Shades Shutters Blinds News

Panel track blinds offer total control over natural light as it enters your home. The elegant long vertical blinds make any room look sophisticated and modern. As the sun crosses the sky, panel track blinds can be adjusted to the constant changing direction of the sun’s rays. Like a dimming switch, panel track blinds can be easily adjusted to the amount of light you want entering your home.

If an unobstructed view of the window is what you want or need panel track blinds can easily be retracted for a full view of the window; this is a great feature when you need to keep an eye on the kids playing outside. You do not have to worry about pulling curtains back and forth, or tying them back. With panel track blinds, you no longer need to climb on furniture to reach both sides of those old heavy sagging curtains. You can open or close panel track blinds with minimal effort.

To clean panel track blinds takes little effort; if you can use a duster, or a small hand held vacuum, then you will have no problem in keeping your blinds looking new. If you have little dirty fingers running around the house do not worry about the blinds; you are only a wipe away of having perfect looking blinds once again. No more need to take down the dust-infested curtains, and no need to hang those heavy awkward curtains back up. In addition, there is no need to use the washing machine, or to have a place to hang those long wet curtains for hours to let dry.

When it comes time to wash the inside of your windows, the task can be burdensome and dangerous. Moving large furniture and even appliances so you can reach the curtain rod can prove costly to your back. Having to take down an entire curtain can be challenging in itself to say the least. Moreover, if you decide to leave the curtains up you take the chance of getting window cleaner on the curtains, which can cause permanent discoloration. However, with panel track blinds just pull the blinds back with ease to have instant access to the entire window. No matter how big the window is your job is easy with panel track blinds.

Panel track blinds come in a variety of colors and textures. If you are looking for the tropical look than bamboo panels maybe what you are looking for; if you want a contemporary style then a neutral color, like white, is available. Whatever decor you have in your home or want, panel track blinds has the variety to match. You can also get a valance to cover the top of the panel track blinds. The valance also comes in a variety of colors and textures to match any decor. Bring the uniqueness out of your home with panel track blinds.

Panel track blinds can also be an economical choice. During the long hot days of summer, you can draw the blinds close, which will help keep the suns rays from heating up your home, which in return will decrease your use of the A/C. During the winter months, you can draw the blinds open to take advantage of those same sunrays to help heat your home, thereby decreasing your heating bill.

The advantages of panel track blinds, as you read above, are more than a few. Help ease the work of keeping your window coverings clean and pristine year- round. It important to remember that beauty and ease can be a rare combination at times, with panel track blinds you get both. Do yourself a favor and keep it simple. If you want to make any room of your house or apartment look like a modern living area choose panel track blinds. It is a simple addition to your home that can make the inside of any room in your house look like a New York high-rise apartment.

Although panel track blinds can be more expensive than your typical bland curtains, you must look at the hours of work you are saving yourself over time, and the lasting durability of the panel track blinds. Its offers a great look, it cleans easy, and it helps with utility costs.  Let those difficult curtains go.

A home is only a home when one is comfortable there, and only when the look and feel is inviting. One very successful design element that can only enhance windows and the structure  is woven wood shades. The simplicity of the woven patterns, or the complexity of the processed and thinned wood fibers; both combine to add the perfect decor to a room.

Window treatments are often overlooked when planning an interior, when thinking of color or pattern. However, the windows are the connection to the outdoors, to nature itself. A proven method of bringing nature inside a home, of having that natural texture and tone that only real wood can provide is by applying woven wood shades to a room.

Often made from exotic and strong woods such as bamboo, woven wood shades are available in an endless number of colors, from natural clear coats to dyes and painted finishes. They can be as simple as grass weaves, or as rich as full bamboo materials. Additionally, they offer a strength that traditional plastic and metal blinds simply can’t match, holding up well over time and not giving in to the stresses of everyday use and abuse. They range in cost to fit even the tightest budgets and can feature popular options such as top-down/ bottom-up mounting which allows unmatched versatility in light management by letting the shades be opened from bottom or top. Additional modern conveniences such as motorized remote operations also can bring the natural look of wood into the twenty-first century of luxury.

