5 Christmas Tree Traditions

In our house, putting up the tree is a very exciting part of the holidays.  So... I thought it would be fun to share our 5 Christmas Tree Traditions with you.  

Here they are:

1)  Picking out the tree -- We always go as a family to pick out the tree.  It is always fun to listen to everyone making a case for their favorite tree. 

2)  Hot Chocolate -- We always make a big batch of hot chocolate to drink while we decorate the tree.  The boys are allowed to add marshmallows, chocolate chips, and little bits of candy canes.

3)  Cookies -- While my husband puts the tree in the stand and puts on the lights, the boys and I make cookies.  With all the excitement of getting and decorating the tree, a "baking shortcut" {like using a cookie mix or ready-to-bake cookies} is always a good idea.

4)  Hanging the first ornaments - After we unpack all the ornaments, each boy takes a turn picking his favorite ornament and hanging it on the tree.

5)  Countdown to lighting -- After the tree is fully decorated, we do a "countdown from 10", and then my husband turns on the tree lights. 

Do you have any Christmas tree traditions in your family?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

Simple Felt {Christmas Tree} Ornament

Those of you that were reading my blog last year might remember that I make ornaments for my friends and family each year.  Last year I made little felt stockings, and this year I made simple felt Christmas trees.

 
The tradition started over 20 years ago, and it has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. Because I make so many, I try to keep the design simple. I also try to make ornaments that are flat and light so that they are easy and inexpensive to mail with Christmas cards.

Want to make one... or a bunch?  They are really quick and easy -- a perfect project for beginners.

Here's what you do:

1)  Cut out the felt pieces you will need:  2 red circles, 1 green triangle, and 1 small brown rectangle.
2)  Stitch the brown rectangle and green triangle onto one of the red circles.  Sew a small yellow button onto the top of the tree.  {Per the picture above.}
3)  Tie a piece of ribbon to form a "loop" and stitch to the other red circle.
4)  Stitch the two red circles together.

That's it!  Isn't it an adorable little felt ornament?  What are some of your treasured holiday traditions?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* Don't miss out on any of the East Coast Mommy fun... follow me on facebook here.

Frugal and Festive {Holiday Decor}

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that it's December, and Christmas is right around the corner.  Last weekend I did some decorating, and today I am sharing 5 ideas for simple and inexpensive holiday decorating.

1)  Gift Wrap Pictures - This idea is really easy, but it has a big impact -- gift wrap pictures that you already have hanging on the walls.  {I used some red, glittery wrapping paper and gold ribbon, and I LOVE the way the pictures/presents look above my hall table.}

2)  Vase Full of Bells - How easy is it to fill a vase {you already have} with gold bells?  Then, stick in some Christmas flowers or glittery bobbles, and you have an adorable piece with lots of "vertical" appeal.  Cute, right?

3)  Makeshift Mantel - Sadly, I don't have a fireplace, but that doesn't mean I can't "hang my stockings with care".  A window sill is a great place to showcase stockings.

4)  Garland and Lights - Nothing says Christmas like greenery and little white lights.  I run garland up my staircase, but doorframes and mantles make great places for this festive decor too.

5)  Outdoor Greenery - Outdoor flower pots are perfect candidates for a makeover at this time of year.  I used some pine boughs, some branches from a birch tree {that we cut down last spring}, and some red embellishments from the dollar store to create a beautiful, festive arrangement for just over $10.

See any ideas you like?  I would love to hear all about your frugal and festive decor ideas.  {Please share them in the comments below.}

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

20 Nice {Not Naughty} Elf on the Shelf Ideas

We have so much fun with our Elf on the Shelf.  It has become a great source of magic and excitement in our house during the holidays.  I have seen a lot of naughty elves on the web... but our "Elfie" is a nice elf.  I think he knows I have enough to do without cleaning up his messes.  lol

Here are 20 things our "Elfie" has done:
{Click on the titles for more info...where available.}

1)  Letter from Santa in November... "Elfie is coming soon!".  

