Tag: Christmas Decorations

Creative Ways To Use Christmas Garland Around A Home

Posted on by actwd

9 ft x 12" Snow Tipped Berry Pine Christmas GarlandDo-it-yourself websites and home decorating blogs are giving traditional Christmas garland a new lease on life. Not that this greenery is waning in popularity, but new trends are emerging, and people are viewing this evergreen ornamentation in a new way.

What are some new ways in which people are using Christmas garland? In the bedroom, they are draping it across the headboard or foot rail. If the foot rail has wide slats, people are also tying a small wreath in the middle. In the kitchen, they are using pre-lit garland along the tops of the cabinets or the top of the hutch. This adds just enough holiday cheer to an otherwise dark space. Interior doorways are also getting a makeover. Strands of evergreens are covering the entryways, some lit and some unlit.

6ft Long Red Country Berry Christmas GarlandThis greenery is also getting an alteration when being used in the traditional format. Whether it is on the fireplace mantle, along the stairs, or draping a banister, people are using additional strands to dress it up a bit. Those can be made of pine cones, cranberries, cinnamon bunches, foil threads, balls of various colors, crystals, red berry clusters, and faux popcorn. Depending on what look the homeowner is trying to achieve will determine which addition they choose. An example would be a pine garland draped over the mantle with a strand of mini pine cones, red berries, and cinnamon clusters. Add some rusted stars to complete the country look.

Taking a quick look on the internet, one is certain to find a creative and new way to use this traditional greenery.

Where Does The Tradition Of Nativity Sets Come From?

Posted on by actwd

9 Piece Complete Nativity Set With Figures and Stable OnlineMany children grow up in a home that display nativity sets, either one or multiple. Each year, as the family unwraps this scene from over 2,000 years ago, they talk about what it means to them. The nativity is of great significance for Christians around the world. It is one of the foundations of their faith.

So where does this tradition of nativity sets come from? It started back in 1223 with Saint Francis of Assisi. He was so moved by his trip to the Holy Land that he wanted to commemorate it by using the birth story of Jesus to tell the world about him. So, after seeking permission from Pope Honorius III, he set a hay-filled manger along with two livestock animals inside a cave in a small Italian Village called Grecio. It is from this one single act that millions of homes are now displaying these scenes each year during the holidays.

This fast growing tradition moved across Europe and throughout the world. Due to that, the materials that are used to create them vary from wood, plaster, glass, and a number of different fabrics. They also range in size from life-sized to miniature. Large sets are displayed beautifully in churches or front yards, while smaller ones are ideal for even a child’s room.

A basic scene is one of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in a manger. From there, additions can range from the Three Wise Men, shepherds, angels, the people of Bethlehem, various livestock, and even trees. These scenes commonly include some sort of stable or stable frame with the Star of Bethlehem placed on top.

Online Christmas stores have a huge variety to choose from. So finding nativity sets for anyone’s home is easy with just a few simple clicks of the mouse.

Ways To Use A Christmas Nutcracker For Decorating A Home

Posted on by actwd

Christmas Nutcracker Place Guard SoldierThe Christmas nutcracker has a famed tradition behind it. There are tales of a young boy frightened by the darkness outside when his father would leave to go mining in the German mountains. His father would carve out wooden soldiers to hold their post and keep fearful things away from the boy. Seeing the success of his venture, the father continued to whittle these soldiers to keep the boy company, and in the boy’s mind, keep him safe. That boy grew up to be a father, and he passed his wooden soldiers down to his son. This is how, many say, we have the nutcrackers of today. Oddly enough, Germany is still one of the largest producers in the world.

Many families make a trek each year to see the Nutcracker Ballet, and upon leaving, their child may ask to have one of their own. This starts, what soon becomes an annual tradition of seeing the ballet and collecting a new Nutcracker character.  With all of these collections, how can they be incorporated into other holiday décor? If someone has the characters from the ballet, placing them as a centerpiece on a table or along the fireplace mantle would showcase them well, mixed in with garland of gumdrops and twinkling lights.

With a Christmas nutcracker, one should take into consideration the height of each one to determine its perfect use. If there are ones of multiple heights, placing them among a display of greenery as a dining table centerpiece would be a great conversation piece, particularly if each one has unique sentiment or is from travels abroad. Another decorating idea is for a home that has a staircase that is in a very visible location, like in the entryway or foyer. Place a Christmas nutcracker on every other step and drape pine garland with lights along the railing. This is sure to make a dramatic entry.

Unique Christmas Ornaments Can Be The Perfect Holiday Gift

Posted on by actwd

Cuban Cigar Unique Christmas OrnamentsUnique Christmas ornaments are sure to be a treasured gift for years to come. Whether it is representing a child’s milestone, a comical gift shared between coworkers, or a sign of appreciation to emergency personnel, they are the perfect gift for the holidays.

