crafts Archives - My Beautiful Mess

How to Make a Christmas Eve Box

December 9, 2019December 5, 2019by Mary Lentz1 Comment

Create a special family tradition when you learn how to make a Christmas Eve box to usher in the Christmas spirit for your child.

Christmas is such a magical time for both children and parents. As parents we get to experience the magic and wonder of Christmas through the eyes of our innocent babes. This year, we are starting a new tradition, we’re making Christmas Eve boxes for our little ones. This tradition stems from a German tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve.

I’ve heard a few families say they do this instead of hanging and filling stockings, but it’s up to you. Personally, I decided to do it because I was already going to buy and do these things for Christmas anyway. Putting it together like a gift, just makes it more special. The idea is that you create a box filled with Christmas goodies. Traditionally, you would give your child this box on Christmas Eve, but I know some families instead give this box the day after Thanksgiving to enjoy the holiday season. There are no rules. I, however, am giving this to my little guys on Christmas Eve. It will have their pajamas, a movie we’ll watch, a Christmas bedtime story and snacks. I’m hoping it gets them excited about going to bed early on Christmas Eve!

How to Make a Christmas Eve Box

Get Your Box

You can use any box you wish. Some families simply use a large gift box. Others use a wooden crate, available for purchase at any craft store. Etsy has some amazing sellers who make personalized boxes to be used year after year. Really you can use any container, so long that it’s big enough. The buffalo plaid one I’m using in my picture was purchased at Hobby Lobby. It comes with a lid. If you are doing it on a budget, you can cover a shoe box with festive wrapping paper.

Ideas for Your Christmas Eve Box

Obviously you can put anything you want in the boxes. In fact, I encourage you to make it your own. However, if you are looking for some suggestions here are a few.

Christmas Pajamas
Snacks (Candy, Popcorn, Cookies, etc)
A Christmas movie
Christmas socks / slippers
Reindeer Food (see “recipe” below)
Snowman Soup (see recipe below)
Special Ornament
Christmas storybook
Christmas coloring book
A small toy
Novelty Toothbrush
Prayer book
Christmas mug (for snowman soup)

You can add any combination of items to your box. This year, I’m adding Christmas themed pajamas, a story book, a Christmas movie and some homemade bunuelos, some reindeer food and snowman soup.

Snowman soup is just hot chocolate mix presented in a cute way. Reindeer food is a cute idea. It’s just oats and glitter. Have your little ones sprinkle the mixture on your lawn to feed Santa’s reindeers when they land. Cookies for Santa; Reindeer food for the Reindeers. It’s just another way to make it more magical for the kids. See below for exact instructions. However, you can also use bird seed instead of oats. I’ve made some cute printable bag toppers. I recommend printing them out on white card stock. You can download them below.

Also, while we’re at it, there is no reason why this has to be only for children. You can tailor it for adults. You can even add some grown up additions like mini liquor bottles and liqueur flavored chocolates.

How to Make Snowman Soup

Time needed: 10 minutes

How to Make Snowman Soup

Gather the following ingredients
Packet of instant hot chocolate, mini marshmallows, candy cane, and a zip lock bag (sandwich size)
Pour ingredients into bag
Open the packet of instant hot chocolate. Add marshmallows and candy cane. Seal bag.
Print printable bag topper
Print the bag topper or make your own and staple to the top of the zip lock bag.

Download Snowman Soup Bag Topper

How to Make Reindeer Food

Gather Ingredients: Oats & glitter (any color you wish)
Pour into ziplock and seal bag
Shake well
Print printable bag topper and staple on top

Download Reindeer Food Bag Topper

Thank you so much for reading. Please share this post on social media or PIN it for later. I hope you and your little ones have a magical Christmas. Be sure to subscribe to my blog for more fun ideas.

Happy Planner

Mermaid Vibes Plan With Me

June 3, 2019June 1, 2019by Mary Lentz2 Comments

This vertical layout, is great to start those summer vibes. Please join me for the first in the series, Mermaid Vibes Plan With Me.

Happy Planner News

Hey there, friend. Welcome to all new series on My Beautiful Mess! I was very excited when, in May, my blog post, How Happy Planner Changed My Life, was recognized at the Go Wild planner conference in Las Vegas by the Happy Planner. Yay!

The post was first seen by Hannah and Stephanie in February and they reached out to me. I had no idea how they planned to use it, but I was very honored that they chose to share it with others.

It was such an honor and even though I didn’t make the planner squad (boo hoo), I’m still excited to be ambassador on my own. So today, I’m starting a Plan With Me series. Here I’ll show you how to decorate your Happy Planner. Hopefully, I’ll give you some ideas – but your planner should always reflect who you are!

Mermaid Vibes Plan With Me

When I think of mermaids, I think of hues of blues, greens, and purple. These colors remind me of the sea. Thankfully, in the second color story book, there are actually mermaid theme stickers.

I have found that the second colorful boxes sticker value pack have boxes that match perfectly with the color story sea stickers. This is my very first Plan With Me video, y’all so be kind! I promise I’ll get better at this.

