DIY Gift Bags with Cookie Cutters

If you're looking for an easy way to dress up a plain gift bag or paper sack this is the way to do it! When I was teaching Kindergarten the children would make gifts (usually like an ornament) for their parents around Christmastime. Then, the children would decorate bags to wrap up their gifts. After all, there is nothing like a homemade gift from a child!

          Materials:

• Plain gift bag or paper lunch sack
• Acrylic or Tempera paint (tempera or washable paint works best for a children's craft)
• Cookie cutters (metal or plastic cutters in different shapes and sizes)
• Paper plate
• glitter or glitter glue (optional)

          Directions:

1. Pour a small amount of paint on the paper plate.
2. Dip your cookie cutter in the paint. Make sure the bottom edges are well-coated.
3. Stamp your paper bag with the painted cookie cutter. Slowly lift the cookie cutter upward. (If the shape of the stamp has a void you can slowly reapply the cookie cutter to the paper and try again or you can leave it like that. I think leaving it alone makes it more authentic and homemade looking.)
4. Continue to stamp with remaining cookie cutters or until your bag is covered with prints. Sprinkle glitter on the paint and dust off for a sparkly look or use glitter glue to add more designs.
5. Allow to dry completely.
6. Place your gift in the bag with tissue paper and tie with a cute ribbon.

*This method also works well with craft paper and plain wrapping paper if you want to wrap a box or gift.

 

 

 

 

This is a quick and simple way to make your own gift bag or wrapping paper. It's also a great way to get your children involved in the presentation of a gift for a loved one!

The Adventures of Elf on the Shelf (Week 1)

We have survived the first week of having our new guest, Elfie Scout, in our home. The kids have followed the number one rule of "no touching," and he has made it to and from the North Pole each night. Thank goodness he has not forgotten. ;)

I have been documenting the places he has been showing up, and I will continue to do so until Christmas Eve. He has not done anything too crazy yet, but only time will tell. I showed you his arrival last Friday, and these are the rest of the places we have found him.

 

Elfie on our mantel. Maybe Santa doesn't let him ride the reindeer back home.

 

 

Elfie on our chandelier. (Not my best picture, but you get the idea.)

 

Elfie was found roasting marshmallows by the fireplace on this morning. (He had stuck a mini marshmallow, just his size, onto a stick from outside.) He even left each kid a bag of mini marshmallows! They loved that!

 

Elfie was found on our Christmas tree. His arms were hooked on our gold ribbon, and he used the ribbon to climb up the tree.



 

 

 

Elfie left a clue on the refrigerator. He had spelled out "Brrr" with magnetic letters.

 

 

The kids opened up the fridge to find Elfie wrapped up in a scarf!

 

Elf found my son's blanket and pillow that I had made for his stuffed animal. He tucked himself right in and took a nap on my son's little couch. He was also wearing an eye mask for sleeping. (He used felt and yarn to make his mask.)

 

 

This time Elfie made his way to my daughter's stroller. I think he's been wanting someone to take him on a stroll.

 

 

 

 

The kids wake up each morning and immediately go hunting for Elfie Scout. They have thought his hiding places have been hilarious so far. Come back next week to see what other adventures Elfie has been on!

 



 

 

 

The Best Christmas Books for Kids

The Christmas season has arrived...and, so have the Christmas books in our home. I will start off by telling you that my family has a bit of an obsession with books. Bring out seasonal ones like our huge collection of Christmas books and the level of excitement doubles! That's exactly what happened this past weekend when I pulled out my collection of our favorite Christmas books. My children started jumping up and down with excitement. I know a lot of other parents are trying to choose good Christmas books for their kids right now, too.

 

There are a lot of Christmas books out there that you don't want to miss!

 Here are 25 of our Christmas favorites!

