A Very Special Confirmation

     Our family had such a special day on Sunday...my Goddaughter was confirmed into the Lutheran faith! Confirmation is the public profession of faith prepared for by long and careful instruction. The goal is always to provide a significant base for a growing faith and to continue the things learned and put ones faith into practice.
      To celebrate we had a big family dinner after church. Channing was showered with gifts and love! Of course my mom turned up with an adorable package. Adorning the envelope tied with beautiful ribbon was one of our children's cross ornaments, hand personalized with her name and confirmation date. What made this unique was on the back. The bible verse that Channing chose was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." The verse was wrote on the back so that she will always remember the scripture that was most important to her at this time.

     This just goes to show that there are so many wonderful ways to use personalized ornaments as keepsakes to remember all life's special occasions. Want creative ideas on how to use personalized ornaments for all your life events like baby showers, bridal gifts, or even something like a Thank-you gift...contact us, we're here to help!

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

  

What Type of Christmas Spirit Are You?

Christmas is a time for celebrating, for looking back on another great year, and for spending quality time with our beloved family and friends. As our lives get busier and busier, the time Christmas helps us set aside for our families becomes more and more valuable.

In addition to the time dedicated to family and friends, Christmas promises us something else - something whimsical, something magical, something we know and love as "Christmas Spirit." 

Christmas Spirit manifests itself in all of us, in the ways we prepare for and celebrate each Christmas season, and comes in three main forms. Which of these resonates with you the most?

ECSTATIC

These people are the easiest to spot. They're the ones who practically squeal every time someone even whispers the word "Christmas." We all know these people... In fact, all of us at Ornaments for Keeps are probably more ecstatic about Christmas than a lot of people we know! (Of course, you kind of have to be to work at the best personalized ornament shop in the Midwest.) 

You might be "ecstatic" if...

• Your countdown to Christmas begins in July - if not earlier.
• You begin shopping for Christmas decorations before it's even Halloween.
• Your least favorite day of the year is December 26th, because that's the farthest away from Christmas next year.
• You buy your family a brand-new customized Christmas ornament every year.

INDIFFERENT

People with "indifferent" Christmas Spirit are sometimes the hardest to spot; their casual indifference allows them to blend in to almost any setting. Personally, we can't understand how someone could be indifferent to Christmas, but we know these people exist!

You might be "indifferent" if...

• You begin Christmas shopping in the beginning of December.
• You'll go to a Christmas party if you're invited, but you never plan one yourself.
• You put up just enough Christmas decorations to keep the neighborhood kids happy.

BEGRUDGING

Yes, even Scrooge has a form of Christmas Spirit! We like to call this form "begrudging" because, like it or not, these people still participate in Christmas to some extent. They can't walk into any store without hearing Christmas music played over the radio or drive down the street without seeing at least a few twinkle lights. Whether they like it or not, Christmas is unavoidable!

You might be "begrudging" if...

• You want to lock yourself in your room the first time you hear Christmas music.
• The Grinch is your hero.
• You save your Christmas shopping 'til just a few days before Christmas - if you even go at all.

What do you think? Which form of Christmas Spirit are you? (Hint: If you're reading this... You're definitely NOT "begrudging"!)

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

Christmas Card Traditions

Christmas cards have become a wonderful tradition in many families across the United States. These annual cards are a great way to reach out to distant family and friends over the holiday season. Many people like to add a personal touch to their annual greeting cards by including pictures of their immediate family, so distant friends and relatives can see how everyone has grown and changed over the last year - and the Ornaments for Keeps family is no exception!

Linda Henderson, the driving force behind our custom Christmas ornaments business, began designing yearly Christmas cards in 1980 after her first daughter was born in 1979 (on Christmas Day, no less!). She has kept copies of her Christmas cards every year, and looking back on them always brings a smile to everyone's faces. 

Some of Linda's favorite Christmas cards from past years!

The Christmas card tradition began decades and decades ago. Linda's mom actually sent her very first Christmas card in 1954! It's amazing to see how the cards have grown and evolved since then. 

It's definitely not too soon to start planning your 2014 Christmas cards; choosing the perfect photograph(s) to include in the greeting can take more time than you might think! What are are you planning on doing for your 2014 Christmas cards? Send us your pictures... We'd love to see what you have in mind!

