Tag: Christmas

Fun Christmas Countdown Project

There is nothing like this time of year. Carols, cookies, friends, families, lights, and JESUS! My friend and I wanted to do something fun for the little ones to countdown to Christmas. We decided on little wrapped presents each marked with a day # representing how many days left until Christmas. Our countdown began December 1^st so I had my kids start with 24 so they would know how many days until Christmas.

Supplies Needed:
Toilet paper rolls (12, cut in half to make 24)

Tissue paper cut into 7×4 rectangles

Pipe cleaner to close ends (approx. 4″)

Avery Circle printer labels (optional)

24 Fun, inexpensive gifts (see list) We purchased ours from three different stores – the Dollar Tree, Walmart and Mardel. We only purchased multipacks, nothing individual.

We spent somewhere around $30 for 6 kids total, not bad!

Wrap the roll in the tissue paper, tie one end with a pipe cleaner, insert prize, tie the other end, add # sticker.

We displayed them in a big basket, each night when we do Advent we let the kids open their prizes.

Start now! Your kids will love it!

FULL LIST of goodies:

1. A Christmas Stamp

2. Drum Ornament

3. Jingle Bell Ornament

4. Gumball

5. Jesus tattoo

6. Noahs Ark eraser

7. Christmas eraser

8. Mini YoYo

9. Sticker

10. Mini- Bubbles

11. Christmas Wristband

12. Christmas Ring

13. Jeweled Ring

14. Snake

15. Jelly Frogs

16. Mini games

17. Bouncy Balls

18. Chocolate

19. Mini – Slinky

20. Glow in the Dark flower

21. Avengers necklace

We doubled up on a couple to finish.

Enjoy this Christmas, spend some time each night talking about the arrival of our Savior! Merry Christmas!

December 4, 2013
Looking Back on Christmas 2012

I almost can’t believe how quickly it is all over with, this Christmas rush, gathering with family and friends… all of it. So much anticipation then it comes and goes like a flash. We enjoyed this Christmas so much and created lots of memories.

Homemade Christmas cards, the fun was in taking them, especially with a funny lil guy making us all crack up.

Seashell Christmas Ornaments we made for the family:

The Annual Women-of-My-Family Cookie Exchange: We exchanged a variety of different types of cookies this year and we had some newcomers to the cookie exchange as well.

A wonderfully uncrowded trip to the “big” Museum, on a gorgeous day in December:

Many, many, many hours on our 1 and only Black Friday deal – Monopoly – Electronic edition!

All in all, it has been fantastic. We also had the privilege of attending an wonderfully touching Christmas Eve Service, so blessed!

For New Years Eve I treated my dear husband to a pan seared steak (thanks to Sean and Debbie for the great Emeril cast iron pan), creamed spinach, baked potatoes and salad. We ate by candlelight while the kids had their own New Year’s Eve party in their room, taquitos, doritos, candy and all. We gathered at 10 to pop the Martinellis and countdown. One of the best NYE’s ever!

January 6, 2013
Merry Christmas

Here we are once again! Waking up today to a white Christmas, all the kids are still cozy in bed and I am getting ready for a wonderfully joyous day. After the boys open presents and see what is in their stockings we will have breakfast at my Mom’s. A family tradition, where we will have cream of wheat, toast and bacon. This has been my Christmas breakfast as long as I can remember, I love this warm breakfast. It is nostalgic for me.

After that we will head to my Sister in Laws house to share present and enjoy delicious food prepared by her Swedish Chef husband. The boys get to run around and have fun with their cousins, while we can all hang out and visit.

I love this time of year. What do I love especially most? It is when we celebrate God coming to earth to dwell among us, Emmanuel. I love that Jesus came to earth in the most humble circumstances, the King of Kings, so that we may have a relationship with God and become children of God. We celebrate the birth of our Savior.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”^[c]

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babylying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Merry Christmas from the Family O!

