Tips To Buy A Perfect Christmas Tree, Rules To Keep It Safe.

Christmas time is just not the same without a Christmas tree. Having the perfect Christmas tree to decorate and flaunt renews the holiday spirit within us. Before you head out to purchase your tree this year, make sure to keep these little tips in mind for the best find.

The most popular varieties of Christmas trees are: Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, White Pine, Scotch Pine, Noble Fir and Balsam Fir.

Freshness is the first and foremost criteria while purchasing a Christmas tree.
Always ask the vendor where the tree has come from and how long ago it was cut. If possible, buy a locally produced tree. The tree should be green and healthy with a fragrant smell and moist flexible needles with no trace of drying or browning. Avoid trees with broken branches or damaged bark. Bounce the tree lightly on its cut end if you can or shake it. If needles rain down, do not purchase that tree.

The next consideration is size- Make sure the tree you buy will fit comfortably in your room.Huge Christmas trees are meant only for palatial halls with high ceilings.Alternatively, choose a Christmas tree forest or a Christmas tree farm as a venue of your Christmas party. While choosing a tall Christmas tree, make sure the distance between the ceiling and the topmost part of the tree is enough to allow an ornament or angel to be placed on top. The tree stand should be able to support the weight of the tree along with decorations, lights and ornaments. A real tree will need a stand in which you can keep pouring lukewarm water from time to time to keep it fresh for longer time. Tree with smaller needles and space between the branches will make decorating it easier and ornaments will easily be visible once hung on its branches. Trim the tree well before decorating it and make the boughs parallel to the floor.
Check the bottom of the Christmas tree. Is there enough space between the end and the lowest branches to make a diagonal fresh cut? Cutting an extra inch off the bottom before mounting your tree will greatly help water absorption and ensure your tree lasts longer. Be sure to make this final cut just before placing it in water. If it is exposed to the air for long, the vessels will become blocked.

Artificial Christmas Trees
The short version of how to buy a high quality artificial Christmas tree is:

Height - The maximum height for your tree is the ceiling height minus 6 inches to allow for a star, angel, etc.
Remember, a 12 foot tree takes significantly more decorations than a 9.5 foot tree because the base is much wider.
Width - Your tree will look best if it is 6 to 18 inches from any wall. Use masking tape on the floor to get an idea. Stay away from slim trees for the family tree, you will be much happier with a shorter, better proportioned tree.
When shopping for an artificial tree, quality and price go hand in hand. The more you are willing to spend, the less artificial your tree will look. Less expensive trees, however, can still look very nice once they are decorated with ornaments and lights. Artificial trees come in an array of colors, including less traditional colors like purple and pink, to match any taste. You can also buy a pre-lit artificial tree, with traditional lights or with fiber-optic lighting. Some artificial trees are even pre-decorated.

Safety Rules
Keep your home safe from some common Christmas-tree hazards by heeding these important tips

• Never place your tree near a heat source, such as a fireplace or portable heater.
• If you have small children or pets, trim the lower branches to avoid eye injuries.
• Hang all ornaments that are breakable, have small, detachable parts or metal hooks, or that look like food or candy on higher branches where small children can't reach them.
• Keep pets out of the room in which the tree is placed. Cats are notorious for leaping onto Christmas trees. Keep the tree from toppling by tying it to a ceiling hook. Both cats and dogs can knock down and break glass ornaments, then cut themselves on the pieces. Pets may also gnaw on electrical cords for Christmas-tree lights. Hide cords when possible, or help prevent injury by purchasing a pet-proof conduit, which will enclose cords and wires.
• Avoid using artificial snow sprays, it causes lung irritation.
• Turn off tree lights when you go to bed or leave the house. Use only UL-approved electrical decorations and extension cords, and check that no cords have frayed since you last used the lights.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping For Late Shoppers

Still fretting about not having finished your Christmas shopping? The busy streets, crowded malls, packed stores and grumbling shoppers are sure getting difficult to avoid with each passing day. Besides, those of you who haven't yet completed shopping may be missing out on some grand sales. But there is no need to worry. Here are some tips to help you out on your last minute shopping.

Make a list of all gift recipients and write down what sort of gift would be appropriate for each one. Next, devise a plan for the day, with possible stores lined up for each gift idea. Once you know where every item can be purchased, shop in order of priority.