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

Brand New Ornaments for 2014!

This holiday season, treat yourselves and your loved ones to something totally new and unique - something that speaks to you and your family in a way that nothing else can. If you're looking for inspiration, our totally unique and completely customized Christmas ornaments might do just the trick! 

We're excited into introduce our brand new lineup of ornaments for the 2014 Christmas season. 

Celebrate 2014

Never again will you forget which year you were commemorating! These adorable 2014 Christmas ornaments are customizable for families of up to seven people. You can also add up to five pet dishes, so no one gets left out!

Celebrate Family

Your family is unique and special, and your Christmas celebrations should be as well! Do you love snow? Like building snowmen? Enjoy decorating your home for the holidays? Closely watch your Christmas stockings all night, hoping to see Santa? Pick the personalized Christmas ornament that speaks to your family's personal experience.

Celebrate CHRISTMAS!

Are you as excited as we are for this year's holiday season?? It's only 99 days away! How do you plan to celebrate? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave us a comment below!

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

A Bonaire Affair

      I just returned from a great week in Bonaire.  What a wonderful island to soak up the sun, feel the island breeze and get re-energized.

 

      Always when I travel, I look for unique handmade crafts and DIY ideas.  Shopping in the heart of Bonaire was so fun, palm trees gently blowing and the many colors of the buildings looked so tropical.  Browsing the shops I found a unique, whimsical store, The Bonaire Affair.  A mother and daughter own this store and they travel the world looking for handmade gifts to offer in their store.  I found painting and word art on driftwood, whimsical clocks made out of driftwood, hand-beaded belts, washers made into geckos, handmade Christmas ornaments reflecting the beach and all personalized with Bonaire and wonderful handmade jewelry.  This is truly a place to visit if you are ever in Bonaire.

 

     The cruise ships were in port the day we were shopping so the outdoor vendors were set-up too.  These were not typical tourist traps, they were quality craftsmen with handmade jewelry, canvas, driftwood and clay art.  A couple of wonderful finds for me were the Flaming Flamingo hot sauces and seasonings handmade in Bonaire.  After tasting I chose the BBQ Dry Rub-Tropical Chipotle and the Caribbean Flame Hot Sauce.  Yum!  I look forward to serving these.

 



   My last find I purchased 2 bracelets that were handmade out of recycled bicycle tires with beads added.  I knew my daughters would love these.

 

      As I return to the remaining months of winter, I’m inspired to create some tropical ornaments from clay and possibly try some word art on barn wood.  What are your DIY projects you are working on these winter months?  I would love to hear about them!

 

 

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on Pinterest

Contact Us

                                                               Phone: (573) 893.3272

   www.ornamentsforkeeps.com

 

 

 

 

Personalized Ornaments For EVERY Occasion

The time has come to check your list twice to see if you are missing any special gifts!!  If you have a few names still lingering, let us help you out with a great personalized ornament from Ornaments For Keeps!! We offer a wide variety of personalized creations that fit any individual, enthusiast or family member.  

Here are a couple of thoughts as how to make your gifts cherished for years to come.

• Select an ornament that you can identify with for each member of the family.
• Identify a specific passion for your intended recipient - whether that be sports or dance or snowmen, there are many options to choose from
• Mark a significant occasion such as a wedding, anniversary or birth (the great thing is we can create multiple like ornaments if you want to give them to multiple people.
• Offer a memento of a special occasion a loved one recently experienced whether it be a honeymoon or a weekend getaway you are privy to, we have options!

These are just a few ideas for you to share to consider when sharing with your loved ones. Traditions can be created so easily but can be cherished for a lifetime!

Don't wait too much longer - December 15th is the last day to order if you want to receive it before Christmas!!

Happy crafting and I hope these ideas help! Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas! 

Like us on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter 

Follow us on Pinterest

CONTACT US

Phone: (573) 893-3272
info@ornamentsforkeeps.com

Personalize Your Family's Elf on the Shelf

The Christmas season is in full swing and we have a question for you...Is your Elf on the Shelf? 

This is a tradition for many families world wide! Stemming from the popular 2005 book, The Elf on the Shelf watches and listens all day to what the kiddos are doing and saying.... Then at night he travels back to the North Pole to report to Santa.  Each morning, the Elf will return to the home in a different location throughout the home waiting to be discovered by the kids. 

