You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout and I’m telling you why, because it’s nearly Christmas time!

No matter if you are the type to put up the Christmas tree as soon as Halloween is over or if you are the day after thanksgiving type, who doesn’t love Christmas and decorating for the holiday?

There is something so heartwarming about seeing all the lights, ribbons, wreaths and ornaments, but it can also be a little intimidating to know where to start.

If all you wanted to do is spread Christmas cheer but you need some ideas, here are a few to help you out.

Here are seven easy but really cute Christmas decoration ideas to help your home scream, “Merry Christmas to all!”

Mason jar elves and reindeer

Elf Christmas Mason Jar Gifts

Mason jars are great for so many things, including creating really cute Christmas decorations.

The best part is these jars can be totally customizable, but also you can put little treats inside and give them as gifts for your neighbors and friends.

A DIY Wreath

65 DIY Christmas Wreath Ideas to Give Holiday Guests the Warmest Welcome

For these decorations that you can never have too many of in or outside of the house, all you have to do is go to any craft store or even dollar store and get a plain wreath, and then just pick out all the flowers, ribbons, and lights you want to decorate it with!

You can even keep it simple and classic and buy some spray snow, spray it on a green wreath and tie a red ribbon on the top and there you have it! A super cute and festive wreath for less than five bucks.

Lighted garland with ribbons

DIY Christmas Scrappy Lighted Garland Tutorial

Something cute and unique, that is also pretty easy to make, is using a couple strings of lights and some ribbon to make a lighted garland.

You can choose the colors and type of material you want to use, and then all you have to do is tie them all along the string of lights, then hang wherever you like!

Make sure to get plenty of extension cords and check that your electrical system is up to date, and order any parts you need from websites like www.electricalwholesale.com.

Pipe-cleaner snow-flakes or snowmen

Pipe-Cleaner Snowflake Ornaments Project

Simple and cost-friendly, you can involve the kids in making these adorable ornaments to hang on the tree.

Ornaments made from cookie cutters

Cookie Cutter Ornaments Project

Cookie cutters come in all shapes and sizes, and all you need are some pictures or pretty colored paper to glue behind them to turn them into beautiful ornaments.

These can also double as a cute gift that your kids can put together for Grandma and Grandpa or whoever else is on their gift list.

DIY Snow-globes

DIY Snow Globe | Sea Lemon

Another decoration idea that uses ever useful mason jars, there are so many Pinterest posts to follow on how to make these fun little snow globes and place them all over your house just in time for Christmas.

Easy paper plate Santa

PAPER PLATE SANTA CLAUS

This is a Christmas craft the kids are sure to love and have them feeling the Christmas spirit.

All you need are some paper plates, scissors, red paint, glue, and some black constriction paper!

The post 7 Easy but Oh so Cute Christmas Decoration Ideas appeared first on InstantELLA.

With this change comes many fun things, school, holidays, snow, but it also means the kids can play less and less outside. Cold temperatures mean more time inside.

This means more time for you to fill for them, which can sometimes be difficult.

So, what indoor activities can you do to keep them occupied and you sane?

Here are five fun indoor activities to do with your kids that will keep you all warm and entertained.

Let them help with interior design

Best Indoor Activities for Winter Break

Having extra hands around can also mean having extra help around the house, but instead of having it be the same old chores, maybe use it as an opportunity to let them add their personal touch to decorating the house.

If you don’t want it to extend to the entire house you can just start off with their rooms, and adding such things as wooden letters for their walls, creating little paintings to hang up, and picking out some new bedding, whatever is easiest and fun for them.

Have a hot chocolate bar

CREATING THE PERFECT HOT CHOCOLATE BAR FOR KIDS

A fun idea to do with the kids and a good idea for dessert as well is to put together a hot chocolate bar.

The fun part about putting this together is you can have the kids pick out the things they wish to have in it, and you can let them use their imaginations.

Then set it up for them and let them get creative with it, all ending with some delicious concoctions and smiles on their faces.

Plus, you get never go wrong with hot chocolate when it’s chilly outside.

Everybody story time

Why it’s important to read aloud with your kids, and how to make it count

This is another activity that could possibly happen in the big, giant and comfy fort that you build if you want to lesson screen time and have more family interaction.

What you do is have someone start off by telling a story, and after whatever designated time you choose it will be time to switch to someone else who has to pick up the story wherever the other person left off and then continue on with their own story.

Laughs are sure to ensue and it’s a great way to be interactive and use their imaginations.

Movie fortnight

Indoor Winter Activities for Kids

Having a particularly cold, snowy night? Gather all the family together and get as many blankets, sheets, pillows and whatever else you want all together to build a giant fort.

Have fun with the kids putting the fort together however you like, and then when it is done, turn on a movie inside of it and all get comfy and cozy as you watch it.

