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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.
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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!
Easy Bat Marshmallows – The Perfect Halloween Treat
I can’t believe that Halloween is in less than two weeks! We are busy putting together the final details of our costumes, setting up our decorations and getting things ready for school parties. I’m so busy lately. As a blogger, holiday time is our ‘busy time’. It’s also time for holiday school performances, fall breaks, and trying to enjoy those last few nice days outdoors. I really needed a simple treat that kids would love and that I could make in a flash. And I found just the treat!
These bat marshmallows aren’t just cute, but the kids think they are so fun to eat! Plus, you can make up a big batch in no time.
Ingredients & Supplies
- Marshmallows
- Brown Candy Melts
- Halloween Straws or Lollipop Sticks
- Candy Eyes
- Oreos
- Black Decorating Gel
- Parchment Paper
Instructions
- Spread out a piece of parchment paper on your counter. You will want to use parchment paper because once the marshmallows are coated, they won’t stick!
- Melt brown candy melts according to the package directions in a bowl.
- I cut my straws in half. This is really up to your personal preference! Lollipop sticks are another option if you don’t want to use straws.
- Twist the Oreos in half. Don’t worry about buying double stuffed – we won’t use the cream side for this project. We just sandwiched up the two unused cream sides to create our own ‘Double Stuffed Oreos’ and put them back in the Oreo box. 🙂
- Once you have the Oreo cookie, use a knife to cut it in half. I found that even pressure helps to not have the cookie break into several pieces. The Oreo is going to become your bat’s wings.
- Arrange the wings on the parchment paper where you would like to have your first Bat sit to harden. **See note below
- Add a marshmallow to the end of the straw and evenly coat in the melted candy.
(TIP: If you are planning on the bats standing on their own, be sure to use a knife to even out the candy coating on the end so it is flat.)
- Lay the marshmallow on top of the bat wings. Since I cut our straws in half, I added a second marshmallow on the end to help even out the weight. Later I just removed the plain marshmallow.
- Before the candy hardens, add two candy eyes. Allow to sit and harden.
- Once it has hardened, use the black decorating gel to add a smile.
NOTE: The way you arrange your bat wings and position your eyes will depend on how you are going to position your bats for presentation. If you are planning on having them straw/stick down (like we did for our wrapped bats) then you will position them like you see in the photos below. If you plan on the bats standing on their own, you will want to construct the bats ‘upside down’ as shown here
These sweet treats are perfect for setting out at your Halloween party or package them in gift bags to hand out at school events or treat bags.
Looking for more fun Halloween treats?
Oreo Spider Cookies and Cream Cookies
This post contains affiliate links.
Halloween Frankenstein Treats
Can you believe that it is October already? It’s time to get started with the Halloween treats! And these Frankenstein treats are a great place to start! They are so cute and super easy. Heck, if I can do them then you can totally pull it off!
You will need:
Snack cakes of your choice ( Twinkies, Hoho’s, etc. We used Sara Lee Devil’s Food Creme Cakes.)
Semi-Sweet Chocolate (I used Baker’s) or Brown Candy Melts
Green Melting Candy Wafers
Green Sixlets (Find them in the wedding and cake decorating section of Walmart for $1!)
Small Candy Eyes
Black Decorating Gel
White Frosting
Parchment Paper (Parchment paper is so important for this project! Nothing will stick to the parchment paper making it a perfect choice.)
Here is how to make them:
- Put a sheet of parchment paper down on your counter. You will also want to open the candies and put them in their own bowl. This is a simple project, but it’s easiest to have it in an assembly line order.
- Melt the semi-sweet chocolate in a bowl according to the package’s instructions.
- Unwrap the snack cakes.
- Start with the hair. Dip one end of the snack cakes into the semi-sweet chocolates. For Frankenstein, we just dipped the ends. For the Brides of Frankenstein, we dipped about half of the snack cake in the semi-sweet chocolate. You may need a knife to help spread the chocolate.
- Lay the cakes on the parchment paper to allow to harden.
- Melt the green candy wafers according to package instructions into a bowl.
- Once the hair has hardened, you will dip the opposite corner in the green mix.
- Using the decorating gel, attach two eyes on each snack.
- Dip a Sixlet in the green candy melts and attach the nose on each snack.
- Use the decorating gel to create a smile, eye lashes or scar marks on your Frankensteins.
- For the Bride of Frankenstein, use a drawing tip or a ribbon tip and make some waves with white frosting on her hair.
