CHRISTMAS CRAFT
Christmas is coming and you've got a million things to do! There are nothing like DIY Christmas projects, such as homemade ornaments and decorations, to begin your Christmas reminiscing journey. Everyone has at least one homemade ornament on their tree, whether it's from Grandma or from a child who is now an adult.
Nowadays, Christmas crafts are so beautiful we display them with pride on the tree, on our tables, doors and mantelpieces for a month or two. Every year they get brought out to smiles and a flood of memories. These memories are what make Christmas special.
Not only are these items treasured, so are the memories of the time spent creating these wonderful masterpieces. Many people remember the time someone ate paste or had sparkles stuck to them for months. Remember the one “piece de resistance” that was smashed on the floor, while you excitedly showed it to someone. Remember how the house smelled like gingerbread cookies baking while you were creating those magical DIY Christmas projects?
Christmastime should be about spending time with the people you care about and doing those things you never seem to have time for during the year.
We're here to help. We have 36 Easy Ways to Decorate for Christmas. These ideas are all quite simple, but they'll will give you lots of quick, easy, inexpensive ways to add some Christmas cheer to your home.
1. Make simple bows from Christmas print ribbon and pin them to your curtains.

2. Display a collection of nativity scenes from different cultures.

3. Hang a collection of Christmas stocking on your mantle, a shelf or the wall (even if you don't stuff them). The more the merrier.

4. Revisit your childhood. Cut snowflakes from white paper and hang them in all of your windows.

5. Use red and green 3-dimensional fabric paints to trace simple Christmas patterns (like stars, bells, Santas, stockings, etc.) on a white tablecloth.

6. Tie a red ribbon around a tall, slim drinking glass. Fill the glass with candy canes and display on a shelf or side table.

7. Fill a small glass bowl or decorative Christmas bowl with small cones and display on end tables, shelves, buffet tables, etc.

8. Pile a collection of Christmas books on a side table.

9. Wrap indoor Christmas lights around a railing or banister. Secure periodically with tape. Be careful to tape down the electrical cord so that no one trips over it.

10. Add color to a room with vases of red and white flowers. Use roses, carnations, mums, daisies, etc. Or, float the flowers in large crystal or glass bowls.

11. Wrap an assortment of medium to large sized boxes with Christmas wrap. Attach ribbons and/or bows. Pile the boxes in a corner from floor to ceiling.

12. Purchase a large glass plate. Paint the underside of the plate with gold craft paint. Dry. Place the plate on a table and fill with several white or off-white pillar candles of varying sizes.

13. String popcorn, cranberries, cereal, beads, etc. and hang the garlands everywhere.

14. Cut pictures out of old Christmas cards and create a collage by gluing them onto a piece of poster board. You can frame the poster board if you like or simply hang it on the wall.

15. Twist garland or popcorn strings around railings or banisters and secure here and there with tape.

16. Remove your favorite pictures from their frames. Wrap the frames with Christmas wrap and replace the pictures.

17. Make a gingerbread house. They make wonderful centerpieces or decorations for any table top.

18. For easy Christmas tableware, tie red, green, or gold ribbons to the stems of wine glasses or the handles of cutlery.

19. To make a decorative cookie plate, glue cinnamon sticks and whole cloves to the edges of a large plate.

20. Screw small hooks into the ceiling and hang indoor Christmas lights from them.

21. Display colored glass ball ornaments or even beads in bowls instead of hanging them on your tree.

22. Use children's bath crayons (for coloring in the bathtub) to draw Christmas decorations on your mirrors and windows.

23. Purchase inexpensive plain lampshades for your lamps. Use a hot glue gun to attach fabric bows (in Christmas prints) to the shades.

24. Trim door frames, window frames and the edges of mirrors with Christmas garland (secure with tape).

25. Tie bows around door knobs.

26. Wrap a table in Christmas wrapping paper.

27. Put some color into your bathroom. Display red and green glycerin soaps, bath gels and oils.

28. Use florist wire to wire Christmas picks to railings, banisters and door knobs.

29. Make a snowman. Better yet, make a whole snow family or even a whole snow village!

30. Cut pictures from Christmas cards and pin them to your curtains or bedspread.

31. Put a Christmas screen saver on your computer.

32. Place a plate full of wrapped Christmas baking by the front door as parting gifts for guests.

33. Remove your mugs from their cup hooks and hang Christmas ornaments in their place. You can do the same thing with spoon racks or key racks.

34. Shred colored paper and use it to line a basket. Fill the basket with red and green scented votive candles.

35. Wrap your plant pots in red or green foil wrap. You don't even have to remove the plants first.

36. Paint fruit such as apples and pears with egg white and roll in gold sparkles. Air dry on a rack and display in a basket along with nuts.

These are pretty easy DIY Christmas projects, and please feel free to put your own decorative genius into their creation. If you have a favorite or just plain fantastic DIY Christmas ornament, please send it to us (with pictures, if you have them) and we will credit you for your creativity and post it on GPP site. All you have to do is email homeimprovement@ghanapropertyplus.com. Happy Crafting and Merry Christmas!
Taking pictures at Christmas
Christmas is considered the time of the year. It is the time for parties, celebration and more parties. It is also a time for family reunion, gatherings and more. All in all, Christmas is the time to be happy.
A good and nice Christmas is when it is well remembered. One sure thing you should do is to keep a record of everything. One of the best ways to keep record is to take photos of the places, events and parties you will attend to. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to take quality pictures.
If you are assigned to take photos you need to know that a good quality picture is a photo that speaks.
Here are some important tips to consider in having a good quality photos:
1. Know the location. It would be nice if you will be able to look for the best spot to take the pictures ahead of time.
2. Cheek the source of the lighting. Know the best white ‘’white balance’’ setting for your lighting. It is advisable to use the automatic white balance lighting if you don’t know what you are doing.
3. Decide if you are going to use exposure compensation.
4. If the room is small and the ceiling is shorter it is appropriate to use a bounce flash.
5. Plan your shooting location especially if there are obstacles that will get in your way while taking the pictures.
6. Check the background. If the background is good use it if not then widened the range of field.
7. Taking pictures with rectangular objects like if they are seated on a rectangular table use the wide end of the rectangle and use a wide angle setting.
8. Before taking picture you need to take test shots and check the pictures. You can double check it by uploading the pictures in your computer.
9. Do not forget to always check your equipments. Anything that goes with the camera should be check. If you miss one like a fully charge battery then your pictures will not be of quality.
10. Make a Christmas photo list. List down all the pictures you need and also the once you want. Look at your list every time so you will not miss any.
I hope these simple but reliable tips on how to take photos that speaks will help you enjoy reminisce the events on Christmas day. Good luck.