Monday, November 8, 2010

7 stress-relieving tips to help you through the holidays

     When To Start Planning For Christmas

We love Christmas. We love planning for Christmas, but we don’t love getting stressed out over Christmas. Here are 7 stress-relieving tips to help you through.
A little planning can go a long way in relieving stress and increasing pleasure during the Christmas season. You don’t have to wait until the last minute to start planning.

Start Planning Early in the Year.
Right after Christmas, the after-Christmas sales begin. Take advantage and buy Christmas decorations and any other goodies that will work for you next year.
A word of caution: don’t buy for the sake of buying. Don’t buy markdowns that are broken. You’ll find many beautiful items that may have been out of your budget before Christmas, but are now affordable.
Watch for sales all year. They happen every Holiday and in every season. Great Christmas gifts for men can be found around Father’s Day. Great Christmas gifts for women can be found around Mother’s Day. You get the idea.

Make a List of “Recipients” You Want to Buy Gifts For.
Your list may be the same list as last year, but the list may change depending on circumstances. Write down the names, so you’ll have them in front of you. Yes, really write them down and keep the list handy.
All through the year, keep your eyes open and when the sales begin, take advantage. Once again, don’t buy for the sake of buying. Select wisely. Buy it if you really like it, write down the name of the gift next to the recipient’s name.

Shop At Home All Year.
When you shop on the Internet, you have plenty of time to “window shop.” And items are not seasonal. They are available year round. And of course sites have sales and promotionals just as the stores do.

Make A List of the Gifts You Buy.
Sometimes we see things we like and we know it would make a great gift for someone on our “Recipients” list, but we haven’t decided whom the lucky one will be. Go ahead and buy it. Make a Gifts Purchased list. Every time you buy a gift, put it on the list. If you know to whom you want to give it, write the person’s name next to it and put it on the Recipients list as well.
You now have a cross-reference. No, it’s not too complicated and organized. It’s really easy. And if you don’t make notes, you’ll get confused when it comes time to wrap. You may not remember who is supposed to get what.

Wrap Sooner Not Later.
Don’t wait until Christmas Eve to start wrapping your presents. You may not be that bad, but I know many people who are. As soon as Christmas wrapping paper is placed on the store shelves, start buying and wrapping.
Wrap a few at a time and take time to make each one really beautiful. Make the people you love feel special. Allow your creativity to explode. You’ll enjoy giving your gifts even more.

Make A Record of What You Wrapped.
Each time you wrap a gift, write it down on your list of Recipients. If you have a list of gifts you have purchased, write the name of the recipient. If you haven’t made a list, this would be a good time to make one. It’s a lot easier to look at a list rather than to trust your memory.
Don’t make the mistake I made one year. I wrapped everything early and by the time Christmas arrived, I had forgotten what I had given to several people, or had forgotten exactly what it looked like. I now have a digital camera to take pictures of the gifts and I also have a list of recipients and what they’re getting. Problem solved.

Start Collecting Recipes.
Don’t wait until you a need a recipe to start looking for one. Start collecting recipes from friends, magazines, and on food containers. Organize them in a file or tape them in a notebook. But don’t stop there. Try the recipes out. Put stars beside the ones you like and would be proud to serve. When it comes time to whip something up, it will be fast and easy to make choices.
Christmas can be enjoyed all year. You don’t have to wait for the season to begin. All year you can collect recipes, get decorating ideas, window shop, and make purchases. Make your choices wisely. You don’t want to experience buyer’s regret.
Following this plan will help relieve stress during the busy holiday season. Have fun and keep on enjoying Christmas.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Top 10 Bestselling Gifts 2010

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Get Crafty!

Homemade Christmas Ornaments

Get crafty this holiday season with these of artful homemade Christmas ornament ideas

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland  

Total Time Needed:
2-3 Hours
This ornament lets kids assemble miniature figurines and novelty items into magical "through the looking glass" scenes.
Materials
  • 9-ounce clear plastic cup
  • Silver poster board
  • Pinking shears or decorative craft scissors
  • Polyester batting
  • Miniature trees (sold in craft stores; try the dollhouse or model railroad section)
  • Miniature animals or people (sold in craft stores or online at BJCRAFTSUPPLIES.COM)
  • 1-inch-wide mirror
  • Tacky glue
  • Fine glitter
  • Pushpin
  • Monofilament
  • Several craft beads


