Tag: Holidays

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.

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

Christmas Activities on a Budget

For many, Christmas is stressful due to a tight budget. Using a little creativity, you and your family can happily enjoy a budget-friendly holiday season. 

Tree Decorating

Spend an afternoon decorating your Christmas tree. Put on Christmas music or a movie to make the activity more festive. If you need a Christmas tree, check out your local thrift store. When downsizing, many people donate larger artificial trees. 

Make Christmas Ornaments

Yes, you can buy inexpensive ornaments at your local dollar store or at the thrift store. Or you can spend time making homemade ornaments. Salt dough ornaments, construction paper chains, stringed popcorn, canning lid ornaments, and numerous others are simple and inexpensive. Make ornaments as a family activity.

Make Homemade Christmas Cards

Construction paper, glitter, glue, markers, or paint can be found at your local dollar store. Spend time making together making the Christmas cards. When you are finished, hand-deliver the cards. 

Attend a Tree-Lighting Ceremony

Many communities hold tree-lighting ceremonies or present Santa with a key to the city. Attend local events. Generally, outdoor community events are free. 

Attend a Christmas Parade

Christmas parades or light parades are a fun community tradition. Many communities combine the parade with the tree lighting ceremony. 

Attend a Live Nativity

Churches often host live Nativity events. Viewing the Nativity scene does not require you to be a member of the church. Enjoy the evening.Sing carols. Many churches invite people inside to drink hot cocoa and eat cookies. Some churches even set up free activities for children. 

View Christmas Lights

When decorating a home or business, some people go all out. Every part of their property is highly decorated with lights, figures, and other Christmas related items. Take a slow drive around your community and look at the Christmas lights. The outing is a perfect evening activity. Consider packing snacks to enjoy on your night out. 

Visit Santa Claus

 Many places play host to Santa to get you to come inside the business. For younger children, visiting Santa Clause may be a dream come true. Often, candy canes or other small treats are passed out as part of the event. Depending on the business or event, visiting Santa may include live reindeer or photo opportunities. 

 

 

Host a Christmas Movie Night

Pick out a Christmas movie or cartoon to enjoy as a family. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or A Charlie Brown Christmas are two popular favorites. Serve hot cocoa, popcorn, or other snacks. 

 

Make Christmas Cookies

Make a batch or two of your favorite Christmas cookies. Christmas cookies would go fantastic with your movie night. 

Go to the Library

When thinking of Christmas activities, visiting a library is probably not on your list. But go to your local library to check out Christmas-related books. Reading to younger children is a great way to spend quality time. Older children may find Christmas stories fun to read. Many libraries allow you to check out movies, DVDs, or other media to make the holiday season more fun. Also, your local library may have a visit from Santa or other Christmas related events for your family to enjoy. 

Being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skip on family fun. Enjoy the simple things, the memories you make will last forever.

How to Make a Christmas Organization Notebook

Staying organized during the holiday season is essential. Making a Christmas organization notebook is one of the best ways to keep all your information in one place. Fill the pages with Christmas card lists, recipes, gift ideas, grocery lists, receipts, and much more.

I begin the Christmas Organization Notebook by decorating. When I write out my lists or tape return addresses inside to use later, I want a festive and fun covering. Make the notebook part of your holiday crafts.

Making a Christmas Organization Notebook

Each Christmas Organization Notebook is a personal process. Decorate or leave plain, the choice is up to you. The idea of the notebook is convenience. When you are sipping your morning coffee, you can glance through the notebook to add or cross off items. I leave mine on the end table. When I am relaxing in the evening, I write down what I would like to accomplish the following day. Or add to lists that I need to finish before Christmas gatherings.

Materials I Used:

  • Christmas Cloth (I buy the pre-cut pieces at Wal-Mart. At $1.47, the price is right for simple crafts.)
  • Composition Notebook (I love these notebooks. They are inexpensive with a sturdy cover.)
  • Construction Paper
  • An Envelope ( I actually used an old one)
  • Scissors
  • Marker
  • Embleshiment
  • Hot-Glue Gun
The basic materials for your Christmas Organization Notebook

Measure and cut the cloth to fit around the notebook. Leave room to fold the fabric over to glue down.

