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2023年3月7日星期二

传统：您应该在圣诞电影狂欢派对上观看的六部电影Traditions: Six Movies You Should Be Watching at Your Christmas Movie Binge Watch Party

The Christmas season is coming. Want a simple way to entertain? Have a Christmas movie binge-watch party! All you need to do is get the right movies and the right food and you are ready to go.

But the question is, what are the best movies to binge-watch with your guests? Here are a few to consider.

A Christmas Story

You really can’t do Christmas without including A Christmas Story. This movie takes you back as you follow Ralphie on his humorous adventures in getting a BB gun for the holidays. You and your friends will be screaming, ‘You’ll shoot your eye out’ for days to come.

The Grinch

The Grinch movie is based on an animated TV show of the same name. It chronicles the Grinch’s attempts to make Christmas miserable for the neighboring Who’s with a heartwarming twist at the end. There are a variety of versions you can watch. Find the one that’s best for your guests.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

The Griswolds never miss a chance to get on the road for some good, old-fashioned hilarity. In this movie, the family’s plans for a perfect holiday season go awry when their hick cousin decides to park his trailer on their property. It’s a wonderful example of what happens when everything that could go wrong does go wrong.

Home Alone

To truly get in the Christmas season, you must revisit the adventures of 8-year-old Kevin McCallister who accidentally gets left home alone when his family leaves on their Christmas vacation. Although the boy thinks he’s in for a magical time when he finds he has the house to himself, he is quickly disappointed when he realizes he must protect the home from two con men.

Elf

Elf is a newer movie, but it has quickly joined the ranks of holiday classics. Will Ferrell is the unlikely elf who was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler. His sinking suspicion that he doesn’t fit in causes him to seek out his real father making for an unlikely relationship that results in hilarious chaos and surprising bonding moments.

A Christmas Carol

The story of Ebenezer Scrooge never gets old. Relive the magic and see what happens when this miser is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve who show him the error of his ways.

These are just some of the terrific movies that should be included in your Christmas binge-watch party. Which will you be adding to the cue?

装饰：圣诞装饰品清单：假期装饰时不可缺少的物品Decorations Checklist: The Items You Can’t Be Without When Decorating for the Holidays

Maybe you just moved out of your parents’ home or maybe you just decided to get in the Christmas spirit and start decorating. In either case, there are a few items you won’t want to be without. Here are the essentials.

Christmas Tree

It’s just not Christmas without a Christmas tree. Even a small tree will make the home more festive, and it will provide a terrific setting for your present exchange.

Tree Skirt

If you get a tree, you will need a tree skirt. The skirt wraps around the base of your tree so pine needles don’t get all over your home. If a skirt is not your style, baskets and galvanized buckets will also do the trick.

Ornaments

Ornaments will make your tree look its best. You may have to make a whole other checklist to account for the ornaments you’ll want to buy. But this will get easier as you collect more over the years.

Christmas Wreath

If you’re dressing up the home for Christmas, a wreath on the door will let everyone know they’ve come to the right place. Wreaths are typically placed on the front door, but they can adorn any door in the house. You can also hang them on walls, in hallways, and more.

Stockings

It’s likely you already have stockings to hold your stocking stuffers, but if not, you better stock up. They will be an important part of your Christmas design. P.S. If you don’t have hooks to hang your stockings, you may need to buy your own.

Garland

Garlands are a festive addition, and they will make the perfect framing for your décor. Buy a few to decorate the various rooms in your home.

Candles

The home will seem cozier and more festive if you add candles. They will bask your rooms in a warm glow. To make your candles even more perfect for the season, get them in Christmas-y scents like cranberry and cinnamon.

Tinsel

Tinsel completes the tree and it’s a lot of fun to throw on after the decorations are added. It can also be used in other parts of the home, and it can be incorporated into arts and crafts projects.

String Lights

String lights are another Christmas tree essential. They can also be placed in the inside of the home, across the mantle, or around staircases. You also may want to use them as exterior decorations.

Christmas decorating is a lot of fun, but make sure you don’t find yourself without the important items you need. This checklist will ensure you are well-stocked for the season. What would you add as a seasonal necessity?

装饰：如何防风雨你的户外圣诞装饰品Decorating: How to Weatherproof Your Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations are a great way to produce a cozy look when the cold winds blow. But only if they stand up well to those cold winds. Decorations can easily become damaged in wind, rain, or snow putting a serious damper on your holiday spirit.

