CHRISTmas Workshop - Countdown Calendars

One of the most exciting parts about Christmas is the anticipation.  The closer it gets, the more excited your children (and you!) get.  Celebrate the season and make the fun last longer with a countdown calendar.  Here are a few fun ideas (make sure to check out our Advent ideas, too!) -

• Candy Countdown Calendar.
• Here's our post from last year on a Simple Candy Calendar.
• Make a paper chain with red and green construction paper.  Include 25 paper links (or however many you need to reach Christmas).  Hang it in your home and tear off a link each day.
• Fill a jar with a piece of candy for each day until Christmas.  Each day, eat one piece of candy.  (If you have multiple children you can make each one their own jar or include a piece of candy for each one in the same jar.)

How do you count down the days until Christmas?

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CHRISTmas Workshop - Advent

Celebrating Advent with your family is a wonderful way to focus on the true reason for Christmas - Jesus!  No matter how young or old your children are, there are fun ways to celebrate advent.  Check out these ideas -

• Truth in the Tinsel is an adorable eBook that's designed to help your little ones learn in a fun way during Advent.
• Make a Jesse Tree - this free eBook includes a devotional, printable ornament, scripture reading, and an action for each day.
• Customize Advent for your family - you can create some wonderful family traditions this way!  (For a little inspiration, check out this post.)

Do you and your family celebrate Advent?

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Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

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Hot Air Balloon Crafts and Activities

We've already mentioned that hot air balloons are popular (and given you decorating ideas for a hot air balloon nursery!).  Today we're going to share some fun crafts and activities you can try with your family.  Check out these suggestions -

• Make a papier mache hot air balloon.
• Create hot air balloon cupcakes or cookies.
• Make a hot air balloon mobile.
• Learn about how hot air balloons work (great for older children, especially if you homeschool!).
• Consider going on a hot air balloon ride - your whole family would have a blast and it would be a great field trip!

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We're Having a Sale!

In honor of Black Friday, Bear Hugs Baby Boutique is having a sale!  Click on this link to view all our sale items - on sale now through Friday!  And don't forget, we always offer free shipping on all USA orders!  Head over to our website to start shopping!

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Decorating Ideas - Hot Air Balloon Nursery

 

Baby Gear Blue Hot Air Balloons Baby Blanket

Hot air balloons have become very popular recently.  Not only are they fun for your children to watch, they also make a great nursery theme.  Here are a few decorating ideas to help you get started -

• A mural would be a great focal point for this room!  Just paint the walls blue and add fluffy white clouds.  Then use a projector to trace a child's hot air balloon coloring page onto the wall.  Paint inside the lines and you'll have an awesome mural!
• White or wood toned furniture would look good in this room.  If you'd like to add a pop of color, paint a dresser or other piece of furniture bright red.
• Accessorize this room with pictures of hot air balloons, brightly colored baskets and bins, etc.
• Customize a simple lamp by stamping hot air balloons onto the shade and trimming it with ribbon.
• Hang a miniature hot air balloon in the corner of the room (out of reach of children).  If you can't find one, create your own the same way you would a pinata. 

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Product Spotlight - 11/17 (New Loveys!)

There are only 37 days until Christmas, which means it's time to start shopping!  We've just added new loveys, so take a look and then visit our website to start shopping!

 Green Frog Security Blanket Honey Bunny Cuddly Pals

 Pink Kitty Cat XOXOX Security Blanket Honey Bunny Cuddly Pals

 Reindeer Security Blanket Lovey Baby Starters Snuggle Buddy

 Blue Elephant Security Blanket Lovey Stephen Baby

 Carter's Blue Hippo Rattle and Security Blanket Lovey

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CHRISTmas Workshop - Homemade Candles

Homemade candles are a great Christmas gift, and one that your children can help make (with supervision, of course!).  Almost everyone loves candles, and they're a good choice for hard to buy for friends and family (and teachers).  Soy wax is a great choice because it doesn't have as many chemicals as some other types.  You can find the wax and other supplies (scents, wicks, etc.) at your local craft store or online.

You can make candles in a lot of different containers.  This is great because you can customize the candle for the person you're giving it to.  Here are a few suggestions -

• Mason jars.  Tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar and attach a tag for a cute and simple gift.  (Make sure to remove the ribbon before burning the candle.)
• Tea cups.  You can find these at garage sales or thrift stores very inexpensively.
• Coffee cups.  (Include whole coffee beans in the candle for a great scent and pretty embellishment.)
• Visit your local dollar or discount store for a large variety of glass containers that are perfect for candles.  Most have many sizes and shapes available.
• You can also make cinnamon stick candles and embellish candles with decals.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making candles - so pick up supplies, grab your children, and start creating beautiful and great smelling gifts that your friends and family will love!

