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Christmas: A History

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The word Christmas was derived from the Old English Cristes Maesse or 
"Mass of Christmas."  Over the centuries it has become a comprehensive word 
including both the religious traditions and the secular traditions.

In North America, the early immigrants brought their different Christmas traditions. 
The Germans brought the Christmas tree, the Irish contributed the lights in windows 
of homes, Catholic immigrants brought Midnight Mass and everyone had their own 
Christmas carols.

Many happy traditions revolve around the Yuletide season, but have you ever 
wondered when we started celebrating Christmas and how it came about? For a 
closer look at the origin of this beloved holiday visit the Tree Classics blog.

A Merry Christmas to you from our family to yours!


How do You Capture Memories

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**I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will 
be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 

How do you capture family moments during the holiday season?
We have decorated at home for Christmas and have put up our tree
with its glistening ornaments, sparkling bright lights, and golden ribbon.
We have hung our homemade stockings by the fireplace, have put up our 
Jesse Tree and baked cookies that fill the air with goodness and we continue to
make family memories each day.  It all sounds so wonderful, but we want to
remember those lovely moments, and so this is where Blurb comes in.  I have made
photo books in the past and why not create one for the Holidays too.  

I enjoy looking back at our photos from previous family moments while curling 
up by the fireplace as I turn each page.  I love that Blurb makes their photo books 
look like storybooks, except that it is our story.  Not every moment is wonderful,
but I love to look at the changes of each year.

It is amazing how children change each year, how decorating styles change 
from season to season, and it is all captured by images in a book.  
The great thing is that we get to share it with our 
parents, they get to view the moments they have missed due to distance. 

I would not like you to miss an opportunity to make your own memories this year
and share it with loved ones, or even create your own cookbook with Blurb because
even that would make an awesome Christmas gift.  So I am sharing with you 
right now that today until December 12th everything is 35% off. So
you have all day today to get your memories into a book.  Use this code: AWE35

Hurry on over before the sale is over, remember it is only until 12/12/16.

Thank you for stopping by today!


How to Make an Advent Wreath


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(Disclosure) This post may contain affiliate links, thank you for your support.

Hello, I hope that you had a lovely Thanksgiving.
Today I want to share with you this year's Advent wreath.

Advent begins this Sunday, and each year I share with you the process of how I made my wreath so that you may be inspired to make your own.   

"Customarily the Advent Wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which are inserted four candles (Advent candles). According to tradition, three of the candles are violet and the fourth one is a rose. However, four violet or white candles (Advent Candles) may also be used".
The rose candle is lit the third Sunday of Advent, for this color anticipates and symbolizes the Christmas joy announced in the first word of the Entrance Antiphon: "Rejoice" (Latin, Gaudete). For this reason, the Third Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday. 




Last year I used natural elements for our Advent Wreath.
In past posts, I have mentioned that I use whatever 
I have on hand at the moment, so with that said
here are the supplies that I used for today's wreath.
Supplies
  • Four to five artificial pine needle branches 
  • Deer moss 
  • Floral wire 
  • Scissors
  • A decorative branch
  • Candle base
  • Four Advent candles
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1 . The first thing I did was to tie each branch to the other using the
floral wire and bend each one to form a circle. I adjusted the diameter of my wreath so that it could fit around my candle holder. The branches are made of wire, so it was not difficult to form them into a circle.

2. I then added the large candle base to the center of the wreath.

3. Next, I placed the deer moss on the top of the candle holder to give
coverage to leave some space for the four candles.

4. After adding the moss, I placed the candles around the base.

5. The last step was to add my decorative piece, the pine cones, and log branch.
That's it, create a wreath and then just put everything else into place.

For past Advent Wreaths, click here, here and here.
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There you have it, our Advent Wreath this year.
Happy Advent!
Do you have Advent candles this year?


Tiny Prints Sale!

(Disclaimer)*  This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I was compensated for this post.

Tiny Prints is my favorite place to go for cards because I love their 
quality, their many designs, and my favorite part is that they can mail it out for you.  What?  Yes!  
You can visit their website for more information on that when you order from Tiny Prints.

 These are some of my favorite cards, they have so many to choose from.  Everyone is 
ordering their holiday cards this time of year, so this is the perfect opportunity 
to order yours.

I have ordered from Tiny Prints several times and I am always pleased with their 
cards.  I have received Thank you cards to mail out to friends and relatives for their 
gifts.  I have received Christmas cards that impressed my family members because of their 
great quality.  I have even purchased address stamps with cute fonts and layout.  
If you have never ordered from Tiny Prints, this is your opportunity, check them out and 
tell me what you think.  Aside from cards, they also have great gifts that you may personalize,
these will make wonderful gifts for family and friends.  


This week they are having a Thanksgiving SALE and you will be able to save 30% off 
all orders or 40% off $99 or more.  Use code: GIVETHANKS at checkout.  This sale runs 
until 11/24.

Hope that you have a great Thanksgiving!


DaySpring Christmas Favorites

(Disclaimer)* This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated if a purchase is made by clicking my links. 
Everlasting Light - Wooden Candlestick Holders, Set of 3
I don't know about you, but everything is moving around so fast these days.
I mean, it was Halloween just the other day and now we're having Thanksgiving
dinner on Thursday and then Christmas will be here before you know it.

With Christmas right around the corner, I am taking this time to share some of my
favorite things from some of my favorite places.  Today it will be from DaySpring.
It is the perfect opportunity to get those little gifts for loved ones and also for yourself.
Black Friday is three days away, are you ready?
Everlasting Light - Bangles, Set of 3
This is a beautiful and simple bangle set great for gift giving and below a lovely necklace
with shimmer and stars. The earrings are lovely for a dear friend or sister this season.

Everlasting Light - Layered Shimmer Necklace

Village Artisan - Friendship Earrings, Blue
Get your decor on with these lovely pieces.
His Savior Names - Easter Adorenaments Set

Everlasting Light - Starburst Mirror

His Love Endures Forever - Wall Clock

The clock above is made of distressed wood & contains distinct copper numerals.  I love the
weathered and rustic feel.  I absolutely love this clock, it is simple and clean, perfect
for placing on the mantel.

I hope that you enjoyed looking at these simple pieces fro DaySpring.  Do you have any
favorites to share?






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