Christmas

Very Merry Christmas Collection Of Holiday Crafts & Recipes

December 24, 2018 Leave a Comment

Merry Christmas! So glad you are here. While we take the week off from our blog party to celebrate with family and friends, we picked out some great crafts and recipes for you to enjoy! See you next Tuesday for our first blog hop of 2019!

Although this Christmas will soon have come and gone, you are not going to want to forget what you see here. Be sure to go to the original blog to pin the ones you love. That way you will have these great ideas all tucked away for the future!

Grandinroad Hack – A Pallet Project – Eclectic Red Barn

Gold Leaf Christmas Trees – Sparkle Living Blog

Beautiful Christmas home decor ideas, holiday treat recipes and crafts that you will LOVE! #holidays Click To Tweet

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

How To Make A Gingerbread House – Simple Steps For Living Life

A Very Merry Little Living Room – LeCultivateur

Death By Peanut Butter and Chocolate – Marilyn’s Treats

Holiday Wreath Breakfast Kuchen – Ducks ‘n a Row

Transparent Floating Photo Ornament – My Life Abundant

How To Decorate Glass Blocks – Jennifer Maker Blog

Luxury Handmade Gift Tags – Pillarbox Blue

Christmas On The Outside – Living On Cloud Nine

Quilted Christmas Stockings For The Whole Family Plus Pattern – Gluesticks Blog

Festive Keto Cranberry Orange Bread – Fit To Serve Group

Christmas blessings to you and yours!

Enjoy!

7 Best Nativity Sets Your Kids Will Love To Play With

December 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

Nativity scenes are keepsakes that your family will treasure for years to come. I have a mini-nativity scene sitting on my family room mantel featuring Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus that I leave on display year-round. It is pretty and just to look at.

Kids are very hands-on. They want to play with their nativity sets. So, get them unbreakable nativity scene toys that they can touch, move around and actually PLAY with!

So, I walked into my preschool classroom (which shared space) and found that the other teacher who uses the room had set up a nativity scene display for little children. It was so cute, I took some pictures. My students did play with the pieces – they couldn’t help themselves, it was so much fun. And then we put it all back in place when we were done.

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

*The Precious Moments item is a collectible and, therefore, breakable.

Interactive Nativity Plush Wall Hanging

Give your kids a fun toy to celebrate Christmas with - a play nativity set! #Christmas #giftideas #kids Click To Tweet

Enjoy!

Why Saying “Merry Christmas” Is So Special To Me

December 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

“Merry Christmas!” I am so thrilled that it is OK to say “Merry Christmas” again. Wherever I go – the bank, the grocery store, the gas station – everybody is saying it! It is like they are trying out a new toy. Smiles are big. Joy is in the air. This is what Christmas should be like.

After all, we are celebrating the beginning of the best thing God ever did. He sent His Son to rescue us and bring us into a relationship with Him. And, to add to the good news, He has prepared a “forever-home” for us in heaven. I love that! Celebrating Jesus’ birth is bigger than a big deal and I am going to say “Merry Christmas” more than ever in celebration.

Of all the things that Jesus came to do for us, I value the unexplainable peace He gives. His peace can be in our hearts all of the time, no matter what is going on around us.

Why saying Merry Christmas means so much! #Christmas #faith #peace Click To Tweet

Do you know that it is possible to be saved and still not feel peace in our hearts? That is because of fear. Fear is a thief who steals our peace. People are aggravated, agitated and mouths are going a mile-a-minute with complaints, accusations and more complaints on top of that. I believe that most of that is rooted in fear. But Jesus came with an answer:

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. ” Jesus said “Not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 See? God’s peace is the remedy for fear.

At Christmas, we celebrate the very first day that Jesus came to live here. He was born as a baby in Bethlehem. That baby was sent with a mission to “seek and save that which was lost.” Like little lambs that went astray, He came to gather us up in His arms and bring us safely home. No strings attached, it is a free gift from God. We accept Him as our savior and receive His forgiveness for all of our sins – past, present and future – and then we get loads of fringe benefits from being in His family, too – one of which is peace.

Peace feels really good but how do we get it? We start by thinking about Him – all of the time – and agree with what He says. We must get our eyes off the circumstances and onto the Word of God. As we do, fear leaves and peace floods in. It works for me every time.