Design is about taking into account three things: the nature of the space, the nature of those who will enjoy that space, and the nature of the furniture and other elements within that space. The background of a room is much like the background in a work of art and overlooked window treatments can ruin the overall palette. Woven wood shades are the natural spark that can enrich and liven that palette, making a home a home and a space worth living in.

Here is a list of top 10 window treatments based on popularity and elegant looks. To select from these treatments consider your home decor, and type of interior look you prefer in that particular room.

1) Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are most preferred for full-length glass doors and sliding windows. There is a wide variety of colors and materials, from which you can make a selection. Popular trends include vanes made of fabric, faux wood, solar screen, and wood.

2) Wood Blinds

Wood has a natural elegance that is tough to beat. Wood blinds are available in different slat sizes, made from various hardwoods. Wider slats would be ideal for large windows, while narrow slats look more elegant on smaller windows.

3) Blinds of Faux Wood

If you are looking for the elegance of wood, but do not want to compromise on the durability, then blinds made from faux wood would be the ideal choice. The slats of these blinds are made from synthetic materials that look just like wood, and are available in different sizes.

4) Shades of Woven Wood

An excellent choice for an elegant casual look, woven wood shades are made from natural stuff like bamboo, reeds, matchsticks, twine, and grasses and so on.

5) Roller Shades

Roller shades are now available in a stunning variety of designs and patterns, in fabric. You have a wide choice in the type of fabric as well, which include some rich elegant varieties. Designs range from traditional to contemporary.

6) Plantation Shutters

If you want, a classic look, then plantation shutters would be the ideal choice. These are solid durable shutters, and because of their heavy mass, they provide quite a good amount of insulation.

7) Cellular Shades

One of the most energy efficient window treatments, cellular shades provide high level of insulation, and you can save a lot on your energy bills for cooling or heating your house. You can select between double or single cell varieties. The cells are in a honeycomb shape that trap air, and create an insulating layer. They come in pleated design, and are available in a variety of colors.

Pleated Shades

These look similar to cellular shades, but are much more economical, as they do not have much insulating effect. However, they are quite elegant, and ideal for adding style, color, and texture to the windows in your room.

9) Solar Shades

If you prefer shades that do not obstruct your view of the outdoors, and yet keep out UV rays, then solar shades are the ideal choice. They will reduce the heat gain from the sun, and your room will be much cooler, but they do not provide any privacy.

10) Mini Blinds

Last but not the least, the most commonly used mini blinds are available in a multitude of colors, and slat sizes. You can choose between slats made of vinyl or aluminum, and select wider slat sizes for bigger openings.

These top 10 window treatments have not only been popular in homes for a long time, but have been widely used in commercial decor as well.

Pets are members of the family in many American Homes. As much fun as they are, they can also break things around the house sometimes including window coverings. We get calls all the time on our pet friendly options. For example: Which roller shades hold up to kitten claws? Our Light Filtering ‘Linen Light’ Collection are strong enough to hold up to claws and look great too! The ‘Damascus’ collection in Roman Shades also holds up well against playful felines. In addition, our real wood and faux wood plantation blinds come in a routless option which allows you to snap individual slats in and out to allow for easy cleaning of dust and pet hair.

For those of you who have dogs that scratch at sliding doors, Woven Woods are not your best option. While most of our products do offer a limited Lifetime Warranty, the Woven Woods Blinds are beautiful and made from natural wood and grasses making them a bit more delicate to your four legged friends’ paws. Sunscreens would be a better option for this situation. We have tons of colors and different collections to fit any decor! Our staff is always happy to answer and all questions you have about your individual Shades, Shutters, and Blinds needs!

This simple guide will walk you through the programming of groups on your new five channel Somfy remote control.

Sun screens can be installed on your windows for a number of reasons. The most important one is to prevent the glare that comes in through the windows. They window sun screens are also very effective in protecting your furniture from fading and all other damages. How do the sun screens work? What makes them so popular among the people these days? Read on to find out.

How Do Sun Screens Work

The sun screens main purpose is to stop the sun rays from entering your home. They stop the rays before they touch the glass. So the amount of heat buildup inside the rooms is reduced to a great extent. According to a study conducted by the U.S Department of Energy, homes that have sun screens on their doors and windows are very successful in stopping the heat buildup. By shading your doors and windows with these screens you can keep the interiors cooler during the summer months and reduce the temperature by about 20 degrees.

