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Holiday Celebrations (Ideas, Recipes and Activities for Every Holiday)
Below, you will find a collection of my holiday celebration posts... including: New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, St.Patrick's Day, Easter, April Fool's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas. There are many ideas for easy and inexpensive ways to make every holiday special. Scroll down and click on the links for additional info, ideas, and recipes.
Click on the links (below) to access the holiday collection you are interested in.
New Year's Eve Ideas for Kids
Celebrating New Year's Eve with kids can be a lot of fun... and you won't have to worry about finding and paying for a babysitter! Win. Win. I'm always a big fan of ringing in the new year with my boys', so today, I am sharing some of my favourite ideas for celebrating New Year's Eve with kids.
1) Countdown bags - I first put together countdown bags for my boys when in 2012, and they have been a New Year's Eve staple in our house ever since. It's a fun way to keep the kids entertained, and it is a wonderful way to build anticipation for the big countdown. Read all about our simple New Year countdown bags here.
2) Photo booth - Setting up a photo booth is another fun way to entertain kids (and to document the fun of the celebration). You can download the props below, print them on card stock, and attach a stick for holding them. You can also inexpensively buy props at the dollar store.
To download my props: right-click on the pictures below, save them to your computer, and print them like regular 8X10 photos.
3) Mocktail bar - Setting up a fun drink station for kids can be a lot of fun. Fruit juice and sparking water can be used with whimsical garnishes like candy stir sticks and gummy bears. You can also have milk in fancy, candy-rimmed glasses for a "milk and cookies" toast at midnight.
4) Party favours - Every party needs a "party favour". I love the idea of midnight kisses (Hershey Kisses in champagne flutes), candy rings or bells to "ring in the new year", and/or breakfast for the next day (cereal in plastic bowls with cute tags.
5) Fortune cookies - Fortune cookies are always fun for kids, and it is simple to turn store bought cookies into a special treat using the tutorial you can find here. You could also turn them into a party favour by adding a tag that says "wishing you good fortune in the the new year"
6) Year in Review Questionnaire - New Year's Eve is the perfect time to review the past year with kids. It's also wonderful to set goals for the year ahead. I love this 2017 Year in Review form, and you can download it for free by: right-clicking on the picture below, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 8X10 photo.
Update: find a 2021 version here.
How do you celebrate New Year's Eve? Do you stay at home with the kids, or head out to an adult party? You can always do both if you do something early with the kids. There is no law against an early countdown. Happy New Year, and all the best to you and your family!
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
1) Countdown bags - I first put together countdown bags for my boys when in 2012, and they have been a New Year's Eve staple in our house ever since. It's a fun way to keep the kids entertained, and it is a wonderful way to build anticipation for the big countdown. Read all about our simple New Year countdown bags here.
2) Photo booth - Setting up a photo booth is another fun way to entertain kids (and to document the fun of the celebration). You can download the props below, print them on card stock, and attach a stick for holding them. You can also inexpensively buy props at the dollar store.
To download my props: right-click on the pictures below, save them to your computer, and print them like regular 8X10 photos.
3) Mocktail bar - Setting up a fun drink station for kids can be a lot of fun. Fruit juice and sparking water can be used with whimsical garnishes like candy stir sticks and gummy bears. You can also have milk in fancy, candy-rimmed glasses for a "milk and cookies" toast at midnight.
5) Fortune cookies - Fortune cookies are always fun for kids, and it is simple to turn store bought cookies into a special treat using the tutorial you can find here. You could also turn them into a party favour by adding a tag that says "wishing you good fortune in the the new year"
6) Year in Review Questionnaire - New Year's Eve is the perfect time to review the past year with kids. It's also wonderful to set goals for the year ahead. I love this 2017 Year in Review form, and you can download it for free by: right-clicking on the picture below, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 8X10 photo.
Update: find a 2021 version here.
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
2017 Year in Review Questionnaire
New Year's Eve is a time for reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the new one -- not just for adults, but for kids too. With this in mind, each year I put together a Year in Review Questionnaire for my boys to fill out on New Year's Eve. Here is the 2017 version.
