Holidays Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Christmas Activity for the Whole Family

December 17, 2019 by Lyra Almoite Leave a Comment

With Christmas being just days away, all the busy moms know that it’s not only the Christmas dinner you should be planning for. There’s the gifts, the family who’s coming over and the Christmas Activity for the Whole Family. Momma, you got the whole Christmas weight on your shoulders. But we got your back, busy moms! So, we made a list of Christmas Activity that the whole fam can enjoy!

Christmas Activities for the Whole Family

Making Christmas Wreaths

We all know that Christmas decorations are not complete without hanging a beautiful and festive Christmas wreath at your door. While you can always get it ready-made from Amazon or Target, hanging a Christmas wreath that has been hand-crafted by the whole family can make it extra special.

The first thing that you want to do is to get the kids excited by taking them outside and ask them to start gathering evergreen branches and pine cones. Your kids will love this “scavenger hunt”! After gathering all the materials, attach the greens to a wire ring. If you don’t have a metal ring around, you can make one out of coat hangers. With all honesty, this can be a really great family tradition to start with. Don’t forget to take pictures and compare your Christmas wreaths year by year.

Still unsure how to do it? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a Christmas Wreath from Food52.com. Check it out here.

Play a Christmas Scavenger Hunt

With the kiddos jumping and running around the house all day long, I learned that there is nothing that will get them all more riled up than a scavenger hunt. You don’t have to buy anything special, just pick a couple of items that are commonly found in your household and hide them all around the house. You can also give a prize to the kid who gathers the most things! If you’re feeling like teasing your kiddos, you can hide their present around the house and set up clues to find them.

Want to spice up your Christmas Scavenger Hunt? Here’s some ideas.

Pick Out a Christmas Tree

Okay. So there’s only one rule in the house when it comes to Christmas decorations. That is, everyone must help in decorating the tree, but it’s better to do more than that. You can ask your kids to come on a road trip to the mall or the local store so that they can help you pick a tree. This will make them feel more involved and get more excited to get it decorated. You mommas know the light on the kiddos face when they see the tree all decorated. In fact, in our house, who puts the star on top of the tree can be a real competition.

Want some tips on picking the perfect Christmas tree? Read here.

Go Ice Skating

Even though your kiddos might have a hard time dealing with the cold or they might not like wearing too many layers of clothes, there is one thing that they are certainly going to love, Ice skating! It is a fun family adventure, and more importantly, your kids will be exhausted at the end of the day, and they will fall asleep as soon as you get home.

If you’re not sure where to go, here’s the Top US Ice Skating Rinks to Visit this Christmas.

Create a Hand-Made Christmas Cards

If you have a big family and not all of them can make it over to your home for Christmas, then I have a great idea about a family activity that your kids will have a blast with! You should craft your own Christmas cards and ask the kids to help out. If they are too young to draw, let them place colored thumbprints all over the cards. In fact, you can even create a mini-ones and use them a gift card or tags and if you’re looking for ready-to-print Christmas gift tags, you may check this one out.

These are our top 5 go-to Christmas activities with the whole fam. Whatever Christmas activity you’ll pick, be sure to have fun and spend time bonding with the whole family. After all, that is what Christmas is all about.

What Christmas activity do you plan to do with the whole family this Christmas? Share it with the other busy moms!

Christmas Gift Ideas

December 10, 2019 by Lyra Almoite Leave a Comment

Christmas is just around the corner. It’s time to wrap up presents and put it under the Christmas tree. Well, if you haven’t done your Christmas shopping yet and you’re looking for “something special that will bring an ear to ear smile to your kid’s face, you’re in luck! I created a list of Christmas Gift Ideas for you! Living with kiddos in my entire lifetime definitely has taught me a thing or two about gift giving.

Finding the perfect gift might sound like a daunting task, especially if you have a busy day to day schedule. But worry no more! This list of gift ideas is guaranteed to make your kid’s Christmas morning one of the best moments of the year.

For Your Little Boy

Smartphone Projector

Nowadays, all kids love gadgets but this one will definitely not cost you a hundred bucks. This will definitely keep your boy in awe as he watches his favorite Disney cartoon in his bedroom with this Smartphone Projector. While your boy will love this, for sure! This is also a great tool for an awesome bonding experience with his siblings. Aside from this one being so crafty and looking so cool, it’s super easy to use that even 4-year-old kiddo can set it up himself.

Coils Stadium

Your boy will surely love this Coilz Stadium and he will never ever get tired of this one. The stadium contains a total of 15 games that your boy, his friends, and all of the kiddos in the house will surely enjoy. The game board is also reversible allowing the players to change the entire game whenever they want. To top it off, this is no ordinary game, this game will encourage problem-solving, strategic thinking, but still super fun! I honestly won’t blame you, if you even find yourself playing this one with your boy (oh! what a great bonding tool too!).

For Your Baby Girl

Light Up Unicorn Slippers

For your little girl who loves everything cute and colorful, this Light Up Unicorn Slippers is a sure win! You can bet that your daughter will have a big smile on her face when she unwraps the Christmas gift and sees that Santa brought her a pair of Light-Up Unicorn Slippers. These are both comfy and funny. It’s also a fun way to get your kiddo to wear slippers during winter and avoid cold floors. And oh, did I mentioned that the unicorn’s cheeks literally lights up? How cool is that?!

