Category: family fun

How to Celebrate Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

Did you know today, March 26, is Make Up Your Own Holiday day? The holiday is perfect for entertaining children at home. The best part, there is no right or wrong answer to the celebration.

Ways to Celebrate Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

Get the entire family to participate. Ask questions. Enjoy your quality time. Do you need some inspiration? Check out the list below.

Food

Turn mealtime into a celebration. For example, a simple pasta dinner can quickly turn into a spaghetti celebration.

  • Placemats: Get creative. Make placemats out of construction paper or draw designs on plain notebook paper.
  • Decorations: Ask your children to draw or create decorations for the special holiday. Make a centerpiece for the table.
  • Create the Mood: Use your Christmas or special plate settings. Cut around the edges of paper plates to make distinctive designs.
  • Add a Treat: Bake a special dessert. Yes, cookies count.

Animal

Pick an animal to celebrate for the Make Up Your Own Holiday day. A wild animal, an ocean dweller, stuffed animal, or your favorite pet can be part of the celebration.

  • Draw: Use crayons or markers to draw a picture of the animal. Drawing is a great way to expand your child’s imagination. (Yes, you can draw too.)
  • Paint: Use watercolors, acrylics, or make your own paint to create a picture.
  • Story Time: Ask your child to write a story about the animal. If your child is young, write the story down.
  • Research: If celebrating a wild animal or a dinosaur, spend some time researching. Where does the animal live? How big does the animal get? What does the animal eat? Each answer is a great way to learn.

Place

Celebrate a place. The location can be anywhere in the world, outer space, fictional lands, or entirely imaginary.

  • Real Places: Learn about a different country. Base your evening meal on the country’s culture. Get creative. Do crafts about the country. Or simply just research and learn.
  • Outer Space: Learn about the planets, moon, black holes, or the stars.
  • Fictional Worlds: Celebrate the fictional places in your child’s favorite book or movie. For example, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone introduce the reader to Hogsmeade. The fictional village is a perfect fictional location to celebrate Make Up Your Own Holiday day.

Movie or Book

Create a celebration focusing on a film or book. How many times have you watched the movies Frozen or Frozen 2? Or how many times have you or your family members read the Harry Potter series? Books and films are a fantastic resource to make up an unofficial holiday. The celebration can be as simple as watching a movie. Or elaborate as turning the entire day into craft activities, food, and fun.

Remember celebrating Make Up Your Own Holiday can be an excellent way to entertain your family while at home.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I know this year’s celebrations are probably not going as planned. But I wanted to take the time to wish my followers a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Being in Michigan, all of the bars and dine-in restaurants are closed. Both a popular choice for celebrating the holiday. But I am a firm believer in making the best out of the situation.

  • Celebrate at home.
  • Make a special meal or dessert.
  • Download a St. Patrick’s Day-themed movie.
  • Listen to Irish music.- Celtic Thunder is my favorite.
  • Do St. Patrick Day crafts.

The celebration may not be the same. But I am confident, the day will be memorable.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

20 St. Patrick’s Day Books for Kids

Are you looking for St. Patrick’s Day children’s books to check out at the library or purchase? Check out the following list for ideas.
St. Patrick’s Day Books
  1. How to Catch a Leprechaun (2016) by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
  2. Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase: Includes 12 St. Patrick’s Day Cards, Fold-Out Poster, and Stickers! (2019) by James Dean
  3. The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day (2009) by Natasha Wing and Amy Wummer
  4. Pout-Pout Fish: Lucky Leprechaun (A Pout-Pout Fish Paperback Adventure) (2012) by Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna
  5. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover! (2012) by Lucille Colandro and Jared Lee
  6. The Itsy Bitsy Leprechaun (2018) by Jeffrey Burton and Sanja Rescek
  7. The Lucky Leprechauns (2013) by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook
  8. That’s What Leprechauns Do (2009) by Eve Bunting and Emily Arnold McCully
  9. The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever (2008) by Teddy Slater and Ethan Long
  10. Baby’s First St. Patrick’s Day (Baby’s First Holidays) (2020) by DK
  11. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Coloring & Activity Book for Toddlers & Preschool Kids Ages 1-4 (2019) by Green Light Go
  12. Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato (1997) by Tomie dePaola
  13. The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day (2013) by Patricia A. Pingry
  14. Shiny Shapes: Happy St. Patrick’s Day (2019) by Roger Priddy
  15. The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School (2018) by Laura Murray and Mike Lowery
  16. A Fine St. Patrick’s Day (2008) by Susan Wojciechowski and Tom Curry
  17. The Story of the Leprechaun (2001) by Katherine Tegen and Sally Anne Lambert
  18. Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk (Picture Puffins) (1992) by Gerald McDermott
  19. Little Man of Disneyland (Disney Classic) (Little Golden Book) (2015) by RH Disney and Walt Disney Studio
  20. Lucky Tucker (2008) by Leslie McGuirk

 

Please note: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

March Journal Writing Prompts

Keeping a daily journal has numerous benefits. You can write about your fears, concerns, and memories. The creative outlet provides a way to rid your daily stress. Journal writing offers valuable insight.

