Christmas Lights are very popular during the holiday season because it gives life to our Christmas decorations. They come in different styles and prices. So here are some tips in buying the right Christmas lights for your home at a reasonable price.

Compute the area where the Christmas lights will be used.

You have to measure the exact length of the area where you will place the lights then add a few inches depending on where your power outlet is located. So if you are planning to hang them outside your home, determine the length of your home as well as the distance to the power outlet.

However, if you plan to place the Christmas lights on your Christmas tree, you can use a tape measure to determine the exact length of the Christmas lights that you will need to buy.

Find out how many strands of Christmas lights you need.

This will depend on your measurements of the area needed to be covered with Christmas lights and length of strands of Christmas lights you will purchase. For example, your measurement is 50 feet and each strand of Christmas lights measures 10 feet, then you will need 5 strands of Christmas lights.

It is also advisable to use shorter strands of Christmas lights so that you can easily replace them if one strand gets damaged.

Determine the type of Christmas Lights you need.

To easily determine the type of Christmas lights, you need to know your purpose of your Christmas light. Will you be hanging them outside your home? Are you planning to have indoor Christmas lights together with your Christmas tree?

Once you know your purpose then check out the features of Christmas lights which include bulbs, strand type and plug style.

Bulbs: The bulbs can be in different sizes, shapes and color. You need to determine your Christmas holiday motif so that you can select Christmas lights that match your other decorations. Then, decide on the number of bulbs you prefer because Christmas lights vary in the number of bulbs per strand. Look in the package and you will see the number of bulbs included in the Christmas lights.

You also have to check the wattage of each bulb because the illumination of your decoration will depend on the wattage and number of bulbs you will use. Moreover, bulbs have different lightning effect. Some bulbs can have a steady glow while others blink in different ways. So choose the Christmas lights with the bulb that you will love.

Strand type: The strand of Christmas lights can either have serial or parallel wiring. In a serial wiring, all bulb will not light up if one of them is broken. Thus, it is best to have a Christmas lights that has parallel wiring so that even if one of the bulb is damaged, all other bulbs will still illuminate.

Plug style: Select an end to end style of plug if you are planning to use several strands of Christmas lights. This will allow you to easily connect all strands of lights together. But if your decorations will only require one strand of Christmas lights, then the plug style may not be that important.

Do a comparison shopping

It is always advisable to do comparison shopping to get the best deal for your favorite Christmas lights. Visit the shopping stores that sell Christmas lights in your area. You can also watch out for sales on these stores. Another way is doing an online shopping.

This would be convenient for you if you do not have enough time to visit the stores in your area. Remember to jot down the prices of each preferred Christmas lights so you can compare them once you have visited all the stores.

You can be a smart buyer for Christmas lights by simply following these tips. Thus, you can start lighting up your home using your favorite Christmas lights during holiday season.

France provides wonderful opportunities when it comes to shopping for Christmas gifts. Christmas markets in France have grown to be popular with many shoppers from the UK because they offer a wide range of unusual Christmas gift ideas and they are great fun to attend too.

Even the most jaded Christmas shopper would find it difficult to resist getting into the festive spirit while shopping at a Christmas market in France. At French Christmas markets you can often find numerous stalls selling everything from delicious cakes, pastries, chocolates, sweets, cheese, pats, meats and other produce, to traditional Christmas decorations, arts and crafts and Christmas gifts. Christmas Markets in France also offer many other activities including funfairs, concerts and entertainment.

With Christmas music playing in the background, twinkling Christmas lights, the delicious aroma of roasting chestnuts filling the air and the welcome offer of glass of vin chaud (hot wine) to keep out the cold, Christmas markets in France contain a truly magical Christmas atmosphere all of their own.

Most Christmas markets in France are annual events starting in late November with a small number opening in early December. As Christmas markets and events in France can vary from town to town, check with the local French tourist office for details.

Below is a selection of Christmas markets in the North of France, which, as they happen to be in easy reach of the UK makes for an ideal day’s Christmas shopping or perhaps a much needed Christmas break.

Lille Christmas Market

Held in the centre of town in Place Rihour, Lille’s month long Christmas market is a colourful Christmas scene full of lights and wooden chalets selling everything from French Christmas delicacies, local arts and crafts, jewellery, toys and Christmas gifts.

Highlights of Lille’s Christmas market include; the big wheel situated nearby on the Grand Place, Father Christmas participating in a spectacular event every Saturday in December, when he “falls” from the Chamber of Commerce’s 80 metre-high Belfry, and on the last Saturday before Christmas an orchestra consisting of 450 tubas performs Christmas carols.

Amiens Christmas Market

Said to be the biggest and greatest Christmas market in Northern France, Amiens town centre transforms into a beautiful festive scene of Christmas Alpine splendour complete with chalets and stalls selling produce and goods from the Picardy region.

Visitors to Amiens Christmas market can shop with ease as they wander through the pedestrianised streets filled with Christmas trees and decorations. Entertainment is also provided in the form of shows, carol singing and activities for children.

It is also well worth paying an evening visit to the magnificent gothic Amiens cathedral, Notre-Dame d’Amiens. Listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1981, the cathedral of Notre-Dame d’Amiens is the centrepiece of the Cathedral in Colours” light display, which is held during Christmas as well as at other times of the year.

Boulogne-sur-Mer Christmas Market

An annual event, Boulogne’s Christmas Market is held within the city walls of the delightful old upper town. With its cobbled streets and picturesque charm, Boulogne’s Christmas market features stalls selling all sorts of arts and crafts, Christmas gifts, regional delicacies and local specialities such as smoked herring and Craquelin pastries. Previous Christmas markets have included an ice sculptor, musical parade and fireworks.

How do you tell somebody you care? Go to the store, buy a card and let somebody else do the telling for you. Greeting cards are illustrated cards usually featuring a message of greeting or other sentiment. Although greetings cards are usually given on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas or other holidays, they can also be sent on ‘non-occasions’ to say ‘hello’ or ‘thank you’.

Though Christmas has been celebrated since the birth of Christ, the first known usage of any Christmas greeting was in an informal letter written by an English admiral in 1699. The same phrase appeared in the first Christmas greeting card, produced in 19th century England. The then relatively new term Merry Christmas figured prominently in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in 1843. The origin of Christmas greeting refers directly to the Christmas holiday and was initially the first greeting used for any holiday in the NovemberJanuary timeframe. Christmas greetings are popular among Christians and the non-christians alike.

