Why My Elf is Staying on My Shelf ~ Guest post by Jen

Whether you like the idea of having a cute little elf in your home at Christmastime or you loathe that little creepy thing staring down at you, pressuring you into yet another marketing scheme, I’m sure you have heard about the elf on the shelf. That is of course unless you have been living under a rock for the past couple years.

I’m not here to persuade you to get an elf for yourself, or to tell you that yes, you are the best parent in the world because you participate in the elf on the shelf tradition. I share to explain what the elf represents in our home and what he does not.

Our family has an elf visit our home for the month of December every year. I heard about it in 2010 and thought it would be a lot of fun for my kids. This of course was before the huge elf on the shelf craze, and before I knew what I was really getting myself into. We read the book with our kids and they named him Jasper. I started out by just moving him to a different spot every night. My kids thought it was great fun and loved finding him every morning. In the next couple years the elf became extremely popular on blogs and pinterest, showcasing different ways for your elf to get into trouble or do something wildly creative. I’ll admit, being the creative person I am, I jumped on the bandwagon and our own elf, Jasper, had some pretty wild adventures. Including: roasting marshmallows, coloring in a Christmas coloring book, having a marshmallow war and going for a joyride with Barbie.

I had A LOT of fun coming up with a new adventure every night. Equally my kids loved finding what nonsense Jasper had gotten into while they slept. I did this not to show off how creative I am or how I could outdo my friends by one upping our elf adventures against theirs. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have to say, this is the most important advice I can give you on this whole elf on the shelf craze: DO NOT do it just to keep up with "The Joneses". I hate that it has been portrayed as this. To tell you the truth, if I had not gotten an elf when we did, I probably wouldn’t now. Only because of what it has become for so many people.

I understand that some people don’t want an elf because it shows your children the elf is a spy, or it teaches your kids naughty behavior. I truly believe that in whatever way you present the elf and what it represents, is how your children will perceive it. If you show your kids he is more of a spy, they will believe that. If you show your kids that he is fun and make it out to be just that, they are going to respond accordingly.

Our elf is not a threat to our children. We have never threatened them by saying, “the elf is going to tell Santa you have been naughty!” or, “the elf is Santa’s spy to see if you have been naughty or nice.” I think of our home as a safe place for my children and would never want to jeopardize their sense of security in any way. Especially by having this creepy elf watching every move they make and tattle tailing on them every night to Santa. That would scare any child! Heck, I’d be scared! Wouldn’t you hate it if someone told you that the elf watched you sneak those extra cookies after the kids went to bed? Or that you left dirty dishes in your sink all day and because of that you would not be receiving gifts on Christmas morning?

Yes, I get caught up in all the holiday madness and at times think, do I really need to add another task to my already long list? Some nights I dread that little devil in red, smirking at me, knowing that yep, I have to think of yet another creative adventure or somewhere to move him. Some nights I wake up in the middle of the night remembering, "Dang! I forgot to move that flippin elf!"  Do I sometimes want to just say, forget it, I’ll leave him in his same spot, saying to the kids, “you probably touched the elf and he lost his magic for the next couple of days.”All in order to give myself a day off? You bet I do! In fact, this year I have not been very creative with our elf at all. He usually just moves to another spot. And guess what? That’s okay! Because, honestly, this elf is not what Christmas is. Let me repeat that. This elf is not what Christmas is.

Would my kids lose all sense of faith and joy without him? No. Is the elf the only thing we use to teach our children about Christmas? No. But in our house, he represents the SPIRIT and MAGIC of Christmas. The sense of something magical happening. Christmas is about being a child again. Having the awe and wonder about all the things happening around you. The innocence of being a child again. Believing. Whether in Santa or God. The magic of it all.  That’s what it’s all about. It’s why I do it.

Now, you are all adults and can decide what holiday traditions you want to participate in. If you want to do the elf on the shelf, great! If not, great! I’m not saying that without the elf on the shelf your children won’t have that magical experience during Christmastime. But for our family, it is one of the things that bring joy in the kid’s eyes, and mine, as they experience the magic that this season brings. And however you chose to display that is up to you. Don’t let anyone, including a little stuffed elf dressed in red; influence your decision in any way.

-Jen

Monogrammed Memories- A Christmas Tree Ornament Tutorial by Guest Author Cara

One of my most favorite memories growing up always started at the beginning of the holiday: decorating my step-mom’s house for Christmas. She is the type of woman that used to (and still does) go all out for Christmas. It always started the same way, every Saturday after Thanksgiving-by unpacking her Christmas closet… yes, closet. We were blessed to have a gorgeous home with very tall ceilings, so we always got a tree that was 9 or 10 feet tall. This, obviously, means that decorating said tree was a two, if not three person job. 

