|
Christmas
Decorating Ideas - Edible Ornaments
By: Roy Thomsitt, Mon Aug 14th, 2006
Although it is now more decades away than I care to admit
too often, there were four things I loved most about my
childhood Christmases in England:
1. the excitement of the Christmas gifts being put under the
Christmas tree, and then the family opening of the gifts on
Chrismas morning;
2. the food; all the special sweets being put out Christmas
Eve; Chrismas Lunch with the turkey, lots of roast potatoes,
brandy butter, and Christmas pudding being set alight at the
table;
3. all the Chistmas ornaments and decorations going up
before Chrismas, and most especially putting up and
decorating the Christmas tree; and,
4. the games we would play.
Food, though, did play a major part, and still does in
English homes today. So, really, it is no surprise that food
even became part of the Chrismas ornament repertoire. Food,
in one form or another, became part of the decoration of
Christmas time.
From my memory, edible Chrismas ornaments were usually in
the form of chocolate with a silver or gold coloured
wrapping that sparkled on the tree. Chocolate coins were
popular, sometimes more than one in a brightly coloured
string bag dangling temptingly from the Chistmas tree.
I must admit, any edible ornament on the tree became a prime
target, as I anxiously awaited the all clear from my parents
to start devouring whatever I wanted.
Later, though, a greater variety of edible Christmas
ornaments emerged, such as candy canes; then, as the
popularity of edible ornaments increased at Chrismas, people
started to use their imagination to make their own, or the
local baker would make more elaborate ornaments for sale.
Cookies, or at least cookie dough, make a good base for
ornaments, as they are easy to cut into shape. You can use
your imagination on adding the colour, such as with Smarties
or other colourful sweets. Adding a frosting effect is not
too difficult either.
If you do make dough based ornaments to hang on the
Christmas tree, remember you will need to make a hole in the
cookie before it cools; that's the way the cookie doesn't
crumble. Then when they do cool, you can thread a decorative
ribbon to hang them on the Chrismas tree.
The Chistmas tea table is often adorned by the prime edible
ornament, the Chrismas cake. The prettier it is, the better
it is for decoration once lunch is out of the way. Cake
decoration is only limited by your imagination. However, you
can think of other things that are less common to adorn the
table as an edible ornament. If you are skilful, you can
create simple models with ginger bread, moving up a level
from the old gingerbread man.
You will find lots of ideas online and in the stores, but if
you can come up with something original, that is even
better. Just let your imagination go and see what you come
up with. At least, if it does not look too good, you can
just eat it before anyone comments!
About the author: Roy Thomsitt is the owner and author of
http://www.xmas-ornament.com
Back to Top
10 Great
Holiday Decorating Ideas
By: Kathleen Wilson, Sun Jul 23rd, 2006
1.First things first. Set a plan or a theme for your
Christmas decorating. It doesn t cost a thing to have a good
plan, and when you are working with budget ideas, this is
what pulls your ideas together, and makes everything you do
look purposeful, and personal. Some theme ideas for
Chrismas? The rustic lodge xmas, a toyland xmas, countries
around the world, Victorian, country, santa, snowmen, old
fashioned, the list goes on and on!
2. Make garlands out of felt scraps. Cut Xmas shapes out of
felt in miniature, mini stockings, holly leaves, mittens,
and string together with needle and floss or strong fishing
line to hang all over the house. Remember when you string
each shape, tie a knot on both sides of the shape to hold it
in its place. You can add more dimension to the shapes by
cutting two of each, stuffing them lightly, them sewing the
two together. Glue would work also if you aren t a sewer.
Saved used dryer sheets are perfect for this kind of
stuffing, or even tiny fabric scraps that are too small for
other uses.
3.Drop a tealight candle in your cleaned out glass
mayonnaise jars, tie a holiday ribbon around the neck, and
you have a beautiful candle with xmas charm. You could
nestle the candle in peppermints, nuts, or even sand if you
wish. Try grouping several together for a dramatic evening
effect. These also make great luminaries.
