DIY Christmas Decorations -- a Crafty Sundays Post

 

Sorry I was missing this past week. Hazel got sick and was out of school all week. I felt like I was fighting it and with some extra sleep and Rachel Carapella's advice, I seemed to fight it off. Now sadly Steve seems to have it. Fortunately it is not Covid-19. It seems to be a cold or a little bug. While being home with Hazel I was able to make some crafts I have been thinking about for awhile. Have you noticed gnomes seem to be everywhere this year? One of the moms of one of Hazel's friends loves them so I have been noticing them everywhere. I was going to try to make one of the fabric gnomes shared here, but haven't gotten around to it. I shared the tutorial with my friend but she wanted a non-sewing version so here is what I came up with.

Christmas in Hawaii -- Hawaii Challenge -- Christmas in Different Lands

As part of the Multicultural Kids Blog's annual Christmas in Different Lands Series, we are taking a look at Christmas in Hawaii. I figured since we are participating in our Hawaii Challenge we might as well find out what Christmas is like on the islands.

An Easy DIY Magnetic Advent Calendar

Awhile ago I was checking out what new Christmas products Oriental Trading has as well as doing some research for birthday party themes. I came across this Advent calendar and it inspired today's craft. I used one of those small white boards but make sure it is magnetic. I bought one at Staples because there were not any magnetic ones in stock at the time at Five Below. The Dollar Tree didn't have any magnetic ones that I could find. This one came with a white magnet so I knew it was magnetic. I also used washi tape, permanent markers, ribbon, a small magnet, and miniature ornaments (that I bought ages ago). I

Holiday Shopping Recommendation

Disclosure: Uncommon Goods sent me some sample gifts in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Can you believe it? We have only 7 more Saturdays (weekends) until Christmas! Wow, time is flying by. Have you started your shopping yet? Do you have those people on your list where you just don't know what to buy? I think all of us do. I discovered the great place to find gifts for everyone on the list. It is Uncommon Goods. Have you heard of it?  They have an amazing Holiday Lookbook to get you ideas for anyone on your list. They have gifts for men, women, significant others, and so much more. The people I struggle most with are my husband, Steve, and my teenage nephew. They have a section for gifts for teens (over 15). I always have my nephew tell me what he likes at Uncommon Goods because I know it will be something different for him. Otherwise I'll be giving him a check. This year he wanted the Charging Cord Bracelet. 

Christmas and Other Religious Books

Disclosure: I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe Christmas is only a little over a week away. This year is flying by way too fast for me, but I am looking forward to having time with my family. Before that happens, I want to share some more books with you. This is a mix of some Christmas related books, a children's Bible and an adult devotional. We will start with the one that is most related to Christmas. It is Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne. 

Fun Facts about Snowflakes -- Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Today we are walking in a winter wonderland with Penguin Kids. They asked us to share some winter fun and we chose some fun facts about snowflakes. Plus we are doing a snowflake craft round-up and sharing a winter wonderland book.

Saint Lucia Day -- Christmas in Sweden -- Christmas in Different Lands

Today we are participating in Multicultural Kid Blogs's Christmas in Different Lands Series. We decided to take a closer look at Saint Lucia Day in Sweden. We first discovered about Saint Lucia Day in the American Girl books about Kirsten. Hazel fell in love with the retired Kirsten doll. She read all the Kirsten books to my parents over the phone and then my mother was able to get her a used Kirsten doll from her neighbor's granddaughter. Hazel says this doll is still the best gift she has gotten. She was so excited last Christmas to get her. My mother fell in love with Kirsten's clothes and accessories and especially loves the Saint Lucia Day outfit. Now the book, Kirsten's Surprise by Janet Shaw, shares a bit of the traditions and is how we first learned about Saint Lucia.

New Christmas and Winter Books Round-Up

Disclosure: I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Yesterday I did a picture book review extravaganza. Today I am going to share the Christmas and winter books I have been gathering. Just in time to get you ready for the season. I am dividing them as Christmas books and winter books and putting them in order of recommended age.

Fun Facts about Saint Nicholas with a Craft and Activity Round-Up

Did you know that December 6th is Saint Nicholas Day? Many cultures celebrate by leaving their shoes out on the night of December 5th and St. Nicholas comes and leaves treats like coins, nuts, fruit, and candies. This is all in memory of the real St. Nicholas and how he gave so much to others. I thought to celebrate this year we would look at some fun facts about this saint.

