Free printable gingerbread house patterns, Christmas craft stencils

Making holiday gingerbread houses is a favorite family traditions. Not being very artistic, I'd cheat and get the gingerbread house kit. But I've found a better way: free printable gingerbread house patterns, recipes and templates. People approach gingerbread house making in two ways. The first is to painstakingly design a work of art--not to be eaten, let alone touched. Then there's our youngest son's method: slap together a ramshackle gingerbread shed, lather in two inches of frosting, cover every inch in candy and devour immediately. Whichever school you subscribe to, you'll want these free printable gingerbread recipes, templates and patterns.   Free printable gingerbread house patterns, Christmas craft stencils 

Mediterranean Baklava Honey Pastry Recipes for Holiday Baking

My husband came home one day declaring himself in love... and not just with me. That sticky-sweet Mediterranean honey and nut pastry, wrapped in phyllo dough. Baklava is expensive to buy, but inexpensive and easy to make from scratch. Since experiencing it, my husband now gets homemade baklava for every holiday (that's baklava spilled on his shirt, he loves it that much!) I learned to make it and passed the art down to my daughter who is baklava maker in chief.  It's a star attraction at our holiday get-togethers. Mediterranean Baklava and Honey Phyllo Dough Pastry Recipes

Advent Recipes, Christmas Cookie Recipes

Advent was our favorite season when we homeschooled. We did holiday math, advent writing, Christmas social studies, winter science. Everything about Christmas is a teachable moment. Here are Christmas cookie recipes with a holiday object lesson. Our family is into its third decade making these holiday treats. read more

Once a Week Cooking Recipes for the Holiday Season

 The holidays mean extra work for most families. Alas, we don't get extra time for the extra work. Amid the holiday rush, it's easy to lose sight of family nutrition. Here are quick, easy, inexpensive recipes that your whole family will enjoy. Read more

Best Healthy Christmas Snacks and Treat Recipes

Think eating healthy during the holiday season is impossible? If you are watching your weight and trying to stay healthy, you can't enjoy those yummy holiday treats, right? Wrong. Here are some recipes that allow you to have your cake and eat it too.
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Free Printable Gingerbread House Patterns and Templates

Making a holiday gingerbread house is one of our favorite family traditions. Not being the most artistic person, I cheat and get the gingerbread house kit. But I've found a better way: free printable gingerbread house patterns, recipes and templates.
Read more

Food Safety and Health Issues for Holiday Dining

Food Safety Tips for Staying Healthy During the Winter Holidays
The winter holidays and Christmas are a time for celebration and feasting. But several specialty foods and holiday treats pose a health, safety or allergy risk. Here are tips for avoiding possibly unsafe holiday foods. read more

Cookie Recipes from Holland to Celebrate St. Nicholas Day

Christmas Holiday Recipe Guide: Dutch St. Nicholas Cookies St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6 in the Netherlands. With a plethora of Dutch ancestors, I've inherited many recipes. For Hollanders, Christmas means koekjes (cookies). Here are my favorite Dutch cookie recipes. read more

Christmas Around the World: Holland and the Feast of St. Nicholas

Global Holiday Hop: Holland and the Feast of St. Nicholas Series of articles highlighting Christmas Traditions from Around the World. The Lesson planner features traditions, recipes, activities, games and more. These articles will provide a great social studies focus. Read More

Kids in the Holiday Kitchen

How to Engage Children in the Thanksgiving Celebrations 25 simple inexpensive ways to involve children of all ages in Christmas or Holiday holiday preparations. Kids in the kitchen sounds like a nightmare, but can be a dream come true if you follow this guide. Build memories with unique activities. Keep restless, anxious kids productively occupied! View more »

How to Plan a Company Holiday Party

How to Plan Your Work, Company or Business Christmas Party
List of what to avoid and how to organize your company, business or work Christmas party.Food, gift exchange, decorations, location, holiday preferences, guest list and more! View more »

Dec. 12~ Our Lady of Guadalupe

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Lesson Plans, Celebration Guide December 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Roman Catholic liturgical year. Here is a guide to celebrate her feast day in your homeschool or classroom. Celebrate Mexico's history,traditions, literature, food, customs and culture as well! View more »

Christmas Breakfast: Easy, Nutritious and Delicious

Easy, Festive Holiday Brunch Casserole Although children may want to breakfast on their Christmas candy, sooner or later, everyone will be hungry for breakfast on Christmas morning. But who wants to get up and cook,especially when it's finally the old folks turn to open gifts? Here's a recipe and how to for delicious holiday brunch casserole, that you can assemble on Christmas Eve and pop in the over on Christmas morning. Stay on the couch, Mama and enjoy your Christmas morn! View more »

Gifts for College Students

Back-to-School Guide: College Student Dorm Room for Under $500
Overview of the most useful items to buy or bring with you as you move into your college dorm. Pricing guide to buy products at the best prices. These tips can save you about $30 per day on food, beverage, coffee costs alone. View more »

Holiday Parties: Host the Perfect Kid's Party

How to Organize a Holiday Party for Kids of Any Age! Need ideas for holiday activities for children? Here is the definitive guide! Compiled by a 22 year veteran teacher,and loaded with time, money and energy saving ideas, you can host a party that every one will enjoy (even you!) read more

Advent and Christmas Traditions

Creative Christmas Traditions Christmas in our Catholic home-schooling family is truly a season. We live advent and Christmas from the first Sunday to Epiphany. Our lessons dwelt entirely on advent and Christmas: literature, history, math, sciences, social studies, art. We spent advent making gifts, doing service projects and immersing our family in Christmas. I'll share some of our happiest holiday and Christmas traditions...View more »

Personalized Gift Baskets~ Shop Early and Save Money

Top 10 Gift Baskets: Design Your Own Personalized Goodie Baskets!
Here is a recipe for inexpensive baskets of treats created especially those you love with your own special touch! read more