Journal Writing Prompts for March

  1. What do you have planned for March? Did you accomplish everything from last month?
  2. If you could enter into any fictional world, where would you go? Why?
  3. What are you doing to take care of yourself? List all the self-care activities.
  4. What is an unforgettable memory from your childhood? Your teen years? A recent one?
  5. Look at your camera or phone. What was the last photo you took? Describe the picture in great detail.
  6. When you were a child or teen, who was your role model? Why was this person important to you?
  7. Who is your role model now?
  8. Happy Daylight Savings Time! Does the extra hour of light affect your mood? Why or why not?
  9. When asked for a book recommendation, what one do you tell people to read? Why?
  10. Write about anything for approximately 15 minutes. Freewriting is a wonderful creative outlet.
  11. What was the best part of your day?
  12. What were you doing at 9am? Noon? 4pm?
  13. Happy Friday the 13th? Are you superstitious?
  14. What can you do to make the rest of the weekend special? For yourself? For your family?
  15. What is one activity you would like to try? What is stopping you?
  16. What is one goal you can achieve by the end of the month?
  17. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Did you do anything to celebrate the holiday?
  18. If you could meet any of your ancestors, who would you pick? Why?
  19. Happy First Day of Spring! Create a spring bucket list for yourself, your family, or friends.
  20. What spring-themed recipe would you like to try? Why?
  21. If you were given a superpower, what would it be? Why is this power vital to you?
  22. Write, in detail, about your last vacation or day trip include your favorite or least favorite parts.
  23. Write a local review of a restaurant or cafe.
  24. Draw a picture of a fantasy creature. (No, the drawing does not have to be perfect.) Write a short story about the creature’s life.
  25. Write 3 good things about your day.
  26. Write a list of upcoming movies you want to watch.
  27. What is your favorite song that is out right now? What were your past favorite songs?
  28. Write about a challenging time in your life? How did you work through it?
  29. What is your earliest memory? Why is that memory so vivid for you?
  30. Write about your current feelings.
  31. The third month of 2020 is almost over. What do you plan to accomplish in the remaining months?

March Photo Prompts

March brings Day Light Savings Time, St. Patrick’s Day, and Spring. Enjoy the month by snapping photos every day. Your camera does not need to be fancy, your phone will do the job.

Do you need some inspiration for March’s photo prompts? Check out these ideas.

  1. Selfie
  2. Friends
  3. Beverage
  4. Pet
  5. Family
  6. Trees
  7. Retro
  8. Day Light Savings Time!  Light
  9. Weather
  10. Gold or yellow
  11. Shadows
  12. Distance
  13. Close
  14. Signs
  15. Luck
  16. Green
  17. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Party
  18. Snack
  19. Sunset or sunrise
  20. First Day of Spring! Celebrate
  21. Flowers
  22. Landscape
  23. Nature
  24. Current view
  25. Graffiti
  26. Noon
  27. Music
  28. Wrinkles
  29. Patterns
  30. Night
  31. Sparkles

Enjoy your daily journey to find the perfect photo. The start of spring means warm days are ahead. Remember, you can take pictures with friends or family members. Share your images on social media. Print them. Or make a memorable scrapbook.

January: Sunday Supper Month

Did you know January is National Sunday Supper Month? Is spending more quality time part of your New Year’s resolutions? Combining the two is the perfect way to start off the new year.

Getting the Most Out of your Sunday Suppers

January 2020 has four Sundays. Each one is an excellent time to gather your family together. And, yes, National Sunday Suppers Month can be a group of friends enjoying each other’s company.

Plan Ahead, Make a Meal

Start by planning a meal. Remember, Sunday Suppers is a great way to try a new recipe or make a special dessert.

  • Make your favorite meal
  • Make the entire meal together as a family
  • Let your kids pick the meal
  • Gather friends for a pot-luck style meal

Order In

Didn’t have time to go to the supermarket? Do not worry.  Pull those menus out of the drawer and pick a meal for supper. Yes, pizza does count. Remember your trying to encourage family time.

