Well, here we go! The last month of the year (and usually the busiest) has arrived. Are your kiddos excited? Are you ready for the holiday madness, or hesitant to step into the stress? Either way, you’re not alone. We love the holidays, but we know it can be a lot. So let our featured article give you a few fun ideas to make some happy memories, and our Recipes of the Week can help take the worry away from dinner prep. Of course, my thoughts on all the holiday fun are down below in Just Sayin’.
Happy December, friends!
7 Christmassy Ideas For December Fun
By Crystal Ponti
Christmas provides an ideal opportunity to come together with your loved ones to have a little fun and make wonderful memories. If you want to have a season to remember for many years to come, there are various fun and festive activities you can enjoy with your friends and family.
If you are stuck and need some seasonal inspiration, here are seven Christmassy ideas for this December.
Book Tickets To a Theatre Show
To experience a warm and fuzzy feeling inside this festive season, book local theatre tickets for all the family this Christmas. You can trust there will be a superb show the whole clan will love, as you can immerse yourselves in a dramatic play or watch a fun musical that will have you dancing on your feet. It’s one memory your loved ones are unlikely to forget.
Create Festive Bakes
Grab the flour and sugar and make your way to the kitchen to whip up some festive bakes for your nearest and dearest. It’s the perfect activity to try with your partner and/or children, as you can create everything from snowman cookies or seasonal cakes. There are plenty of easy-to-follow Christmas recipes online, so you can munch on a delicious treat when watching a feel-good movie.
Check Out Holiday Books
Visit your local library and check out a bagful of holiday books for your kiddos to read each night of December. The librarians can help you find books for each age/reading level of your little ones.
4. Build a Snowman
If you’re lucky enough to enjoy a white Christmas, make wonderful memories with your family or friends by building a snowman together. Put on your coat and grab your mittens to head out into the great outdoors, and don’t forget a carrot nose and an extra hat and scarf for your new snowman, too!
Have Fun With Elf On a Shelf
Get the children excited for Christmas with Elf on the Shelf. It’s a parent’s job to place the adorable elf across different areas of the home, as he will be acting as Santa’s eyes and ears, which will ensure your kids are on their best behavior.
Inform them that every night when they go to bed, he will return to the North Pole to report to Santa Claus himself before returning the next morning – but he’ll always be in a new and interesting location. Not only will he embody the magic of Christmas for your kids, but you’ll love to watch them excited to see the elf in a different position every morning.
Donate a Toy
As Christmas is the season of goodwill, consider donating a gift to a children’s charity, which will ensure a little one will wake up to a superb gift from Santa this Christmas. Many children’s hospitals, homeless shelters, and fire departments often welcome donations across the community, so it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do this holiday season.
Make a Gingerbread House
Looking for a fun and festive activity to try one weekend? Well, you could always bake and build a gingerbread house. Once you have baked the perfect gingerbread pieces, hold them together using royal icing before decorating with all sorts of fun and colorful candies. Local stores carry Gingerbread House kits as well, so if you’re not into baking, grab a kit and have fun. It will make the perfect centerpiece on your dining table, and the whole family will love the scent of gingerbread as they enter your home.
RECIPES OF THE WEEK:
As we kick off December, the foods that come to mind are warm, comforting, and quick (because we have holiday stuff to do!). Our five dinner recipes this week are created with those things in mind. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1 small onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, chopped cilantro
Instructions:
In a skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Transfer the browned turkey to your slow cooker.
Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, and chicken broth.
Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Before serving, taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite toppings. Serve with cornbread, tortilla chips, or over rice if desired.
Cozy Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients: