Use this unique and colorful set ofAutumn Woodland cookie cutters to make Fall and Thanksgiving sugar cookies! This 5-piece set can be used as Fondant Cutters / Fall Cake Decoration / Plastic Cookie Cutters / Thanksgiving Baking Tools.
These seasonal cookie cutters can be found in the Etsy Shop called ShapemCom. This shop is run by Nadia of Miami, who makes silicone & plastic molds for your favorite hobbies.
The Fall season also includes the holiday of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Shapem has just the right cookie cutters for Christmas, such as this Santa Cookie Cutter. The shop also has snowball and a mitten cookie cutter perfect for your Christmas themed cookies.
For more fun Autumn/Fall/Seasonal cookie cutters, check out the Top Gift Ideas for Women from Fred & Friends in the article Top Gift Ideas for Women by Louanne Cox. Nothing like Zombie style (Already Been Chewed) gingerbread MAN cookie CUTTERS to generate some interesting party-time conversation!
Use these and other seasonal cookie cutters with a sugar cookie recipe, such as this one for The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies which can be found online at AllRecipes! Your cookie jar (and your family) will be happy you did.
Cookies Throughout the Autumn Season
With the wide variety of cookie cutters available in fun shapes, your cookie jar will be filled with sugar cookies for every occasion throughout the Fall season, including Halloween and Thanksgiving, and even into Christmas.
Happy Baking!
National Cookie Cutter Week is
The First Week in December
Written by (c) Wednesday Elf on 10/29/2016. Updated 10/7/2021.
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To be completely honest, I didn't really know what to expect when "Krampus" was the family choice Christmas movie this year. From the trailers, it seemed scary and macabre to me. It certainly didn't seem like the perfect family Christmas movie. However, I survived the viewing and I am here to tell you, it was actually pretty awesome.
There is an underlying lesson that we all need to hear and consider. It just might change how we interact with the people we love and often seem to take for granted. Have you ever criticized the food choice, the clothing choice, the decor choice, the table setting choice, anything about the family Christmas day celebration? Or have you been the criticized host, hostess or attendee? If so, you will totally get the message of the movie. Of course, you may have just observed these bad actions. If that is the case, you will have no trouble grasping the plot. I suspect we can all identify in one way or another. Perhaps, even cheer the Krampus. You see, Krampus is a rather evil dude who comes in place of Santa to those who have been, shall we say, "naughty". He even brings evil toys and minion elves with him.
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The History of Krampus
Krampus
is an old folklore figure that resembles the image of the devil we are
all accustomed to seeing. He has cloven hooves and goat horns. He is a
hairy "devil" with a long tongue.
In the old tales, he is the
antithesis of Santa and punishes children who have been bad. In the
movie, he is referred to as the "shadow of Santa".
Making it Personal
I never like to ruin a movie for anyone by giving away too much of the plot, so in this case I am going to give a personal example. Just this year, my mother spent a day before Christmas helping me wrap gifts. I always enjoy the time with my Mom. I can be just "me" with Mom, which makes these laborious activities much easier. However, I am still always tired by the end of the day.
As it was getting dark, Dad came in and offered to take us to look at the Christmas lights. I confess, I was still in my pajamas. I honestly can't remember if Mom and I stopped for lunch or if we just snacked all day when hunger pains hit. At first, I grumbled to myself that I didn't want to go look at stupid Christmas lights. Then I thought, but it would make a fantastic opportunity to take pictures. So, I grabbed my house shoes and camera and jumped in the car.
When we got to the town square, I was literally overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the entire square decorated with garland, ribbons and lights. I wanted to take pictures from the car, but there were cars parked in the way, so I grumbled about the cars being in the way. Dad drove around the square to give us a view of the lights from every angle and to find a good photo spot. As he was cruising around, this woman slowly crossed the street in front of us, because she was looking at the lights as she walked and not the traffic. I grumbled about how people really needed to pay attention to cars to avoid being run over. After all, the driver of the car could be looking at lights too. Than, a toddler came running toward the street. (Remember the cars were parked in every parking spot and the child could only be seen due to movement catching our eyes.) I grumbled that parents really needed to be watching their children.
