25 Children's Christmas Crafts for your Christmas Corner

Christmas on the Porch - Day 10

What exactly is Christmas Corner?  When my two girls were little, I felt like I was always rushing around during the Christmas season.  One day after yelling at my girls to go play so I could finish a project, I realized things needed to change.  This is when the inspiration of Christmas Corner came to me.

I took the opportunity to teach my children the Magic of the Christmas Season.

Christmas Corner at our house consists of 3 things.......

Music,  Story and a Craft

Each day before we start a craft we sing songs and read a Christmas Story. It is fun to teach them new Christmas songs so they can sing along with the radio or at church.  Last year we started a new idea for our Christmas Stories which  I found on several blogs.  I wrapped 24 Christmas books and we have a

Countdown to Christmas Bedtime Story.  

(The girls have to have their bedroom cleaned before they unwrap the present. One room is always clean in our house at Christmas time.)    

When I first started Christmas Corner Pinterest didn't exist and so I would find activities from Family Fun Magazine, craft books from the library or websites.  Then I started finding them on blogs.  I had no idea that there were so many other mom's doing similar crafts with their children.  So here is a collage of 25 things we have done over the years for Christmas Corner.  If you need instructions on how to do them I have tried to attach the blog or website of where I found each of these idea or a brief explanation below. 

1. Hand Print Christmas Tree.

2. Christmas Tree with a pipe cleaner.

3. Santa Candy bar Sleigh. 

4. Snow globe.

5. Hand and Feet Reindeer. 

6. Santa Cotton Ball Countdown.

7. Reindeer Lollipops.  (If you live in Utah County Pebbles in my Pocket sells yummy Brown Suckers.

8. Santa Hat.

9. M & M Trees. (The site uses jelly beans but we used Christmas M & M's instead).

10. Gingerbread Houses Kit.

11. Cotton ball Snowflake.

12. Christmas Cone Tree  

13. Christmas shoes.  (This was a fun idea where we learned about Christmas Traditions from other countries.  The girls made these shoes and put them out on the 6th of December and St. Nick left them a treat. 

14. Reindeer Clay Pot.
15. Santa Cans.
16.  Embroidery Floss Candy Cane.

17. Christmas Chains.  Make a chain with Christmas paper.
18. Claypot Snowman.
19. Popsicle Star.
20. Matchbox Service Countdown.  (We decide instead of putting candy inside, we had little slips of paper with service things to do.  We tried to keep it a secret from each other for example make your sister's bed, pick up your sister's toys, tell your dad you love him, give your mom a hug.
21. Premade Craft from Michaels.  (These are always great if you don't want to create your own ideas.
22. Reindeer Candy Holder.  (Glue felt around a styrofoam cup. Make ears with felt and glue on. Make antlers with pipe cleaners and glue on.  Glue on googley eyes and a red pom pom for his nose.  Fill with candy.
23. Paper Plate Snowman
24. Premade craft from Michaels.
25. Rice Crispy House.  I bought our kit at Michaels a few years ago.

Oh good you are still reading!!!  If it feels overwhelming to do something like this I want you to breath!  These are just some fun ideas to create memories at Christmas.  I am a planner and I am not kidding when I say I start planning our Christmas Corner in July.  Yep that's right.  Christmas in July for me!!!  For a few years I was working outside of my home and we did Christmas Corner only a couple of days a week and that worked great too! Christmas Corner was great when my kids and I were home all day together.  I also try to leave Saturday's open so we can do any make up projects if things come up during the week.  This year as the girls are getting older and are in school all day we are doing service projects and games besides just crafts.  I wanted to share this post with you so that you can be inspired to create your own memories with your family in anyway that works for you.  My hope for you is that you can find the 

MAGIC of CHRISTMAS

during the holidays. 

Merry Christmas!
Jan

PS.To see what we are doing for Christmas Corner this year click here. 

