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Gift Ideas For Tween Girls
Do you have a tween girl you are shopping for this year? Tween girls can be hard to shop for sometimes. Luckily, we have the most amazing gift ideas for tweens that are sharing! I really love how this guide is broken down into categories (like gift ideas for tween girls who love to bake or who love science) making it easy to find just the right gift.
Get Gifts For Tween Girls Here!!
DIY Faux Cookies
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ScrubSeason #CollectiveBias
I love the holidays! I am so excited about getting things ready, decorating the house and having friends and family to come over. One thing that I wish I was better at is baking cookies. Don’t get me wrong I can bake cookies and they are delicious, but my cookies never come out looking like those gorgeous creations you see on Facebook. They taste amazing but they aren’t pretty display pieces. And, can we be 100% real? Cookies don’t last long enough in our house to be a cute display anyways! They get eaten!
What’s a girl to do right? Well, this girl makes faux cookies! Aren’t they cute? I made enough to keep on a plate in our kitchen. I can’t tell you how many times people have said “Oh your cookies look so good!” or even Joshua picked one up thinking he was getting a treat!
You Will Need:
- Polymer Clay
- Clay Cutting Tools
- Cookie Cutters
- Parchment Paper
- Something to roll the clay (I just used a cup)
There are so many colors of polymer clay! I actually mixed two different shades to get my ”sugar cookie” color. Think about what shapes you will be making before you head to the craft store so you know exactly what colors to pick up!
I put down a folded down box to protect my table from the clay cutting tools. On top of the box, put a sheet of parchment paper.
Roll out the clay. I like to keep my ‘sugar cookie’ base a little thicker. Cut out your shape with your cookie cutter.
Next, choose your ‘icing’ color. Roll out the color. I roll my ‘icing’ pretty thin. Using your cookie cutter to cut out the shape.
Using your clay cutting tool, trim around the edges. You want to see the ‘sugar cookie’ base around the edges. Repeat this process with the other colors you plan on using.
TIP: Before you switch colors – clean your rolling/cutting area and your rolling pin. Don’t forget to wash your hands. The color will get on your hands and will transfer to your next color of clay.
Position the ‘icing’ on your ‘cookie’. Make sure that you press it down slightly to adhere them. If you want the ‘outlined cookie’ look. Roll thin strips of clay (remember the snake roll from back in the day?) and adhere around the border.
If you want to make a cookie with ‘sprinkles’, repeat the process above. Choose your color of ‘sprinkles’ and roll a very thin snake shape.
Cut very small pieces. Roll them between your fingers and drop onto your ‘cookie’. You will need to slightly press them to the cookie so when it hardens they stick.
The reindeer is one of my favorite cookies! You don’t always have to over decorate! Don’t get me wrong – it’s super fun! Once you get started you will want to go crazy! While over the top cookies are gorgeous – so are minimalist cookies.
I tore the areas of the parchment paper where the cookies were and transferred them to the cookie sheet. Bake to your polymore clay’s directions. Mine were 275 degrees and I baked for 15 minutes. After the cookies cool, they are ready to display! And they will be good to display for years to come! How awesome!
I keep my cookies on a plate in my kitchen so it is decorated and company ready!
While I was at Walmart picking up my holiday essentials I found these Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloths! They came two in a pack for $4.97 and they feel so good! I picked up my towels in navy but they also had coral and tan. (You can order gray or mint colored towels online!)
You know when you pick up a towel and you are like, this is going to work! These are a new product so I was super excited about them! (Plus, here is a coupon to Save $1 on any two Scotch-Brite Products (Scrub Sponges, Lint Rollers and Scrubbing Dish Cloths) The scrubbing dots on the one side of the dish cloth allow you to take on tough messes in the sink and across a variety of surfaces. And my favorite feature: they are fully washable, reusable and super sturdy.
I’ve been using them for everything – dishes, cleaning the counters, wiping off the table. These are definitely helping me get ready for my holiday guests to be dropping by! And don’t worry. I will have really cookies ready too! 🙂
You can find lots of great recipes and tutorials here!