All of this has been on my mind because I was feeling anything but peaceful, lately. News junkie that I am, I have discovered that too much “news” is bad news! It had been robbing me of the peace that Jesus came to give. So, I turned off the radio and TV news – for the most-part – and now I think about things that are “good, true, pure, lovely and of a good report.” I am done with listening to the clamor and I have told the newsy scuttlebutt that it has to go. I am tuning in to God’s Word which lifts me up. Try it. It will lift you up, too!

So, “Merry Christmas my friends.” I will be taking a couple of days off to just relax and enjoy. Right now, as I write this, I am looking out the window at the beautiful fluffy white snow coming down. So pretty. Now that is peaceful! I will see you back here in just a few days, Tuesday night to be exact, for our weekly blog hop.

In the meantime, may…

“The Lord bless you and keep you.

May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace!” Numbers 6:24-26

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Enjoy!

….

Merry Christmas!

How To Have A Holiday Cookie Swap!

December 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

The holidays would not be complete without Christmas cookies and lots of them! While you could try baking all of the recipes you love, why not team up and have a holiday cookie swap, instead? This very popular holiday get-together gives you another way to see family and friends plus you come home with a wide assortment of delectable home baked treats! This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Baking Christmas cookies for a cookie exchange party

How To Host A Cookie Exchange Party

Invite guests – especially those who like to bake!
Ask each person to bring one dozen homemade cookies per person coming to the party plus an additional dozen for sampling. This method assures that everyone takes a nice variety of cookies home with them for their families to enjoy. i.e. if 10 people are coming, you bring 11 dozen cookies of the same recipe.
When your guests RSVP, find out what kind of cookies they plan to bring. This will help you to assure that there will some variety. If too many of the same kind of cookie is coming, politely ask some guests to make a different recipe.
On the day of the party, serve beverages for your guests to enjoy with their cookies plus another type of snack (salty instead of sweet?)
Create a festive atmosphere. Decorate your house and have Christmas music playing in the background. Use some pretty seasonal paper plates, napkins & cups to enhance your display. Enjoy!

Get a wide variety of delicious homemade Christmas #cookies for the #holidays without having to bake them all. Host a cookie exchange party! #Christmas #familyfun Click To Tweet

Enjoy!

Linking with Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie

Get A Lovely Nativity Keepsake Your Family Will Treasure

December 11, 2017 1 Comment

Christmas decorations come and go but Nativity Scenes are “forever!” These collectibles are more than just part of our holiday decor, they are cherished keepsakes to be passed on from generation to generation. If your family does not have a Nativity Scene, or perhaps you know somebody who would love to receive one, here are some special selections for you to consider … and some very cute kids versions for your children, as well!

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Willow Tree 6-piece Nativity Set [Best Seller!]

Evergreen Rustic 7 Piece White Garden Nativity Set

Three Kings Gifts 14 piece Nativity – each piece has a real-to-life look

Willow Tree Holy Family Figurines

Easy Go Large Outdoor Nativity Scene Decoration For The Yard [Best Seller]

Come Let Us Adore Him Precious Moments Nativity Set

Precious Moments Come Let Us Adore Him Camel & Donkey

Nativity Scenes make a lovely family keepsake to be handed down from generation to generation! #Christmas #family #giftideas #collectibles Click To Tweet

Nativity Scenes For Kids

Miniature Kids Nativity Scene with Creche Set of 12 Rearrangeable Figures

Fun Wooden Nativity Scene for kids by Melissa & Doug [Best Seller!]

Nativity Play Set for Kids

Living Nativity Scene & Dress Up Fun

Ever heard of a living nativity scene? Churches and Bible groups dress up like Mary and Joseph, the 3 kings, shepherds, angels and stable animals, surround a hay-filled manger with a baby doll laying in it to act out the story of the Birth of Jesus Christ.

I have heard that once you have tried it, you will want to be an actor in a living nativity again and again. Even if your family does not plan to put on a full production, children do love to play dress up. Let them act out Bible stories!

Another adorable Christmas figurine by Precious Moments with the 3 Kings called “Noel.”

Enjoy!