                    

    

Decorating with the Scents of the Season

Welcome to the Christmas season everyone. Now that Thanksgiving is officially over we can all change the channel to FM 100, guilt free and subject ourselves to "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree." It makes me happy to cement this song in my head for another 11 months. Just kidding! I love Christmas!

In the entry of our local Smith's, crafty Smithspeople have displayed a crate of cinnamon scented pinecones which fill the entryway with cinnamon. If you are the unlucky soul who has to actually stop and get a cart or a Redbox, the atmosphere literally stings your eyeballs until you run that cart into the produce section for safety. My dear husband has been wanting one of these pinecone cinnabombs ever since the display was erected- mid July, OK I'm exaggerating a little- and he happily bought one the other day since Christmas was finally closer than Halloween.

 This is not our first go round with the cinnapines oh no, no. Last year he caved to their siren smell and I had a lot of fun trying to make a garland out of them that didn't turn out. So this year to avoid the ugliness of my homemade garland I decided to display them instead.

This is my go-to vase from my mom. I've used it many times for decorating due to it's largeness. (It holds a lot, so if it looks bad, the busyness will make you feel like it's an artistic statement, not me being clueless.)

Then I took last year's pinecones that I had painstakingly painted and dipped in glitter (yes a big old hot mess I know now) and interspersed them with this year's freshies.

After tying a red bow around the vase I placed it on a tablecloth for an extra pop of Christmas cheer and stacked the pinecones around it. Now it's perfect and ready for any serious minded toddler to destroy. Happy decorating!

~Maren

Chocolate Stroganoff

Christmas on the porch - day 8

image by conzinhandoideias.com.br

That's right...no need to go back and see if you read that correctly! On our recent trip to Brazil, I discovered yet one more amazing way to eat chocolate. My husband's aunt made this for one of our family parties.She is a better chef than you can find at any restaurant (at least that's what my husband says and he's very particular when it comes to food).  This is a really fun and different dessert to serve at any party, and especially at Christmas time when we have given ourselves the week off of calorie counting! The best part about it, aside from it being so yummy, is how easy it is to make.


Ingredients

2 cans sweetened condensed milk
2 cans regular milk
6 egg yokes
6 Tablespoons of powdered chocolate such as Nesquick
1 Tablespoon butter
2  cans Nestle table cream
6 egg whites
3 or 4 different chocolate bars (i.e. milk, white & dark)

Instructions

Combine sweetened condensed milk, milk, egg yokes, powdered chocolate and butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly. As soon as it starts to boil turn off the stove. Set aside until it has completely cooled.

Add the table cream and egg whites in with the chocolate sauce mix. Break or cut your chocolate bars into bite size squares and mix them in as well.

Spoon some of this heavenly chocolate stroganoff into a small bowl and enjoy as it all just melts perfectly in your mouth!

-Jenn

Barn Wood Christmas Tree

Christmas on the Porch- Day 7

I was trying to come up with a new decoration this year, and I needed something free (or very close), and easy.  My husband builds barn wood frames so we have scrap wood in over-abundance. I looked at the outcast pieces of wood just going to the dump.  I realized that I could rescue that wood and make a very cute Christmas tree for our porch, or for a wall inside our house. Or even as a Christmas card holder. Hmmm... possibilities.

I drew what I had envisioned and asked my husband if he could do it. He said it would take him about 5 minutes. He's totally not a perfectionist, so every measurement was definitely not exact, but he whipped it out. It was a great project... free, and no work for me!

He took my five-year old boy with him to make it, and assigned him to be the photographer :), so bear with the pictures.

 If you want to make your own....

 1. Measure and cut 11 pieces of wood: 72", 40", 36", 32", 28", 24", 20", 16", 12", 8", 4"

 2. Put the 72" piece of wood upright. Nail the 4" piece on the top. 

 3. Leave and approximate 2" distance, and then nail the next biggest piece of wood. Continue to the 40" piece of wood.  If the trunk is taller than desired, cut off excess.