Cut the fabric piece to fit around your notebook

Before gluing the fabric down on the inside, cover the inside with construction paper. This step is optional. I like using the green and red construction paper to add to the Christmas theme.

Construction paper covers up the inside information.

Next, begin gluing. Before careful, the contents are hot. There is a reason for the name hot glue gun. When folding the fabric over to glue, you will need to cut the middle to allow the cloth to lay flat.

Next, glue the envelope in the back. I like having one place for all my shopping receipts. Placing them in the envelope, allows me to keep track of spending. I have the receipts on hand in case I need to return anything.

An envelope for the receipts.

Finally, add your embellishments. Since my fabric had snowflakes, I added a large snowflake to front of my Christmas Organization Notebook. I wrote in the year. I keep my notebooks as resources for the following year.

 

I record my purchases in the notebook. I can look back to see what I bought each person on my list. This way I know I do not purchase similar items the following year.

Self-Care Ideas for the Holiday Season

Christmas parties, baking, shopping, planned activities, and other commitments can easily make the holidays a stressful time. Self-care is essential for your physical and mental well-being. Taking a few moments out of the day to regroup and relax will help you enjoy the holiday season.

Ideas for Self-Care During the Christmas Season

Engaging in regular self-care activities can improve your overall mood and reduce anxiety. Consider the following list to help you engage in routine self-care.

  1. Spend some alone time at the library or bookstore
  2. Read a book
  3. Make a playlist
  4. Listen to music loudly and sing along
  5. Go for a nature walk
  6. Go hiking
  7. Take a long, hot bubble bath
  8. Keep a journal
  9. Paint your fingernails
  10. Do crafts
  11. Meditate
  12. Do yoga
  13. Workout
  14. Bake your favorite recipe
  15. Volunteer
  16. Sleep in or take a nap
  17. Unplug from your devices
  18. Call up an old classmate just to catch up
  19. Binge-watch your favorite series
  20. Try a new hobby
  21. Paint
  22. Slowly sip hot tea, coffee, mulled apple cider or hot cocoa
  23. Take a class, workshop, seminar, or attend a conference that is not work-related
  24. Visit your local art gallery, museum, historical place, or other tourist attraction
  25. Watch the sunrise or sunset
  26. Indulge just this one time: eat a piece of cake or candy bar
  27. Invite a friend to lunch
  28. Purchase a lovely smelling candle to light at home
  29. Go to your favorite cafe
  30. Buy yourself a gift (does not have to be a large one, just something special to you)

The holidays will be more enjoyable if you set aside time for yourself.

 

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Hosting a Friendsgiving

The word Friendsgiving is a term to describe the combination of gathering friends and the Thanksgiving holiday. Reasons for hosting a Friendsgiving vary. Family members may not live nearby. Or you consider your friends like your family. Regardless of your reason, hosting a Friendsgiving is a wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Tips for Hosting a Friendsgiving

Honestly, there is no right or wrong way to host a Friendsgiving. The basic concept is about having those you cherish around you for Thanksgiving. Your gathering can be a causal or fantastic dining experience. Here are a few tips to help you plan your Friendsgiving gathering.

Invites

Grab your favorite writing instrument to prepare a list of people to invite to your Friendsgiving. Next, use your list for sending invites. There are five basic ways to invite your friends over for a Thanksgiving meal.

  • Digital: Create a private group on Facebook to invite and discuss your plans for the Thanksgiving meal.
  • Call: If you are short on time, give everyone on your list a quick call.
  • Text: Send your invites via a text or private message.
  • Mail: Make out your invitations and send them through the mail.
  • In-person: This method is great for handing out homemade invites

Menu

After you know how many people are coming to your Friendsgiving event, you must plan a menu. There are three basic ways to prepare and serve your meal.

  • Do it Yourself: Cook and bake the entire meal yourself. The DIY approach is excellent for individuals who love to cook.
  • Pot Luck: Pot luck is a wonderful way to add variety to your meal. This option is perfect when serving a buffet-style meal. Ask people attending your Friendsgiving to bring a dish to pass. Keep a running list of dishes and desserts to ensure a wide array of food.
  • Catered: Have your Thanksgiving meal delivered. The catered approach is perfect for busy individuals.

