Christmas Thank You's

I'm getting my Thank You Cards out this week.
I haven't had time to make any lately so when I was at Walmart yesterday, I took advantage of the 50% off sale.


I found this cute Holiday card set. I realized I could turn them into Thank You cards by just adding my own touch to it.


My Thank You cards.


I really liked this design so I framed it. Pin It

Holly n' Berries Brooch

Here's my Christmas Brooch: Holly Leaves with some "Berries".


I found the leaves at the Dollar store(Dollar Tree).


My not so pretty back. Hot glue everything onto a wooden disc. I ended up adding more leaves(& cutting some off) so that's why there is some next to the pin backing.


I used the same color rhinestone as the fabric so it blends in well. To make the rosettes go here. Pin It

Christmas Present Solution

I don't put any presents under the Christmas tree since I still have little ones that might want a "sneak peek". I have devised a plan that works for us.

Our kids think these presents are part of my Christmas Decor BUT actually they are their Christmas Presents. They sit above the kitchen cabinets to decorate the Kitchen through the month of December and I then pull them down Christmas Eve night.
If its anything bigger than what I can fit up there I put a note in a small box and make them Scavenger Hunt for it. It makes Christmas morning so fun!

I love Double Duty items!!! Pin It

An Amazing Artist and Some Touching Christmas Video Clips

Fist of all, I found (through Pinterest) the most beautiful photography artwork of Christ. Go HERE to find the photo above, plus lots more; and order prints!! 

I have been collecting, over the last few years, Christmas video clips that I can use for Family Home Evening, Christmas devotionals and Christmas Eve. This year I've added a couple more to my "favorites" collection.

Soon I will share all my other favorite Christmas must-do's. But for now, here are the links to my SEVEN most favorite Christmas video clips, all in one place, in no particular order (on Youtube).

Merry Christmas! ENJOY!!

REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
THE NATIVITY- BREATH OF HEAVEN
CHRISTMAS STORY- SILENT NIGHT (David Archuleta)
MARY DID YOU KNOW?
DO YOU HAVE ROOM FOR THE SAVIOR?
LET HIM IN (Michael McLean)
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

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Sweet Treats for Santa

When Christmas Eve comes, we use this plate for the cookies (found at the second hand store) & the cup for milk (found at Walmart) for SANTA.


I found this metal desk sign at a second hand store. I put the fabric thru the printer like I did here , attached it to cardstock & colored it with crayons. Pin It

Christmas Stories

I love this tradition of reading a different Christmas Book each night.

Our growing collection. . .

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Tie a Perfect Bow

Have you ever had trouble getting your bows to look just so? Well, there is a strategy to tying a perfect bow. Here's how I tie mine...

I always start it out with the right side crossing over the left, so that I end up looping it over and down behind with my right hand.

 Then I make a loop by folding the right strand under itself (with the excess ribbon hanging down from thumb).

Now I lay the top/left ribbon over the other loop and tuck it up through the right side. *TIP- The key is to make sure the ribbon stays as FLAT as possible the whole time.

Then I pull the loops tight to finish the bow.

Don't forget to fluff the loops of the wider ribbons to make them look full and finished!

You can also form a perfect bow without tying it around something. Just cut a piece of ribbon, longer than you need but not too much to waist.

Being conscience of where the middle of the ribbon is, I make a flat loop (with one half of the ribbon)  around the back of my right finger, leaving the long part hanging behind. Then I hold it in place with my thumb and index finger.

With my left hand, I bring the long part up (from behind), up and over my fingers and other loop, to the front. 

Then I tuck it up under the right one (just like I mentioned above) and finish it off.

I'm sure to pull nice and tight, and always have to play with it a little bit to make sure the loops are even. Then I trim off excess ribbon at the ends to give it a uniform, finished look.

*TIP- Depending on the size (width) of the ribbon I'm using, it will determine how big or small to make the bow. (They always look best if the sizes coordinate.)

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{Sweet Poem}

I love this sweet Poem.

Snowflakes softly falling

upon your window play,

Your blankets snug around you

into sleep you drift away.

I bend to gently kiss you

when I see that on the floor,

There's a letter neatly written

I wonder who its for.

I quietly unfold it

making sure you're still alseep.

It's a Christmas list for Santa-

one my heart will always keep.

It started just as always

with the toys seen on TV,

A new watch for your father

and a winter coat for me.

But as my eyes read on

I could see that deep inside,

There were many things you wished for

that your loving heart would hide.
You asked if your friend Molly

could have another dad;

It seems her father hits her

and it makes you very sad.

Then you asked dear Santa

if the neighbors down the street

Could find a job, that he might have

some food, and clothes and heat.

You saw a family on the news

whose house had blown away;

"Dear Santa, send them just one thing:

a place where they can stay."

