Outdoors Man Ornament

Photo Courtesy of A Thrifty Mom

Materials:

• Clear plastic Christmas ornament
• Jute twine
• Fake pine branch
• Hot glue gun to attach twine
• Small piece of tan card stock to make tag
• Odds and ends of what your outdoors man likes (ex: fishing hooks, empty ammo - DO NOT USE LIVE AMMO, camouflage fabric, mini compass and canteen

Open ornament, place pine in, then a couple items of the odds and ends. Put top back on ornament. Glue twine to top. Make small tag and write something on it. String tag on twine and finish gluing to top. Add more twine to hang ornament. You're done!

Christmas Tip - 1 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Relax ... And Smell The Eggnog

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven.com

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

Christmas Eve is here ... and now it's time to celebrate.

For many of us, this day finds us stressed and obsessed. We fly around in a tizzy, feeling "not yet ready" for the holiday. It can be hard to shift gears out of planning mode.

But what's the best gift you can give yourself and your family? A relaxed and happy self.

Take time today to shrug off the last bits of holiday care. Release any remaining expectations, cancel un-completed chores, set aside the to-do list, and take time to smell the eggnog.

Christmas is here!

Christmas Tip - 2 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Simplify Holiday Breakfasts

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

If you're hosting houseguests this week, think ahead to breakfast each day. The simpler, the better--so try these tips to simplify holiday breakfasts:

Set the table for breakfast as you clean up from dinner.

Post a breakfast menu on the refrigerator to encourage volunteer help from early-rising guests.

Focus breakfast menus on quick, make-ahead items like breakfast casseroles, muffins, fruit, choice of cereals and juice. You can't enjoy your guests' company if you're slaving away in the kitchen!

Christmas Tip - 3 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Assemble Toys

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

It's the phrase that strikes fear in the hearts of parents everywhere: "some assembly required". Today's toy packaging--twist ties and all--can put a serious wrench in a happy Christmas morning.

Will Santa bring bicycles, riding toys or other assembly-needed gifts this year? The time to assemble them is now!

For younger children, consider removing toys from packaging altogether. Short attention spans won't need to wait anxiously to play with Christmas gifts while you wield the wire cutter.

Get cracking on putting toys together in good time for Christmas Eve. Santa will sleep soundly on the big night!

Christmas Tip - 4 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Prepare Stocking Stuffers

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care ... so it's time to prepare to fill them! Ease this midnight chore with a bit of pre-holiday organization.

Set aside a plastic supermarket grocery sack for each family member, and sort stuffers into the sacks. Slip handles around a clothes hanger, and hang the sorted stuffers at the back of the closet.

With stuffers sorted and ready, Santa won't be fumbling in the dark, trying to remember what gift belongs where ....

Christmas Tip - 5 Days to Christmas! It's Time For A Camera Check!

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

Ready, set, roll 'em! Christmas morning will soon be here, so take a moment to prepare to capture the memories.

Haul out the cameras and videocams and make sure they're ready for the big day.

Charge the batteries, check supplies of film or digital media, and be sure you have cables handy for uploading digital photos. Share the moment!

Christmas Tip - 6 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Record A Holiday Greeting

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

To give a holiday welcome to phone callers this week, record a special Christmas greeting on the phone answering machine.

It's fun, free and a festive way to connect with those whose calls you've missed..

Happy Holidays!