Thursday, November 13, 2008

Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree

By Chester Chen

Before you start hanging on the Christmas ornaments and garlands, put on the Christmas lights on first. The lights should be arranged starting from the branches at the base of the tree in a weaving pattern. After doing this, you can now hang your ornaments. Ornaments should be place in and out of the branches alternately. This arrangement will give your tree more depth and make the tree look fuller and bigger. .

You've always wanted the perfect Christmas and to you, the perfect Christmas comes complete with a perfect Christmas tree. Have any ideas on how to decorate it? Well, don't fret. Christmas tree decorating isn't rocket science. There are just a few simple guidelines for you to follow in keeping your tree as green as ever.

First of all, you would need to make sure your tree is fresh till Christmas is over and the best way to do this it by cutting a fresh cut on the stump of the tree and setting it in water. Keep checking and refilling the water s that is stays at the same level for the first week. You can also increase the life of your tree by mixing a concoction of 1 quart water, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, and 1 teaspoon liquid bleach as this can prolong the life of your tree.

Your ornaments should be a mixture of solid colors and multicolored balls to make coordinating between the colors easier. Also, when it comes to ornaments, you can mix and match them with unique collectible decorations with basic ornaments. These unique decorations can be kept and used for many years to come.

Christmas is just around the corner. It's time to get your Christmas tree decor and get ready for Christmas.

Chester Chen is a blogger and he decided to share his journey how he plan to get a Ferrari F430.

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The Natural Christmas Tree

By Dave Titterington

The Christmas tree is a product of Nature herself. Just an infant in time when compared to the diminishing old growth forests. But these trees have served their mother well. Although carefully cultivated by the hand of man, cut fresh in their youth, then brought indoors for our Holiday enjoyment, these miniature giants carry a history of their own. These special trees we place in a stand, carefully watered, then decorate with bright lights and shiny ornaments, may at one time have hidden a frightened bird dodging a sharp-eyed predator. They may have provided shelter for a group of birds from the blustery north winds of winter. The sturdy boughs of these young trees could have gently clutched the woven twigs and grasses of delicate bird nests which brought forth new life. Or they may have provided the final perch of an old and weathered avian friend. The trees of Christmas present, which once helped to hold the landscape in place contributing to the natural world, now perform for us as a center piece during this most beautiful of festive seasons. When adorned they prompt the dreams of young children while conjuring up past memories for those whose belief of a jolly fat man dressed in red and sliding down the sooty flue of a chimney, have long since faded.

But once the tattered wrappings and unfurled bows from the long awaited opening of the gifts have been pushed aside. Once the strings of colorful lights and assorted ornaments have been carefully packed away to wait another year, the life of these trees we befriended can once again, in their remaining days, provide one last benefit to the natural world. When retired to the backyard, these worn-out and tired symbols of Christmas, which families gathered around to express their love for each other and celebrate the season, can provide a renewed source of enjoyment. Placed back in the outdoors these trees of now Christmas past can once again provide shelter for feathered visitors from the harsh winter winds or lurking predators. And when the glass decorations that hung so precariously from the limbs of these trees in a warm living room are replaced with bits of suet and seeds along with garlands of popcorn and fruits, they will then also provide a source of nourishment for the wildlife that seeks their beckoning shelter. And once again, mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, families and friends, can gather to celebrate the remaining days of these trees that we treasured so dearly for a few short moments in time.

How to create a bird feeder out of your used Christmas Tree:

Suet Cubes: Cut 10 inch pieces of string and tie the ends together. Lay the knotted end down in the bottom of an ice-cube tray. On low heat melt suet or lard in a pan stirring in bird seeds, peanut butter, and nut pieces. When melted pour the mixture in the ice-cube trays with the string. Place in the refrigerator to cool and harden. Remove the suet cubes from the tray and hang on the tree branches..

Fruit Wreath: Cut 10 inch pieces of thin wire. Thread a variety of diced fresh fruit or dried fruit onto the wire. Cranberries work well and add color. Once you have threaded the fruit on the wire, bend in a circle and twist the ends of the wire together. Hang from tree limbs.

