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!

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

Moms Connect and offer a GREAT Way to Network Their Businesses

In today's fast paced world you need a large network to continually grow your business.  The more people talking about your products or services keeps your name top of mind.

One of the best opportunities we have found to connect with similar type business owners is by being featured on Business Among Moms (BAM) blog.  

Business Among Moms offers moms running a business support to balance the unique needs of motherhood and entrepreneurship. This is done through:

• Weekly blog posts on a variety of business topics. 
• Promoting your business and connect with other mompreneurs. 
• Advertising opportunities exist that are both unique and affordable. 
• A membership program that will allow you to further grow as a mom and a business owner.

If you are a business of a similar design check it out!  It may be another avenue for you to affordably grow your business!  

At Ornaments for Keeps we value the information as well as networking opportunities we have gained through BAM!

www,ornamentsforkeeps.com

We look forward to sharing our ideas with you!!  We are passionate about creating unique ornaments that will be treasured for a lifetime.  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

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CONTACT US

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

Get to Know Ornaments for Keeps!

We are Ornaments for Keeps and we offer Personalized Christmas Ornaments. But more than that - we offer you a special keepsake that will be treasured forever!

Christmas ornaments are considered heirlooms in many families.  They can mark a momentous occasion like a birth, wedding or anniversary.  They can chronicle time with a new one added to the collection marking each passing year.

Personalized ornaments make wonderful gifts too - Especially for that 'hard to buy' person in your life.  We have many different themes and styles available to choose from.  Consider picking a favorite team, hobby or sport and you have a winner!

Ornaments are available in ceramic, resin, clay, glass and bread dough. You can see the full gallery at www.ornamentsforkeeps.com.  

Like us on Facebook to get crazy good deals too!  You can also find out when and where we will be on location during the  holiday craft season.  

Follow us on Pinterest for great ideas throughout the holiday season!!

We look forward to sharing our ideas with you!!  We are passionate about creating unique ornaments that will be treasured for a lifetime.  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

Have You Started Thinking About Your 2013 Christmas Card?

I love to send and receive photo Christmas cards! I proudly display them so we can enjoy them throughout the Holiday Season.

Many families make the creation of their Christmas card a part of their family traditions. It has become very popular for families to design and create their own Christmas card by adding personal touches of family photos and holiday snapshots. The greeting in the card can be personalized but brief or may include a "Christmas letter" updating everyone on the years’ events.

I have started planning our photo Christmas card for 2013. Creating a personal card was one of the holiday traditions I began in 1980 after our first daughter was born in 1979 on Christmas Day. Looking back on the cards from each year brings back smiles and great memories.

My mother sent her first photo Christmas in 1954.

 

These have been a few of my favorite photo Christmas cards.

 

 

 

 

 

Pinterest offers a wealth of ideas and inspiration on photo Christmas card ideas. Look at "Ornaments for Keeps" on Pinterest and check out our "Christmas Card" board for a few great ideas!

We would love to see your favorite photo Christmas cards throughout the years! Please share them with us...

 

 

 



 

Linda is the author of this post. To read more about the doughlady, click here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

What a Great Weekend!

Keith and I had family visiting us at the Lake of the Ozarks and their visit is a family tradition. We have watched all the kids grow up through the years and it has been a blast.

Each year, the kids are constantly on the jet ski, in the water and asking Keith for boat rides. Aside from being little lake fish, the kids enjoy my breakfast pizza which I make for them every time without fail.

Over the years, we have made many traditions as well as memories that always make me chuckle. This year there were some mischievous activities going on throughout the weekend. There was the usual bugging of the kids and parents, but the biggest prank pulled was on the last day the family was here. We had all just woken up when we found that the girls' swimsuits were all frozen in a ball in the freezer. Knowing that the swimsuits couldn't have done that by themselves, we started lining up the culprits. Keith seemed the most capable of pulling such a prank. Whenever we asked him if he did it, he smiled and simply said "I didn't do it." So bravo, whoever made the first move. We will see how someone feels when the favor is returned.

