Christmas

Paper Strip Christmas Tree Craft with template

December 9, 2020 by Rachel 9 Comments

I don’t know about you, but my kids are getting really tired of plain old coloring and painting. Something about this holiday season has my kids just itching for bigger and better crafts. This paper strip Christmas tree craft is equal parts fun and creative! Basically, the perfect combination for antsy kids.

It’s easy enough, thanks to the printable template, and requires very few supplies. You can even turn them into homemade Christmas cards for grandparents, aunts, and uncles. It’s the perfect little homemade surprise.

What you’ll need for this project

Paper Strip Christmas Tree Template
Cardstock – blue, green, brown
Paper – various shades of green and patterns
Glitter foam stars
Scissors
Glue stick

That’s it!

Using a template

Using this printable template makes this craft a cinch! You can save and print this at home or take it to a print center (and grab some cardstock while you’re there!).

How to make this special tree

Paper Strip Christmas Tree Craft

Materials

Paper Strip Christmas Tree Template
Cardstock - blue, green, brown
Paper - various shades of green and patterns
Glitter foam stars
Scissors
Glue stick

Notes

Begin by downloading the template.

You will need two squares the size provided. One in a blue shade, the other green.

From the blue cardstock, also carefully cut out the Christmas tree from inside the square.

Now, cut a bunch of thin strips from the different kinds of paper.

Position the strips in randomly across the green square. Make sure to use different shades of green and patterns, too. This is a great way to use up any scraps. Leave a bit of the green from underneath showing, too.

Then, apply glue around the blue cardstock with the cut out tree. And position over the strips.

Place a foam star on top.

Finally, use the rectangle from the template to cut a rectangle from the brown cardstock.

And glue in place for the trunk.

PIN FOR LATER - Fun Christmas Tree Paper Craft for Kids

Potato Stamp Christmas Ornament Craft

December 7, 2020 by Rachel 15 Comments

“It’s the most wonderful tiiiime of the year!” I knew that as soon as we put our Christmas tree up, my three kids would begin the neverending question of “is it Christmas yet?!” Our tree has been up less than a week and I was 100% without a doubt right. Every morning they wake up with the energy they will most certainly have on Christmas morning. They are eager to open their advent calendars and get started on the holiday activity of the day. But 25 days is a long time for a kid to wait for Christmas, right? Well I’m creating crafts just like this Potato Stamp Christmas Ornament Craft to help continue the cheer throughout the month!

Crafting Made Easy

As a mom of three wild children, I need no-nonsense crafts. I know for certain my kids would be content with just paint, a few brushes, and a blank sheet of paper. But I want to create some magic that they — and I — can hold on to for years to come. These Potato Stamp Christmas Ornament crafts can be used as cards to mail to relatives or to save as keepsakes. Bonus? They are oh so easy.

Who can do this craft?

This craft is appropriate for all ages, as long as there is adequate adult supervision. I will also note that for parents who prefer tidy and neat finished products, you may want to stick with children three and up. But, truthfully, as long as you’re aware that our little artists are just trying to express themselves, it’s a perfectly fine craft for even young children!

What You’ll Need

There are very few supplies needed for this Christmas craft. In fact, you will probably have most of these supplies on hand!

Potatoes (2-4 depending on how many helping hands you have!)
Brown cardstock
Acrylic paints – red, green, and blue
Markers – black and white
Assorted adornments (like stickers, gems, sequins, stars)
Scissors
Glue

How to make Potato Stamp Christmas Ornament Cards

Potato Stamp Christmas Ornament Card

Materials

Potatoes
Brown cardstock
Acrylic paint - red, green, blue
Markers - black, white
Adornments - stickers, gems, sequins, stars, etc.
Scissors
Glue

Instructions

Begin by folding a sheet of brown cardstock in half.

Now, cut your potatoes in half along the width. You will need one half of a potato per color. Also, spread your paint colors on a flat surface such as a paper plate.

Then, dip the potato in a paint color. Make sure the potato is completely covered with paint. Press the potato onto the brown cardstock.

Carefully lift the potato up to reveal the stamp underneath.

Do the same with the other colors. Let the paint dry completely.

Next, draw an ornament cap with the black marker. Draw a line going off the top of the card, as well.

Finally, decorate the baubles with your choice of fun adornments. We chose stickers, gems, sequins, and stars, but this is a great chance to get creative!

Also use the white marker to decorate the baubles further by adding lines and more detail.

