Making Christmas Magical: How to Get Your Kids Involved in Decorating, Baking, Wrapping & More

Christmas is a season full of warmth, wonder, and the joy of togetherness. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of gift-buying and to-do lists, one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate is by involving your kids in the heart of the holiday preparations. Not only does it create lasting memories, but it also helps children feel valued, connected, and excited to contribute to family traditions.

1. Deck the Halls—Together

Let your kids be part of transforming your home into a Christmas wonderland. Hand them a string of lights, a box of ornaments, or some garland and let their creativity shine—literally!

Tree Trimming: Assign each child their own section of the tree or invite them to hang up their handmade or favorite ornaments.

Kid-Made Decorations: Salt dough ornaments, paper snowflakes, handprint wreaths, and popcorn garlands are perfect DIYs that kids can help make and hang.

Window Art: Let them use window clings or washable paint pens to create snowy scenes on windows or mirrors.

2. Bake Holiday Treats as a Family

The smell of cookies baking is one of the best parts of the season. Let your kids become your mini sous-chefs for some kitchen fun.

Cookie Cutters & Decorating: Sugar cookies are perfect for little hands. Provide frosting, sprinkles, and candies for a decorating station.

Family Favorites: Teach your children the recipes that have been passed down, whether it's grandma’s fudge or your go-to gingerbread.

Gift Baking: Have them help assemble cookie tins or hot cocoa jars to give as gifts to teachers, neighbors, or friends.

3. Turn Wrapping into a Fun Event

Instead of doing all the gift-wrapping solo at midnight, turn it into a cheerful activity.

Wrap with Style: Give your kids simple tools like tissue paper, ribbons, and gift bags. Let them help wrap gifts for siblings or relatives.

Personal Touch: Kids can draw pictures or write names on tags. Fingerprint reindeer or snowmen tags make wrapping personal and fun.

“Santa’s Helpers”: Assign each child a secret wrapping mission, like wrapping all of Grandma’s gifts in her favorite color.

4. Let Them Help with Shopping

Bringing your kids into the process of giving helps them understand the true spirit of the season.

Budget-Friendly Choices: Give them a small budget to choose a sibling or parent gift. Even dollar store finds can become treasured keepsakes.

Handmade Gifts: Encourage crafting personalized gifts like photo frames, beaded ornaments, or coupon books.

Giving Back: Involve them in donating a toy or volunteering to shop for a family in need. It teaches compassion and gratitude.

5. Create Your Own Christmas Traditions

Kids love the predictability and comfort of family traditions. Involve them in choosing or creating ones that reflect your values and personality.

Christmas Eve Box: Let them help fill a box with pajamas, a movie, popcorn, and hot cocoa for a cozy night.

Lights Tour: Choose a night to drive around town in pajamas with cocoa, rating the best-decorated houses.

Ornament of the Year: Let each child pick or make one ornament each year to add to the tree and build a memory collection.

Story Time Countdown: Wrap 24 Christmas or winter-themed books and open one each night for a festive bedtime routine.

When you involve your kids in decorating, baking, wrapping, and new traditions, you’re doing more than just checking tasks off a list—you’re creating lifelong memories. These small moments help shape the way they’ll remember Christmas—and maybe even how they’ll share it with their own families someday.

Find more favorite Christmas crafts here:

Mickey Mouse Gift Tags

Button Tree Ornaments

Christmas Tree Crafts for Kids

Deck the Halls with Fun! Craft a Merry Christmas with Your Kids

There's something truly magical about Christmas. The twinkle lights, the delicious treats, and the joy of giving all come together to create a season unlike any other. But perhaps the most heartwarming part of the holidays is spending quality time with loved ones.