4. Start a Christmas collection. This can be a great
tradition to initiate in your home. My girls and I starting
collecting Santas 3 years ago, and it s something they look
forward to, choosing our yearly Santa together. I know it
will be a fond memory for them, and I plan to let each child
choose a Santa to take with them when the day comes that
they leave the nest and start their own home. By the way,
this doesn t have to be expensive, or even store bought. Try
sewing or crafting a new decoration each year together for
even more memories! Or check out your dollar store they have
some really cute ceramic holiday decorations for a buck or
two. Remember, it s the memories you re interested in here,
not a collectable based on monetary value.
5. If you are looking to do a toyland theme for your
Chrismas decorating this year, try searching out teddy bears
and dolls at your local thrift stores. Wash them in a
pillowcase and put them in your dryer for at least 20
minutes, then dress them up with ribbons and holiday
fabrics. Group them under your tree, on mantels, and on
windowsills. Stack small squares of cardboard together and
wrap as a tiny present, then tuck them under a teddy s arm,
or wrap an empty box and use it as teddy s seat by the front
door.
6. Place a few inexpensive glass balls in a bowl and
embellish with a few sprigs of greenery or some leftover
ribbon. If you don't have an extra bowl (it is the holidays,
after all!) try decoupaging a box with leftover Christas
wrap, or cover with a little fabric and glue.
7. Take down your pictures and wrap them like a gift, then
hang them back on the wall for great holiday cheer! You
don't have to do this all around the house, how about just
in the entry, or maybe the dining room?
8. Tie greens or ornaments to the chandelier with a little
Chrismas ribbon, just make sure they don't hang low enough
for any candles on the table to catch them on fire.
9. Make your own gift tags out of leftover paper. Ok, this
is not a new idea, but try punching it up a bit. Add details
by layering shapes over the base paper, use paper punches
and scalloped scrapbooking scissors to add style, use a gold
calligraphy pen to add names. Or use the scalloped scissors
to make old holiday cards into tags.
10. Sponge stars or other seasonal shapes on your window
with paint! No, I m not nuts. Just add a teaspoon or so of
liquid dish soap to acrylic craft paint, (I like white or
gold metallic) and after the holidays you should be able to
wash it off with window cleaner. Use a non- scratching dish
scrubber if you come across a stubborn spot.
There it is, the 10 best budget decorating ideas for Holiday
decorating! Always remember the most important reason we
celebrate, and the reason we take the time to make our homes
warm and inviting our loved ones! Have a wonderful holiday
season!
About the author: Kathleen Wilson is the author of Quick
Decorating Ideas Under $20:The Budget Decorator s Bible and
the editor of The Budget Decorator, a free ezine dedicated
to the budget impaired home decorator. Visit her at
http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com
for more great ideas.
Back to Top
Ideas For Your
Interior Christmas Decorating
By: Adam Peters, Wed Mar 1st, 2006
There are many different ideas for interior Cristmas
decorating. Interior Christmas decorating is an important
part of most people's holiday festivities. For many people,
the interior decorations are what defines the season of
Cristmas. Your home will feel warm with the proper interior
Christas decorating scheme. There are a variety of
decorating ideas on the market today, but the best way to
complete your interior Cristmas decorating is to make the
items yourself or with your family. The holiday season is
about spending time together, and making things to warm your
home will only help signify that to your family. There are
several great ideas for your interior Christmas decorating
needs.
Make yours the perfect holiday home with interior Cristmas
decorating
* First, create a diorama of bears or dolls dressed in
festive seasonal clothes. You could put a small tree with
little presents in your display. This is a great way to get
your kids involved in the decorating process. Just be sure
you don't use a favorite security object, as it might prove
difficult to disassembly the diorama throughout the course
of the season.
* Second, meet your interior Christmas decorating needs by
creating bows from Christmas print ribbon and putting them
in various places around your house including your curtains.
* Third, hang stockings throughout your house, even if you
know they aren't your stuffing stockings. It offers a
festive feel to your home.