- Add to a treat bag and you are finished!
*Note: These were a HUGE hit! I will be making some for my son’s class closer to Halloween. Next time, I will replace the chocolate with the brown melting wafers. The melting wafers harden much faster and are so easy to work with! But if you love the idea of an extra layer of chocolate, the chocolates work just fine too! 🙂
Don’t forget to pin!
This post contains affiliate links.
DIY Frankenstein Mason Jars
It’s getting close to my favorite time of year. I love everything there is to love about fall and Halloween. Pumpkins, trick or treating, hoodies, bonfires …. if it happens in fall, I love it! So get ready for tons of fun Halloween and fall posts coming your way!
Today I’m sharing this super easy DIY project. It costs next to nothing to make and only minutes to put together. You can use this Frankenstein Mason Jar to make a fun treat jar to hand out to teachers or neighbors, to set out at your Halloween party for drinks or just for creating a fun lunch time with the kids.
You will need:
Mason Jar
Green Balloon
Black Balloon
2 Googly Eyes
Scissors
Hot Glue
Sharpie
Here is how to make it:
- First wash and dry your jars so they are ready for serving.
- Then cut off the long skinny part of the green balloon and cut part of the other end of the balloon as well.
You want there to be a hole on each end of the balloon.
- Stretch the balloon over the bottom half of the cup.
- Cut the black balloon like you did the green. On one end you can cut out a bit of angles for Frank’s hair do.
- Stretch the balloon over the top half of the balloon.
- Lift one end of the balloon on the jar and make a very small slit in the green balloon for the mouth. It will stretch and form an ‘O’ shape on it’s own.
- Hot glue two googly eyes onto the balloon.
- Using a Sharpie, draw on stitches.
This project is so fun! You can do it in so many different ways – solid colors, orange and black stripes, or use fun Halloween balloons like polka dots or printed balloons!
Don’t forget fun Halloween straws!
Don’t forget to pin!
This post contains affiliate links.
Minion Birthday Party Idea: Minion Wreath
I don’t know about your family, but mine is so excited to see the new Minion Movie coming out in a few weeks! We loved both of the Despicable Me movies and so you know that we will be first in line to see the new Minion Movie.
I have a feeling that lots of Minion birthday parties will be popping up this summer so I wanted to create a really quick and even easier craft that you can use at your next Minion party! This Minion Wreath is so cute and it couldn’t get any easier.
You will need:
2 – 2 yard yellow boas (I used one that was more of a fuzzy boa with shorter feathers I got from Hobby Lobby. Here is one from Amazon that would work!)
1 – 12 inch wire wreath
1 – traditional size paper plate
1 – cake or dessert size paper plate (white)
1 sheet of card stock
Acrylic paint Grey (I used Apple Barrel Pewter Grey and Americana Black)
Hot Glue Gun
Directions:
Let’s start with the wreath. You will want to tie one end of the boa to the wire wreath.
Then, simply wrap the boa around the wreath until the wreath is covered. Easy, right?
On the dessert plate, using the black paint, paint a circle in the center. This will the the Minion’s eye. Using the grey paint, paint the outside rim of the plate. This will be the Minion’s goggle rim.
Paint a piece of card stock grey and allow the paint to dry.
Once dry cut the card stock so you have two pieces measuring 4 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches.
To assemble the wreath, turn your large dinner size paper plate upside down. Put hot glue around the rim and set the wreath on top. The bottom plate is going to create a platform for your ‘eyeball’ plate to sit on.
Hot glue a piece of stock to either side of the eyeball creating the sides of the goggles.
Put hot glue on the back of the ‘eyeball’ and glue in the center of the wreath on top of the back of the larger dinner size paper plate.
Enjoy your new Minion wreath!
Need more Minion party supplies? Here are some awesome ones!
Don’t forget to pin!
This post contains affiliate links.
UE Boom Review – The Ultimate Gift For Music Lovers
This year I have been working hard on finding perfect gifts for a few hard to buy for people on this year’s list. You know the ones….tweens and teens. You ask them what they want and they say things like “cash” or “gift cards.” While these are great options, I am a gift giver. I love it. I love thinking up the perfect gift. I love wrapping it up. And I love watching it get opened and the recipient’s face. There is something so fun about getting that perfect gift. And I have found it! Logitech has a great wireless speaker called UE Boom and I am in love.
