Stationery Greetings

There’s no denying that Christmas time is fast approaching. Aside from Christmas decors, one of the most popular items purchased during this special season include a wide array of Christmas gifts. Being a major attraction for everyone, Christmas gifts are anticipated by everyone especially those by families and family members.

CHOOSING PRESENTS FOR THE FAMILY

Christmas is indeed a very special time for families all over the world. Bringing the joy and excitement of Christmas time into its fullest form are family Christmas gifts and presents. Each and everyone of us would want to give our parents, uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, husbands, wives a special family present.

Like finding that elusive gift for a girlfriend or a boyfriend, choosing the perfect family Christmas gift can be a strenuous and tedious task. To help you find the perfect gift for your family members, here are some gift ideas and presents that will surely make their Christmas season merrier.

Among the so many family Christmas gift ideas out there, handmade family Christmas presents always top the list. Aside from being unique, various selections of family Christmas presents also reflect the value of the recipient.

Hand-made Christmas gifts may include a special painting of a family, a sculpture that symbolizes family unity, or pieces of clothing that embody familial spirit. Family picture or a picture of a specific family member placed in a special hand-made frame is also an excellent choice.

If you’re on a tight budget and would still want to provide something for your family members, worry no more because family Christmas gifts need not be expensive. All you have to do is to know the interests of each family member and personalized something for them.

Inexpensive family Christmas presents may include customized christmas cards and home-made cookies, home-cooked meals and delights, a personal shopping spree for them or a day of special service. Remember, when giving gifts, the monetary value of the item of the present counts, it’s the thought behind it that really matters.

But, if you really want to give something concrete for a present, here are some unique family Christmas gifts you can choose from:

1. One-year subscription of the family’s favorite magazine or newspaper. If the whole family is into reading a specific magazine or a newspaper, why not surprise them a year of subscription? Aside from helping your parents out in cutting expenses caused by subscription, this is also a practical idea because all of the family members will benefit from it.

2. A new Bible. If your family is Catholic, a new Bible will definitely be a prized possession. You can buy a newest or latest version in hardbound or if you want to be somehow techy, an audio Bible is perfect for the whole family especially for those members who love to drive.

3. A music CD. If the family loves to listen to a certain artist or inclined to a specific music genre, a music cd will definitely be a hit.

4. Lots of video or DVD. If almost all of the family members are movie buffs, it would be a pleasant surprise for each and every one of them if you buy quality movies in DVD. Aside from being able to share it with everyone, copies of timeless movies can also be an investment in the future.

5. Fun stuff and games for the family. If you’re family is into playing a specific game together for a bonding, then fun stuff and games such as board games, projects, and activities will be appreciated.

Low Jeremy
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/a-perfect-family-christmas-gift-69815.html

Essentially, because credit cards can save us all a great deal of time, hassles, and even money in some cases. The key to being a credit card holder is to never over-extend yourself and to make sure that you use the credit cards responsibly. In the United States, at least eighty percent of household have one form of credit card, while most have multiple. There are many advantages to having and using credit cards, again, provided that they are used responsibly.

Credit Cards can save you a great deal of time in many different ways. For example, thanks to credit cards, you do not have to worry about carrying checks, cash, or running off to the bank before it closes. Furthermore, thanks to the internet, credit cards can be used all over the internet to shop for needed items or gifts. This means you beat the rush at the store at Christmas time or if you are really pressed for time, you do not have to drive across town, search all over the store (or many stores), and wait in line. Credit cards just have made life a whole lot easier.

What is more is that today, it is very difficult to get hotel reservations, car rental, airline tickets, or any form of travel arrangements without a credit card. Credit cards can also be used as a form of identification in various different situations. As you can see, credit cards are a big help in a lot of ways. However, you may not know that they can even save you money. With a credit card, you are protecting your cash essentially, this is true especially with bank debit cards that act like credit cards.

You do not run the risk of losing your cash, if the card is stolen, thieves cannot generally use it because it requires a matching signature and sometimes identification as well. If you purchase an item that arrives damaged, not what you wanted, or simply change your mind, most credit cards provide protection against these sort of things, and you can return the item for your money back. Furthermore, many credit cards protect against identity theft. If someone were to steal your credit card and attempt to charge it, you would not be held responsible for those purchases.

Of all the ways credit cards make life easier, it is no wonder why most Americans possess at least one in their wallet.

