Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Turkey Day the Kids' Way {FREEBIE}

If Thanksgiving at your house is anything like it is at mine, you're at the table for a looooooong time and the idea of trying to keep your kids seated that long is probably less appealing than the prospect of spending a winter like the Pilgrims did.  But with these great kids' table ideas, your little ones will want to keep their little butts in their chairs long after the dessert plates are cleared!

You've seen me rave about Brittany at One Charming Party before and she's really outdone herself with her Thanksgiving Feast for the kiddos.  Whether you create this table on turkey day or for a classroom party, it's sure to be a huge hit!


Adorable, right?  The turkey centerpiece is made from paper bags.


And you can even carve it open!


I also love the corn-on-the-cob place cards....


That are filled with treats to keep the children occupied between courses. 


There's even a Turkey Trivia Game that you can download for all of the guests to enjoy.

You can find it, along with tutorials for all of the other Thanksgiving Feast projects, at One Charming Party.

Speaking of downloads, see this cute kid's table?


Paper Glitter created the printables and you can download the whole set for free!  Just look at all of the amazing elements:


I think my favorite part is the Giving Thanks Activity Sheet.


Download the entire set at Paper Glitter.

Here's another wonderful kids' table printable package from Frog Prince Paperie.


I think the Tree of Thanks is fabulous.


And the turkey finger puppets are such fun favors.


Get the tutorial for how to make them HERE and buy the printable kids' table set, including the Tree of Thanks, at the Frog Prince Paperie Etsy store for just $10.

Want to create your own table setting from scratch?  Check out this ingenious idea!


Lay out craft paper to cover the entire table, cut out plate-sized circles of scrapbook paper and coordinating paper pockets and glue them down.  So sweet! {via Parents}

Or let your little turkeys make their own table cloth using this tutorial from Becky at The Crafting Chicks on How Does She.



Once you've got the table covered, you can reinvent traditional place cards Mayflower style:



Or with Egg Carton Pine Cones:


Wrap your napkins with a Turkey Ring:


And send your guests home with Turkey Pop favors.


These options are all so much fun that I think I'll be sitting at the kids' table this year!  It wouldn't be bad to drink wine there, would it?


Images: One Charming Party, Paper Glitter, Frog Prince Paperie, The Crafting Chicks & Parents

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Get Ready to Shop 'Til You Drop {GIVEAWAY}

 
For our second HOLIDAY HAPPENING giveaway, we're got a $75 credit to one of our favorites, CSN Stores.  This collection of 200+ online shopping sites has something for everyone on your holiday shopping list! 

Don't believe me?  You can get your little guy a John Deere Tool Set.


Or this awesome Rocket Ship.


And little ladies will love the Fantasy Vanity.


And the Rose Fairy Play Tent.


Your hubby will swoon for the wireless game chair.


Or a new wine cooler.


And if you're looking to splurge on yourself, you can go for some cute boots.


Or a fun new stand mixer. 


And no, it's not sexist that I suggested a stand mixer when it's that pretty!

Browsing all 200 CSN Stores could take until Christmas but their search engine is great and really helps you track down what you're looking for.  So head on over and check them out - it truly is one-stop shopping, which at this time of year is a godsend.  No parking lots to deal with, no lines to stand in.  Just simple shopping from the comfort of your own couch.  That's almost present enough!


But don't worry - we've got one more gift to give out.  CSN Stores has generously offered to give one lucky AFOMFT reader a $75 credit to their sites!  To enter, post a comment here telling me what's at the top of your holiday list (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:
  • Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber.
  • "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook
  • "Like" Hands on Keepsakes on Facebook
  • Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.  
  • Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  It's the Holiday Happening on @AFOMFT with a giveaway-a-day all month! #Win a $75 credit to CSN Stores - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
  • Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - Vote For Us @ topbabyblogs.com Top Baby Blogs.  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
  • Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
  • Grab our HOLIDAY HAPPENING button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
  • Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.
Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends November 9th at 11:59 pm EST. The winners will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on November 10th. If the winners don't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

Images: CSN Stores

CRAFTASTIC: Get Your Gobble Gobble On

Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away, so on day two of our HOLIDAY HAPPENING, here are a few turkey-day projects you - and your kiddies - are going to love!

Thanksgiving Countdown Calendar from Project Naptime. 


Bubble Wrap Indian Corn from Parents


Thankful Yarn Turkey from Parents


Give Thanks Banner from Parents


Paper Pilgrim Hat and Bonnet from Martha Stewart


Thanksgiving Finger Puppets from Martha Stewart


Turkey Pinata from Family Fun


Talking Turkey Glove Puppet from Better Homes & Gardens


Native American Clothespin Doll from Better Homes & Gardens


Gobbling Turkey Hat from Nick Jr.

