Christmas Fun Photo Gifts

Christmas Photos

2010 Santa Photo

 Christmas photos make great gift, even if they are not exactly what one may have wanted. People spend so much time, money, and effort on creating the perfect Christmas photo for cards, framing, or placing on gifts such as cups, mouse pads, or blankets. Over the years, it has occurred to this family that all the time and money that goes into trying to get that perfect shot, is a pain in the tuchas!

In 2010, my husband about flipped while watching our youngest two boys scream, cry, and try to escape while being forced to sit on Santa's lap. Meanwhile, I stood back and said, just take the picture (kinda thinking it was pretty funny), and this was one of two photos taken. While the husband yelled because the kids totally ruined the picture and embarrassed us at the mall, I said, "we've got our card."

In all honesty, this photo has become a classic and one of the most desired by the family. Everyone wants a copy, even after four years, they still ask for it to be on a magnet or on another Christmas card. After this, instead of using purely Christmas themed photos on cards, vacation and special events became the focus.

Since most folks already have tons of photos saved throughout the years,why not use what one already has instead of making the family buy clothes and sit in a session (not to mention the wait time)? 

Christmas Photo Tips:

• Use vacation photos, one of the whole family, one of the kids, and one of the parents
• If several vacations occurred, feature a picture from each
• Use now and then pics of the parents or kids (baby's 1st Christmas and a recent picture, Parent's wedding and Parent's now photo)-the now pics can be taken outside the house, during the Spring, Summer, or Fall, or from a trip
• Use a series of family Christmas pictures, showing how the family has grown over the years-this can be parents and kids, this could also include whole families (for those whose families take a big photo when everyone is in one place), it is a great remembrance for many relatives
• Take a Christmas photo in front of a large Christmas tree or display in town, the home tree, or on the fireplace under the stockings

The main goal is, keep it simple and cost efficient-speaking of which, Shutterfly is doing 40% off everything for Christmas in July and it ends tomorrow-so check it out!!! Merry Christmas!!!

 

Tinsel Wreaths

Tinsel Wreaths 

Tinsel can be so much fun during the holidays. As a kid, my favorite part about the tree was the lights and the tinsel-after that, I was good with just putting some balls and candy-canes on there. Wrapping siblings up in tinsel, using it for hats or scarfs and having parents get frustrated because it got everywhere was sooo much fun! 

Tinsel is a great decoration for any holiday and using this simple way to make a tinsel wreath, any holiday can be totally "so Tinsel!!!" 

Materials

• Styrofoam Wreath
• Glue Gun or Double Sided Tape
• Rope Tinsel/Garland, any color desired 

 Directions:

 

Run a line of glue on the Styrofoam wreath and place the first end of tinsel against it. Lay it glued side up on a table for a few minutes to let the glue set. Tightly wrap the tinsel around the Styrofoam, leaving no gabs. Glue the last piece to the foam wreath or fold into the back side of the wreath (it can even be tied in a simple knot around an already existing piece of garland). Add a bow.

 

Tip: Instead of glue, use double sided tape and don't wait to wrap.

 

Some items to add could be balls or other ornaments glued on, or use garland that already has decorations like candy canes or trees on it and just add a bow.  Easy Cheesy. Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Kale Salad

Kale Salad with Cranberry Salad Dressing

Kale is considered a super food and cranberries are filled with antioxidants, combine the two and one might get one super salad!!! Or at least a fantastic tasty one. In many cases, be it Thanksgiving or Christmas, most people have leftover cranberry sauce or a whole can left over. Instead of waiting for the next holiday, or even year, create a salad using the cranberries as a sweet and tangy dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Kale Salad Mix
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup jellied or whole cranberry sauce 
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (optional)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1/3 cup sugar, more or less if desired
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 2 tablespoons orange zest (optional)
• Apples (thinly sliced) or sliced plum set to the side

Directions:

1. Pour the Kale Salad mix into a large salad bowl, set aside.
2. Finely chop pecans or walnuts in a food processor, place in a small bowl and mix in dried cranberries. Toss into the Kale Salad mix. 
3. Heat the cranberry sauce in a microwavable bowl for about a minute, until partly liquified (or use a food processor and add the orange juice and balsamic vinegar to liquify).
4. Stir in the sugar, juice, balsamic vinegar, and salt.
5. Toss the dressing into the salad, sprinkle orange zest on top, and serve alongside apples or plums.

This would make a good edition to holiday menus or for an after holiday meal that is not so heavy. Add some turkey in there and leftovers will be gone before too long, leaving everyone time to settle down before the next holiday wave. Merry Christmas!!!

 

Christmas in July

Christmas in July!!!

Christmas in July is supposedly on July 25th and for anyone celebrating, turn to Music Choice to listen to Christmas songs and get some tips for a gathering. Music Choice has offered tips such as making eggnog-coladas, turning a swim tube into a candy cane, adding crushed peppermints to S'mores, having an ugly tank top party, and even pulling out the Christmas decorations and hanging a few lights and decorating any type of tree with a sea star on top! 

These are terrific tips, especially for those of us who are full of holiday spirit year round, but it never occurred to me to have an actual Christmas party. Apparently, Australia offers holiday menus during the month and a place in Africa actually celebrates with a big bash complete with contests and gifts. Even so, for America it is all about the retailers and it seems as if toys, ornaments, and sweaters are marked down quite a bit during this time. Probably to make way for the new ones coming in for the season. 

However, since it is Christmas in July, nothing says holiday like lights and ornaments, and the best part is, since it is summer, the best place to decorate is the porch and backyard.

Christmas in July BBQ

Preparing for a Christmas in July BBQ might be somewhat fun. Not as many ornaments need to be pulled out, one does not have to worry about buying a bunch of gifts, and decorating is easy.

• Decorations-Pull out some Christmas lights, string them around the porch, hang a fake wreath or wrap tinsel around the lights or hang a few ornaments on the lights. Place tiki torches in the yard, tell friends and family they are welcome to bring their own chairs and have a CD player on the porch playing Christmas CD's.
• Tablescape- Place a Christmas tablecloth over the main table. Go to a craft store and find fake Poinsettia's  and arrange them in a glass jar or vase filled with seashells. Make that the only decoration on the table besides the food-have each guest bring a side dish.
• Gift Exchange- Do a grab bag style gift exchange, it could even be an ornament exchanged-used or new, perfect to get before the season begins. Keep gifts under 10 or 5 dollars.
• Reindeer Games- Okay, there is no snow, but there is water balloons, Frisbee, Football, Baseball, and there could even be an obstacle course set up with silly prices. If it's real hot, get some water slides or just use the sprinkler to let kids cool off in. Also, get a sand box (if you dare) and see if guests can build a sand snowman.
• Kids Crafts- it is a good idea to have some crafts in mind just in case it rains and the kids cannot be outside. One would be to make snowman using glue, cotton balls, construction paper, and kid safe scissors-easy breezy. Another idea is get a bunch of plain sugar cookies, have different colored icings, sprinkles, colored sugar and other edible goodies laid out for the kids to create their own Christmas Cookie Ornament and eat it!! Overall, keep it simple.
• Christmas Movie- okay, to end the evening, sit back and enjoy a Christmas movie favorite.

For those who want to really annoy the neighbors, SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS LOUD!!!! Anyways, Merry Christmas!

Grove Park Gingerbread Houses

Grand Winner 2013

Gingerbread Houses

All around the country, people are preparing for one of the grandest gingerbread competitions in the U.S.A. The National, annual, gingerbread house contest at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C. The grand hotel was an invention by a pharmacist from Tennessee who had become ill and began staying in Asheville for th fresh air and relaxation, in the 1890s. With the opening of the Biltmore House and the seemingly growing popularity of the area, Grove was able to create what is now a "AAA four-diamond hotel (wikipedia.org, 2014). 

