Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland Celebrate this holiday season with a wintry woodland-themed party that features a refreshing, subdued mint-green and red color palette instead of the classic saturated colors. Easy-to-create handmade decorations on the desk, walls -- even hanging from the rafters -- will make this a celebration to remember.



Deer On the Move Craft time is playtime with those moveable card-stock deer. You only need scissors and brads to turn this free printable pattern in a task for all ages. For the tiniest crafters, precut the brad holes to make assembly a breeze.



Guess Who Have a holiday photo shoot with these printable reindeer costumes. Simply attach a wooden dowel to the cutout shapes then put a costume group by each location setting so everybody is able to get into character.



Cupcake Creatures Cosmetic figurines receive a stylish makeover to develop into these cute reindeer cupcake toppers. Click the link below for complete step-by-step directions to make your own. Find creative ways to show the cupcakes while integrating the party's woodland theme -- cut or purchase wood pieces to utilize as a stand alone.



Banner Drink Tag Ensure that the children do not forget that beverage is theirs with a nametag that fits right in their straw. Printing our free printable PDF to maintain your party personalized and stress-free. Complement the party's color scheme by buying striped straws in mint and red.



You are Invited Spread the term of your kid-friendly festivities with our charming party invitation. Print onto card stock then cut and slip right into a standard 5" x 7" envelope. Print additional invites on the day of the celebration and have the kids draw a picture and sign their name on the back for a wonderful souvenir.



Setting Up Smart Top each place setting with a cupcake so children have both a toy and a treat as soon as they sit down. Surround your cupcakes with these charming wrappers to bring some festive pattern to your tablescape. Continue the theme using red-and-white cloth scraps placed under every plate -- any openings made can go directly into the wash.



Not-So-Hot Chocolate Pair your custom straw nametags using a hot-chocolate option that's safe for the littlest partygoers. Rather than a hot drink, pour cold chocolate milk topped with whipped cream and red sprinkles. Maintain an excess pitcher nearby to avoid having to make a fresh batch midparty.



Goodie Bags Go Digital This party is a great chance to snap holiday card photos. Rather than goodie bags, send your guests' parents photographs of this event that they can keep and cherish for a lifetime. The kids are going to enjoy looking back at photographs of them having fun with friends.



Sugar Showoff Add raw colour to the table with an range of green and red candy. If toddlers are attending, be aware of candy dimensions and choose easy-to-chew varieties. Mix and match white and clear bowls to accentuate different colours and shapes.



Decaf Decor Alter that heap of coffee filters you have in the cabinet into chic holiday centerpieces. Get detailed directions for this simple and kid-friendly craft below. Simply take this action to another level by allowing kids to paste on beads, glitter or pom-poms to produce their own tree that they can take home.



Edible Trees What is a woodland-themed celebration without a few trees? These are especially enjoyable because the chocolate-covered stumps hide a sweet surprise. Have children guess what the shrub pop "stumps" are created out of and observe their enthusiasm as they bite to fluffy marshmallows. Make these woodland treats even tastier by rolling the still-wet chocolate in an range of candies.



Artisan Activity Whether your kid is a Van Gogh or more of a Picasso, their creativity will glow when creating this mistake-proof paper-chain garland. Be sure to use water-based acrylic paint to ensure any messes are easy to wash away.



Customize Your Cupcake Add a small number of green food coloring to white frosting to present your cupcakes a wintry mint colour. Place bowls of green, white and red sprinkles on the table so kids can turn their candy treats into works of art.



Temporary Decor Add holiday flair to woodland decor by wrap mint-green yarn around a pair of antlers. The yarn is a no-mess solution and permits you to easily remove the embellishment following the celebration.



The Little Reindeer Which Could Both boys and girls are sure to have fun dressing up as their favourite holiday character. Turn the reindeer props into a game or have them put on a drama.



