Keep in mind that the synthetic nature of the fabric could be an impediment if you use high temperature, read the specifications if present or look for it knowing the precise material, which probably would be some kind of fiberglass cloth. What kind of use are you thinking about? It a nice idea to use an incandescent xmas rope to provide bottom heat to the cuttings and keep them growing or at least out of dormancy. Although If the minimum temperature in the area where the plant is located is very low I recomend you to let the plant go into dormancy and keep it inside home, because the thermal shock could be more damaging if the sap is artificially moving through the tissues. God luck from Spain!

Thank you all for the replies! OA, I checked the link you gave and read how they are used. I really didn't know anything about what they could do or how they did it. Candy, thanks for relaying your experiences. With my bad luck I tend to get the worst result, so it doesn't sound promising for me. lol! bpathome, I have the 'half string' syndrome going on here too. I tried every string and only put up strings where every bulb was working. Once they were up they decided that half of some strings should not work -- these strings are both inside and outside. :p Jeanne, it does sound tedious, and I'd probably give up on the whole thing quickly if it doesn't always work. Thanks for the info everyone!

I wish I could send everyone here a Friendship Jar! Maybe someday I'll get that accomplished. Some of you might have a special friend that could use one, so here's the 13 things they contain and the note to go with them. Friendship Jar A Candle meant to light your way A Flower brightens every day A Tiny Sponge to dry your tears and soak up all those needless fears A Band-Aid meant to help you mend your feelings when they ache Erasers come in handy when you've made a big mistake A Paper Clip reminds me of how close I feel to you A Candy gives you something sweet when you are feeling blue A Rubber band - a great big Squeeze A Chocolate Kiss is sure to please A Button - cause my lips are sealed, your secrets all inside A Golden Thread that's in a knot to say our hearts are tied A Magic Star to wish upon to make your dreams come true A Little Heart - cause that's the place where I shall cherish you!!! The jar used is fairly small by the way! The heart and star I put in mine are tiny wood ones from craft store, The flower is a tiny silk one, and the candle can be little one like you put on a cake or a mini tea light. I saw this idea some years ago and thought it was a 'keeper'. Yacht, I'm glad you got the jar and little Santa safely. hugs, Karen

Well, hello... I like theme parties. Since you live in Scotland, I don't guess wearing kilts and playing bagpipes would be very different or exciting. This probably sounds crazy, but I think a Texas-style party could be fun. (It can get really cold in Texas, especially in the panhandle area.) Anyway, a campfire would be perfect. I have attended Halloween parties where the main dish was chili (vegetarian, beef is traditional, chicken, etc.) You can make it as spicy hot (or not) as you like with the seasonings. It is fun to cook and simmer the chili in a huge, huge big ol' black kettle or cauldron over an open fire. Think Macbeth. If you don't have any cowboy cooks there, anyone good with their hands could rig a way to hang the cooking pot over the fire at the correct height. You can find a gillion recipes for chili on the Internet. I like beans in mine, but authentic Texas chili is beef only. I think it must have been those crazy Californians who orginiated the *chicken* chili. The condiments can make or break chili. Grated cheese, chopped onions, tostados (fried corn tortillas), salsa, black olives, hot-hot jalapeno peppers, and one of my favorites - avocado. Hot cheese dip is good with tortilla chips. Hot strong Mexican-style coffee sweetened and also seasoned with cinnamon is good after and to warm up with. You could go wild and make Mexican caramel flan (sort of like creme brulee)for dessert and/or Mexican wedding cookies. I'm trying to think of hot things as it will be so cold outside. Beer is typically served with chili and soft drinks for those who don't imbibe. Couldn't the temperature get down to freezing? People may have to run inside to warm up and use the facilities every now and then. (Do you say loo in Scotland?) To light the way from where the cars are parked to the campfire, you can make luminaries. Simple and cheap. We automatically get these brown paper sacks at the store that they put our groceries in. To makes the lights, you roll the sacks down to a height of about 10-12" depending on the wind. You fill the sack with sand to a depth of about four inches or so for weight. You stick a candle in the center of the sand. At night it provides light and is very pretty. In hurricane gale winds, the candles might blow out; relight. Over here we usually line the driveway or walkway on one or both sides. Colorful, cotton, cowboy kerchiefs would be cute for napkins. If necessary I could send you some...saw them on sale for 63 cents each last week. Regular price is under a dollar. (We could arrange some sort of trade...money doesn't travel or exchange well.) I could go on, but in case this isn't your cup of tea, just two more ideas. Have a roping contest with a contrived cow or bull of sorts. If you're lucky enough to result in any music from the beans, you could accompany with a rousing version of "Home on the Range." More ideas if you want. Anyway, good luck whatever you do. Oh, if you are anti-Texas, make it a Mexican party...you could whack at a pinata!