideas for any child.

They have almost any shape of silly bandz. Drangons, tools, monster, and even licensed charters.


Stocking stuffers can be a lot of fun. They can be anything that will fit inside the stocking.

Top Christmas Websites

What are the top five Christmas websites? Here is a top five list from PajamaMommy on great Christmas websites. Check Them out here

Monday, December 6, 2010

Things you never knew about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer..

We have all heard the song about Rudolph and hopefully seen the cartoon of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Do you know everything about about Rudolph. Here are five things we bet you don't know about Rudolph.

Learn more Here

Adopt an Elf on the Shelf

Elf on the shelf can be a fun family tradition. This elf joins the family and keeps on eye on what is going on for Santa. The children will love seeing the elf every Christmas season as they have to look where the elf has returned from the north pole each morning.

Check out the Top Five Reasons to Adopt an Elf on the Shelf Here

Snack for Santa Besides Cookies

Looking for something different this year? Santa get lots of cookies every year from many of the homes. Is there something else Santa may like? Well here are some top five alternative snacks to leave for Santa.


Find out what they are here

An Easy Gingerbread Man Recipe

Here is an easy recipe to follow to make the gingerbread man ornaments. They make a great ornament and even a great gift to send to people you love.

Not only is this recipe easy to follow but there is a lot you can do with gingerbread as well. There are gingerbread molds that can make anything.

The gingerbread man decorations can start off very simple and over the years you can watch it grow as more people join the tradition and get fancier each year. With this easy gingerbread recipe and a little imagination your gingerbread man designs will be endless.

Find out how here.

The Top Five Reasons You Should Give Your Daughter a Horse for Christmas

A horse is all your daughter has ever wanted for Christmas. She's asked
Santa for one every year, but it's never under the tree. Instead there's
always #2 on the list with an apology that a horse just wouldn't fit in
the sleigh this year. No excuses this year though. It's time to get her
a horse, and here's why.

Top Five Reasons Why

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Making Gingerbread Ornaments

This cute gingerbread ornament is very cute and fun to make. It a tradition that the kids would. The gingerbread ornament can make a great gift as well for those who live far away. Send them your gingerbread man so they can have a little bit of you hanging on their Christmas tree.


Find out how Here.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Why people love shopping for Christmas

I love shopping for Christmas. I love spending time with my husband, hopefully a lunch or dinner too. We love to play with all the new Christmas displays. Taking time to stop together to watch what each new item can do. Listening to the Christmas music that plays on the radio and in the stores seems to make everyone in a happy mood.

Shopping is fun any time of the year. We are those type of people who like to go window shopping, thrift store shopping, and even garage sale shopping. Sometime we buy and sometime we don't, all depends on the deal and the money we have on hand at the time. Christmas shopping is so much better though. It is even fun to buy gifts for everyone. They don't have to be the most expensive or the best gift of their life, there plenty of little things that will make people just as happy.

One year my son got me a neat tool for open cans of soda pop. My rheumatoid arthritis had been bad for the last few months and soda pop was one thing I couldn't open. I would have to wait for someone to help me. He only spent a few dollars (1.99 I think) but it was one of the best gifts I got that year. I was able to open my own soda pop that to that gift. He was very thoughtful and thought about me, not the price tag.

So going shopping for odd old things if fun for us and we think they make great gifts. To find these things we do lots of shopping and search the entire store. Sometimes we run across stores that found items left from many Christmases ago. They will sell the stuff very cheap and often in a large messy pile. We love nothing more then to spend time going through the pile to see what we can find.

We are not the only shoppers who enjoy Christmas shopping. There are many more as well.


HeliumWhy shopping for Christmas presents can be fun

Top Five Casserole No one wants to eat at Christmas Parties

Getting ready to make your dish to take to your Christmas party? Wonder what you should bring or do you think you have something that everyone loves? Well here are some ideas of of dishes people may not love with Top Five Casseroles no one Eats

Remember if you have to take a large portion home, you should try something else.

Teaching Cats to avoid Christmas Decorations

As we pullout our beloved Christmas decorations we are left with a concern about our pet and our Christmas decorations. Not only are we afraid that our beloved decorations may get damage, but we are worried that our pets may be hurt as well. Although we love our pets, the cats need to be trained and taught right from wrong just like children. How you ask? Check out this article.


Train cats to avoid the Christmas decorations.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Top Five Homemade Christmas Decoration

Making homemade Christmas decoration is not only fun but it will make memories that the children will remember when they are adults. Turn making these decoration into a yearly family tradition that will be memorable for years and with this top five Christmas decorations to make you'll be off on a great start.

Find our more here

Nieman Marcus with His and Her Gifts -- Fantasy Gifts

One of a kind his and her gifts for people who have an unlimited budget for Christmas. Although these turn out to be fantasy gifts for the rest of us, it is a very interesting list to read through.

Read More Here

New Years Resolutions

Get Ready through your Christmas shopping for the New Years Resolutions and actually achieving your goal next year. Planning is one key to being successful for New Years Resolutions and although it is Christmas time, it is never too early to start planning.


