Lindsey's Top 10 Christmas Movies

Seeing as how Christmas is in full swing and most of us are either done with school for awhile, out of work for a few days or just arrived in town to visit family for the holidays, it's time to start watching those warm hearted Christmas movies. I'll be honest I've been watching them for the past month. But perhaps most of you wait until the few days leading up to this blessed holiday to pop the DVD in. Regardless, here are my top 10 favorites. I'm no movie critic so don't expect these to be the greatest films of all time. Just the one's I love the most!

10. The Preacher's Wife (1996)

I know that the original (The Bishop's Wife) may be classic, but this version makes me cry and laugh at the same time. The story of miracles and a family changing for the better around Christmas time is one that will never grow old. And who wouldn't love to have Denzel as their guardian angel?

9. The Santa Clause (1994)

This has been a favorite of mine since it first came out. A lover of Tim Allen, I just had to see this! He's so funny and lovable that it's hard to resist. Plus, the idea that Santa Clause continues over time because men put on this suit when he dies is ingenious. If you don't believe in Santa now, you certainly will once the film is over.

8. We're No Angels (1955)

Funny, funny, funny is all I really have to say. If you have not seen this Humphrey Bogart caper, then you are sincerely missing out. Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov play a trio of charming prison inmate escapees who end up being more helpful than hurtful. Though this may not seem Christmasy don't worry, it is. The three create such a lovely holiday atmosphere you would swear they were "angels".

7. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

If you've ever had a lot of family stay with you over the Christmas season, you will love this movie. Not only is it a hilarious addition to the Chevy Chase National Lampoon series, but it will help you to laugh at your current predicament and perhaps realize that your own family isn't so bad. Hey, at least you don't have a brother-in-law who shows up on your driveway with a beat-up trailer filled with his families waste which he then proceeds to dump down your storm drain. Right?

6. Home Alone/Home Alone 2 (1990)

I know there are two movies listed here but it's so hard to choose between the original home christmas burglar beat down and the New York christmas burglar beat down. In the original Kevin gets to be home all by himself, but a Christmas in New York with all sorts of crazy adventures is irresistible.

5. White Christmas (1954)

Who isn't dreaming of a white christmas? And who wouldn't want to be swooned by Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney? This film not only gives us some of the traditional christmas songs we sing today, but when two GI's chase two sisters to Vermont and end up helping their old general, it will warm your heart as well.

4. Scrooge (1970)

With the mounds of Scrooge and A Christmas Carol films out there, it's hard to really pick one that is a favorite. But I have. In this version, a young Albert Finney portrays the decrepit miser who "humbugs" Christmas at every turn. Now this is a musical and you may not think you would want to see Ebinezer Scrooge singing show tunes, but to me it all comes so natural. Finney, who is a fantastic Scrooge, does an amazing job as well as the rest of the supporting cast.

3. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Now I may get a lot of you gasping at this choice as it is not the original with Natalie Wood, but I said these are my favorite christmas movies not the best out there! This is the story of a little girl who is two old for her own good. Though she and her mother do not believe in Santa Clause, that doesn't stop a man named Kris Kringle from trying to convince them. And in the process he convinces the entire state of New York.

2. A Christmas Story (1983)

I don't even think I need to explain why I've picked this one. Anyone who, as a child, wanted something for Christmas that they knew was a long "shot" can relate to this nostalgic look at a young boy and his mission for a Red Ryder BB gun. Now if that doesn't make the whole movie for you the smoking furnace, frozen tongues, foul-mouthed flat tires and "electric-sex gleaming in the window" will.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

This is my number one choice because of what it stands for. Jimmy Stewart is a man who has always done for others, forsaking his own future and desires but finds that life is not what he expected it would be. To me it shows us that we each touch the lives of others in ways we aren't aware of. I bet the people you know would have a very different life without you in it. Let this film show you that.

