The countdown to Christmas is on!

Can you believe this weekend is Christmas Weekend? I don’t know how it snuck up on me, but Christmas is finally here. I had actually forgotten this was Christmas weekend because I have been so busy with the kids and Travis started a new job a couple of weeks ago.

So just like many other people, we are getting last minute Christmas shopping and decorating (shh!) done today and over the weekend. Thank goodness the holiday season lasts just a couple more weeks so our late decorating will not be done in vain.

 

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?

I am looking forward to seeing the joy on my kids’ faces when they open their gifts. Zhen has been asking for a scooter for Christmas and she is absolutely determined to get one. Zechariah is into PJ Masks right now so he’s definitely getting that for Christmas. Michala is crazy about BTS the hot, new K-Pop band. (I have to admit I think BTS is pretty cool, too!) And Elijah is a big comic book fan so shopping for him is not going to be hard at all.

I’m also excited that is is Zephaniah’s first Christmas. He is my rainbow baby and I just love him so very much. All of my children’s first Christmases were special so I know this Christmas is going to be special for Zephaniah, too.

 

Christmas Links I Think You’ll Enjoy

I’m going to take a little time off from the blog so I can spend time with my family. I will be back on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, with new posts. Today’s post I am sharing a few Christmas links I compiled for you:

Classic Christmas stories to read to the kids

Fun Christmas party games to play with family and friends

Cool Christmas websites the kids will like — includes fun games

A cookie cheat sheet from Betty Crocker

Google’s Santa Tracker

Christmas movies to watch on Netflix

and

Two special recipes you can make this weekend.

 

I hope you have a most blessed Christmas and get to spend the holiday with someone you love.

God bless you and your family. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! xoxo

 

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a beautiful, holiday classic.

 

Classic Christmas Short Stories to Read to Your Children

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

(My personal favorite) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Country Christmas” by Louisa May Alcott

Find more classic Christmas short stories at American Literature official website. I always use this site for classic literature stories for my teens’ homeschool studies.

 

A Country Christmas by Louisa May Alcott

 

Christmas-related Links

30 Christmas Party Games Everyone Will Love (from Shutterfly)

27 Christmas Games Your Whole Family Will Love (from Good Housekeeping)

Northpole.com — a free site for the kids with cool crafts, coloring pages, fun games, and more. The Irish Examiner says, “Don’t be put off by less-than-amazing graphics. This site is actually very, very good.”

“3 Hours of Christmas Music Classics and Holiday Scenery” (on YouTube)

Find out how Christmas is celebrated in different countries and cultures.

The History of Christmas Trees (from History.com)

A Cookie Cheat Sheet for if you’re baking cookies this weekend. (from Betty Crocker)

 

 

Santa Tracker

Google’s Santa Tracker is another great site the kids will love. This interactive Christmas website features:

Explore the North Pole Airport and help the elves get their elf outfits on for Christmas. But be careful— you might accidentally put an elf outfit on a reindeer or make an elf where her outfit in a silly way.

An interactive map to click on various countries to learn about their holiday traditions.

A fun Christmas-themed puzzle.

A hip-hop game called “Wrap Battle”. Think Guitar Hero only you use the arrows on your keyboard to play. I’m gonna tell ya now— I tried to play this game and it was challenging even for this ol’ mom! 🙂 But it’s a lot of fun and the kids will think it’s cool.

A snowball fight with elves. You have to be quick, too, so don’t let the other elves hit you with a snowball!

Santa’s Canvas. An online coloring book with cute stickers, too.

And so much more!

 

 

 

Christmas Movies to Watch on Netflix

The Santa Clause (1994) — All three Santa Clause movies are on Netflix. The kids and I watched The Santa Clause 3 a few days ago. I will always love The Santa Clause movies.

White Christmas (1954)

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Gremlins (1984)

Christmas Inheritance (2017)

Santa’s Apprentice (2010)

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

A Story Bots Christmas (2017)

Trolls Holiday (2017)

 

Two Special Christmas Recipes

Cranberry Mint Mojito by Paul Kenny (author of Impromptu Friday Nights: A Guide to Supper Clubs)

Ingredients

  • 14 oz. fresh cranberry
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
  • 1 .7 oz. package of fresh mint
  • 8 oz. rum
  • 4 limes
  • club soda
  • Candy canes

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan combine fresh cranberries, ginger sugar, and water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and simmer for ten minutes. The berries will burst but be careful not to burn. Take off the heat and let cool.
  2. Pour the cranberry mixture into a blender and process on high until well pureed. Refrigerate to chill
  3. In a large mixing bowl combine the cranberry mixture, mint leaves and the juice of the four limes. Muddle the mixture to release the mint flavor the leaves and incorporate flavors. Strain into a pitcher
  4. Using smaller rocks/whiskey glasses pour in I oz. of rum, 1 oz. of cranberry mixture, a splash of club soda, mint leave and a few ice cubes. Transfer to a drink shaker. Give a good shake and then return to the rocks/whiskey glass top with a fresh mint leaf, a few raw cranberries, and a candy cane as a mixer and then serve

 

Cranberry Mint Mojito

 

White Chocolate and Olives Lollipop by Olives from Spain

Ingredients

10 oz. of Hojiblanca black olives

9 oz. of white chocolate

1 pastry bag with a thin nozzle

8 long skewers

1 lime

 

Directions

Step 1: Put some paper towels on a plate. Put the olives on top separately and put in the microwave for 3 minutes. After, open the paper towel and remove. Repeat procedure until they lose all of the liquid and can be broken by hand. Three-quarters of the olives crush using a mortar and pestle and the remaining reserve in slices.

Step 2: In a bowl, put the chocolate bain-marie. Once well dissolved, put in a pastry bag with a thin nozzle.

Step 3: On the table, put a circumference of olives and a skewer. Above, draw circles with the chocolate. Before they dry completely sprinkle with olive powder and lime zest.

 

White Chocolate and Olives Lollipop by Olives from Spain

 

Last Minute Christmas Sales

GameStop

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy now only $20

Call Of Duty WW2 Free with purchase of PlayStation 4 Pro

Any 4 preowned games priced $9.99 or less only $20

 

Destination Maternity 

Buy one, get one free maternity dresses at Destination Maternity! Valid for a limited time.

Buy one, get one free maternity pants and jeans at Destination Maternity! Valid for a limited time.

Get 40% off already reduced prices on maternity and nursing styles at Destination Maternity.

 

Nordstrom 

Last minute gift idea? Nordstrom has you covered this holiday season. Give $300 in eGift Cards, get a $50 promo card for yourself to spend in January at NORDSTROM! FREE Shipping. FREE Returns.

New exclusive beauty items now available at NORDSTROM. Shop your favorite brands like La Mer, MAC, Clinique, Bobbie Brown and more. Plus choose 3 free samples with every beauty purchase. FREE Shipping. FREE Returns.

SAVE up to 50% at the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale now through January 2! Shop selected styles for men, women, and kids. FREE Shipping. FREE Returns.

 

 

 

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].