"And Santa, those four cookies

that I left you for a treat,

could you take them to the children

who have nothing else to eat?"

"Do you know that little bear I have-

the one I love so dear?

I'm leaving it for you to take

to Africa this year."

"And as you fly your reindeer

on this night of Jesus' birth,

could your magic bring to everyone

goodwill and peace on earth?"

"There's one last thing before you go

so grateful I would be-

If you'd smile at Baby Jesus

in the manger by our tree."

I pulled the letter close to me;

I felt it melt my heart

Those tiny hands had written

what no other could impart.

And a little child shall lead them

was whispered in my ear.

As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve

while Santa Claus was here.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!

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Christmas Morning. . .

Every year on Christmas morning, before our kids can go downstairs, they have to wait until mom and dad gets up. So this year this is what they get to keep themselves occupied.

When I have taken all the pictures, they can come down and see all the Christmas gifts. Before any paper tearing is done, we eat breakfast( a tradition in our family since I was little) so our bellies are full of something good. (then I don't mind if they decide to eat all the candy that's in their stocking). This year I'm going to try these yummy looking cinnamon rolls.

Hope you have a good easy recipe to start your Christmas morning off.

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Elf Kit

This is the best tool you could have on Christmas morning. Our Elf Kit has been a life saver for a few years now. Before I put this all together I got my exercise going back & forth for tools.


I placed this list just inside the lid.


All the "tools" (great finds at the Dollar store) to put inside the paint can.


{I dressed up the paint can (found at Home Depot or Lowe's) by mod podging some fabric on the bottom, labeling with vinyl, adding a knob to top lid & some ribbon on the handle}


Hope this comes in handy for your Christmas morning.

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Please {Santa} . . .

I made a Christmas version of this Door Hanger.

I got these cute keys and this came to mind. Great for the front door.

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Last-Minute Teacher Gifts?

Oh no! Tomorrow is the last day of school before Christmas break and my children's teachers' Christmas gifts are still somewhere between "shipped" and my doorstep. Time is running out, and I need to figure out a back-up plan. Fast! If any of you are in the same boat, I found a couple of links that gave me some great ideas. (Now I just need to decide which one I want to do and do it! "Tick-Tock-Tick...")

Ideas from the Dollar Stretcher
Ideas from FlyLady.net
Ideas via SassySites blog

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Family Service Project Report

On Monday evening, we took our family to the Boise Rescue Mission warehouse to attend the "Toy Sorting Party". It was a blast! We went with some good friends of ours too, which made it even more enjoyable!

We actually ended up sorting food and decorating placemats and boxes (of food) for the homeless (instead of toys). Our husbands even got to take our boys with them and run a huge load of stuff over to one of the homeless shelters in [our friend's] truck.

The evening was a success! I DO recommend this service for families. It is a very family-friendly activity. We will definately be continuing this tradition in the years to come! My kids are now asking what else they can do to serve others. So we decided as a family, that we would take these last "12 Days of Christmas" and do a family service every day until Christmas. This is awesome!!

Click HERE for volunteering info in my area.

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Cute Christmas Poem from Hymns

I love this poem! I can't even remember where I got it, but it was several years ago. I have given it to friends or gals I visit-teach in the past, attached to a little music-themed tree ornament.

Click HERE to print this poem. Enjoy!!


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Do You Have Room for the Savior?

My sister sent me the link to this beautiful Christmas video by Shawna Edwards. She also sent me the link to Shawna's website where she shares her beautiful music. What a treat!! You can enjoy this video and the rest Shawna's wonderful music and videos on her site. Thank you Shawna, for sharing your amazing talents with us!!

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My Favorite Christmas Tradition

Here is one of my most favorite Christmas traditions. The reason I must post about it TODAY is to give you some time to prepare, (in case you love this idea too)!

His name is "Mr. Peeps". He's an ELF from the North Pole, who shows up each year the day after Thanksgiving. He stays with us until Christmas Eve, let's Santa know how the children behaved the last few weeks, then goes back home in Santa's sleigh. Mr. Peeps has been coming to our home for several years now. He even brought a new elf with him a few years ago named Stanley. Click HERE to meet my elves and see the Mr. Peeps explanation poem.

"Mr. Peeps" was not my idea of course. The tradition has been around a long time. In fact, we had an elf named "Lucky" growing up, that still hangs out at my parents' each year.

If you love this idea and want to start this tradition, these little guys can be hard to find!! (You can check your local craft stores. That is where mine came from.) But here are some great online links to check out as well...

The Crazy Quilter (I think this is just for the pattern, to make your own)

Ragamuffin Designs (You can order Mr. Peeps, made by a gal named Kristen)

Elves Around the World



Elf On the Shelf


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