Real Christmas trees vs. artificial trees: Ease of use, safety, health, cost considerations

When my husband and I first married, we were diehard holiday traditionalists and DIY-ers. We vowed to have a real Christmas tree each holiday. The whole family would select a tree and bring it home. But the kids have grown and finally reality hit me like the felling of a tree. I realized that I was doing all holiday decorating alone and it wasn't so much fun anymore. And I've become that Scrooge mom who uses an artificial tree. Here's a discussion on real Christmas tree vs. artificial tree, including safety, cost and health considerations. Here's the conclusion: a real Christmas tree is more fun for families of young kids but an artificial tree is the more practical choice.   Christmas trees: Safety, health, cost of real Christmas tree vs artificial tree | Examiner.com

Homemade Advent calendar: Catholic Christian Bible Christmas countdown crafts

Parents, are you dissatisfied with the commercialism of Christmas? Perhaps you're concerned that your children will learn selfish habits with so much holiday indulgence. It's not that kids are so selfish--advertisers bombard kids with "must-have" toys, digital products, gadgets and goodies. Who can blame kids for wanting all that cool stuff? And overindulgent parents have raised kids' expectations. Don't waste time telling kids not to want things (especially if you're giving them everything they want). Instead, give children opportunities to practice sharing with others. Here are lesson plans for Catholic Christian Bible Christmas countdown crafts for children. Make this homemade Advent calendar to teach unselfishness, giving and an attitude of gratitude.  Homemade Advent calendar: Catholic Christian Bible Christmas countdown crafts | Examiner.com

Free printable Christmas nativity scenes, Advent manger sets for Bible holiday | Examiner.com

Are you looking for religious Christmas crafts for little ones? You'll want these free printable nativity scenes. Children can color Bible characters and assemble manger sets. Here's a free printable manger scene with cut and paste coloring pages to put on paper towel tubes. Catholic Icing has eight coloring pages that you can click and print directly from her blog. Each page features Mary and Joseph, donkey, angel, wisemen, shepherds, Baby Jesus, camels. Download the set from the website.Free printable Christmas nativity scenes, Advent manger sets for Bible holiday | Examiner.com

 

Free printable Diwali rangoli patterns and Festival of Lights crafts | Examiner.com

Hindus, Sikhs and Jains began celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights. In 2014, it began with Dhanteras on October 20 and moves to the official Diwali on October 23 and 24. Diwali, also spelled Deepavali, is the Hindu calendar new year. There's lots of feasting, decorating, worship, lighting of diya (lamps) and fireworks. Rangoli are special Hindu designs used in crafts and decorating. Here are free printable rangoli patterns for Diwali.Free printable Diwali rangoli patterns and Festival of Lights crafts | Examiner.com

   

Halloween pumpkin carving tips and free printable pumpkin patterns

Do you ever wonder how people carve Halloween pumpkins in such intricate designs? You can too, with a few basic tools, this tutorial and free printable pumpkin carving stencils, patterns and pumpkin templates.Halloween pumpkin carving tips and free printable pumpkin patterns | Examiner.com

 

Free printable Despicable Me Minions crafts, masks and games | Examiner.com

 Despicable Me continues to be a hit cartoon, thanks in large part to the yellow (and sometimes purple, yikes!) Minions. Gru's capsule-shaped assistants are cray-cray popular! We're going to see a lot of Minions trick-or-treating as they're a top 10 Halloween costumes of 2014. Here's a DIY Minion Halloween costume. How about some free printable Minion masks and crafts? Free printable Despicable Me Minions crafts, masks and games | Examiner.com

Devo's Jerry Casale sorry for tacky 9/11 themed wedding: Oops, but not their bad - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 What's that about minding your metaphors? That's what a celeb couple married on September 11 learned. Devo's Jerry Casale, who is sorry for his tacky 9/11 themed wedding, reported Billboard on September 15. However, Casale says oops, but it's not their bad. Gerald Vincent "Jerry" Casale, 67, married Krista Napp, 27 on the anniversary of the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. But the newlyweds meant no disrespect with 9/11 box cutter party favors and Twin Towers wedding cake. The World Trade Center decorations were the bizarre brainchild of a friend and as much an unpleasant surprise to them as it was to everyone who was offended.  Devo's Jerry Casale sorry for tacky 9/11 themed wedding: Oops, but not their bad - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com