In the age of e-mail and text messages, wouldn't it be neat for the child/children in your life to get a personal letter from Santa - post-marked from the North Pole?

You can write a personal response to your child's "Dear Santa" letter.

There is nothing like watching a child read a letter that they truly believe came from the fat man in the red suit.

You could even create some humorous Santa letters to send to friends and family who may be on Santa's "naughty" list.  Enclose a piece of coal for the ones who have been especially bad.

To learn more about creating these letters that will bring a smile to a child's face and joy to their heart CLICK HERE!

I enjoy looking through old catalogs - especially vintage Christmas Catalogs.

They are fun to look through for several reasons:
- the "Oh my gosh - can you BELIEVE how CHEAP that used to be!" factor
- for some of us it is PROOF that there WERE things to do before video games and computers
- they are great for dating items that you collect.... "what year is this?"
- it is fun to take a trip down memory lane - even if the memories are "before your time".

- some of the items advertised in old catalogs can be downright wacky - an early kin to some "as seen on TV" items

Do you have a favorite old catalog that you enjoy looking through or a warm memory that was sparked by flipping through it's pages? Share it with the rest of us by posting a comment below.

You can view several Sears Christmas/Wishbook catalogs from the 1940's up to the 1970's by clicking here courtesy of the folks from Wishbook Web.

And check out these other vintage Christmas catalogs that are available:

Glass blocks were first made in the 1800's for use in cellar windows and ships.  In the early 1900's glass blocks started being used in structures.

When I see glass blocks used as windows it instantly gives me a feeling of being transported back in time.  I guess it is because I remember seeing so many older homes with glass block in their basements and some other windows.  I just love the look of them and the memories they conjure up.

I found this really neat craft project that can be done with glass blocks - make them into lit Christmas presents!  It is like giving someone sunshine wrapped up with a pretty bow And they don't cost much to make.  These would definitely make good Christmas presents - or actually gifts for anytime of the year!

You can learn all about making these by CLICKING HERE!

Check out these pictures:

To make these glass block Christmas presents you need to:

Carefully drill a hole in what will be the bottom of the glass block.

Insert a small strand of Christmas lights into the block.

Decorate the "glowing present" (block) with gorgeous ribbon and such.

And voila!  Sunshine in a box!

Try a new twist on these by including a music box in their too! - maybe hide it with the bow.

You can learn how to make these unique gifts by CLICKING HERE!

I found this great site called Etsy for all sorts of vintage and hand-made items. It is GREAT!

Take a look at some of the vintage Christmas items they have available:

A 1950's looking apron made from a vintage Christmas Tablecloth,

Vintage Choir Boy figurines - Joseph Originals,

Vintage Christmas Cards

Vintage Christmas Postcards

Vintage Christmas Decorations

This is an easy way to make winter/Christmas window decorations. It actually could be useful anytime of year. As this was popular in 1910, I have no idea whether this is OK to use around kids now-a-days. I also don't know if this could harm windows if they have special glazing on them or anything like that. It's simple enough to do - do a test patch on a small section of window first. Enjoy!

This year while searching for new ways of decorating my windows for Christmas, I happened onto a device for window decoration which may be helpful to others. I covered the window with an even coating of window wash (Bon Ami), and then drew pictures in it by rubbing it off. At first I used a cardboard pattern to get the outline, and then erased the inner part, but later I found that any of the blackboard sketches given in the educational journals could be drawn in it. Anyone with any talent for drawing will find it can be used almost easily as chalk on the blackboard. Those who cannot draw freehand, can use any of the patterns shown in the journals.

Of course it is prettier for winter decoration as it is so suitable for snow scenes, and yet it can be used any time in the year.

I found by laying it off in diamond-shaped sections, it made a very pleasing imitation of leaded glass. It could not of course, be used very well unless the windows are large. It does not shut out the light as one might think, but rather seems to soften the light. I also find that on days which are cloudy with occasional glimpses of the sun, I do not need to be continually adjusting the shades as formerly.