*Always use caution when creating candles and always supervise your children carefully.

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CHRISTmas Workshop - Homemade Gifts

Christmas is only 44 days away!  If you're planning to make gifts for your family and friends this season, it's time to get started!  (Even though it's not "officially" the Christmas season until after Thanksgiving!)  Your children can get involved in the gift making as well - over the next few weeks we'll be bringing you kid friendly homemade gift ideas that are perfect for grandparents, teachers, neighbors, etc.  Here are a few ideas to get the creativity flowing -

• Homemade Christmas Gifts for Grandparents
• Handprint Ornaments (also great for grandparents)
• Homemade Playdough - this would be a great option if your kids exchange gifts with cousins or friends (or even for brothers and sisters!).  Include a few cookie cutters for an adorable set.

Do you make homemade gifts for Christmas?

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Fall Fun - Thanksgiving Games

Burn off some of your children's energy (and alleviate boredom) with these fun Thanksgiving games!

• Play Thanksgiving Pictionary - use the normal rules and board, but create a set of Thanksgiving cards for your children to use.
• Play with pumpkins.
• Play Charades (with a Thanksgiving or holiday theme).
• Play Bingo while you watch the Thanksgiving Parade.
• Play The Bowl Game. 
• Have a Boat Race.

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November is National Peanut Butter Lovers' Month!

Celebrate and learn with your children by trying a few of these ideas (they would be a great starting point for a unit study if you homeschool!) - 

• Check out these fun facts about peanut butter.
• Learn about George Washington Carver, the inventor of peanut butter.  (Check your local library for books, too.)
• Make homemade peanut butter.
• Make peanut butter cookies.
• Learn about peanut allergies.
• Feed the birds by covering pine cones with peanut butter and bird seed.  Tie a piece of string around the top and hang them from trees.

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Create a Kids' Corner for Thanksgiving Day

If you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner, you'll most likely have a lot of people in your home, including children.  While the adults may be content to sit and chat, children get bored very quickly.  Since you probably don't want them exploring your home unsupervised, why not set up an area just for them?  Place a table in a corner of your family room and stock it with crayons, coloring sheets, and simple craft projects.  Here are a few suggestions -

• Yarn and macaroni.
• Thanksgiving coloring pages and crayons/colored pencils.
• Washable glue, feathers, construction paper, and safety scissors (to make handprint turkeys).
• Kid friendly puzzles.
• Plain paper and crayons (for cards and other artwork).

Make sure to check out all our other Thanksgiving ideas!

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Product Spotlight - 11/3

We've added more new items!  This would be a great time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping - only 51 days left!  (Visit our website to start shopping!)

 Carter's Cow Snuggle Blanket Gray Dots Security Lovey

 Blankets & Beyond Tan Appliqued Monkey Baby Blanket

 Carters Hippo Snuggle Blanket Security Lovey

 BabyGear Owl Blue White Boutique Baby Blanket

 Pink White Stripes Bunny Security Blanket Blankets and Beyond

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CHRISTmas Workshop - Care Packages for Soldiers

Even though Thanksgiving isn't over yet, now is the time to start preparing care packages for the troops.  Because they're being shipped overseas, you need to allow extra time to be sure they arrive in time for Christmas.  (This article will give you the exact deadlines for care packages - they also have a lot of other information, including a list of military support organizations.)  Preparing care packages with your family is a wonderful way to help your children (and whole family) focus on the true reason for Christmas.  Here are a few items you may want to include -

• Favorite snacks are a great start.  Choose items that won't be stale or spoiled when they arrive.  Multiple small bags are also better than one large bag - then they can easily be shared and grabbed on the go.
• Items that aren't easily available overseas - scented soap, favorite lotions, etc.
• Paperback books.  
• Hand sanitizer.
• Homemade goodies are always appreciated (fudge and candies aren't a good choice because of the heat) - just make sure to pack them in airtight baggies (include extra baggies for sharing and easy transportation).  
• Homemade cards and drawings from your children.

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Decorating Ideas - Zebra Nursery

 Koala Baby Happy Little Zebra Green Blanket

The vibrant color and fun pattern of this blanket makes it perfect as an inspiration piece for a nursery.  It can easily be used for a boy or a girl, so it's a great choice if you're choosing to be surprised by your baby's gender.  Here are a few decorating ideas -

• Paint the walls grass green.  Accent with bright white trim.
• Choose black furniture with clean lines (or paint existing pieces).
• If you have a plain piece of furniture that you want to spice up, add zebra stripes to it.  They don't have to be perfect (they'll actually look more realistic if they're not!), and it won't take long.  When you're finished you'll have a fun focal point and conversation piece!
• Add themed accessories around the room - an imitation zebra skin rug, zebra/wild animal artwork framed in black and white, zebra print storage boxes, etc.

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