Yule Center Piece Start with the top of a hat box, and a clear, crystal bowl, which you can buy at a dollar store.

Then simply gather greens such as fir, hemlock and pine. (Make sure, prior to doing this that you ask the trees for permission to take their branches, taking only a few from each tree, so as not to hurt the tree in anyway. You can tell if they give you permission by asking the tree either to yourself, or out loud, and than trusting the first answer, that pops into your head, wether it be "yes", or "no". If the answer is fuzzy, go with a "no". And you should always, leave a gift, as a thank-you in return. This can be anything from a coin, a shell, a piece of your own hair, or better yet, something that will benefit the trees like a food item that will fertilize the soil.

Then either cut or buy decorative holly (which is the holly with the white edges), and regular holly, which has dark green leaves and red berries, to decorate in-between the greens. You can also add pine cones. Next just fill the bowl with water, and place either floating candles, or white votive candles (which DO float and are very cheap, you can buy a bag for about $5.00) and light to entice back the sun....:) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yule Holly Star By Sharon Vanderpool-my mom! :)

You can start this project, one of two ways.... You can either get a star, that is already made, at a craft store, or you can make your own by tying vines together in a star shape with floral wire. Than you just simply attach holly branches, with berries to the star, making a loop on the back of it with wire, to hang. You can even take this project one step further, which I plan on doing next year, by making a holly pentagram. To do this, just purchase a 18' round metal frame, and make your star to fit in the middle. Attach the 5 points to the metal circle, and than attach your holly.:)