Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Top 10 Christmas Crafts the Whole Family Will Enjoy

The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, gather around the table, and craft something magical together. Whether you’re looking to decorate your home, make heartfelt gifts, or simply spend quality time with your loved ones, these 10 Christmas Crafts are fun for all ages and easy to make with simple materials. 



This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more info please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

Crafting together during the holidays isn’t just about making decorations—it’s about making memories. These simple projects bring creativity, laughter, and love into your home. So turn on some Christmas music, pass around the scissors and glitter, and let the holiday spirit shine bright!




10 Christmas Crafts the Whole Family Will Enjoy


1. Salt Dough Ornaments

credit: YummyMummy

Create lasting memories by making your own salt dough ornaments. Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 cup water to form dough. Roll it out, cut shapes with cookie cutters, and bake until hard. Once cool, paint and decorate! Add names and dates for keepsakes you’ll treasure year after year.

Salt Dough Ornaments from Yummy Mummy

2. Pinecone Christmas Trees

credit: KaraLayne


Gather pinecones from the yard and paint them green or give them a whitewash along the outer edges. Glue them onto small wooden bases or bottle caps, then decorate with tiny pom-poms or glitter. These mini trees make adorable table decorations or gifts.

Pinecone Christmas Tree from Kara Layne

 

3. No-Sew Fabric Strips Rag Wreath

A no-sew rag wreath is a perfect addition to compliment your home decor or add to your holiday decorating. Not only is this an affordable craft project but it requires no special skills or tools so just about anyone can make a no-sew fabric strip wreath!

No-Sew DIY Fabric Strip Rag Wreath - from MommySuburbia 


4. DIY Snow Globes

Turn empty jars into magical snow globes! Glue a small figurine or tree to the jar lid, fill the jar with water and glitter, then seal tightly. Give it a shake and watch the snow fall.

DIY Dollar Store Snowglobes - from Little Red Window


5. Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

via: Easy Peasy Creative Ideas


Cut a piece of fabric into strips the tie the strips onto a cinnamon stick leaving about an inch of the cinnamon stick showing at one end. Trim the tied fabric strips at an angle to create a tree shape. Add a piece of twine to the top of the cinnamon stick tree for hanging. These mini trees look rustic and smell amazing on the Christmas tree!

Cinnamon Stick Ornaments - from Easy Peasy Creative Ideas


6. Giant Paper Snowflakes

credit: Craft with Cartwright

A paper snowflakes are a classic that never gets old. These giant paper snowflakes are easy to make and make a big, bold statement! Fold and cut white paper into unique snowflake patterns. Hang them from a window or even from a chandalier for a winter wonderland effect that costs almost nothing but looks beautiful.

Giant 3D Paper Snowflakes - from Craft With Cartwright


7. Reindeer Clothespins

Paint clothespins brown or leave it plain, glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose, and twist brown pipe cleaners for antlers. These little reindeer can clip onto tree branches, gifts, or even holiday cards. They are so adorable you are going to want to make them to give to everyone on your Christmas list this year!

Clothespin Reindeer Christmas Ornaments - from One Little Project


8. 3D Cardboard Christmas Tree

Simply use the provided template to cut out these slide together pieces from sturdy cardboard and you have a small table-top 3D Christmas tree. Paint the cardboard any festive color you like, add small decorations like buttons, sequins, yarn and whatever little items you can use as ornaments to finish this craft. These little trees make cute centerpieces for your holiday spread.

3D Cardboard Christmas Tree - from MommySuburbia


9. Popsicle Stick Christmas Free Picture Frames

Glue popsicle sticks into a triangle, paint them green, and decorate with glitter, sequins, or stickers. Add a family photo and hang them as ornaments or give as gifts to grandparents.

Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree Picture Frame - from Glued to My Crafts Blog


10. Mini Christmas Wreath Ornament

Cut festive holiday fabric into strips, fold the strips in half, loop over a canning jar lid and pull the fabric ends through the loop and pull to tie a knot. Fill the entire circle until you can see the metal of the lid. Add a string for hanging up. A simple, budget-friendly craft perfect for a group or family evening to make!




Holiday Crafting

These fun & easy Christmas crafts make the perfect addition to your holiday crafting day. From DIY gifts to creative décor, each one brings a little more joy—and maybe a little glitter—into your home. So gather the family, turn on a holiday movie, and let your creativity sparkle!

iphone Lumipia Magnetic Cell Phone Stand


Sunday, October 19, 2025

How to Make Orange Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Rods: A Sweet and Salty Treat Everyone Loves

Looking for a fun, easy sweet treat that’s perfect for parties, holidays, or just because? These Orange Chocolate-covered pretzel rods are the ultimate sweet-and-salty snack that everyone can enjoy! They look fancy, taste amazing, and are surprisingly simple to make. Whether you’re making a party snack or just a fun weeknight treat, this recipe will become a go-to favorite.




This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Please see my Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks! 

Orange + Chocolate = a Match Made in Heaven! 

This combo of rich smooth chocolate with pops of sweet orange peel is decadent! No one would ever guess you whipped this fancy gourmet treat up in less than 30 minutes from your very own kitchen. 



What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

  • 1 bag of pretzel rods (the long, sturdy kind)

  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or melting wafers

  • 1–2 teaspoons coconut oil or shortening - (optional - to help the chocolate melt smoothly)

  • Toppings - Holiday Fruit Sweetened Orange Peel (I prefer Paradise Fruit Co. brand)



Tools:

  • Microwave-safe bowls

  • Baking sheet

  • Parchment paper or wax paper



Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Workstation


Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Set out your pretzel rods, toppings, and decorations so everything is within easy reach.

2. Melt the Chocolate


In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each round until smooth. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to make the chocolate silky and easier to coat.