Going on 22 years, this grand resort will be judging 100s of gingerbread creations from kid ages to adults. This competition has been featured on Food Network and brings in professional judges, and the competitor's are already preparing their craft in hopes of winning. From Diagon Alley and Hogwarts to Santa's Village and Historic Homes, competitors lack nothing in the area of creativity and the scene is overwhelmingly Christmas.

Even though, come November, these gingerbread enthusiast will be sweating it out while awaiting the score, I will be home praying my simple gingerbread graham cracker home and marshmallow snowman hold out until Christmas without falling or being eaten. Yep, not everyone is gifted in creating a dreamlike gingerbread scene, but one thing is for sure, Gingerbread is very holiday and nothing says it like the smell of Gingerbread throughout the home.

  

Tips on enjoy Gingerbread:

• Bake and decorate gingerbread cookies with kids. Let them do everything from rolling to decorating, using icing, raisins, holiday semi-sweet morsels, and more. It is a great family event and may become a yearly tradition.
• Get gingerbread scented candles. Easy, no mess to make, still get the smell.
• Build a gingerbread fort using baked gingerbread broken into rock like pieces held together with icing. Bake a few gingerbread men, prop them up against the fort walls or using graham crackers, sprinkle coconut flakes around with crush peppermint to make it look snowy and holiday (I ice blue or red hats on the men because for me the fort is like Valley Forge, I am a BIG Revolutionary War fanatic).
• Bake a gingerbread cake from scratch or the box.

So, even though not everyone can be or feels like taking the time to be a great builder of the treat, it is still fun to enjoy in other ways, and if anyone is around Asheville during the holiday season, check out the Gingerbread competition, it is never disappointing. Happy Christmas!!!!

Christmas Shopping Deals

Christmas Shopping: Deals and Unique Gifts

 Tomorrow QVC channel will begin Christmas in July!!! I have an aunt who actually buys most, if not all, gifts on HSN and QVC in July. For those wondering what to look forward to, go to the QVC website and check out some of the items. Of course, everyone will see tons of decorative pieces from lanterns to lighted garland but there is also PS4 games and sets along with fleeces, bath products, candles, and more. So, for the next few days, hope everyone will enjoy more Christmas in July.

Admittedly, not all gifts are the best deal on television and there are products that can be found online at better prices. A personal favorite way to find gifts in by buying used items on Amazon. It might seem strange, but 99% of the used items I have bought on Amazon have been used once, never used, or is in excellent condition. The best part is, PRICE! A favorite gift to but for people is always Cd's, especially Christmas Cd's, which I give out between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Prices range from .01 to $5, most of the time. If the CD is a new Release, used items can still be found but the prices tend to start at the $5 and up mark but there is still a good discount. 

Tip: To make the CD look festive (and just in case it comes from a library with a library sticker on it) put it in a Red or Green CD case which can be found at Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, etc. 

Other great finds on the site is game systems (which are marked down some) and games (really great buy). Kindles and iPhone can be found for a good deal, and of course books are always priced fairly on the site. Toys can be a good buy on there, but, as with any other place, it is hard to find a good deal on toys and almost seems as if they are not on sale during the holidays-but if one shops at least two weeks before Christmas or Black Friday online, deals can be had. 

One thing that can also be found on eBay and Amazon is make-up (Estee Launder, Lancome, Clinique, etc.) and make-up kits and home goods (mats, curtains, bedding, candles). Honestly, on eBay, I look for unused items or items listed as like new. When it comes to make-up, unused or NIB (new in box) is best-as well as when it comes to underwear. A favorite candle is Partylite Candles and they can be found at awesome prices on eBay, there are even holiday scents from previous years, sometimes even the same year, that will be marked down. However, beware of the bidding war, tip: do not go over $16, $20 max on the samplers and not over $30 on the three wicks-at those prices for the candles, it is cheaper to just buy from the catalog, but when buying the decorative holders, in most cases it is cheaper.

