Without a doubt, Christmas is truly a magical time of year. Spending time with family, friends and loved ones is one of the reasons why Christmas is so special. Creating traditions, sharing fond memories and simply being together adds to the warmth and merriment of the holidays.

A fun holiday activity that practically every family enjoys is the tradition of decorating the house — especially the Christmas tree! If you are like most families, you probably have a few boxes of favorite ornaments that you unpack and proudly display year after year. As you carefully hang every last Santa and snowman, you also make room for a couple of new ornaments that you knew would look fabulous among your old favorites.

According to a new survey by Unity Marketing, approximately 80 percent of American households will be “decking their halls” this holiday season. Most individuals will also be adding a few new pieces to their existing ornament and décor collections, just to keep up with what’s currently in style. “This year, that would be a return to old world charm with dynamic colors like sapphire, ruby red and citrine embellished with metallics. There will also be an emphasis on patterns and textures with glitter, beads and etchings; and such icons as birds, pine cones, winter foliage and berries,” says Susan Atchison, trend manager for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Whether you are hosting a large holiday party or a quiet gathering with close family and friends, here are some quick and easy decorating ideas that will surely add a festive feel to your home:

* Spray garland with white and silver glitter to give it a sugar-coated vintage look and hang it on your staircase rail or fireplace mantle.

* Repetition helps to highlight your holiday theme. Use poinsettias or hydrangea in your tree, garlands, large glass hurricanes or as accents to other centerpieces. You can also tuck them around photo frames, candles etc. Use your favorite item (holly, flowers, pinecones, ornaments) — the key is to use these items throughout your home.

* Evoke the senses with the smell of home baking and a welcoming feel — burn candles with scents like cinnamon, pumpkin pie.

* Decorate with beads. Wrap the lower portion of pillar candles with colorful strung beads for a glitzy look or create beautiful beaded ornaments (see instructions below) to coordinate with holiday colors.

* Use your favorite fabric to wrap around the base of your tree instead of using a traditional tree skirt.

* Make colorful, festive, placecards for your holiday dinner with sheets of festive scrapbook paper.

* Sew or wrap pillows in holiday fabrics to scatter on the sofa and chairs for quick holiday touches.

For more ideas and the latest trends in indoor and outdoor holiday decorating projects, visit your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

* Beaded Icicle Ornaments
Courtesy of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

Supplies and Tools:
* 22-gauge floral stem wire
* Beads in assorted sizes
* Wire cutters
* Tacky glue

Directions:
1. Cut wire 6-1/2-inches to 8-1/2-inches long.
2. String small bead on wire, bend wire about 1/2-inch up.
3. String remaining beads on to desired length, covering wire at the end.
4. Bend wire to make hanging loop by placing wire end into last two beads.
5. Add a drop of glue at the top of last bead to secure

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There are many different levels of Christmas craft ideas, some easy to make and others that might take several days to complete. Depending on the end use of the craft will determine when it has to be started. For example, it may take a skilled crafter only a few hours to design a wreath to hang on the door, while a person making a sleigh and reindeer to place on the front yard may take a few days to complete. If it is to be painted add a few more days for the paint to dry.

There are many small Christmas craft ideas that can be simple to make and take very little time. For example, a small metal bucket, about two-inches high can be filled with small cotton balls, about one-quarter inch in diameter and labeled as ammunition for a snowball fight.

Craft Ideas Only Limited By Imagination

Those who attend craft shows for the holidays are increasingly surprised by the creativity involved in the Christmas craft ideas they see offered for sale. Typically, a person will be working on a craft when the idea for something slightly difference will pop up. Imaginative people can quickly turn new Christmas craft ideas into reality simply by looking at an existing product and adding their own special touch.

Materials used to make crafts have no boundaries and stars, made of thin metal can be painted with a winter scene and turned into a holiday craft. Snowmen and old wooden sleds are some of the most often items used in Christmas craft ideas, with many variations of the same theme. Those who lack the imagination often simply replicate an item they saw, sometimes from a picture or sometimes they buy one, take it hope and shamelessly make copies.

If a person wants to make homemade Christmas gifts, they can also buy holiday catalogs to get plenty of Christmas craft ideas, to make at home. This offers the opportunity to give truly unique gifts and put a little of themselves into every present.

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Even in schools, Christmas crafts are usually ready in time for the young students to take them home in time for mom and dad to use as decorations. The plastic can lids filled with plaster of Paris molds of the children’s hand print, painted or decorated in red and green are some of the most popular Christmas crafts used by teachers. Others may use wooden clothes pins decorated with felt and small plastic eyes, supposed to resemble a reindeer. Many of these craft items are treasured by families for years, until passed along to the child that made them when they move out on their own.

For those who use their crafty talents to make Christmas crafts for sale, they are constantly looking for new ideas. It is not unusual to find items that look similar in many different displays as most steal shamelessly the ideas they see at other shows or of project ideas they find in magazines.

No Limit To Crafting Imagination

For the most part, there is no limit on the materials used to make Christmas crafts, from wood and plastic to steel and foam, material that can be formed into wreaths and plaques are some of the most sought-after. Wooden plaques with catchy holiday sayings are easy to produce and require little more than a few hand tools and imagination. For example, wood cut into the shapes of a snowman and a reference to flakes is always a big seller in the Christmas crafts stores.

Crafters can buy a wreath made of grapevines and add their own type of greenery or other artificial flowers to create Christmas crafts to sell to others. Rarely with you find two items that look exactly alike, especially those made by hands in someone’s basement. There is something about the appeal of handmade Christmas crafts that make them popular among homeowners.

