tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21885587571057531812024-03-13T07:32:36.196-04:00365 Days of ChristmasI want that special feeling to last all year long and that is the inspiration for this blog. I believe in Santa and the Christmas spirit. I love the excitement of decorating and the anticipation of waiting for Santa to arrive. I love the kinder hearts of people who are more generous and more forgiving during this time of year. I love the dazzle of the lights and the twinkle in the children's eyes. I love the merriment of parties and friendships. I love Christmas.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger646125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-63409756795183075932012-09-15T17:26:00.000-04:002012-09-16T11:09:36.831-04:00Five Free Christmas Countdown BannersEach 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.<br />
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These countdowns are not listed in any particular order.<br />
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<ol>
<li><a href="http://ult-tex.net/counts/christmas/index.cgi">57 different Christmas banner themes</a> can be found at Ult-Tex.net.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.noelladesigns.com/CountdownBanners/FREEChristmasCountdownBanners.htm">Noella Designs</a> offers a variety of Christmas banner themes.</li>
<li>You will be satisfied with the choices of Christmas banners at Satisfaction.com<a href="http://www.satisfaction.com/christmas-countdown-generator/">Satisfaction.com</a>.</li>
<li>The variety of countdowns found <a href="http://www.3tailer.com/countdowns">here</a> are for Halloween and Christmas.</li>
<li>Magical Christmas images at <a href="http://www.foundmyself.com/christmas/christmas-images.php">FoundMyself.com</a> act as a countdown.</li>
</ol>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-54578659580015091742012-09-14T07:00:00.000-04:002012-09-16T12:46:05.483-04:00Types of Christmas Trees <div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/18px Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0.7em 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>Scotch Pine</strong></span><br />
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>Leyland Cypress</strong></span><br />
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(182, 215, 168);"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">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.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">What Christmas tree do you prefer?</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-35958999747965241632012-09-09T18:15:00.001-04:002012-09-09T18:15:32.395-04:00Translation of the Words Merry Christmas<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.35em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Translation of the Words "Merry Christmas"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Look at "Merry Christmas" in various languages:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Africa - Een Plesierige Kerfees</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Arabic - Milad Majid</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">China - (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Corsian - Pace e salute</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ethiopia - Melkin Yelidet Beaal</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finland - Hyvaa joulua</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">France -Joyeux Noel</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">German - Fröhliche Weihnachten</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greece - Kala Christouyenna</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hawaii - Mele Kalikimaka</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">India - Baradin ki shubh kamnaaye</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Italy - Buone Feste Natalizie</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Korea - Sung Tan Chuk Ha</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Navajo - Merry Keshmish</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Philippines - Maligayang Pasko</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Poland - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Portugal - Boas Festas</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Russia - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Spanish - Feliz Navidad</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sweden - God Jul</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wales - Nadolig Llawen</span></li>
</ul>
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</div>
<div style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Other Ways to Say "Merry Christmas"</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.35em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A translation of the words "Merry Christmas" is what the phrase means from language to language. In English, there are many phrases</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that you can use to wish someone a "Merry Christmas." Here are some phrases sorted by the type of greeting:</span></div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.5px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px 30px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy: Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas, Have a Happy Yuletide</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Holly: Holly Jolly Holidays; Holly, Jolly Christmas</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greetings: Christmas Greetings, Season's Greetings, Yuletide Greetings, Warm Greetings, Warm Holiday Greetings, Greetings of the Season, Holiday Greetings</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tidings: Good Tidings, Glad Tidings</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.35em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For Fun: Jingle All the Way, Ho Ho Ho, Let it Snow, Have a Cool Yule</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-83955294837528458182012-09-08T21:50:00.005-04:002012-09-08T21:50:42.864-04:00<a href="http://www.dazzlejunction.com/" title="Graphics"><img alt="Christmas Celebration image" border="0" src="http://www.dazzlejunction.com/graphics-holiday/christmas-religious/christmas-celebration.gif" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-31790702415797146362012-09-08T15:25:00.001-04:002012-09-08T15:25:27.446-04:00Christmas Thought of the Day - 9/8/12<h3 style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 1.28em/1.22em Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 1.83em 0px 0.61em; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
