Five Free Christmas Countdown Banners

Each year I am asked about the countdown banner (shown above) I use here at 365 Days of Christmas.  I love the countdowns; they're festive, fun, and oh so christmas-y.  Here are my Top Five Favorite Christmas Countdown Banners and, best of all, they are free.

These countdowns are not listed in any particular order.

1. 57 different Christmas banner themes can be found at Ult-Tex.net.
2. Noella Designs offers a variety of Christmas banner themes.
3. You will be satisfied with the choices of Christmas banners at Satisfaction.comSatisfaction.com.
4. The variety of countdowns found here are for Halloween and Christmas.
5. Magical Christmas images at FoundMyself.com act as a countdown.

Types of Christmas Trees

There can be a big difference between different types of Christmas trees. Some are not available in all areas, so where you live may be a factor in determining the types that you get to choose from.

 

Colorado Blue Spruce

 

 



 

This is one of the most popular trees among people who want living Christmas trees. The color can be blue but is more likely to be silver or gray. It grows in a conical shape naturally and so there is little need for pruning it. It tends to grow in Southern Canada and Northern USA but it can usually be found in most nurseries or retail tree lots.

Noble Fir

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Noble Fir has strong branches and stays fresh for a long time. The needles can look silvery although they are blue/green in color. It can be used to make wreaths and other decorations because the branches are so strong.

 

Douglas Fir

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the most popular Christmas tree in the USA. It tends to be grown in the Pacific Northwest and is shipped all over the country and even to Asia. It has a pyramid shape and smells sweet.

 

Norway Spruce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a conical shaped tree which tends to drop needles easily so needs to be keep very well watered. It is dark green in color.

 

Virginia Pine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tree has short soft needles and stout woody branches and is conical in shape. It is good for holding ornaments but the dark green needles can turn yellow in late fall which means it needs a tree colorant to keep it green. It is popular though and was originally the main tree for offer in the south east USA.

 

Eastern White Pine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tree has a really nice cone shape and soft needles. It is blue or silvery green in color but the branches are not that strong so heavy ornaments do not work that well. The tree can turn yellow if it is old and so tree colorants may need to be used. It does not have much of a smell and therefore is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

 

Arizona Cypress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tree is commonly found along the east coast of south and south west areas of USA. It tends to be in cut-your-own places and has a lovely smell. It is tall and thin and and is pale green or gray green.

 

Scotch Pine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The color can vary quite a bit from bright green to dark green and even sometimes a blue green color. The branches are strong so great for hanging heavy decorations and the needles do not drop very much. It stays fresh for a long time. It also has a nice conical shape.

 

Eastern Red Cedar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tree can dry out quickly which is why it tends to be sold at cut-your-own farms. It has a pretty cone shape and the colour varies from dark green to purple.

 

Fraser Fir

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a strong tree which can hold heavy decorations and it grown in North Carolina. Its strength means that the branches are often used to make wreaths and other decorations. It keeps its needles well and they are dark green or even blueish on the top and silvery underneath. It has a nice smell and it is for this reason as well as the nice color which makes it one of the most popular trees.

 

Leyland Cypress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tree is not fragrant and is often used as an ornamental landscape plant in England and South East USA. However, it has recently become more popular as a Christmas tree in this area of the USA. It is dark-green to gray in color and is a cone shape.

 

Balsam Fir

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tree is a pyramid shape and dark green. The needles tend to stay on the tree for a very long time and it has a nice smell. It is very popular in Canada as well as North USA.


What Christmas tree do you prefer?

Translation of the Words Merry Christmas

Translation of the Words "Merry Christmas"

Look at "Merry Christmas" in various languages:

• Africa - Een Plesierige Kerfees
• Arabic - Milad Majid
• China - (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
• Corsian - Pace e salute
• Ethiopia - Melkin Yelidet Beaal
• Finland - Hyvaa joulua
• France -Joyeux Noel
• German - Fröhliche Weihnachten
• Greece - Kala Christouyenna
• Hawaii - Mele Kalikimaka
• India - Baradin ki shubh kamnaaye
• Italy - Buone Feste Natalizie
• Korea - Sung Tan Chuk Ha
• Navajo - Merry Keshmish
• Philippines - Maligayang Pasko
• Poland - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
• Portugal - Boas Festas
• Russia - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
• Spanish - Feliz Navidad
• Sweden - God Jul
• Wales - Nadolig Llawen

 

Other Ways to Say "Merry Christmas"

 

A translation of the words "Merry Christmas" is what the phrase means from language to language. In English, there are many phrases that you can use to wish someone a "Merry Christmas." Here are some phrases sorted by the type of greeting:

• Happy: Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas, Have a Happy Yuletide
• Holly: Holly Jolly Holidays; Holly, Jolly Christmas
• Greetings: Christmas Greetings, Season's Greetings, Yuletide Greetings, Warm Greetings, Warm Holiday Greetings, Greetings of the Season, Holiday Greetings
• Tidings: Good Tidings, Glad Tidings
• For Fun: Jingle All the Way, Ho Ho Ho, Let it Snow, Have a Cool Yule

 

Christmas Thought of the Day - 9/8/12

It is being present with those we love

that make the magic of the Christmas season.

