Traveling last Christmas, I was on the prowl for fun stocking stuffers that would keep little-fingers busy on the plane. Flexipuzzle hit the jackpot.
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It's that time again and this year my boys, once again, chose two great costume ideas...
Easy and inexpensive, this quick craft made impressive decorations and can be sized for windows, trees, or door decorations. Proud of his discovery, my son prepped all the materials (paper, scissors, tape, stapler) in our front room, and gave everyone in the family a tutorial. He was a great teacher! Now looking around town, I see we are not the only family who likes this craft. Do you want to join the fun? Here's a Youtube video by kongo204 with all the details: Thank you to future teachers Krista and Joanie for this sweet science experiment! Halloween candy has so many marvelous uses.
When I asked my boys to think about how these chocolates were like and not-like metamorphic rocks - this is what they had to say: And always one with a flair for the dramatic, my 10 year old sums up this science lesson for us all:
Looking for homemade Christmas gifts for Grandma? Dad? Friends? Look no further... Here's a few ideas the neighborhood kids and I cooked up...
Paper, scissors, and old encyclopedias = Handmade one-of-a-kind cards!
Canvas panels + colors pencils and watercolors = One-of-a-kind wall art!
Model Magic = Personalized Gift Tags!
Black letter cut-outs, a camera, and magnetic sheets = Groovy refrigerator magnets!
Here are my spooky goblins...
My oldest dressed as the stockbroker last year, but with the economy as it is.. he had to find more reliable work. Ha! (Are we the only family who creates back stories for our Halloween costumes?)
Happy Halloween - May your imaginative ones be safe! Here's a great craft kit that makes a perfect gift, stocking stuffer, or special treat at Grandma's house. 
The kit is designed so that you can create a few silly monsters for decoration and play. We then used the extra stickers to make home-made cards with silly, creative designs! 
Every year after Halloween, I ask my boys to sort through their candy to find the treats they'd most like to save for decorating their Gingerbread Houses. The boys willingly give up some of their stash - knowing the fun that awaits them in December. This holiday break, we invited several neighbors over to join the fun. Every child brought their own house and some decorating items to share. I provided the frosting: 3 egg whites 3/4 tsp. cream of tartar 1 Lb. powdered sugar Mix and mix and mix (then mix some more). Place icing in sandwich bags and snip one corner to apply. I'm happy to report a good time was had by all. The crew focused on their holiday home decor for just over an hour. After that, I noticed a distinct shift: the candy began to go in their mouths instead of on their houses. ("Time to call it quits, my friends!").
Many, many moons ago my sweet mother made a Christmas Countdown Calendar for me and my sister. I remember being delighted as a child when it was my turn to place an ornament on the tree. To my great fortune, I rediscovered this treasure a few years ago. 
Now continuing the tradition with my sons, we take out the simple burlap and felt wall-hanging and add an ornament a day until Christmas arrives. I had to replace a few of the magnet strips and several of the original ornaments had been lost. So...I fashioned a few new ones. It’s amazing how crafty you can get with a few colors of felt and a bottle of craft glue. No special art-skills needed. 
How do you count down to the holiday?
My husband usually teases me for completing my Christmas shopping in July, but this year: It didn't happen. In fact, it won't even start until after Thanksgiving and may include a final countdown starting Dec. 18th. Oh, for easy stocking stuffers that can be ordered online and delivered before the holiday rush!!! Have mercy on me readers: Please post your ideas in the comment area now. Looking through pictures of past holidays, I was reminded of this gem: 
This simple beauty came with monster arms, twisty legs, googly-eyes, and enough colorful brads to make a family of five legged beasts. Low tech - it's fun in the morning, fun in the car, and fun after Christmas dinner at Grandma's house.Overall, that's enough to qualify for a 5 star rating on my Christmas list. 
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