Personalized Christmas Ornaments for Everyone!

No matter who you are buying for, whether it be for family, kids, weddings, a new baby, good friends, a special hostess, a sports enthusiast, a Mizzou Tiger fan, or a snowman, angel or santa collector, Ornaments for Keeps has the perfect personalized Christmas ornament for you. Christmas is only 1 month away and we can feel the Christmas spirit. Who LOVES preparing for Christmas? We know we do. If you are struggling to find the perfect gift for someone, search no further. We've got your Christmas gift covered. Our family owned ornament shop is here to give you examples of the different types of ornaments we have for different types of people. We will explain why these personalized Christmas ornaments make for the best presents, no matter who are gifting them to.

 Personalized Christmas Ornaments for Everyone

Ornaments for Newlyweds or Couples Celebrating an Anniversary

People finding their true love is something to be remembered and celebrated. Commemorate that memory with a special personalized ornament for the happy couple. If you know a couple who is hard to buy for, now's your chance to get them the perfect Christmas present that can warm their hearts.

Ornaments to Remember Someone Special

The holidays can be so hard when you are missing someone special who has passed away. If you know someone who suffered a loss in their family, you may really touch their hearts by giving them an ornament to honor how special that someone was.

Ornaments for Sports Fans

Basketball, baseball, and footballs fans alike can all enjoy personalized ornaments commemorating their favorite sport. If your son won the championship this year or your daughter made the track team, give them an ornament that they can remember this special time in their lives.

Ornaments to Recognize Your Pet

Who loves their fur babies? Our pets deserve presents too, don't they? In addition to the treats you are probably getting this Christmas, show how much you love your fur baby and get an ornament that represents them for your tree.

Ornaments to Honor Your Family

Family is everything! We make customized ornaments for families. These ornaments are so special because they can commemorate all of the memories you make with your family on Christmas. We enjoy our family traditions at Christmas and we invite you to either start new traditions with your family or continue your very own personalized Christmas ornament collection with us.

Each year as our family decorates our Christmas tree, the personalized family ornaments we hang bring smiles and reflection. When our children grew up and left home, we gave them their personalized ornaments to start their own family Christmas tree tradition! We enjoy providing personalized Christmas ornaments for other families to do this too. Browse through our website to find the perfect Christmas present for whomever you may buying for. Make it a Christmas they won't forget!

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Phone: (573) 893-3272
www.ornamentsforkeeps.com

Holiday Baking With Your Family

Here at our family owned ornament shop, we enjoy baking the holidays. Baking can be a form of art. Baking can bring a family closer together because you can enjoy baking new recipes together and trying your finished product with one another. Ornaments for Keeps is a huge fan of baking around the holidays, we create a lot of our Christmas ornaments by baking them out of bread dough. In the spirit of baking for Christmas, we found 2 awesome recipes that you and your family may enjoy!

Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gingerbread-house-recipe-1963254

Gingerbread House

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup light molasses or dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
For assemblage and decoration:
Melted white chocolate or Royal Icing, recipe follows
Gumdrops, licorice, and peppermint, as desired
Royal Icing:
1 pound (3-3/4 cups) powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
1 to 2 large egg whites, or substitute 4 teaspoons packaged egg whites and 1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon almond extract, vanilla or lemon juice


Directions

For assemblage and decoration:
Gingerbread House: 

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 

Cut out the following paper patterns for the gingerbread house template: 

Two rectangles, 3 by 5 inches, to make the front and back of the house. Two rectangles, 3 by 5 1/2 inches for the roof. Two pieces for the ends of the house, 3 inches wide at the base, 3 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 5 1/2 inches from the bottom. Four smaller rectangles, 1 1/2 by 1 inch for the roof and sides of the entryway. And one piece, 2 inches wide at the base, 1 1/2 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 2 1/2 inches from the bottom for the front of the entryway. 

Roll gingerbread dough out to edges on a large, rimless cookie sheet. Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough. With a sharp, straight-edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, but leave pieces in place. 