Have Your Tree Eat It Too Not only will kids have a blast making (and eating) marshmallow tree pops, but you'll love how they twice as entertaining table decor. Bust out the crayons and let children add vibrant ornaments to their tree or write a special holiday message on the back, but just after the marshmallows have disappeared.



Let It Snow Live in a climate that is warm but still have the winter itch? Create a snowstorm (indoors) with all these whimsical streamers made out of marshmallows and string. Have a guessing game and allow the winner, who guesses the closest variety of marshmallows, take home a prize.



To Eat or Not To Eat Kids are going to love stringing and watching the snowfall grow -- if they could stand not to eat it all first. Offer your marshmallow snowstorm a colour with the addition of gumdrops or other soft candy to the strands.



Faux Runner Keep your table spill-proof by painting onto a runner instead of using a conventional cloth runner. The kids will be free to craft and play without having you be worried about the wreck. Have a table you can not bear to paint? Use strips of tape rather than paint that can be removed afterward.



Toy Decor Spray-paint deer figurines white to give table decor that keeps kids busy and doesn't clash with your party's delicate colours. Use a spray-on shellac to seal the paint and keep them both food- and kid-safe.



Craft Closet Enjoy an Indoor dress-up match with extra materials from the party crafts. Coffee-filter hats and marshmallow necklaces are sure to help keep your guests entertained.



Dig for Decor Do not be so quick to discount everyday objects as party decorations. The weathered wood tones of the ladder work together with the muted decor and, better still, make the ladder look as if it came from the North Pole.



Chained Up After the celebration is over, take the decorations down and allow the kids have some interactive fun, such as getting all tangled up in paper garland. Or divvy up the links and let each child take some home to use for a Christmas countdown.

Light Blue Exterior With Wood Shutters

Light Blue Exterior With Wood Shutters Plant No. 1: The stems of coral bark maple glow in the winter landscape with tones of bright salmon. The bark color is strongest on trees grown in full sun, although plants do live in filtered sunshine. Plant No. 2: Variegated evergreen leaves of winter daphne stand out from the landscape. Give plants full or part shade for victory, and protect plants from afternoon sun. Daphne bursts into bloom in winter with pink buds that unfurl to show fragrant white blossoms. Plant No. 3: Fill an entryway using Matrix pansies in ruby, rose and white sunglasses. Matrix pansy blossoms have thicker petals that stand up to winter weather without melting. Even frost doesn't take out Matrix blossoms. Plant in fall to help plants establish root systems before winter arrives.



Natural Stone Exterior With Stucco Plant No. 1: A dwarf version of indigenous sumac, Tiger Eyes brings strong multi-season interest to the garden. Look for vibrant orange shades in autumn, accented with raspberry red berry spikes which linger through winter. Protect young plants from deer throughout the first couple of winters. Plant No. 2: Techny Arborvitae can fill several roles in the landscape. Plant it as a compact solitude hedge or as a vertical accent in a shrub border. Additionally, it adds a solid formal element to drives or home entries. Water regularly throughout the initial year to establish a strong root system, and shear yearly in spring to form. Plant No. 3: The Matrix Lavender Shades pansy is a large-flowered pansy that holds its own in planting beds or containers. Plants defy frosts well should you plant in fall. Blooms offer odor and stand up to winter rains.



Red Brick Exterior With White Pillars Plant No. 1: Blue oat grass is a cool-season bud, which means it puts on its strongest growth during cool seasons. The key to maintaining it in its bluest state is raking in early spring and autumn, raking dead leaves and thatch from the crown of this plant. Plant No. 2: When growing hollies, you want both a male and female plant to get berries. Berri-Magic Children' holly takes the guesswork from berry making by mixing both male and female plants in precisely the exact same pot. The red berries sparkle among deep green leaves, and they grow to a size which suits modern yards 6-8 feet tall and 3-6 feet broad. Plant No. 3: End the planting with a splash of white from flowering cabbage. The color stays strong through winter chill and light snows. Alternate cabbages with the blue oat grass to get an eye-catching layout in planting beds. The two cabbages and oat grass can hold their own backyard containers, also.



