Category: Christmas

Christmas in July: Making Ornaments

How is your Christmas in July celebrations going? Are you still looking for family-friendly activities to keep kids busy? Consider making ornaments from plaster. One of the best aspects of making ornaments now, you can save them to hang on your Christmas tree in December.

Materials Needed:

  • Christmas themed molds or pans (The plaster does not harm them, just wash thoroughly after use.)
  • Plaster
  • Throw away containers for mixing plaster. (Remember not to pour remaining plaster down the sink.)
  • Water
  • Paint in various colors
  • Paintbrushes

Instructions:

  1. Place newspapers or other protective materials on your counter.
  2. Mix plaster as directed. Always add the plaster mixture to the water for a smooth and consistent mixture. (Keep in mind, the plaster hardens quickly. You need to have your molds ready to go. You can add a little extra water to provide a bit more time).
  3. Fill molds.
  4. Place hangers into your mold. (Paper clips or pop can tab work great for an instant, inexpensive hook).
  5. Allow your ornaments to dry.
  6. Gently remove the ornaments from the molds. You may need to tap on the mold to loosen the ornament.
  7. Paint the ornaments.

Even younger children can help with the painting process. Just do not forget to add the date on the back. The ornaments can quickly turn into a lasting treasure.

Christmas in July: Make Sugar Cookies

Are you looking for another simple way to celebrate Christmas in July? Dig out your favorite sugar cookie recipe, find a new one on Pinterest, or grab a tube of dough at your local store. Regardless of your method, sugar cookies are a fun way to celebrate Christmas in July.

  1. Bake your cookies from the method of choice.
  2. Allow your batch of sugar cookies to cool.
  3. Frost cookies.
  4. Decorate

Do you want to get the kids involved in making sugar cookies to celebrate Christmas in July? Set out different types of holiday sprinkles, marshmallows, nuts, and other toppings. Then, ask your children to help decorate the cookies. Making up new designs and colors provides added fun.

Finally, time to eat the cookies. Put a plate of cookies out as part of family night.

You can always add a nice cup of hot chocolate or milk to the celebration. Now, the next challenge, who gets to pick the Christmas movie?

Christmas in July: Pretzel Treats

Are you celebrating Christmas in July? Are you watching your favorite Christmas show? Do you need a quick and easy snack with a Christmas theme? Pretzel treats are a fun way to celebrate Christmas in July.

Materials Needed:

  • Dipping chocolate
  • Pretzels of any style
  • Sprinkles or other types of toppings (You can use anything to decorate the pretzels. Other toppings include nuts, miniature marshmallows, chocolate chips, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. Melt dipping chocolate as directed. You can melt the chocolate in the microwave or use a double boiler pan.
  2. Melt chocolate to desired consistency.
  3. Dip pretzels in chocolate.
  4. Add sprinkles. For extra fun, allow your children to help decorate with the sprinkles. Creating their own snacks is a great way to get everyone involved.
  5. Allow the chocolate to harden.

Christmas in July: Family Movie Night

Time to unplug, step away from the local news, and enjoy Christmas in July with a movie night. Order pizza, make some popcorn or other tasty snacks to make movie night extra special.

Do you need some movie ideas for your family, friends, or just you and your dog? Check out the following list of 50 movies to celebrate Christmas in July. 

 

  • A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
  • Holiday in the Wild (2019)
  • Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (2012)
  • The Star (2017)
  • Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
  • Elf (2003)
  • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
  • A Christmas Story (1983)
  • The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas (2012)
  • If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie (2016)
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  • Frosty the Snowman
  • Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
  • The Litte Drummer Boy
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • Micky’s Once Upon a Christmas
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
  • Mickey’s Christmas Carol
  • The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
  • Polar Express (2004)
  • A Fairly Odd Christmas (2012)
  • Home Alone (1990)
  • I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown (2003)
  • SpongeBob SquarePants: It’s a Sponge Bob Christmas
  • Paw Patrol: Pups Save Christmas
  • The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
  • Klaus (2019)
  • Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)
  • The Flight Before Christmas
  • Jingle All the Way (1996)
  • The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
  • Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
  • It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
  • Noelle (2019)
  • The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
  • Disney’s Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
  • The Year Without Santa Claus
  • Trolls Holiday (2017)
  • Santa Hunters (2014)
  • Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
  • My Dad is Scrooge (2014)
  • Chilly Christmas (2012)
  • Saving Santa (2013)
  • Bah, Humduck: A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006)
  • Merry Christmas Drake and Josh (2008)
  • Arthur Christmas (2011)
  • Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale 2007)
  • Yogi’s First Christmas (1980)
  • In Search of Santa (2004)

 

Enjoy your movie night!

Celebrating Christmas in July

Social distancing, the news, and other regular commitments add stress and worry to daily living. Taking the time to celebrate whimsical, unofficial holidays gives you a chance to relax. Celebrating Christmas in July is all about having fun in the middle of summer. A small taste of Christmas bliss may be an added blessing.

