Billie's Christmas Corner: Sept 13

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Christmas Wreath Candy
Ingredients:

1/3 cup butter or margarine
20 Marshmallows
Green food coloring
2 ¼ cups cornflakes
Prepare this candy just before you plan to use it, as it hardens quickly. In microwave or top of double boiler, melt butter and marshmallows. Add food coloring as desired. Remove from heat. Add cornflakes and stir until well coated.

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Classic Christmas Cranberry Punch

2 cups cranberry juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
4 cups ginger ale, chilled

In a large glass container, combine ingredients and chill thoroughly.

Just before serving, slowly stir in the ginger ale. Pour into a punch bowl or large jug and add ice cubes.

For a less sweet punch, substitute seltzer or club soda for the ginger ale.

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God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior
was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan's power
when we were gone astray.

Refrain
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessed Babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn;
The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.

Refrain
From God our heavenly Father a blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name.

Refrain
"Fear not, then," said the angel, "Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might."

Refrain
The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl'em straightaway this blessed Babe to find.

Refrain
But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray.

Refrain
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.

Refrain
God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas may live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near--

That God send you a happy new year, happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.

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http://www.kidspot.co.nz/article+2871+111+Wall-advent-calendar.htm

Wall advent calendar

By Belinda Graham |

If you prefer to count down the 24 days to Christmas in a slightly more original way, steer clear of the chocolate advents in the supermarkets this year and make your own.

With a couple of hours, a few crafty supplies and a little creativity, you'll have a unique count-down calendar that doubles as a Chrissy decoration. And it's totally up to you what little gift you put inside (although, to be honest, you're quite space-limited!).

These ones were stuck to the wall in a Christmas tree shape with enough room in-between each box to slide open the 'drawer' to find a surprise tiny tree ornament inside. You could fill with little notes or wishes, jokes, lollies, choccies, small gifts or coins.

You'll need

24 papier mache boxes (come in packs of six from Spotlight), small gift boxes or mini cereal boxes
Scrapbooking paper
Ribbons
Rub-ons - from Kmart or craft stores like Spotlight
Buttons
A white gel pen
Other crafty supplies - glitter, cutters, confetti, cut-outs. You're limited by your imagination.

Step one

Work out a pattern on the floor - the boxes in this formation were mixed up between vertical and horizontal for interest and more flexibility in the decorations on the front.

Step two

Now get decorating! Vary using rub-ons and your own handwriting to date the boxes and use a similar colourway on all boxes in a range of different materials for a cohesive look.