 

1. Elf on the Shelf  (Author unknown)
2. The Gingerbread Man  by Karen Schmidt
3. Gingerbread Baby  by Jan Brett
4. I've Seen Santa by  David Bedford
5. A Special Place for Santa  by Jeanne Pieper
6. Too Many Tamales  by Gary Soto
7. The Night Before Christmas  by Clement C. Moore
8. The Jolly Christmas Postman  by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
9. The Polar Express  by Chris Van Allsburg
10. Clopper- The Christmas Donkey  by Emily King
11. If You Take a Mouse to the Movies  by Laura Numeroff
12. Bear Stays Up for Christmas  by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
13. Merry Christmas, Curious George  by Margret and H.A. Rey
14. The Legend of the Poinsettia  by Tomie dePaola
15. The Wild Christmas Reindeer  by Jan Brett
16. Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad  by Mercer Mayer
17. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
18. It's Christmas, David  by David Shannon
19. Clifford's Christmas  by Norman Bridwell
20. Pinkalicious Merry Pinkmas!  by Victoria Kann
21. Fancy Nancy- Splendiferous Christmas  by Jane O'Connor
22. How Do Dinosaurs say Merry Christmas?  by Jane Yolen
23. Peanut's A Charlie Brown Christmas  by Charles M. Schulz
24. The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear  by Stan & Jan Berenstain
25. Froggy's Best Christmas  by Jonathon London

 

These are just a few of our favorites, but I hope this booklist will help you on your trips to the library or bookstore! I know that reading good Christmas books in December makes for a great snuggle time with my family. What are your kid's favorite books to read during the Christmas season? What are some Christmas classics that you pull out every year?

 

A St. Nicholas Tradition

I love traditions, and a favorite family tradition of ours is one centered around Saint Nicholas! 

Our Tradition

Each year my husband’s family took part in a German tradition that celebrated St. Nicholas. All over the world people celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day on the 6th of December. Now my husband and I carry on this same tradition with our own children. Our family is Catholic so this is also a good time to learn about saints. The night before St. Nicholas’ Day we like to read the story about this favorite saint. Then the kids create their Christmas lists. The children put their letters to St. Nick in their shoes or boots. They leave them by the front door and hope that St. Nicholas will fill them with fruit, nuts, candy, and treats that night. In the morning, the kids are overjoyed to find their shoes stuffed with some delicious and fun treats.

 

Who was Saint Nicholas?

St. Nicholas was a real person and a very generous one, too! His parents were rich and when they died, he inherited their wealth. Because he was a devout Christian he  knew that God wanted him to help people in need. A famous story about St. Nicholas is  one where he helped a poor man with three daughters. The family did not have enough money to pay a dowry for the daughters to get married. St. Nicholas dropped a bag of gold down their chimney to help them out. A sock was hung by their fire to dry. When the bag of gold was dropped, it fell into that “stocking.” (Hence, the tradition of stockings hung by the fireplace.) He continued to drop money down the chimney each night to help the family. The father waited up one night to see who was leaving the gold. He discovered it to be St. Nicholas, who quickly became known for his generosity!

 

Image Source: To Europe With Kids

 

If you are looking for a tradition to start with your family this one may be the one for you. It is a tradition of fun mixed in with a little history.

 

 

 

Elf on the Shelf Arrives

Thanksgiving is over...and, now it is time to officially move into Christmas mode. Last night we had a new visitor. An Elf on the Shelf scout joined our family for the first time! The kids were so excited this morning when they saw who had arrived from the North Pole! My seven year old had been wishing that he would come to our house this year. She called it a miracle. Haha!

He was sitting in a Christmas cup waiting for them to wake up. A table runner was made with red and green felt pieces. He brought them each their own Christmas cup, the Elf on the Shelf book, and Christmas foam stickers. After going back and forth a while they decided to name him "Elfie Scout."

 I cannot wait to see the many adventures our Elf on the Shelf brings this Christmas season!

Is your family participating in the tradition of Elf on the Shelf? What adventures will your elf go on this year?

Travel Activities for Kids

Are you traveling during this holiday season? More importantly, are there kids in your traveling future? Today I am sharing some of our own ideas on how we keep our children entertained for those long car rides.

First, decide how and where you will put all their junk toys and activities.

These carriers have worked best for us:

• Backpacks-Child-size (backpacks work well if you will be walking a lot on your trip or if you are traveling by plane)
• Reusable Grocery bags (these sit nicely on an empty seat next to them or at their feet for easy access)
• Drawstring or zipper close bags (I liked using these when the kids were smaller. They had just a few small toys that they could carry around and often pack themselves.)
• Easy-to-open storage containers (like a plastic shoe box container or a small container with latches and a handle)

When choosing items to pack for your child remember their interests and don’t forget their favorite toys. But, also set aside toys, books, and travel activities that are reserved solely for road trips and time away from home. They will be like “new” toys for them and hopefully, will keep their interest longer.

