wants to greet you "Froehliche
Weihnachten" in Germany ... ......"Maligayong
Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon"
Hi lovely barkadas!..another year has flown by and we are upon the
greatest time of the year, JESUS CHRIST birthday! this is my favorite
season .Christmas time! well, I know it is stressful, but everyone knows that
there is no other time of the year like the feeling of Christmas ( gosh! i feel
like a kid again! ) we celebrate the birth of Jesus and we give of ourselves and
share memories with our families, friends and love ones.And the traditional
Christmas is not a single day but a prolonged period, normally from 24th
December to 6th January. This included the New Year, thus increasing the
festival value of Christmas ..actually for us Filipinos it start as soon as we
heard some christmas songs on the air di ba? ;-).When it comes to celebrating our
Savior's birth, i have some things that I´ve compiled from internet and some few
simple suggestions that you can also enjoy.....I have here some few bits and
pieces to pass along to all. Please, feel free to implement any of these
ideas into your own family traditions ....wishing you all and your family
the best this holiday! so happy holidays to all! take care...muahh**
Some Household Tips
One
of the best ways to deal with any up and coming event is to prepare a list.
Start a master "To Do" list and keep it handy.
Look it over every
morning; cross out each chore you accomplish and add the new things that come
up.
Delegate as much as you can to other family members (even the littlest ones
can help out!).
Discuss realistic
gift expectations with your spouse and children.
Talk openly about how much
money can be spent and stick to your budget! You will find that it will be less
stressful when everyone is in the picture as to how much is going to be spent.
Things To Do At Christmas
Candles.....
* Signify that Christ is "the light
of the world and that you have that special touch when it comes to holiday
decoration. Make sure your candles burn evenly, some imported ones are good on
this.. Four Sundays prior to Christmas, light one candle each Sunday, sing a
song of praise and use "hallelujah" to blow out the candle on
the last Sunday! Then you will know it is Christmas!
Candle Decorating
* Candles can work magic on
a room and on us, and with creative craftsmanship and thoughtful display, you
can do a lot of them presenting them in their best light .
Candles are resurfacing in lighting, with chandeliers and sconces. Combined with
lamps, they offer a subtle, more gentle light where appropriate. They’re being
incorporated into furnishings such as wall screens and fireplace screens.
They’re subbing for art objects. They’re taking on decorative, even
architectural roles in tall or small containers. Even the simplest arrangement
of three or five pillars of different heights on an attractive wood or metal
tray on a coffee table is a powerful design statement, completing a Zen-like
setting as effectively as a tray of wheat grass. For this holiday
gathering, you can have the best light from your decorative candle that you
made.
Freeze your candles before
inserting them into the candle holders, you'll eliminate wax drippings.
The Christmas Tree
Most houses this Christmas will be decorated with Christmas trees. Why not
buy one that can be replanted in your garden.If this isn't an option, then at
least make sure that your tree is recycled. Most councils organise tree
collections in the New Year. Alternatively, use the tree, holly and wreaths in
your compost heap.
Buy an artificial tree. They last for years. You will save one tree for
every year you have it!
Tree Ornaments
Tree ornaments that are missing hooks or caps
can be put together in a glass bowl and used as a centerpiece.
Reduce the number of lights on your Christmas tree. Try
to avoid leaving Christmas tree lights on all day - use them at night when
they will have maximum effect. Always switch off the tree lights before
going to bed.
Use edible decorations on the tree. These can be fed to
the birds afterwards!
Buy good quality decorations that will last. (Choose
paper rather than plastic where possible.) Store carefully after Christmas
for use the following year.
Use plants as part of your decorations. The poinsettia is
a favorite at Christmas. Keep it in a warm room and next to a bright window.
Instead of discarding this plant once it has faded, prune it back severely
and place it in a shady place. Allow it to virtually dry out. Start watering
it again in May and the plant should be ready for next winter
Christmas
Tree Safety
Keep the tree away from fireplaces,
radiators, heaters and stoves, and high traffic areas where it is likely to
be knocked over.
