Reindeer Dust { A Christmas Tradition }

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Reindeer Dust or Food has been one of our longest running Christmas traditions.  We've been making it for 11 years and the kids look forward to it year after year.

 

 

Here is what you will need to make your own:

 

Plain Oatmeal or Rolled Oats

Red Sugar Sprinkles

Green Sugar Sprinkles

Small Zip Plastic Baggies

Glaze Pens

Printed Cardstock

Solid White or Kraft Cardstock

Printer

Cricut(optional)

Cricut Jolly Holiday's cartridge

Stapler

Tape Runner

 

This year we created fun embellishments for the tops of the bags by cutting out reindeer with the Cricut using the Jolly Holiday's cartridge.  I cut out 75 reindeer and 75 red scarves.

 

 

While I cut everything out on the Cricut, the kiddos got right to bagging the dust!  You will want to fill each baggie up about 3/4 of the way full (you can use any size bag) and then add 1 Teaspoon of Red and 1 teaspoon of green sugar sprinkles.  We do NOT use glitter since you will be putting this outside where critters can ingest the glitter and can be harmful.

 

 

 

Once all of the reindeer were cut I used Glaze Pens to add a black dot for the eye and red for the sweet little nose.

 

 

Using my Tape Runner I attached the red scarves onto each reindeer.  It seems tedious, but it goes really fast!

 

 

I don't have a picture of this step.  I cut a fancy square on the cricut 4.5"x4.5" (you can use a regular square), folded it in half and stapled it to the top of each bag.  I created a printable in Word to fit my baggies that reads:

 

Just Sprinkle on the lawn at night,

The moon will make it sparkle bright.

As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,

this treat will guide them to your home.

 

You can change it, add to it and add a personal message at the end if you wish!

 

Using my tape running I placed adhesive along the top of my poem and slipped it under the paper topper on the bag.

 

 

And again, using the tape runner I attached the reindeer and then you are DONE!

 

 

These ones were created to match the Winter Wonderland theme for the classroom party in First grade that you can read about here.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by today.   Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest, and you can find me on Instagram and Periscope @OneThriftyChick and on Twitter @JennJSheffler.

Come Join me weekly at the following Parties:

 

Monday: I should be mopping the floor, Home Stories A to Z, Sugar Bee Crafts, Carrie this home, 

                Mad in Crafts

Tuesday:  The DIY Dreamer, The Winthrop Chronicles, Thrifty Décor Chick

Wednesday: Gingersnap Crafts,

Thursday: A Glimpse Inside, The Pin Junkie, The Answer is Chocolate, Imparting Grace, Meadow Lake Road

Friday: Remodelaholic, The Shabby Nest, Serenity Now, The Crafted Sparrow , Tatertots & Jello, Just Us Four, The Pin Junkie, My Turn For Us

Saturday: I heart Naptime,  Flamingo Toes, Sew Many Ways,

Christmas Tree 2015 { plus mystery presents }

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Red Turquoise and White OH MY!

 

I am in love with this years whimsical non-traditional theme.

 

Each year I attend a ladies ornament exchange, and last December this cute little guy is who I walked away with.  He quickly became the color scheme for this years tree.  How cute is that?  Department 56 is the brand and can be found at Macys.

I have gathered decorations over the last year for this theme as well as pulled some from past trees.  Yes, I am one of those that does a new tree each year, and I LOVE it.  Don't worry, the kiddos get their own tree to decorate with the sentimental ornaments.

Almost all of my decorations come from Real Deals on Home Décor in Eugene, with the exception of a few from big box stores on clearance.

This year I really only had to buy the turquoise color.  I had most of the red and all of the white from trees in the past.

I caved and went with a real tree, and  I am loving the smell it creates in the house, now let's hope I can keep it alive.

 I snagged the stockings for $5 each at local craft store and was so close to having 5 different patterns.  I am ok with the fact that each of the kids have their own, and the hubs and I match. 

 

For the tree topper I gathered some fun spray stems and created a burst out of the top.  I tend to do this each year, again a way to save cost on new tree themes each year.  Tree toppers can also get pretty spendy!

 

 

We use 3M Command hooks for our stockings each year.  One way to afford changing out the theme each year is by eliminating stocking holders.  Those can get pricey and you can't always guarantee they will match the theme.  Plus it leaves more space to decorate on the mantel.

 I did buy these fun glitter trees at Real Deals for under $10 and love what they look like on the mantel.  I am happy I snagged them before they sold out.

For the backdrop of the mantel, I took this last minute cheap junky not well made wood lattice piece and painted it turquoise.  I knew I didn't want to take my "S" down so I wanted to create a backdrop that would make it pop. 

 

I used paint I had on hand, and then hot glued a red glitter bow from Target's Dollar Spot onto the front!  I love the pop it gives!

The blue glitter JOY was a last minute purchase from Wal-Mart, and for some reason, I just couldn't walk away without it, and I am glad I didn't.

 

Maybe you don't have a Real Deals near you?  You can always check out Amazon, they have a great selection of décor!

 

Wondering what the "Mystery Present" portion of this post is?   Do you have older kids?  Do they try year after year to guess what each present is?  Do they keep track of who has more presents?  Do they compare the size of gifts with each other? 

 

Well if you answered YES to any of those questions, then this is for you! 

 

I decided that this year I would number each present 1-? wherever we end on Christmas eve.  In these pictures I hadn't put ribbons and bows on the packages quite yet, but wanted to show you what I have done.

 

For the entire month of December our tree will have several presents underneath and no one will know who they are for!  The kids thought they each had a number and were trying to figure that out, until I didn't stop at #3.

