Byers’ Choice carolers are festive and addictive to collect. Ours find a home on the piano every year in several variations.

Christmas trees come in all shapes, sizes and methods. Here are some of ours that were artificial, bought at the local garden center, shipped to the door via FedEx and just plain old curly willow twigs decorated for the season.

There is nothing more magical on a snowy night than the glow of Christmas lights. Truly, the effect is magical as the snow covers the ground it transports you to another world filled with magic and beauty.

One of the best gifts you can give for the holidays is something you make yourself. We always make extra sweets and wrap them up to give as holiday gifts. Last year we presented this whole tray as a single gift. There are nut and apricot kiffles, two kinds of giant chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, checkerboard shortbread cookies, cut-out cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, applebutter and cherry topping for cheesecake or ice cream. We used a goodie gift packaging kit by Martha Stewart and a full size bakery sheet pan purchased at the restaurant supply store.