Something to Think About - The True Holiday Spirit

Last year after Christmas I remember feeling like I had missed it. It's so easy to get caught up in the business of the Christmas season and forget to stop and enjoy it. I am determined to not let that happen again this year. I read the following quote a few weeks ago and it has really stuck with me.

"This is a glorious time of the year, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson (Italics added)

I love that! The happiness and joy we feel is based upon how much we put into it. So what can we do to really feel the spirit of Christmas? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

 I've thought about this and decided that I needed to make a sacrifice of some kind in order for Christmas to be more meaningful to me.

First of all, I'm taking a small break from blogging to enjoy Christmas more with my family. It will be my gift to them. I really do enjoy sharing my ideas with you. BUT, it's more important to be fully focused on my family at this time of year and sharing my time with THEM. {Don't worry, I'll still snap pictures of any projects I do while I'm gone. I'm sure I'll have a back log of things to share come January!}


Secondly, I decided to study the New Testament {specifically the Gospels} this month. You all know how much I love reading. I generally read 4-5 books a month. I'm taking that time that I usually spend reading and spending it studying and learning more about the Saviors life. I printed off some New Testament Independent Study Lessons to help me.  It has made a HUGE difference in helping me to stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas. I've also been reading Christmas books and pamphlets to help keep that focus.

So I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. What do you do to create meaningful Christmas's? How to you bring the true spirit of Christmas into your home?  I'm sure as my focus changes they feel it, but I'd like to include my children more directly in this. How do you share the true meaning of Christmas with your kids?


I will still be checking my e-mail, so be sure to leave comments. I really want your opinions on this!

Add some sparkle to your Christmas tree with these DIY glitter ornaments. They're quick and easy to make. Plus they're relatively mess free, since the glitter is on the inside of the bulb.

DIY Glitter Ornaments

I've been wanting to make these glitter ornaments ever since I made glitter jars last year. Last Christmas I couldn't find glass ornaments anywhere. They were all sold out. This year I grabbed 3 boxes before Thanksgiving. And it's a good thing because I went back to get a few more at my local Joanns and they're all gone.

How to make you're own glitter ornaments

Supplies needed:
Clear Glass Ornaments
Glitter {each .49 oz bottle of glitter did 6 ornaments}
Pledge Floor Care with Future Shine {I used wood finish because I had it}

First take the tops off of the ornaments. Next squirt a bit of Pledge into one of the ornaments.

It doesn't take much. Swirl it around until you've coated the whole inside of the ornament with Pledge. Then pour it into the next ornament. I did 7 or 8 ornaments with the small amount shown above.

Pour in the glitter. I used a funnel to prevent spills. Swirl the glitter around to coat.

Repeat with other ornaments.

Leave the tops off for an hour or so to let it dry completely.

Super easy right?

So do you like the silver or the white ones better? I think I like the white ones. But I'll be using them all.  My tree is silver and white. Each year I make something new to add to it. This year I made two new things: these glitter ornaments and my DIY Crystal Snowflakes.

Candy Cane Earrings

Look at these cute little Candy Cane Earrings. These were super quick to make. I made a pair for myself, my daughter and her friend.

I got the idea at Prima Bead.

 Mine are a little different, since I used what I had on hand. My beads were bigger, so I was only able to fit seven beads on each earring instead of ten. I also had to just bend over the end of the wire and add a little super glue to the end. 

Terrific Tuesdays #45

This will be my last link party of the year. Since Christmas and New Years fall on Tuesday, there's no point in having a link party on those days. And while I'm at it, I'm taking off next week too. But don't worry, we'll start back up in January.

Are your ready for Christmas? I thought I'd got all the shopping done, but I keep thinking of small things I've forgotten, so I need to make another trip. I'm ready to start baking and finishing up some handmade gifts.

Some of my favorites this week:

Homemade Peppermint Bark by Couponing & Cooking
This looks super yummy and easy too!

How does a nice frothy cup of Peppermint Hot Chocolate sound?  This recipe by One Creative Mommy fits the bill.  It looks tasty.

How cute is this little angel ornament?!  Head over to Crafty Journal to get the tutorial. Here's another thing to add to my shopping list. I love the fact that it's inexpensive. 