It is being present with those we love </h3>
<h3 style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 1.28em/1.22em Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 1.83em 0px 0.61em; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
that make the magic of the Christmas season.</h3>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-73246108316727664982012-09-08T13:28:00.002-04:002012-09-09T18:00:23.080-04:00Countdown to Christmas, Part TwoThere are so many good ideas for making the most of the month of December, so here is part two of Countdown to Christmas.<br />
<br />
Here are different versions and adaptations of Countdown Down to Christmas:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2009/11/25-days-of-christmas-count-down.html#wrap">25 Days of Christmas Count Down</a> by Blue Cricket Design</li>
<li><a href="http://lifeasmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/SS-Countdown-to-Christmas-booklet.pdf">A Simpler Season Countdown to Christmas</a> by Life As Mom</li>
<li><a href="http://thestir.cafemom.com/toddler/8492/25_holiday_activities_for_kids">25 Holiday Activities for Kids</a> by Sheri Reed at The Stir (Toddler-aged activities)</li>
<li><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/pdf/printables/1106d_adventactivities.pdf">Advent Calendar Activities</a> at Family Fun</li>
<li><a href="http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/2011/11/advent-countdown-calendar-including-100.html">Advent Countdown Calendar</a> by Design Dazzle.</li>
</ul>
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. <br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEjQ4oKhMK8/UEv0MSzZSyI/AAAAAAAADgM/CiiEKiUIBSE/s1600/christmas+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEjQ4oKhMK8/UEv0MSzZSyI/AAAAAAAADgM/CiiEKiUIBSE/s400/christmas+fireplace.jpg" width="400" /></a>Some activity ideas:</div>
<ol>
<li>Go Christmas caroling.</li>
<li>Have a hot chocolate bar for the kids and the neighborhood kids after a fun day of sled riding.</li>
<li>Visit Santa Claus and have photos taken.</li>
<li>Introduce the Elves for the Christmas season.* <a href="http://www.elfontheshelf.com/">Elf on the Shelf</a> is a great tradition that we have done in our home for over five years. More information about the Elves in a later post.</li>
<li>Host a family game night and invite another family.</li>
<li>Bake cookies and other desserts for gifts (and the annual open house).</li>
<li>Deliver cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc., to local fire fighters, police officers, and senior citizen centers.*</li>
<li>Go to a Christmas tree farm to pick out the traditional family Christmas tree.</li>
<li>Have a Christmas tree decorating party. Invite the aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Take lots of photographs.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>Build a gingerbread house and gingerbread family.*</li>
<li>Take the annual family Christmas photos.</li>
<li>Write letters to Santa and take them to the post office.*</li>
<li>Make a birthday cake for Jesus.*</li>
<li>Have a Christmas movie marathon.*</li>
<li>Decorate the house with the help from the children.</li>
<li>Let the kids create some Christmas cards for their teachers and grandparents.*</li>
<li>Have a picnic dinner by the light of the Christmas tree.*</li>
<li>Let the children decorate their own Christmas tree.*</li>
<li>Host a Christmas craft party for your children and their friends.</li>
<li>Have a Christmas wrapping party for the kids.</li>
<li>Snuggle up and read Christmas stories.</li>
<li>Have a Christmas scavenger hunt.</li>
<li>Talk about Jesus and his birth and the true reason of Christmas.*</li>
<li>Have kids go through their old toys to donate to a local charity. My kids love this part of Christmas.*</li>
<li>Sleep under the Christmas tree.</li>
<li>Go dollar store shopping with cousins.* </li>
<li>Help a family in need by shopping for food, necessities, and one gift for each member of the family.*</li>
<li>Take a drive around town to see all the beautiful Christmas lights and outside decorations.*</li>
<li>Make Christmas gifts, such as gifts in a jar, cross-stitch, ornaments.*</li>
<li>Make <em>What Are We Thankful For</em> paper chain garland.*</li>
<li>Learn about Christmas traditions in other countries.*</li>
<li>Learn about Kwanzaa.* (My daughter wants to learn more about her heritage.)</li>
<li>Read the Christmas story from the Bible (usually done on Christmas day).*</li>
<li>Make Magic Reindeer Food.*</li>
<li>Snowman making contest.</li>
<li>Play a Christmas trivia game. Make your own game. Many facts can be found online and at your local library.</li>
<li>Attend Christmas Eve service at a local church.*</li>
<li>See the awesome lights at <a href="http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/holidays/p/hartwood_lights.htm">Hartwood Acres</a>.*</li>
<li>Play Christmas games.</li>
<li>Make and eat a red and green dinner.</li>
<li>Go to the local Christmas parade.</li>
<li>See the fabulous Christmas tree display at <a href="http://www.kraynaks.com/christmas-display">Kraynak's</a>.*</li>
<li>Participate in <a href="http://www.operationchristmascard.org/">Operation Christmas Card</a>.* </li>
<li>Make Christmas gift tags from last year's Christmas cards.*</li>
<li>Participate in <a href="http://www.operationshoebox.com/">Operation Shoebox.</a></li>
<li>Participate in <a href="https://jobs.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ/">Operation Christmas Child</a>.*</li>
<li>Journal - Top 10 Christmas Carols, Top 5 Gifts of All Time, Most Favorite Christmas, What Does Christmas Mean to You.</li>
<li>Let the kids decorate their rooms.</li>
<li>Track Santa <a href="http://www.noradsanta.org/">online</a>.*</li>
<li>Make a Christmas wish list.</li>
<li>Offer to babysit for a single mother so she can go Christmas shopping without the kids.</li>