Peanut Tassels: Thread a needle with strong line through 6 to 10 peanuts. Tie a small twig on the opposite end to prevent the peanuts from slipping off. Remove the needle and tie a loop in the end of the string. Hang the loop on tree branches.

Pine Cone Feeder: Attach a string to the end of a pine cone. Generously spread peanut butter on the pine cone. Roll the peanut butter covered pine cone through a bird seed mixture. Tie the bird seed coated pine cone to a tree branch.

Popcorn Garland: With a needle and thread string popped popcorn onto the line. You may add cranberries, fresh or dried fruits, and peanuts. Make it as long as you want to. Wrap the garland around the tree from top to bottom.

Dave Titterington of the Wild Bird Habitat Stores. Providing bird enthusiasts with quality backyard bird feeding products and information since 1993. With two locations in Lincoln, Nebraska and on the web at

http://www.wildbirdhabitatstore.com.

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Christmas Tree Skirt - What's Round Your Tree?

By Adam Peters

The right Christmas tree skirt will make or break the look of the tree. It is an important part of creating a beautiful looking and functioning tree. Many homes have several options to select from each year, each one offering its own benefits. Sometimes children will select their own favorite, or they may fight about it. The Christmas tree skirt may be something that you want your family to choose together, but with so many style choices, that may be difficult to actually make happen.

Themed Skirts

Allowing your children to choose the right Christmas tree skirt for the tree is a good option. You may want to allow them to choose a skirt that offers some flare of what they enjoy. For some this may be a Disney Christmas tree skirt, or it could be a Pooh Bear skirt. If there are different tastes in the same home, you may have some difficulty choosing the right skirt theme for the whole family. Instead of going with a theme, then, you may feel that it would be simpler and a better choice for everyone if you purchased a plain Christmas tree skirt.

Finding The Right One

If you do have several different styles in mind, or can not seem to please everyone with the Christmas tree skirt you need, then look for a neutral one that offers something for everyone. This could be difficult to do as most department store chains have quite a bit to offer in the way of themed items. You will find many different designs, offering unique textures and prints on them. Choose a color that you enjoy or a pattern that is appropriate for everyone in the family. For example, you may find that a red Christmas tree skirt with a snowflake pattern is appropriate for just about anyone in the family and looks beautiful too.

The Christmas tree skirt that you choose can be anything that works for everyone in your family, or just one or two of you. It can also quickly become a family heirloom passed down and used year after year. Choose a design that you all will love, whether you purchase it on your own or make it a family outing. What's important is that it is beautiful and fitting to place under your Christmas tree and perhaps that it makes a nice bed for the cat to sleep on during the winter months.

Adam Peters publishes articles for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com A website with tips on decorating ideas for Christmas trees, amongst many related topics.

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Christmas Tree Decorations Ideas

By Rob Buenaventura

If you are looking for trendy innovative ways to decorate for Christmas, you’ve come to the right place.

You could start the decorating off on the trendy foot by opting for an upside down Christmas tree. You did hear correctly these trees are widely available and are designed after a pagan tradition in which trees were nailed to the ceilings of home upside down. This works better with artificial trees rather than real trees, as artificial trees need a steady supply of water to their roots. Just be sure to hang the tree out of the way so that it doesn’t invade ‘head space’ within the room.

Another great trend in Christmas decorating is to use ribbons rather than traditional balls and globes on your tree. There are so many options when it comes to using ribbons on your Christmas tree. You can opt for the multicolored or plaid ribbons in traditional Christmas colors or you can go with solid ribbons and use two contrasting colors on your tree (burgundy and gold works well) in traditional Christmas colors or going out on a limb and opting for colors that might not necessarily be considered Christmas colors. Of course some people are using ribbons in order to hang their balls and globes on the tree for another taste of something different.

If you are still looking for something new and innovative for your Christmas tree trying putting something other than a star or an angel on top of your tree. Some great ideas for this would be Barbie dolls, floral bouquets, even Teddy bears. Use your imagination and choose something that reflects your family and personal style.

Yes another wonderful Christmas tree decorating idea, and perhaps my personal favorite, is to make your tree look as natural as possibly by using pine cones, fruits, nuts, and natural looking birds, animals, and plants, rather than the traditional tinsel, balls, and blinking lights.

