Tree Trimming Party for Two

Tonight is our annual tree trimming party. A big change for us is that the kids aren’t yet home from university to help decorate the tree. Oh, and we have a massive Bernedoodle puppy we have to keep our eyes on. This won’t stop us from making the most of our evening by stringing the lights and hanging our Favourite Photo Ornaments, including our 2023 edition (Will these be the last? At what age do we STOP placing a photo ornament of each kid on the tree?) Tonight we’ll also sample the Clover Club cocktail with Monday’s homemade Raspberry Syrup for Cocktails and Sodas.

Clover Club Cocktails

Remember that Raspberry syrup we made on Monday? Here’s a chance to use it! Tonight, we’re making Clover Club Cocktails! Here’s a link to SSJ’s preferred Clover Club Cocktail recipe. [Note: SSJ cocktail posts are protected by Age-Gate and require users to enter a birth date.]

Favourite Photo Ornaments

This year’s favourite photo ornaments feature our two university students:

Here’s the DIY

Print Recipe

Favourite Photo Ornaments, A Streamlined DIY

Ingredients

Digital Photos [or 2.25x 3.5 Printed Photos]
Computer
Photo Printer
Photo Paper
Business Card Lamination Sleeves
Hole Punch
Scissors
Ribbon

Instructions

Pick a favourite photo or two.
Use your favourite photo editing software to:
a) size your image close to a 2/3 ratio so that it will fit into a 2.25X3.5 inch holder. I tend to default to 450×700 pixels.
Keep in mind that you are going to punch a hole about 1/2 inch down from the top of the photo. So, crop accordingly!
b) Make the image black and white.
c) Create any additional borders you desire.
d) Add the year in a festive font on the picture.
Print your photo to approximately 2.25 x3.5 inches.
Insert your photo (or two photos back to back) inside a laminating sleeve and seal according to package instructions. You might need to trim the photo(s) so that there’s sufficient tackiness around all four sides.
Punch a hole about 1/2 inch down from the top centre of the laminated photo.
Cut a ribbon of about 5 to 6 inches in length.
Tie the tail ends together with a large knot or knots larger than the punched hole.
Slip the loop from the backside of the photo through to the front, so that the knot stops at the back of the photo. Et voila!

Notes

ON THIS DAY

2022: Black & White Street Photography
2021: Family Book Exchange
2020: Family Book Exchange, “The Classics”
2019: Make Block-Printed Tea Towels
2018: Christmas Concert at Roy Thomson Hall
2017: Tour St. Lawrence Market and Plan Christmas Dinner
2016: Make Deep Dish Pizza and Watch a Festive Movie
2015: Make Lichtenstein Inspired Holiday Cards
2014: Tonic Tuesday: Give a Family an Endless Harvest via Plan Canada
2013: Give Fruit Trees! Contribute to Plan Canada!
2012: Read & Illustrate The Winter’s Tale, Acts II-III
2011: Movie, Lego, Mindfulness

Tree Trimming Party for Two