Like most traditions, you want to personalize them. What better way to personalize this fun Christmas tradition than with a morning delivery of personalized elf ornaments on your tree?   The Elf on the Shelf could be perched on your tree with a sign to look for the new ornaments that he has delivered to them!!  Or you could simply have them near the Elf on the Shelf and allow your children to put them on the tree.   Check out all my personalized Elf ornaments!!

This is just one idea for you to share with your loved ones. Traditions can be created so easily but can be cherished for a lifetime! 

Happy crafting and I hope these ideas help!  Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas! 

Like us on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter 

Follow us on Pinterest

CONTACT US

Phone: (573) 893-3272
info@ornamentsforkeeps.com

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Family to Yours!

This time of year is one for cherishing precious time spent with your loved ones. As Thanksgiving approaches we reflect on the year that has passed while looking forward to the festivities ahead in the coming weeks.  So before the turkey goes in the oven and the marshmallows top the candied yams we wanted to take a minute to Thank YOU.

We are so thankful to each and everyone of you.  You have helped us pursue our passion which makes going to work each day so FUN!!  To be able to help create wonderful memories for families makes it that much more special.

We also want to extend a Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving to those who will be away from their families serving in our military, protecting our freedom. We are so thankful to you and your families for making the sacrifices that you do everyday.

May the blessings of the season be with each and every one of you every day!

Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from all around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.  Thank you!!

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas! 

Like us on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter 

Follow us on Pinterest

CONTACT US

Phone: (573) 893-3272
info@ornamentsforkeeps.com

Simple Steps to Make Dough Ornaments with the Kiddos

Making these cute bread dough ornaments with your kids can be a fun family tradition.  I remember making these with my kids when they were young. Include extended family too so cousins can share those memories when they are older.

Here's a simple Dough Ornament Recipe for your new family tradition:

1 c. flour
1/4 c. salt
1/2 c. warm tap water

You can add colored tempera paint to your dough or you may paint them when baked.

Combine flour, salt and powder tempera (if desired).  Add part of the water, stir and add the rest as needed to make a ball.  Knead with flour till it is a soft ball that is not sticky but not too stiff.  TIP:  Since I make lots of ornament dough, I use a food processor, which is a great option but not necessary.

Now that you dough is complete, follow these simple steps to make your own personalized DIY ornaments!

Step 1 - Cutting process:  Lightly flour surface of cutting board, roll dough out to about 1/4 inch.  Take a cookie cutter and cut out.  With your spatula move to cookie sheet.  Continue cutting your ornaments till you have the desired number.  Take a straw and cut hole in top of ornament for ribbon to hang or add a small wire hook.

Step 2 - Baking process:  Bake at 225 degrees for 4 hours or until ornaments are hard.

Step 3 - Painting and finishing:  If you have not colored your dough, I used the following acrylic colors to paint my ornaments:

• Mitten: Ceramcoat Cardinal Red
• Tree:  Ceramcoat Christmas Green
• Star:  Ceramcoat White

For mitten:  After red has dried, use an unsharpened pencil dipped in white acrylic paint to apply polka dots.  FYou will probably want to dip the pencil for each dot.  Test it on a piece of paper before you start.  Allow the mittens to dry completely and then seal with a clear polyurethane sealer.  After the sealer has dried measure the white ric rack and glue onto top of mitten.

For Christmas tree:  After the green has dried, embellish your tree with a package of stars and dots that you can pick up at any craft store.  After these are dry you are ready to seal with a clear polyurethane sealer.

For star:  After white has dried, this ornament is ready to seal with a clear polyurethane sealer.  After the sealer dries, you can bling it up with glue and glitter.

Printable Tag

Now you are ready to cut the printable tags attached and have your child sign their name. Just click on the image to the left and print!!  Be sure and add the year and/or their age so you will have a special keepsake.  Cut 8 inch pieces of red ribbon and tie the ribbon and tag on the ornament.

Your children will be so proud of these!  They will make a great addition to your family tree or would make wonderful gifts for parents, grandparents, school classmates or special friends.  

How to store bread dough ornaments:

• Store in a cool, dry place
• Do not store in damp basement or attic
• I store all my ornaments in Rubbermaid type containers on the main floor of my home.

Happy crafting and I hope these ideas help!  Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.