Head to the shopping mall
Hit the nearest mall. After all, malls offer a multitude of gift options. Get a general idea of what you want to buy and from which stores. Once you know this, all it takes is a quick look at the mall map to plan the quickest route.
What to buy:
Jewelry for women, tools for older men, DVD players for friends, and electric pencil sharpeners for coworkers.

Department & chain stores
Hit big stores like Wal-Mart, Target or JC Penney. .
What to buy:
A bottle of liquor, drinking-related accessories like specialty glasses, shakers and drink recipe books. Cigars, picture frames, massagers and electronics, video games, DVDs, and books are other options.

Drugstores:
For women, perfume, makeup cases), chocolates and cards.
For men, brushed chrome items like a digital camera, a DVD player, cologne or a nice shave kit.

Specialty stores
Blockbuster, Barnes & Noble and Tower Records are all safe bets, especially if you don't mind buying everyone a similar gift. Starbucks is another original gift-buying destination.
What to buy:
If you go to Blockbuster, you'll be able to select from a variety of DVDs and videogames. You can't go wrong with classic James Bond flicks or popular box sets (The Sopranos or The Godfather for guys and Sex and the City for the ladies). At Starbucks, you can pick up trendy coffee mugs and exotic coffee beans.

Internet

Amazon.com
(Only applies to in-stock items.)
Monday, Dec. 19 - Last day to order using Standard Shipping
Tuesday, Dec. 20 - Last day to order using 2-day Shipping
Wednesday, Dec. 21 - Last day to order using 1-day Shipping
Thursday, Dec. 22 - Last day to order select items using Guaranteed Accelerated Delivery

Barnes & Noble
(Pertains only to items usually shipped within 24 hours of placed order.)
Monday, Dec. 19 - Last day to order using Standard Delivery
Tuesday, Dec. 20 - Last day to order using Expedited Air Service

TowerRecords.com
(Pertains only to in-stock items.)
Monday, Dec. 19 - Last day to order using FedEx 3-4 Business Days
Wednesday, Dec. 21 - Last day to order using FedEx 2nd Business Day
Thursday, Dec. 22 - Last day to order using FedEx Next Business Day

Best Buy
(Shipping options apply only to in-stock items marked "usually ships within 1 business day".)
Monday, Dec. 19 - Last day to order using Ground Shipping
Wednesday, Dec. 21 - Last day to order using 2nd Day Shipping
Thursday, Dec. 22 - Last day to order using Next Day Shipping

Mega Sale at Kohl's:

Target.com

eBay

Click here for more online stores.

Top Last minute Christmas Gifts

• Rechargeable Batteries (with charger)
• Favorite “of the month” annual subscription
• Binoculars
• CB Radios, or an emergency one for the car
• Noise-canceling headphones
• A desktop weather station
• Top Christmas Music CD's
  Christmas is known for its music. During the season people flock to church for a performance of sacred music or to sing a few carols with friends. Why not bring the glory of the season into your loved one's life? These CD's are sure to cast their spell on all.
• Multi Function Pen
  A gadget lovers dream, this Multi Function Pen has thirteen tools, all neatly concealed in a lightweight aluminum alloy casing. Whether you need to cut with it, carve, punch a hole, strip, scrape, screw, file or tweeze, the Multi Function Pen will do the trick. It’s like having a toolbox in your pen. And did you know, you could write with it too?
• Shari's Berries Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Strawberries- Treat your friends to Shari's Berries gourmet chocolate dipped strawberries and keep them asking for more.
• A favorite for many - a basket filled with scented soaps, lotions and bath oils or a Wine - Cheese & Cheers Gift Basket
• A handmade gift certificate for a complete, cooked dinner or a certain number of hours of babysitting or housecleaning.
• For a single man, homemade bread with butter and jelly included in fancy containers; 'instant soup' - your own homemade dehydrated vegetables mixed with bouillon, plus a small can of meat.
• A handmade gift certificate for washing the car, mowing the lawn, shoveling the sidewalk or a Super gift certificate.
• The American Airlines gift certificate is one of those gifts you give to a person you really care about -- Gift cards are available in denominations of $50 and $100 dollars -- and up to 8 gift cards can be redeemable for one flight.

Lighting a Christmas Tree

Decorating the Christmas tree is the primary concern of most individuals. Putting up the lights, placing the lovely wreaths and garlands, hanging the ornaments and then just sitting down to take a happy and contended look at the marvelous finished product. 'Oh! What a beauty’. Well, I am also gearing up to start lighting my Christmas tree, so decided to share some tips with you all.

