Countdown to Christmas 2018 ~ Week 2

We've been so busy, I haven't been doing a great job photographing our 

Christmas Countdown fun :(

Day 5 ~ We went to the theater to watch "Ralph Breaks The Internet"
{I voted to see "The Grinch", but was outvoted by the girls.}

Day 6 ~ Our annual Community Tree Lighting ~
Sierra was a helper elf to Santa again this year,
and the rest of us girls helped move the Santa line along.

Day 7 ~ Our new kitty, Miss Luna, had another vet visit,
so we took advantage of running into town, and picked up donuts.

Day 8 ~ Shopping with Friends

Day 9 ~ Church & Gingerbread House Decorating:

How have you been staying busy?

DIY Christmas Gifts

Well, November is just zooming on by, isn't it?

But it's not too late to get moving on some DIY Christmas gifts.

One of my favorites is Homemade Vanilla.

Nearly everyone in my family loves to bake, so this gift is a no brainer ~

it's easy to make, fun to package, and greatly appreciated.

And if you make it soon, it'll be ready for gift-giving by Christmas!

I make my vanilla individually, but you *could* make up a big batch in large mason jars, 

and then divide it up into smaller bottles at the end.

I buy my BOTTLES on Amazon

My BEANS on Beanilla

and my VODKA ~ just the cheap-o kind at the liquor store

I slice through the center of each bean, drop a couple in each bottle, 

fill to the top with the Vodka, tie up with pretty ribbon, and set aside for 5 or 6 weeks.

And voila!

Seriously, y'all, they make the greatest gifts!

Make some today, and check some people off your gift list!

Countdown to Christmas 2017

Holy smokes!  Where has the time gone??  

In my mind it's October 15th, but my calendar clearly states we are in DECEMBER.

It's Countdown to Christmas, y'all!

I'll be checking in daily on Instagram, showcasing our activities.

And I'll check in once a week here for a re-cap.

Consider joining in with your own Countdown.

I'd love to read all about your happenings!

You can find all sorts of ideas for crafts, activities, and outings below:

*North Pole Breakfast, Cookie Bakin', Tree Pickin', Craftin'

*Gingerbread Houses & Christmas Lights

*Snowflake Ornaments & Christmas Movie Marathons

*Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees

*Countdown Hershey's Advent Calendar

Go out and make some memories!!

Merry Christmas Wishes!!

Liz

Countdown to Christmas 2016 ~ DAY 1 ~ North Pole Breakfast!

It is DECEMBER!

Oh goodness, THIS is my favorite time of year!

Time to count on down to Christmas Day!!

Our first day of December started with a visit from our elf, Holly, and a 

North Pole Breakfast of Berry Crepes.

I'm pretty sure they were a hit because Tay had EIGHT!

Are YOU counting down?

What have you been up to? I'd love to see, so be sure to leave a link in the comments!

ALSO . . . Be sure to enter our Countdown Giveaway if you haven't yet!!

https://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2016/11/countdown-to-christmas-is-near-and.html

Countdown to Christmas is NEAR . . . And a Giveaway!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Jeremy had to work this year, so we were missing him something fierce.

But we enjoyed time spent with family, and lots of delicious food!

And it doesn't hurt that he has most of the rest of the year off work! 

Woooohoooo!

So.

The turkey is gone.

The pie plates are empty.

We've brought the Christmas decor up from the basement.

It is time, y'all!

Countdown to Christmas is right around the corner.

If you've been here long {or ever}, you know that this is our FAVORITE time of year.

Many moons ago I made an advent tree for the girls.

Each day in December they pull out a card indicating the activity, outing, craft, etc. for the day.

We have so much fun!

And I would LOVE it if you'd join in as well.

Plan your own crafts, outings, activities, and post them in the links.

I'm always in need of fresh ideas; let's share!

Here are a few posts from previous years:

Countdown 2015

Countdown 2014

Countdown 2013

Countdown 2012

And to kick off the season, how about a Giveaway?!

What Countdown is complete without a cookie-baking day??

*Cookie Plate

*Snowman Cookie Cutter

*Snowflake Sprinkles

*$15 Starbucks Gift Card

To Enter:

Comment on this Blog Post your FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION :)

I will pick a winner on Sunday night, December 4th.

Countdown to Christmas 2014

 

Day 8 of Countdown to Christmas

 

was spent reading one of my most favorite books from childhood!

 

The Gingerbears First Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several weeks ago I picked up little teddy bears for each of the girls . . .

 

 

 

 

 

And we made them a little fleece scarf.

To keep them warm, of course!!

What does your countdown look like??

