Express Gratitude as a Family This Holiday Season

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Grateful people aren’t just happier people; they’re the ones who make the world a better place.

Have you ever thought that maybe what makes the holiday season so special is that families and friends and neighbors and strangers all come together and act on those feelings of gratitude?

If you have a desire to serve or simply want to teach your children the significance and purpose of the season, here are a few ways to go a bit further this year:

Count Your Blessings

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Set a goal. Do you think you can reach 25? 50? 100? Make it a game by setting guidelines for the lists. For example, limit answers to only five a day and make a rule that they can’t duplicate anything their siblings have already written. Make sure to post each grateful list on the refrigerator door or bathroom mirror. Watch as the creative ideas filter in!

For younger kids, write the alphabet on a worksheet and, next to each letter, have them list or draw one thing they are thankful for. For example, your daughter is grateful for angels and your son for apples; or your son is grateful for Baxter (the family dog) and your daughter’s favorite color is blue—talk about their lists and have them tell you why they are grateful.

Put Them on Display

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Choose items from your lists and put each on a shape cut out of colored paper. Design a wreath made out of multi-colored paper leaves or make shapes of ornaments to tape on a “Thankful Tree.”

Write Thank You Notes Together

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Handwritten thank you notes will never go out of style. Teach your child the importance of writing out their appreciation. Each week before the new year, help your kids write a thank you note to someone they love. Once they tackle that list, encourage them to think on a bigger scale and write notes to the mailman, a soldier, their teacher or local firefighters.

Especially if your kids are young, you may need to help them get started with an outline to follow like this:

Dear ___,

Thank you for ___

I think you are ___ because ___

I hope you know ___

Have a ____ day!

Love, ____

Perform Random Acts of Kindness

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A great way to show you’re grateful is to share what you have to give! Plan a night to brainstorm ideas for random acts of kindness as a family. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• On a Saturday, spend the morning packing five to 10 brown bag lunches. Walk or drive around town until you give them all away.
• Withdraw $100 in one to five dollar bills and help your children hand them out to strangers or leave them under the windshield wipers of parked cars.
• Make treats and doorbell ditch them at a neighbor’s house. Bonus if you can all hide and watch from the bushes!
• Go out to eat as a family and explain what it means to tip a waitress. When paying the bill, include your children in deciding how much to tip.

Live It All Year Long

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The best way to teach your children about gratitude is to live it like a lifestyle instead of as a tradition you celebrate once a year. Make a habit of expressing thanks on a daily basis, especially to them. Leave reminders around the house if you need to! When they return the gesture, acknowledge their effort. After a little bit of time (and practice!), expect the level of appreciation for health and good fortune to grow like you never thought possible.

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‘Tis the Season: New Holiday Traditions to Start This Year

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

‘Tis the Season: New Holiday Traditions to Start This Year

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Piles of presents and gingerbread cookies may make your family smile during the holidays, but it’s actually treasured traditions that warm the heart year after year. It’s never a season too late to start brand new holiday traditions and create memories your family can fondly look back on for years.

Childhood Traditions

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The most special holiday seasons are the ones during childhood when you believed in Santa and Christmas magic was real. Part of the Christmas spirit as parents is to reflect on your Christmas traditions when you were children and re-create the same magic for your own kids. It’s truly the little moments that matter most during the this special time of year. Warm your home with these Christmas traditions that your little ones will remember forever.

• Christmas Lights Tour: Pick a night to bundle up and discover the beautiful Christmas lights of nearby neighborhoods and parks. Play favorite Christmas tunes in the car as your family tours streets lit-up with glowing homes, trees and outdoor decorations. Pack marshmallow-topped hot cocoas to-go and other sweet treats like Frosted Snowman Chocolate Dipped Double Stuff Oreo Pops or Christmas Cake Pops to enjoy as you drive past one enchanting display after another. Don't forget check out Hot New Deals at Ftd.com: Up to 25% OFF Flowers and Gifts at Coupon4share.com for New Year 2015
• DIY Decorating: No Christmas decoration or tree ornament is as meaningful and original as the ones handcrafted together as a family. Make a homemade garland out of strung popcorn or snowflakes crafted out of felt. HGTV.com offers 20 homemade holiday ornaments and decorations ideas made out of things like oranges or cookie cutters.
• Caroling at Grandma’s: Kids can’t help but sing along to jolly Christmas carols. Warm Grandma’s heart and take the kids caroling at her house — “Over The River and Through the Woods” is a great tune to lead the way. And you can really make Grandma smile. Bring over homemade cookies.
• Table Setting: If you’re hosting Christmas dinner this year, involve the kids with decorating the table setting. Ask them to choose their favorite holiday centerpiece and what accents they’d like to include, such as acorns, holly or ornament favors. The kids will love to be part of the decorating process and feel valued by sharing their input.
• Sending Holiday Spirit: Share the virtue of thoughtful giving and send a beautiful holiday bouquet to a long-distance loved one who may be alone at Christmas. Your kids can also choose a new toy or book to donate to a charity like Toys for Tots.
• Snowman: Be ready for the first big snowfall with snow clothes and a snowman decorating kit. Building a snowman creates cherished memories, especially on a white Christmas. After the snow day, warm up with cups of hot cocoa and flannel PJs.

