Friday, April 8, 2011

Santa Letters, Unique Gifts, Awesome Decorations – How Will You Make Christmas 2011 Stand Out?

If you’re like me you always want Christmas to be more special than previous years. So every year, as we go through the holiday season I find myself making mental notes about ways to improve something for the next Christmas. In recent years I discovered that ordering personalized letters from Santa for my grandkids adds a magical touch to the holiday for the little ones. They love those letters. I also learned that if I shop for holiday decorations right after Christmas I can save a lot of money. But I have trouble with that.

Here’s what has happened to me in the past. Right after Christmas I found that local drug stores and department offer Christmas decorations at amazing savings. The problem is, at that time these stores only have a hodgepodge of items left.

One year I loaded up on what I could find – thinking that the next Christmas I would have lots of decorating options. But because everything I purchased was miss-matched none of it really worked together. In the end I gave some of the new items to each of my grown kids.

Since then I have learned that you can purchase Christmas supplies year round if you shop online. When you shop at these specialty shops you get a great selection and the savings are unbelievable. Plus, shopping online is extremely convenient. 

You can sip on your favorite cup of tea while you surf from one shop to another. And you can comparison shop between several stores within a matter of minutes. Whether you are in the market for an artificial Christmas tree, garland, tree skirts, ornaments or Santa letters you can find just what you want without ever leaving home.

In fact, did you know that you can even order real Christmas trees online? I found that out last year. Of course, that’s something you will have to wait until later to shop for but it’s wonderful to know that you can get a real tree off the Internet. It will be delivered to your home so that relieves you of the hassle of shopping at the roadside stands and then stressing about how to get the tree to your house.

One of the things that is important to me during holidays is having a fabulous meal for everyone. My family and I enjoy cooking holiday meals as a group. Each family member is counted on for preparing at least one dish. It’s fun to pull together a meal that everyone has contributed to. Every year I try to come up with at least one new food item to try. I’m on the lookout for a great recipe that includes strawberries, Angel Food cake and pretzels. I had a dessert like that once and I loved it. I really want to find that recipe.

Another thing that I am going to start soon is collecting various inexpensive gifts that will be used for prizes. This Christmas I want to add some games to our get togethers and I think I will give things like body powder, lotions, and candles as prizes. Of course the kids will get toys when they win.

So what about you – how will you make this Christmas a special one?
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