Track Santa's Sleigh As He Comes To Town Today

It's Christmas Eve and besides wondering if they're on the naughty or nice list, kids want to know where Santa is. With the help of satellites, we can now keep a constant track on old Kris Kringle. There are two sites that make this possible. The first is santaclaus.net. With comprehensive knowledge of the North Pole from it's weather to receiving a phone call from Santa, it will help your kids be more informed of Santa's happenings.

The second site that is guaranteed the most dependability is NORAD. The North American Aerospace Defense Command makes it a priority to track St. Nick on the very special day of December 24th until all of the presents are delivered and he has returned to the North Pole. For the kid who wants absolute proof of Santa and his whereabouts, show him the bonafide reports from this military agency.

Have a merry Christmas and enjoy tracking Santa Claus comes to your town!

15 Reasons to Love the Holidays

Christmas and New Years are the greatest time of the year. Why are they so great, though? There are so many reasons, that it's difficult for most to choose just one. I've compiled a list of the top 15 reasons to love the most wonderful time of the year to bring some cheer!

1.) Snow

Snow! Snow! Snow! SNOW! If you can't hear Bing Crosby when you read that, then something is wrong. You might be slowly turning into a grinch. It's time to get in the Christmas spirit! There are so many amazing things you can only do in the snow. Snowball fights, forts, snow angels, snowboarding, skiing, watching pets and little kids have fun struggling to move through it and most of all: waking up to a blanket of white on Christmas morning. Wake up your inner child and go enjoy it :)

2.) Sledding

I know it's something you can do in the snow, but this one extra special. It's the only time of year you can rocket into soft powder just by sliding. This is a fun, free activity for everyone in the family. My entire family goes every year, no matter what age. We're slowly making daredevils out of my little nephews, which we started to do at the age of 2 :-)

3.) Christmas Tree

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, how lovely are your branches. There's nothing quite like going to get the tree together, weather you cut it down yourself or buy it from a lot. No matter if your family fights strapping it to the roof or getting it through the door, everyone always comes to together for fun to pick it out and decorate it. You'll remember at least one year for your entire life, even if it is something like Ralphie saying "oh, fudge". Also, I love how the Christmas tree stays up through the entire holiday season, for weeks before Christmas until New Years Day. That give plenty of time to fill up your home with scent of pine tree and a constant glowing reminder of the season.

4.) Christmas lights

Each house lit up in a different array of lights, manger scenes, Santa on rooftops, red ribbons on lampposts and so much more. As with the rest of the list, it’s only done once a year, and it lasts the entire season from beginning before Christmas and lasting through New Years. Christmas lights truly have to embody Christmas itself.

5.) Watching classic Christmas TV shows/movies

I don't know about your family, but mine has a tradition of watching certain movies and TV shows every Christmas. We have to watch A Christmas Carol, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, It's a Wonderful Life, A White Christmas, The Little Drummer Boy, A Christmas Story, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, A Very Mickey Christmas (we recorded 15 years ago, commercials and all) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. They bring you back to childhood instantly, almost like a time capsule. Everyone loves Christmas favorites, and it's great to pass the tradition to the young ones.

6.) Carols

The songs you only hear one time a year. I love singing songs that I know have been sung for hundreds of years, and my entire life. If you don't want to sing, it's also neat to just listen to carolers make their way down the street singing sweet melodies and wishes to all who hear.

7.) Seeing old friends

Most people head home for the holidays, back to their hometown where they grew up. It's always great to see people you've spent your entire childhood, or at least part of it, with; to see what they've done and how they have been since the previous year. And you may just run into a long lost friend that you haven't seen in years.

8.) Family together

This best time of the year brings one the greatest things people can have: family gathered together. If you're fortunate enough to be able to have your entire immediate or extended family together, enjoy the greatest gift you have in life. Time with them may sometimes be annoying or trying for you, but look deeper and see how precious it really is to be with the only people you're related to. After all, is is the time to be together and it only comes once a year.

