One of my favorite things is seeing rooftop outdoor Christmas decorations in the neighborhood because it shows the homeowner went the extra mile to put a smile on the faces of kids and adults who revel in this wonderful holiday!

At our home, we have lots of Christmas rooftop decorations. We have the regular lights, of course, but then we also have a Santa that comes out of a fake chimney and then goes back in. I LOVE this one!

Many people put a Star of Bethlehem, a Snowflake, or a holiday sign on their rooftop to enhance the décor of their other outdoor decorations. I like the holographic rooftop outdoor decorations. Here are some of my favorite ways to spruce up a roof for Christmas:

Does your son or daughter love robotic toys? Then this Christmas, do what I’m doing and get him or her a WowWee RC Robotic Flytech Dragonfly! Dragonflies are a unique type of toy – not your typical dinosaur or dog or other animated animal. The RC Dragonfly comes in blue and green and it flies like a real insect the way its wings flap around. You won’t have to worry about it if it crashes – it’s durable. Kids love the way they can make it fly in tight spaces.

Does your daughter want something a bit more “girlie?” Well WowWee Flytech makes something similar – just for girls – the FairyFly toy! Fairyflies come in pink, purple, yellow, and orange and they fly all around in a similar way to the Dragonfly. You can even get other forms – like butterflies or even Tinkerbell (which would be great with the new Tinkerbell movie that’s out now, too).

I plan to get both my 9-year old son a Dragonfly and my 4-year old daughter a Fairyfly. I think come Christmas morning, they’ll be flying all over the house and in the yard having great fun! Check them out below:

My son wants to donate 2,000 cans of food to the local food bank called the Tarrant Area Food Bank. They help many different people, including some of the Hurricane refugees who are still in our North Texas community.

If you would like to help, please either send a can or more to us or order one of the packages below (or any other package on Amazon of non-perishables) and ship it to us so we can take it to the food bank OR send a check made payable to TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK in whatever amount you can contribute.

Ship to: Tiffany Dow 1301 Peggy Lane – Kennedale, Texas 76060

Christmas traditions are many and varied throughout the world. When we think of the Christmas season we think of the 12 days of Christmas, holiday feasts, carolers, the Yule log, carnivals with floats, gift giving and stockings hanging by the chimney with care.

The Christmas tree has been around since ancient times and has become one of the most beloved and well known symbols of Christmas traditions in almost all western world countries in one form or another. The evergreen Christmas tree was left outside in earlier times as a reminder that the desolation and cold of winter would soon end and the green life of spring would return. People decorated these outdoor trees with fruits and candles honoring the gods of harvests.

The Germans are thought to be the first to bring the tree inside and decorate them with candies, gingerbread, fruits and candles. Most Americans considered the tree an oddity in the 1830s and it wasn’t until the late 1800s that the idea caught on in America. Candles continued to be the light of choice on the tree until the invention of electricity and the light bulb in the early 20^th century.

Now, throughout the land, Christmas trees are in almost every home gloriously decorated with the unique and the traditional. Each year, people watch in awe as the President of the United States lights the national tree in Washington as a symbol of peace and unity.

Here are some great historical Christmas productions that I find interesting:

I like to harp on the fact that Christmas isn’t just a commercial holiday. Jesus is the reason for the season, isn’t it? We need to drive that message home, and there are ways you can spread these ideas – such as through the use of yard decorations.

Many homeowners have some sort of nativity scene in their yard, but there are specific outdoor yard decorations that say, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” This type of signage or decor makes people remember, as they’re driving by, why we’re all celebrating and enjoying the holidays with our own families.

Here are some great “Jesus is the reason for the season” and nativity decorations for your home – my absolute FAVORITE is the one in the middle. Santa holding baby Jesus! Awwww:

This isn’t all, either. If you click on this link you’ll see a whole host of ornaments, tabletop decorations, and more that celebrate the birthday of baby Jesus. There are even some with LED lights – they’re beautiful!

When children think of Christmas their minds and imagination usually conjure up an image of a jolly old white bearded man in a red suit who travels in a flying sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer. They believe he lands on rooftops everywhere, slides down chimneys carrying a huge bag of toys he gives to all children who’ve been nice and not naughty.

Santa is one of the most beloved of all Christmas symbols perhaps because he personifies the teachings of sharing and giving of gifts. But, it began with a man called Saint Nicholas who belonged to a wealthy family and was known for his charity and giving money to the poor.

When the Dutch came to America they brought the tradition with them. Their Sinterklaas, also known as Kris Kringle, rode on a white horse and wore a red costume. It eventually evolved into a jolly old elf who was plump and jovial.

It was Thomas Nast, a cartoonist who many credit with creating the image of Santa Claus as we think of him today. Nast drew pictures of the kindly old gentleman with a button nose in a red suit and a big wide belt. Santa is kind and generous with a wish that all would have a merry Christmas.

Here are some great Santa Clause products that would fit your Christmas holidays perfectly!