Reindeer "Food"

I have been making/creating reindeer "food" for twelve years now. All you need is glitter and uncooked oatmeal. I usually use about two cups of uncooked oatmeal and a quarter cup of glitter. Mix it in a bowl and let the kids sprinkle it all over the driveway and street in front of our house. The oats are for the reindeer and the glitter is for guiding their landing. It takes about 2 minutes to make but the conversation amongst the kids is one to treasure. I assure you a tradition will be born!

Kid Activity

We usually take out the tree on Thanksgiving as part of the day. Sometimes, because so many people are at the house, I won't take out any of our ornaments for fear of breakage. I do, however, always offer some kind of decorating activity for the kids. I want them to  bond with each other and stay occupied so grown-ups can talk.

In past years I have set out squares of aluminum foil to make chain rings. It doesn't require adult supervision - no glue, scissors or sparkles to clean up later. I buy the pre-cut squares like delis use and find a spot for the kids to work out of party traffic areas.

I have also done ribbon chains. This requires prep work of cutting up the ribbon and perhaps some adult supervision because I let them use a stapler. The kids use up all my scraps and create a beautiful, colorful chain to hang on the tree! Other items that work are pipe cleaners and paper strips. I let the grown-ups do the popcorn and cranberries because of the needles, but always offer a bowl full of thimbles!

Disneyfamily.com

Once again http://www.disneyfamily.com/ has some amazing crafts and recipes for the Thanksgiving holiday. Lots of ideas for kids' table! Check it out.

Decorating "Wishes"

Sometimes we only see some of our extended family once or twice a year - around the holidays. Here is a holiday decorating idea that will keep them close to you each day you have this hung in your home... You will need:

• one grapevine (twig) wreath (found @ Michael's or Jo-Ann's craft stores)
• red Sharpies or markers
• white cardstock cut into 2x3 sizes
• 1 yard of beautiful, bold, wide green ribbon (for hanging the wreath)

1. Hang the twig wreath in a spot where arriving or departing guests can't miss it.
2. Set the markers and cards under or next to it on a writing friendly surface.
3. Post a little sign asking guests to write or draw a greeting or holiday wish along with their name and slip into wreath.

You will have a one of a kind wreath to enjoy throughout the holidays! I have tried this with holiday cards sent through the mail, but because of the multitude or colors and sizes of cards it never turns out quite the way I had planned. I have also tried it with the photo cards sent as holiday greetings - I end up mounting them on cardstock, turning it into a bigger project and still unhappy with the outcome because of the colors... I use this simple color blocking idea of red on white with the bold green ribbon because it's so pleasing to the eye.

Sometimes it's our friends we only see once or twice a year. Whoever you choose to participate in this activity I assure you will enjoy the greetings and wishes.

A Blast of 31 Ideas

This is an easy post for me today, but I suspect you will be busy with the site I am going to share! (I know I will be bookmarking and taking notes for later events!) Check out:

DisneyFamily.com for "31 Days of Disney Halloween Crafts and Recipes"

I am saving all the cupcake decorating ideas! Whoo-hoo! Not only are they spooky for Halloween, but can be used for birthday parties with themes of Little Mermaid or Snow White! The 3D crafts can be used for birthday party activities like Pixie Hollow too. I love the Huey, Louie and Dewey ghosts and the Oogie Boogie Monster craft! What fun! You can always count on Disney to find a balance between the scary and fun.

Black Cat Pinata

A black cat no one will be afraid of! This is an easy craft to put together and a party favorite! You will need:

• 2 black Chinese lanterns (one small, one large)
• 1 piece of black construction paper (8x12 or 12x12 should be enough)
• 1 small piece of white construction paper
• 1 craft black pom pom
• white craft wire (about 18 inches worth)
• 2 brass brads
• glue gun
• candy
• glitter confetti
• plastic bat

1. Glue the 2 lanterns together, the small one for the head and the large one for the body.
2. Trace the bottom lantern hole onto the black construction paper, cut out and glue to bottom. 
3. Cut out triangles from the black construction paper for ear and glue on.
4. Cut out triangles from the white construction paper for the eyes and attach with brass brads.
5. Glue the black pompom on for the nose.
6. Cut white craft wire in half.
7. Twist and bend up the white craft wire for whiskers.
8. Poke the wires through the lantern to stick out around where you glued the pom pom nose.
9. Fill with candy at the top! This is when I put the glitter confetti in as well it's just for sparkle.

