Santa's Magical Reindeer Dust

Last year my cousins gave my kids this really cute bottle of "Santa's Magical Reindeer Dust." They loved it! So this year I made them for some of our neighbors and cousins. I purchased the jars for 99 cents at Michael's. The "Dust" consists of red, green, silver glitter and fake snow. I found the cute take out boxes at Hobby Lobby. The saying on the front of the boxes reads- "Santa's Magical Reindeer Dust- Special Formula- Directions for use on Christmas Eve- Sprinkle this dust outside tonight, the moonlight will make it sparkle bright. As the reindeer fly and roam, this will help to guide him to your home."

Kids and Christmas

We have some traditions that the kids remember and talk about all year long. We also like starting new traditions every year. Their favorite thing that we do is the advent calendar. They run to find the little prize each morning. I will usually hide the small gift along with the sock. The gifts are very small but sometimes they might find a favorite Christmas movie with a mug and a package of hot cocoa. They know that we will all snuggle to watch that movie together that night. Sometimes I leave a note that says we are going to see the Temple lights or another fun activity.


This year I added new clips with bigger numbers. Lucy knows her numbers now and Lily makes a math problem out of anything and everything. I covered the clips in scrapbook paper and glued the printed and punched number.


For the past few years, the kids have had Christmas lights in their bedrooms. We string them over the windows. The girls insist on reading their bedtime books with them on. This year after I had finished decorating they were able to decorate their rooms with the stuff that I didn't use. So they have star garlands around their mirror, snowflakes hanging from the fans, and snowmen and Christmas trees all over their dressers. They love it!


We have been collecting Christmas books since our first was a baby. We now have quite the collection. The basket of books is one of the first things we get out when the seasons rolls around. We put ours on our lowest shelf in the family room so they are able to get them by themselves. So many times I come into the room and all of them are reading one. The books really help us to get into the spirit.
The kids are really what makes our Christmases so special. So start some traditions that they will remember forever!

Christmas Collections

The day after Christmas was almost as memorable as Christmas Day when we were little. I was always so excited to hit up the crazy sales at Mervyn's. Lots of pushing and shoving but the excitement and energy was unforgettable. Some knew exactly what they wanted others just grabbed whatever they could get their hands on. We were after something to add to our little village. I loved that village set, the people, the homes, the buildings around town, especially the ice skating rink. We loved getting that out every year. It is fun to have a collection to add to every year. A few years ago I started collecting Christmas trees. As you know there are lots to choose from out there. But I am on the lookout for just the right tree. I am running out of room to display my trees but I sure do love to see them all bunched together. So start a collection and add to it every year with just the right piece.

Tis the Season

Last year at this time I was ready for Christmas and my house was completely decorated. I think it was done before Thanksgiving. This year I wanted to stretch out Thanksgiving as long as possible. I am feeling a little pressure to finish things now but if I have it done by the end of the week, I will be happy. We will see...

It is always fun to bring in all of those red and green boxes from the garage. The kids can't wait to get out the Christmas toys reserved just for this time of year. Some they remember and some they have forgotten about. Sometimes I am even a little surprised at what is inside the boxes. I may have bought some things after the season ended. Plus there are those projects I never got around to completing the year before.

We always start with the trees. We have two now. One for the front room. And one for the family room where we unwrap our presents on Christmas morning. This one is my favorite. I have been collecting things for this tree for several years. When decorating a tree it is a good idea to choose a theme or color scheme. My front room tree is green and gold. The year that I bought that tree those colors were really catching my eye. The family room tree is red and white. It is really fun and bright and the ornaments the kids have made through the years work perfectly on this tree. I have always wanted a pink tree! Everything pink! Someday... Pick something that you will love and that makes you happy!

I added the ribbon on the tree two years ago. In my opinion it change the whole tree. Trees at stores are always loaded with ornaments but that would take alot of time and money to cover your tree with ornaments. The ribbon takes up alot of space and helps to give it more color. Think of all the options there are out there for ribbon! My ribbon is 4 inches wide and is wired which makes it very easy to work with. I don't remember how many feet of ribbon I used but I think that it took two big bolts. For the big bow on the top I stacked the ribbon on top and tied the center with wire and then fanned out the loops. I love putting sprays of beads or flowers or anything on the top of the tree. The tree skirt was made several years ago and I still love it. It is made out of a snow colored fleece. Measure how big you wan the skirt and make a pattern. We had a big roll of butcher paper to make the pattern. But if you don't have a big piece of paper make a half circle or even a quarter and double or quadruple it. My edges are scalloped. Make sure to leave a slit through the skirt so you can easily wrap it around the bottom of the tree.