favorite recipes . . . because it's tradition

I'm definitely ready to make some sweet treats.  I have my favorites . . . ones I make every year . . . you know . . . because it's tradition! 

But I'm also ready to add a few new recipes to my traditional ones.

Check out these three that were linked up to the tradition linky. 

Butterflies

Gingerbread Cookies . . . My mom makes these every year!

M & M Nativity Legend

What's your favorite sweet treat . . . you know . . . the treat you make every year because it's tradition?

Tradition on!

This post is sponsored by Arise Shine Design!  Check this shop out for unique jewelry gifts.

one of my traditions: holiday cards

I have a secret . . . I have this tradition that I've been debating about whether to continue . . .

holiday cards!

About a month ago I started thinking about other ways I could simplify the holidays.  I would like our holiday celebrations to be simple enough that we aren't too busy and less costly so that we aren't too focused on material things during this time of year. 

One of the first things on my yearly to-do list for Christmas is designing and ordering our holiday cards.

This tradition takes quite a bit of time and it costs quite a bit of money, so without a second thought, I crossed it off the list. 

I mentioned this decision to my husband, and he made a frowny face.  So I've been reevaluating the decision.  I decided if I could either: 1) find a way to make them cost less or 2) find a way to make the cards take less time, I would keep the tradition.

Enter Shutterfly!! 

I can design and order my cards quickly while sitting in the comfort of my home, and they have incredible holiday deals to save me (and you) money. Plus, if you are a blogger Shutterfly has an opportunity for you to earn 50 free holiday cards*.

I'm going to have a hard time choosing which holiday card template to choose.  But I'm loving this one today:

And I'm definitely going to do a few calendars for simple gifts this year for great grandparents and great aunts and uncles.

So it looks like I will have to find something else to cross off the holiday to-do list because this tradition will keep on keeping on!

Tradition on!

*This post is part of this 50 free cards deal.

who won the ornament giveaway?

I'm excited to announce the winners of the ornament giveaway graciously made possible by Chris from Pickup Some Creativity.

Now . . . if your name doesn't appear below, don't panic (just in case you are the panicking type).  You can still purchase your own ornament pattern and pdf instructions from Chris' pattern shop for a super low price of $6.50. 

Alright the first winner gets to choose either the ready-made ornaments or the pdf pattern/instructions.  Woo hoo! 

Congrats to Lorene who entered on Facebook by telling me what her favorite holiday song is.  She said, "Pinecones and Holly Berries... or O Holy Night, especially as sung by Josh Groban. Depends on which side of the holiday I'm focusing on. :)"

I'll be in touch Lorene!

The second winner will receive whichever prize Lorene doesn't pick. 

Congrats to Kayla who entered by mentioning something she was thankful for this holiday season, "So very thankful for my husband and DD (18mts) :)."

**Kayla, I don't have your e-mail address because it's not linked to your profile.  Please e-mail me by Saturday, November 27 at 11:59 PM, or I will redraw for winner number 2.**

And since this is the season of saying Thanks . . . thank you to each one of you who reads twelve crafts!  These giveaways are one way I try to say Thanks to my readers . . . that's why it is sooo hard to not just give a prize to every single one of you! 


Stay tuned for one more week of fabulous traditions from:

November 29 – Kim from A girl and a glue gun

November 30 – Jen from Tatertots and Jello

December 01 – Amy from Mod Podge Rocks

December 02 – Holly from 504 Main

December 03 – Tiffany from Making the World Cuter

Tradition on!

twelve (plus) days of traditions: serving others

Guess whooooo is here today?  Go on . . . guess whooooo it is. 

Leslie from Night OWL Crafting.  Did you get my little joke?

Okay, I'm not as funny as I think I am.  I'll stop now and just turn it over to Leslie.

HELLLLLLLLOOOOOO Twelve Crafts Till Christmas followers!

I am so excited that Elizabeth invited me to join in on this fabulous Twelve Plus Days of Traditions!

Let me introduce myself! My name is Leslie and I am the creator of Night Owl Crafting!

I am the mother of 2 children and one on the way! I have an eight year old boy and a 1 1/2 year old girl.

I am a high school teacher of students with special needs! I am married to a wonderful man who is a great father and husband. I love to craft and in the little spare time that I have I take the opportunity to try and be crafty!

This is where my blog comes into play!

I have 2 link parties a week!

The first one is on Tuesdays and it is called . . .

Hoo are you?

This party is where you answer a few questions I ask each week and then link up your post! This is a party to get to know each other outside the craft world! 

The other one is held every Wednesday and it is called . . .

Hoo's got Talent?

This link party is where you can come and show off whatever you have been making!

I hope you will come and link up to both parties!

I also try to show off my craftiness 2 to 3 days a week!

Today I would like to share a holiday tradition that my family does every year!

Every year we select one or two families to do the 12 days of Christmas for. We try not to let them know that it is us. We wrap our gifts, leave them on their doorstep, knock, and then run. We have so much fun trying to not get caught! It has taught my siblings and I the true meaning of giving during the Christmas season. I wanted to share the sayings that we put on each package last year!

On the first day of Christmas we bring a loaf of bread...

we hope that it will give you strength, for busy days ahead.

On the second day of Christmas, 2 rolls of sticky tape...

to help you wrap your presents for that very special date.

On the third day of Christmas, 3 packages of JELLO...

the light dessert, the bright dessert, RED, GREEN, and YELLOW!

On the fourth day of Christmas we didn't want to miss-you

and so we thought we'd give you 4 rolls of tissue!

On the fifth day of Christmas, we bring a bag of candy...

because around the holidays,

we thought it might be handy.

On the sixth day of Christmas,

we bring some soup for you,

and hope to our identity-

you haven't got a clue!

On the seventh day of Christmas,

we're drinking 7-up!

You can drink it from a bottle,

or even a cup.

On the eighth day of Christmas,

we're singing Deck the Halls'...

but instead of deck the halls,

we bring you holly balls!

On the ninth day of Christmas,

even Elves begin to wane!

And so we thought we'd bring you

a bunch of candy canes.

On the tenth day of Christmas,

we bring you a candle.

We hope that you enjoy it...

(It was all that we could handle!)

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

we think  you're pretty neat!

So we thought the time was right,

for stockings and a treat.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

we thought we'd bring ourselves,

and say a special Thank You...

for letting us be your Secret Elves!

Some of them we didn't do what it said and we switched them up to fit the families better. We never revealed ourselves on the last day, instead we got each family member a present and put it in a Santa bag!

There are so many different ways that you can do the 12 days of Christmas for a family or friend in need!

Thanks Elizabeth for letting me share part of our holiday traditions!

Thanks for sharing this amazing idea Leslie!  I'm already brainstorming families that we can "adopt" for this project. 


How do you serve others during the holiday?  Write a post about it and link up below so that we can all be inspired!


Tradition on!
If reading through subscription, click over here to add your own tradition post.