This year, why not make some of that quality time extra creative? Crafting with your kids is a fantastic way to embrace the festive spirit and build lasting memories together. Here are just a few reasons to get crafty this Christmas:

• Spark Creativity and Imagination: Crafting allows kids to explore their creativity and problem-solving skills. As they cut, glue, and assemble, their imaginations take flight!
• Boost Fine Motor Skills: Many Christmas crafts involve activities like tearing paper, threading beads, and using scissors. These motions help develop the small muscles in their hands and wrists, which are important for tasks like writing and dressing.
• Build Confidence: When kids complete a craft project, they get a huge sense of accomplishment. Seeing their creation come to life builds their confidence and self-esteem.
• Bonding Time: Crafting provides a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for parents and kids to connect. It's a chance to chat, laugh, and work together on a fun project.
• Personalized Decorations: There's nothing more special than a homemade Christmas decoration. These one-of-a-kind ornaments will be cherished for years to come, and become treasured keepsakes.

Here are some ideas for crafting with the kids. Click thru the links to view the full tutorials.

Pretzel Christmas Trees by Oh My Creative

Salt Dough Christmas Tree Ornaments by Messy Little Monster

3D Paper Trees by The Printables Fairy

Christmas Tree Lacing by Little Bins for Little Hands

Tissue Paper Trees by DIY and Fun

Sequin Trees by Sum of Their Stories

Pointillism Trees by Coffee and Carpool

Pasta Trees by Mimosas and Motherhood

Paper Bag Christmas Trees by Simple Everyday Mom

Cardboard Christmas Trees by Kids Activities Blog

Process Art Christmas Trees by Sweet Silly Sara

Paper Plate Christmas Trees by Red Ted Art

Christmas Tree Bookmarks by My Joy Filled Life

Christmas Tree Cones by Mom Brite

Edible Christmas Trees by Our Wabi Sabi Life 

Crafting for All Ages!

The beauty of Christmas crafts is that there's something for everyone. Here's a sneak peek at some fun ideas suitable for a variety of ages:

• For Toddlers: Little ones will love exploring textures and colors with handprint ornaments, play dough creations, or simple collages.
• For Preschoolers: Preschoolers can get creative with yarn wrapping, decorating pre-cut paper ornaments, or making their own construction paper Christmas trees.
• For School-Aged Kids: Older kids can tackle more intricate crafts like pipe cleaner snowflakes, Popsicle stick reindeer, or decorating their own miniature Christmas trees.

So gather your supplies, grab your little elves, and get ready to craft a Christmas season to remember!

In the upcoming posts of this blog series, we'll be sharing a variety of fun and festive Christmas crafts that you can make with your kids. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, here are some additional tips for a successful crafting session:

• Set Up a Crafting Station: Designate a space for crafting that's well-ventilated and easy to clean up.
• Gather Your Supplies: Make sure you have everything you need before you start, so your little ones don't get frustrated.
• Lay Down the Ground Rules: Set some basic expectations for handling materials and cleaning up.
• Embrace the Mess: Crafting can get a little messy, so relax and have fun!
• Most Importantly, Have Fun! This is a time to bond with your kids and create lasting memories. So crank up the Christmas tunes, sip on some hot cocoa, and get ready to craft a magical Christmas together!

Find some of our favorite Christmas crafts here:

Easy Craft Stick and Ribbon Tree Ornaments

Design Your Own Play Doh Ornaments

Mickey Mouse Bell Ornaments

Beginner's Guide: How to Carve Handmade Woodcarvings

 

Handmade wood carving crafts combine the beauty of nature's materials and the ingenuity of manual carving and are loved by many. With the development of wood carving, more and more people have become interested in exquisite wood carving crafts and are looking for ways to learn wood carving techniques. After all, it is a very pleasurable thing to carve a lovely little wood carving yourself. If you are also a beginner learning wood carving, then this guide is a good one to have.

Step 1: Prepare the required tools

1. Basic Engraving Tools: 

As a beginner, you do not need to buy advanced carving tools that are difficult to handle like the masters do, but just some basic engraving tools will suffice. For example, a flat knife, small saw, pencil sharpener chisel knife of different widths, as well as V-shaped knife and U-shaped knife for carving details.

2. Auxiliary tools

sandpaper, brushes, clamps, pencils, sketch paper.

3. optional tools: 

as a beginner who is not very good at using various shapes of carving knives, you can prepare an electric carving pen.

