Stocking Stuffers They're Sure to Love


Oh no! What to put in those stockings?! Has anyone else ever went out last minute to get items for the stockings? Thanks to Amazon Prime, we can have things at our door next day. One time, my family and I were watching home videos. It was a Christmas that I don't remember at all. But this year I was getting excited by an orange in my stocking. Whether I was actually happy excited or totally bewildered, who knows because I was only three. Fruit and chocolate were a common thing I found in my stocking as a child. And it makes me wonder if my mother also forgot to fill the stockings until they were being hung by the chimney with care. What are some of your favorite items you have received across the years in your stocking? I have compiled a list of stocking stuffers they're sure to love!

Cheap Christmas Class Treats

These are easy and inexpensive Christmas treats that are great for sharing with school friends whether you are a teacher or a parent for your little one.

Cheap Christmas Class Treats

Homemade Grinch Bites


Happy holidays! Have you checked out our non-alcoholic holiday drinks or where you can stream your favorite Christmas movies? How about the GRINCH? WHich version is your favorite? Personally my favorite is the new Dreamsworks version, I love that Pentatonix is the carolers that chase the Grinch through Who-ville. Hilarious! I fell in love with Pentatonix back when they were solely on YouTube.

I have shared this recipe before, but it is so easy and so much fun!
 

Homemade Grinch Bites


Homemade Grinch Bites: Cake Pop


Creating A Winter Wonderland: Outdoor Holiday Lighting Tips

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, it's the perfect time to start creating a magical wonderland in your outdoor space with some cozy holiday lights! With summery patio furniture put away and bags of fallen leaves just waiting to be swept off driveways, now is the ideal moment for homeowners to start getting creative with their outdoor holiday décor.

Creating A Winter Wonderland: Outdoor Holiday Lighting Tips


Whether you're simply replacing existing lighting fixtures or planning an elaborate display, these helpful tips will help you create a winter wonderland that will light up your home and neighborhood this festive season.

Where to Stream Your Favorite Christmas Movie This Holiday Season


Thank you to Vicksburgs Mamas & GatheredLiving for sharing!

Check out Paramount+ for more! Sign up today for a FREE Hulu Trial.

Half of your first month of SlingTV & then $20/month for live.

Amazon Video is available with your Amazon Prime purchase. Select government assistance can receive 50% off an account.

Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drinks


 Thank you to Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions Program for sharing these amazing non-alcoholic holiday drink ideas. These mocktails will be sure to make your sober life still merry and bright. I was sober curious for a while and since I now have been sober for over two years, I can tell you that some people you are weird for not wanting to drink, but you have to be strong in what you know is best for you. I get asked, "Are you pregnant?" and "What do you do to have fun?", but if you HAVE to drink to have fun then maybe you don't actually like who you are hanging out with or what you are doing. Find your tribe, love them hard, and remember why you are doing this! 


Go See "Journey to Bethlehem" in Theaters 11/10! + Giveaway

Many thanks to AFFIRM Films, Inc. for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Moms, buy tickets TODAY to see this family-friendly, uplifting, joyful film in theaters opening weekend, November 10! Whether you like musicals or not, you’ll love the brand new music in this film, Journey to Bethlehem, starring Antonio Banderas, Milo Manheim, and more! This is a perfect movie to invite your friends and family to! Buy tickets today at https://tickets.journeytobethlehemmovie.com/!



A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical adventure for the entire family weaves classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith, and new pop songs in a retelling of the greatest story ever told—the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it. See JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM in theaters beginning November 10.

Christian music fans, this movie is for you! Watch Joel Smallbone (For King And Country), Lecrae, and Möriah in Journey to Bethlehem, in theaters starting November 10! Listen to the soundtrack album HERE: https://journeytobethlehem.lnk.to/soundtrack.

Stream “The Garden” Now {+ $10 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway}

Many thanks to Garden Productions for providing a sample of the product for this re- view. Opinions are 100% my own.

