Tuesday, December 19, 2006

December 19

Okay, so I am feeling a little bizarre today and I want to have some fun!  

                      

        

                        

      

                              

Politically Correct Santa

'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...
How to live in a world that's politically correct?

His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.

And labor conditions at the north pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.

Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.

And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.

So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!?

The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.

And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.

Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened.
His fur trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened."

And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows:
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose
And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.

So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.

And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.

Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.

Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothing that's warlike or non-pacific.
No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.

And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.

For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.

No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.

Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.

So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.

He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.

His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.

Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere...even you.

So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth...

"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."

This document is copyright (c) Harvey Ehrlich 1992.

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Rudolph and Friends Tie & other Christmas Ties -(Click on ties to enlarge.  If you would like to look at or shop for additional ties just google "Christmas ties".  There are some great Christmas ties out there!)  

Christmas Bow Ties (click on bow ties to enlarge)

Eight Maids A-Milking Bow Tie

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game:  ICE Slide

Gospel reading:  Luke 1:5-25

                 

Monday, December 18, 2006

December 18

Gift Baskets to Make and Give

Some of you may still not have gifts for everybody on your list yet.  Everybody likes to receive themed gift baskets.  Here are a few suggestions of ones you could put together.  

Use a large Pasta Bowl for a "basket"

Fill the bowl with:

  • a package or two of gourmet pasta
  • tongs
  • a package of sun-dried tomatoes
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • spices: oregano, basil, garlic powder
  • a collection of your favorite pasta recipes hand-printed on recipe cards
  • and/or a pasta cookbook

To make a Stationery Basket, fill a square basket with:      

  • stationery 
  • envelopes (choose a variety of sizes)
  • note paper
  • letter opener
  • a pen or a pen and pencil set
  • some fun stickers 
  • personalized return address labels
  • For your Grandparents who are far away:

    Fill a basket with:

    • your children's artwork
    • gifts made by your kids 
    • framed family pictures (let the kids buy or make frames and decorate them)
    • videos of the family
    • a long-distance calling card

    Extras: fill out the basket with candy, coffee, tea, biscuits, Christmas ornaments, candles, etc.

    The Ice Cream Sundae Basket:

    Fill a basket with:

    • ice cream scoop
    • gourmet sauces
    • sprinkles
    • cones
    • maraschino cherries
    • assorted nuts
    • sundae glasses and spoons
    • coupons for gourmet ice cream  

    For the Student or the Home-office Owner, use a garbage can as a "basket".

    Fill the can with:

    • stapler
    • tacks, paper clips, pens, pencils
    • notepads
    • hole punch
    • desk lamp
    • desk calendar

    Here are some additional ideas.  Use your imagination on what to put in the baskets:  gardening theme (use a flower pot), crafter's basket, photographer's basket, kid's art supplies, sport's enthusiast, guitar player, chili theme kit, cookie theme kit, rainy day basket (playing cards, game, cup, tea, etc.), basket just for men (socks, tie, etc.), stuff for the computer buff, basket for a teenaged girl (small cute purse, lip gloss, key chain, etc.), expectant parents kit (baby magic, etc.), New Year's Eve party pack (confetti, hats, glasses), crochet enthusiast's basket, vegetarian basket (sun dried tomatoes, beans, etc.), basket for a baby (sleeper, story book, rattle, etc.), women's accessories basket, Christmas basket (cookies, Christmas music, ornament), coffee gift basket (gourmet coffees, pretty coffee mugs), movie buff basket (store bought movies for VCR or DVD, gift cards to rent movies, microwave popcorn, etc.),          

    **After choosing the items you want to assemble the baskets or containers.  Fill the baskets with some filler such as shredded paper (you can shred your own with a shredder, or buy it at the store), crumpled tissue paper, or a hand towel.  Then carefully arrange your items over top the filler.  Put the largest items on the bottom in the center.  You can then tuck in candy canes, hard candy, Christmas ornaments, tangerines, nuts in the shell, etc.  Wrap your baskets by gathering cellophane around them and then securing them with a twist tie at the top.  Cover the twist tie with a ribbon.  Baskets that are in decorative containers such as tins do not need to be wrapped with cellophane.  Just place a bow on them!

    I hope you enjoyed some of these ideas.

     

                 

    If Jesus had never been born...

    game:  OUT' AHERE! (challenging)

    Gospel reading:  Matthew 1:8-25

                        

    Sunday, December 17, 2006

    December 17

    Hi.  I hope you have been having a good Advent Season.  Today is December 17, the third Sunday of Advent. 

