Potential Magazine November 2014 | Page 34

The Layered Look Layer satin ribbon over burlap to add texture and interest to a package. Get creative with embellishments.We couldn’t resist adding a special treat for our four-legged friends! Special Delivery Create this “Air Mail” look by adding vintage stamps and an air mail tag (search Google images for inspiration) to Kraft paper packages and tie-off with cheery red twine. o urFo r o u r f ie n d s le g g e d f r ) v ...and that’s a wrap! f ree and mostly Festive Fun for Families The holidays are often the rare time of year when all the family is together at once. Add a twist to your traditions (or even start some new ones) this year by trying one of these fun and budgetfriendly activities: • After Thanksgiving is the perfect time to plan a trip to a local  lights festival or simply load everyone up in the car, and drive around looking for homes decorated with Christmas lights. Don’t forget to make a Christmas music mix. Hot cocoa is also a nice touch. • Spice up your Christmas caroling this year by rocking fancy  Victorian costumes or gifting your neighbors with treats to spread the joy of the holidays. Share laughs and take tons of pictures—It will also make for a memorable Christmas card! “We always do a lot of baking for Christmas. It’s something my mother used to do with me, and now my children help me, especially my oldest daughter. She’s very sentimental. We make plates of several different treats and wrap them up to take to neighbors, friends and family.” Ornaments • Invite friends and family over to make gingerbread houses and  watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. • Round up your loved ones and make a trip to your local fire  station, hospital, military base or group homes to gift others who may be spending their holidays apart from family with cookies, treats and free hugs. • On New Year’s Eve, camp out in front of the Christmas tree  (if it’s still up!), share your top moments of the year, jot down resolutions and store them inside your stockings to read again next Christmas. 34 - Sheri L, mom of 4 teens. www.potentialmagazine.com Even if your kids are older, it’s not too late to start your own family holiday tradition of giving a child a Christmas ornament each year. Choose one with significance for that year—a baseball ornament for your star pitcher, or give your graduating senior one from the college they plan to attend. The whole family will enjoy lookin