So what do you do to ensure your decorations last throughout the holiday season? Here are a few ideas.

Look for Weatherproof Items

When shopping for Christmas decorations, look for those that are listed as ‘waterproof’, ‘weatherproof’, or ‘made for outdoor use’. This will ensure they hold up well throughout the season.

Waterproof Items

Even items that are listed as weatherproof can get battered-looking after enough time in the open air. To keep them looking their best, apply a layer of water shield. This will extend the life of your decorations in a big way.

Use Polyurethane

If you have wood items that you just can’t resist adding to your décor, you can keep them protected by adding a clear coat of polyurethane or acrylic. In doing so, be sure the coat you apply is thin. If it’s too thick, it may look sticky or cloudy.

Before applying the coating, test a small area of the decoration to ensure it won’t damage the piece.

Keep Directions in Place

No matter how weatherproofed your decorations may be, they always run the risk of blowing away if a strong gust of wind comes along. You can keep them stable by anchoring them to the earth. Monitor any small parts that can blow away as well.

Keep in mind that decorations that blow around can also do damage to your property by scratching your door paint, breaking your windows, and more. You’ll want to make sure that all decorations located near doors and windows are especially secure.

Prevent Light Displays from Icing Over

If rain or snow-covered decorations ice over, they could become permanently damaged. Prevent this from happening by positioning light strands in a way that lets air circulate around them. Use electrical tape to secure connectors on tree decorations to tree trunks a few feet above the ground to keep runoff from collecting and doing damage.

Prevent Shocks

The moisture from snow and rain can damage your electrical circuits. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can be used to prevent shorts, and most are required by the city for outdoor lighting. Cover the female and male ends of light strands with electrical tape or wrap them in a plastic bag to keep water out.

Outdoor decorations are a vital part of many Christmas celebrations. The tips in this article will help you keep yours safe and secure. What steps will you be taking to keep damage to a minimum?

装饰：如何在节日期间用一品红装饰Decorating: How to Decorate with Poinsettias for the Holiday Season

This year, Christmas decorating is all about using natural elements and bringing the outside in. Poinsettia is the perfect way to do that. These traditionally red flowering plants have long been used in holiday designs and they are currently trending due to their ability to fit in perfectly with sustainable fashions.

Another nice thing about poinsettias is they are quite versatile when it comes to integrating them into your holiday décor. While adding them as potted plants is one way to go, it’s certainly not the only option. Here are some other ways you can use them to give your decorations a lift.

What Colors Do Poinsettia Come In?

When most people think of poinsettia, they think of the traditional red color. But the flower comes in a variety of hues that range from creamy-white to pink. You can even find them with patterns that feature red and white, pink and white, green and white, and bright orange.

The fabulous colors poinsettias come in can inspire you to create vibrant floral arrangements.

Poinsettia on the Tree

Poinsettia can easily be added to the tree. Simply stick the stems into the boughs and allow the blossoms to hang out. You can place the flowers in a patterned fashion or cover the tree head to toe.

Use Them for Centerpieces

Poinsettias make a lovely centerpiece for the holiday table. You can place them in a pot or basket amongst pinecones, ornamental balls, and more. Use flowers of various colors and sizes to bring an interesting aesthetic.

Mix Them into Your Garland

You may consider integrating poinsettia into your garland. You can add them to an existing garland spreading them out every few inches or make an entire garland from poinsettias.

Add Them to a Wreath

Poinsettias will look wonderful when added to a wreath. Place them within the wreath a few inches apart and hang it on your front door to create a lovely welcome for your guests.

Use Them as Designs

Poinsettias don’t always have to be included in design schemes in the form of an actual plant. Their form can be embroidered into table wear, painted on decorative items, or included as pictures in collages. If you are crafty, you will be able to create unique designs that feature poinsettias. If not, look out for poinsettia-themed designs at the store.

You really can’t go wrong when you integrate a poinsettia into your holiday decorating scheme. It’s sustainable, beautiful, and it will always be the height of fashion. How do you use poinsettias when you are working on your holiday design?

装饰：如何个性化圣诞装饰品以赋予它们更多意义Decorating: How to Personalize Christmas Ornaments to Give Them Even More Meaning

Let’s face it, some Christmas decorations have more meaning than others. For example, that decoration your mother gave you to commemorate your child’s first Christmas is likely to be a lot more memorable than the one you found in the 99-cent store.