Here's what I shared this week:
Bead Board Trees Update
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
and
6 Christmas Goodies

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:

1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.{This is not required, but I’d love for you to take a minute and check it out.} Also if you're so inclined, you can follow me on facebook and pinterest as well.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.
 

6 Christmas Goodies Recipes

Today I'm going to share with you the Christmas treats that I posted last year.

 Click the title to go to the original post and find the recipes.

 O'Henry Bars

 

 English Toffee

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Homemade Oreos

 Sugar Cookies

 

Ginger Snaps

 

   

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

When I was growing up my mom would always have a bucket of homemade hot cocoa mix. My kids go through hot chocolate like crazy. They always want it when they get home from school. So I decided to use up some of my dry milk from my food storage and make some. 

You could package it up cute and you have a quick gift for a lot of people. 

Here's what you need. The marshmallow bits are optional. I got them for the kids. I didn't add them into the mix, but just let them sprinkle some in when they make a cup. I prefer regular marshmallows myself.

Basically you mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Then store in an air tight container. An ice cream bucket fits almost all of it. I ended up adding about a cup more powdered sugar and nesquik to accomodate my sweet tooth.

 

   
In all honesty, I don't think that you save any money by making it yourself. If I didn't have dry milk that needed to be used up, I probably wouldn't have made it. But it's tasty, makes a LOT and, I'm hoping it will last through the winter.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Author: Rachel Nielsen

Prep time: 15 MinTotal time: 15 Min

Mix up a big batch of this hot cocoa mix for those cold winter months.

Ingredients

• 1 c. coffee creamer
• 10 c. powdered milk
• 4 c. Nesquik
• 2/3 c. powdered sugar
• 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix
• marshmallow bits, optional

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients until well combined. 
2. To use: Mix together 1/3 cup of the mix to 1 cup of hot water. 
3. Store in air tight container. An ice cream bucket will hold most of it.

https://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2012/12/homemade-hot-cocoa-mix.html

© 2020 Adventures of a DIY Mom

homemade hot cocoa mix

American

Bead Board Trees Update

 Do these bead board trees look familiar? I made them last year, but couldn't figure out how to embellish them. Well, a full year later, I finally figured it out. I grabbed some wire and some beads and a few snowflake brads and this is what I came up with.

I just folded the wire behind the bead board on one side, added some beads and some twists to the wire. Then cut and folded the wire behind the other side of the tree.  Then I'd start over with the next piece of wire. I thought about hot gluing the wire to the back, but it seems to be staying okay without it. Then I added the snowflake brads.

Here's a look at what they looked like last year.

  I think the garland adds the perfect touch. Now they look more like Christmas Trees.


Have you made any crafts using bead board? 


You may also like:
 

Bead Board Picture Frames 
Bead Board Hearts
Bead Board Flag and Stars 
Bead Board Easter Eggs 
Bead Board St. Patrick's Day Decor 
Reversible Bead Board Pumpkins

Bead Board Snowmen 

Terrific Tuesdays #44

Some of my favorites this week:

Do you like eggnog? I love it. I'm definitely trying this eggnog fudge by Chocolate, Chocolate and More.

Need a quick, easy inexpensive gift idea? Go see how to make these cute Snowman Kisses over at The Crafty Blog Stalker.

Bubble Wrap Advent Calendar by The Moody Fashionista I would have to make four of them, because my kids would each want to pop their own each day.

Here's what I shared this week:
Mint Muddy Buddies
DIY Crystal Snowflakes
Christmas Crafts
No Sew Fleece Blanket
and
Turtle Cookies

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:

1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.{This is not required, but I’d love for you to take a minute and check it out.} Also if you're so inclined, you can follow me on facebook and pinterest as well.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.

 

Turtle Cookies

You might remember these cookies from a while back. I featured them at one of the link parties.

I had to make them right away. They were delicious. I did a few things different. Some of the cookies I made without the nuts, since some of my kids won't eat nuts. I also used homemade caramel sauce. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Kraft Caramels. It's just that I had made a big batch of caramel sauce to dip apples in, so I decided to use that and save my caramel squares for next time. 

Here are the links to the recipes:

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Caramel Sauce 

I'm adding these to the Christmas neighbor plates. Do you do goodie plates for your neighbors and friends?