Add a star and that's it!

Now just figure out where you want to put it. It makes a fun outside OR inside decoration.

XO, 

Nancy

Step by Step Tree Set-Up

For the first few Christmases my husband and I never had a tree. We were either moving or saving for tuition
that was due in a few weeks. Needless to say, it wasn't until 5 years into our marriage that I finally had a Christmas tree to decorate. So of course I went all out! Through the years I have streamlined and figured out  a few steps that make setting a Christmas tree up a little less daunting.

1. The Lights:
When it comes to lights, I generally like to divide the tree into 3 sections and start from the trunk and move up. Weave the light strand from the front and back of each branch. Leave the lights plugged in. Nothing is more frustrating than thinking you are done with the lights only to plug them in and find that there is a short somewhere! Stand back, blur your eyes and look to see if there are bare spots.

2. The Ribbon:
After the lights are up, grab some ribbon. I love to use a product called "Deco Mesh". You can find it at most craft stores (I found mine at Costco).  I love using this because it fills the tree, which means less ornaments. This is a great tutorial for using the "Deco Mesh".  If you want the your tree to look wider, wrap the ribbon horizontally and vertically if you are trying to achieve the look of a tall tree. Either way you really can't go wrong.

3. Garland: 
If ribbon isn't your style opt for a garland. There are some really fun ones out there these days! I decided to use both ribbon and garland.

4. The Ornaments:
When it comes to ornaments, I like to start with putting the largest ornaments on 1st. Create more interest by having oversized ornaments. Think outside of the box, I have used objects that aren't ornaments (such as picture frames, poinsettias etc.).

After you have your larger ornaments on, fill in the rest of your tree with the smaller items (bulbs, icicles, etc.)

5. The Filler:
If your tree still seems a little bare after the previous 4 steps, add some filler (twigs, glitter branches etc.)

Helpful Hints:
-Choose a theme (this helps when choosing ornaments and other accessories). My theme was in the color. I stuck with a white and silver theme.
-Add some natural (things you would find in nature) elements to the tree. I chose the twig garland for mine as well as a few poinsettias
- You really can't have too many ornaments on a tree, make it your own personal statement and have fun!.

If you have little people that love to decorate too. I have another small tree that I let my boys decorate until there hearts are content. This tree includes all of their "own" ornaments they have made or collected.

Have fun with your tree/trees. I would love to see your masterpieces, favorite ornaments or hear about your tree tips!

Merry Christmas!
Lauralee

Chocolate!

Every year my mother-in-law makes the most beautiful hand-dipped chocolates around Christmas. A few years back I was determined to learn the art, and believe me when I say it is an art. The first year my attempt was less than successful. They tasted awesome, but they looked like a pre-school cooking project so my neighbors got these as gifts:

A bag full of gumballs with a tag attached that
read: "Bah-gum-bug"

My mother-in- law showed me a few tricks of the trade (the chocolate needs to be the right temperature, don't let water touch the chocolate, don't eat more than you dip etc.).This has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions. In a later post, I will give out some of her recipes and techniques (so stay tuned). Let's hope that this year the chocolates make it to my neighbor's door and not in my husbands and children's mouth's!

-Lauralee

5 Easy Santa Neighbor Gifts

Christmas on the Porch- Day 4

No need to cry, No need to pout! 

Santa Claus is here to help you out!!

When it comes to Neighbor gifts we all want to give something that is cute and fun and doesn't break the budget.  Here are 5 ideas that look like the Jolly man himself.

 Santa's Milk and Cookies

This is a great Neighbor gift for those baker lovers!  Bake your favorite batch of cookies, add a carton of milk, wrap it in some cellophane and attach this tag. "We heard that Santa is not the only one who likes Milk and Cookies."  For those who don't enjoy baking add tag to your favorite package of cookies, a cookie mix or a roll of frozen cookie dough. For this yummy cookie recipe click here. 

