Free printable Christmas cards: Secular and religious holiday greeting cards | Examiner.com

Back in the day, Christmas holiday celebrations were marked with all sorts of delightful traditions. Many have carried over to this generation but others have fallen by the wayside. The tradition of sending and receiving of Christmas holiday greeting cards has waned due to high costs and busier lifestyles. In the 1960s, people sent and received 200-300 Christmas cards in a season. But with stamps at $.50 each and greeting cards at $4 a piece, few people can afford to continue the traditions of sending Christmas cards. Here are two solutions to send affordable Christmas cards. Send Christmas post cards instead of Christmas cards. They cost about half what greeting cards cost to mail. Instead of buying Christmas cards, print your own. Several websites offer free printable Christmas cards in secular and religious patterns. Some are money holder or photo frame cards, too.   Free printable Christmas cards: Secular and religious holiday greeting cards | Examiner.com

Free Printable Planet of the Apes Coloring Pages Retro Coloring Books

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" opens this week and if promises hold true, it's going to be epic. I remember the old Planet of the Apes in 1968 with Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall. The original screenplay was written by Rod Serling (of Twilight Zone fame). Others had a go at POTA sequels--including Tim Burton in 2001. Not a sci-fi or POTA fan, myself. But I did love coloring pages. Still do. So, here are  Free Printable Planet of the Apes Coloring Pages (click here for links) for YOU! (Image from Hunter's Planet of the Apes Archive--thanks, Hunter!)

Free Printable Classic Disney Movie Coloring Pages

Remember those old Disney classics: The Love Bug, That Darn Cat, Herbie Rides Again, Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and others? And how about the old full-length cartoons? Robin Hood, The Aristocats, 101 Dalmations, The Fox and the Hound. So many wonderful movies from '60s and early '70s.



The first movie I ever saw, at six, was when I lived on a remote Alaskan island with my mom. The "movie theater" was a church hall, folding chairs and a portable screen. The film was "Son of Flubber." Later when we returned to Michigan, mom and I would go to Saturday matinees. We could see a double feature, have popcorn, pop and candy for under $2 each. If you share my love of old Disney movies, here are Free Printable Classic Disney Movie Activities

Printable Mother's Day Crafts Make Happy Childhood Memories

I've always loved making crafts since I was a little girl. I especially liked making gifts for people on holidays and birthdays. I wasn't very artistic, but my heart was in it. Do you like making crafts. Do you have kids who like crafting? Well, hint, hint, Mother's Day is just around the corner. How's about printing free Mother's Day crafts from the internet to make for mom (grandma, auntie, godmother, step-mom, dad's girlfriend?) I'm sure those ladies would love a homemade gift as much I did when my kids were young. With computers and home printers making printng so easy, it's at your fingertips. I would have thought I'd died and gone to heaven to get my hands on free printable crafts! Click here to find printable Mother's Day greeting cards, paper crafts, origami, photo frames, scrapbook stuff, party decorations, flower baskets, gift boxes and more.  Free Mother's Day Crafts for Kids to Print

Free Printable Mother's Day Arts and Crafts Activities

I've loved making crafts and shopping for holidays since I was a kid. I especially liked Mother's Day (second Sunday of May) and Father's Day (Third Sunday in June). I remember one Mother's Day, I bought my mom a single blood-red washcloth at the corner store (very little money, had I, but lot's of ideas). If you find yourself short 'o cash, as I did, then why not print and make arts and craft for mom or dad? These are great  holidays for kids create cards and presents. Here's a list of free printable crafts, greeting cards, decorations, activities, games and presents for Mother's Day. Make cute crafts for moms, grandmothers, aunts, God-mothers, teachers, day care providers, any woman that you want to remember this Mother's Day. Moms will love the homemade, kid-created gifts of love. Then visit again around Father's Day for dad-themed crafts! Free Printable Mother's Day Craft Activities

Free Printable Homemade Valentine Cards

Valentine's Day card exchanges are a rite of passage in preschool and elementary school. Remember the days when we made our own (well, you did if mom couldn't or wouldn't buy you any!) I remember Hallmark made an uber-expensive set of valentines in which you folded heart-shaped tabs over to enclose the message. How about making your own like that with free printable valentines? Use for homeschool groups, scout troops and religious education card exchanges, too. Make DIY valentines cheap. Your clever homemade valentines will be unique and completely different than everyone else's!  Free Printable DIY Valentine's Day Card Crafts for Children

Retro Valentine Crafts to Print

Remember as kids, looking forward to classroom parties? They seemed simpler then, but that was what made them so appealing. Looking to recreate a Valentine's Day party of yore (with candy hearts, valentine exchanges and paper crafts)? Here are printable craft activities and party decorations. Linked websites full of free printable crafts, games, party supplies, greeting cards, valentines and holiday activities. Perfect for classroom valentine exchanges and parties. There's a cute cut and paste folded paper candy box, similar to the Necco Sweethearts conversation candy hearts box. This craft prints in two pages, one with instructions and one page with the craft.  Free Printable Valentine's Day Craft Activities and Decorations

Free Hello Kitty Coloring Activities

Hello Kitty has been one of my favorite cartoon characters since she first came to the United States in 1976. Hello Kitty an anime cartoon, was born in Japan as Haro Kiti, of the Sanrio company in 1974. I had one of the first Hello Kitty products sold in the United States, a Hello Kitty plastic change purse. Of course, I've lost it decades since; and now I treasure the new Hello Kitty goodies more than ever. Here are Printable Hello Kitty Crafts

Remember Trick or Treat For UNICEF? 1970s Kid Memories

I've talked to a gamut of kids from the 60s and 70s and most of us have happy Halloween.  Cool costumes (remember the cheap plastic boxed kind mom got for $2 at the grocery store?). And the candy--along with today's fare there were some treats that have disappeared in the passage of time: Slo Pokes, Sugar Babies, Marathon,  Choco-Lite, Razzles. Halloween parties were a blast too--bobbing for apples (no one worried about catching H1N1 then), costume parades and hay mazes--good times. My favorite part of trick-or-treat wasn't any of those things, fun as they were. It was getting to carry a little orange box to collect pennies for UNICEF. Do you remember 'trick-or-treat for UNICEF? You can still do it....