Make Christmas more Harmonious with Exclusive Christmas Ideas

Christmas is incomplete without music. All the wonderful Christmas tunes are a vital part of Christmas celebrations. Lets find out how music can fill your life with happiness and make it more melodious, especially at Christmas.

Music brings back wonderful memories of the past. You want each and every occasion to be a memorable one, and there is not a better way known to do so but with music. Music can enhance your mood, make you happy, bring tears to your eyes and lets you feel how close you are to your family members and your loved ones. Make it a part of Christmas and see how it becomes the biggest event of the year

Christmas is a time everybody reunites and wants to spend this holiday to its fullest. End this year on a happy and tuneful note with Christmas music flowing around along with your laughter and endless chant of your guests and children. When you go for Christmas shopping this year, don not forget to add some cool Christmas albums to your cart. You can search on the Internet for great Christmas numbers and artists who particularly sing for Christmas. Instrumentals create an atmosphere of their own. You will love to see people reacting to the tunes playing in the background.

Whether we like to spend money on gifts or not, we all want to have unique and different ideas for Christmas gifts each year. Lets plan out some new gifts this year for your friends, parents, spouse and children.

Mothers always like to receive some household items. Buy her framed scenery or some decorative stuff for the kitchen. Fathers love clothing items. You can either knit a sweater for him yourself or have it hand-knit from someone else who is an expert. Have Merry Christmas written on it or something like... Father, I love you. Children love to have toys they have recently seen in super market. Ask them to make a list of their favorite gift items and prioritize them. Use that list to buy some gifts and combine them to make pairs or some other new stuff.

For older children, you can buy a pair of shoes newly arrived in market, or give a gift of a personalized team jersey with your sons name on the back. You can also get him a signed photograph of his favorite player. For girls, colorful and funky clothing items are always an attraction. Another idea is to buy her some jewelry she has always wanted. A colorful scrapbook or something for her bedroom will also be loved by her.

There can be plenty of ideas for your spouse. Plan a romantic dinner, or buy a couple of play tickets. You can also buy something really special and intimate. Watch your favorite movie together and then give something as a surprise while its playing. A hand-made Christmas card is always a treasure to keep.

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George Wood is a successful webmaster of many popular sites including http://www.plasticsurgeryelite.com and http://www.gpspowers.com. If you want to read more about Christmas, click over to George site at http://www.christmasconnect.com.

Handmade Ornaments for the Tree

Decorating your Christmas tree for the holidays can be pleasant and exciting rather than nerve wrecking and expensive. This is especially true if you start early investigating the different types of homemade ornaments your family can make together. Many of these can be made with minimal expense for the needed supplies to make your tree personalized and unique. Never underestimate that there are many different ways to decorate your tree, by using your imagination and garnering a little patience you can decorate your tree with pride. A new tradition can be created and joyfully experienced by deciding that each year you will add a new type of ornamental decoration to the family tree.

One good place to begin adding to your tree's decorations is with the left over Christmas paper products from last year. Unused or partially used rolls of wrapping paper make new decorations a snap, especially if you're on a limited budget for this season. Paper can be measured to any size you desire, and then folded into the designs of your choice. Some popular shapes are stars and delicate fan shapes. Attach to the paper by gluing a brightly colored ribbon, and if desired hang a hook through the ribbon. Also, beautiful origami nature shapes such as birds from left over holiday paper are another option. Old greeting cards can be used to liven up a tree. Simply cut the back off the card and hole-punch at top and add a ribbon, and cards may be cut into different shapes and a light weight frame added to set it off too. Other crafty type projects can be created using Christmas cards by saving Mason Jar type lids which have a flat underside. Cutting and gluing felt can be placed on the underside along with a beautiful card holiday scene, and add some yarn around the edge of the top and hang on your tree.

Other craft ideas which are especially fun for kids are mixing flour and water and using a cookie cutter to create the holiday shapes. Ginger bread cookies can be hung on the tree along with some stringed popcorn or construction paper chains in place of the traditional metal garland or icicles. Another type of beautiful handmade Christmas tree ornament is made from tin. Supplies for making them can be found in a home supply and repair store, or a craft store. You will need snips for the tin, and a specialized hole-punch to make the decorative holes for the design. Thin sheets of tin are not expensive and can be bought rolled or in single sheets. This type of Christmas decoration would probably work best for older children due to the fact that a certain amount of hand strength is needed for cutting and the use of sharp tin. Ornaments can be made from craft balls. The ball's hollow clear design allow for painting on the outside of the ball and inside. Painting the inside is as simple as filling it with paint and shaking. Allow twenty four hours for drying. Stencil design patterns or free hand painting allow for any holiday scene to be painted on the outside. Dating your ornament is always a good idea too.