How To Host Family Holiday Parties The Easy Way

November 29, 2017 2 Comments

Do you enjoy hosting family parties during the holidays? I do. Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year generate a succession of opportunities to host holiday parties for family and friends. We have a bevy of birthdays and our anniversary dotting the landscape, as well. December is one busy month! That is why I am so glad that I learned how to host holiday parties the easy way.

We are all very busy at this time of year, aren’t we? Gifts to buy – gifts to wrap – delicious desserts to make and serve – decorating, setting up and cleaning up, too. I love it all.

Like my party table? I made it for a small breakfast gathering. We served danishes, pecan rolls, muffins and lots of fresh brewed coffee! Since I was prepared, I had real enjoyment putting it all together.

What I do not like, especially during the holidays, is to feel rushed. If we were to run low on something important, like toilet paper for instance, then I would have to drop all of my party prep to go get it. That ruins the fun. So, as a precaution, I decided to stock up on necessary supplies ahead of time.

I chose to go to Walmart. I love shopping at Walmart. Everything I need is right there and their prices are really great. So, I had my list: Kleenex® facial tissue, Scott bath tissue, Viva paper towels and Cottonelle toilet paper.

What I had not anticipated was finding the beautiful new Kleenex® products designed for holiday entertaining. They are so festive and useful, too. You never can have enough facial tissue so I bought a bunch!

First, I picked out two 2-packs of the Kleenex® Perfect Fit style to put out on the counter like a Christmas decoration. They remind me of pillar candles, minus the flame of course! I selected the snowman, a Santa and two others with sparkly designs. Each one looks like it belongs in a holiday display. The Kleenex® Oval packages are quite elegantly designed. I have one of each in my bathrooms.

The Kleenex® Hand Towels, likewise, fit in anywhere. I love that I can keep one near my kitchen sink to use for drying hands instead of everyone using a cloth towel. It reduces some of the extra laundry and I am all about that!

Walmart is so convenient, whether shopping in the store or ordering online. After I came home, I wished I had bought more of the Viva holiday style paper towels so I ordered them online to be shipped to my house with 2-day free shipping. I didn’t want to go back to the store again that soon.

For those who love the best of both worlds, you can order items online and have it waiting for you to pick up at the store. Want even easier? Skip the trip entirely and have your order delivered to your house with Walmart’s 2-day shipping. This time around, though, I was so glad that I went inside and saw the new Kleenex designs on display. My Kleenex boxes were the first Christmas decorating I did this year! LOL

Do you love Ibotta deals? In addition to the great prices and savings by shopping at Walmart, you can save even more money with Ibotta. Here are six deals for you …

Kleenex: $1.50 Offer valid on Kleenex® for any variety, Bundle Pack only. Offer excludes lotion varieties.

Kleenex: $.50 Offer valid on Kleenex® for any variety, single pack only. Offer excludes lotion varieties.

Scott: $.75 Offer valid on Scott® Bath Tissue for any variety, 4 ct. pack or larger (11/29 – TBD).

Viva: $1 – Offer valid on Viva® Paper Towels for any variety, 6 ct. pack or larger.

Cottonelle: $1 Offer valid on Cottonelle® Toilet Paper for any variety, 6 ct. pack or larger.

Now you know how to really enjoy those family holiday parties … the easy way!

How to host family holiday parties the easy way! #ad #holidays #family Click To Tweet

Enjoy!

Christmas Blessings to One and All

December 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:11-12

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

7 Ways to Make Lasting Holiday Memories

December 5, 2014 Leave a Comment

The holidays all come with expectations.

We expect to make and eat lots of great food.
We expect to give and receive gifts.
We expect a certain amount of stress (some more than others) and its consequential fatigue.
We expect the budget to scream a little bit from the weight of all the “necessary” expenditures.

But do we expect to come away with tender loving memories? The holidays are really about being thankful for our blessings. They are about family and friends. We enjoy the holidays so much more when we create an atmosphere from which memories are birthed.

So, what do those memories look like? My recollections bring a picture of my “Grampy” dressed in his holiday vest. It was red plaid. With his thick white hair and happy eyes, he looked so regal. I can still see him carving the turkey at the head of the beautifully decorated dining room table. My dad continued the vest tradition where Grampy left off. Though there were so many great traditions about our family holidays, that one dominates my warmest thoughts.

