Twelve Days of Christmas…Books
Today I’m inspired by…Christmas books. We went through our stash of holiday books and have been reading one each night before Christmas. I found a cute idea for a Book Advent Calendar on Babyccino. It’s so fun to read some classics like “The Night Before Christmas” and some new versions like “Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear.” The following books aren’t necessarily on our list (some I’ve never even read- so I’m not vouching for content!) but ones I found that had interesting book covers or art. If you would like more info or a larger picture of the book, click on the links below the pictures. Enjoy!
The Night Before Christmas (Golden Book)
Christmas in the Manger (I LOVE Felicia Bond’s artwork!)
Dream Snow (I LOVE Eric Carle’s stuff, too!)
A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Twelve Days of Christmas- Candy
Today I’m inspired by…candy. Mmm! My favorite Christmas treat is homemade caramels. Those little guys are addicting! I went in search of a recipe to make my own- though I’m not much of a cook. We’ll see how they turn out! Here are some fun candy images and ideas that will hopefully inspire you!
Citrus-Zest Lollipops- Martha Stewart
Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Sticks- Country Living
Candy Cane Reindeer- Martha Stewart (reindeer template, too!)
Mint Chocolate Bark- Family Fun
Twelve Days of Christmas- Gift Wrap
Today I’m inspired by…gift wrap. It’s so fun to go into stores and see all of the different kinds of gift wrap. Sometimes I buy some and feel guilty using it because it is so beautiful! Here are some ideas for how to wrap your gifts, most courtesy of Martha Stewart.
Button Parcel **Not from Martha** on Bugs and Fishes by Lupin
Twelve Days of Christmas- Gifts
Today I’m inspired by…homemade Christmas gifts. I wish I had the time to make gifts for everyone on my list but, alas, it is so much easier to buy! We used to do a gift exchange with my family where you had to make or recycle a gift. I made a “mommy necklace” for my cousin last year and the year before was a scrapbook collage for another cousin. Here are some amazing ideas for homemade gifts that I found on Martha Stewart’s website.
Beaded Flower Necklace- Martha Stewart
Butterfly Table Linens- Martha Stewart
Button Necklace- Martha Stewart
Silk Scarf Bag- Martha Stewart
Jade Beaded Necklace- Martha Stewart
No Sew Tote Bag- Martha Stewart
Zipper Flowers- Martha Stewart
Monogram Corkboard
Twelve Days of Christmas- Cookies
Today I’m inspired by…cookies. We will be going to my mom’s today to bake, bake, and bake some more. T is excited to make a “cookie house” like he saw at the grocery store. Here are some yummy and colorful cookies from different baking sites.
Poinsettia Cookies- Food Network
Giada’s Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookies- Food Network
Stained Glass Wreath Cookies- Food Network
Gingerbread Lantern- Family Fun
Holiday Icebox Cookies- Martha Stewart
Gingerbread Reindeer- Martha Stewart (how clever!)
White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread- Better Homes and Gardens
Twelve Days of Christmas- Centerpieces
I love decorating the table for Christmas dinner. There are so many fun ways to “dress-up” the plain old card tables we use (well, unless you’re lucky enough to get to sit at the dining room table- but that’s usually taken). Here are some beautiful centerpieces from various websites.
Rose Hip Arrangement- Martha Stewart
Glitter Bird Centerpiece- Martha Stewart
Christmas Table with Chandelier- Martha Stewart
Candy Stripers- Martha Stewart
Bulb Balls- Better Homes and Gardens
Swirling Trees and Lollipops- Better Homes and Gardens
Cool Roses- Better Homes and Gardens
Twelve Days of Christmas- Tableware
Today I’m inspired by…Christmas tableware. We saw so super cute melamine dishes at Target (I just love their stuff!) and T really wanted to buy the “Carrots for Reindeer” plate (so I did, of course). Here is some holiday dinnerware that’s sure to inspire you!
Laurie Collection from Crate and Barrel
Reindeer Appetizer Tray from Target
Earthenware Candy Cane Platter from Target
Holiday Icon Melamine Dinnerware from Target
Silver Scroll Appetizer Tray from Target
Beaded Bow Napkin Rings from Crate and Barrel
Holiday Cardinal Plate from Crate and Barrel
Reindeer Cork Drink Coasters from Pottery Barn
Noble Excellence Contempo Christmas Dinnerware from Dillard’s
Night Before Christmas Tumblers from Pottery Barn Kids
Twelve Days of Christmas- Decor
Today I’m inspired by…holiday decor. We have been busy putting up the tree and now we’re ready to add some special touches to other areas of our home. I hope some of these fun decor ideas will inspire you, too!
Mistletoe Crewel Pillow from Pottery Barn
Metal Letter Bin from Pottery Barn
Quirky Christmas Garland from Anthropologie
Light Bright Project from Martha Stewart
Stiffened Doilies from Martha Stewart
Cookie Cutter idea from BHG
Greeting Card Garland from Martha Stewart
Twelve Days of Christmas- Cards
Today I’m inspired by…Christmas cards. Our friends begin sending them out the day after Thanksgiving- I’m not that organized.
Here are some cute card ideas from the web. Perhaps you can use them for inspiration for your own cards.
Egg Press Cards- Dot Peace on Earth from Target
Pinup Wreath from Martha Stewart
Holiday Stripes Photo Card from Cardstore.com
Glitter Ornaments from Papyrus
Merry Christmas Text from Papyrus
Patterned Deer from Cardstore.com
Hand Drawn Tree from Cardstore.com
Joy Holiday Card from Cardstore.com
Partridge Pear Card from Cardstore.com
Bold Holidays from Cardstore.com
Twelve Days of Christmas- Stockings
Today I’m inspired by…stockings. At my parent’s house I have a stocking my grandmother made for me for my first Christmas. It is one of my most treasured holiday items. I wanted to create something special for my little one for his Christmas Stocking so I copied the Martha Stewart Keepsake Stockings. We add a new felt shape to represent something that happened in his life. This year it will be a Mickey Mouse shape as we are going to Disney World for the first time. I put the link below and included fun stockings from around the web to inspire you!
Keepsake Stocking from Martha Stewart
Rickrack Stocking from Martha Stewart
Christmas Tree Stocking from Martha Stewart
Baby-Sock Stocking Countdown from Martha Stewart
Fleece and Batik Stocking from Better Homes and Gardens
Flocked Stockings with Bells from Target
Holiday Whimsy Stocking from Target
Felt Stocking with Penguin from Target