PIN FOR LATER

PIN ME - Fun Christmas Potato Stamp Card Craft for Kids

Instant Pot Grinch Truffles

December 6, 2020 by Rachel 11 Comments

“Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” — The Grinch. Honestly, friends, I know things have been difficult for all of us lately. I know that we all feel like perhaps our hearts have grown larger and also more exhausted. And I think that’s exactly why I’m being extra celebratory this year. We could all use an extra dose or two of cheer. And what better way to bring smiles to those you love with Instant Pot Grinch Truffles!

Confession: I used to be a grinch!

In my thirty-plus years of life I have always loved Thanksgiving the most of all holidays. But having kids has changed me in a major way. I’m no longer a Christmas Grinch! In fact, I absolutely adore this time of year. Bring on all of the holiday cheer, the magic of Santa, and the adorable Christmas movies — just like The Grinch!

What You’ll Need To Make Instant Pot Grinch Truffles

These are super easy to make — promise! All you’ll need is the following:

1 box of Devil’s Food Cake
3 large eggs
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of water
4 tablespoon of cream cheese frosting
6 squares of white baking chocolate
Green food coloring
35 Red heart sprinkles
my favorite appliance — the Instant Pot!
a round springform pan and tin foil

That’s it!

Instant Pot Grinch Truffles Recipe

Yield: about 35

Instant Pot Grinch Truffles

“Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” -- The Grinch.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Additional Time 20 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 box Devil’s Food Cake
3 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup of water
4 tablespoon of cream cheese frosting
6 squares of white baking chocolate
Green food coloring
35 Red heart sprinkles

Instructions

Make the box of cake per the instructions on the back of the boxed mix.

Lightly grease a springform cake pan with cooking spray. Pour in your cake mix.

Cover with aluminum foil.

Place 1 1/2 cups of water inside the Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside the inner pot. Then place your cake pan inside your inner pot on the trivet.

Set your Instant Pot to high pressure for 50 minutes. Once the time is up, press cancel, and do a manual release.

Remove the cake pan and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow to completely cool.

Once your cake has completely cooled, place the contents in a large bowl and crumble.

Add in your frosting to the cake.

Mix well.

Using a cookie scoop, or a small spoon, grab a small amount of the cake mix. Roll the cake mix between the palm of your hands to form a ball. Place on a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

In a medium sized bowl, melt your baking chocolate in the microwave for 30 second intervals until completely melted.

Add in your green food coloring to melted chocolate until desired color.

Remove your cake balls from the freezer. Dip each ball in your green chocolate. Coat completely, and transfer to a parchment paper to allow the chocolate to harden. Immediately place one heart sprinkle on the top of each truffle before the chocolate hardens.

Instant Pot Grinch Truffles

Once the chocolate has hardened - Enjoy!

Tell me — what’s your favorite version of The Grinch movie?!

Pin for later

PIN ME - Instant Pot Grinch Truffles Recipe Perfect for Christmas

Gift Giving Ideas for Teachers (and more!)

December 15, 2019 by Rachel 34 Comments

This post has been sponsored by Big Lots. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Think you’re set for the holidays? But did you forget anyone? Perhaps THE MOST important person (or people) of all time?? Whatever you do, do not forget your childrens’ teachers, babysitters, and daycare workers!

It wasn’t until my son started kindergarten last year that I realized just how selfless these teachers are. They take care of our babies, day in and day out. They’re underpaid and under appreciated. So I have made it a point to show my outpouring of love and gratitude at any chance I get.

But what do you buy for the person who has likely gotten every apple-themed, pencil-holding, knick knack under the sun?

Big Lots has us covered.

Teacher and Administration Gift Ideas

Yes, the teachers! But don’t forget about the administration and other necessary school staff!

Gift Ideas for the Foodies

Everyone gets cookies, right? But what about the foodie-teachers? I’m sure they’re cookied-out by Christmas break. Big Lots has a large selection of foodie items that will be perfect for your teachers.

Some notable favorites of ours (and our teachers) are the meat and cheese sets, lobster spread, smoked salmon, and spicy jalapeno hot sauce.

If you know the teacher is a drinkie (like a foodie, but with adult beverages!), you can also buy fun mixers and glasses!

Gift Ideas for the Caffeine-Obsessed

Like I said before, teachers are cookied-out. But is there really a limit on caffeine? I think not!

Big Lots has a large variety of coffee, tea, and even cocoa gifts for your favorite caffeine-obsessed teacher. There’s the 12-cocoa’s of Christmas, exotic teas from around the world, and more!

Practical Gifts with Fun Flare

Everyone loves a plush blanket for those cold winter nights, so pick one up from Big Lots! I can tell you from experience that the cozy blankets pair perfectly with the Dearfoam slippers!

Or perhaps an oil diffuser and some relaxing bath bombs to give your teacher an opportunity to treat herself (or himself!). Regardless of the type of practical gift you choose, I’m certain that the teacher will be forever grateful.