Designing Christmas crafts in a variety of colors and designs allow crafters to appeal to a wider audience and increasing their chance of having a successful season. Keeping track of what sold well and making more of those items the following year can help them remain a popular source of Christmas crafts for the following year.

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One of the needlepoint crafts that you can make is a Christmas needlepoint stocking. You will find that these make great decorations and gifts. Many people like to dress up their home for the Holidays with great stockings hanging on the fireplace. This is a great way to make your home look beautiful for the season and you will be able to fill them for Christmas morning too!

There are many patterns that you can come up with for your Christmas needlepoint stockings. You will find that many of them are so easy to do that you can make more than just one. They do not take a lot of time to put together and you will want to do more once you see how much fun and how easy it really is to do.  The best part about making these stockings is that you did it on your own and you have something to show for it.

Making Christmas needlepoint stockings is something that you can give to your friends and family as well. You may want to give them as gifts for the holiday. You will see that these are great gifting ideas and anyone will appreciate the thought that you have put into making them and even designing some of them.  You will defiantly get a good response when you decide to make a Christmas needlepoint stocking for someone in your life. 

You can even get children to want to make a Christmas needlepoint stocking. You will appreciate the time that you can share with each other and this is something that you can all share and treasure for a lifetime to come.  It is a great idea and one that will give you and anyone that does it with you a lesson creating things with their hands. 

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Using your needlepoint skills to make a great looking needlepoint tree skirt is something that will make you feel good about.  You will be able to place your tree skirt under your tree year after year and everyone will be able to see all the good and hard work that you have put into it. You will have a great time making these things and using your ability to make needlepoint work in your spare time.

Making needlepoint your main hobby is something that you can defiantly benefit from. You will get to use your special skills and all your good intentions at the same time. You will find that when you are making something from needlepoint you are smiling and feeling good. This means that you are using your time wisely so that you are able to so something good for yourself or others.

Getting a needlepoint kit is easy. You can order them online or go to a local craft store to buy what you are looking for. You will be able to get needlepoint kits for just about any idea that you are looking for. Many people love to make needlepoint crafts all the time. They will pick up a few different needlepoint-making kits so that they have them on hand to use anytime they want to.  You can find tree skirt needlepoint kits in most of these places as well.  You will have the best-looking Christmas tree because of the great tree skirt that you have made on your own. 

Needlepoint tree skirts also make a great gift idea too. You can give these to anyone that puts up a Christmas tree. You will see that that many people have plain skirts around their tree and you will be giving them a great looking piece to decorate their tree and home with. 

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1.  Find Christmas shows in your area. One of the easiest ways to sell Christmas crafts is by finding the craft shows or fairs that take place.  These are especially popular around the Christmas season, as many are looking for crafted gifts.  There should be several local, regional and national shows available where you can easily rent a space or booth and set up your crafted items. 

2.  Sell online. There are several websites that will allow you to list your Christmas items on their site.  This will allow a network to move to your specific items and browse what you have available.  If you decide to sell through another website, it is much like renting a booth at a craft fair.  You should have all of your information available, as well as pictures of the crafts that you are selling. 

3.  Sell at Craft Malls. These are a third way to sell Christmas items.  Shows, fairs and festivals are usually offered in craft malls during this time of the year and are an easy way to set up for a short time to sell.  

4.  Organize your website. If you have already established a place online to sell your crafts, change it for the holiday season.  This not only means adding graphics and designs, but also pointing out special items and discounts for this particular time of the year.   

5.   Know What to Sell. While many will be looking for a craft that is simply unusual, it is also good to keep stock of crafts that are for Christmas only.  This not only means specialized crafts for the holiday season, but also knowing what the interests will be of those that will want to buy your crafts during this particular time of the year.  It’s also important to keep in mind the amount of money that one will want to spend on your items.  Because of the time of year, this is often different than other times of the season.

6.   Keep in Touch. If you already have customers from previous years, it is always good to send them a holiday card before the season is over.  This will remind them that you are available with crafts if they are in need of a last minute item.  It also keeps good relations and networks open for other times of the year. 

7.   Offer discounts. Whether you decide to work on increasing sales over a website, or if you are going to a craft show, remember to offer customers deals on your Christmas items.  You will be more likely to sell more than if you offer you’re regular around the year prices.  Everyone is looking for the bargains and special deals that are offered at this time of year. 

8.   Look at the Predictions. Every year after Thanksgiving, several sites and news programs will predict what the sales and the largest markets will be for this year.  While these are only estimates, it is best to keep them in mind when you are working on selling and producing your crafts.  It can help to not only determine which market will be attracted to your sales, but will also help to determine what discounts will work best when selling your crafts. 

9.   Make sure you are prepared. It is hard to tell what you will be selling at any of the craft shows or online places.  Because of this, make sure that you have plenty of Christmas inventory.  Often times, one person will see your craft that was bought by another, and you will end up selling more of one product than expected.  Be sure to be over prepared with what you think will and won’t sell.  If you have done Christmas crafts in the past, it is also important to sell some of the same things, as well as new items. 

10.  Create an Environment. Whether you are at a craft show or online, make sure to draw attention to your booth and your Christmas items by decoration or by the way you organize your display.  This always helps to sell your Christmas items.

Making sure you are successful when selling your crafts for the holiday season will mean being prepared and offering the right types of products and sales.  It also means going to the right place and being aware of what customers will be looking for.  With this in mind, it is possible to have a successful Christmas season.    

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