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm. 

Place patterns on top of the gingerbread again and trim shapes, cutting edges with a straight-edged sharp knife. Leave to cool on baking sheet. 

Place royal icing into pastry bag with a writing tip and press out to decorate individual parts of the house, piping on decorations, windows, door, etc., as desired. Let dry until hardened. 

Glue sides, front and back of house together at corners using royal icing. Place an object against the pieces to prop up until icing is dry (it only takes a few minutes). 

Glue the two roof pieces to the pitched roofline of the house. Then, similarly, glue the sides and roof of the entryway together with icing. Attach the entryway to the front of the house. 

Continue decorating the house, gluing on gumdrops, licorice, and peppermint, as desired.

Royal Icing:
Mix all of the ingredients together using an electric hand mixer, until the icing is smooth and thin enough to be pressed through a pastry bag with a writing tip. Add more lemon juice, if necessary.


Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/warm-sticky-figgy-pudding-recipe-1918585

Warm Sticky Figgy Pudding

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chopped dried pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped dried figs
2 cups water
1 teaspoon baking soda
100 grams (3 1/2 ounces or 7 tablespoons) butter, softened
1 cup superfine sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
75 grams (2 1/2-ounces) dark chocolate, grated
Butter, for coating ramekins
Ice cream or whipped cream, for garnish
Sauce:
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups heavy cream
200 grams (7-ounces or 14 tablespoons) butter
Fresh figs, quartered, for garnish
Vanilla ice cream, optional
Whipped heavy cream, optional

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Add the dates, dried figs and water to a medium saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the baking soda. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then add to a blender and puree.

Using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs and beat well. Fold in the flour, the pureed date mixture and the chocolate.

Put the mixture into 4 buttered, 1-cup individual ramekins, filling halfway or slightly under. Put in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Prepare the sauce by stirring the sugar, cream and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Simmer until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the butter and stir until incorporated.

Remove the ramekins from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. May be served in the ramekin or unmolded onto a small serving plate. With a paring knife cut across in the top of the puddings for the sauce.

Pour the sauce into the cross in the center of each pudding, then pour more sauce over the puddings and it allow to soak in slightly. Top with fresh figs and vanilla ice cream or heavily whipped cream. Serve warm.


We hope you enjoy these 2 fantastic Christmas recipes. If you are interested in continuing or starting your very own collection of homemade bread dough Christmas ornaments, grab a cup of hot cocoa and browse through our ornaments on our website. Enjoy!

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!

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Phone: (573) 893-3272
www.ornamentsforkeeps.com

New Christmas Tradition Ideas for 2017

Christmas is such a special time of year. What's not to love? Spending time with your family and friends, creating unforgettable memories while cooking up a fantastic Christmas feast can really warm your heart. Giving that perfect Christmas present to one of your loved ones and seeing that bright smile on their face is part of what Christmas is all about. Most families have their own Christmas traditions, whether it be hanging a personalized Christmas ornament or watching Christmas movies with your loved ones, do what works for you and your family. Ornaments for Keeps invites you to try something new this year. Our personalized ornament company is here to give you some new Christmas tradition ideas to try for 2017.

Christmas Tradition Ideas to Try for 2017

Try a new Christmas dish.

Who wouldn't want to try a delicious new Christmas dish? There so many fun ideas you can incorporate into your food to bring a Christmas feel to the dish. Here's a recipe we found that your family may just love.

Source: CakesCottage

Candy Cane Oreo Truffles

Prep time: 25 mins
Total time: 25 mins

Serves: 30-34

Ingredients:

36 Oreos

8 oz cream cheese, softened

16 oz. white chocolate chips

¼ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies, for decorating

Instructions

Place the Oreo cookies in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground.
Add the cream cheese and pulse until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop the mixture into balls about 1-inch in diameter. I like to use a cookie scoop.
Place the cookie balls in the freezer until well chilled, at least 1 hour.
Remove truffles from freezer and dip in melted chocolate.
Return to baking sheet, immediately sprinkle tops with crushed candy canes then allow chocolate to set.

