| It's your home/your apartment and you want to | | | | about 24 inches tall. Put it on a bulletin board, then |
| make it a special sanctuary this Christmas. How | | | | make two different sized ornament patterns for |
| can you create a special place for your family and | | | | the kids to use and have them trace ornaments |
| you? Well, we already have our centerpiece...see | | | | on more tag paper. Let the kids cut the |
| November's issue Decorate for Thanksgiving.) Just | | | | ornaments out. Take crayons and markers and |
| replace candles and flowers. But how can you | | | | decorate a couple to model how to decorate |
| make your place shine with love and holiday spirit? | | | | them for the kids. Provide some glue sticks and |
| Your dining room table can have a nice Christmas | | | | let the kids glue their ornaments on their very |
| cloth or runner. Replace the fall curtain scarf with | | | | own tree. |
| Christmas co-ordinates to match your table cloth | | | | In your living room or family room, create a |
| or runner. Look around your yard for any berries | | | | warm feel with plaid coverlets thrown across |
| that you might use in your centerpieces. Be | | | | your couches and chairs. If you have a mantel, |
| careful that little ones don't put these in their | | | | string some berries into a garland....or use |
| mouths. Make a wreath for your door using a | | | | cranberries. Place wooden candlestick holders and |
| grapevine base and ivy you might have growing | | | | white candles. Place ivy around the base....a very |
| around the yard....place berries strategically around | | | | simple but elegant presentation. |
| the circle. Make a bow of fine vines and place in | | | | After dinner have pie with coffee and tea. Pass |
| the center, a couple of pine cones. What a unique | | | | out some carols and sing together. If you have a |
| heart warmer for your guests to enter your | | | | musical instrument, this would be a great time to |
| sanctuary by. | | | | accompany your guests. You can print some |
| At the doorway, hallway, foyer, greet your | | | | carols ahead of time. Make them into little |
| guests with cinnamon sticks and and cloves stuck | | | | booklets using old Christmas cards for covers. |
| in oranges and apples placed in a wooden bowl on | | | | CHRISTMAS-CAROLS.NET - Rejoice in the |
| a hallway table. Cover the table with a plaid green | | | | Christmas Spirit! |
| and red cloth. Your kitchen can have all the smells | | | | Serve some spiced cider: |
| of holiday cooking. Place a nice lantern in the | | | | 1 gallon of Apple Cider |
| window to remind us of those guests who | | | | 10 cinnamon sticks |
| couldn't make it. Have a plate of finger foods for | | | | Some whole cloves (about 10) |
| your guests. Simple things will do like a nice | | | | Simmer on top of stove for about 15 minutes |
| wooden bowl of cashews or give your guests | | | | and strain into some nice Seasonal mugs. |
| something to do: serve pistachios. | | | | Enjoy your family and don't forget to take |
| Need something for the kids to do? Take tag | | | | photos. Merry Christmas! |
| paper and cut out a Christmas tree shape that is | | | | |