Merry Christmas to All!

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree from Our trip to NYC in early December!

A Dock Decked Out for Christmas

One of my favorite sights around town during the holidays are the Christmas trees perched at the end of  docks.  Here's one we passed tonight on our way to a caroling party for the kids.

 

Some of My Favorite Christmas Decorations

We have a few Christmas decorations that have become very special to us all.  The first is a German Christmas Pyramid my parents bought for me when they were living in Germany back when I was in college. What I love about it is that it isn't some commercial decoration. It doesn't have lights or sound or a battery.  It's simple candles at the base, a nativity scene in the center and it all spins from the heat generated by the candles that reaches the propeller at top - or whirly-gig as my family has termed it!  At my three year old's request, we light it every time we eat - even breakfast. And they've even asked about the nativity scene that is at the center of it all, which I think is nice.

The big count down to Christmas happens at the advent calendar we bought at Target a few years back.  I've filled each day with small toys, candies or stickers. They run down to each morning to open and are actually learning to take turns (for the most part), each opening it every other day.

 

Finally, one of the best parts of the holidays is all the great Christmas cards we receive! I used to just tuck them away in a box until last year when I found a way to display them throughout the season - something beyond taping them to the wall! The holder we have is from Pottery Barn, but it looks like they no longer carry it. I did find the same one here on Amazon in case anyone is interested!

 

You better be good...

Our elf has been back for a few weeks now - I won't even tell you his name, as he is named after a boy in my daughter's class!  Each day he watches over the children to make sure they're being good, and every morning he returns from reporting back to Santa.  I do have one word of caution to tell your Elf when he's looking for a place to perch for the day ...do not to hang on a chandelier light bulb! Ours now has a burn mark to prove it - and I think we're all pretty lucky that is all he got. Things could have been rather traumatic! Since then he's stuck to safer territory.  Hope you're all enjoying getting ready for the holidays as much as we are! :)

Teacher Gifts

I always rack my brain for teacher gifts. I've done gift cards to Barnes & Noble, Target, flowers, even a bottle of "Mommy's Time Out" white wine for the preschool teachers at the end of the year. Not sure if that was appropriate or not - at least it was useful though! :)  I hate to give the millionth mug, pen and the like. This year we have the bus drivers to think about as well. I was in Christmas Tree Shops and spotted these adorable little monogrammed bags for less than $3 each and thought they'd be perfect for a poinsettia or baked bread.  We got them for all the preschool teachers and the bus driver.  The kindergarten class is doing a class gift, of which I'm in charge. I still need to figure out exactly what that is going to be!

Food for Santa's Reindeer

Last year my daughter made Reindeer Food in her preschool class to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve.  We've always left cookies for Santa, but until then I'd never even heard of food for Santa's reindeer. She was so excited to do it...so this year we made our own and a bunch more as gifts for our friends.  We have a cookie decorating party this afternoon so we have bags put together with Reindeer Food for all.  I found a great free printable to use as the tag online and simply affixed it to a treat bag we'd bought at a party store.  Inside you just include a half cup of oatmeal and sprinkle some red and green sprinkes (supposedly the reindeer's favorite!) Makes for a cute, easy and inexpensive gift for the little ones!