Archive for the ‘Christmas Gifts Ideas’ Category

A fireplace mantel is the perfect place to display a Christmas scene. There are many different styles you can choose from – you can go with traditional or try something a little different this year.

What kind of décor are you decorating in for Christmas? Down home country? Elegant? Eco? The style you choose for your main décor should also be reflected in your mantel scene.

For many people, the mantel scene is usually a nativity scene complete with a manger, animals and several figurines. Nativity sets are beautiful and there are many you can choose from.

If you get a nativity set that’s made of aged wood, this would work well with a country décor. Also in keeping with a country décor, you can use a narrow sleigh filled with boughs of green, pinecones and presents wrapped in red gingham.

Another way to decorate the mantel is in what’s called primitive style by using boughs of real garland, fruit and primitive figurines. You can find primitive Santa figurines by scouring the online Christmas stores.

Or if you would rather have snowmen, you can decorate the mantel with primitive snowmen made from muslin or wood. Some people confuse the primitive style with the country style of decorating but they are not the same. Primitive has more of an early 1900s feel to it. You would easily be able to find some of the decorations in homes from your great grandmother’s generation.

You can set your mantel scene up to reflect scenes from other cultures. For example, if you had Chinese ornaments on your Christmas tree, your mantel would look fantastic with paper lanterns and small bowls housing Christmas balls.

In the center, you could take a photo holder – one of the ones in the shape of a miniature tree-and you could hang ornaments with Chinese writing on the branches. You can find Chinese ornaments wishing the buyer joy or luck or wealth.

A snow village is another holiday scene you could grace your mantel with. If you’re worried about getting the confetti snow on your floor, you can use cotton balls to create a snow effect.

But don’t just stick the cotton balls up as is. Instead, gently pull apart the cotton balls and thin them out. Decorate the mantle with Christmas village homes and businesses and set them up so that they’re lighted. You’ll have a great focal point and the soft light will add a nice touch.

For a more elegant mantel Christmas scene, hang a square mirror above your fireplace mantel. Place tapered silver or gold candles inside of hurricane lanterns. In the middle of the mantel, place a short vase full of white roses. Use silver beading pearls entwined with real garland to hang from the front of the mantel.

One of the many Christmas traditions people celebrate is caroling. One account of this tradition is said to stem back to centuries ago when people would gather and sing in a religious gathering. Others say the history of caroling has nothing to do with religion and is instead given the outdated term of wassailing.

No one knows with one hundred percent certainty. But both sides agree it did involve a group of people known as carolers. Legend has it that this group of carolers gathered together and sang in order to be fed, hence the term, “sing for your supper.”

These groups of carolers would travel to various neighborhoods singing their songs. The origin of where caroling began has been disputed with some saying it began in Italy, while others insist it’s an English tradition.

Whichever version is correct, as time passed, door to door caroling died down somewhat but is still very much a tradition especially in smaller towns with a close knit population. For many people, today’s modern caroling involves carolers singing in Christmas parades, at church functions and in private homes.

At home or work Christmas parties, people will gather around a piano or stereo, play Christmas songs and have their own version of caroling. Did you know there’s a day set aside every December for caroling? It’s called Go Caroling Day.

If you want to plan a caroling event for your group or for your family, it’s not difficult. It’s a great way to spread the joy to your family and friends. No one has to have perfect pitch to sing in a caroling group.

All you have to do is be willing to give it a shot. Find out how many people would be interested in going and set a caroling meeting. Pick a date to go caroling and schedule a few warm up singing sessions with your group of volunteers.

Print out copies and staple them together of the carols your group would like to sing and practice until you can sing in relatively harmony. You’re not looking for perfection – you just want to make sure everyone has some familiarity with the songs you plan to sing. You can purchase books, but depending on the size of your group, that could quickly get expensive if you’re the one paying for them.

Know ahead of time where you’re going to go. Some communities have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to trespassers and sadly, carolers would fall under the heading of trespassers in some housing areas.

You don’t have to stick to going door to door if the weather doesn’t cooperate. You can visit children’s hospitals, nursing homes, community churches and more. Plan to go caroling this Christmas season. It’s an experience you’ll always cherish.