Guess What We Did Yesterday…

More importantly, guess what my husband did yesterday! Check it out:

That’s my husband Mike front and center (in the blue shirt) at the New York Stock Exchange, ringing the closing bell to celebrate Foot Locker Inc’s 100th year of trading. No big deal.

(OMGSOFREAKINGAWESOME!!!!!!!!!)

While he was doing that, the kids and I engaged in our own shenanigans. We window shopped at the Lego Store, ate from a Halal cart, rode subway trains galore, hunted for dinosaurs and whales at the American Museum of Natural History, and hit up Toys R Us & the Disney Store in Times Square.

Oh hi there, polar bear! The Hall of Ocean Life at AMNH might just be my children’s new favorite place on the face of the earth.

Once Mike was done, we caught up with him to eat dinner at Junior’s and then headed over to the High Line, a 1.5 mile long elevated park built on an old freight rail line. How I’ve never heard of the High Line before, I’ll never know, but one thing I do know is we’ll be back there every time we go into the city. If you’re ever in NYC, be sure to check it out and take a beautiful little urban hike.

Sunset view from the High Line.

We had such a fun time and managed to keep our day trip mostly frugal: total travel, food and purchase costs were under $150 (half of which was our dinner splurge ). As a family we don’t go away on “big” vacations  (although we do try to visit Cape Cod for a few days in the off-season), but that allows us to fit smaller “staycation” outings like this one into our budget. Also, we’re lucky to live in an area with so much to offer, such as trips to NYC, the beach, camping, etc. There’s something really cool and fun about taking the time to discover what your own backyard has to offer.

Do you “staycation”? If so, what are some of your favorite local things to do for fun in lieu of going away on vacation? Share with us in the comments section below!

In the Kitchen: Self-Serving Snack Box Tutorial and Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids

1 fruit + 2 veggies + 1 "other" = snack box success!

This is a snapshot of a typical day at our house:

(While I’m doing a load of laundry) “Mommy, I’m hungry!”
(While I’m scrubbing the toilet) “Mommy, I’m hungry!”
(While I’m exercising) “Mommy, I’m hungry!”
(While I’m in the bathroom, shower, or otherwise momentarily indisposed) “Mommy I’m sooo hungry!”
(While I’m washing dishes… right after breakfast/lunch/dinner) “Mommy, I’m sooo hungry I’m going to starve and die if you don’t feed me unreasonably colossal amounts of food right noooooooooooow!”

It’s enough to drive a crazy person even crazier.

I’ve approached the situation from numerous angles. Here is what I’ve tried:

• “No” = Fail
• “No” + trying to reason with a 3 and 4 year old that they just ate and shouldn’t be hungry = Fail
• “At least wait until I’m off the toilet/done paying bills/have washed the bleach off my hands” = Fail
• Allowing my children liberal access to the fridge = Fail (you’d think this would work, but they just whined that they couldn’t find anything to eat and hounded me to find them a snack)

I was ready to throw in the towel and set up a permanent residence in my kitchen, since it was becoming apparent that I wasn’t allowed to leave it lest my kids become hungry and need another snack. But in a wonderful twist of fate, I came across a photo that someone posted on Facebook of a Tupperware full of snacks. The caption indicated that they fill the Tupperware each day with a variety of healthy snacks and leave it in an accessible place in the fridge for their child to graze on throughout the day. THIS! This was the answer to my conundrum. I wish I could find the original source and give credit where credit is due, but I can’t seem to hunt it down. So to the genius who passed along this life saving idea: Thank you, you are golden.

So how do you set up a snack box for your children? First, find a non-breakable container that will hold a few assorted snacks. I used plastic food storage containers from Ikea, but you could use Tupperware, a small shoe box, brown paper bags, lunch boxes or sacks, or even those plastic takeout containers.