December 25, 2011
Melted Snowman Cookies
I must say that Pinterest has inspired me to do many things I could never think of. For instance, this time around, I came across these adorable Christmas cookies – Melted Snowmen, so cute! It was posted on the Crazy Domestic blog, hers turned out really good! She credits another blogger for the inspiration: “To see the originalMelted Snowman Cookie, and meet the inventor herself, go check out Meaghan (great name) @ The Decorated Cookie!” Thank you Ladies!

I wanted to try making the melted snowman cookies for our 2^nd grade class.

Mine certainly did not come out as cute, but 2^{nd^{graders are forgiving! They gobbled em’ up and loved them. I had made enough that we were able to share with the Kindergarten class that our middle son is in. Smiles all around!}}

They turned out perfectly golden and crisp.

Frosted, add partially melted marshmellows

For the frosting I used this recipe from allrecipes.com. It is not pure white like the pre-made stuff but it is good!

Frosting

Ingredients
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening (I used butter crisco)
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- food coloring
Directions
1. In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners’ sugar and shortening until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.
Couple of notes: I mistakenly bought gel frosting, not a good idea! Definitely need a thinner frosting tip too.
These taste really, really good! Crisp, not too sweet, great with milk!

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December 7, 2011
Gotta Love Shutterfly!

Just finished my Christmas card order for this year! I also threw in 75 prints and a Photo book thanks to Shutterfly for some great deals! I am astounded at how much I saved! Here is a sneak peek at our cards this year:

5×7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

November 16, 2011
It’s Not Just About the Presents

Recently, I heard a song that is a few years old but new to me. It is one of my new favorite Christmas songs!

It’s About the Cross, Go Fish Guys

Opening lyrics:

It’s not just about the manger
Where the baby lay
It’s not all about the angels
Who sang for him that day

It’s not just about the shepherds
Or the bright and shining star
It’s not all about the wisemen
Who travelled from afar

Chorus:
It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

November 14, 2011
Gearing Up for Christmas: Win 25 Free Cards from Shutterfly

November brings along that crisp breeze of fresh air accompanied by a bright, blue sky. People start putting up Christmas decorations, the stores stock up on goodies and send out their catalogs. The coffee shops offer the yummiest drinks of the year. There’s gathering with friends for coffee and conversation during the holiday rush. Christmas is the most joyous occasion, there are so many wonderful things about it! I am getting very excited.

The holiday season is fast approaching. I already RSVP’d to a cookie exchange, Children’s Christmas Pageant and a women’s Chirstmas tea. Sounds fun, right?

I think I will start decorating this weekend. I love savoring the season because it brings so much joy, good food and time well spent with family and friends. Most of all, I cherish the reason for the season, celebrating the birth of the King of Kings, Jesus!

One major thing that I will start today is my annual Christmas card and gift order from Shutterfly. Now that our family pictures are done I can place the order! Let me just say, I love Shutterfly! I buy all my photobooks from them and pick up prints every couple of months. The quality of their products is top notch.

At Christmas time I use them for my Christmas cards, here is the card we used last year, we received tons of compliments:

Totally cute, right?

When I place my card order I make sure and hit the Photo Gift section and pick up gifts. I usually pick up 2 calendars for the Grandma’s, something for Dad to have at the office and a photobook or two for my sister with all the pictures I have of my nephew. I can never resist getting a little something special for myself, this year I think it will be an ornament with our family picture.

Want to win 25 FREE cards from Shutterfly? I am giving 3 readers this fantastic gift courtesy of Shutterfly. Leave a comment below, tell me your FAVORITE Christmas food or drink. Deadline is Sunday, November 13th, 10PM MST.

>“Are you a blogger? Want a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season? Register here: http://goo.gl/DDw7Q”

>Disclaimer: this blog post helped me earn free cards from Shutterfly.

