I decorate with the Christmas cards I receive. It's a tradition I picked up from my mother. She died when I was 18, and I haven't actually thought about where the idea came from until tonight when I saw this thread. It's really amazing how a simple question can bring back something that has been "lost" for many years.
Anyway, I put them around the doors, and put some on the tables, and stand some up on the mantle over the fireplace, and anywhere that they will fit. They are always bright and cheerful, and usually no two are alike, so there are endless ways to arrange them, and many places to put them.
When the holiday are over I usually discard all but a treasured few - with the "treasure" being measured by the closeness of the relationship. I have a collection from previous years that includes cards from a number of friends and relatives who are no longer in this earthly plane with us, and it makes me happy to put those out each year with the new ones, and add a few each year to my "treasure" collection. Using those cards with the new ones is a tangible way to express my belief and hope that they are still with us in spirit, and it makes them, and the memories, part of every holiday celebration.
We've added new hugs! Send some love to your friends now! 
Discussion Topic
The holidays are upon us......
Posted on 10/09/08, 10:48 am
Scary world we are living in right now. Never know from day to day what is going to happen. With the holidays approaching quickly, we are turning our thoughts to gift giving.
So with financial situations the way they are, I thought perhaps we could share some easy, inexpensive gift and / or homemade gift ideas. Lets see how many different ideas we can come up with.
I will start it off with one of my favorite ideas.
"Cookies In A Jar". You, of course, start out with a jar. I usually buy a case of large canning jars. You layer the ingredients for a batch of cookies in the jar. Take a small square of fabric and put it over the top of the canning lid and then screw the ring down. You attach a note with the directions for baking the cookies. Basically all they have to do is empty the jar into a bowl and add liquids and bake.
I have recipes for just about every kind of cookie you might want to make. If you are interested, let me know what kind of cookie and I will PM the recipe and directions to you.
OK, now.....let's have some of your ideas!
So with financial situations the way they are, I thought perhaps we could share some easy, inexpensive gift and / or homemade gift ideas. Lets see how many different ideas we can come up with.
I will start it off with one of my favorite ideas.
"Cookies In A Jar". You, of course, start out with a jar. I usually buy a case of large canning jars. You layer the ingredients for a batch of cookies in the jar. Take a small square of fabric and put it over the top of the canning lid and then screw the ring down. You attach a note with the directions for baking the cookies. Basically all they have to do is empty the jar into a bowl and add liquids and bake.
I have recipes for just about every kind of cookie you might want to make. If you are interested, let me know what kind of cookie and I will PM the recipe and directions to you.
OK, now.....let's have some of your ideas!
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Reply #1 10/10/08 1:00am
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Reply #2 10/10/08 7:07am
Most of my family do a similar thing with our cards - my mum and dad usually cellotape the cards together in a long, vertical column and hang these all around the walls. While my grandparents clip them onto a length of string using clothes pegs and hang these up like a mini card washing line! :D
You are totally right Peace - they bring so much life and festiveness to the rooms, plus as you said you can keep old friends or family who are no longer with us a part of the joy and festivities and best of all they're free!
I like to use the creative skills I have been blessed with for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries - you name it! I make all sorts of gifts for men and women! such as jewellery/cufflinks, hand-painted silk scarves/ hand-embroidered handkerchiefs, paintings/decorative wall hangings as well as making my own cards and wrapping paper - it's so much cheaper than buying gifts and all the accessories - plus most people enjoy and treasure the gift more as they know I have gone to the effort of making it especially for them!
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Reply #3 10/10/08 7:08am
PS
I *love* your "cookies in a jar" idea Basket! I may well be in touch in a few weeks for some recipes! -
Reply #4 10/10/08 8:47am
Its always been a tradition to decorate a doorway with the cards....starting back as far as my grandmother. I have a closet door in my dining room that I hang a handmade wreath in the center with the cards around the wreath. I just use loops of scotch tape to attach them to the doors.
I think to make things simple with the Cookies in the Jar recipes, if you are interested.....email me at Basketmoon@netzero.com. I already have them on a disc and it'll make it easier. In fact, if you do that, I will send you all the recipes. (Trying to remember where that disc is...LOL) I'll find it.
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