• • • • • THE TECUMSEH HER ALD’S • • • • •
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BUY LOCAL, Great Gift Ideas, upcoming Events, Tecumseh OPEN HOUSE, Blissfield Yuletide, AND MORE November 2015
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THE TECUMSEH HERALD | NOVEMBER 12, 2015
Holiday Happenings — table of contents — — advertisers —
Santa to visit during annual Christmas Parade....... 3
Holiday happenings in Tecumseh..................... 4-5 Blissfield annual Yuletide................................. 6-7 Tecumseh Parks & Recreation offers kids’ holiday crafting party.............................. 10-11 The benefits to buying local this holiday season... 12 Did You Know? Facts for the Holiday.................. 13 Save energy with holiday decorations................. 14 Make-your-own holiday ornaments.................... 15
2 Thrifty Gypsies................................................. 12 Adrian Water Conditioning Inc............................... 7 AmeriGas.............................................................. 9 Antiques & Vintage on the Boulevard................... 12 Bader & Sons Co................................................... 9 Baileys Water Care.............................................. 11 Bill’s Service......................................................... 6 Billy White Roofing.............................................. 16 Blissful Living....................................................... 6 British Tea Garden................................................. 5 Cakes & Shakes.................................................... 6 Carnegie Studios.................................................. 3 Carpet on Wheels................................................ 14 CBA - Downtown Tecumseh.................................. 2 Companion Animal Clinic...................................... 7 CR of Adrian - Fonda Bozeman............................. 9 CVC Vision Center................................................. 4 D&P Communications........................................... 8 Daily Grind Gift Shoppe......................................... 4 Dr. Gillin.............................................................. 10 Embers................................................................. 3 Evans Street Station........................................... 16 F & S Landscape Incorporated............................ 13 First Federal Bank............................................... 10 Golden Acres...................................................... 13 Great Ideas......................................................... 11 Grey Fox Floral...................................................... 7 Hacker Jewelers................................................... 5 Hayes Insurance................................................. 13
Hidden Lake Gardens.......................................... 16 Holtz Christmas Tree............................................. 3 Hopscotch Kids..................................................... 5 Hospice of Lenawee........................................... 12 J Bar Hobbies....................................................... 9 Karefish................................................................ 6 Lane Street Blooms.............................................. 6 Lenawee Fuels................................................... 16 Little Garden Club................................................. 2 Local Parcel Service............................................. 7 LoMonaco Healthcare........................................... 7 Martins Home Center............................................ 8 Sal’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria......................... 8 Salon 102............................................................. 9 Sand Creek Antiques & Craft Show....................... 3 Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy.................................. 15 TCA.................................................................... 14 Tecumseh Antiques & More................................ 12 Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce.............. 11 Tecumseh Big Boy................................................ 8 Tecumseh Insurance........................................... 15 Tecumseh Plywood............................................. 15 Tecumseh Pops.................................................... 2 Tecumseh Promenade.......................................... 5 Tecumseh VFW................................................... 11 The Sports Hut.................................................... 14 Tilton & Sons........................................................ 7 Waxhouse Designs................................................ 4
NOVEMBER 12, 2015 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | PAGE 3
Santa to visit during annual Christmas parade Lights glimmer, decorations shine and children of all ages will wear bright smiles as Santa comes to town during Tecumseh’s annual Christmas parade. On Friday, Dec. 4, Chicago Blvd. will light up as Tecumseh commences the holiday season and looks eagerly forward to a new year. Floats, bands, and entertainers are all planned to participate during the traditional and celebratory event. Vicki Philo, Executive Director for the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce, is thrilled about 2015’s parade theme, Inside Santa’s Workshop. “The new thing is the theme,” Philo stated. “We have a contest every year, where we ask for the residents of Tecumseh to come up with the theme. The entries are then gone over by our ambassadors, and they choose what entry is picked for that year’s parade.