The window sun screens are more beneficial than the window tints and films. Tints that are not properly installed or produced may sometime bubble up due to heat and do not function properly. In the same way, if you use insulated drapes of films indoors they do not perform as effectively as the sun screens because the sunlight has already entered the rooms through the glass and cause heat buildup. Sun screens on your windows can block about 90% of the harmful UV rays of the sun and reduce to temperature to a great extent making a huge difference in the temperature inside the rooms. This means that you have to use less of your cooling devices resulting in lower energy bills.

Advantages of the Window Sun Screens

There are several advantages of using window sun screens on your windows. In areas that are very hot and humid such window treatments are becoming extremely popular. They are very effective to control the temperature and keep your rooms cool. By using these screens your homes are becoming more energy-efficient and green. Since the screens keep away the heat, you may not require the use of the air conditioning devices often. This helps you to save a lot on your energy bills. Your level of comfort is enhanced with the use of these sun screens.

The screens not only block the heat buildup but are also able to control the amount of light. If you want to have a calm and relaxing atmosphere in your home, installing these shades are really beneficial. Apart from these, they also enhance the curb appeal of your home in a great way. The greatest advantage of using these window sunscreens is that you can use them with other window treatments like the curtains, shutters and draperies etc. These products can also be operated manually or with the help of motor.

The window sun screens are available in various thicknesses. So you can choose the product according to varying degrees of heat. They can also provide you with the required amount of privacy. The screens can be used to block about 70%, 80% or 90% of the sun’s harmful rays. You will be able to save about 25-30% on your cooling bills in summer. Another advantage is that you will have total privacy without interrupting your view from inside. You can enjoy the comfort by cutting out the glare greatly.

If you have spent a lot on your inferior decoration, furniture and other accessories, they have to be protected from all kinds of damages for increasing their life. The best way to do so is by adding the window sun screens to your home. They block the sunlight and prevent continuous expose to sunlight. The screens also act as insect screens and keep away the tiny insects. They provide enough ventilation too. They can be easily removed during the winter months. You can buy the sunscreens suitable for all shapes and sizes of windows. Use custom grid work matching to your windows. They are mostly made of polyester or fiberglass. Use the window sun screens for year-round comfort, protection, privacy, energy conservation and curb appeal. You can install them on your doors as well. The best thing is that you can find pet-resistant screens too.

Starting today through Tuesday the 17th at midnight we will be offering a site wide sale of 33% off on all merchandise. Hit type mlk12 at checkout and hit the apply coupon to get instant settings.

Hope Everyone is excited about the New Year in just a few days!

I don’t know about you, but getting my home decorated how I want without spending a ton of money is on my list of things to do for the New Year….. We have a GREAT Sale right now of 35% off which makes it a great time to look at our insulating products such as the Double Cell Cellular Shades, Odyssey Insulating Blinds, and Blackout Roller Shades. These trap the heat inside in the winter, and keep the cool inside in the summer! These are energy efficient ways to save money as well as esthetically pleasing. With motorized and cordless options they are easy to control as well. We would love to discuss all these affordable and money saving options with you via email or phone if you have any questions!

Shades Shutters Blinds is going through some changes over the next couple weeks. We are getting a new server to be able to better serve our amazing customers through email. As always we are working on the site as well. The feedback of your experience we get from current customers is priceless to us. We know what we are doing right, as well as ways in which we could improve. Plus you get a chance a win a brand new IPad when you review us as well! Our goal is to best serve you in every way we can. Whether that be through walking you through the website, answering questions on the phone or email, or ordering parts…..anything to keep you satisfied! All of us here hope you have a very happy New Year!

We hope you had and are continuing to have a great holiday! Most of our suppliers are either closed, working on a limited staff or are doing year end inventory so production, repairs and parts will be slow until after the 2nd. We will be here today, Wednesday, Thursday and play it by ear for Friday and Saturday. We will be closed on Sunday and Monday. Somewhere in between this time we will also be doing some maintenance (server upgrades) on the website that may cause some downtime. This time of year is crazy but we will be here or available by email all week. Tuesday will be back to normal. Have a great time and stay safe.