The father of American Christmas cards was award-winning Boston lithographer/inventor Louis Prang, who, in 1873, reproduced a holiday card autographed by Christmas Carol author, Charles Dickens. Perhaps the greatest of Prang’s many innovations was the development of a multi-color printing process that incorporated as many as 20 colors on one print or card. Hues and detailing were so vivid that artists were sometimes not able to distinguish their own works from reproduced chromos (chromolithographic prints) when hung side by side on a wall. Taking full advantage of this technology, Prang employed the finest artisans of his day. Card painters included the likes of Frederick S. Church, Arthur F. Tait and Winslow Homer. Poetic geniuses such as Longfellow, Tennyson and William Cullen Bryant were among those hired to write verses.

Do you know where the word Christmas sprang from? Christmas is derived from the words Cristes Maesse, meaning Christ’s Mass. It is also sometimes referred to as Xmas. This X in the word stands for Xristos, and means Christ in Greek. Xristos Mass is shortened to Xmas.

Christmas is one event in the calendar which is celebrated around the world in the most varied of ways, with customs and traditions differing from one region to another and celebrations spanning a wide range from deeply religious to festively secular. Christmas around the world makes an interesting study by all odds. Motley of bits and pieces taken from this region and that, every country around the world has developed its own way of celebrating Christmas.

Many people send cards to both close friends and distant acquaintances. The greeting in the card can be personalized and are usually exchanged year after year, the phrase “to be off someone’s Christmas card list” is used to indicate a falling out between friends or public figures. Many businesses, particularly smaller local businesses, also send Christmas cards to the people on their customer lists, as a way to develop general goodwill, retain brand awareness and reinforce social networks. These cards are almost always tasteful, and do not attempt to sell a product, limiting themselves to mentioning the name of the business.

Typical content of these Christmas Greeting Cards ranges from truly Christian symbols such as Nativity scenes and the Star of Bethlehem to purely secular references, sometimes humorous, to seasonal weather or common Christmas time activities like shopping and partying.

Many organizations produce special Christmas greeting cards as a fundraising tool; the most famous of these enterprises is probably the UNICEF Christmas card program.

A season full of joy, a holiday brimming with cheerChristmas uncorks the festive spirits in the hearts of all and sundry in both secular and religious ways. So we all embrace each otherthe ones loved and lost and the ones still held closewith all your good wishes and Christmas holiday spirits. And of course you know the warmest expression of this holiday, Christmas, is the Christmas card. Just like giving presents on Christmas, Christmas greetings also occupy a major part of our Christmas celebrations. Its a different feeling altogether to send and receive cards on Christmas! Warm and snug, as they are, Christmas cards help one express a world of thoughts and feelings to one’s loved ones. Research says that as many as two billion Christmas greeting cards are exchanged by Americans every year! Well, that says it all, doesn’t it?

When is a christmas tree more than a christmas tree and more akin to a piece of art? After reading the following christmas tree ideas you will realize that there is a very fine line between just a tree and a piece of original sculpture. If you have a passion for unusual christmas trees maybe you will find some of the following ideas inspirational. Keep in mind that most of the christmas tree ideas below work best as miniature tabletop trees or holiday table centerpieces.

The Bead Tree

Bead trees are simply a cone of paper that is circled by a long strand of beads that are glued to it. These beads coil repeated around the cone until they resemble a christmas tree. These unusual christmas trees can be made out of any material that you like – pearls, glass beads and novelty beads. You can also twine fine foil braid or ribbon around the beads to give your tree special holiday flair.

The Candy Cane Christmas Tree

This little tree looks nice using candy canes that are either red or green striped. Once again you will need some kind of conical armature. If you make a really small one you don’t need an armature at all. The idea is to make a teepee frame using long candy canes. Then take smaller ones (or chop of the length of the longer ones) and place them symmetrically around the tree frame with the hooks of the candy canes u upside down and sticking up like branches. If you are really ambitious you can also glue candies to the tipped up edges with butter cream frosting to resemble Christmas decorations.

The Lollipop Christmas Tree

This is one of the simplest of do it yourself unusual christmas trees. All that is required is a Styrofoam armature and red and green lollipops. You can also roll up a piece of stiff paper that is green in color into a cone and poke the stems of the lollipops through the tree so that only the candy part is showing. This is done so that the lollipops are facing downwards to look like tree boughs. You can use a brightly colored yellow lollipop stuck with the stem straight down through the top of the cone to be the tree-topper. This is one of the more unusual christmas tree ideas.

The Marshmallow and Gum Drop Tree

This is inspired by one of Martha Stewart’s unusual christmas tree ideas. All you need to create this is a conical Styrofoam shape in the size you desire (to use as an armature) and some mint green and white marshmallows. You spear the marshmallows on a toothpick or pin and then affix them to the sides of the Styrofoam cone so that it simulates an evergreen with snow-laden boughs. You can also decorate this tree with edible gold or silver cake decorations. A Christmas star made out of shortbread covered with glitter makes a great tree topper for these types of unusual christmas trees.

The Pine Cone Tree

To make this tree all you need is several very healthy looking pine cones. Glue them together in a conical shape until you have a shape that resembles a christmas tree. Glue acorns and holly berries on the sides to mimic christmas decorations and glue a large one on top of the tree to create a christmas tree topper.

If this look is too naturalistic for you can always spray paint the tree silver and paint the acorns a gold color.

The Pipe Cleaner Christmas Tree

This is one of the classic christmas tree ideas that is fun to do with the kids. All you need is lengths of green pipe cleaner cut into equal shapes and beads with holes large enough to slip over the pipe cleaners.

Your next step is to create a trunk out of a single pipe cleaner or two. Simply find a wine cork and jab the end of the pipe cleaner into the cork to create a base for the tree. The limbs of the tree can then be constructed from pipe cleaners that are twisted outward from the trunk to resemble branches. The beads can then be slipped over the pipe cleaner branches as decorations. A star shaped bead can be used as the tree topper.

The Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

You have probably seen those wedding cakes that are made of puff pastry filled with cream and then stacked in a pyramid shape. Usually these are drizzled with chocolate icing. These actually look like Christmas Trees.

You can make the same recipe and stack the christmas puffs in a conical shape. Then instead of chocolate drizzle try drizzling them with a white icing to mimic snow. Edible gold and red glitter can mimic the effect of christmas decorations and a pastry pipe filled with red or green decorating gel be spiraled around the cake to achieve the effect of christmas garlands. You can also dispense with all of that fuss and just wrap it with spiral of pretty ribbon.

Of course this kind of cake will need some kind of topper. Instead of a bride and groom, why not top it with a battery run blinking snowflake or star?