Update: find a 2019 version here.
It is a pretty simple questionnaire, and you can download the free printable by: right-clicking on the picture (above), saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 8X10 photo. I usually print mine at my local office supply store where colour copies are $0.39 each.
I love seeing what my boys come up with each year. Maybe someday I will make a book for each of my boys using all the questionnaires they have filled out over the years.
Happy New Year, everybody!
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
Update: find a 2019 version here.
It is a pretty simple questionnaire, and you can download the free printable by: right-clicking on the picture (above), saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 8X10 photo. I usually print mine at my local office supply store where colour copies are $0.39 each.
I love seeing what my boys come up with each year. Maybe someday I will make a book for each of my boys using all the questionnaires they have filled out over the years.
Happy New Year, everybody!
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
How to Turn "Store Bought" Fortune Cookies Into an Elegant New Year's Eve Treat
I am a big fan of keeping things simple, and I absolutely LOVE a good shortcut. Today, I am sharing a really fun idea for New Year's Eve. With a few ingredients, and a couple minutes, you can transform "store bought" fortune cookies into an elegant New Year's Eve treat that will impress your guests!
You'll need: store bought fortune cookies, baker's chocolate, and sprinkles.
Then:
1) Melt the baker's chocolate according to package directions. (I melted mine on medium heat for 2 minutes... stirring at 30 second intervals.)
2) Dip the cookies in the chocolate, and let excess drip off.
3) Dip the cookies in sprinkles, and place on wax paper to allow the chocolate to harden.
That's it!
They really are impressive looking when you put them on a nice tray.
I love a good short cut, don't you? These fortune cookies are easy, inexpensive, and a lot of fun. You could even send them home as party favours with a "Wishing you good fortune in the new year!" tags. Fun, right?
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
You'll need: store bought fortune cookies, baker's chocolate, and sprinkles.
Then:
1) Melt the baker's chocolate according to package directions. (I melted mine on medium heat for 2 minutes... stirring at 30 second intervals.)
2) Dip the cookies in the chocolate, and let excess drip off.
3) Dip the cookies in sprinkles, and place on wax paper to allow the chocolate to harden.
That's it!
They really are impressive looking when you put them on a nice tray.
It would be fun for kids to help make this treat too, and they'll love cracking them open and reading their fortunes. You can also dip a glass in chocolate and sprinkles for an added festive touch.
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
Old Fashioned Shortbread Cookies... with homemade buttercream icing
I absolutely love a homemade shortbread cookie. I love the buttery flavour and flaky texture. It's the perfect cookie with a glass of milk or a cup of tea/coffee. Today, I am sharing a simple recipe for old fashioned shortbread cookies that is easy to make and tastes like the cookies your grandma used to make.
Here's the recipe for my favourite old fashioned shortbread cookies:
Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix butter, flour, and vanilla together with electric beaters. Then, mix in icing sugar and cornstarch. (If they seem lumpy, use a sifter, but I usually just throw it all in "as is".)
Beat until well mixed and crumbly, and then form into two discs with your hands. Cover with plastic wrap, and pop into the fridge for 30 minutes. Note: It looks crumbly when you are mixing it, but when you start to work with it in your hands, it all comes together nicely.
Roll out to 1/4 inch on a floured surface.
Cut with a cookie cutter and bake on Silpat or parchment (at 300 degrees) for approximately 15 minutes. (I used a 2 inch cookie cutter.)
Let cool, and then frost using my "small batch buttercream icing recipe". To make my icing, just beat together the following ingredients:
These really are delicious cookies, and they are great for sharing during the holidays too!
Do you have a favourite shortbread recipe? If you are looking for one that is simple and delicious, you should give this one a try.
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
Here's the recipe for my favourite old fashioned shortbread cookies:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup softened salted butter (room temperature for easy mixing)
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
Directions:
Mix butter, flour, and vanilla together with electric beaters. Then, mix in icing sugar and cornstarch. (If they seem lumpy, use a sifter, but I usually just throw it all in "as is".)