Tip: When buying items online or looking for deals try to find out what the actual price of the item is before hand. This way a deal can be found. 

Hopefully this will be helpful tips, thoughts, and gift suggestions and the folks out there will be able to find something at a good price for friends and family. Happy Christmas!!!!

 

Stocking and Card Wreath

Christmas Wreaths and Bows

The last two posts have been about wrapping presents, thought this one could be about wreaths and bows. This lady is not good at making such things so my idea of making wreaths and bows is either buying them or using materials that are easy to figure out. 

Stocking Wreath

This is a simple wreath to make and one can use a hanger and twine or just twine for the wreath. 

Materials:

• Enough small red stockings to cover the circle (24+ is a safe bet)  
• A ball of twine
• Hanger, stretched out into a circle
• Scissors
• Big Green or Red Bow that can be tied on to hide the hook of the hanger
• Candy Canes for each stocking (small or large)

Directions:

1. Stretch hanger into a circle.
2. Tie each small stocking tightly to the hanger by putting a piece of twine through the stocking loop. Make sure all stockings are going in the same direction.
3. Tie the bow onto the hanger hook.
4. Place candy cans in the stockings.
5. Hang the wreath.

Doesn't get much simpler than that with this woman, unless the wreath is already made. Then it is all about decorating.

Card Wreath

Using a large wreath, wrapping ribbon, a large bow, and Christmas cards, this is a great way to display family and friend's Holiday cheer.

Materials:

• Christmas Cards
• Large Wreath
• Thin wrapping ribbon
• Large Bow
• Hole Puncher
• Scissors
• Tinsel (optional)
• Small Shiny Christmas Balls (optional)

Directions:

1. Punch holes into the top closed corner of each card being used.
2. Thread 3-4 inch pieces of ribbon through the holes, tie the ribbon into a double knot at the top (leave a hole in the ribbon so it can hang on the wreath).
3. Place the cards on the wreath.
4. Place icicle tinsel around the wreath along with Christmas balls.
5. Place the Bow on top center or bottom center and hang the wreath in a noticeable spot.

These are just a few ideas on Christmas wreaths, more to come. Merry Christmas, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to year"-ELF  

 

Christmas Wrapping Ideas

Christmas Presents: Wrapping Ideas

The presentation of the Christmas gift is extremely important. A well wrapped gift seems as if lots of thought was put into the present, even if it was not, but what if one is cursed with the inability to do a spectacular wrapping job? Well, that's when embellishments and some creative come into play.

How to Make Christmas Gifts Memorable

 

Buying the gift is half the battle, making it look perfect in wrapping present is the war. Do not fear, here are several more tips for those of us who need help in this department.

1. Use Christmas Stockings: Instead of wrapping the presents use a Christmas stocking stuffed with holiday tissue paper or even confetti (made by shredding green and red construction paper), hide the present in there and tie a gift tag to the stocking loop. Not only will the receiver get their gift, they will also get a stocking and remember the giver.
2. Shoe Boxes: Okay, it seems odd, but wrapping a shoe box, the lid and bottom, is not so bad. So, pick a favorite paper, wrap the shoe box, lid and bottom separately, place the gift on top of tissue paper or confetti, place the lid on, put a bow in one of the top corners with a gift tag and a candy cane. Simple but different.
3. Photo Gift Wrap: This is somewhat different and out side of the box or bag, so to speak. This can be done two ways: Using a Christmas Bag or Plain Colored or Simple Patterned Wrapping paper (snowflakes, Christmas lights, Christmas Trees, etc.). Print out a family Christmas photo or photos to use for the gifts and get so wrapping ribbon (do not worry, no bows will be made). Also, get some double sided tape and scissors. 

          Photo Christmas Bag:

• Do not unfold the bag. Determine which side the photo is to go on. 
• Use the double sided tape to place the photo in the middle of the bag.
• Make a border using the thick ribbon, cut into four parts for each side, and double sided tape.
• Place tissue paper and present inside, and basically tag it and bag it!