2)  Elfie brings a special advent calendar.  {Click the link for more info.}

3)  Magic Elf Seeds.  {Click the link for more info.}

4)  Magic Elf Key {with free printable key tag}.  {Click the link for more info... and a free download.}

5)  Elfie draws a picture.

6)  Elfie spends some with Santa and his Reindeer.

7)  Elfie hides in the light fixture... not touching the lightbulb.  :-)

8)  Elfie hides in the shower.

9)  Elfie takes a nap... in a kleenex box.

10)  Elfie spells his name with blocks.

11)  Elfie hides among the Christmas tree ornamements.

12)  Elfie brings a Christmas movie {on family movie night}... and brings his own popcorn.

13)  Elfie builds a snowman out of marshmallows... and brings a tiny elf note answering questions about "Elf life".

14)  Elfie brings a special treat... marshmallow pops.

15)  Elfie brings a chocolate elf.

16)  Elfie gets his own Christmas stocking.

17)  Elfie brings a letter from Santa letting us know that we have a video from Santa in our email.

18)  Elf Kiss... with free printable.  {Click the link for more info, and a free download.}

19)  Elfie says "Happy Birthday!".  Elfie gets special permission from Santa for an early "birthday" visit.  {Click the link for more info.}

20)  Elfie says "goodbye"... leaving us the "Elf on the Shelf" movie and a tiny goodbye note.

Is your Elf on the Shelf naughty or nice... or maybe a little bit of both? 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Follow Gina's board Elf on the Shelf Ideas on Pinterest.

Elf on the Shelf Christmas Countdown

Do you do a countdown to Christmas?  Well... this year, our Elf on the Shelf saved us the trouble of making an advent calendar... he made one for us.

While we were sleeping, "Elfie" dug out our Christmas books and movies, wrapped each one, and created a Christmas countdown for us.  He even numbered them 1-24 so that we would know when to open each one.  I have a feeling that the one for Christmas Eve might be "The Night Before Christmas".  {wink!} 

Isn't this a fun Elf on the Shelf idea?  What is your favorite way to count down to the big day?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

And you can find MORE Elf on the Shelf ideas here.

Santa Beard - Preschooler Craft

When crafting with a group of preschoolers, I like to keep things simple.  If small children have to wait around for a lot of help, they will lose interest and move on to something else.  I also love a craft that turns into something kids can play with after they have made it. This Santa beard craft is definitely a simple and fun craft, and kids love it!

Isn't it adorable? Can't you just hear my little guy say, "ho ho ho"?

To make a Santa beard, it is best to do a little "prep work" before involving the little ones.  First, print out the beard template, which you can find here*, and cut it out if the kids are too young to do it themselves. The hole for the mouth can be tricky for little ones.

*If you have trouble with the download: click on the photo of the beard below, right-click, save it to your computer, size it so that you can fit two beards on a regular-sized piece of cardstock, and print it.

Then, tape a popsicle stick to the back of the beard. (White duct tape works best.)

Now it is time to involve the preschooler.  Just let him/her glue cotton balls all over the beard.  What preschooler doesn't love a craft that involves lots of glue?

This Santa beard craft is a definitely a crowd pleaser. It's an easy craft to make, and it is fun for little ones to "play Santa" over the holidays.  Do you have a favorite holiday craft to make with Preschoolers?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS - You can find more Christmas crafts and activities here.

Letter Writing to Santa Party/Fundraiser

Last weekend, the boys hosted their 2nd Annual "Letter Writing to Santa" party/fundraiser.  This year, they were able to donate $187.55 to a local children's hospital.  I am so proud of them! 

Want to throw a similar party with your little ones?  Here's what we did...

As guests arrived, they were given the supplies needed to write a letter to Santa and a fun paper Santa beard.

As the children were writing their letters, they were given some juice and a cookie baked with love by Mrs. Claus.  :-)

Then, each guest made a little craft and some magic reindeer food.

Isn't this a fun way to teach children about "giving back" during the holiday season?  I can't wait to do it again next year!

 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.