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Find age-appropriate activities for each child ahead of time and pack them in their individual bags.

For your Baby:

• Board books, touch-and-feel books
• Teethers, baby rings and chains
• Rattles and other favorite baby toys
• Any toy that squeaks, rattles, or makes noises (great distracters)
• Pacifiers or anything that soothes your baby
• Baby essentials, bottles, and snacks

For your Toddler or  Preschooler:

• Board books, Busy books, touch-and-feel books
• Favorite stuffed animal or lovie
• Mini-photo albums (my little ones loved flipping through photo books and seeing familiar faces)
• Stickers and paper (foam stickers work well, too)
• Crayons, washable markers, coloring books
• a travel lap desk, clipboard, or flat tray for coloring/writing
• Magna-Doodle
• Magnetic dolls, magnetic letters, and a magnetic cookie tray
• Sewing Shapes
• Small dolls or toy cars (put in a drawstring bag or Ziploc bag to keep together)
• Small flannel board or felt piece with storytelling flannel pieces
• Dry-erase board with dry-erase markers

For your Older Child:

• Picture books and Chapter books, bookmarks

• Crayons, markers, colored pencils, papers
• Etch-a-Sketch
• Travel games (travel board games, peg board games, and magnetic games)
• Go Fish and other card games
• Wikki-Stix, Bendables, and pipe cleaners (to make different shapes and “building”)
• Magnetic paper dolls, magnetic words, and a magnetic cookie tray or board
• “I Spy” books, “How to Draw” books
• Coloring and Activity books

Electronics:

• Leap Pad, Leapster, or other learning game
• IPAD, IPOD (with downloaded Apps for children)
• DVD’s and Media or DVD player (pack children’s shows and animated movies that they have never seen or haven’t seen in awhile)
• DS or other handheld games (We don’t have these, but I know they are popular with other families!)

* *Don’t forget the extra games, batteries, and chargers

Other:

• Travel Pillow and Blanket
• Lovies or favorite toy
• Snacks and water, handwipes
• Tissues
• Trashbag or canvas bag (to hang from the seats for trash along the way)
• Puzzles, play-doh/mat, and other toys for hotel rooms
• Frisbee, jump rope, small ball, or other outside toy for rest stops

These are just a few ways to keep your sanity during the busy travel season. Have a safe and happy trip!

Santa Hat Cups

When I was in Kindergarten my mom made some adorable Santa cups for my class. She filled them with goodies for all my classmates, and I have never forgotten them. Her craft inspired me to make these Santa Hat Treat cups that were similar to hers. Use them for classroom treats, party favors, cookie/candy gifts, or hang them on your neighbor's doorknob for a nice Christmas surprise!

Supplies

• Red Felt
• White Felt
• Clear plastic cups (9 oz.)
• Hot glue/glue gun
• Sewing Scissors
• Yarn (White, red, or green)
• Tapestry Needle
• Candy or Treat of your choice

Instructions

1. Cut a 9" X 12" piece of red felt in half lengthwise. Use one half for this project and set the other half aside for another cup. Cut about a 24" strand of yarn. You can trim it at the end if you want a shorter string.
2. Thread the yarn onto the tapestry needle. Hand-stitch a straight "running stitch" across the top of the red felt piece. Tie off the ends. 
3. Hot glue about 3/4" of the bottom of the felt all around the rim of the cup. The ends will overlap so finish with more hot glue there.
4. Cut about a one-inch strip of white felt (lengthwise.) You can either do a straight cut or weave your scissors in and out to make a squiggly line. I like adding that textured line at the bottom of the hat.
5. Glue the white strip around the entire rim of the cup. (The white will overlap the red a little bit.)
6. Fill your cup with your favorite goodies. Cinch the top of the Santa hat closed by pulling the ends of the yarn. (Trim yarn, if desired.) Tie the ends together.

Fill your Santa cup with stacked cookies, wrapped candies (Hershey Kisses, Reese's Peanut Butter cups, Peppermint candies, etc.) or Christmas trinkets and gifts. Make somebody's day by dropping off this cute Santa Hat Treat cup!