Instructions
  1. Winter Wonderland - Step 1 Trace the rim of the cup onto the underside of the poster board. Cut out the circle, but stay at least 1/8 inch outside the trace line so the base will be slightly larger than the cup.
  2. Winter Wonderland - Step 2 Cut out a circle of batting snow that's the same diameter as the cup and set it atop the shiny side of the poster board circle.
  3. Separate or snip the batting where you'd like to position the trees, figurines, and mirror pond. Glue the base of each item to the poster board, then smooth or fluff the snow around them as needed. Sprinkle the scene with fine glitter.
  4. Use the pushpin to poke a hole in the center of the cup bottom. Thread a craft bead onto a 12-inch length of monofilament. Gather the ends together, letting the bead fall to the center of the line, and thread them up through the hole from inside the cup. String a few more beads onto the doubled line (outside the cup) and then knot the ends to form a loop.
  5. Apply a line of glue along the edge of the poster board circle. Press the cup, upside down, atop the glue and hold it in place for 20 seconds or so. During the first 10 minutes of drying time, occasionally check the seal and press down gently on the cup, if required. Let the glue cure for a full day before hanging the on a tree.



Dangling Snowman
    null Total Time Needed: 1 Hour

It doesn't take a single flake to build this frosty character -- you can round him up with white foam, buttons, and ribbon.
 
Materials
  • 3 round objects (we used a spice jar lid, the bottom of a yogurt container, and a mason jar lid)
  • Scissors
  • Craft foam, white and orange
  • Glue dots
  • Monofilament
  • Buttons
  • Permanent marker
  • Ribbon


Instructions
  1. Using the round objects as patterns, cut out 2 white foam circles in each size.
  2. Dangling Snowman Step 2 Place one set of the circles on a flat surface, spacing them 1/4 inch apart. With glue dots, glue a 12-inch piece of monofilament across the circles as shown, then firmly press the matching circles on top.
  3. Use more glue dots to attach buttons and an orange craft foam nose. With a permanent marker, draw on eyes and a mouth. Finally, tie a ribbon scarf around the monofilament at the neck, and then knot the line above the head to create a loop for hanging.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Crafts for Kids

Christmas Craft Ideas for Children

Handprint Santa

 
Handprint Santa
Put your personal stamp on holiday greetings with this handprint design.

Be sure to check out our other festive ideas for homemade holiday cards.
Materials
  • Red craft paper
  • Glue stick
  • Plain notecard or card stock
  • Tempera paints
  • Paper plates
  • Googly eyes
Instructions
  1. Cut Santa-hat shapes (minus the pom-poms and white trim) from the craft paper, then glue one onto each card. Glue a pair of googly eyes a fingertip's width below each hat.
  2. Pour white tempera paint onto one paper plate, and a dollop each of red, black, and pink (mix some red and white) onto another. Stamp white handprint beards, then use fingertips to stamp the trim on the hats, and a nose, mouth, and cheeks on each face.


Snowman Prints

 From FamilyFun Magazine
Furniture pads — adhesive-backed felt circles that keep a chair from scratching the floor — make great stamps. Here, we use them to print snowmen for holiday cards, adding hand-drawn faces, arms, and buttons so that each one is unique. To reduce waste, first stamp your snowmen on pieces of card stock, then attach only the best to blank cards.
Materials
  • Felt furniture pads
  • Card stock
  • Blank cards
  • Sturdy cardboard
  • Paintbrush
  • White paint
  • Scissors
  • Black and orange paint
  • Black marker
  • Double-sided tape
Instructions
  1. Snowman Prints Materials For the snowman's body, you'll need pads of equal thickness with three different diameters. Arrange them on a piece of sturdy cardboard as shown. Use a paintbrush to coat the pads with white paint, then stamp your snowmen onto the card stock. Let your prints dry.
  2. Cut a hat and carrot shape from another felt pad and adhere them to small pieces of cardboard. Use black and orange paint to stamp hats and noses on the snowmen. Add eyes, mouths, buttons, and arms with a black marker. Attach your snowman prints to blank cards using double-sided tape.


Thumbprint ReindeerLet's Make Cards 

Got some little elves with time on their hands? Invite them to help out in a special holiday workshop, creating season's greetings for everyone on your family's mailing list. Using four super-simple techniques and such kid-friendly materials as glue dots and stickers, they'll be turning out festive, personalized cards in no time.
Our ideas for creative greetings range from Holiday Lights and festive tree designs to Joyful Tidings, a Wreath of Names, a textured Christmas Cactus, and a fun photo frame. We haven't forgotten Santa, either. And these reindeer cards are sure to get the thumbs-up from kids:

You will need:

Ink pad with nontoxic brown or bronze ink
Plain notecards or card stock
Craft glue
Googly eyes
Mini pom-poms, brown and red
Brown marker Use a thumb or fingertip to stamp 3 reindeer heads on each notecard. Glue on googly eyes and pom-pom noses (including a red one for Rudolph, of course). Finish by drawing antlers



 

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Creative Crafts for Kids

Creative Christmas Crafts for Kids 


Hands and Feet Reindeer Craft
An easy to make reindeer craft for classrooms, a Christmas party,
or with your children at home.


