Then keep matching the odd and even bulbs. Eventually, it will look like this.

Then once you get them all in your tight little fist… Just wrap the remaining cord around and plug it back in! Now isn’t that better than my husband’s wrap job? And it only takes about a minute a strand–it’s way easy! The best part is next Christmas when you dust off your boxes full of decor, your little strands of lights will be ready to go! You just hold it in your hand and wrap it right around the tree. No de-tangling, no pulling them across the floor, just easy tree lighting!

I love this nontraditional Christmas tree made with books and large bulb Christmas lights. Perfect for the book lover!

Need some Christmas wreath ideas this holiday season? Try this very cute frame wreath. You probably already have a frame lying around the house. If not, get one at the thrift store. Just take out the glass and wrap some garland around. Hang something from the top like these cool ice states and tie a red bow at the top if you have one. Your done, now just admire you custom and chic Christmas wreath!

The “spirit of giving” is a term that is used to describe the motivation within a person to reach out to his neighbor, to join hands for a community and to provide for those who are less fortunate. Show your spirit of giving through gift bags filled with useful items for the under-served, forgotten and vulnerable in your community. Lets all embrace the spirit of giving this year by making some goody bags for the homeless.

Toiletries Bag for the Homeless
Fill gift bags with toiletries for homeless people in your community. Buy or collect travel-size shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, shower gels and toothpaste. Also, consider including a bottle of baby powder and body spray for those who cannot find a shower or do not have an opportunity to shower regularly. A toothbrush, comb, brush and handheld mirror are other nice additions, because these items are expensive and are luxuries when one is living on the streets. If you have many items, consider using a brown grocery bag for your gift bag. You can embellish it by tying it with a bright fabric ribbon. Using a grocery bag for your gift bag also may leave room for a travel pillow, which you can nestle in the base of the bag. Add a candy cane to add the spirit of Christmas.

Lunch Gift Bags
Fill plastic crates in your car or truck with lunch gift bags. You can stock these gift bags with foods that do not need to be refrigerated. You can give these to people you see in your community who are asking for food or who appear to be hungry. Some examples of what you can put in your lunch gift bag are bottled water, boxed fruit drinks, apples, oranges, bags of crackers, cookies and chips, and at least two sandwiches wrapped in plastic bags. You can make the sandwiches fresh every day. Peanut butter and jelly is a nice choice because it will not spoil like lunch meat will. Add a candy cane to add the spirit of Christmas.

As you hand out your bags, you get to make even more choices. Do you engage in conversation with the people you’re giving them out to? Do you find out their stories and solicit feedback on whether raisins are really appreciated or whether candy would have been a bigger hit? Do you look more closely in your community for people who undoubtedly could use goody bags (or more) and tailor your gifts to that group? Do you get to know a local organization helping the homeless and ask for advice and mentoring as you enter into a new world? Does making these bags jumpstart a new phase of volunteering and advocacy for you and your family?

So many possibilities! Enjoy the (often complicated and sometimes heartbreaking) journey, and may the people who reach out to take your goody bags receive them with joy as you give them with an open heart.

Your kids are going to have so much fun with these Nutter Butter Christmas cookies. These easy Christmas cookies for kids are delicious too. Use cream cheese to glue the pretzels and m&m’s.

I just love these easy do it yourself Globe Christmas Lights. Spheres of grapevines wrapped in lights become shimmering orbs on a coat of freshly fallen snow. Place these magical globes in birdbaths, urns, or on stairsteps to cast an ethereal glow.

How fun is this Merry Christmas sign?  I am loving all these holiday yard art signs people are doing.  I love the personalized ones most.

To make this Merry Christmas sign you don’t need very many things:
1 – 1×4 Board
1 – 1×3 Board
1 – Stake (Lowes for $ .99)
8 – 1 1/2″ Wood Screws (2 for each board)
Paint, and vinyl and holly berries if you want or ribbon

Cut the top board which is the 1×4 at 20″, and the other 3 boards, which are the 1×3′s at 18″ each.  Then I just picket the ends at 45 degree angles.  But you wouldn’t even have to do that and it would look just as fun.

Draw and paint something fun on each board, then let dry. Use the wood screws to screw each board on the stake.

The ribbon I got from Michaels.  It’s in their Christmas line.  It’s all glittery green and perdy!  The Holly Berry garland is also from Michaels.  But it would be just as cute with a red ribbon wrapped around the stake like a candy cane.

Now it’s your turn to make your Merry Christmas sign.

Christmas tree light installation tips and tricks. Decking the halls with boughs of holly, or perhaps even the kiss-provoking mistletoe. What fun would the Christmas season be without the traditional glowing Christmas tree lights? For generations, children have marveled at the dazzling lights.Here are some tips that will give you ideas for setting up your tree, Christmas tree light installation, and decorating it to be beautiful.

• Putting Lights and Decorations on the Tree: When decorating your tree, install the Christmas tree lights on first, then garlands, then the ornaments.
• Work From the Inside Out: Start arranging Christmas tree lights on the branches near the base of the tree. Weave strings of lights along the branches “inside,” then move to the outer edges of the branches.
• Placement of Ornaments: Don’t hang all your ornament on the tips of the branches. Place ornaments and other decorations ‘inside’ your tree to add depth and interest.
• Basic Ornaments for Fill: Start by arranging the “filler ornaments” evenly spaced around the tree. This would include basic solid color balls that are easily found at discount stores in a wide range of colors to coordinate and enhance your decorating scheme. You’ll need about 20 “filler ornaments” for every 2 feet of Christmas tree.
• Special Themed, Collectible Ornaments: Mix one-of-a-kind special ornaments between the basic ornaments. Plan to use at least 10 special themed ornaments for every 2 feet of tree. As your collection grows, put the special ornaments closer together.

If the job is too big for you, contact a Christmas tree light installation professional for help.

Christmas light hangers (also known as Christmas light installers) are professionals who design and install Christmas lights decorations for home owners, businesses, municipalities, hoa’s, hospitals, shopping centers, etc . Christmas light hangers have to learn skills and techniques in order to create “the look” that you desire and ensure that your lights will stay up and lit the entire season.

Christmas light hanger services include installing lights on the eves, ridges, guttering, archways, windows, doors, brick structures, and almost anything you can imagine.  Christmas light hangers can decorate your trees with lights of more than a dozen colors and/or themes. They can also line the edges of your sidewalks, driveways, flower beds, or patios. Your options are endless. They are only bound by your imagination.

Contact a Christmas Light Hanger

Need Christmas trees theme ideas? Decorate your Christmas tree with beautiful ornaments, garlands, and festive holiday lights. We’ve got decorating tips, ornament ideas, and lots of Christmas tree pictures and themes to choose from!