Go Out to Eat

When was the last time your family went out to eat at a restaurant?

  • Go to your favorite restaurant
  • Be a tourist in your hometown and try a new cafe, eatery, or restaurant
  • Let the kids pick the place to eat

From a crockpot full of homemade bean soup to the restaurant of your choice, enjoy National Sunday Suppers Month. Spend quality time with your loved ones. Who knows, staring Sunday Suppers in January may result in a new tradition for the rest of 2020.

Family Night: New Year’s Eve

Are you staying home with your family on New Year’s Eve? Use the evening for quality time, host a family night. An impromptu family fun night will turn your New Year’s Eve into a lasting memory.

Ideas for Your New Year’s Eve Family Night

Not only does this New Year’s Eve ring in a new year, but it also brings a new decade. Celebrating with your family is a perfect way to usher in the new year.

Food

Party food is essential but does not need to be elaborate.

    • Pizza: Order pizza. Or make homemade pizzas to fit everyone’s exact tastes.
    • Finger Food: Make finger sandwiches. Even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into fours is an excellent treat for New Year’s Eve.
    • Sweets: Bake cookies or brownies.
    • Celebration Cake: Make a 2020 cake. The cake does not need to be fancy. A simple cake with white frosting and 2020 in writing does the trick.
    • Ice Cream: Create a sundae bar. A gallon of ice cream, different toppings, and whipped cream make a simple sundae bar for the entire family to enjoy.

Drinks

Serve different family drinks for the evening activities. Of course, water should always be on the menu. But consider sparkling cider or punch for a midnight toast. Homemade hot cocoa is another delicious idea to add to the celebration.

Activities

Plan different activities leading up to midnight.

  • Games: Play board or card games. Sitting together and talking is great for quality family time.
  • Do Crafts: Make paper crowns or hats for the New Year’s Eve celebration. Create themed decorations or art.
  • Movies: Binge-watch your favorite movie or series until midnight.
  • Scavenger Hunt: Hide clues throughout your home to lead to a final treasure.

Making Memories

The best part about spending New Year’s Eve at home is making lasting memories.

  • Photo Booth: Create a photo area. Use a blanket, sheet, shower curtain, or large piece of material for a backdrop. Place different props out. The accessories can be homemade. Make a point to take pictures every hour leading up to midnight.
  • Time Capsule: Create a time capsule. Ask your family or friends questions. For example, what do you want to do when you grow up? The question is simple. But when opening the time capsule, you may find the answer amusing or inspiring.
  • Make Memory Cards: Index cards work well for this type of activity. Ask each of your family members to write out favorite moments in 2019. You may need to help younger children. Encourage drawing. Each card is a perfect addition to a scrapbook or photo album.

Regardless of how you celebrate, enjoy the evening with your family. You only get to ring in 2020 once in your lifetime.

Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice officially occurs on December 21, 2019, at 11:19 pm EST. In the Northern Hemisphere, the astronomical event marks the first day of winter. Knowing as the longest night of the year, the day marks the return of the light. Slowly the days will grow longer and the night shorter.

How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

People around the globe celebrate the Winter Solstice in many ways. If you are looking for simple ways to celebrate the start of the winter season, consider the following:

Go for a Nature Walk

Even if the sun is starting to set, go outdoors.

  • Dress appropriately. Remember to wear layers to keep warm.
  • Carry your cell phone, but put the device on vibrate.
  • Use a flashlight if needed.
  • Remember to walk in a known location for safety. Walking on a familiar path is essential if the sun is setting.

Go to the Library

On your walk or car ride, go to your local library to check out books about the Winter Solstice. Some quick title suggestion includes:

Your local library, online shopping center, or bookstore has numerous books related to the Winter Solstice.

Eat 

Combine your Winter Solstice celebration with your dinner. Host a special family night, or invite friends over to join you. Some basic ideas include:

  • A hearty Winter Solstice Soup to help you stay warm.
  • Swedish Saffron Buns or create bread in the shape of the sun to welcome back the light-filled days.
  • Mulled Wine, Hot Tea, or Egg Nog
  • Winter Salad
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Butternut Squash
  • Bake a cake in the shape of a Yule Log
  • Use nature and winter-themed items to decorate a cake.

Feed the Birds 

Long winter nights mean less available food for birds. Add extra seeds to your bird feeder. Or decorate a tree with edible food for the birds to enjoy.

