Each year Julie of Blue Morning Expressions hosts a Countdown to Christmas where artists can promote some of their beautiful things they have for sale.  It is week 5 of the countdown and lots of people are listings their products.

I would like to share some of them with you here.  But first, I thought it would be interesting to give you a little "Christmas" information.  So many of us associate snow with Christmas. Probably because so many of the holiday songs and movies include snow in them.

I happen to live in a southern state, Georgia, where snow in December is rare.  That made me start wondering how many states in the US have a white Christmas.  According to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the states most likely to see snow on December 25 are Maine, Minnesota, New York, Idaho, West Virginia and the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. States not likely to see snow are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and alas Georgia.  Aspen, Colorado is one of only around 12 locations in the Northwest that has a 100 per cent probability of receiving snow on December 25.

On rare occasions, like the year of 2004, a surprise snowstorm brought snow to Houston, Texas (the first one ever recorded) and the first in 50 years to New Orleans, Louisiana.

In 1989 a winter storm brought snow to very unusual places like Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida on Christmas day.  Don't you know they were surprised!

I do remember it snowing here several years ago on Christmas Eve.  It did not stick but it was so magical seeing the beautiful snowflakes falling as we celebrated the event with friends and family.

Okay, now let's take a look at some of the great items you can find in the shops of these very talented people!

This pretty bag is made by Ennadoolf.

A cute little penguin zipper case offered by SewAmazin.

The Singing Beader offers lovely musical jewelry and other pieces of very nice jewelry.

Kevs Krafts offers delightful items made from wood.

Look for beautiful handmade jewelry from Shadow Dog Designs.

Linor Store features lots of pretty things like this Kippah.

You will find gorgeous handmade lampwork glass beads at Covergirlbeads.

Treasures of Jewels offers wonderful handmade jewelry.

Fantastic handmade jewelry is what you will find at Kats All That.

RSS Designs in Fiber has such pretty handmade items like this pretty basket.

You will find a marvelous selection of handmade cards, stickers, banners and more at AdorebyNat.

Resetar Glass Art has just that, beautiful items made of glass!

If you are looking for art prints and more, you will find them at Butterfly in the Attic.

Blue Morning Expressions has lovely polymer clay items that I know you will love!

You will find so many cute things to choose from when you visit Wyvern Designs Home.

Pretty Gonzo Jewelry has so many great pieces of jewelry that you will not know where to start!

If you are looking for a great gift idea you should check Crafting Memories.

I think you will agree that you could do a lot of your holiday shopping in these wonderful shops.  I hope you will take the opportunity to check them out!

These beautiful things are sure to leave a smile on your face but I would like to end my post with a little holiday joke.

Me:  What do you get if you cross an Ipad with a Christmas tree?

You:  I don't know.  What?

Me:  A pineapple!