Giving Back Advent Calendar

I love, love the holiday season. But every year I feel like I spend inordinate amounts of time making sure our family focuses on the real meaning of the holidays and not just the piles of presents rolling in. We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas in our home, so it's no small feat. The kids are always asking me for an Advent Calendar, but I've resisted. This year, I decided to try something different: a Giving Back Advent Calendar. Head over to Honest to Nod to see what I put together! 

Fave Travel Activities, Games + Toys

Anyone gearing up for a little holiday travel? We're staying put this year, but given how much traveling we've done recently, I've got a good handle on what to bring for the kiddos that will minimize the number of times you have to hear "are we there YET?!" Here are my favorite activities, games, and toys that travel well -- most we have or I've seen in person and are on our holiday lists. Some you might even recognize from your own youth traveling days. You've still got time to stock up before Thanksgiving hits -- happy traveling!

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5 | 6 | 7 | 8 

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15 | 16 | 17 | 18

19 | 20 | 21 | 22

23 | 24 | 25

Our Favorite 25 Birthday Gifts under $25!

Back to school also generally means birthday party season! As you might have noticed, I actually love birthday parties and my general feeling is the more, the merrier. But that can start to really add up. So I like to pick something special, nice, and educational even that isn't a gazillion bucks. Since I've been shopping around so much for our kindergarten and elementary-aged kids, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite 25 finds under $25 (or just barely over). I've organized them into general categories (although many of them cover lots of different interests) and think they'd be great for any birthday boy or girl. What's topping your kiddo's birthday list these days!?

Arts + Crafts 

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Design

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

STEM (a big grouping for a big category!)

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6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

Games

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Weekend Makes

Cam and I are kind of obsessed lately with teeny-tiny jewelry dishes. We've been using them for all kinds of things, but given that it's also Mother's Day this weekend, I wouldn't mind a kiddo-DIY (with some adult help) dish with a little something sparkly in it, too. Happy celebrating to all those who mother!

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DIY Toy Soap

Now that we finally have some real storage in our house, we've been able to start moving in things we've had stowed away for years (which makes our parents, who've been the lucky trustees of all random sorts, very happy). Recently, Nona brought down a storage crate full of some of my candle-making supplies. They've been stored at her house, not coincidentally, for the last 6 years. Back in the day, I used to LOVE making and gifting candles. The kids were very intrigued, but I figured before we dove in to mixing up boiling vats of wax, I'd start them out on something a little easier: glycerin soap!

DIY Gifts: for kids, by kids

Our kids have very sweetly decided (on their own) to give each other holiday gifts this year. Cam picked out something for Kane, but Kane hasn't been able to decide what to get her. He started down the familiar path of wanting to ask her what she wanted, but still keep it a surprise. It cracks me up to watch him coyly try to figure out what's on her wish list -- sounds just like his dad! But then he recently decided he wanted to give her a "coupon" to take her ice skating and buy her hot chocolate. I was almost in tears from the cuteness, but then he upped himself by deciding to give her a coupon that gives her the power to tell him to do whatever she wants for an entire day. That's just crazy talk right there. And I love it.

But just in case your children are interested in making more level-headed holiday gift choices, I rounded up my favorite DIY holiday gifts that kids can make for other kids. These are on our lists too, so one might just be coming your way!

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DIY Wrapping Paper

Now that you've purchased all those fabulous gifts for your littles from our gift guides, you're going to need some equally fabulous paper with which to wrap them. We've been making homemade wrapping paper for years -- generally some combo of kraft paper and artwork -- but I'm really excited to give some of these ideas a try. Yay for homemade holidays!

1 / I love how this momma used white paper (from IKEA -- one of my favorites), which really makes the watercolors pop!

2 / Have the kiddos cut images from magazines or use stamps to make silly faces on the packages.

3 / Make a pattern on an old rolling pin with foam stickers and let the kids have at it.

4 / Use a potato to make an endless variety of shapes and stamp away.

5 / These interactive wraps would be so much for kids to make for one another's presents. I love 'em all.