Christmas Traditions

Christmas traditions.  Here are a few of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I love these.

- On December 1st - we open a few presents: first new Christmas pajamas and a new Christmas book

- I have started a collection of Christmas movies and books that I only bring out around Christmas time.  Anytime between October and December


- Make gingerbread house with family or friends



   

Christmas activities

Christmas activities.  Here is a list of activities, you could use them for a countdown or just ideas for some fun family nights.

make a paper chain countdown to Christmas
make a wish list
write a letter to Santa
do a maze picture & color it
Watch a "dvd" of the Nativity
make a List of Christmas traditions
read your favorite Christmas book
do a service for someone in your family
sing your favorite Christmas carol around the tree
draw a picture for grandparents/parents/siblings
share which ornament is your favorite and why
dance to your favorite Christmas song
make an ornament
color a picture
pop popcorn & watch favorite Christmas movie
do a dot to dot picture and color it
read "The Night Before Christmas"
read the Christmas story from the Bible
take photos for Christmas cards
make Christmas cards
wrap Christmas gifts
build snowman
make snowflakes
drive around and look at lights
go visit Santa
make cookies
make a gingerbread house
make a treat and share with friends

Days until Christmas - countdown

Days until Christmas - countdown

 

 

Muffin tin countdown

My mom gave me this cute muffin tin countdown last year.  I believe that it would be very easy to make.  I put a Reese's peanut butter cups in each one.  

 

All you would need to make this is a mini-muffin tin - one that would make 24, scrapbook paper, embellishments and magnets.  

Christmas matchbox countdown

Matchbox countdown.   This is a cute little countdown made out of matchboxes, the little boxes.   I think that it looks a little present!! :)

 

I had 24 of the little matchboxes, that I emptied out.   Then I taped three of them together and then taped 4 of the 3 stacks together like this. You off set them so that you can pull out the inside box.  Then I stacked and glued together the 2 squares of  4 - 3 stacked  boxes.  Hopefully that all made sense. I hope the pictures help.

  Next I covered them with scrapbook paper.  Add paper to the inside box, a brad to the front and add ribbon on the bottom to use as a tab to help pull it back out.  

I put a little flat ornament in each box.  I have a small tree in my daughter's room and we use this countdown to decorate it.  She loves it, and loves the surprise of which ornament she will get next.  I always save the Santa ornament for the 24th.   It can also be filled with little candies or slips of paper with activities for the family. 

Christmas

Scripture countdown

Matchbox countdown

Muffin tin countdown 

Days until Christmas countdown

Christmas activities 

Christmas traditions 

Turkey table decoration

I made these cute little turkey decorations for our thanksgiving table.

  I used my cricut machine and the "Create a Critter" cartridge. I found the turkey and choose 4 pieces of paper in the colors that I liked. A little brown, dark brown, orange-red and yellow-orange and cut out the pieces to the turkey. I cut two of the back feather piece, the largest one.  I cut them at 3 1/2 on the machine.  I inked the edges in a coordinating color and started gluing them together.  I glued the following pieces directly on to each other.

For these pieces I used my "foam mounting tape" or "dimensional" from stampin up between each piece.  To give it more of a three dimensional look.  Oh and I cut the legs off of the bottom so it will stand up when I added the extra piece of paper around the bottom.

 I glued the hat directly to the turkey's head.

 I cut a piece of paper an inch wide and scored it on both sides at 1/4 inch.   Next cut it 3 inches long and cut the sides every 1/4 inch so that it would bend around the bottom.

 

Hopefully this pictures shows you how I glue it to the back, next add the extra back feather piece to the other side and you have it.  Now this turkey will stand up. You could fill the middle of your turkey with candy or beans to help it stand up better.  Or you could use it as favors for guests or seating name tags.

 If you didn't like the look of the first turkey with the gap between the feathers you could take some glue and glue the top of the feathers together, as shown in the second turkey here. 

Thanksgiving

Thankful Tree

Turkey table decoration

Thankful Tree

This year to celebrate Thanksgiving, I decided to make a "Thankful Tree".  I thought it would be a fun way to think of things we are thankful for.  This is how it works, I made a tree out of a cereal box or two.  I just tore it into strips, for the trunk and limbs of the tree and pieced it together.  Is it perfect? No, but it works for me.  Then I used my Cricut machine to cut leaves out and I inked the edges of them.  Next, we each write one thing we are thankful for on a leaf and tape it up.  By Thanksgiving it should look pretty good. 

Minnie Mouse Birthday Party

My youngest just turned 2!! She loves Mickey and Minnie Mouse!! So I did a Minnie Mouse Birthday Party.  It was a really simply party and decorations.  But here are a few pictures. The first is a picture of her cake! 

 

The table of her decorations and presents.

I made this outfit last minute.  I used iron-on adhesive and fabric for the Minnie mouse silhouette on the onies and a skirt made out of  tulle.  So simply but cute!!

Baby shower cake

My little sister is having a baby boy!!!  I am so happy for her.  This is the cake that I made for her baby shower.  It was a turtle theme.  I throw it with my sister-in-laws.  They are both amazing.  Some pictures of the favors and food.  We had a great time. 

Silvermist Birthday Party

 My eldest daughter wanted a Silvermist b-day party and cake.  This is what I came up with.  It was a lot of fun.  Best of all she absolutely loved it.  :)

I used mason jars, dolls, moss, raffia, and flowers to make these cute little decorations.

I wrapped 2 different shades of blue paper around the bubbles and added a sticker of Silvermist to the front. 

For the treat bags I used my Cricut machine to cut out these boxes and wings.  Then I put candy inside.

Here is the cake.  She wanted a water fall and Slivermist.  I added rocks, lilly pads with ladybugs and butterflies.  I was really happy with the end resolute especially because all of my cake decorating supplies where miles away.     

These little cupcake macrons were fun and delicious too.  

Some more mason jars filled with goodies for the kids.
 

Scripture Countdown

Scripture Countdown

This is a scripture countdown that I got from my mom.  It has scriptures and songs that go along with it.  I think it will be fun and a great way to bring the true meaning of Christmas into our home.
scripture countdown
I made these envelopes with my Cricut machine, then I inked the edges and add some embellishments.   I printed the scriptures and songs out on card-stock for each day and cut them to the size to fit into my envelopes and inked the edges of them.