Dr. James Denison, Pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, has written a series of essays about the traditions of Christmas and how to use them to transform the coming holidays into holy days.? ? This week Dr. Denison shares the history of poinsettias and mistletoe that we use to decorate our homes and churches for Christmas.

The Poinsettia
Is the plant pronounced "poinsetta" or "poinsetteea"??  The Honorable Joel Poinsett was a member of President Van Buren's cabinet and minister to Mexico.?  While traveling in the Mexican countryside, he was attracted to a beautiful plant he found growing there.?  Upon his return to South Carolina, he brought the plant with him and began growing it.?  It is named for him today, however it's pronounced.

The beautiful red leaves of the Poinsettia plant, blooming especially during the Christmas season, are more than decorations.?  Their color reminds us of the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross for us all.?  When you set out your plants this year, pause to remember what happened on the Christmas tree--that His shed blood is the sacrifice for all our sins.?  We could not climb up to God, so he climbed down to us.?  The Son of God became man that men might become the sons of God (Irenaeus).

Wherever you position them in your house, the evergreen Christmas tree and the blood-red poinsettia go together in our souls.

The magical mistletoe
Mistletoe is the parasite of Christmas.?  It thumbs a ride from an unsuspecting tree and hitchhikes.?  Your mother warned you not to pick up strangers.?  Mistletoe is proof that she is right.
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December 14 - Last day to order fall 2005 product.?  All payments for these orders must be cleared by noon central time? on Friday, December 15.

December 16 - Spring 2006 product goes on sale through December 20.?  The new catlog should be online about 12/15.

December 20 -? All orders must be received by? HGP home office by? 10:00 PM central.?  No orders from 12/21-12/31 to allow upgrading of new website program.?  New merchandise may be ordered beginning January 2nd.

January 2006 - All Parties entered into home office computer by 1/27 will receive 30% in Free products!

I'm in a sales contest for December and want YOU to WIN!!? (12/1 through 12/20)

Here's how it will benefit YOU:
I will put your name into a drawing for the Hostess Half-Price benefits.?  Depending on how much the orders are will determine how many Half-Price items will be available for drawing.?  I will combine all local orders into one larger order so we can maximize the benefits.? ? 

Please contact your friends and co-workers to join in on this prize drawing.?  I will give another prize to the customer who has the largest order!?  Will it be you??  Please? let me know YOU WANT IN ON THIS SPECIAL DRAWING!?  Winners will be posted in the next issue of the PartyLine newsletter.?  See the links? at right to the sale items and Welcome Home special.?  All orders? during December?  contest dates qualify.

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During the month of January, Hostesses will receive 30% in Free merchandise!

Hosting a Party with Home & Garden Party provides Hostesses with FREE products, discounts and wonderful gifts.?  Contact me THIS WEEK to schedule your in-home or catalog Party so You can earn your 30% FREE!?  My available dates are dwindling, so email me now at decluehgp@hotmail.com.

Example of benefits:
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Regular ? ? ? ? ? Additional
Retail Total?  ? ? ? 20%Free ? ? ? ? ? 10% Free? ? ? ? ? ?  ? Total Free
$150 Party? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  $30? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  $15? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  $45
plus? 1 item/set/grouping at half-price
$300 Party? ? ? ? ?  ?  ? ? $ 60? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? $30? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  $ 90? 
plus 3 items/sets/groupings at half-price
$500 Party? ? ? ? ? ?  ? ?  $100? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? $50? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? $150
plus? 5 items/sets/groupings at half-price

Look Inside the New Spring 2006 Catalog! Now with 72 pages.

• Over 225 new items
• Over 80% exclusive Home and Garden Party products
• Two covers ??“ spring and summer ??“ same catalog
• Heartfelt Collection ??“ 15 exquisite jewelry collections
• Wall D?©cor ??“ over 40 new items including an incredible oversized metal Aboretum Mirror & Wall Plaque Set and the beautiful Stephanie's Garden Tapestry
• Candles ??“ 4 new candle lines including the exciting new Signature Series
• Cookbook ??“ Premiere edition of HGP's Bless This Food (hardback)
  
  
• Pottery Collections

a.? ? ? ? ? ?  Veranda ??“ new and exclusive (fabulous vine and basket-weave design on vintage-looking white stoneware)

b.? ? ? ? ?  Summer Brights ??“ new and exclusive (HGP is way ahead of the color trends for 2006 with this collection!

c.? ? ? ? ? ?  Welcome Home Collection (our Tuscan-inspired diningware)? includes a Booking Gift Chip & Dip

d.? ? ? ? ?  Welcome Home Oval Bean Pot

e.? ? ? ? ? ?  Welcome Home Canister Set ??“ new set of three sealed canisters

• Furniture Collection ??“ A new 58" tall East Hampton 4-Tier Stand and a great new Wicker Magazine Table
• Gardening ??“ A large assortment of gardening and summer fun d?©cor pieces and metal accessories, including an arbor.
  
  
• Bonus Buys

a.? ? ? ? ? ?  House and Home Framed Art

b.? ? ? ? ?  A seasonably bright honeysuckle candle with a fun multi-colored tassel

c.? ? ? ? ? ?  Precious Angel ??“ beautifully finished stone-look with delicate metal wings ??“ great for inside or out

• Booking Gifts

a.? ? ? ? ? ?  Carriage House Glass Hurricanes ??“ a pair of 14" tall hurricane/vases

b.? ? ? ? ?  Angelica Birdfeeder garden statue that's 24" tall

c.? ? ? ? ? ?  Chip & Dip ??“ a new Welcome Home pattern plus the full line of all our traditional favorites

??¦and many, many more!

Visit our Online Catalog after 12/15 to view these new items.

Go to the Request a Catalog page for your personal printed copy.

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It only takes $100 in retail sales to qualify for Hostess Benefits, including
20% in FREE merchandise and Half-Price items/sets/groupings.

Email me this week to schedule YOUR in-home or catalog party!

January Hostess Special:?  HGP is offering Hostesses 30%? for orders placed January 1 ??“ 27, 2006!? 

Lisa DeClue
Designer & Team Leader
Decorating with HGPgal ? www.HGPgal.com
Lisa@HGPgal.com? ?  decluehgp@hotmail.com

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