DIY Instagram Coasters – Perfect Gift Idea!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.#SaveYourMemories#CollectiveBias
Do you have your gifts all picked out yet? If not, don’t worry! I have a great DIY project for you that is not only beautiful, but they are so personal! They completely qualifiy as the perfect gift idea, because it’s a useful, practical way to showcase important moments. What could it be? DIY Instagram coasters!
This project is inexpensive, quick and really, really, really easy. In fact, the hardest part is picking out your favorite photos! My younger brother recently took a trip to England with his college. I’m guilty of not printing out my photos as often as I should. I have photos saved on phones, Instagram accounts, and on memory cards still loaded in the camera. And I know that if I have stored photos that my brother definitely has some stored photos! So I really wanted to get some in a place that he can show them off, help remember his trip and have something useful. (You know, to help protect all of that really nice, garage sale and taken from your mom’s basement college furniture…) 🙂
So you only need a few supplies – tile coasters, furniture pads, Mod Podge and a foam brush. Oh and an awesome printer!
The HP Envy 4512 All-in-One Printer/Copier/Scanner is an all in one printer, scanner, copier and it did an awesome job printing out some of my brother’s Instagram photos!
I mean look at this! It did a great job printing off these really important photos. I couldn’t be happier!
After your photos are printed, trim them to fit your coasters.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge directly to the coaster.
Add your photos and let dry. Gosh, don’t the photos look great? I know as soon as he opens them, he’s going to instantly recognize the photos as ones he took on his trip!
Add a layer of Mod Podge on top of the photos and let dry. This will help seal the photos and make sure that the ink doesn’t bleed from condensation from the glasses.
Once they are dry, add the furniture pads to the bottom of the coaster.
Ta da! That’s it! You are done! I told you, crazy easy!
I was so thrilled with how the coasters for my brother turned out that I couldn’t wait to show them to my friend when she came over later that night. She loved them too and wanted to make a set for herself! She said her printer wasn’t nearly as good as my printer so she printed her photos that day from my house. Not only is the quality great from this printer, but it has a great design and a wonderful touch screen that walks you through processes and gives you great control. She called me from Walmart after she left my house to tell me she was buying her own printer and kicking her old printer to the curb. It’s seriously that good!
I just know that once you try it you will love it as much as we did!
Then you can make a set of DIY Instagram Coasters for yourself and to give as gifts! You can even print out some gift tags here!
Don’t forget to pin!
Random Acts of Kindness This Holiday Season #SpreadCheer
The holiday season is one of my favorites. It seems like people’s attitudes just begin to change and the Christmas spirit begins to take over. I try really hard to instill the love of giving all year around to my son, but during the holidays it’s a great excuse to kick it into overdrive with extra random acts of kindness.
Josh is getting older (bare with me for my pity party for a second…) and some of our Christmas traditions we used to do, he now says he’s too big for. (BOO!!!) I tried to explain to him you are never to old for Christmas and he still does most of our traditions like going to go look at lights, decorating the tree, and watching all of the Christmas movies (and even though he may say some are ‘baby shows’ he totally doesn’t want to miss them!). But some of our traditions like visiting Santa or writing a letter and sending it to the North Pole have been a no-go. (I’m sobbing now…) As sad as I am, the good news that just means we can make new traditions! And this year we’ve decided on small random acts of kindness throughout the month. He may almost be a teenager be getting older (I can’t bring myself to say the ‘T-word’ yet!), but that doesn’t mean we can’t make Christmas magical! Now, I am just teaching him a different kind of Christmas magic.
Random Acts Of Kindness Ideas For Kids:
- Adopt a family – Contact your child’s school to find a family in need. Many stores also have trees set up where you can adopt a child’s wishlist item and donate it in store.
- Don’t forget about seniors! Bring in treats, sing Christmas carols or small gifts to a local nursing home. You can also find out if there are any seniors who don’t have any family close by to see if you can bring them some extra cheer!