Your kids matter. What they watch does, too. “The Garden” will help them understand the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that’s entertaining and centered on truth! I have been watching my niece and nephew. And I love getting to share the good word with them in such a fun way!



“The Garden” is a Christ-centered children’s cartoon series aimed at teaching your kids the Gospel in a way they can understand. It features LENNY THE LION and LUCY THE LAMB—two best friends who work inside a magical garden where ANYTHING can grow! Each story revolves around them having to accomplish their goals by learning a Bible story or an original song. “The Garden” will take your kids right along on these adventures, too!

Go See IT'S CHRISTMAS AGAIN in Theaters 11/29 ONLY!

Many thanks to Mapelle Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

When it comes to Christmas, I want my children to know the true meaning and why we celebrate the season. So if you are a mom like me, then go see IT’S CHRISTMAS AGAIN, in theaters for one day only on November 29th! IT’S CHRISTMAS AGAIN is a modern-day musical the whole family will love about one teenager’s journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. A film with a beautiful reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season.


About IT'S CHRISTMAS AGAIN: Jake Young (Lawson Touliatos) wants nothing more than to spend his Christmas vacation with his girlfriend, Abbey Walker (Leela Owen). So when Abbey volunteers for her church’s Christmas play, Jake is ready to skip Christmas this year until an unexpected turn of events lands him in a field outside Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. While on his journey with the shepherds to find the promised Messiah, Jake discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Coming this Christmas season, IT’S CHRISTMAS AGAIN is a modern-day musical the whole family will love!

Holiday Book Ideas for Kid's Christmas Eve Baskets

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of Candlewick Press.

 Something you want. Something you need. Something to wear. Something to read. This year may look different, but we can still hold on to some traditions. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is giving my children a Christmas Eve basket that is filled with fun things to do and fun holiday books to read. 


Christmas Eve Basket Ideas


I have been making these baskets since my son's first Christmas and it is a fun tradition that my children look forward to each year. I thought I would share some great ideas to fill your Christmas Eve basket if you would like to start this wonderful tradition.


Easy Homemade Ornaments Perfect for Kid Parties

These Rae Dunn or Frozen 2 inspired homemade ornament craft for kids were created with products received from Oriental Trading. Although complimentary products were received, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

If you have been following me since 2014, then you know that I have enjoyed collaborating with Oriental Trading off and on even though I have been a huge fan of theirs for years. I love the variety of products they provide whether it is birthday decorations, educational toys, costumes for the entire family, or crafting supplies. They even have home décor that you can check out as well.


DIY Rae Dunn or Frozen 2 inspired ornaments



My daughter celebrated her 9th birthday today and we held a slumber party over the weekend. While thinking of activities to include, I decided on having the children make homemade ornaments. I didn't want anything too involved or messy, so we settled on these Rae Dunn or Frozen 2 inspired ornaments. The writing reminds me of Rae Dunn collection pieces while the inside reminds me of Frozen 2. I loved the idea of making ornaments for a winter slumber party because it was a great activity plus they got a little party favor to take home.

Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Lazy Parents

If you are new to Elf on the Shelf or considering it for the first time, this list may or may not be for you. I was forced into the tradition of Elf on the Shelf. My mother-in-law gifted us the little creature when my daughter wasn't quite three years old. It was annoying to deal with as it was just another thing for us to deal with during the holidays aka our busiest time of year. Then my son was born and became mobile, so I realized I was gifted this wonderful incentive to help him behave because no child wants to send a bad report to Santa himself aka the big guy.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Lazy Parents


My husband and I tend to forget to move our elf so we tell our kids "Annie (or elf) must really like that spot". But unfortunately, we can't do this for 25 straight days. So, I have created the lazy easy elf on the shelf ideas for parents who are like me and don’t like messy are super involved mischiefs for their elves to get up to.

Get Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ready + Giveaway

My friends have been getting together more frequently during the holidays. It can still be hard to get everyone together especially since most of us are married with children, but we still feel it is important to spend time together. This year we did our first Thanksgiving and for the past few years we have been getting together for a Christmas/New Years shindig. This year, I suggestion we do an Ugly Christmas Sweater party because honestly? Themed parties are so MUCH FUN!