The Sequined Christmas Tree

This novelty miniature tree is one of the prettiest of unusual christmas ideas but it takes a lot of patience to realize it perfectly. To make one all you need is a lot of hatpins with pearl tips (preferably in christmas colors such as white, green and red) and bags of sequins in the colors of your choice. The idea is that these sequins will be threaded onto the hatpins and painstakingly tucked into a conical Styrofoam shape until no white space is left. Tiny plastic crystals can also be suspended by pins to serve as xmas decorations.

The Tropical Fruit Christmas Tree

If you like christmas tree ideas that are made of food then you will like this exotic centerpiece. This centerpiece is made of pomegranates of different sizes (to mimic the look of a red christmas tree.) Larger pomegranates are placed in a circle on the bottom and the smaller ones are stacked on top until a tree shape is achieved. You can then tuck lychee nuts (still in their natural gauzy white wrapping) in between the pomegranates to simulate gold and white xmas decorations. The tree topper can be made from a slice of star fruit that has been dipped in candied sugar.

Christmas decorations are one inseparable part of the Christmas holidays, without which Christmas would lose all its color, spirit, warmth and charm. And its also great to get together with all in the family or the whole gang of friends for the Christmas decorations. Isnt it a joy untold to watch the hand-crafted stars or bells hung up on the Christmas tree or on the wreaths ? Dont you feel the festive tickle to see Christmas-themed table-spreads, curtains, napkin-holders, or carpets ? Ideas for Christmas decorations are plenty to satiate the festive craving of all and sundry. And the stores dish out a huge array of Christmas decorations too. You can either buy them home or decorate your home yourself with your own ideas and designs. Heres enlisted a few for you to get started with your Christmas decorations and Christmas planning.

• The easiest and simplest of all Christmas decorationsget empty boxes or cartons and wrap them up in red, green, blue colored papers or colorful Christmas wrappers. Tie ribbons around some and leave them sporadically around the base of your Christmas evergreen or on the mantle.
• Hanging cute Christmas stockings make good decorations too for your Christmas dcor. You can cut out papers or fabrics in shapes of stockings or candy canes, have them colored by the kids and stick them all around the room to add that festive touch on Christmas.
• Umpteen stores sell battery-operated candles especially for this holiday and these look radiant in and around your home as also on your Christmas tree. Anyone would like to go for these hassle-free Christmas decorations and give their interiors a total face-lift for the occasion.
• A fetching idea for your Christmas decorations would be to deck up your house plants with little stars and bells and to place them on window sills.
• Get holly boughs and mistletoes home. Hang them around and watch the magic of Christmas unfold before you. These Christmas decorations are traditionally passed down through ages and never fall out of the hall of fame
• How about this ? Take a pin-up board and pin Christmas-related images or messages on them. You can also fix Christmas cards that you get for the year. This Christmas decoration would be best for your office cubicle or room. So bring your colleagues in the spirit of the holidays instantly as they step into your holiday den.
• Now heres another to rev up your Christmas decorationstake a white table-spread and stick little paper or fabric pieces in shapes of stars, bells, candy canes, gift-boxes, Santa hats and more.
• Deck up your halls in Christmas streamers (bought or homemade) or in Christmas wreaths. You can hang a bunch of bells on the doorway too. Wont it be sweet to hear the jingles every time anyone enters during the Christmas season ?
• Decorate white slender candles with red and green ribbons. Tie them into a bow or just spiral it around. They would swell for sure if placed in a cluster on your Christmas dinner table or over the mantle. Dont forget to leave a bell carelessly at the base. Your friends, folks or sweetie pie would surely love the shine and shimmer of the bell in the candlelight and you may collect few kudos for such thoughtful Christmas decorations.
• For outside decorations, get some Christmas lights home. Glowing bulbs or lighted candles that run on battery would just suit fine outdoors. You can place a big cutout of Santa to welcome your dear ones too. Or you can let loose your own festive ideas.
• Play Christmas numbers for the background scores to complement the tree, table and hall decorations. Well chosen Christmas songs are just the right fill for the holiday ambience.
• Create cute bows for the special day and have them stitched to curtains or tied to door-knobs or around the glasses on the Christmas table. These Christmas decorations wont take much time and would be fun to do too. So get on with these.
• Well then, welcome the season of joy and brace up to make merry with friends and familyits Christmastime folks ! The merriest time of the year is here. So leave your worries behind, deck the halls with wonderful Christmas decorations and share the warmth and joy of the season with all far and near.

Can you feel the chill in the air? And there it begins to snow! Vast open spaces, roof tops, trees. all covered with layers of white pure snow. Sure sign that Christmas is not far. Everything changes during Christmas time. Psychologically it breeds happiness, fun frolic, everything good and worth looking forward to. Another thing that is inevitably related to Christmas is expenses.

With so many people neglecting Christmas when it comes to saving for, implies borrowing in one form or the other. When you are borrowing then the best way inarguably is Christmas loans. Many people think that credit card is a better way to pay for Christmas expenses. But if you are thinking of borrowing for longer time period than Christmas loans offer better value for money.

Christmas loans is specific name for personal loans for Christmas. There are huge advantages of taking Christmas loans over any other alternative form. The personal loans for Christmas have lower interest rates than credit cards or overdraft. This certainly implies that your monthly repayments will be smaller and also you will be able to pay back your loan faster. The interest rates for Christmas loans are usually fixed. This means you pay fixed monthly payments for the entire loans term. This helps the borrower to plan budget effectively when a set amount goes in the form of repayments. The loan term with Christmas loans is also fixed. So you know exactly when you are going to be free of debt.

Taking Christmas loans will enable you to make the purchase you want to make and not settle for a compromise. This freedom is indeed desirable. Make your budget and then apply for Christmas loans. Christmas loans can help sticking to that budget by assigning a limit to expenses. This limit might be missing in a credit card and prevent borrower from making unnecessary expenses.

There is no compulsion on how the borrower uses Christmas loans. He can spend a part of Christmas loans on shopping and other part he can save and use for any future use. Or he may not use it for shopping at all and pay for some other necessity with Christmas loans. Lenders have no say on how you use the money.

Time for taking Christmas loans should coincide with when you feel is right. Usually people apply for Christmas loans when Christmas is around the corner or when they start shopping. This is ideally the appropriate time to
Start looking for Christmas loans. Approval time would vary from lender to lender. However, faster approvals are now provided by lenders and you wont be hanging around for approval. However, if you have missed the bus and failed to apply even after Christmas is over you still can beat the overspending hangover. Christmas loans can help you pay for expensive credit card and overdrafts.
Christmas loans are available for amount 500-50,000. Homeowners have the choice between secured and unsecured personal loans. Christmas loans cater to tenants also – both private and council tenants, as well as tenants of housing associations. And if you think Christmas loans outcast those with negative credit you are wrong! Christmas loans are available for those with CCJs, defaults, arrears, late payments etc.
Before shopping for Christmas dont forget to shop for Christmas loans. Consumers can save many pounds by carefully looking around for loans. If one is borrowing why not borrow what is financially good. This is possible by going around different sites and looking for what they have to offer. Christmas loans Lenders will offer attractive offers which may or may not be that attractive for you. Check the rates that are offered to you as an individual. Therefore dont settle for the first Christmas loans you find suitable. Ask for quotes and compare various Christmas loans and then make your decision.