<li>Make Christmas ornaments.*</li>
<li>Make <a href="http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2011/11/christmas-countdown-tree.html">Christmas Countdown Tree.</a></li>
<li>Scrapbook all the activities and chaos of the Christmas season.*</li>
</ol>
* denotes the traditions we do in our home.<br />
<br />
Dollar Store Shopping<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Magic Reindeer Food<br />
Mix 1/4 cup oatmeal and sprinkle of red or green sugar crystals. Put in a small Ziploc bag or small baby food container.<br />
<br />
Paper Chain Garland<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Wrapping Paper Party<br />
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. <br />
<br />
Add your own family traditions . . . and create new traditions.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-20652986786683859222012-08-30T20:05:00.000-04:002012-09-09T18:01:12.309-04:00Countdown to ChristmasBased on the last post I wrote -- about Advent -- this article continues the idea of a countdown to Christmas.<br />
<br />
There are many ways to commemorate the Christmas spirit throughout the month of December. These ideas are based on doing a countdown from the first of December through Christmas Eve (unless otherwise noted). The activities are for the whole family to enjoy together.<br />
<br />
<strong>Christmas Books</strong> - Put 25 books (wrapped in Christmas paper, if you wish) in a basket. Read a book each night before bed. There are many books about Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and the holiday season.<br />
<br />
<strong>Advent Calendar</strong> - Open the door (drawer, box, etc.) and find a small surprise. There are many many many versions of this type of calendar in the stores and online.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHv48WWKICqlnuJiUr-VayHrVIPAUykxLwAjwVsVz2rl16oHPFcDCgK9Z8M9p_NXotKSyVE51-8xZzhCyITj0m7QLcxOU4uLvETtZrHwPOQwmmrewD-SIvqBv_GJZbSpxQmgQnEMRM5E/s1600/advent+calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHv48WWKICqlnuJiUr-VayHrVIPAUykxLwAjwVsVz2rl16oHPFcDCgK9Z8M9p_NXotKSyVE51-8xZzhCyITj0m7QLcxOU4uLvETtZrHwPOQwmmrewD-SIvqBv_GJZbSpxQmgQnEMRM5E/s1600/advent+calendar.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Jesse Tree</strong> - The Jesse Tree represents the family of Jesse, father of King David. Out of this family line, God would take flesh and live among the people of Earth. The genealogy of Jesus, Matthew 1:1-17, names a person from each generation before Jesus' birth. Make or add an ornament each day that represents the ancestors of Jesus.<br />
<br />
<strong>Daily Scripture Readings</strong> (4 weeks)<br />
<ul><ol>
<li>Luke 21:5-19</li>
<li>Matthew 21:1-11</li>
<li>Matthew 21:12-22</li>
<li>Matthew 21:23-32</li>
<li>Matthew 21:33-46</li>
<li>Matthew 22:1-14</li>
<li>Matthew 22:15-22</li>
<li>Luke 1:57-68</li>
<li>Matthew 22:23-33</li>
<li>Matthew 22:34-46</li>
<li>Matthew 23:1-12</li>
<li>Matthew 23:13-26</li>
<li>Matthew 23:27-39</li>
<li>Matthew 24:1-14</li>
<li>John 5:30-47</li>
<li>Matthew 24:15-31</li>
<li>Matthew 24:32-44</li>
<li>Matthew 24:45-51</li>
<li>Matthew 25:1-13</li>
<li>Matthew 25:14-30</li>
<li>Matthew 25:31-46</li>
<li>John 3:16-21</li>
<li>Luke 1:1-25</li>
<li>Luke 1:26-38</li>
<li>Luke 1:39-56</li>
<li>Luke 1:57-66</li>
<li>Luke 1:67-80</li>
<li>Matthew 1:18-25</li>
</ol>
</ul>
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Community Cares</strong><br />
<ul><ol>
<li>Bake cookies, brownies, and other sweets, then deliver them to a local fire company &/or police station.</li>
<li>Go Christmas caroling at a local senior citizen center.</li>
<li>Do a Christmas craft with a local Head Start class.</li>
<li>Shovel the sidewalk/driveway for an elderly neighbor.</li>
<li>Help a local Boy Scout or Girl Scout group buy presents for a low-income family .</li>
<li>Provide babysitting for a single parent so they can go shopping without the kids.</li>
<li>Donate a Christmas tree to a local library.</li>
<li>Donate money to your favorite charity.</li>
<li>Help out at your local soup kitchen.</li>
<li>Provide mittens, hats, & scarves to less fortunate classmates.</li>
<li>Host a food drive for a local food bank.</li>
<li>Volunteer your time at a local pet shelter.</li>
<li>Host a Christmas book reading for kids at a local library.</li>
<li>Help low-income families by making a gift to the Dollar Energy Fund via your local gas or electric company.</li>
<li>Anonymously pay for the coffee/tea/pop/water for the next person in line.</li>
<li>Invite a homeless person over for a home-cooked meal.</li>
<li>Make ornaments with kids from your church to decorate the Christmas tree in the sanctuary.</li>
<li>Spend time - getting to know a person and talking about past Christmases - with a person from a senior citizens center.</li>
<li>Pamper a cancer patient with a stocking of beauty and health care products.</li>
<li>Create Christmas art with the kids to hang in the local veterans center.</li>
<li>Provide hot chocolate &/or mulled cider for local emergency room doctors, nurses, and staff.</li>
<li>Be an elf (or Santa) and deliver small gifts to a local children's hospital.</li>
<li>Donate a Bible to a youngster via the <a href="http://www.angeltree.org/angeltreehome">Angel Tree</a> program.</li>
<li>Visit and pray with those incarcerated at a local jail.</li>
<li>Invite all the friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc., - who have no place to go - over for Christmas dinner.</li>
