Scents for the Holiday Season
by Arleen M. Kaptur

Description: Ideas for soothing holiday scents for your home.

Sponsors:

Wreaths that welcome your guests with the wonderful scents of the season - a hint of the wonders inside as they step through your doorway - a bit of spice, a touch of pine, and the gentle chime of tiny bells. Naturally Christmas - Using a grapevine wreath, a branch of pine with small pinecones, floral wire, a moss- covered branch, snow birds, tiny clay pot, dried berries, or artificial raspberries, cran- berries, silk holly, a red bandana, tiny jingle bells, additional pinecones, dried bay leaves, spanish moss, miniature poinsettias, chenille wire, a bit of "snow" textured paint - Decorate and add as much or at little as you like - give your entranceway a touch of the Season.

If you live in warmer climates, change the decor to suit the area you live in, or use the winter touches to add nostalgia and storybook touches to your door.

There is a White Christmas in the hearts of everyone!

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Goose wreath:

grapevine wreath, sphagnum moss, a burgundy
ribbed velvet ribbon, a tiny bird nest and goose
figurine, bracken ferns, white German statice,
red berries, dried apple, orange and lemon slices, cut in half

This "nature" wreath, emits a fragrance of fruit and spice - a wonderful combination for this time of year.

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Pumpkins still can highlight some of your Holiday decor - Try a truly rustic pumpkin basket trio:

Three pumpkins, of varying size, hollowed out and cleaned of seeds and pulp.

Colors: bittersweet orange, black and trail tan and antiquing paint, an old toothbrush, grapevine, 2-gauge wire.

Poke two small holes with a pick opposite each other near the top of the pumpkin, about 1 inch below the rim.

Cut three or four grapevine lengths, depending on the thickness of the vine for each pumpkin as a handle. Cut the grapevines 28" for the large pumpkin, 20" for the medium, and 16" for the small. Cut two 12" lengths of wire to attach to the handle.

Run the end of one wire through a hole and center the wire in the hole. Gather the grapevine and place one side next to the outside of the basket with the ends hanging about 2" below the hole. Tightly wrap the wire tails around the vine. Attach the other end of the handle in the same manner. Repeat for all your pumpkins.

Fill with dips, salsas, and sour cream, etc. and surround the entire top with fresh parsley held in place with toothpicks. Use the largest for your chips.

Colorful, useful, and a "different" touch to your buffet table.

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Recall the scent of gingerbread and you have all kind of memories spilling over.

To make fragrant gingerboys that you can string on your tree, use in a wreath, or place in bowls of potpourris -

3-1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp. ginger, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp.ground cloves, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, softened, 1/2 cup molasses, 3/4 cup water

Combine dry ingredients. Cream in the butter and molasses, alternating with water. The dough will be very stiff.

Roll out the dough to 1/4" thickness or thinner. Cut out the cookies with a 2-1/4" gingerbread cookie cutter. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet at 350 for 15-20 mins. This will overbake and dry the cookies. Paint with acrylic paint to decorate. Fragrant, very nostalgic, and perfect for your Holiday home decor.

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Just a few touches to add to your home to bring the very essence of the Season to those you love and care about. ENJOY!

Reprinted with permission.

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