Make sure that your tree is safely
anchored so it doesn't topple over. You can tie fishing line to the top of
the tree and attach if to a cup hook in the ceiling or wall.
* Antiques and Collectibles make excellent gifts and are
environmentally friendly because they are recycled! Check out local markets
and antique shops for some real bargains which will bring great joy.
* Again recycle by buying used items as presents. Check
out classified ads for second hand bikes, computers, etc.
* Plants make excellent presents and help to reduce
indoor pollution. Herb growing kits are also a great idea. Gardening
equipment encourages the development of 'green fingers'!
* Give gifts that reduce environmental impact, i.e. linen
napkins, re-usable cloth shopping bags, baskets, etc.
* Movie tickets, membership to environmental groups,
subscriptions to environmental & alternative medicine magazines, and
books are just some examples of less materialistic presents which are often
appreciated.
* In general, ensure that any gifts you buy are durable,
recycled or recyclable, energy efficient, and use rechargeable batteries.
* While Christmas is a time of sharing and caring, a lot of
people feel pressurised into buying expensive presents for family members
and spending Christmas with family.
* If you feel that you cannot afford to buy presents for
everyone, or you just dislike the whole materialistic attitude to Christmas
shopping then tell people. Announce in advance that you won't be buying
gifts this year or that you will only be giving small 'token' gifts.
Alternatively, why not suggest that your family practices 'Christkindle' -
where each family member buys a gift only for one other family member,
chosen by drawing lots. You may find that the whole family will be relieved
and only too delighted to accept your idea. Everybody will benefit from a
much more peaceful and stress-free approach to Christmas.
* If you cannot face another family Christmas tell people.
You should not forsake your happiness for the sake of other people. It will
only make you and them more miserable in the long run when those pent-up
vibes make themselves known. Why not suggest a visit over New Year instead!
Wrapping
gifts can be a pain at the best of times so set up a gift wrapping station. Keep
boxes, wrapping paper, scissors, tape, bows and tags in a box, drawer or closet
that is easily accessible. Wrap a few gifts at a time.
Make good use of that glue gun by using a dab
here and there if you run out of tape for your wrapping paper, or if youi just
want to have a quick way for little ones to unwrap the paper.
After you wrap the gifts
decorate by tying the gifts with long licorice strings that come in different
flavors or tacking on candy or flowers.
Don't burn wrapping paper in
the fireplace. It often contains metallic materials that can be toxic if burned.
To store wrapping paper on
rolls... I cover the tube with a piece of hosiery. Cut the foot and the top off
and slip over the entire tube. you can secure the ends with twist ties or bread
wrapper tabs. (bettdev) For oversized packages try using a paper tablecloth.
Holiday Cactus
Holiday cactus, (Schlumbergera
truncata; S. bridgesii; S. russelliana) also known as Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus
are often given as gifts for the holidays and received while blooming.
Christmas Tree & Poinsettia
Christmas decorations would be incomplete without
a tree and poinsettias, they have become symbols of the season to many people.
Good artificial copies of these two plants are available, but to most people
these "fakes" are just not the same.
When all is said and done, let us not forget the very best part of the
Season: Shopping for Friendsand special ones.
Avoid using disposable cups, plates, napkins and
cutlery.
Recycle all beverage cans and bottles.
Compost all leftover food that cannot be reused.
Winter Tips
Car
Tips ...for travelers
With the weather getting cold
finally, here is a tip for you...In case your car breaks down somewhere.. Keep
in your trunk, an extra blanket, some gloves, heavy jacket, boots, motor oil,
antifreeze, a cellular phone(for emergencies), jug of water, and some snacks.
Enough for each person.
Car Locks
To help prevent car locks from
freezing, place a small magnet over the lock. Best suited for this job is one of
those round "refrigerator" magnets.
Shoveling Snow
Before shoveling snow, spray
the shovel with "Pam" or other spray. It will help the snow to
"slide off". It will cut your work time because you won't have to stop
and remove the now.
Use a curved shovel rather
than a flat one. Don't use big heavy shovels as they get heavier when the snow
gets on them. Don't twist your back to throw the snow off of the shovel as this
will cause backaches. Bend at the knees when lifting the snow or anything heavy.