It was at this point, that I recognized myself that every word out of my mouth since we got in the car had be negative. I started laughing and said, "grumble, grumble, grumble! Bah, Humbug! I guess I am going the spend the whole holiday grumbling!" My parents laughed. You see, they know me well and take my grumbling in stride.
I used this real life illustration because the grumbling and criticizing others is exactly the kind of attitude and action that would bring the Krampus to MY Chimney!
Just so you know, I never got that picture, but I did get a Filet O' Fish from McDonalds on the way home. Wait! That is not truly accurate. I got 2 Filet O' Fish sandwiches. I felt much better after getting out of the house for a bit, spending time with my parents, looking at the beautiful Christmas lights, and eating. Go Back in Your Hole, Krampus!
Krampus, the Movie
The movie starts with an exaggerated version of something we have all experienced. Christmas shopping and how crazy people get over getting the "last", the "only", the "must haves". The children's Christmas play is interrupted by a fight between children. The mall Santa Clause is shown to be a pervert. And then, the out of town family arrives, with surprises! Seriously, don't people know you don't surprise the hostess at Christmas!!!
When Max's letter to Santa is read at the dinner table, Max is embarrassed, upset that his private thoughts had been shared with the entire family, and deeply distressed that others were hurt by those words. He destroys the letter and throws it out the window. It is immediately gathered into the sky. What happens next will scare the Christmas socks right off your feet!
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This is the day we have all been anticipating, preparing for, and looking forward to for weeks, even months. Many of us are celebrating with our families and friends, but regardless of how you are spending your day, or who you are spending it with, the Contributors of Review This want to take a moment to wish you and yours a very, merry Christmas!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Beautifully put together, Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons was written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jane Dyer. It is the perfect addition to your holiday library and will allow you to introduce your young children to vocabulary words like 'tradition' and 'celebrate' and provide a basic guide to good manners in certain social situations. Savor the wisdom along with the illustrations that will have you and your children dreaming of sugarplums!
This book includes twenty-two simple lessons that are appropriate for all ages...
TRADITION means each year at the same time we make the same cookies and wear our special matching aprons.
GRACIOUS means putting out a plate for our special guest.
CELEBRATE means time to get out the sprinkles!
While appropriate for all, this book is really aimed at children in preschool up to Grade 2.
Each page or two-page spread is illustrated with children demonstrating the word and/or lesson and each page features added characters for an extra touch of whimsy. I love the mice that the book opens with, the bunnies at the kitchen table, the lion in the dining room and the elves lending a helping hand. I have no doubt that you and your children will also love this book, too.
Amazon reviewer Cherry Ames says:
"If you have ever grappled with explaining an abstract concept to children, like tradition, disappointed or the all-important sharing, then Amy Rosenthal and Jane Dyer's cookie books are for you. Through the simple analogies of baking and eating cookies, which is something children can easily relate to, Rosenthal explains those sometimes difficult-to-understand ideas/values like gratitude, appreciative, gracious, and many more."
"Jane Dyer's soft, expressive child/animal illustrations complement and illustrate the concepts. The 'Christmas Cookies' book includes holiday-related words like joy, believe, celebrate and peace. Both of these titles are excellent choices for a child 3-6 years of age."
WHO IS AMY KROUSE ROSENTHAL?
Amy Krouse Rosenthal is perhaps most well known for her memoir called Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life which was very well received everywhere because of its unusual format and its wit with regard to the ordinary stuff of daily life. It was one of Amazon's top 10 memoirs in 2005. She has also published 11 children's books with plans for many more.
What Christmas lessons will you share with your children this year? Or what were the important lessons you taught your children when they were young? Do you think this book would be helpful?
