I'm The Happiest Christmas Tree!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqnjGEg0PVo

More Christmas ideas...

Christmas Living 2011

I'm really getting in the mood for Christmas now, especially since I received my Christmas catalogue from 24studio...

I love browsing through all those glittering decorations, trees and lights, it makes me wish I had a bigger house so I would have room to decorate each room with a different theme!

Here are three different colour schemes that you can achieve really easily, with pre-decorated trees: green tree, with red and gold (very traditional Christmas colour scheme), or, black tree, with copper and gold decorations (blends with all kinds of home decor, from traditional to modern), and then there is the white tree with blue and green decorations, which looks great in a modern home.

This indoor Christmas tree comes in two different sizes, and has all the lights and baubles supplied with it ready for you to decorate, and it's really easy to assemble.

You can always customise your tree a little by adding a few additional decorations of your own, whether they're family hand-me-downs or new decorations.

Visit the website for more Christmas decor ideas, plus Christmas gifts for the whole family.

Salt Dough Christmas Decorations

Looking for ways to have a thrifty Christmas? why not have a go at making your own Salt Dough Christmas Decorations,

Ingredients needed:
200ml water
10oz plain flour
10oz salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil

Method:
Mix it all the ingredients together then when you're ready roll the mixture out, cut into shapes with cookie/biscuit cutters, my personal favourites being Snowmen, Gingerbread Men and Bell shaped cookie cutters,

Place on a baking tray, make sure you have made a hole in the top of the decoration for the ribbon to go through afterwards, a cocktail stick is a good thing to use. (make sure you make the hole big enough as when you bake the dough the mixture will grow slightly)

A personal favourite of mine is to add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the mix before baking to make the decorations smell nice and Christmassy (don’t use too much though)

Bake in an oven at approx 180C for 20 minutes, then paint and/or varnish or add glitter to make your own unique decoration.

Perfect for giving as a gift, or if the kids have helped you, keeping for sentimental reasons, they can even be re-used for years to come.

If you are truly inspired by all things Christmas then take a look at 24studio.co.uk/christmas they stock a wide range of Christmas gifts, trees, cards, wrap and decorations almost all year round as well as Craft material and Craft kits.

Christmas Trees

Many people see the Christmas tree as the most important of all their Christmas decorations, and I can see why, as usually it is the biggest decoration in the house, and maybe even the one that costs the most money.
Most people have a distinct style of Christmas Tree, often favouring the same sort of style year after year, whereas there are some people who change their Christmas Tree year after year following the different trends. Speaking of which do you remember the other year when one of the high street stores featured upside down Christmas Trees in their shop windows, the country went mad for them! I was not one of them though, as I firmly believe that Christmas Trees should stand from the ground up!
Some people prefer real Christmas Trees to Artificial Trees, maybe its something to do with the smell of them, or the pine needles, or the fact that they don’t have to pack them away at the end of Christmas, or maybe its even for environmental reasons.
Choosing a real Christmas tree can be a daunting task if you don’t know what you are looking for or what the best tree is for your needs, as some real trees apparently don’t shed needles, while others do, so if you’ve got a pet its best to try and find one that retains its needles. I found this useful article today on Choosing a Christmas tree if you need help and advice.
I’ve found a great online shopping site that has a vast range of artificial, LED, traditional and pre-lit Christmas Trees, and the great news is their Christmas Range is out now. I love the Retro Pre-Lit Christmas Tree they have for sale - the multi coloured lights take me right back to my childhood.
Happy days, it’s a lot less stressful when you can shop early.

Advent Calendars

The first advent calendars appeared in 19th-Century Germany, when various methods of counting the days between the start of Advent and Christmas Day were used. Starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, or simply on 1 December, the Protestant Christians would keep track of the days by making marks on their doors with a piece of chalk, which would then be rubbed off one by one as Christmas approached. Other practices then developed, including burning a candle or putting up a small religious picture to mark each day.

These days during Advent, people make or buy Advent calendars as a way of counting the days to Christmas. Usually these calendars have twenty-four 'windows'.

Traditional calendar windows open up to show a picture of something linked with this time of year. One may show an angel or one of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus. Others may show pictures of Christmas presents, a candle or anything else to do with Christmas. The last window to be opened usually shows Jesus himself, lying in a manger.

Popular advent calendars today usually have chocolate hidden behind each window. The theme/ picture displayed is usually a character from a TV show or film.

Some people like to make their own Advent Calendars, this Homemade Origami Calendar pattern is one of my favourites, but doesn’t really leave much room for treats.

If it’s an advent calendar full of treats you're looking for, especially if you have younger children then a Wooden Advent Cabinet might be more suitable, where you have 24 little drawers in which to pop a sweet or a chocolate.