9.) Parties

So many festivities this time of year! There are office parties, parties with your friends, some with your parents, some for homecomings, and of course, the biggest party on New Years Eve. It truly is the season for celebration and togetherness.

10.) The meals

Part of the greatness of parties during this season, coming home and just Christmas overall is the food. For some, it's the one element of Christmas they look forward to the most. Usually, people have a big feast on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas. In my family, we have a banquet on Christmas Eve of seafood, steak and sides then eggnog french toast and eggnog on Christmas morning. I look forward to it all year every year. Christmas just wouldn't be right without these meals. So, make Whoville and roast up a roast beast :-)

11.) The presents

Everyone loves presents, and this aspect of Christmas. Giving and receiving are part of what makes the season so grand. And there's nothing like little kids shooting out of bed that one day of the year and jumping for joy and the sight of filled stockings and gifts under their glowing tree. Now that I've relatively grown up, I love seeing my nephews' reactions as they sit under the tree with the presents waiting to open them and their excitement when they do. And, I love to see each person's face when they open my gifts and the ones that were exactly what they wanted as well. It's great to get what you want, even greater when it's from your family and the greatest when you give that perfect gift.

12.) Desserts

To me, the sweets are better than the meals. Like the other things on this list, there are things you will only get one time of year. Sugar plums, candy canes, gingerbread cookies, bread pudding and countless other sweets help to make the season bright. Of course, I look forward to this. And it's heat-warming to give and receive a plate of goodies from your friends and neighbors.

13.) Shopping on December 26th

It's the most wonderful deals of the year, with the store doors jingle belling and every shopkeeper telling you " here is a steal!" It's true, the absolute greatest discounts of the entire year occur on December 26th. Not to brag, I've actually gotten a brand new wool winter coat for $25 marked from the normal price of $200. It's thee day to do any necessary returns and exchanges or just shopping in general to get the most bang for your dollar.

14.) Not working/no school

Hopefully, you're part of the majority of America that gets Christmas Day off. And if you’re really fortunate with your career, you’ll have the entire week of Christmas off. If you’re a student, you get at least 2 weeks off around Christmas and New Years. It’s always good for everyone to take time away from the hustle and bustle, especially all together.

15.) Jesus is born!

Above all the great things of Christmas, it is ultimately the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Considering that most of the Unites States and the western world is Christian, it’s our greatest celebration time of the year. A time to rejoice and gather at church with family and close ones.

I hope you can find 15 things, if not more to love about the holiday season. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Pretty Thought of the Day

Cider heals the soul as well as warm the heart.

Christmas Tree Brownies on Peppermint Sticks Recipe

Here is recipe for us at Inspiring Pretty to say Merry Christmas to you!

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:

2/3 cups butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1 tsp baking powder

Frosting:

5 oz butter

1 cup powder sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp hot water

Decoration:

2 inch peppermint sticks

desired food coloring

sprinkles

any other decorations you wish

For brownies, preheat oven to 350º. Beat eggs, sugar, vanilla flour, cocoa, baking powder and butter together in large bowl. Bake for 20-30 minutes until no longer gooey. Let cool completely for approximately 30 min. Once cool, cut 7 rows of triangles, with 3 triangles in each row.

For frosting, beat together eggs, butter and sugar with electric mixer. Once thoroughly mixed, add in vanilla and water. Beat until smooth and creamy. Then add about 5 drops of your desired food coloring

Decorate brownies only when completely cooled. To frost, cut a tiny hole in the corner of a ziplock bag. Put frosting inside and use this to pipe frost the brownies! Stick peppermint sticks approximately 1 inch into the bottom of the tree!

Enjoy!

Pick Your Party Outfit

Parties seem to be synonymous with the holidays. Whether it's an office party, a church party, a family gathering, a simple holiday cocktail party or one wild and crazy New Years Eve filled with mistletoe and drinks, you will surely want to look your prettiest. Right? Right! Here are a few ensembles that will have other party goers "ooo"ing and "aaww"ing.