- Animal shelters are a fun place to donate to. Plus, while you are there the dogs and cats are pretty excited about some cuddle time.
- If your kids are older, have them organize a kids night! With your help, they can entertain kids (think Christmas movies, popcorn, etc) while their parents get some Christmas shopping done.
- Serve a meal in a homeless shelter. While you are there you can drop off some cold weather essentials like coats, blankets and socks.
The other day we decided to make cookies and deliver them to our neighbors. Betty Crocker has a great campaign right now called #SpreadCheer and they offer everything you need, including cute gift tags.
Betty Crocker has a variety of different cookie mixes like sugar, peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies.
The best part is that Betty Crocker makes it so easy to make cookies.
Even on spur of the moment, Tuesday evenings! AND my independent 12 year old can make them all by himself.
Joshua decided to make sugar cookies to help #SpreadCheer to our neighbors.
One thing I have always done when decorating cookies is that I heat up the icing for a few seconds in the microwave. Then, we just dip the cookies in and it creates a smooth and evenly iced cookie.
Then, just add sprinkles!
Joshua really likes sprinkles. 😉
Print out your free gift tags from Betty Crocker and package up your cookies.
Then deliver to your neighbors. Knock. And hide! 😉 Mission #SpreadCheer was a success!
To help you spread cheer you can get a coupon for Betty Crocker cookie mixes here. And, we are giving away $20 via Paypal!
Green Christmas Idea: Recycled Rudolph Wrapping Paper
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PowerYourHoliday #CollectiveBias
Christmas and green seem to go hand in hand. Green Christmas trees stand proudly in our living rooms, greenery twists down the banisters of our stairs, and green wreaths hang on doors to welcome friends and family to our home. But Christmas and being eco-friendly can go hand in hand too!
Need some examples?
- Set your Christmas tree lights on a timer. No need to waste electricity here!
- Turn the thermostat down a degree or two. If you are cold, curl up with a blanket and a glass of hot cocoa near the fire.
- Shop eco-friendly products.
- Buy recycled gift wrap. Or wait….don’t buy it!
Did you know that most gift wrap can’t be recycled? Lots of wrapping paper is thin and doesn’t have many fibers making it easy to recycle and some has glitter, plastics and other non-paper materials added to them. Sure you can buy recycled gift wrap, but even better use what you have at home! This super cute Rudolph wrapping paper idea is simple, easy and a great way to recycle. Even better, just pull off the pom pom and it is 100% recyclable!
This project is super simple and really doesn’t take any longer than wrapping with traditional wrapping paper and adding all of the ribbons and bows! Plus, I kind of like the thought of having a bunch of Rudolphs under the tree!
You will need:
- Brown Paper Bags
- Scissors
- Brown Construction Paper
- Black Marker
- Red Pom Poms
- Glue
- Tape
Cut your brown paper bag down the side. Then open it up and remove the bottom of the bag so it will lay flat. If your bag has handles, trim those away too. Recycle your scraps!
Wrap your gift like you normally would!
Draw on two black eyes.
Glue on a red pom pom nose.
Out of the brown construction paper cut out two antler shapes. Don’t think about the shape too much! Each reindeer’s antlers are unique! 🙂
Ta da! Isn’t it cute?
Another great way to go green this holiday is to make sure to pick up Energizer EcoAdvanced batteries. Not only are they good to keep on hand all the time, but especially during the holiday season. You don’t want to have excitement over a new toy to be met with the disappointment of not having batteries!
The Energizer EcoAdvanced batteries are the world’s first AA battery to be made of 4% recycled batteries. It also happens to be the longest lasting Energizer battery! Double win! We bought a few packs of AA EcoAdvanced batteries and also their AAA size. We seem to never have them when we need them so I wanted to make sure that we had a supply on hand!
You can find the Energizer EcoAdvanced batteries at your local Walmart!
