Decorating For Yule

Whether your holiday decor is rustic or romantic, use natural
ingredients and you can never be wrong. Instead of gingerbread people
try gingerbread hearts hanging in the kitchen for a "different"
touch. To keep the season well past the Holidays, use spruce,
rosemary, juniper and ivy for your "greens". These choices keep their
fragrance and beauty for a long time.

Simple cranberry garlands around chandeliers reflect ruby, and
crimson highlights each time the lights are turned on. Tuck sprigs of
pine around paintings and garlands across windows and doorways.

It is doesn't snow for Christmas wherever you live you can create
your own snow for windows and mirrors: 1/2 cup lukewarm water, 1/2
cup plus about 2 slightly rounded tbs. mild soap flakes or granules,
transparent tape, assorted doilies or homemade snowflake designs.

A mixing bowl, whisk, and small sponge. In a bowl, combine the water
and soap flakes. Stir to dissolve, when whip with a whisk until the
mixture looks like stiff meringue and holds its shape. An electric
mixer can also be used. If making your own snowflakes, fold heavy
paper in fourths, Fold in half again to make a pie-shaped wedge, and
use sharp scissors and cut as you like. Unfold and flatten out and
viola - a beautiful snowflake - Tape a doily or your own snowflake to
a window or mirror and use the sponge to dab the whipped snow over
the perforations. Remove the stencil immediately and allow the design
to dry. To remove, simply wipe off with window cleaner and a soft
cloth.

Kids getting a bit antsy as the big day approaches or just looking
for a very simple, yet wonderful accent that can be used as a tree
ornament, a napkin ring, or party favor - your imagination is
the limit with this totally simple craft: wide black marker pen, star
cookie cutter, shirt cardboard, wax paper, craft glue, assorted
glitter, transparent fishing line or thin ribbon, staples, and
scissors With a marker pen, mark around the cookie cutter star to
make a template on the cardboard. Cover each board with wax paper,
stapling it into place. Using the bottle of glue trace the star
shapes onto the wax paper with thick, wide lines of glue.

Using one color glitter immediately sprinkle a lavish amount of
glitter onto each star so it is completely covered. Allow to dry for
one day or overnight. Shake off the excess glitter. Cut away the
excess wax paper, then carefully peel the glitter star away from the
backing. Use as ornaments, package decorations, etc. Use fishing line
or thin ribbon to hang the stars.

Don't forget to wish on a star this Solstice Eve and let the glow
from these heavenly ornaments light up your Yuletide.

~author unknown