Unless you are aiming for a retro looking tree, go with smaller bulbs rather than larger bulbs for your lights. Many people are also opting for one color or white bulbs rather than the traditional multi colored strings of lights. Of course, the choice is entirely a matter of preference and you should go with lights and decorations that are sentimental and indicative of the Christmas season for you.

If you want your tree to be a throwback to the disco days of the seventies, then you should consider one of the artificial white Christmas trees. These trees are indeed quite retro and for some are an absolutely fun way to celebrate their favorite holiday.

Another great thing to remember about Christmas decorating is that it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of discount outlets online from which you can purchase your ornaments and decorations. You should also take a moment or two in which to stroll the aisles of your local dollar store to see the decorating gems they sometimes have to offer.

Rob Buenaventura is a successful webmaster and publisher of GetChristmasShopping. He provides tips on Xmas decoration ideas, unique xmas gifts, and other Christmas ideas. For unique Christmas Tree theme ideas, check out http://www.getchristmasshopping.com

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White Artificial Christmas Trees What You Must Know

Author: Tom Moody

white artificial Christmas trees are definitely in and natural trees are not. Well, maybe Christmas trees will never go out of fashion, but if you're a little creative and the trend is towards an artificial tree in the wildest color you can find. Basically, the idea is to find a tree that looks like it would go with your interior décor.

Each year, artificial trees are looking more and more colorful and classy. You can buy a range of colors and many different materials, including PVC, vinyl and garlands. The thin artificial trees in wild colors are very popular with young people. Some sites sell Christmas trees which are nothing more than a coiled spiral of pink yellow and blue lights that are positioned to merely imitate the shape of a Christmas tree.

Probably the two most popular tree colors are white artificial Christmas trees and red.

But that is part of their appeal. The white artificial trees are simply beautiful, especially prelit artificial tree branches that have glowing fiber optic lights.

One of the secrets to decorating Christmas trees in a style is to be minimalist. To be truly fashionable, stick to decorate the tree in one or two colors. For example, you can decorate a natural or Evergreen only with bows and natural crystals. A Christmas tree with white looks great uniform size balls of Christmas, from top to bottom.

A blue sky artificial tree can be decorated in black and white with glass balls that are greater shade of blue.

The minimalist approach is the same for the decorating style you choose. Stick to one or two to keep the appearance of the tree clear and elegant. For example, forget the series of conical glass marbles and choose balls of flat glass and areas just to decorate an entire tree. By the way the craze for small artificial Christmas trees is similar to the current craze for thin conical Christmas decorations. Cone decorations are very identified with retro-style seventies.

One of the first rules of fashion and interior decoration is to break all the rules and the same goes for Christmas trees. This means deliberately ignoring the traditions of Christmas with the idea of putting a new spin on them. For example, instead of using the classic angel or star as a tree Topper you can try to garnish with a spray fibrous waving multicolored diodes or design that you built using the string of Christmas lights. An interesting idea is to make a star of red velvet and decorated with peacock feathers, gemstones and gold arcs false.

Another way to break the traditional rule is to decorate your tree with a single color. To be different, you can also forget to put the larger decorations at the base and small at the top, put the major on the top and the smallest on the merits. Another idea is to make all your decorations of the Christmas tree of the same size.

One major trend that has dominated Christmas style and design in recent years is to hang your Christmas tree anyway you can think, until it is standing. This includes suspended upside down from the ceiling, the suspension on this side of the ceiling and back against a wall. So, maybe you should consider a white artificial Christmas trees and have one of the hottest Christmas items this year.

For vital resources on artificial Christmas trees and a white artificial Christmas tree guide, visit artificial-christmas-trees-etc.com.
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Using Christmas Tree Lights

By Adam Peters

For many children, sitting in front of the Christmas tree with the Christmas tree lights twinkling is a daily hobby during the holiday season. Many of us remember spending long moments doing just that, fascinated throughout. By turning off all light in the room and lighting just the tree, it will create a beautiful, peaceful glow for the entire space. With perhaps some Christmas music playing in the background, it quickly would become a favorite way to spend your day.

