did you miss one?

If so, here's a recap of the absolutely fabulous traditions that each guest blogger shared with us over the course of the past three weeks.  I'm so thankful for each one of these ladies who was willing to share a bit of themselves with us during twelve (plus) days of traditions. 

If you missed one, go check it out by clicking on the big red-letter description.

Christmas Books with Coordinating Crafts

by Jocelyn @ We Talk of Christ

Gift Hide and Seek

by Fawnda @ Fireflies and Jellybeans

The Christmas Keys

by Jerri @ Simply Sweet Home

Iced Sugar Cookies

by Mandy @ Sugar Bee

Christmas Eve Traditions

 by Laura @ Along for the Ride

 Family Gift Giving

by Kim @ Seven Thirty Three

Santa's Gift Sack

by Jennifer Juniper @ Hope Studios

Films and Fondue

by Bev @ Flamingo Toes

Family Food Traditions

by Sarah @ Sweet Pea & JoJo 

Secretly Serving Others

by Leslie @ Nigh Owl Crafting

Personalized Ornaments

by Kim @ a girl and a glue gun

Family Baking & Snickerdoodle Recipe

by Jen @ Tatertots and Jello

Star Wars Anyone?

by Amy @ Mod Podge Rocks

A Christmas Day Treasure Hunt

by Holly @ 504 Main

Themed Ornaments for Each Family Member

by Tiffany @ Making the World Cuter

Check back throughout the next few weeks for a few features from the tradition linky and a few of my own family traditions as well.

In the mean time . . . 

tradition on!

twelve (plus) days of traditions: themed family ornaments

I admit it . . . I'm feeling a bit sad today that twelve (plus) days of traditions is over.  :(  I so enjoyed the sneak peak inside the homes and families of each on the bloggers who shared.  And I have an entire list of new traditions to start this year!  I am still going to be highlighting a few of our traditions as well as a few of the traditions that were linked up over the past three weeks. 

And if you have a tradition that you are interested in sharing, feel free to e-mail it to me.  I would love to post a few of those every now and then up until Christmas Day.

So without further ado, here's Tiffany - busy mom and blogger - from Making the World Cuter . . .

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Hello 12 Crafts fans! I love Elizabeth's blog and all of her ideas, I want to be just like her when I grow up...If I ever do such a thing! My name is Tiffany, my friends call me Tiff...among other things, so feel free to do the same. I blog over at a little place called Making the World Cuter.

I L.O.V.E Christmas and all the traditions that go along with it! I was always the first one up on Christmas morning waking up my siblings first and then my parents to get a move on so that we could see what Santa brought. That hasn't changed...I have to wake my kids up and bring them down all groggy with sleep still in their eyes because I just can't sleep on Christmas Eve. It makes my hubby a little crazy, but I'm sure it's one of the things he loves about me (wink!).

My tradition is one we kind of started by accident, but has been so much fun! 

See in my Pottery Barn dreams, my Christmas tree is gorgeous-all matchy matchy with a theme and people gasp in pleasant surprise when they see it in my front window.

In real life, we usually end up cutting down a Charlie Brown tree that my daughter insists upon and the ornaments are not in any way related-and they are usually dispersed along the bottom 3 feet of the tree where the kids can reach. 

On my daughter's first Christmas (she is 6 now) my husband brought home a little snowman ornament for me to paint because he knew I would like that. So I painted it, wrote her name and the year on it and hung it on the tree. The next year we bought another ornament that just happened to be a snowman again and did the same thing.

The next year we figured out this would be a fun tradition since we now added a boy to the house-we decided to start buying him Santa Clause ornaments, and the tradition began! 

My 6 year old's snowman ornaments...

 

We buy an ornament for each of our children now in the theme we selected for them the year they were born and on Christmas Eve, they open the ornament with their new pj's and put it on the tree. 

My 4 year old's Santa ornaments....

We decided that when they left home that we would let them take their ornaments with them, and they would have everything for their own theme tree.

My 2 year old's Reindeer ornaments

I will be getting my new little guy a train ornament for his first Christmas, for my step son we get him a nutcracker, and my step daughter, we get her snow themed items-such as snowflakes, ice skates and sleds. 

We realized that the kids liked this tradition so much that my husband and I started our own. We each buy...or make...one another an ornament that represented that year to us. It has been in the past the only gift we get for each other when money has been tight, and we so look forward to see what the other comes up with. Here are a few that we have collected. 

Even after my Pottery Barn dreams come true and my Christmas tree is truly something to behold, we will still have a little Charlie Brown tree somewhere in the house with these special memories on it, and we will continue to add to it each year.