Use the menu approach that is best for you. If needed, combine the methods to make your Friendsgiving a meal to remember. For example, you could cook the main meal but have the desserts delivered. Or one of your guests could make desserts. The choice is entirely up to you.

Activities

Yes, you may serve your food, eat, and just chill with your friends. Or you can have other activities to make your Friendsgiving fun.

  • Watch football
  • Watch a movie
  • Play board games
  • Play video games

Create a Photo Booth

Remember your Friendsgiving with pictures. Create an area in your home for a photo booth.

  • Use a backdrop (a new sheet or cloth is excellent for an instant backdrop).
  • Add props for more fun. For example, you can use a turkey hat, signs, fake mustaches, and funny sunglasses. The accessories do not have to be expensive. You can even make your own.
  • Develop a unique hashtag for your Friendsgiving.
  • Post the photos in your private group so everyone can see the results.

Whether you are only having a couple people over or an entire household, planning a Friendsgiving is a fantastic spin on the Thanksgiving holiday gathering.

 

 

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Throwing a Last Minute Halloween Party

Is the perspective Halloween forecast limiting your trick-or-treating options? Keep your children inside, throw a Halloween party. Planning an impromptu Halloween is the perfect way to celebrate on a cold, windy night. 

Tips for Last-Minute Halloween Party Planning 

The key to throwing a last-minute Halloween party is organization. Grab a tablet and begin to make plans. Do you need some help? Consider the following tips to make your party planning go smooth.

Guest List

The guest list is essential. Start by writing out a potential guest list. Begin calling, texting, or emailing the people on your list. If you are on Facebook, consider making a private group or invite page for the Halloween party. The group allows you to keep track of the number of people coming. Parents will be able to ask questions about the party. Most parents will ask what can they do to help. Do not be afraid to accept their help.  

Menu

When you get an estimate on the number of people attending, you can start food shopping. Finger food is always a party favorite. Mini sandwiches, snacks, and punch are simple treats for quick party planning. Or if your budget allows order pizzas. 

Craft Area

Set up a corner with different crafts for children to enjoy. The crafting material does not need to be elaborate or costly. 

  • Paint 
  • Paintbrushes 
  • Glue 
  • Glitter 
  • Pompons 
  • Markers 
  • Yarn
  • Googly eyes

Use small gourd-shaped pumpkins for painting. Or go to your local store to find some Halloween themed wooden cutouts. Even a posterboard can be a template for a spooky theme. Allow children to create and decorate. The party-goers will love the fact they get to take their creation home with them.

Games & Activities

Kids love to participate in fun, easy games. 

  • Long-Standing Tradition: Bobbing for apples is a Halloween tradition.
  • Ghost Toss: Make ghosts from white lunch bags.  Stuff the inside with newspaper or other lightweight material. Set up baskets to toss the ghosts in. 
  • Pumpkin Smile: Instead of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, play pin the smile on the pumpkin. Use large orange poster board to make a pumpkin cut out. Draw in the eyes and nose. Use yellow or black poster board to cut out mouths.
  • Scavenger Hunt: Hide Halloween themed items throughout the house. Make out clues that will lead your partygoers from one place to another. 
  • Ghost Hunt: Use tissue paper to wrap suckers in the shape of ghosts. Hide the ghosts throughout the house for your Halloween guests to find. 
  • Photo Booth or Display: Use a black sheet or other cloth to set up a photo area. Set out Halloween themed props. Designate someone at your party to be the official photographer.
  • Fear-Factor Inspired: Putting your hand in a box without knowing what is inside can be scary. Cold spaghetti noodles can pass for worms. Peeled grapes can be eyeballs. Just use your imagination. Or have some edible insects on hand for those who are brave enough to try. 

Take-Home Treat Bags 

Fill treat bags with goodies. The Halloween take-home bags do not necessarily have to be filled with just candy. Balls, fangs, spider rings, skeletons, puzzle pads, and other Halloween themed items are available. The size of the treat bags is entirely up to you. If you use the ghost toss game, the extra white bags are perfect for take-home treats. 

 

Rebecca’s Top 20: Halloween Movies for Family Night

Changing leaves, cooler weather, football, and Halloween are all a significant part of October. For added fun, incorporate Halloween themed movies into your family night.

