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Show J 'Tis the season to be creative By SUSIE DAVIS When Christmas approaches, we as mothers and wives often feel that is is a command performance. We feel compelled to make Christmas significant. We must shop, and decorate, dec-orate, create atmosphere and be ever-so-clever. For me, Christmas is an opportunity oppor-tunity to be creative because that is something I love. For others, I'm sure it is drudgery. Here are some Christmas ideas for some of you who have short circuited. Christmas can be fun but we do need to be sensible. First of all, I've learned that a roll of colored ribbon is your best ally. Red and green wide ribbon bought at the craft store or perhaps a plaid can be used for many things. Ribbon on a light post or a chandelier is festive and inexpensive. inexpen-sive. This year for ten dollars I bought the ribbon with wire running down both sides that you can shape any way you want. I put in on a wreath, over the door with pine boughs and in a planter with candles and weeds from my yard. It's on my chandelier and is wonderful to work with. I think you could make your own out of fabric zig-zagging the wire on the sides if you wanted to experiment. One year my daughter was in charge of a party at BYU with a limited budget and we took red and green ribbon and zig-zagged it together and ran it down the tables and tied baskets with it. A neighborhood gift of anything can look lovely and appropriate with a bow on top and a nice note or card. Bows can dress up whatever you want to share with your neighbors. The bows are preferably hand tied with a bit of wire. And if a bow is good, how about a silly poem too. One neighbor ran out of time one year and simply delivered five pounds of sugar with a note and a bow. The poem read, "Roses are red, Sugar is sweet, I'm busy, Make your own treat!' So when money and time are short, cleverness may suffice. I've received many clever gifts. One I loved was salted nuts with the note, "Everyone goes a little nutty this time of year." Or a sponge wrapped with a bow and a coupon for baby sitting and the inscription, "Neighbor, sponge on me." I have joined in with some fun things that I've enjoyed doing. One year I cooked my fruit cakes in clay flower pots and wrapped them in saran wrap putting them back in the pots with a silk poinsettia was great fun. Everyone seemed to like the small broom decorated with a dove, ribbon and wheat that said "We whisk you a Merry Christmas." One year I walked outside my door, cut my grapevines and made wreaths with weeds and ribbon and red berries. After pricing pecan logs, I decided decid-ed to make my own and that has been my specialty for about five years. It is interesting how pretty they look when a bit of ribbon encircles en-circles them. The thing I've enjoyed about giving pecan logs is all the admissions of green. More people admit they have eaten it all themselves. them-selves. So neighborhood gifts can be anything packaged in a fun way with a big of ribbon or a poem. I have received lavish gifts and small gifts, and all are appreciated. Or if you are busy or underfunded, under-funded, sometimes just a note that you've taken the time to write sincerely and personally is more meaningful than a gift. To be remembered re-membered is the thing I think is important. im-portant. My friend Leatrice Tucker, who has had a strike which impairs her motor ability has given me notes in a wiggly scrawl that simply say "I love you." What could be more joyous than to be loved. This time of year, the opportunities oppor-tunities to share are abundant. You can be lavish or simple, clever and "nutty" with a bow on top. Or you can just be sincere. Use your imagination and give a little bit of yourself away! I ill Ks t" 1 ' ; . ''.mmmmim Christmas can be a hectic time of year for those who have not learned shortcuts Carissa and Brittany Merrill are ready for gift giving with clever packages tied up with bows A roll of colored ribbon can be would-be "perfect" hostesses best ally during the Christmas rush Ribbons can be used to adorn doors, gifts, trees, and even children. |