The history of celebrating Christmas in July seems unclear with different versions of the beginning. For the most part, the origin of the unofficial celebration began at a Keystone Camp in 1933 in Brevard, North Carolina. The two-day event, July 24 and 25, had all the holiday trimmings, including Santa Claus (Milbrand, 2020). Over time, Christmas in July has grown to include marketing campaigns, festivals, movies, and much more.

How to Celebrate Christmas in July

Celebrating Christmas in July can be a smaller version of your regular holiday activities. Do you need some inspiration on how to celebrate Christmas in July? Check out the following.

  • Watch Movies: Enjoy your seasonal favorites twice a year. Watch Christmas movies or cartoons, Make the activity part of your regular family night.
  • Elf on the Shelf: Is the Elf on the Shelf part of your holiday celebration? Bring him or her out as a mid-year check-in.
  • Bake: Make seasonal holiday treats. Christmas cookies are a great addition to family night.
  • Send Cards: No, they do not need to be Christmas cards, just the sentiment of thinking of you and wishing you well.
  • Decorate: Include some holiday decorations to celebrate Christmas in July. You can either pull out all of your Christmas decorations or hang a few twinkle lights as a more subtle way to celebrate.
  • Family Meal: Make the traditional Christmas family meal or host a BBQ to enjoy the summer season.
  • Do Crafts: Make wreaths, ornaments, or other seasonal items. The best part, put these items away to decorate at Christmas.
  • Exchange Gifts: When giving gifts as part of your Christmas in July celebrations, think stocking stuffers. Small, inexpensive gifts for your child to use. Also, do not forget the dog.

Celebrating Christmas in July provides you with a chance to prepare for the holiday season. Use the mid-summer celebration as a template of the activities you want to do at Christmas time.

 

Reference:

Milbrand, Lisa. (2020). https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/christmas-in-july

Merry Christmas!

For those who are celebrating, I wish you a very Merry Christmas! May you never be too old to search the sky on Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Your Dog

Are you getting ready to do some last-minute shopping? When finding the perfect stocking stuffers, do not forget your dog. Your faithful companion will love the extra attention on Christmas morning.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Your Dog

  • Ball: A new ball to chase around the yard or at the dog park.
  • Squeaky Toy: Okay, a new squeaky may be annoying for you, but your dog loves the noisy toy.
  • Collar: A new collar to match your dog’s personality. Get a matching leash.
  • Bandana: This inexpensive item comes in numerous colors and designs. You could get your dog one for each day of the week.
  • Treats: Your dog loves treats. Place your four-legged friend’s favorite treats in the stocking or make a batch of homemade ones. Your dog will thank you with lots of kisses.
  • Winter Coat: Are you in a colder climate? Dogs love to be pampered. Buying your dog a winter coat will make outdoor time more fun.
  • Personalized Dog Tag: Get your dog a customized dog tag to ensure a safe return home if lost.

Make Christmas time promises to your dog. For example, to spend extra quality time together through the holiday season. A longer walk or extra cuddle time while binge-watching your favorite show, your dog will enjoy your time together.

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

 

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What is a Christingle?

Did you recently hear the word Christingle? Do you know the meaning? Christingle is a symbolic way to celebrate the Christian faith. Dating back to the mid-1700s, Christingle was part of a German worship service. The minister gave the children a lighted candle with a red ribbon.

In the late 1960s, Christingles became popular in England. Generally, Christingle services are held the week before or part of Christmas Eve services. Making a Christingle is simple. However, each piece has a specific meaning.

Items Needed:

I used the candy that I had on hand.
  • Orange: The base of the Christingle is an orange or tangerine representing the whole world.
  • White Candle: Standing tall and straight, the white candle represents God giving light to the world.
  • Red Ribbon: Tying the ribbon around the orange, represents the blood of Jesus and dying on the cross.
  • Four Skewers or Toothpicks: The four toothpicks represent North, South, East, and West. They also represent the four changing seasons.
  • Pieces of Dried Fruits: In addition to dried fruit, you can use nuts, miniature marshmallows, and sweets. The items represent the fruits of the Earth.

Along with the above items, you will need tin foil. The foil is only to prevent the wax of the candle getting into the orange.

Making the Christingle is simple. Slice the top of the orange. Make the hole large enough to fit the base of your candle. Before setting the candle into the orange, cover the opening with foil.

Place the dried fruits or other sweets on to the skewers.

Place the candy, dried fruits, marshmallows, or nuts on to the skewers.

Push the four skewers into the orange. Finally, wrap the red ribbon around the orange and tie.

I sat my Christingle on top of a Mason jar while I worked on it.

Congratulations, you have made your first Christingle. Consider making extras to give away. Just do not cut the hole into the orange until you are ready to give it to the intended person.

 

Reference:

The History of Christingles.  https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/christingles.shtml

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.