Children often collect unique Christmas ornaments throughout the years and enjoy trimming the tree with them. When they are grown, they take these same decorations and use them on their own trees. These simple gifts end up being some of the most treasured. They recall the memories attached to each one. It might be the football trimming for the years that they played, or a saxophone for when they made the high school marching band. It may be a decoration that their grandparents gave them when they were five and loved fishing with Grandpa.

Ornaments are also a perfect gift for the annual family Christmas party or office party. Many of them do not cost much but can illicit humor, like a cigar tied in a bow, or be a sentimental gesture, like showing appreciation for their job. They can also be a sign of encouragement. People who have lost someone close to them during the year are often overwhelmed by the holiday season. They feel the loss even more than the rest of the year. An angel or cross ornament would be an appropriate gift to remind them that their loved one is still close to heart, even though they are no longer with them.

Reasons To Buy Christmas Decorations Online

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Reasons To Buy Christmas Decorations OnlineFor the best selection, consumers are turning to the internet to buy their Christmas decorations. Mass online retailers are beefing up their inventory to meet this growing demand. The main reason being that online retailers can offer their customers more than a brick and mortar could ever hope to. A brick and mortar store is limited to their space and their backroom area. Their warehouse also has limited space and is typically hundreds of miles away. All of this translates to a limited stock and a number of customers searching elsewhere.

That elsewhere has become the internet. Quick searches result in easy purchases and speedy delivery. This is why more people choose to buy their Christmas decorations online. One caveat can be the abundance in selection. No longer is the consumer stuck with three varieties of trees. Now they have the option to choose from tall, short, slim and stout. They can even select the type of needle on the tree. This is perfect for the consumer who may have a unique floorplan in which they will be placing the tree. They can also choose their trimmings online — from simple and classic to ornate and delicate. The options here are endless as well.

Many people host parties during the holidays and look to freshen up their table setting décor. Again, the internet is where they are going. The selection enables them to choose a coordinating color scheme, the perfect number napkins, placemats, tablecloths, plates and more. They can also choose any ornamentation like a napkin ring or seating card holder.

Buying these holiday items online not only gives various options, but the ability for customization. Whether it is a personalized ornament, embroidered tree skirt with the family’s name, or stocking with a child’s name on it.

What Products Does A Christmas Tree Shoppe Offer Online?

Posted on by actwd

Buy A 10ft Instant Shape Unlit Rocky Mtn Fir From A Christmas Tree Shoppe OnlineWith the holidays rapidly approaching, people are heading out to their local Christmas tree shoppe. However, many of those people are leaving with unmet purchases due to the lack of inventory. Why is this happening? Simply put, brick and mortar stores cannot keep enough stock on-hand, whether it is on the sales floor or in their backroom. Warehouses are often farther than a day’s drive, and people want their items now. So many are heading home and hopping on their computers instead.

What items are available at an online Christmas tree shoppe? Anything that one would find in their local store, and then some. From trees of all kinds, to a variety of garlands, wreaths a plenty, stockings for hanging by the fire, personalized ornaments, unique nativity sets, and maybe even a little history behind the reasons of some holiday traditions. This is also a good place to buy unique Christmas gifts and various personalized items. It can be a one-stop-shop for those looking to decorate their homes and fill some stockings.

Some favorite items found in an online shoppe are trees, wreaths, garland and ornaments. Ornaments come is a vast array of styles and types. Whether it is for a new baby, a newlywed couple, or a child’s favorite teacher, and they can be personalized as well. Trees come in a variety of shapes and heights, flocked or natural, pre-lit or unlit. Vintage Reserve Wine Barrel Decor Christmas Ornaments Online For SaleWreaths and garlands come in a very similar fashion. Some are flocked, others are natural, and some are pre-lit. Wreath’s diameters vary between 20-inches to 72-inches. Garlands are long enough for a fireplace mantle, banister, or draped across the front of a home.

When it comes time to deck the halls, check out an online Christmas tree shoppe first and have all of your holiday decorating needs met in one convenient place.

The Benefits Of Searching Online For A Christmas Tree Sale

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The Benefits Of Searching Online For A Christmas Tree SaleAn online Christmas tree sale is the perfect place to find an evergreen that will be used for years to come. Artificial trees have become quite popular, and many purchasers are doing so to help conserve natural resources. Artificial trees have come a long way, and they now look like the real thing. There are various heights and widths, and many come pre-lit, ready to go. A pre-lit Christmas tree for sale can come in a variety of bulb colors, with the most popular being multi-colored lights. White is the runner up in popularity, and then other solid bulb colors.