Do share!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Christmas 2014, Day 2

Day 2 of Countdown to Christmas found us making Christmas crafts.
 

 

 

I found cute little packaged Christmas crafts at Michael's several weeks ago for days like today, when I really just wanted {needed} to stay at home, but needed an activity for the girlies.
Worked perfectly!


 

 

 

 

 We're also counting down our days in Scripture.
Won't you follow along?

 

 

 

 

December 1st

 

Eeeek!!!  It's December 1st!  I can hardly believe it!!!

 

I am so excited for another year of Countdown to Christmas at our house.

 

The decorations are up, the countdown tree is hung . . . we are READY!

 

Our activity for December 1st traditionally is to make a Hershey's Kiss Countdown Chain,

 

but we're changing it up! 

This year {and last year too!}, we celebrated the 1st of December with a

 

North Pole Breakfast.

 

The girls LOVE it!

 

 

 

They opened up Christmas Jammies,

and got to decorate French Toast "Trees".




So much fun!

If you're looking ideas for your own Countdown activity/craft each day leading up to Christmas,

just search my blog using the key words: Countdown to Christmas.

I'll post more ideas soon!

Enjoy the Season!

 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Christmas 2013!

This is our favorite time of year!!
 I can't believe Thanksgiving is now behind us, and we are staring straight into December!
 My goodness this year has passed by in a flash.

If you've been around here awhile, you know that I organize a Countdown to Christmas each year
 for my four girly girls.

Many years ago I made a Countdown Tree:



We love ours, but I've seen some super cute ones on Pinterest as well :)

And each day they pull a special card from a numbered pocket to find out what our fun holiday activity will be for the day.

 
Some days we actually make it out of the house {if you know Taylor you realize what a feat that is}.
But mostly we plan crafts, baking, and other activities at home.
Most everything is little to no cost; pretty much a necessity for us the last couple of years.

Over the next few days I'll try to post fun activities you may enjoy with your littles.
Sierra and Makenna are getting older now, but I think they have at least as much, if not more fun than my two little ones. 


 What fun holiday traditions do you all have?

Countdown to Christmas 2012 ~ Week 1

Holy Moly, y'all.  How did we get here so quickly? 

I tell ya, it seems like we were just counting down to Christmas 2011. 

Slow down!!!

 

So. 

Our first week of Countdown to Christmas 2012

A recap:

 

Saturday, December 1st:

The girls had a dance performance at a nearby Tree Lighting.

This was Kam's very first performance ever . . .
 

 

 

And she was FABULOUS!

We also made our yearly Hershey's Advent Calendars :)

 

 

Sunday, December 2nd:

We colored and cut out a Nativity Scene and read Luke 2.

Monday, December 3rd:

We had some very special friends over for cookie baking and crafts.
 

 

We didn't actually get to the crafting, though, because we were having too much fun visiting!

 

Tuesday, December 4th:

We got a TREE!  We always look forward to putting a tree up!!
 

 

Wednesday, December 5th:

We made candy necklaces.  I found a craft kit at Joann's, and it was a hit!
 

 

Thursday, December 6th:

We attended our local Tree Lighting.  I didn't get one picture :(  But we had cookies and cocoa, and it was super fun!

 

 

Today we are going to read some of our favorite Christmas stories and I'm attempting to organize coordinating crafts.  Wish us luck! ;)

Oh, and I have to share this photo I got of Kam with a new backdrop.
I know I'm a biased Mama, but she is so precious to me.
My little Sleeping Beauty ;)

 

 

Hope you all are enjoying these last couple of weeks until Christmas.  I love our countdown because it reminds us to be intentional in finding the special moments which surround this special season. 

 

If you've been documenting special moments from your week, please do link up below!

 

God Bless!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Happenings

Why is it that I can't, for the life of me, remember how to create a blog button from year to year?  Thought I was going to pull out my hair when I tried to follow a tutorial that wasn't workin' for me :/ 

But . . .
Here we are, y'all!
 Countdown to Christmas!

One activity, outing, or craft a day for the days leading up to Christmas.



If you'd like to link up your happenings, we will be doing so on Friday!  You'll definitely want to be here to get some ideas for your own littles.

Our Countdown is in full swing!  We have dear friends coming to help us craft and bake today {YAY!}

And we kept very busy over the weekend.

The girls had their first performance of the season.

Warning:  Cuteness Overload!





Have a blessed week! 

 

 

 

Remember these?

Congratulations Jenny from Our Nifty Notebook!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
3

Timestamp: 2010-12-06 05:00:46 UTC

These now belong to you ;)

Email me your address and I'll get these shipped off to you ASAP!

Thanks so much y'all! This was fun :)