Thursday, March 28, 2013

DIY Holiday wreath

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DIY Holiday wreath

Thinking of having a natural wreath this holiday season? Here is a fun project for the entire family. Enjoy! http://naturaldesignscapes.info/

DIY Holiday wreath

DIY Holiday wreath

DIY Holiday wreath

DIY Holiday wreath

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Christmas Wreaths - History, Tradition and Uses

Evergreen wreaths at Christmas time are a familiar sight on doors, above fireplaces, and on homes. Wreaths have been in use for many hundreds of years, even before the birth of Christ. Many historians believe that the first wreaths date back to the Persian Empire, when royalty and members of the upper class wore diadems, or fabric headbands adorned with jewels. Other cultures would later become fascinated with this tradition, picking it up and adapting it for themselves.

Christmas Wreaths - History, Tradition and Uses

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00001 Arriving in Davis

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Christmas Wreaths - History, Tradition and Uses

DIY Ornament Wreath: Holiday Tutorial!

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DIY Ornament Wreath: Holiday Tutorial!

DIY Ornament Wreath.

DIY Ornament Wreath: Holiday Tutorial!

DIY Ornament Wreath: Holiday Tutorial!

DIY Ornament Wreath: Holiday Tutorial!

DIY Ornament Wreath: Holiday Tutorial!

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17 Fun Christmas Decorating Ideas to Add Sparkle to Your Home

'Tis the season to decorate your home in all the splendor of Christmas. I personally love decorating for the holidays... pulling out all of those bins of forgotten decorations... discovering new items I purchased throughout the year... and falling into deep nostalgia. Decorating for Christmas is almost as fun as the actual day of Christmas. It truly is a special time of the year and making your home special will bring warmth to your family and friend's hearts... and create wonderful memories.

17 Fun Christmas Decorating Ideas to Add Sparkle to Your Home

Mompreneur 101: Jessica Kim Babba Co.

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Mompreneur 101: Jessica Kim Babba Co.

Mompreneur 101: Jessica Kim Babba Co.

Mompreneur 101: Jessica Kim Babba Co.

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A Christmas Birthday Party Needs Christmas Party Favor Ideas To Create Glad Tidings!

If you're looking for some Christmas party favor ideas for your upcoming Christmas birthday party, an office party, or your annual Christmas shindig, then here's some snazzy and jazzy options to consider. Your guests will indeed believe this to be the most wonderful time of the year!

A Christmas Birthday Party Needs Christmas Party Favor Ideas To Create Glad Tidings!

Inexpensive snowflake wreath

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Inexpensive snowflake wreath

Hi everybody, I really wanted a holiday wreath for our front door but paying and up for one seemed silly to me, so I created this one for under Produc...

Inexpensive snowflake wreath

Inexpensive snowflake wreath

Inexpensive snowflake wreath

Inexpensive snowflake wreath

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Christmas Wreaths - History, Tradition and Uses

Easy, Easter DIY!

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Easy, Easter DIY!

A sneak peak from me on Seven Random Unicorns. Happy Easter! (well, early Easter :p)

Easy, Easter DIY!

Easy, Easter DIY!

Easy, Easter DIY!

Easy, Easter DIY!

No URL Easy, Easter DIY!

A sneak peak from me on Seven Random Unicorns. Happy Easter! (well, early Easter :p)

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About 800 years before the birth of Christ, Greeks began to recognize the winners of their Olympic games by crowning them with wreaths made of laurel tree branches. Years later, when the games moved from city to city, branches from local trees were used to make these victory wreaths for the winners. During the Roman Empire, military and political leaders wore crowns of leaves and greenery. For example, Julius Caesar was crowned with a wreath made of fresh laurel branches and leaves. The transition of the wreath from a head adornment to a wall decoration is believed to have occurred when athletes (or perhaps victorious military leaders) returned home, and they would hang their headbands on their walls or doors, as a trophy of their victory.

Holiday Wreath

Christmas Wreaths - History, Tradition and Uses

The Egyptian, Chinese, and Hebrew cultures were known to have used evergreen branches as a symbol of eternal life, because the conifer trees stayed green throughout the winter months. After the birth of Christ, the Christmas wreath made of evergreen branches came to symbolize the triumph of life over the long winter months.

Christmas Wreaths - History, Tradition and Uses

The Advent wreath also became a popular holiday tradition after the birth of Christ. This decoration was usually placed flat on a table and was used to count down the four weeks immediately preceding Christmas. Traditionally the wreath was constructed with four candles in a circle and one candle in the middle. The four outside candles were purple or violet, and the center candle was white. Four weeks before Christmas, the first violet candle would be lit. The following week, an additional candle would be lit, and so on, until the white center candle is lit on Christmas Eve or day, signifying the arrival of Christ. A brief prayer was said to accompany the lighting of each candle. The reason for the final candle being located in the center is to symbolize that we should keep Christ at the center of our lives and the center of the Christmas celebration.

Based on drawings and paintings, most historians believe that the use of evergreen wreaths at Christmas time spread across Northern Europe, Spain, and Italy during the early 19th century. The greenery was used as a symbol of life persevering through the cold winter months, and the holly berries that were often used as an adornment were a symbol of the blood of Christ.