Connect with us for the latest inspired, 
creative ideas! 

Like us on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter 

Follow us on Pinterest

CONTACT US

Phone: (573) 893-3272
info@ornamentsforkeeps.com

Personalized Family Ornament Options

Personalized family Christmas ornaments are a great way to chronicle your family year by year as it changes.  You can start the tradition anytime because it's never too late.  

But you might want to start it sooner than later! You can look back over the years and fond memories will be sparked. You will see there are various options when it comes to customized family ornaments.  In addition to styles a number of different themes exist.  

Whether your preference is a specific Christmas character or a sports theme we cover the gamete.  As family members are added over the years, you can adjust your ornament to accommodate it so they are included. 

These also make great gifts.  Whether it is for a friend or family member this customized gift shows you were thinking of them in a special way.  You can also begin a collection for each family member as the years progress so they have the same mementos for their trees.  

I hope these ideas help!  Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.

Connect with us for the latest inspired, 
creative ideas! 

Like us on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter 

Follow us on Pinterest

CONTACT US

Phone: (573) 893-3272
info@ornamentsforkeeps.com

5 Places with the Most Christmas Spirit

Regardless of where you travel in the United States, you will find a wide variety of customs and traditions... And there is not better time to appreciate those customs and traditions than during the Christmas Season!!  Here are five places that go above and beyond to celebrate the Christmas season.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee nestled in the heart of the Smokey Mountains offers a picturesque back drop to a down home country Christmas.

Dollywood lights up for the season and all of the shows have a Christmas theme.  See five million shining lights while you're on a Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights. The heated, enclosed trolley comes complete with a personal tour guide who will share stories about Pigeon Forge's history and famous Winterfest displays.

Frankenmuth, Michigan is also know as Little Bavaria.  It embraces old world traditions and shares them all year long.  The Old Christmas Station is a German Christmas museum offering Christmas antiques and a European Cafe.  And of course Bronner's Christmas Wonderland who boasts to be the largest Christmas store in the World.  Everything in this quaint town takes you back to Old World Bavaria and it's customs.

Solvang, California will sparkle with thousands of sparkling white lights, creating a gorgeous scene that earned "Little Denmark" its title.  

Things kick off with a tree lighting then the Julefest Parade fills the streets.  An ice rink and holiday wine walks round out activities.  Most events are open to the public and some events are free. 

Branson, Missouri rounds out our list with the numerous light parks and trails lighting up the night sky throughout the season.  While it may borderline on overkill, when Branson dresses up the streets for the season they go all out! The ever popular entertainers take on a Christmas tune as well transforming their shows to have holiday themes.

New York City, New York kicks off the season every year with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  Then captivates a nation when the tree is lit at Rockefeller Center.  Broadway even celebrates every year with the Radio City Hall Rockettes, a Christmas tradition for sure!

If your travels take you to any of these destinations don't forget to create a special memory by picking up a unique Christmas Ornament for your tree!  If you don't have the chance to travel during the holidays, be sure to check out all the Personalized Christmas Ornaments that we have available!! 

Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!

Like us on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter 

Follow us on Pinterest

CONTACT US

Phone: (573) 893-3272
info@ornamentsforkeeps.com

Create Special Keepsakes with Personalized Ornaments

Every family has family traditions - why not pair those with a treasured keepsake?  We have a wide variety of Personalized Christmas ornaments that are sure to fit just about any of your loved ones!!

There are several different ways you can personalize ornaments to have special meaning.  You can choose an ornament that's associated with a hobby or interest or one that shows the growth of a family over the years.  The options are endless!!  

Here are some different ways you can create cherished mementos for your loved ones.

• Use the year in the ornament to chronicle the growth of your family over the years.  
• Pick a theme for different family members that will span over a few years.  This can be sports, hobbies, aging for a baby, etc.
  
• Chronicle milestones in your family.  The birth of a child, a wedding or anniversary, and so on.
• Pick a character or set of characters to create a specific collection over a few years.  Reindeer, snowmen, angels are all options.  Or you could look at a cast from a favorite TV show or cartoon series.

These are just a few ideas of how to create lasting memories for all to enjoy for many years.  

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!

Like us on Faceboook

Follow us on Twitter 

Follow us on Pinterest

CONTACT US

Phone: (573) 893-3272
info@ornamentsforkeeps.com