Santa Box

This is a another really simple idea.  You just need a box treat.  You can use a box of hot chocolate, a box of popcorn or a box of chocolates.  Add a piece of red paper the size of the box.  You can either use a black ribbon or a black strip of paper the length of the box.  Cut a gold or silver square (2") and a small black square (1.5") Glue black square on silver or black square to make a belt. 

Santa Bag

You may already have an idea for a gift but just need to dress it up a little.  This is just a plain red gift bag.  Add a strip of black paper the length of the bag.  Cut a gold or silver square. Cut a black square just a little smaller to glue on top of the gold or silver square to make a belt.  The tag is made with a white tag then layering red and black paper.  The stamp is from Stampin Up. 

Santa Matches and Candle

1.You will need a candle, a small box of matches, a cellophane bag, and some red confetti strips, red paper (1.5" x 2"), black ribbon, a pop can flip lid (not sure of the name see picture) and red ribbon. 

2. Put your ribbon through the pop can flip lid and glue around your red paper.  Glue on match box.   

3.  Put strips in bag along with Santa matches and candle.  Tie bow around cellophane bag and a great Neighbor gift.



Santa "CHEX" Mix

1. Cut piece of red paper 4.25 x 5.5.  Cut a gold or silver square 2".  Cut a black strip 1.5 x 4.25.  Cut a black square 1.25".  (If you choose a different size bag you may need to adjust paper sizes.)

2. Fill bag with Chex Mix. (any flavor will do) 

3. Fold red paper in half.  Glue black strip on red paper.  Staple paper in the middle of the bag.  Glue black square onto gold square.  Glue square over staples. 

4. Print saying "Santa "Chex" his lists to see if you are naughty or nice."  Cut with fun scissors and glue over staples in the back. 

5.  Drop off at Neighbor's house.

HO HO HO!!! Merry Christmas
Jan



Snicker Cookies Recipe

Christmas on the Porch -Day 4 Bonus 

 



Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps with Orange Zest

Nothing says the holidays more like a little bit of divine baked goods. While experimenting with a combo of the new Hershey Spice Kiss and gingersnap cookies (waaay too rich, not great) I came upon the idea of dipping the gingersnaps in white and milk chocolate and grating a little orange zest on the top. After trying it I decided it tastes like a cookie version of a chocolate orange. Delicious. Wrap a few of these bad boys in a cellophane bag and you've got a sweet neighbor gift that includes some different tastes of the season.

Click here for a great gingersnap recipe. 

Happy Baking!

~Maren

Snowball Attack!!!

Christmas on the porch - day 2

     We've all heard of, participated in or been recipients of a "heart attack." Not the bad scary one, but the one where you cut out a bunch of paper hearts, write nice things on them and then tape them to somebody's door. Well why not use this cold snowy weather as an excuse to do a "snowball attack" to some of your neighbors, family and friends? Here are a couple of different ways this can be done:

#1 - One of my favorite little fun things to make and especially eat is cake balls. You can really use any cake flavor to make them but for the purpose of making a snowball you will want to make a white cake and then cover them in white chocolate. They are so simple to make. All you need to do is bake your cake, let it cool then crumble it up and mix in a package of cream cheese. Form as little or as large of balls as you would like, stick them in the freezer for about 30 minutes and then heat up your white chocolate and roll those babies around in there. If you are quick enough you can roll them around immediately after in a little bowl of sugar crystals or other white decorative cake toppers to add a little bit of texture and fanciness!

#2 - For a fun, different and to die for yumminess you can make these little snowball looking treats, a.k.a. beijinhos de coco or "coconut kisses." You can find the recipe for them here.

Your friends, neighbors and loved ones will for sure "feel" your love as you "attack" them with these delicious little snow balls! You can even mention that each one represents something you love about them or something nice that they have done for you.

Just make sure that you make a few extra ones for you!

Enjoy!