White Exterior With Black Shutters Plant No. 1: The native winterberry holly creates a stunning winter filled with bright red berries all winter. It is quite big, so look for smaller, dwarf types. You are going to need a male plant to pollinate using a female one to create berries. Request the garden center that will help you to get the right male. Winterberry is a superb selection for a soggy area. Plant No. 2: Dwarf Norway spruce brings clean beauty to the scene, forming a 3-4 foot globe. Plants thrive in colder weather and full sun, but tolerate light shade. This spruce stands up to zone 3 winters without difficulty. Plant No. 3: Nemesia is an actual old-fashioned favorite, but breeding breakthroughs have changed this nostalgic charmer into a blossom powerhouse. In areas with mild winters, plants bloom all winter long. In different areas, plant in fall for a floral display until thick frost arrives. Tuck into pots on a porch, and they will last longer in any zone.



Dark Blue Exterior With White Trim Plant No. 1: To maintain the red twig dogwood stems in their reddest, prune at least one-third of stalks back to six inches in early spring. Wait to prune until crops are at least three years old. Plant No. 2: Brighten your landscape with the colorful leaves of 'Evergold' Japanese sedge. Plant in moist soil (or provide water regularly) for strongest growth. The smartest colors develop on crops as a way to full shade, but crops grow well in full sun. Cut stems into the ground in late winter. Plant No. 3: Bring on the cold, and still like a floral show with Matrix Coastal Sunrise Mixture pansy. The key to success for this cold-tolerant bloomer is planting in the ground in early fall in the coldest regions, so root systems are established before the brutal cold arrives.



Brown Brick Exterior With Stone Plant No. 1: Dark green leaves are a terrific complement to a brownish brick exterior. North Pole Arborvitae resists winter burn, which means leaves maintain a continuous deep green however bitter the cold. Plants have a smaller footprint, making them ideal for narrow garden spaces or accent plants. Plant No. 2: Choose the tidy spruce, Papoose Sitka Colorado Blue Spruce, for an entry backyard or to supply an accent at a formal dining room. The plant prefers acidic soil and doesn't tolerate high heat. This slow-growing spruce only grows two inches per year, which makes it a great selection for containers. Plant No. 3: The deep reddish blossoms of Promise Ice Angels Camellia contrast beautifully with brown brick tones. For the best growth, maintain a 3-inch mulch layer to help keep roots cool. After flowering, employ an acid fertilizer. Prune in spring after all flowers have faded.



Tan With Dark Blue Trim Plant No. 1: Plant Sky Pointer or Sky Pencil Japanese holly for a strong vertical accent in planting containers or beds. Pruning isn't required to maintain the solid vertical growth because it grows that way obviously. Japanese holly grows best in moist soil that drains well. Plant No. 2: Bright red berries of Redwing viburnum steal the landscape spotlight at early winter, lasting till birds flock to your yard to feast on the red fruits. Use viburnum as a natural hedge, and plant more than one for best fruit collection. Plant No. 3: Bold color is your present that red ornamental kale brings to any container or landscape planting. Leaves stand up to late season frosts and winter snows. Keep an eye out for caterpillars in mild winter regions. In cold winter areas, don't forget to water plants in containers when soil is not frozen.



Gray Exterior Plant No. 1: Dress winter views with the purple berry-laden stems from 'Profusion' beautyberry. This native tree displays its berries best against a good backdrop. Prune in summer months if needed, but it's not vital. They look great as a free-form tree in full sun to part shade. Plant No. 2: Lighten a dark gray wall with the vibrant leaves and berried branches of a variegated English holly. Cream-edged leaves glow at the depth of winter, and reddish berry accents look good. Plants need a male partner to make berries. Plant No. 3: Deep sangria blooms attract an artist's signature to planting containers or beds out a gray thome. Matrix Sangria pansy stands up to any winter weather. Plant before intense cold arrives.

