the pink couch: lists

Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts

Dec 1, 2013

Hello December!

I have a clove and chestnut candle burning, The Holiday playing on tv and the living room is lit with the soft light of a glowing white Christmas tree. Let the season begin!

We all got up this morning and made our way out to the flea market. While we were wandering up and down the isles, I was busy making a mental list of all the things I want to be sure and make time for this month. So, here's my list! (so far)

10 simple things to-do this month with kids

- spend one night making cookies together, pull out all of the sprinkles, frosting, icings and let them be creative

- on a weekend afternoon plan to make an ornament (or a few) together, or include some of their friends/neighbors

- get bundled up and go out looking at Christmas lights

- if you're out and about shopping, take a break at a cafe for hot chocolate

- have a Friday night movie night, wear pjs, set out blankets, make popcorn and watch a holiday movie as a family

- let them make their own thankyou cards ~ set out scrapbooking paper, glue sticks, stickers, markers, scissors and blank cards

- while you have out the scrapbooking supplies, use a paper punch to make gift tags and let the kids decorate their own gift tags

- start a 'boxing day' tradition, use a large box and encourage them to give away toys/clothes that they've outgrown

- on the first night of their winter vacation let them choose the menu for dinner

- play the "Mystery Holiday Words" game. Think of a holiday word, then give out 3 clues to what your word is. (We play this game alot while driving & running errands) It's fun and passes the time by quickly!

I've been creating a list of tutorials I want to do this month but first, I need to get this house decorated. We've decided on a silver and gold theme for the house and the kids' tree will be a red & pink candy/dessert tree this year. So many fun things to do this season!

Goodnight and Happy December 1st!

Nov 30, 2012

31 Things

Hi all! It's almost December and I know this month is going to be incredibly busy for everyone, (with shopping, traveling, decorating, class parties & projects) but I wanted to post a list of things to do with kids and family! Most of these won't cost you anything but time (I'm all for low budget crafts and ideas right now!) and hopefully you'll have some fun in the process. Just think of the many photo opts for your December journal. :)

1. start a Family Advent Calendar

2. donate canned food (this will make room in your pantry too!)

3. decorate your home

4. make reindeer food (1/2 cup oatmeal, and a dash of glitter - sprinkle outside to attract Santa's reindeer)

5. take your child(ren) to see the snow this year & go sledding

6. make hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie as a family

7. be a secret Santa to someone unexpected

8. donate old coats to charity

9. make dinner for someone who could use a night off this month

10. read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas eve

11. volunteer to wrap gifts for someone

12. visit Santa at the Mall

13. make paper snowflakes from coffee filters

14. bake cookies and decorate as a family

15. host a gift wrapping party

16. build a fire and roast marshmallows

17. host an ornament making party for the kids in the neighborhood

18. make paper ornaments and let the kids decorate

19. write a letter to Santa

20. leave an apple or carrots for Santa's reindeer

21. play an old Christmas record or cd as background music for dinner tonight

22. write a letter to our troops stationed over seas this Holiday

23. sort through your kids' toy box and bookcases to donate old or unloved items

24. make a 'magic key' for Santa to use if you don't have a fireplace this year

25. bundle up and take a walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights

26. simmer orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and some water to make your home smell wonderful

27. start an ornament exchange with family members and guests (we do this during Christmas dinner, I have a sleigh full of wrapped ornaments)

28. donate any extra blankets or quilts to a local charity

29. make time to hold a family game night

30. take your children to the library to read Christmas stories from around the world

31. spend an afternoon making peanut butter and bird seed pine cones, tie to a tree and watch the birds come to visit

After a long day this month, kick your feet up, enjoy a cup of hot apple cider and remember to breathe! I'm actually really excited for my to-do list this month as well as spending lots of time at school helping out in the classroom. (Usually I'd be a bit frazzled thinking about how much needs to happen this month.) I think with this year being our first in the new house, I'm feeling more energized and ready for the holiday. Chase is really helping too, he understands so much more this year that it's fun to now be able to include both him and Alaina in all of our holiday plans. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Have a splendid weekend everyone! ~ Tara

Nov 5, 2012

Sweet November: Pretty Package

A week of Fall inspired posts wouldn't be complete if I didn't add at least one little gift wrapping idea! I was thinking about gifts that we give during this season, and one came to mind that almost everyone will either receive or be giving away this month. Any guests as to what gift that would be?

If you said a Hostess gift, you and I are thinking alike these days! My grandmother told me to never show up empty-handed to someones home that has invited you for dinner. Since I'm usually the one doing the inviting, I thought it would be fun to think of a couple of ideas for hostess gifts just in case!

Tara's Top 10 Sweet Hostess Gifts

- Fall scented candle (this would be my #1 to receive!)

- a cute pair of dish towels (think the embroidered ones from Anthropology)

- a bottle of wine (Peter's favorite :)

- gourmet honey, butter, salt, oil, or sugar (who couldn't use more of any of these!)

- a pretty set of kitchen magnets

- instead of flowers, bring along a potted herb plant (try Sage or Rosemary this time of year)

- a set of buffet napkins

- clean scented kitchen hand soap

- a pair of wooden salad servers

- new cute dish gloves

Since most Hostess gifts tend to be on the petite side, I was playing with some ideas on how to wrap it all up. I found some great gift boxes at our new Paper Source store that just opened, using a few book pages I simply used my paper trimmer to cut strips and used them as filler for the inside of my box.

To decorate the top of the box, I used a minimal amount of products just a few leaves, gift tag, clothes pin and a little seam binding. Now, the leaves that I had on hand were not the right color for the overall look I was going for. (When are unsightly red and yellow-orange-ish leaves ever the right look?)

Fear not though, a little coat of spray paint and those red and yellow leaves are now a trendy metallic gold and bronze! One coat is all it took, and I rather liked the color, especially the red, peeking through the paint.

Clip the leaves and gift tag together with the mini clothes pin and tie some seam binding or ribbon around the box to hold everything in place and your thoughtful Hostess gift is ready to be gifted!

Tomorrow I have a repurposed Autumn Wreath tutorial to share, anything with wool, paper leaves and vintage jewelry is always a good thing in my book! Happy Monday to you all!