-Jenn

The Fastest Fabulous Peppermint Brownies

Christmas on the Porch - Day 1 (bonus post)

These brownies are seriously so simple to make, and are so delish. This is my "go to" recipe for Christmas parties and cookie exchanges. So worth a try!

1 Betty Crocker brownie mix (also, the ingredients to make them... water, eggs, oil)
1 package of peppermint patties


Heat oven to 350. Butter and flour the pan.
Follow all directions on the box, regardless of pan size.

While brownies are baking, unwrap all of the peppermint patties.
When there are 2 minutes left to bake, open the oven and evenly spread the peppermint patties on the brownies. Bake for 1 1/2 more minutes.

Immediately after taking  brownies out of the oven, spread the peppermint patties around using a metal spatula. Let cool for at least 1/2 hour to let the peppermint and chocolate separate.

ENJOY!!
Nancy

12 Simple Neighbor Gift Ideas {even the Grinch would like})

Christmas on the Porch- Day 1

Honestly, neighborhood gifts are one of those Christmas things that can make me feel down right grinchy! I love my neighbors, and of course I want to give them something that shows I care and want to wish them a Merry Christmas.  The problem is that I tend to feel like if I give gifts to certain neighbors, then I must give them to other people in the neighborhood, and then if other people find out that I didn't give anything to them, then they'll think I don't like them, and on and on and on and on!!

 I start thinking about the money that it will cost to give everyone in the neighborhood a gift, and the time to make the gift on top of that, uuuuughh! Some years, neighborhood gifts would have taken up my whole Christmas budget and drained me of all money and time. At least that's how I've felt some years!

Different years bring different circumstances... here are 12 ideas that will work depending upon the time, energy, and money you have this year.

 #1 Nothing!!!

No one will remember next year! Some years, neighbor gifts are lower on the priority list.  I'd rather have my friend put her time and energy into making Christmas great for her family than stressing about a sugary treat to give to me. I've got enough sugar anyway. (Not that I don't appreciate it, I do, but you get the point).

#2 A Christmas card... even add an inexpensive ornament

Image: Martha Stewart

If you send Christmas cards anyway, just give one of those to all the neighbors. Or let the kids draw the pictures... they'd love it. At the Dollar Tree, they sell ornaments in packages of 10 for $1. Attach one to each card. You could afford taking one of these to the whole neighborhood if you feel that you need to do so :).

#3 A book that you bought on a great sale

 Christmas books make great gifts. They're one of my very favorite Christmas decorations. In July I found these books for &1.60 each (they retail for $19.99). Having Christmas in mind during other times of year helps score great deals!

#4 Dollar Store veggie tray with yummy food 

After reading Jan's post about all the great things to do with veggie trays, I saw some fun trays at the Dollar Tree! I snatched a few up, and thought what a great Christmas gift this would be for the close neighbors. Go to this post for some great ideas. Do some baking (or buying) and fill it up.

#5 The Fastest Fabulous Peppermint Brownies

I promise these are soooo good and soooo quick! I'll post the recipe later today!

Whip up a few batches of these goodies, put it a treat bag with a bow. Fast, easy & really yummy.

Update: find the recipe here!

#6 Fill up some dollar store chip and dip trays.

Offsets all the sugar!  Buy salsa on sale or even make your own.

#7 Paper Whites 

Photo from Wisconsin Made

  

(This is one of my VERY favorites... it even takes the grinchiness out of me).

Home Depo sells paper whites for about $1 per bulb.  Ikea sells cute little flower pots for 79 cents. Paper whites will grow in pebbles or gravel, they are so easy to grow and almost grow right in front of your eyes. They just bring happiness. Kids can even help plant them, and then help pass them out to neighbors. Inexpensive, no calories, and lovely = total winner.

Before we continue the rest of the list, I must admit that I love the Grinch. This is my favorite part of the story: 

(Right click, save to your computer and print if you would like)

Inspired by the Grinch, the rest of this list are things that require pretty much nothing bought at a store, and would make Christmas mean a little bit more.