Funny memories? My dear husband broke a tooth on his mom’s Thanksgiving turkey! It had been left in the oven way too long. She felt so bad about it. But we laughed. Chipping a tooth is no fun but it stayed a humorous memory that she got teased about for years. She was such a good sport (and to set the record straight, a very good cook.)

Oh yes, and in my family it was the Christmas tree that would fall over in the middle of the night. The trunk was crooked and it just didn’t want to stand up! Each morning we’d hear “Oh, no!” and one of my parents would “right” it again, decorations getting shabbier as time went on.

Child decorating Christmas tree; baby santa

So, think about creating some great family memories!

Sights: Make everything beautiful. A vision of “Christmas” typically includes twinkling lights on an evergreen tree. Add to it candles in the window and on the table, stockings hung over the fireplace “with care” and beautiful wrapped presents.

Engage your family in a series of “decorating moments.” Start the process now, pre-Thanksgiving, and have fun with it till the New Year begins. Decorating doesn’t have to happen in one day. Enjoy it as you string it along.

Sounds: Fill the air with music! Holiday music overflows with thanksgiving and joy. Turn on a radio station that plays continuous holiday songs or pop a CD in the player. Keep your home, and car, filled with the sounds of the season and remember to SING along! Engage your kids in singing the catchiest tunes. Everyone’s welcome. Musical talent not required!

Ducks 'n a Row holiday cookies; creating family memories at Christmas

Smells: Bake, Bake, Bake! Holiday food fills your home with a sweet aroma as you bake desserts and roast the turkey. Fond memories of going to grandma’s house have been built around these delicious smells!

Ducks 'n a Row: Holiday memories; family time; #Christmas #Thanksgiving #memories

Touch: Cuddle-time a must! We get so busy that we can forget to spend quality time close together. Everyone needs it: mom, dad, the kids…even the dog! It’s how we get re-charged. Read a storybook together. Snuggly blankets required. Schedule a pajama movie night with a great holiday classic. The menu? Popcorn and hot chocolate, of course.

Team work: Everyone has a part to play. Getting ready for the holidays includes anticipation of good things to come. Everyone should be a part of the preparations. Bake cookies together. Wrap gifts. Dust and pick up “stuff.” Even the littlest tyke can have some kind of job to do – with much praise included. Remember, a two-year old will dust like a two-year old!

Reach Out – who needs you? Your children and spouse need you, of course. Your parents, friends and relatives do, too. But, who else needs you? Is there someone you can think of who has no one at all? What can your family do to show them some love? Teach this giving-spirit to your kids when they’re young and they will reproduce it as adults. The giving spirit is not taught as much as it is “caught”. We all learn by doing.

Embrace the moment. Remember to step back for a moment and appreciate what you have. No matter the struggles and hardships life may bring, there is something you can focus on that says “life is good”. Think on that! And take pictures of these family times for future memories. Make a date with your kids to sit down and put these memories in a scrapbook while they are still fresh!

7 wonderful ways to make memories during the #holidays #family Click To Tweet

Enjoy!

Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. What does that mean? Well, anything that you buy from Amazon by first clicking on an ad, link or using an Amazon search window on Ducks ‘n a Row will, at no extra cost to you, result in a small commission for me. In advance “thank you!” … Sinea

Holiday Dinner Preparation Checklist

November 25, 2014 Leave a Comment

By Sinea Pies

parties, events, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, Easter, dinner party

Getting ready for a holiday dinner? Your grocery shopping is complete. Guest list written. Now, to get ready for the event. There is nothing worse than forgetting something, or remembering it very late and having to scramble. Today, I am preparing for guests and this a simple prep list I am using to help me stay on track.

Holiday Dinner Checklist

Get out and clean (where needed)…

Utensils

spoons

ladels

pie servers

carving knives & forks

Serving Dishes

special bowls

platters

relish dishes

candy dishes

gravy boats

butter dishes

fine china

glassware

coffee mugs

bread basket

cream and sugar bowls

To Do

Make ice and store in freezer bags

Tablecloth and cloth napkins

Candles / centerpieces

Find matches (candles & fireplace)

Firestarters & logs for fireplace

Get out coffeemaker

That is what I have so far.

Did I forget anything?