Dont forget to put an extra special treat in door number 24 though!

Santa! Stop Here!

Look at this cute Personalised Santa Stop Here Sign - also available in a reindeer design. 


Personalised with any name up to 11 letters, this simple stake sign pushes into soft ground - make sure Father Christmas doesn't miss your house!


More Christmas ideas.

Cute Santa Claus Christmas Tree Topper

I love cute Christmas decorations, so imagine how excited I was to find this gorgeous Santa Christmas tree topper - he's adorable and will brighten up any Christmas tree!

You can buy the Santa tree topper here:
http://homeshopping.24studio.co.uk/search/22826505



For more Christmas inspiration, Christmas gifts and decoration ideas, visit www.24studio.co.uk/christmas

Christmas Countdown - start your Christmas Planning Now!

 

Only 163 days to Christmas 2011!

If you're ready (are you ready?) to start planning for Christmas, take a look at christmas.organizedhome.com/printable/christmas-planner, a great resource for printing your own Christmas planners, calendars and checklists.

Even if extensive Christmas planning isn't your thing, you'll probably find it helpful to write a Christmas List.  

Make a simple list of friends and family, anyone you need to buy a Christmas Gift for. Then list any other essential Christmas items you may need, such as new decorations, lights, tableware etc.

Don't forget Christmas cards, wrapping paper, Christmas crackers - and you may wish to think about your Christmas menu.

Once you feel you have everything down on your list, set a budget for each new thing you need to buy this Christmas, and make a note of your budgetted amounts at the side of each item on your Christmas list.

Add up all the amounts to see what your grand total is - this is an estimate of what you are likely to spend this Christmas, although it is likely to be a conservative estimate - most of us end up spending more than we intend each Christmas. You might add an extra 'contingency' amount onto the subtotal for this. Consider Christmas parties, secret Santas and party outfits.

Next, divide your grand total by the number of months left between now and November, to create a monthly saving budget. If you start your Christmas planning in July, you have four months to prepare!

Now you can start a Christmas savings plan to ensure you have enough funds to pay for everything!

Happy Christmas planning!

Christmas Cards

All About Christmas Cards

Most of us send Christmas cards to friends, relatives and colleagues each year - but do you know why we send Christmas cards?

The first commercial Christmas cards were created and sent way back in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole of London came up with the idea to help promote his 'penny post' idea that had been launched just three years earlier. The first Christmas cards featured an illustration of a family drinking wine - controversial as it was deemed inappropriate to associate alcohol with a religious festival. The idea of Christmas cards soon caught on though, and by the following year several thousand were sold, and by 1875 the idea had caught on in the USA.

Traditionally Christmas cards featured festive designs and illustrations - from Christmas trees, baubles, gifts and family scenes, nativity and other religious designs, winter scenes and snowmen, reindeer, cute animals and of course, everyone's favourite Christmas card character - Santa Claus.

Today, Christmas cards have evolved into a massive industry - Christmas cards come in every imaginable design, size, shape and quality, with a vast choice of message and greetings. Most Christmas cards feature an image on the front, with an optional greeting, and then a full message inside, typically "Merry Christmas And Happy New Year". You can also buy personalised Christmas cards.

The internet age has also brought technology into the Christmas card world - virtual Christmas cards are sent by email and many prefer this paper-less option as it has less environmental impact.

Many businesses, small and large, send Christmas cards to their customers - a goodwill gesture no doubt designed to raise brand awareness and revenue!

You can buy special Christmas cards that give a percentage of profits to a charity - many charities now have their own Christmas card ranges nowadays, so you  can combine your Christmas card buying with charity.

You can buy extravagant and special Christmas cards, cards for every member of the family, for a whole family, from a whole family, Christmas cards for specific relatives, even Christmas cards for pets!

Consider buying multipacks of Christmas cards if you have a large family or a lot of friends.

Countdown to Christmas - 171 Days To Go!

Only 171 Days until Christmas! 

The countdown has begun:

It's now less than six months until Christmas 2011!  

Ho-Ho-Ho!

Great Christmas Shopping Website Link

Christmas Shopping fanatics!

Check out this website www.24studio.co.uk/christmas - packed full of wonderful Christmas stuff, and it's on sale even in the summer! (A Christmas maniac's dream!)

They specialise in personalised gifts (also great for Christmas!), but what I like about this online shopping website (UK) is their fab range of random and funny Christmas novelties.

Like.... this Santa Toilet Seat Cover (yes, you did read that right, it's a cover for a toilet seat!!)

I never really considered Christmas decorations in the bathroom before, but why not!? The message on the hat (and on the mat) reads "Santa sat here"....
Very cute, I think I need one!
Buy Santa Sat Here toilet seat cover and mat set from 24studio.