Every year, my step-mom would let my dad and I put on the lights while she unpacked the ornaments. And every year, she retold the same stories about who gave her each ornament, and when-sometimes down to the date. In my childhood years, I never understood her appreciation for her hand-made collections. And when it came time to put the ornaments on the tree, I always got the same speech: “Be careful with that one, so and so gave that to me,” with almost everything I picked up.

Now that I’m older, I have my own tree, and I am starting to understand what her mild obsession with these ornaments involve; a little bit of love, for those handmade from family and friends, a special memory, for those purchased on vacation or a trip somewhere special, and even a little place in her heart, from the ornaments given to her by relatives who are no longer with us. 

Before my biological mom passed, she made ornaments for her family and friends, and gave them away each year. In the 20 years since her passing, some of those friends and relatives have given these ornaments back to me. Since my mother died when I was so young, their value to me is increased tenfold-it’s almost like having a part of her with me each Christmas when I go to hang them on my tree.

So last year, I decided that I would carry on my mother’s DIY ornament tradition, and I set out to make a special ornament for everyone on my Christmas list. I, of course, took to Pinterest for some design inspiration, and that landed me here.

I loved the way these ornaments looked when finished, and the cool marbled effect it created. But I wanted to take it up a notch, and make the ornament personal to every family I gave it to. My solution?

Monogramming!

Monogramming is the best way to give a gift that is 100% original-it really tells the receiver that you thought about them specifically when making it. But if you’re blessed with a family large enough to fill a high school gymnasium, giving a monogrammed gift to every single person can get expensive. So rather than making one of these little babies for every person in the family, I gave one to the household, and used their last name for the monogram initial.

So here’s what you’ll need:

• Acrylic Paint
• Clear Ornament
• (you can use round or flat, I went with flat because I wanted the monogram to lie evenly)
• Sticker or Paint Pen (for monogram)

Start by dripping the lightest color paint into the top, leaning the opening of the paint lid against the inside of the ornament so you get as much on the side as possible.

Work your way from lightest to darkest, filling in the gaps around the top of the ornament. When you have covered the lip of it on the inside, cover the opening with paper or cellophane (or your fingers, just be prepared to get paint on them), and start shaking that baby. I turned this one on its side and tapped it on the table to get the paint to move where I wanted it.

This was the end result. You can continue tapping until you get more of a color combination like the original one, but I really loved the way this one looked.

Then, pick the side you like best, and add your monogram.

I highly recommend letting the excess paint that is inside drip out before you put the stopper back into the top of the ornament. I inverted mine into a Kleenex box with some paper towels in the bottom of it to catch the paint.

When it’s dry, carefully stick the metal top back into the ornament, and you have a beautiful gift under $5.00. I have already given some of these to family members we see before Christmas, and the looks on their faces when I told them I made them myself meant the world to me. This project is also easy enough to let the kiddos get involved! My 3 year old had a blast “helping” mommy swirl the paint around.

Now, when they hang this ornament on their tree each year, I know that they will think of me.
And isn’t that what this season is all about?

1,000 thanks to Jessica for letting me share this with you all! If you feel so inclined, feel free to visit me more often over at my blog (www.things-that-glitter.blogspot.com).

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

-Cara

The Forgotten Holiday

  This probably isn't the first hand-turkey you've seen.  And it's probably not the most impressive- but when I walk past this roughed-up piece of scrap paper hanging in my kitchen, I can help but feel a little burning in my nose and tears forming in my eyes as my heart swells to three times the size like the Grinch on Christmas day.

When we left church this Sunday I only thought briefly of the piece of scrap paper secured under my arm as I passed-off the baby to my husband and led our 2 and a half year old out to the car.  A puddle caught his eye and he wanted to jump in it.  (...in his church clothes)  I kind of let him briefly as I was having a moment of "Hey- This is a memory!" before I remembered I didn't want to deal with the sopping wet child on the drive home.

So I led him the rest of the way to the car and after he was strapped-in I settled into my own seat and glanced down at the paper now in my lap.  I hadn't noticed the little orange hand before.  Someone had obviously helped him trace it (he can use a fork but I'm pretty sure hand-tracing is well beyond his current dexterity skills) and they had also quickly sketched a little turkey-face on the thumb.

While I'm sure my son was more in awe of the process than the end product, (Orange and green ARE two of his favorite colors right now and those scribbles are definitely his.) it was still a tender moment for me as a mom realizing that he's starting to get to that age of awareness- where holidays are actually a thing.  An exciting period of time where things are special.  He may not remember THIS turkey-hand, but he will remember making them.  And he will probably make plenty of them.  Then one day- when he's a father with his own children... he will probably get that same butterfly-feeling I'm having when he realizes that his children are old enough to grasp the concept of "This is your hand- and now it's a turkey!"