You'll Need:
Large plastic eyes
Large red pom-poms (glitter pom-poms are a fun addition!)
Brown construction paper, craft foam or cardstock paper
Lighter brown or tan paper for the ears (optional)
Construction paper in any color; optional if you would like to glue
the reindeer onto another piece of paper.

How to Make It:
First, with one shade of brown, cut the antlers and reindeer,
using your child's handprint and shoeprint as a pattern.
Then, cut the ears with the other brown. We used a lighter shade of
brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that's not necessary.
Glue the antlers together at a slight angle. Then add the ears and glue
the head on last. Glue the eyes and nose the the head and add a smile with a marker.
It's that simple!




Sparkling Beaded Snowflake Ornaments

Little fingers will find these sparkling ornaments easy and fun to make!  Super for classrooms, Sunday school or scout troops!

You'll Need:
Scissors
Silver and/or blue tinsel pipe cleaners 2 per snowflake
Blue, white, silver plastic pony beads



Cut the pipe cleaners in half so that you have 4 pieces.
Make a cross with two pieces, twist and secure. then add the other
two pieces, twist and secure.
 
Add a few beads to each piece of pipe cleaner. Bend the ends of each
piece just enough to prevent the beads from falling off. Add an ornament hanger or make a loop with the pipe cleaner for hanging





Candy Cane Reindeer

candy cane reindeer







You'll Need:
6 inch wrapped Candy Cane
Ribbon             
2 wiggle eyes             
Red or Brown pom pom            
2 pipe cleaners             
Craft glue or glue gun

Leave the wrapping on the candy cane. Glue eyes on rounded face of the candy cane. Glue red pompom on the face for a nose. Tie ribbon into a bow on the straight part of the candy cane. Cut one of the pipe cleaners in half. Wrap the full pipe cleaner around the crook of the candy cane to begin the antlers. Use the cut pipe cleaners to manipulate into antlers.
  

Friday, October 29, 2010

Butterscotch Marble Cake Recipe

Butterscotch Marble Cake

Butterscotch Marble Cake
Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 55 minutes
Cool: 2 hours

Ingredients:
1 package 2-layer-size white cake mix
1 4-serving-size package instant butterscotch pudding mix

1 cup water
1/4 cup cooking oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup chocolate-flavored syrup
2 ounces sweet baking chocolate, cut up
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 tablespoon hot water
Hot water (optional)
Directions
1. Grease and flour a 10-inch fluted tube pan; set aside.


2. In a large mixing bowl combine cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping side of bowl often.


3. Transfer 1-1/2 cups of batter to another bowl; stir in the chocolate-flavored syrup. Pour light batter into the prepared pan. Spoon chocolate batter over top. Using a knife, gently cut through batters to marble.


4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool completely on wire rack.


5. Meanwhile, for the icing, melt sweet baking chocolate and butter or margarine over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon hot water. Stir in additional hot water, if needed, to reach drizzling consistency.

6. Drizzle cake with icing. Makes 12 servings.


Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12 servings Calories372, Total Fat (g)13, Saturated Fat (g)4, Cholesterol (mg)76, Sodium (mg)388, Carbohydrate (g)62, Fiber (g)1, Protein (g)5, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Source: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chocolate-cakes/butterscotch-marble-cake/



Cream Caramel Cake


Cream Caramel CakePrep: 30 minutes
Bake: 25 minutes
Cool: 2 hours
Stand: 30 minutes

  Ingredients

1  cup  butter
5    eggs, separated
1  cup  buttermilk


3  cups  sifted cake flour
1  tsp.  baking powder
1  tsp.  baking soda
1/8  tsp.  salt
2-1/2  cups  sugar
5  Tbsp.  total mocha syrup, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur*
2  tsp.  vanilla extract
1  recipe  Irish Cream Frosting

Directions

1. Allow butter, egg yolks, egg whites, and buttermilk to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans; set aside. In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in sugar until well combined. Beat in egg yolks one at a time. Beat on high speed for 5 minutes.
3. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat on low speed after each addition just until combined. In a bowl combine mocha syrup, coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, and vanilla. Gently stir into cake batter.
4. Thoroughly wash beaters. In a mixing bowl beat egg whites on medium to high speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold 1 cup of the beaten egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture; fold remaining egg whites into egg yolk mixture.
5. Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops spring back when touched. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans; cool thoroughly on racks.
6. To assemble cake, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread top of cake with 3/4 cup of the Irish Cream frosting. Top with a second cake layer. Spread top of cake with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting on top and sides of cake. Makes 12 to 16 servings.
Irish Cream Frosting: In a mixing bowl beat 1 cup butter, softened, with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in 6 tablespoons total: mocha syrup, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur.* Beat in 2 tablespoons vanilla. Gradually add 6 cups powdered sugar, beating until smooth and of spreading consistency.
Note: Strong brewed coffee may be substituted for the liqueurs.