Rebecca’s Top 20

  1. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (An all-time Halloween favorite)
  2. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (the collection has The Legend of Sleepy Hollow)
  3. Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
  4. Curious George: A Halloween Boofest
  5. Disney’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Treat
  6. Casper’s Halloween Special
  7. Sesame Street: Trick or Treat on Sesame Street
  8. Paw Patrol: Halloween Heroes
  9. Toy Story of Terror
  10. Spongebob Squarepants-Halloween
  11. Scared Shrekless
  12. The Halloweentown series including  Halloweentown, Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High, and Return to Halloweentown
  13. Any of the Scooby-Doo movies
  14. The Addam’s Family
  15. Hocus Pocus
  16. Ghostbusters
  17. The Harry Potter series including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 & 2. 
  18. Beetlejuice
  19. Little Vampire
  20. Any of the Goosebumps movies

What is your favorite family-friendly Halloween movie?

 

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Photo Prompt Ideas for April

After a long winter, April generally brings warmer weather. Unfortunately, with the changing temperatures, rain is often in the forecast. Just remember the old saying, April showers bring May flowers.

  1. Selfie (Always begin each new month with a selfie. For added fun, do something foolish. After all, it is April Fool’s Day).
  2. Peanut butter and jelly
  3. Sunrise/Sunset
  4. Flowers
  5. Breakfast
  6. Noon
  7. Pink
  8. Umbrella
  9. Favorite food
  10. Trees
  11. View from far away
  12. View from up close
  13. Memory
  14. Relaxing
  15. Monday inspiration
  16. Favorite beverage
  17. Easter decorations
  18. Easter bunny
  19. Your view on Good Friday
  20. Easter eggs
  21. Easter fun
  22. Earth Day inspiration
  23. Black and white
  24. Action
  25. Texture
  26. Friday fun
  27. Nature
  28. Landscape/waterscape
  29. Siloutte
  30. Looking forward to May

30 days are in the month of April. Each day is a chance to tap into your creative side. Use the photo prompts to explore the world around you.

 

Creating Traditions for the Holiday Season

Are you looking to start a new family or friends’ Christmas tradition? From volunteering to outdoor fun, creating new traditions is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. Call a family meeting or text your friends to find your next tradition. Who knows maybe you will find more than one.

Ideas for Creating New Traditions for the Christmas Season

Before starting a new tradition, ask your friends or family members’ input. Use the following ideas as inspiration to find the perfect new tradition for the Christmas season.

Family Night or Friend Gatherings

Work, school, and other commitments take up a lot of your valuable time. Making the time to spend with family and friends is important to your well-being.

  • Board game night
  • Make homemade hot cocoa
  • Christmas movie night
  • Host a Christmas craft day
  • Christmas cartoon movie night
  • Dress up and go out to eat at a fancy restaurant
  • Bake cookies and other goodies
  • Make homemade ornaments
  • Make Christmas crafts
  • Pack some snacks and go look for Christmas light displays

Volunteer

Giving back to your community is a wonderful contribution at Christmas.

  • Volunteer at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen or other community non-profit organizations
  • Adopt a Family in need
  • Visit a nursing home
  • Collect can goods and other non-perishable items for a local food pantry
  • Buy toys for community programs

Attend Community Events

Search your city’s website or other hosting pages to find different Christmas themed events in your area. Along with community events, churches offer a wide array of Christmas concerts, plays, pageants, and other activities. Even if you are not a member, most events are free or require a minimum donation to attend.

  • Attend a live Nativity
  • Go to a community Christmas concert
  • Go to Christmas church service or midnight mass
  • Attend a Santa Parade
  • Attend a tree lighting ceremony
  • Go to a Festival of Trees event

Host a Holiday Party     

Hosting a holiday party is a great way to gather friends and family under one roof.

  • An Ugly Sweater Party
  • A Harry Potter themed Christmas Party/Yule Ball
  • A birthday celebration for Jesus
  • Christmas party for your children and their friends
  • Ornament swap party
  • A Grinch themed party
  • A Christmas tea

Go Outdoors

Being outdoors allows you and your loved ones a chance to get away of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

  • Go sledding
  • Go skiing
  • Go hiking

Gathering friends and family together is part of the Christmas season. Creating new traditions or expanding on old ones provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy activities year after year.