First we would like to introduce Katie who will be our newest contributor to the blog. She has been in the window covering industry for several years and continues to be a key roll in Shades Shutters Blinds operations. Thank you Katie for taking on this challenge.

Randy M. from Centerville, MN is our very first IPad Winner! We are giving away a brand new IPad every few months here at Shades Shutter Blinds, just for submitting a review to about your most recent purchase. We are looking for honest feedback about your buying experience with us. We truly appreciate your business, and YOU could be the next winner!!

Happy Holidays World Wide Web!

Interior window shutters have been commonly used in the past. In contrast to today, almost every home had these. Offices too in the past used these quite commonly, and almost every door and window had them. Apart from being a trend, they were very handy for homes and offices too. Many years ago, woodwork was given an exquisite touch with these purposeful items. Additionally, when electricity was not available, they could be opened throughout the home or office in order to allow a draft through.

People hardly used peepholes when they had shutters. These were more than enough to look through without having to open a door. Therefore, they helped to provide better security too. With these useful points, it was thought that these would never be out of fashion. However, in time to come, better means of ventilation and cooling were invented as technology permitted. When the air-conditioner was invented, the concept of ventilation changed, and air had to remain trapped inside a room. Due to this, the idea of having them the window shutter began to diminish. People invested heavily in these cooling systems. It was thought that they would eventually be obsolete. However, some people still hung on to them, and today they are still being sold in the market.

interior window shutters today are available for doors and windows of different sizes. You can have them custom-made and in the color and shape that you desire. You can have highly polished and fancy ones that are sold widely now. Although people may have air-conditioned environments in their homes, they still purchase these in order to decorate their homes. While they work in just the same way they did when they were first introduced in the market many years ago, their purpose is now mainly decorative. They are exquisitely designed, and when people see them in your home they are bound to take keen note of them.

Interior window shutters function a lot like horizontal blinds. In fact, it is possible that the idea of plastic horizontal blinds was inspired by these. With a tug upward or downwards, they can be adjusted. When they are open, you can see right through them, and when you want some privacy you can simply drop them with a gentle pull. This is similar to dropping your horizontal blinds.

Window shutters are more rigid in their appearance and they are sturdier too, which means that they will last a very long time. Some people refurnish the old ones they have. They will either repaint them or apply a coat of furniture polish to them to make them look as good as new. You need not change them entirely just so that you get a fresh look. All you have to do is change their appearance as advised. Besides, it would not be feasible to change many of them throughout your home.

Your window will come as a whole piece, and you can not buy them as separate pieces to attach to your windows. While you may custom design something that can be attached to your frames, the whole setup may look bulky and may even be protruding. Perhaps this is the reason why manufacturers have not proceeded to make these for you. Instead, you will find sleek-looking windows in the market with their shutters already as part of them. When you fit them on as complete windows they do not protrude or look bulky in any way. In fact, they are most elegant to look at and you will be pleased to have them. Today, in contrast to years ago, not many offices will have these. Homes are more likely to have them, and the designs produced are typically meant for homes.

When you search the market for interior windows you are bound to find a wide variety available. You can search your local market to see what all is available and you can also run a search online. In this way, you will be able to have a look at a whole range of colors and designs without having to step out of your home. However, if you want to see these up close, you should go and check out the real thing at your market.

We just added Norman Woodlore™ shutters as our composite shutter supplier. These are high quality plantation shutters made of a wood and PVC mix. They take around 4-6 weeks for delivery. The information below comes from Norman who is the worlds largest producer of shutters.

• Woodlore’s shutters are made with real wood composite materials that is very strong. This is thick and durable.
• They are coated with an environmentally friendly outer layer that omits no toxins into the air.
•  These are made from fast growing trees and are completely bio-degradable. Only about 5% of the wood used to build Woodlore is reused as scrape. There is almost no waste.
• Woodlore comes with reinforced wood stiles that in some cases make them stronger than real wood shutters.
• The hidden tilt is in the frame which allow no breaking.
• They have a lifetime warranty against chipping, fading, cracking or warping.

Pricing is very good for these high quality shutters so order your free samples today.