Next, use fabric paint and a traditional white table cloth
to make a holiday patterned table cloth. This is another
great activity to do with your little ones. Just be sure to
express to them that they are not allowed to paint on the
tablecloth on a year round basis. Next, dress your bathroom
for the holidays by attaching ornaments and other
decorations(of the unbreakable type) to a clear shower
curtain with a hot glue gun. Another decorating idea is to
get your houseplants into the swing of the season by hanging
ornaments on them after you decorate your tree. For a quick
ornament idea, try hanging a cookie cutter with a bit of
Cristmas ribbon. To help with your decoration as well as
your Christma trivia knowledge, place a basket of seasonal
books on your coffee table or end table. It will look
festive, and it may just help you win a quick family game
sometime.
Interior Christmas decorating does not have to be difficult
or expensive with ideas like these.
About the author: Adam Peters writes regularly for
http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com
. Peters contributes adding reviews very often on decorating
and design topics. You can also reach interesting articles
on easter and Cristmas decorations at his site (
http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/christmas/christmas-decora
tion.html )
Back to Top
10 Great
Holiday Decorating Ideas...On a Budget!
By: Kathleen Wilson, Wed Jul 12th, 2006
1.First things first. Set a plan or a theme for your
Christma decorating. It doesn t cost a thing to have a good
plan, and when you are working with budget ideas, this is
what pulls your ideas together, and makes everything you do
look purposeful, and personal. Some theme ideas for
Cristmas? The rustic lodge xmas, a toyland xmas, countries
around the world, Victorian, country, santa, snowmen, old
fashioned, the list goes on and on!
2. Make garlands out of felt scraps. Cut Xmas shapes out of
felt in miniature, mini stockings, holly leaves, mittens,
and string together with needle and floss or strong fishing
line to hang all over the house. Remember when you string
each shape, tie a knot on both sides of the shape to hold it
in its place. You can add more dimension to the shapes by
cutting two of each, stuffing them lightly, them sewing the
two together. Glue would work also if you aren t a sewer.
Saved used dryer sheets are perfect for this kind of
stuffing, or even tiny fabric scraps that are too small for
other uses.
3.Drop a tealight candle in your cleaned out glass
mayonnaise jars, tie a holiday ribbon around the neck, and
you have a beautiful candle with xmas charm. You could
nestle the candle in peppermints, nuts, or even sand if you
wish. Try grouping several together for a dramatic evening
effect. These also make great luminaries.
4. Start a Christmas collection. This can be a great
tradition to initiate in your home. My girls and I starting
collecting Santas 3 years ago, and it s something they look
forward to, choosing our yearly Santa together. I know it
will be a fond memory for them, and I plan to let each child
choose a Santa to take with them when the day comes that
they leave the nest and start their own home. By the way,
this doesn t have to be expensive, or even store bought. Try
sewing or crafting a new decoration each year together for
even more memories! Or check out your dollar store they have
some really cute ceramic holiday decorations for a buck or
two. Remember, it s the memories you re interested in here,
not a collectable based on monetary value.
5. If you are looking to do a toyland theme for your
Christmas decorating this year, try searching out teddy
bears and dolls at your local thrift stores. Wash them in a
pillowcase and put them in your dryer for at least 20
minutes, then dress them up with ribbons and holiday
fabrics. Group them under your tree, on mantels, and on
windowsills. Stack small squares of cardboard together and
wrap as a tiny present, then tuck them under a teddy s arm,
or wrap an empty box and use it as teddy s seat by the front
door.
6. Place a few inexpensive glass balls in a bowl and
embellish with a few sprigs of greenery or some leftover
ribbon. If you don't have an extra bowl (it is the holidays,
after all!) try decoupaging a box with leftover Christmas
wrap, or cover with a little fabric and glue.
7. Take down your pictures and wrap them like a gift, then
hang them back on the wall for great holiday cheer! You
don't have to do this all around the house, how about just
in the entry, or maybe the dining room?
8. Tie greens or ornaments to the chandelier with a little
Cristmas ribbon, just make sure they don't hang low enough
for any candles on the table to catch them on fire.
9. Make your own gift tags out of leftover paper. Ok, this
is not a new idea, but try punching it up a bit. Add details
by layering shapes over the base paper, use paper punches
and scalloped scrapbooking scissors to add style, use a gold
calligraphy pen to add names. Or use the scalloped scissors
to make old holiday cards into tags.