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It is the week before Christmas and I am already surrounded by my family, but there is someone missing. 9 years ago my brother died. During the holidays, when he should be
here with us, the grief washes over me and I, once again, mourn the
death of my beloved brother. The holidays should be joyous and for the most part they really are
festive. There is a lot of family togetherness and laughter. Ironically,
it is when we are all laughing that I hear the voice in my mind of one
that is no longer laughing with us. If ever there was anyone who loved
to laugh, loved life, loved family, and loved Christmas, it would be my
brother. I wonder if there will ever be a Christmas that I don't remember and grieve his absence. The photo above is from my own personal photo album. It was taken on
Christmas day, several years ago and is an actual photo of my brother
and grandmother together.
I Miss You Most at Christmas Time by Mariah Carey
Several
years ago, at Christmas, I heard "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" by Mariah Carey. My tenderhearted brother was with me then and we joined
together as we cried and grieved the death and separation from our
grandmother. It never occurred to me that his would be the next
family death and that when I heard the song again, it would be him that I
would be missing.
After
my tears are spent, I recall the promise made by our Savior, Jesus
Christ, thousands of years ago and I regain the strength to step into
the next moment of my life.
John 6:38-40
"For I have come
down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent
me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that of all that He has
given me, I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is
the will of my Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in
him shall have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last
day."
I
find great comfort in that scripture passage and in His promise. I am not wishing
my life away, for there is work yet for me to do, but I know that one
day I will be reunited with my brother and all who have gone before me.
The photo of the dove is of a stained glass window in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. I shall never forget the first time I ever saw that window. It was brilliant! I loved that window and took lots of photos before we left. I can't adequately describe the magnificence and awe of seeing that window in person or the sense of longing and adoration it evokes. The image of the sun lite stained glass dove stayed in my mind's eye long after we left Rome. When we were designing my brother's monument, that was the image that came to mind. As you can see, the monument artist was able to replicate the image on the monument from the photo. The inscription is a quote from the sonnet "Death, be Not Proud", written by John Donne. I truly believe that it is death that dies when we wake eternally.
I
wrote this article about myself and my own personal thoughts, but I also recognize that there are many among us who are grieving during the holidays. It is my
sincere desire that these words may also comfort others who are grieving.
May the One who bottles your tears, comfort you now!
Scripture reference: Psalms 56:8
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Every year, hundreds of puppies are bought for children as a Christmas present and every year right after Christmas, shelters see an increase in the numbers of animals given up.
A new furry friend is NOT a great gift at a time when everyone's attention is more focused on the "big picture". Little puppies get lost in the confusion and hullabaloo that is happening during the melee of opening presents.
They are new to this whole world of ours and bringing them into the middle of it during the holidays is really unfair to a little bundle of fur that just wants to be loved, cuddled, kept safe and gently explore it's new home and new family.
If, after all the warnings not to, you are determined to bring a puppy or kitten as a gift, there is a way to do it that will keep everyone happy and excited, without being a major trauma to the animal involved in your choice.
Presumably, the kids have all mentioned that they wanted a pet to begin with. To that end, if a new puppy or kitten is on the way to your family, start by preparing your family first for the newest member.
Along with some toys for the kids (a stuffed dog or cat), make sure there are books for each one of them, about caring and training a pet.
Buy them dog/cat dishes, dog/cat toys, dog/cat treats, a bag of good quality puppy or kitten food.
Wrap a flattened dog crate, or kitty carrier and address it to one of the kids. A leash, harness, and tags would be another great gift.
A Puppy Starter Kit would be a nice bundle to give to the whole family!
And then when everyone is wondering what the heck it all means, take the video you made, when you visited the Dog/Cat Breeder and show them the newest member of their family. Give each of the kids a "ticket" to ride in the car on the day after New Years or later, to go and collect their new furry friend. Make arrangements with the Breeder ahead of time, to give the children a lesson or two about caring for their new pet. Most reputable breeders will be more than happy to help along, because they want their puppies to be happy and well adjusted as well. When I got my dog, the breeder was more than happy to give the puppy a bath, show me how to care for his coat and let me help to dry him and brush him. She was pleased that I was interested in his well being before I even got him home. She had valuable experience with puppies and could help me make his transition to my home much smoother. Having a puppy is like having a baby, there are all kinds of things to learn.
