It looks like Christmas has exploded in most upstairs rooms of my house. Every year I tell myself I won't do quite so much decorating. Then I ignore my good sense and go all out anyway. My boys like it, and truth be told, so do I (once it's all done).
One tradition we are trimming, however, is holiday gift spending. This is particularly hard for me because I get more pleasure from giving to those I love than I do from unwrapping stuff for myself. But like many families, we simply have to cut back.
Instead of spending, I'm creating several projects this year. Do you make any of your gifts? Share your holiday ideas on OzarksMoms.com.
One mom put up a real Christmas tree for the first time, at one daughter's request: "I don't have a clue what to do, as in care, etc. ... Anyone have any tips or tricks on these things?" she asks.
Did you guys give the trunk a fresh cut when you got it home, or did they do it at the lot? If not ... you'll want to take it down and slice off the bottom inch or so. If you can't do that, drilling a few big holes will work, but not as well.
The most important thing is to keep it watered. I've read about and tried adding a few things, like those packets of food, or Sprite with a little bleach, or aspirin, and I honestly can't tell you what has helped and what hasn't. In the end, fresh cool water is all you really need and it will drink a lot. ... If it goes completely dry, the trunk could seal up and then you'll have a dry, brittle tree and that's not going to be pretty or safe, and yeah, the needles will fall off a lot faster.
If you trim the branches back a bit (I always do a bit of trimming), try to keep the kids away from it until the sap dries. It can cause an awful, sticky mess. I sometimes also use fishing line to sort of pull or anchor the branches where they need to be if you have any large bare spots.
-- Lauri
Don't put your tree where heat vents blow directly on it, or put it where it receives direct sunlight because that will dry it out. I also think if you use a humidifier in the room with the tree, you will lose fewer needles.
-- Madison
Moms are talking about whether they send holiday cards or not.
We had our picture taken for the grandmothers so we turned those into Christmas cards. I'm just waiting on the last of the address changes to come in, and then they'll be ready to go. We don't do it every year, but it worked out this year.
-- JDW0780
I used to go all out with Christmas cards every year, then kids came along. No more Christmas cards.
-- MsT
We do e-cards -- usually JibJab.
-- Princessteach80
Every year I have a 'theme' and an idea -- and it is a lot of work but it is fun and I am 'famous' for my cards, so it is something I enjoy. One year, when my daughter was missing her two front teeth, I took a picture of her with a pair of pliers in her hand --going after my son's teeth -- and of course titled it "All I want for Christmas ..."
Last year was with the kids' punked/rocked out, and we did "Rocking around the Christmas tree," etc.
-- Shaney
Looking for things to do? Check out the December calendar.
