Stress Free Christmas

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase an Amazon product through a link from this site, we will get a small amount of commission at no cost to you.

Long Christmas ornaments

are those that are larger or more elongated than typical ornaments.  Using these can add visual interest, variety, and a sense of elegance to your holiday decorations. Here are some reasons why you might choose to use long Christmas ornaments.

Elegant Aesthetic

Long ornaments, such as finials or icicles, often have an elegant and sophisticated appearance. They can bring a touch of class to your Christmas tree and overall decor.

Dramatic Effect

The elongated shape of certain ornaments can create a more dramatic and eye-catching effect on your tree. This can be especially effective if you’re going for a bold and memorable holiday display.

Unique Design

Long ornaments can introduce unique and distinctive shapes to your Christmas tree. They break away from the traditional round baubles, offering a fresh and interesting look.

Vertical Emphasis

If you want to emphasize the height of your Christmas tree, long ornaments can help draw the eye upward, creating a sense of verticality and making the tree appear taller.

Modern and Trendy

Many modern and contemporary Christmas decorations feature long and slender shapes. If you’re aiming for a more modern or trendy holiday decor theme, incorporating long ornaments can be a stylish choice.

Variety in Texture and Material

Long ornaments come in various materials and textures, such as glass, metal, or even fabric. Adding these different materials can diversify the look of your tree, creating a visually appealing mix.

Complementing Theme

Depending on your overall Christmas theme or color scheme, long ornaments might complement the style you’re going for. For example, if you have a winter wonderland theme, icicle-shaped ornaments can enhance the wintry atmosphere.

Creative Arrangements

Long ornaments can be strategically placed on the tree to create interesting arrangements. For instance, you might hang them in a cascading pattern or group them together for a clustered effect.

Remember that personal preferences and style play a significant role in decorating for the holidays. Whether you choose long ornaments for their aesthetic appeal, unique design, or thematic fit, the key is to create a festive atmosphere that brings joy and suits your tastes. Here are some examples of long ornaments.

Icicle Ornaments

These ornaments are designed to resemble icicles and are often longer and slender in shape.

Long Glass Ornaments

Some Christmas ornaments come in elongated shapes, often made of glass. These can be found in various colors and designs.

Hanging Finial Ornaments

Finial-shaped ornaments are elongated and often have a tapered or pointed end. They add a touch of elegance to Christmas trees.

Dangling or Drop Ornaments

These are longer ornaments that hang down from the branches of the tree. They can be in the form of various designs, such as bells, stars, or elongated baubles.

Spiral or Twisted Ornaments

Some ornaments have a spiral or twisted design, giving them a longer appearance. These can add a unique and modern touch to your Christmas tree.

Tassel Ornaments

Tassel-style ornaments have a long, hanging fringe that can add a decorative and stylish element to your tree.

Ribbons and Garlands

While not traditional ornaments, long ribbons and garlands can be used to create a cascading effect on the tree, providing a sense of length and movement.

When shopping for Christmas ornaments, you can often find a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your preferences and theme. Consider mixing different types of ornaments for a visually interesting and diverse decoration.

The Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis, have been seen further south than usual recently. They are magical lights when viewed in the sky; and creating Northern Lights-inspired Christmas decorations can bring a magical and ethereal atmosphere to your holiday decor. Here are some ideas to help you achieve this look.

Northern Lights Ornaments:

Purchase or make ornaments that resemble the colors and patterns of the Northern Lights. Use iridescent or holographic materials to mimic the shimmering effect.
Paint clear or glass ornaments with swirling patterns of green, blue, and purple to represent the Northern Lights.

If you purchase anything via a link from this site, a small commission will be received at no extra cost to you. This site has Amazon affiliate links included.

String Lights

Hang string lights with a mix of blue, green, and purple LEDs to simulate the Northern Lights’ colors. You can also find pre-made Northern Lights-themed string lights.

Table Settings and Centerpiece

Choose tablecloths, placemats, and napkins in Northern Lights colors. Add some sparkle with metallic or glitter accents. Create a centerpiece for your dining table or mantel using battery-operated LED candles and translucent vases filled with blue and green marbles or colored water.

Northern Lights Tree Topper

Replace your traditional tree topper with a starburst-style topper made from iridescent or metallic paper. Add LED lights to give it a glowing effect.

Wreaths Garlands and Decals

Make or buy wreaths with blue and green ornaments, pinecones, and faux snow to represent the Northern Lights’ colors and a wintery feel. Craft garlands from ribbons or fabrics in shades of blue, green, and purple. Hang them along the stair railing or mantel. Apply peel-and-stick Northern Lights wall decals to create an instant atmospheric effect in any room. Create luminaries by cutting intricate patterns into paper bags and placing LED candles inside. The cutouts can depict Northern Lights scenes. Make paper snowflakes in the shape of Northern Lights patterns and hang them around your home.

Window Displays

Hang sheer curtains in blue, green, or purple to give the illusion of the Northern Lights shimmering in your windows.

Holiday Cards

Design or choose holiday cards with Northern Lights imagery or colors to send to friends and family.

Northern Lights Paintings:

Paint your own Northern Lights-themed artwork or purchase paintings to display on your walls.

Sound Effects:

Create a playlist with soothing sounds of winter and the Northern Lights. Play it softly in the background to enhance the ambiance.

Remember that the Northern Lights are characterized by their beautiful colors and swirling patterns, so incorporating these elements into your Christmas decorations will help you capture the essence of this natural wonder during the holiday season.

