The house always looks so naked after the Christmas when the decorations come down. I was searching something new for January. I really like this rive rock runner. Designed by Iron Accents, each runner is created by hand, using river rocks that have been washed and polished before affixing them to plastic netting. Runners are available in Gloss Black, Gray, Riverbed Brown, Sea Green or White. The River Rock Runner is priced around $50.
I found these plates, and thought they were really sweet. A few of these would look really nice hanging on the wall or setting on a table. Each plate is priced around $10.
I am not a big fan of peeling potatoes. With the Chef’n Palm Peeler, the peel comes off easily. Slide your finger into the peeler’s soft rubber grip and begin peeling with the stainless steel blade. It works on any hard-to-peel vegetable. The Chef’n Palm Peelers are priced around $7.
The kids are still home for at least a week. If you are looking for a fun product to keep them occupied, consider the Martian Matter Alien Maker. This was the one toy my daughter requested for Christmas. We opened it yesterday. First, you fill the spaceship hole with Meteor Mud. The Meteor mud is similar to Play-doh. Next, you pick the Alien you want to make by selecting two half-mold pieces to make your Alien. Then, you fill the depression in the Meteor Mud with Lunar Lava Gel. At last, you wait. Out comes a cute, little Alien of your very own. After showing my five-year-old how it works, she can now make an Alien with minimal supervision. The Martian Matter Alien Maker is priced around $15, and is out-of-this-world fun for all ages.
I need to keep more hostess gifts on-hand for our holiday events. I wish I had this 12 days of Christmas cotton-linen apron. It is cute, and the apron is a very practical gift this time of year. It is a Williams-Sonoma exclusive, and the 12 days of Christmas apron is priced less than $20.
These ornaments from Red Envelope are really neat. The premise is that everyone takes an ornament and tucks a slip of paper inside that has their wishes, hopes, and dreams on the paper. Then you hang the ornament on the tree. The word “wishes” is engraved on the exteriors; interiors are enameled with the phrase “do come true.” It is a set of five ornaments, so if you have a bigger family, you might need to get more than one set. The Wishes Ornament set is priced around $60.
My daughter doesn’t like chocolate, so we have a Littlest Pet Shop Advent Calendar. Every day we get a new pet or accessory. She loves it, but I noticed this year’s calendar has almost exactly the same things as last year’s calendar. I am looking for something new for next year. I have seen the “do-it-yourself” calendars before, and meant to get one. I really like this one from Pottery Barn. It has a red, wooden house with 25 doors and windows that open on hinges. Each opening is approximately 1-inch deep. I thought I might buy a toy set, and divide the pieces up over the 25 days. If that doesn’t work, well, there is always plenty of candy left-over from Halloween that is usually still around at Christmas. I suggest, if you find one you really like, to buy it now, or you might wait a few more weeks and pick one up on sale. The Red Wooden Advent House is priced around $90.
Shop other Advent Calenders here.
These Annalee collectibles are so precious. Made specifically for The Vermont Country Store, the Elf, Mouse, and Santa and Mrs. Claus capture the happy innocence and unique personality of an earlier time. Their creator, Barbara Annalee Davis, started this family of dolls during the Depression era, and they are a wonderful addition to Christmas or doll collections. Each has a hand-painted face, wears a detailed felt outfit, and is supported by a bendable wire frame. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are priced less than $50, while the mouse or elf are priced around $20.
How cute is the Thank You Merry Much Stationery Set by Truly Mom? Your loved ones have taken the time to give you something special this holiday season and now it is your turn to return the favor. The Thank You Merry Much Stationery Set by Truly Mom is so adorable, you’ll want to use them for just about everything. Each card features the words Thank You Merry Much with a pair of elf feet in the center and the words “You really put the jingle in my Christmas!” at the bottom of the card. The Thank You Merry Much gift card set is priced around $15.
This is a really neat, modern take on the traditional menorah. The oversize matchstick candle set will be a hit in any home. The Last Match menorah is Hanukkah-ready, with eight oil candles to mark the eight nights of the Festival of Lights, and one Shamash, a longer candle, its flame used to light all the others. The match heads are cast in porcelain and hold candle oil. The matchsticks and base are made of clear white pine. Beautifully realistic and interesting, you’ll love the Last Match menorah long after the festival of lights is over. The matchstick menorah is priced around $240.