Thinking of popular things to put on your windows for Christmas has proven to be a challenge. Rose-Marie, our office manager, is from Sweden and said every house has one of these nice window treatments. It is a well-known fact to anyone who lives in Sweden that November is a month where it gets dark very early in the evening. People look forward to snow since it makes the whole world feel like it is less drab and dreary and because people love to have fun in the snow. Come this Saturday and Sunday the dark and dreary atmosphere is going to get dispelled and pushed away. Windows on all the houses of Sweden are getting a fun and exciting makeover with decorations such as candles, electric candles and stars. The lights twinkle throughout Sweden and look like fairy light. The people of Sweden are participating in the Advent season and are excited about the upcoming holiday.

Oskar Anderson created the first electric candle in 1934, and is considered a very smart man by many people because of this invention. Many Swedish people own electric candles and display them throughout their homes in the windows during Advent and the Christmas season. This is the night that you will find Christmas Candles all over! Some candles have seven candlesticks on them. Others are made of various colors and shapes, and there will be sure to be something to please everyone for their window treatments. You can spend as little or as much as you need to in order to express yourself through your decorations.

Advent would not be the same without showing off an Advent Star that could be made from a wide variety of material. Stars can be made from paper products, hay, wood or ceramics and there is a light bulb inside. The star will light up your window. The people of Sweden started using these stars in the 1930s, because they remembered that the Three Wise Men used the star to guide their way to the lord.

Traditionally Swedish people will place the Advent star, candles and some Christmas roses in the window to decorate. All the lights help to remove the darkness of winter from the home and make things feel light and merry.

This is the last week for delivery before Christmas. Hurry if you want blinds for the holidays. Most manufactures do their year end inventory between Christmas and New Years and will have limited service during those times. We are offering a guarantee delivery before Christmas for the items at: http://www.shadesshuttersblinds.com/holiday-promotions.asp. If they are not delivered before Christmas, let us know and we will refund 20% off of your cost. Items that are not included are shutters, motorized, specialty and blinds that are too large to go UPS or Fed Ex. Hurry. This guarantee ends Sunday night.

Due to low margins and a bad economy, Comfortex™ Window Fashions in Maplewood, New York is shutting down it’s Arizona production facilities for their Plantation Shutters. “We have been using these shutters for over 8 years because of the solid, patented blend of 100% American hardwood and durable thermal polymers. Plus they were made in the USA and shipped so quickly” explains manager, Louis Lyons. “We are certainly going to miss the service and quality this shutter has provided but we have seen a significant slump in sales since the recession first started”.

Shades Shutters Blinds will take orders until the end of this week and stop totally by December 15th as Comfortex finalizes the closing of all production. Warranties will continue to remain in effect for as long as you own your home. Just call for warranty work.

Shades Shutters Blinds is now offering the Norman Woodlore shutters as an alternative to this popular item. Expect production to take 4-6 weeks verses the seven to ten days. Pricing is to remain the same but color selection is now only three white and off white colors.

Our first win a free IPAD contest will be kicking off next week and final entry’s for this drawing will be Sunday December 18th . The prize is 16 Gig IPAD 2 with a nice black leather case. Entry into the contest is very simple. Post an honest review about the product you purchased and let us know. You can post anywhere you choose but we would prefer on that page where you selected that item. You are notified for this by email and it includes a link to that page where you picked your shade. This will help give potential buyers real information about how it works, advantages and disadvantages of that particular blind, and is the main reason behind the giveaway. You can also shoot us an email or post on a popular site such as Google Places, Yelp, Facebook, Twitter or Yahoo Local.

For this first round, odds are extremely good. So far, it looks to be around a 1 in 500 chance once we close entries on Sunday the 18th. If you miss this one, no worries. If this is successful, we will be giving one out every few months. The winner will remain low key. There will be no need to plaster your face all over the site or the internet. We will simply call you to confirm and get shipping instructions. We will post a small article about the giveaway where your name, city and state may be mentioned.

Hurry, get your reviews in and enter to win this cool prize.

You can buy window coverings in a wide repertoire of materials today. You can look for the external as well as internal shutters in wood, vinyl, urethane, fiberglass and other materials. For the external shutters, nothing works better than traditional wood. It is durable and permits least light and heat inside the rooms. As an addition, it also builds a resistant environment to climatic harshness. For internal treatment, wood is still a nice choice but here, it has many competitors morphed in new-age aesthetics.