Slippery Surface
Walk with your feet pointing
outwards when walking on a slippery surface to help yourself balance and
minimize falls.
Grass
Don't walk on your grass.
Frozen grass can break the crowns of the plants.
Houseplants
Be sure to move your
houseplants away from the windows so they don't get too chilled.
Icy Steps
Trouble with icy steps??? Get
a bucket of hot water and add DAWN (detergent). Enough to make it sudsy.
Pour solution on the steps. I removes the ice and will not let it refreeze.
Heating Source Cleaning
During the heating season, stretch the life of
the furnace filter and also help your furnace operate more efficiently.
Once a week or so I take my vacuum cleaner hose and suction off the accumulated
dust etc from my furnace filter...you can use an attachment like the dusting
brush, the furniture nozzle or just the curved nozzle on the end of the vacuum
cleaner hose. I then take my vacuum cleaner hose and suction out the
fireplace ashes (of course, wait several hours after the fireplace was last used
and remove any wood chunks first so you don't clog your vacuum cleaner hose!).
I dust out my fireplace this way a couple of times a week and then never have a
large/messy ash accumulation to have to shovel out.
In
regard to the "Heating Source Cleaning" I would advise the readers to
turn off the power source before vacuuming or removing the filter. We just
had our furnace serviced and the service guy made a point of telling me that.
He said around our filter there are electric wires. I don't know for sure
if that applies to all furnaces.
Energy Saver
During a sunny day in the
winter, open your curtains/blinds to help heat your home. During the night
or a cloudy day, close your curtains/blinds to help keep the heat from escaping
from your home.
Warm Lotion
Before climbing into the shower or bath, fill
your bathroom sink with hot water. Then place your favorite body lotion in
the water. When you get out of your shower/bath, your lotion will be nice
and warm...which is great during the winter months!
Children
To keep a child's wrists warm
in the winter while playing outside; cut the toe area off old socks and one hole
for the thumb to the side. Then slide them on before their gloves or
mittens and it really keeps them dryer and warmer and happier!
Dry Air
You can run a humidifier. Hang
up wet clothes to dry. Boil a big pan of hot water for a while. My dad used to
do that one.
Sweet Humidity
I had a friend who boiled
water too to add humidity to her house... she added potpourri to the water
everyday. Her house always smelled so good as well as adding the wanted
humidity.
Refrigerator
Take advantage of the cold
winter and free up fridge space by keeping your canned sodas outside the back
door. This is also a good time to defrost your freezer if it is cold enough
outside. Don't set the food in the sun though.
Toy Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers
Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skill, and interest level of the
intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.
For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with
small parts which could pose a fatal choking hazard
For all children under age 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age 8.
Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that
information as a guide.
Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, nose, and other
potential small parts.
Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you, and when
appropriate, to the child.
Discard plastic wrappings on toys immediately, before they become deadly
playthings.
By using common sense and these safety suggestions, holiday shoppers can make
informed decisions when purchasing toys for children.
Holiday Safety
Check the wiring on christmas lights and other
holiday decorations for shorts or other malfunctions. If there's doubt, throw
them out.
Ways to make a big Christmas with a
small family:
Go to CHURCH
Make COOKIES
together... (after you change out of your inaugural clothes). Make the
cookies in the shape of your initials!
Play Card games or board games together. Keep a running
tally of who's winning and at the end of the day, the winner gets a
"big box" surprise present!
After opening your presents, put together a basket of good
stuff you no longer need to give to a charitable organization. Put a bow on
it, and put it by the front door to be delivered the day after Christmas.
Put on a Christmas show and tape it (either audio or
video.) Keep track of your performances each year. If you can't sing or
dance, read a poem, or a tell a short story!
In the days before Christmas, you can write a short script
for a play (1 or 2 pages), either about the Christmas Story or about
something you all enjoy. On Christmas day, you can hand out the parts (and
costumes, if you have them) and video tape your performance! Each year, you
can come back and see how things have changed (and how your performances
have improved!)
Play Christmas music on the radio (or stereo) in the
background