Free printable Catholic Advent calendars for a Christian Bible Christmas

The Catholic Christian season of Advent begins November 30, 2014 and goes for four weeks till Christmas. Many families follow Advent calendars. If they're getting all season long, where's the magic of Christmas morning? Advent is about preparing for the coming of Christ with acts of charity.  Here are Free printable Catholic Advent calendars for a Christian Bible Christmas

Free Printable Christmas Crafts, Cards, Games, Party Decorations and Recipes

I maintain several highly-performing niche blog, the most popular ones involving printable crafts for children. Internet searchers are always seeking freebies and crafts. Christmas is an especially popular time to hunt up free printable crafts. So here are links for free printable Christmas crafts, recipes, games, decorations and greeting cards! Free Crafts and Printables from Martha Stewart

Budget Homemade Holiday Centerpiece Like Crate and Barrel

I shopped recently at Crate and Barrel at Somerset Mall near Detroit. Lovely store; very expensive. Crate and Barrel was displaying beautiful holiday centerpieces. So being a DIYer, I made mental notes on how to create these holiday crafts cheaper with natural, recycled sources.

Crate and Barrel holiday centerpiece with table runner: Instead of the traditional centerpiece interior decorators are featuring table runners with holiday decor lined up down the length of the table. Buy a table runner for a buck at Dollar Tree and under $5 at Walmart or Family Dollar.

For holidays, choose table runners in rich fabrics: brocade, tapestry, linen, satin, velvet or lace. Look for bold colors: gold, silver, crimson, blue, emerald, black.

Or repurpose with a piece of favorite fabric. Perhaps you have a piece that matches your curtains? Or an old curtain valance? Cut a piece the length of your dining room table. Leave a little overhang or cut it shorter. Hem raw edges or if you hate sewing, fold edges over, press and secure with heavy tape.

For accent pieces, take a walk outdoors and select dry leaves, twigs, pine cones and acorns. Spray paint with a $3 can of gold or silver spray paint. Gilt edges or thoroughly paint. Place on newspaper. Spray one side. Allow to dry. Flip and spray the other side.

Arrange painted items along the table runner with several strands of contrasting Christmas tree bead garlands. For Christmas, paint foliage gold and use red and green beads. For Hanukkah decor paint the foliage silver and display with blue bead garlands. Or use four candles--3 blue or purple and one pink-- and make an advent wreath.

Add a lace or fabric ribbon or bow. Place three pillar candles of alternating heights on holiday platter in the center of the table. Choose any color that complements your seasonal colors.

Dress up candles by tying velvet ribbon bow around center. Using hot glue or Glue Dots or beading pins, add festive appliques, buttons, faux gems, sequins, beads. This same display retailed for over $150 at Crate and Barrel.

Fun Holiday Activities for Sick Kids

Wouldn't you know it--Christmas vacation is finally here and your child gets ill. Holidays can be miserable for sick kids (and parents who must care for them). No parties, curtailed activities, more work, extra worries--it kinda takes the "merry" out of "Christmas." But it doesn't have to. Here are at-home family holiday activities that sick kids can enjoy, too. Click around on this blog for free printable crafts for kids to make.  Read more 

Free Printable Christmas Decorations, Ornaments, Crafts

Finding yourself cash-strapped this holiday season? You're not alone! Many years, my Christmas budget barely covered gifts, let alone holiday decorations. I admired the lovely Christmas decor my friends and neighbors put up, but not the big bucks they shelled out. If I had any money left, I wanted to share with kids in need, not buy dust collectors or disposable decorations. Fortuneately, the internet provides a solution: free printable Christmas decorations and crafts. Print from your computer for cheap holiday decor. All you need is paper and ink and you can save on those by printing in black ink on recycled paper (be sure to set your printer to "economy" to use less ink). Then have kids color black and white images! A 25 cent box of crayons bought at back-to-school sales and you've got a child minder craft that will keep kids happily occupied all season long! And kids will love decorating with ornaments they've made themselves. You're making memories, saving money and keeping kids productively occupied all at once! Talk about multitasking--girl, you rock! read on

Free Printable Folded Paper Christmas Ornaments and Decorations

Need some educational Christmas crafts? How about free printable cut-and-paste and folded-paper holiday decorations? Kids can practice math, measurement and fine motor skills while creating lovely, festive decor. These activities are perfect for elementary and middle school math classes, homeschool and winter vacation fun. With some assistance, these crafts will work with disabled students and preschoolers. Senior citizens will love them, too. Read more 