There are many ways to make handmade decorations for your tree; other options are beaded jewelry designs. Most craft stores carry kits to make decorations, but you can buy wire for jewelry and string your own beads. Kids can make cute ornaments for the tree by using precut foam from a craft store too. Whatever type of handmade ornament you decide to make it is a sure bet that along the way you will make a lot of good memories from interacting with family or friends, you may even find a lot of personal fulfillment by reminiscing about Christmas days of yesteryear. Handmade ornaments mean that you care about adding a little of you to the holidays. Traditions and keepsakes are a treasured thing that are passed down to those that come after you, so make sure to experiment and have lots of fun creating an ornament that you will be proud to hand down and display on your tree this Christmas season.

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Mason Barnes phd. UTSA http://www.christmas-new-years-eve.info

Artificial trees and plants - Easy plants for you

What are artificial trees and plants? 

High-quality artificial trees and plants are made from reformed barks and printed silks; trees are hand made and use the finest wood from sustainable forests.

Are they really easy plants?

Perfectly positioned for both the modern and traditional home, whether you are fast living and time is a premium within your life, not green fingered and always struggling to maintain your flora or fragile and infirm and maintaining your home is difficult, then artificial lifestyle trees are for you.

? Artificial plants and trees are 100% maintenance and watering free except occasional dusting and can adapt to anywhere in your home, from the extreme environments in the conservatory to the hustle and bustles of the living or dinning room.

? Artificial plants and trees leaves are manufactured with a UV coating to ensure the lasting colour when in direct sun light.

? Artificial plants and trees are Pollen free for asthma and allergy sufferers


Most popular 

Japanese Fruticosa 

The Japanese fruticosa is a tree of stunning proportions, standing at over 5 1/2 feet tall and weighing only 7kg the fruticosa is a Japanese gem. For over 2000 years these trees have been used to bring natural karma to hi temples and homes across the oceanic continents. 

It is hand made using the finest woods from sustainable forests. From the twisted bark to the green foliage clinging sporadically up and down the stem to the unique finishing process applied, gives that magical look of true-life and dimension. 

The eight inch diameter pot which stands 7 inches tall is the perfect size, making it easy for you to situate your easy plant tree into an outer pot of your own choice. This truly is the contemporary focal point of any room.

Laurel Bay tree 

Pure elegance is the only word to describe this classic Laurel bay tree. The single stem crookedly rises to the explosion of the laurel dark green foliage. Standing around 5 1/2 feet tall and weighing only 5.5kg, you can just pick it up and place it anywhere it really is that flexible.

The eight inch diameter pot which stands 7 inches tall is the perfect size, making it easy for you to situate your tree into an outer pot of your own choice. Crisp to touch, fresh to look, few can really describe how this easy plant tree gives confidence to your home.

Olive Tree 

Famous for its fruit and continental charm the olive tree brings a Mediterranean feel with a twist. The single stem crookedly rises to the explosion of the finest reproduction foliage and delicious hanging olives. 

Standing around 5 1/2 feet tall and weighing only 6kg, this continental gem brings a warmth to any home. The eight inch diameter pot which stands 7 inches tall is the perfect size, making it easy for you to situate your tree into an outer pot of your own choice. The Olive tree, a fantastic alternative and maintenance free way in bringing a healthy looking continental tree direct to your home.

Mini Dracenia

A spectacular miniature lifestyle artificial tree, The Mini Dracenia with its ageing stems and lively foliage of variegated greens give this tree character, the effortless way the leaves hang, the relaxed feel and great looks always make this a favourite. 

Raw, fresh, and clean, standing at over 2 feet tall and weighing only 1.5 kgs. The five inch diameter pot which stands four and a half inches tall is the perfect size, making it easy for you to situate your tree into an outer pot of your own choice. Easy on the eye, this adaptable lifestyle tree will be the perfect accessory to any room. 

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About the Author

Easyplants.co.uk http://www.easyplants.co.uk Easyplants.co.uk is the leader for amazing artificial plants and trees. All easyplants trees are hand made and use the finest wood from sustainable forests, easyplants trees are supplied in small pots and delivered direct to your door Visit http://www.easyplants.co.uk/ to see how artificial trees and plants can inspire your living space

Add To The Drama Of Your Bonsai With These Ground Covers

Adding a groundcover to a bonsai tree can either detract or add to the beauty of your design. You want to make sure the tree stays as the main attraction but you also want to add something pleasing underneath at ground level. Here are some choices that add interest and balance without overwhelming your design.

