Evy's Deals Are So Good, It's A Little Freaky!

By Katie M

Halloween is just around the corner (scary, I know!), and Evy’s is prepared - at both of its locations (in Greensboro and Kernersville). From cool to creepy, bats to brooms, Evy's has the Halloween decor to brighten any room. And for Greensboro Evy's fans: Enjoy 20% off all Halloween items, and 70% all items in the front of the 2925 Battleground Ave store location!

At either location, you can expect a minimum of 20% off select items. And every week Evy's has category specials or tables with even deeper discounts. How do they do it? I don't know but it's not just freaky - it's fabulous!


Plus, Evy's is still celebrating its Moving Sale now through the end of October - with 70% off select items at both its locations (Greensboro and Kernersville). If you haven't heard, Evy's Battleground location is moving to New Garden Road/Bryan Blvd at Jefferson Village Shopping Center near Fresh Market. When the move is complete, Evy's will continue to maintain two great locations - both with fantastic gifts and decor at amazing price points.


To get you started on your shopping, visit Evy's Kernersville location at 126 South Main Street for a Wine Tasting on Saturday, October 9 from 2 pm to 5 pm. If you have a passion for wine, shopping and helping others, then this event makes for a great time out for you and your friends. A large selection of exclusive award-winning wines will be available with proceeds from bottles of wine sold going to charity. So, come out and enjoy great shopping incentives and a good time!


Don't forget to sign up for Evy's newsletter, and "Like" them on Facebook, so you can be in-the-know on all of Evy's fantastic deals happening weekly.

And guess what the staff did this past week? Unload new Christmas items! It never hurts to start your holiday shopping early. And with deals like these, who's waiting?

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Smarty Alert: Get Discounted Nutcracker Tix Now!

By Guest Blogger Ann U

Last year, UNCSA’s Nutcracker received rave reviews for its enchanting new staging directed by Ethan Stiefel, Dean of the UNCSA School of Dance. In addition, new choreography, a spectacular new 26-foot tall Christmas tree and a flurry of other magical surprises received high praise from critics and the public alike. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the magical spell that enchanted Winston-Salem last holiday season!

Tickets go on sale Monday, September 27, but you can get your tickets early at the Nutcracker Box Office Opening Kick-Off event this Saturday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Stevens Center.

The September 25th kickoff event also will feature a variety of FREE fun activities for the whole family including art activities provided by the Children’s Museum, additional holiday crafts, refreshments and a chance to have a free photo taken with characters from The Nutcracker!

Those who purchase tickets at the event will receive a $5 discount off each ticket (cannot be combined with any other discount). The $5 off per ticket is eligible for walk-up sales to the Stevens Center Box Office on Saturday, September 25 ONLY and is limited to ten tickets per person per performance.

The full performance schedule for the UNCSA production of The Nutcracker is: Dec. 4 and 5 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 8 through 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

For the best deal in town take advantage of the great prices on The Nutcracker “Family Four Pack” for the evening performances on Sunday, Dec. 5, Wednesday, Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec. 9 only: $130 for Orchestra Side/Front Balcony and $95 for Center Balcony (not including $5 discount).

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Happy Father's Day!!

By Rachel H

Today we celebrate dads near and far
For the men that they were, and the men that they are

Whether they are here with us to hug today
Or if we have lost them, but made memories on the way

We want to say thank you for all that you do
We want to say thanks for most of all, just being you!

Enjoy some words of thanks from our Triad Little Smarties below in honor of their Dads who ROCK ...


Neil Marion

Ella and Slate say, "Our dad rocks because he does all the pirate voices when he reads to us."





Tom Bennett

Daniel says, "My dad rocks because he taught me how to skateboard."
Thomas says, "My dad rocks because he pulls my teeth."
Ward says, "My dad rocks because he builds block castles and garages with me."





Blake Shotwell

"Our dad rocks because he is fun and playful. He is a superstar. I like when he plays basketball. Dad is so much fun. He plays dog pound and lets us jump on his bed. And I love about him because he always carries me on his shoulders. I love him. Dads are great."





Chad McNeill

Brock and Emma say, "My Dad rocks because he drives a truck and gets us treats!!"




John Morrison

Carlie says, "My dad rocks because he makes me laugh all the time."
Evelyn says, "My dad rocks because he always lets me win when we play Candyland."




Stephen Willis

Berkley says, "My dad rocks because he tosses me up as high as I want to go!" (Okay...so my 10 month old didn't really say this, but if he could talk he would!)




Marc R.

Trevor says, "My dad rocks because he always makes me laugh by being so goofy!"