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New Traditions

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Throughout the years, Christmases can inevitably change. The kids go off to college, move away from home and everyone’s living in different cities. Make Christmas the one time of year the whole family is together. Rather than invite everyone to fly home, make the week of Christmas the time of year for an annual family vacation. Plan a trip for the family to cozy up in a cabin at a lodge in snowy Lake Tahoe or escape the cold weather at a beach in the Caribbean.

If a vacation away from home feels too unconventional, host a family reunion weekend or holiday bash to reunite all of the extended family members. Of course, traveling can be expensive, but faraway loved ones can still spend time together on Christmas Eve or Day through virtual platforms like Google Hangouts or Skype Group Video Chat.

Neighborly Traditions

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Get into the spirit of the season with a friendly neighborhood Christmas lights display contest. (A contest is also fun motivation to finally string those lights and hang up the wreaths outside before December 25th.) Invite neighbors to participate, provide prizes and designate three judges to determine first-, second- and third-place winners. Then, end the Christmas competition with a neighborhood potluck where everyone can indulge on sweet treats like Jolly Holiday Chocolate Covered Strawberriesand cheers with gourmet wine.

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Ring in 2015 with a Color-Themed New Year’s Eve Party at Ftd.com

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Anyone who is anyone is doing something big on New Year’s Eve, right? Take matters into your own hands this year and host a party for family and friends. Whether you’re uncoupled or a family of 10, you can throw an enviable party with these fun ideas:

Pink & Gold Girls-Only New Year’s Eve Party

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If you and the girls are all flying solo this New Year’s, it’s an occasion to not only celebrate the new year, but your singlehood. Make it a glammed-out glittering pink and gold celebration to ring in the new year full of sparkle and shine. Indulge in gold glitter-topped strawberry-frosted cupcakes and cheers to raspberry-infused pink champagne. Paint your party in pink and gold and shower your evening in shimmer.

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Decorations: Drape your walls in strands of gold glitter garland or hang “Happy New Year” from corner to corner in your party space. Streaming clusters of shimmering stars from a ceiling corner to the floor also dazzles.

Desserts: Decadent cupcakes topped with blush-colored frosting and heart-shaped toppers will make a sweet statement. But it’s New Year’s Eve, so why not splurge with rose and gold-dusted champagne macarons and bronzed cake pops too?

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Champagne: It’s a boozy affair, and bottles of bubbly are a must. Accessorize the drinks with tinsel pom poms or sparkling sequin ball stirrers. For even more pizzazz, sweeten the rims of the flutes with twinkling flecks of soft gold rim sugar. After cupcakes and champagne, the party’s officially begun. Call a cab and show off your party dress and paint the town gold.

Black & White New Year’s Eve Dinner  Party

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Rather than just throw a basic dinner party, color it black and white. Invite guests to wear black or white and then throw a stylish black-and-white bash. (Plus, this soiree will be the perfect excuse to play hostess in a sequined LBD with a tulle tutu.) Here’s how to celebrate the new year in sleek style.

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Table Setting: Your table setting will be the aesthetic focal point of your dinner party — don’t be afraid to go over-the-top with table decor and accents. Start with a chevron black-and-white table runner and a Simplicity Luxury Calla Lily Bouquetcenterpiece for a touch of fresh elegance. Add silver embellishments like mercury tealights and mini party disco balls.

Sweets: Black and white cookies and Oreos are practically requested guests of honor at your party. But the traditional sweet cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie won’t suffice for your elaborate affair. Treat guests with a sweet tooth to Chocolate-Dipped Oreo Cookies and other colorfully themed desserts like chocolate cupcakes with whipped buttercream frosting.

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Fare: To really get into the spirit of your color scheme, cook up a menu of black-and-white cuisine like white chicken chili and black bean salad. Other ideas for delicious black-and-white food include white pizza, white lasagna and pan-blackened steak.