By that time, hopefully most of the Christmas things will have been put away and the new fur baby will have a safe place to call his new home. Tinsel and cookies and candy lying around with a new puppy, could spell disaster. So it's better to wait. Not only will those dangers be gone, but, the children, having settled in with their new toys, will find time for the newest member of the family too!
This little video (click on the link) will help you understand a little more about:
Remember, that while getting an animal for Christmas (or later) is wonderful, they are a commitment for years to come, not just over the holidays. This is a living and breathing being that requires love, companionship, exercise and food. He is like a new member of the family and deserves to be treated with the utmost respect.
Do it right and your family will have Christmas memories to last a lifetime and a dog or cat, that will fill each year with happiness and joy.......
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I love the song "O Holy Night." It is truly my favorite Christmas song, and it may well be my all time favorite song because of the beautiful message. The easy words and beautiful melody draw me in, sooth my soul and remind me of the real reason I celebrate Christmas.
As we move through the holidays at a breakneck pace, it is so easy to forget where our focus should be. Singing this song always brings me right back to the reason why I sing, the reason why I love Christmas, and the One whose birth I celebrate above all others.
The History of "O Holy Night"
Would you believe the original poem used to write the lyrics for this song was written in 1847 by a wine merchant who wrote poetry as a hobby?
That alone reminds me that God can use anyone to do the most exceptional things. 150 years later we are still singing "O Holy Night" and being touched by the message of the words of a recreational poet.
O Holy Night Sung by Faith Hill
"O Holy Night" Lyrics as sung by Faith Hill
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
The thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night, O night divine!
Midnight, Christians, it's the solemn hour,
When God-man descended to us
To erase the stain of original sin
And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Savior.
People kneel down, wait for your deliverance.
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!
The ardent light of our Faith,
Guides us all to the cradle of the infant,
As in ancient times a brilliant star
Conducted the Magi there from the orient.
The King of kings was born in a humble manger;
O mighty ones of today, proud of your grandeur,
It is to your pride that God preaches.
Bow your heads before the Redeemer!
Bow your heads before the Redeemer!
The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle:
The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.
He sees a brother where there was only a slave,
Love unites those that iron had chained.
Who will tell Him of our gratitude,
For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.
People stand up! Sing of your deliverance,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!
Adams via Wikamedia Commons
The Music of "O Holy Night"
The music for "O Holy Night" was composed by Adolphe Charles Adam, a prolific writer and composer. Adolphe Charles Adam was the son of a concert pianist and was trained from a very early age in music and piano. He wrote his first opera in his mid-twenties and two operas per year thereafter. After failed investments in a new Opera House in France, Adam was rescued from certain poverty by the Paris Conservatory who appointed him as a professor of music where he taught until the time of his death.
O Holy Night Sung by Josh Groban
"O Holy Night" Lyrics as sung by Josh Groban
O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born!
Oh night divine! Oh night! Oh night divine!
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother,
and in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his holy name.
Christ is the lord, that ever, ever praise we.
Noel! Noel! Oh night;oh night divine!
Noel! Noel! Oh night; oh night divine!
Noel! Noel! Oh night; oh night divine!
Fessenden via Wikimedia Commons
"O Holy Night" Published, Translated and First Song Broadcast on the Radio
"O Holy Night" was originally published in French and entitled "Christian Midnight." John Dwight, an ordained Unitarian minister and great promoter of European classical music, translated "Christian Midnight" into the English hymn, "O Holy Night." "O Holy Night" was the first song broadcast over the radio. It aired on December 24, 1906 when an Canadian Inventor named Reginald Fessenden, pictured on right, broadcast the first AM radio program in which he played the song on his violin. Needless to say, I applaud his selection on song to share with the world.
To Purchase Your Own Copy of the Featured Vocalist
Plus, If You Would Like to Learn the History of More Hymns, I Recommend the Featured Book Below
May You All Be Blessed by the One Who Was Born on that Holy Night!