Wandering around their website I also found these charming angel / reindeer door stops - shame they don't have one in a Father Christmas design but these are still very festive and sweet.

Available from 24studio (UK based) :

Buy festive door stops

One final thing I had to show you, also from Studio:
Santa LED window light in Santa / reindeer design.

These are very sweet window decorations (can also be fixed to a wall) - each has 10 LED lights built in and comes with stickers for fixing to your window, and transparent cable to keep things neat.

Santa / Reindeer LED window decorations by 24studio.

24Studio also have an impressive selection of Christmas cards and wrap, so are a good place to start your Christmas shopping, especially if you like to start early!
Christmas decorations, Christmas cards and wrap, Christmas trees & lights, Christmas gifts.

Christmas Resources for Children

Here's a great resource for teachers, parents and anyone looking to entertain or educate young children about Christmas: www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/christmas.html

This brilliant collection of resources includes advent calendars and Christmas craft projects, maths and english projects with a Christmas theme, and all kinds of information about Christmas traditions. Plus, free Christmas clip art, music clips and fun Christmas stories for children.

This is a great resource for entertaining children at Christmas (and in those excited weeks before Christmas!)

Christmas Fun

Featured Christmas link: www.northpole.com

Looking for Christmas fun, games and activities for kids and grown ups, with printable stories and colouring pages, Christmas countdown calendar, e-cards, recipes and Christmas ideas. Visit www.northpole.com for Christmas fun!

http://www.northpole.com/

 

Christmas Shopping - is it ever too early to start?

I'm one of those people who does most of their shopping in December. Each year I say that next year I will be more organised and start Christmas shopping earlier, ("I'll just get bits and bobs all year round when I see them") but somehow I never seem to manage it!

I think the problem is that I am not wealthy enough to do this - my budget is dictated by necessity week in, week out, so it's hard to justify splashing out on Christmas presents in July when need other things more, like umbrellas!

Plus, you need a spare room or large cupboard to store/hide all these purchases until Christmas arrives!

Maybe I'll try and start my Christmas shopping early this year, I'm sure I would have a less stressful December if I could do that!

Only 214 Days Until Christmas

Woo hoo! - only 214 days left until Christmas 2011!

Is anyone else counting the days?

• Christmas Day 2011 falls on a Sunday!

Christmas Decorations - Traditional Or Modern

Christmas Decorations - what's your style?

Do you prefer traditional or modern Christmas decorations?

I used to favour traditional Christmas trimmings, using themes of red, gold and green, with bows, swags and hand-me-down baubles. Nowadays I have changed my viewpoint and prefer a modern Christmas look for my home, and I've relegated all my old decorations to the attic (well you never know, I might change my mind again and decide I want red and gold and ribbons!)

Traditional Christmas Decorations.
For me, traditional Christmas decorations are a safe option - guaranteed to make your home feel comfortable, festive and welcoming. Real Christmas trees draped with fairy lights, gold tinsel and rich red ribbons tied in bows. Glass baubles in red, gold and green, and hand-me-down tree ornaments passed down through the generations.
The benefit of using a traditional Christmas decor scheme is that it's easy to mix and match, and easy to update the look with just a couple of new items each year. You might choose to rotate some items, keeping some aside for next year, choosing different combinations of tinsel and baubles each time. Home made and antique decorations and ornaments blend seamlessly with a traditional Christmas decoration scheme. To compliment the tree, drape swags and wreaths around shelves, mantles and door frames to co-ordinate the traditional look.

Modern Christmas Decorations.
If your home is decorated in a modern style, or perhaps you're just bored of red and gold, there's a whole world of modern Christmas trimmings out there. Every colour you can imagine - black Christmas trees are a popular choice these days. Christmas lights are far more exotic and spectacular than a few years ago - chasing lights, fibre-optic lights and even solar Christmas lights can be found on the high street. Plus, all kinds of beautiful modern tree ornaments and baubles, wall hangings, window decorations and free standing Christmas trimmings.
Why not try black, silver and purple? Or blue and white shimmering baubles for a frosty look? Whatever colours you love, you can find Christmas trees and baubles to match.

Don't get stuck in a rut this year - try something new with your Christmas decorations!

Great British Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions

These days, many argue that Christmas has lost it's original meaning and has become too commercialised and focused on gifts, money and partying. Yet there are some long-standing Christmas traditions that remain strong, even in these days of online shopping and last minute spending.

In the UK, Christmas shopping begins early - the shops often start stocking Christmas items early in Autumn, and, once halloween and Guy Fawkes are out of the way, all the shops and supermarkets really ramp up their efforts and Christmas shopping mania really begins! (Of course when it comes to shopping for Christmas gifts, there's no reason why you can't shop for Christmas all year round - just keep an eye out for suitable gifts throughout the year and have a special cupboard, box, or space in the attic to store everything ready for Christmas!)

