10 Things to Do in November {to prepare for the holiday season}

With a little less than a month until Christmas, here are some things you can do NOW to get ready for the big day.  Start checking off items on my November checklist for a less stressful holiday season.

1)  Make room for Christmas arrivals by purging what you already have.  Get rid of old clothes, toys, and everything else that you no longer need.

2)  Do an inventory of the clothing you have, and make a list of the holiday outfits that need to be purchased.  Think about holiday dresses, Christmas concert clothing, Christmas PJs, and outfits for Christmas Eve/Day.  Shop early when the selection is good.

3)  Make a list of Christmas gifts that need to be purchased... and start shopping and wrapping ASAP.

4)  Start baking right away.  Focus on items that freeze well.

5)  Start planning holiday events, activities and parties.  Calendars fill up quickly, so early invites are ideal.

6)  Make or buy an advent calendar.  It's almost time to start counting down!

7)  Book babysitters and hair appointments early to ensure availability.

8)  Buy/order Christmas cards.  Mailing cards out early ensures pre-Christmas delivery.

9)  Make time to give back this holiday season.  Consider baking cookies for a neighbour or buying a gift for a less fortunate family.

10) Don't stress out!  Focus on your family, and enjoy your time together.  It's not about the presents... it's about the presence. :-)

How do you reduce holiday stress?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Letter Writing to Santa Party

Every year, my boys host a "Letter Writing to Santa" party for charity.  They get everything ready, they charge people to come, and they give all the money they earn to Cystic Fibrosis.  This year, they had over 30 guests, and they raised $377.50.  It's an easy and inexpensive party theme that works great as a fundraiser, as a classroom party, or a simple gathering at home.  Here's how we did it....

1) We found a venue, and we made an invite/poster that included all the party details.

2)  We had a raffle for a small gift basket.

3)  We set up a cookie station with juice, water, and cookies.  We made our favorite ginger molasses and chocolate chip cookies.  {Click on the links to get the recipes.}

4)  We gave each guest supplies to write a letter to Santa.

5)  We gave each guest supplies to make a little craft. {You can find the tutorial for our simple gingerbread man ornament here.}

6)  We set up a reindeer food station so that all the guests could make reindeer food to take home.  {You can find all the printables you need to set up your own magic reindeer food station here.}

7)  Each guest received a Santa beard as a little gift that they could take home.  {You can download a free template for these Santa beards here.}

We had a lot of fun at our 4th annual "Writing a Letter to Santa" party, and I am super-proud of my little elves.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Free Christmas Printable {It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas}

With December just around the corner, I thought it was a perfect time to share a free printable with you.  Don't you love this, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" printable?

To download your own copy... just right-click on the picture (above), save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.  To save on ink, I always send my printables to my local office supply store, and have them printed for 39 cents each.

Once printed, you can put this in a dollar store frame for instant, inexpensive holiday decor.

Cute, right?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Birthday Letter to My Oldest Boy... turning 9

In keeping with tradition, today I wrote a birthday letter to my oldest son on his 9th birthday.  He continues to be a sweet and caring boy, and I continue to be proud to be his mother.

To my awesome oldest son,

As you get older, you are changing and becoming more independent, but you still have the same kind heart you have always had.  You really are a sweet, well-rounded boy, and I love you more each day.

Here are a few of the reasons that you are the most special 9 year old in the whole world:

• You give everything you do 110%.  Your focus and intensity is something Daddy and I really admire about you.
• You were recently voted co-captain of your hockey team (by your teammates), and Daddy and I are proud that you were recognized for your strong work ethic and positive attitude.
• You love playing with your brothers... especially mini sticks, basketball, and chess.  I love that you are all good buddies.
• You love Friday night because we always have pancakes and watch a movie together as a family.  I'm happy that you aren't too old to snuggle with your mother.
• You love choir and playing your guitar (when we have a little time away from the rink).
• You still call me Mommy, and I love it... even though I know it will likely come to an end soon.
• You love peanut butter sandwiches and would eat them at every meal if I let you.
• Your favorite color is red, your hockey number is 7, and you want to be a hockey player when you grow up (after attending university, of course).

Happy birthday my little angel.  You may be 9, but you'll always be my first baby.

Lots of Love,

Mommy

xoxoxox

Magic Reindeer Food

Every year my boys host a "writing a letter to Santa" party/fundraiser for charity, and we always have our guests make their own "Magic Reindeer Food".  It's a fun traditions, and kids love it. Today I am sharing the recipe we use, as well as the printable tags that I designed... for FREE.

The first thing we do is set up our reindeer food making station with bowls of oats, Cheerios, and little bags of red sugar crystals (aka magic dust).  Then, we let the kids follow the recipe and scoop the ingredients into little bags. Here is the recipe we print out, frame, and place on the table.

To print an 8X10 copy of this recipe, right click on the picture (above), save it to your computer, and print it like a normal photo.

Then, each guest uses a piece of ribbon to attach a fun tag to the their bag of magic reindeer food.  Here are the tags I designed this year.

To print this 8X10 sheet of magic reindeer food labels, right-click on the picture (above), save it to your computer, and print it like a normal photo. (Note: Print it, use it, and share it... but don't sell it. I designed the tags, the copyright belongs to me, and I am giving it to you for free.)

Making magic reindeer food is a lot of fun, and it is even more fun to sprinkle it on the lawn on Christmas Eve.  It's a great way to help Santa find your home!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS - You can find more fantastic Christmas tips, crafts, recipes and ideas here.

Christmas Handprint Canvas

I have a huge weakness for handprint art, and I am so delighted to share my boys' latest masterpiece with you today.  Don't you just love this Christmas handprint canvas?

My youngest son also made an adorable handprint Christmas countdown, and you can check it out at CBC Parents here.  It's a really cute way to build excitement and anticipation this holiday season.  Have a look, and let me know what you think.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Elf on the Shelf Calendar

If you love Elf on the Shelf, and you are looking for a great way to organize all the "elf antics" this year, I have a great tool for you. Check out the adorable Elf on the Shelf calendar I designed.

To print a free copy of this "blank" calendar, right-click on the calendar (above), save it to your computer, and print it like an 8X10 photo.

And... if you are looking for some Elf on the Shelf inspiration, I have a collection called, "a month of Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables" that you can see HERE.   I have even designed a copy of the calendar containing all the items in my collection.

To print a free copy of this calendar of ideas, right-click on the calendar (below), save it to your computer, and print it like an 8X10 photo.

Cute, right?  Enjoy the calendar, and have a great month with your Elf on the Shelf!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
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