We have a tradition to help us remember the true Reason for the Season. Lets not forget that we are celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have a small white box that contains our "gifts" to the savior. On Christmas Eve we each put in a "gift", kind of like a new years resolution. It is secret at first and something we have each pondered on deeply. Then on Christmas morning before we see what Santa brought or open any of our gifts, we say a family prayer and then we give our gifts to the Savior, because he should come first. We each read what we are giving him. Things like: This year I will write in my journal every week or this year I will try not to say negative things about myself. Anything that you need to improve upon. Then work on it all year!

The next year you can review them before you give your new gifts and see how you did.

We love this tradition and it really keeps us focused on what Christmas is really all about.

 

First I made simple sugar cookies and cut them into thin slices to look like french fries. Then I made simple vanilla cupcakes and added chopped almonds on top.  While the cupcakes were cooling I mixed up some Cream Cheese frosting.  I added some cocoa to make it brown.  I also used some food coloring to make coconut a lettuce green.  Once the cupcakes had cooled I cut them in half, added a spoonful of frosting and sprinkled on coconut.      

 

My kids loved their North Pole Merry Meals!

I've been making ice wreaths for a few years now. They are so pretty, and if you live somewhere cold they might actually last a while! 

All you need is a bundt cake pan, a few clippings from nature (I got all of mine in my yard), and water. 

Arrange the leaves/berries/apples/etc in the pan, so that you will have a little of everything showing on all sides. Don't forget that the bottom of your pan is what will actually be showing, so make sure you have some berries underneath as well. 

Then just fill it with water and freeze!

Once it is solid, run warm water over the bottom of the cake pan while holding the ice wreath in, and it will slip right out. 

Add a pretty ribbon and hang it outside! I hung mine on my mail box.