#8 Do a random act of kindness for all the neighbors on your list.

Photo Source: Flikr

Then leave a little note wishing them a Merry Christmas from your family.

#9 Organize a neighborhood charity project instead of neighbor gifts.

I know this one isn't low in energy, if you're the one who organizes it. So, find the person in the neighborhood who would love to take this on, and then contribute!!

#10 Go Christmas Caroling 

Image Muncie Downtown

If you're short on cash, this will let all the neighbors you love know you're thinking about them. Leave those cheap candy canes too, if so desired.

#11 Organize a neighborhood Christmas Elf Game

image: mysavings

Ask everyone in the neighborhood who wants to participate in this instead of neighbor gifts. The organizer assigns each family to be another family's Elves. It's a secret. Each week in December, the Elves give secretly give something to or do something for that family. The Elves reveal their true identities the last week. It's really fun!

#12 Create a blizzard 

image: Martha Stewart

Make lots of snowflakes. For each neighbor, write something you like about them and/or their family on the snowflake. Tape them (carefully) to your neighbors' doors, and leave a not saying, "There's a blizzard of reasons we like you."  Knock and run {like the traditional 'heart attack'}. Of course, leave your name so they know you gave them a "neighbor gift" :).

If you're having a Grinchy or a happy year, I hope you'll find a way to make this holiday season mean "a little bit more".

XO, Nancy 

P.S. Here is my new favorite:

Find the recipe and a gift tag HERE .

Come to Christmas on the Porch!

We would love for you to join us...

We are posting neighbor gift ideas, Christmas decor, Great holiday recipes, ornament ideas, traditions and more.

Here's the current list of great holiday ideas:

Christmas Corner- 25 holiday activities for your children
Decorating with the Scents of the Season
Chocolate Stroganoff
Barn Wood Christmas Tree
Step by Step Tree Set Up 
Chocolate and Bah Gumbug! 
Snicker Cookies
5 Easy Santa Neighbor Gifts
Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps with Orange Zest
Snowball Attack!
Fast and Fabulous Peppermint Brownies
12 Simple Neighbor Gifts even the Grinch would Like  
   

Thanks for stopping by!!
  ~Jan, Jenn, Maren, Lauralee & Nancy

Friday Forum: Husbands and Holidays

Do you ever feel that during the hustle bustle of life, and particularly during the holidays, that you neglect your husband? My husband definitely feels that way sometimes, and I'm trying to make it a point to remember how important our relationship is. It's easy after being married for a while to revert to roommate status, or become as "ships passing in the night."  

photo source

 I have a feeling that I'm not alone in this. So, I'm giving every one a few assignments that will hopefully help us all keep our husbands on the priority list even during the busy holidays.

First: Make a list of the ten things about your husband that you are most thankful for. Give it to him. Then list at least 2 of them here. Feel free to list all ten though!!!

Second: Giving giving men gifts is hard since their lists are usually full of things that would break the bank. Although, most men would be overjoyed with more make out sessions (wink * wink*). When it comes to an actual present, what are the best gifts you've ever given to your husband? 

(We all know nights at hotels and big expensive things are great, but what about the smaller more inexpensive ones?)

Third: Figure out some fun and meaningful gifts to give your husband during the holidays. You don't have to answer that yet, maybe after Christmas though :).

photo source: Kids Kritics

Nancy: My husband has a very selfless nature, he helps around the house because he knows it's important to me, he's an absolutely phenomenal dad, he's extremely patient with all of my flaws and quirks, he quickly forgives, he respects and listens to my opinions, he thinks I'm hot even when I'm not, he laughs easily, he never hesitates to cook meals when he's home, he's good at chatting (or "pillow talk"), he's fun and doesn't take life so seriously.

Hmmm, gifts... last year I gave my husband a packet that I called the "12 dates of Christmas."  I planned 1 inexpensive date every month, and commited to take him on those dates. Unfortunately I didn't follow through!!! If I would have, that would have been a great gift. I'm committing to come up with some good ideas this year though :).