Source :http://www.bhg.com/recipe/layer-cakes/cream-caramel-cake/


 

Thursday, October 28, 2010

D.I.Y Holiday Decorations

Christmas Decorations made from felt

Felt Poinsettia Bloom

Create everlasting felt poinsettia stems that you can display all winter long.
Christmas poinsettia



Materials:
  • Dark blue, bright red, dark red, and aqua felt
  • Green paper-covered floral wires
  • 6 turquoise self-shank buttons
  • Blue and red embroidery floss

Instructions:
1. For the center of the flower, cut six dark blue felt circles slightly larger than the buttons to help camouflage wires. Thread a floral wire through a circle and a button and twist the ends of the wire to secure. Repeat for all six buttons and circles, then wire the stems together.
2. Create five medium and seven large leaf shapes by stacking bright red felt atop dark red felt. Use a dark blue running stitch to secure. When stitching, leave an opening in the curved base of each leaf.
3. Make 2-inch loops at the ends of 12 floral wires. Insert a looped end into each petal base. Arrange medium and then larger petals around button stem. Twist additional floral wires tightly around all of the stems to create one thick stem.
4. Accentuate the buttons with five small petals, created by stacking aqua felt on top of dark blue felt and securing with a centered red-floss running stitch. Tuck small petals under buttons and adhere with fabric glue.




Festive Felt Table Runner

felt Christmass trees on tablecloth
 After decorating your tree with ornaments, decorate your table with trees. Cut evergreen tree shapes from green felt, cutting some of the trees in half lengthwise. Cut felt circles from two contrasting colors; glue the circles on the trees. Place a white runner in the center of your table, and then simply layer the felt trees on the runner.

Felt Holly Tree Skirt

Holly-design tree skirt
Make a tree skirt that you won't want to cover with gifts. For the skirt, cut a desired-size circle with a slit for the tree. Cut holly leaves in two colors and sizes (24 and 26 inches long) and red circles for berries. Hand-stitch long straight stitches with embroidery floss down the center of the leaves. Glue on leaves and red berries.

 

Felt Advent Calendar

Reflect on the meaning of the season with a spirited felt Advent calendar.


`Felt Advent Calendar 

Materials
  • Turquoise, dark blue, dark red, and white felt
  • Dark blue, turquoise, dark red, and white embroidery floss
  • Assorted buttons
  • 2-inch-wide double-sided satin ribbon
  • 2 bamboo skewers or dowels cut to size
Instructions:
1. For wordy rectangles: Cut five 5-1/4 x 2-2/3-inch rectangles from felt. (We used two turquoise, two blue, and one red as backdrops for our white-lettered words.) Use a running stitch and contrasting-hue floss to stitch a line around the perimeter of each rectangle.
2. To create the backing: Cut five slightly larger felt rectangles. Layer each small rectangle atop a larger contrasting-color rectangle and pin pieces together.
Felt Advent Calendar detail3. Determine which buttons you will use on each set of rectangles. Mark the center on each set of rectangles. Use a sewing machine and thread matching the smaller rectangle to create centered buttonholes. (Remember, when layering buttons, holes should accommodate the largest button in the stack.)
4. Remove pins. Secure each set of rectangles together with fabric glue. With smallest rectangles facing up, trim edges of larger contrasting rectangles, leaving a small border that will highlight the stitch-edged rectangles.
5. Cut letters from white felt to spell out words. Glue letters in place on small rectangles.
6. For banner, cut a 7x21-inch turquoise felt panel and a 7-1/2x21-inch dark blue felt panel. Center turquoise panel on dark blue panel and pin together.
7. Machine-stitch panels together along 21-inch sides. Create rod pockets at top and bottom of banner. Fold top and bottom edges over 3/4 inch and pin. Machine-stitch 1/2 inch out from fold. For hanger, pin an 8-inch length of ribbon to top the back corners of banner and stitch in place, following rod-pocket stitch line. Slip bamboo skewers or cut-to-fit dowels into rod pockets to help banner hold its shape.
8. To pull it all together, position and stitch buttons on front of banner. If desired, stack on another button and stitch through first button to attach to banner. Button on the embellished felt rectangles, with flowers facing up and lettered sides facing banner.