Free Printable Christmas Holiday Crafts, Decorations, Cards, Activities

Many schools will begin Christmas holiday vacation soon. Students rejoice, but parents worry: I've got so much work to do? Here is my 'bored kid first aid kit' with free printable coloring cards, ornaments,  decorations, gift tags and crafts. Read more

Holiday Pets Safety and Health

The holidays require extra health and safety precautions for your family and your pets, too. This guide gives you a heads up on pet health and safety hazards for your pet and how you can keep your pet safe and healthy. Read more

Free Printable Holiday and Craft Stencils

Stenciling is a heritage craft that had it's zenith in Victorian times with prairie and revival architecture styles. There are dozens of craft projects that employ stenciling. Here are free printable stencils and patterns for stenciling. read more

Free Printable Christmas Cards, Ornaments, Decorations, Crafts

Free Printable Christmas Coloring Cards, Ornaments and Craft Activities for Children Many schools will begin Christmas holiday vacation soon. Students rejoice, but parents worry: I've got so much work to do? Here is my 'bored kid first aid kit' with free printable coloring cards, ornaments, decorations, gift tags and crafts. read more

Free Printable Christmas Photo Frame Crafts

Free Printable Cut and Paste Photo Frame Craft Projects
Family Fun has an excellent website full of free printable crafts, cut and paste projects, seasonal crafts, holiday crafts, room decor, games, puzzles and activities. Here are craft project free printable photo frame crafts.read on for free printable photo frames

Free Printable Advent Games and Puzzles

Advent 2012 will begin Sunday, December 2. For the next four weeks, Catholics, Orthodox and some protestant Christmas observe this preparation season. We will prepare our hearts for the coming (Advent) of Jesus. Here are free printable Advent coloring, puzzles, crafts, calendars, wreaths and activities to celebrate the season. Read more

Free Printable Gingerbread House Patterns and Templates

Making a holiday gingerbread house is one of our favorite family traditions. Not being the most artistic person, I cheat and get the gingerbread house kit. But I've found a better way: free printable gingerbread house patterns, recipes and templates.
Read more

Choosing a Christmas Tree: Spruce, Cedar, Pine, Hemlock, Fir

Choosing a Christmas Tree: Pine, Spruce, Fir, Hemlock or Cedar?
A Christmas tree is a Christmas tree, right? Wrong. There are several different varieties of evergreen grown for use as Christmas trees. Here is a guide to choosing a Christmas tree, based on style, allergic properties, ease of decoration and cost.
read more

St. Nicholas Day Party Planner- Dec.6

Christmas Holiday Party Planner: St. Nicholas Day Activities Christmas traditions around the world differ from country to country. Every country has special cultural recipes, activities and festivals. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6; here's a party activity guide for a St. Nicholas Day celebration. Read more

Free Printable Holiday Crafts Website

Free Printable Activities Websites Are you a free printable activity lover like me? Here are several excellent internet websites with safe, easy, user-friendly free printable activities. Crafts,puzzles, games, lessons, party supplies, decor and more!
read more

Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags, Decorations

Free Printable Thanksgiving Decorations, Party Supplies Written for Thanksgiving Day this article gives links for Christmas free printables as well. I love the holidays, but I'm a penny pincher. I don't spend money on decorations and party supplies. Happily, I don't need to; with free printable Thanksgiving decorations, tableware and party supplies.
read more

Free Printable Advent Wreaths for Christmas

Free Printable Advent Wreaths to Color, Cut and Paste During Advent, Christians light one candle on the Advent wreath. Each candle symbolizes hope, expectation, preparation and joy at the Birth of Christ on Christmas. Here are links to free printable Advent wreaths to color, cut and paste. View more »

How to Plan a Company Holiday Party

How to Plan Your Work, Company or Business Christmas Party
List of what to avoid and how to organize your company, business or work Christmas party.Food, gift exchange, decorations, location, holiday preferences, guest list and more! View more »

Free Printable Christmas Activities and Crafts

Free Christmas Printables: Santa, Reindeer,Wreaths, Bells and More!
Top rated websites with free Christmas printables including lessons, games, puzzles, activities, cut and paste, decorations on the secular or non-religious themes of the holiday. View more »