First, can we talk about the packaging?
Your speaker will come in a tube that kind of reminds me of a tube you use at the bank drive thru.
Not only is this create a safe way for your wireless speaker to ship, it makes for a cool presentation.
There are two compartments, one above and one below and it contains the charging cord and wall charger.
Using the speaker is so easy. Just simply turn on the blue tooth on your device (I used my phone, but you can also use your tablet or computer.) Then hold on the power button on the speaker and it will connect. That’s it!
There is a large plus and minus on the front that are not only cool looking, but will control the volume.
And speaking of volume. This little speaker can pack some serious sound! The sound is really amazing. It’s only a great size to go with you on the go. Speakers are water and stain resistant which means they are perfect for taking on trips, to the beach, the pool, even just to the bathroom to listen to while you shower. And this wireless speaker will last up to 15 hours on a single charge! WOW!!
Another fun thing about the UE Boom is the variety of colors. They even have some patterned speakers!
You can get a high quality, fun speaker for under $200. This is one of my top gift ideas this year! We are big UE Boom fans!
I received a UE Boom in exchange for my honest opinion for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.
Marvel Avengers Birthday Snack Idea: Hulk Pudding Cups
I’m super excited to share this DIY project with you! If you are planning a Marvel Avengers birthday party or looking for fun snack ideas, these Hulk pudding cups are sure to be a hit!
Supplies needed:
- Vanilla pudding
- Package of Oreos, crushed
- Green food coloring
- Clear plastic cups
- Black vinyl and Silhouette Machine
- If you are drawing by hand: a black permanent marker and an X-acto knife
- Start by downloading the Hulk Face silhouette (above) and upload it into your Silhouette Studio software.
- Trace your image (I traced only the face and not the words below it.) Resize your image to fit the cups you have chosen.
- If you are using the cups above, resize your image to 2.500 in x 2.340 in or smaller.
- Weed out your image and apply your transfer tape. Apply pressure until the image is transferred onto your transfer tape.
- Aline the image on your cup and firmly press down until the vinyl adheres to the plastic cup.
TIP: Do not place your image against the plastic until you are sure it is straight, otherwise the image will be difficult to fix.
- Make your pudding according to the directions on the package. Set aside and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Once pudding has set, add 8-9 drops of green food coloring to the pudding mixture. Stir well. If your color is too green, you can add a few drops of yellow food coloring in to brighten it up a bit.
- Fill a baggie with about 6 Oreos and zip it shut.
- Using a rolling pin or glass, crush the Oreos into smaller pieces. This will serve as The Hulk’s hair so you want them coarsly crushed.
- Fill your cups with the green pudding all the way to the top.
- Sprinkle the crushed Oreos on top of the cups.
- Get ready for the kids to be excited! Serve and enjoy!
If you do not have a Silhouette machine and plan on doing these by hand, print the Hulk image on a thick cardstock. It should be the appropriate size for your cup. Using your X-ACTO knife, trim the features to create stencils. Then, trace around your stencils onto the vinyl. Cut out with your X-ACTO knife and adhere to the cups. Follow steps 6-12 as stated above.
Don’t forget to check out our Hulk Cupcakes! These are so cool and even beginners can make them!
Get awesome Avengers and Hulk party supplies here!
Our friends at Spaceships and Laser Beams have more great Hulk party ideas!
Don’t forget to pin!
This post contains affiliate links.
Candy Sprout Dirt Cupcakes – A Perfect Earth Day Treat!
Earth Day is April 22nd and today I’m sharing these adorable Candy Sprout Dirt Cupcakes that are sure to make for a fun treat! This is a super easy and cute dessert to make. Served in mini terra-cotta pots they look just like the real thing!
These cupcakes would also be great for a gardening party!
You will need:
- Box of chocolate cake mix
- Chocolate frosting
- Oreos
- Green Taffy or Green Air Heads
First you will need to make the cupcakes according to the box directions. Let the cupcakes cool completely. Place a cupcake in the wrapper into a mini terra-cotta pot.
Crush some Oreo cookies and put on top of the cupcakes. It’s looking like dirt all ready!
Now comes the fun part! Using the taffy or the airheads cut out leaves, blades of grass, or other sprouts. Leave room for you to push them into the cupcakes.
Add to your cupcakes and ta da!
You have some adorable Earth Day treats!
Looking for some Earth Day books?
Here are some fun ideas that would go along well with these cupcakes.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.