One of the biggest benefits to looking online for an artificial tree is the selection that is literally at the fingertips of the consumer. No longer do shoppers need to go from store to store searching for the right one, only to find that it is out of stock. Many times stores are only given a limited amount of trees, and when they are gone, they are gone until next season. So going online is by far the best place to shop.

The variety of artificial evergreens is the greatest thing about buying them online. But the first thing that needs consideration is the size. That will all depend on the available area of the room and the height of the ceiling. There are two main widths of an artificial evergreen; standard or slim.

Another consideration is the kind of needle. Some manufacturers use a mix of needles and others use just one type per tree. This is really a personal preference, so looking carefully at the pictures posted is the best way to choose.

So this year, instead of spending time going from store to store, get online and look at the selections there.

How Did Hanging An Xmas Stocking Become A Holiday Tradition?

Posted on by actwd

How Did Hanging An Xmas Stocking Become A Holiday Tradition?A giant red velvet Xmas stocking with white trim is sure to be a hit come Christmas morning. This 60-inch sock can be filled with just about anything. Baby’s First Christmas is a popular stocking option as well. Pink and blue are the obvious choices, some made of satin and others of felt. Each sock is embellished with trim and ornamentation. There are also stockings with snowmen and Santa Claus himself.

But why do we hang these by the fireplace each holiday season? Well, the answer would depend on where someone was to look or who they asked. There is, however, one tale that seems to be the most common. A nobleman loses his wife and has three daughters that are old enough to wed. However, he has no dowry to give a potential suitor. He tries his hand at various businesses, but none are successful. After losing everything, he and his daughters move to town. A man by the name of Saint Nicholas hears of these terrible woes. Late one night, Saint Nicholas makes his way down their chimney and drops bags of gold into the girl’s stockings hanging by the fireplace. In the morning, the girls and their father discover this gift, and the father can now give his daughters away in marriage with a nice dowry. Regardless of how the tale started or if there is any truth, it has become the tradition to hang a Xmas stocking by the yuletide fire. Then wait expectantly to see what the jolly old elf brings Christmas morning.

Finding Christmas Lights For Sale To Decorate A Home

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Finding Christmas Lights For Sale To Decorate A HomeFinding Christmas lights for sale brings out the child in those who enjoy this merry holiday season. These bright illuminations have unquestionably come a long way. In 1880, Thomas Edison gave us our first display of Christmas lights. He strung strands across his laboratory complex to help bring yuletide cheer to those that passed by. Over a hundred years later, they have become a staple in holiday décor.

Illumination has become such a staple in Christmas decorating that it helps bring in over $6 billion annually, and more homeowners are creating holiday light shows on their houses and in their yards. These illumination productions typically require more than 100,000 bulbs, with some reaching over one million. And the people that put on these shows do it year after year.

Thanks to online retailers, Christmas lights are for sale year round. And they come in all shapes, sizes and a multitude of colors. There are novelty strands of pink flamingos, cocktail glasses, snowmen, chili peppers, and footballs for adding merriment. Whether choosing novelty lights or traditional strands, most of them can be strung end to end for a seamless look.

Icicles and snowflakes are often strung across a home’s eaves or in trees. LED technology has created such unique effects that the icicles appear to be dripping water as they hang down from the roof. Strung snowflakes in the trees seem to be falling softly through the branches. These effects help in creating the magical look many people enjoy displaying during the holiday season.

Ways To Use Icicle Lights For The Holiday Season

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Ways To Use Icicle Lights For The Holiday SeasonIcicle lights are finding rejuvenation outside of the holiday season. They are still a common choice for homeowners that want to add that little something extra to their homes exterior, but are gaining new life in other uses as well.

Putting the strands on the homes exterior is done with efficiency using shingle-gutter clips. These accessories help maintain the integrity of the strands by homeowners no longer using staples or nails to mount the lights. They also give the strands a neater appearance. The two main types of icicle lights that are on the market are LEDs and mini bulbs. LEDs are commonly sold in strands of ten and can connect multiple strands together. Mini bulb sets are on one central strand with various lengths that extend from the main. Multiple strands can also be joined to cover the full length of the home’s exterior. Many homeowners also use these in their trees, along fence lines, or on their porch railings.

Some uses that are popping up in the home’s interior are these strands being strung behind a headboard typically made from reclaimed pallets. This makes for a very romantic yet rustic feel, and the bulbs are muted in brightness. Another decorative favorite is an elegant bowl filled with various balls of material or embellishments. Adding a strand of bulbs to it keeps the look fresh and adds something different. In a child’s room, these strands can mimic falling rain or twinkling stars at night.

With the vast bank of DIY projects online using these unique strands of illumination, they can be used throughout the year.