The kids will think it is so much fun and may want it to become your new weekly or daily tradition.

Ultimate hide and seek

Power’s out, fun’s on: 29 indoor activities for kids and families when the lights are out

One night you can have all the family come together and find all the flashlights you can, turn off all the lights and have the ultimate hide and seek.

It will be crazy but fun, and it will help get their energy out as well as creating a fun family time.

While setting up these exciting activities, you should also consider making your home more comfortable. For instance, your furnace is essential for keeping your space warm and cozy. Therefore, invest in furnace maintenance services to ensure that your heating systems operate safely and optimally. Understanding what happens during a furnace maintenance visit is vital for homeowners looking to improve their systems’ longevity and performance. Furnace maintenance professionals usually run detailed inspections and servicing of your heating systems when they visit your home. Now’s also the time to get lots of fuzzy blankets and throw pillows, so feel free to consider this.

The post 5 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids to Survive Winter appeared first on InstantELLA.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KEEPING YOUR KIDS WARM ALL WINTER

Not only will these purchases make a practical addition to your little one’s closet, but they’re often a lot more economical post-christmas – thanks to the January sales. So wear your chunkiest knitwear and grab a cup of cocoa as we count down our top picks for children’s winter clothing.

Why have one coat when you can have two for the same price?! With this girl’s printed reversible jacket from Fendi. The silver quilted polyester on the once side adds a practical element piece while tapping into the metallic trend. The designer jacket is given the Fendi signature style through the pink monster print that covers the coat. This jacket is the perfect addition to any little girls winter wardrobe. Pick up this jacket at chocolateclothing.co.uk

Sometimes less is more. This BOSS Kids boys black padded jacket with detachable hood is the perfect example of this. The timeless black quilted coat makes for a versatile and practical addition to any boy’s winter wardrobe. While the detachable hood adds an adaptable nature that is ideal for unpredictable winter weather. The designer jacket is completed with a white trim on the hood adds a dynamic colour contrast.

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with prints! So many of us fall in the habit of swapping style of function during the colder seasons, but you can have both! This pink floral print padded jacket from Monnalisa creates the perfect balance between femininity and practicality to keep both you and your little princess happy. Pair the jacket with a classic pair of blue jeans for an instantly chic casual look.

When it comes to keeping your child bundled up this winter, accessories are just as essential as their coats. These navy wool gloves from Ralph Lauren are the perfect addition to any boys winter closet. The red Ralph Lauren embroidered logo and matching trimming add a bold colour contrast while confirming the quality of the designer gloves. Pair the gloves with a matching scarf and puffer jacket for a complete look.

Tips to Keep Kids Warm All Winter

So there you have it, my top picks for children’s winter wardrobe. I hope you enjoyed this look at the very best items on the market and found the perfect piece for your little one. All the products mentioned in this post can be found at www.chocolateclothing.co.uk.

The post Winter Warm-Up for Kids! appeared first on InstantELLA.

Harvest was an incredible time to ask a girl on a date. There are always amazing events and activities available. But now that the time for corn mazes, pumpkin carving, and haunted houses are behind us, it’s time to find fun ways to enjoy dating this winter.

It is no surprise to many of us that winter is a hard time to plan or go on dates. We get busy during the winter, important holidays come up, and soon it is the new year. Where did the time go, and did we even do anything this winter? It doesn’t have to be this way, however, with a couple of dating ideas, you will find that this miserable and cold winter could bring about great memories.

Christmas Movies

Netflix Is Releasing Another Christmas Movie This Weekend

The norm would say that watching movies on a date would be the worst date scenario, but if you make the right choice of a movie then you never know what could happen. During Christmas, there are plenty of movies that fit the mood of any date. Grab some hot chocolate and pick out a nice movie and get to snuggling, to keep warm of course.

Gingerbread Houses

How To Build An Indestructible Gingerbread House

There is nothing quite like a situation where you are on a date, and decisions must be made, and no one can make up their mind. When you create gingerbread houses together you and your date’s creativity and imagination come alive. It is fun to see a different side of someone, especially their creative side.

Shopping

Shopping would probably not even make it onto this list, but when you make shopping for one another a game then it can get interesting. Take the example of Stephanie, 21 who went on a date with her boyfriend. Another great idea is to find an organization that is doing a ‘giving tree’ and go out with your date to find what the family or person needs.

Snowball Fights

Image Source

If you want to have a date that is more on the friendly competitive side, take your date outside where it is snowing and show them your snowball fighting skills. If you go on a group date, turn a casual snowball fight into an all-out war. Split into teams, where you’re with your date and begin strategizing what you could do to win!

These ideas and many more will turn the holiday season into a year to remember. Just be creative, have fun, and enjoy the time with your date.

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