MerryStockings has compiled lots of photos on Pinterest of Bucilla Christmas stocking kits. Our valued customers often send us photos of completed kits. We also reveal new product releases and other information pertaining to Bucilla Christmas products. Take a peek if you are not already familiar with Pinterest.
{ 0 comments }
MerryStockings, in partnership with Plaid Enterprises (manufacturer of Bucilla stockings), is coming out with new Bucilla Vintage Kits. Well, actually the kits as the title suggests, are older kits. But they have not been made for years and MerryStockings worked with Plaid to manufacturer a special production run of a few old stockings. The stocking that is the subject of today’s post is entitled, “Christmas Joy”. I really like the stocking because it has my wife’s name on it, but it also has a very classic look. Santa has a large bag of Christmas toys over his shoulder and is using an old lantern to light his way. If you missed out on this stocking back in 2004-2007, you’ll have another chance to buy it starting March 1st at an affordable price. Recently this very stocking was selling on e-Bay for $150 (that’s not a misprint). MerryStockings will be offering the kit for $30-$35.
Here is a picture of the kit. If you have an older kit that you are interested seeing it re-manufactured, send us a note and we’ll talk to Bucilla about it if we feel it will sell.
Thanks for stopping by!
{ 0 comments }
My Target ad has a sale on plastic storage bins this week, from special sizes to hold wreaths and ornaments, to the regular box shapes. I’m certainly not ready to pack away my holiday decorations yet, but it did get me thinking…what are some things I can do to make that process easier? And even better, what could make next year’s decorating process smoother?
Our empty stockings are now laying in a pile, having served their purpose for the year. I realized a while ago that each hanging-ribbon should be stored in its own stocking. This year, I’m adding a photo of how the stockings are hung on the railing with even spacing. Sounds silly, but I always end up rearranging the garland and untying/retying them several times to get it right. (Probably not so tricky if you’re using stocking hangers on a mantle. 
)
If you have a real tree, Kevin Sharkey suggests putting a large plastic bag around the base, under your tree skirt. Then when you’re ready to bring the tree outside for trash or for the birds, you won’t have such a needle-y mess. Maybe you could even store a bag with your tree stand now, so that you remember for next year.
Does anyone else have an empty cardboard box lying around after present-opening? Maybe ten? Don’t recycle all of them, but instead cut them into pieces and wrap your strings of lights and tinsel garlands around them. No more untangling battles when it’s time to light the tree next year! Thank you, Taylor at Household Management 101.
I’ve seen a couple of good tips on Pinterest for storing ornaments, if you don’t want to buy special bins. One from the Greenbacks Gal is storing small ornaments in empty egg cartons. Another from Martha Stewart is making your own storage by hot-gluing plastic cups to a sheet of cardboard. I like this because you could make the boards any size you want, to fit the size of your bin and the amount of ornaments that you have.
What are you doing to simplify or organize your post-Christmas cleanup?
{ 0 comments }
Here in the United States and Canada, a plate of cookies with a glass of milk is the usual snack left out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Just in case you don’t have all your cookies baked (or bought!), how about one of these cute reindeer options? A friend of mine made the peanut butter cookie version, and they are just as cute as the picture shows. The second option would be quicker if you’re pressed for time, or if you want a kid-friendly project.
Blogger MamaLisa describes a few other global traditions for Santa’s treats. In England it’s a piece of minced pie with a glass of sherry. And no big surprise, but in Ireland, the big guy might get a pint of Guinness!
You could modify that Irish tradition with these “reinbeers“. They would make a cute gift for anyone but please use the root beer version for Santa. He’ll be driving the sleigh all night, after all!
When I was growing up, we usually left out a few carrots for the reindeer. Kelle Hampton shares a tradition of making a special mix of oats, bread crumbs and other ingredients to sprinkle on the driveway for the reindeer to enjoy while Santa is inside (definitely check out the entire post for her magical kids’ Christmas party!).
It’s always fun to leave a little note for Santa – try a chalkboard version this year. I remember loving the return note that we would receive, thanking us for the cookies. It was even better when I was old enough to recognize my dad’s handwriting, but could keep the secret for my youngest siblings.
And no matter what you’re giving to the big guy, make sure you’ve got the stockings ready for him to fill! Wednesday, December 19 is the 2012 ordering deadline to receive your personalized stockings from Merry Stockings in time for Christmas Eve.
{ 0 comments }
After a slow but steady one-day storm, we’ve suddenly got a white Christmas in Minnesota, with a foot of snow that seems sure to last until the 25th. Now even the houses without Christmas lights look ready for the holidays. Unfortunately I’m in the no-outdoor lights category myself, much to my son’s chagrin. After six years of good intentions, I’ve finally accepted that my love for holiday decorating just isn’t enough to finish that particular task. We can’t all be Clark Griswold. (Love the Old Navy ad spoofing his light display, don’t you?)
I would like to have some type of holiday decor outside, however. We got new window boxes this year, and I want to fill them with a winter arrangement. Spruce tops and pine branches seem to be the most obvious choices. A few pinecones or winter berries add a nice contrast to the greenery.