Next, pick snacks. I take advantage of my children’s grazing habits to fulfill the fruit and vegetable guidelines, knowing that they’re more likely to nibble on a veggie if it’s at their leisure rather than when it’s a requirement on their dinner plate. I use a “1 fruit/2 veggies/1 other” formula to decide what goes into our snack boxes. Here’s a list of possible options for creating your own snack box:

Fruit:
1/2 banana
apple or pear slices
segmented orange
grapes
berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc)
stonefruit (ie peach, plum, nectarine, etc)
2-3 prunes
applesauce
kiwi slices
dried fruit (apricots, apples, mangoes, banana chips, etc)

Vegetables:
baby carrots or carrot sticks
broccoli spears
cauliflower florets
frozen peas or green beans
kale chips
tomato slices or cherry tomatoes
celery with nut butter or cream cheese
cucumber slices

Other:
popcorn
graham crackers
1/2 muffin
goldfish or other small crackers
yogurt
granola or granola bar
veggie straws or pretzels
nuts and raisins or dried cranberries (trail mix)
roasted chickpeas
hard boiled egg
cheese cubes, slices or string cheese
rice cakes
sunflower or pumpkin seeds

*For children who are apprehensive about eating plain raw veggies, you can include something tasty for dipping:
hummus or other bean dip
guacamole
ranch dressing
cottage cheese
cream cheese or sour cream mixed with herbs
peanut butter dip
marinara sauce
salsa
yogurt
ketchup

The containers in the photo above are silicone baking cups that I picked up at Bed Bath and Beyond. They’re the perfect size for holding little people portions of food. No worries if you don’t have those, you can use little sandwich baggies or any other small food container you might have. I’ve also recently stumbled upon bento lunch boxes that would be perfect for snack boxes and eliminate the need for using individual snack containers.

You’ll want to find a spot in the fridge that is easily accessible for the kids so they can grab and go without hounding you as you’re honing your inner Grammy Award winning superstar shaving your legs in the shower. Or, you know, pooping.

Lastly, sit down with your children and tell them that if they’re hungry in between “designated feeding times” (yes I run my home like a zoo, mwuahahaha) they can help themselves to whatever is in their snack box without having to ask. Explain that they can eat that food whenever they want, but when it’s gone it’s gone. So if they eat it all by 10 in the morning they’re going to have to starve in silence until lunch, regularly scheduled snacktime and/or dinner, because they’ve been pre-warned of the consequences of overindulging. I guarantee you the first couple of times they might excitedly gobble up all those snacks faster than you can blink, and then come to you 5 minutes later with tears of hunger streaming down their cheeks, begging for more food. Don’t cave in to their wily demands. Slowly but surely they’ll learn the concept of self-regulating and only eating as much as they need to at a given moment.

Try incorporating healthy snack boxes into your daily routine if your little ones are perpetually hungry food hounds like mine. I promise you’ll start hearing less of the “H” word in no time.

On a side note, this whole snack box idea has gone over so well with the kids that I might start making one for myself. As a stay at home mom the fridge has become a regular haunt, as well as my own best friend/worst enemy. Having pre-portioned healthy snacks at my fingertips might just help keep my boredom/mindless snacking habits in check.

What healthy snacks would you fill your snack box with? Share with us in the comments section below!

Homemade Holidays: The Valentines Day Edition

One of my all-time favorite childhood memories is making our own valentines to share with classmates each year. My mom would crack open the red and pink paper, scissors, glitter, stickers, glue and doilies and we would go to town for a crafternoon at the kitchen table (yes, I just said crafternoon, and yes, I am a total nerd). I loved to personalize my cards – there were always a few extra shiny heart stickers on the valentines for my best friends and (later on) the boys who I thought were the cutest. The highlight of the whole experience was handing them out in class and receiving cards in return. Sure, I was always excited to get a super rad Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles valentine from a bestie, but there was always an unspoken connection and respect for my fellow homemade valentine makers.

Here’s a roundup of valentine tutorials you can do this weekend that are sure to earn you major points this Valentine’s Day.

1. Handmade Paper Doily Valentine: Doilies are the ultimate Valentine’s Day craft supply. I’m pretty sure every handmade Valentine’s Day card I ever made involved doilies. Subsequently, every handmade Valentine’s Day card I ever made was awesome. In conclusion, doilies = awesome.

Handmade Paper Doily Valentine via kidsfunreviewed.com

2.  Heartbreaker Valentines: I absolutely love this idea. I love it so much, it’s on my to-do list for this Valentine’s Day.

Heartbreaker Valentines via danamadeit.com

3. Crayon Hearts: Oh, Martha. I heart you.

Crayon Hearts via marthastewart.com

4. Go Ahead {Burst} My Bubble Valentine: A brilliantly unique alternative to your standard Valentine, and bound to be a huge hit with your garden variety “search and destroy” type child.