Beat until well mixed and crumbly, and then form into two discs with your hands. Cover with plastic wrap, and pop into the fridge for 30 minutes. Note: It looks crumbly when you are mixing it, but when you start to work with it in your hands, it all comes together nicely.
Roll out to 1/4 inch on a floured surface.
Cut with a cookie cutter and bake on Silpat or parchment (at 300 degrees) for approximately 15 minutes. (I used a 2 inch cookie cutter.)
Let cool, and then frost using my "small batch buttercream icing recipe". To make my icing, just beat together the following ingredients:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp to 1 tbsp milk or cream
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
These really are delicious cookies, and they are great for sharing during the holidays too!
Do you have a favourite shortbread recipe? If you are looking for one that is simple and delicious, you should give this one a try.
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
{simple} Christmas Class Treats... no baking required
Tomorrow is my boys' last day of school, and they love to bring little Christmas treats for their classmates. This year, my middle son is bringing a fun photo treat, and my youngest is bringing a bag of goodies. Check them out below!
To make the fun photo card/treat, I took a picture of my son holding a fist to the side. Then, I added a Christmas greeting using Picmonkey.com.
My youngest son isn't allowed to bring food to school, so he opted for little tree ornaments in gift bags. I added a fun photo tag that I created in PicMonkey, and the result is super-cute!
Then, I used an x-Acto knife to cut slits above and below my son's fist and inserted a candy cane. (You could also use a pencil or a tree ornament if you prefer a candy free option.)
I love how cute and personal these treats are, don't you?
My youngest son isn't allowed to bring food to school, so he opted for little tree ornaments in gift bags. I added a fun photo tag that I created in PicMonkey, and the result is super-cute!
Are your kids sharing treats with their friends this year? These options are simple and fun!
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
5 Christmas Movies You MUST Watch on NETFLIX this Holiday Season
Who doesn't love cuddling up in front of a decorated tree and watching a wonderful Christmas movie? And this year, Netflix* has some wonderful movies ready to stream any time you want. Today, I am sharing 5 of my favourite holiday movies... and you are definitely going to want to put them on your viewing list this holiday season.
1) Elf - This really is a wonderful movie for the whole family. Will Ferrell is perfectly cast, and the story is sweet and funny. I've already watched it once this year, and I will likely put it on again before the holiday is over.
2) A Christmas Prince - This is a new Christmas movie on Netflix, and it is simple, sappy, and a perfect movie for moms to watch with the tree lights on and a glass of wine in hand.
3) Love Actually - This is definitely a movie for grown ups, but it is a holiday favourite of mine. It's original, funny, and it tugs at the heart strings. If you haven't seen it, you need to watch it!
4) How the Grinch Stole Christmas - This is a classic story, and it is one that parents and children will enjoy watching together. It has a wonderful message, and Jim Carrey is a perfect Grinch!
5) Trolls Holiday Special - This holiday treat is new to Netflix, and my whole family loved it. It's funny, well cast, and the music is fantastic. I highly recommend it!
What's your favourite holiday movie? Did it make my list?
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
*Disclosure: I receive special gifts and perks as part of my affiliation with Netflix.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.
1) Elf - This really is a wonderful movie for the whole family. Will Ferrell is perfectly cast, and the story is sweet and funny. I've already watched it once this year, and I will likely put it on again before the holiday is over.
2) A Christmas Prince - This is a new Christmas movie on Netflix, and it is simple, sappy, and a perfect movie for moms to watch with the tree lights on and a glass of wine in hand.
3) Love Actually - This is definitely a movie for grown ups, but it is a holiday favourite of mine. It's original, funny, and it tugs at the heart strings. If you haven't seen it, you need to watch it!
4) How the Grinch Stole Christmas - This is a classic story, and it is one that parents and children will enjoy watching together. It has a wonderful message, and Jim Carrey is a perfect Grinch!
5) Trolls Holiday Special - This holiday treat is new to Netflix, and my whole family loved it. It's funny, well cast, and the music is fantastic. I highly recommend it!
What's your favourite holiday movie? Did it make my list?
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
*Disclosure: I receive special gifts and perks as part of my affiliation with Netflix.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.
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