 

 

On Christmas morning, one of the kids will be selected to be the "elf helper" and pass out presents from under the tree.  This is also going to eliminate the need for tags (except on gifts for family that will be leaving the house) which will save cost.  Because once again, my wrapping paper matches the tree each year.

 

 

I wrote the numbers on the back side, so you will not see them when they are under the tree. 

 

 

How do I know which number belongs to which kid?  I have the master list in my phone hidden, where no one will know to look.  If they do happen to find it, I have stuff abbreviated and coded so they would still have a hard time figuring it out.  I think this idea is brilliant!!

  

 

I would love to know if you are going to try my mystery present method and how it works for you!

 

Back to the last couple pics of the house.  I have this old window in my living room that I love to decorate, and I found this great banner at Real Deals that matches perfectly!

 

 

Here is the living room with no lights on. It is such a magical place at night, and it smells lovely!

 

 

And for good measure, here is a look at the last 4 years of trees in our living room.  I always wanted a mantel (which I have only had for 5 years now) and I love decorating it year after year!

 

 

Here are a few of my Holiday post's from the past, click the links and check them out!

 

 

DIY Utensil Holders & Runner

 

Vintage Theme Christmas

 

Winter Wonderland Classroom Party

 

 

Thank you for stopping by today.   Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest, and you can find me on Instagram and Periscope @OneThriftyChick and on Twitter @JennJSheffler.

Come Join me weekly at the following Parties:

 

Monday: I should be mopping the floor, Home Stories A to Z, Sugar Bee Crafts, Carrie this home, 

                Mad in Crafts

Tuesday:  The DIY Dreamer, The Winthrop Chronicles, Thrifty Décor Chick

Wednesday: Gingersnap Crafts, OhMy-Creative

Thursday: A Glimpse Inside, The Pin Junkie, The Answer is Chocolate, Imparting Grace, Meadow Lake Road

Friday: Remodelaholic, The Shabby Nest, Serenity Now, The Crafted Sparrow , Tatertots & Jello, Just Us Four, The Pin Junkie, My Turn For Us

Saturday: I heart Naptime,  Flamingo Toes, Sew Many Ways,

Oh Vintage Tree, Oh Vintage Tree...... { Christmas Tree DIY }

How lovely are your branches?  I think might are mighty lovely if I do say so myself!

As a full time working mom, my only time to snap photos (other than on the weekend when of course nothing is complete) is after the sun has gone down.  So Here are some night shots, I apologize they aren't the greatest!

 

I started my tree using some brown kraft paper garland that has printed music notes... I used 3 strands and wrapped them all the way down the tree.   

 

Then I grabbed a fun banner from one of my favorite antique shops in town, it Read's "Joy Noel Nest" which is perfect for someone that has a love for all things birds and nests!  (just ask the hubs)

Once I had the banners on, I took a step back and realized I needed some more filler.... well I was in the middle of working on a gift for my mom (she's reading this, so I cannot tell you what it is) and I had a ton of sewing patterns that were not going to get used.... alas, bunch them up and throw them into the tree, and it was love at first sight!!  Can I do this every year please??

I found these fun ornaments at a bazaar that we just happened upon one weekend and I am so glad we did!  I love them!  I bought 8 of them in all sizes......

And next year if I want, I can take out the buttons and put something else in there!!  Score!

I am sure you have seen these all over blogland, but again, I needed some more ornaments, and the theme this year was thrifted or handmade... so i whipped these babies up in about 15 minutes... walla!

Ok, so I have to confess... I had GREAT intentions of making these ornaments... but in November we went to the above mentioned favorite shop for their Holiday Open House, which was amazing if I might say so myself... live carolers and all.... ok back to the ornaments. 

 

While shopping my dear friend literally yelled "Oh my goodness Jenn... look and they are only $1.25!!!!"  Ok, well she had me at $1.....  I mean truly would you have made them yourself if you could buy them completed for that cheap??  SOLD!  I bought about 10 of them in all different shapes and sizes!

Here is one of the designs I did make on my own....  I see scrabble tile ornaments all over pinterest, and had to give my own taste a try.... I love them!

Here are a few other variations of the button ornaments...

My Tree topper was another score from the Christmas in the Barn shop in Shedd Oregon!  $4... hello lovely? wrap it up and take it home!  Again, the time it would take to make that is worth so much more, so I was a happy shopper to find it for $4

I added a couple of things to the mantle and snapped a couple more photos....  I kind of want to keep this year round I love it so much!

This will show you the Joy Noel Nest garland a little better.  I forgot to mention it before, but I cut the garland into 4 sections, and snipped the ends to give it a more finished look.  Then I used the smaller sections and placed them in the tree to look more like little ribbons rather than garland....

And just a little peek at my stockings... (truth be told... my living room was a mess and I couldn't get a good picture of all the stockings...)  They are a Ballard Design Knockoff!

 

I am so happy you stopped by!  I hope you are having a wonderful handmade holiday season.  Merry Christmas from Oregon!!

Thank you to my readers for stopping by today.   Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest, and you can find me on Instagram and Periscope @OneThriftyChick and on Twitter @JennJSheffler.

Come Join me weekly at the following Parties:

 

Monday: I should be mopping the floor, Home Stories A to Z, Sugar Bee Crafts, Carrie this home, 

                Mad in Crafts

Tuesday:  The DIY Dreamer, The Winthrop Chronicles, Thrifty Décor Chick

Wednesday: Gingersnap Crafts,

Thursday: A Glimpse Inside, The Pin Junkie, The Answer is Chocolate, Imparting Grace, Meadow Lake Road

Friday: Remodelaholic, The Shabby Nest, Serenity Now, The Crafted Sparrow , Tatertots & Jello, Just Us Four, The Pin Junkie, My Turn For Us

Saturday: I heart Naptime,  Flamingo Toes, Sew Many Ways,