Search Results for: blog simple holiday displays

Holiday Fun with the Family

After surviving yet another snow day with a house full of kids (most not mine), I definitely see why some parents take advantage of all the outdoor holiday-related activities offered this time of year. Whether it’s a horse-drawn carriage ride down Main Street or a walking tour of Christmas lights at the zoo, tis the season to let your kids burn off steam while enjoying festive events. Here’s a look at some kid-friendly holiday activities going on around the country right now: MAINE In Portland, Maine, families can tour the inside and outside of the legendary Victoria Mansion, which has … Continue reading →

Making Affordable Holiday Crafts from Fruit and Candy

Don’t break the bank trying to deck your halls this holiday season. Rather, look around your home for inexpensive materials that can be transformed into festive seasonal decor. Two of my favorite frugal materials: fruit and candy. Both are popular this time of year, and you can cut down on costs even more by using fruit and candy that have been given to you as gifts. It’s very simple. Take a look: FLOATING CRANBERRY CANDLE Materials: 1 large clear glass punch bowl 3 12-oz. bags of fresh cranberries (amount will vary depending on size of bowl) 4 floating candles 6 … Continue reading →

How to Make a Simple and Festive Christmas Wreath

Here’s a fun holiday project my teenage cousin is working on with his classmates to present to residents at area nursing homes. These evergreen and cranberry wreaths are easy, affordable and add a festive touch to any room. The kids are working assembly line style as it does take a while to pin individual cranberries on the Styrofoam ball that decorates the wreath. However, once the cranberry application is complete you should have no problem completing the project (alone) in less than 20 minutes. EVERGREEN AND CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS WREATH Materials: For Wreath: 1 12-inch pre-made evergreen wreath form 1 thin … Continue reading →

How to Make Simple Christmas Topiaries

The economy is in the dumpster and you’re pinching pennies, but you still want to create a festive atmosphere in your home this holiday season. So how do you make that happen? Get creative with affordable materials that can be transformed into expensive-looking decorations. In the days following Thanksgiving my supermarket drastically reduced the price of fresh cranberries. I took advantage of the discount and stocked up on the festive fruit. However, instead of including all of them in holiday recipes I decided to use some for Christmas crafts. My first project is this Cranberry Christmas Topiary. The directions are … Continue reading →

Affordable Holiday Travel: Touring Department Store Window Displays—Seattle

It’s simple, really. If you are looking for an affordable family friendly holiday activity, head to your local mall. The activity is not set amongst the stacks of sweaters or rows of remote controlled toys. In fact, you don’t even need to step foot inside a single shop to enjoy the festive treats that await you behind glass walls or inside fencing near the food court. As I continue my series of blogs spotlighting seasonal store window displays I am focusing on the Pacific Northwest, specifically Seattle, Washington. That’s where you’ll find Nordstrom’s flagship downtown store and its spectacular seasonal … Continue reading →

Affordable Holiday Travel—Touring Department Store Window Displays

I recently blogged about one my family’s favorite holiday rituals—-driving to Chicago to take in the spectacular holiday window displays at Macy’s on State Street. Each year the famous department store chooses a theme and fills their massive windows with intricate decorations and kid friendly animated characters. People line up for blocks and brave the vicious winds whipping off of Lake Michigan to take part in this annual holiday tradition. If I wasn’t one of the lemmings who took part in the event myself I’d surely think the people who stood in line for more than an hour to peer … Continue reading →

More Ways to Recycle for the Holidays

Sure, we all know about “re-gifting,” which may be the quintessential holiday recycling method (when used cautiously). However, there are some other methods that work very well, allowing us to save materials, and avoid not only waste but also avoid extra purchases. Gift Wrapping Materials Many people save and reuse wrapping paper and bows from previous years, and of course, those great gift bags (minus the tag). You can also use other wrapping paper from other holidays, by simply turning it inside out. Use it plain, for pretty white packages that can be decorated with ribbons and trinkets for a … Continue reading →

Celebrating Lunar New Year’s Eve

Lunar New Year festivities are already underway in Beijing. Massive firework displays, colorful parades and high-energy street parties kicked off the 15-day celebration. In the United States, the Year of the Dragon is ushered in at midnight and ends with the Lantern Festival on February 6th. To commemorate the holiday, make like the Chinese and get cleaning. People in China believe you should begin a new year with a fresh start. By purging unnecessary items from your home you decrease clutter and bring harmony and balance to your life. In addition, a deep-clean is thought to rid bad luck and … Continue reading →

Homemade Chinese New Year’s Fun

With less than 48 hours until the official debut of the Year of the Dragon, many communities are getting a jump-start this weekend by hosting parades, festivals and firework displays. Chinese New Year is a festive holiday that celebrates family, friends and new beginnings. If you don’t live near a city that is commemorating the event with special activities, then host your own party. Gather the kids, hang up some red streamers and gold balloons, and then get busy in the kitchen whipping up some simple Chinese dishes, including: HOMEMADE FORTUNE COOKIES Ingredients: 1 egg white Dash of vanilla extract … Continue reading →

Chinese New Year Layouts

Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy Chinese New Year. The Year of the Dragon, the most powerful sign in the Chinese zodiac, kicks off on January 23rd. For 15 days you will be able to commemorate the popular holiday at massive public festivals complete with parades and firework displays. Whether you are planning to take part in city-wide celebrations or you’re keeping it simple by hosting your own Chinese New Year party, you’ll want to document the festivities and add them to your scrapbook. Fortunately, there are many amazing Asian-themed digital scrapbooking elements that can help embellish your Chinese New Year … Continue reading →