Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Is all your Christmas shopping done yet? Chances are it isn’t and you’re already stressing about fighting your way through the crowds in search of those perfect presents. Relax. Buying Christmas gifts doesn’t have to resemble an episode of Survivor. Instead grab your gift list, your favorite beverage and head to your computer for the easiest holiday shopping you’ve ever experienced.

It’s Better with Baskets

Gift baskets are a super easy way to whittle down your Christmas list. While you may think that gift baskets are impersonal, today’s baskets can be found in a multitude of themes that will suit most anyone on your list. Know someone who has a sweet tooth? Gift baskets comprised of gourmet cookies or chocolates are perfect. For anyone who’s counting their calories, a beautiful fruit basket or spa collection will easily fit the bill.

Gift baskets aren’t just for the ladies either. Golf themed Christmas gift baskets or baskets containing any tasty snacks should suit someone you know quite well.

For couples, try a gourmet cooking basket or wine basket that they can both enjoy for many months to come. The best part of giving these baskets is you don’t need to worry about wrapping or shipping — the company will do all that for you. How easy is that?

Save the Shipping

Christmas gifts are expensive enough once you tally them up – but add the cost of mailing packages out on top of that and gift giving can get pretty expensive. While the post office isn’t likely to have a sale on shipping during the holidays, there are many online stores that offer cheap or free shipping with your purchases. Some stores will offer free shipping if your purchases total a certain amount while others offer to ship your purchases to the nearest physical store at no charge. If you plan on going away for the holidays, why not make all your purchases online, get the company to gift wrap them for you and have them all shipped ahead to your holiday destination? Now that’s shopping smart.

Christmas Gifts That Keep on Giving

Everyone has someone on their list that’s hard to buy for. Instead of stressing yourself out searching for that perfect one time gift, try giving them something related to an interest of theirs. Magazine subscriptions to a topic they love work great. Since there’s a magazine out there for just about any passion or hobby you can think of, you’re bound to find something suitable.

Enrollment in monthly clubs is also a wonderful option. As an example, there are wine of the month clubs, beer of the month clubs, gourmet foods, or even monthly craft clubs for kids. You simply order the subscription online and provide the recipient’s address. Then, every month thereafter they will receive a new delivery. This is a great way to make your Christmas gift last all year long!

Originally posted 2008-12-06 00:13:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Cinnamon Bear is an old time radio program produced by Transco (Transcription Company of America). The series was specifically designed to be listened to six days a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It was first broadcast between Friday, November 26 and Saturday December 25, 1937.

The story focuses on Judy and Jimmy Barton who go to the enchanted world of Maybeland to recover their missing Silver Star that belongs on their Christmas tree. Helping on the search is the Cinnamon Bear, a stuffed bear with shoe-button eyes and a green scarf. They meet other memorable characters during their quest, including the Crazy Quilt Dragon (who repeatedly tries to take the star for himself), the Wintergreen Witch, Fe Fo the Giant, and Santa Claus.

Kelly’s Christmas Shop will have one episode a day between November 29th and December 24th.  Come back each day and listen to a new chapter with your children!

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Chapter 1: Paddy O’Cinnamon

The Barton twins, Judy and Jimmy discover the silver Star, which goes on the top of their Christmas tree, is missing. It is recalled that Uncle Ned took some of the holiday decorations up to, the attic last year and, after some pleading with Mother, the twins are permitted to go up to search for it. They don’t find the star but they do discover a number of other interesting things, including a tiny, 4-inch-tall teddy bear with a green ribbon around his neck. Jimmy looks through an old seaman’s telescope and sees the little bear move. He introduces himself with his own song “I’m the Cinnamon Bear with the Shoe Button eyes.” Paddy O’Cinnamon, for that is his proper name, tells the children their star has been stolen by the Crazy Quilt Dragon and offers to help them get it back.

Originally posted 2008-11-29 01:16:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Years ago, a friend on my homeschooling email list wrote the following:

“I wanted to share with you all something different we’re doing this year.  This was my DH’s idea, and I think its just wonderful!

Every year in the past, our kids just TEAR through their presents on Christmas Day, then they are so dazed and worn out that they don’t appreciate what they got, and they are cranky and ill-behaved, too, from all the “information overload”. Then, too, there is the subsequent let-down as everyone realizes that it’s all over so quickly.

But this year, we are observing the “12 Days Of Christmas” – we are opening 1 or 2 presents each day, beginning on Christmas Day, and ending on Epiphany, which is the feast of the 3 Kings on January 5th. We have a small Bible reading before we open the presents each day, then everyone picks out their presents to open for that day.

The kids have, surprisingly, taken to this idea VERY well! They open that day’s present(s), and spend the day playing nicely with them, then they get to look forward to what’s coming tomorrow! It’s very peaceful and pleasant!

There are few, if any, drawbacks. First, your kids might get you up early for 12 consecutive days (but ours haven’t – by the third day, we had to wake THEM! Second, you have to be patient and set a good example, even if you got your husband a really great gift and you can’t wait to see his face when he opens it!

DH and I think we’re going to do this every year from now on; we’re going to discuss it at our regular family meeting with the kids, to see what they think.”

I thought that this was a very interesting concept. Haven’t tried it yet because we have a large family Christmas every year with people that we might only see once or twice a year. Has anyone done anything like this or have any other suggestions on how to “do” Christmas a different way? I’d love to hear!

Originally posted 2008-12-03 00:23:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter