Preparing for the Season ~ Pinterest and Christmas

This is my favorite time of the year. Has been ever since I can remember. This is a cozy, snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug, jack frost nipping at your nose, hot chocolate-y, hibernate at home season. As a mother of six children, traditions have become even more important to me just as much as letting go of unrealistic expectations have. (Umm…still working on that one!) I figure by the time they are all leaving the nest I will be just starting to get good at it!

This Christmas I’ve discovered a new tool that has been such a blessing for my sanity. You see, I am a visual learner. And because of that I am also a visual rememberer (is that a word?). And this little program {insert Pinterest here} has become my lifeline this holiday season. A wonderful little online space to bookmark things I’d rather not forget. When I look at my board I immediately think, “Oh, yes, that is the project I wanted to do!” I can lazily look through my boards on a free Saturday morning while drinking a hot cup of coffee and decide to do a project with the kids or just dream of future projects. Or I can browse quickly while homeschool planning and remember where to find projects, experiments, books, and ideas.

I’d decided I’d share a few of my favorite things this winter from my own Pinterest board. So go grab a cup of hot cocoa and let the browsing begin! Pin away and don’t feel the least bit guilty if you never do a one of them!

~ Preparing for the Liturgical Season ~

• Trim the Advent Hearth with Elizabeth Foss at In the Heart of My Home
• Advent Planning with Jenn at Wildflowers and Marbles
• Ann’s Jesse Tree Devotional
• The Names of Jesus Advent Chain at Spell Out Loud
• Advent Focus: Character Traits at Creekside Learning
• Martha Stewart’s Christmas Workshop
• Advent Calendar Activities (not treats) at all things simple

~ O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree ~

• DIY felt ornaments with Rindy Mae
• Bottlecap Snowman Ornament at What I Live For
• Mint Candy Ornament from Better Homes and Gardens
• Button Wreath Ornaments  and Ribbon Ornaments from Martha Stewart (love this one!)
• Popsicle Ornaments
• Reindeer Handprint Ornaments

~ Letters to Santa ~

• Santa’s Address ~ want to send your children’s letters to Santa and get a real reply from the North Pole?
• Printable Santa Stationary in case you want to be the Santa!

~ Christmas-y Crafts ~

• Martha Stewart’s Paper Snowflake Tutorial
• Quilled Paper Snowflakes
• Paper Snowflake in 3D
• Snow Dough from Ten Kids and a Dog ~ sparkly and fun!
• Snowflake Stamping with Pine Branches
• Felt Pine Cones at Family Circle Magazine
• Ribbon Christmas Tree at Cafe Mom
• Homemade Candy Cane Candle Holder at The Mother Huddle
• Homemade Candy Cane Star Wreath
• Tissue Paper Christmas Trees at Mary Making
• Foot Print Christmas Trees
• Hand Print Wreath

~ Wrapping Up Love ~

• How to Tie a Perfect Bow from Chatelaine
• Bow Tutorial from Under the Inkfluence
• Simple Butcher Paper Wrapping
• Printable Gift Tags at Sass and Peril
• Printable Gift Tags at Write, Click, Scrapbook
• Printable Gift Tags at lovely design
• Printable Owl Gift Tags
• Christmas Tags your kids can color by Raggedy Scrappin 

~ A Very Recycled Christmas ~

• Recycled Holiday Card Ornaments from Martha Stewart
• Paper Bag Ornaments with Elise Blaha
• Twist Tie Package Toppers from New Nostalgia
• Plastic Bag Bow Toppers from New Nostalgia
• Toilet Paper Tube Owl Ornaments

~ Winter Decor ~

• Oranges and Cloves
• Orange Clove Winter Stove Top Potpourri
• Hanging Pine Cones in the Windows
• Snow Candle Mason Jars
• Holiday Wall Collage

~ Christmas Photography ~

• How to take pictures of your Christmas Tree without a flash at Augustea Photography
• Aunt Peaches Quick and Dirty Tips for Taking Great Christmas Photos
• Winter Nature Pictures with Nikon D3100

~ Comfort Winter Foods ~

• Winter Seasonal Recipes at Local Kitchen
• Raw Milk Egg Nog Video Tutorial
• Raw Milk Egg Nog at the Cheeseslave
• Raw Milk Hot Cocoa at the Cheeseslave
• Homemade Hot Chocolate at Small Notebook
• Soft Caramels at Leite’s Culinaria
• Nutella Hot Chocolate (great and easy for kids)
• Crushed Candy Cane Cookies with Elise Blaha

~ Homeschooling by the Fire ~

• Montessori Christmas Wrapping at My Montessori Journey
• Snowflake Montessori Matching at My Montessori Journey
• Snowflake Math
• 1+1+1+1 Christmas Tot Pack
• 1+1+1+1 Nativity Preschool Pack
• 1+1+1+1 Christmas Book Printables
• Christmas printables at Creekside Learning
• Christmas Activity Unit (for slightly older children) at Enchanted Homeschooling Mom
• Snowman Activity Pack at Enchanted Homeschooling Mom
• Christmas Unit Studies at Homeschool Share
• Snowflake Bentley Lapbook
• Advent Christmas Unit Study with Tomie de Paola’s Books
• Advent Reading Living Books List

Oh, and don’t forget to PIN this page while you’re at it! In fact, come back and pin up each category separately. Great way to organize that Christmas board!