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?

Baby’s First Christmas

It’s baby first Christmas! How exciting for you and them! Now is a perfect time to start traditions. Like buying the new bundle of joy a baby first Christmas ornament and sending a newborn santa letter. Or making them a scrapbook for the holiday season or just putting every day pictures in it for them and you to look back on. Here are a few gift ideas for your new bundle of joy.

If you ask a parent what they think they spend the most money on when it come to the kids they will probably say diapers. Diapers are expensive so a great gift to get a new baby or for a baby shower is a diaper cake. Diaper cakes are made to look like a wedding cake but it is made from diapers and is filled with toys, blankets, pacifiers, clothes, socks, and sometimes a keepsake for mom.

Soft squeaky washable books are another great gift idea for new babies. They can be washed and used over and over again. Don’t be worried if you get a book that is too advanced for your baby; your baby will grow into it before you know it and he will enjoy playing with it for a long time.

Piggy banks are a gift that can last for a lifetime. They can help your child learn to save money. Get them personalized with the child’s name and the year on it and it will be keepsake that will last.

Every parent wants to show off their new bundle of joy - especially around the holidays. A good gift idea to give to family members is a personalized photo frame with your child’s photo in it. Since your frame is personalized they can only put pictures of your child in it; pretty sneaky isn’t it?

Another gift idea for baby’s First Christmas is buying baby’s first Christmas pajamas. You will to give the pajamas to them early so when they open their presents on Christmas morning you can take all kinds of pictures with the pajamas on.

There are many places that will personalize blankets. These blankets are a great gift idea for babies because you can have them personalized with their name, the year and even baby’s first Christmas on them. They are machine washable so you can use them over and over for years.

Whatever you decide to do this year and in years to come, make sure you make memories with your kids that they will remember and you will too. Be sure to take a lot of picture so you all can look back on that special day.