Find out more Here

American Girl Dolls Gifts Ideas for Girls

Have a child into the American Girl Dolls? Here is a list of ideas for girls who are into the American Girl Dolls.
Find out more here

Top Five gifts for the Golfers

Have a golfer to shop for? This list of the top five gifts for golfers will help you on way and make a smiler on your golfers face. Read the top five gifts for golfers here

Top Five Christmas Gifts for Teachers

Christmas is only 24 days away! Don't forget the teachers. They mean so much to our children. They spend most of the day with our children teaching them what they need to know. Allowing your child to get a gift for his teacher allow the child to show his teacher that he really does appreciate all the hard work that they put in. Need some ideas of what to get? Check out this list of the top five Christmas gifts for Teachers.

Top Five Christmas Carol Movies

The Christmas movie of the Christmas Carol has been made several times by many different people. Have you seen the best one yet? Here is a list of the top five Christmas Carol movies. Check them out and see if you have seen them all or not.

Find out the top Five here

Top Five things for a coffee basket

Got a coffee lover to buy for? Think about making your very own coffee basket for them. You can customize the basket anyway that you would like, adding in some personal tastes to the basket. They will love your personal touches. To get started take a look at this list for the top Five things to put in a coffee basket.

After adding this items with a few personal items like a Christmas picture of your family. The coffee basket will be ready to be wrapped. I'd like a nice fluffy soft blanket in mine please. I just love soft throws.

Find out more Here

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Funny Christmas Song - 12 Days of Christmas Parody

A new twist on the Christmas song "Twelve days of Christmas". Check out these new versus. Your funny bone will be glad you stop in.


Read More

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Hopefully your Christmas shopping is done, getting close to done, or at least you know what you are getting everyone. Now it time to think about the rest of the stuff. How about stocking stuffers? Not sure what to get for stocking stuffers, don't worry, here is a list of ideas for stocking stuffers.

Read More here

Top Five Gifts in National Geographic Holiday 2010 Catalong

Gifts from all over the world in one Catalog of the National Geographic Holiday Catalog. Take a look a the gifts that made the top five list form the 2010 Holiday Catalog.

Find out which five here

Monday, November 29, 2010

Christmas Gifts Ideas for Employees

Having a hard time coming up with a good Christmas gift for your employees? Shopping for great gifts for others doesn't have to be that hard. Check out all the different Christmas gift ideas for your employees that fit in just about every company's budget.

Find out more here on Christmas Gift Ideas for Employees

Save on Shipping on December 17th 2010

Over a thousand retailer will be participating for this online event that can save you lots of money in shipping. On December 17th 2010 they will ship your online purchases for free with delivery guaranteed by Christmas. Great way to save money this Christmas.

Find out more Here

Tree Toppers

What is the right tree topper for your family. Some people love angles, some love Santa, and some like stars. There are lots of choices for the tree toppers, you can even make your every own. This article take a look at the tree toppers and what they mean.

Read More

Top Five Considerations When Choosing a Christmas Tree

There is nothing worse then finding that perfect Christmas tree and bring it home only to find the tree won't work for you home. Don't let that happen to you with this list of the top five considerations when choosing a Christmas tree. This article will help you to get that perfect tree for you.

Read More Here

Top Five Collectible Christmas Gifts for Women

Women love to get some Christmas gifts they can collect and keep forever. What kind of Christmas gifts? Here is a list of the top five Collectible Christmas Gifts for Women.

Read More Here.

Top Five Collectible Christmas Gifts for Men

Some men like to collect gifts they get at Christmas time. What kinds of gifts you ask? Well here a list of the top five Collectible Christmas gifts for men.

Read More

Top Five Ways to Hide Christmas Gifts

Need to come up with someplace to hide your Christmas gift? Somewhere that other people in the house won't look? Here are five ways to hide Christmas gifts to help you on your way to hiding yours.

Find out more Here

Art Deco Christmas Santa Postage

This unique and interesting touch is the perfect thing to add your mailings this Holiday season. This postage stamp created by ArtDecoPrints is sure to be noticed by everyone. Check out this unique stamp here.

The Magic of Christmas

The Magic Of Christmas

Author: Jeremy Seaver

Christmas is a special time of the year for the joy and intangible magic that fills the season. It comes through in the delightful decorations, glorious get-togethers with family and friends and the sheer feeling of joy one gets from giving and receiving gifts.

Although the commercialization of Christmas is often decried, shopping is an important and central activity to some of the intangible magic of Christmas. It is at the malls or downtown stores that some of the favorite sights, sounds and scents of Christmas can be experienced.

The decorations at Malls and retail establishments are usually very fanciful and eye-catching, especially to children, with the many colorful and twinkling lights. It's also a wonder for both adults and children alike to look at the numerous tinsels, baubles and figurines such as fairies, angels and little babies that adorn the main Christmas tree in the center of shopping malls and others in department stores. These trees are usually extremely well embellished with decorations that are arranged in a very professional way that most shoppers can't replicate in their own homes. It's therefore a delight for them to stare at such trees in wonder and amazement.

Along with the wide variety of decorations in retail establishments, there also is the sound of music playing, bells ringing, the laughter and wishes of Merry Christmas from shoppers that also create a special atmosphere and add to the magic of Christmas. Even the sound of cash registers in the background adds something to the special feeling shoppers have at Christmas time.

