CHRISTMAS PARTY
Along with Thanksgiving, Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. If you plan it carefully, you can enjoy it for a good six weeks. This is a great time for celebrations. Not only does the holiday commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, but it also is a time to create our most memorable times. No matter what tradition you follow, Christmas is a great time for the whole family to gather together. Its also a great time to create your own family traditions.
Ask parents and grandparents how they celebrated the holiday season when they were children. Gather clues from past generations and add your own traditions for a memorable unforgetable holiday party.
DECORATIONS
Decorate your home in green, red and white or silver, blue and white.
Decorate a wreath with sprigs of holly, lights and jingle bells. Attach a large red ribbon to the center of the wreath.
Poinsettia plants always add a festive feeling to any room.
Use doilies to recreate snowflakes.
Place a toy train around the Christmas tree for a decorating touch.
Place antique toys, and antique Santa or teddy bears on
fireplace mantles, sofas, or small tables.
Hang a sprig of mistletoe under a doorway.
Use aromas to give a festive feel. Simmer cinnamon sticks or vanilla-scented candles.

ACTIVITIES
Make homemade cookies. Give them as gifts to teachers, neighbors or at nursing homes and hospitals.
Make homemade gift wrapping paper from paper bags and markers.
Write a letter to Santa Claus.
Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas by writing down 12 things you are grateful for this year.
Go Christmas Caroling.
Make Christmas ornaments.
Decorate a Christmas tree.
Decorate a Gingerbread House.
Make and decorate Gingerbread Cookies.
Have each guest bring a toy, gift wrap it and donate them to a local charity.
Make Holiday garlands from popcorn, beads, pinecones, buttons or cranberries.
GAMES
Fill a jar with red and green jelly beans. Ask guests how many red and green jelly beans are in the glass jar? Have each guest estimate on a slip of paper the total number of jelly beans in the jar. The guest closest to the correct number gets to keep the jar.
PARTY FAVORS
Bottle of wine.
CD of your favorite holiday music.
Christmas note cards.
Christmas ornaments.
Homemade ornaments.
To do coupons.
Your time. This is truly the HARDEST thing anyone can do, but it is also the most memorable gift you can give any one. Take the time to hear someone tell you a story. Don't wear your watch. Sit together and hug, laugh or just enjoy each others company. We tend to plan so much to do around the holidays but rarely take the time to enjoy it. Spend it with your family and above all let them know how special they are by saying it!!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

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