Step 2: Design Draft

To make a wood carving craft, beginners first need to design a draft. According to their own ideas, find similar works and copy, draw on the draft paper. Because wood carving has many different carving techniques, wood carving draft is mainly divided into hollow relief, three-dimensional round carving and plane carving. Each of these three forms has different design ideas. Openwork is the most difficult, so it is recommended that beginners choose either three-dimensional round carving or plane carving.

1.Three-dimensional round carving

First of all, we need to draw the plan of the wood carving according to our own ideas, and then deepen the details. Because the round carving is a three-dimensional shape, although we draw a plan, but we need to build a three-dimensional drawing in our mind, in the draft drawing to mark out which areas need to be reserved for how much size.

2. Plane engraving

Plane engraving is mainly in a fixed size plate, according to the drawing of the pattern for carving can be, is the most simple, the most suitable for beginners of the engraving process. So in the sketch only need to mark out the size of the plate and depict the pattern you want to carve can be.

Step 3: Selection of materials

1. Material:

 beginners choose softwood, such as basswood, pine, poplar and other wood easy to carve. Remember not to choose hardwood for the first time, the material is too hard for beginners to carry out carving is easy to appear hand injury accident.

2. Shape and size: 

according to the draft map marking the size of the wood to choose to meet the requirements. If it is a flat carving, find the right size can be: if it is a round wood carving, you can go to look for some unique shapes of wood, such as a long strip of wood with forked branches to carve a long ribbon fish.

3. Appearance: 

there should be no obvious cracks and scars on the wood, otherwise the wood carving may have irreparable flaws after completion.

Step 4: Base shape

Roughly remove the excess wood from the wood by chiseling and cutting. After removing most of the wood, use tools to sand the rough basic shape according to the draft. During the sanding process, the volume of each part of the wood should be left to allow some room for the rough carving later.

Step 5: Rough and fine carving

The basic shape of the wood carving work is completed, and then you need to take out the ready carving tools, in the wood carving was deliberately left on the margin area for processing. Fine carving requires beginners to work on the fine details of the work to modify and carve, according to their own ideas to optimize the carving of the details of the part. Rough carving requires the beginner to continue shaping the overall shape of the wood carving with a wider carving knife.

Step 6: Polishing

After the carving work is completed, the overall work will have angular carving marks. If you want to preserve the original carving marks and give the carving a more natural look, you can skip this step and go straight to coloring the wood carving wax. If you want the overall appearance of the piece to be smooth and have a flowing aesthetic, you will need to sand it. Use sandpaper to sand the edges and corners, and then use a brush to clean up the wood shavings after the sanding is completed, and the overall carving of the wood carving is finished.

Step 7: Post-treatment (waxing)

After cleaning up the wood carving and making sure there is no debris on its surface, you can start the final waxing work. If you like the original color of the wood carving, you can use wood dye to highlight the wood grain of the wood carving and show the natural original color. If you like colorful wood carvings with rich visual effects, you can use acrylic paints to color the wood carvings, which will have a good decorative effect. Finally, oil wax, varnish and other paints are applied to create a protective layer for the wood carving.

Conclusion

By following the steps in this guide, beginners can quickly learn how to carve a wood carving craft and know the details and safe practices to pay attention to in each step. Beginners, go to choose a few suitable carving tools and start carving your first wood carving crafts, which will be a very interesting and fulfilling thing for you.

Christmas Crafts for Kids

 

Crafting Cheer: Fun and Festive Activities for Kids this Holiday Season

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and creating lasting memories. And what better way to embrace the spirit of the season than with some fun and festive crafting with your kids? Crafting with little ones is a wonderful way to:

• Bond and Connect: Spending quality time together creating something special is a heartwarming experience for both parents and children.
• Boost Creativity: Crafts allow kids to explore their imaginations and develop their artistic skills.
• Make Memories: These homemade decorations and gifts will be cherished for years to come, bringing back fond memories of the holidays whenever they're seen.
• Spread Holiday Cheer: Handmade ornaments and cards can be used to decorate your home or gifted to loved ones, adding a personalized touch to the season.

