Loving Christmas: Decorating Your Home

Hearth&Home

A Christmas of Loving, because we are loved .......... Welcome to my Christmas page

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.
~have a Merry Christmas

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Homey Garnishes:

Easy Recipes for a Simmering Spices:

1 cup Anise (Star)
1 cup Orange Peel - Ribbon Cut
2 cup Peach Dices
1/2 cup Allspice Whole
1/2 cup Cloves - Whole
1/2 cup Coriander-Whole
1/2 cup Ginger Root Slices

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dried orange peel
dried pine needles
dried mint
cinnamon sticks(broken)
cloves

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star anise
cinnamon sticks
orange peel
cloves
candied ginger
cardamom
allspice
bay leaves

Choose any combination of spices,
put into a cheesecloth,
and stew in apple cider.
This is one that you can drink if you like.
That is not advised with the others.

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The background on this page is from Eos, visit them for many choices of free backgrounds.

If you need some inspiration for gifts, or if you just like to look over book recommendations, I have I love Christmas! store. This is the part of the page where I get to talk about my favorite books and things.

One of the things about Christmas decorating is that you can decide to be as festive as you desire. Ribbons, gold sparkles, glitter, bright red and green everywhere! Why? Because the theme of the season is joy. Actually, there are some very lovely themes to the season, besides joy. There is peace, there is light, and there is hospitality. These are all themes that reflect the message that God sent when Jesus arrived on the earth. His ministry was heralded by all these themes... in both contrast and in example.

Speaking of ribbon, wired ribbon is one of the most versatile ways to decorate all sorts of things throughout your house. The tops of mirrors, shelves, lamps, -all sorts of things. It is most effective when using a large amount of the same type of ribbon, in different widths, if you can get that. Bows on the tree, and on the door wreath. Any, some, or all, alone or with some dried or silk flowers, or decorated florist picks, bows just add a holiday touch wherever you place them. I have some deep red and green tartan, with threads of gold that I use. This type of ribbon is widely available in craft stores.

On my pages I have many traditional suggestions: a Christmas tree, wreaths, candles. I think it is cheering to have a few reminders in your home, even if you will go elsewhere for the holiday. One of these is scenting the air. This could be a bowl of potpourri or scented candles. Stewing some spices on the stove, or setting out a basket of pine cones, pine boughs, cinnamon sticks and oranges, are both natural and unobtrusive, but give a little lift with their scents of the season.

I'll go inside and read Christmas chapter from the old book ... Without dispute God has now his glory in heavens, there is peace on Earth and I feel no ill will towards anybody. - F. E. Sillanpaa, Finnish writer

Poinsettias are a bright splash of color that is very cheering during the holidays. They last for quite a long time when kept moist and away from heat and drafts. They are a nice hospitality gift, too. ( I would be careful about having live poinsettias around pets, the leaves are poisonous to a certain degree. ) pointsettia
Many Christmas Plants - descriptions and growing information on this page, and don't miss all the segments: page 2, page 3 of Christmas plants.