O Holy Night Music Review Written by:
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Sometimes during the holiday season we can get so busy with all of our Christmas planning, decorating, shopping and baking that we forget to take the time to stop and enjoy the season. I like to do something different each year that helps me to relax and enjoy the season. On this page I will review the activity for this year, a "Photo Walk" on a popular historic street all decorated for Christmas. For our walk, I met with four other photographers in the historic area of St. Charles, Missouri. We met at the old train depot on the riverfront.
St. Charles is located on the Missouri river on the eastern side of the state of Missouri. It is just west of the St. Louis area. St. Charles served as the first capitol of the state of Missouri from 1821-1826. Today the main street area is a popular tourist attraction with lots of shops and restaurants. They go all out for Christmas with lots of decoration throughout the historic area.
Our group spent a couple of hours wandering through the area with our cameras and stopping to take photos of anything we found interesting. We then stopped at a restaurant to enjoy some time together reviewing our morning and discussing photography. It was a great way to relax and meet new friends.
I was interested in all of the beautiful wreaths hanging on the storefronts. I photographed many of them and made the collage below of the different wreaths.
An interesting building we stopped at just off Main street was a reproduction of the first church in St. Charles. The first church was a Catholic church built in 1791 called San Carlos Borromeo. The reproduction was done using the same type tools as the original.
I took nearly 200 photos during the morning. Here are a few of my favorites.
Shops along Main Street. I love the cobblestone streets and walks.
An old sleigh, decorated and sitting on a door stoop.
May you enjoy your preparations for the Christmas season and take some time to unwind as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.
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Around the holidays you will find me happily creating all sorts of treats in my kitchen. I love to make cookies and treats to give away as gifts and to also have on hand when family and friends stop by. I do believe that if I ever decided to skip the Christmas Wreath Marshmallow treats on any given year, I would be disowned by my family. They absolutely love them!
Mine do not really look like a wreath because I've gotten lazy over the years and don't take the time to form them into circles so, really, mine are more like Holly clumps with berries. It doesn't matter really whether they look like a wreath or not, it is that yummy buttery marshmallow taste that grabs them every single time. I also do not use the traditional cinnamon red hots for the berries, either. Instead, I substitute those little red hots with red M&M's.
Why the substitution, you might ask? Well, truth be told I start making my Christmas cookies and treats in September and October and I found that it is extremely difficult to find the little cinnamon candies at that time of the year. So, I decided to use red M&M's one year and my family actually likes that added bite of chocolate better than the cinnamon.
2 tablespoons cinnamon red hot candies (or red M&M's)
Directions for making:
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a low heat. Add the marshmallows and cook until they are completely melted. Stir this mixture constantly so that the butter does not start to burn. Remove from the heat and stir in the food coloring, vanilla and cornflakes cereal.
Quickly drop the mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. You can form them into wreath shapes with lightly buttered fingers. Decorate with red hot candies (or my substitute). Allow to cool to room temperature before removing from the waxed paper. Store in an airtight container. They can be frozen!
A Few Tips For This Recipe
I do not recommend substituting the butter with margarine or a butter substitute. It will dramatically change the taste of your treats. Real butter works better with the marshmallows and if you are concerned about calories, well the butter is not the biggest culprit in this mixture. Trust me, use butter.
I make mine in my 6 quart dutch oven pan. It is large enough to accommodate the 4 cups of cornflakes and it is much easier to mix the ingredients together in.
Work quickly when dropping the mixture on the waxed paper from the pan. The marshmallow begins to set-up rather fast as it begins to cool. I do not recommend keeping the pan on the heat because it will begin to burn.
I also do not recommend trying to double this recipe. Although, you certainly have enough marshmallows and cornflakes to do a double batch; it is too difficult to get everything stirred and mixed together and then onto the waxed paper before it cools too much to work with.
Normally, I fix one batch and do my clean up (the pan gets pretty messy with green marshmallow residue!) and then in a day or two, I make the second batch. It is totally up to you as to how you approach it but one thing I would not attempt is to do a second batch in the pan that still has green melted marshmallow in it. That residue will burn while you are melting your butter and that ruins the second batch. Now, why do you think I know that? Hmmm? I learned the hard way that some shortcuts are just not worth trying when it comes to cooking!