Author
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/why-should-i-have-credit-cards-75807.html

Hey everyone,

My hubby & I are helping my mom with our shower inviinvitations. We’re having a little boy, & have already opened a registry for him.
Is there a polite way to let guests know that we only want items on our registry or gift cards? I don’t want to be rude or offend anyone, but the things we’ve registered for are the only things we need for him. I don’t want people spending money on something we already have or end up with a bunch of extra stuff we won’t use.
Any suggestions?

Just put on there:

Gift registry: www.giftregistry.com code 38973489
or
Gift cards from: Wal-Mart, Babies R Us, or Baby Land

Would be grateful. If you deiced to buy individual gifts please include a gift receipt encase of doubles. Thanks.

Don’t put it on the front or anything maybe on the back or something so it doesn’t look too pushy. I like the idea before me or just wording it so its easy to know.

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It was undoubtedly a different time when Saint Nick was selling off all of his worldly possessions and telling all about the joys of giving. However, he never had to sit in a monstrous traffic jam, drive around for hours in the car while looking for an available parking space, or grapple with the thousands of other shoppers at the mall.

Since that time, the search for the perfect Christmas gift has become much more stressful. Besides that, the average shopper does not stumble into the shopping malls and department stores until a few weeks, or even mere days before Christmas.

Finding the perfect Christmas gift is quickly becoming a science to be studied, observed, and taught. Sometimes you are given a cheat sheet of sorts, the infamous wish list. And then you have the incredibly fun “surprise me” Christmas gift requests that force you to pull out the red-striped thinking cap (complete with bells).

Finding The Gift Niche

One unique way to show your love and consideration for your family and friends is by making personalized and homemade Christmas gifts. Don’t go crazy with tinsel and your glue gun, and sequins are fine if used sparingly. You can easily put together gift baskets with bath and body supplies, small decorative soaps, candles, and even a pair of slippers for the ladies. For men, treats such as flavored almonds, mixed nuts, and an assortment of chocolate and candies will usually put a smile on his face.

Another good idea for those considering giving Christmas gifts with a personal touch is a calendar. You can create a photo collage, or choose different pictures for each month. Many major office supply stores now offer this service, as well as other personalized items such as coffee mugs and mouse pads.

It you would prefer to do the project entirely hands-on, there are certain computer programs that can be purchased to create one-of-a-kind calendars. Everyone uses calendars, so this is one Christmas gift that will not be put away and forgotten.

Gift cards have been gaining in popularity as a “one size fits all” gift. You can select the store and the amount, and you are good to go. If you are not sure where that special person on your shopping list prefers to shop, many shopping malls now offer gift checks that can be redeemed at any store within their walls. You can also purchase a gift card with the Visa, Mastercard, or American Express logo. This way your Christmas gift can be used just about anywhere and for anything.

John Wollitz
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/in-search-of-the-perfect-christmas-gift-128569.html

Miy Christmas Tabletop Theme Decor,

“Zen Christmas Decor”

Miy Project: “Christmas Tabletop Theme Decor”, An inviting holiday table, Zen Fusion Style.”

My fusion theme is based on a composition of different décor-style influences. It is modern and transitional, yet contemporary at the same time. It includes the simplicity of Zen, combined with elegance and nostalgia. You could say that I spiced things up a little by adding touches of holiday elements such as glitter, snowflakes, stars and Christmas greenery.

With an idea of Oriental spice in mind when I went to choose my table, the whole vision came together as soon as I spotted the perfect table for my composition – an elegant dining room set of a modern transitional style, in a rich black-and-ginger-brandy-coloured combination by Dinec. The table runners are in rich tones of ginger spice, burgundy and auburn with black accents, in assorted textures of organza, cotton and novelty ribbon trim, adorned with tassel ornaments. The centre runner is in an ecru cotton fabric with Oriental cinnamon-coloured symbols. It is trimmed with a black satin border. Here’s a simple trick in order to save on hours of sewing. Just fuse the hems with fusing tape (available at fabric stores), then add a decorative ribbon border or tassels.

I chose an organza fabric as the main table cloth in order to be able to see the richness and beauty of the table displayed through the fabric. To create a festive table setting for eight, I chose a glass aubergine place setting with a wicker texture by Studio Nova.

I used Pébéo Vitrail 160 glass paints on the back all of the dishes. I painted the charger plates with assorted splattered patterns in burgundy, gold, red and black. The dinner dishes were all painted copper. Painting the back allows the texture and pattern to be visible. I then painted the entrée plates in shades of red and burgundy, leaving a square pattern unpainted at the centre in order to see the copper colour of the dinner plate through it. For the finishing touch, I added a fine detailed square design with a copper-coloured liner. I also used glass paint to add a basic copper square on the water glasses.