This year one in four people are ready to borrow money for Yuletide. While making shopping spree this Christmas, make sure the interest doesnt extend to the time when you next see the snow. One sound financial decision will make sure the fun lasts. Christmas loans when used appropriately are an investment an investment in something worthwhile, which lasts forever family.

1. Which Christmas tree fact is NOT true?

A. Artificial Christmas trees have outsold real ones every year since 1991.

B. Nova Scotia leads the world in exporting Christmas trees.

C. Franklin Pierce was the first president to decorate an official White House Christmas tree.

D. The Christmas tree was chosen to represent this holy holiday because it’s shape points the way to heaven.

D. The Christmas tree was chosen to represent this holy holiday because it’s shape points the way to heaven.

QQ: OK, so maybe it’s true, but the QuizQueen can’t prove that fact, as reasonable as it sounds, because it wasn’t in any of the literature she dug up for this quiz.

2. Can you name the popular Christmas song that was actually written for Thanksgiving?

A. Jingle Bells

B. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

C. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

D. Away in the Manger

A. Jingle Bells

QQ: The song was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called One Horse Open Sleigh. When you think about it, the words make a lot more sense that way…

3. Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in what year?

A. 1865

B. 1895

C. 1905

D. 1932

B. 1895

QQ: American Ralph E. Morris had the bright idea that electric Christmas lights would be safer than using candles.

4. Good King Wenceslas was king of what country?

A. Bohemia

B. England

C. Germany

D. Morocco

A. Bohemia.

QQ: Who knows why those Bohemians always get such a bad rep? Although, history has it that Wenceslas, who lived in the 10th century, was only a Duke, not a King at all.

5. In 8971, the New York Sun newspaper wrote a famous response to a little girl’s question: “Yes, _______, there is a Santa Claus.” Can you name that girl?

A. Mary

B. Charlotte

C. Vidalia

D. Virginia

D. Virginia

QQ: Virginia O’Hanlon to be exact! Shame on you, if you missed it.

6. Can you name Scrooge’s dead business partner from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol?”

A. Jacob Marley

B. Tiny Tim

C. Bob Cratchett

D. Old William

A. Jacob Marley

QQ: The first of four spirits to appear to Scrooge that fateful Christmas Eve was that of Jacob Marley, his old business partner.

7. One of the pagan traditions that Christians have incorporated into their Christmas celebration includes hanging mistletoe. Which of these is NOT a former pagan belief?

A. Ancient Europeans believed that the mistletoe plant held magical powers to bestow life and fertility as well as protect against disease.

B. French girls used to slip branches of mistletoe beneath their pillows to dream of their future husbands.

C. The Celts believed mistetoe brought about peace and goodwill.

D. Northern Europeans associated mistletoe with the Norse goddess of love, Freya and developed the custom of kissing underneath mistletoe branches.

B. French girls used to slip branches of mistletoe beneath their pillows to dream of their future husbands.

QQ: That was a tough one, wasn’t it? The QuizQueen is soooo clever

8. While today the Christmas tree is an enduring symbol of the season, it wasn’t always a holiday tradition. Which historical fact is NOT true?

A. According to legend, Martin Luther, the founder of German protestantism, while walking through the forest on Christmas Eve was so moved by the starlit fir trees he brought one indoors and decorated it with candles to remind his children of God’s creation.

B. In 1841, Prince Albert of Germany gave his wife, Queen Victoria of England, a gift of a Christmas tree. This was reputedly the first Christmas tree in England, but the custom quickly spread.

C. German immigrants brought the Christmas tree to Europe, the United States and Canada, where it soon became a popular tradition.

D. On a bet, 11-year-old P.T. Barnum started hawking trees in Connecticut in 1821, telling his marks they were all the rage. Soon the fashion spread throughout the country and it became tradition, thus establishing his maxim “There is a sucker born every minute.”

D. On a bet, 11-year-old P.T. Barnum started hawking trees in Connecticut in 1821, telling his marks they were all the rage. Soon the fashion spread throughout the country and it became tradition, thus establishing his maxim “There is a sucker born every minute.”

QQ: Good ‘ole P.T. Barnum did try to sell just about everything, and may in fact have sold Christmas trees, but I doubt he sold them at that age!

9. Many people are familiar with the term “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” but not everyone knows where it originated. Can you pick out the right explanation?

A. The Twelve Days of Christmas represents the number of days Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem.

B. The Twelve Days of Christmas represents the length of time that the three wise men from the East traveled to reach Baby Jesus after his birth.

C. The Twelve Days of Christmas represents the number of reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh.

D. The Twelve Days of Christmas represents the length of time required to celebrate Good King Wenceslas’ birthday.

B. The Twelve Days of Christmas represents the length of time that the three wise men from the East traveled to reach Baby Jesus after his birth.

QQ: And you thought you didn’t learn anything practical in Sunday school?

10. Who hasn’t wondered what “wassail” is and why people would request it at Christmas. Let’s see if you can guess

A. Wassail comes from the Old Norse “Ves Heill” and means “to be of good health,” so when neighbors would visit on Christmas Eve they would drink to each other’s health.

B. Wassail comes from the Old German “Ves Heill” and means “to avoid Hell,” so loved ones would share this sentiment with each other on Christmas Eve in preparation for the birth of Christ.

C. Wassail comes from the Old Celtic “Ves Heill” and means “drink up” so is naturally associated with all party occasions.

D. Wassail comes from the Old English “Ves Heill” and means drink of the angels and eventually became associated with Christmas.

A. Wassail comes from the Old Norse “Ves Heill” and means “to be of good health,” so when neighbors would visit on Christmas Eve they would drink to each other’s health.

QQ: Sometimes The QuizQueen can be very, very silly.

11. Everyone loves to receive them, but dreads performing the annual holiday ritual of sending Christmas cards. So who do we NOT have to thank/blame?

A. Medieval Europeans who exchanged wood prints of religious themes for Christmas.

B. English illustrator John Calcott Horsley who created the first modern Christmas card in 1843 that depicted a family celebration with the caption “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.”

C. German-American printer Louis Prang who made advances in color lithography allowing him to mass produce colorful Christmas cards in 1875.