Vinyl is pretty long-lasting and at the same time economical. It is not operable and cannot be opened and closed at will. However, it is elementary and this means that installation and maintenance issues are easily manageable. Urethane brings a not-so-stylish format to us but then it is also among the more durable ones. It requires an adhesive to glue to the surface and hence its use is only limited to the stucco surfaces. If you live in a storm prone zone, nothing may work better than aluminum shutters or blinds. In fact, aluminum is so strong that its caps and corners used over wooden blinds can still be enough to tackle moderate storms.

Wood is of course an all time favorite and it does not pass out with changing fads. It is environment-friendly and can be replenished at will. The idea is to fetch it directly from the forests and then treat it to factory priming and insulation techniques. Some look to prime the wooden coverings after installation at the commercial or home enterprises. This can be a faulty method as DIY may not be enough for completely guarding the interface of shutters against weather and its corrosive properties. Wood also has an advantage of being moldable. This means that you can buy it in custom-fit racks and get it topped with corners and caps.

Window coverings are made resistant to climatic reverses. As a first, they are treated against moisture. This can require traditional chemical treatment at factories or other patented means of treating them. Building moisture resistance in blinds is very important as moisture or humidity breeds molds. Molds can not only take away the style gradient of a shutter but can also make them vulnerable to quick decay, thus harming their longevity. This is truer for wooden shutters because they are prone towards gathering a lot of moisture due to their natural framework.

Window coverings can be bought in a galaxy of designs today. Think of the sheer honeycomb design which looks a peach in terms of style quotient and still traps light and heat effectively. There are the vertical faux wood set-ups and the horizontal Bahamas wood styles. There is no shortage of the exceptionally stylish ones too. You just need to look for the balloon shade curtains for this; these roll up as puffed-up festoons when raised and provide a sublime looking window treatment to the visitors.

Window coverings in their various avatars today can trap heat and light brilliantly. This gives adequate privacy to homeowners. If privacy is not your motto, then the window coverings can also be used as a stylish window treatment used only over side frames. They allow only as much light to filter as required. Those commercial enterprises which require a complete blackout (radiation purposes or refrigeration needs) are well served by such blinds. Top of the line window coverings also keep the heat at bay. They trap heat at their external surface and ensure that even the UV rays are perfectly absorbed. This makes your home or office environment climatically cooler.

It is prudent to look around for window coverings over the internet domain .Here; you can find the best bargains owing to a large rack of arbitrage discounts. The sellers do not require any investment capital and hence they do not mind subsidizing the goods for the buyers. With welcome coupon codes and course discounts, the prices are generally cheaper than what they are over the traditional brick and mortar showrooms. As an addition, you also get to compare from a very large shop-rack and make a perseverance inquiry before buying the final product. It is prudent looking for the BBB stamps on the sites you purchase from.

Wooden shutters not only add elegance and sophistication to any home, they can also increase the value of your residence. They are an economical choice in window coverings that may cost a bit more upfront than some other options, but the slightly larger investment can be a beneficial addition when the time comes to put your home on the market for sale. There are at least five ways in which wooden plantation shutters can increase the value of your home.

1. The main selling point is that they are more energy efficient than other window covering options. They can help to reduce energy bills by keeping the hot or cold weather from entering into the home.
2. Another selling feature that home buyers adore about wooden shutters is simply the appearance. Once upon a time, plantation shutters were only on the homes of the rich, and to this day, even though they are now affordable, many still have the same general sense that window shutters add a rich elegance to a home.
3. Shutters are a permanent feature; they are like furniture for the home’s windows. Unlike other options, these are permanent fixtures in the home and will not need replacing, which is a huge advantage in the eyes of potential home buyers.
4. Window shutters are also low maintenance and require little to no upkeep. Wooden shutters may require a coat of paint every few years in addition to regular cleaning.
5. In addition to the above, what makes wooden shutters so appealing to potential home buyers is the custom, perfectly created look. They are considered a home addition, thus adding value to the homes’ worth, therefore making any upfront expenditure worth it in the end.