Thanks Elizabeth for letting me share our family tradition and for all the other great ideas! 

And a great big thanks to you Tiffany!  Another fabulous ornament tradition.  I love the idea of themed ornaments. 

Tradition on!

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twelve (plus) days of traditions: the Christmas day treasure hunt

I've got a LOVELY lady to share with you today!  I've been getting to know Holly via blogging and e-mail for a while now, and I love how genuine and kind she is!  You've got to check out this tradition she's got going on at Christmas!!!  I love it!
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Hi there!

Thank you Elizabeth for letting my spreading my delightfully cynical holiday cheer at your place. I am beyond impressed at the gifts you have crafted and the special memories you are creating with them.

Thank you for the inspiration...the is nothing like a handmade gift!

I am Holly from 504 Main. I cook, craft, and chat about all sorts of things over there. Today I am excited to share a holiday tradition we have at our house. Let my preface this by saying that the holidays and I have a rocky relationship...we need some serious counseling...but alas I now have kiddos, so I put on my (semi) happy face, deal with it, and do my BEST to create our own special and unique traditions!

(And don't tell anyone and ruin my reputation, but I actually enjoy this part of it!)

The Easter Bunny Made Me Do It

Joe was 4-going-on-5 that first year in our new home...our new city. We were still adjusting to life up here - carving out our niche in the community, creating new traditions, and learning to deal with the fog. That Easter we were sans family...it was just the three of us. I wanted to make it really special and different...and the Easter Bunny had the perfect idea. When Joe awoke on Sunday morning, that silly bunny had filled his entire room with balloons and left him a treasure map.

Joe was beyond excited - he raced around the house collecting his treasures. He thought this was just about the best thing that had ever happened...and I agree! At the end of the festivities, Joe looked up at me and asked, "Can we write Santa a letter so he can do this too?"

I sure didn't want to hear the conversation between Santa and the Bunny that night!

Fast forward to December 25...and Santa came through! What a guy! Ever since that Easter in 2006, the Easter Bunny and Santa have left a special surprise for Joe.

This year will be new...and exciting...and it should be a hoot! Jules is old enough to understand and really be part of the action. She participated in the hunt last year, but mainly followed her big brother around. Now, with Jules on the hunt too, watch out Santa!

Just in case you want to let Santa know you like this idea, I thought I'd share a snippet of Joe's past hunts.

• In 2006, he got a map of the house and backyard with X's to mark the spot of his treasure.
• In 2007, the kid was seriously into the Magic Tree House Books, and just starting to really read on his own, so the map became a list and it included rhymes as the clues (like the ones in the books...Santa could work on his rhyming ability...maybe he can chat with Matty?)
• Well, in 2008, Joe was all about I Spy. Santa sent him on a hunt using abstract photos from around the house (boy was he sneaky...I never heard him!)

The treasures Santa leaves are simple little things like rocks, small books (I am sure he gets them from thrift stores), Pokemon cards, playing cards, etc. Santa seems to know just what it is Joe is "in to." Santa is great because he always reminds Joe of the things we want him to work on too!

These are some of the clues he left for Joe...once Joe began the hunt, at each location throughout the house, there was a photo to send him to the next location, until he ended up back at the Christmas Tree.

Mom {ME!} and Dad really get a break too, because while Joe opens his treasures and admires them (he is very thorough about examining his gifts and appreciating them),we get to make coffee before diving into what is under the tree.

How are your holidays going? Do you have a special tradition?

I would love to hear about it! Come say "HEY!" at 504 Main.

Thanks for having me Elizabeth!

Thank you so much Holly!  

Holly has a fabulous blog, she's a busy author, and she's one of the DIY Club creators.  She's one busy lady! 

My girls already know that mom, dad, grandmas, grandpas and other people are the ones who give them all their presents, but I still LOVE this idea for our gifts.  What a fun twist on Christmas morning traditional gift opening!

Tradition on! 

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do you know what tomorrow is?

Thursday is the easy answer.  But that's not where I was going with that.

Tomorrow is the first day of Hanukkah . . . well, actually this Jewish celebration starts in a few short hours.  Since we're talking traditions, I wanted to highlight this traditions of Hanukkah.  I'm not Jewish, so I won't even come close to doing this justice.  If you celebrat Hanukkah, I would love to hear about the traditions you use to celebrate this holiday in your home! 

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.  This celebration includes traditional songs, lights, prayers, games and gift-giving. 

And Sara from Creative Jewish Mom has some wonderful traditions, crafts and recipes on her blog that highlights some of the traditions of Hanukkah. 