My son is a big tech guy so I know that we need a good quality battery that will last (and last and last!) so Energizer is our first choice for quality. I’m so excited to support a brand that holds our passion with keeping our planet in mind. Did you know that Energizer is committed to bringing positive energy to the world without the waste? They are working towards a future where all of their batteries are made with recycled batteries! While 4% may not sound like a lot, it actually is! That means 4% of the total weight or about 10% of the active ingredient in the battery! What an awesome step! In fact, by 2025 their goal is to grow that number to have Energizer batteries made up of 40% recycled batteries. That’s 10 times the amount now! This is definitely a company I feel good about supporting! Not only do our electronics work longer, but their ideas are ones I love!
Even MOO approves!
Don’t forget to pin our Recycled Rudolph Wrapping Paper!
DIY Marble Mug
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Folgers for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
November is here and I can’t believe it. Fall is officially making way for winter and that means a few things. One, I’m looking at getting my Christmas list going. And two, I’m looking for my coffee mug! I think it might be a scientific fact that the more the thermometer dips down, the more I fill my coffee cup up! Today’s project was inspired by both of those things! That and the amazing lunch I had a few weeks ago at Trader’s Point Creamery with the awesome people of Folgers!
I was tickled when I got invited to come have lunch and meet with the Folgers team. It was totally the perfect coffee day – cold and rainy.
So why were we meeting with Folgers? Because Indianapolis is one of only three areas that are test markets for this really awesome new product called Folgers Perfect Measures. (Currently it is also available in St. Louis and Kansas City.) So basically, I’m thrilled to introduce this to y’all!
I really think this product is super smart. No more measuring (and in my case, spilling) and it’s so easy to customize. Want a stronger coffee? No problem! Just add an extra tab.
Tab? Yes tabs! Your favorite coffee that you have grown to love now comes in tab. No measuring. No mess. With your automatic drip coffee maker, just place your tabs in a coffee filter. Add your water and brew your perfect pot. One tab is the same as one scoop so it’s super easy to get used to. You can get the Fogers Perfect Measures in 5 flavors: 100% Columbian, Breakfast Blend, Classic Roast, Classic Decaf and Black Silk.
I was so inspired by this totally awesome, new way to brew, I thought I needed a new coffee mug to go with it. It needed to be just as easy to make as the Folgers Perfect Measures was! And it needed to be adorable. I wanted something that would make a cute gift. (And what better to give with a coffee mug but a container of Fogers coffee!)
These marble mugs are just the thing. A truly personalized, perfect cup! The mugs themselves cost only about $1-2 and just a few minutes to make, but look completely high end.
Here is what you need:
- A Ceramic Coffee Mug (I bought one at our local dollar store to use)
- A large mixing bowl (I bought one at our local dollar store to use)
- Warm water
- Nail Polish (I only used two colors, but use whatever colors and however many you want!)
- A toothpick
- Wax Paper
Here is how you make them:
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Fill the bowl with warm water.
-
Slowly pour in the first color of nail polish. You want to pour it pretty close to the water’s edge, otherwise the drops will sink to the bottom.
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Add in your second color of polish the same way.
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Use a toothpick and swirl the colors together.
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Dip the mug at an angle into the water. You don’t need to submerge the mug. The polish should want to just cling to it.
- Set the mug upside down on the wax paper to dry.
(*Note: I have been putting my mug on the top rack of the dishwasher and not had a problem, but if you are worried about it then just be sure to hand wash it!)
Once your mug is dry, fill with your favorite Folgers Perfect Measures coffee! Or wrap it up and give it along with a container of Folgers coffee for the perfect gift.
Don’t forget to be on the look out in a Kroger or Marsh store near you for the new Folgers Perfect Measures Coffee! Ditch the mess, a brew up your perfect cup to drink out of your new perfect mug!
Don’t forget to pin!
12 Things To Fill A Lamp With – Decorating Ideas
Recently we moved and I have been busy decorating our new home. Everything is getting a makeover. One thing that I recently bought was a fillable lamp for Joshua’s room. Well, I originally purchased it for my living room, but it’s found a new home in Josh’s room. I love it so much I’m thinking of still getting another one for the living room and a pair for my bedroom. At first I thought that many of the same style lamps could be too much, but with so many different ways to decorate with them no to lamps will look the same!