Whoever’s entry is chosen is Grand Marshal for that year, and he or she leads the parade.” The winning parade theme entry was submitted by Jocelyn Domschot, office assistant at the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce. Philo says participant entries for the parade are still coming in, and are accepted until Nov. 20. In 2014, over 60 parade entries kept crowds entertained during the parade. “In past years we’ve seen all kinds of floats, horse drawn carriages, and really cool floats people have made themselves,” Philo said. “The Tecumseh High School Band, the Britton-Deerfield High School band and the Fife and Drum Corp are also expected to participate again this year.” Before the parade, downtown merchants individually decorate their
own buildings to get residents in the Christmas spirit. The Tecumseh Promenade Candlelight Home Tour will also take place the same night, as well as the night after on December 5. At the end of the parade at Adams Park, officials will present Santa Claus with the key to the city. The Chamber of Commerce is also putting together a Santa Claus schedule, alerting families to when Santa is in town so young children may be able to visit the jolly old fellow and tell him what they want for Christmas. The schedule will soon be available on the Downtown Tecumseh website at www.downtowntecumseh.com. Free hot chocolate will be offered
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during the parade, as well as caroling for visitors’ listening pleasure and extended business hours to complete the evening. Philo says the purpose of the parade for the Chamber of Commerce is to bring everyone in town together as one big family to celebrate the holiday season with joy. “We do this parade every year because it brings the whole town out,” Philo said. “The streets are packed with people, and it’s something the citizens look forward to every year. It’s just a family time where people come home for the holidays.” n
BY MEGAN LINSKI megan@tecumsehherald.com
PAGE 4 | HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | NOVEMBER 12, 2015
h o l i d ay h a p p e n i n g s i n BY MEGAN LINSKI megan@tecumsehherald.com
Each year, Tecumseh offers a holiday event schedule meant to inspire residents to take part in the Christmas season. The 2015 schedule offers an array of events, including shopping, live theatre, and musical entertainment, to get Tecumseh in the spirit of the holidays. Christmas in Tecumseh kicks off with the Downtown Tecumseh Holiday Open House, complete with candlelight shopping and a streetscape lighting ceremony. The Open House is Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday Nov. 14. Shopping goes from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday,
and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Candlelight shopping is Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., and the streetscape lighting ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Merchants will be decorated with holiday cheer as they peddle gifts to place under the tree. The 13th Annual Recipe Walk Cards will be available at merchants in the morning during shopping hours for guests to collect. Tecumseh residents are invited to take part in the “Christmas Pickle Hunt” during the Open House by finding the pickle ornament hidden at each participating merchant. Residents
will be able to place their name in a drawing for a gift card to that store and a pickle ornament, while kids who participate have a chance to win a “Make Your Own” Christmas pickle ornament. There will be a “Giving Tree” located by Great Ideas on 115 E. Chicago Blvd. Tecumseh residents can donate hats, gloves and mittens to the “Giving Tree,” where they will be given to the Tecumseh Service Club for those in need. Live entertainment will also be featured at the Open House. Musicians playing include saxophonist Dale Chadderdon at
Martin’s Home Center from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday evening, and musical group Sunday Morning Light at Evans Street Station 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. same night. To conclude the Open House, a Holiday Winefest benefiting Tecumseh Carnegie Library will be held at Evans Street Station on Sunday. A silent auction will take place at the Winefest, as well as a performance by All Directions Band and an opportunity for guests to taste an array of over 60 wines from around the world. Hors d’oeuvres will be offered with the wine. Tickets are $50 per person,
NOVEMBER 12, 2015 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
and must be reserved in advance at 423.5555. Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) will host their Tell-A-Bration event on Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at 400 N. Maumee St. The event focuses on an evening of vocal storytelling, emceed by Corinne Stavish, host of the 2014 National Storytelling Festival. There will be a drawing on-site to determine who will be selected to tell their story on stage. Tickets are $5 per person. More information can be found by contacting the TCA at 423.6617. Small Business Saturday takes place on Nov. 28, where Tecumseh locals are invited to come support local small businesses by shopping for Christmas at one of many downtown locations. The U.S. Small Business Administration developed the event nationwide to encourage shoppers to shop at small businesses, which half of Americans own or work for. Tecumseh’s Economic Development Department encourages patrons to shop at local stores for their Christmas gifts in order to boost the local economy and provide potential job openings in town. Tecumseh’s annual Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. on Chicago Blvd. The same night, the Promenade Candlelight Home Tour will be held from 5:30 to
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | PAGE 5