    Let's take a look at the Gospel Reading for today:

    Luke 3:10-18

    The crowds asked John the Baptist,
    “What should we do?”
    He said to them in reply,
    “Whoever has two cloaks
    should share with the person who has none.
    And whoever has food should do likewise.”
    Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,

    “Teacher, what should we do?”
    He answered them,
    “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
    Soldiers also asked him,
    “And what is it that we should do?”
    He told them,
    “Do not practice extortion,
    do not falsely accuse anyone,
    and be satisfied with your wages.”

    Now the people were filled with expectation,
    and all were asking in their hearts
    whether John might be the Christ.
    John answered them all, saying,
    “I am baptizing you with water,
    but one mightier than I is coming.
    I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
    He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
    His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
    and to gather the wheat into his barn,
    but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
    Exhorting them in many other ways,
    he preached good news to the people.

    In today's verses of the Bible, John the Baptist speaks to us.  When those present ask John the Baptist, "What should we do?" when he proclaimed the Good News to them, he had a two part answer.  First he told them they should live a Godly life.  But in order to do this, he told them they must have Jesus as their Savior. 

    Part of the answer was an invitation to live a Godly life.  He told them to share their cloaks and food.  He told the tax collectors to stop collecting more than what was prescribed.  He told the soldiers not to practice extortion (to take money under false pretenses), to not falsely accuse anyone, and to be satisfied with their wages.  

    To accept the good news means that we be a person of faith, a person who believes in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. 

    It also means we strive to be a good person.  When we become baptized in Christ, and become a new creation in Him, we have the Holy Spirit within us and are able to obey God's commandments, by His grace.  Jesus said that if we loved Him we would obey His commandments.  He also said, "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect."

    Often today, the tendency among us Christians is to emphacize the belief aspect while not stressing the importance of the Christian to have good behavior.  Let us not profess to be Christians and not match it with practical behavior.  If we don't allow our behavior to reflect who we say we are in Christ, we will cause a stumbling block for those who may consider becoming believers, who are often attracted to the person and teachings of Jesus, but are turned away by the behavior of those who claim to be His followers.

    The best preparation we can make for the coming of the Lord this Christmas is to repent and ammend our ways, and to guide our actions by the selfless teachings of the Bible.  This is what is needed today to make our faith perfect so that we can stand with our heads raised high in joy, at the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.      

     

    An American Christmas - Decade by Decade

    The Antique Christmas Lights Museum

    game:  Christmas mad lib

    Gospel reading:  Luke 3:10-18

                                    

    Saturday, December 16, 2006

    December 16

                        

    Gifts children can make

    There's nothing like receiving a homemade gift.  Perhaps you want to encourage your child to make a gift (or two) this year instead of buying it.  The recipient will be thrilled to receive it.  Here are a few ideas.

    Placemats and Coasters

    Your children's art can be made into placemats or coasters for friends and relatives.
    For placemats, have your child draw, paint or color a picture on a large piece of paper, then laminate it.
    For coasters, have your child trace his or her hand on colored paper and laminate. Don't forget to have him sign and date the back!
    Remember, if you don't have a laminating machine, you can take the placemats to a Copy Store such as Kinkos.  They will laminate your child's artwork for a very inexpensive price.

    Bookmarks

    Make bookmarks the same way.  After laminating, punch a hole at the top of the bookmark with a hole punch, and add a ribbon or yarn tie.

    Memory Jar

    Christmas Coupons

    Touring Christmas Lights Without Driving Around

    PlanetChristmas

    Christmas House (almost one million lights on this house!)

    Tacky Christmas Lights in Fairfax County, Northern Virginia (I like some of these, LOL)

    game:  Attack Of The Mutant Artificial Trees

    Gospel reading:  Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

                      

    Friday, December 15, 2006

    December 15


    Good morning, it's Valerie one more day today and then it's behind the scenes for the helper-elf.  I may not speak with you all one-on-one again so I wanted to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a happy and serene and blessed New Year!  I wanted to thank Krissy for allowing me to post the past three days.  It has been a true honor!  Thanks, Krissy!  Now on to a fun, fun day!...

                                           

    Today we are going to play in the snow!! 

     Virtual online snowflake making site
    Click this link to Popular Front: Snow Days!

                   
    I have spent many hours of snowflake making fun on this site!  I have seen many beautiful, creative and incredible flakes on this site and wondered how in the world they were created!!  I have found out that there are tutorials on the web for this very site!  There are those out there much more of a fan of this site than I am!!

     Flake School Flake school takesyou from beginning to grand master.  Good luck!

    How to make a face flake


    Here's my face flake?  Do you like it?  