You can buy your own fill-able lamp here. You can also make your own lamp with a kit. It’s easy to do and you can use any bottle or jar!
Here are some ideas that you can use to fill your lamps.
(Photo and idea from Info Barrel.)
Isn’t this seashell lamp just gorgeous? I really like how the lamp base has a blue tint to it (like the ocean!) and the seashell lamp shade helps pull everything together. What a great memento to collect shells and sands from your travels! Or you can purchase shells inexpensively online.
(Photo and idea from At The Picket Fence)
This may be one of the sweetest ideas I’ve seen. Have a young artist? Then this DIY is for you (both)! You will just need a white lamp shade and fabric markers or crayons.
(Photo and idea from Country Cottage.)
This is a look that I could definitely see myself using in my own home. You could use succulents, driftwood, plants, moss or anything else you find on your nature walks.
(Photo and idea from Tidy Brown Wren.)
Have a sewing or craft room? This spools are a great way to display your hobby and it is a great way to add a little dash of color!
Hint: You don’t need to buy all new spools of thread. You can purchase a pack of empty spools and just wrap a bit of thread that you have around to make them look full.
(Idea and photo from Young House Love.)
I love this idea. The one on the left is similar to what we are doing in Josh’s room! (For Josh’s lamp we are filling it with video game characters and figurines!) Fill a lamp for your kid’s room or play room with small toys, race cars, or characters.
(Photo and idea from The Mathis Family.)
I think that this is such a fun idea. Fill your lamp with mementos from your wedding! She filled it with things like her ring box, invitation, things from her bouquet, etc. This is such a unique way to display items for your special day.
(Photo credit: Pinterest)
One of the best things about fillable vases is that you can change what goes in them, even for the holidays. How pretty is this ornament display?
(Photo was found on Pinterest.)
Isn’t this the cutest? Perfect for your favorite athlete’s room or for a man cave. Baseballs, golf balls, hockey pucks, or golf tees would all be perfect!
(Photo was found on Pinterest.)
The Pinterest user who uploaded this photo said that she filled a lamp with her mother’s cookie cutters.
(Photo and idea is from Seaside Style.)
Here is another lamp filled with little toys! So much fun!
(Photo and idea from All Things G&D.)
Dress up your lamps for the holidays with this fun idea! Scarves and bows make for a festive touch! I think the bows could be used as a fun birthday surprise too!
This is another Christmas idea! Absolutely beautiful! Artificial snow, ornaments, sprigs of a Christmas tree and a favorite Christmas card make for an elegant and personal display.
Don’t forget to pin!
This post contains affiliate links.
Disney’s Frozen Inspired Melted Snowman Ornament
Last year the movie Frozen came out and it’s been going crazy ever since. I’m not sure if it was the characters, the sisterly love, the girl power message, or all of the awesome songs. It was probably a mixture of all them. Normally movies fade and new ones come out, but it seems like Frozen is one that will stick around forever!
Sydney is just getting to that age where she wants to get her friends gifts and take them to school. Seriously, what is better than a DIY gift?! We needed something cute, girly and budget friendly. Frozen isn’t just for the little kids! The girls in middle school are totally obsessed too!
We were totally inspired by Olaf. He’s one of the sweetest characters in all of the history of Disney. Seriously, who can resist an adorable snowman? So we decided to make the cutest Frozen Inspired Snowman Ornaments Ever. Because some people are worth melting for.
Totally.
You Will Need:
- Glass ornaments
- Sea Salt (I used coarse sea salt)
- Orange cardstock
- Tape
- Black Beads
- White Glitter
- Fine Blue Glitter
- Ribbon and Tulle For the bow
- Mini Clothes Pins (optional)
- Bakers Twine
- Thread
- Our Free Printable Tags
(Just save our tags and have them printed at your local office supply store on Cardstock!)
