Wreathing Circles With Etopia Press ““ Win a virtual stocking stuffed with digital books

Our first guest is Nancy Cassidy, Managing Editor of romance publisher, Etopia Press. With all the subgenres of romance represented and welcome, Etopia Press invites readers to Find Your Perfect Escape! Welcome Nancy! Nancy talks about a great pass time and don’t forget to check out her contest offer!

Thanks to everyone at Coffee Time Romance for having us here on Christmas Eve Day! We’re on the lookout for Santa, but we’re also thinking of how many opportunities this time of year brings to join together with friends and family. As Managing Editor of Etopia Press, I’m crazy busy, especially since we’ve just launched a new website, (shameless promo link here ““ http://www.etopia-press.net) but I have a tradition I’d like to share with you today. christmas-wreath A Wreathing Party. It’s a great way to pass time, be together and celebrate the season, and calm down from all the rush.

A wreath making party is simple to organize. Choose a theme and call six to ten friends””the number depends on the size of your workspace. Tell each of your friends the theme of the party and that they should bring a wreath base and something special as the centrepiece of their wreath. That’s all they’ll need, the hostess (that’s you) will provide everything else.

You will need a good three-foot radius for each person to work on their arrangement and still be able to manoeuvre. Also important, you will need a place where the wreaths can be hung up at various intervals so the maker can step back and see just how it looks. Finally, you will need a space for at least one glue gun””call this a hot station and keep it some distance away from the rest of the work. Have a glass of icy water nearby in case there are any accidents.

You don’t need to provide much in the way of refreshments””a few drinks and something sweet. The theme is the hard part, but even here you have a little help. Nature often brings the theme to you. Winter isn’t all white. Do you see the shining ice crystals and the hints of blue in the snow? Winter wreaths are not always for Christmas, nor should they be. Maybe tonight, on Christmas Eve, you can make a winter wreath for after the big day. Winter themes can include children’s playtime””consider hanging a set of ice skates within your wreath, or a set of mittens. Don’t forget a touch of humour””perhaps your wreath needs a tiny shovel or a sign saying “Snowplough Wanted”!

But back to your duties as hostess. Once you have picked a theme and invited your friends, chosen a place and picked up some soft drinks, coffee and hot chocolate and perhaps a fruit cake, you need to have the basics for your own wreath and for your guests’. First, make sure you have a base to work with and the centrepiece for your wreath. You may want to pick up an extra in case someone doesn’t make it to a shop in time. Bases are quite varied, but if you plan to work on a wreath for an outside door be sure that you have at least a twelve-inch diameter to work with ““ you want it to be visible.

Wire is very important””many people prefer to use wire over glue, as the arrangement can later be taken apart and remade into another theme. As hostess you should provide both, as well as a fair amount of background material. This means leaves, flowers, ribbons, and some special pieces to fuel your guests’ imagination. This might be a bag of pinecones, some glitter, dried seedpods, plastic snowflakes or it might be a selection of toys, gourds, blank signposts or birds. You can find these items in the same stores as the bases, but look around for the unusual items that catch your eyes. Finally, make sure to provide wire cutters, scissors, markers, and perhaps a bow maker if you have used one in the past.

Now you are ready for the party with just one exception. What to do with those guests that come to the party but are still hesitant to get their creative juices flowing? There will probably be at least one. This is the friend who most needs, at least tonight, your circle. Don’t be pushy, but hang up their wreath and praise their efforts. Then offer a little help. Don’t ask everyone to be involved””likely they’ll jump in anyway. The easiest way to keep the owner’s personality in their creation is to bring out the centrepiece of the wreath. Simple is often better ““ and the owner has picked this part out herself.

An alternative to the idea of wreathing for the changing of a season is to create a series of wreaths for special people or events. Everyone in your circle could create a wreath to donate to a hospital wing or seniors home. Be sure that you check with the administration of any institution before beginning such a project””they may have reservations about using certain materials that could carry allergens. In that case, suggest only artificial bases and materials be used.

Wreathing is about creating something that is beautiful, fun and meaningful ““ the same benefit of bringing together your circle of friends and family. You can laugh while you craft, chat and grow closer. In the end you have something more than a finished wreath. You have a circle of cherished friends.

On ChristmasStocking the other hand, maybe on Christmas Eve you just want to chill out and take some time for yourself with a good book. 🙂 Etopia has some great ones and we are offering a virtual stocking stuffed from ebooks as a prize for tonight! Leave a comment with an email where we can contact you and you could win Christmas Moon from Loribelle Hunt, a hot shape shifter romance, A Flowerpot Christmas Tree by Brooklyn Wilde, an erotic Christmas story with an older woman and younger man, Symphony of Light and Winter by Renea Mason, a sensual paranormal romance with a dose of fantasy, Snow Balls by Tara Lain, a sexy MM novella and Winter in Paradise by TC Archer, an erotic sci-fi short story that will melt the snow for 50 yards around you!