If you are in need of a dress that says "I'm feminine and soft while still giving some holiday flare? Try either one of these dress styles. Though the sleeveless ruffle dress by Carven is $679 and the sheer layered drape dress by Zimmerman is $375, they are worth their exquisite appearance. Earrings are a necessity to the perfect holiday party outfit and what's better than glittery, glitzy chandeliers? This pair is by Simon Tu goes for $330, but you can find anything similar at your local accessory or department store. And lastly, A black ensemble with a pair of striking red heels makes a statement. These Labrie heels are $90 at Aldo.

There are many women out there who desire a much more conservative dressing with a simple pant, blouse and jacket. If you fall under this category, these pieces would be entirely perfect. The red cropped jacket by Tsumori Chusato is $549, Jaloux holiday blouse for $130, and tux-style chiffon insert pants by ASOS are $62. For a touch of holiday glam without overwhelming others, these gold glitter pumps by Michael Antonio for $35 will surely please.

Now when New Years rolls around and you want to go sequin and sparkle glam, this creation will give you just that without blinding your friends or looking over-the-top. It's really the subtle color combined with soft gems that makes it work. Plus this outfit is completely affordable: The sequin Animal Print Party Dress is a steal at Arden B for $64, Jessica Simpson's 'Minas' bootie for $55 at Nordstrom's, the Tinley Road Double Row Jewel Necklace from Piperlime for $24 and don't forget to add this Beaded Clutch at Forever21 for $23.

Now this dress may be a bit too much for your budget, but I couldn't resist putting it in here. Why you may ask would I show you this purple Lanvin dress that retails for $3, 458? Because it is simply gorgeous. And after all, we here are Inspiring Pretty want to show you pretty things, right? Right.

Christmas Decor: Clever Ways to Display Those Cards

Seeing as how it is a week until Christmas, I am sure you have been receiving cards by the basketfuls from friends and family wishing you a "Merry Christmas", a "Happy Holiday's" and a "Happy New Year". I know I have, and they all look so beautiful. I'm always trying to come up with new and practical ways to display Christmas cards so that I can look at them as well as use them to decorate my home for the holidays. If you are in the same boat as me, welcome! Not only is there room on this boat, but there are also many ideas splashing on board from the vast sea known as the internet. Check out what I've discovered and please use them for your cards too!

Better Homes and Gardens shows us a great way to place those cards on the mantel with decorative ease. Pick up some wire garden edging (used to border flowerbeds) and tuck your cards into the arches. The great thing about this idea is that the edging is so easy to decorate and bring into your christmas decor. Add some ribbon, tree trimmings and garland. Even adding some hanging ornaments to your garland will give the mantel the finishing holiday touch it needs.

If you're not one who receives many cards, this idea may be best for you. Again, Better Homes and Gardens suggests placing evergreen branches placed in a metal urn or short vase. Set the cards in the branches. To add a little more intrigue to the set, pick branches with pine cones still intact, attach pine cones or small ornaments to floral wire and then stick them in the vase.

I know many folks who struggle with creative decorations and just want some simple easy ideas. Well, here's one! Set a basket on your table and when a card comes just set inside! Now when your friends and family are over, watching you cook, they can sift through the cards in holiday enjoyment!

The gal from Shorely Chic has some great christmas card display ideas as well, one of which I am a huge fan of. Hang Christmas cards from your staircase! So beautiful. With this idea, you would attach clothes pins to the hand rail on your staircase, which you can hide or enhance with garland.

My favorite way to display your cards is by placing them on hanging ribbon. I first saw this idea at my sisters house and fell in love! She had taken 2 long ribbon strands and sewn stitches every so often to create little slits for the cards to slide into. She hung them from the sides of her fireplace. In this case, it seems as though buttons were sewn onto the ribbon with a paperclip type product hung over the button. Then you can use the other end to attach your card securely. But you can also use clothes pins or tape to achieve a similar affect.