Heirlooms

Heirlooms If your photographer offers a decorative session and you are wearing your grandma's antique dress, then take it! It is such a sweet way to honor your family and memories. Order a print or picture and gift it to your grandma as a Christmas present.



Your Venue Always remember where you mentioned forever. It will make a fantastic hanging memory from your property.



Front Page News Create a time capsule of sorts by capturing a photo of front page news that the day of your wedding. Photo: Erin Turner Photography



Bridesmaids' Reactions Whether you desire them from the side while you're placing your dress or want them to get a first look, don't overlook your maids' responses.



Placing on the Dress Among my personal favorites would be that the moment the bride slips right into her dress. It is the symbolic ending of the season of existence, and also the beginning of forever with her spouse.



Friends Helping Want a blunt moment between you and your BFF? Ensure that your photog arrives during prep time to snag some sweet moments between the both of you.



Mom Helping She helped you place on everything from the pretend princess dresses to the outfits YOU chosen out when you were a small girl. Now, she is helping you enter your dress. A chance which might be once in a lifetime.



Groom Getting Ready Do not forget your man! You'll both enjoy looking back on his special moments before the "I do's."  



Pre-Ceremony Emotions A trending moment you will discover lots of photographers capturing is Dad's very first look. One which I believe should've been around a lot more.



First Appearance If you want to save precious time following the ceremony, consider doing a first appearance session beforehand. It's not for everybody and that is fine! Nonetheless, it makes for your sweetest shots. Consult your photographer in their initial look coverage before your big day.



Alternative: First Touch An alternative to the first look is exactly what I like to call the 'first touch' or 'blind touch.' In this instant, couples can choose to read and swap gifts and letters or pray together prior to the service without actually seeing each other in wedding apparel.



Wedding Day Letters If you don't want to do a first appearance or blind touch, then think about something easy such as exchanging letters while you're getting prepared for the big moment. Not only does this create a sense of anticipation, but it is also a sweet way to express your love if you're not writing your own vows. A photograph of these letters can be utilized as a centerpiece of a gallery wall in your home in the future.



Bridal Party Before Ceremony I love when bride treat their bride by reading letters out or praying for her before she walks down the aisle. This adds a close, personal touch to your journalistic wedding day.



Presents to Parents/Bridal Party/Loved Ones Have your photographer catch the moment you give special gifts to your loved ones on the big day.



Prior to Bride Walks Down the Aisle Anticipation and pleasure! These last minutes before walking down the aisle are among the rarest and most emotional.



Ring Bearer/Flower Girl "Hi, Mom!!" In case you have a flower girl or ring bearer, then chances are you're gonna have some amusement.



Groom's Reaction A MUST!!!! Particularly if you're opting from a first appearance.



View From Above Long train: assess. Stunning church: check. Balcony view: double check. If you have more than one photographer shooting at your wedding, make sure one of these gets a balcony shot such as this one.



The Aisle Walk Whoever accompanies you, ensure your photographer has a front row seat for this moment.



Parents Coming Back Up the Aisle Do not forget to request your photog to catch the expression of bliss on your parents' faces.



Downtime Following the Ceremony If you invested in a journalistic and joy seeking photographer, they'll follow you and shoot from a distance to catch your first minutes as a married couple.



Anniversary Dance Selecting a DJ or a group? Ask them to organize a anniversary dance. How it works: all couples are invited into the dance floor. As couples are dancing, the DJ calls for a certain number of years (i.e. 5 decades or less) along with the couples who are married less than 5 years leave the dancing floor. You're left. It's a great opportunity to grab infrequent, candid moments of loved ones.



The Cake Go all out with the cake. Dresses and tuxedos can get tidy. . .make it EPIC!



Send-Off Do not neglect the romantic departure! Sneak in one smooch before hitting on the street.   See 17 Wedding Exit Ideas >>