Rainbow Confetti New Year’s Eve Kids Party

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If you’ve got a little brood at home, throw a confetti-themed New Year’s party fun for the whole family (seriously). An at-home family party may not sound as exciting as the wild days pre-parenthood, but it can still be a special and memorable time with these fun ideas.

Confetti: Kids love confetti. And New Year’s Eve is the one time of year kids are allowed to make a huge mess with tiny pieces of paper. Celebrate this tradition with confetti wall decor, a confetti sprinkle cake, confetti-filled balloons, ice cream with sprinkles, Chocolate Dipped Rainbow Oreo Cookies and DIY confetti party hats.

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Awards: While waiting for the ball to drop, keep the kids busy with a 2014 awards ceremony. Together as a family, come up with highlights of the past year and reflect on happy memories. Categories can include “Best Movie,” “Best Song,” “Funniest Moment” or “Favorite Trip.”

Resolutions: Help your kids make New Year’s resolutions individually and for the family. Maybe your son would like to try soccer or your daughter wants to take dance. Perhaps this is the year to go on a family holiday to a national park and camp out under the stars. Resolutions can even be as simple as eating together as a family three times a week or playing outdoors at least once during the weekend.

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Toast to the Host: How to Plan Stress-Free Holiday Celebrations

Planning the ultimate holiday get together? There’s no better way to celebrate the season than gathering with loved ones, but, when you’re the host, poor planning can turn a happy shindig into a stressful mess. Make sure your festivities go off without a hitch with these stress free holiday celebration tips.

Make a List, Check it Twice

Elegant soiree or casual buffet? Before making lists, decide what type of holiday party you’ll be hosting. Then get organized with checklists, like this list from Real Simple, to keep tabs on the following items:

• Guest List: Will this be an intimate couples dinner or an open house for all your friends and family? Create your list and send invitations 4-6 weeks in advance to collect RSVPs in a timely manner.
• Menu: Once you know who’s coming, create a delectable menu that appeases your guests’ palates (and dietary needs). Jot down appropriate menu items and serving portions.
• Timeline: Make a separate list including tasks that can be done in advance. For example, quiches and tarts are excellent finger foods that can be pre-made and frozen a day or two before the party.

Party-Foul Proof: Delegating is always encouraged but, if you’re recruiting your significant other or even the kiddos to help with the details, make a list for them as well to ensure no details fall by the wayside.

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Ready-Made Masterpiece

Creatively embellished dishes and crafty cocktails make Instagram-worthy displays but trying to re-create gourmet recipes can add unnecessary stress. If you’re DIYing the menu, stick to seasonal soups or casseroles that are both filling and tasty. Fill the table with finger foods like crudités, as well as festive sweets like our chocolate-covered strawberries that add a gourmet touch to any party.

Party-Foul Proof: ‘Tis the season for welcoming guests, whether for an impromptu gathering or a planned celebration. Always be prepared by stocking the pantry with bulk cookies, crackers and mixed nuts, in case your party guests show up with big appetites.

Deck the Halls

Skip the Griswold light presentation and keep it simple, elegant and, best of all, stress-free. Fresh floral arrangements make classy centerpieces. Subtle hints of greenery add a classy yet festive touch to otherwise empty nooks. For exterior decor, potted evergreens at your front porch create a welcoming entryway. For indoors and outdoors, classic poinsettias are great for adding a splash of holiday cheer.

Party-Foul Proof: To complete your home with utmost holiday elegance, our bright green magnolia wreath creates a modern feel for your holiday mantle.

Jingle & Mingle

Even if you plan on hosting an intimate feast, don’t force a sit-down atmosphere. Create a space that encourages guests to mingle. Avoid clusters of hungry party go-er’s hovering the meat and cheese tray by spreading out finger foods and appetizers throughout your home.

Party-Foul Proof: Set up a separate bar and beverage area away from the main food display to encourage a flow between serving stations.

Even professional party-planners run into a hitch or two along the way. Once the guests arrive and the party begins, set your worries aside. As long as you’re carefree and enjoying the evening, your guests will enjoy themselves too.

Easy Ways to Transform Your Home for the Holidays

Decorating for the holidays doesn’t have to be a pain.  There are simple ways for you to transform your home by using everyday items and adding those holiday touches!

Transform Your Kitchen

Put your old vases to use! Christmas cupcake liners are a great way to spice up old jars and clear vases.  Sometimes these liners are hard to stack – here’s a tip: put a toothpick through the middle of them except for the few on the top.  This way you can adjust how they look before putting them in the vase or jar!

Cupcake stands are always fun! But having cupcakes sit out is bad for the freshness and your waistline! When not displaying your holiday cupcakes, display your favorite ornaments (ones shaped like cupcakes are even better!).

