Families are in full holiday mode! Kids are out of school on break, Thanksgiving is tomorrow and the Christmas countdown is just about to begin. We’re getting your family holiday ready.
DECK YOUR HALLS
According to tradition, families put up their Christmas tree at the start of advent, which falls on the 4th Sunday before Christmas, landing it this year on this Sunday, November 27! Balsam Hill has so many great ways to get your home holiday ready without breaking the bank.
From Firs to Spruces, Pines and Cedars, the best aspect of having a faux tree is that it’s full customizable to your home and style. You can pick size, shape, species and even whether it’s pre-lit or snow flocked. We love Balsam Hill because with some many decisions, how to know what is best for your family. They have a simple Tree Finder Quiz on their website as well as a Sample Branch Kit that can be sent to your home.
Poinsettias are considered the Christmas flower, and many people give them to symbolize good cheer and success. We love to decorate with them as well as so many other Balsam Hill wreaths, garlands and foliage. You can find the Balsam Hill and merry winterberry forest and farmhouse centerpieces throughout our homes too!
TWIST TO HOLIDAY MOVIE MARATHON
From classics like It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street, to comedies like Chevy Chase Vacation and Home Alone, the list is long of favorites to watch over the holidays. Make your movie watching an experience… like DIY Grinch crafts and homemade ELF pancakes.
GET GRINCHY
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps means a little more.” The Grinch and all of its variations are always on our Christmas movie watch list. We couldn’t resist this skirt and sweatshirt from Hanna Andersson. We love this outfit too if you take your kids to the theater to watch the Grinch or watch from the comfort of your home.
To go with our movie night, we made Grinch handprint ornaments. We used yardstick to trace our hands. Then you can either paint or color the hands to look like the characters. Add some googly eyes, cotton balls and stickers to decorate. We made Grinch, Max and Cindy Lou Who.
ELF PANCAKES
“I like smiling, smiling is my favorite!” Buddy the Elf says it best and so our family loves watching the classic ELF every year at Christmastime. This year we made it more special by selecting family matching sweaters from Hanna Andersson inspired from the Warner Bros film, complete with the Fair Isle Sweater saying “Bye Buddy, hope you find your Dad! (Everybody loves that Narwhal!)
And then we decided to make pancakes, ELF style with candy, candy canes, syrup and any other sugar sweet treat we happened to have in the house. It provided to be a really fun time for the family, and maybe turned into more of a craft than actual meal once I saw how carried away the kids got with the toppings. Then we get out the movie and all sit together enjoying family time and the laughs!
SPEND TIME WITH SANTA
Virtually visit or make a trip in-person to Macy’s Santaland, it’s completely FREE but you do need a reservation. There are so many interactive ways to hang out with St. Nick and countdown the days until Christmas. We love hopping in the car and taking the short ride into the city and meet Santa at Macy’s San Francisco Union Square, and also checking out all the holiday windows.
But this year Macy’s has created a virtual version of their annual Santaland where you can make a reservation to meet Santa and play games and shop. We love the idea of getting into the spirit either in matching outfits, jammies or even picking up a gingerbread kit from Macy’s and taking the time to decorate as part of the experience to get ready to meet Santa! Either option is free and keeps the kids entertained and excited with Christmas cheer.