If your family loves Rice Krispies Treats, they will love these Christmas Wreath treats! The cornflakes give it a slightly different taste but they are really good!
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I feel as if I have always known Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang. They were not only a part of my own childhood years, but they were a part of my husband's childhood. Of course, we introduced them to our children when they were little too. Therefore, our household has literally had decades of being entertained, and multiple generations taught, by the magnificent Charles Schulz characters.
In 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" made it's debut on television.
It is one of the Christmas classics that I must watch every year. I
even find myself singing or humming "Christmastime is Here" while I am
cooking or decorating our tree.
The Peanuts gang is an
entertaining group for every age and every member of the family.
Watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" together is a wonderful family
tradition.
Each year, my heart is touched by the message shared in this Christmas classic to such a degree that anyone watching me would think I had never seen the show before.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Ice Skating Party
The opening scenes of everyone ice skating are beautiful with the snow falling and the loving sense of happiness. The theme song softly plays in the background. As I mentioned earlier, it is such a simple melody, that it often plays in my mind throughout the Christmas holiday.
While they are walking to the ice, Charlie Brown is telling Linus about his general depression surrounding the holidays and his own lack of understanding for his absence of excitement and enthusiasm. (You can view that in the video scene below)
Did You Know?
When A Charlie Brown Christmas was made, the producers broke a lot of unwritten rules.
* No canned laughter was inserted
* References to the Bible were used to reinforce the true meaning of the season
* Real children did the voices of the gang instead of adults talking like children
Setting the Stage for "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
Moving past the tranquil opening scenes, we find Charlie Brown seeking advice from Lucy about his holiday depression. Lucy takes her station in the lemonade stand as a Psychiatrist to help
Charlie Brown determine why he is depressed. In an effort to help, she
appoints him as the Christmas play director.
Meanwhile, the beloved beagle, Snoopy, sets out to win a decorating contest by decorating his dog house. Even
though Charlie Brown detests the commercialism of it all, the dog house
really is very pretty when it is decorated and later wins 1st place in the
competition.
"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"
~ Charlie Brown from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
The Christmas Play
When it is announced that Charlie Brown will be the Christmas play director several people, including Snoopy, express disappointment.
Lucy takes over and assigns everyone their parts and the practices begin. Then, Lucy sends Charlie Brown and Linus to bring back a Christmas Tree for the play.
The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
It's so sad...
Against Linus' objection, Charlie Brown chooses the Christmas tree that needs him. Of course, he is laughed at and criticized by his peers when he returns with a real tree instead of a modern aluminum tree.
It is at this point that Linus steals the show with his description of what Christmas is really all about. His eloquent delivery of the true Christmas story is the reason why this show rates as one of my Christmas favorites.
Heeding Linus' words Charlie Brown determines not to let commercialism ruin his Christmas. He takes his little tree home to decorate it. After using one ornament from Snoopy's decorated dog house, the little tree bends under the weight of the ornament. Charlie Brown believes he has killed the little tree and walks away even more depressed than before.
Again at Linus' suggestion, the gang comes together to show a little love and decorates Charlie Brown's tree. When Charlie Brown sees what his friends have done for him and for his tree of course, he is overjoyed. The entire group breaks into song: "Hark the Herald Angel's Sing".
Amazing isn't it? Charles Schulz was actually allowed to make a Christmas story that tells of Christ's birth and it became a classic.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Movie Review
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Whether you are already a Grandma or a Grandma in waiting, I'll just bet one of the things that you love to have around the house for children (actual kids or the adults in touch with their inner child) who visit are cookies. Now, it is one thing to just have the cookies available and it is totally another thing to have a special cookie jar for the children to get the cookies from. One of my fondest memories of my own Grandmother's house is her cookie jar. For one thing, it never ever seemed empty. Hers was not a fancy one, it was very simple, actually. As the Grandma to 5 precious little ones, I am carrying on the tradition and making sure that there are always cookies in a cookie jar when they come to visit. Oh who am I kidding? There are always cookies in my cookie jar!