D. Desmond Hallmark who had a surplus of cards left over from Arbor Day depicting a fir tree and decided to unload them by the box by simply printing Merry Christmas across the trees in red ink.

D. Desmond Hallmark who had a surplus of cards left over from Arbor Day depicting a fir tree and decided to unload them by the box by simply printing Merry Christmas across the trees in red ink.

QQ: While all except poor Desmond can be held responsible, The QuizQueen truly blames Louis!

12. Remember that fuscia sweater Aunt Edna knitted for your Christmas present last year? Don’t blame Aunt Edna, she’s not the one who started the Christmas gift giving tradition, so who is?

A. Those three wise men who visited the stable where Jesus was born.

B. The ancient Romans who exchanged gifts to bring good fortune for the new year.

C. Mark Antony who was always looking for new ways to please Cleopatra.

D. The ancient Greeks who sought to placate the gods on Mount Olympus.

B. The ancient Romans who exchanged gifts to bring good fortune for the new year.

QQ: Of course, Aunt Edna is to blame for choosing that color. You can’t blame the Romans for that.

The Christmas wreaths hanging in the store window say “Noel”, “Peace”, and “Joy”. Yet you are rushing out of that store and on to the next one feeling completely stressed out. You need to buy more Christmas gifts, but your running out of money, time, and ideas. You thought Christmas was to be a time of celebration, but as you pass through more and more check out lines you are getting further away from a festive holiday mood.

Christmas gifts for family or anyone else are nice but should never make you stressed or depressed. With all the self applied pressure to give great Christmas gifts it is easy to end up in debt and unsatisfied.

Is it possible to have peace and happiness in addition to frugality and saving time? Yes. I propose the following 12 new ways of looking at Christmas that will save your time and your money and make this Christmas more meaningful than ever before.

The two most important things you can do are to be aware of what is important and meaningful to the people you care about and plan ahead. Knowing what is important to your loved ones will allow you to find better ways to make their Christmas special without worrying about your bank account and credit cards. Knowing how, when, and where to find those special things will make Christmas gift shopping an exciting experience rather than an unpleasant one.

1st Day of Christmas

Refer to this year’s gift game plan.

What is it: A gift game plan is a list you keep during the year that notes the things that you’ve learned are important and meaningful to the people close to you.

Why: When you give something from your gift game plan you and the receiver of the gift do better because your gift has a value that is much higher than just the purchase price.

Example: Christmas is coming, you have little money, and you want to give your sister a gift that is inexpensive, but will be meaningful to her. You see a note on your gift giving game plan that she mentioned back in May that she loved a particular bowling ball in the public use racks at the bowling alley. It is transparent, has blue sprinkles throughout it, and has just the right finger hole sizes. She tries to hide it every time she is done bowling so she can find it easily next time she comes in. You are a regular customer at the alley and approach owner. It turned out that she is willing to sell you this ball because she wants to buy new balls for the alley anyway. She takes your offer of $10 for this used ball and even has the pro shop polish it and engrave your sister’s name onto it for an additional $5. You didn’t have to spend much money, but your sister is thrilled by the effort you made and that she now owns the “sprinkle ball”!

Action Plan: As a gift giver a better way to ensure that your gift will be appreciated is to make sure you know what is important to the gift receiver. During the year keep a holiday gift list. Every time someone important to you mentions something that is meaningful to them write that down on your holiday gift list. Same goes if they mention something they would really like to own or a problem they would really like to have solved. If you keep this list current you will have lots of ideas on what to get as momentous gifts for Christmas. You will find that often the best gifts / the things that mean the most to your family and friends don’t cost as much as the things you would have bought instead just so you had something to put under the tree.

2nd Day of Christmas

Create beautiful memories instead of ugly debt.

What is it: While there are people who create debt for themselves during the holidays by giving gifts you can inexpensively create a unique memento to a special memory from the past year.

Why: Ever hear that a picture is worth a thousand words? A creatively documented memory could be worth thousands of dollars to the person receiving it!

Example: Want a meaningful gift that will not put you in debt? Think about recreating a special moment from the year with pictures. I once took a picture of a friend who was bowling with her 4 year old daughter who had never bowled before. The picture showed my friend at the bowling line with her daughter while assisting her with her very first roll. I had the picture enlarged to an 8×10 shot and put it in a nice frame I bought on sale during the fall clearance. My total investment in this gift which memorialized this special moment was about $8.00.

Action Plan: Be on the lookout throughout the year for ways to memorialize special events. Collect new and old pictures, video or audio clips, certificates, ticket stubs, and other objects that you can use to remember a special day. Create a collage of pictures. Give a video of the “big game” to the soccer star in your family. Scan an old picture and have it printed as a poster.

3rd Day of Christmas

Write a letter not a card.

What it is: A short, handwritten note or letter that you include with a gift where you would have typically put a greeting card.

Why: When you receive a handwritten letter from someone there is a message you receive before even reading it. It says that the writer cares. Only people that care enough about you, the message, or both take the time to actually handwrite a letter.

Example: You were laid off for almost 8 months this year and are not in a financial position to buy a gift for your friend Chad. Chad helped you find your new job, however, and you want show him that you are grateful for his help this year. You hand write a letter to Chad and tell him that he is the example of what a true friend is, that you appreciate him, and that you will be there for him if he ever needs help as well. You include a picture of yourself sitting at your new work area and write “Thanks for getting me here Chad!”. Chad feels special and important. You acknowledged his effort and documented your gratitude in special way.

Action Plan: Remember something special about that person from this past year and write a short note about it along with a “Merry Christmas”. Tell them you think about them, love them, care about them.

4th Day of Christmas

Leverage your dollar when making holiday purchases.

What is it: Leveraging your money means creating ways to get more value out of your purchase. Find the sellers that need your money and leverage your willingness to buy into a better deal.

Why: In order to regularly improve your lifestyle and stay ahead of increasing living expenses you must be able to get more value for your money than is typically offered.

Example: A rule of thumb in leveraging your money is to get 25% more or pay 25% less. For example, you need four new tires for your car. You determine that $100.00 per tire is a fair and reasonable price. In order to leverage your money appropriately you should find a way to buy four tires for $300.00 (75% of $400.00) or get an additional $100.00 value for your $400.00 purchase. If you find a “Buy 3 Get 1 Free” sale you will get 4 tires for $300.00. If you a free oil change, free tire rotations, and a $50.00 restaurant gift card in addition to your $400.00 tire purchase you leveraged another $100.00 of value out of your purchase.

