Holiday Cards – It’s Time to Order them Online NOW! {Giveaway}

holiday cards

Happy December First! How is it that the holidays sneak up on me every.single.year? Doesn’t it seem like the kids go back to school, Thanksgiving happens and then BLINK, it’s Christmas time already? I sure do. Next year, I will start my holiday cards in September and get them done EARLY! Good intentions, right? I help my parents every year get their address labels in order. Last year, I kindly let my Mom know that I needed the information EARLY for this year. Thankfully, she remembered my request so that I could get everything done for her in plenty of … Continue reading

3 Step EASY Homemade Name Cards

Homemade Name Cards

A holiday table for entertaining is not complete, in my opinion, without homemade name cards! You and your kids can whip up these cards for every guest within minutes while using your creativity and personalizing them along the way. We used Seal-It Glitter tape to jazz up these place cards. See how easy it is to rip in the video below: Make these homemade name cards in minutes: Cut name cards out of cardstock and fold. Decorate with Seal It! Glitter tape. Write name. Optional: You can tie a ribbon or piece of twine around the card for a slightly … Continue reading

Simply Shortbread Cookie Recipe {Natrel Greatest Dessert Exchange}

Shortbread Cookie Recipe

This Shortbread Cookie Recipe is so easy to make and the cookies always turn out delicious! You can serve these cookies plain OR they can be decorated in a variety of ways including holiday sprinkles, maraschino cherries or chocolate! Shortbread is one of my all time favourite types of cookies! Shortbread Cookie Recipe Recipe Type: dessert Author: Multi-Testing Mommy Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 30 mins Shortbread is a classic Christmas cookie. Ingredients 1 cup Natrel lactose free or organic butter, softened 1/2 cup sifted icing sugar 1/2 cup sifted cornstarch 1 1/2 cups flour Instructions In an electric … Continue reading

Chocolate Gingerbread Crunch Cookies – Mason Jar Cookie Mix #FeelGoodHoliday {Giveaway & FREE Printable}

Chocolate Gingerbread Crunch Cookies - Mason Jar Cookie Mix

Mason jars have become quite trendy as of late, would you not agree? Here is a gift that you could give a teacher, a hostess, a neighbour or a bus driver: a Mason Jar Cookie Mix. Your children can help you put this simple gift together or you can whip it up quite quickly on your own. Either way, it makes a perfect gift for many different people in your life. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Makes: 48 cookies Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup Nature’s Path Love Crunch® … Continue reading

Kids and Holiday Stress: What Parents Need to Know

Kids and Holiday Stress

Last week, I wrote about 20 Ways to Reduce STress During the Holiday Season. I included many tips for adults and a few for children. However, after some reflection, I truly believe that more emphasis needs to be put on stress reduction for children during the holidays, don’t you? What do you think of when you think about kids and holiday stress? For many, family dinners, time with loved ones, and the hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping might come to mind. But the holidays can also be a stressful time. Financial pressures, high expectations, and packed schedules can be … Continue reading

Fresh Breath Pie… #HolidaySecretsExposed {Giveaway}

Reindeer Cupcakes

Everyone has a secret to tell! You must have a secret, a disaster or a hilarious experience that has happened during holidays in the past. Let’s hear them….your Holiday Secrets Exposed! Ok, ok, I’ll start….. When my husband and I were not yet married and living in our first basement apartment, I was super excited to entertain all of my friends. I had never entertained before, so I was a tad nervous how all of the food would turn out, so I would often do a “trial” meal to ensure that I knew what I was doing. Go ahead, call … Continue reading

5 Tips for Baking with Kids During the Holidays #HallmarkPressPause {Giveaway}

Baking with Kids Giveaway

Many people enjoy baking during the holidays. In fact, holiday baking is often party of a family’s tradition. It is NO secret that children love to bake! However, many parents are often overwhelmed with the extra amount of work that comes along with baking with children. Here are some helpful tips when baking with kids: Get ingredients out and organized ahead of time. – It is amazing what kind of “trouble” children can get into when you are busy trying to locate ingredients and tools. Measure out the trickier ingredients. – Depending on the age of the children, you may … Continue reading

Coconut Cherry Macaroons #FeelGoodHoliday {Giveaway}

Coconut Cherry Macaroons

While the holidays bring traditions and holiday baking is definitely a huge part of my holidays, I am also always on the hunt for new recipes to try out. I am a huge fan of coconut and cherries, so when I came across this recipe from Nature’s Path, it was a MUST try this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Nature’s Path Coconut Cherry Macaroons (Gluten Free, Egg Free) Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Makes: 16 serving Ingredients: 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut 1/2 cup coconut milk 2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp coconut flour 1 tbsp coconut oil … Continue reading

Educational Holiday Themed Activities for Kids

Educational Holiday Themed Activities for Kids

Perhaps it is the teacher in me, but I am always on the lookout for opportunities to make an “educational moment” with my children. I happen to have a HUGE collection of Printables saved on my computer and I was noticing that my Holiday folder is looking a little bare, so today I went on a hunt for some Educational Holiday Themed Activities for Kids to add to my collection. Counting and Reading Skills Trees Pre – K through K Christmas learning pack Some more Holiday ideas for Children for you to check out: Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas … Continue reading

20 Tips to Reduce Stress During the Holiday Season

How to Reduce Stress During the Holidays

Disclaimer: If you are the type of person who LOVES every single second of the holidays, this post is NOT for you. This post is meant for people who feel heightened amounts of stress and anxiety during the holidays. Good Times: Friends, family, food, gifts…. But yet, for many people, the holidays are filled with additional stress! Why STRESS?! Pressure. Worry. Finances. Anxiety. Depression. With visiting friends and family comes food preparation, shopping for gifts and cleaning your home. Often, we end up having a few extra later nights than they are used to which creates havoc with our typical … Continue reading