There are several ways you can give ornaments meaning but personalizing them is sure to add that special touch. This article will discuss the various ways you can personalize the ornaments you have in your home.

Write Their Name on It

Adding someone’s name to a Christmas ornament is the most obvious and direct way to bring that personal vibe. Names can be added to the top of Christmas stockings using glitter glue or paint or you can use similar materials to put them on Christmas tree hangings. There are likely to be other holiday items you can add a name to as well. We just can’t think of them!

Add a Picture

Pictures are another way to give a decoration a personal touch. You can take pictures of your relatives and put them inside clear ornaments. You can also place their photos inside a holiday-themed frame. If you are DIY’ing ornaments, there are countless ways you can incorporate their image into the design.

Commemorate a Special Moment

Christmas is always special, but some Christmases are more special than others. One example is a baby’s first Christmas. Another is you and your S.O.’s first Christmas as a married couple. You can incorporate the date into an ornament or take a picture of the special day and bring it out every holiday season to add to the cheer.

Caricature Items

Another idea is to incorporate caricatures into your Christmas items. This will be easy to do if you have an artist in the family. If not, you may have to enlist outside services. Get the artist to create a picture of family members dressed as elves, the Claus family, Santa’s fleet of reindeer, and more.

Hang A Sign

A personalized sign is a great way to welcome guests to your home during the Christmas season. Simply get or make a sign that says, “Happy holidays from the Smiths” (or whatever your last name might be) and hang it outside your home. This will work well with your exterior holiday décor, and it will spread joy throughout the neighborhood.

There are so many ways to personalize ornaments and give them more meaning. These are just a few ideas that will work well. What will you be doing to give your decorations the right amount of customization?

装饰：我应该为我的家准备什么样的圣诞灯饰？Decorating: What Christmas Lights Should I Get for My Home?

Lights are an integral part of any Christmas decorations. But there are a lot of them to choose from. Instead of spending hours in the hardware store trying to figure out which is best for your home, it’s advisable to get educated in advance.

Here are some tips for finding the lights you will want to use this Christmas.

Bulb Styles

There are several bulb styles to choose from. These include:

Specialty: Specialty bulbs can be any shape you choose.
Globe: Globes have a circular shape and are cut out in the middle, kind of like a doughnut.
Long: Long lights have a long rectangular shape that comes to a point at the top. They are available in three sizes; polka dot, G12 and mini.
Traditional: A traditional bulb looks like, well, a traditional bulb. It comes in various sizes including C3, C6, C7, and C9.

LED vs. Incandescent

You’ll also want to decide whether you want to go with LED or incandescent lights. LED lights are energy-saving and will last longer than incandescent bulbs. They are also nice and bright and will stay cool to the touch while burning. You may find them in color-changing options.

Incandescent bulbs are a more affordable option, but they won’t save energy as well. They are bright but will only feature one color per bulb. They also heat up while burning.

Color

Christmas lights come in a variety of colors and the ones you choose will depend on personal taste and your home and holiday décor. Here are some of the more popular choices.

White: White has a frosted, twinkling look. It’s available in warm, cool, and clear varieties.
Red: Red is a classic. It will add warmth to your display.
Blue: Blue has an icy effect. It is often used to celebrate Hanukkah.
Multi-Color: Multi-color lights are bright and festive. They will go with just about anything.
Green: Green is another classic choice. It will bring life to your display.
Color Changing: Color-changing lights will change from one color to another. They can switch randomly, or you can program a pattern in advance.

Light Design Options

Here are some light design options you can choose from:

Icicle Lights: As the name suggests, these lights look like icicles.
Net Christmas Lights: These can be netted around bushes.
String Christmas Lights: These traditional Christmas favorites can be hung around the roof or anywhere inside or outside the home.
Solar Christmas Lights: These globe-like lights turn on and off automatically.
Mini and Microdot Lights: These are small lights that sit inside a rope-like structure.

If you are getting ready to decorate this Christmas, knowing your lights will save you a lot of time and trouble. Which of these will you be incorporating into your décor this holiday season?

2023年3月6日星期一

装饰：让您的露台在节日期间更具节日气氛的八种方法Decorating: Eight Ways to Make Your Patio More Festive for the Holiday Season

Eight Ways to Make Your Patio More Festive for the Holiday Season

Your patio is the welcoming area of your home. It’s important to get the perfect vibe for your guests during the holiday season. Here are some ways you make it as festive as possible.