Go Ahead {Burst} My Bubble Valentine via thegunnysack.com

5. Heart On A Chain: I know this is a craft aimed at pint-sized recipients, but I would totally love to receive one of these handmade clay heart bracelets for Valentine’s Day.

Heart On A Chain via ohhappyday.com

6. Paint Strip Valentine’s Day Cards: A more “grown up” approach to Valentine’s Day cards with paint swatches. And dirt cheap, it’s a winner!

Paint Strip Valentine's Day Cards via countryliving.com

7. 14 Days of Love: This valentine reminds me of those coupon books, but less likely to get lost at the bottom of a sock drawer.

14 Days of Love via dotcomwomen.com

8. Lollipop Photo Card Valentines: Did I save the best for last? Of course I did! Go grab your camera and an exacto knife and get crackalackin’ on this cool valentine project.

Lollipop Photo Card Valentines via designmom.com

Why We Homeschool

Emma, taking over daily story time duties.

I first learned about homeschooling when my son was just about to turn 3.

“When does he start school?” was a common conversation starter at that time. It never really occurred to me that 3 year olds went to school. I actually attended nursery school when I was in my pre-kindergarten years, but that was just playing and finger painting and napping and reading and engaging in copious amounts of Ring Around the Rosie. It was more like one big play day everyday, more like something we were already doing.

We already do that stuff at home, I would think to myself, as “oh, I don’t know, maybe next year” would come out of my mouth as a default answer before quickly changing the subject.

After the first half dozen school inquiries came (fast and furiously, mind you) I got a little neurotic and started googling our local preschools, nursery schools, classes, programs… times… prices… payment plans. The idea of preschool lost me at payment plans.

I then switched my googling strategy to finding alternative ways to educate my children, preferably fo’ free. What I found were nine bazillion articles on homeschooling.

Pshaw, I thought, I will NOT be having friendless, socially defunct children who are stuck at home all day. And anywho, I’m not qualified to be a teacher.

Despite my serious skepticism, I looked into homeschooling a bit more. Actually, I spent about a thousand hours researching endless reports, articles, personal accounts, basically anything I could find regarding at-home education. After considering both sides of the fence, in the end I decided that educating my children at home is something that I can do. It is something that anyone can do, if they have the time, the patience, and the determination. The fact that I don’t have a formal degree in education might mean that I’m not qualified to teach rooms full of children, but my own two are an entirely different ballgame. I brought them into the world without a degree, I taught them how to eat, speak, walk, listen, respect and love without a degree. I mean seriously, what’s a little fact learning along the way?

One might worry that my children aren’t learning the important art of socialization by not being in a classroom full of other kids a few hours a week. Rest your fears, my kids are perfectly fine. We go out in the world, we attend story times, field trips, play dates, parties, family functions, local children’s activities, we go to playgrounds and museums and libraries where there is frequently an abundance of little people. My children have a regular group of friends that we’ve met through our local homeschool group. I don’t hide us under a rock or succumb to other reclusive tendencies, and my homeschooled children, as well as thousands of others, are perfectly socialized.

My son Chris is about to be 5 years old. Next September he qualifies for public kindergarten enrollment. It would be easy to send him off and “lighten my load” Monday through Friday. If he asks to go to school, I won’t say no. But this home-learning journey of ours is going well and I’m not quite sure that I want to send him off. I’m learning alongside my children, and I’m not talking about ABC’s and 123’s. I’m learning about how to embrace my children’s ever-changing personal interests with enthusiasm, how to flourish and fail alike with perseverance and dignity, how there is always more to learn about any single topic, how to ask for help, and how to grow a child.

Homeschooling is a personal choice for us, and it may not be a good fit for everyone. There are many reasons to homeschool (or not to, for that matter). When people ask us why we homeschool, my answer is this:

“It works for our family.”

–

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Make It a Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration!

I’ve always loved ringing in the new year low-key style in my jammies on the couch with my main man, Dick Clark. Don’t get me wrong, I can totally get down with the sparkly excitement of a New Year’s Eve party. But this old soul is more “old” than “soul” these days as the clock hits midnight.

If you’re like me, ditching the babysitter and staying cozy at home with the kids this New Year’s Eve, here are 22 low cost tips to keep the celebration alive and fun!