10. Sponge stars or other seasonal shapes on your window
with paint! No, I m not nuts. Just add a teaspoon or so of
liquid dish soap to acrylic craft paint, (I like white or
gold metallic) and after the holidays you should be able to
wash it off with window cleaner. Use a non- scratching dish
scrubber if you come across a stubborn spot.
There it is, the 10 best budget decorating ideas for Holiday
decorating! Always remember the most important reason we
celebrate, and the reason we take the time to make our homes
warm and inviting our loved ones! Have a wonderful holiday
season!
About the author: Kathleen Wilson is the author of Quick
Decorating Ideas Under $20:The Budget Decorator s Bible and
the editor of The Budget Decorator, a free ezine dedicated
to the budget impaired home decorator. Visit her at
http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com
for more great ideas.
Back to Top
Thrifty
Decorating Ideas for the Holidays
By: Terri Seymour, Sun Feb 12th, 2006
Thrifty Decorating Ideas for the Holidays Terri Seymour of
www.seymourproducts.com
Decorating for the holidays is a fun and exciting way to
bring the holiday cheer to your home. But, it can also be
very expensive. Over the years, I have used many of the
ideas below to save money and spruce up my holiday decor.
Halloween
Use tin cans for eerie jack-o-lantern luminaries. Before you
throw those cans away, make more use of them. Poke holes in
them in a scary face design and then use tealights or votive
candles for lighting. These are great for indoors or out.
Paint empty coffee cans to look like witches, goblins,
ghosts, pumpkins. They look adorable and are great for
holding, snacks, treats, etc.
Use pieces of plywood to make scary headstones for your
yard!
Thanksgiving
Make a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece, with a pretty
birch log. Drill holes in the log for autumn
leaves/branches, birds. Be creative and add what you like.
This is a great idea for a Christmas one as well. You could
also use a pumpkin for a pretty Thanksgiving or Halloween
centerpiece.
Fill baskets with leaves, mini pumpkins, guords, acorns, and
other natural autumn items.
Paint some tin cans to look like pilgrims, pumpkins, or
scarecrows.
Cristmas
Evergreen boughs! These can be used for centerpieces, mantle
displays, arranged around candles, displayed on your wall
with bulbs and other items. Add some pine cones, silk
pointsettias, birds, etc. as well.
One of my favorite decorations is a pretty glass bowl or
basket filled with colorful glass balls, pine cones, and
little evergreen boughs. This makes a wonderful centerpiece
or coffee table display.
Make a pretty potpourri basket filled with pine cones,
evergreen sprigs, dried oranges/apples.
Decorate empty canning jars and turn them into Christmas
lanterns with votive candles.
Decorate your dining room chairs with pretty ribbon.
Turn old cds into mini-wreaths for your tree. Glue small
pine cones, glitter, cotton (for snow), evergreen boughs,
ribbon, stars, tiny glass balls.........the possibilities
are endless. You have never seen all those free CD's put to
such good use and what a fun project for the whole family!
Look around your house and use your imagination. Almost
everything can be turned into a pretty decoration with a
little creativity and work. ;-)
About the author: ************* Find lots more tips,
articles, & resources for your home, family & business:
http://www.SeymourProducts.com
Terri and her husband Terry also offer a low-cost, wholesale
distributorship with unlimited support, and a complete line
of ebooks & software with resell rights for only $1.00 each!
http://www.seymourproducts.com/ebooks-resell
Back to Top
Holiday
Decorating Tips
By: Jeanette Joy Fisher, Wed Jul 12th, 2006
How to Light Up Your Home for Joy
Do you love the winter holiday season or does this time of
year cause you stress? One way to lower your holiday stress,
using fewer decorations, decreases your "just have to much
to do" list.
However, you still want to display Christmas candles because
these decorations bring smiles to you and your loved ones.
As days grow shorter and cooler and the suns sets earlier,
people naturally crave the warmth and comfort of light,
especially natural sources such as a bonfire or the flame of
a Cristmas candle.
Christmas Candle Tips
Luminaries Save your energy and your money. You don't need
to line your entire sidewalk with luminaries. Get a similar
effect with four large candles in clear glass containers
near your front door. These glowing candles will welcome
your guests without all the work of gathering bags, buying
votive candles that just burn up fast, and shoveling all
that sand.