Rick A.

My dad rocks because ..."He takes me fishing!"





Kerry B.

Kelly says, "My dad rocks because he's cool and smart."








Jason D.

Ella says, "My dad rocks because he loves to play in the waves with me at the beach."




Kevin H.

Jake says, "My dad rocks because he loves music!"
Anna says, "My dad rocks because he gives us junk food when mommy is gone."





Alex Bartram

Conner and Davis say, "Our dad rocks because he is the best fisherman in the whole wide world!"




Tyson Hutchens

Gracelyn says, "My Dad Rocks because he's MINE (and because he makes the best Giraffe and Elephant sounds)!"




Charlie M.

Emily says, "My dad rocks because I like to watch things like baseball games with him." Henry says, "My daddy rocks because he reads me books."

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Whose Dad ROCKS?!?!?

By Rachel H
Does your dad rock? We want to honor our awesome Triad area dads this Father's Day! Please send us a photo of your children & their dad with a quote from one of your kids stating, "My dad rocks because ..."

Please also include the father's name. (You can send us his full name, or just his first name and last initial.) We will run all submissions on Father's Day, June 20th. Please be sure we have yours by Friday, June 18th in order to be included. Send your photo and quote to triadsmartypants@gmail.com.

Have a great week!

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Happy Mothers' Day!

By Rachel H

Happy Mothers' Day to all of you from our TSP Team. We hope your day is a wonderful one. I thought today was a great day to post this reminder from Mother Teresa. These versus were reportedly written on her wall for children in Calcutta, India. My mother-in-law has had this on her refrigerator for as long as I can remember, and a few years ago I printed this out and hung it on mine as well. I think the verses are wonderful words in which to live!

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

Don't forget to register for our fabulous Mother's Day giveaway! Simply click here to read about our fabulous businesses participating and to register! This giveaway will continue until noon on Friday, May 14th. We will then choose our four lucky winners at random and will contact them to claim their prize. Good luck!

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Easter & Spring Crafts for Lil' Smarties

By Rachel H

The TSP Team had a great time demonstrating the following crafts on Fox 8 Morning News yesterday. A big thank you to Fox 8 for giving us the opportunity and to Judith Long, Marybeth Barrett, and Joy Blaser for their adorable crafts! For those of you who missed us, or for those of you who would like more details on the crafts ... read below! We hope you can enjoy these simple and unique crafts with your children over Spring Break!


Paper Lanterns - by Joy Blaser

Supplies:
Watercolor paper
Watercolor paints
Vegetable Oil
Glue
Mason jar (or empty pasta jar)
Tealight Candle

Paint the paper however you like with watercolor paints, covering as much of the paper as possible. After the paint dries, brush the entire paper lightly with vegetable oil and allow to dry for a few hours. Glue in a circle (this takes a while as well), then cut 2 inch slits in the bottom of the circle and fold in and glue so that the lantern has a bottom. Place a mason jar inside the lantern and place a tealight candle in the glass jar.

Check out more crafts from Joy on her blog www.anartfamily.com.




Easter Egg Soap
- by Judith Long
Supplies:
Wilton Silicone molds (Wal-Mart)
Microwavable Measuring Cup
Dinner knife
Melt & Pour (Glycerin) Soap (A. C. Moore)
Food Coloring
Fragrance Oils (A. C. Moore)

Wilton Silicone mold, Melt & Pour soap, and fragrance oils can all be purchased online at Wholesale Supplies Plus (www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com).

Take 1 – 2 ounces of melt and pour soap and cut into small pieces and place in measuring cup. Having the soap pieces uniform helps, but it is not mandatory.
Please measuring cup in microwave for about 1 minute or until soap melts.
Add a drop or two of food coloring.
Add a ½ teaspoon of fragrance oil.
Stir and pour into silicone mold.
Let mold sit until soap solidifies.
Pop soap out of mold and package.

See soaps and other products made by Judith's family at www.longfamilyfarmsoaps.com!


Decoupage Switch Plate Covers - By Marybeth Barrett

Let’s take your boring, plain old switch plate covers from Blah to Ta Dah! Add a little color and instant art to your room with this simple decoupage project.
Supplies:
Decoupage glue – I use Mod Podge
Foam brushes
Craft knife
Screwdriver
Decorative Paper: Scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, color copies, magazines, fabric, etc.
Scissors
Electrical tape (optional)
Wax Paper
Thin paint brush or pencil
Sponge, soap and water

Preparing the Switch Plate
Buy new switch plate covers at your local Home Improvement Store. Or, reuse what you have by removing the old switch plate from the wall and set the screws aside. (SAFETY FIRST: Parents will have to help with this first step) For plastic switch plates, clean the plate with soap and water or household cleaner. If the plate is wooden, wipe clean with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.