Holiday Wreaths & Ornaments with Supplies from Dollar Tree -- a Crafty Weekends Link Party

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I have been in such a holiday mood. I don't really like Halloween, so I think I have been trying to skip over it and get to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plus the amazing Christmas products at Thirty-One are only available in October and November so I have been trying to let people know about them and am planning a holiday shopping party in the beginning of November. I was thinking it would be fun to have some door prizes and just prizes to make the party more of a celebration. What better prizes than homemade ones and I made some with supplies from Dollar Tree. I made two wreaths and some different ornaments.

Keeping the Meaning of Christmas in Your Family's Life during the Crazy Holiday Season

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Every holiday season I look for resources to help my family keep Jesus in the front of our minds. This year I found two books--one for me and one for Hazel (and possibly the whole family) to read together. Both are from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling series. I am sharing them nice and early so you can get a copy for yourself and your family and experience Jesus during the crazy season. The one for children is Jesus Calling The Story of Christmas. 

Gifts for Jesus -- a Sunday School Craft & More -- Crafty Weekends Link Party

Yesterday was Epiphany. In Hispanic countries it is known as el Dia de los Reyes (Three King's Day). This is the day when the three kings visit and bring presents to the children in these countries. In Sunday School this morning we told the Godly Play story of the Mystery of Christmas which goes through the story from Gabriel coming to Mary to the escape to Egypt and beyond. This year I have been finding crafts that tie into the story to give the kids' work time a bit more focus. I came up with a fun craft for the older students and wanted to share it with you. I also thought I would give some background. 

New Colorful Origami Papers -- a Crafty Weekends Review and Link Party

Disclosure: Tuttle Publishing sent me these packets of origami paper in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

When I shared our Advent table a couple of weeks ago, I got the origami bug. I pulled out the two colorful (and a bit wild) packets of origami paper I had sitting on my review shelf. The first is Kaleidoscope Colors Origami Paper. 

Christmas Fun -- a Merry Monday Review

Disclosure: I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Well today I am going to share our final Merry Monday review. I have saved some great ones for the end. Is your child counting the days until Christmas? I know Hazel is. She is so excited and anxious for the holidays. Today's products and free printable games will be perfect to help calm her a bit or at least distract her. Our first book is Christmas Paper Play by Lydia Crook. 

Christmas in Bangladesh -- Christmas in Different Lands

Today we are participating in the Multicultural Kid Blogs' Christmas in Different Lands and I decided to stretch our regions and check out what Christmas is like in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a country in South Asia. It is the third largest Muslim-majority country in the world which is why I was fascinated to see how they celebrate Christmas. 

A Merry Christmas with Kim Schaefer -- a Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure:C&T Publishing sent me an e-version of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The links are affiliate links where I will receive a small percentage of any purchases made through them at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share!

Last week I had the pleasure of sharing Sew Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and this week we are looking at another sewing and quilting Christmas book. This week it is A Merry Christmas with Kim Schaefer. I had big plans this week to make one or two of the projects in it, but Hazel's cold got passed to me, so I struggled to stay awake and do anything extra than what was needed. Sorry!! However I will be able to share some of the amazing projects and give you my planning of projects and reading instructions review. 

An Advent Table to Help Focus Us on Christ This Season

Every Christmas I see all the commercialism around. I mean Hallmark begins putting out ornaments in July. It is a bit crazy. I always like to create ways to keep our focus on the religious side of the holiday. After all we are celebrating the coming of Jesus, our Savior. Over the years we have gathered some great resources. One of our favorites are the four family storybooks for Advent we have reviewed (Jotham, Tabitha, Bartholomew and Ishtar). Each of these stories tell the nativity story from kids point of view. One is a shepherd and another is the son of one of the magi and so forth. The stories intertwine with each other and make the Advent stories quite an adventure. Hazel loves to reread them each year.

Holiday Fun -- a Merry Monday Review

Disclosure: I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Can you believe it is December? Now the winter holidays are fast approaching!! Today I am going to share four fun holiday books for recommended ages of 3 to 7. The first is a sweet book about getting a Christmas tree. It is Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht and illustrated by Jarvis. 

Fun Facts about Advent Wreaths

It is hard to believe it is time to pull out the Advent wreath. I thought I would continue our Fun Facts Series and share some fun facts about Advent wreaths today. Be sure to check out our Fun Facts about Advent. 

Sharing Saturday 17-47

It is time again for Sharing Saturday! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. So glad you joined us!!

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And for all of your cultural posts come share them at the monthly Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.