8 p.m. The Home Tour will continue the next day on Dec. 5, same time. Historic Tecumseh homes will be open to the public and dressed for the holidays, while guests can enter for a door prize drawing. Tickets are $5 each and are sold in advance at The Daily Grind, Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce, and Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy. A Tecumseh tradition, the TCA will host The Nutcracker Ballet on December 10-12. The holiday classic elaborates on the tale of a magical Nutcracker and his battle against the Mouse King. Tickets are $13 to $15 per person depending on seating, and can be found on the TCA website at www. thetca.org or by calling 423.6617. Tecumseh’s holiday happenings wrap up with the TCA’s Big Band and VocalAires Holiday Concert on Dec. 13. The event will involve a live concert of holiday favorites performed by TCA’s Big Band and vocal accompaniment, the VocalAires. Tickets are $10 each and the concert begins at 4 p.m. Tecumseh provides a long list of activities for locals and visitors to participate in this holiday season. With so much to do, the Tecumseh area hosts a variety of events for anyone, young or old, looking to enjoy the Christmas season. n
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THE TECUMSEH HERALD | NOVEMBER 12, 2015
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Blissfield Bucks redeemable at these participating merchants. • • • • • • • • • •
Cakes and Shakes Blissfield State Bank Schmidt and Son, Pharmacy TLC Community Credit Union Lane Street Blooms Beckey’s Kountry Kitchen The Packrat Blissful Living Michigan Extreme Outdoors Pumpernickel
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Karefish Gifts & Girl Stuff The Vine Haus Blissfield General Store Eric Slusher Flooring Blissfield Antique Mall Bill’s Service Southern Sass Joan and Co. Victorian Garden Lena’s Italian Restaurant
Friday, November 13
Festival Begins at 6:30p.m. on Lane Street. The Community Christmas Tree Lighting marks the beginning of this festive weekend in traditional Blissfield style. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an early appearance along with Miss River Raisin Festival, on a Blissfield Fire Truck at 6:30 pm on Lane Street. Blissfield Boy and Girl Scouts will join the Claus’ and the queen as they make their way into the downtown. Following the tree lighting, everyone is invited to the Historic Depot for free hot cocoa and cookies provided by Kiwanis.
NOVEMBER 12, 2015 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | PAGE 7
Saturday, November 14
9:00- 7:00pm - Stores open at 9:am and close at 7:00pm 9:00- 4:00pm - 40th Annual Craft Show at the Blissfield Elementary School 9:00-11:00am - Breakfast with Santa at the Stable Loft- First Come, First Serve, No reservations! 10:00-5:00pm - Lost Arts Demonstrations: Michigan Extreme Outdoors- Weaving-Richard Kawucha Doing Scrimshaw and Danny Bowles Cakes and Shakes- Antique Sock Knitting Machine – Demonstration by Beverly Larsen Victorian Garden-Loom Weaving, and Spinning on a Spinning Wheel- Demonstrations by LuAnn Kanitz, and Pat Oliver Blissfield General Store-Fusion Glass Artist discusss how she creates her artwork glass pieces and garden art. 10:00-12:00 - Blissfield East Depot-Train rides on the A and B Railroad 10:00-2:00pm -kareFish and Girls Stuff-Paint cookies with Karri, stamp and color letters to Santa, and Olaf Snowflake-making 11:00-4:00pm - Blissfield Model Railroad Club- Open to Guests, 109 East Adrian St. (U.S.223) 1:00- 4:00 - The Advance, Custom Gift Wrapping by River Raisin Festival Committee. Location: 121 Newspaper Street 12:00-4:00- Carriage Rides, D&P Communications corner, the Southeast corner of Jefferson and Lane Street 12:00-4:00-Real Reindeer will be quartered at the Historic Depot (Pose with Santa for your picture. Bring you cell phone or camera)
Sunday, November 15
Sunday Activities, Elfie will randomly choose visitors to receive Blissfield Bucks in $5.00 and $10.00. Increments redeemable exclusively at Yuletide participating Merchants! 10:00-12:00 -Horse and Carriage Rides with Oaf and Anna 10:00-2:00pm -kareFish and Girls Stuff-Paint cookies with Karri, stamp and color letters to Santa, and Olaf Snowflake-making 12:00-5:00pm - Lost Arts and Decorating Demonstrations: Blissful Living- Spinning demonstration with Martie Lubinski Victorian Garden-Loom Weaving, and Spinning demonstrations by LuAnn Kanitz, and Pat Oliver 12:30-2:30 - Visit Santa at Cakes and Shakes for some Old Fashioned Soda and cookies 11:00-4:00 - Blissfield Model Railroad Club- Open to Guests, 109 East Adrian St. (U.S.223) 12:00-5:00 - Carriage Rides, D&P Communications corner, the Southeast corner of Jefferson and Lane Street 12:00-5:00 - Victorian Garden- Demonstration of Glass blowing, artist Jim Yarrito from the Toledo Museum of Art – He will display his glass artwork and provide glass art pieces to purchase. 4:30pm - Yuletide Grand Prize Give-away at The Historic Depot
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THE TECUMSEH HERALD | NOVEMBER 12, 2015
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THE TECUMSEH HERALD | NOVEMBER 12, 2015
Tecumseh Parks and Recreation offers kids
’
Holiday Crafting Party BY MEGAN LINSKI megan@tecumsehherald.com
