Category: Christmas

Random Acts of Kindness Advent Activities + OshKosh B’gosh Giveaway

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Mother Daughter Date Ideas to Capture the True Meaning of Christmas

This post, Random Acts of Kindness Advent Activities , is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

It’s true – it’s the most wonderful time of the year. But, like so many families, we find ourselves struggling to keep up with the endless activities,  traditions and all-around excess that can come with the season.

It’s why I’m so glad we started the tradition of performing Random Acts of Kindness Advent Activities as a family in the days leading up to Christmas.Random Acts of Kindness Advent Activities to prepare for Christmas. Free Printable Activities and leave-behind ROAK cards.

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DIY Hostess Gifts That Will Get You Invited Back

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10 Genius Gift Ideas You’ll Want to Copy

Don’t go to your next holiday party empty handed! Show your hostess how much you appreciate her year-round with a thoughtful, but inexpensive, DIY gift.

Click the images for more information on how to pull together these DIY hostess gifts that will get you invited back.

 

  1. Etched Spoons – this gift is practical and personalized. No gift wrap required10 DIY Hostess Gifts that will get you invited back. | Five Marigolds Continue reading →

10 Ways to Step Up Your Wine Gift Giving Game

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DIY Ideas For Gift Wrapping Wine

DIY Gifting wine for the holidays? You’ll love these DIY ideas for stepping up your gift wrap game. A big thanks to GiftsForYouNow for sponsoring this post. 

Wine. There’s a reason it’s a universal holiday gift. It can be inexpensive or pricey; red, white or sparkling. It works as a casual hostess gift, a super last-minute gift, or a more lavish gift for your bestie.

No matter who you’re giving to or what kind of wine, don’t skimp on presentation! Check out these DIY ideas for gift wrapping wine for the holidays.

  1. Go Glam – This is my new favorite way to gift wine. Using a scrap of craft fur and an old brooch, I created a little shrug for my “chilled” bottle of wine. I’m always finding inexpensive brooches like this at the thrift store, and they are perfect for putting the finishing touches on any gift wrap.
    Free Wine Labels for Moms + 10 DIY ideas for gift wrapping wine  Continue reading →

The Awkward Mom Guide to Holiday Gifting

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 The Art of the Gift Closet + Wrapping Like a Pro

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BigLotsHoliday #CollectiveBias 

‘Tis the season for awkward social encounters…lots of them. In my world, a casual meet up with a friend or acquaintance can turn into a days-long internal debate about whether to bring a gift.  What if they bring one? What if I bring one, but they don’t?  In the past, you could just write me off as a hot mess, socially impaired mom during the whole month of December. However, this year I’m prepared. I got this.

My secret? The gift closet.

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DIY Cookie Decorating Kit

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This shop, DIY Cookie Decorating Kit, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MerryAndBright #CollectiveBias

Need a gift for kids who love to frost and decorate? Or how about a parent or grandparent who wants a special activity to do with their kids or grandkids? This cookie decorating kit is the perfect gift to help them create something sprinkled with fun this holiday season. My girls and I recently made one for some very special little neighbors as part of our Random Acts of Kindness challenge this month.

We have been blessed with the most incredible neighbors. Our next door neighbors, in particular, have helped make our new(ish) house feel more like home.

The kids are always running back and forth between backyards to play, and living near them has meant hundreds of little acts of caring and kindness that mean the world to us.

Great family gift idea: DIY cookie decorating kit. Include sugar cookies or gingerbread, frosting, and sprinkles. #MerryAndBright #ad

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DIY Christmas Ornaments for Kids

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Christmas Crafts You’ll actually want to display

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RollAwayLint #CollectiveBias

Time to get your craft on! Today I’m excited to share four projects perfect for kids. Even better? They look so good you’ll actually want to display them on the fancy, do-not-touch tree.

Don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean.

These projects are so kid-friendly you won’t have to finish them by yourself. Mom win all around! DIY Christmas Ornaments for Kids: Snowglobes, Christmas Tree Truck, sequins and sparkles. #RollAwayLint #ad

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Countdown to Christmas with 15 DIY Advent Calendars

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Advent Calendar Round-Up

Thanksgiving has passed, and it’s now  socially acceptable to begin the count down to Christmas. But let’s be honest, you’ve secretly been waiting for at least a month. One of the best ways to celebrate the most festive month of the year is with an Advent calendar. Instead of buying a generic version at the grocery store, craft your own calendar,and put it on display. I’ve pulled together a list of 15 of my favorite DIY Advent Calendars to inspire you.

