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Holiday Gift Wrapping
Scents for the Holiday Season
by Arleen M. Kaptur
Description: Ideas for soothing holiday scents for your home.
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!
***********************
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.
************************
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.
***********************************
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.
******************************
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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