Countdown to Christmas, Part Two

There are so many good ideas for making the most of the month of December, so here is part two of Countdown to Christmas.

Here are different versions and adaptations of Countdown Down to Christmas:

• 25 Days of Christmas Count Down by Blue Cricket Design
• A Simpler Season Countdown to Christmas by Life As Mom
• 25 Holiday Activities for Kids by Sheri Reed at The Stir (Toddler-aged activities)
• Advent Calendar Activities at Family Fun
• Advent Countdown Calendar by Design Dazzle.

Years ago, I started a family advent tradition at our house consisting of activities, good deeds, crafts, outings, and more to be done each day in December.  I wanted to focus on family, the spirit of giving, and, of course, Jesus.  I hoped to take the focus off all the commercialism and marketing schemes.  Thankfully, it worked.  Our family enjoys the activities as much -- or more -- than the gifts of Christmas morning.  Our advent tradition is a favorite of both mine and the kids. 

Some activity ideas:

1. Go Christmas caroling.
2. Have a hot chocolate bar for the kids and the neighborhood kids after a fun day of sled riding.
3. Visit Santa Claus and have photos taken.
4. Introduce the Elves for the Christmas season.*  Elf on the Shelf is a great tradition that we have done in our home for over five years. More information about the Elves in a later post.
5. Host a family game night and invite another family.
6. Bake cookies and other desserts for gifts (and the annual open house).
7. Deliver cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc., to local fire fighters, police officers, and senior citizen centers.*
8. Go to a Christmas tree farm to pick out the traditional family Christmas tree.
9. Have a Christmas tree decorating party.  Invite the aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  Take lots of photographs.
10. Go shopping for the annual Christmas ornament based on the children's likes and interests for this past year.  Each child gets to pick out a new ornament.
11. Build a gingerbread house and gingerbread family.*
12. Take the annual family Christmas photos.
13. Write letters to Santa and take them to the post office.*
14. Make a birthday cake for Jesus.*
15. Have a Christmas movie marathon.*
16. Decorate the house with the help from the children.
17. Let the kids create some Christmas cards for their teachers and grandparents.*
18. Have a picnic dinner by the light of the Christmas tree.*
19. Let the children decorate their own Christmas tree.*
20. Host a Christmas craft party for your children and their friends.
21. Have a Christmas wrapping party for the kids.
22. Snuggle up and read Christmas stories.
23. Have a Christmas scavenger hunt.
24. Talk about Jesus and his birth and the true reason of Christmas.*
25. Have kids go through their old toys to donate to a local charity. My kids love this part of Christmas.*
26. Sleep under the Christmas tree.
27. Go dollar store shopping with cousins.* 
28. Help a family in need by shopping for food, necessities, and one gift for each member of the family.*
29. Take a drive around town to see all the beautiful Christmas lights and outside decorations.*
30. Make Christmas gifts, such as gifts in a jar, cross-stitch, ornaments.*
31. Make What Are We Thankful For paper chain garland.*
32. Learn about Christmas traditions in other countries.*
33. Learn about Kwanzaa.* (My daughter wants to learn more about her heritage.)
34. Read the Christmas story from the Bible (usually done on Christmas day).*
35. Make Magic Reindeer Food.*
36. Snowman making contest.
37. Play a Christmas trivia game. Make your own game.  Many facts can be found online and at your local library.
38. Attend Christmas Eve service at a local church.*
39. See the awesome lights at Hartwood Acres.*
40. Play Christmas games.
41. Make and eat a red and green dinner.
42. Go to the local Christmas parade.
43. See the fabulous Christmas tree display at Kraynak's.*
44. Participate in Operation Christmas Card.*
45. Make Christmas gift tags from last year's Christmas cards.*
46. Participate in Operation Shoebox.
47. Participate in Operation Christmas Child.*
48. Journal - Top 10 Christmas Carols, Top 5 Gifts of All Time, Most Favorite Christmas, What Does Christmas Mean to You.
49. Let the kids decorate their rooms.
50. Track Santa online.*
51. Make a Christmas wish list.
52. Offer to babysit for a single mother so she can go Christmas shopping without the kids.
53. Make Christmas ornaments.*
54. Make Christmas Countdown Tree.
55. Scrapbook all the activities and chaos of the Christmas season.*

* denotes the traditions we do in our home.

Dollar Store Shopping
Each cousin draws a name from a hat and shops for that person. Then, we all gather at our house to wrap the gifts.  After a fun dinner of party foods, the kids open their gifts.

Magic Reindeer Food
Mix 1/4 cup oatmeal and sprinkle of red or green sugar crystals. Put in a small Ziploc bag or small baby food container.

Paper Chain Garland
Each day the kids write something they are thankful for and add the new "chain" to the garland.  Each person who visits during the holidays is asked to participate.

Wrapping Paper Party
The kids make their own wrapping paper.  Then, they wrap as many presents as possible.  They also create Christmas gift tags. Our wrapping has evolved over the years.

Add your own family traditions . . . and create new traditions.

You can choose to do only one activity a day or to do 3-4 activities each day.  For us, it depended on the mood of the kids.  The "extra" activities were listed on a piece of paper in my desk drawer.