Tag: celebrations

10 Days of Harry Potter: Fan Art

If you type “Harry Potter fan art” into your search engine, amazing and talented results will appear. J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World is an inspiration for artists of all levels. Making art is one of the best ways to celebrate 10 Days of Harry Potter. Whether you make graphic art or simply draw with a pencil, relax and enjoy making fan art.

Basic Art Supply List

Are you looking for a materials list? Check out the following for a basic supply list for making art.

  • Drawing pencils
  • Colored pencils
  • Markers
  • Ink
  • Chalk (Use chalk on paper or draw on the sidewalk to share your art)
  • Charcoal
  • Crayons
  • Paint
  • Watercolors
  • Drawing paper
  • Construction paper (Dark paper is great in combination with chalk)
  • Poster board
  • Glass frames (works well with ink and paint)

When you have a tight budget, purchase basic drawing materials at your local dollar store.

Use Your Imagination

  • What animal will you take to Hogwarts?
  • Draw your wand.
  • Create one of Hagrid’s magical creatures.
  • Draw the castle.
  • Paint your house colors on a poster board.
  • Draw yourself in the classroom. What would be your favorite subject at Hogwarts?
  • Draw a potion. What does the potion do?
  • Grab your sketch pad and find a perfect tree to sit under. Now, pretend you are at the Forest of Dean from the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What do you see?

There are no right or wrong ways to create fan art. Take your time, listen to Harry Potter on audio, and allow your imagination flow.

 

 

References

Rowling, J. K., author. (1998). Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books,

Yates, D., Heyman, D., Barron, D., Rowling, J. K., Wigram, L., Kloves, S., Serra, E., … Warner Home Video (Firm),. (2011). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

 

 

 

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: 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.

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

Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home

Are you staying home for the 4th of July? You are not alone. Finances, the weather, social distancing, or health concerns are keeping many people at home this year for Independence Day. Staying at home doesn’t necessarily mean a boring holiday. With little preparation, you can make this 4th of July memorable for your family.

Ideas to Celebrate Independence Day at Home

Enjoy being at home with your family on Independence Day. Create new family traditions or expand on older ones.

Food and Treats

One of the best parts of any holiday is food. The 4th of July is an excellent time to get outdoors.

  • Host a BBQ: Whether you host a BBQ for just your family or a few friends, grilling out on the 4th of July is a tradition. In addition to grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, beans, and chips are perfect for hosting a BBQ.
  • Picnic: If you want to stay close to home but get outdoors, go on a picnic. Local and state parks are open. Being outdoors is a wonderful way to get fresh air and enjoy the sun.
  • Sundae Bar: Buy a couple different flavors of ice cream and all the fixings. Red, white, and blue sprinkles are a perfect holiday topping. Whipped topping, chocolate chips, flavored toppings, and nuts are other welcomed favorites for ice. Allow your children to create their own masterpieces.
  • Piñata: Buy a piñata as part of your holiday celebration. Your children will enjoy the candy and prizes.

Games

Keeping children busy on the 4th of July helps produce lasting memories. If the weather permits, play games outdoors. Do you need some ideas? Go old school.

  • 3-Legged Race
  • Burlap Bag Race
  • Water Balloon Toss
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Crafts
  • Slip and Slide
  • Playing in the Sprinkler

Crafts

Are you looking for a low-key 4th of July celebration or a place for children to relax in the shade? Setting up a craft table is simple. Just remember to stick to the red, white, and blue theme.

  • Tie-Dye T-Shirts: Purchase red and blue dye to add color to white t-shirts. Provide rubber bands to make different markings on the shirts. A tie-dye t-shirt is a perfect take-home gift or memorable experience.
  • Make Necklaces: Red, white, and blue pony beads are inexpensive. Provide trays of beads to all your children, and guests make necklaces or bracelets.
  • Make Crowns: Posterboard, glitter, red, white, and blue construction paper are great for making crowns.

Bonfire

Host a bonfire. Roast marshmallows for S’mores and enjoy an evening under the stars.

Fireworks

With many fireworks canceled, you may want to set a few off for your family to enjoy. Sparklers are always a fun tradition for the entire family to enjoy. If you are setting off larger fireworks, be courteous, and let your neighbors know your plans.

The 4th of July is a time to celebrate freedom. But there is no right or wrong way to celebrate Independence Day. Ordering pizza and watching fireworks on television can be a fun-filled night for your family.

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.”

Self-Care on Valentine’s Day

No date for Valentine’s Day? Don’t let the holiday get you down. Enjoy your free time. Take a moment to relax and recharge. Self-care is essential for your mind, body, and spirit. Do you need ideas for self-care on Valentine’s Day? Check out the list below.

Get Outdoors

Unplug from your devices and skip social media for the day.