Sparkle and shine comes primarily from the tree lights. Faceted glass bulbs refract more light and appear brighter. Small twinkle lights and colored lights also have impact when you layer several strands and pair them with ornaments having reflective surfaces. To illuminate the tree from the inside out, string lights around the trunk and the branches. Starting at the base of the trunk and working up, wrap the lights around every major branch, moving from the trunk to the tip and back.


Mix and match lights- A background of white or clear lights can be highlighted with strands of colored lights that wrap the outside of the tree.

Lighting a Fresh tree.

Mentally divide the tree vertically into three triangular sections. Plug in the first string of lights and nestle the last bulb on the string at the top of the tree next to the trunk. Weave the lights back and forth across the triangle, being careful not to cross the cord over itself. When you reach the end of the first string, plug in the next set and continue weaving the lights back and forth until you reach the bottom, connecting no more than 300 lights end to end. Repeat this procedure for the remaining triangles.

Lighting an Artificial Tree

For subdued lighting, begin at the bottom of the tree close to the trunk. Allowing some slack or leader cord in the first strand of lights, separate the cord near the first bulb so it forms a loop. Slip the loop over one of the branch-lets or greens near the trunk, and wrap the cord a few times around the green to secure it. Pull the string of lights taut to the tip of the branch, and then work back toward the trunk, wrapping the cord over itself and the branch. Separate the cord again when you reach the trunk, and slip the cord over a branch let to secure it. Carry the cord over to the next branch, wrap it around a green near the trunk, and pull it out to the tip. Wrap the cord over itself and the branch as before. Continue wrapping branches in this manner to the end of the string. Plug in the next set, and keep going to the point where the tree comes apart. Work any extra lights back along the branch rather than crossing the section. When you wrap the top section of the tree, don't wrap the lights around as many branches, so the tree will look evenly lit from top to bottom.

Lights you can use

Consider using miniature clear (white) lights for your base lighting, then add strands of the new cool-burning large bulbs for color and variety. Or, add sets of novelty lights, such as flicker-flames, flashing lights, bubble lights, or other shapes.

LED Christmas lights
White Pine Cone Lights $12.95
Fancy Elk and Bear Lights $16.00
Plastic Trout Lights $16.00
Multi Colored Rice Lights $25.00
Green/purple Mini Lights $12.50
LED Bead Garland - $16.99
Icicle Light Set $26.99
100 Multicolor Fairy Lights 6M Christmas Decoration
100 Multicolor Fairy Lights 10M Christmas Decoration $1.95
Changing LED Glitter Ball 6 Light Set $16.99

For more check out:

http://www.christmasmoon.com/index.html

http://www.ehow.com/buy_1037_christmas-tree-lights.html

http://www.christmas-treasures.com/Lights.htm

It’s Saint Nicholas Day

A real-life bishop in what is now Turkey, Saint Nicholas earned his sainthood for numerous miracles, but his neighbors knew him best as a kind and generous man with a great fondness for children. Today, in many parts of the world Saint Nicholas is believed to deliver gifts on the eve of his Feast Day.

How to celebrate this Day:

Tell your kids the story of Bishop Nicholas and how he came to be the patron saint of children. Hold a Saint Nicholas Day party and serve the spicy cookies associated with Saint Nick. Help your children find the true spirit behind Santa Claus by emulating the Bishop's kindness: encourage them to give part of their allowance to a cause that helps children or to buy gifts for a local toy drive. You could also help them gather up outgrown clothes or old toys and give them to a charity. Teach them to make gifts for the special people in their livesand help those in need. All said and done, chant this prayer with them to end this day on a note of goodwill and love.

Tonight when it is dark, Saint Nicholas may come.

He loves to bring a big surprise. He gives the children toys

Cookies, apples, Balls and games, Bells and whistles, Dolls and trains.

Surprises for the boys.Surprises for the girls.

Saint Nicholas is our friend in heaven. He is the children's saint

We thank you, good Saint Nicholas! We thank you for the toys!

We thank you, good Saint Nicholas! You bring us many joys

—Ade Bethune

May your life be filled with loads of success and dreams be fulfilled. May this day bring wonderful surprises and immense luck your way.

Here are some Ecards at http://www.123greetings.com/events/st_nicholas_day/ that you can send all your friends and loved ones to wish them Happy Saint Nicholas Day.

