Christmas Traditions

Can you believe Christmas is next month?? Eeek! I better get shopping!

 Today I wanted I'd share with you just a few of the traditions we do as a family during the month of  December. 

First up is the North Pole Breakfast. On December 1st, our little elf brings us a festive breakfast and ushers in the holiday season. This is almost as exciting as Christmas day itself for our daughter. She waits all year for that mischievous little elf to show up on the first day of December and loves all the wacky shenanigans he gets himself into. 

                   

                            Source: Catch My Party

Who doesn't love Christmas music?! Especially Christmas music that's conducted by the jolly old elf himself! This has become one of our favorite traditions during the holiday season. We adore the symphony and to hear all our holiday favorites makes the season so bright.  There are a few songs in which the audience is asked to join in to sing and it's pure magic. I love seeing my daughter's face light up and her little voice singing as loud as she can to some of her favorite Christmas songs.

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.

~Phyllis Theroux

How perfect is this quote for Christmas. The tradition of sending Christmas cards helps me move nothing but my heart to those loved ones that live far away. The minute or so it takes to sign and address a card is time spent thinking of someone else. Even if you haven't seen your recipients in years, a Christmas card says that those ties haven't been broken and they are still in your thoughts. I just love Christmas cards and anticipate sending them each year. 

Check out these and other darling Christmas cards from Paperless Post.

Since our little one is an avid reader, this tradition speaks to her soul. I wrap up 24 Christmas books and we take turns opening a book each night in the month of December.  We read the story together as a family....usually by the glow of the Christmas tree. This is such a fun and inexpensive advent calendar idea because you can use the same books over and over again each year. I found most of our books at the thrift store and they cost anywhere from .50 to 1.00. 

Source: Pinterest

This tradition is a mother/ daughter favorite. Molly Mouse's Sugar Plum Debut is an adorable production put on by the Utah Children's Ballet Theatre. Over 100 mice scamper and dance across the stage as little Molly's school prepares for their holiday production of The Nutcracker. 

This show is perfect for younger audiences because it's not too long and the costumes, scenery and bright colors will keep a young child excited to see what will come next. 

My daughter, her friends and us moms have a little sugar plum fairy tea party before the show and then head off to the ballet. The girls ( and moms!) adore this tradition. 

 Here are a few more of our traditions that are just too much fun, I couldn't leave them out!

• Writing a letter to Santa
• Zoo lights
• Making paper snowflakes
• Sledding
• Sleigh rides
• Donate to shelter and toy drive
• Decorate the Christmas tree
• North Pole Express 
• Make Christmas cookies for neighbors
• Santa Brunch
• Snowman build off with friends
• Winter nature hike
• Go downtown to look at Christmas lights

Thank you so much for letting me share our holiday traditions.

What traditions does your family have? I'd love to hear them!

Thank you for stopping by!

Style With Target Cookie Decorating Party

Hi friends!

Halloween is only a couple weeks away and what better way to celebrate than with a cookie decorating party! Your Style With Target hosts are back to help you out with all those fun Halloween parties. Target’s Dollar Spot is the perfect place to find all your spooktacular party essentials like adorable pumpkin plates, pumpkin bottles, bat goodie bags, pom pom garlands and chalkboard haunted houses. Show us how you #stylewithtarget this week! To play along, simply head to Instagram and post a picture of your party, sweet table, table scape, partydecor, partyideas, halloweenparty or vignette created with items from Target and use the hashtag #stylewithtarget by Sunday, 10.23.16 at 9pm CST.

Head over to Instagram to play along!

Thanks for stopping by and we can't wait to see how you #stylewithtarget!

Giveaway with Mingle Magazine

I am so thrilled that Mingle Magazine featured my Wee Witches' Tea Party in their beautiful Autumn Issue! It's been a dream of mine to be published in this magazine and I can't believe my dream actually came true. To celebrate, I am partnering with Mingle to give away this stunning issue filled to the brim of  gorgeous gatherings!  

Mingle is more than a magazine, It's a beautiful and timeless publication that you will pore over again and again for countless ideas and inspiration. The most unique parties and gatherings you will ever see are found throughout the pages of  Mingle. 