Action Plan: Christmas is the best time of year to get extra for your money. Once you have decided what it is you need to purchase figure out a fair price and then seek out the seller who can beat it. That means, for example, that you get more of the goods your purchase, more favorable payment terms, longer or more inclusive warranties, a 25% or better discount off of a true “good” price (not the inflated “compare at” price), free and faster delivery, cash back, free trips / rooms / meals / clothes / gifts cards, or any combination of these and other incentives.

5th Day of Christmas

The labor of love – give your time and labor instead of your money.

What is it: Everyone has two important assets – your time and your money. Instead of disproportionately using just one of your primary assets (money) for gift giving seek balance by finding opportunities to give your time as well.

Why: You can potentially leverage your time and skills to give a gift that is much more valuable to someone than just another store bought box. What can you fix, solve, or handle for someone? With your time you can help someone solve a costly problem, assist them in some way to make their life easier, or fix something in their home that is broken.

Example: Your paycheck may not be the best indicator of what your time is worth. Your employer may pay you $10.00 per hour. However, if you spent an hour working on your mom’s car, changing the oil/rotating the tires/washing it, that hour of labor you gave your mom may be worth $30.00 to her.

Action Plan: Again, being attentive to the people who are important to you will shed light on what are their burning issues. During the course of the year these people will have mentioned many problems that they are facing and your time can be of value in solving those problems. Give them a meaningful gift by solving their problem and saving your money!

6th Day of Christmas

White elephant gift giving – one man’s old boots is boy’s dream come true.

What is it: The best gifts are not always brand new but may come with lots of mileage and loaded with character.

Why: Everyone’s sense of value is different. That gift you find may be old, but is perfect for the person you want to give it to because perhaps this gift packs lots of nostalgia, completes a collector’s masterpiece, or even replaces a long lost memory.

Example: Mike, at the age of six, wanted to be a fireman. Mike’s first grade class had just visited the fire station. They got to sit in the fire trucks, use the sirens and lights, look at the tools and hoses, and turn on the alarm at the station. He was very excited about pretending to be a fireman for the day.

At Christmas his parents gave him a fireman’s previously used boots and coat along with a cheap toy fireman helmet. Mike thought he had died and gone to heaven and reacted accordingly. Of course, the boots and coat did not fit and Mike’s parents had bought what was basically garbage to the firefighters for a tiny donation to the volunteer fire department, but that didn’t matter to Mike. He had real fireman equipment and you couldn’t have bought him a better gift.

Action Plan: In your travels during the year look for items that can be acquired for little cost and would be valuable to someone you want to give a gift to. As resources for such gifts look at live and online auctions, estate sales, garage sales, antique shops, online and newspaper classified ads, and even your own attic.

7th Day of Christmas

Tools – gifts that are assets, not liabilities.

What it is: Hand tools are an example of an asset that can be given as a gift. Tools belong to the owner, can be used over and over, and save money and solve problems each time they are used. Gifts are liabilities when they depreciate or cost money to maintain, but gifts are assets when they bring pay for themselves and generate additional value.

Why: Gifts that are assets are gifts that keep on giving year after year. When purchased at a discounted price they answer a need but also generate additional value in the form of saving time and / or money.

Example: Your friend’s kitchen faucet is leaking. He tightens the base of the faucet as good as he can with his hands but it isn’t tight enough to completely stop the leak. If he had a wrench he could completely tighten the bolts. Because he doesn’t have the right tools to stop the leak he will end up paying much more on his water and sewage bill then he should have too.

Action Plan: If you know someone who is not familiar with tools and doesn’t have a current repair problem give her a “starter tool box” of various screwdrivers, wrenches, a tape measure, a finishing hammer, sand paper, and picture hanging hardware. If you know someone with a specific problem you could buy them a tool that will help them solve that problem. Not only are you giving the gift recipient an asset as a gift but you are helping them solve problems and save money.

8th Day of Christmas

Swap employee discounts.

What is it: Many companies offer their employees a discount toward the products or services they sell. Often this discount can be even better than the employer’s best offers to the general public.

Why: You may work for a company that offers a discount to employees but the product or service you sell at work isn’t something you need right now. However, you may have a friend or family member that receives an employee discount at an establishment that sells the things you need.

Example: You work at an appliance store and your friend works at a hardware store. You want to buy your father tools and a toolbox and your friend wants to buy a microwave for his sister. You can each still get a discount on your purchases if you each make the purchases for each other.

Action Plan: Keep tabs on where your friends and family work. Ask them to make purchases on your behalf. Be sure you reciprocate whenever possible if you “borrow” your friend’s discount. Be aware and know how to work with any rules the employer may have about swapping discounts. Many stores also have “employee only sales” and “friends and family sales” – get your friend to bring you! Don’t forget that many people get a part time job during the holidays for both the extra Christmas gift money and the employee discount.

9th Day of Christmas

Reverse the Christmas gift race.

What is it: The gift race is an unrealistic exercise to 1) make sure everyone gets the same amount of gifts, 2) ensure the gifts you give someone are more elaborate or expensive than the gifts they will receive from someone else, or 3) arranging to give more gifts than you did last year.

Why: Some people get caught up in the gift giving believing that their quantity and quality of gifts is somehow a reflection of their worth, love, or status.

Example: Cory has 4 nephews. She bought 2 of them 2 gifts each and the other 2 three gifts each. She spent the same dollar amount on all four, but felt compelled to buy the first two nephews an additional gift each so they wouldn’t think she loved them any less. Cory didn’t have enough cash left to buy the additional gifts so she put them on her charge card. She went home feeling guilty about overspending and going into debt.

Action Plan: Instead of focusing on outdoing last year or someone else’s gift giving focus on how little you can spend to buy a gift that is meaningful to the person you are giving to. Forcing yourself to stay on a strict budget will inspire your creativity and lead to ideas for gifts that are more significant to those you care about.

10th Day of Christmas

Be prepared for these four huge savings days.

What it is: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas Eve, and December 26. These are the days retailers make many of the best retail discounts of the year publicly known.

Why: Emotional and convenience buying will empty your pocket quickly. Strategically planning your purchases on these traditionally deep discounted days will stretch your dollars. Plan ahead with your budget and have money set aside for bargain purchases on these days.

Example: Janet wanted to buy a new cookware set for her mother’s February birthday gift. She had $100 set aside in her budget with which to buy a good set of pots and pans. On Black Friday she found a much better set that was on sale that morning for only $80.00! Janet bought that cookware collection, hid it for her mom’s February birthday, and used the left over $20 to also buy a crock pot and serving utensils, all of which are also being deeply discounted that day.

Action Plan: Planning ahead and timing your gift purchasing is critical. Put money aside every week for these four big buying days. That way you will be prepared to start taking advantage of the once a year deep discounts you will find on the day after Thanksgiving. This isn’t just a time to buy Christmas gifts either. Use these opportunities to buy tools, equipment, household goods and other purchases that you need and have budgeted for.

