December 2000 Holiday Special
Holiday Tips
Decorating and Organizing Ideas
for Enjoying the Season
Part 4
12/11/00 - Address List - Keep a roll of tape and a small pair of scissors in your Christmas card basket this year. As cards arrive, cut the return address off of the envelope and tape it to the back of the card. After the holidays check the address and zip code with your address book records to keep everything up to date.
12/12/00 - Ornaments as Gifts
- Look for special tree ornaments to give as gifts, or to use as gift tags. Choose with the recipient in mind, whether they like cooking, collect angels, or are an avid sports fan. Then use a fine point gold, black, or silver pen to personalize the ornament with the year, your name, and perhaps mention of a memorable event that year ("To Dan -- that '99 bar exam didn't have a chance!").
12/13/00 - Hostess Gifts
- Put together a basket of small gifts to keep in your entry so you'll be ready with holiday cheer for teachers, hairdressers, neighbors, the paperboy, party hosts, the mail carrier, and others. Some ideas to consider include candles, personalized ornaments, homemade cookies, special candy, tip money inside holiday cards, gift certificates to restaurants or stores, books, calendars, mugs with cocoa mix, and travel clocks.
12/14/00 - Avoid the Crowds
- Here are some ideas if you're running out of time and need some last minute gifts. Avoid most mall crowds by arriving at stores just as they open on weekday mornings. Or, avoid the mall altogether and shop in smaller neighborhood stores. Get more great Shopping Strategies on this page, and
shop smart for unique and useful gifts for everyone on your list.
12/15/00 - Give Quality
- For gift giving, think classic, timeless, lasting. Instead of loading up on tiny trinkets, candy, or toys that will be forgotten in 3 months, think about giving quality. One friend gave her daughters one piece of classic jewelry each year, all through their teen years. Another added a placesetting a year to an adult daughter's silver and china collection. Think one -- one wonderful gift rather than lots of little "things to open" that may cost just as much but won't last as long. One cashmere shawl, one set of wonderful brass candlesticks, one real pearl necklace, one quality tool, one treasured collectible....
© 1999, Glenna J. Morton - #991201-4GJM - DecemberTIPS4
Nov. Tips | Dec. 1-5 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25
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Special Holiday Pages: |
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Books
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Gifts
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Decorating
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Guestrooms
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Links
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Napkin Folds
Ornaments | Project List | Tips | Themes | Trees |
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Centerpiece Ideas and Photos Create a simple evergreen centerpiece that can be decorated in a variety of ways for your holiday table. |
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