Tip: If you’re using two kinds of chocolate (like milk and white), melt them in separate bowls.

3. Dip the Pretzels

Hold each pretzel rod by one end and dip it into the melted chocolate. Use a spoon to help coat it evenly, covering about two-thirds of the pretzel. Gently tap off any excess chocolate. Place the chocolate-covered pretzel rods on a parchment covered baking sheet.

4. Decorate!

While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle the sweetened orange peel bits pressing gently into the melted chocolate. 


5. Let Them Set

Place the coated pretzels in the refrigerator for about 10–15 minutes or until the chocolate is firm.

6. Drizzle (Optional)

For an extra fancy look, melt some white chocolate and use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle it over the hardened pretzels. Let the drizzle set before serving or packaging.



Serving & Storage Tips

  • Gifting idea: Wrap a few pretzel rods in a clear cellophane bag, tie with a ribbon, and add a gift tag. Perfect for teacher gifts, party favors, or holiday baskets!

  • Serving idea: Stand the pretzels in a glass mason jar or spread them out on a platter. They will look amazing no matter how you serve them!

  • Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (if they last that long!).



Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy — ready in 30 minutes or less

  • Great for kids to help with

  • Perfect for holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Halloween (just change up the toppings!)

  • Budget-friendly and beautiful


Final Tip: Once you make these once, you’ll find endless variations! Try caramel drizzle, crushed pretzels for double crunch, or themed sprinkles for every holiday.

So grab those pretzels, sweetened orange peel and chocolate—because your kitchen is about to smell amazing!

The Paradise Fruit Company provided me with product to test however the recipe and opinions are all mine. 

Friday, October 10, 2025

10 Benefits of Daily Journaling for Kids

In a world full of screens, distractions, and fast-paced schedules, encouraging your child to slow down and reflect can be one of the most powerful habits they build. Journaling is a simple tool that can help your child in so many beneficial ways.



Whether your child is 6 or 16, daily journaling offers a range of emotional, academic, and developmental benefits. It's more than just writing—it’s a doorway into self-awareness, reflection, gratitude, creativity, and growth. Here are 10 great reasons why journaling every day is good for kids:

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more info please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!



10 Powerful Reasons Why Kids Should Journal Every Day


1. Improves Writing Skills

Just like reading, writing gets better with practice. Daily journaling helps children strengthen their grammar, expand their vocabulary, and become more comfortable expressing their ideas on paper. Over time, you’ll likely notice improvements in their schoolwork, too. A short five minutes per day for younger kids is a good starting point. Allow older children more time if they need it!

Recommended Journal: Simply Grateful Daily Gratitude Journal

via: Amazon

2. Encourages Self-Expression

Kids often have big feelings and wild imaginations. A journal gives them a safe, private space to share their thoughts, explore their ideas, and say things they might not feel comfortable saying out loud. It’s a powerful outlet for creativity and honesty. If your child prefers to express themselves with pictures, drawings, or doodles a journal is the perfect outlet for this type of self expression too.

Recommended Journal: Wreck It Journal For Kids


by Sora Vee


3. Builds Emotional Intelligence

Writing about their day helps children better understand what they’re feeling and why. This kind of self-reflection boosts emotional intelligence—an essential skill for handling relationships, stress, and decision-making.

Recommended Journal: How Do I Feel? Emotions Journal For Kids


Find it HERE


4. Supports Mental Health

Journaling can reduce anxiety, calm racing thoughts, remind them of what they are thankful for, and provide emotional relief. When kids get in the habit of writing through their worries or frustrations, they’re learning healthy coping skills that can benefit them for life. Journaling is also a great tool to let your child express what they are grateful for too! Keeping a list of "thankfuls" reminds children of all the positive things going on in their lives

Recommended Journal: Happy Confident Me Daily Journal

Find it HERE


5. Strengthens Memory and Comprehension

Recounting their day helps children process experiences and retain information. It reinforces learning and builds their ability to organize thoughts into logical sequences—a useful skill in both academics and everyday life.

Recommended Journal: Question A Day Journal For Kids

find it Here


6. Promotes Goal Setting

Kids can use their journals to set small goals—like finishing a book, being kinder to a sibling, or learning something new. Writing down these intentions makes them more real, and tracking progress builds motivation and confidence.

Recommended Journal: Growth Mindset Journal for Boys

via E. Sautter


7. Fosters Gratitude

Even a simple daily prompt like “What made me smile today?” can help children shift their focus toward the positive. Gratitude journaling has been linked to increased happiness, better sleep, and a more optimistic outlook for children of all ages.

Recommended Journal: The 5 Minute Gratitude Journal For Kids


via Amazon


8. Increases Focus and Mindfulness

The act of slowing down, picking up a pen, and writing about the present moment helps kids develop mindfulness. It teaches them to pay attention to their thoughts and surroundings—building better focus and emotional balance. A simple lined notebook is a great way to get started.

Recommended Journal: All The Love Notebook


find it here

 

9. Boosts Problem-Solving Skills

When children write about a challenge or tough situation, they often discover their own solutions. Journaling encourages critical thinking and emotional distance, helping them approach problems with a calmer, clearer mindset.

Recommended Journal: Me: A Compendium: A Fill In Journal For Kids

from: Wee Society


10. Creates a Personal History

Over time, a journal becomes a treasured record of a child’s thoughts, dreams, and growth. Looking back on old entries can be a joyful way to reflect on how far they’ve come.




Journaling doesn’t need to be perfect, polished, or even long. A few sentences a day can make a big impact. Whether your child prefers writing by hand, typing on a tablet, or using drawings to share their thoughts—what matters most is building the habit.

So grab a notebook, pick a quiet moment, and invite your child to start writing. You might be surprised at how much they enjoy it—and how much they grow from it.