Jan:  The things I am most grateful for about my husband are:  He is a self motivated and focused guy. 
(It is particularly great when I am what he is focusing on.)  When he has a project or task at hand he doesn't skimp or try to do it half way, he tries to do his very best. He is a pretty quiet guy and many people don't know this but he is also a very romantic guy.  (Don't let that get out too loudly.)  He is the kind of guy who plans weekends away, brings home flowers, leaves love notes, calls to say he loves me and is very thoughtful about gifts he gives to me. One time he kidnapped me from work and took me away for the weekend.  He had arranged everything from time off with my boss to what we were doing and where we stayed.  That's a keeper!!!

The best gift I've given my husband, that is a hard one........  One year for Christmas, I asked his mom for all his baby and childhood pictures and then turned it into a scrapbook. He thought it was really awesome.  The kids really enjoy looking at the book now and see what Dad looked like when he was little.  I also made him a lemon meringue pie as a gift, it is his favorite.  A friend of mine always gives her husband a kid toy for Christmas.  I followed her example one year and bought a remote control truck, he loved it!!  There is a little boy in every MAN.  Ask your man what toy he always wanted but never got or the one toy that he loved so much that it finally broke and buy it for him. 

Fun and Meaningful gifts to give your husband.......  It is a joke in our family if Dad is watching TV then he is in his "CAVE".  Of course what do I do when he sits down, I sit by him and start talking all about my day.  Seriously, what is wrong with me.  So a perfect gift for me to give would be a bucket full of his favorite treats, the remote and a coupon for a night alone with only his remote.  Oh and a little "make-out" session when the night is over is never a bad gift to give your husband!!!

Maren: My husband is very hard working and smart. He has big goals and dreams and achieves them which is something that I greatly admire. In Brazil he ran a bus company with his cousin that had 2,000 employees. When he joined the LDS church and decided there was more to life than success and retiring at age 30, he up and moved to the U.S. speaking no English and few friends. Sometimes he worked three jobs to make ends meet. One was cleaning blood off instruments at the plasma donating place (yuck), and another one at the dry cleaners where we met (awww). Now he works as an engineer and has huge goals that I am positive he will reach.

I would like to say one of his favorite gifts was a homemade card I made him where I had gone back to all my journals and written down quotes about him from our dating and early married life about how great he was, but I'm pretty sure he'd still say his TV would be his favorite gift. Men. Sheesh.

photo source: keystone colorado

Lauralee: I had a fun time coming up with a list. A few things about my husband that I am most grateful are his sense of adventure and fun. Although, this trait has landed him in the emergency room on a few occasions, he reminds me that life is not always about schedules and to-do lists. Another, quality that I am thankful for is that he helps and supports me to reach my own goals. One last thing I want to mention, I am thankful for my husband's family. They say not only do you marry the spouse but you marry the whole family.  In my case, this was an added bonus!

When it gifts, hmmm. I don't know. I'd love any suggestions!









Jenn: My husband is really fun, funny, goofy, and makes us laugh all the time. He's mellow and easy going, but also a really hard worker. He's a great dad and a fun guy to be married to.

I asked him what the best and most inexpensive gifts I've given him are, and he said that he loves letters. Also, made him a short movie on Windows Live movie maker for our 2nd anniversary. He still watches is and shows people... and that was free!!

If you are stumped about what to give your husband this Christmas, here are a few ideas. They may not be actual gifts to open, however, he may appreciate this kind of gift more:

**Read this article called, "How to Love your Husband His Way." It's a compilation of 100 things you can do to show your husband you love him.

If you really want to give him something he'll love, and will cost you almost nothing, go to Love, Actually and find out what this is all about! Married people only :).



The 12 Lays of Christmas


Please tell us the best gifts you've ever given your husband!! Or anything great you might be giving him this year!Obviously most of us need help in this area!