Homemade Gifts for the Holiday Season

Author: Gabriella Gometra

The season of giving is upon us as the holidays are rapidly approaching. You may find yourself wracking your brain trying to come up with some fun and inexpensive gifts to give this season. Rest assured that everyone loves and appreciates a good old homemade gift. Keep reading for some great gift ideas for this holiday season.

The first beautiful gift that you can make, even with your child, is a Candy Kiss Rose Bud. This gift only takes about twenty minutes to create. You will first need to gather the following materials: 2 Hershey's Kisses Candies, colored cellophane (you can also use clear if you want to), floral tape, wooden skewer, scissors, craft foam, optional silk flower leaves, and cellophane tape.

After you have gathered all of your materials you are going to want to use a piece of tape to join your two kisses together from bottom to bottom. Next, cut a piece of your colored (or clear) cellophane into a six-inch square. Take and place one of the tips of the kisses into the center of the cellophane. Now take and fold the cellophane up and around both of the kisses. Once they are covered twist the cellophane in order to secure it. Once that is done you are going to want to hold the wrapped up kisses against your wooden skewer will wrapping tightly using your floral tape. You are going to want to wind the tape all the way down your skewer. You can also choose to use the silk leaves or crafting foam to make some leaves for your rose bud. Make one rose bud or make a bouquet.

You can also make some very fun and colored bath salts for the ladies in your life. All you will need to create your bath salts are a bottle or jar, food coloring, Epsom salts and essential oil (peppermint smells amazing for this). Now you will need to fill your jar with the Epsom salts while taking care to leave enough room to add the food coloring so that you can stir well to even out the color. Next, add the scent to the colored salts. Once that is complete, you are going to want to spread the mixture onto a sheet of wax paper so that it can dry. After the salts have dried for a few hours you can then place them back in the jar. The salts can be used right after they have dried. However, if you allow them to sit for a few weeks the smell will have a chance to blend better.

With a little adaptation the above crafts are suitable for Valentine's Day gifts also. Use pink or red colors and include a gift card that expresses your heartfelt affection for the gift recipient.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/homemade-gifts-for-the-holiday-season-3846187.html

About the Author

Gabriella Gometra builds sites on diverse topics, such as ChristmasDinnerwareSets.org, ChristmasColoringPages.org and PrintableValentines.org.

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Safely Rigging Outdoor Christmas Lights This Holiday Season

Safely Rigging Outdoor Christmas Lights This Holiday Season


Author: Roxanne Miller

The Christmas season is one of the happiest times of the year. People love the lights and the overwhelming good cheer that seems to permeate the very atmosphere. However, the holiday season is also one of the most accident prone and tragic times of the year as well. The sad reality of the Christmas season is that many times a tragedy will strike due to poor wiring setups or ladder accidents. The end result is a house lost to fire or a loved one that is killed falling from a ladder. For a happier, safer, holiday season there are a few things to keep in mind.

The first thing to keep in mind is the fact that electricity can kill. Whether the death occurs due to a fire being started or through direct contact with a live wire does not matter. A tragedy is still a tragedy. Anyone that desires to prevent these occurrences will need to consider two necessary safety strictures. The first safety stricture is proper placement of lights. The second stricture is the proper lighting type and power load.

The first safety consideration is the proper placement of lights. This is especially true when placing outdoor Christmas lights. Outdoor lights are gorgeous but it is important to keep their safe placement in mind. When placing outdoor lights do not staple or nail them up. Staples and nails will tear away the rubberised plastic coating the electrical wires. If this coating is stripped then a fire may occur. Someone passing by might accidentally touch a naked wire as well. The first one is a tragedy for the entire family. The second one might be a tragedy for the family or it might simply be a lawsuit waiting to happen. Either way it can ruin a holiday for someone. Keep wiring out of reach of animals and children to the best of your ability as well. Small children like to bite and chew on things. The pretty twinkling lights might be especially inviting to them.

