Christmas Gift Ideas For The Family

Christmas will be here before we know it. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have happened, and there are 21 shopping days left until Christmas Day.

I don't know what you are like, but I try and avoid the malls and stores as Christmas gets closer. I like to have everything out of the way and focus on my home and family as it draws near.

Angel or Star?

Growing up, we always had an angel tree topper for our Christmas tree. When we first moved in together, Hubby wanted a star, but I was pretty adamant about keeping the tradition I was used to, and using an Angel.  It took a while for me to find one that I liked, but once I did - I was hooked.  Many, many years later and we still have the angel on our tree.

Over the years, after visiting family and friends, I have seen snowflakes, angels, stars, and licensed character tree toppers. What about your family - what do you use as a tree topper?

Christmas Tree Mouse Ornament

Thinking about Christmas always makes me feel crafty, even though I am not a super crafty person. I like to make new Christmas tree ornaments with the kids, and it's always nice when they are things I have on hand in the house anyways - since most of the time it is a spur of the moment idea. These cute wine cork mice are perfect to add to the tree!

I also think that home made gifts from children are perfect for grandparents, aunts, uncles and God-parents - which is why I am inlcuding this in the 2017 Gift Guide!

Wine Cork Mouse Ornament

Materials:

• Wine corks
• Scissors
• Rhinestones
• Ribbon
• Small jingle bell
• Green sparkly pipe cleaner
• Knife
• Low temperature hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Begin by slicing off two thin circles from one wine cork, these will be the mouse’s ears.
2. Hot glue the small circle slices to the top of the back of another wine cork, one off to each side.
3. Glue two rhinestone eyes onto the front of the wine cork that you just glued the ears to, and another rhinestone for the nose.
4. Twist a sparkly green pipe cleaner into a spiral shape.
5. Attach the green spiral pipe cleaner to the back of the wine cork to serve as the tail for your mouse.
6. Cut a small piece of ribbon and thread it through a small jingle bell. Tie the ribbon around the cork just under the nose of the mouse.
7. Glue a small loop of twine to the back of the wine cork in between the ears, this will be the hanger for your mouse ornament. 

Christmas Printable Word Search For Kids

My kids love word searches, and a few weeks ago I made a Paw Patrol one.  It seemed to be quite popular with my readers, so I have put together one for Christmas.

to print, right click and save as to your computer