Lastly, there are a few wire card holders that you can buy to hang on your wall. They aren't overly inexpensive, but they are easy!

DIY: Make Your Own Snow Globe

This is one of the simplest and cutest things you can make for Christmas time. If you're looking to for a fun activity for your kids when they're out of school, this is perfect. And, it will last for years to come.

You'll need:

a jar of your choosing with lid

anti-rust sealant (for metal lids)

clear epoxy or hot glue or aquarium sealing glue or florist clay

mineral oil or baby oil

eggs shells or large white/silver glitter flakes

a figurine/decorations of your choice

Instructions:

1.) Glue the figurine inside the jar. You can glue it to the bottom of the jar or the lid. It usually looks much better if you glue it to the lid.

2.) When the glue has dried, pour the mineral oil/baby oil into the jar.

3.) Add the snowflakes. If you use egg shells, simply roll a roll pin over the egg shells until you have tiny pieces. If you use glitter, just add as much as you want.

4.) Screw on your lid very tightly. Use the anti-rust sealant when screwing on lid, if using a metal lid.

If you want to make your snow globe a little unique, use other decorations inside and out. You can also use jewelry. Simply glue only one part of the jewelry to the base of the snow globe. It's a cool option, because it's a little different and it will move with the snowflakes.

For the outside of the jar, you can decorate it will paint, more glitter and ribbons. Tie a cute Christmas ribbon around the lid to cover the lid and make it very Christmasy. And since you already had clear glue, use it to add some glitter to the sides, or break out the paintbrushes. Enjoy this activity now and years to come!

Inspired by elfster.com, but with IP touches

The History of Santa Claus

Around 300 AD, there was a bishop named Nicolas in the small seaside town of Myra, in

what was the Byzantine empire, now Turkey. He was noted for his generosity and love of people. He used his wealth to secretly give to those who were in need on his parish. No one knew where these gifts of money, clothes and other things were coming from. They simply were thankful and thanked God for answering their prayers. The most famous incident of Nicolas’ giving was the bestowing of dowries for the 3 daughters of a family that couldn’t afford them. He tossed bags of money down the chimney into the house. He was soon found out by the father of the family, though, and Nicolas swore him to secrecy. When Nicolas passed away, his secret came out and the entire town continued the charity he had begun. When someone received an anonymous gift, they would say it must be from Nicolas. Nicolas came to be regarded as a saint after his death, earning the name Saint Nicolas. Many Italian sailors would frequent the tiny town of Myra and they soon picked up on the Greeks’ custom of secret charity of St. Nicolas. The tale spread quickly, reaching Germany where Saint Nicolas was translated to Sankt Nikolaus. Then, the tradition quickly stretched to Holland, where Sankt Nikolaus turned into Sinterklaas in Dutch. Then, the Dutch brought their tradition of Sinterklaas to the new world as they settled in America. When the English learned of this ritual, they also celebrated it, but with their translation of the Saint’s name: Santa Claus.

Sticky Fig Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe

Christmas time is here, happiness and.......cupcakes!! This involves my two favorite things: cupcakes and Christmas. For me, it truly does not get much better than this. Kick off the Christmas season with cupcakes designed for this special time of year. Gather the kids to help bake these for the whole family!

For this recipe you'll need:

Glaze:

2 tbsp butter

1/2 heavy whipping cream

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Cupcakes:

1 cup water

1 cup dried figs, chopped

1 1/4 all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt (optional)

1/2 stick butter at room temp

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp lemon zest

2 tsp vanilla

First, prepare the glaze. In a sauce pan at medium, melt together the butter, cream and brown sugar constantly stirring until mixture is uniform and brown sugar has dissolved. Then, heat on high for approximately 1 minute, or until boiling. Remove from the stove and stir in vanilla. Set aside.

