Nanny to Mommy

These Rae Dunn or Frozen 2 inspired homemade ornament craft for kids were created with products received from Oriental Trading. Although complimentary products were received, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

If you have been following me since 2014, then you know that I have enjoyed collaborating with Oriental Trading off and on even though I have been a huge fan of theirs for years. I love the variety of products they provide whether it is birthday decorations, educational toys, costumes for the entire family, or crafting supplies. They even have home décor that you can check out as well.

My daughter celebrated her 9th birthday today and we held a slumber party over the weekend. While thinking of activities to include, I decided on having the children make homemade ornaments. I didn't want anything too involved or messy, so we settled on these Rae Dunn or Frozen 2 inspired ornaments. The writing reminds me of Rae Dunn collection pieces while the inside reminds me of Frozen 2. I loved the idea of making ornaments for a winter slumber party because it was a great activity plus they got a little party favor to take home.

If you are new to Elf on the Shelf or considering it for the first time, this list may or may not be for you. I was forced into the tradition of Elf on the Shelf. My mother-in-law gifted us the little creature when my daughter wasn't quite three years old. It was annoying to deal with as it was just another thing for us to deal with during the holidays aka our busiest time of year. Then my son was born and became mobile, so I realized I was gifted this wonderful incentive to help him behave because no child wants to send a bad report to Santa himself aka the big guy.

My husband and I tend to forget to move our elf so we tell our kids "Annie (or elf) must really like that spot". But unfortunately, we can't do this for 25 straight days. So, I have created the lazy easy elf on the shelf ideas for parents who are like me and don’t like messy are super involved mischiefs for their elves to get up to.

My friends have been getting together more frequently during the holidays. It can still be hard to get everyone together especially since most of us are married with children, but we still feel it is important to spend time together. This year we did our first Thanksgiving and for the past few years we have been getting together for a Christmas/New Years shindig. This year, I suggestion we do an Ugly Christmas Sweater party because honestly? Themed parties are so MUCH FUN!

I personally love the variety to choose from at UglyChristmasSweater.com. Whatever you like, they have something for you. Rick and Morty, a variety of Disney, plenty of different Christmas movies, etc. Plus they have onesies, leggings, and more on top of sweater options. They even have ones that light too.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year as the song says, it is also very, very exciting for children. Perhaps a little too exciting and as the Christmas decorations go up in the town so early these days, the supermarket shelves are full of Christmas it can seem a long time for children to wait for Christmas Day. However, it doesn't have to be, this can all be part of the fun of preparing for Christmas, so how can you do that without your child expecting it always to be Christmas tomorrow?

I use to love different crafts projects and I still do, but I am one of those people that has to be in the mood and it isn't an everyday occurrence. Once I start a project, I like to finish it so finding the time is key for me. That's why I tend to lean towards easy projects, like this DIY Winter Princess Holiday Wreath. It is perfect for winter, Christmas, or a winter birthday theme. And it was VERY easy to make. I was sent a ton of items from Oriental Trading to provide this craft. All opinions are my own.

What my favorite part about this craft is that you can use different color tulle and make what ever kind of wreath you wanted! Red, White, and Blue for Independence Day. Red and Green for Christmas. Black and Orange for Halloween! It's seriously so versatile. I love easy, peasy home décor ideas and wreaths are a perfect way to keep your home festive.

You may be thinking that discussing Christmas right now is a little too soon, but in all fairness, the way the year has gone it is soon going to be coming around once more. The issue many people find with occasions such as Christmas is the fact it can sneak up on you. Christmas costs and there is no escaping that, and even if you vow to try and take it easy each year their are gifts you might want to buy, decorating your home and that amazing feast we all look forward to on Christmas Day itself. But the problem many face is the lack of preparation for the holiday season. With that in mind, it seems the perfect time to suggest some of the ways you can begin preparing right now, to ensure you have a fabulous Christmas this year.

It's Christmas in July! And I wanted to talk to you today about Ugly Christmas Sweater parties and matching family Christmas jammies? What are you thoughts? I always have so much fun matching my kiddos' pajamas and they actually love it too! I have personally never been to an Ugly Christmas Sweater party, but I have always wanted to. Our friends have decided to start a tradition of getting together every year for some sort of holiday party whether it is November, December, or even January!