Decoupage the Switch Plate
Once you have decided how to decorate your switch plate, trace the switch plate cover onto your decorative paper of choice and add an extra ¼” or more. Cut out the design(s) from your wrapping paper, fabric or photos.

Protect your work area with wax paper. Place your decorative paper face down on wax paper. Glue the back of the paper and then paste the design onto the center of the switch plate, covering the light making sure you are centered on the switch hole. Fold around it the edges over the back of the plate and glue them down as if you are wrapping a present, folding the corners in on an angle to keep them sharp and tidy. Glue the edges down to the back of the plate.

Once the design is in place, use the craft knife to cut open the design through the light switch hole. Cut diagonally from corner to corner in the shape of an “X” through the center of the hole. You should now have 4 triangle flaps inside the hole. Fold each flap to the back of the switch plate and secure. You have two options: 1. Use a very small piece of electrical tape. 2. You can try gluing the flaps to the back, but with such a small piece of paper or fabric to work with, it may not hold properly; tape is easier.

Next, poke small holes through the paper where the screws go using the end of a thin paint brush or a pencil.

Now that the design is secured onto the plate, cover the entire design and the back edges with a layer of decoupage glue using the foam brush. Allow this to dry and then add another layer of glue to seal the design. You can add one more layer for good measure…this makes it user friendly and you are able to wipe of dirty little fingerprints down the road.

Let dry completely before putting your switch plate back on the wall.
Clean your brushes using soap and water.
Voila, your switch plate covers went from BLAH to TA DAH!
Plastic switch plates are very inexpensive so you can change them out with the season!

More Advanced Options & Ideas:
If you really want to get creative, you can personalize them with your name. Simply use ink and rubber stamps or stickers before you seal the paper with the first coat of ModPodge.
Use your own personal photos. Either print photos on a laser printer or copier to prevent the ink from smudging. Use color or black and white. You can even add your name or great quotes to the image before printing. Follow the same steps listed above.

For more DIY projects by Marybeth, please visit http://www.addressingspaces.com/.




Yarn Sheep - by Joy Blaser

Supplies:
Cardboard
Clothespins
Paint
Fuzzy Yarn

Cut out an oval shape from a cardboard box. Paint one end of the oval brown or black (or pink, as my daughter did) for the face. Paint two clothespins to match the color of your sheep. Attach these as the feet. Wrap fluffy yarn around many times until he looks sheep-like.




Decoupage Easter Eggs - By Marybeth Barrett

Embellish your Easter Eggs with some festive and seasonal images. For more dimension…go 3-D!

Supplies:
Decoupage glue – I use Mod Podge
Easter Eggs (I used the ornament kind found at Home Goods, Timex, Joann’s, etc. because they were pre-painted. But, if you are feeling adventurous, you can get plain ones to paint yourself)
Foam brushes
Small scissors
Decorative Paper: Scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, color copies, magazines, fabric etc. (I used butterflies found on the internet and printed them on a color laser)
Wax Paper
Sponge, soap and water
Glitter and Q-Tip (Optional)

Step 1
Protect your work surface with wax paper. Use the small scissors to cut out your image. Do not leave any border, cut along the outline of your image.

Step 2
To attach a flat butterfly: Once cut, lay your image face down on the wax paper. Coat the back of your image with decoupage using a foam brush. Place the image on your Easter egg face up. Smooth out any air bubbles. Protect with a couple of coats of Mod Podge, allowing it to dry in between coats.
Step 3

Attach a 3-D butterfly: Once cut, Fold the cutout along midline. I usually make two folds leaving about 1/8” in the center so there is more flat surface to glue. Apply glue to the flat, folded surface and adhere it to the egg. If you want to make it double sided, just glue two butterfly images back to back. Let dry.

For a little more bling, add some glitter before you adhere the image to the egg. Coat the edges of your image with Mod Podge using a Q-Tip for more precision. Sprinkle with glitter and shake off the excess.
Let dry.
Hang your eggs or display them in baskets to enjoy.

Have a comment or question, but not sure how to post one? Click here to find out how!

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Do-It-Yourself Leprechaun Hat

By Guest Blogger Heather Sorrell

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! This is the holiday where everyone gets to be Irish! I have a great art project that my kids love that combines recycling, dress up & getting messy. Leprechaun hats are fun and silly! If you are extremely crafty, you can make a hat form yourself. Some craft stores may have pre-made hat forms for purchase, as well.