November 9, 2011
Merry Christmas

The time is here, the time of year to celebrate the birth of our Savior. So much about this season is joyous, comforting, heart-warming. It’s a time to come together with family, enjoy fellowship, happily fill our bellies with homemade meals and goodies. Such a happy time.

It is no wonder that the scriptures describing the events that actually took place touch me so deeply. It tells of the greatest gift ever given. God’s own Son. It is so incredible to picture these events taking place. I can’t ever read the following without getting teary-eyed. EnjoY! Merry Christmas!

The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [3]

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

ESV

December 23, 2010
Slow Down and Enjoy this Holiday Season
10 Holiday Survival Tips

This time of year brings so many emotions. Reveling in family time together, enjoying evenings by the fire; attending Christmas concerts and plays, and strolling through the stores hoping to find the perfect gift for that someone special. Christmas can bring joy, peace and happiness but it can also bring stress, and depression.

Take this time to cherish friends and family. Don’t get bogged in what Christmas is not about. It is not about worrying. It is not about overspending. It is not about getting stuff, so to speak.

Christmas is about the birth of a Savior, about coming together and being thankful for all the wonderful gifts we have been given by God, family being at the top of the list. Slow down and relax. I know it is easier said then done. Try these tips to help ease the season and truly appreciate this time of year.
1. Take time each morning to pray and read the Bible or a Devotional. Ask for peace. Ask for direction and reminders of the reason for the season
2. Volunteer, be on the lookout to help someone. Know a family affected by unemployment, tragedy? Send them gift cards or deliver a care package to them anonymously. It feels good to help out, especially someone we know.
3. Treat yourself to a mid-day coffee or tea while you are out and about.
4. Don’t stress about sending out Christmas cards, go the easy route. Walgreens prints the CUTEST, custom cards around. They are colorful and unique. No more boring Christmas cards.
5. Don’t worry if you think you don’t have enough money to go around. Homemade gifts are making a comeback. Think jars from the Dollar Tree, add nuts or chocolates or mints, add a pretty ribbon. Everyone loves snacks!
6. Take in a Christmas concert and play. What a great to lose yourself in a live performance whether it is a choir singing carols or eclectic actors performing Christmas classics. A perfect way to unwind.
7. Host a few simplified events. Don’t get all fancy and involved. A cookie exchange is easy and a great way to enjoy friends and family around the holidays. Also, hold an Open House on a weekend. Invite people to stop in as they go about their holiday shopping. Finger foods can be whipped up in about 30 minutes. Serve cider, cocoa and tea.
8. Take a nap!! Or Two!
9. If you have children, create an Advent calendar. Each night gather the family for a Christmas story and a surprise from the Calendar. A nice way to top off each December evening.
10. Get a mani/pedi and if possible a message. NOTHING says peace and relaxation like being pampered! Look out for deals on Groupon or Mamapedia Sweet Deals.
December 10, 2010
2 Ways We are Celebrating Advent

Our "Stocking" Advent Calendar

I have been looking around the web for ideas to celebrate Advent. In addition to a cute book we purchased a couple of years ago, I wanted another way to add some more fun.

The book is the Usbourne Advent Nativity Book. It features 24 really detailed cardboard cutouts and a story. You read a page a day and take out the corresponding days cutout and add it to the 3-D.

Days 1-4

Our 3-D Display

Christmas Advent Calendar idea from The Rusted Chain blog, she got it from this adorable blog, that has many more ideas from other sites that are way too cute. All the ideas are fantastic and a great way to count down to Christmas. Each day, remembering and focusing on the true reason for the season. The birth of our Savior!

I loved this the moment I saw it! Since we do not have a mantel or bureau I decided to use our white board. I picked up 8 pairs of socks and a pack of 9 suction hooks from the Dollar Tree. I had an extra hook so I added a Paper Treat Cone to the first day we will start counting down with the socks. I think I will add some chocolates, some gold dollars, and some other little items from Target Dollar Spot.

Our "Stocking" Advent Calendar

December 9, 2010