Abstract: A method of holding plants to a stake is provided. A posable figure preferably having a plurality of elongate positionable appendages is provided. The posable figure preferably has an internal bendable wire frame and external relatively soft body, appendage, and head portions surrounding the wire frame. In addition, the figure is preferably a whimsical figure, such as a fanciful frog, garden bug, or farmer. A stake is inserted into the soil or other ground or potting material adjacent the plant. Then a pair of appendages of the figure are positioned on either side of the plant stem and stake and bent about the plant stem and the stake. The process is preferably repeated for additional appendages. The method provides a quick, easy, and decorative manner for safely holding a plant to a stake. A kit of posable figures is also provided for practicing the method of the invention.

Abstract: An insect trap includes a decorative cover, a container, and a funnel. The cover is preferably shaped in the form of a fanciful character and has a insect entry, a container opening, and a central window. The container has a mouth and is preferably an empty conventional two-liter plastic beverage bottle. The funnel has a flared opening and a short tubular extension at its other end. The extension of the funnel extends into the container and the flared opening seats against the mouth of the container. Bait, preferably tailored to lure particular species of flying insects, is provided in the container. The container is receivable through the container opening of the cover such that the mouth of the container is preferably aligned with the insect entry of the cover. Insects are lured by the bait and enter through the relatively wide flared opening of the funnel and into the container.

Abstract: A method of holding plants to a stake is provided. A posable figure preferably having a plurality of elongate positionable appendages is provided. The posable figure preferably has an internal bendable wire frame and external relatively soft body, appendage, and head portions surrounding the wire frame. In addition, the figure is preferably a whimsical figure, such as a fanciful frog, garden bug, or farmer. A stake is inserted into the soil or other ground or potting material adjacent the plant. Then a pair of appendages of the figure are positioned on either side of the plant stem and stake and bent about the plant stem and the stake. The process is preferably repeated for additional appendages. The method provides a quick, easy, and decorative manner for safely holding a plant to a stake. A kit of posable figures is also provided for practicing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A decorative combination of component bags representing the head, torso, two arms, and two legs of a festive, seasonal, holiday, or non-holiday figure is provided. Each of the bags is comprised of a bag member formed of a flexible waterproof material and has an initially open end. The initially open end is for receiving filler material. A closing means is provided for closing the initially open ends of the component bags. The bags may have fanciful indicia for representing festive, seasonal, holiday, or non-holiday figures. Once assembled, the figure resembles a costumed male or female human, is substantially human-proportioned, and preferably has articulable appendages. The components of the figure may also be supplied in a kit.

Abstract: A weatherproof seasonal tree ornamentation includes a sheet of clear waterproof plastic which is dimensioned to fit around the trunk of a tree and which is imprinted with at least some facial indicia such as two eyes and a mouth. When the ornamentation is attached to a tree, the clear portion of the ornamentation blends in with the color of the tree trunk and the facial indicia appear to be part of the tree. The resulting effect of the ornamentation is to give the appearance that the tree is an animate character having a face. According to a second embodiment, the sheet of clear waterproof plastic is imprinted with indicia of a complete animate character, i.e. face, torso and legs. When the ornamentation of this embodiment is attached to the trunk of a tree, the clear portion of the ornamentation blends in with the color of the tree trunk. The resulting effect is the appearance of an animate character standing in front of the tree.

Abstract: A decorative combination of component bags representing the torso, head, two arms and two legs of a festive, seasonal, holiday, or non-holiday figure is provided. Each of the bags is comprised of a bag member formed of a flexible waterproof material and preferably formed having a presealed end and an initially open end opposite the presealed end. The initially open end is for receiving filler material. The pre-sealed end of the head bag is shaped such that the head bag assumes a generally spherical shape once filled with filler material. The pre-sealed end of the torso bag is shaped such that the torso bag assumes a generally cylindrical shape once filled with filler material. The pre-sealed ends of the two arm bags and two leg bags are shaped such that the arm bags and leg bags assume a generally elongate cylindrical shape once filled with filler material. A closing means is provided for closing the initially open ends of the component bags.

Abstract: A decorative Christmas tree ornament assembly includes a plastic sleeve with an open top end and an opposed bottom end, at least one closure apparatus, and a hanging apparatus. Where the bottom end of the plastic sleeve is open, it is bunched closed with a closure apparatus such as a twist-tie. A filling material, such as presents and/or crumpled newspaper, batting, tissue paper or leaves, is inserted into the sleeve through the open top end until the sleeve takes on a substantially rounded shape. The top end is bunched closed with another closure apparatus in a fashion similar to the bottom end. The assembled ornament is hung with the hanging apparatus from a tree, such as an evergreen Christmas tree. The top end closure apparatus and the hanging apparatus can be a single long twist-tie, typically eighteen inches long. Methods of forming the outdoor Christmas tree ornament are also described.

Abstract: A lamp socket system for an illuminated decorative figure includes a lamp socket with an integral male electrical plug and a flange for mounting the socket in a hole in the decorative figure. The decorative figure is provided with a well surrounding a hole in which the socket is mounted. The well is large enough to accommodate the female end connector of an extension cord and may be provided with an oblong radially extending portion to accommodate an oblong female end connector. When the socket is installed in the hole in the figure and an extension cord is connected to the integral male plug on the socket, the electrical connection between the extension cord and the socket is sheltered by the well. The well protects the electrical connection from rain, snow, and other environmental elements. It also supports the weight of the female end connector of the extension cord so that the socket is not pulled out of the figure.