Christmas and Winter Holidays Gift Ideas for Kids Who Like the Harry Potter Stories

The Harry Potter series of books and movies may seem like a strange choice for Christmas and winter holiday gifts for kids who are fans of the stories. Yet, Christmas and winter holidays play important roles in the films. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the ancient stone castle housing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry displays Christmas decorations, and the pupils are offered a Christmas break.

Older elementary school-aged kids and young tweens may enjoy a theme gift from the series, whether it be a variety of wands or Hermoine Granger's Time Turner.

The selection of wands is staggering. Hermoine's, Harry's and Ron's wands start at $35.00. Dumbledore and He Who Must Not Be Named also have wands at this price. Ron's sister, Jenny, and their friend Luna have wands that run about $28.50. Hermoine's measures about 14 inches. When kids wave the wand, it lights up; another wave turns it off. Be sure to purchase at least two AAA batteries. Some parents report that the wand works best with the strongest Lithium batteries.

Many Harry Potter items appear in The Nobel Collection: Product Catalog.
For Christmas 2011, the site advises placing orders on or before Sunday, December 18th, by 11:00 PM, Pacific Time. Check out other sites such as Barnes and Nobel for additional pricing info.

If the price of the wands or Time Turner is too steep, then consider ways to improvise. For younger kids who haven't seen the catalog Time Turner, a pretty pendant or necklace in a pretty box, and wrapped in nice paper, offers an inexpensive alternative. The pendant shown below has the same swirly features as the catalog Time Turner, but only cost $1 at a local thrift store. The box came from another thrift store.

The Internet also abounds with directions for homemade wands. You can make them using only a piece of wood, several sheets of computer paper, a glue gun, and paints.
Another homemade wand lights up in the video Hermoine Granger Light Up Wand (Homemade).
Another set of directions skips the wood and uses computer paper and a glue gun with paint.
Options include an electric switch and wire hidden under decoration to power an LED light on the end of the wand. As with any project, plan ahead and assemble supplies. Make these as Christmas and holiday presents. Or, use these as Christmas break projects for kids home from school and wondering what to do. For ideas about wands, Time Turners, jewelry, bookmarks, and other items, see The Nobel Collection site.

Pike Place Market Overlooking Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington: Hands of the World

      Outside "Hands of the World" shop, downstairs at Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington.

During the winter holidays, visit the Pike Place Market if you are in Seattle. If you can't get to the Emerald City, then take a virtual visit. Looking at the Pike Place Market shops helps inspire Christmas and holiday gift and activity ideas.

If you like international and fair trade items, then visit Hands of the World. Located one level below street level, this colorful shop and helpful staff create a place to shop and learn. Many items come from women's co-ops around the world. These unique designs and items make interesting and useful gifts. Scarves, mittens, wooden flutes, "rain" toys: these just begin to describe the items available.

My personal favorites are the jewelry pieces, especially the pendants. I've purchased a few pendants there, and always receive compliments on them.

Ridiculously Inexpensive Christmas and Holiday Gifts by Teresa K. Dashwood

The holidays are approaching, and in times of economic turmoil, people can become stressed as they realize they may not have enough funds for presents. This post, and others to follow, will explore some holiday gift options that cost little or no money. Save funds for children's Christmas and holiday presents, and find thoughtful or amusing gifts for the grown-ups.

Bookmarks

It's easy to find holiday or gift bookmarks online that you can print on photo or heavy paper.
The bookmarks make nice stocking stuffers or simple gifts.

Run a web search with a name of an actor, author, movie, book, or television show.
Add the word "bookmark" to refine your search.

An example is for fans of Orlando Bloom. The website "The Orlando Bloom Files" contains five pages of printable bookmarks, along with directions.

Homemade Bookmarks

With a small investment of card stock paper, you can make your own bookmarks. Think of the person on your holiday list, and the types of quotes or images they enjoy. Cut out paper for the bookmark size you want, such as 2 x 6 inches. You can write the quote with a calligraphy pen and draw an image. Or type the words on a word processing program, print it out, and tape the words onto the card stock. Print out images and tape them on the card stock too. Another idea is to print the words and images directly onto the card stock. Or, instead of tape, put the bookmark through a lamination process.

The main goals are to use your creative process to make a gift for someone. Use your imagination.

Christmas and Holiday Gifts from Ireland

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, invariably come thoughts of Christmas and holiday gifts. Keeping the gifts economical and exciting is a challenge. So, this post begins a series of posts with Christmas and holiday gift ideas.

Irish gifts bring a sense of tradition and liveliness to an occasion. While Irish gifts can be pricy, there are also simple gifts for less money.

Blarney Castle Grounds

Attribution: Postdlf, via Wikimedia Commons

Use an exchange rate formula to figure out the amount of British pounds to American dollars.
Unitconversion.org offers a way for readers to type in the British amount to see the American amount. With the fluctuations in the global markets, check for updated price and conversion amounts. Include any shipping and/or handling as you consider purchases.