11th Day of Christmas

Dip into your stockpile of gifts.

What is it: Throughout the year keep looking for incredible deals on items that are assets, save money, solve a problem, or would mean something to someone you know and care about. You may find opportunities to buy ahead of the season. You can save now and set that gift aside until it is time to give.

Why: If you use the entire year to shop for gifts rather than a few weeks before Christmas you are giving yourself many more opportunities to find great deals as well as gifts that will be just right for the person you are buying for.

Example: A retailer was selling off sets of elaborately decorated candlesticks when Jack was bargain shopping. They had been marked at $26.00 per set. The style had changed and new inventory was arriving for the new fall season. The sets were now marked down to $4.00 (over 80% off). These candle stick sets came in a nice box and would be a great gift for Jack’s aunt. It was several days after Labor Day, it wasn’t a gift giving season, however, this was a great opportunity to buy a beautiful gift at an extraordinarily low price to be given at Christmas.

Action Plan: Typically, at the end of a season, retailers will lower prices in order to move inventory and clear the shelves for the next season’s merchandise. In larger metropolitan areas the real discounts go fast because there are lots of people bargain hunting and you may miss on some of the opportunities. Drive by those retailers and head out to their locations in more rural areas. They don’t have the same crowds, but sell the same merchandise and observe the same seasonal inventory changes and clearances. Be sure to take time to browse the day after Christmas, during clearances and going out of business sales. Don’t forget the week after Labor Day for clearance toys, household goods, and clothes.

12th Day of Christmas

Learn to bake.

What is it: Christmas, among other things, is a time for goodies.

Why: While everyone loves to enjoy homemade Christmas cookies and treats, most people will tell you they just don’t have the time to bake them. A variety tray of Christmas cookies can be a very attractive gift. A tray brings lots of value – the enjoyment eating the cookies and the appreciation of the time it took to make them.

Example: Single men, either living alone or in groups, are especially appreciative of the cookie tray. For many reasons this group are the ones that eat of out boxes and bags. Homemade food, especially holiday treats, is not something they get to enjoy very often.

Here is a story of a lady whose effort to save money actually generated a regular income for her. Patty gave her coworkers variety trays of home made cookies at Christmas. Her cookie gifts were a huge hit. While her intent was to save money by giving her coworkers a homemade gift at the company gift exchange she ended up with a small business. Her cookies became so popular that people starting offering her money for extra trays for their families and friends. Soon Patty was bringing in trays of cookies regularly to fill requests for parties and other holidays!

Action Plan: Start small. Your holiday cookie creations do not need to look exactly like ornate Christmas tree decorations. Find easy recipes to follow and keep decorations to a minimum until you are comfortable trying more involved work. Christmas colored sprinkles on sugar cookies is just fine! Want to make the gift of cookies last longer – Hide a hand written note under the cookies so when they are all eaten the note is found later.

Christmas season has arrived. It is right time for buying presents for your friends and family. Make sure that your cell phone also matches the mood of Christmas. Your cell phone should also add to the mood of the Christmas and make sure that everyone around hears Christmas Bells when your cell phone rings. There are many polyphonic ringtones available which are similar to real Christmas bells.

Ringtones are also considered special because they are a part of your personality. They show the kind of person you are. Holiday and Christmas season is fast approaching. Therefore, you should go for a good Christmas ringtone if you really want to enjoy the Christmas season. Christmas ringtones are also important if you a person who wants to match with the latest trends.

Now it’s also possible to send Christmas ringtones to your friends and family. There are thousands of good Christmas ringtones which can be downloaded. Further, there are many websites which allow you to hear the ringtone before downloading it. When you send a ringtone to someone it means that you really care for that person. There are many types of Christmas ringtones available. We are presenting some popular type of Christmas ringtones.

International Christmas Songs: There are Christmas sons made in many languages and they all have great music. You can easily download these songs and convert them to a melody or polyphonic ringtone. This melody can then act as your unique Christmas ringtone. There are many websites which offer free download of music files and you can search for good Christmas songs in these websites.

Fun Christmas Ringtones: There are many funny ringtones available which are used to make the environment light and everyone around enjoys the ringtone. Funny Ringtones are a great way to make the environment light and get the feel of the Christmas season. There are also many funny songs for Christmas every year so you can download the latest songs and make your own Christmas ringtones.

Traditional Christmas Ringtones: There are dozens of famous and melodious Christmas ringtones which are used for years. They are famous and are easily available. Everyone is familiar with these ringtones and these traditional ringtones are best for maintaining the mood of Christmas.

Instrumental Christmas Ringtones: There are many songs which have great instrumental bells. These songs make the best Christmas ringtones. These songs are converted to ringtones and are available for download on many websites. We recommend that you should go for instrumental Christmas ringtone this year.

Religious Christmas Ringtones: There are many religious songs which everyone sings in Church every Sunday. These songs are best for maintaining the mood of the Christmas and they make sure that the religious spirit is just around you. You can add these religious songs as your Christmas ringtone.

There are also some famous jingle songs like Joy to the world, Jingle Bell etc. These songs are perfect for a good Christmas ringtone. There are many applications available which allow you to convert the songs to polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. You can also send these ringtones via MMS to your friends and family.

There are many applications available which can add beats and increase the tempo of the songs. Therefore, you can edit some songs and make your own unique ringtones.

Some people are not just satisfied by Christmas. They also want Christmas Wallpapers and screensavers. There are many Christmas themes available on many websites which can be downloaded easily. So, update your cell phone for the upcoming Christmas season so that when your cell phone rings you are reminded of the upcoming holiday as well as Christmas season.

Christmas is just around the corner… Have you prepared for your youth Christmas Party yet? If you don’t get things moving well in advance, instead of enjoying the Christmas Vacation with the youth, you could end up being totally stressed and miss valuable opportunities to impact their lives and those of their friends and families.

So here’s a Youth Christmas Planning Checklist…

Form a Christmas Party planning committee

• Who needs to be involved in the planning for the Christmas Party? (i.e. parents, youth workers, youth, pastoral staff, others?)
• What are the roles in the planning and preparation for the Christmas Party and who will be responsible for each role?

Coordinate your Youth Christmas Party with the church as a whole

• How will the Christmas Party fit into the over all schedule of Church activities? Does it complement the Church Christmas theme or focus?
• Will there be duplication? Should some parts of the Christmas party be jointly organised?
• Will there be conflicts of manpower and facilities?
• Is your planned date for the Christmas Party on the overall church calendar?
• Who will you need to coordinate with? Will it be part of the overall church Christmas plan or separate?

