Festive Christmas Table Idea

 I love doing something different each year, even though the family loves traditions. Adding a little surprise to the house makes everyone happy, it seems. And it doesn't take much to slip in a new treat, tradition, or small blessing. Today's nifty little idea fits the bill. Like the wonderful recipes for filling your house with Christmas scents, it also comes from this week's giveaway book: 365 Ways to Prepare For Christmas, by David Monn.

In the tradition of Victorian Christmas crackers, make your own

 "Surprise Rolls."

Take a cardboard tube such as the kind from an empty roll of paper towels, or toilet tissue (the ideal size).  Using a pretty foil or heavy wrapping paper,  cut a "ten by twenty inch piece out. Center the tube on the paper, and roll it up, pinching the paper together at one end, and tying it off at that end with a long piece of curling ribbon. Fill the tube with candies or other small treats and coins. Pinch the other end together and tie with another piece of curling ribbon."

 

Open out the ends of the paper rolls in a fan shape; then curl the ribbons.*

 

I like the idea of using these as place settings on Christmas (and if your children want to pull them apart afterwards, as above, that's fine, too!)

 

How about you?

 

What's your simple trick to add festivity to your holiday table or home?

Leave a comment and you'll be part of the drawing for this week's giveaway.

PS: Don't miss my post over at Regency Reflections about a Remarkably Regency Yuletide! 

*Adapted from the "Surprise Rolls" from 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas, by David Monn.  Win this book by entering this week's drawing! Simply leave a comment to be entered. I don't usually get around to drawing a winner until Sunday night, so you have until 12/23 to enter!

Regency House Christmas!

The winner of last week's book giveaway, An English Christmas, is Amada Chavez! Congratulations, Amada! Please email me at Linore(at)LinoreBurkard(dot)com with your complete mailing address so I can get the book to you ASAP.

Thanks, everyone else, who entered. Be sure to enter this week's drawing for 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas, by David Monn. 
 It's chock-full of ideas for a crafty, home-made Christmas that are sure to inspire. 

 

 What's New

I spoke on Blog Talk Radio with host Carol Topp (*standing in for publisher Felice Gerwitz). If you are a writer, you'll want to listen in as I share tips on building that all-important "Author's Platform" that publishers look for. It's a career boosting experience in 20 minutes. :)

Listen to internet radio with FeliceGerwitz on Blog Talk Radio

More Christmas!

Some of you know

I wrote a Regency Christmas (non-fiction) ebook called,

Regency House Christmas: The Definitive Guide to a Remarkably Regency Yuletide!  It's bursting with illustrations, Regency customs, poems, hymns, recipes and more.

  I started this book because I wanted to know exactly what Christmas would have been like during the Regency.  I already knew enough to recognize that a lot of other writers were getting it very wrong. 

 So, I buried myself in research and came out with Regency House Christmas. This was a few years ago, before the ebook industry exploded. So it's a PDF, not yet optimal for e-readers. (It can be read on an e-reader but won't have the easy navigation you're accustomed to.)

I keep meaning to update the ebook--they say old habits die hard, and my penchant for collecting information regarding an early 19th Century English Christmas hasn't waned. Therefore, I have much to add. I'm making it a top priority of 2013 to have the new shiny e-book all ready for most e-readers by next year's Christmas season. I wanted to do it for this year, but other writing projects--and life--got in the way. 

SO-for right now:  If you get a copy of the ebook as is (in PDF) your receipt will entitle you to the new version of the book ABSOLUTELY FREE.* Originally offered for $14.95, it's on SALE for only $9.95. 

Regency House Christmas Sale !

*On the chance that  Regency House Christmas gets a new publisher, I will not be able to fulfill giving out free copies--but I will be able to award bonus downloads of equally Christmasy content.  Either way, it's a gift that keeps on giving! 

In addition to the Contents & Bibliography, (click to download this short preview of the ebook), I also send a whole sleigh-load of bonus ebooks full of extra Christmas delights.

Regency House Christmas Sale !

A FEW of the extras are:

A Regency Feast--Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, and more--25 pages of historical recipes, quotes and illustrations.

Regency House Christmas Receipt Book-- More Christmas feast recipes that you can freely give away to friends and family. ("Receipt" is the old word for recipe.)

The Prayers of Jane Austen--Did you know that Jane wrote a few special prayers that her father used as part of an Anglican service? They were no doubt read at home around the fire of an evening, too.  

Regency Carols--Christmas Hymns of the Day! 

English Housewifery Exemplified--173 pages of a 1764 cookbook!  

Ho, Ho, Ho Christmas Beverages--an entire ebook with special holiday libations

Illustrated historical stories of the season

And much, much more!

 

`

Regency House Christmas Sale !

Enjoy Your Copy Today! After check-out, you will receive your ebooks via the email address on the PayPal Receipt. Thanks very much. Warmest Blessings, Linore

Christmas Scents (and sensibilities)

When it comes to Christmas, a little ambiance goes a long way. Nothing shouts "Christmastime" quite like entering a house to the SMELL of the season.  A fresh new Christmas tree may do the trick, or a really good scented candle or two, but if you want to add a little humidifying scent to your home without doing any baking or rigorous cooking, try the following recipes, adapted from this week's giveaway book: 365 Ways To Prepare For Christmas, by David E. Monn. 

 Seasonal   Fragrance(s)

Place fresh orange rinds, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and fresh ginger in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer on low heat and enjoy the scent that will billow into your home from the kitchen.

Or:

"Combine an ounce of cinnamon sticks, an ounce and a half of whole cloves, half an ounce of fresh or dried bay leaves, and simmer for two minutes. Set out in a decorative bowl."

Or:

"Warm the oven, turn it off, then sprinkle cinnamon on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven." *

*p. 104, 365 Ways to Prepare For Christmas, David Monn

There's another kind of ambience that goes a long way during the holiday season, too:  keeping your expectations at bay. As women, we sometimes don't notice that our attitude and mood can affect the entire household. It's like that popular t-shirt that says, "if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

So-- make an effort to, yes, be happy! You'll give your entire household a lift.

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Don't forget to leave a comment after any post to enter the current giveaway. This week's winner will get a copy of 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas, by David Monn!