</ol>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Of course, you can combine more than one idea to create your own unique countdown.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-84444344678805145502012-08-30T14:33:00.000-04:002012-09-04T11:09:13.096-04:00Advent<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The month of December is filled with great anticipation so many families like to celebrate Christmas throughout the month of December instead of only on the 25th. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are many ways to commerate Christmas beyond the one BIG day. Advent calendars -- or countdown to Christmas -- is a jolly and merry way to incorporate</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The word advent means coming or arrival. The focus of the entire Christmas season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus and the anticipation of the return of Christ (second advent).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_zDamk2xT8/UEYYli-50FI/AAAAAAAADfc/L-CTGTLjN2U/s1600/advent+candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_zDamk2xT8/UEYYli-50FI/AAAAAAAADfc/L-CTGTLjN2U/s1600/advent+candles.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">Advent is the season leading up to Christmas day. It begins four Sundays before December 25th (sometimes the last weekend of November, sometimes the first Sunday in December).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent">Advent</a> is one of the few Christian festivals that is observed at home as well as at church. Advent is a natural time to involve children at home in activities that directly connect with worship at church.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">The season of <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/advent">Advent</a> represents the long years that the Israelites awaited the coming Savior.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">At the heart of the Christian faith is the declaration that our Lord Jesus Christ became man for our salvation. </span><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This affirmation is expressed succinctly in the term<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>incarnation. This word is of Latin origin and simply means<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>invested with flesh. S</span></span><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">imply put, Christmas is the celebration and observance of the incarnation. Such an event calls for rejoicing, bright lights, and happy gatherings. It also calls for reverence, reflection, and a deep sense of awe.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">There are many different ways to observe the Advent time. It is common in many homes to mark the days of <a href="http://www.churchyear.net/advent.html">Advent</a> (or countdown to Christmas).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">The next few days I will share various ways to celebrate Advent or -- like my family -- countdown to Christmas day.</span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-22922570644823468192012-08-29T22:47:00.001-04:002012-09-05T19:25:18.524-04:00Christmas Around the World - Who is Santa? and Food Traditions<div class="visually_embed" data-category="Lifestyle" rel="infographic">
<img alt="Christmas Around The World" class="visually_embed_infographic" rel="http://thumbnails.visually.netdna-cdn.com/christmas-around-the-world_503140c83ad55.jpg" src="http://thumbnails.visually.netdna-cdn.com/christmas-around-the-world_503140c83ad55_w587.jpg" /><br />
<div class="visually_embed_bar">
<span class="visually_embed_cycle"></span> </div>
<a href="http://visual.ly/christmas-around-world-1" id="visually_embed_view_more" target="_blank"></a><br />
<br />
Click on the image to see the full infographic.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-81329792812568952272012-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-25T07:00:01.210-04:00Four Months Til Christmas & Meaning of ChristmasThis is simply one of the most beautiful moments that is seen on TV during the Christmas season. Linus, of course, is quoting the Holy Bible, and yet, whether you in the Bible, God, Jesus, or not, you don't need to believe in any of it to get to the true core of the meaning of Christmas. As he quotes --"Peace on Earth, and good will towards men."<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DKk9rv2hUfA" width="420"></iframe><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-22959692489353510662012-08-24T17:05:00.000-04:002012-08-24T17:33:01.659-04:00Online Christmas Wish ListThere’s a site that makes creating your own Christmas wish list super easy. It offers you the option to quickly and easily add links to <em>anything</em> you find online on any site.<br />
<br />
Go to <a href="http://wishmodo.com/">Wishmodo</a> and sign in. <br />
<br />
You have the option to post your wish list on Facebook after you’ve created it.<br />
<br />
Making a wish list is super easy. You just install a Wishmodo button into your browser and surf online as you usually do. Once you find something you like just click the Wishmodo Button and it’ll be quickly added to your wish list.<br />
<br />
Obviously, a huge time saver. Let me know if you try it out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Update:</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Various people have stated that Internet Explorer does not open the website. I liked the idea and am saddened to hear of this glitch. If you do achieve access, please tell us your experience with an online wish list.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-73135972418599236132012-08-21T12:27:00.000-04:002012-08-21T12:28:45.299-04:0012 Days of Christmas Gag Gifts<div>
This is a great gift idea, especially if you are a secret Santa. You present the suggested gift along with the printed verse each day for twelve days.</div>
<br />
<div>
Feel free to make up your own verses.</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - a partridge in a pear tree... </div>
<br />
<div>
Sorry, but I couldn't find the partridge so I am giving you some pears from the tree the partridge flew away from. <br />
(Leave note along with a can of pears or a few fresh pears.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - two turtle doves... </div>
<br />
<div>
Unfortunately, I don't have any, will candy turtles on a bar of Dove soap do?<br />
(Leave note along with a box of turtle candy and a bar of Dove soap.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - three French hens... </div>
<br />
<div>
The French hens were not available, so I'm giving you some chicken noodle soup, compliments of the three French hens.<br />
(Leave note along with a can - or 3 cans - of chicken noodle soup.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - four calling birds... </div>
<br />
<div>
I can't find those calling birds, but here are four messages they left for you before they flew off.<br />
(Leave note along with four messages describing what a wonderful person the gift recipient is.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - five golden rings... </div>
