Classmate Christmas Gifts

Each holiday, I try to put something inexpensive together for my kids to take in and hand out to their classmates. This year for Christmas, they are going to be giving their friends a box of crayons. I think it is about that time of year when the kids are starting to lose a lot of their crayons or they are broken. And, I think nothing beats a new box of crayons! ;0) Anyway, a few months back, Toys R Us had the crayons on sale for 25 cents a box! I stocked up! I bought enough for each classroom and then a few extra to have on hand for my kids. So, all it cost me for the gifts for two classrooms was $9.25! That is a deal. I wrapped them up and then added a little tag that said: "Have a bright and colorful Christmas!:

Homemade Burlap Stocking

I love the look of the old, rustic, cottage decor and I don't find a lot of it where I live. Sometimes when I get inspired, I try to see if I can do it myself! So, I wanted some cottage looking stockings and decided to make some. I had some burlap (love the look of this stuff!!!) and some yarn. I cut out the shape and then stitched it together using yarn. I put this in my Etsy shop as well! Check it out!https://www.etsy.com/listing/117747355/homemade-burlap-stocking

Homemade Vintage Wood Spool Garland

I have had these old, wooden spools for awhile now. I love the look of them and just wanted to wait to find the right thing to do with them! Then, Christmas decorating started and I became inspired! I started threading them on some heavy twine and voila..... a rustic/cottage looking garland! I put it in my Etsy shop. Check it out! https://www.etsy.com/listing/117746927/homemade-old-wood-spool-garland-1020

Easy Santa Ornament Craft for Kids

I bought clear glass ornaments because the ideas and crafts you can do with them is ENDLESS! For this craft, I took the hanger off the top of the ornament and had the kids fill it with white beads (this would be Santa's beard).  Then, I had them roll a small, square piece of red felt and we glued it so it would hold together (this is his hat). Then, I had them glue a white pom pom on the top of the hat. We glued googly eyes on the face and then I added the mouth, nose and rosy cheeks! Add a hook on the top (or a bent paper clip) and you have a cute ornament for the tree!

HO! HO! HO!

Merry Christmas!

Inexpensive Twist to Jingling Your Friends

We have always "Boo'd" our family and friends for Halloween, but wanted to start something for Christmas and found "You've Been Jingled" (you can make copies on www.beenjingled.com). It is pretty much the same thing as Halloween. Take this little note and some goodies to friends and families and ring on their door and RUN! You don't want them to know it was you. Then, they are suppose to keep it up and do the same thing with their family and friends.

The kids look forward to these activities each year. We added a little "twist" to ours. Along with some homemade cookies, we include a game for that family to play together during the holiday season! And, with all the great coupons out there for games, it is not that expensive to do. I just went to Target last night and they had 2 Elefun games on clearance for $4.98 and I used the $3 off 2 so that made them pretty inexpensive! You could even just give them a deck of cards and then print off the rules to some of your favorite card games to give with it. I think our lives get so crazy and hectic that to sit down and play a game anymore is sometimes forgotten. This way, a new game shows up at their door and we add a little note from our family: "Tis the season to spend with those you love. Here is a fun game for you to enjoy together! Happy Playing!"

Just a thought for the upcoming holiday season!

Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments

The recipe for this project is:
1/2 c salt
1 c flour
1/2 c warm water


Mix salt and flour..... add water until dough like. Knead until smooth. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Bake in oven at 200 degrees until firm (about 2 hours). Cool and paint.

This has been a tradition for us and we have used it for grandparents (homemade) gifts. The kids love to see these ornaments on their grandparent's trees every year.

Fun, cheap and creative way to celebrate the season!!!