Decide the Christmas Activities Schedule

• List the individual activities that will be part of your Youth Christmas program.
• What are the times and dates of each event?
• What is the venue or location for each event?
• How will the Christmas Party fit into the schedule?

Decide your Goal for the Christmas Party

• Purpose: What is the purpose for the Christmas party? Is it evangelistic? In appreciation? A simple celebration? To reach out to the community? To help the needy?
• Target group: Who is the target group for the Christmas Party? Who do you want to attend the Christmas Party? (age group, Christians / seekers, friends of youth, parents, youth workers, community, etc.)
• Brief Description: Write a clear description of the Christmas Party and its goals.
• Theme: What is the theme for the Christmas Party?

Plan the Details for the Christmas Party

• What is the official name of for the Christmas Party? Does the name clearly communicate the purpose and content?
• You should have already written down the date and time and venue for the Party. In addition you will want to add directions to the venue? Is there a map available? About how long will it take travel there? Is it difficult to find?

Tentative Christmas Party Program

• What activities will fill the time during the Christmas Party? OVER PLAN and have ALTERNATIVES. (e.g. Icebreakers, gift exchange, Bible study, Movies, Large Group Games, etc.) If you are using another venue, doing an on site inspection in advance will help you better prepare for Christmas games and activities. If there is a gift exchange, how will the exchange be coordinated?

Christmas Party Finances

• What’s the expected actual cost?
• What is the budget for the Youth Christmas Party?
• What is the cost to participants?
• If there is a Christmas gift exchange, what is the price range for the participant’s gifts?
• Are there sponsors / sources of supplies or food for the Christmas Party? Will parents or church members make contributions of Christmas goodies and food?
• Are there scholarships available?
• Does the cost change for early or late sign-ups?
• When is payment for the Christmas Party due?

Christmas Party Arrangements

• Reservation of Venue?
• Recruit Adult chaperones / volunteers for the Christmas Party – A good rule of thumb is to have one chaperon (parent/youth pastor/leader) for every eight youth that attend. (Some groups may require more or less supervision)
• Are there to be Special speakers / special items or programs utilizing outside people?
• Someone trained in first aid or medicine on site in case of an injury.
• What food will be available at the Christmas party? Meals and snacks should be designed to meet the needs of all attendees. Are there any special dietary requirements or restrictions?
• Are there any transportation requirements?
• Contact information for those responsible for major roles and duties?
• Address and contact of nearest medical emergency aid?
• What Rules will be enforced?
• Create an ‘Incident Report’ form for any injuries, accidents or security breaches that occur during the Christmas Party?

Christmas Events Publicity

• Promotional fliers
• Church Bulletin
• Church / youth Calendar or events
• Invitations – Your invitations should state the starting and ending time of your Christmas party and should mention the food you will be serving. And don’t forget to include directions to get to the venue, expecially for first timers. You also will want to include any cost and indicate whether or not participants should bring a gift for a gift exchange and costing for such gifts.
• Sign-up form / Permission slips
• Postcards to invite friends
• Posters / Bulletin Boards
• Website / emails
• Local newspaper

Equipment and resources needed for the Christmas Party

• Are the tables and chairs available at the venue sufficient for participants and the food?
• Sound system? Upbeat Christmas Music?
• Special lighting?
• Special equipment?
• Materials and resources for games?
• Parking space? Drop off and pick-up point for parents?
• Requisition forms for supplies, Checkout / return out form for any equipment or supplies that are borrowed?

Handling emergencies

• Any time you get a group of youth together there is a possibility of accidents. They will happen. So be prepared for them.
• Christmas Party Attendee list – Name, contact number for parents, and permission slips if you are leaving the church premises. Keep the contact information together in a folder and available at all times in case of an emergency. Make a master copy and a standby copy.
• Sponsor list
• Emergency contacts
• Fire, medical, and police department numbers
• What is the name, address and phone number of the nearest hospital or urgent care facility? (This information should be included on your health form/parent release.). What is the most direct route from the venue?
• What are the venue management contacts?
• Prepare a Parent’s contact list.
• Prepare a Volunteer list with assigned roles and contact numbers?
• What transportation arrangements are required. Contact numbers?

Christmas Party Volunteer Training

• Screen Volunteers
• Meet with volunteers as a group before party.
• List responsibilities and contact numbers for each volunteer including a ‘Chain of Command’ – who reports to whom, who makes final decisions?
• Make sure volunteers are clear on the rules.
• Familiarize volunteers with the layout of the venue – especially exits, potential problem areas or hazards.
• Assign people in your team to be responsible for cleaning up any spills/ broken glass as soon as it happens?
• Trouble shoot with volunteers. What things could happen during the party and how should the volunteers respond?
• Have people and vehicles on standby to travel with youth in case of emergency.
• Instruct volunteers in how to complete the ‘Incident Report’ form for any injuries, accidents or security breaches that occur during the Christmas Party and what information is needed. They need to get signatures of any eyewitnesses.
• Go through the entire Party schedule. What resources are needed for each item on the schedule and who is responsible to make sure they are ready?
• Volunteers must be flexible and ready to help out as needed.

The Day of the Christmas Party

• Set up the decorations according to your theme.
• Set up for games / activities
• Test the sound system and Christmas music
• Delivery and storage of food and supplies
• Identify key volunteers to participants, especially the medical person.
• Are floor surfaces clear of trip hazards and electrical cords?
• Are all security, staff and volunteers easily identified with either a uniform, t-shirt, ID badge or cap?
• Are Emergency/Fire exits clear of any obstructions and will they have adults monitoring them?
• Are there first-aid supplies, fire extinguishers? If so, where are they located?
• If you are going to have a gift exchange, have quite a few backups for those that forget or unexpected gifts. Try to insure that everyone gets a gift.
• Be sure to have someone take photos and video of the event. They make great Christmas Party souvenirs.
• Clean up – It’s important to leave the hall or building in the same shape as you found it.
• Involve everyone in this process.

After the Christmas Party

• Return rental or borrowed items
• Thank everyone who made the Christmas Party possible
• Meet with the Christmas Party planning committee and evaluate. Ask: What worked well? What could we have done differently? What did we learn from this process?
• Review any incident reports completed and see what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents happening at future youth events.
• Complete and file a written event summary including any resources and suggestions for future planning of Christmas Parties.
• Send “thank you” cards to everyone who help in any way

This document is a guide only. It contains general information and is not intended to represent a comprehensive checklist. Have suggestions to add? Any words of wisdom? Please click on the comments link below and share with us your wisdom and experience in regards to organizing Christmas Parties for your youth!