Water Bottle Christmas Bowling Game by Sustain My Craft Habit

Accordion Folded Trees by A Little Pinch of Perfect

Clay Pot Reindeer by Julie Measures

Yarn Wrapped Trees by Made with Happy

Easy Rudolph Craft by Glue Sticks and Gumdrops

Clothespin Reindeer Ornaments by Fun Money Mom

Printable Christmas Puppets by The Printables Fairy

Paper Straw Christmas Tree Cards by Honey and Lime

Paper Plate Christmas Trees by Mama of Minis

Handprint Reindeer by Little Ladoo

Pasta Angel Ornaments by The Keel Deal

Air Dry Clay Ornaments by Mimosas and Motherhood

Santa S’more Ornaments by Whispered Inspirations

Play Doh Ornaments by Sweet Silly Sara

Paper Straw Christmas Tree Ornaments by Made in a Pinch

Crafting for All Ages:

The beauty of holiday crafts is that there's something for everyone, regardless of age or skill level. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• For the Littlest Crafters: Even toddlers can get in on the fun with simple activities like handprint ornaments, decorating pre-cut felt shapes, or sorting colorful pasta for ornaments.
• Preschool Powerhouses: Preschoolers will enjoy creating collages with construction paper and glitter, decorating cookies, or making pipe cleaner candy canes.
• School-Age Fun: School-aged children can tackle more intricate projects like decorating mugs with paint pens, crafting paper snowflakes, or constructing gingerbread houses.

Tips for a Successful Craft Session:

• Set the Mood: Put on some festive music, light some holiday candles, and wear Santa hats for some extra cheer!
• Gather Your Supplies: Make sure you have everything you need before you start to avoid any meltdowns.
• Embrace the Mess: Holidays are about making memories, not creating a Pinterest-perfect craft session. Lay down some newspaper or a tablecloth to protect surfaces and let the creativity flow!
• Keep it Age-Appropriate: Choose projects that are suited to your child's skill level to avoid frustration.
• Focus on Fun: The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the time spent together creating something special.

Get Ready to Craft!

Stay tuned for our upcoming craft tutorials, where we'll provide step-by-step instructions for a variety of engaging and festive Christmas crafts that you and your kids can create together. From adorable ornaments to delightful decorations, we have something for everyone to make this holiday season merry and bright!

Find more favorite Christmas crafts here:

Christmas Gnome Ornaments

Rudolph Ornaments

Mickey Mouse Bell Ornaments

Mickey Mouse Gift Tag Ornaments

Nine Tips for Planning a Family Weekend Getaway to Sevierville

 

Image source

Family vacations don’t have to be week-long excursions planned months in advance. Sometimes, all it takes is a quick weekend getaway to recharge, create cherished memories, and reconnect as a family. What better place to do that than Sevierville, Tennessee? Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, it is an ideal destination for families looking for adventure, relaxation, and quality time together. With its charming atmosphere, a wide range of attractions, and accessibility for U.S. residents, Sevierville offers something for everyone. Here’s how to make the most of your family weekend getaway to this picturesque town.

1. Choose Accommodations That Suit Your Family

You may be going away only for the weekend, but that doesn’t mean you should compromise on accommodations. Finding the right place to stay can make all the difference in your getaway experience. Fortunately, Sevierville offers a wide range of accommodations to suit different family needs and preferences. For a cozy, rustic vibe, consider renting a cabin in the woods. These options often come with amenities like hot tubs, fireplaces, and game rooms that kids love.

If you prefer being closer to town and attractions, many hotels and resorts in Sevierville offer convenience, comfort, and family-friendly facilities like pools and complimentary breakfasts. 

2. Explore the Entertainment Options

There are just so many things to do in Sevierville TN, that your weekend will surely be packed with excitement and smiles. A must-visit is SkyLand Ranch, a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue offering spectacular mountain views, live music, and activities designed for all ages. Families can stroll across scenic walking trails, enjoy food from local vendors, or simply take in the incredible atmosphere.

For a thrilling adventure, hop on the Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster, the longest mountain coaster in the Southeast. This exhilarating ride twists, turns, and dives through stunning natural surroundings. The best part? You can control the speed level! It’s an experience the whole family will rave about long after the weekend ends.