This is a free printable to be used for personal creations only. This is not intended to be sold.
The process for making these is pretty simple. I used the card stock to create a funnel. Then pour in some white glitter, a little blue and some sea salt until you get your desired amount. Then you will want to drop in two beads for the eyes.
For the nose, you cut a triangle from your orange card stock and fold it to create a cone shape. Just a little piece of tape will hold it. Then drop it in!
Tip: I used a kabob stick to help move the eyes and nose where I wanted them!
Next, it’s time to create a bow. I used ribbon and this wonderful glitter tulle. I really wanted the bow to give it a Frozen effect. Use your Baker’s Twine to attach the bow in front of the top of lid of the ornament. Also, don’t forget a string for hanging!
If you want you can punch a whole in the printable card and string it through. I chose to use these adorable mini clothespins that were the perfect shade of glittery blue to hold the card to the ribbon. (I found mine on clearance at Hobby Lobby!)
Then attach the lid back on the ornament. Ta-da! You are done!
Your adorable snowman is complete!
Easy Teacher Christmas Gift Idea
If you have followed the blog for some time now, then you know that I’m kind of the Queen of Cheese when it comes to corny tags for gifts. Christmas is no exception. And no one is safe, even teachers from the cheesiness that can happen.
I know many of you liked our teacher appreciation gifts and while many of those tags can easily be used for Christmas gifts (or even end of the year gifts), I decided to create a special tag for one of our most popular teacher gift ideas.
When I used to work in a school, one of the gifts that I got one year was a candle warmer and some wonderful scents. I really loved it, because it was safe to have in my classroom and it made it smell so wonderful! Ever since, they are my go to gifts for teachers!
Simply save our gift tags and print on cardstock. You can also save them on a flash-drive and send them to your local copy shop to have them printed. (I printed mine as 5×7’s.) Then, a simple hole punch and ribbon and your gift is complete!
It really can’t get easier than this! Every year, the teachers really seem to love this gift!
- Snowman Candle Warmer
- Medallion Crock Warmer
- Owl Plug In Warmer
- Christmas Cottage Candle Warmer
- Owl Candle Warmer (I have this one and it is REALLY adorable!)
- Santa Candle Warmer (I have ordered this one for gifts several times and it is always a hit!)
If you are looking for some great scents you can also check out these packs.
- Baking Scents (Pack of 6)
- Best Selling Scents (Pack of 6)
Don’t forget to pin!
Posts on It’s a Fabulous Life may contain affiliate links.
Magic Reindeer Food Poem & Free Printable
Christmas is a magical time of year. I absolutely love it! There is something about seeing the kids faces light up this season.
One of my favorite things to do with the kids is to make Magic Reindeer Food. We have been doing this since Josh was a toddler and it’s something that we look forward to every year!
It’s such a simple ‘project’ and you can really use anything you would like in the food.
We take oats (because those are reindeer’s favorite!) and add in a good dose of Christmas sprinkles. I’ve found that the bigger sprinkles work best. We happen to like the confetti ones or the sprinkles that are shaped like Christmas trees and snowflakes! We do add a good dash of the colored sugar in there, but just know that it will settle at the bottom.
Some people like to put glitter inside their mix. Our dog has been known to go out and eat any Reindeer Food that Rudolph may have left so we skip the glitter! 🙂
Mix it all up in a bowl and your reindeer food is ready! Simple, right?
We add our food to cellophane bags and package them up nice and neatly. And you know I can’t let you leave here without a free printable!
Just save the image above and print it (or send it to your local copy shop to have printed). I like to print on cardstock. Simply hole punch, add a little ribbon and ta-da! Adorable magic reindeer food!
On Christmas Eve, get out your reindeer food and have the kiddos sprinkle it on your driveway or front lawn. The reindeer will smell it and will be sure to come quickly! They simply can not resist Magic Reindeer Food! 🙂
What fun traditions do you have at Christmas time with your family?
Posts on It’s a Fabulous Life may contain affiliate links.