CIJ is officially over

Now that Christmas in July is officially over, I wanted to post a thanks to all of those who have viewed and commented on my blog. I feel rather proud that I managed to get a post in everyday this month. However, with the end of CIJ unfortunately will come the end of daily posts. I plan on working hard to keep a steady flow of posts coming but they will be more spaced out. So please stay tuned for more Christmas fun!

Homemade Gift Ideas

FamilyFun has a huge list of gifts you or your kids can make right inside your own home. There are instructions for hobby boxes, no-sew fleece pillow, and many, many more.

This website has instructions on how to make star Santas, gift tags, marshmallow snowmen and more.

Amazing Moms has instructions for hand and foot reindeer, sparkling snowflake ornaments, wreaths and more.

Teacher Gift: Caramel Apple Kit

This could also be used for Halloween.

Basically you take a tin bucket and put in a Fuji apple, an individual thing of caramel sauce, and a small packet of crushed nuts. Decorate the tin with ribbon or stickers, etc.

These could also make great party favors for a holiday get together.

Hot Chocolate Dippers/Stirrers

These are very easy to make and kids love them. They are great to eat by themselves or to stir your hot chocolate with.

You'll need wooden skewer sticks, big marshmallows, and dipping chocolate (can be almond bark, white or dark whatever floats your boat) and sprinkles or colored sugar.

Thread the marshmallows on the skewers then dip in chocolate and use sprinkles. Stick skewers in a piece of styrofoam to let set then cover with cellophane and add a ribbon. You could include this in a hot chocolate gift kit or put in a stocking.

Holiday Planner Sheets

Here is a website where you can find free printables for different plans and different holidays.

Ornament Storage

My mom sent me this link to a neat way to store your ornaments safely after the holidays.

This is from the Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Click here to see it.

How do you store your ornaments?

Mine are all wrapped in tissue paper and put into big plastic tubs. Not very safe storage really because anything could get broken easily, although we don't use very breakable ornaments I guess. This year I might try this idea.

Food Gift: Peanut Butter Popcorn

Microwave a bag of popcorn.
Microwave a couple tablespoons of peanut butter- just til it's smooth and thinner (1 min. or so).
Drizzle the peanut butter on the popcorn.