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Winter Green Salad
1 pkg (3 oz) lime Jell-O
1 can (8 oz) fruit cocktail, drained
1/3 cup Miracle Whip
1 tsp vinegar
Miniature marshmallows

Prepare Jell-O per package directions. When set, beat until fluffy. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until set. Use whatever amount of marshmallows you like.

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"The Christmas Mouse"

by Vera Hardman
IDEALS Christmas Magazine 1961

Once there was a little mouse
Who climbed a candle tall...
And trimmed it with a holly wreath
With scarlet berries small.

And then he slipped about the house,
As quiet as could be,
And hung the shiny ornaments
Upon the Christmas tree.

He scampered through its branches
With ropes of tinsel bright,
Until he had that Christmas tree
A truly dazzling sight.

As he tucked a bit of holly
Behind his tiny ear,
He wished he could help Santa Claus -
Each Christmas - every year.

Then he heard the sound of reindeer
High upon the roof -
And Santa calling cheerily
As they pawed each tiny hoof.

Swish! Down the chimney Santa came...
And much to his surprise
He was welcomed by a jolly mouse
Quite miniature in size.

The room was all a-sparkle
And glowed with Christmas cheer,
He knew his helper was the mouse
With holly in his ear.

Santa's face was wreathed in smiles,
He held him in his hand,
And asked him if he'd like to go
Far-off to Santa's land.

And since the little mouse had wished
Just for this very thing,
His whiskers wiggled happily...
His little heart took wing.

The mouse now lives in Santa's land
As happy as can be,
Who knows... this year the little mouse
May trim your Christmas tree!

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http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/christmas-memory-tray/

Christmas Memory Tray

Preserve holiday mementos inspired by a poem or song in a frame that doubles as a serving tray.

What You Need:

11x14-inch wood frame with glass and backing
Fine-grit sandpaper
Gold and silver metallic acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Delta Ceramcoat Fine Crackle Finish, Steps 1 and 2
2 stainless steel cabinet pulls 4-3/4 inches long that can be screwed to the frame from the outside
11x14-inch handmade paper, gift wrap, or other decorative paper
Double-sided adhesive tape
Delta Archival Quality Photo-Safe Glue
Memorabilia, such as gift tags, invitations, photos, theatre tickets, etc.
Flat ornament, such as a crocheted or paper snowflake or a brass ornament
8 to 12 inches of gold ribbon
Bits of dried baby's breath and maiden-hair fern
Crinkled shredded paper strips (from a party supply store)
4 to 6 spring-type clothespins
11x14-inch piece of felt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Carefully remove the backing and glass from the frame.

2. Use sandpaper to roughen the surface of the frame if it's varnished or painted. Wipe off the sanding dust.

3. Paint the frame silver, applying two or more coats if necessary. Smooth the painted surface as needed by rubbing it with a grocery bag or kraft paper.

4. Apply the crackle finish, following the manufacturer's directions.

5. Lightly brush on gold paint, then rub off the excess, leaving gold highlights. Brush gold paint on the silver pulls and rub off for similar highlights on the pulls.

6. Center one pull on each short side of the frame, as shown in the photo, and attach with screws.

7. Secure the handmade paper to the frame backing with double-sided adhesive tape. Arrange memorabilia on top of the paper until you are pleased with the design. To hold large pieces in place, use small pieces of double-sided adhesive tape or dots of glue. Anchor large ribbons in the same manner. Arrange baby's breath and ferns, and scatter shredded paper bits across the design.

8. Place the glass on top and clip the backing and glass together around the edges with the clothespins to allow you to hold it in place as you turn it over to set it in the frame. With the back of the frame facing you, place the piece, glass side down, in the frame, carefully removing one clothespin at a time as you ease the glass and backing into the frame. Push the pins or brads that came with the frame back in place.

9. If desired, secure a felt rectangle to the back of the frame with double-sided adhesive tape.

Note: Choose a wooden frame with a flat outside edge that is at least 3/4 inch wide. When purchasing the pulls, take the frame to the hardware store so you can be sure the pull fits the edge.

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things to do at christmas time, Make a Christmas video for extended family. If you can't make a video, then take a few pictures and send them a college.

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