Christmas Ideas

These are some ideas I got from a book my mom gave me one Christmas called Christmas Joy by Susan Branch. I plan on doing some of these things myself this year. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired too.

Decking the Halls

Use lots of candles – fat, thin, short and tall – everywhere. Set white votives in a bowl of coarse salt for “candles in the snow”. Hollow out apples and put in candles.

Sugared fruit: a very elegant and old-fashioned decoration or centerpiece – the fruit looks frosted and icy. Dip plums, red grapes, peaches, apples, etc. into egg white and roll in sugar. Put in a pretty bowl.

Bowls of pinecones, apples, pomegranates, cranberries, holly, cinnamon bundles, whole nuts in their shells, tangerines and oranges studded with cloves. Simmer cloves, citrus peel, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg for good smells.

Tape your Christmas cards around a doorway, window, or mirror.

A pumpkin cut with stars all over and lit with a candle is another fun porch light.

Hang pictures of friends and family from previous Christmases on your refrigerator with little magnets. Set out the photo album to encourage remembrance. Set up framed pictures of family, especially those unable to be present.

Tie ribbon around the dog’s neck, put a bell on the cat, dress up your children, put on a cute apron, put jingle bells on the baby’s shoes.

Christmas is for Children

On the first day of Christmas vacation, let your child choose the dinner menu. Make this a Christmas tradition.

Start a hope chest for boys and girls. Put in Great Grandma’s hand embroidered dish towels, Aunt Mary’s famous sugar cookie recipe, add a sterling silver place setting each year. Put in their baby books, keepsakes, photos and momentos. Have fun.

Have a special Christmas party just for children. Make decorations, take flowers to a convalescent home and sing some carols, eat cake and cookies, make a candy house, read a Christmas story and play pin the star to the tree. Scavenger hunts are great for older children.

Give something to charity every year and discuss it all with your children.

Make a photo album especially for your child for a Christmas present. Star him, his friends, his pets, him on vacation – include cartoons, quotes, newspaper headlines, and a big “I love you.”

Read them a Christmas story, one chapter each night – to end the day in a relaxing family atmosphere.

Enroll your child in your own personal Treat-of-the-Month Club. Make a little coupon that promises one special homemade treat a month.

Fun Christmas Cookies

Christmas Wreaths

Ingredients:
36 lg. marshmallows
½ cup butter
½ tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. green food coloring
3 ½ cups cornflakes
1 pkg. candy redhots

Over medium heat, melt marshmallows and butter together. Stir in vanilla and food coloring. Fold in cornflakes and mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Working quickly with buttered fingers, form into little wreaths. Decorate with candies. They will firm up as they cool. Makes about 24.