I personally love the variety to choose from at UglyChristmasSweater.com. Whatever you like, they have something for you. Rick and Morty, a variety of Disney, plenty of different Christmas movies, etc. Plus they have onesies, leggings, and more on top of sweater options. They even have ones that light too.

How To Keep The Kids Calm In The Build Up To Christmas

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year as the song says, it is also very, very exciting for children. Perhaps a little too exciting and as the Christmas decorations go up in the town so early these days, the supermarket shelves are full of Christmas it can seem a long time for children to wait for Christmas Day. However, it doesn't have to be, this can all be part of the fun of preparing for Christmas, so how can you do that without your child expecting it always to be Christmas tomorrow?


Image by candice_rose from Pixabay


DIY Winter Princess Holiday Wreath

I use to love different crafts projects and I still do, but I am one of those people that has to be in the mood and it isn't an everyday occurrence. Once I start a project, I like to finish it so finding the time is key for me. That's why I tend to lean towards easy projects, like this DIY Winter Princess Holiday Wreath. It is perfect for winter, Christmas, or a winter birthday theme. And it was VERY easy to make. I was sent a ton of items from Oriental Trading to provide this craft. All opinions are my own.


DIY Winter Princess Holiday Wreath



What my favorite part about this craft is that you can use different color tulle and make what ever kind of wreath you wanted! Red, White, and Blue for Independence Day. Red and Green for Christmas. Black and Orange for Halloween! It's seriously so versatile. I love easy, peasy home décor ideas and wreaths are a perfect way to keep your home festive.

Getting Ahead For The Christmas Period: Here’s What You Can Do

You may be thinking that discussing Christmas right now is a little too soon, but in all fairness, the way the year has gone it is soon going to be coming around once more. The issue many people find with occasions such as Christmas is the fact it can sneak up on you. Christmas costs and there is no escaping that, and even if you vow to try and take it easy each year their are gifts you might want to buy, decorating your home and that amazing feast we all look forward to on Christmas Day itself. But the problem many face is the lack of preparation for the holiday season. With that in mind, it seems the perfect time to suggest some of the ways you can begin preparing right now, to ensure you have a fabulous Christmas this year.

Christmas in July with UglyChristmasSweater.com + Giveaway

It's Christmas in July! And I wanted to talk to you today about Ugly Christmas Sweater parties and matching family Christmas jammies? What are you thoughts? I always have so much fun matching my kiddos' pajamas and they actually love it too! I have personally never been to an Ugly Christmas Sweater party, but I have always wanted to. Our friends have decided to start a tradition of getting together every year for some sort of holiday party whether it is November, December, or even January!


The reality is we don't get together as much as we use to, but we miss each other so much. So fun parties are a great way for us to have family friendly fun! I was recently contact about UglyChristmasSweater.com and showcasing some of their cute onesies and pajamas. They had so much to choose from; funny, traditional, even personalized butt flaps! Too funny! 

How to Make Reindeer Food {Plus FREE Printable}

We set out cookies and milk for Santa. But what about for his reindeer? Some set out carrots, but we like to make reindeer food! It is super easy to make and I also have a few tips and tricks to make it all that more magical.

Reindeer Food Recipe


Wee Believers Christmas Giveaway

How do you teach your children the true meaning of the season? Wee Believers is a faith-based, inspirational company passionate about providing toys and activities for kids to explore their values in a fun way. For Christmas, they have decided to provide a great giveaway for $50 in goodies! From nativity scenes to crafts, they have so many ways to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.



Enter to WIN

Celebrate the Holidays with the Ultimate Christmas Bucket List

Because there is so much you may want to do to celebrate the season, I have created the Ultimate Christmas Bucket List (and free printable) to celebrate the holiday season! Pick and choose what you want to do and don't put pressure on yourself if you don't complete it. This is about FUN and not stress. Remember, mom, you are doing a great job.