Halloween: Decorating For The Holiday

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Baseball Theme Decorated Christmas Tree

If you’re thinking of decorating your tree a little differently this year consider doing a Christmas Tree Decorated with a Baseball Theme.  You will likely be the only one doing this in your area and you will certainly have a unique and fun Christmas tree.

Make a Baseball Theme Christmas Tree

Are you a fan of sports?  Ever thought about decorating your tree in a baseball theme?  Here’s how:

Get yourself a white tree and some white ball ornaments.  Turn the ornaments into baseballs using red paints or red marker.  Make baseball gloves to hang on the tree by having your child place his hand on a piece of cardboard and then insert the cut-out prints into brown gloves.  Attach some brown wool and hang them on the tree.

Add some baseball bats too.  Get out your favorite cookie recipe and shape the dough into small baseball bats.  Get out your favorite cookie recipe and shape the dough into small baseball bats.  There’s no need for food color, they’ll brown during baking.  Tie the bats at their neck with ribbon or wool and hang on the tree.  Personlize the bats with your kids names or names of your favorite players by using melted chocolate in a pastry gun.

Use the colors of your favorite team to make a tree skirt out of fabric.  If you shoose the New York Yankees, for example, take some white fabric and add a black border.  Then cut out and sew on the letters to spell New York Yankees.  Add sparkles of red.If you have a team logo blanket or sheet on hand you may want to use this instead.

Create your favorite teams’ logo to go on top of the tree.  Using the New York Yankees logo as an example again, follow these steps:

Decorate a piece of cardboard by painting it with your teams’ colors, for example black and white pinstripes.

Punch two holes in the cardboard and put black wool through the holes to attach to the top tree branch.

Or, an alternative would be to hang your team’s hat on the top of the tree.

Don’t forget to add lights, they could be in your team colors or a complimentary color.  Now you’ve got a one of a kind Christmas tree for your home.

Christmas Tree Decor For Small Spaces

If you live in a small space you don’t have to do without a Christmas tree.  There are many things you can do to create a holiday atmosphere.  Here are some Christmas tree decor ideas for those who live in smaller spaces.

How To Decorate a Christmas Tree in a Small Space

Are you short on space and have no room for a large tree, regardless if it’s real or fake?  This small space shouldn’t prevent you from buying a tree altogether, you just need to plan accordingly.   Here are a few ways to make the most of your small space this holiday season and create fantastic Christmas tree decor:

Ceramic Trees

Ceramic trees are beautiful accents for any part of your home.  There are some that light up, creating holiday cheer.  Place one in a child’s bedroom, in your home office or even on an end table in the living room.

Decorating

You can decorate a small tree yourself, or purchase one already decorated  For example, you could decorate your kitchen by using a white tree with ornatments that compliment the kitchen decor.  Using a tree skirt that matches your living room or den will accent the colors of that room.

Home Office

Small trees go well in an home office.  They are usually placed on a desk, counter top or filing cabinet.  Fun novelty trees such as those that sing and dance are popular for the office.

Upside-down Tree

Did you know about this?  You can get trees that hang upside down.  They are not new, but have increased in popularity as a space-saving way to decorate.  A couple of advantages include more space under the tree and ornaments don’t get shaken off by pets.

Even if you have a small place, are single or just don’t want to take up too much space with a large tree; you can have a Christmas tree that looks great using these holiday decorating ideas.

Christmas Tree Decorating Themes

Would you like to have a Christmas tree that looks a little more original this year?  The traditional look is great but why not consider changing it up.  Here are some great Christmas Tree decorating themes you might want to consider.

Great Themes For The Christmas Tree

The traditional tree is constantly evolving from the typical tree that many grew up with.  It now comes in a wide range of types, sizes, shapes and colors.  Here are some ideas and some of the most popular themes for Christmas trees:

Musical Tree

A musical tree is very popular.  You place different musical ornaments throughout the tree on the branches and use a piano tree skirt.

Candle Tree

The candle tree has been around for many, many years.  To set one up you put candles in holders and tie the holders to the tree branches.  You can then use white lights around the tree and a simple gold colored tree skirt.  Never leave a candle tree unattended though as it can be a safety hazard.

Angel Tree

Another popular Christmas tree decorating theme is the angel tree.  Use a white tree and adorn it with golden-winged angels that are placed on the branches.  Us gold garland to garnish, and place an angel atop the tree.  A golden tree skirt makes a beautiful finishing touch to this tree.