Sometimes I attach a wide wired ribbon around the neck to cover up my glue as well as to add to the decoration. I also decorate the plastic bat with plastic holiday garland. Don't forget to have small bags for the kiddos to put their candy in once the pinata breaks. I assure you some fun will be had by witches and warlocks alike.

Neighborhood Boo

I have lived in my neighborhood for 12 years and have always thought of it as a friendly one. We have a social committee that plans activities throughout the year, but the one activity my kids look forward to the most is being "Boo'd". Maybe you have something like this in your neighborhood too. The following is the letter that has been in the "Boo" bag for as many years as I can remember:

You've been Boo'd

Now it's your turn to "Boo" two other people in the neighborhood.

Please "Boo" these people within 2 days of receiving your treat.

Hang the paper ghost on your front door so everyone can see you have been "Boo'd" and will not "Boo" you again. This will also let you know who you can boo.

Fill 2 bags with candy and treats. Copy this letter and the ghost twice. Include treats, letter, and the ghost in your bag of goodies for the neighbors that you choose.

After dark, and only with an adult, "Boo" 2 of your neighbors. Do not let the person you are "Boo-ing" see you, for it adds to the fun of it all.

Place the treat bag on the doorstep, ring the doorbell and run!

It will be fun to see how many ghosts will appear in our neighborhood by Halloween.

Please keep it safe and enjoy!

This year I found some Halloween themed silicon cupcake sets and Ross. I thought it was the perfect family treat. The kits came with everything but the cake mix and I didn't spend more than $5. I have the letter saved on the computer to print each year along with a clip art ghost.

Having watched many of the kids in our neighborhood grow up, move out or go off to college, I realized some of our neighbors don't get to participate by default - no kids at home! SO I tweaked the letter above to say say, "You've been Boo-zed" and left an inexpensive bottle of wine wrapped in a fall colored dishtowel. The part of the letter about candy and treats, I modified to, "Wrap a bottle of wine or 6 pack." You could do some other tweaks if you like but I felt like these two left the integrity of the activity yet left my neighbors with the feeling that we still appreciate them. Have fun with it - that's what this is about! I assure you, you will.

Print Your Own Halloween Party Decorations... For Free!

Loving this sight and thought I would share with you... Print Your Own Halloween Party Decorations... For Free!

Light up Ghost yard decoration

I made this cute decoration a couple Fall seasons ago. The kids in the neighborhood love it! You will need:

• 1 tomato cage
• pliers to bend the cage ends
• duct tape
• 1 string of holiday lights (I used Christmas lights)
• 1 twin flat sheet
• a 4 foot dowel or stick
• 2 socks that no longer have matches (darn that sock monster in the dryer!)
• black fabric marker

I was lucky enough to have all of these supplies some where around the house. Pack rat tendencies run in the family!

Directions:

1. Turn tomato cage upside down, creating a flat base.
2. Using pliers, bend the pointy ends inward and rounding. you are creating the head of the ghost.
3. Once all three ends of the cage are turned in, duct tape them together. This will keep your sheet from tearing as well as you!
4. Wrap the string of lights all around the tomato cage, weaving in and out of levels of cage. Make sure you leave enough to plug into an outlet.
5. Duct tape one sock to each end of the dowel.
6. Stick the dowel through the mid line of the tomato cage. This will serve as the arms of the ghost.
7. Drape the twin flat sheet over the tomato cage and dowel arms. You may have to do a bit of tucking to ensure it meets your expectations of a ghost figure.
8. Using your black fabric marker, make dots to mark where you want the eyes and mouth.
9. Remove sheet and design the eyes and mouth completely with the black fabric marker. The bigger and darker the better!
10. Return the sheet to the tomato cage and dowel form and arrange flat sheet so that the "face" of your ghost lays appropriately.
11. Plug in!

Viola! A very C-U-T-E yard decoration to spook little spooks! I assure you will receive pats on the back for your creativity.