Halloween was fun this year.  He is pretty much OBSESSED with pumpkins right now.  He's recently learned the word "scary" and he loves being a monster/dinosaur/lion etc... in the mirror making the scariest growls and snarls with his hands up like claws.  But once Halloween was over- so was the holiday-high and I found my brain on auto-pilot towards Christmas.

While part of this is the fact that we are making travel plans, budgeting shopping for presents, and being bombarded with Christmas commercials- part of it is the fact that that I feel like Thanksgiving has pretty much become a forgotten holiday.  Sure- we make plans with extended family or friends and we eat turkey...but that's pretty much it.  Almost like a pre-Christmas if you will.

This year my husband and I will be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving!  We were married on Black Friday in 2008...and we may or may not of had a friend buy our tv set using my husband's smart phone while we were having our first dance. (In our defense it was a good deal and it's still working great!)  We thought the thanksgiving anniversary was pretty cute- because we're "thankful" for each other and all... but the holiday still wasn't making the "special" status in my book that I remember it reaching when I was a child.

And I don't think I'm alone.

[Image Source: Here]

On one hand we mourn the loss of that glorious holiday from our childhoods... and yet we skim right over the month putting up Christmas trees and looking for shopping deals. In reality- no one is really blaming you, Christmas is AWESOME.  It's only human nature to want to get to it as soon as humanly possible.  And you're not alone.  We complain that stores are putting out Christmas stuff earlier and earlier- yet someone has to be buying it or they wouldn't have it out so early. And that someone is us.

I want to say once and for all- that there is nothing wrong with being excited about Christmas.  But we can't have our cake and eat it too.  You can't be upset that there's no Thanksgiving if you're not making an active effort to make a Thanksgiving.  Holidays don't celebrate themselves.

So, as I've been staring at this hand-tukey for the past couple of days, I've come to a personal conclusion.  Thanksgiving is back on.  The stores may not agree with me- some of my facebook friends may not agree with me- and the media may not agree with me- but in our house, we are celebrating!

Here are Eleven ways to celebrate this Tukey-rific time of year:

1.) Draw a Hand-Turkey!

A classic.  Make it simple- make it intricate.  Go big, go small.  Hang them up- hand them out- let those turkey-hands shine!  I am a firm believer that these childhood memory-boosters can turn any cold turkey heart warm and toasty.

2.) Spread out the joy

You may think I'm referring to cranberry sauce or butter- but no- I'm looking at the bigger picture.  Some of the most well-loved holidays (think Halloween, Christmas, etc...) are celebrated ALL MONTH LONG!  Thanksgiving is so often limited to a one or two day event.  (Or less if you count the fact that most of us sleep nearly all day after stuffing ourselves silly.)  Try and get in the spirit now while November is still new.  Some of the best holiday memories are the activities you do in anticipation of the actual event.  

3.) Make Plans

It's really tempting to sit at home doing nothing- especially if you don't have kids at home.  You have the day off work, most people are busy with their families, the air is nice and cool... sounds like perfect napping/lounging conditions.  And while that may be ok for some people- we are celebrating!  Make an effort to find something fun to do.  Even if you don't have family in the area, there are often lots of "orphan thanksgiving" events you can attend.  Consider asking around at work, church, or finding a group through meetup.com.

4.) Dress-up

When I was little my family would always dress-up for Thanksgiving.  I'm not talking khakis and nice sweaters.  I'm talking construction paper pilgrims and indians. And of course- someone always had to dress-up as the turkey. (Sorry dad!)  This doesn't have to be limited to a childrens-only event.  It can be a lot of fun for the laid-back Thanksgiving environment (although khakis and sweaters are fine too).  Try checking out Pinterest for ideas on how to make some DIY costumes.

5.) Watch some holiday specials

Christmas isn't the only time of year with holiday specials!  Try watching some Thanksgiving episodes of your favorite television shows to help set the mood.

6.) Count your blessings

There are about a thousand and one ways you can do this.  One of the easiest/most popular that I've seen is to write a daily facebook status post with something that you are thankful for.  While this can be slightly obnoxious for your more bah-humbug facebook friends- there are bound to be a few who appreciate your positive attitude. (and you're doing this for you!)  When I was a child I remember my mom making a paper turkey and each day in November my brothers and I would add a paper tail-feather to it with something we were thankful for written on it.

7.) Make some holiday-themed treats

Have some pumpkin pie or make some turkey-shaped cookies anytime this month.  The treats don't have to be limited to the day-of. (You can always work out before swimsuit season anyway.)