Kids aged 7 to 11 are invited to take part in a Holiday Crafting Class, sponsored by Tecumseh Parks and Recreation. Several “kid-approved” projects are on the list for the holiday party, inspired by popular crafting website Pinterest. Children who participate in the party will have the chance to make their very own sock snowman, as well as a bag decorated with pipe-cleaner candy canes adorned with beads, perfect to decorate the house with or to give as a gift for Christmas. There are two separate parties, scheduled for Dec. 9 and 16, both from 6 to 7 p.m at the AJ Smith Recreation Center. The fee to attend each individual class is $20 per child for city residents and $25 per child for non-city residents, and includes all crafting supplies needed to complete the projects. Space is limited to twenty participants, and registration is due by Dec. 2. Parents or guardians can register their children by calling Parks and Recreation at 423.5602. Gale Lakatos, Program Supervisor at Tecumseh Parks and Recreation, says the popularity of last year’s party brought back kids’ holiday crafting for 2015. “Last year we were at capacity,” Lakatos said, “We
had a lot of kids that took them and gave them to grandparents as gifts. We’ve had a lot of people call to see if we were gonna do it again. Right now we’ve got seven kids signed up, and we’re a month away.” Lakatos added that Tecumseh Parks and Recreation wanted to put on the Holiday Crafting Party as a way to show they are more than an athletic branch of the city. “Everyone considers us such a sport entity, that we wanted to do something more recreational,” Lakatos said. “Last year we were on board to see if anybody wanted to do cute crafts, and we decided that everybody wanted to do a craft-based project. It’s good for the parents, too, because they can drop the kids off and have some time to themselves around the
NOVEMBER 12, 2015 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
holidays, while the kids are making something they might want to give as a gift.” Parks and Recreation chose the projects for their simplicity, which they narrowed down from a large selection of projects online. “The snowmen are really cute, and we didn’t want to duplicate anything from last year,” Lakatos said. “We wanted to do something based on ages, and what kids can do. We looked at what the kids did last year and what their abilities were, then gauged the age difference.”
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | PAGE 11
As Program Supervisor, Lakatos is thrilled to offer more than just sports at Parks and Recreation this holiday season. “I get excited because my kids usually come to it. It’s a nice change of pace here at Parks and Rec,” Lakatos said. “Who doesn’t like the holidays? It’s a chance for kids to get the opportunity to make something they might not get to do at school. Families also get busy, and they don’t have the time to do the wholesome crafty thing, so we’re offering that here.” n
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THE TECUMSEH HERALD | NOVEMBER 12, 2015
The benefits to
B U Y I NG L O C A L T HI S H OLID A Y S EA S O N
Holiday shopping dominates many people’s free time between the day after Thanksgiving and the final days before Christmas. While many people may shop ‘til they drop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, those days still account for a relatively small amount of the hundreds of billions of dollars that are spent each holiday season. Shoppers now have a bevy of options at their disposal as they embark on holiday shopping season. Traditional in-store retailers are still around, and online shopping continues to grow in popularity with each holiday season. But many holiday shoppers are looking to buy local this holiday season, and such a decision can pay a host of dividends for both shoppers and the communities they call home. BUYING LOCAL BENEFITS THE LOCAL ECONOMY. Studies from Civic Economics, an economics and strategics planning firm, found that independent, locally-owned retailers return a far greater percent-
age of their revenue into their local economies than national chain stores. One such study examined the disparity between revenue recirculation among independent, locally-owned businesses in Raleigh, North Carolina, versus four major national chains in the city. The former recirculated 51.1 percent of revenue into the local economy, while the latter recirculated less than 14 percent. Similar results were discovered in many cities, indicating that buying local not only benefits local business owners, but also the communities those owners and their customers call home. BUYING LOCAL CREATES JOBS IN YOUR COMMUNITY. One of the biggest ways local busin ess owners in Raleigh recirculated their revenue in the local economy was job creation. While national chains also create jobs, such jobs only benefit your community if the chains are located within your community. If your local mall is a considerable drive away, chances are the chains within
that mall are not employing many of your fellow community members. Local businesses in your community are more likely to employ residents of your town. SHOPPING LOCAL MAY PROVIDE ACCESS TO MORE UNIQUE GIFTS. In addition to the economic benefits of buying local, shoppers may find merchandise made by local craftsmen is more unique than mass-produced items found on the shelves of national retailers. Recipients may cherish more unique items that they cannot find on their own, and that appreciation may even spur them to visit more local retailers after the holiday season has come and gone, benefiting their own communities in so doing. LOCAL BUSINESS MAY PROVIDE A MORE PERSONAL TOUCH. Buying from national chains has its advantages, but customer service is not always one of them. Should your loved ones encounter problems with their gift that requires
assistance, they might be forced to wait on the phone for extended periods of time as they and thousands of others wait for customer service representatives to answer their calls. Local businesses do not deal with nearly the volume of customers as national retailers and, therefore, are capable of addressing concerns more quickly and personally than large chains. Buying local not only benefits small business owners, but it also pays dividends for their customers and the communities they call home. n
DID YOU KNOW?