Materials

Vertical planner
Color Story 2 Sticker book
Colorful boxes 2 book

Before You Go

Make sure to check out some of my other Happy Planner posts.

Also, Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more Happy Planner posts, printables and videos.

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Crafts / DIY

Super Easy Mother’s Day Card

May 11, 2019September 8, 2019by Mary LentzLeave a Comment

A handmade greeting card is a gift in and of itself. Learn how to make this super easy Mother’s Day card with just 5 materials.

Card Making

I love card making. I’ve been card making for almost 20 years. I started when I lived in England in the late 1990’s. I worked in a small commercial art gallery and sold my cards to make some quick cash as an artist. I’ve kept up the hobby for years.

I love giving handmade cards. They give a very special touch to occasions. It’s touching to know that someone has created a one-of-a-kind, thoughtful gift for you. The card itself becomes a gift.

This is especially nice if you aren’t actually giving a gift and just sending a card. If your giving a gift card, it certainly adds a personal touch to an otherwise sterile gift.

Use This As a Template

Today, I’m going to share you how to make a super easy Mother’s Day card. However, you can use this template over and over again for different occasions. We’re using a flower as our focal point and we’re spelling out the word, “MOM,” but you an easily swap this out for other occasions.

Materials

Colored card stock
Two paper or sticker borders
1 die cut or chip board flower
Thickers letters: M, O, M

Instructions

Time needed: 10 minutes

Super Easy Mother’s Day Card

Select your materials
Start by picking your floral chipboard centerpiece. You will coordinate all your other materials with this focal piece. You can also use a card stock or die cut flower, but I recommend applying it with foam tape to raise it up and add dimension.
Cut card stock
Use either a pre-made 4×6 card or simply trim a 8.5 x 11″ card stock down the middle horizontally using a paper trimmer.
Apply two borders
Find two borders that coordinate with the colors of your flower. Apply the first border on the bottom third of the card. Using the “rule of thirds” adds interest to your card. Apply the second border above the first.
Apply your flower
Next, apply your flower on the left hand side. Overlap it on the borders.
Add your letters
Add your Thickers letters to spell out the word ”MOM.” I chose wooden letters but you can use any style that coordinates with your theme. Make sure to slightly overlap your borders for added interest.

When you’re done, place the card in an A4 envelope. Keep in mind, if you are mailing, this card may require extra postage. Cards that are rigid or bumpy require extra postage because they are non-machinable. See USPS for more details.

There you have it, a super easy Mother’s Day card that you can make in just a few minutes. Finally, you’re looking for more crafts, see my Retro Sequin Ball Ornaments.

Christmas, crafts, Crafts / DIY, Decorating

DIY Christmas Swag

December 12, 2018December 11, 2018by Mary LentzLeave a Comment

Christmas decorations can be so expensive! Make your own with this quick 30 minute DIY Christmas Swag craft.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage at no cost to you.

I have a love-hate relationship with decorating. It’s true. I fret so much about what to put on my walls, that sometimes they end up blank. This year, I decided to do a little something different than my boring old Christmas wreaths on my french doors. So I decided to put up swags. I found some in a store, but they were $30 each! Instead, decided to make them myself. I made these DIY Christmas swags for $14.97 including the suction cup hanger!

The longest part of this DIY Christmas Swag was making the bow. I finished both swags within 30 minutes. If you are using a preformed bow, it will probably take you about 5 mins each!

Supplies

Pliers
Wire cutters
Wreath hanger (suction cup hanger if hanging on mirror or glass)
2.5″ Wired Ribbon or Pre-made bow
Large floral spray (approx 10-12″)
Floral wire or twisty tie

Instructions

Gather supplies. Using strong pliers, slowly bend the end of the floral spray to make a circle. This will allow you to hook it to a holder. Make sure it slips onto your holder and adjust as necessary.

2. Make a floral bow with 2.5″ wide wired ribbon. Wired ribbon holds the shape. I used buffalo plaid, but you can use any ribbon you’d like. If you aren’t comfortable making bows, you can simply purchase one at a local hobby or craft store.

3. Once you’ve made your bow (or even if you have purchased one). Make certain that you go through and puff out all your loops in order to make a full looking bow.

4. Attach floral wire or a twisty tie to the back of the bow. You’ll then attach it to the floral stem. Wrap it tightly and securely.

5. Once completed, attach your finished swag to your wreath hanger.

Learn more about how to make Retro Sequin Ball Ornaments

The post DIY Christmas Swag first appeared on My Beautiful Mess

Christmas

Homemade Christmas Ornaments

December 10, 2013February 5, 2014by Mary LentzLeave a Comment

Dan’s parents have a beautiful tradition. Every Christmas, since they were married, exchange Christmas ornaments every year. In fact, my dad-in-law proposed on Christmas Eve. Dan and I decided to carry on the tradition as well as adding to it. First we collect an ornament for every place we visit on vacation. For our first year, I decided that we should make ornaments. Dan painted a wooden one. But I bought a papier mache ornament and gold leafed it.

Tag: crafts

How to Make a Christmas Eve Box