To make this project a bit "greener", you can choose to visit your local large department store. You will need one that sells all those fancy, Sunday-go-to-meeting hats. (We found ours at the local Belk's store.) Those hats are shipped with a clear, flexible plastic hat form to protect them and retain their shape. Most stores just throw them away, so chances are they will give one to you...

To turn the clear plastic into a leprechaun hat, you will need:
~ green tissue paper (or blue and yellow for older, more accomplished artists)
~ watered-down Elmer's glue
~ a small paintbrush
~ a hot glue gun
~ green construction paper
~ gold glitter glue
~ black ribbon (about 20-24 inches long, should be enough)

Protect your work area with waxed paper or a dropcloth, as the glue may soak through newspapers. To prep the materials, have your child help you shred, rip, tear and generally destroy the tissue paper! Small pieces work best, between quarter- to dime-sized. If the pieces are too big, or too small, the overall effect won't be as nice. Older kids may prefer to layer blue and yellow tissues to create green. I like to use several different shades and varieties of green tissue scraps.


Starting at the crown, or top of the hat form, place the first piece of tissue and use the paintbrush to completely cover it with the watered-down glue. Place the next piece so that some part overlaps the first piece and repeat. Warning: this part is messy! Continue placing pieces and gluing until the entire outside of the hat form is covered. Help younger children find "empty" spots. Don't wrap tissue pieces around the edge of the brim, yet. Allow to sit until dried.

Flip the dry hat over (onto its crown) and continue tissue paper and glue around the edges and cover the brim. The inside of the hat can also be covered, if desired.

This next part is for the adult. When the hat is completely dry, position the black ribbon around the base of the hat crown and hot glue in place. Remember to move quickly and not put too much glue in one spot or you might melt the plastic under the tissue paper. Have your child draw (or trace) a large, 4-5 inch Shamrock on green construction paper and cut out.

Write your child's first name or nickname or "Irish" name in gold glitter glue on the Shamrock. When the glitter glue is dry, attach the Shamrock to the side of the hat over or near the spot on the side where the ribbons cross. We usually attach the Shamrock with hot glue so they don't pop off.

Now your little leprechauns are ready for the 'Wearin' O' the Green!'


And don't forget to register for our fabulous March camp give-aways! Win one free camp slot at Salem Sports Camp for Kids in Winston-Salem, or at Eastern Music Festival's Explorer's Camp in Greensboro! The last day to register will be March 12.

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Valentine Crafts with Your Children

By Guest Blogger Barbara T


I love to come up with fun projects to do with my three precious children. I really wanted to do something a little different this year, so we (well, actually I) decided to make some fun and inexpensive gifts we could give away to teacher and friends. The kids always want to give their friends the store bought valentines complete with their favorite cartoon character. That can definitely be cheaper and much easier, but it sure does take the fun out of Valentine’s Day (for me anyway). So, in order to keep it low budget I found several projects to do using many things we already had around the house...some of them right out of the recycle bin! I also have included a way to use those store bought valentines---only better!

Just remember no matter what you make with your children that the important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process….sometimes the product is a little rough around the edges, but you are teaching your children how special it is to give a gift that is thoughtful and handmade. That is priceless and hopefully something they will always remember.


Valentine Bookmarks

Supplies: Scrapbook paper—variety of colors and patterns, Newspaper, stamps – hearts and letters X and O, glue stick, scissors, ribbon, Laminator or clear contact paper, Hole punch

1. Using the letters X and O stamp a pattern all over the newsprint.
2. Cut different papers (scrapbook & newsprint) into 2 x 6 inch rectangles.
3. Stamp hearts onto white paper and cut out.
4. Glue the hearts onto the patterned paper.
5. Use a laminator or clear contact paper to cover the bookmark.
6. Hole punch the top and tie with coordinating ribbon.
*Another option is to stamp the newspaper with hearts, cut out and glue to a rectangle cut out of patterned scrapbook paper. Whole punch and add ribbon


Valentine Banners

These were fun to make and even better--free…I just used things I found around the house!
Supplies: Old Cereal or cracker Boxes, Scrapbook papers or newspaper, twine, Mod Podge, hole punch
1. Cut lots of hearts out of your old cereal boxes…all different sizes.
2. Trace the hearts onto scrapbook paper (or you could use the newspaper again stamped with X’s and O’s).
3. Cut out the paper hearts and attach to the cardboard hearts using Mod Podge.
4. Hole punch each heart and string the hearts along the twine so they will hang with pattern paper facing in the same direction.


