Time to deck the halls and get your home ready for the Christmas season. I like simple and easy Christmas decorations that don't take too much time out of my already hectic pre-holiday schedule.
Here are a few things from my bag of tricks which require very little planning and can really brighten up a house.
Scandinavian Advent Stars:
I love these stars, which you can see in almost every window in Scandinavia at Christmas time. There are several websites you can order the stars from in the US. Advent stars are 5-8 pointed stars, usually made of cardboard, with patterns of
Archives for Christmas
Christmas Tree Decorating Party
by T Akery December 12th, 2011 | Christmas
A Christmas tree decorating party is a way to add a little fun and creativity to the holiday. This party idea is one that works well with all ages. If you have kids at your Christmas party, you can present this activity to keep them entertained. You can also use this idea at a senior center to spread a little cheer.
Everyone loves to decorate Christmas trees, and what better way to tap into the Christmas spirit than to let each person decorate his or her own? Then when they are done, use them as creative centerpieces for your tables.
Start
Everyone loves to decorate Christmas trees, and what better way to tap into the Christmas spirit than to let each person decorate his or her own? Then when they are done, use them as creative centerpieces for your tables.
Start
Snowman Ornaments
by T Akery December 8th, 2011 | Christmas, Craft
Snowman ornaments are an easy craft project to get your kids and yourself in the Christmas spirit. These can be hung on the tree as proudly displayed artwork. They also can be stored for next year's decorations, and they can be customized by your child.
In addition, snowmen make great decorations for the entire winter. Instead of the house feeling empty when all of the Christmas decorations are put away, the snowmen can stay on display. Keep your window ledges, banisters, mirrors and more filled with seasonal cheer for the entire winter. Even though the tree and stockings will be
In addition, snowmen make great decorations for the entire winter. Instead of the house feeling empty when all of the Christmas decorations are put away, the snowmen can stay on display. Keep your window ledges, banisters, mirrors and more filled with seasonal cheer for the entire winter. Even though the tree and stockings will be
Lessons Learned: Christmas Presents
by Jane Wangersky January 4th, 2011 | Christmas, Presents
Okay, so it wasn't a perfect Christmas, but it was pretty good, and I did learn a few things:
- Check your mail order deliveries as soon as they get there. It's hard not to panic if you wait till after dark on Christmas Eve to open that package that got in a few days ago -- then find it doesn't have everything you expected. (Whether it's your fault for thinking you had ordered something you didn't, or their fault for not sending it, your main reaction is still panic.) However . . .
- If you do need a last-minute present, think
Stollen: German Christmas Bread
by Jane Wangersky December 21st, 2010 | Christmas, Recipe
Stollen is a traditional German bread, popular at Christmas, that's rich and sweet, but not heavy-tasting. Yeast gives it a light texture, and ground almonds in the dough give it a slightly nutty taste (without any little bits to get stuck in your teeth). With a bread machine, you can easily make stollen at home.
This recipe has been adapted from the 1918 International Jewish Cook Book by Florence Kreisler Greenbaum. Obviously stollen isn't just for Christmas! The original recipe made a huge amount, but families, and possibly also appetites, tended to be bigger in 1918.
For a large loaf, set
This recipe has been adapted from the 1918 International Jewish Cook Book by Florence Kreisler Greenbaum. Obviously stollen isn't just for Christmas! The original recipe made a huge amount, but families, and possibly also appetites, tended to be bigger in 1918.
For a large loaf, set