Other Hard-to-Shop-For People in Your Life

School staff aren’t the only ones who are difficult to shop for. Stop by Big Lots for all of your gifting needs!

Stocking Stuffers

I’m completely ready for Christmas morning thanks to the stocking stuffers I picked up at Big Lots. My kids are obsessed with lip gloss and bath stuff, so I grabbed a few character themed sets for them.

White Elephant Gifts

My extended family hosts an annual Christmas party two weeks before the holiday. This year I’m bringing my A-Game for our white elephant exchange thanks to the super fun gifts I picked up at Big Lots.

Someone in my family is going to end up with a huge gummy bear and someone else is definitely going home with a beer bottle belt (you’re welcome, family).

Spreading holiday cheer

Regardless of who you are shopping for, be sure to pick up all of the things you need for spreading holiday cheer at Big Lots!

Tell me — what are you going to pick up for the teachers this year?

Giving Gifts that Give Back

November 29, 2019 by Rachel 19 Comments

After becoming a mom, one thing became crystal clear — Christmas is 100%, entirely about the children. Not just my children, but all children. This holiday season my children and I are using the spirit of Christmas and shopping at Gordman’s to give back to St. Jude’s.

I took my littlest helper to our local Gordman’s to grab some gifts while the big kids were in school. Since our main prerogative for this trip was a mission to give back, we picked up some toys at deep discounts to donate to our local children’s hospital. This week we are wrapping the gifts and my kids are going to turn them over to kids who will be stuck in the hospital for the holidays.

Bear’s That Care

I also purchased a couple of Bear’s That Care! Bears That Care is a partnership between Gordman’s and St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Gordman’s will donate $2 of each Bear sold this season to St. Jude’s. St. Jude’s believes that no family should have to worry about a medical bill while just trying to make sure their child lives.

How you can give back

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is December 3rd. Consider giving a donation to St. Jude’s Research Hospital this holiday season.

Use the hashtag #BearsThatCare

From now until December 31st, Gordman’s will donate $1 to St. Jude’s for every time you use the hashtag #BearsThatCare on Instagram. How easy is that? If you’re going to use hashtags, add this into your post!

toddler looking at camera with teddy bear

Shop at Gordman’s and buy a Bear

Shopping at Gordman’s for gifts is at a deep discount is a given; but while you’re there, consider picking up the St. Jude’s bear.

Teach your children the power of giving back

As parents, we are delivering lessons to our children daily. Make one of those lessons the tradition of giving back this holiday season. Help in a soup kitchen, deliver toys to the hospital, or donate to a food drive. However you choose to make a difference, get your children involved in the process.

Tell me — how are you going to give back this holiday season?

Gift Giving that Gives Back with Gordman's

Kid-Friendly Holiday Decorating Tips

November 26, 2019 by Rachel 31 Comments

This post has been sponsored by Big Lots. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Does anyone else feel like for all of the Christmas songs there should be at least a couple tunes for Thanksgiving? I, for one, am beyond excited to have our family over for our first Thanksgiving in our forever home. Our century-old farmhouse is the perfect place to host and decorate for this special occasion.

In our family, Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday season. We all have to be separate places on Christmas morning, but for Thanksgiving, we are always together. This years’ total attendance will be 6 adults, 5 (young) children, and 3 dogs.

I picked up all of the necessary decorations and table settings at Big Lots. They’re both adorable and kid-friendly — on a budget. The rustic holiday look with buffalo check, burlap accents, and red vintage feel was exactly what we need to keep the farmhouse-feel.

Kid-Friendly Holiday Decorating Tips:

Limit the breakables.

Instead of trying to keep breakable decorations away from my littles, I just eliminate them almost entirely. The items I’ve decorated with are sturdy, inexpensive, and made of soft or plastic materials. No glass here!

Get them involved.

Want your kids to respect the items you decorate with? Have them help you pick out the items at Big Lots! Getting them involved in the process gets them excited to have the items displayed in your home.

Also? Kids love holiday chores. Get them excited to have company over by enlisting their help setting the table! My kids treat it like a craft project. They get to ‘put together’ all of the seats, plates, and settings.

Don’t take it too seriously.

I know so many people who take their holiday decorating to a whole other level. That’s great, but it also can set you up for major disappointment when something is out of place or doesn’t look right.

Instead, have fun with it. Do you want to put your tree up now? Go for it! You don’t want to stick to one theme? Then don’t! The holidays should be a fun and happy time for everyone. So let it be.

If decorating farmhouse chic isn’t your thing, Big Lots also has a super gorgeous blue and gold line of decor as well as a colorful line! So something for everyone!

What’s your favorite holiday decor trend this season?