The first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was erected in 1931, two years before the opening of Rockefeller Plaza, where the tree now draws thousands of tourists each year. The tradition began when construction workers hard at work on building Rockefeller Center decorated a roughly 20-foot tall balsam fir tree on Christmas Eve in 1931. Strings of cranberries and tin cans were among the items used to decorate the tree.
DID YOU KNOW?
Christmas Day has become a big day in the movie business. Many studios now release big-budget films on December 25th, and audiences have recently flocked to the theaters to see some of their favorite stars in films that opened on Christmas Day or shortly before. According to Box Office Mojo, an online movie publication and box office reporting service, no film has fared better on Christmas Day than "Sherlock Holmes," which premiered on December 25,
DID YOU KNOW?
NOVEMBER 12, 2015 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
Many Christmas traditions are older than some celebrants might think. The tradition of lighting up a Christmas tree, for example, dates back to the days before Christmas lights. Before electric-powered twinkle lights were invented and even before electricity was discovered, people used actual candles to adorn the Christmas tree. As one can imagine, having an open flame next to a dried-out tree was risky,
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | PAGE 13 While there was no tree in 1932, the first official tree was unveiled in 1933 in Rockefeller Plaza, and the lighting ceremony was broadcast over NBC Radio. The 1933 tree, at 50 feet tall, dwarfed the 1931 tree. However, the 1933 tree paled in comparison to the 10-ton Norway Spruce erected in 1999, which measured 100-feet tall and remains the tallest tree ever erected at Rockefeller Center. The tradition of the Rockefeller Center 2009, earning just under $25 million in its initial day on screen. "Avatar," the 2009 James Cameron film that would go on to gross $760 million in domestic receipts alone, holds the distinction of earning the second most money on Christmas Day, when it earned a little more than $23 million despite having already been out in the theaters one full week. The 2004 Ben Stiller film "Meet the Fockers" opened three days before Christmas but still managed to earn $19.5 mil-
so it was customary to keep a bucket of water next to the tree in the case of fire. As if fire wasn’t enough, the tinsel used to decorate trees was made from strips of silver and even lead -- something that is now known to be a health hazard to adults and children alike. Although we’ve come a long way since candles and lead, even now trees that are overly dry and decorated with lights that have frayed wires can
tree continues to evolve to this day, but the evergreen it is no longer lit with incandescent light bulbs. LED bulbs that consume a fraction of the energy of traditional bulbs are the bulbs of choice now. In addition, in 2007 Rockefeller Center partnered with Habitat for Humanity, who used the tree after it was taken down to furnish lumber for home construction. lion on Christmas Day. A pair of 2012 films, the latest big screen adaptation of "Les Miserables" ($18 million) and Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" ($15 million), round out the top five highest grossing films on Christmas Day. Numerous films are slated to open on December 25, 2013, including Stiller's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit," starring Chris Pine and Kevin Costner.
just as easily lead to fires. Plus, plastic tinsel can be a choking hazard for children and pets. One Christmas staple that has lost its status as a safety hazard is the poinsettia plant. It has long been thought that poinsettias are poisonous to people and animals. While there is some toxicity to the plant, it would require the ingestion of hundreds of leaves to get a toxic dose of a plant’s poison.
