"Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change."

- Jim Rohn

Morning Mama! It’s Monday. Brace yourselves, Christmas is coming, and so is the chaos. We’ve got some tricks up our sleeves to keep you sane and the kids enchanted.

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• 7 Tips to dazzle older kids with Christmas wonder

• DIY Candy Bow Toppers 🍬

• Sprinkle Bars for the festive soul🎄

• DIY Decor Christmas trees!

Holiday Hoopla

7 Ways to Keep the Magic of Christmas Alive for Older Kids

Christmas isn't just for the little ones; it's a season of wonder for all ages.

As our kids grow, their belief in Santa may fade, but the magic of the season doesn't have to.

Join the Secret Santa Club

Encourage your older kids to become Santa's helpers! Show them how to create reindeer footprints or ring sleigh bells, and let them enjoy nibbling Santa's cookies.

Being part of this 'secret club' allows them to share the magic with younger siblings and friends, keeping the festive spirit alive.

Explore Spiritual Stories

As your child matures, deepen their understanding of your family's spiritual or religious beliefs.

Discuss the significant stories and teachings of the season, helping them connect to the deeper meanings of Christmas.

Embrace Giving

Involve your kids in community service or charity work.

Whether it's delivering meals, making care packages, or filling parking meters, teaching them the joy of giving is a priceless gift.

Start New Traditions

Create memorable family traditions like picking out a Christmas tree, crafting ornaments, or enjoying a holiday movie marathon.

Keeping some Santa-related activities, even as they evolve, maintains a sense of continuity and nostalgia.

Foster Anticipation

Replace the excitement of Santa's visit with new, mysterious traditions.

Consider having a 'Santa-like spy' or a daily advent-calendar-like treasure hunt to keep the anticipation high.

Make a Wish List

Encourage your older kids to write wish lists.

The thrill of hoping for and receiving desired gifts doesn't diminish with age. It's a simple yet magical part of Christmas.

Lead by Example

Embrace the holiday spirit yourself.

Reflect on your own Christmas memories and share the joy and excitement with your family.

Christmas magic is contagious!

By adapting traditions, focusing on the spirit of giving, and maintaining a sense of wonder ourselves, we can ensure that the holiday season remains a magical time for everyone in the family.

Sometimes the most enchanting moments come from the simplest joys! 🎄✨

Keep reading here.

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Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤 

Poll Results From 12/15

What's your family's favorite weekend activity?

 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Going to the park (35%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Baking or cooking together (11%)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Movie nights (21%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Playing board games (8%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Exploring new places (25%)

Featured Response😄 

Oh, absolutely! The park is like a little adventure land for kiddos to unleash their energy and curiosity – it's amazing to watch them grow and explore! 🌳✨ - Danielle

Mom Hack

Candy Bow Gift Toppers

Mom Hack

Give your gifts a sweet twist by using candy as bow toppers!

Choose your recipient's favorite candy, preferably in bags, and pinch the middle to create a bow-like shape.

Secure it with ribbon on the gift for an adorable and delicious decoration.

Mom’s Menu

🎄 Holiday Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Bars

The ultimate holiday delight with these Holiday Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Bars!

Soft, chocolatey, and adorned with colorful sprinkles, these bars are sure to be the star of any festive gathering.

Why You'll Love It

• 🍫 Rich, chocolatey flavor that's irresistibly delicious.

• 🎉 Fun holiday sprinkles add a cheerful touch to every bite.

Ingredients 📝

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 3/4 cup white sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cup chocolate covered candies

• 3/4 cup chocolate chips, chunks, or discs

• 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles

Instructions 👩‍🍳

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch pan and line with parchment paper.

2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

3. In a mixer, beat butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until creamy (3-5 minutes).

4. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until combined.

5. Fold in 1 1/4 cup chocolate candies and 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

6. Transfer to the baking dish, topping with remaining candies, chocolate chips, and sprinkles.

7. Bake for 30 minutes until golden.

8. Cool for 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

Note 📌

These bars are perfect for holiday parties or a cozy family treat.

The combination of chocolate chips and festive sprinkles makes them a hit with kids and adults alike.

Enjoy the holiday cheer with every bite of these delightful bars!

Full recipe here.

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Daily DIY (Mom Side Hustle)

DIY Holiday Decor

Create charming rustic felt Christmas trees using simple materials like felt, sticks, and hot glue.

1. Start by printing and resizing a Christmas tree template.

2. Cut multiple felt tree shapes, then glue them onto sticks, ensuring they're half an inch from the top of each tree.

3. Finish by trimming and attaching the trees to wood bases for a festive display.

Holiday crafts are always a hot item on Etsy if you’re looking for a fun side hustle!

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

The ultimate carry-all for our everyday chaos! 🛍️

This isn't just any tote; it's a spacious, sturdy lifesaver that can handle anything from grocery hauls to park playdates.

ts classic design means you're always in style, and it's built to last, saving you from the endless cycle of replacing bags.

Open Top Heavy Duty Tote Bag

Game

Name That Character (Kids Play-along)

Mom’s Meme 🤣

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Peter Pan. The image shows the silhouette of Peter Pan in mid-flight, with his adventurous spirit and iconic look.