<br />
<div>
Sorry, I'm too poor to buy five real gold rings, but will some golden pineapple rings suffice?<br />
(Leave note along with a can of pineapple rings.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - six geese a laying... </div>
<br />
<div>
You don't really want messy geese all over the house do you? How about some of the eggs they left behind?<br />
(Leave note along with six eggs.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - seven swans a swimming... </div>
<br />
<div>
All of the swans have flown south for the winter, but here are some of the bubbles they used while they were swimming.<br />
(Leave note along with a bottle of bubble bath.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - eight maids a milking... </div>
<br />
<div>
Here's some milk I got from the eight maids - we think they must have been milking some brown cows.<br />
(Leave note along with carton of chocolate milk.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - nine ladies dancing... </div>
<br />
<div>
Here are some canes used by the ladies to help them walk home after they were out dancing all night.<br />
(Leave note along with a box of candy canes.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - ten Lords-a-leapin'... </div>
<br />
<div>
After the Lords get done leapin', this is what they use for their sore muscles.<br />
(Leave note along with a tube of Ben-gay or other soothing lotion.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - eleven pipers piping... </div>
<br />
<div>
Here's a pipe of your own, have fun and don't blow the whole day.<br />
(Leave note along with a bottle of bubbles and bubble pipe.)</div>
<br />
<div>
ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, your true love gave to you - twelve drummers drumming... </div>
<br />
<div>
No drummers, we thought you could use some quiet time so here is a special treat we drummed up for you so relax and enjoy.<br />
(Leave note along with some homemade cookies or other treats.) <br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-20383514663642683522011-12-20T13:14:00.002-05:002012-08-29T23:00:45.200-04:00The Safe Road to Santa's Workshop<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; width: 350px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center"><a href="http://www.roadtrafficsigns.com/info/Safe-Road-To-Workshop-Of-Santa.aspx"><img alt="Be Safe This Holiday Season - The Safe Road to Santa's Workshop" border="0" src="http://www.RoadTrafficSigns.com/img/src/Safe-Road-To-Workshop-Of-Santa-544x320.jpg" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center"><br />
<div style="background-color: green; color: black; font-family: Arial,Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.roadtrafficsigns.com/info/Safe-Road-To-Workshop-Of-Santa.aspx"><span style="color: white;">Be Safe This Holiday Season - The Safe Road to Santa's Workshop</span></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Verdana; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-9327333963526900302011-12-15T19:08:00.005-05:002011-12-24T19:13:22.783-05:00Where Does Your Holiday Spirit Come From?<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 350px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#EEEEEE"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/wheredoesyourholidayspiritcomefromquiz/results/?result=House">Your Holiday Spirit Comes From Decorating the House</a></strong><br />
</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br />
<br />
<center><img height="100" src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/wheredoesyourholidayspiritcomefromquiz/decorating.jpg" width="100" /></center><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
You are a very visual and creative person. You have a clear idea in your mind of what the holidays should look like.<br />
<br />
You enjoy using this time of year to express your artistry and impress your friends and family a bit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You are a comforting influence on those around you. You are the perfect person to host a holiday gathering.<br />
<br />
You are grateful for everything you have. More than grateful, you're downright delighted.<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/wheredoesyourholidayspiritcomefromquiz/">Where Does Your Holiday Spirit Come From?</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/">Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">If you know me, you know this is true. I love decorating for the Christmas season.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-49367314163805828922011-12-15T13:18:00.001-05:002011-12-23T19:42:08.772-05:00Top 10 Christmas Lists<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c4126; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">Top Ten is a generic term used to indicate the ten items that are best, worst, or otherwise notable according to some criteria. Enjoy the top ten lists about Christmas. Where do you find the world’s tallest Christmas tree? How do you nick an elf? Top 10 lists are good, fun, and decisive ways to get an overview of many Christmas topics. 365 Days of Christmas brings a selection of top 10 lists here (at the blog site). Click around, have some fun, and learn a bit more about Christmas. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-55647816280649956082011-12-11T19:24:00.005-05:002011-12-24T19:27:53.096-05:00The Christmas Card Test<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 350px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#EEEEEE"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <strong><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/theholidaycardtest/results/?result=2">You Are Caring</a></strong><br />
</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br />
<br />
<center><img height="100" src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/theholidaycardtest/religious.jpg" width="100" /></center><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
You are an extremely stable and together person. You don't have a lot of chaos in your life.<br />
<br />
You're at a point where you can help others, and you do so happily and willingly.<br />
<br />
