My favorite Christmas ornaments are ones that remind me of things our family has enjoyed doing together.  There's the little red sled ornament, because the one year we stayed in New Jersey for Christmas, it snowed and the kids were able to go sledding on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  For a Southerner, that was truly memorable.  There's also the gingerbread house ornament, because our tradition was to make these culinary delights for decoration and later to eat!  Another favorite is the fat Santa with a clear window into his tummy where you could see all the cookies he ate on Christmas Eve, including the ones we always set out on a plate for him.

Be on the lookout for an email in January notifying you that your  Rewards Money is on its way! If you spent $50 or more on qualified items between June 15 and December 31,  you should receive a postcard containing your reward in the U.S. mail.

The last day you can use them is December 23rd.

So, use 'em or lose 'em!

What You're Seeing in Your Yard

I just bought a Christmas tree that has plastic wrap on it. How do I properly dispose of it, so I don't hurt any animals?

• Make sure to take time to cut it up into pieces where animals won't get entangled in the mesh. Many animals that do entangle themselves in Christmas Tree mesh end up losing limbs or dying as a result of improper disposal.

The Scoop on Birdfeeders

In the Midlands, we can still expect some warmer autumn like days in December.  Take a much-needed break from your garden and enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.  If you must be in the garden use this time for some late-fall clean-up. 

• On warmer days, clean fallen leaves out of shrubbery beds and cut back to the ground the freeze-damaged foliage of perennials.  But if your perennials are just "freeze-dried" and still have seed heads on them, leave them for the birds' winter feast.
• Do not prune shrubs at this time. Since most hydrangeas look dead at this point, many people make the mistake of cutting them back. Don't do it!
• Also, we recommend that you do not cut back the dead limbs of lantana, angel trumpets and confederate rose until they begin to put out new growth in the spring.
• To keep your pansies blooming, they need fertilizer and lots of sun. Deadheading helps but is not essential. Fertilize your pansies regularly with a fertilizer high in phosphate.   We carry Fertilome Blooming & Rooting Soluble Plant Food, which you just dissolve into the water you give your pansies.
• Shrubs and trees still need water in the winter, but not as much. They will actually fare better through a severe cold spell if they are well hydrated. So if we go through a dry spell, take advantage of some of our warmer days to water your plants.

What's Blooming  

1. Have you ever thought to plant up a birdcage? 
   The succulent spilling out of this cage would be singing like a bird if it could.
2. Encore Azaleas are STILL blooming!
3. Sasanquas are blooming now, and they make an attractive plant gift.  This evergreen shrub can be planted in full sun.  Every time it blooms this time of year, the recipient of your gift will think of you!
4. It's not too late to plant  pansies.  They'll bloom all winter, even if it snows!

Beginning Jan. 5,  bring in your holiday Poinsettia and

receive a FREE African Violet, while supplies last.  

NC Fraser Fir Christmas Trees & Wreaths

Mrs. Claus Pays us a Visit 

Wingard's Family Christmas  

Remember your holiday traditions with our exclusive Wingard's Family Christmas