it’s not too late! | advent calendar | DIY idea

Are you like me… and JUST NOW realized you never made an Advent calendar?? Well… that’s ok. Traditional Advent calendars are 25 days… but who the heck is traditional anymore?? It doesn’t matter if it’s 25 days, 10 days or even 5 days… the point is to have fun and give the kids something to look forward too, add anticipation for Christmas Day.

I seen these Advent calendar’s on Etsy, so here is my take!

Easy way:
Hang numbered envelopes from clothespins and twine! That’s it. I mean.. if you’re super limited on time, but wanted to add something fun for the kiddo’s, that’s literally all you have to do… buy some fun colored envelopes and add numbers.

If you want to get all fancy:
And I did, you could make your own envelopes out of Christmas cardstock. I have a scoring board, so this was simple, if you don’t know how to make an envelope, check out this picture.

Note: I didn’t have Christmas cardstock on hand. So I just Googled Christmas paper, and printed off some images that came up. (Is that legal?).

Wondering what to put in side such envelopes? 
Here are a few things we did: silly bands, family Wii night, Gingerbread house night, cookie decorating contest, fun stickers, slumber party/movie night. As tradition, the last one will have a note saying where a bigger present is, which of course will be their Christmas PJ’s for Christmas Eve.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

# kristanlynn
xoxo

This post was sponsored by The Shutterbug Eye.

Hot Cinnamon Milk | recipe

When the weather gets cooler, there are tons of things we look forward to. Hot cocoa is definitely up there on my list! I’m always craving hot beverages, but I try not to drink coffee after 5PM. So hot chocolate is my go to. Last winter I found this recipe over on Spatula and Spoons and it’s replaced my hot chocolate. It’s creamy, yummy and a nice break from the normal hot chocolate. Perfect for this fast approaching holiday season!

Ingredients: (Makes 1 Pint)

• 1 C Powered Milk
• 1/2 C French Vanilla Cremer (I love Great Values, it seems to be a tad creamier tasting)
• 1/2 C Sugar
• 3/4 tsp Cinnamon

Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, then pour into a pint jar. That’s it.

Enjoy a cup by mixing 1/3 C of Cinnamon Mix with 1/2 C of hot milk (or water).

Tip: Add a scrap piece of square fabric to the lid, under the band. Then attach a cute tag with “Wishing you the warmest of holidays” and the mixing instruction’s. Hand out as gifts this holiday season. This is what our close friends and neighbors received from us last Christmas and it was  HUGE hit!

ANOTHER TIP: Change up your coffee routine. Use a few tablespoons in your morning coffee instead of your creamer. It’s DELISH!

# kristanlynn
xoxo