Hummel Ornaments

If over the years you have been purchasing or been given Hummel ornaments, these make a great tree theme since they are beautiful and delicate.  Each ornament can be placed on a branch and use a larger ornament as a tree topper.  Add white lights and an elegant and simple tree skirt such as a brown skirt with a nice lace border.

Doll Tree

Using a doll on top of the tree with a flowing gown would be a beautiful addition to the Christmas tree decor.

Candy

Who doesn’t want a tree decorated with candy?  Your kids will have a blast trying to figure out which candies to use and you’ll have lots of fun trying to stop them from eating them all before they get to the tree.  Candy canes work great on the branches, use lifesavers to create a garland.  If you have a white tree to decorate, take red vines on each of the branches or ties kisses in silver wrapping on the branches to look like bells.

Cookie Tree

Another favorite tree decorating idea is a cookie tree.  Bake your favorite cookies and remember to leave a hole in the middle for the ribbon to go through.  You can also add your favorite cookie cutters to the tree.  Make Christmas cookie balls with a hole in the center for string and create a garland with them.  The biggest problem with a cookie tree is, like the candy tree, you’ll have to watch for people trying to eat the ornaments!

Toyland

Young and old kids enjoy the popular toyland tree.  A great idea is to do something along the lines of your “favorite things” like the song from the movie Sound of Music. For example, use dolls in white dresses with blue satin sashes; ornaments of cream colored ponies; sleigh bells, and crisp apple strudels.  Turtledoves can be used to represent “the wild geese that fly” , use white construction paper to cut out and past “the moon on their wings”.

No matter how you decorate your Christmas tree, have fun, and remember that it doesn’t have to be the traditional tree to create a beautiful holiday atmosphere.

How To Make a Christmas Tree Ornament

Knowing how to make a Christmas tree ornament can save you some money, and it’s fun too.  Here are three ornaments you can make from things you’ve got around the house.

Make Ornaments With Items Around Your House: 3 Examples

It isn’t cheap to buy a bunch of decorations or ornaments for the holidays.  There are things you can make at home with less cost, here are three cute ideas for things you can make using things around the house.

1. Paper Tree Ornaments:  Cut a Christmas tree out of white construction paper.  Let your child personalize each one by coloring, adding his name, glitter, drawing, etc to make it look like it has ornaments on it.  You can use these trees and string them together for the tree or make a holiday border in a child’s room.

2. Stocking Ornaments:  You can use whatever material you have on hand to make your own Christmas stocking ornaments.  Using different style and color fabrics will make them very colorful and bright.  Take some ribbons, bows or beads and hot glue them on, personalize it by writing or sewing on the child’s name.  When the stocking is finished, take fabric cut into a loop and sew it onto the stocking for hanging.  Hang them on the tree with pride!

3. Cookie Ornaments:  Bake up cookies to hang on the tree using whatever cookie cutters you have available.  If you don’t have any cookie cutters, don’t worry, you can make your own designs.  For example, a pretzel shaped cookie can be easily hung on a branch or decorated with ribbons.  Take a small piece of your favorite dough and rool it out to about three inches, then take the two ends and overlap them at the top to form an upside down letter ”Q”, or any loop shape.  When you’ve got the pretzel fully baked, you can take some ribbon and tie it through the hole and then hang it on the tree.

It fun to make homemade holiday ornaments, not only does the family enjoy it but it lets your child get creative and work his imagination.  There is always more meaning attached to something that is handmade, and it’s a wonderful way to spend more time with your children.  You can also give handmade ornaments as gifts!

So take a look around your house before you go out and spend cash on Christmas ornatments.  It will surpise you that you’ll have things you can use without spending a cent.

Kids Can Make Christmas Decorations!

Making Christmas Decorations With The Kids

Chistmas holidays are like no other time of year, filled with family and friends.  It’s also a happy occasion because the kids are home from school and it’s a time when great memories that last a lifetime are made.  Taking some time to make Christmas decorations with your kids will be something they will remember for a long time.  Here are some ideas how to start:

1. Christmas Card Holder:  Everyone gets lots of Christmas cards and it can be a challenge figuring out where to store them.  Use an empty tissue box for storing holiday cards.  First, cut the top off the box, then wrap it in Christmas paper.  You can also decorate the outside with holly, ivy and ribbon.  Put your holidays cards inside and you’ve got a great looking storage container for them.