1. Decorate. Make it feel more like a party by hanging paper streamers and balloons. Head to your local party supply store and stock up on fun decorations for the big night, or make your own.

2. Create your own balloon drop. Tape a paper tablecloth loosely to the ceiling, and fill it with inflated balloons. At midnight, pull it down for an exciting celebration.

3. Make homemade “confetti poppers”. Have the kids create “confetti” with colored paper and a hole punch. Fill deflated balloons with the confetti using a funnel, inflate and tie closed. At midnight, pop the balloons!

4. Make party hats. Nothing screams “I’m celebrating New Year’s Eve!” like wearing a goofy party hat. Have the kids decorate their own with glitter, rhinestones and other fun embellishments.

5. Make “gingerbread” party hats! Use upside down ice cream cones as the base for this fun edible craft. Little kids can cover their own cones with frosting, and then decorate them with candy for a tasty version of the New Year’s Eve tradition.

6. Do New Year themed crafts. You can find tons of fun NYE crafts, educational activities and free printables at the following links: familyfun.go.com, enchantedlearning.com, apples4theteacher.com and activityvillage.co.uk.

7. Have a sleepover in the living room. Many kids want to stay up until midnight to watch the ball drop, but just in case they don’t make it you can set up sleeping bags or an inflatable mattress so they can cuddle up and sleep when the time comes. Just remember, if they’re ready for bed before 12, kiss them goodnight and remind them that when they wake up in the morning it will be the new year!

8. Have a family game night. Play board games, Charades, Pictionary, card games, or family friendly group-oriented video games such as the Wii.

9. Watch a movie. Go see a pre-party matinee or hold an all night movie marathon (don’t forget the popcorn) in your living room.

10. Read books. Head to your local library and check out titles like Happy New Year Everywhere by Arlene Erlbach, Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller, Cecil’s New Year’s Eve Tail by Marie Fritz Perry, or Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport. Don’t forget to keep your eyes open for great non-fiction readers also!

11. Cook a family meal together. Include each and every small pair of hands in the process, and then sit down together to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

12. Opt for apps. Making finger foods and appetizers instead of a main course meal keeps the “party” vibe going. Tiny portions for tiny people = instant hit.

13. Bake a cake/cupcakes. Celebrate the “birthday” of the new year with a yummy treat.

14. Cheers with “mocktails”. Give the little ones sparkling juice (such as apple, grape or lemonade), ginger ale or even an alcohol-free version of our favorite celebratory concoctions & include them in the midnight toast!

15. Make a list of family resolutions or a family bucket list for the upcoming year. Think of all the things you might want to do or accomplish as a family and record them all. Post your checklist in a place where everyone can see them for motivation!

16. Reflect on your favorite moments. Sit down as a family and share the most memorable events of the past year. You’ll be surprised at what little kids remember or what memories they may cherish the most.

17. Make a family time capsule. Take a shoebox or similar sized container and fill it with your favorite photos of the year, pictures drawn by the kids, and letters written by every family member. Next year, open the box and enjoy all of the cool treasures, and create a new time capsule to open next New Year’s Eve.

18. Celebrate your way around the world. People all over the world celebrate the new year in different ways. Sit down with your kids and learn about the unique New Year’s traditions from different countries. Who knows, maybe you’ll decide to incorporate a few of them into your own family holiday traditions!

19. Celebrate at noon. Instead of doing a midnight countdown, counting down the minutes to 12 pm is more conducive to the earlier bedtime demands of young children.

20. Watch the Times Square NYE celebration… early. If you’re lucky enough to live on the West Coast, tune in to the Times Square celebration and have the kids in bed at a decent hour!

21. Watch the London NYE celebration… early. If you’re an East Coaster like us and can’t keep the kids up until good ole Dick Clark announces the new year, google “live London New Years Eve broadcast” and tune in to their version of New Year’s festivities 5 hours before ours start.

22. Reset the clocks. Part of the excitement of being little on New Year’s Eve is getting to stay up WAY past bedtime. If you’re not down with the subsequent grumpies that the following morning will bring, set the clocks ahead a few hours to celebrate early, and then get those sleepyheads in bed at a decent hour.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun and enjoy the night! I wish you a happy New Year and I’ll see you all in 2012!