Memories As A Child

As a child, you may have had fond memories associated with the Christmas tree, such as helping to get it straight in the stand and then taking care of it. Perhaps it was your mother that would place Christmas tree lights throughout the branches, so that each one would hold onto the branch just right so that the cords were hidden. With Christmas carols playing in the background, it creates a lasting memory that can only be perfectly honored by replaying it each year. Once the lights are placed on the tree, next will come the beautiful ornaments, many of them ornaments that were used year after year; some crystal, some glass, some beautiful handmade pieces. As they are added the ornaments danced in the Christmas tree lights. The tree looks beautiful.

More Than The Tree

Although Christmas tree lights are mainly used for the tree itself, they do have decorating abilities for other locations around the home. For example, you can use them to decorate the banister or wrap the cords along a favorite mirror. You can use the Christmas tree lights on any fixtures that it is safe to use on. When you do, you allow those items to fit in the Christmas themed home, giving it more character and festive attention. Use the lights as they fit throughout your home.

While using Christmas tree lights on the actual Christmas tree is the normal thing to do, it is also a warm and welcoming way to greet people by placing them throughout the home. Using Christmas tree lights to decorate your home is something that you can learn to do and then pass on to your children. Throughout the process of decorating the home together, you will quickly find yourself creating traditions that will be cherished for years to come. Use Christmas tree lights to enhance and enamor your home to make it the most beautiful for the holidays.

Adam Peters enjoys writing about design for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com A focused website that offers the best articles on christmas tree home decor and design.

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Silver Christmas Tree Tips and Tricks

Author: Tom Moody

Nothing says Christmas like a silver christmas tree decorated in the family room. Perhaps you can gather the family to sing "Oh Tannenbaum," the German song on a traditional Christmas day.

Did you know that artificial Christmas tree were also a German export? As the century turned in 1900, some German families set up their Christmas trees with the skeletons of bare trees that were filled up with feathers from poultry or whatever else was nearby - geese, turkeys and swans. Some early Martha Stewart perfectionists even had feathers dyed green to look more like a tree.

Do you remember (or have you seen old photos of) the plain metal trees with turning color lights shining on it? Maybe you remember seeing the creation of another German - Addis Tree - in 1950s.

You may not know that the prototype of the silver Christmas tree was from years earlier - from toilet brushes! If you have seen decorations from mid-century modern (new name for old furniture 50s), then you may have seen a version of the metallic tree."

Artificial Christmas trees are known to be safer now for small children and pets than their real counterparts.

There are other benefits. They do not need constant watering or vacuuming up the dark green needles. If you having the tree stored in the attic, you're ready to decorate on a whim.

Buying a silver christmas tree of high quality saves money long term. To make the storage and decoration of your artificial Christmas tree even easier, buy a tree that pre-lit.

The tiny lights are attached to branches - therefore you do not have to disentangle them all trying to get the lights balanced. Depending on the brand you buy, your pre-lit tree may fold like an umbrella and slip right into the box. When you're ready to do each season, you can just pop it open, place it in the stand and add ornaments!

The selection of artificial trees by size and type is virtually unlimited. Even a small apartment or condo can have a big Christmas tree instead of the experiment to settle a small tree table.

Artificial trees also can be placed high on the terrace or porch. Why risk breaking a leg on a ladder or climb the giant tree outdoors to decorate your garden? Keep your lights at a reasonable level and add small and medium-size pre-lit artificial trees at the entrance to a warm and welcoming scene.

You can choose a silver Christmas artificial tree in the same selections live trees - Fraser fir, balsam fir, Douglas fir, pine or spruce. If you really want the colors of the trees, you can always find artificial Christmas trees which are pale pink, light green, blue, gold, silver or white.

Since artificial trees pay for themselves with repeated use, get a little more! Add a tree on the terrace or patio. Place small artificial Christmas tree in each room of children and let them create tree decorations for their staff with themes such as Disney. So you might think about trying a silver christmas tree this year and brighten up your home.

For vital resources on silver Christmas trees and a prelit artificial Christmas tree guide, visit artificial-christmas-trees-etc.com.
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What Type of Christmas Tree Should I Buy?

By Adriana Copaceanu

Christmas trees came to America by German immigrants that settled in Pennsylvania. It's believed that the Christmas tree tradition started in Germany as far back as 700 A.D. Since that time Christmas trees have been available for sale in the United States. Just like many other trees Christmas trees come in many different types. Here you'll find out about the most popular Christmas trees.

