Just putting up Christmas decorations is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. There are a ton if different types and styles of decorations to choose from, so you’re sure to be able to find something that will work for your home. If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious though, you may want to try making your own. There are plenty of quick and easy holiday decorations you can make with materials you likely have on hand already. This is a great way to get your whole family involved in decorating for the holiday and into the holiday spirit.

Pine Cone Christmas Tree One of the easiest Christmas decorations to make at home is a pine cone Christmas tree. The only materials you’ll need are glue, a Styrofoam cone, any decorations you’d like to put on your tree, and, of course, pine cones. Going out and gathering all the pine cones you’ll need is actually half the fun of this craft.

A hot glue gun is recommended, but not necessary. All you have to do is assemble your pine cones and begin gluing them to the Styrofoam cone. You’ll probably want to pick out the pine cone with the best shape to go on top. Attach this one first, and then begin gluing the rest of your pinecones onto the cone. Once you’ve covered the Styrofoam cone with pine cones, decorate your tree any way you’d like and display.

Nutty Christmas Creatures While you’re out gathering your pine cones, you may want to grab some acorns or chestnuts as well. That way, when you’re done with your trees, you can use these to make some cute little Christmas critters. Hickory nuts work well for this too, and you’ll need walnuts still in their shell to make the bodies of your critters. The only other supplies you should gather are glue, a wood file, and some scraps of fabric or other items to use for decorations. File the point off the top of the walnut and glue an acorn or other small nut onto the flattened area. Use paint or markers to create a face for your creatures and dress them with the scraps of cloth and other assorted decorations you have lying around.

Snowmen All you need for this craft project are a few different sizes of foam balls, some glue, and the decorations of your choice. Start by gluing three of the balls together with a large one on the bottom, a medium one in the middle, and a small one on top. All you have left to do is decorate your snowman and set him out for all to see. Because you can just stick your decorations into the Styrofoam too, you can use just about anything.

Cloves, for example, make great buttons. Really, the only limit with any of these crafts is your imagination. They’re not just a great way to decorate for the holidays either. These easy crafts are a great way for your whole family to get into the holiday spirit together. You’ll make some great decorations to be sure, but you’ll also create some lasting memories to cherish forever.

Christmas Gift Ideas

The moment when children realize that Santa isn’t real is often a difficult one. Most of us remember with no small amount of embarrassment - but also a sense that that moment was when we lost our innocence. Part of the magic of Christmas as a child is to look wonderingly at a Christmas Eve night, hoping and praying that Santa is going to visit and that you’re on the Good list. It’s an innocence and magic we wish to preserve in our children for as long as possible, and to that end, here’s a quick list of things to do to make Santa’s visit appear all the more convincing:

1. Take a bite out of the mince pie / cookie!

It’s so simple, but so often forgotten. If your children leave food out for Santa, make sure you take a convincing bite. The same goes for any drinks left out - take a swig. Your kids will be delighted that Santa enjoyed their offering, and you’ll get something tasty too.

2. Icing sugar footprints.

All you need is a sieve and a white powder - icing sugar pre-mix is best for the job - and you’ve got the tools to make some convincing Santa footprints. Pour the powder into the sieve and sprinkle a route from the chimney to beneath the tree, just like Santa would walk in his snow-covered boots from Lapland.

3. Sign a couple of gifts “From Santa”

A small touch but a nice one. While the majority of your gifts can say “from Mom and Dad”, add in a couple that are signed by the man himself.

The Dreaded Christmas List

At some point in November, children across the globe sit down and thoughtfully pen their letter to Santa. For many parents, this is a moment of horror, when the desires of our children are laid out. Particularly in tough economic times, a dollar-demanding list can be a cause of high anxiety. Given that we naturally want our children to have what they want, many parents will get into debt this Christmas trying to meet their children’s requirements.

To try and prevent such a crisis, there needs to be some ground rules. Naturally, your children are not to know these are ground rules as such - after all, Santa is making the toys, you’re not buying them - but the spirit is the same. Before they make their list, tell your kids that Santa is very busy this year and only has time to make a set number of presents. Allocate each child the same number, and tell them they have to stick to it, with one alternate.

Children may not like this, but it’s necessary if you want to avoid debt following the Christmas holiday. It also teaches children a good lesson in channeling their desires to get what they really want; something which will come in useful in later life. Of course, if you find you have a little more cash than you’d expected, you can always add gifts. By asking them to prioritize, you can be sure that more effort and thought will go into the list than if they had just written down everything they could think of.

Learn more about Christmas Shopping. Stop by Christmas Shopper ’s site where you can find out all about XMass Shopping and what it can do for you.