Gift Opening Prep Station

Every year on Christmas morning, from a giant pile of wrapping paper and tissue paper, we hear “Mom can you open this?” and “this needs batteries,” and “here’s some trash.” This year we’ll be ready. I set up a little station by the tree with trash bags, a box for recycle, tools like box openers, screwdrivers, and pliers, and mass quantities of batteries (separated into gallon ziplock bags by size). This would also work for birthday parties, or showers — add a pen and paper to record gifts for thank you notes later. Happy Holidays!

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Christmas Card Organization

Here’s an easy tip to de-clutter holiday cards and photos: you need only a paper hole punch and book rings! 

If you’re like me, by the time Christmas arrives your fridge is covered in cards, photos, and holiday letters. Last year I started punching a hole in the corner of them, putting them on a book ring, and hanging the ring on the fridge. When I put away our holiday decorations, I stored the cards, and this year when I decorated for Christmas it was fun to flip through them again. So, an annual tradition has started, I suppose.

I plan on keeping each year on a smaller ring, and looping all the smaller rings on to one big ring. Everything will be together, but separated by year. OCD much?!? 🙂

WHAT YOU NEED:

• paper hole punch
• office book rings
• optional: display hook to hang on the fridge or display hook for the wall
• optional: make a tag that displays the year

WHAT YOU DO:

Punch a hole in the corner of each card/photo/letter, and loop on to a book ring. Hang, then add to it as the cards roll in.

 

Of course, you could also use this method to store birthday cards, trip mementos, wedding cards, photographs, gift cards, or coupons.

DIY Felt Dog Ornaments

Here’s a project I worked on with leftover materials from some felt bird ornaments I made last year: DOG ORNAMENTS. Woof! 🙂 You could also hot glue a magnet to the back instead of attaching a loop, if you wanted to make a magnetic pooch. If you have a strong enough magnet, you could even stuff it inside before stitching the ornament closed.

Just customize with your favorite colors of wool felt, button eyes, and embroidery thread. I used both ribbon, and black elastic, for hanging loops. The possibilities are endless!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• PDF pattern/tutorial (link below)
• wool felt
• tiny buttons
• embroidery floss & needle
• stuffing
• ribbon, elastic, or yarn (for hanging loops) OR if making magnets, magnets (obviously) & hot glue

Here’s the free pattern and tutorial, for personal and non-profit use! felt dog ornament – free pattern and instructions

So start some Christmas music, and some slow cooker hot chocolate (tee hee), make ornaments while it simmers, and enjoy!

 

 

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Here’s a decadent, rich, chocolatey cocoa that you can make in your slow cooker. Throw the ingredients in, take a drive to look at Christmas lights, and come home and enjoy a mug of THE BEST hot chocolate ever. Don’t forget to leave some out for Santa on Christmas Eve! 😉

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 12 oz. heavy whipping cream
• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 c. milk chocolate chips
• 6 c. milk
• optional toppings: whipped cream, sprinkles, cocoa powder, marshmallows, etc.

WHAT YOU DO:

Combine the whipping cream, condensed milk, chocolate chips, and milk in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for approximately 2 hours, or until the chocolate has melted. Serve warm, ladling into mugs, and add optional toppings.

recipe adapted from mandysrecipeboxblog.com

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