Christmas Blog Party {Reminder}

Just a quick reminder the 

Holiday Haven 

2011 Christmas Blog Party 

starts this Saturday!

*

Crafts

Decor

Recipes

Traditions

Printables

Holiday History

Organizing Tips

And 

More! 

To Join: Simply add a link to your wonderful Christmas themed posts this Saturday (and please remember to link back to Holiday Haven, see the rules HERE)

Not sure what a blog party is? Blog parties are where bloggers (mostly women) get together to share ideas with a common theme from their blogs. This Saturday it will be a Christmas theme! And you will be able to see the party in sidebar of this blog everyday 'till Christmas.

::The Holiday Challenge::
Holiday Haven's home page.

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Free Printable Christmas Banner

A pretty 'Christmas' banner for the home. I made this banner, sometimes called a bunting, from a very old version of Hark! I hear the angels sing! and added cranberry colored letters. 

To Print:

Click on each of the banner flags below to enlarge them, click again to make sure they are fully expanded. Then select file and print from your browsers window, or right click on each and select the printing options. If you have any trouble, try saving each to your computer and resizing in word or printing trough paint. (Personal use only, and it is always ok to share these on blogs, please credit with a link.)

Assembly instructions: Print each photo above on card stock, or on plain paper and back with card stock. Cut each out, I like to use scrap booking scissors to create a frilly edge. Punch holes in the top corners and attach each to the next with ribbon. (For an additional example you can see my Autumn Banner Printable:     HERE )

I have added this post to the categorically crafty party at Someday crafts.


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(do not use the printer friendly button below for this post, see printing instructions at top of post.)

Rolled Wrapping Paper Christmas Tree

A fun little craft made from Christmas wrapping paper!

At a fun mom's night out we decided to make this craft. I first found it on Pinterest, but the original link seems to have been taken down. So we took a guess at how it was made and tried wrapping paper, and it worked!

Directions: We used long strips of wrapping in varying thickness wrapped around itself to make each rung of the tree. A little tape to secure the end of the roll, and then when we were happy with how it all of the rolls looked together we hot glued them in place on card stock and added fun buttons.

Tips: I used several types of wrapping paper at first, but then noticed that different sections of the same paper went well together as well. For the star I used a pop up glue dot with a foam star and a snowflake scrap booking sticker. If the tree is a little heavy for the card stock a second layer can be added to the back, as I did with the red sheet in the example above, or it could be placed in a photo frame without glass. And this craft takes a bit of time to roll everything.

Variations: Looking around the table at what others were making, some added star buttons to the top, some added snowflakes all around and on the tree, one made a blue and silver tree, another used some burlap for the trunk, the possibilities are really endless!


I have added this post to the categorically crafty party atSomeday crafts and

Ribbon Christmas Trees

Pretty decor and fun Christmas craft. These trees add a little sparkle!

• Ribbon (about 3 yards per tree)
• Styrofoam cones
• School glue
• Aluminum foil
• (opt.) some adorable children to help put these together

Directions: Cover a cone in foil. In a small bowl pour some of  glue, run the ribbon through the glue 'till it is covered on both sides. Remove some of the excess glue.Wrap ribbon around cone in a crisscross pattern. While the ribbon tree is still wet, remove cone out from under the foil, leaving the foil in the cone shape. (It is difficult to remove the cone if you wait till the tree is dry.) Once the ribbon is dry to the touch (I left mine overnight), carefully separate the ribbon from the foil by folding the foil in on itself inside of the ribbon.

I love how they turned out! The camera doesn't quite capture how pretty they are, they have a bit of a shimmer and look so pretty with Christmas decor. I think they would be adorable for a tablescape as well.  I have seen variations of this craft using starch too, but as I have never had much luck with starch, I decided to try glue and it seemed to do wonderfully!

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The Christmas Season Has Begun! (A few things I like to accomplish this week)

I love the last week of November just after Thanksgiving, it is officially Christmas!, but it is still early enough to get a lot done. 

 If you are following along on the 

::The Holiday Challenge:: this week we:

 Mail Christmas Cards, (free printable cards)

  Select a Christmas Tree

 Put together an advent wreath, 

Finalize details on New Years Eve plans. 

And  Ship Holiday gift packages by the end of November. 

(This goes for anything bought online as well). 

Shipping slows down in December because there are so many packages, so to avoid paying for rushed shipping, or leaving it to chance that the gift will make it in time I make sure they are shipped before December 1st. 

A Christmas Collection - Gift Ideas, Traditions, Recipes, Photo Ideas, Decor and Free Printables!

Happy Black Friday Everyone! To get into the spirit of Christmas I have rounded up some fun Christmas posts to celebrate!!

(Click the descriptions under photos to view)

Gift Ideas for Everyone

32 Practical Gift Ideas *Beyond Underwear

 Cheap Christmas Trees - how to cut your own

How to Tie a Christmas Tree to Your Car

Fun Holiday Photo Ideas

More Fun Holiday Photo Ideas

What is Your Perfect Christmas?

 30 Days of Christmas Tradition

A Breakfast Stocking Tradition

French Milled Soap as Gifts

Christmas House Light Photos

Homemade Egg Nog Recipe

Decorating a Christmas Tree

A Christmas Organizing Punch List

Gingerbread House Cake

Free Printable Christmas Stationary

Free Printable Gift Tags

Click descriptions under photos to view full posts.

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Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas, Tips, and Trivia

Can you believe Thanksgiving is already tomorrow? For my last post before Thanksgiving this year I have rounded up all of my favorite Thanksgiving posts from the past.

Fun ideas, decorations, and fun tidbits for dinner conversations:

 (click descriptions under photos to view full posts):

Thanksgivings and Lace Tablescape

A  Free Thanksgiving Cupcake or Gift Tag Printable

The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving (And Author of Mary Had A Little Lamb)

Turkey Napkin Fold Fun

Thanksgivings in a Box Tradition

A New Look for Pumpkin Pie

Stuffed Squash

VERY Easy Wire Thanksgiving Pumpkins

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

A Woodland Thanksgiving Tablescape

The Thanksgivings Cure - did you know being thankful is thought to be a cure?

Thanksgiving Dinner Table Etiquette

Is your turkey thawed yet? Thanksgiving Turkey Tips