WHAT'S UP WITH THE DECORATIONS AT CA ADVENTURE

Monday, we went to Disney's California Adventure just to walk around and take in all the decorations.

After all, Disney is known for the way they go all out on the Holidays.


As we walked up to the gates I knew we were in for some really cute decorations.

The word California is always outside but they change the way the look for different holidays.

For Christmas they were done up to look like Candy Canes. With Mickey Mouse on the C and Goofy on the A.

Very cute! A popular spot for kids to play around on and have their photos taken.

When you first walk in the big bridge, that represents the Golden Gate Bridge, was decorated with a big wreath and garland. Both covered with shinny ornaments.

But that was about it really. Not much else in the park to see but little touches here and there. It was a real disappointment.

Oh, sure there was Santa. But, even he was a pretty poor looking Santa. The park was super crowded but the line to sit on Santa's lap was small.

I just don't think parents wanted him to be the Santa in their yearly Christmas photo with their child. Not when there are so many wonderful looking Santas out there.

A few poinsettias in pot were sitting out by Santa as was the Christmas tree. My photo of the tree didn't turn out so I can't show that to you.

The tree was pretty and if you looked closely you noticed that some of the ornaments were in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears. That was cute.

Most of the park didn't have anything to let you even know it was Christmas.

There was some white garland on this one building.

This resturant had some green garland with ornaments.

The Hollywood area had gold wreaths flanking each side of the entrance but you had to look up high to see them or you would have missed them.

Walking down the street in the Hollywood back lot there were some decorations hanging on the lights.

We were all surprised at the lack of Christmas celebrations taking place over at CA Adventure this year. We heard several other people saying the same thing.

Now Disneyland is another story. Each land is decorated and there are tons of Christmas things going on over there.

I wonder why Disney decided to go so simple at CA Adventure this year.

SANTA BABY

I finally made it to my storage and got some of my Christmas items out so I can start to decorate.

The first box I opened was some of my Santa's that I've collected and thought I would share them with you.


I love this Santa with a big bag full of toys in his sleigh.

The Christmas tree in back of him belonged to my mom. Her friend made it for her and she treasured it.


These two Santas are so colorful and cute. They are actually salt and pepper shakers but I never use them for that.

I really like this Santa because he is simple. Nothing fancy. Just Santa!

This little Santa is actually a Dept 56 trinket box.

Here are three littler Santas.

This is Mr. and Mrs. Santa. They are in the process of changing from their Fall outfits to Christmas ones. I guess I could put this one up in the Fall and leave it out until Christmas but I never do.

I wait to put all my Christmas things out at once.

This one I got 1/2 off at Macy's a few years ago. It was their after Christmas sale.

It's actually a tea pot.

This Santa reminds me of the old Santas from days gone by.

One year, on my trip to Rogers Gardens, I picked up this Radko Santa.

Here are three more Santas that have that vintage feel to them.

A few more Santas to enjoy. The one on the right is a candle holder. You lift up the top of the presents and there is a candle in there.

I love this one! It's the Coke Santa. It is actually my sister, Patty's, but I put it with my other Santas. I'm hoping she will one day forget it is hers and I'll get to keep it. Shhh! Don't tell her.

These are two more candle holder Santas. I never burn them though.

Well, while I have many more Santas. I think these will be about the only ones I'll put out this year.

After all, I have snowmen, reindeer, trees and other Christmas items that I need to save room for.

A FUN FREE CHRISTMAS CLASS

Today I went to Rogers Gardens. I love that place. It's in Newport Beach and is by far the nicest Nursery I've been to. However, it's so much more then just a Nursery.

During the Christmas Holiday they are all decked out with over 26 theme trees, every sort of decoration you could want, Christmas trees, plants and even Santa is there.

They offer different classes throughout the year. Most are free or only a very small fee. All of the ones I've been to have been wonderful.

Today they had a free (love that) class on getting ready for Christmas.

It was held outside and it was a little chilly. We were bundled up in our sweaters and jackets. The cool morning really made it feel like Christmas time.

They showed how to decorate a mantle, table, or entry way.

We learned how to make beautiful fresh flower arrangements and fresh wreaths.

They gave great ideas for place card holders, small hostess gifts, decorating by theme and color.

The two that taught the class were two of the head designers from Rogers Garden.

The guy has his own line out and does the most wonderful floral arrangements. The girl is the top buyer. She gets to travel throughout the world searching for the best items to sell at Rogers Gardens. Isn't that a dream job!

They not only showed off some of the new items for sale at Rogers Gardens but they also showed how you could take your own items and add them to some of the newer items you purchase to make it pretty.

Also, they gave ideas on how to make your version of some of the things they sell there.

The gold display they put together was so pretty.

Look at those trees! They were one idea they told how you could make your own, with vintage or broken jewelry pieces and a styrofoam tree.

You don't want to know how much they went for there!

They also gave clever ideas on wrapping your gifts. Like taking a brown craft box from places like Michael's and then gluing on wrapping paper or (in this case) wall paper, to make your own gift box.

I loved how they didn't cover the whole box but left the outline of brown showing through. You could also, use colored markers to line the box or even glue some glitter on it.

Put your gift inside, tie a pretty ribbon around it and you are ready to give your gift.

They also gave away hundreds of dollars worth of free items in drawings. Sadly I did not win anything. Maybe next year!

Once the class was over I went inside to look at the pretty trees and decorations.

This year they named each tree. There was no way I could pick the one I loved the most. They were all so pretty.

I fell in love with this rusty looking Gazebo with the pretty greenery and poinsettia plants inside.

Wouldn't that look pretty at your front door.

How about taking your topiary wreath and added a few red balls and ribbon to perk it up for Christmas. Very cute!

They have the most lovely Poinsettias. Every color but of course my favorite is the bright red.

They also had everything to decorate the table with. From table cloths to English crackers in many designs.

I like to make my own crackers. I'll show you mine and how to do them on a later post.

I'll show you mine on another post.

You can make them to match any place setting.

It was so fun walking through there. But, you must walk around a few times. There is so much to see that you spot something you missed each time you go around.

I loved the vintage looking wreaths, trees and stars.

I couldn't get over how the trees were just dripping with ornaments. So many that you couldn't see the tree.

I did this one year at home. Never again! My tree fell over due to the weight and I had to tie it up so it would stay.

Yes, I know I have lot of ornaments! You would die if you saw how many big boxes of them I really do have. I have enough to decorate several trees. I have an obession with pretty ornaments.

These boxes are darling! Another great and easy craft project you could do to save the big bucks these cost.

They had every size, shape, color and theme of a Nut Cracker you could think of.

I thought they were so cute all together.

I had a wonderful time and really felt in the Christmas Spirit. The best part was I had hours of entertainment and enjoyment and it didn't cost me one penny.

So, keep your eye out. I'm sure there are many free things you can do this Holiday Season too. I have several marked on my calender all ready. Of course I'll share them with you as I do them.