For cupcakes, preheat oven to 350º. Heat the figs chopped into quarters in water until boiling. Once boiling, remove from stove and set aside. In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set bowl aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together sugar and butter until creamy. Then add eggs, lemon zest and vanilla to mixture. Beat together until smooth. Next, pour in the flour mixture until smooth. Then add the figs and the remaining liquid from the sauce pan.

Pour batter into cupcake liners and place in cupcake pan. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until cupcakes are firm, but still doughy. Remove cupcakes from oven. Pour 1/2 tbsp brown sugar glaze over each cupcake. Sauce may drip down the sides, so pour carefully. Bake cupcakes again at 225º for approximately 20 minutes until an inserted toothpick can be stuck in the cupcake and come out dry. Take cupcakes out and let cool for 10 minutes.

For best results, serve the cupcakes while still warm with heavy whipping cream, whipped cream or powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Pretty Gifts for any Budget

In this festive time of year, we could all use a little bit of help finding gifts that fit within our budgets. Well, Santa came to the ladies at Inspiring Pretty with some helpful hints and suggestions. Here's what he shared and we hope they make your Christmas brighter!

This Cucina Hand Care Duo set of moisturizing hand cream and liquid soap is so in"dispensable" you won't believe you ever did without it. Refreshing scents make it a wonderful set for you bathroom as well as your kitchen. Pick it up at fruits-passion.com for $32.00.

This Silver Floral Bowl from Ikea shines and shimmers for decorative display or everyday food items. $29.00

Give your family and friends a 2011 Calendar by LindaandHarriett.com. Each month is letter pressed in two beautiful colors. But this 9" x 5.25"calendar does more than just help you keep track of days, the bottom portion can be cut off at the end of the month to become a postcard! $30.00

A Travel Jewelry Case from delight.com will keep valuables protected in case of a last minute beach trip, a busy weekend getaway or last minute party. And it won't take up half a suitcase or purse! With multiple compartments, this case is perfect for storing those essential pieces you always want with you. The case measures 6" x 2.5" x 1.25" and comes in several colors. $36.50

In keeping with the Holiday spirit, this Pewter Holiday Ornament would be a perfect gifting suggestion. Beehivekitchenware.com has ornaments in several shapes and designs for any friend or family member. $17.50-$18.50

These pretty iron Audrey Votives are handmade of twisted wire in the French style of fils de fer. When your gifting recipient lights a candle in the frosted glass cups, the lacy design will stand out in silhouette, creating flickering artwork everywhere in their home. Set of 5 for $29.00

This all-in-one embossed Infuser and Mug from republicoftea.com makes steeping and sipping your tea easier and more flavorful. $12.50

Now Stocking Stuffers!

Floral Page Markers at PeterPauper.com are perfect for that book worm in your life. Because they are magnetic you will be giving them more than just your average book mark. They can flip these little babies over a page and never worry about losing their place. And at $3.95 for 8, they make a fantastic stocking stuffer.

A California Poppy letterpress journal will definitely inspire your family member to jot down pretty thoughts they daydream throughout the day. Letterpressed inks on eco-friendly felt-finish coverstock cover 24 white, lined pages. $9.00

The Power of A Christmas Card

One of my very favorite things of the holiday season is sending out cards. With my hectic, kid-shuffling life; Christmas cards are the only correspondence that I with some recipients all year. There are so many people in my life that I care deeply about, but for one reason or another life has taken us in different directions. It brings a smile to my face when I receive an annual card from them hearing about their new adventures. And conversely, I enjoy including them in the new and exciting changes that happen in our family each year. It helps me to relive those nights my old girlfriends and I would stay up all night giggling and chatting. Or the summer trips I took with extended family. There is something about a holiday greeting card that makes all of the time and space between people melt away and we can pick up right where we left off. And even though we can't get together for lunch every week, we still feel connected to each other.

