Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Printable Holiday Tags for that Last Minute Wrapping!
If you're anything like me, you've left the wrapping frenzy until the end... and as luck would have it, you probably are almost out of tags! Well, no fret... just click the link above and print away... holiday tags courtesy of bnute productions!
Print them on scrapbook paper, colored paper or if you're up for a coloring project-- print them out on white, and color away!
Enjoy.
Monday, December 21, 2009
More Christmas Printable Art Activities - Santa's Outfit Redesign and more...
Here's some more art activities to fill the few days before Christmas arrives! First, is a coloring page perfect for the aspiring fashion designer! Nothing is wrong with good ol'red, but Santa is looking for a change-- he needs a new suit. How 'bout try polka dots or candy cane stripes? Maybe Santa wants a psychedelic tie-dye suit this year! Can't wait to see your creations!
Get out the glitter, pens and more, and make these ornaments sparkle! Hey, if ya like 'em, then cut them out and put them on your tree!
Another one of my favorites... a recipe coloring page, everyone has the same ingredients, but trust me, everyone's drawing will be a little different! I would love to see what your Christmas morning recipe looks like when done!
Enjoy these activities... Christmas is almost here!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Oh Christmas Tree - Printable Art Activity
Now it's your turn... print this out and have your kids (or yourself!) decorate this tree however you'd like! Perhaps create a theme tree... just candy canes, only buttons, just smiling faces... or draw a tree decked with glittery balls and popcorn/cranberry garland!
Have fun!
P.S. I would love to see your creations! Send me a copy so I can post on my blog!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Little Things
One of our holiday decorating traditions in our family is to put up a small tree in each of the kid's rooms. It's not a real tree, gorgeous fresh sprigs of greenery planted in a cute vintage tin... and it is not an elaborate, yet always creative Martha Stewart creation... it's just one of those fake little ol' trees from the craft store... but the kids just LOVE it!! When the decorations come out, this is the first thing that is requested... "Where's the tree for my room?" 
Along with the tree, I bought a couple packages of the mini-ornaments. They love the little candy canes, and presents. Yes, if I get a moment of extra time, these candy canes can be hand made from pipe cleaners, and the little presents made from extra scraps of decorative papers... but for now, they are just the store bought ones... and again, LOVED!
Some years, they add some of their own art creations to the tree... the construction paper star (that's almost 1/3 the size of the tree) is one of my favorites. Some years, the tree stays pretty much as it was initially decorated.
One of these years, we'll try a fancier version of this tradition, but for now, our lil'store bought trees are just perfect.What are your little traditions this time of year?
Friday, December 11, 2009
Letter to Santa - Mad Libs style
Who didn't like MadLibs growing up... perhaps you still like 'em now! Well, here's a MadLibs style letter to Santa for you to print out and give to your kids to fill out. It's short, sweet and too the point! Perhaps next year, I'll make one a little more complicated!
Enjoy!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Party of the Month: Sugarplum Holiday Dessert Party
I have so many party ideas, that I thought I'd create a monthly blog post called "Party of the Month". Each month I'll be highlighting a bnute productions party kit, and giving ideas for decorations, food, arts and crafts, entertainment, goodie bags and more! I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas as well, so make sure to comment!The Party - December 2009
Sugarplum Holiday Dessert Party
Whether it be a holiday dessert party or just a holiday sugarfest, your guests will love this party theme. bnute productions offers all the basics you'll need, invitations, banners and more... but below are more ideas to make this a sweet holiday gathering!
Decoration Ideas
Besides a festive personalized Sugarplum Banner, to make this party sparkle, you'll need to create a candy fairy land. Keep your main color palette simple by using lots of turquoise, reds and whites, then add accents here and there of other bright candy colors. Online many candy decorations can be found (i.e., lifesaver garland, large candies, oversized candy canes), but here are some simple directions below to making your own large lollipops like pictured above.
Large Lollipops
An old wrapping paper tube, some color poster board, a ribbon, some glitter and clear cellophane is all you need to make a sparkling oversized lollipop or two. Cut 2 circles from the colored poster board. Add glitter and decorations if desired. Tape or glue each circle to either side of the top end of the wrapping paper tube. Now wrap the lollipop with cellophane and tie with a ribbon.
More Decoration Ideas
With the extra color poster board, make large candy shapes (peppermints, gumdrops, etc.) and add lots of glitter. Then punch a hole in the top, string and hang from the ceiling. Make sure to also scatter filled candy jars throughout the house for easy access to nibbling!
For more Candy Decoration How-To's, see:
Food & Drink Ideas
The menu for A Sugarplum Dessert Party is a pretty simple... just serve lots and lots of yummy holiday desserts-- cookies, fudge, brownies, cakes, etc. Don't forget to make sure there is lots of jars full of candies too-- chocolates, gumdrops, peppermints, and ribbon candy too! For drinks, offer some hot cocoa, flavored milks (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla), and coffee. Don't forget eggnog-- this is the best (and only) time of year to indulge in this creamy drink!
Yes, you can buy candy garland, but why not set up a table and have folks make their own... Making candy garland is simple. Buy several bags of peppermints or candies that have wrappers. Simply staple the wrappers end to end... or for a bit more festivity, tie the ends of 2 candies with ribbon.
Make it easy for your guests and have baskets filled with candies (one color per basket) as well as set out a basket of pre-cut ribbon. The ribbons should be cut to approximately 7" long.
Game Ideas
Of course you have to had a Candyland board game set up... Why not a couple games set out.... it's great for kids, and nostalgic for folks who haven't played it in awhile!
Hansel and Gretel Hunt
Another idea... lay out a trail of candy, and at the end, have a prize. You could lay out several trails, each trail using a different candy. Depending on the kids ages, make the trails difficult by making the kids hunt for the candies along the way.
Treats & Goodie Bags
Well, this party is one big treat to begin with, so further explanation isn't necessary... but for a goodie bag, why not give each guest a small cellophane bag, and have them gather candies from your assorted jars around the house to take home.
Another idea... how about a book for each child. "Twas the Night Before Christmas" would be a perfect fit, given the Sugarplum reference in the poem!
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Enjoy these ideas, and have a sweet and wonderful party!