You are sympathetic and compassionate. You find it easy to place yourself in someone else's shoes.<br />
<br />
You are organized and responsible. You take care of yourself so that you're not a burden on others.<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/theholidaycardtest/">The Holiday Card Test</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/">Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-23754092326930457762011-12-10T05:30:00.001-05:002011-12-23T13:14:02.495-05:00Christoper Radko Ornaments<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's Become a Well-Known Tale</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A tree ladened with the Radko family's antique ornaments fell when a newly purchased Christmas tree stand broke. Christopher ruined Christmas for his family! So he decided to right that wrong and on a trip to Poland went about trying to find replacements for the ornaments. The first collection consisted of 65 ornaments in 1986.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Making of an Ornament</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ornaments are produced in several European countries -- Poland, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Each ornament is still made the old fashioned way and takes seven days to create. Over 10,000 different items have been created over the past twenty years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Different Radko Lines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the years the Radko name has grown to include numerous products that fall into three lines: mouth-blown glass ornaments, Home for the Holidays (tabletop/decorative accessories), and Shiny-Brite, retro looking ornaments and decorations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Much to the chagrin of long-time collectors several years ago Radko produced an exclusive line for Target. The Target line was limited and to the expert collector the difference was obvious, but many felt it hurt the brand name in the long run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's Easy to Get Overwhelmed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Christmas collectors can be easily overwhelmed when looking at the hundreds of different designs produced every year (1,100 in 2006). Sometimes it is best to focus in on a particular type of ornament or design and go from there. There are lots of choices including whimsical, traditional, or storybook styles, as well as ornaments supporting charities and groups. It would be hard to name an item, character, or culture which has not been represented by a Radko ornament.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Charity and Benefit Ornaments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every year Christopher Radko has numerous ornaments designated to raise funds for various charities including AIDS, Breast Cancer, Pediatric Cancer, Animal Rights Organizations, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and The Christopher Radko Foundation for Children in Poland. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other exclusive ornaments are produced specifically for charities to offer for sale as a fund-raising option. These include St. Jude's, the Dave Thomas Foundation, and The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Licensed and Exclusives</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In addition to the extensive Radko open ornament line, many stores have the chance to offer exclusives only available at their store, as well as signing exclusives. These are ornaments available only at a Radko appearance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the years Radko has produced numerous licensed ornaments for companies as diverse as Disney, Warner Bros, and Harley Davidson.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Radko Values</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The early years of Radko ornaments have risen in value and are difficult to find at a bargain. People usually know what they have! Secondary markets through newsletters, dealers, or Internet auctions are the way to find the older ornaments. Many stores will also have a few retired ornaments in stock, you'll have to let your fingers do the walking when trying to find something specific.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Resources</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Author David Olsen has categorized the entire Radko line from the first year 1986 through 2000. The book will be very helpful when shopping the secondary market, plus it serves to whet the appetite for ornaments from the early years.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://collectibles.about.com/od/booksreviewsreleases/a/GRradkoornament.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Christopher Radko Ornaments, Volume 1</span></a><br />
<a href="http://collectibles.about.com/od/personalitiesincollecting/a/davidolsen.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A Chat with David Olsen</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.christopherradko.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Christopher Radko</span></a><a href="http://www.radko-ornaments.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Radko Ornaments</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-29048953687879711702011-12-09T18:57:00.001-05:002011-12-09T19:01:51.302-05:00Dear Mr. Santa ClausCheck out this adorable, fun animation for the whole family. I think, it will easily become a Christmas classic. This animated song reminds of the ads and songs from my childhood. <br />
<br />
Check out the video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dicixW23rwo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dicixW23rwo</a>.<br />
<br />
