WV:  My vote is for the 1st one!  I love both, but my fav is the 1st! 

To get the line out, just crop…..you'll only lose about what 1/4″ off the top?  The tree will just go up off the picture as it does now……just a thought……

No matter which one you choose, either would be just a lovely card!  That is just the lovliest of ideas in my book — it's from the heart.  For my imediate family this is what they receive also.  I know what I do with cards from the store, that's what everyone else does too!  But the cards that are personalized I cherish and display every year with my Christmas decorations…….

Cindy

all of the photos are wonderful.  I would love anyone of them.  Another idea - When my mother in law died, her dtr make us all family cookbooks.  she got recipes from all the family, grandmothers, great grandmothers etc. especially holiday favorites and typed them up, put in family photos and other pictures and had them bound at Kinkos I think.  we all cried.  especially with her recipes and our pictures with her etc.  this is a really cheap wonderful idea.  i got one for my son, when he grows up and will take care of it, he is 25. hmmm 

In ordering aprons from Georgia, I came up with a thought - a thought for me, but thought I'd share.

My kids want me to make them pillowcases.  I had ordered “kits” from a quilting site - really neat fabrics.  Ranch style '50's fabric with contrast on the end - and a pretty floral with coordinating fabric on the end.  End meaning the part that flaps after a pillow is inserted.  This probably has a technical term, but I'm a bit brain dead this evening.  (Try to use your imagination and follow me here…)

Anyway, my kids are in their mid 20's - and their friends are now asking for these pillowcases too.  They like them because they take their pillows everywhere they go - camping, hotels, friend's houses, car rides - and they can tell those are their pillows. 

My point - and I do have one - is that these would make great Christmas gifts - and you could stuff them with goodies/gifts/pillows - or not…  Just another idea.

Jaymi said:

I don't know about you all, but this Christmas is scaring me. I have 15 nieces and nephews alone on my hubby's side, 6 on my side, a Christmas Tea to attend, Mother, Grandparents, et cetera to buy for. The gas to drive the 2 hours to get there..ugh the list goes on. I suggested that the adults don't exchange presents ( I mean didn't we out grow the need for stuff?) and that we give the children small presents or gift cards for a J

Jaymi -

I hear you - I actually have anxiety attacks about Christmas.  I have 5 kids agse 9, 11, 11, 21, and 26 and a 2 year old grandson.  I'm planning to purchase one useful toy for my grandson (who also has a birthday on 12/16). 

I plan to buy my kids each a pair of jeans, pack of socks (the usual), the little kids each a sled, and a board game or two.  Our big thing last year was celebrating winter solstice and making treats for the birds and the animals.  So our focus was a little different.  For family members like my sisters-in-law, I'm going to make each an egg basket.  I'm going to give a fairy door to my mom and a hand carved tree for my dad (he's a forester).  Things that I think will make them smile and will remind them of me.

But I'll still have an anxiety attack.

Beth in PA

beeyourself said:

Beth - I don't know what a fairy door is - and now I'm intrigued!  What IS a fairy door?

It's a whimsical little thing - kind of like a frog house.  You can do a search on etsy.com      Silly, really - but it is the kind of thing that would make my parents think of me and smile (in embarrassment, perhaps!) 

Wv_Hills…the pictures are beautiful.  Both are great. Good luck in your choice.  I do love barns but agree that the first one is mystical.  Find a way to do both?  LOL

Here is my spin on the pillow case thing…I buy fabric of holiday prints after the holiday dirt cheap and save it until next year.  I give a little parcel of holiday pillowcases to the children for Christmas.  Last year they got Christmas, Halloween and Easter.  This year they are getting Patriotic prints for the fourth, mem and labor days, and some celebration prints for New Years.  Next year will be Valentines and something green for St Patty's Day.  You get the idea.  Kids think it is great to decorate their rooms for holidays.  They have certainly been a hit.  Even the college kids ask why they don't get them.  It only cost pennies if bought at the right time.  I am like most of you and believe that Christmas should be in the spirit…not extravagent gifts.  I appreciate some one's time so much more than monitary things.

I do the gift coupon thing as well.  Personalized for that special person.  Office Depot will comb-bind index cards for pennies.  I give little packs of these away and believe it or not they actually redeem them. 

Birdi said:

Wv_Hills…the pictures are beautiful.  Both are great. Good luck in your choice.  I do love barns but agree that the first one is mystical.  Find a way to do both?  LOL

Here is my spin on the pillow case thing…I buy fabric of holiday prints after the holiday dirt cheap and save it until next year. 

You know, that is a great idea!  When my daughter was in Iraq, I made a bunch of pillowcases and hung them out on the line send sealed them up and labeled,'made with the scent of Pennsylvania'.  Pillowcases are great!  I like the coupons too -

Beth in PA

Jaymi said:

Beth, I'm sorry it causes you such grief. That's sort of my point. I wish it was much more simple.

You guys are great with ideas.

Jaymi,

Actually it is my own doing - I over-analyze and worry about silly little things.  And you are right, these guys have the greatest ideas! 

Beth in PA

JeannieB said:

  It's not much fun getting old and losing your siblings, my sister Linda and I were the best of friends and I'm still lost with our her.

I'm so sorry Jeannie. That's horrible. I hope the youth pick up the traditions and keep them strong. It's important.

Totally agree Bella, we have decided to do a really nice meal and not buy gifts this year and avoid all the stress. My parents have a lot of extra medical bills, brother lost his job with the Alcoa plant closing, Sister doesnt have it to start with, other sister is paying for a wedding, and I am paying for hubbys school. So we are just going to enjoy the day together. And get little things of course for the 3 little kids we have.