Guitar Hero III…

Sang…

And this time Jason and I were in charge of the balloon drop!

Happy New Year Ladies!!

I know this post is a little late – but it was such a fun family moment and I wanted to be sure and capture it. Can you believe I forgot my camera Christmas Eve? {{bummer}} Tricia just e-mailed me some of the pictures I took with her camera, so here they are.

All the kids dressed up as Nativity Characters and we re-created the scene. Davis and Drake were shepherds and Dylan was a wiseman. They did such a good job and took their characters very seriously. 😉

After the program, it was time for the kids talent show, my boys sang a diddy. They loved the attention! It was such a magical night full of friends, fun, and the warmth and magic Christmas Eve brings.

The next morning after unwrapping presents, we sang Happy Birthday to Christ and the boys blew out a candle. Our wish to our Lord and Savior this year is to be more loving to and understanding with each other.

This is a new tradition for our family and it was such a treat to have cake Christmas morning. 😉

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

I can’t believe I haven’t posted this yet. I want to thank Ashley for designing our Christmas card this year. I am so pleased with the way it turned out. They’re amazing, thanks Ashley!!

I received my first Christmas gift Monday, and even better I got to open it up! It was from my mom. The card said:

Christmas is a time to splurge.
Sometimes I can’t resist the urge.
Boxes and bags hold a surprise.
Here’s a bit of Christmas cheer
You can enjoy year after year.
To merry Christmas to you all.
Take a bow and have a ball!!

Thanks Mom!! I love the lime green bows and balls, they were just what my tree needed!!

Here are 24 quick, easy, cheap Christmas gift Ideas for friends, neighbors, bus drivers, and teachers. Simply attach one of these cute sayings or poems to the item to make a more thoughtful gift!

Thanks to Lisa and my mom for compiling this list and taking all the pictures!!

The Christmas Orange

Cheese and a cheese grater: “Cheesen’s Greetings To A Really “GRATE” Neighbor!”

Christmas Towel: May the “Absorbing” Spirit of Christmas “Blot” Out Your Troubles, “Soak” Up Your Sorrows. And “Wipe” Away Your Difficulties. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Candle

Here’s an early Christmas greeting
For your family to share
Let it brighten up your season
And spread gladness thru the air.

You can start a new tradition
Every night till Christmas day
To burn the Christmas candle
While the family doth play.

You can bake, draw, or read stories
Sing songs or just play games
And by the season finish
Only memories remain.

It is hoped that you‘ll enjoy
A special season full of fun.
And that love will burn more brightly
When your holiday is gone.

2 liter of Sprite: “May your holiday be merry and “sprite!”

Whoppers: Hope you have a “WHOPPER” of a Christmas!

Measuring cup with candy or Cup of Soup

A Cup of Christmas Cheer
No one can measure up to you
But we’re doing our best to try,
We appreciate all the kindness you show

A kind of caring you just can’t buy.
This Christmas gift is sent your way
To wish a full measure of holiday cheer,
May your cup overflow with joy and peace,

Bubble bath

When the rushing of Christmas gets you down
And you’ve had all the fun you can stand
Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up
Just let this present give you a hand…

Take a break from the kids and shopping
Let the phone ring…don’t answer the door
Lay back and relax in a hot bubble bath
And you’ll soon feel ready for more!!

Hot pads stitched together into a cone and fill with candy:

Eat My Treats
And Cut My Stitches
Then Use Me When You
Hold HOT Dishes

Mint candy:

Some friends come
And some friends go
But true friends stay
For life you know,So in my heart

You’ll always be
Your friendship’s worth
A MINT to me!!

Nuts: I’D HAVE TO BE NUTS TO MISS THE CHANCE TO WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

Nuts:

It’s always “NUTS” around our house
But especially during the Christmas season –
There’s so much decorating and shopping to do
And the weather is usually freezin’

Although sometimes we appear half-cracked
We’re so glad to have friends like you –
So Merry Christmas from your “nutty” friends
And a very Happy New Year, too!

Wire Wisk with Hershey kisses wrapped in cellophane: “We Whisk You A Merry Kissmas!”

Oven mitt filled with spaghetti and sauce: We know how hectic the Holidays can be With all the Christmas rush and the fuss, So relax a bit—Open this MITT, and have some Spaghetti on us!!

Popcorn: WE’RE POPPING IN TO WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jolly Ranchers: “HAVE A HOLLY, JOLLY CHRISTMAS!”

Cider

When it’s freezing outside
And the cold breezes blow
You want to stay warm
And comfy, I know.

So here’s my suggestion
To make wintertime brighter
Put up your feet
And enjoy some hot cider!!!

You can print out all of these ideas at once on Executive Homemaker for free! There are two options: Pictures Only or Tags with Small Pictures.

For Talk To Me Tuesday over on Tip Junkie, we’re talking about homemade Christmas gifts.

We have several homemade Christmas traditions in our family that I’ve also made and given as gifts. Here’s a few of them:

Felt Nativity Hand Puppets: Several years ago I made these hand puppets at a Super Saturday craft day at my church. They were so easy!! We don’t have enough people in our family to act out the Nativity – so this is our alternative.

Laminated Finch Family Nativity: This is my favorite Christmas gift to make for friends with small kiddos. Print out the “Away in Manger” project in the The Best of Family Home Evening CD on card stock, cut, and laminate.

Since I have a terrible voice, I made a CD of all the songs to go with it. I put wrote the corresponding songs and CD track # on the back of each one as well as a Velcro dot. My boys pick a Nativity character and we sing along with the CD. You can also print out all the words to the songs here.

I’ve used this for soo many things: Family Home Evenings, singing time at church, play group activity, and as a lesson help.

My mom made me this beautiful Stamped Christmas Advent Calendar several years ago. I put it on my fridge but you could also put this on a cookie sheet as well. Make it for your family or for a friend as a gift.

What are some of your Christmas Traditions?

I’ve featured some great products made by Bloggers in the Blogtique 1 2 3, now it’s time to focus on Homemade Christmas gifts.

Here’s the challenge, post a picture of your favorite Homemade Christmas gifts you’ve made or received and then send me the link either via a comment or e-mail [laurie at executive homemaker dot com]. I’ll feature them on TipJunkie!

I’ve already posted some easy Neighbor Christmas Gift Ideas, check them out over on Executive Homemaker or Tip Junkie.

I can’t wait to see your great gift ideas!