"MOM, HE'S BAAACK!" Much to my kids delight, our Elf on the Shelf has joined us again. My kids are so excited that they even made him a little welcome back sign. This time my plan is to have Zac (the name we chose for our little Elf) encourage healthy habits, good social skills and wonderful manners! All of his missions are simple and easy to recreate. They also offer 'teachable moments' to talk to your children about kindness, respect and character development. What do you need to get started? Just download these FREE printables - , and . Cut out each mission and tape it to a craft stick. There are sixteen ready-made missions and a blank page to create your own. The possibilities are endless! Ready to get started? Mission 1 - Healthy Habits A little reminder to take … [Read more...]
Naughty and Nice Holiday Greetings
Holiday Greetings: It’s our favorite time of year when us snail mailers come out of hibernation because our greeting card season has begun! The holidays bring out the best creativity in cards and we just can’t get enough. It is so much fun to give and receive beautiful little works of art with some hilarious wittiness that can be so meaningful to each individual. It is a way you can give a personalized thoughtful gift without breaking the bank. I assure you all of these cards will leave a lasting mark! Who doesn't love Meryl Streep? When in doubt, give them this card and you will their hearts! I adore everything Good Juju Ink creates. With their beautiful illustrations and heartfelt with a flair of witty word, these cards will surely be saved and placed on display. The … [Read more...]
12 Days of Christmas Crafts for Kids
With only weeks until Old Saint Nick flies his sleigh until town, it's time to start thinking of how you'll occupy idle time with the little ones. When school lets out for Winter Vacation you'll want to be prepared for the "I'm bored!" that is sure to flow from their lips. Today I have a collection of 12 Days of Christmas Crafts that will keep the kids busy crafting AND will help you decorate your home. It's a win-win! /1/ Scrapbook Paper Santa Claus - No Christmas craft making session is complete without Santa Claus himself. Your kids will love curling this jolly fella's beard! /2/ Paper Plate Elf - There's something about an elf at Christmastime that makes me very happy. These paper plate elves are absolutely no exception. I dare you to make one and not smile! /3/ Felt … [Read more...]
Why I Still Send Holiday Cards by Snail Mail – And You Should Too!
(Affiliate) Blissfully Domestic uses affiliate links in some of our content including this post. Holiday Cards: It’s that time of year again! Right after Thanksgiving, my kids and I feel the excitement of opening up our mailbox again! Who will we get a card from? How much have their kids grown? Who looks different? What exciting news will we hear? Wow, one card more original than the other! We appreciate all of them so much that we even put them on display and look at them all the time. At the end of the season, we have a hard time bringing them down! With so much technology, this is the one tradition that I will not give up! My computer and phone are flooded with emails, texts and more all day long. The old-fashioned mailbox is often filled with junk mail and bills. But in … [Read more...]
Sparkling Wine Types for Holiday Entertaining
The holidays are here and it's time to break open the sparkling wine! Celebrating this time of year with family and friend's is one of life's joys. But what exactly should you serve your guests when you are entertaining at home? Walking into a wine store and trying to figure out which bottle of sparkling wine to choose can be overwhelming. Luckily, hosts have many options when it comes to what to pour for their guests. Champagne? Prosecco? Cava? Sparkling wine? Maybe Moscato d'Asti? Here I am going to give you a brief lesson in Sparkling Wine 101 and some of the fabulous choices: Champagne Only sparkling wine made in Champagne, France, using the Traditional Method, is allowed to be called Champagne. These wines undergo a second fermentation, in the bottle, which is called … [Read more...]
Good Manners for the Holidays in Four Easy Steps (Prep your kids with games that ACTUALLY work)
‘Tis the season for giving, being grateful and holiday gatherings. Are your kids ready? Does your child know how to accept a gift gracefully? How to be a great host or guest? Write a kind thank-you note? Or do you sometimes feel as if you go to a family gathering with your fingers crossed – “Please let my child behave today”? We all have those moments when our children embarrass us by not behaving properly. The possibilities of what can happen at a holiday gathering are endless! The best way to try to relax and enjoy the festivities is to offer your kids a pre-holiday refresher 101 course on being a good host and guest. Don’t fear. Help is here! Prep your kids with these four game-changing rules to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Play these simple games to equip your kids … [Read more...]