I’m curious, will you be staying home or heading out to a party to celebrate the new year? Let us know in the comments section below!

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The Complete Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide Roundup

Here’s a recap of my Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guides, all in one post for your crafting convenience! Click on a link to be redirected to its tutorial.

For Her:

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Her

1. Friendship Bracelets

2. Dip Dyed Shirt:

3. Vanilla Sugar Scrub

4. Jersey Lace Scarf Tutorial

5. Fabric Flower Headband

6. Starbucks Cup Cozy

7. Repurposed Yoga Mat Bag

8. Paint Swatch Chandelier

9. Doily Stationery Set

10. Cabochon Post Earrings

      

For Him:

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Him

1. DIY Monogram Mugs

2. Etch-a-Sketch iPad Cozy

3. Suitcase Table

4. Pegboard Tool Organizer

5. Homemade Zen Garden

6. 8-Bit Mario Blanket

7. DIY Comic Book Coasters

8. Upcycled Golf Club Cozy

9. Etched Mustache Glasses

10.  Vintage Book E-Reader Cover

         

For Kids:

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Kids (Part 1)

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Kids (Part 2)

1. Homemade Playdough

2. Recycled Crayons

3. DIY A-Frame Tent

4. Felt Play Mats

5. A Box of Rocks

6. Invention Kit Bags

7. I-Spy Bottle

8. Dollhouse Out of Drawers

11.  Cozy Car Caddy

12. Toy Soap

13. Car Mat Backpack

14. Doll Suitcase

15. On the Go Felt Storyboards

16. No Sew Tutu

17. Children’s Tool Belt

18. Homemade Watercolor Paint Set

19. Homemade Finger Paints

20. Hopscotch Mat

                

For Pets:

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Pets

1. Recycled Cardboard Kitty Pad

2. Pup’kin Biscuits

3. Easy No-Sew Fleece Dog Bed

4.  Cardboard Cat Playhouse

5. Suitcase Pet Beds

6. 9 Fabulous Handmade or DIY Pet Beds

7. Bird Seed Ornaments

8. Catnip Fish Toys

9. Organic Homemade Pet Treats

10. Fish Tank Christmas Tree

Sweet and Savory Food Gifts:

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: Sweet and Savory Food Gifts

1. Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

2. Peppermint Bark

3. Homemade Magic Shell.

4. Beef Jerky

5. Homemade Cheddar Cheese Crackers

6. Homemade Granola

7. Eggless Cookie Dough Bites

8. Homemade Butterfingers

9. Hot and Spicy Pecans

10. Wine

And are a few more links to tasty gift worthy treats:

• Big Soft Ginger Cookies
• Soft Pumpkin Cookies
• Potato Chip Cookies
• Love Soup Mix in a Jar
• Instant Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar
• Spiced Eggnog Muffins
• 3 Ingredient Mint Fudge
• No Bake Cookies and Cream Bars
• Whole Wheat Raspberry Ricotta Scones
• Kalamata Olive Tapenade
• Homemade Marshmallows
• DIY Potato Chips
• Caramel Popcorn
• Spicy Caramel Popcorn
• Savory Parmesan Shortbread Rounds
• Homemade Thin Mints
• Easy Cheese Straws
• Buttery Soft Pretzels
• Buckeyes
• Almond Biscotti

What homemade gifts have you made/are you making this Christmas? Share with us in the comments section below!

Did you like this article? You can get all the latest posts at Gingerly Homemaking in your email inbox by clicking the link below and entering your email address. Your address will only be used for mailing you new posts via Feedburner, and each one will include a link so you can unsubscribe at any time.  Subscribe to Ginger(ly) Homemaking by Email

Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Kids (Part 2)

If you missed part 1 of the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide for kids, click here to check it out!

Here are a few more ideas to get your creative juices flowing on those handmade Christmas gifts for the kids:

1.  Cozy Car Caddy: If you’ve got a car-crazed kid in your life, this neat little car caddy is the perfect addition to their hot wheels obsession.

Cozy Car Caddy via homemadebyjill.blogspot.com

2. Toy Soap: What better way to get your kids excited about bath time than a little toy-in-my-soap action? They’ll be eager to lather up, knowing that each trip to the tub gets them closer to the prize inside.

