Christmas Town Trees

At ChristmastownTrees.com, we keep Christmas on our minds and in our hearts every day, no matter the season. But sometimes even we need an extra dose of that spectacular Christmas Spirit to shake off the bad or add even more brightness to the good. In times like these, it helps to look back on the wonderfully warm and inspirational things that have been said about Christmas over the years. It’s funny how quickly words can change to feelings. Or should I say…magical? Yep, I think it’s magical, just like Christmas Day itself.

Here’s a few of our favorite Christmas quotes to enjoy. Have we missed your favorite? Please share yours in the comments so we can share it with all our readers – kind of like a Christmas gift!

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“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” – Burton Hillis

“Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish.  Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.” – Francis C. Farley

“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” – Janice Maeditere

“I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” – Harlan Miller

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” – Dr. Seuss

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” – Marjorie Holmes

“The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!” – Charles N. Barnard

“Which Christmas is the most vivid to me? It’s always the next Christmas.” – Joanne Woodward

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” – Andy Rooney

If you’re anything like me, every year you promise yourself to devote more time to your gifts instead of relying solely on store-bought fare. However, once the number of days until Christmas becomes smaller and smaller, I inevitably cave on a purchased gift as I have run out of time and energy to make something more personal. This is not at all to say that store-bought gifts can’t be great! Sometimes I do find the perfect ’something’ for someone on a shelf just waiting for it’s wrapping and bow. But there are a few presents I’ve been promising myself to make for my brother and sister for years now, and still haven’t. I’m hoping if I share the one that’s most important to me with you it will commit me to actually getting to work! And I’m also hoping to inspire you to try your hand at the idea for someone on your list as well.

Without further ado…The Family Scrapbook!

I plan to make one for each of us that contains all the same pictures, but is personalized in style and layout. For example, my sister’s scrapbook would feature pictures of her children before pictures of my brother’s children, and the reverse would apply for my brother’s scrapbook. Also, my brother’s scrapbook won’t be purple and aqua, but I digress! I like to have all my supplies before I begin, so my first step will be to borrow my brother’s and sister’s memory cards from their digital cameras and upload the photos to my computer. I’ll also have to sort through old photo albums of theirs to see if there’s any other pictures I’d like to include. This part will take some time, but I get to look through lots of marvelous memories, so it’s hardly work.

Uploading the digital pictures will be a cinch, and scanning the printed photos shouldn’t take too long. Once I have everything in the computer, I’ll organize the photos into folders that make sense for me, and decide how many pictures I want to include so I know how big of an album to purchase. Once I have that determined, I get to go shopping. Scrapbooks and papers and beads and photo corners, here I come!

I don’t work well in a cluttered space, so I’m going to dedicate a clean and clear area to the project. I’ll need even more room than scrapbooking would usually require as I’m building three albums simultaneously (and will probably make one for Mom, too, as long as I have all the supplies out!). Perhaps to keep in the Christmas spirit I’ll even play some Christmas music while I scrap.

OK, now I’m excited to get started! I’ll be sure to leave a few pages open at the end for photos we take during the year, which will help my gift grow to be it’s very best. And of course, come Christmas, there will be a ton of terrific new photos taken, so this may just be the gift I give every year. But I’m not about to complain about having too many great memories and a wonderful family.

If you’re among the people whose heart fills with joy the moment the tree goes up, why put yourself through the pain of taking it down? There are countless ways to keep your tree seasonally up-to-date all year long, and if you have the space and desire to keep a year-long tree, go for it!

If you have had to move furniture from where it would ideally be placed to accommodate your Christmas tree, you may have to consider a location move. Recreational rooms make a popular tree location for year-long trees as you can enjoy them while watching movies, reading, doing crafts or playing with your kids. You can even bring yours and your children’s crafts into the tree-decorating process, creating ornaments for every occasion!

Feel free to think beyond traditional Holidays such as Valentine’s Day and The Fourth of July if a personal holiday is at the same time of year. Of course, these have awesome tree potential as well, but an Anniversary Tree or Birthday Tree might be more exciting! A birthday tree might include pictures of the birthday boy or girl, an assortment of streamers and party favors, paper cupcake cut-outs, bits of wrapping paper from their presents – whatever you can dream up! And in addition to how cool and cute your tree will look, the whole family can stretch their creativity making it the best it can be while working together.

