Fun Thanksgiving Craft Ideas & Inspirations for Kids

Crafts are more than just a way to keep your kids occupied, while they’re working to create their masterpieces they’re also learning valuable lessons that will stay with them long after they’ve finished. In addition to fostering creativity and imagination, by taking the time to put effort into their project kids learn a good work ethic and build self-esteem while at the same time they also learn about shapes, colors and textures.

If you’ve done any crafts with your kids you know this is not an activity that you can set them up with and leave them unattended – there will be a thousand questions and likely a huge mess if that’s your approach. Taking the time to spend with your child while you work on a craft gives you a chance to have some fun time with them while you step back from the craziness of life for a little while.

So in the spirit of promoting fun with our children, here are a couple of homemade craft ideas you can do with your child:

Keepsake Handprints: You will need Crayola Model Magic, paint and a small bowl or plate. Make a flat shape of your child’s choosing, just make sure it’s bigger than your child’s hand (you can use a bowl as a guide for the shape). Press your child’s hand into the model magic to make an impression, peel it off of their hand and set out flat to dry for 24 hours. After the Model Magic is set you can paint the handprint in your favorite color. Let paint dry and give as a great keepsake gift.

Homemade Sidewalk Paint: This is environmentally friendly, easy to make & inexpensive! You will need ¼ cup cornstarch, ¼ cup cold water and 6 to 8 drops of food coloring. Put the cornstarch in a small plastic bowl and gradually stir in the cold water. Add your desired food coloring and stir. If the paint still feels too dry add a little more water until you get the right consistency. You can make as many colors as your heart desires by repeating the process with different colors. This paint washes off very easily and will not harm plumbing or plants. If you mix it in containers with lids you can keep the leftover paint for next time.

Homemade “Stained Glass” Decorations: You will need good quality wax paper, inexpensive crayons (cheaper quality crayons are actually better for this project!), hand held pencil sharpener, shapes to use as stencils, a hole punch, some ribbon, an old dishtowel and an iron. Fold your wax paper in half, using enough to be able to get multiple shapes from. Using the pencil sharpener, sharpen the crayons all the way down until you have a pile of wax shavings. (Use any color or combination you choose) Scatter the shavings evenly inside the wax paper and fold flat over them. Lay an old dishtowel over the wax paper to protect the surface of your iron, which should be on a high heat setting without steam. Iron the wax paper evenly under the dishtowel until the wax shavings are all melted. Let the paper lie flat until cooled. Using your stencils (you can use cookie cutters too!), outline your shapes on the wax with a pencil and then cut them out. Punch a hole in the top of your pieces and hang it in your window with yarn, ribbon or string.

Please visit the following sites for more great ideas.

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-age/

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/kids/index.shtml

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New Mom Gift Idea – Timi and Leslie Diaper Bags

How can we resist the style of this adorable Timi and Leslie overnight diaper bag?

Made of quality leather, this fabulous diaper bag is loaded with accessories, all sporting a tasteful circus animal theme. Packed inside, you’ll discover a plethora of baby essentials including an insulated bottle tote, a detachable shoulder strap and a whole bunch of fobs to attach your keys too. Also, there’s a changing pad, a diaper mat, a wrist bag, a medicine case and a baby wipes bag. Other features that we like are the waterproof lining and the zip up bottom that opens up a big space to store baby clothes.

A celebrity favorite, this little number has been spotted sported by Kelly Ripa, Faith Hill, Cindy Crawford and many more.

We snagged ours from Baby Oliver Boutique for a bargain $85.95

Fabulous Holiday Dresses – Luna Luna Copenhagen

Holidays are such a great time for family parties, office parties, great food, great company and lots of festivities.

One tradition in my family was to always wear our best outfit for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve!

Last year, Kara was too young to wear a fancy dress as she was only 1 and couple of months. However, this year, I just couldn’t resist! I got this absolutely FABULOUS dress by Luna Luna Copenhagen. I know, I know, it’s a bit over the top @ over $120 but it will look amazing in our holiday photos! I got it one size bigger so she can wear it again next year.

Check out Tuttibella.com for super trendy designer kids clothes for your holiday festivities this year! You may find some unique gift ideas as well some adorable outfits for your own toddler!

Cute Gift Idea – The Run Bike by Wishbone

Awww….lazy days in the summer, teaching your kid to ride a bike. For those of us in North, we have to wait a few more months. But if you’re shopping for someone living in a warm state, this clever little bike is perfect.

This pedal free balance bike, also known as a run bike, is 3-bikes-in-1 to grow with tikes ages 1 to 5.

As soon as your kid can walk, he or she is ready to scoot with the first phase of this Wishbone Bike (the three-wheel trike). When kids develop their skills and confidence, lose a wheel and the wood-framed trike becomes a two-wheel balance bike. For phase three, flip the frame for extra height!

Made from 60 percent post-consumer recycled plastic wheels and sustainably managed woods, this awesome little bike is even environmentally friendly.