Valentine Picture Frames

Here’s a fun way to decorate for Valentine’s Day or you can use these as teacher gifts!
Supplies: Unfinished wood frame (sold at AC Moore or Michaels for $1), Scrapbook paper, mod podge, sponge brush, scissors, stamps
1. Take the card board insert out of the frame and lay frame upside down on the scrapbook paper.
2. Trace the inside and outside edges of the frame –be sure you do this on the wrong side of your paper so your pencil lines will not show.
3. Using a sponge brush cover the front of frame with Mod Podge.
4. Carefully lay the paper over the paste smoothing from the inside out to eliminate bubbles.
5. Allow the frame to dry about 2 hours and then add a layer of Mod Podge over the top of the scrapbook paper.

Love Note Jars

This project uses things right out of the recycle bin. Make a gift that’s so simple (and pretty much free!) but means so much to the person you give it to.
Supplies: White copier paper, Empty glass jars with lids, newspaper stamped with X’s and O’s, scrapbook paper or construction paper, ribbon

1. Cut the white paper into strips. Have your children number each strip: 1, 2, 3, 4…write on each strip all the things they love about someone (daddy for example) or special memories you’ve had together.
2. Clean the jar and remove any labels.
3. Cut a piece of patterned paper about 3-4 inches tall (depending on the size of the jar) and about ½ inch wider than the jar.
4. Wrap the paper around the jar, secure with tape and add a homemade label.
5. Put the numbered strips of paper in the jar.
6. Trace the lid onto a piece of the same paper and glue it to the lid.
7. Add ribbon around the lid.
8. Give to someone special to read just how much they are loved!


Tissue Paper Hearts

These hearts are so easy to make and perfect for a classroom project. We did it with our cousins…children’s ages ranged from 4-12 and they all loved it!
Supplies: Pink and white tissue paper cut into 1” squares (always save the tissue paper you get in gift bags for crafts like this), White craft glue, Scissors, Pieces of cardboard (we used empty cereal and cracker boxes), Pencils with an eraser

1. Cut out a heart shape from the cardboard. Draw a heart in the center of the cardboard heart.
2. Put white craft glue all over the drawn heart.
3. Using the eraser end of a pencil, place the eraser into the center of a pink tissue paper square. Twist the tissue paper square around the eraser and dot it onto the glue. Continue this process until entire middle of the heart is covered with pink tissue paper. (My son refused to use pink on his heart—so his is red and white!)
4. Repeat the process from step #3 with white tissue paper for the border of the heart.
5. Glue a hanger to the back if you like.
*Options: add a magnet to the back and put on the fridge


Candy Love

Here we just took an inexpensive candy bar (ours were about 30 cents each) and made it into a creative and meaningful gift that says I love you!
Supplies: Candy Bars, pattern paper, ribbon, stamps, tape or glue dots

1. Cut patterned paper to fit around your candy bar.
2. Stamp decorations onto paper and cut out.
3. Glue decorations to candy bars and tie with a ribbon.


Cupid’s Arrow Valentines

Here’s a way to use those store bought valentines and add a little extra touch.
Supplies: Store bought valentines, red or pink construction paper or card stock, hole punch, tape and valentine pencils (these are a steal at the dollar store for only…that’s right--$1!)

1. Cut hearts out of red or pink paper.
2. Glue store bought valentines to front, or decorate with stamps.
3. Hole punch hearts at an angle and insert pencils to look like Cupid’s arrow.
4. Secure on back with tape.

I hope you enjoy doing these crafts with your children. We sure had fun doing them at our house. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Don't forget TODAY is the last day to register to win $25 gift cards (plus $25 gift cards for each of your three girlfriends) to shop at Beverly Hills on Main and Harry Smidgepodge in Jamestown! Click here to get all the scoop, and to register. The winner will be randomly picked today at Noon, and announced Feb. 14. Good luck, Smarties!

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Recycle Your Christmas Tree

By Katie M

It's official - today is the day our Christmas tree comes down. I absolutely dread this day - not because of the clean up, but because it marks the end of the holiday season. Every year I tell my husband I would keep the tree up all year long if I could, and I really would. I think he knows that, and it scares him to death. So, needless to say he becomes the big motivator in this project - and we make it a family event while trying to make the most of it.

One great way to make the most of this occasion is to recycle your tree. Even if you're blue you can still be green! Keep reading to get all the details...

For people who live in the city limits of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem, trash crews will collect Christmas trees on your regular trash collection days. Crews ask that you get your tree out on the curb early, remove all decorations, and cut the tree in half if its over 5 feet tall.

