There's something festive yet casual about a tree trimming party. It's the perfect way to celebrate one of the more widespread holiday symbols in a light-hearted and fun atmosphere. And it can be held at just about any time of day.

 

One nice fact about a tree trimming party is that people don’t expect you to be fully prepared for the holidays yet. That’s why they’re there - to help you get ready! So casual is the rule. Plan a simple, help-yourself, buffet style meal (or ask everyone to bring their favourite dish), secure the tree in it’s stand, spread out the existing decorations for all to see, throw on some suitable music so it can be heard by guests as soon as they enter your home (or better yet, outdoor speakers!), scatter some candy canes and red and green candies around the room, light a fire, mull some wine, and you’re all set! Wait! Don’t forget to hang some mistletoe over the front door.

 

Besides decorating the tree, other activities can include carolling (make copies of all the popular ones so everyone can join in), making decorations (make a few extras so guests can take home a keepsake from the party), baking and decorating cookies, and uncomplicated crafts.

 

If you're lucky, when the party is over, your tree will be fully trimmed and ready for Christmas. If not, you will undoubtedly have many fond memories to warm your heart for years to come.

With family and friends getting together more often at this time of year, cameras will be clicking everywhere. This year, don’t end up with a bunch of photographs that didn’t turn out right! Read these quick tips:

Watch Them Grow - Photograph your children at regular intervals against an object that provides a size reference – perhaps a doorway or fireplace. Looking through these picts will become a holiday tradition.

Preserve Children’s Artwork - No matter how hard you try, children's paintings and crafts have a way of disappearing. Preserve them in the form of a photograph - and at the same time, include the artist’s proud expression.

The Whole Family - Take advantage of opportunities to catch the whole family together by using a tripod and self-timer, or asking someone to release the shutter so you can get in the picture, too.

Triangular Formation - When photographing several people together, have them pose in a triangular formation. Don't let anyone hide from the camera – make sure you can see every face.

Expressions Make the Picture - Look for opportunities to snap a shot of someone when they’re not expecting it. Unposed! And zoom in to make sure you get detail.

Avoid Unnatural Skin Tones - Vibrant seasonal colours can reflect unnatural colours on your subject's face. Position your subjects so tree lights and ornament reflections don’t ruin the shot.

Get Rid of Reflection - Window, mirror and other shiny surface flash reflections can spoil the perfect shot. When shiny surfaces are present, shoot at an angle rather than head on.

Backlit Photos - When photographing people next to a window, the camera tends to react to the brighter background, and the subject's face may be underexposed. Use your flash to save the shot.

As much as we look forward to this time of year, along with the celebrations and merriment comes a list of things-to-do longer than 6-year-old’s wish list. There’s nothing like some useful information at this time of year. Check out these links for ideas and information that may come in handy as you prepare:

 

Gifts Ideas for Her * Gift Ideas for Him * Gifts Ideas for Teens * Gift Ideas for Kids * Top Toys of Christmas 2004 * Gifts Kids Can Make * Green Gifts * Wrapping Ideas * Christmas Party Ideas * Seasonal Decorating Ideas and Tips * Lighting Ideas * Carol Lyrics * Brief History of Santa * Holiday Traditions * The Dreidel * Christmas Craft Ideas * Holiday Crafts for Kids * Christmas Stories * E-mail Santa * Chanukah Colouring Pages * Star of David Window Ornaments * Christmas Clip Art * Christmas Around the World * Holiday Travel Tips  * Baking Christmas Cookies * Holiday Baking Tips * Hanukkah Dinner Menu * Punch Recipes * Hors D’oeuvres * Gingerbread * Crudités

Since cranberries and the holiday season seem to go hand-in-hand for many people, we thought a few interesting tidbits about this quite amazing fruit would be a good idea:

• The cranberry is a low, creeping, evergreen bog plant (genus Oxycoccus) of the heath family.
• Cranberries are one of three fruits native to North America.
• Cranberries were a staple of the diet for many indigenous peoples.
• The development of cranberries as a cultivated crop probably began in the early 1800's in the eastern US.
• In Canada, cranberries are grown principally in Quebec and BC, with BC producing over 80% of Canada's crop.
• The cranberry got its name from "Crane berry".
• Cranberries, due to their antibacterial properties, can reduce the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infection.
• Cranberries are sorted for ripeness by bouncing them; a fully ripened cranberry can be dribbled like a basketball.

It’s that time of year when people around he world put the internet to use by sending cherished memories in the form of holiday cards and family photographs. As with most things, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. When it comes to sending images files by e-mail, size matters. In fact, some internet service providers limit the size of attachments to the point where improperly sized images that result in an excessively large file size, will simply be rejected!

 

Visit Kodak’s Digital Learning Centre to learn more about properly sizing image files for e-mailing, plus other useful tips you’ll be able to put to use during the coming holidays.

Cool Sites

 

A Gift Children Can Make

Lucy, age 6, says, “Mommy and I made these chocolate covered spoons for Christmas Presents. Nanna and Grampa drink coffee. They are going to love these.”

 

Santa Claus Maze

Cory, age 9, says, “I love doing mazes. This was the hardest I’ve ever done. And the fact that it’s really a drawing of Santa makes it even cooler.”

 

A Natural Symphony

Elizabeth, age 8, says, “You get to hear the sounds that animals make. Then you have to listen to hear which sounds are in the music. My favourite sound is the one the walrus makes. They don’t even sound real!”

 

Brain Boosters

Callum, age 11, says, “I can usually do these kinds of quizzes. But some of the ones I found here were really tough. Had to ask Dad for some help and he didn’t even know.”

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to remember those people who serve you regularly. But since it only occurs once a year, many people aren’t sure how much is appropriate. There are a few hard and fast rules, but it is most important to think about the service you received and your budget.

 

Mail carrier - $5-$15

Maid - 1 week's pay

Apartment building superintendent - $20-100

Doorman/concierge - $50-100 or more, depending upon building

Manicurist/pedicurist - $15 or more

Hairdresser/stylist - $15 or more

Massage therapist - $15 or more.

Newspaper deliverer - daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10

Teacher - thoughtful gift

Baby sitter – regular – 2 to 3 nights’ pay, plus maybe a gift, if infrequent - $20

Full-time nanny - 1 week's pay

Day care service - $25-70, plus a gift

Parking attendants - $10-20 each 

Restaurant – if regular patron - $25 to $50, otherwise, an extra couple of bucks is fine.

 

Don’t forget the impact of a proper delivery, too. While cash and a handshake may be fine for some, consider wrapping any gifts and putting tips in a tasteful card. Hand them out sometime after the 10^th of December, but well before Christmas day.

When drilling holes through wood, avoid splintering the back of the surface when the tip of the bit emerges, by placing a block of scrap wood under the piece you are drilling. That will prevent the bit tearing the wood as it breaks through.

“Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.” ~ Mary Ellen Chase

 

“Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles.” ~ Unknown

 

“What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic.” ~ Unknown

 

“What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.” ~ Phyllis Diller