Store the truffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Create some new DIY Christmas decorations.

Add some pizzazz to your Christmas this year and make your very own unique Christmas decoration. This may even be an awesome activity you can do with your kids. Here's a fun Christmas decoration you could try to make:

Source: MasonJarCraftsLove

Start a new tradition with your children.

Creating a new tradition with your kids can make your Christmas all the more special. Here's a couple of ideas to try:


Allow your child to pick their very own personalized Christmas ornament.


Go to OrnamentsforKeeps.com and allow your child to pick their very own personalized Christmas ornament. Whether your child is a sports fan, into music, or just a HUGE fan of Santa, they can have an enjoyable experience picking out their very own personalized Christmas ornament with you.


Start the 25 books tradition.


Choose 25 books to wrap up and place under the tree. Then, starting 25 days before Christmas, let your child pick a new book from under the tree to unwrap and read with you or you can read to them. 

Make Your Own Christmas Tradition!

From our family to yours, we invite you to begin or continue your Christmas traditions and collection of personalized Christmas ornaments. Browse through our wonderful selection and find the ornament that captures you and your family's unforgettable memories the best. Visit OrnamentsforKeeps.com.

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!

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Phone: (573) 893-3272
www.ornamentsforkeeps.com

How to Give the Perfect Christmas Gift!

Halloween is officially over and more and more people are starting to think about Christmas now. Christmas is literally only 2 months away and we could not be more excited! Now that Halloween is over and more people are starting to think about preparing for Christmas, have you thought about which Christmas gifts you will buy yet? Certain people can be very hard to buy for and you don't want to end up stressing out at the last minute trying to find the perfect gift or personalized Christmas ornament. Ornaments for Keeps is here to give you some tips for giving the best Christmas presents this year.

Tips for Christmas Gift Giving

Create a Christmas budget.

Think about who all you are going to buy for this year. Make a list. Then, budget enough money for what you think you will need to spend for each person.

Don't forget about these people!

While remembering to buy gifts for your family may be easy, there may be others in your life that you want to buy a gift for and you end up forgetting each year, such as your:

• Teacher
• Nursing home worker
• Assistant
• Boss
• Babysitter
• Client
• Daycare worker
• Coworker
• Doctor
• Housekeeper

If you plan to mail your gifts, plan ahead.

Give yourself plenty of time. You don't want your present to end up arriving a week late. Before you choose to ship a gift, check with your mail carrier to see if it will most likely arrive on time. 

If traveling with gifts, lighten your load. 

You can easily lighten your load, when traveling, by getting gift cards instead of large gifts. Some people prefer gift cards. Then, you don't have to worry about airport security taking a long time to go through your bulky packages or gifts.

Gift Wrapping Tips

Do not wait until the last minute.

Save yourself the stress and wrap your presents as you buy them rather than waiting to the last minute.

Don't forget about leftover Christmas wrapping paper from last year.

Keep your Christmas gift wrapping supplies organized, so you know where to find it each year.


"The greatest gifts are not wrapped in paper but in love." - Author Unknown

Need Help Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift?

Personalized Christmas ornaments make unique, creative and thoughtful gifts for family, kids, weddings, a new baby, good friends, a special hostess, a sports enthusiast, a Mizzou Tiger fan, or a snowman, angel or Santa ornament collector. Here at Ornaments for Keeps, we love to design and create bread dough ornaments. We also enjoy finding different types of personalized ornaments to offer you. We invite you to begin or continue your tradition and collection of personalized Christmas ornaments. Grab a cup of coffee, sit and browse our wonderful selection! Visit our website at OrnamentsforKeeps.com. If you happen to have any questions, you may call us at 573-680-7078. Good luck on your Christmas gift search!

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Pinterest

Follow us on Google+

Phone: (573) 893-3272
www.ornamentsforkeeps.com