From spooky chic Halloween affairs to Christmastime festivities, this magazine has got it all. You'll definitely want a copy of your very own! To win a a brand spankin' new copy, head over to my Instagram page to find out how to enter! 

Many thanks to Stampington & Company for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway!

Once Upon a Midnight Dreary...

We're huge fans of Edgar Allan Poe and when Halloween rolls around, we break out our book of Poe stories and poems and recite the creepy tales. Our hauntingly fun Halloween party inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven, celebrates the master of macabre himself, Mr. Poe. 

We summoned guests to our party by sending out fun Quoth the Raven invites. The guests dined on spooky treats from the dessert table like graveyard scene sugar cookies, popcorn with Mr. Poe's face peeking out and chocolate covered oreos adorned with the grim author's face. 

One of my favorite elements of the party was the vintage type writer used as centerpiece. The typewriter is still in working condition and some of the guests typed out their own creepy poems (which were absolutely hilarious!) Black and white favor bags were handed out at the end of the evening filled with Halloween goodies and a copy of The Raven.

This was definitely one frighteningly fun party! 

Check out the entire party below!

Vendors
Gorgeous sugar cookies:  Baby Gabey Cookies
Poe Dessert Toppers: Paperly Press
Party Invitation: Zoyu Design
Poe Oreo Cookies: Summertime Sweets
Party Supplies: Eve's Party Market

Halloween Party Invites

How about invitations that also double as Halloween decor?  The recipients will not only love being invited to your fabulous party but they'll love having a cute handmade Halloween decoration as well! The Wood Connection has so many adorable Halloween projects that can easily double as an invite. 

For this project, I used a candy corn, chunky spider and a vampire trick or treater (which was on clearance but they might have some still available!). 

I painted the candy corn invite white and cut out orange and yellow paper to fit. Then I designed an invite using Canva, printed it and cut it out. Simply tie a bit of bakers twine around the candy corn and attach your invite. So cute and easy!

The spider and vampire trick or treater were painted black and then I sprinkled black glitter over the front of the project while the paint was still wet.  I attached the invite with bakers twine as well. Love that purple bakers twine!

You can always use paper instead of glitter to cover your projects. Either way would be adorable!

And there you have it. Fun invites that won't get thrown away and can be used for years to come. 

Be sure to check out  The Wood Connection for all their darling Halloween projects!

Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween Gift Idea

Trick or treat, smell my feet...

No really, smell my feet...they're cinnamon pumpkin scented! 

Here is a quick and easy gift idea for teachers, coworkers and friends this Halloween. 

I found some cute Halloween socks in the Target dollar section, added a bottle of pumpkin lotion and a candy corn container full of treats. Simply attach the tag with ribbon and that's it! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:

printable trick or treat tags HERE

candy corn treat containers 

cinnamon pumpkin lotion

ribbon

cellophane bag 

Free Ghost To a Good Home

 I LOVE Halloween and I'm always on the look out for fun party favors, classroom gift ideas and handouts for trick-or-treaters. Here is a quick and easy project that I'm sure all the little monsters in your life will adore. Who wouldn't love to have their own friendly ghost to take home on Halloween night? 

Follow these simple steps to make your own little ghost buddy.

Place the ghost magnet craft kit inside the ghost treat bag.  Print out the free ghost printable tags, cut out and punch a hole in the top corner of the tag.

Next, punch two holes at the top of the ghost treat bags and thread ribbon through the holes of the bag and the ghost tag. Tie a knot at the top to secure the bag.

And there you have it!

 Pretty simple, right? 

Here are the fun ghost magnet crafts that are tucked inside the bags for your little ones to put together. So cute!

Be sure to head over to Oriental Trading Company for all your Halloween party needs! 

Supplies used:
Ghost Magnet Craft
Mini Ghost Treat Bags
Free Ghost Printable
Ribbon

This review is based strictly on my opinion. I was provided the sample free of charge by Oriental Trading Company to provide my honest review. No other type of compensation was received. All ideas and opinions are my own.