8.) Decorate

Many of your halloween decorations can be re-utilized for thanksgiving.  Turn those plastic jack-o-lanterns around for some plain pumpkins to help set the harvest-mood.  Print some thanksgiving-printable subway art to hang around the house to remind you what Thanksgiving is all about.

9.) Accessorize

Paint your nails with a turkey or autumn-leaf theme.  Make a seasonal t-shirt or some onesies for the littlest turkeys in your family.

10.) Have a Party

Many people are busy with their families on actual thanksgiving.  If you want to extend the holiday-fun to more than just family you could consider throwing a pre-thanksgiving party.  This is bound to be a hit with kids who love any excuse to play games and eat goodies. (...did I say kids? I meant me.)

11.) Check out our Pinterest Page!

Our authors will be busy pinning some of our favorite Thanksgiving-related pins (Including the pictures above with their related links) onto our Thanksgiving page: 

(Clicking this will take you to our Thanksgiving Pinterest Page)

Happy Turkey Day!

The "Brian", the Snitch, and the War zone

There was something always magically delicious about a new school year for me. Every September always gave me a sense of self-renewal. I felt like giddy little Lucy Pevensie, discovering the land of Narnia once again. And like in Narnia, there were always so many different types of interesting creatures in the land of high school.  

Each new school year I would optimistically march onward with my sharpened pencils, new backpack, unblemished notebooks, pristine planner, ink-filled pens and crisp, new jeans, excited to begin a fresh, unmarred school year.

It was a beautiful September day when we returned to Narnia high school for the first week of school. Birds were still chirping their summer songs and we were being teased with sporadic days of crisper, cooler, apple-picking weather. I was 15. You know the age. You’ve probably even been there before. It was the beginning of my sophomore year of high school. The year that really mattered. And for me, this year would be marked as one I would never forget.

You see, where I grew up, sophomore year marked the beginning of the end. We would take some of our hardest classes this year in preparation for college applications and the multiple standardized tests. I was very focused on my academics, demure one would even say, as I sat in my history class pondering the upcoming events that would lead to my escape from this beloved, yet wretched high school war-zone. But then…I saw him.

Have you ever seen the Sound of Music when Maria sings at the top of the hill? This was my Maria “the-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music moment”. The moment I saw Brian. (Name has been changed to protect the innocent). My first history class crush. He sat across from me and I would intently watch as he would toss his 90’s bowl hair cut in slow motion. He played soccer. He was smart. He had a high GPA. He was cool. I mean uber-cool. Of course, he didn’t notice me. Nor did he care when I tossed my 90’s big hair right back at him (imagine Sandra Bullock's hair, like from The Net hair).

I tried to be a ninja and sit close to him. But the teacher made a seating chart. Darn! I casually raised my hand to be in the same group as him for the first history group project of the year, but in the last minute, he was assigned a different group. Yeesh.

In my attempt to vent my frustrations, I carefully tore a piece of paper out of my notebook and started to write a note to my friend to tell her about my new found crush. With hearts around his name, I quickly signed my name (with another heart, of course) and put it back into my notebook. The bell rang. I shut my notebook, shoved it into my backpack, and left for lunch.

But this was not the end of the tale.

As I plopped myself down to eat my lunch with my friends. I noticed a group of boys looking my way and laughing.

“Oh my…is that Brian?” I asked my friend.

“Yeah, he’s staring at you! Why is he staring at you?” my friend asked.

I looked down at my clothes. No mustard stains. Check.

I pulled out my mirror to look at my face. No weird lipstick stains on face or food in my teeth. Double check.

Why is he looking at me like that? Why are they ALL looking at me?

I was beginning to feel my face get flushed with embarrassment. Then, I saw the Snitch, another boy from my history class who sat close to me. He was holding a crumpled piece of paper in his sneaky little hands. I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Hey, you dropped this note. But don’t worry I gave it to “Brian” for you,” he said.

A gurgling sound started to form in the back of my throat and with a ROAR as loud as Aslan the lion’s, I growled:

“You did what?!”

The snitch looked smugly at me, laughed and turned around. I wanted to turn him into stone. If I was a dragon I would breathe fire.

At this time I think one of my friends reminded me to breathe. How could this happen? All I wanted to do was scream…and then cry. As composed as possible, I looked around at the high school war zone and felt a sense annoyance I had never felt before. I looked at the school’s Welcome back to school sign. Another lovely start to the school year, I thought.

As I think back to those memories, I have to laugh. Memories like those make up the story of a life well-lived and full of character-building experiences. Someday I’m sure my girls will have similar (although, hopefully not too similar) experiences. And hopefully they will have the wisdom to laugh at themselves and know that with every brand new beginning to each school year they are in control of how their story unravels. I hope I can teach them that as they look back at the denouement of their new school year experiences, they can enjoy the rising and the falling parts of every year and learn from them.