Spending quality, fun-filled time with your friends and family doesn’t have to be an expensive luxury. There are plenty of low-cost alternatives to expensive dinners, shows and shopping sprees that can keep us smiling between the big outtings. If a year-long tree sounds like a good idea to you, give it a try. Don’t put it on your ‘Someday’ list – you already have the tree up! And if you find it’s not your thing, or makes your Christmas tree feel less special, or any of the other things I’ve heard nay-sayers come up with as a reason not to do it…take it down. It’s that simple. But I’m going to ‘go out on a limb’ and say you’re going to love it.

Great for serving up at holiday parties throughout the season, this lovely Holiday Mimosa recipe is sure to please, whether you’re celebrating on Christmas Day or ringing in the New Year tonight! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 cup orange juice

1 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne, chilled

Directions:

Pour the orange liqueur in a shallow bowl. Next, put the sugar in a saucer. Dip just the rims of your glasses in the orange liqueur and then in the sugar to form a thin sugared rim. Divide the remaining orange liqueur and orange juice among the prepared glasses. Top with champagne. Serve!

The holidays are here and people are rushing to finish up all of the shopping. However, this year, be sure that you’re extra careful when it comes to your holiday spending. By using some of these smart tips, you can end up saving a bundle while still having a happy holiday. Take your savings and put them toward a family vacation in the summer, a new fix in your home, or maybe even a special gift for just your family.

1. First off, we know it’s tempting, but don’t buy stuff for yourself, no matter how great the deals are. Take advantage of some shopping time for you after the holidays – with coupons and gift cards in tow.

2. Start out by making a list and having a plan. Have an idea of what you want to get each person on your list, as well as a budget that you have to work with.

3. Just give a gift card. It’s fast, easy, and you won’t have to worry about spending too much.

4. Avoid shopping at your favorite store, as the temptation may have you spending more than you originally planned.

5. Shop online. You’ll save on gas and most sites offer free shipping this time of year.

6. Partner up with a few friends or family members and give a group gift. Pitch in your portion and that’s it!

7. If you have loyalty or bonus points saved up, use them now!

8. Get crafty and do some DIY gifting by making, cooking, canning, baking, or sewing something special.

9. Re-gifting can be okay, as long as you’re smart about it. Only re-gift when necessary and be sure that you won’t get caught.

10. Give the gift of time. Offer up babysitting coupons to a friend with children. Give a coupon for a back rub to your spouse. Be creative and think of how you can spend time without having to spend a ton of cash.

Most artificial Christmas trees are put up because they’re easy to clean up after, however, that doesn’t mean that they’re not care-free! If you really want to make your holiday decorations sparkle, make sure that you have a clean artificial Christmas tree by using these directions from ChristmastownTrees.com:

1. First, check your manufacturer’s instructions to see if there are any specifics about cleaning your tree. Follow the instructions as directed. Trying to improvise can sometimes cause damage to your tree.

2. If there are no instructions, it’s time to set up the tree and start cleaning by hand. Set up the tree as you normally would, but place a large sheet around its base. This will be your work area and a place for catching debris.

3. Using your freshly bagged and cleaned vacuum, start dusting the tree off gently using the fabric bristle brush attachment. If your suction is too strong, cover up the end of your hose with a piece of cheesecloth or a handkerchief folded in half and securely attached with a strong rubber band. Start vacuuming the tree from the top down. Avoid attacking any branches head on, as it may cause damage.

4. Next, fill a bucket with dish soap and warm water. Dip a dish towel into your bucket and wring well. Wipe down the branches and trunk gently. You don’t want any suds to be left behind. Replace water as needed. Let dry.

5. Finish your clean up by picking up the dusty sheet without letting any dust or debris spill onto the floor. Empty it into the trash or shake it outside. Wash sheet immediately to avoid any additional spread of dust.