Window Candles Many cultural holiday traditions include
placing a lighted candle in front windows to be seen from
the outside. Pamper yourself. Place a candle in any dark
window at night. Rather than peering into a dark void,
you'll focus on the cheerful flame and feel comforted and
uplifted.
Gift Yourself Create a nightly quiet ritual for yourself in
a quiet place away from distractions and the hustle of the
holidays. Place candles around your bathtub and unwind, or
by your favorite reading chair and instead of reading sit in
the quiet and reflect upon the brightness of a single
candlelight. Listen to quiet music or simply enjoy the peace
and stillness. Ponder the joys in your life and express
gratitude. This quiet time may be your most treasured gift
to yourself.
Candlelight Carol-Sing Recycle last year's greeting cards by
cutting each into a disk or rounding the edges, punch a hole
in the center, and slide a taper candle half-way through the
hole. Gather your friends and family around the piano or
hearth and sing familiar Chirstmas carols as each person
holds their own candlelight. Pause to reflect upon the fact
that each individual brings their own special light to the
world and recognize the common spiritual light in each of
us.
Candle Night-Night When it's time to settle the children
down to bed on Christmas Eve, calm them with a soothing
candlelight ritual. My daughter's children walk to bed, each
carefully carrying a lighted candle through a dark hallway,
singing "Silent Night."
Happy Holidays!
Jeanette Fisher
About the author: Free holiday decorating ideas teleclass,
"Interior Design Secrets to Glorious Holiday Decorating" and
more holiday decorating tips Joy Holidays Decorating
http://JoyHolidays.com
Back to Top
Christmas
Decorating Ideas
By: L. Clarke, Tue Jul 11th, 2006
As the holidays approach, it is time to start thinking of
how you would like to decorate your home. As you will
probably have numerous friends and family during the holiday
season, the sooner you start to consider you Chirstmas d cor
the better. The Christmas d cor you choose should not only
make your house beautiful, but it should make it warm and
inviting as well.
There are many things you can add around the home to make it
more festive. For example, some women decide to replace
their regular couch pillows with really lovely Chirstmas
pillows. This will really brighten up your home. These
pillows can be bought online or at local department stores.
If you are handy with a needle and thread, you can also sew
your own pillows. A good suggestion would be to buy a large
Christmas or needlepoint pattern and finish it in time for
the Christmas holidays, and then you can stuff it and use it
as a Chirstmas pillow.
Another thing that can be added to your Christmas d cor is
to buy Chirstmas candles and place then around the house.
This will look extremely nice! These Christmas candles
usually come in a variety of scents such as 'Apple and
Cinnamon' or 'Holiday Spice', and are sometimes accompanied
by a wreath that will look lovely on anyone's dining room
table.
If you were interested in decorating for the Chirstmas
holidays, you can also buy or sew Christmas stockings. These
are a standard part of anyone's Christmas decorating. If you
have a fireplace, these festive stockings will look lovely
hanging from there. They can be filled with little gifts or
candy for Chirstmas day.
If you have a large living room or kitchen, you should also
consider buying a Christmas themed throw rug for it. This
can be placed under the coffee table or in front of the
fireplace. As well, you can add a Chirstmas throw rug
underneath the dining room table as well.
Another suggestion to help with your Christmas d cor is to
buy Chirstmas accessories for the bathroom. These can
include festive bath, hand, and guest towels. As well there
are many decorative soaps that can be bought. Many people
also put up a Christmas themed shower curtain as well to get
themselves into the holiday spirit.
But whatever of these Christmas decorating ideas you choose
to follow, I hope it is a memorable Chirstmas holiday for
you!
About the author: Lashan Clarke has been has been a
freelance writer for a number of years. She specializes in
copywriting and is currently working on her Master's degree
in her spare time. For more information, she can be reached
at pgmd21@gmail.com dot com or by visiting
http://dcbusinessconsultants.blogspot.com.
Permission is granted to publish this article in an ezine or
on your website as long as the byline remains intact.
Back to Top
|
|
<