When we walk into large department stores or malls and see Santa, we know that Christmas is just around the corner.  Santa is a symbol of happiness and excitement for children.  Most of us have magical memories of Santa Claus.  There may be a time during the Christmas season where you or your friends need Christmas costumes such as Santa, Mrs. Claus or an elf.  People wear Christmas costumes in school plays, at house parties or even for surprising children Christmas Eve when Santa shows up unexpectedly.  Some people wear Santa Christmas costumes in stores to attract customers and listen to what some little boy or girl wants for Christmas. 

If you are buying Santa Christmas costumes for yourself or others, you certainly want to look authentic so nobody guesses it is you under the costume.  When looking for Santa Christmas costumes, you often find them in large department stores or costume shops.  Many shops online specialize in Christmas costumes.  The internet is a great way to shop, compare prices and have your Christmas costumes sent to you without ever leaving your house.  Once you have your costume, there are a few things to remember.  Father Christmas is a plump fellow with a round belly that shakes when he laughs.  He is probably plump from all the cookies the boys and girls leave out for him to eat.  If you are not plump to start with, you will need to make yourself heavier to wear Santa Christmas costumes.  A very easy way to give the illusion of being heavier is to take a cushion and sew a couple of ties on it.  Fasten the cushion across your waist and chest.  You may need to push it a bit to make it shake like jelly.  Make sure your Santa Christmas costume is big enough for the pillow to fit.  Your Santa boots should appear lined with fur and a turnover piece at the top that looks like fleece.  Put blush on your cheeks and nose as Santa has rosy cheeks and a cherry nose.

If you like to sew and have the time, making your own Christmas costumes is certainly an option.  There are patterns available for any Christmas costume you can imagine, such as Santa Clause, Mrs. Clause, Santa’s elf, Rudolf or even Christmas tree costumes.  You can find patterns at hobby and craft stores, fabric shops, large department stores and online.  You will find the best selection is on the internet, as there are hundreds of sites from which to choose.  They carry a huge selection of sizes, materials and price ranges.  It is certainly a fast and convenient way to shop for Christmas costumes.

Perfect your, ‘Ho, Ho, Ho” which is Santa’s trademark because you do not want anyone to find out your secret.            

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Christmas is a magical time when you stroll outside, the air is cold and crisp and often the sky looks a little grey but you still feel happy and walk with an added bounce in your step.  It makes you smile seeing the great job Jack Frost did on your windowpanes and you do not mind scraping the car windows before you can drive to go Christmas shopping.  You travel slowly down the street looking at all the fabulous light shows displayed on the houses and lawns of friends, neighbors and even strangers.  Fighting the crowds while shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones, friends and co-workers, just adds to the excitement of Christmas.  This is all part of the joy of Christmas. 

If you have children, you hide their gifts because you know that just like you when you were a child, they will be hunting for them.  Sometimes you keep them at a friend’s house so the children do not find their Christmas gifts and you get a chance to visit while you wrap them.  If you have younger children, there are often bikes and doll carriages to be constructed or toys that need batteries put in them.  Do not forget to mail the children’s letters to Santa at the North Pole.  No matter how old your children are, even ones living away from home, they love Christmas stockings so stocking stuffers are necessary.  A great family tradition is to take your children to buy a few Christmas gifts and food items to donate to those less fortunate.  Christmas is a time for giving and enjoying the company of all people, not just those that you already know.         

Christmas morning finally arrives, gifts are opened and the turkey is stuffed and in the oven.  The Christmas tree glows and sparkles with tiny lights and beautiful Christmas ornaments.  Opened gifts sit under the tree; the children are playing while the adults sit and talk.  After all the hard work of preparing for Christmas, it has been worth every second.  Other family members and friends stop by to wish you Merry Christmas and to celebrate this wonderful holiday.  Everyone sits down to a lovely Christmas dinner of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy.  Desert is often plum pudding or Christmas cookies, if you have any room left.  After tidying up and tucking the children into bed, you finally get to sit down and put your feet up.

At Christmas, many people celebrate Christ’s birth while others celebrate life and pray for peace and harmony.  We remember loved ones we have lost and reminisce about years gone by.  No matter how old we are, what race, heritage or upbringing, Christmas is a time to love, rejoice and live. 

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Kids love the holiday season.  Some feel the holiday season is especially for children.  No body can deny the sheer joy on a child’s face as they open presents on Christmas morning.  The holiday season does not begin or end on Christmas day.  Making the holidays fun and exciting for a longer period of time is what it’s all about.  One way to help make that time longer is by making Christmas decoration with kids.  Many ask how to make Christmas decorations with kids.  Well, it’s quite simple actually and anyone can really enjoy doing it.

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There are very few people who get as excited about Christmas as children.  They have a sense of wonder about the whole season adults seem to lack.  It makes sense that kids enjoy almost everything about the holiday season.  Every preparation and event all adds together to make it hard for them to wait for the special day.  Nothing makes the time go faster than planning different Christmas activities for kids. 

Everyone remembers the Christmas specials on TV from when they were children.  A fun way to share those memories with your children would be to plan a party around watching these classics.  It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.  Plan to have some friends over or just keep it within your family if that works out better.  Pop some popcorn, have hot chocolate and maybe some spiced cider to sip on.  Of course, a plate of Christmas goodies like cookies, candy, and fudge are a must.  Many of the classic Christmas specials are now available on DVD.  Pick out your favorites, snuggle up with the little ones on the couch, and watch until your heart is content.  Christmas activities for kids don’t have to be expensive or hard to do to become traditions. 
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Christmas carols are playing on the radio, delicious scents waft out of the kitchen, and everywhere you look, you see evergreen, red, and gold.  It’s that time of year again.  And every year brings the desire to make this the best holiday season ever.  Every family has a set of traditions they religiously follow, but it can be a lot of fun to shake things up a bit.  There are a huge variety of Christmas activities that can make your holidays brighter.