Round-up of Inspiring DIY Advent Calendars | Five Marigolds

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Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Cocoa

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Winter Picnic Inspiration

When I was in college I used to go to this coffee shop that served a chocolate covered cherry mocha that I loved deeply. That was, ahem, a few years ago, and many miles away, and I’ve never found another coffee shop that can duplicate this dreamy drink. Inspired by the brew I once loved and lost, I created my new favorite hot chocolate: Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Cocoa.

No, my recipe isn’t for coffee, but dare I say it’s even better?

I bet you’ll never guess the secret ingredient.
Winter Picnic Inspiration: Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate

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Christmas Chic Girl’s Bedroom

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Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Bedroom Suite

This year I’ve started getting into the Christmas spirit early. In the past I’ve been a traditionalist – no decorating until after Thanksgiving! However, I have a little girl who loves the decorations even more than I do. So, after years of her asking, I decided this year I’d decorate her bedroom for the first time. And hey – it’s on the second floor so *technically* I’m still in the clear, right?Christmas Chic Girl's Bedroom | Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy Bedroom Suite theme, with pastels, sparkles and sweets.

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10 Christmas Card Ideas You Should Steal + Free Template!

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Awesome Christmas Cards + bonus free template!

I know, I know! Halloween is barely over and I’m already talking Christmas. But it’s already time to start getting plans locked in for Christmas cards!  It happens every year: photographers pack their schedules for the holiday rush as families procrastinate and, inevitably, miss the card ordering window. Keep reading for 10 inspiring Christmas card ideas you should totally steal,  AND a free Christmas Card template to get you started!

  1. Put on your best holiday wardrobe and go for a classic card.
    Free Christmas Card Template + 10 Inspiring Ideas for Christmas Card Photos

    Photo credit: Emily Plunk Photography

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Christmas Thank You Note Templates for Kids

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Merry Christmas! Hopefully yours was spent with loved ones creating new happy memories. If your kids were fortunate to receive gifts this season, it’s time to start those thank you notes. I love using templates to keep it a bit more manageable for the kids, especially with Eve just learning to write this year.

Christmas Thank You Notes Free Printable Templates for Kids | www.fivemarigolds.com

Here are the thank you notes I whipped up to use this year, and I’m offering them here as a free printable. Enjoy!

Christmas Thank You Note Template for Kids | www.fivemarigolds.com

Felt Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

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Years ago I hand sewed a Christmas Tree Advent Calendar, which has become such a sweet tradition for our family. Ever since I was a young child, I absolutely loved Advent Calendars – usually the perforated paper variety in our home – to count down the days until Christmas. The anticipation was overwhelming each year.

I wanted to have that same tradition in our family – and I wanted to create something we could use year after year. I stumbled across this sweet calendar by Stitch Craft Creations. I fell madly in love with this idea and got to work, using her calendar as my guide. Felt Christmas Tree Advent Calendar | Five Marigolds

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The Best Vanilla Almond Sugar Cut-Out Cookies

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The best ever Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookie recipe

This thick, slightly chewy sugar cookie is just the right amount of sweet.

This year I tried my new favorite sugar cookie recipe: the best ever vanilla almond sugar cookies.Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookie Cut Out Recipe

No, that name is not an exaggeration.

My favorite part of this recipe is that this dough does not have to be refrigerated before cutting out shapes – perfect for impatient bakers like me!

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DIY Advent Calendar – the beginning

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advent calendar

DIY Felt Advent Calendar | Five Marigolds

 

As a kid, I absolutely loved Advent Calendars.  You know, the little paper calendars with the perforated doors.  Sometimes there was a Christmas picture behind the little paper door and sometimes a bible verse.  It didn’t matter, I loved the process of opening on each day.  I wanted to create an Advent Calendar tradition with my own children, but I wanted to create a keepsake – something they would look forward to getting out each year.

So, I went to the interwebs to find something to inspire me – and the pickings were slim. This was in 2008, a pre-Pinterest era, and there just wasn’t a lot out there I loved.  Enter Stitchcraft Creations with her super cute felt calendar.  With her pretty version as my guide, I embarked on “adventures in Advent Calendars.”


Christmas Card Family pictures – what to wear

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Our annual family photos are coming up quickly in just a few weeks – and I have been putting off the decision of what to wear.  I normally have a vision and this time…I just don’t.  Which is your favorite wardrobe theme?

coral fam photos famphotos

famiy Christmas photo
Update – Shop similar look here:
pastel family of 5 photos