Wordless Wednesday ~ Little Drummer boys meet Little Drummer Boy

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How to find your Christmas spirit ? {+ Baker's Delight Giveaway}

When do you start feeling Christmassy ?
When the stores bring out the decorations or the super TOY sales mention lay-bys for Christmas?
When you see the 100 days to Christmas peeps start pestering encouraging you into action on blogs and social media ?

When the Baker's Delight Lemon Tarts and Mince pies, and Christmas cakes arrive on the shelves ?

OMG Crisco & Castle,  Hamper King ads ? ...  have started the pressure prepare for 2012 Christmas . I've seen everyone of them this morning.

I've seen a lot of disillusionment circulating. People who are wondering where they left their Christmas spirit and just as many celebrating all things wonderful about Christmas ...giving me the guilts because I haven't had time to do much at all.  

No tree, no decorations - but I do have the kids presents and Santa photo covered.

I love Puddles & Gumboots Magical Memories linkup with homemade craft decorations, Elf adventures, Christmas printables and Tina Gray's Celebration,

So how do we get into the Christmas Spirit ?

 1. Head over to Pinterest stat if you want to find some Christmas spirit - 1000's + of ideas here for everyone. Focus on simple activities and ideas to keep it low key or really get inspired to go overboard.

2. Get down on the floor and see through the eyes of a young child. Kids bubble over with excitement and wonder about Christmas.Spend a day with a young child reading Christmas stories, watching Christmas DVD's or watching Christmas carols on you tube... maybe a little of their excitement and Christmas magic will rub off on you.

3. Start a new family tradition - see no 1 or Google it. Look for a fun activity that will be low-stress (and easy on the budget) ...not something you'll dread because of the hassle. We are doing the Elf on a Shelf this year. Trade it for a tradition you no longer enjoy.

4. Step away from  the stress. Take a few hours or even a day for yourself. Back away from craziness of the season. Get your hair cut, give yourself a facial , switch off your computer and go for a walk, smell the roses, visit a beach.Say no to new demands and/or delegate or postpone some activities.

5. Remember you have choices about the commercialism of the season . It isn't about having the most decorations and the best gifts under a magnificent tree. We can't even find our artificial Christmas tree but we will go out today and cut one from the paddocks or bunch together some sticks in the shape of star (thanks Gemma).

6. Lastly make someone else happy - playing on my TV now the Salvation Army - I believe in Christmas campaign - donate a new unwrapped toy and place it under any giving or charity tree ...
 Play Santa to a friend in need !

Now it's my turn ... take some of the pressure off your baking list see #4 just pick up some of these indulgent treats from Baker's Delight .

Warning - just don't lose your restraint ...The Lemon tarts and Fruit mince pies are my favourites.

A delicious any time of the day treat ...just be careful not to eat the lot or you'll look like Mrs Claus. They are the perfect gift for Santa or hungry boys.

Crisp buttery pastry and soft moist fillings. Dust them with icing sugar and bliss ! I had no time to snap a photo because no one would wait.

O M G - the Baker's delight's Traditional Christmas Cake has such a delicious blend of dried fruits and spice encased in a light cake. It comes in a lovely storage tin and is more moist then other Christmas Cakes I've sampled. I'm not big on Christmas puddings but when heated and served with a brandy custard or icecream it's divine.

They are perfect to keep hidden on hand for unexpected visitors ~Santa~ , a gift for the person who has it all (they come gift boxed) and especially to dress the Christmas table.

I am giving away a little  Bakers Delight joy with three x $10 vouchers so you can indulge in some of these treats for yourself!

Leave a comment and tell me what your key Christmas moment is ?
The 3 most creative answers will win?

Australian Residents only.
One entry person.
Closes Friday 16th December 4pm Sydney time.

Today I am thankful for Christmas spirit and the people who graciously share their ideas to make life easier for me and Baker's Delight.

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Santa Mail

The other day ...when I mentioned my wish list , gifts & giving it was without a word of Santa...tut tut.
I don't see the harm in letting my boys enjoy Santa.