I Might Have A Problem
Unlike my Grandma, I have this penchant for fun cookie jars. I like to have ones on display that follow with the seasons of the year. It is a weakness of mine, I admit, but a fun little hobby just the same. In my opinion, one can not have too many cookie jars.
So, last year my Christmas themed cookie jar accidentally got broken. No, it wasn't one of the kids who broke the lid but one of the adult kids who dropped it on the floor. Was I angry? Oh no! The breaking of the lid offered up the opportunity to find a new one. I love the thrill of the hunt, don't you know!
I've been looking around and finally found the perfect replacement for my Christmas Cookie Jar.
This is perfect for me to place the cookies in! It is so very cute and festive and large enough to hold several cookies, brownies and other sweet treats. I love that it looks like it is a part of Santa's Village and I will tell the kids that Mrs. Claus and the elves have been busy keeping the jar as full as possible.
How do I keep the jar full? Well, as much as I would appreciate Mrs. C and the elves help, they don't come through for me. So, I bake the cookies up ahead of time and freeze them. I can pull out a variety at any time. I start as early as October and keep them in empty coffee tins separated by waxed paper. This Grandma/Mom never runs out of cookies. And listen, if you don't enjoy baking like I do that is really not a problem. You can always buy an abundant supply at the store bakery or on the cookie aisle of the grocery. The cookie police are not going to come arrest you if the cookies and treats are not made in your own kitchen.
Besides traditional Christmas cookies, I also make up batches of Buckeyes, those wonderful peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate! Those are my favorites even though technically they are a candy and not a cookie. I also make batches of what I call "wreaths" which are a form of Rice Krispie treats with a twist. Instead of the rice krispies I use corn flakes, put green food coloring in the marshmallow mixture and top with red M&M's. They kind of look like holly leaves and berries.
How about you? Do you have a special Christmas Cookie jar in your home? What kinds of cookies do you like to have stored in them?
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Pets are an important part of the family, but unlike your children, they can't make special ornaments to hang on the tree. They can, however, have their pictures displayed on customized ornaments you can create at Zazzle. You know your cat or dog (or rabbit or bird or turtle or whatever pet you have) is full of personality. You probably have a memorable picture of your pet on your computer right now, just waiting to be made into an ornament or decorative tile. The process is simple Just follow my links to Zazzle and use my easy directions to customize. I used a former neighbor's cat, Eldon, as my model, since I don't have any pets at this time. Eldon has already crossed the Rainbow Bridge. An ornament is a great way to memorialize him, as you might want to do for a pet who is no longer with you. During the holidays, we miss those who are gone the most. That certainly includes our pets.
And don't forget your friends. Maybe you have a pet sitter who would like an ornament or decorative tile with your pet's picture for Christmas. Maybe your children who have moved away from home and left the family pet behind would appreciate a decorative tile or trivet to remember them all year. Or maybe you have a great shot of a friend's pet that friend would appreciate as an ornament or decorative tile. Just use your imagination and you will soon know what to give those people who won't really tell you what they want, but they really do love their pets. These ornaments don't even have to hang on a tree. They can hang anywhere you can attach them so you enjoy them all year.
How to Customize an Ornament for Your Pet Keepsake
You met Eldon above. Now let's see him on a premium square ornament. There are many shapes you can choose, but because Eldon has a long tail, I had to make a square ornament to squeeze it all in. Square is one of the easiest ornament shapes to work with. Just click the ornament images to get to them on Zazzle.
When you click on Eldon's ornament, it will take you to its product page. I'm now going to change Eldon's ornament into one to memorialize Sarah, my neighbor's cat who visited me daily and hung out on my porch, always there to greet me when I came home, always hoping for the cat treat she knew she'd get from me. She died this year and we miss her. Read about my relationship with and see more pictures of Sarah here.
This is how you can change the ornament for Eldon to one in honor of your pet, as I did to make mine in honor of Sarah.