It is also believed that Europeans also used wreaths on their doors to represent their family identity, much like a family crest. These wreaths were made from products grown in their own gardens, such as grapevines, fresh flowers, or other produce. The crafting of these wreaths was a family ritual that followed the same general pattern year after year.

Today, wreaths are still widely used around the world. In the U.S., wreaths are a traditional decoration for Christmas, as well as many other holidays throughout the year. Wreaths now adorn doors for Halloween, Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July, and Easter. Furthermore, wreaths are no longer limited to only evergreen branches. Many craft stores, books, and television shows feature unique wreaths made of a variety of unusual materials and decorations for almost any occasion.

Christmas Wreaths - History, Tradition and Uses

Hi everybody, I really wanted a holiday wreath for our front door but paying and up for one seemed silly to me, so I created this one for under Produc...

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MUG FULL OF YUM - For the chocolate lovers in your life, fill a Christmas mug full of Hershey's Kisses, envelope the mug with Christmas-printed cellophane, tie off with some fun ribbons, and hang a glitzy snowflake ornament on the outside.

Holiday Wreath

A Christmas Birthday Party Needs Christmas Party Favor Ideas To Create Glad Tidings!

ANOTHER MUG FULL OF YUM - Capitalize on chocolate and fill a Christmas mug with an envelope of hot chocolate, a small clear bag of mini marshmallows, and a package of creamer to make your hot "toddy" a bit more decadent. Once again, envelope the cup in a decorative cellophane and tie it off with coordinating ribbons and a dangling ornament.

A Christmas Birthday Party Needs Christmas Party Favor Ideas To Create Glad Tidings!

CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS TREE - Melt green chocolate candy melts and pour the melted chocolate into a Christmas tree-shaped candy mold. Lay a sucker stick into the warm chocolate. After the chocolate hardens, pop your trees out of the mold. Wrap the trees in cellophane and tie off with a ribbon.

If you want your tree to have decorations, then prior to pouring the green chocolate into the mold you'll need to "paint" your decorations onto the inside of the mold using a craft brush. Wilton's candy melts come in an array of colors, which makes it easy to paint on your ornaments, lights, garland, or whatever floats your boat!

WHIMSICAL WREATH ORNAMENTS - Buy some mini craft wreaths and decorate them with Christmas ribbons, berries, dried flowers, cinnamon sticks, holly, etc. Create a hanger by gluing a ribbon loop on the back.

In the alternative, you could decorate each wreath to coincide with your guests' interests. For example, if Suzie likes to sew, decorate your wreath with spools of thread, ribbons, scissors, etc. For Fisherman Frank, decorate his wreath with fishing lures, hooks, sinkers, rubber worms, thin rope, etc.

SPA DELIGHT - Make or buy a sugar scrub and put into small mason jars or decorative glass jars, which have tight lids. Decorate the outside with Christmas ribbons, cinnamon sticks, a sprig of holly, berries, etc. Tie a small spoon to the side, along with written instructions for use.

COOKIE CUTTERS - Print out your favorite cookie recipe on a recipe card. Place Christmas-shaped cookie-cutters into a decorative cellophane bag. Tie it off with colorful ribbons and attach your recipe to the outside.

CHRISTMAS CD - Download a mix of your favorite Christmas songs and create CD's for your guests. Add a decorative CD label, put into green or red CD sleeves, and close with a Christmas sticker.

If you're still looking for some additional Christmas birthday party favors or Christmas party favor ideas that could be used for an office party or to help make your home a sled full of fun, then you might want to visit our website. You'll also find lots of ideas for invitations, decorations, party food, and cakes, along with a fun assortment of Christmas games, which will complement your Christmas splendidly!

A Christmas Birthday Party Needs Christmas Party Favor Ideas To Create Glad Tidings!

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I love decorating for Christmas so much, it looks like Christmas blew up in my house... but in a good way! :-)

Holiday Wreath

17 Fun Christmas Decorating Ideas to Add Sparkle to Your Home

So... I've listed 17 ideas for decorating home your home for the holidays. I hope that you find at least one new idea for you... and maybe a few will inspire you with a whole list of original ideas!

17 Fun Christmas Decorating Ideas to Add Sparkle to Your Home

1. Brighten your christmas tree

It's easy to string lights on your Christmas tree... but take tree lights very seriously at my house. My husband wraps each individual branch and twig with lights. Yes, it's a bit tedious... but the result is breathtaking. Hey, you're going to be looking at that tree all month... take the extra time and really make your tree glow... literally.

2. Decorate your stair rail

This is a given, but it amazes me how few actually do it. Whenever you see beautifully decorated homes in magazines you see this grand staircase wrapped in garland and lights. It's stunning. And you can have the same exact effect in your home. It's easy! Wrap your banisters with garland. You can go cheap and use the standard green garland in a box... or you can go all out and get some more realistic garland. Whatever your budget can handle... do what's best for you. Now, wrap the garland in white lights. It doesn't matter what kind of garland you use... because once those lights are on... wow! But don't stop there! Tie a pretty christmas ribbon bow at the bottom and top of the hand rails. And if you have enough ribbon, wind the ribbon loosely around the rail. Don't wrap the ribbon exactly like you wrapped the garland... offset it a bit. Now, you're really decorating!