The reality is we don't get together as much as we use to, but we miss each other so much. So fun parties are a great way for us to have family friendly fun! I was recently contact about UglyChristmasSweater.com and showcasing some of their cute onesies and pajamas. They had so much to choose from; funny, traditional, even personalized butt flaps! Too funny! 

We set out cookies and milk for Santa. But what about for his reindeer? Some set out carrots, but we like to make reindeer food! It is super easy to make and I also have a few tips and tricks to make it all that more magical.

How do you teach your children the true meaning of the season? Wee Believers is a faith-based, inspirational company passionate about providing toys and activities for kids to explore their values in a fun way. For Christmas, they have decided to provide a great giveaway for $50 in goodies! From nativity scenes to crafts, they have so many ways to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.



Enter to WIN

Because there is so much you may want to do to celebrate the season, I have created the Ultimate Christmas Bucket List (and free printable) to celebrate the holiday season! Pick and choose what you want to do and don't put pressure on yourself if you don't complete it. This is about FUN and not stress. Remember, mom, you are doing a great job.

It's Pete the Cat's Grooviest Time of the Year! Focusing on the important message of giving, empathy, and community involvement, Pete the Cat will encourage all groovy families to join in the spirit of giving this holiday season. We’re spending now until Christmas thinking about how we can give back to our community in ways both big and small. On that note, we’re giving away a copy of PETE THE CAT’S 12 GROOVY DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. To enter, comment with a way you’re giving back this holiday season, and use #GivingisGroovy!
{Check it out on Instagram}

While I love decorating and gift giving, I want my children to know the true meaning of Christmas. Today is #GivingTuesday and what better day than to share how you can teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas.

I love personalized ornaments. When decorating my tree, I love seeing each and every special ornament. Whether they were from a special place, event, or from someone special, each one brings back so many memories and fills me with emotion.


This year, I decided to give my sister-in-law a hand painted ornament from Ornaments with Love to put on her tree since she is celebrating her first married Christmas. The ordering process is very easy. And they have so many beautiful, unique designs to choose from. In 2014, I ordered my son's Baby's 1st Christmas ornament from them.

We have a tradition in our house of giving the kids what we call a "Christmas Eve Basket". It includes new pajamas, cooking making items, a Christmas movie, and some Christmas books. This year I received some new ones from Thunder Bay Press and Silver Dolphin Books.

When it comes to the holidays, I love getting in the spirit. Between decorating, sending out holiday cards, attending activities, baking Santa cookies, creating memorable craft gifts, drinking hot cocoa by a warm fire, or dressing festively - I love everything that the holidays bring. This is a list I have compiled with a little bit of everything to enjoy the holidays.

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Do you have any Christmas Eve Traditions? I have put together a little basket that I have been wanting to do for years, but never seemed to get around to it. But this year I finally got it all together and you get to see what is in our Christmas Eve Basket.

Since we do my mother-in-law's side on Christmas Eve now, I'm giving my kiddos their Christmas Eve basket early.

Who doesn't love decorating for the holidays? For so many years I would get Christmas decorations as gifts because, seriously, that's all I wanted and I love them so much! This year we are in a new home so it was a chance to change things up. I decided to grab some new décor inside and we were excited to finally have the opportunity to decorate outside!

Most of the décor we bought on our own. But I did have the opportunity to work with a few brands this for my Holiday Gift Guide. And I'm very excited to share them with you.

I'm so excited for Christmas! I know we just celebrated Halloween, but I have been patiently waiting until I can talk about Christmas! Being in our new house, we need some new decorations especially easy to store outside ones!

Crab Pot Christmas Trees are remarkable, perfectly shaped trees that are pre-lit, fold flat for storage, sparkle from EVERY angle and are easily set up. What makes these holiday trees so unique and the MUST HAVE of the season for home decor? Crab Pot Christmas Trees are made from the very durable PVC Coated Crab Pot Wire which withstands all that Mother Nature throws at it.