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PAGE 14 | HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | NOVEMBER 12, 2015
Save energy with holiday dec rations The holiday season allows people to transform their homes into wonderlands of lights, garlands and poinsettias. Each family has its own holiday traditions, and decorations are a part of many of those traditions. Decorations might be awe-inspiring, but those that include lights often lead to substantially higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are ways for homeowners — whether they prefer subtle displays or more over-the-top arrangements, to save money and still celebrate the holiday season in style. SWITCH TO MORE EFFICIENT LIGHTS. A great way to ensure holiday displays consume less energy is to change the bulbs being strung. Incandescent lights can use 80 to 90 percent more energy than LED lights. Gradually replace older light strands with newer,
energy-efficient LEDs. Not only do LEDs require less energy, but they also can last longer than incandescent bulbs, meaning you won’t have to replace them as frequently as more traditional bulbs. Furthermore, lower wattage usage means you can attach more strands of lights together safely. USE TIMERS. Timers can be set to turn lights on and off at specific times, ensuring lights aren’t turning on during the daytime or being left on into the night by forgetful homeowners. Timers also are a good safety precaution. A dark house that is normally lit up can advertise to thieves that no one is home. When lights turn on with a timer, it will create the illusion that it is business as usual in your residence. USE HOMEMADE DECORATIONS. You
also can save energy and money by recycling materials into holiday décor. Trim branches from trees and use them in vases for an instant wintry look. Prune an evergreen on your property and make your own wreath with some wire and twine. Shop yard sales for gently used decorations that still have years of utility left. Sew ornaments from scraps of fabric or clothing that no longer fits. Each of these ideas reduces reliance on manufactured decorations that consume energy during production and fuel
while being transported from factories to store shelves. RELY ON EXTENSION CORDS. You can extend the length of displays without using more lights by spacing out light strands with extension cords. Intersperse spotlights to add attention to key elements of your display as well. TURN OFF INTERIOR LIGHTS. If a Christmas tree is illuminating a front window, turn off the lights in your home, as the tree may provide enough light to make a living room or den extra cozy. n
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Make-your-own holiday ornaments NOVEMBER 12, 2015 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
Holiday decorating is a big part of the holiday season. Bins are taken out of the attic or garage, and decorations are once again given their opportunity to shine for several weeks before being packed away again. Among the many decorations families use to deck the halls are ornaments that were made by hand. This year creating homemade ornaments can be a crafty project that helps families make new holiday memories. Christmas tree ornaments come in all shapes and sizes and often tell the stories of holiday traditions. There are several different ways to create personalized, do-it-yourself ornaments and leave the cheap, easily broken ornaments from the dollar stores behind. PHOTO ORNAMENTS Fun photo ornaments showcase how a family has changed and grown over the years. Experiment with different ways to create these ornaments. You can glue a photo to a ceramic ornament and cover it with decoupage glaze to set it permanently. Try purchasing clear, glass ornaments, then remove the top of the ornament, which is usually spring-loaded, before slipping a photo inside and replacing the top. You also can laminate a photo, punch a hole in the top and affix a ribbon. CERAMIC ORNAMENTS The popularity of paint-it-yourself pottery has led to an increase in ceramic and crafts shops across the country. During the holiday season such shops offer many holiday items that can be painted. Often the store will then fire the pieces after they are painted so that they are shiny and hardened for display.
Those who want to do their painting at home can visit their local craft or hobby shop, where typically there are unfinished ceramic ornaments that can be painted with acrylic paints found right in the next aisle. A finishing coat of clear glaze will help protect the ornaments from year to year. WOOD CRAFTS Many of today's craft centers have expanded to include sections devoted to unfinished wood items. Everything from letters to animal cutouts to boxes and rocking horses can be purchased and finished. Turn keepsake boxes into painted and ribbon-adorned gift boxes. Stain a treasure chest that can be used to store reindeer snacks for Santa's crew. Turn small decorative pieces into ornaments for the tree. Paint and affix wood initials onto stocking holders to identify to whom each stocking belongs. Crafty individuals also can turn plain wood plaques into signs with clever sayings, such as "Park your sleigh here." SCAVENGE AROUND THE HOUSE Young children can use any medium for making ornaments. Garlands made of macaroni or popcorn are traditional. Fabric scraps can be sewn and stuffed with potpourri for homemade scent satchels. Hand-drawn pictures can be made and laminated and hung on the tree. The only obstacle with regard to DIY ornaments is a limited imagination. Homemade items can add whimsy and a personal touch to the holiday season. n
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | PAGE 15