         Photo Christmas Present

• Wrap the present, place the photo in the middle, make the border.

The best part about this is one could write who the gift is for in marker and does not have to say who it is from because there is a photo. 

So, those are a few more ideas on how to wrap Christmas presents or at least give them. One other tip for the day, when buying Christmas gifts online, do not wait until Black Friday to start, prices most certainly go up, items get sold faster, and sometimes mail gets messed up. Some of the best deals happen before the Holidays and most folks on EBay up the prices in December, so shop early. Happy Christmas!!!!

How to Wrap Christmas Presents

Christmas Presents:

How to Wrap

Warning: this is not a 12 step program or informational on how to wrap Christmas gifts. Do not worry, this is ideas on what kind of paper to wrap with and how to decorate gifts to make them look a little fancy without having to curl up twenty ribbons and fight with multiple attempts making a halfway decent bow.

On Thursday, Home and Family hosts mentioned how to use ornaments as a gift tag or as a simple decoration on top of gifts. Over the years, I have learned such suggestions are extremely helpful. I am not gifted with the ability to make ribbons, mini wreaths, or beautifully curled bows as my mom and sister have been. Since I lack the capability of doing such, I've used other methods to make my presents unique.

Memorable Wrapping Paper

  What parent does not want to remember their child's tiny hand and footprints, and what grandparent does not turn into a joyful mess when seeing those prints on anything given to them (especially grandma's)? This is a great way to wrap a gift, be it from the family or from the child. Not only will the receiver like the gift, they will want to keep the wrapping paper.

Materials:

• Large Paper Bags with the bottoms cut off or Kraft Wrapping Paper
• Small Bows
• Green Paint for Finger Painting, kid safe
• Markers
• Scissors
• Clear Tape

Directions:

Cut out the size of paper needed to wrap the gift, lay flat on a hard surface. Place one foot at a time into the paint (to make it less messy, use a brush and paint the paint onto the bottom of the foot). Place the painted foot slightly pointed out onto the paper. Repeat with the second foot. Let the paint dry. Once it has dried, write the name of the child and year on the gift, wrap the present, place the on the heels of the painting and get ready to give.

Families could also make a wreath using all the hands of the children in the family or even all the feet. For the bow, use the child with the largest feet. 

Wreath Wrapping

Materials-Same as above-plus red paint-omit red ribbon (optional)

Directions:

Cut out the paper needed, determine how the gift will be wrapped and plan on placing the wreath front and center. Place one pair of hands into the paint, or paint the paint on, and start where the top of the wreath will be with fingers pointing away from the child, hands together. Go around in a circle with each child (if needed alternate, let the kids take turns to create the wreath) with fingers away from the person. Let the paint dry. Write the names of the hands owner beneath each pair. Let the child with the largest feet or any child, use the red paint to make a bow (one foot at a time pointed out). Let paint dry. Write the year under the bow and wrap the gift.

These are wonderful ideas and I will share some more tomorrow, when it comes to wrapping. Merry Christmas ya'll!!

 

Christmas in July

 So, yesterday peppermint bark was a Christmas gift idea, today, after viewing the Home and Family episode on Hallmark with Debbie Macomber, maybe it would be interesting to think about when the best time to shop for gifts would be. One of the host of the show believes July is the best time to buy, but I would say end of summer beginning of fall (and sometimes mid-fall), is a better time.


For years, I've been able to find items from clothes to make-up to bedding and baby marked up to 80% off around autumn. Especially in department stores such as Sears, Kohl's, Penny's, Macy's, and Belks. The only product that seems to be a pain in the rear to find for a decent price is TOYS! The best advice to give to parents, start shopping for toys before autumn. 