When picking out a Christmas tree you have to make sure you pick out the right size. Get one that too big then you have no room to put anything else where you place the tree and you will have a hard time reaching the higher places on the tree to put all of your ornaments. If you go to a Christmas tree shop and let them know the dimensions of your room they will give you a good idea of the shape and size Christmas tree that will fit in your room.

The top of the line tree you will find in many Christmas tree shops is the Douglas Fir. These are known to be full and usually a perfect pyramid shaped or cone shaped tree. These are the ones you will see in most movies. They are a great color and shape, with firm branches to hang your ornaments onto. Other Christmas trees that fit into this area are the Fraser, Noble and Balsam Firs.

Some other cone shaped Christmas trees that you see at most of your tree lots are Virginia and Scotch Pines, Norway Spruce and the Eastern White Pine. These all have short dense branches that make them great for holding lots of ornaments and other decorations. These are the ones most people have had for many of years in their house. They will usually last a few weeks after Christmas as long as you keep watering them frequently. When purchasing any fresh tree make sure to have them give the bottom a fresh cut. This will allow the Christmas tree to get the water it needs much better and help the tree last longer.

With all the great types of Christmas trees out there, you always have one drawback. They don't last that long and then you need to clean up all the dead needles and toss it out. That is where the artificial Christmas trees come in. These will not only last for seven to ten years but they will also have the perfect shape. You can find them at any Christmas tree shop and they have just as many varieties as real ones. You can even get them with lights already put on to make set up a breeze. No more clean up and no more hunting around for the perfect tree every year.

Once you have your Christmas Tree, come over for some great Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas.

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Creative Christmas Tree Activities For Happy Family Fun

By Mary Jennings

A familiar family tradition everyone looks forward to is decorating the Christmas tree. It is a contemplative time to remember and reflect as your look at each ornament and talk about where it came from. Decorating the Christmas tree really brings the holiday spirit into your home.

Oh Christmas Tree

Decorating is just one of the many activities that bring the festivity of the Christmas tree to your family. Caroling is a another timeless Christmas tradition. As the Christmas tree is carried into the house, many families sing "Oh Christmas Tree". Because few folks remember all the words of this song, make it fun by asking everyone to come up with their own original verse. While a couple of people work to get the Christmas tree to stand up straight, everyone else will have fun making up verses to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree".

Crafty Christmas Memories

Now that you have the Christmas tree securely in a stand, it's time to play games while you gather the ornaments. Start by putting all the crafty homemade ornaments aside to work with first. Ask the first family member who made the ornament. Once everyone knows where the ornament came from, ask the crafter if they remember making it. If a kid made it, the parents of the artistic child can share their feelings then they first saw the ornament. This ornament game is especially fun for children because it shows their crafts have meaning when their parents proudly save and remember them.

Christmas Hot Potato

Regardless of how many times you clean out your Christmas ornament collection, there is always one oddball. Find the silly or unattractive ornament in the bunch and use it to play hot potato. The person who gets stuck holding the ornament must say something nice about it, such as, "I like the ornament because it is red and green." This amusing game reminds children to find something good about everything. It also reminds children these items are simply things. Teaching two good lessons to the kids while you play this Christmas game is an added bonus.

Christmas Gifts That Keep On Giving

Why should gifts be given only on Christmas Day? Consider a gift-giving activity that will be a definite hit with the kids. Many people count down the days until Christmas with an advent calendar, a concept that originated in Germany. Another holiday tradition in Germany is giving a small gift to children every day until Christmas for several days. A fun variation of these ideas is giving a small gift to your children for each of the 24 days until Christmas.

Buy very small gift bags with handles at a craft store or dollar store. Have 1 bag for each child for 24 days. The children can decorate the bags and number them from 1 through 24. Decorate the tree with the tiny bags, hanging them from the branches by the handles. For a graceful swing, tie the bags to the branches with ribbon through the handles. Every night, fill the bag for the next day with a small gift such as an eraser or toy ring. Your children will run to the Christmas tree first thing in the morning to discover their gifts. Imagine how exciting it will be for your child to get a little treat everyday, building up to the ultimate excitement on Christmas morning.