And if you're inspired... grab some shiny christmas ball ornaments and hang those on your garland all the way up the stairs. I bet you didn't know your house could look so luxurious!

3. Add christmas bows

I add bows made of all kinds of christmas ribbon all over my house. On the stair rail, on my wreaths... on the ends of my draped garland. On door knobs. I attach them to my outdoor house lights. I add a big swag christmas bow just below my angel on my christmas tree. And for my second tree (yes, my second tree) I have a big 2-ribbon tree topper bow.

4. Hang wreaths in windows

It's common to hang wreaths on your front door. But I love hanging wreaths on my windows. I'm not talking about just on the outside of your house. I also mean on the inside. I don't hang wreaths in all my windows... my I select a room that needs a little extra Christmas spirit and hang one in each window. I also hang a wreath above the fire place. And another on my book shelves. And guess what... I add bows to all of them.

5. Greet visitors with some fun

All the formal decorating stuff is nice... but don't forget to add some personality and fun to your rooms. Especially in your foyer. Find something that makes you smile and put it where people will see it as soon as they come into your house. I found this Christmas center piece that is made of holly leaves, berries and 3 stacked gingermen. It is adorable! It makes me smile and I put it on a table in my foyer. Now, I enjoy it when I come home... and others can enjoy it when the visit. It's silly and I love it!

6. Create memories with small decorations

Growing up, I always remembered my Mother's little Christmas knick-knacks. Like snow globes and funny little snow men. I really didn't follow in tradition when I first had kids. But my Mother gifted me little silly items every year. And as the years have gone on, my children ask about some of these items when we decorate the house. I have a little igloo with snowmen that has a little light that acts like a fire. My daughter remembered this from last year and was so excited when she saw it out. It's the little things... literally... that can be the most special.

7. Decorate your fireplace mantel

My fireplace mantel varies from year to year. I've draped garland and lights and hungs stockings. I've displayed a variety of different sized candles dressed in pine cones and garland. I've displayed framed photos of the family. Whatever you decide... just have fun with it. Experiment. Try varying heights of a few different items. Try simple... try cluttered. Find your style.

8. Add garland

Like wreaths, add garland everywhere! I wrap garland on the banisters... I frame the door ways. I drape garland with fruit over my french doors. I lay garland along the top back of my couches. I even wrap my columns in garland.

10. Add a little character to your front yard

I used to do the "nice" decorating in my front yard. White lights on the shrubs. Garland and white lights around my door. And it IS nice. But now, I try to add a little fun. Not too much... I still don't want my yard looking like I'm having a yard sale! This year I lined my front walk in light up candy canes. So cute! I still have my white lights on everything else... but its the candy canes that make me smile. And my kids love them!

11. Place wrapped gifts

Wrap boxes in shiny paper... tie a ribbon on them... and place them around your house. What fun! I place wrapped gift boxes on my book shelves, a few in a blank corner... some under the tree... anywhere that you need to add a little Christmas cheer. What an easy way to decorate!

12. Candles

Ah, the soft flicker of candle light can really add to the mood of a cozy home. I love the look of candles in windows. Obviously, don't use real candles for this. I also like to light a few candles around my home. The smell of cinnamon and holly is delicious.

13. Fill glass vases with cranberries and sparkle

Pull out those glass vases that just sit in your cupboard. Fill them with fake cranberries, clear glass stones, salt, pine cones, and/or christmas balls. Layer and be creative. And then leave these filled vases out. This a professional decorator trick. It's quick and it looks amazing!

14. Bowl of ornaments

Take a large bowl and fill it with some of your extra christmas balls. Or, collect some unique ones that you personally love... and place those in your bowl. Place this bowl in the center of your coffee table or dining table.

15. Photos of Christmas memories

Pull out some of those precious memories of Christmases past and put them in some decorative frames. Shiny silver frames... red painted frames. Whatever you like. And place these around your house. You'll find that you'll start remembering stories and sharing these moments with your friends and family.

16. Christmas hand towels and bathroom mats

Don't forget the bathrooms! Add a cute hand towel and a christmasy floor mat. I have a chimney tissue box that I place on the back of the hall bathroom toilet. Just add a little somethin'.

17. Set your dining table

You may not be expecting dinner guests, but it's always nice to have a decorated and set table. Pull out your favorite holiday dishes. I have these fun white dishes that have reindeer, christmas trees and santas painted on them. I love them! Dress up your table with colorful place mats.... place random christmas balls over the table... place a dramatic center piece... and light some votive candles.

As I write this article, I can already think of a few more christmas decorating ideas. But I have to end this list at some point. Decorating your home for the holidays can create a lot of wonderful memories that you'll relive each year you pull out those bins. So, get to it! And happy holidays!

Oh... and don't forget to hang jingle bells on the doors... and mistletoe above the doorways... ok, ok, I'll stop!

17 Fun Christmas Decorating Ideas to Add Sparkle to Your Home

DIY Ornament Wreath.

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Holiday Wreath