Make Nature Crafts

Use items from your nature walk for crafting. Pine cones, small twigs, or acorns are perfect materials for wreaths and other nature-inspired crafts.

The Winter Solstice is a once a year event. Even if you just decide to curl up under a comforter with a good book, take a moment out of your busy work, school, or holiday schedule to celebrate the longest night.

 

 

 

Please note: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

What Are Christmas Crackers?

A British tradition,  Christmas crackers are traceable back to Victorian times. Tom Smith, a confectioner, began adding romantic poems to his bonbons. He would twist the wrapping around the sugary treat with the poem inside. Generally, only men would buy the almond-flavored bonbons to give to women as a romantic gesture.

Sitting by a crackling fire one night, Tom Smith came up with the idea to add the snap sound to the bonbon treats. Eventually, the bonbon name was set aside for the Christmas cracker or Cosaques. The novelty of the Christmas cracker was successful.

The Christmas crackers are colorfully decorated tubes filled with small items. Typically the cracker contains a paper hat, a joke or motto, and a small gift. The jokes inside the crackers are usually ridiculous.

When pulling on the cracker, generally two people tug at each end, a little snap occurs. The fun novelty item is perfect for any holiday celebration.

Homemade Christmas Crackers

Yes, you can make your own Christmas crackers.

  • Use paper tubes.
  • Fill inside with goodies. (When you make your own, you can fill the tubes with age-appropriate items. For example, for adults, you could add one dollar lottery tickets or miniature bottles of alcohol. For teenagers, consider adding lip balms, USBs, or small usable items.)
  • Wrap with tissue paper, cloth, or wrapping paper.
  • Secure the ends with string
  • Decorate with individual names or other items

Did You Know?

In the U.K. on December 20, 2001, the children, staff, and parents at Ley Hill School and Pre-School, Chesham presented the world’s largest Christmas cracker. The cracker measured 207 feet long and 13 feet around. Now, that was a Christmas cracker with a loud bang.

Many design Christmas crackers to promote a business. Using company themed items, the Christmas crackers are given away with logos or other designs on the small trinkets inside.

Millionaire Christmas crackers contain expensive jewelry. The specially made bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are given at fancy parties as extravagant gifts.

Whether you make your own or buy Christmas crackers, add them to your holiday party list. Enjoy the party favors at your next gathering.

 

 

 

Reference: The History of Christmas Crackers. https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/crackers.shtml

 

Please note: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Creating a Christmas Season Bucket List

Ushering in a magical time of year, the holiday season is now in full swing. Soon, your schedule will be busy with all sorts of work, school, and other Christmas time commitments. Taking time to enjoy every moment is vital to making long-lasting memories.

Before you realize, Christmas vacation will be here. Get the best out of your holidays, make a Christmas Season Bucket List. Ask your family or friends for ideas on how to make the holiday season more fun. 

Ideas for Your Christmas Season Bucket List

Do you need some inspiration to get your bucket list started? Consider the following activities for your Christmas Season Bucket List. 

  • Decorate for Christmas
  • Put up the Christmas Tree
  • Decorate and hang stockings (don’t forget to add one for your dog)
  • Make your own Christmas ornaments
  • Go to the library to get Christmas-themed books
  • Bake and decorate Christmas cookies
  • Attend a Christmas parade
  • Visit Santa (Yes, even adults can have their picture taking with Santa. Enjoy the season!)
  • Write Santa
  • Make homemade Christmas cards
  • Go to a community event
  • Go caroling
  • Volunteer
  • Decorate a gingerbread house
  • Make holiday goodies to deliver to friends and relatives
  • Go ice skating
  • Host an Ugly Christmas Sweater party
  • Build a snowman
  • Host a Christmas tea
  • Have a Christmas movie marathon 
  • Make homemade hot cocoa (perfect for the movie marathon)
  • Sponsor a child or donate to a local charity
  • Make a Christmas wreath (make an extra one to give to a friend)
  • Ride around to view Christmas lights and other holiday displays 
  • Donate toys and gently used coats to your local charity
  • Make cookies or cupcakes for your local fire department
  • Get a professional Christmas portrait
  • Attend a live Nativity 
  • Go to Christmas services at a local church
  • Host a Christmas craft day
  • Go sledding or snowboarding
  • Play in the snow
  • Build a snowman
  • Call loved ones who live far away

Regardless of what you decide to do, spend quality time with those you love. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures of your activities. Make a Christmas scrapbook. Have fun, and enjoy the Christmas season.