One last thing -- Imagine the look on your child's face if they received a personalized letter from Santa Claus in the North Pole. You can also include extra goodies with the Santa letter like Reindeer food. It's a gift that makes a strong and lasting impression.

More information can be found here:
http://www.hellofromsanta.net/article.php

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Sew Your Own Christmas Tree Skirt

Author: Di Ellis


Making your own Christmas Tree Skirt is simple, and can be done as a project for the whole family to enjoy together.

Fabric

Good fabrics to choose are plain cottons (red, green or white), or you can buy special Christmas prints in a range of fabrics including cottons and plush velvets. You can even choose contrasting colours for top and bottom.

Depending on the thickness of your fabric, you may also need some heavy interfacing to sit between the two fabric layers. If using cotton for top and bottom layers, I would definitely recommend using some interfacing between these.

For a 6' tall tree, your skirt should be at least 44" round (or 112cm). You will need two circles of fabric, so you will need 2½ yards of fabric (assuming the bolt of fabric is at least 44" wide) – or 1¼ yards of each if using contrasting fabrics top and bottom. In metric you will need 2½ metres of fabric (assuming the bolt is at least 112cm wide) or 1¼ metres of each if using contrasting fabrics top and bottom.

Don't worry about seam allowance, as we will be finishing all edges off with ribbon or bias tape (see Notions section below).

Notions

We will need ribbon or bias binding tape to finish off all of our edges. The ribbon or tape needs to be a minimum of 1" wide but can be up to 2" wide (minimum 2½cm up to 5cm), and we will need 6 yards of ribbon or tape (or 5½ metres).

For closures, I recommend using Velcro tape – ½ yard will suffice (½ metre).

If you have bought plain fabrics, you may also want to consider buying some coloured felt, so that you can cut out and sew on colourful Christmas shapes such as angels, Christmas trees, stars, snowmen, and, if you are particularly crafty, perhaps even Santa and some reindeer.

Drawing Your Pattern

The trickiest part of this is drawing out the circle. What I have found works for me is to tie my tailors chalk pencil to a knitting needle (use one of your children's coloured pencils in a contrasting colour to your fabric if you don't have tailors chalk).

Now the length of the string is important! That's what determines the size of your circle. The amount of string between your pencil and the knitting needle needs to be 22" (or 56cm) – or as near as you can get.

If using one piece of fabric, fold in half with right sides together, and, using your measuring tape, find the exact centre of the material. Mark the centre with an "X". If you are using two pieces, I recommend you do this separately for each piece of fabric.

I also suggest you weight down the 4 corners of your fabric with some heavy tins or books, as you want the fabric to be taut, and to not move as you draw your circle. If you can talk some family members into holding the fabric for you – so much the better!

Now place the pointy end of the knitting needle in the centre of the fabric, and extend your pencil to the end of the string. Now smoothly draw your circle on the fabric. Don't forget to turn the knitting needle as you draw the circle, otherwise you will end up wrapping the string around the needle and your circle won't be perfect!

When the circle is done, draw a straight line across the very centre of your circle. Now we want to draw a 4" (10cm) circle in the very centre of our larger circle (for the Christmas tree trunk). Mark off on your straight line 2" (5cm) each way from the centre, and using a plate or bowl as a guide, draw your 4" (10cm) circle.

Finally, we need to cut an opening in the skirt and cut out the middle small circle. Cut along the straight line we drew earlier up to the inner circle, and then cut out the inner circle. Do not cut the material in half, only cut one side and the inner circle. Now cut away the excess fabric from the large circle.

To Make

Place your top fabric piece right side down on your table. If you have interfacing, place this on top now. Now place your bottom fabric right side up on top of the other fabric pieces. Make sure all of the edges are aligned.

We are now going to pin on the ribbon or bias binding tape. Start at one of your outer edges where we cut the opening on the skirt. Fold the ribbon evenly over the edges of your fabrics and pin the ribbon or tape so that the pin goes through the ribbon on both sides of the fabric. Continue this all around the outer edge of the skirt. When you reach the other outer end of the skirt, snip the ribbon to fit.

Stitch this section of ribbon or tape in place.