And of course there's always a Santa Claus that children can meet and tell what they want for Christmas, and also have their picture taken. Sometimes Santa Claus may distribute Christmas gifts to children, telling them that because they have been very, very good they are getting an extra special early Christmas present.

The ability to delight children by telling them stories about Santa Claus, as well as making them see and talk to the jolly old fellow, puts a lot of magic and excitement into Christmas. Once the tradition is started, or from the first time that children have been told the story, it becomes something that they look forward to every year during the Christmas season.

There's also the sound of music from choirs or school groups who often give open performances singing Christmas carols and songs in malls and downtown areas of towns. Families and others who are out and about will pause to listen or to sing along with these groups.

Shopping is undoubtedly an enjoyable activity for most people during Christmas, but merrier and more memorable times are enjoyed when time is spent with family, friends and colleagues during the season. Before Christmas Day arrives, there usually are parties at home and at work, an evening out with friends and other occasions to get together and share the spirit of Christmas. The presence of special Christmas music and people dressed in holiday attire provide a different atmosphere and contribute to the magical feeling of the season.

Another thing that is different at Christmas is the scent from a fresh Christmas tree, of gingerbread and other cookies baking and other food preparations that are specially done at Christmas time. Most people who select a real Christmas tree instead of an artificial one for their homes do so because of the wonderful scent it provides. For many people, that scent from a Christmas tree is what puts Christmas into everything else.

Another popular scent at Christmas comes from the popular Christmas song 'Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire.' The actual roasting of chestnuts by families during the Christmas season may be a rare occurrence these days but it is occasionally done in some downtown areas and in bakeries and confectioneries that make fresh products everyday.

All these events, activities, happenings, sights, sounds and scents of Christmas and the holidays create special and unforgettable memories. And who can deny that a pleasant memory is always something that is truly magical.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/the-magic-of-christmas--817809.html

About the AuthorTo read about pygmy elephants and elephants endangered, visit the About Animals site.

Top Five Christmas Card Designs

Time to get those Christmas cards ready to be mail for Christmas. What design should you choose for this year? Fear not, with the top five Christmas Cards Designs list will help to give you some wonderful ideas.


Find out more here

What to say when kids ask, "Is Santa Real?"

This article helps parents to find responses to this question. After all Santa is real he lives in the hearts of each and everyone of us.

Find out more here.

Dairy and Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie

Looking for a recipe that is Dairy free and/or Gluten Free? This wonderfully yummy pumpkin pie recipes has just want you are looking for. Both Dairy and Gluten free Pumpkin Pie Recipe will meet your needs will still dazzling your taste buds with that beloved taste of Pumpkin Pie.

Find out how Here

Top 5 Party Themes for Christmas

Not all Christmas party are the same. On the list of the top five party theses for Christmas shows five great a different party themes. Have some extra fun with your Christmas party and gives these themes a try.

Read More

Top Five Gifts For Men

Not sure what to get for the men in your life this Christmas. Instead of grabbing the same old things that the men never seem to use, here is a list of the top five Christmas gifts for men.

Read More Here

Friday, November 26, 2010

Themed Christmas Trees

Looking for something unique or different for Christmas decorations on the Christmas tree? Making a themed Christmas tree may be the way to go. There are many themes to choose from. Here are some great theme ideas from author Joylovesturtles

Money Christmas Tree
Disney Theme Christmas Tree
Football Theme Christmas Tree

If your family has a large interest into one thing, whatever that one thing is can be the theme for the Christmas tree. The rest just take a little imagination. For example if your family likes to go hiking you can make the Christmas charters go hiking. Add little hiking sticks and shoes.

Overall it doesn't matter what you decorate the Christmas tree with as long as you and your family like the Christmas tree. Just remember to be safe.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Bad Christmas Gifts

It happens to the best of us. Someone just doesn't have good taste. I remember Mom always having that reminder talk with us as the car ride became closer to our Christmas party destination. We were always told to remember it was the thought that counts. The thought of the gift was intended to be good and you can always return, sell, or re-gift it.

Here are some ways to react to the bad gift so you don't hurt the givers feelings.
Read More Here

Top Ten Christmas Gifts in 2010 for Children

Boys:
Wonder what hot for boys this year? Are boys still into the same old stuff? Here is an article about the top ten toys the boys are going to want this Christmas.


Find out what Boys Want Here

Girls:
Is there a little Girl on your shopping list? Here is a look at the top ten gifts for Girls in 2010.

Find out what Girls want Here

Funny Christmas Songs

Christmas songs with a twist leads us into the Funny Christmas Songs section. The Funny Christmas songs are a bit more popular with children then the slow serious songs. These songs are the perfect thing to play for Children as well on Christmas, they love them.

Top Five Funny Christmas Songs.

Top Five Tips to Survive through Black Friday

According to BIGresearch, 138 million Americans will be battling over this year’s Black Friday Doorbusters. With limited numbers of amazing deals, you’ll need a couple of tricks up your sleeves in order to get everything on your shopping list.
Here are some tips to Survive