Or just window shop online. You may get some ideas for home-made presents. So, fix a nice cup of tea, Irish tea if you have it, and take a trip to Ireland for present ideas.

GiftsFromIreland.com Dublin, Ireland
Originating at Unit 1 Robinhood Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 22, Ireland, this site ranges from economical to pricy. The 11'' stuffed teddy bear with a green sweater makes a good stocking stuffer for There's also a magnet with the saying "Ireland of the hundred thousand welcomes" available.

House of Ireland is located at 37/38 Nassau Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. This shop offers Waterford crystal, Celtic crosses made of gold or silver, and variations of the Trinity Knot and Claddagh designs. Other ideas are knitted sweaters, hats, scarves, and mittens. Irish linens for tablecloths, napkins, and bed linens. The Irish linen is famous for its beauty and durability.

In Cork, Ireland, Blarney Woolen Mills has set up a special Christmas display featuring a plaid Christmas rug, crystal ornaments, and fetching jewelry. Located near Blarney Castle, the company offers china and crystal, sweaters, t-shirts, capes, linen, music, books, and yarn. The Royal Tara China selection includes Celtic design Christmas ornaments.

Check out Irish shops in America. The Shamrock Shanty in Fenwick Island, Delaware, has a range of gift ideas. T-shirts, caps, and socks mingle with sequin vests. Irish Christmas cards and Celtic Advent wreaths offer ways to celebrate the holidays.

Amish Country Books at Fisher's Houseware

Amish Country Books at Amish Houseware and Fabrics by Teresa Knudsen Wednesday, November 03, 2011

If you are looking for gifts or holiday presents, or just a book for no special occasion, a store in the area of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, can give you ways of getting away from the television and looking at older Americana reading choices for children, tweens, teens and adults.

Fisher's Houseware and Fabrics is found on Georgetown Road, in Bart, Pennsylvania. As you drive up to the store, you may see Amish horses and buggies. Inside, you will find an assortment of items for the home, garden, and farm. Plain people work in the store.

On this November day, with the chilly weather, we have a great excuse to sit in a comfortable chair and read while looking out onto the green and gold leaves.

Here are some reading ideas:


The Fourth Reader for Advanced Students by William H. McGuffey.
Editions 1836 to 1853.
Dating from the time of one-room schoolhouses, the McGuffy readers were published in reading levels, with the goal of teaching people to read so they could read the Bible. The link provides samples for the graduated readers. It's fun to look at these with children from the 21st century to see how children in the 19th century were learning to read. At Fisher's, $12.29 and sales prices.

Rules of a Godly Life
This pamphlet was originally in German "Regeln eines Gottseligen Lebens."
Joseph Stoll translated the pamphlet into English. Here is one selection:
"Be not too ready to believe everything you hear, and do not repeat everything you hear, lest in this way, you lose a friend and gain an enemy. When you hear a complaint or gossip about another, thoroughly investigate the actual circumstances before offering your criticism or passing your opinion." (Page 14).
$1.98 at Fisher's. Published by Raber's Book Store in Baltic, Ohio.

True Story David Eschs'Experience of the 14 Day Hunt for the Cox Boys, in the Wilds of the Allegheny Mountains.
Written by David and Fanny (Kagany) Esch in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.
This pamphlet describes the April 24, 1856 search for Joseph and George Cox.
Why would a family choose to live in the wilderness areas of Pennsylvania? Here is the answer given by David Eschs:

"...probably the freedom suggested by these wild mountain peaks, and thundering streams, had captured him body and soul after his life in the rather cramped quarters of the Fatherland."
Published by the Gordonville Print Shop in Pennsylvania. Fisher's price of .69.

Pricing as of Summer 2011. Prices are always subject to change.

Resources:

McGuffy Readers and Samples. 1836 Version.

Raber's Book Store
2467 CR 600
Baltic, Ohio 43804

Gordonville Print Shop
3119 Irishtown Road
Gordonville, PA 17529-9534
(717) 768-8410

Pennsylvania Dutch Country: Fisher's Houseware and Fabrics

Fisher's Houseware
1098 Georgetown Road
Bart, PA 17503
Phone:(717) 786-8121

Celtic New Year Celebrations

Here are some ways to celebrate the Celtic New Year.
We try to supply green and organic products.
Candles made of beeswax.
Candles scented.
Chocolate
Shortbread
Books of Poems
Music
Celtic Music
Classical Music
Dance
Celtic Dancing
Classical Dancing
Folk Dancing
Films and Movies
Clothing
Cloaks
Coats
Sweaters
Socks
Hats
Gloves and Mittens

Books
Teen Books
Tween Books
Children's Books
Lorna Doone
Treasure Island

Today is November 1, 2011. This is the beginning of the Celtic New Year.

It's true that in northern climes, November seems a dreary, chilly time. Yet for the Celts, this was the beginning of their new year, a four month span of feasting and celebrating, enjoying the fruits of their labor and their harvest by the warm fire in the hearth.
As winter greets us and promises bright holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas, visit the Merry Rose General Store.
We are just beginning, and will keep adding more each day.
Happy Celtic New Year.