Christmas Gifts For Pets

Pets are not just mere animals or birds; they are inmates of our house and our best mates. They are dearer to us than gold. I recently bought a golden retriever pup for my little niece. So, we decided to do some Christmas shopping for this precious new addition to our family. But hey, why just me? I am sure most of you all are planning to buy the best in town for those darling pets. Look at the list of gifts below and take your pick:

Animal Planet Plush Bone Dog Toy - Medium ($2.95) It’s not a bone to chew and gobble up but nevertheless any dog would love to play around with this soft and colorful toy of a bone.

Rooster Squeak Toy ($12) - A riot of color and sound, the rooster dog toy will keep your dog enthused for hours. Soft, cuddly and safe, just the right mix of ingredients for any pet.

7" Twisted ring toy ($6.99)- Keep your active pet busy with this sturdy, colorful toy It makes playtime fun with a ribbed design that's fun for dogs/cats to chew.

Fat Cat Big Mama's Scratch-o-Rama ($10.39) - Finally! A scratching solution for your cat! Cats love to rub their feet parts over rough surfaces. Clark & Daily Zooming & Nail grooming helps with the following:
1.Keeps claws healthy (& well manicured)
2.Helps stretch and tone muscles!

Heat able Dog Bed ($79.95) - Treat your furry friend to a warm and snuggly haven with this Heat able Dog Bed.

Canine Hardware Large Treat Tote ($8.99) - Perfect for afternoons in the park or training sessions anywhere, the treat tote is a small pouch designed to carry your pet's favorite treat.

Flying Squirrel - Here is one squirrel who won't mind being chased down. For a far flung game of fetch, just grab him by a paw and throw like a flying disk. Remember to snap your wrist while throwing to give him a good spin. His spinning feet create visual excitement for you and your pet.

Grandma Lucy's Freeze-Dried Cat Treats, Ocean White Fish ($7.22) - Pollock filets; sliced, baked and freeze-dried to bring your pet a healthy treat they will enjoy.

Ecards – Wish your pets a very Merry Christmas with these cute and heartwarming Ecards from
http://www.123greetings.com/events/christmas/pets/

Zhivago Hooded Sweater for Dogs, Pink ($11.74 - $12.97)

Orthopedic Bed Plum Paw print ($59.99)

Fashionista Doggie Carrier ($39.99)

Chuck it Launcher Ball Toss Dog Toy, Assorted Colors ($9.97) - The award-winning Chuck it Launcher is a total revolution in fetch technology.

Jingle Bell Collar ($15- $19) - Let your pet revel in the holiday spirit with this festive Jingle Bell Collar.

Ruff wear Go Between Travel Bowl ($12.99)- These waterproof, lightweight, spill proof owls are perfect for carrying pet food and clear water.

Purr Pad 20" x 20" For Cats ($11.74) - The Purr Pad's ultra-soft polyester fibers work as an insulator to absorb and hold heat, keeping your kitty warm and cuddly year round.

Cat Bed, Double Wide, Purple ($23.99)

Paint-A-Birdhouse ($15.95) - Create a special look that your feathered friends will be sure to enjoy with this Paint-A-Birdhouse kit. This kit comes complete with a wooden house, hanging chain, waterproof acrylic paints and paintbrush. Let your imagination loose and create an inviting destination.

Holiday Pet Gift Basket ($10)- Edible rawhide basket, filled with munchy and crunchy treats. - Bagged, with red bow.

4 Pack Cat Toy Assortment ($1.25 each) 4 assorted cat toys per pack, pack contents will vary.

Collared Feed Me Dog Dish ($ 14.95) - This adorable white ceramic dog dish comes with a black denier collar and enamel paw charm. "Feed Me" is printed across the front of the bowl.

Luxury Beaded pet Jewelry – For more click here.

Nite Ize Nite Dog Collar ($19.99) – Your dog will certainly be the centre of attraction anywhere he goes. People will not just admire him but other pet owners will be envious as well. This L.E.D collar makes sure your dog is seen and safe no matter where he goes.

Personalized Pet ornaments

Old Fashioned Radio Aquarium ($39.95) - Treat your fish like celebrities with the Old Fashioned Radio Aquarium. These unique aquariums are shaped like old television/radio sets, so you can watch your fish enjoy the starry limelight of the show!

I can already see your pets woofing and meowing away in delight, so why the delay? Grab these gifts and surprise your pet.

For more exciting gift ideas, drop in at http://shopping.msn.com/content/shp/?ctId=8007

Also check out this amazing Pet blog at http://all-about-my-pets.blogspot.com/