According to this how-to article in Midwest Home, you water the winter arrangement after planting, and when it freezes, everything stays in place. Water as needed if there is a weather thaw. Also, if like me, you haven’t planted yet and the soil is already frozen, pour boiling water over it to soften for planting.
For a more whimsical look, you could add some oversized Christmas tree balls. A strand of lights added to each box would show off your design in the evening as well.
Each year when we arrive for Christmas dinner, my mother-in-law has lined their sidewalk with candle luminaries. It’s such a welcoming sight as we begin our evening together. Hers are a simple paper bag style, with decorations cut into each bag. You can also buy reusable luminaries, or make your own if you’re crafty.
A few years ago I had a failed attempt at making ice luminaries with a mold. Not a failure in the making part, I guess, but in keeping them lit in the winter wind. However, with the new little LED tealight candles, I might give that another try. There are many versions of ice candles on Pinterest, find your favorite!
Another fun idea, provided that you’re in a cold-weather climate, is these ice ornaments from the tatertots and jello blog. Simply fill cans or containers with an assortment of fruit and greenery, fill with water and freeze. Add a yarn loop if you want to hang them on tree branches, or read the full article for tips on adding space for a candle. I think even my toddler could help create these!
Do you decorate outside at Christmas? Are your decorations for daytime or night or both?
If you’re in a warm-weather climate, do you try to replicate a snowy look, or just embrace the heat?
{ 0 comments }
In the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, the Cratchit family eagerly anticipates and happily devours their Christmas goose. At the end of the book, however, a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge gleefully hires a youngster to deliver the butcher’s largest turkey to the Cratchit home. Does that mean that Christmas Goose or Christmas Turkey is the traditional meal?
Maybe neither: A friend of mine recently moved across the country, and posted a query on her Facebook page: “Where does a girl find a ham in this town? Don’t they know that it’s Christmas season??” Either they’ve already sold out, or no one bothers to stock such an uncommon choice.
In my mother’s Norwegian family, they love to retell the story of eating lutefisk each Christmas Eve for 15 years until my grandfather finally admitted that he just didn’t love it as much as his wife. My grandmother announced in shock that she despised the meal, and had only made it for him. (Meatballs became the new tradition!)
Doing a little research for this article, I see that if we’d instead followed the customs of the Czech branch of my family, we’d be eating fish soup and potato salad for Christmas dinner. Hmm…
Traditions aside, our ever-expanding family finds it increasingly difficult to find a time for everyone to be together on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We’ve instead begun celebrating on the weekend after the actual holidays. Sometimes we still do the big traditional meal, but sometimes it’s more low-key, like chicken-wild rice soup or a collection of appetizers. It’s nice to eliminate that planning and stress, and just enjoy being together.
What will be served at your home this year for Christmas dinner? Is it the same meal every year? Is it tied to your cultural heritage? Does one person do it all, or does everyone contribute something?
P.S. If you want to try Christmas Goose this year, Martha Stewart can show you how! Of course she can. Other meal ideas can be found at Food.com or FoodNetwork.com
{ 0 comments }
All the buzz is certainly about Black Friday shopping right now, but I prefer to spend the day after Thanksgiving at home. Not shopping online, but decorating for Christmas! I add a little peppermint flavoring to my coffee, put on some holiday music and get to work. If I’m alone in the house, I can get most of it done in a day, but this year the boys were around to “help”, so it’s still in-progress.
One of the jobs still left is wrapping pine garland and lights around the banister, so our stockings can be hung on top. Since we don’t have a fireplace mantle, I just tie the stockings onto the railing with ribbon. Having names on each stocking is such a fun way to make each person feel special, even before it’s brimming with gifts on Christmas morning.
Merry Stockings offers a wide range of personalized stockings to suit your personal style and decor. For the traditionalist, there are classic velvet stockings. If you prefer a more modern look, consider the cable-knit or quilted cotton stockings.
For something truly unique, there are heirloom-quality wool stockings. They are available in designs such as snowflakes, stripes, and a variety of other Christmas icons too. These custom stockings are completely sourced and made in the USA.
And if you’re one of the lucky ones with a mantle, don’t forget the stocking hangers!
Question of the Day: If you’re a parent, does your personalized stocking display your name or Mom/Dad?
{ 0 comments }
While driving with my four-year-old today, he wanted to tell riddles. Given his age, I wasn’t expecting a high level of humor, but thought maybe I’d get some cute material for the family Christmas letter that I’m struggling to write. I suggested a Christmas riddle and he responded:
“What do a gun and bullets have in common?”
(pause) “That’s your Christmas riddle?”
“Yeah, remember how I want a Nerf gun for Christmas?”
Hmm, very festive, buddy! Time to pull out the box of books about Jesus’ birth, and perhaps also a few activities to teach him that it’s better to give than receive…
I’m realistic, and know that my kids are excited about their Christmas wish lists. But that also means it’s easy to talk about those whose families can’t afford presents. Consider a special shopping trip to choose some gifts that will be donated to Toys for Tots. Another option is an organization called Angel Tree, which connects children of prison inmates with people that can provide Christmas gifts on their behalf.