I wanted a simple contemporary floral arrangement as my centerpiece. White Christmas lilies and spiral copper branches at the centre with river stones and wooden cranberries were placed at the bottom of a clear glass rectangular-shaped base. I added touches of greenery on the gifts and to the cutlery sets and I placed one copper leaf on each plate setting.

Six slender burgundy candles for the table were adorned with copper leafing and placed in square glass candle holders by Misaka, which I ornamented with beaded wires.

I created assorted holiday artworks to embellish the walls for the season -a poinsettia painting made with Textured paste to add dimension and a paper montage frame made with assorted rice papers in various colours. For holiday nostalgia, I made a family photo Advent calendar on a canvas.

I made several customized greetings cards out of recycled cards, gift tags, ornaments, scrap paper, ribbons, beads, copper trim and sequins. Making a tree ornament and placing it on a card is a great way to say happy holidays to loved ones. I revamped an old louvered door panel in a red, gold and copper weathered finish to display the cards.

Even the backs of each of the chairs were trimmed with care. A red satin ribbon, combined with an organza fabric bow, with a tassel ornament and a pine branch at the centre.

I covered two red candle lanterns with a copper mesh cuff and beads. I recycled four black jars, made red and copper letters out of Super Sculpey, a polymer clay, to spell the word Noël, and attached them to the jars with golden raffia. Red decorative jars were embellished with beads and greenery accents. A simple black vase was enhanced with a copper paint square to repeat the pattern on the glasses.

I also transformed plain chopsticks by dressing them up with rice paper and copper wire bands. Again, Super Sculpey was used to make the chopstick and place card holders, which were painted with black acrylic then top coated with a bronze metallic gel.

Each project that I have created for my theme table requires only a few basic craft supplies combined with recycled items, all of which are of basic skills to make.

For More Great Miy Holiday Decorating Ideas and decor Projects visit our MIY-Decor library.

Copyright Miy-Decor.com © 2006

For more Miy decor projects visit www.maddylane-decor.com

Madeleine M Langlois
http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/miy-christmas-tabletop-theme-decor-zenfusion-christmas-decor-82220.html

I’m a little confused about whether I put my name or my baby’s name on the invitation where it says "For:_____________".

Just put your name, if you would like you could put the babys name on their also.

- jeωeℓℓчssα’s мαмα *;

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The Christmas card, as we know it, originated in England in the year 1843. An artist named John Calcott Horsley was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy and successful London businessman, to create a card that could be sent out to his friends and clients to wish them a merry Christmas. The Christmas card, as we know it, originated in England in the year 1843. An artist named John Calcott Horsley was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy and successful London businessman, to create a card that could be sent out to his friends and clients to wish them a merry Christmas.

Sir Henry Cole was very well known at the time, for a number of reasons. He had a helping hand in helping to modernize the British postal system. He played a prominent role in the creation of the Royal Albert Hall, and acted as the construction manager on this massive project. He also arranged for the Great Exhibition of 1851, and he oversaw the inauguration of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

One of Sir Henry Cole’s greatest aspirations in life was to beautify the world around him. He owned and operated a wonderful art shop on Bond Street, which specialized in decorative objects for the home. His shop was hugely popular with the British upper class, and he earned a tidy sum from his business.

The Christmas card he commissioned was fashioned in the form of a triptych, which is a three-paneled design that allows for the two outer panels to be folded in towards the middle one. Each of the two side panels depicted a good deed. The first showed an image of people clothing the poor, and the other side panel showed an image of people feeding the hungry. The center piece had an image of a well-to-do family making a toast and surrounded by an enormous feast.

The inscription on the inside of the card read “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.” Of the one thousand cards printed for Sir Henry Cole, only twelve exist today in private collections. The printed card became highly fashionable in England during the years that followed. They also became very popular in Germany. It took quite a long time for the idea to catch on in America, then popularized by a German expatriate named Louis Prang in 1875. Today, more than 2 billion christmas cards are exchanged each year. Merry Christmas, all!


Catherine Spelling absolutely loves spending Christmas with family and friends. When she is not counting down the days until Christmas, she writes for christmaslightsanddecorations.com – an online resource for all things relating to Christmas and decorations, with information about decorations for Christmas, pre lit Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths and more.

Catherine Spelling
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/the-history-of-the-christmas-card-4046.html