Transforming the Living Room

One easy holiday update is swapping out every day pictures of family and friends with old holiday photos.  These throwback pictures are using old Christmas cards!  For every day framed images, you can leave the holiday photos behind them at the end of the season and they will be set for next year.

Transform Your Old Vases

The easiest update of all is probably using your old vases and filling them with left over ornaments.  This is a quick display of Holiday spirit using materials from around the house.  Here at FTD we love flowers, so naturally we have tons of vases to use!

If you are fresh out of ornaments – decorative sticks and fun straws are easy ways to adds some height to a shelf and extra pop of color!

Holiday magazines and Christmas catalogs are perhaps the easiest way to add that pop of Christmas to your living room.  After you’ve finished read these, just display your favorite colors in a basket or on the coffee table.  You’ll be able to look at the beautiful covers all season long and your guests have something to read.

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4 Festive Themes to Inspire Your Christmas Tree Decorating

Christmastime—the happiest time of the year—comes only once every 365 days, which is why you shouldn’t settle for just one Christmas tree. Your Christmas tree is a festive token of holiday spirit that brings the natural beauty of winter indoors to create warm space that twinkles with joy and celebration. So why not have more than one Christmas tree? Or two, or four? The following Christmas tree decorating guide will inspire you with ideas for decorating your tree(s) and making a cozy and merry space to enjoy with loved ones during the holiday.

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Traditional: Quintessential Tree

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 The traditional Tannenbaum is lit with white lights from floor to ceiling to emulate stars twinkling in the dark sky over a canopy of evergreens. Decorate with red, gold and silver glass ball ornaments. Mix and match vintage ornaments passed down from generation to generation with ornaments collected by your family over the years. Not only will the tree be your most elaborate Christmas decoration, but it’ll shine as a festive heirloom full of treasured family memories.

Make your Christmas tree the focal point of your holiday décor and don’t be afraid to go over-the-top. Gaudy silver tinsel or tinsel garland will give the tree a truly authentic look. Drape red beads and plaid ribbon around the tree as extra trimmings. Large red ribbons, mini jingle bells and star baubles can also create a traditional Christmas aesthetic. Top the tree with a star or angel and lay beautifully wrapped gifts underneath.

Whimsical: Candyland Tree

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 Get playful with your holiday spirit and decorate a miniature tree adorned with candy treats and DIY sweets. Not only will your candy-themed tree look delectable enough to eat, but the swirled lollipops and striped candy canes will create a whimsical and magical ambiance. Hang real licorice twists, colorful gumdrops and homemade gingerbread ornaments with ornament hooks. Use your creativity to craft faux candy ornaments like cupcakes, ice cream cones and hot chocolate with marshmallows—a perfect activity for the kids. Wrap white Christmas lights around the tree to give it a sugary glow, then top it off with red and white-striped glass balls and twirled ribbon. While decorating, stick to the sweet theme and treat the kids to delicious chocolate-dipped peppermint sticks and fun snowman cake pops.

Casual: Woodland Tree

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 What can be more charming than adorning your Christmas tree with wild woodland creatures? A woodland-themed tree, warmed by the enchantment of the forest, captivates the curiosity and heart of a child who still believes in Santa.

Dress your casual tree with alfresco embellishments and woodland ornaments. MarthaStewart.com has guides for creating a decorative dried pinecone tree stand and endearing needle-felted forest animal ornaments. On a snowy Saturday afternoon with the kids, craft deer, bear and mushrooms out of wool felt. Acorns, artificial berries and other critter ornaments like owls, foxes and squirrels can also turn your tree into a woodsy winter wonderland.

If the woodland Christmas tree is just too irresistible, use the outdoorsy theme to decorate other areas of the home as well. Dress your table settings with a Holiday Happenings Pinecone Décor arrangement full of pinecones, vines, dried flowers and artificial berries in wooden pots.

Modern: Glam-Rock Tree

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 If you have a discerning sense of style, get into the holiday spirit with a glammed out, rockin’ Christmas tree. Follow a silver, green and blue color scheme to give the tree a glamorous and modern aesthetic. White lights, hanging icicles, metallic garland and silver ornaments like sparkling snowflakes can also punctuate your tree with opulent grandeur and create a snow-capped, frosted aesthetic effect. Ornament the tree with green and blue glass balls to give it a pop of color. Keep the rest of the holiday décor in the room simple to help achieve decorative balance. A red silk poinsettia or Red Riches Everlasting Holiday Wreath can subtly complement this style of tree while still offering the beauty of the season.

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Happy Christmas <3