Now, using the same technique, pin the ribbon along the cut edges of the skirt, and around the inner circle, and back down the other cut edge. You should be able to do this in one piece. Snip the ribbon to fit. Before you sew on the ribbon, cut of two pieces on the Velcro fastener, about 2" (5cm) each. Pin this on the opposing cut edges so that they will fasten neatly and keep the skirt closed when it on your tree.

Stitch in place. If you have used a patterned fabric, your Christmas Tree Skirt is now complete!

Decorating Your Christmas Tree Skirt

If you have used plain fabrics, why not decorate it now by cutting out and sewing on angels, stars, Christmas trees, snowmen, Christmas parcels, holly, perhaps even Santa Clause. You can use felt or coloured cotton fabrics.

Or, if you are not that crafty, why not consider pinning on some small plastic or wooden decorations! Or use some fabric paint and write your own Holiday Message.

Diane Ellis has been sewing since she was very young and got her first sewing machine at 6 years old (albeit a miniature one!). She sews purely for friends and family, and enjoys making her own patterns, and using her skills to decorate her home. She is the co-author of the website Sewing4Dummies.com where, for a limited time, you can sign up for a free 6 part sewing course called Easy Fun Sewing Projects.
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Your Centerpiece is the Christmas Tree

Christmas Decoration - Your Centerpiece is the Christmas Tree

By Greg Greer

What is the Centerpiece of your Christmas decoration? The tree goes up and everyone is ready to make the tree beautiful. This is a sign that the holidays are ready to commence. What do you need after the tree is up is the lights if the tree didn't come with them.

The ornaments and garland add the special personality to your tree. Ornaments are so varied and you can personalize them with your daughter,son, granddaughters name. Everyone likes different colors and now the trees come in multi hues you can change your bulbs to match the colors to coordinate.

The personality of your home comes alive when the tree is in place for your special gatherings with friends and family. Don't forget if the house is large you can have trees in different rooms to continue
the decor in your home. Library books will help you find crafts that help you learn about making ornaments as a treat for the little ones in your home.

Now with the advantage of having artificial trees you can put them up when you get ready. No worry of a tree drying out and causing a home fire to ruin any ones holiday season. There is also no needles on the floor to clean up, when the season is over you are ready to set the tree in a spare room or box or bag it to put it away for next year.

The magic of the season starts with the lighting of the tree in many towns to bring people together. After the parades on Thanksgiving the time for the tree and Santa are at hand. Bring your season together by starting early so you will be ready to enjoy instead of last minute shopping that is so unfriendly.

© Greg Greer
http://www.homedecorationsusa.com
http://www.homedecorationsusa.com/Artificial_Trees.php

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Greg Greer - EzineArticles Expert Author

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Popular Artificial Silver Tip Christmas Tree

Author: Jeremy Hier

The silver tip is a very popular Christmas tree choice in the Pacific Northwest. This hardy, high elevation member of the fir family is treasured for the uniformity of its branches and overall pleasing appearance. However, the range at which these trees can be grown is quite limited and they can take more than a decade to mature. This ultimately means higher costs at the tree stand, particularly if you live far from the Northwest, the primary habitat of these trees. Purchasing an artificial silver tip Christmas tree is a cost-effective way to incorporate these majestic trees into your xmas celebrations. The price of an artificial silver tip Christmas tree is comparable to that of a fresh cut one, and has no shedding needles, watering requirements, and can be used year after year.

An artificial silver tip Christmas tree is an ideal component in a traditional family Christmas celebration. Multicolored bulbs, shiny tinsel, and handcrafted ornaments all complement the stately nature of this tree. The fact that you don't have to throw it out and buy a new one next year is simply a bonus.

Of course, no matter how lovely the tree, the final arbiter of holiday ambiance is the tree decorator. Strings of multicolored lights, individual handcrafted holiday heirlooms, as well as the traditional candy canes and tinsel are the elements that truly make a holiday celebration special. The internet is a treasury of knowledge, and the aspiring holiday designer can find a plethora of tips on decorating Christmas trees using search engines.

About The Author:
Nancy Fitzgerald makes it quick and easy to find the best pre lite Christmas trees and more. Read expert information here.

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