Cozy Sweater Hot Cocoa Bar Party + Service Project!

Cozy Sweater Hot Cocoa Bar Party + Service Project! This is a great holiday party idea for kids, teens or adults.  Hot chocolate is the best, I live off of it all Winter long.  I love adding in fun flavored syrups or other mix-ins!  Let me show you how to host the perfect Ugly  Cozy Sweater party and throw a service project in on the side too!  This party is geared toward any age, although we had 10 teenage girls (plus a few brothers) that participated. You will need: Small Crock Pot for warming hot chocolate Donuts Candy Canes Mini Chocolate Chips Mini Marshmallows Candy Sticks Mugs or Teacups More Candy We used the Cricut Explore Air 2 to cut out these adorable little sweaters.  Perfect invites for this party.  My daughter and I drew on them with white gelly roll pens with all the details for her friends. Easy Party Backdrop made with white paper chains, 3D snowflakes and some wire LED lights. Details on making th...

Daily "Random Acts" Service Advent Calendar and Printable!

Daily "Random Acts" Service Advent Calendar and Printable! I love December, I love Christmas, I love thinking of others. There is really such a change in the air. People are 'generally' kinder.  (minus Black Friday and our frenzy for accumulation) But there is a very sweet atmosphere around the holidays. I try to encourage my kids to do secret service for others throughout the year...but  it is a little easier in December.  I love to be able to do service.  It is easy to feel like we can't serve others without spending money... so I compile ways to serve others that take little (like a stamp) or no money.    Here's some ideas:   Write a note Leave a note or treat for the mail carrier Donate gently used toys and clothes to charity Say thank you more Put some motivational notes up in public restrooms or on mirrors Play a game with someone Leave a secret not for someone to find Sing a song to brighten the day ...

Easy Bandanna Blanket!

Easy Bandanna Blanket! I'm excited to be part of Luke's Loves and Project Linus and today! Project Linus is a blanket drive organization that collects handmade blankets to  give to children facing serious health or other hardships. You can make blankets and donate them at a local chapter ...or mail them in. There are many ways to help...and it would make a fun service activity! Check the website for more information  I am so excited about this project. About 12 years ago I bought everything I needed to make this blanket. And there it sat...getting older and older. I bought 12 adorable striped bandannas.  And had this fluffy but sturdy fleece for about as long. ~ So, make it your goal to finish one of the projects you've started today! ;) So, for this amazingly simple blanket I used 12 bandannas and a big piece of fleece to match. The fleece I found it extra thick and sturdy, so, I didn't use any cotton batting at all! I started by sewin...