If that round up doesn't inspire you to get your Thanksgiving craft on, I don't know what will.  Oh yes I do - tomorrow's feature on kids' table ideas for Thanksgiving Day!  You won't want to miss it.

Images: Project Naptime, Parents, Martha Stewart, Family Fun & Better Homes & Gardens

Monday, November 1, 2010

Get Hands On For the Holidays {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

Woo hoo!  It's the first day of November which means we're kicking off the HOLIDAY HAPPENING here on AFOMFT!


What does that mean?  Over the next 30 days, we'll be posting yummy recipes, cool crafts, great gift ideas and more to get you ready for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas.  And that's not all - we'll also be having at least one giveaway per day!  After all, they say it's better to give than receive, right?  So grab our HOLIDAY HAPPENING button, put it on your blog and get yourself in the holiday mood because things are kicking off right now.

I'm so excited about our first HOLIDAY HAPPENING feature because I love Christmas ornaments.  Love them.  Growing up, my mother let my brother and me choose a special ornament every year and about 15 years ago, I started collecting ornaments from every place I visited.  Now when I hang them on the tree, it's so fun to reminisce about what they all represent.  Sure, pretty ornaments are great but the ones that mean something make tree trimming all the more fun, which is why I adore the new holiday collection from Hands on Keepsakes.

Hands on Keepsakes was started by Sarah and Rachelle after a mutual friend brought back a pendant from England with her daughter's handprint and name on it.  They both loved the idea but were unable to find anything like it in Canada, where they're based, so Hands on Keepsakes was born.  Being moms themselves, Sarah and Rachelle understand how quickly time flies and how important it is to hold on to each and every memory.  Their new line of ornaments helps you do just that.  Take a look:


Yes, those are James' and Jake's actual hand and foot prints.  Is that sweet or what?  And even better - you won't have to pack this ornament away when the holidays are over because you can remove the ribbon and replace it with a key ring (one is included with every order).  Genius!


There are so many wonderful personalized designs to choose from.  Baby's First Christmas is just precious.


 I love the pieces made from children's artwork!  Hands on Keepsakes can take this:

And make it into this!

 
And there's even something for your four-pawed friend!


In addition to ornaments/key rings, you can also order personalized print necklaces.  This one is perfect for mothers of twins.


And the lettering on this adorable pendant was actually written by the child. 



One of my favorites is the Family Tree Tags.


You can put names on all of the tags, or use words and phrases like FAMILY, CHRISTMAS 2010 or EST. 2007.  I love that you can add to it over the years and that, of course, you can carry it with you always.



Sarah and Rachelle want you to find the perfect holiday gift or keepsake so you can customize almost anything in the shop.  Choose from bronze or silver, get the tags in round, oval, rectangle or heart shapes, pick the fonts, change the text - it's all up to you!  And if there's something you don't see that you'd like, be sure to contact them because they adore custom work and would love to create the perfect memento just for you.

Hands on Keepsakes helps you celebrate the joy of the holidays all year long, which is why they're first on our 2010 HOLIDAY GIFT PICK list. 


And they're offering a present to one of you too!



Hands on Keepsakes has generously offered to give away one set of four Family Tree Tags to a lucky AFOMFT reader! 


To enter, visit Hands on Keepsakes and post a comment here telling me which item in the store is your favorite (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:
  • Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber.
  • Publicly follow or subscribe to the Hands on Keepsake blog.
  • Visit Hands on Keepsakes on Etsy and make the store a favorite.
  • "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook
  • "Like" Hands on Keepsakes on Facebook
  • Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.  
  • Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  It's the Holiday Happening on @AFOMFT with a giveaway-a-day all month! #Win a family tag ornament worth $60 - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
  • Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - Vote For Us @ topbabyblogs.com Top Baby Blogs.  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
  • Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
  • Grab our HOLIDAY HAPPENING button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
  • Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.
Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends November 8th at 11:59 pm EST. The winners will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on November 9th. If the winners don't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!



And that's not all!  Hands on Keepsakes is offering readers of AFOMFT free shipping through Sunday, November 7th!  Enter AFOMFT in the message to seller box at checkout and your shipping fees will be refunded via Paypal or contact Sarah and Rachelle before you checkout and they'll create a reserved listing for you.  Happy shopping!

Images: Hands on Keepsakes

DEAL ALERT: The Veggie Tales Christmas Album {FREEBIE}


Sure, December 24th is still quite a ways away but you can start getting your little ones in the holiday mood with The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree from the Veggie Tales!


You can download 16 free Christmas songs from Larry, Bob and the rest of the crew for free here on Amazon.  Enjoy!