One thing you can do is add a little sculptural pieces around the ground underneath the tree. Of course, you can have some that are cheesy but you can also buy elegant and tasteful items that at a beauty to your design.

One natural element that can be used is deadwood which can add cohesiveness to your bonsai. Notes tree branches of the same species can help pull together and natural appearance between tree and ground.

You want to be careful when using deadwood because any type of dead wood could harbor parasites and cause disease to your bonsai. Even long dead branches can decompose adding elements to the soil which are most of the time harmless but sometimes can add to the growth of fungus and bacteria.

You can bleach the dead wood with a mixture of lime and sulfur but for a static purposes this may not be suitable for all kinds of branches. If you do bleach your wood and it comes out to light you can use coffee grounds or stain to darken it up again and make It appear more natural.

You can use in herbicide like Armillatox that has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties or you might try a wood stain as many of these do more than simply change the color of the wood, they also kill organisms.

Some interesting artificial pieces to add under your tree include ceramic or stone sculptures as well as little tiny rocks. Try adding something with Oriental significance like a tiger or dragon. most bonsai artists do not like to use miniature human figures but a tiny ladder leaning against a tree can add a thoughtful touch. tiny miniature frogs which are said to bring lock according to Japanese lore might be added at the base of your bonsai.

And don't forget that your plot is a design element in your bonsai as well. You want to make sure the shape is appropriate for the type of tree in the design you are using. Be sure you get a pot whose color works with your design and blends with any of the ground elements you are using.

Designing your bonsai can be more than just training the tree. With some imagination and thought you can create a little scene that is as unique as you are. 

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Lee Dobbins writes for http://bonsai.garden-corner.com what you can learn more about decorating and training your bonsai tree.

Christmas - its History and Celebrations

CHRISTMAS

Traditionally observed on December 25, Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Although some churches observe it on different dates, the fact is that the precise chronology of Jesus' birth and death is yet to be determined. Christmas has many sides to it, some religious and some secular, including the exchange of gifts, the Santa Claus myth, decoration and display of the Christmas tree, and religious ceremonies. 

History

We can trace the origin of Christmas to several pagan holidays. It was since AD 354 that the christians in the West started celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ on December 25, replacing an earlier date of January 6. By that time, the christians had appropriated several pagan festivals and traditions of the season that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out. Among those festivals were Saturnalia of the Romans, the birth celebrations of sun - God Attis in Phrygia (December 25) and Persian sun - God Mithras (December 17-24). 

The Nativity

The Nativity refers to the birth of Jesus Christ. The christians celebrate Christmas by remembering or re-creating the Nativity. While the Eastern Orthodox Church practices the Nativity Fast in anticipation of the birth of Jesus, the Western Church mostly prefers celebrating Advent. Children often enact the events of the Nativity, or sing some of the numerous Christmas carols that reference the event. Some christians display a small re-creation of the Nativity in their homes, using small figurines to portray the key characters. 

Santa Claus

In Western culture, a main feature of Christmas is the exchange of gifts among friends and family members, some of them being attributed to Santa Claus. Santa Claus is also known by other names, such as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Saint Basil and Father Frost. Santa Claus is based on the tale about Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, who gave gifts on the eve of his feast day of December 6. He became associated with Christmas in 19th century America and was renamed Santa Claus or Saint Nick. In Britain and France too, Father Christmas and Pere Noel respectively were made to adopt the Santa image.

Christmas tree

The Christmas tree owes its origin to the ancient pagan idea, later appropriated by the christians, that the evergreen tree represents a celebration of the renewal of life. Christmas trees first became popular in Germany in the late 18th century. Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments. The poinsettia then became associated with Christmas, while other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. In some parts of the world, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Town authorities also hang Christmas banners from street lights and place Christmas trees in the town square.

Feasts and cards

A special meal of Christmas dishes is usually served on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. Another extremely popular tradition is to send Christmas cards to friends and family members. Cards can also be produced with messages such as "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays", to include senders and recipients who may not celebrate Christmas. 

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About the Author

This article is written by Arindam Bose for www.ecard4all.com. It is a free article and can be used by any webmaster on their website, provided they will keep the link intact with the article. ( for sending Christmas greeting cards to friends and relatives, please check out this page)