Last year I decided to begin buying one Christmas gift for each of my children once a week for 10 weeks. My boys love Lego's, cars, and, of course, video games and anything electronic. So, in order to keep from splurging when Black Friday hit, I made sure I set aside time to go to one store (mainly Wal-Mart) and grab a gift for Christmas. Not only did this help reduce cost (for 3 boys, ages 4-9, the total cost was well under $200), it also ensured that they got an equal amount of gifts-some large, some small, and many ended up being on sale and I mean big time sale. These boys got small to medium Lego sets that I found for up to 60% off, books up to 25% off, and even found a game system they wanted on eBay for $50.00 with games. Of course, they each got an outfit, shirt, jeans, and socks and undies (socks and undies count as 1 gift and is the stocking stuffer with candy in our home), and all on sale from Old Navy, Sears, and Penny's.

Pumpkin Bread

Even so, there are numerous ways to save money during the Holidays, here are some tips:

1. Start Early
2. Plan the gifts
3. Make a list (and yes, check it thrice), mark off items when bought
4. Do not become discouraged if something is not found. It might be a good idea to plan for a back-up gift for some people just to be sure items can be found.
5. Keep it simple. For the extended family, friends, colleagues, think of gifts such as candles, soap, bath items, food, calendars, or even gift cards (lots of folks like gift cards, and a $5 Starbucks card can make for a great day!). This not only makes shopping easier, it tends to be less expensive, and less stressful.

Of course, after getting the gifts one must wrap it and tomorrow I will present a couple of cute wrapping ideas and, trust me, this wrapping paper will not get thrown away. Merry July!!!!

Hallmark Christmas in July

Hallmark Christmas in July

Can you believe it is already that time of year when Hallmark  is about to release its Christmas ornaments? The plus is, Christmas movies on Hallmark, Christmas previews of upcoming specials, Christmas events on Home and Family, and of course, being able to see some fun ornaments soon. Even so, it seems so quick, school one month away, fall two months, then Halloween when the Hallmark Channel will start its countdown to Christmas!!! It's Christmas insanity and I love it.

For those wondering, the Keepsake ornaments will be in the stores on July 12th, 2014. Also, as an added bonus, this weekend on ABC Family, Home Alone 2 will be airing on Friday evening, right after Casper, and before Harry Potter weekend. "Now that's holiday!" So, for all of us wishing for autumn and Christmas, between ABC Family and the Hallmark Channel, we should get our fill.

Since it is close to Christmas, it is time to start thinking about gifts and decorations (yes, July is close, once August ends, the time will fly). So starting now, here is the first suggested gift for someone at Christmas....FOOD.

A batch of cookies, fudge, or my favorite peppermint bark.

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. bag white chocolate morsels
• 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 12 finely crushed candy canes
• Cookie sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Baking spray 
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or half-n-half (optional)

Directions:

1. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper, spray well with the baking spray.
2. Crush Candy Canes in a food processor or by putting them in a freezer bag, placing them on a couple of folded towels and use a kitchen hammer or a real one until finely crushed, set aside.
3. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave according to package instructions, if it seems too thick, add about a teaspoon of milk to thin out, or melt the chocolate in a double boiler on the stove, turn the heat to medium-low (if there is no double boiler, place a round baking dish (oven safe) with handles over a pot fill about half way with water, stay with it and stir to keep it from sticking.
4. Once the semi-sweet is melted, add half of the crushed peppermint by folding it in. Spread onto the parchment paper and put it in the refrigerate until hardened for 1-2 hours.
5. Once the semi-sweet is hardened, melt the white chocolate (microwave or stove method).
6. Pour the white chocolate over the semi-sweet and spread out, sprinkle the rest of the peppermint on top and place in the refrigerate for up to 4 hours to hardened make sure the door can close and do not use the freezer).
7. After the bark has set, pick it up in the parchment paper and place on a large cutting board or clean surface. Before breaking, peel off the parchment.
8. Break or cut into squares or triangles and put in large Mason Jars with ribbons and tags or decorative tins or boxes.

Nothing says Merry Christmas like food, and this peppermint bark is a definite win when it comes to gift giving and can keep for up to a month! Alright, enjoy and let's keep talking Christmas :)