Don't forget to leave milk and cookies out for Santa this year!

Make your plate extra cute with our FREE printable "For Santa" tag!

Be sure to check back and to "Like" us on Facebook for some yummy cookie recipes this week!

Are you ready to help your child create their wish list for Santa? As we all gear up for the holiday season ahead, it is so important to take time to build traditions with our children. This year, while our oldest may not be quite ready to grasp all of the components of the Christmas holiday, we are certainly hoping that he enjoys his visit with Santa more than last year's (he cried the entire time)! To prepare for his upcoming visit this weekend, we hope to sit down and explain to him what to expect....and possibly, to get some of his own ideas for wishes down for his scrapbook.

Use these cute letters to Santa this year to create not only wonderful memories with your child, but a keepsake for their scrapbook!

Recycling is part of the ever increasing trend of going Green. It is a fun, inexpensive way of repurposing items you likely already have in your home into something beautiful. This year, consider creating a ribbon or cardstock garland for your Christmas tree, mantle, or staircase using mismatched pieces of ribbon, recycled greeting cards or scrapbooking cardstock.
The process is simple and easy.

Step 1: Cut pieces of ribbon or holiday cardstock into 2 inch by 6 inch strips using a paper cutter or trimmer. For added interest, consider using edging tools.

Step 2: For an eclectic, random design, choose ribbons and cardstock in varying colors and textures and select the order as you work. For a more cohesive look, choose ribbons and cardstock in coordinating, complimentary colors and textures (i.e. gold, silver and white, or red/green).

Step 3: Begin with one piece of ribbon or cardstock, place right sides together close to the ends, and staple. For the best results, staple approximately ¼” from the edge to prevent fraying.

Step 4: Glue the ribbon together at the ends for added strength, then turn it right side out.

Step 5: Thread the next piece of ribbon through the ribbon loop you just completed.

Step 6: Repeat until you have created your desired length.

To repeat or complete this project next year, save the ribbons and packaging tied or adorned to the gifts you receive this
year.

Happy Holidays!

Photograph Courtesy of MarthaStewart.com.

Tis the Season!

So, I was a few days behind this year getting our Christmas decorations out of storage and up on display (this happens when you have two kids under 2). But, miraculously, everything is out and on display! 
 
Whenever I am decorating for a holiday, I love to find new ways to display the same ole things….this year, when flipping through magazines and thumbing through Pinterest pages, I was inspired to use some of the holiday ornaments that I cannot display (out of fear that one or both of my children will pull them off of the tree and break them) in a cloche display.

So, I headed to my kitchen and grabbed what is actually a food display set, flipped the lid upside down to fill tightly with ornaments,  placed the bottom over the opening while the clear glass portion was still inverted, flipped the entire unit right side up, and there you have it…..a new display item that matches my living room! And the best part of it is, it was free!

From our house to yours, wishing you a very Merry holiday season!
Julie