Check these out:

Hanukkah Candle Holders

Jelly-filled Doughnuts

Spinning Top

We have an excellent little book that we read to our girls to help them understand Hanukkah.  They love the idea of a celebrating with light and candles. 

Do you have ways that you try to help your kids understand the variety of holidays and traditions in your community?

Tradition on!

twelve (plus) days of traditions: star wars anyone?

I love me some Mod Podge, and so does our guest blogger for today - the queen of all things Mod Podge . . . Amy from Mod Podge Rocks!  Woo hoo!

Hi there! 

I'm Amy from Mod Podge Rocks, blogger and crafter extraordinaire. 

I like a little bottle with a pink and orange label a whole, whole lot.  It's called Mod Podge, and if you haven't been to my world, come visit me.  You aren't going to believe what a little glue can do.  It can definitely make the holiday season bright.  That I can assure you!

I'm pleased to be sharing my Christmas traditions with you . . . and like me, they are a little goofy.  I grew up with four younger brothers, and Christmas was a lot of times strapped.  I find it's never the gifts that are the best part of it though, don't you? 

I tried to narrow it down between two traditions, but I couldn't, so here they both are.

Star Wars. 

Did you know that Star Wars is on nearly every holiday weekend? 

It was just on Spike for this past Thanksgiving weekend, and the ENTIRE time I was growing up it was on the USA Network on Christmas Day. 

The trilogy. 

Back to back. 

And when the back to back was done, they would start over.  Can I tell you that this was honestly what I looked forward to every year?  Something that has nothing to do with Christmas, yet because of its airtime became a huge Christmas tradition for me.  So much so that my mom ended up buying me statuettes of all of the characters for my 8th grade Christmas.  I'm guessing I was one of the few 8th grade girls in the world that wanted Star Wars for Christmas.  This is what having four brothers does to you.

Christmas lights. 

This second tradition is a little more "normal."

I still love it to this day!  It wasn't just hopping in the car and driving around to look at a few lights, I promise you. 

It was a huge production that involved:

1.  Planning the night on which to go

2.  Mapping out the neighborhoods to see

3.  Wearing the right gear the night of

4.  Making the perfect cup of hot chocolate to take

5.  Making sure to get the right seat in the car (front was best, of course)

Every year of my childhood we did it - my mom, myself and my four brothers.  Dad stayed home.  Maybe he thought it was lame?  Or maybe he just wanted to give us time with my mom.  Either way, it's one of my favorite Christmas memories.  We'd drive around for about two or more hours "ooohing and aaahing" like we'd never seen Christmas lights before.  I still get happy when I see Christmas lights.  It truly evokes the holiday spirit for me.

Thanks to Elizabeth and all of you for allowing me to share my favorite holiday traditions (and memories) with you.  I hope you will continue to build some of your own - and should any of those involve Mod Podge (I highly recommend it), please come visit me at Mod Podge Rocks any time. 

 Happy Holidays!

I never dreamt the our tradition series would include Star Wars, but I'm so glad it did!  My brother and I would watch Star Wars and then it's spoof counterpart Space Balls all the time growing up.  I even have all the Princess Leah and Ewok action figures.  Yes . . . I already know that I'm a huge dork!

I'm pretty sure you have all been to Mod Podge Rocks, but just in case you are like me . . . always the last one to know about a great thing, then go stop over to see Amy! 

Tradition on!

Don't forget to enter add your own tradition below.

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advent calendar garland: giveaway #4

Printable Advent Calendar Garland

happythought

Advent Giveaway #4

This is SO fun and SO retro . . . a fab combo!  Hmm . . . let's see who will be print off this funnel garland for a treat-filled Advent.  The winner is . . .  

Hayley

who said...
We put up our tree a couple of days after Thanksgiving.

Congrats Hayley! (Hayley, your e-mail address isn't linked to your profile.  Shoot me a quick e-mail so I can pass your e-mail address on to Ellen at happythought.)

And if you really like this garland and want a set of your very own to string up, hop on over and purchase your very own printable printable set to assemble

That's it . . . all the Silhouette machines . . . oh, I mean advent calendars are spoken for. ;) Thanks so much for playing along everyone!

Tradition on!

mod trees advent calendar: giveaway #3

Printable Mod Trees Advent Calendar

Julie Marie

Advent Giveaway #3

I love the colors and the simple contemporary design of these little tree-shaped Advent boxes.  Wish these could be mine, but instead I get to pass these printable box patterns onto . . . 

Jamie

who said...
My family makes these awesome ritz crackers with peanut butter covered in chocolate...not sure of the official name but they're amazing!

