Do you know what your Christmas decorations mean?

I get super excited each time the holiday season comes around to put up our decorations- pick our tree, add lights , candy canes and a star on top. Put up our wreath, add a bell to our door. The works! But do you ever wonder where these traditions come from? Or what their meaning is? Here is some background on a few of the main Christmas decorations and traditions:

The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ago- The shining hope of mankind.

The Color Red: The first color of Christmas, symbolizing that Savior's sacrifice for all.

The Fir Tree: Evergreen- the second color of Christmas shows everlasting light and life. The needles point up to heaven.

The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold, signifying that all are precious in His eyes.

The Candle: A mirror of starlight, reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem.

The Gift Bow: Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.

The Candy Cane: Represents the shape of the shepherd's crook, used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.

The Wreath: A symbol of the neverending eternal value of love… having no end.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Whimsique Invitations

www.whimsique.com

Are You Ready for Black Friday?

If you are like me, until today, you haven't had time to even think about Thanksgiving, let alone Black Friday. Here are some of the biggest Black Friday deals (click links below).

Wal-Mart

if you don't want to flip through ads and just want a list click here

opens at 5am

Target

if you don't want to flip through ads and just want a list click here

opens at 4am

Kohls

if you don't want to flip through ads and just want a list click here

opens at 3am

Old Navy

if you don't want to flip through ads and just want a list click here

opens at 12am

JC Penny

if you don't want to flip through ads and just want a list click here

opens at 4am

Best Buy

if you don't want to flip through ads and just want a list click here

opens at 5am

Macy's

if you don't want to flip through ads and just want a list click here

opens at 4am

Amazon.com

if you don't want to flip through ads and just want a list click here

Travel deals

*Some of them start online on Thanksgiving! Including target at 2am and Wal-mart at 3am- for all the details click here

**Whimsique will also be giving 15% savings on Black Friday for any orders placed that day. Email us with coupon code THANKSGIVING10 or type it in when you order on etsy

Christmas Card Promo! Check it out.

Are you tired of sending out a christmas card and then seeing the same one for 10 of your friends? Try of of our unique or custom designs! email me: Melissa@whimsique.com - designs will be on our website in the next couple weeks.

Party for 50 + guests? No problem!

A friend asked me last night " What do I serve at my house warming party for 50+ guests? I want to make a a great impression, but don't want to break the bank"... My wheels started turning as I thought of ways to keep the cost low... The best option I told her, is food stations. Sounds intimidating but prep can be done days in advance for the majority of it and people love to customize what they eat. You keep your cost low, guests happy and make an impression. Here are some menu ideas:

Baked Potato Bar

pre-bake all the potatoes in foil and keep them warm in the oven until time to serve and then serve with an array of options:

• cheese
• chives
• sour cream
• alfredo sauce
• brocolli
• hollandaise
• chicken
• bacon bits
• butter
• tomatoes
• ham pieces

Or Hamburger stations-

Include a few types of burgers like:

1) burgers with blue cheese mixed in the patties,

2) a tex mex style mixed with green chilles, cumin, onions, garlic powder

3) a turkey burger or veggie burger option

Then you spread out the toppings:

• ketchup
• mustard
• pickles
• tomatoes
• relish
• different cheeses
• lettuce
• bbq sauce
• pineapple
• teriyaki sauce

and anything else you can think of.

Side Dishes like any of the following:

• a big salad with a few dressing options
• a big fruit salad (or my favorite is to make the fruit into fruit skewers and then serve sticking out of the shell of the watermelon. )
• corn on the cob (if in season). Cut them in half and serve with honeybutter ( melt honey and butter in a dish and spread onto the corn once cooked. sprinkle with parmesan and pepper if desired)
• garlic parmesan fries and/or sweet potato fries

Then for Dessert, keep it simple with an Ice cream station:

Include a few types of popular ice cream flavors:

• vanilla
• chocolate
• strawberry
• cookies and cream

And then spread out toppings:

• crumbled brownie
• carmel
• whipped cream
• cherries
• nuts
• fudge
• sprinkles
• cookie dough
• waffle cone pieces
• candy bar ( like reeses)
• chocolate chips
• granola
• fruit
• rootbeer
• coke

Drinks

Bottled beverage and alcohol adds up quick. If you are trying to keep the cost down, make a big batch of lemonade but make it special by adding raspberry or strawberry juice to it. Then, add cut up berries to flat inside or freeze them in a bundt tray with water to make an ice cube ring and garnish with mint-yum!.

Presentation

The biggest impression will be how the food looks when it is displayed on the counter or table(s). Cute labels should be set out for all the toppings and when you display it,stagger things at different heights. Using cake holders, or trays you have etc. maybe add a sunflower here or there to make it cute. And viola! Let the party begin!

Waffle Bars

Lots of bridal and baby showers are held in the early afternoon on weekends and if you have ever thrown one for a friend or loved one then you know it can be pricey. Add in paying for all the trimmings if you are a bridesmaid and you will spend the next year catching up on your credit card. One great solution for how to be creative and make your brunch a success ( while not emptying your wallet) is a waffle bar. Borrow a couple waffle makers from friends and family, purchase ready mix batter from somewhere like costco( make sure the only ingredient you need to add is water to keep cost down) and begin cooking about 1 hour ahead if time if you can or at least have everything ready. Keep your oven on a low heat with a baking pan inside. as you finish waffles place them on the baking sheet to keep warm until it is time to serve them. Set up toppings like:

• Maple syrup
• boysenberry puree
• fresh berries
• whip cream
• peanut butter
• chocolate chips
• nutella
• butterscotch drizzle
• cooked cinnamon apples
• butter
• granola
• bananas
• powdered sugar

include some beverages like orange juice, coffee and tea and you are all set.
if you really want to get creative create cute themed name tags for each topping !