Kathleen, Your wreath looks so nice. You have the knack for making those nice full bows too. I was so glad when they started making wired ribbon--now my bows look so much better than they did before. Cattknap, I don't think I would have thought to do that! That's a good idea that I will keep in mind. My neighbor loops the garlands along the trim on the front of her house and hangs a wreath at the end of each loop. I love the look but can't do it since she did it first! ;o( Only tip that comes to mind right now is that instead of wrapping ribbon all around a wreath for a door or centerpiece, you can just make loops and secure them to a wooden florists pick and insert them wherever you would like the color and loop on the wreath. Takes less ribbon and is easy to do. Kathleen, this was a good idea for a Christmas post. Can't wait to see what everyone adds to it. Always love new ideas. Luvs

1. Send as many e-cards as possible. There are some really cute interactive ones that are great for families with small kids. I make copies of an old family photo to send to all the adult nieces/nephews and our siblings. I send it in a Christmas/Holiday photo card. That's their gift from us. Over the years I've sent out all the ancestoral grand-, great-grand parents, etc. going back several generations, along with information about the subject/s in the photo. 2. Get the end-of-the roll newsprint (paper used for newspapers) from your local newspaper (free/cheap) and use it for gift wrap. I tie them with inexpensive twine, rather than expensive ribbon/bows for a country/rustic look. Have the kids decorate the paper if you need a craft project for them. 3. I also make my own gift bags. You can make them any size you need using most kinds of sturdy paper. The trick is finding a box the size you need to use as the form to make them. HOW TO: A. Using a large box that cereal came in, take your paper and wrap the cereal box - all but the top (try to make the seam at the back of the bag, not the side). DO NOT stick anything TO the box - it's just a form. B. Use a glue stick and/or double stick tape at the seams and bottom. C. Leave the top of the box you are using as a form open so that you can reach in and have something to hold onto when you pull the box out of the bag. D. Finish the bag by cutting the top edge (if it needs evened out) - you can use fancy cut scissors or pinking shears, if you have some. Fold the top edge into the inside and glue down using a glue stick. You can fold it over twice if you are going to attach ties/handles. E. You can add ties/handles using twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. by using a hole punch and making 4 holes (two on each of the long sides) about 3-4-inches apart and thread the twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. through the holes to secure the top closed. F. Crease the sides in the center to resemble a regular paper gift bag. 4. Another easy gift bag can be made out of brown paper lunch bags (you can also find them in colors or out of decorative paper). Secure the top by folding over 2-inches or so, punch two holes through all layers of the folded down area, and secure with twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. You can decorate these with all kinds of things, or leave them plain. We set a $10 gift limit for immediate family (kids/grandkid), but spend more on them for their birthdays. It's easier to budget this way. Hubby and I exchange one $1 gift from the Dollar Store. That's actually turned out to be a lot of fun... -Grainlady

Annie and Jayeanne (LOL) glad you liked the britches. Annie I bought a pair of these in a craft store just so I could make them. Jayeanne you won two games so thought you might like the lip balms and bookmark. For the ladies who are wondering what the tag on the britches says: I am not so poor Nor do I have riches But I thought you'd like This pair of britches Happy Days to you And best of wishes This gift will help You do your dishes Just untie the bows And pull out the stitches You'll have two dish clothes But...You've lost your britches

Kath I too have a brother that has turned mean and dark with his political stance. It is as if he has lost his mind! He is so consumed with all the hate and anger and the irony is that he has a pretty darned good life and lacks for nothing. Right now he wife is having physical and medical problems that she will probably never recover from and she may be on that downward slope of old age. So, I try to call him to show that I care about them and he is always trying to bait me with his hateful views. Even while his wife if probably dying, he in consumed with the darkness. He had told me and my sister that we need to be lined up and shot.! It is as if he is possessed by demons. He lives in southern rural area and is surrounded by others just like him. I feel as if I am looking at the face of pure evil! I am 73 years old and have never seen this in my life like this! I can imagine how the persecuted people of Europe must have felt when that evil took over Europe and we sent our American troops to defend democracy and to die on that hill! Both of my brothers were soldiers and both served in Viet Nam. Both put theri lives on the line for democracy. My oldest brother is buried at Arlington. I never thought that America would become this. I am sick to my soul!!