It’s official – only 10 days remain until Christmas! Next week children will be knee deep in the magic of Santa, generous grandparents and loved ones. So buckle up, parents: it’s time to talk etiquette.
Tag: Holidays
10 Ways to Step Up Your Wine Gift Giving Game
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.
- 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.
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Random Acts of Kindness Printables
Countdown to Christmas
Earlier this week, I shared some of my favorite Advent Calendars from across the interwebs. Today, I’m going to share a meaningful activity that will inspire the whole family to focus on the spirit of the season.
DIY Christmas Ornaments for Kids
Christmas Crafts You’ll actually want to display
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! 
Countdown to Christmas with 15 DIY Advent Calendars
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.
How to Host the Ultimate Thanksgathering
This shop, How to Host the Ultimate Thanksgathering, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Prep4Gathering #CollectiveBias
Be the Hostess with the Mostess this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is just days away, and with it comes the anticipation and joy of the holiday season, and the task of hosting the family gathering.
I think a lot of families, mine included, are a lot like fudge – sweet, with a lot of nuts! It certainly makes for some interesting holidays, but that’s no reason to stress about your upcoming hostess gig.
Prep like a pro with these simple, yet impactful tips for being the hostess with the mostess at your upcoming Thanksgathering celebration.
Christmas Chic Girl’s Bedroom
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?
Pesto, Olive and Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Torta
This fancy pants appetizer is a snap to make!
It’s the time of year for gatherings galore – which means growing your repertoire of potluck dishes to impress your hostesses and guests. I’m going to show you a dish that looks all fancy-pants, but is super easy to make: Pesto, Olive and Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Torta Appetizer.
10 Christmas Card Ideas You Should Steal + Free Template!
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!
- Put on your best holiday wardrobe and go for a classic card.
Photo credit: Emily Plunk Photography
Christmas Thank You Note Templates for Kids
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.
Here are the thank you notes I whipped up to use this year, and I’m offering them here as a free printable. Enjoy!
Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies
The best ever Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies
Moms who want to get in and out of the kitchen quickly, you’re going to love these vanilla almond sugar cookies! The texture of soft almond sugar cookies just can’t be beat and they are so simple to make.
As you may or may not know, I am not the girl who will make a recipe twice if it’s complicated. Not only that, but I tend to ruin sugar cookies. Yes, it’s true. They came out dry, thin, and don’t even get me started on the way my cut out cookies would look when they didn’t hold their shape!
Let’s just say the kids were not impressed. If you have a history of sugar cookie Pinterest fails like me – there is hope. These sugar cookies with almond extract are here to save your baking reputation.
Why I Love These Soft Almond Sugar Cookies
Recently I attended a holiday party at my friend’s house and she kindly passed the recipe to me when she noticed I couldn’t. stop. eating. them. Oh my gosh, the flavor!
They were perfect vanilla almond sugar cookies. Soft, thick, and just a little chewy. There are so many creative ways to decorate them too!
My favorite part of this recipe is that this dough doesn’t have to be refrigerated before cutting out cookie shapes – it’s perfect for impatient bakers like me! Or, you know, your kids. Ahem.
As soon as I got my hands on that recipe, I had to try making them myself. So easy. The kids loved making the different Christmas shapes and decorating them and the time spent together in the kitchen was a total mom win.
DIY Advent Calendar – the beginning
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.”