    The more flakes you make this month the more
    Popular Front: Snow Days
    contributes to The Salvation Army so pass along the word and the website to your friends and family!

    If you would like to use my flakes for your use feel free to "Copy as" and save.   If you make any flakes and share them in your journal, please share your entry URL with us in the comments section.  To capture a screen shot of your flake press Print Screen + Ctrl and then open an email and press paste in the email.  The flake should appear in your email.  It is rather small.  You will want to resize it.  If you have any questions feel free to email me at valphish@aol.com.  Have fun!

    Stocking stuffer ideas penned by Krissy...


       
    1.  nail polish
       2.  batteries
       3.  lipstick

     
      4.  chocolate
       5.  candy (think childhood candy!)
       6.  silly putty
       7.  Christmas ornament
       8.  gum
       9.  gift card to Wal - Mart, etc.
      10.  gift card to McDonald's, etc.
      11.  candles
      12.  slinky
      13.  popcorn seasoning
      14.  pen (colored ink!)
      15.  pumpkin seeds
      16.  snow globe
      17.  Christmas costume jewelry
      18.  harmonica or kazoo
      19.  calculator
      20.  napkin rings
      21.  throwaway camera
      22.  magnets for refrigerator
      23.  long distance calling card
      24.  deck of Uno cards
      25.  ball and jacks

    game:  Sketchy Extreme Snow Sledding
     

    Gospel reading:  Matthew 11:16-19

                                            

     

    Have a nice day, everyone and God bless!!!  xox

     

                                          

    Thursday, December 14, 2006

    December 14


       


    Good morning!  It's Val the helper-elf here again this morning!  I hope everyone is well on their way to having a happy and safe and fun Christmas!  I do hope this journal is providing you with a lot of ways to make your Christmas richer and more enjoyable!  Today I wanted to talk about something that is very near and dear to my heart every year.  We have eleven days left until Christmas Day.  Most of us have all or at least most of our shopping done.  I was wondering WHO you have left on your Christmas list and am going to challenge you to put someone very special on the top of this list... JESUS!  Every year I put Jesus on my Christmas list.  How do you give to Jesus you ask?  Well, in the Bible Jesus says when you give to others you are giving to Him.  When you give even a glass of water to someone who is thirsty you are giving him something to drink.  I find this concept very amazing!!  It has made giving for me much richer over the past years as I have realized this.  I know some of you already put Jesus on your list as I have heard from you.  Many like to keep this gift anonymous - between just them and God.  I was going to keep my Jesus gift anonymous, but for the sake of this entry, I will give you a glimpse of what I am doing this year for my gift for Him.  My boyfriend and I have befriended an elderly gentleman in my neighborhood who has no living relatives.  It appears he has not many friends and will have no Christmas.  He is 80 or 81, I believe.  We are going to visit him on Christmas Eve and bring him a few small things and make sure he knows he is loved.  One can do something so small as to try to smile more than usual, put money in an expired parking meter, bring food to a food drive, donate clothes, or decide to make it more personal just between them and Jesus and no one else.  The possibilities are endless!  Imagine if everyone did this!

    There are other ways to keep Jesus the focus of Christmas.  When my children were small we used to make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing Him "Happy Birthday".   We also set a place at the table for Jesus at Christmas dinner.  It is a tangible way to help the little ones understand the meaning of the day.  Do you have any traditions like these?  If you do, share them with us in the comments section!  If you would like to share some ways that you have put Jesus on your Christmas list, too, we would love to hear from you!

     
    Poll:  Christmas Isn't Christmas Without...

    game:  A Christmas Puzzle

    Gospel reading:  Matthew 11:11-15

                                      
                                            

    Wednesday, December 13, 2006

    December 13


    Making Christmas Ornaments
     

    Ornaments for Children to Make
     
     
    Stocking Ornaments
     
    Glitter Pine Cones

     
    Greeting Card Ornaments



    Photo Ornament

     
     
                                      


    Ornaments for Adults and Older Children To Make
     
    Starry Night Christmas Ornament
     
     
    Bejeweled Christmas Ornament


     Painted Clear Glass Ornament Balls


     Quick Gilded Ornaments


     Glitter-Dotted Christmas Ornament


     Microwave Salt Dough Ornaments


     Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

     
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    BlackDog's Christmas Image Maker
     (Write Merry Christmas, or your name, etc. in the line where it says "Text".  Choose a Font.  Then press "Create Image".  You can save the images onto your computer and use them in  your journals or emails!) .  
                                                  
    game: 
    Memory Christmas Game
     
     
    Gospel reading:  Matthew 11:28-30