Windowsill Treatments

One of the most forgotten areas to decorate in your home is probably the windowsill. The average windowsill that is above a sink in the kitchen ends up storing soap, cleansers and scrub pads that are used for general cleaning purposes. The majority of home windowsills sit vacant waiting for some type of modern decorating. Both large and small windowsills can benefit from window treatments that will dress the windows up with some style.

Window Garden

• You can turn your kitchen windowsill into a decorative window garden that brings the outside decor in to liven up your kitchen. You can use small flowerpots for planing herbs and align them on your windowsill. This will give you the freshest ingredients to use for your recipes and the aroma that is created cannot be matched by retail air fresheners.

You can construct a window box for the interior of your home and inside you can plant clovers or grass for a perfect mixture of green to the inside of your home. You can install the rectangular box that will attach to your windowsill. You can line the interior of the box with plastic and plant sections of your lawn. This will work well for any of your windowsills in your home. You can decorate the interior of the window box with elements that are naturally found your lawn. You can find small rakes or umbrellas in curio shops to decorate your window box.

Sill Extension

• You can create more room for your decorations by adding an extension. The great Martha Stewart says that you should choose wood that is the exact thickness as your sill and cut it to the same width. You can paint your plywood the same color as your windowsill before installing it. You can attach three small hinges on the bottom half of the extension. You need two lower brackets for supporting your shelf extension when it is raised. This allows you to decorate your windowsill in a way that you have never had before. Colored bottles that take on the shine of the sun work well or you can show off any collection of items that you have. You can position a tablecloth along the sill to hold a vase of flowers. Your choice in fabric should complement your existing decor and the colors of your flowers that sit atop your windowsill.

Holiday Sills

• You can decorate your windowsills with fresh pine, acorns or pine cones during the winter holidays. You can take branches with colored leaves and place them along the bottom of your sill. You can include pumpkins, acorns or gourds on the top for a Thanksgiving feel. You can use flameless candles to accent your pine arrangement in a safe manner.

Art is a wonderful way to celebrate and understanding the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Allow your kids to be creative and gain a deeper understanding about the first Thanksgiving as well as how we now celebrate this special occasion.

The first Thanksgiving was actually much different from what we now celebrate. There was no Macy’s parade for one thing and for another there was probably no pumpkin pie. It is almost hard to imagine Thanksgiving without the pumpkin pie. Even the pilgrims and Indians that we have seen portrayed over and over again during the Thanksgiving season would not be seen at the first Thanksgiving. One thing that has not changed is the meaning of the holiday. Thanksgiving is and has always been a time to reflect on our Blessings and to give thanks for them. Arts and crafts are a nice way to let students think about and understand the meaning of this special occasion.

Fall Wreath

This would be a great project for the front door of your student’s home. Have each student bring a Styrofoam wreath to school. Have felt available in fall colors, students can then cut out leaf shapes which are then glued to the wreath.Be sure that all of the Styrofoam is covered. You can add a pretty bow to the top of the wreath for a pretty finishing touch. This is a very simple project to make, it is inexpensive, yet still colorful and pretty.

Window Treatments

Using Autumn colored construction paper, students should again cut out leaf shapes. Make all leafs the same size. On each leaf have the students write a sentence about something that they are thankful for. Glue the leaves onto a wide piece of ribbon, long enough to go across the length of the classroom windows. Drape or tape the ribbon over the windows as you would do with a valance. This can be done for the classroom or to be brought home. If the students bring them home, the window treatment can be taken down after Thanksgiving dinner to be read out loud. Having additional leaves cut out for each dinner guests to add their messages too is a nice idea to get everyone involved. This valance can be added to each year as the family grows or has more reason to be Thankful. Be sure to date each leaf as it will become a sort of time line of the history of your family.

Felt Leaf Table Runner

Have large squares of felt that students can use to make leaves, the leaves can then be sewn together to make a table runner for the Thanksgiving table. This is a super easy to do project that is both decorative and functional. It is something that will be taken out of storage year after year to be used on the dinner table. Another idea is to have students write on each leave with fabric paint or markers. A Thanksgiving quote or something that the particular student is Thankful for would be nice. One other option is to let students make the leaves by tracing their hand prints. They can then write their messages on the hand prints. This makes an even more personalized keepsake that the student’s parents are sure to love and treasure for years. It can then be passed down from the home the student shares with his or her family to the one he or she will share with their own children.