Wrapping it all up, it was a great weekend with many memories made. There is that saying, "you can't pick family." Though this may be true, I sure am glad with the family we got stuck with. Family are the people that will be there through the thick and thin, making priceless moments along the way that will always leave a smile on your face. Here's to a good weekend, we can't wait for another family visit next year!

Here is a peak at the infamous swimsuit ball...

 

 

 

 

 

 





Linda is the author of this post. To learn more about the doughlady, click here!

6 Months Until Christmas!

Do you realize 6 months from today will be Christmas day! Here's some fun trivia to get you thinking about the holiday season. Get your pen and paper ready to see how much you know about Christmas. (answers below)


1. What did Frosty the Snowman have for a nose?
                    a. button
                    b. carrot
                    c. a piece of coal

2. How many gifts would you receive if you received all of the gist in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas?"
                    a. 12
                    b.182
                    c. 364

3. In the traditional song, "Go tell it on the Mountain," what are you suppose to go tell on the mountain?
                    a. Santa Claus is coming to town
                    b. Our Jesus Christ is born!
                    c. Dinner is ready

4. True or False: Joseph was the one that told Mary she was going to have a baby.
                    False: It was an Angel that told Mary the news!

5. How many times does Santa Check his list?
                    a. once
                    b. twice
                    c. 10 times

6. It would have been a laugh to see Mommy doing what last night?
                    a. Kissing Santa Claus
                    b. Baking Cookies
                    c. Singing Christmas carols

7. On the eleventh day of Christmas, what did my true love send to me?
                    a. A dozen roses
                    b. A box of chocolates
                    c. Eleven Pipers Piping

8. Santa Claus is said to bring gifts to good children. What do naughty children get?
                    a. a rock
                    b. bag of dirt
                    c. a lump of coal

9. The "traditional" portrait of the American Santa Claus was created by artist Haddon Sundblom as part of an advertising campaign for what product?
                    a. Coca-Cola
                    b. Fisher Price toys
                    c. Raggedy Ann dolls

10. One of the most popular Christmas stories of all time is "A Christmas Carol," the story of businessman Ebenezer Scrooge who changes his miserly ways after being visited by ghostly beings on Christmas eve. Who is the author of the book?
                    a. Henry James
                    b. Charles Dickens
                    c. Mark Twain

11. According to the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas," which of the following names is NOT attributed to one of Santa's reindeer?
                    a. Donder
                    b. Vixen
                    c. Rudolph

12. A plant used in decorating for Christmas is the "Noche Buena" flower. What is it commonly know as in North America?
                    a. Mistletoe
                    b. Holly
                    c. Poinsettia

13. The legend of Santa Claus, the jolly old elf who brings Christmas gifts to good little boys and girls, evolved from the European custom of celebrating the life of a saint known as a generous man and protector of children. Who was he?
                    a. Saint Klaus
                    b. Saint Nicholas
                    c. Saint Christopher

14. The portrayal of Santa Claus as a jolly old elf began with a famous poem originally know as "A Visit from Saint Nicholas." What other title is the poem know as?
                    a. Twas the Night Before Christmas
                    b. A Christmas Carol
                    c. When Santa Claus Comes


** I will be headed to the Atlanta Market in a couple of weeks. Check back the end of July for "What's new in 2013!"





Answers: 1. (A )Button, 2. (C) 364 presents 3. (B) Santa Claus is Coming to Town 4. False: It was an Angel that told Mary the news! 5. (B) Twice 6. (A) Kissing Santa Claus 7. (C) Eleven Pipers Piping 8. (C) A Lump of Cole 9. (A) Coca-Cola 10. (B) Charles Dickens 11. (C) Rudolph 12. (C) Poinsettia 13. (B) Saint Nicholas 14. (A) Twas the Night Before Christmas



Linda is the creator of this post. To learn more about the doughlady, click here!