Christmas Traditions, Crafts, Memoirs, Cookie Recipes, Gift Ideas

Christmas Traditions: This piece, "Marrying an Italian Means a Whole New Christmas Eve Tradition, Whether I Liked it or Not," was recently posted on Yahoo News, and tells how this "mitigan" (how Italians pronounce "American," usually in a derisive tone) learned a new ethnic tradition when I married a first generation Italian. Too bad the picture I took of him doesn't appear on the Yahoo page, but it's photo number 1 to this article.

Christmas Crafts: Lace Ribbon Angels: In this article, "Christmas Ribbon Angel Ornaments," I describe how to create a delicate ornament that can be used on the tree, as a package decoration, or as a gift. I didn't have a picture when I first published this, so photos number 2 and 3 above show the front and back of the angel. Everybody to whom I've ever given one of these angels loves them.

Christmas Memoir: This story, "The Christmas Recital Skirt," tells how my shy, doted-upon only-child began to come out of her shell when she was forced to stand up for her rights against an arbitrary decision, albeit probably not in a way the good nuns appreciated.

Christmas Cookie Recipe: I love to brag that I won a contest I didn't even enter with these cookies! Check my recipe for Butter Horns here for the most delectable treat you've ever prepared or eaten. And they really are simple.

Gift Cards: I think anyone with a child in college will find this article, "Gift Cards for Parents to Give College Students" a godsend. Many times we buy our kids what we want them to have when, in fact, they'd rather be able to get what they need. In "Gift Cards for Married Couples," you may get an idea that hadn't occurred to you.

Finally, in "Christmas Tree Decorations, Each Ornament is a Little Piece of My Heart," (with apologies to Janis Joplin) I tell the story of my Christmas Tree.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and I hope your visit to these articles proves helpful and entertaining.