With that said, you can see how important it is to pick the right card. I always head to Shutterfly.com first. Partly, because I already have a bunch of photos uploaded to their site, but also because they have a great selection of snazzy designs to choose from. I found a few sites that were offering free cards, but they didn't have anything really great to choose from. So, I decided to go with ol' SF once again. I like to showcase my kids, so I usually choose something with quite a few picture slots. Another reason I like Shutterfly is that not only can you put images on the cover, but you can put them on both of the inside flaps as well. This enables you to feature some of the year's highlights right on the card. Here is the model we decided to go with this season. Shutterfly has added new exclusive designs this year so the selection is better than ever.

And if you stumped on gifts for grandparents, you can't go wrong with a photo calendar or mug. It let's them see their grand kids all year long. My folks love it because we are 1000 miles apart for most of the year. A word of caution though, grandparents and spouses are pretty much the only ones who appreciate gifts with your kids' plastered all over them. However, a puzzle or coaster set featuring a cheesy photo of yourself makes a great gag gift for a sibling or your next gift exchange.

Christmas Decor: Using Ornaments

Whenever this time of year comes a callin' I begin to get excited. I bust out my boxes of decorations, lights and garland. This year I began sifting through what I've truly been using and what it just simply clutter. Once I organized it all, I made a box for the Goodwill and then looked at what was left over for my home. It wasn't much. I've realized that though I have 3 strings of garland, tree ornaments, a nativity scene, decorative candles, wreaths and lights galore I didn't really have any semblance of order or style to my adornment. So, I went to a few stores searching for any kind of idea. And then it hit me: use ornaments all over to tie it all together! It was like that light bulb just went "ding!" inside my head. So, if you want to use this concept for your home christmas decorations, here are a few great ways to string your ornaments together.

• Of course you'll use them on your tree, so if you're planning on doing an ornament theme all around the home make sure the round ornaments on the tree are in the same color scheme or design as the one's you will be using all over.

• Create a beautiful centerpiece on a table - or anywhere really - with a few pillar candles gathered together on a plate while round varied ornaments, jewelry, and frosty snow surround them.

• I have a tall, thin vase and love to fill it with items for every season. In the the fall or winter I usually place discarded christmas tree branches, fall leaves and pine cones inside. But this year I've decided to use ornaments too! You don't want this to come across too orderly so the it's best to use at least three items (branches, berries, roses etc.) and different sized ornaments to complete the ensemble.

• My parents have a grand staircase and my mother always wraps garland around the railing at Christmas time. The past few years she has hung gorgeous ornaments from the garland with pretty, soft ribbon in varied lengths for depth. She just tied the ribbon to the garland or rail, but you can also attach the ribbon to an ornament hook and hang the hook on the garland. It's always classically beautiful.

• And don't forget about the bannister! This is the place where you want to start off your staircase decor with flair. If you hang a few large pine branches, hooked to the bannister in floral wire and gather several ornaments in varied sizes and colors in front that cascade down towards the floor, you will wow anyone who begins a journey up the fabulous staircase.

• And speaking of ornaments attached to ribbon, there are many other options for this duo that you're home will just love! Just wrap an embellishing ribbon around hanging towels and tie a knot. Then attach an ornament with a piece of wire or ornament hook wrapped around the knot. This looks especially fantastic on the backs of dining room chairs! Better Homes and Gardens suggests draping a pretty towel, large napkin, lovely scarf or any other fabric over the chair and then proceed with the above instructions.

• If you plan on using the dining room chair suggestion, top of the table look with ornament place cards and napkin rings. For the place cards, just adhere a small embellished piece of paper with your guests name on it to the ornament. For the napkin ring, attach an ornament or two to ribbon and tie it around a rolled up napkin.

• Ornaments also look great atop candle sticks. They don't even have to be matching candle sticks as long as they have the same look and style. This idea works great with varied heights. Simply gorgeous!