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The Final Countdown: Make a Hanging Ornament Advent Calendar

by Holly Wade
DIY Advent calendar
Photo by Holly Wade

Are you ready to start the countdown?! Come December 1st, it's time to break out the advent calendars and find a little surprise every day as you count town toward Christmas. Advent calendars were a staple of my childhood, so I still try to make a DIY advent calendar every year to make the countdown more fun! This time, I used plastic fill-able ornaments to make a hanging ornament advent calendar that's easy to open and reveal a candy or small trinket inside (my parents often used to use give my pennies). With a variety of sizes and colors, you can use materials that fit your style and hang it anywhere in your home for a Christmas decoration that's functional and FUN!    

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How to Throw an Office Holiday Party Your Co-Workers Will Be Talking About into the New Year

by Amber Dickson
office holiday party
Photo: RawPixel/Shutterstock

Are you in charge of throwing the office Christmas party? What a great opportunity!  After all, if it goes well, you can expect plenty of appreciation and accolades. Make sure you don't skimp on the planning, though. If the event is boring and awkward, the party will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Looking for work Christmas party ideas? Read on for tips and ideas sure to make your office party fun, delicious, and full of holiday spirit.     

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Tired of Red and Green? Try A Fresh Christmas Color Scheme This Year

by Rachel Jacks

Tired of green and red? Check out this inspiration for decorating with a non-traditional Christmas color scheme.

If someone mentions Christmas colors, red and green probably instantly come to mind. But though they're the default,  they're far from the only choice for a Christmas color scheme. If you're not a fan of the color combination, or it just doesn't look good with your existing regular decor, why not get creative with your Christmas colors? Check out these ideas for alternative Christmas color palettes for decorating your home.          

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Can You Gift It? Canning Gifts to Give in Bulk This Holiday Season

by M.E. Gray

Canned gifts to give in bulk this holiday season

A lot of holiday seasons go by where I am totally and utterly irresponsible with my spending habits. I think, "It's Christmas! I can spend as much money as I need to on presents. It's called the Season of Giving for a reason!" This mindset always comes back to bite me in January, because while it is fun to go shopping for gifts, it's not fiscally smart to blow your whole bank account. This year, I've decided to be more thoughtful in my gifting, while also trying to save money. Homemade gifts, if done well, are the best to receive. And what's more homey than a canned recipe? While I'm trying to decide what to can and give, I've found a lot of great recipes along the way, and I'm sharing them with you today! Keep reading for my favorite canned gifts to make and give in bulk.            

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Real Christmas Tree 101: Everything You Need to Know About Tree Care

by Rachel Jacks

Real Christmas tree maintenance

The other day a friend told me about her family's tradition of getting their Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving. While other people are feverishly chasing Black Friday deals, they spend the morning at a nearly-empty Christmas tree farm, cutting down fresh Christmas trees. Sounds pretty ideal, doesn't it? With proper Christmas tree maintenance, they don't have any trouble keeping them looking good for a whole month, so here's what you need to know to buy a real Christmas tree, and keep it in tip-top shape throughout the holidays.    

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Fun Games to Play After Thanksgiving Dinner

by Rachel Jacks

Fun games to play after Thanksgiving dinner

While the food and decor are usually the major focus for Thanksgiving preparations, it's worth thinking about what happens on Thanksgiving Day before and after the feast. Whether you want games to keep the kids busy while the adults are cleaning up, or family activities that everyone can do together, we have some ideas for fun Thanksgiving family games that might even distract everyone from rehashing the same old arguments. (MIGHT! We can't promise any miracles.) 

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Thanksgiving Crackers: Conversation Starters that Really Snap!

by M.E. Gray

Thanksgiving cracking bon-bons

When it comes to the holidays, there are lots of things that I look forward to. The seasonal desserts, the quirky traditions, and the festive decor, just to name a few. There is one thing that I dread, however, when family and friends gather: small talk. Maybe it's because I'm an introvert, or maybe it's because chatting about the weather makes me want to barf and yawn at the same time, but the idea of casual chatting-while-eating gives me anxiety. Now, the whole notion of conversation starters might make you want to groan, but what if those conversation starters were paired with a bit of mystique and excitement? Enter these Thanksgiving crackers.         

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How to Make Haunting, Hanging Ghost Decor for Halloween

by M.E. Gray

Outdoor Halloween decor | DIY hanging ghosts

Goblins, ghosts, and ghouls -- oh my! It's officially October, which means the green light is on for Halloween decorating. If you're looking for an affordable and low-key way to let little trick-or-treaters know you've got candy, a gaggle of ghosts is a safe bet. This outdoor Halloween decor isn't pricey or complicated. Plus, once night falls, these ghosts can light up for extra creepiness.           

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The Internet's Best Pet Halloween Costumes to Make and Buy

by Rachel Jacks
Halloween pet costume lion mane
Lion dog costume available here.

If you have pets who can and will wear pet Halloween costumes, you practically owe the rest of us that spectacle of cuteness. As a longtime cat owner, I am fully aware that costumes just aren't practical for many pets, so please, do your duty and dress up your furry friend for the rest of us to enjoy (as long as they don't mind, of course). Remember to post lots of pictures of your pet Halloween costumes!           

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DIY Creepy-Crawly Halloween Snake Wreath

by Rachel Jacks
DIY Halloween wreath with snakes
Photo: Rachel Jacks

Maybe it's my childhood spent catching garter snakes, but I've never been afraid of snakes. I know I'm in the minority in thinking that some of them are even downright cute, so I won't be surprised to hear that this snake wreath might evoke slithery nightmares for many. If plastic snakes don't creep you out too much, you can whip up this DIY Halloween wreath in no time.         

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