One good way to find new and exciting Christmas activities is to check your local newspaper.  Most communities plan special Christmas events.  Your city’s chamber of commerce or community website can provide a calendar of events as well.  You are likely to find things like choir performances, live nativity scenes, and maybe Christmas themed socials.  Taking part in events like this help to put the participants in a holiday mood, break up the monotony of shopping, and make some wonderful memories.  Another option to get in the spirit of things is to attend a holiday show.  Many community organizations, such as the ballet or symphony, have productions of holiday shows, like The Nutcracker or a selection of holiday music.  Attending a show and enjoying an elegant dinner after is an excellent way to start a new tradition with your friends or spouse.

Staying in can inspire some fun and creative Christmas activities too.  Many people enjoy making the same holiday goodies from year to year.  These treats could be used as gifts or added to the menu at a Christmas party.  An added bonus is the warm scent of cinnamon and nutmeg that is sure to infuse your kitchen.  Cooking and baking can be a great way to unwind alone or have a more rambunctious event with family or friends.  Decorating the tree and house are other ways people get in the Christmas mood.  Warm up some apple cider, set out a plate of cookies, and go to work creating a magical holiday look in your home.  It’s a lot of fun to reminisce about holidays past while preparing for the new.  After all, that’s what Christmas activities are all about.

Whether done alone or with a group of loved ones, Christmas activities enrich the holiday season and make beautiful memories for years to come.  The important thing is to do what you enjoy in your preparation and celebration of Christmas.  Each family is unique and observes the holiday in their own way.  Just remember to include Christmas activities in the holiday festivities.

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A Christmas ornament is often a tradition among families.  Each year, a special time is set aside at the beginning of the holiday season to decorate the home.  Christmas decoration comes in a wide variety of forms.  From the traditional pine tree, to angels, and everything in between, there is no limit to the expanse of Christmas ornaments. 

It is common for both the interior and outside of a home to be beautified.  The interior regularly includes a pine tree loaded with ornaments, lights, and a large assortment of packages underneath.  Additionally, lights, garland, and candles are regularly displayed throughout the home to create a festive atmosphere. 

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 In part I of this series we discuss the general preparation for a Christmas party. In subsequent articles we will go into more detail in things like Christmas party themes and Christmas party food. We will also discuss Christmas party invitations in more detail. So, be on the look out for them.

Everyone knows the month of December is full of shopping, cooking, and Christmas parties.  Many people enjoy entertaining during the holiday season.  Unfortunately, issues do arise, such as scheduling problems. Furthermore, money always gets tight right before Christmas.  Don’t let that stop you though.  If you want to throw a Christmas party for your friends and family there are some important tips to keep in mind. 

The first thing to do when deciding to have a Christmas party is start planning well in advance.  December is a busy month and getting the ball rolling early will be a huge help in your preparations.  So step by step, here is how it should go.  Decide on your guest list.  If your budget is limited (and who’s isn’t during the holidays?) you may want to put a number cap on your list.  Also be aware that space is an issue as well.  Overcrowding into a small area does not make for a merry party.  This is also the time to decide if you want to go the potluck way or handle all of the food yourself. 

The next step in your Christmas party preparations is to send out your Christmas party invitations.  Be sure to give guests as much notice as possible and, to avoid confusion, call, mail, or email everyone on the same day.  This just avoids hurt feelings.  No one wants to feel like an afterthought.  This is also the time to include a brief note mentioning the potluck theme if that is the way you decided to go.  Check back with any potential guests who may not have responded in a week.  A quick phone call should work fine.

Now that you have a good idea on how many people will be attending your Christmas party, you can start to think about the menu.  Make a list for the grocery store, being sure to estimate high on the cost.  If things look a little pricier than you intended, look the list over again to see if you can eliminate any items.  Don’t forget to include paper napkins, plates, and plastic ware.  Of course if you are having a more formal party those things won’t be a concern.  Go to the store, stick to your list, and get ready to party.

Having a Christmas party can be the highlight of your holiday season.  If you are prepared in advance, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy the party as much as your guests.  Accept any help that is offered, cook your behind off, and celebrate the holidays with those nearest and dearest to you.

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The Christmas season is a festive and joyful time of the year when people come together and families gather to celebrate and enjoy the company of each other.  We gather together to have fun, and to share in the festive spirit.  Singing is an extremely popular way of expressing the joy we feel.  So when we gather with friends and relatives, we all deserve a good laugh by singing along to some funny Christmas songs. 

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In 1840 in London, England, a British narrative painter named John Callcott Horsley designed the very first commercial Christmas card.  Sir Henry Cole, first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum and a friend of Horsley, requested he do this.  The one thousand Christmas and New Year’s cards he designed never went on sale until 1843.  Controversy surrounded the card because it depicted a family toasting Christmas.  Although puritans denounced it immediately, many others loved the idea.  Other artists followed Horsley’s example, as the Christmas card became exceedingly popular.  In 1849, English artist William Egley designed an extremely popular Christmas card.  New years greeting cards, on the other hand, had been around since 1796 when merchants sent them to their customers.  These cards usually said best wishes for the New Year.  The fashionable Christmas cards gradually replaced the New Year’s cards. 

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Christmas is that magical time of year when we slow down and spend quality time with our loved ones.  It is a time to share with our family, friends, co-workers, even people that we have never met, and probably never will.  A Christmas gift is our way of telling someone we love them, others that we appreciate him or her, or letting the less fortunate know that we do care. 

A wonderful Christmas gift to ourselves is doing something special for a person or family less fortunate than we are.  Here are just a few of many ideas for a special Christmas gift: More on Original Gifts for the Whole Family

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