If you like, please help us spread the word!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-3798911841233193832011-12-04T19:13:00.002-05:002011-12-24T19:22:52.617-05:00'Tis the Season to Be Spendy<a href="http://a1.outright.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Commerce-of-Christmas-Infographic-final.png"><img alt="commerce of christmas" border="0" src="http://a2.outright.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Commerce-of-Christmas-Infographic-final1.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-91539183678125667022011-12-03T19:42:00.008-05:002011-12-23T20:58:18.635-05:00Best Selling Christmas Songs of All Time<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c4126; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">When you talk about Christmas, you can’t ignore the Christmas music that can be heard everywhere in December. After all, music plays a significant role in creating the desired atmosphere. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c4126; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8iI4ZpIP7I/TvUv7kcWQvI/AAAAAAAADdo/T8deysDjOqk/s1600/Rudolph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8iI4ZpIP7I/TvUv7kcWQvI/AAAAAAAADdo/T8deysDjOqk/s320/Rudolph.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2c4126; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #b90b0b; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, arial;">Best Selling Christmas Songs of All Time</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2c4126; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><ol><li><span style="background-color: white;">Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? - 1984, 1985, 2004 </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Boney M - Mary's Boy Child - 1978</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Wham! - Last Christmas - 1984, 1985</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Harry Belafonte - Mary's Boy Child - 1957</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody - 1973, 1981, 1983, 1998, 2006</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Bing Crosby - White Christmas - 1942, 1977, 1998</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Cliff Richard - The Millennium Prayer - 1999 </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Johnny Mathis - When A Child Is Born - 1976</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Gene Autry - </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer - 1999</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock - 1957</span></li>
</ol></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-80015848020379133212011-12-02T06:32:00.000-05:002011-12-09T18:57:07.049-05:00"New Tradition"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TpABGco4Fv4/TuKcvSZi8JI/AAAAAAAADc0/_oyytSNjfPI/s1600/hey+romeo+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TpABGco4Fv4/TuKcvSZi8JI/AAAAAAAADc0/_oyytSNjfPI/s200/hey+romeo+group.jpg" width="200" /></a>I was introduced to a new holiday song that I want to share with you. Hey Romeo, a country group from Edmonton, Alberta, released a new song yesterday titled "New Tradition."<br />
<br />
The group Hey Romeo are the 2011 Canadian
Country Music Awards "Group of the Year."<br />
<br />
I've included a sound clip here
for you to check them out: <a href="http://soundcloud.com/heyromeo/new-tradition-hey-romeo">http://soundcloud.com/heyromeo/new-tradition-hey-romeo</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-35726357973001944652011-12-01T07:00:00.000-05:002011-12-09T18:57:07.045-05:00Christmas Countdown Giveaway<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy December! Only 24 days until Christmas.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In between the hustle and bustle of the holidays, let's have some fun. If
you like surprises and prizes, <a href="http://www.hostelbookers.com/">HostelBookers</a> has a thing or two in their Santa sack this year, just for you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In
the spirit of a traditional advent calendar, HostelBookers is getting fun, merry, and festive by giving away <strong>fantastic prizes every day between 1st through 24th of December</strong>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We
can't promise everyone a white Christmas, but we can offer prizes including
iPad2, free accommodations, Kindle, InterRail tickets, Round-The-Word
Expert Flights and much more.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Come play - and win - with us...</span></span></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> Go to
HostelBookers </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hostelbookers" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Facebook</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> page.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Like</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> Hostelbookers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Click on
the 'Christmas Giveaway' tab and answer a question.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A new
question will be posted daily at midnight 00:01 GMT up to and including December 24th.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Winners
will be notified by email and announced on the blog once they claim their
prize.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Answers
will be posted on the Facebook wall and on the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">HostelBookers is the leading budget accommodation website in the travel
industry not to apply a service charge and is, on average, 8.7% cheaper than
its nearest competitor. It features over 20,000 hostels, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.hostelbookers.com/featured/cheap-hotels/">cheap
hotels</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;"> and budget properties on its website in
over 3,500 destinations across the world. Follow us on Twitter @hostelbookers.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-39949740747290302942011-11-26T07:28:00.001-05:002011-12-26T12:48:05.668-05:00What Color Christmas Lights Are You><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 350px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#EEEEEE"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorchristmaslightsareyouquiz/results/?result=Green">You Are Green Lights</a></strong><br />
</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br />
<br />
<center><img height="100" src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatcolorchristmaslightsareyouquiz/green.jpg" width="100" /></center><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
Your holidays are a time of rest and solace. <br />
<br />