Decorate Greenery

You may or may not have greenery on your porch such as potted plants, etc. But if you do, you will want to decorate it as much as possible. Think mini trees. If you can add ornaments to the plant itself, great. If not, think of ways to decorate the pots they are in by adding lights, garland and more.

Add a Wreath

It goes without saying that you will want to add a wreath to your front door. Choose a wreath that goes well with the décor scheme of your exterior. If you would rather veer from the traditional, you can add swag, bells, even a pair of ice skates or stockings instead!

Decorate the Door

While the wreath, or its alternate, will be the focal point of the door, you can complement it by adding a garland around its exterior. Find a garland that complements the wreath, and you can’t go wrong. Lights will work well too!

Do Up the Fence

If there is a fence around your porch area, you’ll want to dress it up as well. Once again, lights or garland will do the trick.

Add a Sign

It’s likely there’s room on the front of your home for a sign. Think of adding one that says, “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Holidays” or one that’s more fun and unique. Vintage signs are all the rage, and they will be perfect for this application.

Change Out Your Welcome Mat

You probably have a welcome mat in front of your front door. But now is the time to change it out for a Christmas themed alternate. Think of replacing it with one that has a picture of Santa, or some reindeer.

Dress Up Your Patio Furnishings

If you have patio furnishings, you can make them more festive by adding seasonal throw pillows and blankets. This is perfect if you plan to do outdoor entertaining for holidays. Of course, this may not be possible unless you live in a warmer climate and/or have heat lamps which are other elements you may think of including.

Other Lights

If your patio has a covering or canopy, illuminate it with twinkling lights. This will add the perfect cozy touch.

The patio is the first thing people will see when they enter your home. Dress it up for Christmas with greenery, lights, garland and more. What will you be doing to make this outdoor area more festive?

Eight Best Christmas Traditions to Share with Your Family与家人分享的八个最佳圣诞传统

Eight Best Christmas Traditions to Share with Your Family

Most families have holiday traditions that make every year special. It’s likely you do too. But if not, here are a few ideas that may inspire you.

Drive Around the Neighborhood

This is my family’s holiday tradition. Every year we drive around the neighborhood to check out all the swanky homes that are dressed up to the nines for the holiday season. We usually do this on Christmas night, but lately we have been making other excursions to see the homes that are known for their standout looks.

Collect Christmas Ornaments

Another idea is to add an ornament to the collection each year. Make it special by making the ornament yourself or by finding a custom one in a vintage store.

Play Holiday Themed Trivia

Trivia is always a fun family event. You can play holiday trivia games or scour the internet to make up your own questions. The one who answers the most questions correctly gets a prize.

Make a DIY Photo Booth

Family photos are in order every holiday season. You can make yours special by creating a DIY photobooth. Just find a large cardboard box, cut it open and paint the interior in accordance with the theme of your choice. Then get your camera and snap away.

Listen to Holiday Stories

Another family tradition of ours is to read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ every Christmas Eve. You can do something similar by reading a collection of holiday books with your loved one. If you’d rather not read, there are also plenty of CDs you can buy that are audio versions of the stories. Cuddle up with cookies and cocoa and enjoy your time together.

Count Down with an Advent Calendar

An Advent calendar marks off the days to Christmas. You can make it into a ritual by getting together to cross off the days every night. A celebratory chocolate will make it every more fun.

Buy Matching Pajamas

Another fun suggestion is to buy matching holiday pajamas. You can buy new sets for your family each year. Then wear them on Christmas Eve into Christmas morning and/or take holiday photos in them.

Christmas Brunch or Breakfast

After the presents are opened, sit down with your family for a special breakfast or brunch. This is another holiday tradition my family takes part in. We have chocolate pancakes and hot cocoa. What do you like to serve?

Christmas traditions make holiday time with your family that much more special. They create bonding moments and emphasize the joy of the season. Which of these do you partake in, and which will you be adding to your celebratory routine?

装饰：如何将您的家装饰得像圣诞老人的工作室Decorating: How to Decorate Your Home to Look Like Santa’s Workshop

How to Decorate Your Home to Look Like Santa’s Workshop

Decorating for the holiday season is always a little easier if you have a theme in mind. The Santa’s workshop theme is a great one to try. It’s fun and festive and it’s especially terrific if you have little kids.

If you are thinking of doing a Santa’s workshop theme this year, here are a few ideas to try out.