Christmas shopping aside, Brits get busy preparing Christmas puddings and cakes many weeks before Christmas, as well as ordering the turkey!

Preparations for school nativity plays and Christmas fayres and fetes begins in the autumn term and often the main event is played out in late November or early December.

November is also a good time to start thinking about Christmas cards - particularly if you have relatives or friends overseas. It'also a good time for children to consider writing a letter to Santa Claus - here the child can say which presents they would really like for Christmas this year and declare that they have been a good boy or girl!

Decorating the home with festive trimmings usually comes later - mid-December seems to be the most popular time, although there are always some people who like to get their Christmas decorations sorted by the start of December - including tonnes of outdoor lights and novelties!

Closer to Christmas itself, on Christmas Eve it is traditional in the Uk for children to hang up their stockings - so that Father Christmas can leave them a little something. Often, a mince pie and drink are left for Santa too - and even a carrot for Rudulf and his colleagues! Meanwhile, preparations for Christmas lunch begin - vegetables peeled and prepared, turkey prepared for a long slow roast in the oven ahead of the big meal on Christmas day.

On Christmas morning, the celebrations normally begin with the family opening gifts and sharing Christmas greetings.

Christmas lunch is usually served at lunchtime and is a chance to show off all the family's best crockery, glasses and tableware. Often the dinner table features festive decorations or centrepieces with candles. Each Christmas lunch guest usually receives a Christmas cracker which can be pulled with fellow guests. Christmas crackers normally contain a small gift, a party hat and a bad joke!

Another Great British Christmas tradition occurs mid-afternoon when families sit down to watch The Queen's Speech - a long standing tradition where the British Monarch addresses the nation.

Other Christmas traditions popular in the UK, old and new include the hanging of mistletoe for romantic Christmas kisses, watching classic film 'The Great Escape' on TV, secret santa gift schemes, office parties, and, for the very lucky, perhaps even a holiday in the sun to see in the new year!

Christmas Shopping - Start early for the best bargains!

Whether you love or hate Christmas shopping, chances are you have to take on this job at some point.

Some people like to get started on their Christmas shopping nice and early, while others prefer to leave it all to the last minute then have a frantic last-minute shop!

If you're a fan of starting your Christmas shopping early in the year, you can start at Studio, who start selling Christmas stuff in the summer time! They have all kinds of Christmas decorations, trees and gifts and you can even spread the cost.

Christmas Pudding Recipe

Christmas Pudding

Here's a recipe for Christmas pudding. Ideally you want to make the pudding in October and add alcohol at regular intervals in the weeks running up to Christmas for added flavour. Enough for 2 average sized puddings.

Ingredients

• 225g / 8oz caster sugar
• 110g / 4oz plain flour
• 225g / 8oz suet (can be vegetarian or traditional suet)
• 340g / 12oz sultanas
• 340g / 12oz raisins
• 225g / 8oz currants
• 110g / 4oz chopped candied peel
• 110g / 4oz breadcrumbs
• 55g / 2oz flaked almonds
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 5 beaten eggs
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 150ml / 5fl oz brandy (or rum)

Method

• Lightly grease two 1.2 litre (2 pint) pudding basins with butter.
• Mix together all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir in the beaten eggs and brandy/rum, then mix well.
• Spoon the mix into the two basins. Cover with baking parchment and foil, then tie securely with string.
• Place your two pudding basins in a large steamer of boiling water, or large pan with inverted saucers at the bottom, and cover with a lid. Water leve should be around one third the height of the pudding basins.Boil for 5-6 hours, topping the boiling water up from time to time, if necessary. 
• Remove from heat and cool. Check the puddings are cooked and then refresh the baking parchment and foil covers with fresh ones and secure with string. 
• Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas, periodically unwrapping to create skewer holes and spoon in some extra booze. 
• On Christmas Day, to serve your Christmas puddings, steam for 2 hours and serve with brandy butter, rum sauce or cream.

Christmas Clip Art - Free Christmas Images and Graphics

Here are some great links for free Christmas Clip Art and Graphics that you can use for your Christmas projects - whether you're doing something online or making Christmas posters, cards, gift tags, childrens projects etc.

http://www.christmas-clipart.com/ - a nice collection with some modern, cute designs

http://www.christmas-graphics-plus.com/ - good collection of mainly traditional clipart images, and some animated GIFs.

http://www.shermanisd.net/Instruction/ChristmasClipArt/christmas_clip_art.htm - Christmas clip art and borders

http://freecuteclipart.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas%20Clipart -  a few nice Christmas images and animated graphics