Thinking globally, there are obviously needs that are much deeper than those of gifts. The World Vision Christmas Gift Catalog allows you to “shop” for items that can transform impoverished lives. For instance, $100 can purchase a goat and two chickens, providing a steady supply of protein to nourish a family. A gift of $85 provides a bicycle for a girl that couldn’t otherwise attend school safely and consistently.
Another wonderful resource, all year long, is a website called Big-Hearted Families. Whether it’s helping your family nurture attitudes of kindness and compassion, or contributing to your community with a service project, you’ll find great ideas here. I appreciate that there are ideas for kids of all ages, and they really make it easy to jump right in.
Here are some other helpful sites related to service:
VolunteerMatch - matches up your interests and location with volunteer opportunities
Do Something – teens are connected to service in ways that “[don’t] require money, an adult, or a car”
United We Serve – a government resource to link volunteers and causes, encouraging users to register their own projects
How do you encourage a giving spirit during the holidays?
{ 0 comments }
December is an expensive month, is it not? Christmas gifts are the most obvious expense, but there are often clothes to buy for the parties, at which there is food. Or photos (in possibly a different set of clothes) for holiday cards. Decorations, a tree, charitable giving, etc. – it adds up quickly!
Whether you need to cut back on spending, or just want to rein in the madness, there are many ways to do so without feeling like Ebeneezer Scrooge. Here are a few angles that you may not have considered.
Writing at Simple Mom, Tsh reminds that planning ahead is the key to staying within a budget at Christmas. That includes setting money aside each month for the bigger bills in December, and also being mindful of the many little expenses that come up in this season. She offers this free Christmas budget printable to help you plan.
A Christmas tree is another big expense. I realize that some of you just questioned my promise of non-Scrooginess because cutting down your own tree or picking the best one from the corner lot is your very favorite Christmas tradition. But for others, this may be a fun way to change up your holiday decor. I was definitely looking for tree alternatives in the years when my boys were toddling around precariously! Check out these creative options for inexpensive Christmas tree alternatives.
This is probably my favorite list, and I may accidentally leave a printout where my husband will find it…10 Holiday Dates. There are a couple of splurges like tickets to the Nutcracker, but most of the options won’t put a dent in your bank account. Brett at The Art of Manliness puts the list in a romantic context, but nearly all of the options could be adapted for a group of friends, a family or even an office get-together. Another bonus is that most of them are interactive, perfect for forming lasting memories.
Remember that you can start with just one or two areas to cut back your holiday spending – Pinterest is a great resource for this. Try entering a search like inexpensive Christmas gifts or whatever suits your holiday budget style. You’re sure to find a way to save a few dollars this season!
What are your best money-saving tips at Christmas?
{ 0 comments }
You’ve probably noticed that burlap is hot in home decor. Perhaps because it can complement so many decorating styles, this simple fabric is showing up everywhere from do-it-yourself projects to chic home stores. Christmas decorating is certainly no exception. A quick perusal of Pinterest turned up a treasure trove of burlap items.
One of the simplest ways to add burlap to your home is on the dining table. A simple length of fabric can serve as a runner to anchor your centerpiece and serving platters. Or take it to the next level by weaving together 2 colors of burlap, as shown by the gals at Six Sisters Stuff. Yes, that’s right, you can buy colored burlap – just imagine the additional possibilities!
Michelle at Sweet Something Designs layered burlap placemats over red plaid for a nice textural contrast. As she demonstrates with her outdoor tablescape, this look could easily be tweaked to work for any season or holiday.
If you’re interested in a little splash of burlap in the living room, a throw pillow is perfect. Etsy, the source for so much handmade loveliness, has several cute options for Christmas and winter. Or try making one yourself, using Amy’s example at All In A Day.
How about a little burlap on the front door? There are many different styles of burlap wreaths, to suit any taste. Most use some type of embellishment.
Allison, from A Glimpse Inside, wrapped the burlap around a form and added ribbon medallion flowers. Linda at Craftaholics Anonymous used strips of burlap, and Brooke created a ruffled look.
Kathryn of NannyGoat wove a wire hanger through a long strip of burlap; you can’t get much thriftier than that! She also attached her fabric rosettes with pins instead of glue, so that they easily can be switched out for different accent pieces in another season.
Check out these adorable Christmas trees, made using burlap and other materials. Once again, the unique texture is what makes this fabric really stand out.
Artsy Va Va added some metal stars to give her trees a more rustic look. The Shanty 2 Chic versions combine burlap and canvas fabrics for a clean, crisp wintry design – check out both tutorials, for the ruffled tree and the one covered with rosettes.
In keeping with this trend, Merry Stockings is excited to present a new personalized burlap stocking. Choose red or green trim, the perfect look for your mantle this year.
If this post has inspired you to try some burlap crafting, here are a few tips:
Do you have any burlap decor items in your home? Anything you made yourself?
{ 1 comment }