6. That’s it – you’re done!

We know that you’re already dreaming about the delicious meal you’re going to have on Christmas, but when it comes time to actually decide on a recipe for your main course, most people fall back on the traditional turkey in order to serve up something special. Don’t stress yourself out – turkeys can cause a lot of frustration during the holidays. Instead, go with a classic and flavorful alternative: Cranberry Cornish Hens. This delicious poultry dish is sure to please everyone at your dinner table with seasonal flavors and tender, juicy meat. Plus, it’s a fun alternative to your great aunt’s dried out turkey recipe. Serve up something really special just in time for Christmas by trying this fabulous recipe:

Cranberry Cornish Hens (makes 2 servings)

Ingredients:

2 fresh Cornish hens

1 (16 ounce) can of jellied cranberry sauce

½ cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

a few sprigs of fresh rosemary

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a sauce pan, combine together wine, lemon juice, and cranberry sauce. Cook over medium heat until cranberry sauce melts and the mixture is smooth.

3. Rinse hens in cold water and pat dry. Sprinkle the cavities with salt and pepper and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary. Close the cavities and secure with wooden toothpicks or ties. Add a sprig or two of rosemary on top of each bird. Place hens, breast side up, in a lightly greased pan.

4. Brush the hens with the cranberry mixture, coating on all sides.

5. Bake for about 45 minutes, basting frequently with the cranberry sauce. Serve.

Thanksgiving is over and as far as we’re concerned, it’s time to put up your Christmas tree! Throughout the month of December, you and your family should be able to enjoy the soft glow of Christmas lights and the feeling of holiday cheer. That all starts with a Christmas tree. So this week or next, make it a point to break out yours, or if you’re thinking of getting an artificial Christmas tree this year, be sure to get yours today at ChristmastownTrees.com so that you can have your Christmas display up and ready to go before the holiday rush.

Made to look like real trees yet styled to be affordable and durable additions to your Christmas decorations collection, the artificial Christmas trees from ChristmastownTrees.com are must-haves for the holiday season, especially if you want to save a little cash. While they may be more expensive than a real tree initially, these artificial trees can do something that real trees can’t: last for years to come. Once you purchase an artificial tree, especially one that’s pre-lit, you can feel free to enjoy hassle-free Christmas celebrations for years to come. There’s no worrying about getting a real tree home or picking up pine needles – or tangled lights for that matter. With an artificial Christmas tree, you get a decoration that you can put up and pack away easily that already comes pre-lit. What’s not to love?

Get your artificial Christmas tree just in time for the holidays by shopping ChristmastownTrees.com today.

Nothing is more fun than making animals out of unexpected materials, especially when one of those things is a plain brown grocery bag! If you and your child want to make something fun, consider this super easy Christmas craft that’s perfect for getting your family into the holiday spirit.

You’ll need:

Brown paper bags

Red pom poms

Goggly eyes (optional)

Markers

Glue

Scissors

Your child’s shoe

Pencil

Directions

First, trace one of your child’s shoes on the brown paper bag and then cut it out. This will be the head of your reindeer. Next, trace your child’s hands and cut them out as well. Glue them onto each side of the reindeer head to make antlers. Then using either a marker or googly eyes from your craft store, draw or glue on eyes for your reindeer. After that, glue a red pom pom on for the nose. Finally, draw a mouth using markers. Let dry then display or play!

Chances are, if you’re like most people, you’ve probably already seen some of those Meet Santa photo opportunities in the mall or twinkling lights starting to spring up in stores. The truth is that the holiday season is approaching faster than you think and it’s time that you start thinking about being prepared. If you’re not set with your holiday decorations yet, it’s time to start shopping. While you may have a few more weeks before they have to get set up, your holiday decorations are going to be a key part of your celebrations. Don’t wait until the last minute to shop for the right Christmas tree or outdoor lighting display. Instead, start planning ahead now by shopping the selection at ChristmastownTrees.com.

At ChristmastownTrees.com, we carry a wide variety of holiday ornaments, artificial Christmas trees, and outdoor displays that are perfect for decking your halls just in time for the celebration. With Christmas only 41 days away, who wouldn’t want to get ahead and be prepared. Make sure that you’re ready to take on the holiday season with all of the right trimmings by shopping ChristmastownTrees.com today!