Congrats Jamie!  (Did you notice that two gals with a different version of the same name won . . . Jaimee and Jamie!  I think random things like that are cool . . . because, yeah, I'm a dork!)

And if you really like these sweet printable tree boxes, hop on over and purchase your very own printable set.

Stay tuned for one more winner and . . .

Tradition on!

CHRISTmas advent tree calendar: winner #2

Here's Silhouette . . . I mean Advent Calendar giveaway number 2 . . .
CHIRSTmas Advent Tree Calendar ePattern

CopyCraft

Advent Giveaway #2

Jennifer and John have a wonderful ePattern shop full of creative printable patterns to help you make crafts like the Advent Calendar above. 

I'm happy to pass this ePattern onto . . .

Jaimee

who said...

One of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions from growing up is that my Mom would buy my sister and I a new keepsake ornament every year for the tree. As our family headed to candlelight Christmas Eve service at church, my mom would lag behind and sneak the ornament onto the tree somewhere. When we came back, my sister and I would search to find it. My mom always told us that "The Christmas Elf" left these ornaments for us. We were always so excited to see what the Elf left for us hiding on the tree! My boys are just old enough now to catch onto this one, so we are starting it with them, too : ) When my sister and I got married, we took all our Christmas Elf ornaments with us as our starter set.

Congrats Jaimee!  And if you really like this calendar and you aren't Jaimee, hop on over and purchase your very own printable ePattern.

Stay tuned for more winners and . . .

Tradition on!

peace on earth party collection: winner #1

This is my version of the Silhouette giveaways that have been everywhere lately.  Since I didn't get sent a free Silhouette or win won of the giveaways, I thought the next best thing would be to give away a bunch of Advent Calendars . . . sounds about equal, right?!  Shiny, brand new, multi-use, creative-genius-tool-that-would-transform-my-crafting-life, why do you tempt me so?!  Alas, no Silhouette for me, so here's a few Advent Calendars for you . . . or at least four of you!  Each giveaway winner will be posted separately over the course of the next two hours. 

Peace on Earth Party Collection

Paper & Cake: printable partyware

Advent Giveaway #1

Remember this?

and this?

and this?

These are just a few of the elements included in the giveaway by Paper & Cake, a fabulous printable partyware business created by two moms.  What an inspiration! 

We had such a great response to this giveaway, and since I'm not eligible to win it (sadness), I'm excited to pass this fabulous party-making kit onto . . .

hclairec

who said...

I like the Black and Yellow Damask CUPCAKE WRAPPERS. My daughter is the best cupcake baker!!

Congrats hclairec (that profile name has me curious)!  And if you really like this collection and you aren't someone who goes by the name hclairec, hop on over and purchase your very own printable set.

Stay tuned for more winners and . . .

Tradition on!

twelve (plus) days of traditions: family baking

Today, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed to welome Jen from Tatertots and Jello.  I'm pretty sure you all hang out regularly on her blog just like me! 
She hosts one of my favoritest (yes, that's a word) parties. 

I love the family pics that she is willing to share with us today.  She is literally giving us a sneak peak into her home and family!  So cool!

  Don't forget to . . .
check out the 4 Advent Calendar giveaways that end tonight at 10 PM.
Party & Cake - Peace On Earth Printable Party Collection
CopyCraft - CHRISTmas Advent Calendar Tree ePattern
Julie Marie - Mod Tree Advent Calendar
happythought - Advent Calendar Garland pdf

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Hi there!

I'm Jen from Tatertots and Jello. I love this Holiday Traditions party idea! It's so fun to read what everyone else does with their families during the holidays.

I thought it might be fun to share one of our favorite family activities. Making cookies!! I usually am so busy crafting and working on projects that I don't have a lot of time to create in the kitchen. But at Christmas-time I love to gather my family around and bake!

My sister Wenderful was in town last weekend and caught our cookie making and I thought I would share it with you along with one of my favorite recipes -- Snickerdoodles!

Real. Life. Together from wendy vonsosen on Vimeo.

And here's one of our favorite Family Recipes -- Snickerdoodles.

So simple and easy to make!

Snickerdoodles

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
3. Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4. Here's the secret -- bake for EXACTLY 8 Minutes!! Remove immediately from baking sheets.

Thanks for letting me come by Elizabeth!!!

I just love Christmas -- here are a few Christmas projects that I have done if you want to come over and check them out.

{Christmas Subway Art Pillow}

{Painted Ornament Pillows}

{Chalkboard Chargers}

{Lump of Coal Gift Boxes}

Have a Wonderful Day!

Thank you Jen!  I'm so ready to go bake some cookies!  Mmm mmm good! 

Tradition on!

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