I love Christmas story books, so I thought I’d put together a list of my favorites to share. I’m sure you have a few favorites too, so feel free to add your faves to the comment section.
1. My absolute favorite Children’s Christmas book is really more of a winter story. It’s A Stranger In The Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. I fell in love with this book when my son was a baby. I’m an image person, and I love beautiful images. This book is loaded with beautiful woodland scenes and animals. It’s the story of …read more

You know sometimes this job is really tough, testing out kids toys, checking out fun kids movies. Yeah, real tough. Today I got to check out The Dog Who Saved Christmas. I love Christmas movies and dogs, so I was really excited to check out this movie.
It turned out to be a really cute family movie. It’s a little bit like the movie Home Alone, only the dog is the one home alone. The movie is a little silly funny at times, but kids will love it!

Zeus (voiced by Mario Lopez) is a former police dog who lost his bark. …read more

Do you have a little girl on your Christmas list this year, and can’t quite decide what to buy her? Here are a few toy ideas that will be popular for girls this year.
1. The new Our Generation Dolls from Battat are great for encouraging little girls to use their imagination. The dolls each have their own unique personality and adventure they’re ready to go on with your child.

Image Battat
2.The  BFC Ink Dolls come in two different sizes, a smaller fashion doll, and a larger doll your little girl can carry around wherever she goes. The BFC Ink Dolls each …read more

We made some reindeer food to put out for Santa’s reindeer this morning. Most recipes call for glitter, but we used some pretty colored sugar sprinkles we had, and mixed it with some rolled oats. I always worry about birds eating the glitter when we put it out, so I like to use something edible, but still sparkly.
I mixed up one tablespoon of sugar sprinkles (red and green) with one tablespoon of rolled oats. Then we sprinkle it in the yard on Christmas eve.
Do you put food out for Santa’s reindeer ?
Image (c) L Gerlach

Most Toys For Tots donation sites are reporting that their toy donations are down this year, and I’m sure the need is up in many areas. If you have some new, or gently used toys around the house you can find a drop off center near you at the Toys For Tots website.
I have some toys I’m going to take to a local donation center this Friday. I’d planned on doing it today, but our roads are more fit for ice skaters than cars, so I guess I’ll have to wait.
You can also make a donation to Toys …read more

While your setting up your Christmas decorations this year, why not let your children decorate a Christmas tree of their own. All you need is a small 3 foot tree, help them string the lights, then let them decorate.
You can make ornaments, or let them come up with a theme and decorate it with their own toys or collections. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Race car or Webkinz(tm) themed Christmas trees:

Snowmen themed Christmas trees:

Popular characters like Hannah Montana(tm), Barbie(tm) or Star Wars(tm) make cute trees, and especially if your child already has a collection.
…read more

I’m always looking for fun and easy crafts we can do at home, especially at Christmas time. Here’s a fun and easy hand print Santa I found. This could also make a very cute front for a Christmas card.
To make your own hand print Santa with your kids:
What you’ll need

scissors
glue
cotton balls
white paint
construction paper (white, tan, red, green, black)

How to make it:

Start by dipping the palm of their hand in white paint. Make a print of their hand toward the bottom of a sheet of green construction paper.
Cut a head and nose out …read more

Here’s a cute and simple gift you can make with your children this holiday season. I know this year we plan on making more homemade gifts than usual. With all the turmoil in the economy I’d save the money I have.
Here’s a cute recipe for a Hot Chocolate Mix Jar adapted from Ball’s Fresh Preserving(tm).
Hot Chocolate Mix Jar
What you’ll need:

1 Ball wide mouth quart jar
1 Ball wide mouth lid and band
7" square of blue (or holiday) printed fabric
1 Grossgrain ribbon 13" long by 1" wide blue
1 Grossgrain ribbon 13" long by 3/8" wide white
1 Grossgrain ribbon 30" …read more

I know it’s not quite Christmas yet, but it’s coming quick. Here’s a fast, and easy treat you can make with your kids. The santa cones don’t take long to make, and they take even less time to get gobbled up by hungry children.
What you’ll need:

Ice cream (candy cane, or mint ice cream are very festive)
Whipped topping
Sugar cones
Red melting chocolate, or white melting chocolate with red chocolate coloring
M & M candies, or chocolate chips

Melt the chocolate according to the package microwave directions in a flat bowl, or baking dish. I usually melt the chocolate in the microwave for 15-20 …read more