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Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 2 - Italy
Carved life size presepe, Santa Maria d'Aracoeli Presepe Christmas Day Rome, 2012; photo by Margot Balboni
Traditionally, Christmas in Italy is celebrated over several weeks, from December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, until January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. On St. Nicholas Day, children write letters to St Nicholas asking for gifts and they hang up either a sock or put a plate on the table on the eve of Nicholas Day’s. If the children have been good throughout the last year, they will get some fruits, nuts and sweets from St. Nicholas while the naughty ones will also get a sweet, but one looking like lump of coal. The main gift giving day is January 6 - the day on which the Wise Men brought their gifts to the Christ Child.
Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 1 - Norway
Christmas in Trondheim, Norway; photo by PLANET LEW
This past weekend started the fifth annual “Countdown to Christmas 2016” collection hosted each year by Julie and Blu of Blue Morning Expressions. It is a way for handmade artisan and vintage sellers to share three of their items each week, each one perfect for Christmas gift giving. I will pick my favorite item each week and share them here in this blog.
Also, I plan on sharing a bit about how different countries around the world celebrate Christmas. This week, Norway is highlighted:
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade and Vintage Gifts, Week 9
It is with a somewhat heavy heart that I have to say that the Mother’s Day Countdown 2016 has come to a close. The weekend of week 9 has come and gone and Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 8. If you haven't done your shopping, there is still a bit of time, especially if you use expedited shipping or Mom is willing to wait for her perfect gift. A fabulous place to shop is at Julie and Blu's Mother’s Day Countdown collection of handmade and vintage items any Mother will love to receive and cherish for years to come. This week, 57 wondrous items were shared. The items included: jewelry of many different styles, vintage postcards, business card holders, party items, crochet, sewing, polymer clay art, lampwork and more - so many different items and techniques. Shop now!
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade and Vintage Gifts, Week 8
And we are inching ever more closely to the end of the Mother's Day Countdown 2016! Inching??? Who am I kidding? It is blowing by at rocket speed! Since Mother’s Day will be here before you know it, NOW is the time to start your shopping and gift purchasing! Browse the Countdown collection, hosted by Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions on their BluPrint blog, and visit the shops of the artists who participated who have shops filled with amazing beauties. Many creations you will see are one of a kind and definitely handmade from the heart. Buy HANDMADE this year! There is something in the beautiful Mother's Day Countdown collection for even the pickiest of Moms!
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade Gifts, Week 7
WOW! Can you believe that week 7 of the Mother's Day Countdown 2016 has come and gone? Even though it blew by, many handmade beauties were left in its wake. Mother’s Day will be here before you know it - now is the time to start your shopping and gift purchasing! Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, now is the perfect time to start thinking about gift(s) for your Mom. Browse the collection shares for this week and visit the shops. Many creations are one of a kind and handmade from the heart. Buy HANDMADE this year! There is something in the beautiful collection for even the pickiest of Moms! Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions / polymerclaybeads are hosting the Mother’s Day Countdown on their BluPrint blog, a tradition in its 4th year.
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade Gifts, Week 6
The sixth week of "Mother's Day Countdown 2016" has come and gone, leaving in its wake many handmade goodies. Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions / polymerclaybeads are hosting the Countdown on their BluPrint blog, a tradition in its 4th year. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your Mom's gift(s). Browse the handmade shares for this week - many are, by the way, one of a kind creations - visit the shops of the artists featured and buy Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart. There is something in this beautiful collection for even the pickiest of Moms!
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade and Vintage Gifts, Week 5
The fifth week of the "Mother's Day Countdown 2016" certainly blew past quickly! Hosted by Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions on their BluPrint blog, handmade and vintage gift ideas are shared by artisans to make Mother's Day shopping extra easy. Mother's Day will be here before you know it - there is no time like now to start thinking about searcjing for, and even purchasing, your Mom's gift(s). Browse the handmade shares for this week and visit the shops of the 16 artists featured here for even more lovelies, many of which are one of a kind designs, that will be perfect for even the most discerning of Moms!
Purple is Perfect for Spring - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Over the centuries, purple has been regarded as the color of royalty and is also thought of as a color of creativity. It also has a softer side being one of the first colors of spring that pops up in its many hues and shades on flowers. It is near the top of my list of favorite colors, as are the two colors that combine to make purple. Many, many people, especially women according to research, have a passion for the color purple, and I can see why with its oh-so-rich color! I decided to do a bit of research about the color purple and share a bit of what I found. And, also shared, are beautiful handmade artisan creations featuring purples.
Love is in the Air! - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade - February 3, 2016
With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, it seems where ever you go these days, "Love is in the Air" with all the massive displays of Valentine's cards, chocolates, stuffed animals and such. Last year the total retail expenditure for Valentine's Day was a whopping $18.9 billion. Yes, that is with a "B" - a record for sales. It was estimated that the average person celebrating February 14 shelled out $142.31. Men spent about $100 more on gifts than women: $190.53 vs. $96.58. Candy, flowers and jewelry are the three most popular gifts. Interestingly, about 20% of people bought a Valentine's gift for their pet!