3. Plan for Outdoor Adventures

Sevierville’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes it a haven for families who love the great outdoors. You could begin your adventure with a family-friendly hike. Opt for the Laurel Falls Trail, which features a relatively easy path leading to a stunning waterfall. Kids will love spotting wildlife along the way, from deer to colorful birds.

Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch by a bubbling creek or at one of the park’s scenic picnic spots. For families with older kids, activities like zip-lining or horseback riding can add a bit of extra adventure to the mix. Being immersed in nature not only helps families unplug from their daily routines but also fosters a sense of togetherness that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

4. Enjoy Unique Dining Experiences

No family trip is complete without delicious food, and Sevierville has plenty of options. Head to the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and Grill, a local favorite that serves up hearty Southern comfort food in a charming farmhouse setting. From crispy fried chicken to apple fritters served with apple butter, every dish is a treat.

For a more casual meal, consider Big Daddy’s Pizzeria, where families can enjoy freshly made, wood-fired pizzas. Don’t forget to stop by a local ice cream shop or bakery for a sweet treat to end the day. Dining out during your Sevierville getaway is an opportunity to connect over shared meals and explore the town’s culinary culture.

5. Visit Iconic Attractions

Sevierville is full of iconic landmarks and attractions that offer a mix of education and entertainment. Begin with a visit to the Dolly Parton Statue in downtown Sevierville, which celebrates the town’s most famous resident. It’s a great photo opportunity and a chance to share stories about Dolly’s inspiring journey with your kids.

Another must-see is the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, where aviation enthusiasts of all ages can marvel at historic aircraft and learn about the pilots who made history. Interactive exhibits make it a particularly engaging stop for younger visitors.

6. Embrace Shopping Opportunities

No trip to Sevierville is complete without exploring its shopping scene. A highlight for families is Tanger Outlets, a sprawling shopping center with a mix of popular brands, local stores, and unique finds. Parents can hunt for bargains on clothing and accessories, while kids will enjoy browsing toy stores or picking out souvenirs to remember the trip.

Shopping in Sevierville isn’t just about buying—it’s an experience to remember. Many stores offer local crafts and Smoky Mountain-themed gifts, making it easy to find something special. Plan a few hours at Tanger Outlets, and don’t forget to stop for a snack or treat at one of the nearby cafes or bakeries to recharge.

7. Include Fun and Games for Kids

Sevierville is a paradise for kids, offering activities that will keep them entertained and excited. A great option is mini-golf, with courses featuring creative themes and obstacles. Mini-golf is an excellent way to spend time as a family, combining friendly competition with lots of laughs.

For something more interactive, head to the Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo. Home to over 130 species of tropical animals, this zoo offers a chance for kids to learn about wildlife while engaging with interactive exhibits. Activities like gem mining at local attractions also add an element of discovery and fun, ensuring children stay engaged throughout the trip.

8. Schedule Time for Relaxation

While packing in activities is part of the excitement of a family getaway, it’s equally important to set aside time to relax. After a day full of adventure, consider unwinding at your accommodations. 

Plan a laid-back evening with board games, movies, or simply stargazing together. If your family loves nature, take a peaceful evening stroll in one of Sevierville’s parks, where you can enjoy paved walking paths and picnic areas. Balancing action with rest ensures that everyone stays energized and stress-free during the trip.

9. Save The Memories

As your family explores Sevierville, make an effort to document your adventures. Whether it’s a group selfie at the base of a waterfall or a candid shot of the kids laughing on the Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster, these photos will be cherished for years to come.

Bring along a journal or scrapbook to jot down funny moments or memorable quotes from the trip. For kids, this can be a fun way to reflect on their favorite parts of the weekend. Many shops in Sevierville sell Smoky Mountain-themed photo frames and keepsakes, providing the perfect way to showcase your favorite snapshots once you’re home.

A family getaway to Sevierville is more than just a short trip—it’s an opportunity to strengthen bonds, create unforgettable memories, and enjoy the best of what the Smoky Mountains have to offer. By balancing adventure with relaxation, you’ll ensure a weekend that leaves everyone smiling. As you head back home, you’ll carry the laughter, stories, and connections made during your time in this charming Tennessee town.