NOVEMBER 29, 2013
‘Tis the Season Some unique ideas for spruce-ing up your holidays
Cassie Dresch / TV Media
As the countdown to the big ball drop in New York City begins, people across the country will be raising their glasses to toast the new year and down a celebratory drink. But how about ringing in this new year with a glass of champagne you made yourself?
Brewing some bubbly When you tune in to ABC’s classic “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” with Ryan Seacrest on Dec. 31, make sure you have your own homemade bottle of bubbly to start 2014 off right. Brewing your own Champagne or sparkling wine at home can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be. Many wine and beer craft stores have homebrew kits available for purchase, but you can also buy many of the ingredients you’ll need online. The Internet is also a wonderful place to find many simple, tried-and-true recipes from homebrewers that came before you. Usually it takes at least a week, if not a few more, to complete the fermentation process, but once you’re done, nothing will taste as rewarding as a chilled, homemade 2014 Champagne. Reinvent your advent calendar The anticipation leading up to Christmas Day is a feeling rivaled by no other. Advent calendars, most often marked with tiny chocolates, are a great way to liven up your home and count down until Christmas. This year, it’s time to try something a little different and move away from the chocolates to some truly fun, unique ideas. Since 1998, Lego has been putting out its own take on the advent calendars, and this year is no exception. It offers Lego City, Lego Star Wars and Lego Friends advent calendars with plenty of surprise pieces behind little windows.
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Another fresh take on the advent calendar is fabric pockets. Whether you feel like sewing together your own, or purchasing one, having a little stuffed Santa or polar bear move from pocket to pocket and “deliver” the treats inside is a great way to liven up the countdown. Spruce up your spruce The traditional fir tree is getting a little ... well, furry. Christmas trees have been a mainstay in American homes since the 1800s, but this year a fleecier trend is sweeping the nation. Feather trees are a contemporary alternative to the fresh-cut blue spruce or well-used fake tree, providing a touch of fluff to any home. Not to be confused with the sparsely branched German kind, these come in many sizes – ranging from tiny table centerpieces to tall hallway masterpieces. They aren’t limited to the deep green color of their natural brethren, either. White is definitely a popular, go-with-everything hue, but greens, reds and browns are still a favorite. They’re also simple to make if you’re looking for a DIY project. The queen of crafts, Martha Stewart, offers her take on the trees on her website. Santa Paws These days, almost 60 percent of American households own either a dog or a cat and spend almost $5 billion annu-
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ally on Christmas presents for Fido and Kitty. Many families grow so attached to their pets that they essentially become a mini-human, and it becomes nearly impossible not to pick up a little something for their furry friends. Many pet-supply stores carry a range of holiday-inspired products, from apparel to toys to treats. How cute would your dog look sitting under your Christmas tree in his little Santa sweater, gazing longingly at his doggie bone stocking hanging from the fireplace? Or what about watching your cat zip after her new abominable snow mouse? When they’re practically family, it’s hard to ignore their big, round eyes and slobbery faces, so pick up a little something for your furry friend this holiday and watch their love for you grow.
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