Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours!

Christmas Tablescape idea

This was just a simple "detail" I made for our Christmas morning table....

I found these red and white Monogram Letters at JoAnn's. I  wrapped a chocolate bar in red paper and tied these to them.  What a cute placecard with a bonus ornament!

Popcorn and Cranberries Garland

We strung cranberries and popcorn to make a beautiful garland for our tree!

Button Wreath Ornament

This is a simple ornament we made.

It is from Martha Stewart Crafts!

My Favorite Elf

What a fun "Gift Wrap Party Night"....My favorite elf helps with the wrapping.

We play Christmas Music real loud, sing and wrap gifts!

Music suggestions:

" The Best of Cool Yule " Rhino Records....wins  hands down!

Yummy Christmas Cookie Time

Homemade Gingerbread Cookies!

So much work, but we had a special day baking chocolate chip cookies, Viennese Crescent Cookies(powder sugar with almonds), and gingerbread cookies.....yummy!

These are special times and I am so glad we had such a special day!

I will post the recipe  from Paula Deen, but, I just want to mention after cooking and cleaning all day, I just spoke to my sister in law and she forgot to tell me about the "pre-made just roll and bake" gingerbread cookies and the Wilton icing pens at Michaels's.  She said they taste good and are  easy!!!!!! (thanks for the tip for next year!)

Paula Deen's Gingerbread Cookies

For the Cookies:

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 stick butter

2 eggs

1/4 cup molasses

3 1/4 cup flour

2 tsp ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

for the icing:

2 cups confectioners sugar

4-6 tablespoons of milk

1. cream the butter, sugar, mix in eggs and molasses.

2. ad dry ingredients, make a ball with dough  and then wrap in plastic. place in fridge for about 1 hour.

3. preheat oven to 350, meanwhile let dough sit out for about 15 minutes.

Roll dough out using floured board and floured rolling pin. Roll to about 1/8 to 1/4 thick. Place cookies on parchment paper on cookie sheets.  Put cut out cookies in fridge for 20 minutes prior to baking.

4. bake cookies for 18-20 minutes, til brown around edges (I watched them and had to bake for only 10 minutes each)

5. let cool on wire rack.

6. Make frosting, just mix confectioners sugar and milk til the consistency is thick.

I used a plastic bag with the corner cut to pipe the eyes and decorations.

Teacher Gifts

This is what I made for the Teachers this year.

I used an old uniform, cut up and glued on a bulletin board.

You can use any uniform fabric, even hospital scrubs....note the buttons (I hot glued them to flat thumb tacks)!

Ornament Idea

These ornaments are so cute and easy.

These are from Sabrina's pre-kindergarden class, they are glass ornaments with photos in them and then they are painted with the year, etc. with paint pens.

(look for the glass ornaments with a large top...it makes it easier to arrange the photo)

My Daughter's Christmas Tree

We started this tradition when Sabrina was around 3 years old.

We got Sabrina her very own tree!

Every year she gets a new ornament and it is so much fun to decorate every year!

Gift Idea for Teacher or Coach

This is just a great idea for coaches, teachers or anyone!!!!!

My daughter's swim team is putting together a gift basket of gift cards.

We asked anyone to donate any amount and gift cards from anywhere they choose!

some gift card ideas:

Visa/ Amex cards

Blockbuster

Target

Home Depot/Lowes

Restaurants

Barnes and Noble

Sports Authority

Starbucks

etc.....

Wouldn't you love to get this gift?????