Proper outdoor Christmas lights will be durable, low cost, and will not generate heat. The first two are rather obvious. However, the last item is important because lights that generate heat might be covered by flammable object such as leaves. This can cause a fire. The best way to avoid this situation altogether is to purchase LED lights. LED lights do not radiate heat. They do twinkle and blink in random patterns just like traditional lights. The modern LED light will also be far more durable and capable of handling both the temperatures of the season and buffeting winds that might damage less durable lights. LED based lights use hard plastic instead of glass bulbs and modern versions do not stop working altogether when a single light blows.

Overall the holiday season is a time of great joy and hope. Outdoor lights are one way of sharing the love of the season. A few simple safety precautions, such as using plastic clips instead of nails or staples for hanging lights, will allow people to continue enjoying their season and their family gatherings safely.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/safely-rigging-outdoor-christmas-lights-this-holiday-season-3765142.html

About the Author

Roxy is keen on interior and exterior designs and ideas as well as the home and garden. Roxy is getting excited for the holiday season and likes the idea of outdoor Christmas lights in gardens and homes across the country this Christmas. Roxy also works as a consultant for UK Water Features.

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Christmas or New Year Cruises and Your Camera

Author: Heinz Golz

Taking a cruise on Christmas or New Year generally is a once in a lifetime expertise and will catch your memories and as well guarantee pleasure for years to come. Do not think that mental pictures will last eternally; reminiscing over a dream cruise on Christmas or New Year vacation is a lot more meaningful when you've gotten something real.

Bringing a camera with you is a must but don't depend on your old 35 mm or disposable cameras. These have unpredictable results. Spend money on a new digital camera that is lightweight and point and shoot. These not only take excellent pictures however you'll be able to view your photos instantly and won't have to wait to develop the film. You can even easily send your photographs to your pals and relations through the internet from the cruise ship right away or whenever you return from your cruise on Christmas or New Year . More pricey cameras also have a video option that can seize the motion of your holiday. Bring a minimum of one extra memory card for the camera since you are sure to be taking lots of pictures.

You can get all the family taking part in taking photos. In the event your youngsters are old enough, let them have the digital camera to take pictures. If they are younger, purchase just a few disposable cameras so they can take pleasure in the fun of making memories of their Christmas holiday. If you'll be doing a little snorkeling or fishing, think about shopping for a water-proof disposable camera that won't get damaged if it gets wet.

Many feel embarrassed about taking photos since they feel like a foolish vacationer however in the event you're on a cruise on Christmas or New Year then everyone seems to be a tourist. Feel free to ask others to take photos of you and your family. Take photos with the ship captain; they won't object since they're used to it. Take candid pictures of your family having fun with themselves and enjoying the cruise on Christmas or New Year . While pictures of landscapes and ocean views are beautiful, pictures with the family members capture the best stories.

A cruise on Christmas or New Year is a perfect place to write in a journal. You can document your adventures and whereas it takes some effort, it will positively be satisfying reading for years to come. You possibly can take excerpts out of your cruise on Christmas or New Year and weblog at ports of call or while you return.

Accumulate odds and ends from your cruise on Christmas or New Year such as ticket stubs, matchbooks and menus. Though they will not be appreciated straight away, they'll provide for lasting memories.

Making a photo album could be very fashionable for retaining memories lively. You may print pictures, add ticket stubs and include quotes from your journal entries. The scrapbook can be used for years to come to reflect on your exciting cruise on Christmas or New Year .

A cruise on Christmas or New Year is certain to be a fulfilling and thrilling vacation. Though it may not appear obligatory while you're on vacation, taking photographs, keeping a journal, and maintaining souvenirs will assist preserve your wonderful recollections for years to come.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/christmas-or-new-year-cruises-and-your-camera-3743126.html

About the Author

The author is the owner of the Our Cruise website .In his free time he is involved in Nordic Walking.

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