  • Go for a long walk.
  • Take your dog for a walk or to the dog park.
  • Go for a hike.
  • Eat lunch outdoors.
  • Grab your camera and go for a nature walk.

Even if the weather is cold, a 15-minute stroll around the block can be invigorating.

Start a Journal

Getting your thoughts on paper can be a refreshing experience.

  • Write down your feelings.
  • Describe past experiences.
  • Write about your childhood.
  • Create a gratitude list.
  • Write a letter to your future or past self.
  • Write a story.

Volunteer

 Check out local organizations for a list of volunteer opportunities. For example, numerous animal shelters or rescues ask for volunteer dog walkers. Who knows, you may even meet your next four-legged friend.

Pamper Yourself

Spend some time on yourself.

  • Get a massage.
  • Get a new haircut.
  • Get your nails done by a professional.
  • Take a long nap.
  • Read a book.
  • Go to a museum or art gallery.
  • Take a hot bubble bath.
  • Binge-watch your favorite movie or television show.
  • Order take-out.
  • Make your favorite homemade meal.
  • Buy your own flowers or candy.
  • Go to your favorite café.

Do Arts and Crafts

Let your creative self out on Valentine’s Day. Stop at your local art and crafts store. Pick up some supplies and let your creativity shine. Draw, paint, or do a craft.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to indulge. Pamper yourself and enjoy the holiday.

Local Event Review: New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in St. Johns

Most of the time on New Year’s Eve, I stay home with my pets. Living in Michigan, the weather is not exactly great for hanging outside around midnight. Leaving my house at 10 pm is just not something I do. Yes, I realize this behavior makes me old. This year in St. Johns, Michigan, there was a ball drop event.

Watching the ball drop in New York is one of my items on my bucket list. I realize our little local ball drop is nothing in comparison. But the event was still fantastic to attend.

Favorite Part

I admit, there is something special about a group of diverse people loudly counting down to midnight to usher in the new year. The bright colored ball with 2020 shining brightly against the dark sky was perfect.

Least Favorite Part

Even though the local bars were still open for business, I personally would have loved to seen local vendors set up. What can I say, an elephant ear or fried cake would have been an excellent addition to the evening.

Will I attend the event again? 

Yes, most definitely.  The ball drop did not occur properly due to a  malfunction. I would like to witness the ball drop as the count down happens. Of course, I am still hoping for an elephant ear covered in powder sugar.

What you need to know if you attend? 

If you attend in the future, dress in warm clothes.  The Michigan nights are cold. Even with the close proximity to everyone, the night air was chilly.

 

Host a New Year’s Day Blessings Buffet

New Year’s Day marks a new beginning, a new year. Moving into 2020 brings a new decade. Celebrating New Year’s Day is easy with a Blessings Buffet. Basically, gather your friends and family together to wish everyone good luck, health, and fortune for the new year.

Invites

Yes, this close to New Year’s Day, you still have time to plan a blessings buffet. Simply start planning now. Send emails, messages, texts, or call your family and friends who want to come. Once you get a headcount on the number of people coming, you can start planning your menu.

Menu

The menu is entirely up to you. A buffet-style or potluck is easy to serve and maintain if guests drop in at different times on New Year’s Day.

Traditionally, certain foods represent good luck for the new year.

  • Pork: Serving pork as part of the buffet, symbolizes prosperity for the upcoming year. A pig will root forward, which is why the meat is thought to be lucky.
  • Long Noodles: Eating long noodles on New Year’s Day represents long life.
  • Cornbread: The same color as gold, cornbread represent good fortune. Many believe eating cornbread on New Year’s Day will bring extra spending money for the year.
  • Green Veggies: The same color as money in the United States, green symbolizes good luck. Serve kale, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, green beans, or collards.
  • Peas and Beans: Traditionally, eating lentils or black-eyed peas means luck and prosperity for the coming months. Many believe black-eyed peas resemble coins.
  • Cake: Everyone likes cake. Eating round cake or pastries on New Year’s Day represents coming full circle. In some traditions, the cake may contain coins. The person who receives the piece of New Year’s cake with the coins will have extra luck in the coming year.
  • Fruit: Eat pomegranates for good fortune and prosperity. In fact, many believe the more seeds in the pomegranate increases your luck. For those who wish to become pregnant within the year, eat figs. Figs represent fertility in the new year.

Activities

The decision to have activities is entirely up to you. For many, New Year’s Day is a time to relax and watch football. Enjoy each other’s company. Laugh about the antics from New Year’s Eve. But if you decide to host activities, consider the following.

  • Play cards
  • Play board games
  • Play multiplayer video games
  • Relax and binge-watch your favorite movie
  • Create a craft area to keep children busy

Regardless of your menu or activities, enjoy New Year’s Day with family and friends.