For those who live in apartments or outside city limits, Forsyth and Guilford Counties are offering tree drop-off sites.

In Guilford County, these locations are open until January 15:

Guilford County Prison Farm: 7315 Howerton Road, Gibsonville. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From Highway 61, take County Farm Road then turn right onto Howerton Road. The drop-off point is one-quarter mile on the right. Call 449-4720 for more information.

Piedmont Triad Farmers' Market: off I-40 at Sandy Ridge Road. Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Call 605-9157 for more information.

Tabernacle United Methodist Church: behind the ball field at the corner of Woody Mill Road and Methodist Road. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In Forsyth County, these sites are open until Jan. 30:

Crawford Park: 4226 Oak Ridge Dr.

Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center: 501 Reynolds Blvd.

Hanes Park: tennis court parking lot, 625 West End Blvd.

Little Creek Recreation Center: 610 Foxcroft Dr.

Old Town Recreation Center: tennis court parking lot, 4550 Shattalon Dr.

Parkland Park: tennis courts, 1660 Brewer Road

Polo Park: swimming pool parking lot, 1850 Polo Road

Salem Lake: at the gate, 1001 Salem Lake Road

Sprague Street Recreation Center: 1350 E. Sprague St.

Winston Lake: swimming pool parking lot, 3535 Winston Lake Road

*Information courtesy of www.myfox8.com

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Smarty Christmas Card Display

By Jen P, Charlotte Smarty Pants

The holidays may be over, but you can still sit back and enjoy the season. And what better way than to bask in all of your beautiful Christmas cards?!

I live for Christmas cards, and I mean L-I-V-E for Christmas cards! I love the process of staging that perfect photo (and trust me, this is no small feat with four wiggly ones who have never warmed up to my camera!), finding that festive card design to complement that near impossible photo, hand-addressing my envelopes (I'm old school on this one!) and dropping them off in the mailbox for a December 23rd delivery. My absolute favorite part of the Christmas card process is receiving the cards. I never throw any away - I keep them in a special box and display what I can on my refrigerator, rotating them periodically throughout the year. One of my Smarty friends, Tanya, came up with the most presh idea for displaying your family cards throughout the years - a hanging Christmas card ribbon that you add to year after year.

Here is what you need:
-8 feet of holiday wire ribbon - maybe 2" wide and keep it simple since your cards will be elaborate. I chose red ribbon with white trim.
-green wire - (2) 6" pieces
-Your family Christmas cards throughout the years
-Either a hot glue gun or a stapler, your choice

First make your bow by looping and folding your wire ribbon into a bunch of loopy folds. I made mine with 6 big loops that folds into 12 small loops to make a big bow for the top of your display. Secure tightly in the back with a green wire. Arrange the loops by twisting and folding to make a bow, adjusting along the way. This is hard to describe, but not that difficult to do once you play around with it.

Next attach your bow to a long strip of ribbon. I made mine long enough to hang in a doorway or on a pillar. I'm guessing that it was maybe 6'. I stapled the back of my bow to the center of my ribbon and tested it before hanging to make sure the bow was centered and laid flat. I also cut the bottom edge of my ribbon into angles for the Martha effect.

Next either hot glue or staple your cards to the ribbon. If you staple, make sure you staple from the inside so you can still read them.

Lastly, enjoy for years to come! It took me a while to backtrack the last 10 years of Christmas cards that we've sent. I'm happy to report that I have all of them, even my wedding Christmas card! My children enjoy looking at our family from the beginning and watching it grow each year. We are now on our second ribbon and it's perfect in my living room with 2 pillars.

Thanks to Smarty Tanya, or shall I say Martha, for the cutest tip ever! Merry, merry!

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Holiday Traditions from our Smarty Moms and Dads

By Rachel H

Today is our final day of sharing Smarty Traditions. Thank you to all the Smarty Moms and Dads who we have profiled over the past year. We thank you for sharing your traditions with us this week! If you missed them, scroll back through this week's posts to see all of the wonderful traditions these families share throughout the season.

Jessica Robb - My grandmother started this tradition. I am guessing it is because the kids in our family tend to be early risers - especially on Christmas morning. We were not allowed to get out of our rooms until we heard Santa's bells. Later I learned that my grandmother has bells that resemble (by look and sound) something that Santa could have on his sleigh. My sisters and I would wait for what seemed like forever until we heard the bells and then we would run to open our presents. As a child the sound was magical. For parents, it gives us a few extra minutes to do the last minute things to make the morning special.
* Photo taken by ZoeZen photography.