2. Table Centerpiece:  An affordable and easy craft you can do with the kids is to take Christmas ornament bulbs of different colors and sizes.  Take a large glass bowl or vase and add the bulbs, you will need to assist smaller kids in doing this so they don’t break the bulbs. You could also add some holly to decorate it more. This makes a beautiful and colorful holiday centerpiece for the table.

3. Paper Chain:  Take several colors of construction paper and cut them up into strips.  Attach the ends together to form a circle and glue, staple or tape them together.  When you make the next one loop it into the first one to form a chain.  You can do this in Green and Red or just let the kids pick whichever colors they like.  If you want you can wrap it around the tree when it’s long enough.

4. Tree Skirt: You can easily make a tree skirt by taking some felt material that is cut to the right shape, add some bows, sparkles, beads or whatever you have available to make it an original skirt.  For an added touch you could decorate it with trim.  The kids would maybe like to have pictures of Santa and put them along the rim of the skirt.  You could also make a skirt from a quilted type pattern, using different colors and plaids.  This skirt could also be used for a base for poinsettias.

5. Chain of Candy: Kids have fun stringing popcorn and beads around the tree, why not use Lifesavers candy?  Let the kids choose the colors and you could even make it a little lesson by making patterns.  Different color ribbons and twine will give it a Candlyland touch.  You can use candy canes as well.  Since both candies can come wrapped individually, you can take a needle and ribbon (twine or whatever you use) and run it through the wrapping.  When the holidays are over, you get to eat the fun candy chains.

Creating decorations a great way of expressing that the holiday spirit is alive in your home.  Kids love making crafts, the holiday ones will have special meaning and they’ll be proud to display their work.  By creating your decorations your home will be a reflection of who lives there instead of just full of bought sentiments.

Christmas Decorating Tips

If you are like the majority of people, you do not have a lot of time during Christmas to make special decorations. You can make your holiday decorating quick and easy and create a festive atmosphere in your home without spending a lot of time and money, leaving you more time to enjoy the Christmas season with your family. Here are some Christmas decorating tips that are free and inexpensive that will require very little effort:

Use festive tableware for every meal during the month of December. Search your cupboards and drawers and get out anything that looks remotely festive. You can also shop discount and one-dollar stores and find many items for Christmas that you can use every year. You can add to your collection of holiday tableware each year and soon you will have many types of dishes that will make your holidays special.

Try decorating with bows. Ribbons tied around chairs, plants, candlesticks, drapes, stairs and doorknobs make wonderful decorations. Place bows and ribbons in many locations throughout your home for a festive look that is quick and easy. The bows and ribbons do not have to be green and red. You can try many colors or match the bows and ribbons to the colors you have in your home. Choose ribbons that you can reuse each year. When Christmas is over, pack the bows and ribbons carefully so that you can use them again and again.

Put a holiday wreath on every door in your home. Use real pine, holly, and grapevine and decorate with berries, fruit and pinecones. If you purchase artificial wreaths you will be able to use them year after year.

Arrange many candles around the room and turn the lights off during holiday meals. You will create a special, festive atmosphere that will be remembered and anticipated by your family each year. A fire in the fireplace each night will add to the holiday spirit. You can also arrange candles in your bathroom and around your bathtub. Watch small children carefully when you decorate with candles.

Christmas decorating does not have to be difficult or expensive. Simple decorations throughout your house will make fond memories for your family and will be anticipated year after year. Make sure to put out plenty of scented potpourri and scented oils in various locations throughout your home.

Adult Christmas Party Ideas

When throwing a Christmas party for your friends, you want it to be great.  Planning ahead will help you throw a wonderful party where everyone has a good time.  Here are some Christmas party ideas for adults to get you thinking about what to do at your party.

Party Ideas For an Adult Christmas Celebration

It’s the Christmas holiday season and you’ve decide to have a few friends over to celebrate the season.  Here are some Adult Christmas party ideas that will help you get started.

Light the fireplace; put on your favorite Christmas CDs; hang mistletoe in every doorway, and you are ready to begin. Depending on how many guests you will have and how much room you have you may want to choose a buffet or a full out dinner.  Buffet is often the preferred and of course easier choice. You can even get your guests to contribute by asking them to bring a dish along they can share.

