Christmas ~ Anytime...take your Christmas season anywhere, anytime!

When planning a Christmas Anytime celebration, make a list...and be sure to check it twice! Big :)

Will you:

~ Be the hostess or the guest?

~ Make dinner? If yes, how many guests? Menu?

~ Need to take anything for the hostess?

~ Decorate? Are your decorations readily available?

~ Be giving gifts? Got wrapping paper, ribbon, etc?

MENU POSSIBILITIES:

The traditional Christmas dinner, turkey with all the trimmings is a favorite in many families. If tradition is what you want your neighborhood grocery store will most likely have everything you need!

On the other hand, if traditional doesn't fit your out of season menu, you might plan a BBQ for a large group (weather permitting)...or, if this will be a small gathering, (2-4), consider a "picnic" in the backyard - living room - den - or any place your heart desires. You might serve a variety of cheeses, snack crackers, fresh fruit nibbles and white wine. Serve this in the early afternoon and get your guests primed for dinner!

Or, go all out with a pork tenderloin roast, scalloped potatoes, fresh, steamed green beans, tossed salad and homemade pineapple upside down cake. Gee...I'm getting hungry! :)

Another thought, brought to me by hubby, Tom, Christmas breakfast or brunch! Wow...scrambled eggs and cheese, fresh, fruit filled crepes, link sausage, ham or bacon on he side...yum!

Don't have a Christmas tree? No problem! A dear lady wrote to me saying that for Christmas 2007, they strung lights in the shape of a Christmas tree and tacked it to the wall!

She said she was disappointed at first because they hadn't "put the effort into the real thing" but after their guests arrived, the "tree" ended up bing the talk of the night! I told Tom, about the idea and he says we're doing it this year...lot easier to deal with than going out and cutting one!

Another option is the artificial trees. They've become very popular over the last several years. Not only are they easy to store, there are no needles to vacuum up, some are already decorated and are perfect when Christmas trees are out of season...unless of course you have some fir, spruce ot pine trees in your yard that you can "prune"!

We live on 2.9 acres in WA state - lots of trees in these parts!. Our first Christmas out here, our youngest grandson, Nick, then 13, grabbed a saw, went out to the "back 40" and cut a sapling for our Christmas tree that year. I was not only surprised when he brought it home, I was so happy that he provided me with what he knew would make my heart smile...both our grandsons do that often :)

The Christmas tree all by itself seems lonely. Add some lights and a few ornaments, turn on the Christmas music and simply enjoy the beauty - Your tree isn't lonely anymore and you're a happy camper!

Why not grab a cup of hot chocolate - light a fire if you have a fireplace or wood burner and settle in ~

Planning ahead will help your disposition...at least it does mine!

Not being a spontaneous soul, planning is my life line. With a plan in hand I accomplish getting done that which needs to be done. Without my plan, (list) I get real cranky and lose my Christmas spirit...okay, I don't take it THAT far!

Below are some gift ideas that may be of interest to you. You know what your preferences are for those special people in your life. I'm certain that whatever you choose will be special to the recipient because you selected the gift :)

It seems reasonable to me that when one is visiting, it's a good idea to take the hostess a gift...what to give is the question!

Unless you know your hostess well, gift giving might be a bit daunting! So, often times, simplicity works the best.

Consider:

a bouquet of fresh, seasonal flowers for the coffee table.

scented candles are always welcome in our home!

linen hand towels for the bathroom.

fruit and snack basket.