I'd rather Santa not be the whole focus of Christmas because as Christians we believe in Jesus being the focus.

HO, ho, HO ...the mere mention of the naughty list gets their attention though and that means I yell less - so that's good for everyone !

Now , it is only 24 days till Christmas - if you haven't already done so ...a wise person might start reviewing their children's Christmas wishlist.

Then get the kids to write and post a letter to Santa ( 6pm on Friday 16 December, if you want a reply by Christmas).

For those residing in Australia
Post your letter to

Santa

NORTH POLE 9999

Remember to add a 60c stamp and print the sender's return address on the back of the envelope, so that Santa knows where to reply .

You can choose extra special Santa Mail printables over at Kate @Picklebums , Kate has designed hers with matching envelops , Katrina @ The Organised Housewife . Australia Post has letterheads you can download.

If you forget here is 'free' download reply from Santa here (ignore the Westfield Santa photo stuff -just look at the top right of the page)

You might also like this one if you leave it too late :)

Ps Our Elves have arrived

I'll be starting my Spectacular 12 days of Christmas Giveaway tomorrow because I have a very sore neck/shoulder . I can't wait to reveal a few surprises.

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Pinterest Make Me ~ Christmas Craft

I admit I don't possess crafty bones. My projects are usually a little wonky or go unfinished.

I like to be creative though. The boys love getting into mischief creative with craft , sticky tape, staples and glue. It's messy and fun play.

I just want to make Christmas fun for my little boys without an overload of commercialised decorations. Ok, I love some of them but I have a budget to stick to (next to nothing) .I want it to be fun for my boys, as long as I remember ...

We'll be right.

I am excited about Christmas but I do find it stressful. So, I am printing this out and framing it. I want to make my own subway art copy but that project is for another day.

Today I am joining in Pinterest make me Challenge. Ta da ...Disney Christmas Printable Train Craft.
We used an existing train track from Mr 18 and our farm animals to decorate it a little more.

Thanks Kate for the idea - on her 10 Free Printable ideas post.

* The cheeky Elve's on the shelf are also in the building - wait till you see what they get up to next week. Double Trouble !!

One more day of NaBloPomo ...how did you go.

PPS - I am getting ready for my 12 days Of Christmas giveaways. I hope you like them.
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Almost there

We all need a little Christmas cheer - 12 Crazy days of Christmas are almost over . I saw this on Rhubarb whine and I loved it ...hope you enjoy it too.



Last year I posted this the funniest 12 days of Christmas and I want to share it again.It's brilliant.



This is an acappella group 'Straight No Chaser' from Indiana University singing a fantastic fun version of “Twelve Days of Christmas”. They are amazing at how they keep their parts straight in this. Included are a bit of “12 Days”, “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer”, “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel”, ”Santa Claus is coming to Town”, “Deck the Halls”, “Carol of the Bells”, “The Boar’s Head Carol”, and wraps up with “12 Days” sung to the tune of “Africa” by the band Toto.
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Never miss a post

Weekly Winners

June 15th -June 21st
Lotus @ Sarcastic Mom is the host of Weekly Winners.

In honour of his 15th birthday
These are a few of the Teen man as a toddler

Walk this way

Bucket Head circa 1997

Look Drums
'New' Drums
Ceiling Cat is a Myth
Cosy in Cot
Not again
Twin Love
Whispered Secrets
Bye !

Blogger is not up loading well tonight - I have to be off to bed anyway.
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The funniest 12 days of Christmas

This is an acappella group 'Straight No Chaser' from Indiana University singing a fantastic fun version of “Twelve Days of Christmas”. They are amazing at how they keep their parts straight in this. Included are a bit of “12 Days”, “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reigndeer”, “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel”, ”Santa Claus is coming to Town”, “Deck the Halls”, “Carol of the Bells”, “The Boar’s Head Carol”, and wraps up with “12 Days” sung to the tune of “Africa” by the band Toto.