Toy Soap via artsyants.blogspot.com

3. Car Mat Backpack: Here’s another awesome car-related DIY project for your automobile aficionado.

Car Mat Backpack via icanteachmychild.com

4. Doll Suitcase: This is a homemade version of popular “fold & go” playsets, and it’s just too precious. Don’t limit this idea to your standard “girl toy” doll set, you can create pirates, super heroes, explorers or even animals!

Doll Suitcase via hartandsew.blogspot.com

5. On the Go Felt Storyboards: Colorforms for the homemade movement? Yes please!

On the Go Storyboards via thefeltmouse.blogspot.com

6. No Sew Tutu: I made a no sew tutu for my daughter two years ago, and she still puts it on frequently and prances around my living room pretending she’s a ballerina. When we have play dates, it’s a favorite plaything of her friends. Every little girl needs a tutu in her arsenal of dress-up clothes, and this one couldn’t be easier to whip up.

No Sew Tutu Tutorial via skiptomylou.org

7. Children’s Tool Belt: My kids have these. My son uses his to carry his cars, his blocks, his toy drill. My daughter stuffs hers with princesses, jewelry, rocks and plastic animals. They both put them on as aprons when it’s time to bake.

Children's Tool Belt Tutorial via one-hip-mom.blogspot.com

8. Homemade Watercolor Paint Set: This is just super cool.

Watercolors To Go Tutorial via onegoldenapple.blogspot.com

9. Homemade Finger Paints: Here’s another cool tutorial to foster the creative minds of the young! Parents will appreciate this chemical-free recipe for fun.

Homemade Finger Paints via easiepeasie.blogspot.com

10. Hopscotch Mat: This is the ultimate rainy day boredom buster, and any kid would love to be able to whip out one of these for some indoor action when the winter weather starts to induce those cabin fever blues. Bonus: the backside of the hopscotch mat holds a few more fun games!

Hopscotch Mat via kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

What homemade gifts are you making for the little kids in your life this holiday season? Let us know in the comments section below!

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Her

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Him

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Kids (Part 1)

Stay tuned to this blog for upcoming DIY gift guides for pets and edibles!

Did you like this article? You can get all the latest posts at Gingerly Homemaking in your email inbox by clicking the link below and entering your email address. Your address will only be used for mailing you new posts via Feedburner, and each one will include a link so you can unsubscribe at any time.  Subscribe to Ginger(ly) Homemaking by Email

Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Kids (Part 1)

Next up in the “Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide” series is my favorite – homemade Christmas gifts for kids. Maybe it’s because I get to live vicariously through them during the holidays, picking out gifts that I know I would’ve loved when I was little. Or maybe it’s because there is seriously nothing better in the world than watching a child tinker with and enjoy something that came from our own hands and hearts on Christmas morning.

There are no slim pickin’s in the DIY gifts for kids category, but if you have a great idea that I haven’t covered in the roundup , share it with everyone in the comments section below (links welcome)!  And don’t forget to come back for part 2 of the DIY kids gift guide!

1. Homemade Playdough: Seriously, is there anything better than playdough? This is THE easiest homemade gift ever, in the history of ever. And I have yet to come across a child who would turn a cheek to the awesomeness of playdough, so I’m pretty sure this gift’s a winner.

Homemade Playdough Recipe via howdoesshe.com

2. Recycled Crayons: What parent doesn’t have a junk pile of broken crayons lying around? This is my favorite way to upcycle those sad little nibs into something better. I’m sure you’ve seen the version of this where they get melted into muffin tins, but the use of the pretzel molds for a more proper grip is ingenious.

Recycled Crayons Tutorial via kinderpendent.blogspot.com

3. DIY A-Frame Tent: Oh hey, coolest gift ever. Will someone make me one of these? This screams rainy day fort-making extravaganza, or cozy reading nook, or secret hideout, or vessel for imaginative adventures galore.

A-Frame Tent Tutorial via mycakies.blogspot.com

4. Felt Play Mats: Materials needed: felt, scissors, glue gun, imagination. We have an Ikea road rug that I thought was the bee’s knees, but this seriously trumps any road rug in cool-factor. The best part about this project is that you can tailor it to fit the child’s interests, so the possibilities are endless.

Felt Mats via kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

5. A Box of Rocks: I once gave my kids a box full of dried beans. They pulled out some construction vehicles, little Disney princess dolls, plastic animals, and assorted scooping mechanisms (aka my measuring cups & other kitchen utensils) and played with the box of beans for a month straight. It amazed me how much fun they had, but then again, these are the kids who play with the cardboard boxes more than the toys that came inside. If you’ve got one of “those” kids (yeah you do), this gift is ideal. And redonkulously inexpensive. Don’t knock it til you try it.

"Under Construction" Box via pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com

6. Invention Kit Bags: Kids love to make stuff, give them the materials to exercise their imagination and invent away! Stuff a child’s stocking with an invention kit and feed their need to create. I’ve actually made a pact with myself to give something like this as gifts for every child’s birthday party we ever attend for the rest of my children’s early childhood lives (parent-friends of mine, take note and kindly act surprised when your kids unwraps this from us). If it’s birthday gift-friendly, then it’s most certainly Christmas gift-friendly!

Invention Kit Bags via filthwizardry.com

7. I-Spy Bottle: Gift this to a child on Christmas, and don’t be surprised if they eternally tune you out as they sit quietly in a corner, inspecting the contents of their new I-Spy bottle. This DIY gift could not be easier and it’s super inexpensive, making it a must on your list of homemade Christmas to-do’s.

I-Spy Bottle Tutorial via meetthedubiens.com

8. Dollhouse Out of Drawers: Doll house that doesn’t cost $100? Okay! What I actually love the most about this project is that you can make it gender neutral or little guy-friendly instead of plastering it in pink. One of my son’s favorite activities is to play with my daughter’s Calico Critters house, so I guarantee you that boys are hardwired to enjoy these things just as much as girls. So don’t let the name fool you, “doll”houses can also moonlight as fire stations, factories, evil villain hideouts, pet shops, grocery stores, hospitals, castles (and/or dungeons), etc.

Homemade Dollhouse Tutorial via nicegirlnotes.com

What homemade gifts are you making for the little kids in your life this holiday season? Let us know in the comments section below!

Click here for the  Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Her

Click here for the Homemade Holidays DIY Gift Guide: For Him

Stay tuned to this blog for upcoming DIY gift guides for kids (part 2), pets, edibles and more!

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Plan Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Part 2): DIY Decorating on a Budget

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’m seeing more and more cars driving down the street with Christmas trees on their roofs. You know what that means… time to decorate for the holidays. It’ll only be a matter of time before your crazy neighbor is using up enough wattage in Christmas lights to power a third world country, so why not jump on the bandwagon and crank out some awesome budget friendly decorations of your own! Here are some of my favorite DIY Christmas decorating ideas/projects, complete with links to the tutorials to get you started:

Gum Drop Pomander Ornament via myblessedlife.net

1. Gum Drop Pomander Ornament: These are awesome. I detest the taste of gum drops, but they are so pretty and festive that I love to see a functional use for them other than bedazzling the sides of gingerbread houses (or eating, blech). As I was cruising the web I came across a great tutorial for a gum drop wreath also. Check it out. I never realized that gum drops could inspire such awesome, dirt cheap projects!

Paper Stars via themagiconions.blogspot.com

2. Hanging Paper Stars: All you need is some thick square paper (the packs of scrapbooking paper you get at craft stores are perfect!), scissors, glue and ribbon to make these. I have them hanging in my home year-round, they’re a great way to add color to our home and an inexpensive way to decorate.

ROY G BIV Wreath via kojodesigns.blogspot.com

3. ROY G BIV Wreath: Cut, poke, hang. Love it. I imagine it can probably be made with felt instead, since we don’t all have piles of colorful woolen felted sweaters just laying around waiting to be repurposed.

Baby Sock Advent Calendar via marthastewart.com

4. Baby Sock Advent Calendar: Holy cuteness, batman. I already have the advent calendar from my childhood that my mom gifted to us a few years back, but if I didn’t, don’t think for a hot second that I wouldn’t be using this as an excuse to hang 25 adorable itty bitty baby socks in my home.

Cedar Wreath "Chandelier" via marthastewart.com

5. Cedar Wreath “Chandelier”: Oh Martha, you went and did it again, you made me swoon. The queen of craft made hanging a bunch of dying branches over your table look elegant. This is why, no matter how much she gets under my skin, Martha Stewart and her posse of glue gun-wielding goons will always have a place in my heart.

