by Sharon | Dec 11, 2014
Mickey Mouse is all ready to help you celebrate Hanukkah with this delightful candy box.
Image and printable compliments of http://family.disney.com
Yes, this is a Free Printable that will delight your child or grandchild by putting something special in this Mickey Mouse Hanukkah candy box. Print it out on card stock, follow the assembling directions and fill with goodies. Mickey makes a colorful display . . . make several of them . . . you never know who will want one — they make excellent hostess gifts.
You may also enjoy these Disney Hanukkah Gift Tags.
Free Printable Hanukkah Gift Tags
There’s a nice selection that will delight and bring out the child in everyone on your gift giving list.
You may also find these Disney Hanukkah Place Cards helpful.
These will definitely dress up your feast!
Click Here for the Free Disney Hanukkah Place Cards
And how about a Mickey and Friends Dreidel
Yes, it’s a Free Printable you can make!
Click Here for Mickey and Friends Dreidel
My goodness! What a wonderful selection from our friends at http://family.disney.com
May you have a Happy Hanukkah!
by Sharon | Dec 10, 2014
Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.
Once in a while you read something that stops you in your tracks. This inspirational expression or quote seemed appropriate to share during this holiday season. In all the rushing around we do in preparation for Christmas it’s important to stop and listen to reflect upon what the season is all about and what the season truly means . . . to you. Not to anyone else, but to you.
It doesn’t have to be while opening presents. It can be before dinner, while wrapping presents . . . even while shopping or driving to your next destination. Just take a moment to stop . . . and listen to what is around you . . . you’ll notice it’s always with you . . . it’s love.
It doesn’t have to be a spiritual thing . . . it’s just an interesting experiment . . . see what you feel and hear. It could be while you’re eating something special for the season. Maybe even a piece of a candy cane will give you that “special” holiday feeling. What is it? Is it love . . . or something else? How does it make you feel?
This reminds me of Thanksgiving and taking a moment to count your blessings and be thankful. But there is something magical about Christmas. It isn’t about remembering our blessings or coming up with something to be thankful for. This is more about the feeling you receive. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was out walking one evening taking in the sights of Christmas. What struck me at that moment was the smell of wood burning in a fireplace. I felt love. The warmth of being close to family . . . safe and secure.
It may be worthwhile to remember this and periodically during 2015 to stop for a moment and check into what you receive.
by Sharon | Dec 7, 2014
Elf Shoe Paper Napkins
I find it amazing what can be done with paper and cloth napkins that will make your holiday dinner table interesting and exciting for family, friends and guests.
I believe napkin folding is an art form, not unlike origami, but a bit less complicated . . . so I tell myself.
Here’s a video tutorial that explains the process in 8 steps:
What’s great is that you can play it over and over again until you get it!
I hope this was fun and informative for you.
by Sharon | Dec 3, 2014
Your Christmas Tree is the focal point of your Christmas decorating. Here’s an image that gives you some basic pointers:
For every foot of tree height, you need 100 lights, 9 feet of garland and 20 ornaments. I have a friend with a 7 foot Christmas tree. So that means 700 lights, 63 feet of garland and 140 ornaments.
I suppose that does work out as a rule of thumb. But you can add more or less of each to your taste. Maybe garland isn’t your thing, so you add more ornaments.
It’s always fun to see how friends and family decorate their Christmas trees. Some people have more than one, depending upon the size of their house. When I had a two story house, I had a tree downstairs in the living room and one upstairs in the sitting room as my mother called it and I called it my loft. It was also interesting how I decorated them. The one in the living room was more traditional with some vintage ornaments from over the years. The one upstairs was a bit whimsical with all kinds of ornaments I picked up over the years with a particular flavor from pop culture. As I reflect on that and now have just one tree, a 4 to 5 foot tree, I go traditional and a bit whimsical and nostalgic. I go with what inspires me at the moment, not what would be a decorator’s suggestion.
I’m into pleasing me, not anyone else. From what I’ve seen, many have settled into that same mode while others are into impressing others. It’s all what one wants and feels they need to do. I enjoy hearing what every ornament means to a particular individual. It makes it much more personal and interesting than saying “My tree was designed by fancy pants decorator from fancy pants hoity toity location.” Basically, they had nothing to do with it and didn’t have time to bother with it. That’s not the message they were going for, but it was my take on it. Now, there were many who shared their vision and may have been saying to themselves, “I wish I could afford to do that.”
I was listening to a TED Talk the other day that focused on “why.” Well, that’s my take on it, it’s what I got out of it and started thinking about. Someone else may listen to it and get an entirely different message . . . but I digress . . .
“Why” gets into your feelings and core beliefs. In attaching it to tree decorating at Christmas I’m into the family traditions and the “me” element, reflecting my life. Anyone who knows me, can see in every ornament why I chose it . . . and they can relate to it, too. As I said earlier, I’m into pleasing myself. I’m living with this tree for several weeks and I want to walk past it or sit enjoying it with a smile on my face and with gladness in my heart. I can reflect on my life and those who had the most influence on me. I see it and feel it.
I also hope it reflects within TwoCansOnAString.com. I hadn’t really thought about it until now. I know when I first started the blog, it included a little bit of everything — which has now spun off into other niche websites. Although I like the other websites, this one is the one I love the most. It may have been my personal experiment into internet marketing . . . just trying it out . . . getting my feet wet. It’s not what my “marketing” friends would call a niche. I tried that after I moved the website to other hosting and lost my content, but it didn’t feel right . . . it didn’t ring true . . . it didn’t feel like “home.” My “marketing” acquaintances may not “get it”, but my friends and family do . . . and new visitors who come and feel it. . . return to this eclectic blend that could only be called “Two Cans On A String.”
by Sharon | Nov 29, 2014
Image from http://cutediyprojects.com
When I saw these candy sleighs, I knew I had to make these. As you look at the image, you’ll get the idea of how to make them. You can use mini candies or you could use homemade candies or cookies. If you want to go that route, I’d get my candy canes set and have a square cookie or brownie as the base. I’d wrap the brownie and find something non-toxic to attach to the wrapped candy canes. Some people use hot glue which is fine for them. I’m not into burning myself so I go for Elmer’s School Glue, but you find what works for you. Then as you can see, you’re building a pyramid. They make great gifts when you add ribbon and a bow on top. These are good to have around for neighbors who stop by during the holidays.
Instructions can be found at http://cutediyprojects.com
Now, get started . . . you know the children will want to give them to their friends . . . maybe even their teacher . . . you’re going to need them for your neighbors and friends . . . family will want them too . . . how large is your demand growing for this clever and tasty gift?
Thanks for stopping by! We’ll have more . . .
by Sharon | Nov 27, 2014
Have A Happy and Joyous Thanksgiving Day!
Thanksgiving means many things to many people. We may have a few things in common when the word Thanksgiving comes up in conversation. I think of Family and Traditions first, then I get into Grateful, Blessings and the old hymn of gathering together. Then Harvest and food come to mind. Of course, Fall is important and pumpkins and the colorful leaves.
Then I see on the news how flights have been canceled or delayed. Families frantically trying to get to their loved ones to share this wonderful holiday. It is all about family, caring and sharing . . . and taking the time to be thankful and to count our many blessings. No matter what is going on in our lives, the loss of a friend or family member, hardship in whatever form that takes . . . it is a time to reflect and be grateful for what we do have . . . there is always something to be thankful for . . . not just at Thanksgiving, but throughout the year.
I get all sentimental and nostalgic on this day. I also try to get outside myself and the holiday to watch something funny. It is all about the laughter:
I hope you enjoyed this. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
