Handmade Holiday

Money is tight around my house. We've had to make certain sacrifices as a family for me to be able to stay home with the boys again, and the very first thing to go were frivioulous purchases and the extra money that would normally go towards them. We buy in bulk, we at home rather than go out, we use coupons, and Mikes picked up a second part time seasonal job to make Christmas a little better this year.

Better?? Yeah, I said better. I was so stressed out over whether or not we would have enough money to buy the kids presents and be able to put a decent amount of stuff under the tree for them and also be able to buy everyone elses presents (family, teachers, bus driver ect.) that I completely lost any bit of Christmas cheer that I had.

I made a vow to myself to quit stressing out and give as many handmade gifts as I could, because really the way I was acting wasnt fair to my family, especially Brayden and Gage who only see the magic of the season. I want to amplify that while they are young and still believe, not drag them down.

So thanks to a few wonderful friends, a bit of research, a few of my own crafting skills, and a whole lot of love I've complied a bunch of wonderful homemade gifts for everyone, and made my life easier in the process. - Not to mention that the love and thought put into a handmade gift can't be bought at your local mass merchandiser!

Handmade for the Holidays -

In addition to coptic stitched journals (or drawing books as far as my kids are concerned) here are a few other things that I'm making this year

Chocolate Chunk Hot Cocoa Mix (courtesy of Real Simple Magazine)

What You Need:
2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup sugar
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

In a bowl, combine the cocoa, sugar, and chocolate. Store in an airtight container. Keeps at room temperature for up to 4 months.

Handwrite instructions on a gift tag or label:
“In a small saucepan, whisk ¼ cup cocoa mix with ¾ cup milk. Bring to a bare simmer. Serves one.”

Tie a ribbon around the container, looping it through a measuring scoop and the gift tag with the instructions


Yule Have A Ball Ornaments (courtesy of the fabulous AlyGatr)

Check out her amazing tutorial over at the Mama Dramalogues to learn how to make some of these gorgeous ornaments!

Not only did I make some to give away, but I also made a few to hang on our tree as well and have gotten lots of compliments on them, plus they are customizable to the colors of your tree!



Apple Pinwheels
Ingredients
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 8-ounce bar cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface
1/2 cup apple jam/preserves
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons Sugar in the Raw

Directions
1.Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated.

2.Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and gently knead it 2 to 3 times, just to bring it together. Form the dough into two 1-inch-thick squares. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

3.On a lightly floured piece of parchment, roll one of the dough squares into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Spread half the jam over the dough. Cut the dough crosswise into thirds, making three 9-by-4-inch rectangles. Starting from a long side of each rectangle, roll into logs. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough.

4.Heat oven to 350° F. Slice the logs into 1-inch pieces and place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them 1½ inches apart. Brush with the egg and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

5.Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.