The Buffet – What Will We Serve?

A twelve foot sub or hero works well and is easy.  Served hot or cold, it will be enough to serve everyone you have invited.  Another option is to make a few dishes of your own and then invite others to bring along a dish as well. Some examples of popular side dishes are: pigs in a blanket; stuffed mushrooms; chicken rolls, or bite-sized kiss puffs which come in a variety of flavors, as well as knishes. Have on hand your favorite wines, water, colas and of course egg-nog.

The Buffet – How Will It Be Served?

Have a separate table set up in your living room or dining room and place all food on there. Have Christmas plates, napkins and your flatware laid out at the beginning of the table and ready for guests.  You save time doing this and guests don’t have to search for what they need.  Tip: This makes clean up easier for you as well.

A decorated table also adds to the party decor.  Here are some suggestions: Choose a solid color tablecloth; red, green or white.  Christmas placemats can be added as a nice touch.  A crystal bowl filled with beautiful ornaments is a great centerpiece.  Of course it wouldn’t be complete without candles so add two Christmas candles to either side of the centerpiece.  Why not pin garland around the edges of the tablecloth to make it even more decorative?

Party Games – What Can We Play?

After a great buffet dinner and some desert, it’s time to play some party games.  Adults may enjoy charades or a Christmas sing-a-long. Or, how about playing musical chairs but with a twist? The men get down on one knee while the women walk around to the tune of Jingle Bells.  When the music stops, each woman has to sit on a man’s knee. This game is simple but so much fun you’re guest will end up doubled over with laughter.

Of course, it’s just not Christmas without Santa.  Arrange to have someone dress up as Santa’s villain.  Have him wear a wig and a mustache that turns up to his nose.  He could give away gag gifts, or anything that’s funny and appropriate. This is the kind of Christmas party your guests are sure to remember for years to come.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

Every Thanksgiving table should include a centerpiece to add to the festive feel of your dinner. It’s quick and easy to make a Thanksgiving centerpiece from fall flowers, pumpkins, gourds, and greenery. You can create a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece in very little time and for very little money.

CRANBERRY CENTERPIECE
Create another easy centerpiece with only a clear glass vase (any size you desire), two pounds of fresh or dried cranberries, and a large bunch of pink or white carnations. Cut the carnation stems so that the flowers will be just above the top of the vase and remove any leaves. Place the carnations inside the vase and pull the flowers away from the edge. Drop the cranberries into the vase and then fill with water. This is a very easy and inexpensive centerpiece that will look beautiful on your table.

FLORAL PLATTER CENTERPIECE
Here is a simple centerpiece that you can arrange on a tray or platter in just a few minutes: You will need a small potted ivy or mum, a few small gourds or pumpkins, several miniature pumpkins, a few apples, and  some dried or fresh greenery such as leaves, moss, or parsley, and of course the tray or platter in which you will place your arrangement. Place the mum or ivy on one side of the platter and place a gourd and two small pumpkins next to the plant. Make sure you water the plant, but sparingly so as not to overrun or spill the water onto the other items on the platter. Arrange the miniature pumpkins around the platter and place the apples randomly to give a splash of color. Use small apples of both red and green colors. Place the leaves and/or greenery between the apples, gourds, and pumpkins. This makes a wonderful centerpiece that will make your Thanksgiving table a thing of beauty.

HARVEST GLASS BOWL WITH FLOWERS
To make a Thanksgiving centerpiece that includes all the symbols of fall, you will need the following:

- a small glass tumbler
- one very small pumpkin that has had the top cut off and the insides scooped out
- six or more small gourds
- a few dried leaves (preferably in various colors)
- a dozen or more fall flowers such as mums
- a cup of fresh or dried cranberries
- shallow glass bowl

After you have gathered your supplies, place the tumbler inside the pumpkin and fill it halfway with water. Arrange the flowers in the tumbler and place the pumpkin in the glass bowl. Place the bowl containing the pumpkin and the flowers on a cutting board or large glass plate on the table. Arrange the leaves, gourds, and cranberries in a random fashion around the pumpkin. Add a few small candles if you wish. You will have a beautiful centerpiece in just a few minutes of your time.

It is quite easy to make a memorable centerpiece with very little time and money. Use your imagination and add lots of colors and textures to create a centerpiece that will create the perfect Thanksgiving atmosphere.