Pine Cone Garland via twigandthistle.com

6. Pine Cone Garland: Although I’m a total technicolor addict, I adore the look of simple, natural decorations. This garland couldn’t be easier, and if you live near a wooded area you can make use of mother nature’s free supplies!

Pompom Pine Cone Forest via letsgoflyakiteuptothehighestheight.blogspot.com

7. Pompom Pine Cone Forest: Speaking of pine cones, THIS. And I’m pretty sure I need some rad little retro fawn figurines in my life…

Pine Cone Trees via momtastic.com

8. Pine Cone Trees: Just how many things can we do with pine cones? Like, a gazillion, fo’ realsies. Pine cones were born to be craft-assaulted. This one reminds me of the project we did in preschool involving paint and glitter. Spray paint makes this a grown up version of that childhood project, but I personally think it could use a little glitterizing also. Just sayin’.

Orange Pomanders via thatartistwoman.org

9. Orange Pomanders: My mom always did these with us for Christmas. I’m pretty sure she still does them to this day. Orange pomanders scream “it’s the holiday season!” and they smell amazing to boot. We always had ours in a bowl on tabletop, but I love how Gail from thatartistwoman.org hangs hers.

Salt Dough Ornaments via diyalert.com

10. Salt Dough Ornaments: No DIY Christmas decorating list is complete without mentioning salt dough ornaments. I’ve done these the past two years in a row with my kids, and it’s becoming a favorite holiday decorating to-do. They also make great keepsakes for young kids to make and gift to the grandparents.

Do you have any great budget-friendly DIY Christmas decorating ideas? Share them with us in the comments section! And if you’ve got any cool Christmas craft tutorials on your blog leave your link below so we can check them out!

You can find part 1 of the “Plan Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” series HERE. Stay tuned for upcoming posts on frugal holiday entertaining and gift giving ideas. Don’t forget to sign up to follow the blog and receive new post notifications via email.

It’s Christmas in Halloween Town

It absolutely amazes me how small children bask in the comfort of repetition; able to read the same bedtime story every night for a year, play the same board game 5 times in a row, watch the same movie over and over and over… and over… and over again. It really started to get under my skin when Finding Nemo became a quasi-permanent fixture in our DVD player. I will forever grit my teeth at the sound of Ellen DeGeneres’s voice. Slowly and methodically, my children have instigated a sense of perpetual annoyance towards a growing number of my favorite childhood movies.

But the month of October always seems to bring forth my nerves of steel, impervious to the drone of familiar dialogue and film scores emanating from our television set. Last year, I relished watching Little Shop of Horrors every day for a month. This October, despite watching it a million times in 29 days, The Nightmare Before Christmas has managed to hold its position at the top of my list for favored kid’s films (And before you go ripping into me for letting my preschool-age children watch too much television, you don’t have to waste your breath because I already know it. I welcome the distraction when I need a shower, have twenty loads of laundry to fold, or am on the cusp on consuming an entire bottle of wine to numb the headache from my daughter meowing like a cat for twelve hours straight).

I’ve never been able to figure out if The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie or Christmas movie. In the true spirit of my confusion it happened to snow today here in New England, two days before Halloween (hence the film homage in the post title).

Apparently the "land of four seasons" is now the "land of three and a half seasons".

Despite all the snow, I’m still in a Halloweenie kind of mood, so here’s a little sneak peak into our October festivities.

Apple carving:

"Hey Larry, you think they'll recognize us at the costume party?"

Jack O’ Lantern Craft:

Five little pumpkins, hanging above the door. One got annihilated, and then there were four.

Handprint Ghosts:

Quite possibly the cutest craft project ever.

Sparkly Spiders:

Painting and Glitterizing Gourds:

First the painting...

...then the glitterizing.

And finally, Halloween Costumes:

Me: “What do you want to be for Halloween this year?”

Chris: “An Optimus Prime big rig truck!”

Emma: “Stormcloud!”

Me: “What’s a stormcloud?”

Emma: “She’s an X-Man, silly goose!”

Me: (combination deep breath/long sigh/eye roll) “Okay, I’ll see what I can do.”

not yo' mama's homemade halloween costumes.

In your opinion is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas movie? Aaaaaaand I’m curious, if you have kids do they have a certain movie that they love to watch over and over again? Let us know in the comments section below!