The Homemade Christmas Tree

This true story was a Christmas tradition Dad added to our family before I had a choice. My sister and I were sent to bed early on Christmas Eve. My parents longed to create a morning full of surprise and delight which included putting the tree up after we were in bed. When I was eleven years old, I began to wonder why we didnt have our tree much sooner like all my friends. That Christmas Eve, Dad invited me to help him hunt down the perfect tree. We visited several tree lots by 10 oclock. It turned out this task was not as easy as I thought. I was surprised the lots were either closed or were still asking full price for their trees. At that point, I remembered the many treasures I had found in the YMCA dumpster. Dad finally agreed to go check it out. We were excited to find the dumpster overflowing with fresh garland from a Christmas party. I began to imagine how fun it would be to make our tree that year. We used the fresh garland, a floor lamp and wire hangers to create the most perfect homemade Christmas tree.

A family makes its annual pilgrimage to decorate an evergreen tree with food for the forest animals at Christmastime.

Bring out your child’s creativity and imagination with more than 60 artful activities in this completely revised and updated edition Art making is a wonderful way for young children to tap into their imagination, deepen their creativity, and explore new materials, all while strengthening their fine motor skills and developing self-confidence. The Artful Parent has all the tools and information you need to encourage creative activities for ages one to eight. From setting up a studio space in your home to finding the best art materials for children, this book gives you all the information you need to get started. You’ll learn how to: * Pick the best materials for your child’s age and learn to make your very own * Prepare art activities to ease children through transitions, engage the most energetic of kids, entertain small groups, and more * Encourage artful living through everyday activities * Foster a love of creativity in your family

Create a perfect handmade holiday with sixteen papercraft projects: “Of note are the rolled Christmas tree card, the folded book angels, and the advent houses.” —Booklist Craft your own Christmas with the sixteen festive papercraft projects included in this collection, ranging from simple yet effective bunting to intricate snowflake tree decorations, bell jar Christmas trees, and an advent calendar village. Give your holiday season the homemade touch with projects from wrapping paper to tree decorations, using very few materials and innovative techniques such as printing with shaving foam and creating stunning greeting cards using gold embossing ink. “Considering variations—like luggage and bunting gift tags—as well as alternative uses (e.g., turn a paper feather tag into a garland)...there are far more than sixteen potential projects and outcomes here . . . good, step-by-step color photographs, which are all captioned simply.” —Booklist

Nigella Christmas comprises reliable, practical, easy-to-follow recipes and inspiring and reassuring advice, presented in a gorgeous package that will make this the ultimate gift to yourself, your family and friends. Nigella Christmas will surely become an all-time perennial favourite, the book we will all reach for – for minimum stress and maximum enjoyment – at holiday season. Recipes include everything from Christmas cakes and puddings to quick homemade presents (cookies and chutneys); food to cook and freeze ahead; oven slow-cooking; “hero” ingredients; as well as party food and drinks. And, of course, exciting and inspiring variations for the Main Event – from traditional turkey, festive ham and special trimmings; to a Swedish or Polish Christmas à la Nigella; to a vegetarian Christmas feast.

In A Blissful Nest, celebrated interior designer Rebekah Dempsey offers fresh and attainable design ideas to show you how to discover your interior style and create a home that truly reflects your personality and the way you live.

This Christmas, LEGO is moving from under the tree to on the tree! With The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book as your guide, you’ll make classic globe and barrel ornaments, all out of LEGO, as well as original gingerbread houses, a charming wreath, arcade cabinets, and many more. Packed with step-by-step instructions for 15 charming builds, The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book is the perfect family activity this holiday season.