Make a WorkStation

Create a workstation by moving a wooden workbench or wooden table into the area. Put a wooden toolbox on top of it and fill it with toy making supplies like glue, a hammer, a small handsaw, felt, and fabric. Add some toys and a kerosene lantern in the middle. Place lunchboxes on the benches and place few pairs of child sized work gloves on the surface to make it appear that the elves have just taken a brief hiatus.

A Coat Rack and Elf Hats

Another quaint touch is a coat rack with elf hats hanging from it. After all, you have to do something to make the elves feel welcome!

Hang a Sign

No one will know it’s Santa’s workshop for sure unless you hang a sign. A vintage weathered-looking one will be perfect. It can say “Santa’s Workshop”, “Welcome to the North Pole” or something similar. You can also hang other signs that say “Elf Quality Control” or “Reindeer Rules” to add to the vibe.

Tip

Decorate artistically and put items that are alike in groupings. This will help you create the vibe while avoiding a cluttered look.

Also, make sure any items that are not age-appropriate are out of reach of young children.

Creating a Santa’s workshop is a terrific way to get festive for the holiday season. Now that you know how it’s done, you are ready to get a great vibe for your home. How will you be doing it up for the coming season?

Eight Best Christmas Traditions to Share with Your Family

Most families have holiday traditions that make every year special. It’s likely you do too. But if not, here are a few ideas that may inspire you.

Drive Around the Neighborhood

Collect Christmas Ornaments

Another idea is to add an ornament to the collection each year. Make it special by making the ornament yourself or by finding a custom one in a vintage store.

Play Holiday Themed Trivia

Trivia is always a fun family event. You can play holiday trivia games or scour the internet to make up your own questions. The one who answers the most questions correctly gets a prize.

Make a DIY Photo Booth

Listen to Holiday Stories

Count Down with an Advent Calendar

An Advent calendar marks off the days to Christmas. You can make it into a ritual by getting together to cross off the days every night. A celebratory chocolate will make it every more fun.

Buy Matching Pajamas

Another fun suggestion is to buy matching holiday pajamas. You can buy new sets for your family each year. Then wear them on Christmas Eve into Christmas morning and/or take holiday photos in them.

Christmas Brunch or Breakfast

装饰：如何为圣诞节装饰你的汽车Decorating: How to Decorate Your Car for Christmas

How to Decorate Your Car for Christmas

If you are the kind of person who loves to get into the Christmas spirit, you will want everything decorated, and that includes your car. Fortunately, there are several ideas when it comes to car decorating. Here are a few that may inspire you.

Reindeer Antlers

Ever see those cars with reindeer antlers sitting above each window? Yeah, that never gets old! Usually, they are accompanied by a Rudolf nose that ties to the grill. They can be added with twist ties and plastic clips for easy installation.

LED Rope Lights

If you want to illuminate your car, LED rope lights are the way to go. They’re waterproof, battery operated, and you can put them anywhere you want. Unfortunately, putting lights on your car and driving off with them is neither safe nor legal so you are best off using them on a car in front of your home that doesn’t move very often.

Reflective Light Bulb Magnets

If you want to give your car an illuminated look the legal way, reflective light bulb magnets may be the way to go. They are magnets shaped like bulbs and they come in a variety of cheery colors. You can arrange them any way you wish. Their strong magnet will ensure they remain attached in any type of weather.

Window Decals

The window decals you use can be of just about anything. Santa, reindeer, snowflakes, Frosty, you name it. They will easily stick on your passenger windows, and they can be removed when the season is over.

Hanging Elf Legs

A personal favorite of mine, these hanging elf legs will make it look like an elf got trapped halfway in your trunk. They also come in Santa varieties.

Front Grill Wreath

A front grill wreath is a classic. It attaches with suction cups and twist ties. You can even get a lighted variety that includes a power cord for a 12V socket.

Inflatable Grinch

How cool will you look riding around with an inflatable Grinch by your side? He self-inflates in seconds. And once you are done driving around with him, you can set him outside your home as a lawn decoration. He may even fool cops into thinking you are okay in the carpool lane, but don’t tell the officer we said so!

Reindeer Magnets

Reindeer magnets are reflective magnets that will catch headlights of other cars making for a cheery display as you are driving around town. They will look great affixed to the trunk of your car.

This year when you are decorating, don’t forget the car. The tips in this article will ensure you look as festive as possible when you’re driving around. Which of these suggestions will work best for you?

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