Katie M - It’s funny that we are writing about holiday traditions because this will be the first year our family will not be traveling to either New Jersey or Minnesota – trips that have been tradition for years. Combined we have a large extended family, and it’s always been important for us to be close to family over Christmas – more than any other holiday in the year. In New Jersey, it was always tradition to go to NYC and see the big tree in Rockefeller Center (see picture). In Minnesota, it’s always been tradition for us to go sleigh riding or ice skating (on real frozen ponds outside!) since we can’t do that in NC. So, this will be the first year we create traditions of our own and we’re really excited about it. We’ve already decided that a trip to the Nutcracker at the Stevens Center in downtown Winston-Salem is a must tradition each year. And we’ve already had family discussions around the dinner table about other things that should be tradition. Top of the list is opening one gift on Christmas Eve (a tradition my husband always followed growing up). Plus the downtown holiday parade. Attending the children’s mass at our church on Christmas Eve. Making my mom’s yummy breakfast casserole on Christmas morning. And just hanging out in our pajamas all day on Christmas. Those are our plans, and we’re hoping they’ll become tradition!

Chanel James - I would say that our family definitely has some holiday traditions... some that the kids are aware of, and some not so much. For example, my parents always had us pick one lucky gift to open on Christmas Eve. We do the same with our boys now-- and they amazingly always pick the same one we used to as kids; the pj box. And I give the traditional response, "Oh my Gosh! You get to wear cool new pajamas to bed tonight!" Can't have the boys wearing old, faded, Race For the Cure t-shirts on Christmas morning while the cam is rolling!

The tradition they know about... which is rather new; they get to decorate a gingerbread house sometime after Thanksgiving-- thanks to allergen free Gingerbread house kits, this is one I hope they will continue to enjoy for years to come!

Jenna Guldberg - Our family tradition is something that
I assumed every family did...until we moved to the south. On the night of December 5th, we place our shoes next to the door in anticipation of St. Nick's arrival. If we have been good, St. Nick leaves small gifts in our shoes for when we wake. If we've been naughty, there is only coal. After mentioning this to several friends in the triad, and no one having any idea who St. Nick was, I decided to do some investigating. Turns out that many cities with strong German influence (like Milwaukee, where I grew up) still celebrate St. Nick's. I know it is one tradition my family will celebrate wherever we live!

Marybeth Barrett - Our first tradition is making my Great Grandmother's Sugar Cookie Recipe. Yum.
It’s a process, but a fun one. I have memories of making these with my Grandmother as far back as I can remember. My Grandmother made these into her 90’s. She was right there with us frosting, sprinkling, etc. It was always a fun and welcomed family project. I personally like the decorating of the cookies better than the baking, but that is the artist in me. Be sure to get plenty of sprinkles to create your one of a kind cookies. We always put one cinnamon candy on each one. They get hard, which is why we only were allowed to put one so we wouldn’t break our teeth, or maybe that was intended more for the older folks!

Here is the Sugar Cookie recipe:
Buttermilk Mixture: Combine 1 cup buttermilk with 1 tsp baking soda. Set aside to rise.
In large bowl add 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup white sugar (I did mention these were sugar cookies didn’t I?) & 1 cup shortening (Crisco or Margarine).
Blend until smooth
Mix in 2 eggs

Flour Mixture: In a separate bowl, Mix 4 ½ cups flour with 2 tsp baking powder & ½ tsp salt
Alternate adding the buttermilk mixture with the flour mixture
Add 1 tsp vanilla
Mix until well blended
Roll dough to about ¼ thin (or thick depending on whether you are a half full/half empty type of person)
Use cookie cutters of choice
Bake at 375 for 7 minutes until a light golden brown.

Frosting:
2 TBS soft butter (I never said they were healthy!)
¼ tsp vanilla
Alternate adding milk and confectionery sugar
Beat until creamy and spreadably smooth
Separate into two different bowls.
Tint one bowl with red food coloring and the other with green.
Decorate with holiday sprinkles until your heart is content.

Note: We make these for all holidays and cookie cutters appropriate to the season.