Cute Gift Idea – Truffles by JellyCat

A few years ago we went to a gift trade show @ Javitz Center in New York and walked past the JellyCat booth. To our delight, Kara grabbed the first toy/blanket she saw and was absolutely in love with it. The sales person wasn’t so thrilled that we were getting our grubby hands all over his product, but it was hysterical watching my baby’s delight in the softness and cuteness of these animals.

Ever since then, I’ve been in love with these toys/blankets and highly recommend them. They are a pure joy to give and to receive! If you have any baby gifts you need to buy, check out JellyCats Traffles and you will be in love forever!

Part over-stuffed security blankie, part stuffed animal, these adorable animals make a wonderful first toys  for baby. Made of ultra soft, non-allergenic materials, the toy can lay down flat or sit upright. We love the sheep’s yummy soft body and gentle smile. The slightly weighted feet make it a delight to carry around or simply hang on the edge of a crib or armchair.

You can purchase one for yourself at Oompa Toy Store here.

Cute Gift Idea – Baby Clothes By Anthropologie

Anthropologie makes some of the most adorable baby clothes out there. Well made and absolutely fabulous. The only thing missing from this dress is sizes for toddlers and up.

This is a fantastic gift for a little baby girl or even for your own child to wear.

It’s festive and colorful and you can stay away from velvet or plaid.

A whimsical scene of crimson mums, blue sky and golden branches unfolds atop a ruffled frock. By liaMolly.

A+++ from us!

Best Kind of Christmas Trees For The Season

If you’ve ever agonized over what type of tree to purchase for the holidays, fret no more. Here we have outlined for your the top 4 Best Voted Christmas Trees in North America.

So sit back, relax and enjoy Christmas tree shopping this year.

Voted #1 – Fraser Fir – Fraser fir is a native southern fir and very similar to Balsam fir. Some say it is a southern extension of the Balsam fir species and naturally grows at elevations above 5,000 feet. This fir has dark green needles, 1/2 to 1 inch long and ships well. The tree has excellent needle retention along with a nice scent. Fraser fir was named for Scot botanist John Fraser who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700′s.

Voted #2 – Douglas Fir – Douglas Fir is not a true fir but actually has its own unique classification. Unlike true firs the cones on Douglas fir hang downward. Douglas fir grows cone-shaped naturally, has 1 to 1-1/2 inch needles that are persistant and has a sweet scent when crushed. The Doug fir tree is shipped to and found in nearly every tree lot in the Unites States. The tree was named after David Douglas who studied the tree in the 1800′s.

Voted #3 – Balsam Fir – Balsam fir is a beautiful pyramidal tree with short, flat, long-lasting, aromatic needles. Balsam fir and Fraser fir have many similar characteristics and some botanists consider them extensions of the same species. Their geographic ranges do not overlap and the Balsam fir has to have cold winters and cool summers. Balsam fir has a nice, dark green color and very fragrant. The tree was named for the balsam or resin found in blisters on bark and which was used to treat wounds in Civil War.

Voted #4 – Colorado Blue Spruce - The Colorado Blue Spruce is most familiar to people as an ornamental landscape tree. The tree has dark green to powdery blue needles, 1 to 3 inches long and a pyramidal form when young. Colorado blue spruce is very often sold “living” and with an entire root ball – to be planted after the holidays. The spruce was chosen in 1978 and planted as the official living White House Lawn Christmas tree. The young tree is pleasingly symmetrical, is best among species for needle retention and the state tree of both Utah & Colorado.

Should We Tell on Santa or Keep it to Ourselves

There are so many people on either side of the fence these days on whether to tell your kids Santa isn’t real or to keep the mystery and fun going.

According to About.com, “although Santa Claus was originally based upon the Christian figure of Saint Nicholas, a patron saint of children, today Santa Claus is wholly secular. Some Christians object to him because he is secular rather than Christian; some non-Christians object to him because of his Christian roots.He is a powerful cultural symbol which is impossible to ignore, but this doesn’t mean that he should simply be accepted without question. There are good reasons to dispense with the tradition.”

There are many reasons for abandoning Santa. As parents we have to lie to our children. And with time, as our children grow and begin to ask questions on Santa’s supernatural powers, our lies have to grow.

At some point, our children will catch on that SOMEONE is always watching them (kind of creepy if you ask me), and that Santa will judge them based on a few acts of naughtiness rather than as the whole package.

Also, there are too many correlations between Santa and Jesus and for those who do not believe, this may be an issue.

On and on goes the argument for killing Santa.

In our house, we go ALL OUT! Uncles dressed in Santa Suits with huge red bags packed with presents. We ring the door bells and knock on windows. We put on the WHOLE show.

When I grew up that was the highlight of my year and wouldn’t have given it up for anything. I think somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew my parents were full of it but I went along with it for their own sake. They seemed to have such a great time “fooling me”.

What do you do think about this? Do you promote Santa with your children?