Christmas Themes: Do You Have One In Mind Yet?

Choosing Christmas themes and decorating for Christmas is supposed to be fun, right? And for most people, it is. Some people take Christmas decorating very seriously; in fact, there are some that have made a business out of decorating for the holidays. The good news is, we can all take some hints from these professionals and use some of their decorating styles in our own homes. This will help give our Christmas decorations a little ‘facelift’ and update.

Cool Christmas Themes

• Candy Canes: Candy canes are associated with Christmas, so they make a great Christmas theme. Another reason they are ideal is that they are now available in such a wide variety of colors. This means that you can decorate with candy canes in almost any color you like. Choose a tree in the color you want and then choose a candy cane color (or two) that will go nicely.
• Go Military: If you are into camouflage or military memorabilia, why not use that as a Christmas theme? After all, it’s your tree, your home, your Christmas, and your Christmas theme, right? Have fun with it!
• Vintage: A vintage look can be a very elegant look or it can be simply chic – you get to decide! Choose delicate and graceful ornaments from the past and add touches of ribbons and lace or go with bolder retro styles.
• Keepsakes: This fun theme can be just about anything you want – a good idea is to add small trinkets or miniature versions of things that remind you of cherished Christmases from the past; for instance, a small teddy bear, a doll, or even a letter from Santa.
• Musical Notes: If you’re into music then why not add that as a theme? You can likely find some ornaments in the shape of musical notes – but if you can’t find them ready-made you can easily make them yourself from cardboard. Then you can spray the cut-outs with glue and cover them with gold or silver sprinkles. Choose a bold contrasting color to go with your ‘notes’, such as red or blue for traditional round ornaments and decorate your tree. It will be gorgeous!
• Feathers & Beads: If you like being different you could decorate with feathers and beads instead of ornaments and garland. Give it a try, the look can be amazing!

Doing Your Own Thing

The important thing to remember when you choose a Christmas theme is that it really is all about you and making a design that you (and the people in your home) will like. If you feel that your tree with the feathers and beads is pretty but you’re not sure if it’s what you want to display for friends and others to see and for family Christmas photos, then consider having 2 Christmas trees.

In the main room, the room where you will open gifts and celebrate on Christmas, you can have a more traditionally decorated tree. But in another room, perhaps the family room, you can have the tree decorated in feathers and beads.

Christmas themes should be fun and they should be personalized. Get ideas from professionally decorated trees and buildings. Dare to be different – be yourself! 

Image courtesy of boulemonademoon at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Cupcakes For A Party And Letters To Santa!

At my children’s school we always have a winter wonderland party for the children. I wanted to make something special for my kids to take to share with their classmates. In the past I had sent in store bought cookies or juice. When I asked the kids if they had any ideas I got the same answer from each of them. They all wanted cupcakes.

I knew that it would take awhile for me to get all of the cupcakes done so we set up an assembly line on the kitchen counter. All three of the kids were responsible for collecting and measuring an ingredient. While we all moved around the kitchen I asked them if they knew what they were going to ask Santa for in their Christmas letters. My daughter wanted a horse farm set and a basket for her bike. Both of the boys wanted new video games. We talked about the surprises they had found under the tree last year.

We had room in the oven to do two pans of cupcakes at a time. Sally said she was going to add in a picture of the cupcakes when she writes a letter to Santa. We started to divide the cupcakes into three different groups. I had let each one of the kids pick out the icing and toppings for the cupcakes they were going to take. The kids and I had made both chocolate and red velvet cupcakes and we wanted to be sure they all had equal amounts of each.

The kids all talked about how they couldn’t wait for Christmas morning when they would find gifts from Santa under the tree. I love to see the happiness on their faces when they dream about the magic of Christmas together. It’s obvious that they believe in the possibility that anything can happen – it’s as if the magic of Christmas is visible in their angelic little faces.

After the cupcakes had all cooled we started to put on the icing. They all take their time I was glad that they were taking so much pride in their work. Slowly all the cupcakes were covered in sugary sweetness. Next the kids put on the sprinkles they had chosen. Sally had picked tiny candy canes and red sugar crystals. Trenton liked the rainbow sprinkles mixed with small candy gingerbread men. And green sugar crystals sparkled on the top of the emerald frosting that Doyle chose.

The kids decided we should start leaving out cupcakes for Santa. Trenton said he was going to ask if Santa likes cupcakes in his Christmas letter to Santa. I told them we could make a special batch on Christmas Eve using the left over decorations from their class party.

The cupcakes were a big hit at the school. All my kids wanted to know if we could make cupcakes for all their class parties. I’m not sure about the all the parties idea but I think we have just started a new tradition this year with leaving them out for Santa. After the kids received a ‘thank you’ note from Santa last year that mentioned the great snack the kids are all convinced that the cupcakes earned them extra gifts from the old guy!

Helping Soldiers Overseas This Holiday Season

This Christmas while you are celebrating with your family there will be thousands of military families separated for the holiday season. Some of those families may have lost a family member to war. Shouldn't we do what we can to help these families in need?

They have given up their life as they knew it to fight for our country. Some of them overseas may not come back. Christmas without your mom or dad there would be hard; I could not imagine having a Christmas without them. We should all do what we can to show our support for everyone over there fighting so that you and I can live our life like normal.

While they can't spend time with their family you and I will be enjoying Christmas with ours. But there are lots of ways to help the soldiers and their families have a better Christmas even though both their parents may not be there.

Some things that you can send to the soldiers while they are serving for our country are phone cards and Christmas cards to send back to their families, puzzle books, cigarettes, books, magazines, fleece blankets, hats (black only), footballs, basketballs and DVDs, just about anything that you can think of you can send to them.

Some of the things that you can not send to the soldiers are alcoholic beverages, anything that depicts nudity, unauthorized political material and pork and pork by- products. If any contraband is found in the package what so ever your package may not be delivered so make sure you read what they can have and not have.

I myself am by no means rich but I can always manage to send them something, even if it is just candy canes. As you can see, you can get items from this list at almost any store. It just lets the soldiers know that we are thinking of them and appreciate what they are doing for us.

Christmas has always been a special time for my family and I am sure yours too. These families are separated for the holidays and we should do what we can to help them this holiday season. This year I plan to use Thanksgiving as a beginning day of collecting things on the list from family and friends and making a gift basket to send to the soldiers. So this year, as our kids write their Christmas letters to Santa, we plan on helping them make Christmas cards for soldiers and preparing care packages.

No matter how you celebrate Christmas just don't forget about our soldiers and all they do for us. Remember that while they are working for us we should all do our part to help them as much as possible.