You take time to reflect on the year that's passed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You also enjoy connecting with friends and family you've lost touch with.<br />
<br />
The holidays are your opportunity to remember what's important in your life.<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorchristmaslightsareyouquiz/">What Color Christmas Lights Are You?</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/">Blogthings: Waste Time at Work!</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-13146909960140255262011-11-25T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-27T10:45:35.369-05:00Easy Homemade Gifts to Make for Christmas<div style="text-align: justify;">
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We certainly love to receive gifts but there is more joy
from giving gifts. This, unfortunately, can turn into an expensive
venture as our list of recipients continues to grow and the prices continue to creep higher. A fantastic way to give
Christmas gifts is to make them yourself. This is not only a great
cost-saving way to give, it
also adds a personal touch to your gifts and is a terrific bonding activity
for the whole family. Get your creative juices flowing with these great
homemade Christmas gift ideas:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Box of Homemade Christmas
Ornaments</b></div>
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This is a great gift idea for anyone as it can be personalized to
suit ages and personal interests. You will need a box of plain round Christmas ball ornaments. For a sports fan family, you can paint
the ornament to look like a soccer ball, a basketball, a baseball, and so on. You
can also paint on personalized season greetings or names. Another idea is to put colorful beads, metallic shreds/tinsel, a feather (to represent an angel), paint (then swirl ornament around to get good coverage), or small toys inside. More ideas include placing a small photo or flower insides. </div>
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<b>Box of International Teas (or Coffee)</b></div>
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This is a great way for your family and friends to experience different tastes of
the world. Invest in a number of
different boxes of tea from different places in the world. Many types of tea can
be found at your local supermarket or mass merchandise store, for example, green tea from China, masala
tea from India, black tea from Kenya, Earl grey tea from the UK, etc. For more
specialized tea, you can find great deals online, especially if you buy in
bulk. Then pack them in pretty plastic bags, simple baskets, or mugs. Remember to include a card explaining the
different types of tea and where they are from.</div>
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<b>Box of Homemade Treats</b></div>
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Roll up your sleeves and get your hands sticky making
homemade fudge, cupcakes, truffles, mini loaves of bread, brownies, candy, &/or cookies. These are fun to make, fun to decorate, and fun to eat. Get out the tried and true family recipes to use. </div>
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<b>Personalized Wrapping</b></div>
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Get creative with your wrapping too. Many options include pretty but inexpensive
plates, mugs, disposable foil pans, colorful plastic wrap, and Christmas patterned Ziploc bags.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Written by Nisha Sharma from Freebies365.co.uk and Storm Litz.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2188558757105753181.post-52670581712256869462011-11-24T13:46:00.000-05:002011-11-27T09:33:43.131-05:00Personalized Christmas Gifts<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">With the festive period fast approaching,
the spectre of what gifts to buy family and friends is upon us, and with
topping last year’s purchases and buying for those that seem to own everything
already, the task is becoming more difficult every year. Tailored Christmas
presents are one way to get round this conundrum.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB">An old favourite is simply to make
something from scratch. This method is particularly nice when the present comes
from a child. The gift actually
means something and will more than likely adorn the wall or mantelpiece of a
loved one for years to come.</span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; text-decoration: none;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/personalised-mugs.aspx">Personalised mugs</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">, hats, t-shirts, etc. are a great way to make what is
usually a pretty standard Christmas gift into a more enduring and meaningful
offering<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2188558757105753181" name="_GoBack"></a>. The process for arranging this sort of present
is fairly easy and can be done in most cases simply by sending off a relevant
photo. The end result will belie the actual effort put in!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB">If you want to really make a point
with a personalized Christmas gift why not go for a private license plate? For a
new motorist or a seasoned driver with a new car, a personalized plate would be
a perfect gift.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">A photo frame of the digital
variety is a great modern take on a classic heartfelt present. By loading up
the frame with snaps of friends and family, before wrapping up for Christmas
morning, you can take the hassle out of the technology for a loved one and give
them a gift that will always be fresh.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Symbol;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span> Lastly, e</span><span lang="EN-GB">verybody likes to let themselves 'go' over the Christmas period, so giving the gift of chocolate is always a winner. We all know about the selection box on Christmas morning but a more refined cocoa present, with a personalised message, from a good chocolatier is a great way to give a custom gift.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB">Written by Daniel Nicklin on behalf of Search Laboratory Ltd. and</span> Storm Litz.</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1