On the ornament, you will see the "Customize it!" button. Click it. The photo will change to a design view with some red boundary lines.
Look to your right under "Customize it!" Scroll past the blue icons.
Look for Eldon with "Change Image" on his right.
To put your pet's picture in, just click to change.
Upload a picture from your computer. The picture you upload should be at least 2" square, 300 pixels resolution, and in png format.
Use the buttons over where you changed the photo, to increase or decrease the size of the photo in the frame to fit or fill it. you can also use buttons to move the image up and down, left and right. Just play with it. You want to keep the image within the inner red box to keep it from being cropped. Test by clicking the button underneath to change to art view. That shows you how your finished product will look.
Above where I changed the image, you can change the text to match your pet's name and date, to remove any text, or to change the text to whatever you want to say. While the square is still around your text, you can drag it wherever in the product you want it to be.
As you scroll down the right side, you can change the background color or the ornament's shape and style. I normally pick my style first and then fiddle with the images and text, either of which you can change from this screen.
If your image doesn't look quite right, you can use the "arrange" or "edit" drop down menus, or you can mouse over the icons to see what they do and use them to make your picture large enough to fill all the space or smaller to fit better. You can play with them until your ornament looks the way you want it to. The previews where you choose your shapes shows you how your photo will look in those other shapes. When your ornament is just right, use the big blue/orange button near the top right to "Add to Cart." (It's blue until the mouse turns it orange.) Here's how Sarah's ornament turned out. Notice that I dragged the text to a location where it would show better.
First, meet Nicki. She was the shiest of one neighbor's cats and she didn't like to pose. I was lucky to get her at all. I have put her on a premium round ornament, and her photo had to be 2.13" x 1.25," resolution 300, png format. Larger pictures will also work, but they shouldn't be any smaller. The important thing to remember about round ornaments is that the subject should be easy to center. Before you choose a shape, be sure your photo can conform to it.
Let's Look at the Ceramic Ornaments You Can Make from Your Pet's Pictures
Let's meet Pumpkin, the most docile of my previous neighbor's cats. She's a sweetheart, but I had to get candid shots. I have her on a ceramic round ornament. You can use the customize button to switch pictures and text. Your picture should be about 1150 pixels in diameter, 300 resolution, and png format. See how easy it was to get her centered? Ceramic ornaments have two sides you can fill and you have a lot of design flexibility. Be sure to customize both sides by clicking under the ornament to choose the front or back to work with. I put the date on the back side, leaving the front for just the photo. You can also make both sides identical.
Zazzle is playing around with their image links and in some cases below you will see the design, not the actual ornament. If you click the title link of the ornament, it will take you to how the design will look on the ornament, and you will also have the option of choosing the design in a different shape.
Here are some other appealing kitty ornaments you might get ideas from. This one has a frame. Just click through and put your cat into the frame.
The heart-shape ornament is also very popular. Here are some of my favorites.
This ornament is two sided. It features two photos of the same cat. I show you the back side here. One could also choose to put a picture of two different pets on the two different sides -- maybe even a cat and a dog.
And, lest you think I'm anti-dog, here is an ornament featuring a canine pet.
Some photos will do well on the oval shape. I like this one.
I think the star is the most complicated shape to fit a photo into, but here's one that worked well.
If You'd Like a Pet Keepsake Larger than an Ornament to Display All Year, Make a Decorative Tile or Trivet
For a tile such as the one below, use a 4.25" x 4.25" picture, 300 resolution, png format. If you want some wiggle room, you might make your picture a bit larger to make sure it will fill the space. You can, of course, also add words. When you click through to the product page, you can customize with your own picture and words, but you will also have the option of adding a frame to make this a trivet or a box, for which this would be a decorative top. One tile gives you three different options. Here are what some others have done.
Are You Inspired to Make an Ornament or Tile to Honor Your Pet Yet?
I hope I've given you some inspiration and some practical help on how to do it. Please use the comment section for feedback, questions I've not answered, more ideas for using pet ornaments, or just to let me know you were here.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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