My other favorite tradition is trimming my tree with the Hallmark Ornaments given to me each year by my belated Grandmother. Since her passing, they mean even more to me than ever. It is a stroll down memory lane as each ornament is lovingly placed on my tree by me or my boys. Gram would give each of us a Hallmark ornament that somehow reflected who we were at that time. We always knew it was coming and saved the best for last to open each year. It was a mad dash to see who could rip open the paper to see which one we got! Hallmark Ornaments are great because they come in a box to protect them and all have a date. I have everything from Curious George, Fairies, Dr. Seuss, etc. It is fun to review them each year and see “what I was into” at that age. In 1999 I dressed up as Cat in the Hat, so guess what ornament I got that year? My boys love it because they always want to know how old I was when I got each one. My mom gave me my personal ornament collection when I moved out on my own so I could have it displayed on my own tree. She has already started the tradition with my boys! So, tell your parents to listen up. Suggest that they start giving their Grandchildren a collectible ornament and trust me, it will be a gift that keeps on giving many years to come.

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Holiday Traditions from our Smarty Moms & Dads

By Rachel H

We hope you all had a Merry Merry Christmas! If you missed Tuesday's and Thursday's posts, be sure to go back and see the holiday traditions shared by our Smarty Moms and Dads from the past year. Today we are continuing on with more wonderful traditions ...

Edward Reese - Each Christmas Eve we celebrate by going to midnight mass at church (Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church)! The family tradition is afterwards, our entire family and several friends (20-30 people) meet at our house for breakfast which usually begans about 2am XMAS morning! Everyone exchanges and gets to open one present during this event and the midnight mass family breakfast celebration usually winds down at about 4am....

Wendy Piazza - Our favorite Christmas tradition is that of baking breads, muffins, scones, or cookies for our teachers. I feel it is very important to show appreciation to our hard working teachers, and I want my children to show that appreciation as well. Christmas is a great opportunity to teach the importance of giving. I hope that my children learn that it doesn't need to cost a lot of money to give a beautiful gift. It is actually all the more beautiful when time and effort is put into something being given from the heart. So, every year before school lets out for Christmas, I get the kids together to bake for a day. We make an event out of it and they all wear their aprons! The kids really enjoy this and I hope as they get older we can extend the tradition to include baking for the local nursing homes as well.

Karin Head - The week before Thanksgiving our family makes the annual trek to Blowing Rock for our family Christmas tree hunt. We load up and prepare for snow, rain or sunshine and make the trip to the mountains. As soon as we arrive, we get our hot cocoa and cookies and start the search. Usually the dog comes with us and bounds around searching for creatures to chase. The kids run and play among the evergreens and mom takes lots of pictures of this family memory. Once we find the perfect living room tree we then move on to find the Charlie Brown trees. This starts us all off on the right foot and gets us into the spirit. That said, Christmas music plays at our house year round. Mom's really love Christmas!

Another tradition is each Christmas eve we have the great family event including dinner, church, the story of Christ's birth and of course Twas the Night Before Christmas. We follow it up with prep for Santa's reindeer and the big guy himself. We open a special gift, enjoy fresh hot cocoa and the kids hit the bed early. Sometimes they even hear Santa's sleigh bells outside and then they go right to sleep. Christmas morning is all the rage of opening gifts and eating. At noon we then try to think about others and begin the meal for the Ronald McDonald House. We eat sandwiches on Christmas night, play basketball and relax with friends. I usually enjoy a glass of wine!

Summer Riley - We have three traditions that we always do at Christmas ...

1) We always get pajamas--usually matching for the kids for their christmas eve present. We have a whole series of pictures now of the kids in their christmas eve outfits.
2) We do an advent calendar with the doors, each door has a little bible lesson or craft on a small slip of paper and there is candy for each of the kids. (now four!)
3) This one is new... I wrapped 24 of our favorite holiday story books and labeled them 1-24 so we can open one each night. We tend to read and reread these stories throughout the month, but it is like a little bit of Christmas excitement every night. (Also when I pack up "Christmas" to go in the attic, I might even take the time to wrap them as I store them.)

Rachel H- My favorite Christmas tradition took place at my Aunt’s house in Pennsylvania each year. We always had at least 25 relatives in attendance for Christmas Eve. We would have a huge meal with lots of great Italian food, lots of loud music & dancing, and lots of children running around the house. After dinner we would patiently await Santa’s arrival. We would spot Santa crossing her front yard, usually in the snow and all the children would freak out as expected. (Sometimes Santa even carried sparklers, but that started to get a little dangerous!) Santa would come in the house and call each child on his lap to give a special Christmas Eve gift. Then the children would leave the room to go play with their gifts and Santa would then call each adult up to sit on his lap and receive a gag gift! My aunt worked hard all year buying the perfect Santa gag gift for each adult and every gift had a humorous poem to go along with it. Some were naughty, some were nice, but all always got a good laugh! Then we’d send Santa on his way because he’d have to go deliver toys to all the girls and boys that night!

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