 

Wish Lists

Kids’ Christmas wish lists can vary widely depending on their age, interests, and current trends. It’s important to consider the child’s age, interests, and preferences when selecting a Christmas gift. You can also ask their parents or guardians for suggestions to ensure you choose a gift that will be both exciting and suitable for the child. Here are some popular toy categories and specific toy ideas that many kids might want for Christmas.

Action Figures

Popular action figures from movies, TV shows, or video games like superheroes, Star Wars characters, or Fortnite figures.

Dolls

Dolls are always a popular choice, from baby dolls, dolls that feed and cry or pocket sized dolls with many outfit changes. There also Barbie dolls, American Girl dolls, or other popular doll lines.

LEGO Sets

LEGO sets come in a wide range of themes, from Star Wars to Harry Potter, and can be appealing to kids of all ages, right up to and beyond retirement age. Many a middle aged person still proudly clings onto Lego sets they built as a child or teen.

Board Games

Classic board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or newer games like Settlers of Catan or Ticket to Ride. For younger children, snakes & ladders or ludo are still popular and teach a number of useful skills like number recognition, taking turns and losing or winning with grace.

Video Games and Consoles

The latest video game consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, along with popular games are always popular.

Arts and Crafts Supplies

Art kits, craft supplies, and DIY projects can inspire creativity, if you can stand the mess. Why not join in? Crafts and art for adults are becoming more popular, including coloring books. High-quality markers, colored pencils, or sketchbooks for budding artists are always enjoyed.

Outdoor Toys

Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or sports equipment like soccer balls or basketballs all contribute to healthy outdoor activity. Remember the safety equipment too, to protect those precious heads and save knees and elbows from nasty grazes. Outdoor Adventure Gear like tents, binoculars, or compasses for outdoor exploration may be wanted for older kids. Gardening Kits with tools and seeds for kids to start their own gardens can also be included in this category.

Remote-Controlled Vehicles

RC cars, drones, and helicopters are good fun and require a lot of concentration, focus and fine motor control. Adults also enjoy these and can use drones for photographing wildlife in areas inaccessible on foot. Remote-Controlled Robots that can be programmed and controlled are also enjoyed.

Educational Toys

STEM kits, science experiment sets, and educational games that make learning fun are still well-liked and have started many an aspiring schoolchild on the road to becoming a scientist. Science Kits, including chemistry sets, crystal-growing kits, astronomy tools or that allow kids to conduct various science experiments, such as volcano kits, robotics kits, or microscopes are all good choices.

Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles or brain-teaser puzzles are perennial favorites. Make sure the number of pieces in any jigsaw are age appropriate, neither too hard nor too easy for the child’s ability.

Puzzles can include easy sudoku, easy crossword puzzles and all those age-old puzzles that have kept kids occupied for years. You can include dominoes and joke or riddle books in this group.

Plush Toys

Stuffed animals are always popular for smaller children and characters from favorite movies or TV shows are often wanted by older kids and even teens!

Building Blocks and Construction Sets

Besides LEGO, other building block sets like Mega Bloks, Knex, or Playmobil are popular. Meccano is a classic construction toy, with moving parts. You can also include large construction vehicles in this category, ones that small children can ride on or the tough steel toys that can used to move bricks and toys around. Older kids may enjoy Model Kits to build scale models of cars, airplanes, ships, or buildings.

Electronic Gadgets

Gadgets like tablets, kid-friendly smartwatches, or educational electronic devices are often on kids’ wish lists. Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets and games are also popular with kids and adults. Coding and Programming Toys that introduce kids to coding and programming concepts may also be enjoyed.

Books

Age-appropriate books and book series are popular with some kids, especially those based on films or mini series.

Musical Instruments

Keyboards, guitars, drums, or other instruments make great gifts if you want to encourage a musical talent. Other musical instruments like xylophones, triangles, percussion instruments or karaoke machines may also be enjoyed.

Character Clothing Accessories and Dressing up Costumes

Dressing up as a favorite character is not restricted to Hallowe’en. Dressing up activities can happen at any time of the year and encourage the use of imagination. Clothing, backpacks, and accessories featuring their favorite characters can all be good choices.

Collectibles

Collectible cards, mini figures, or trading cards from popular franchises still attract many kids, who enjoy swapping or playing with these cards.

Subscription Boxes

Subscription services that deliver age-appropriate toys and activities every month provide a long lasting Christmas gift. Educational Subscription Boxes can include science, gardening and art experiences. Check home education sites, such as Kiwico for some very interesting subscriptions.

Pets and Pet Accessories

Only if you have checked with  the parents or caregivers that an animal is acceptable and there are no allergies or other worries, then small pets like fish, hamsters, or reptiles, along with their habitats and accessories may well be greeted with delight. With such gifts being given at Christmas, you will need to ensure that everything needed for the animal’s welfare, including food and feeding dishes or a suitable cage or tank are available and will last until the shops are open for replacement food, etc.

Cooking and Baking Sets

Cooking kits, baking equipment, or easy-to-use kitchen gadgets for young chefs are always useful and keep kids occupied happily for some time.

Character-themed Playsets

Playsets featuring characters from movies or TV shows, like a Paw Patrol playset or a Frozen castle are always aceptable for kids who enjoy the various films and mini series.

Magic Kits

Magic sets that teach kids simple magic tricks and illusions are as popular now as they were years ago.

Sensory Toys

Toys that provide sensory stimulation, like fidget toys or stress balls are enjoyed by many children and some kids need special sensory toys that are helpful for their development.

Experience Gifts

Tickets to theme parks, zoos, museums, or other family-friendly experiences can make a gift that is different from the usual toys.

Remember to consider the child’s age and interests when choosing a gift to make it as personalized and meaningful as possible. Additionally, consider any safety precautions, such as age-appropriate toys and accessories, especially for younger children.