Build-a-Bot

If you are looking for a gift that is going to help improve the creativity of your little girl in a fun way, then you don’t need to look any further than Build-a-Bot. This features three option of adorable pets (unicorn, kitten, dog) that your kid can assemble and have fun with. The great thing about Build-a-Bot is that it promotes creativity, patience, and it incorporates S.T.E.M learning with the fun. Your little one can also mix and match with pieces with other Build-a-Bot pets to create her very own unique pet.

For Your Hardworking Husband

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Finding the right Christmas gift for your husband is always a challenging task, but you don’t need to fret! Let me tell you a secret. Your husband will enjoy relaxing after a hard day at work by watching his favorite shows on the big TV screen and here is why he will love it when he sees that Santa’s little helper has brought him an Amazon Fire TV stick.

For Your Sister/Best Friend

Soul Sister Bracelet

What better way to express to your best friend or sister how much they mean to you other than with a simple, yet beautiful bracelet that has the words “soul sister” engraved on it? The size of the bracelet is adjustable so that you have to worry if it will fit or not. It is made from stainless steel and it comes in gold, silver and rose gold.

For Your Loving Mom

Chefman Panini Press

I can tell you that any gift from kids would make any mom very happy. However, the best gifts are the moments you’ve shared together. Your mom will forever cherish it. That is what this panini press non-stick is for! Why not share a Panini with mom over the weekends or better yet, have a little bit of mom-and-you time while making one for the entire fam. Plus, this will definitely a great add-on to her kitchen.

Got any more Christmas gift ideas to add on this list? Let us know! Help the other busy moms complete their Christmas shopping.

And if you’re looking for more, you might want to check out The Ultimate List of Holiday Gift Guides.

5 Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas

November 26, 2019 by Lyra Almoite Leave a Comment

This time of the year families are getting together to give thanks. Sometimes we get that competitive feeling, determined to provide the best meals in the house and fill happy tummies. Last year we gave you all a taste of the amazing Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie. This year we’re going to go with stuff that complements the main course. We’re giving you 5 Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas with the best recipes from our friends.

Indulge in our five featured recipes to make you five times more thankful this year.

Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes by cooknourishbliss

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn by damndelicious

Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes by yours truly

Classic Green Bean Casserole by lifeloveandsugar

Classic Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing by averiecooks

5 Tips for a Multi-age Family Halloween

October 18, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Thanks to shopDisney.com for sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.

Even though we have 5 kiddos, they’re not too far apart in age (8 to 13). I have many friends, however, who struggle to do Halloween as a family because they have a wide spread of ages. What works best for a toddler isn’t exactly exciting for a preteen. You can still have a spooktacular holiday with the 5 Tips for a Multi-Age Family Halloween!

5 Tips for a Multi-Age Family Halloween - how to handle a big age gap during Halloween #ad #shopdisney #halloween

#1 Too Scary or Just Right?

This seems to be what parents bring up first – how do I keep it mild for my littles but ‘scary enough’ for my older kids? While this can be tricky, it’s totally doable by finding themes that ‘scream’ Halloween without the terror. For example, skeletons can be just as thrilling while still being adorable – such as these Mickey Mouse Light-up Hoodies.

Or how about these cute PJ Pals?

#2 Pick Their Favorites

Little ones may be all about Buzz Lightyear or Tinkerbelle, while older kids probably prefer Descendants characters or Black Panther. Whatever they’re into, you can get each child their own favorite costumes, accessories and more! This also helps them feel unique and have more fun with ‘their’ Halloween.

#3 Costumes for Everyone

Help your kids feel more ‘together’ despite the age differences by joining them in dressing up! Yes, I’m encouraging grown adults to have some fun *gasp* – but seriously, it shouldn’t just be the kids choosing their favorites and participating in the activities, the parents should be included to make it really feel like a family event. This is particularly helpful for the ‘older’ kids who may be worried it’s childish to dress up. If they see you in costume, they’ll feel like it’s just fine to enjoy it!

And yes, include the more furry family members, too!

#4 Share in Decorating

Get input from everyone – big or little, young or old – on your family’s theme for decorating this year. Maybe the younger ones can help with plush characters or yard signs. The older kids may be trusted with things that require a bit more care and responsibility – such as garlands or glass figures. This way everyone feels a part of the process, but still have tasks geared to their level.

#5 Matchy?

What better way to bring the entire family – regardless of age – together than with fun matching Halloween outfits? I know some people are very much in the ‘each person needs something different’ group for their family Halloween clothing, and I agree with that sometimes. I’m a huge lover of awesome matching pjs for my crew, though! Or go for something more basic, like these cool and CUSTOMIZABLE tshirts.

Another option, for those that want to mix it up a bit, is to pick a matching THEME then each person gets their own character. I’d love to go as Jack & Sally, maybe with a little Oogey Boogey or Zero!

There’s also picking the same movie – like Toy Story – or go with a ‘universe’ such as Marvel or Star Wars! There’s so many options to choose from, you’re bound to find something that works for every family.

Final Tip

Overall, the important thing is to consider each of your child’s interests (no matter the age) and include that in some way for our family’s Halloween activities. Age gaps can be difficult, and you may end up putting some kids to bed earlier than the teens – but that just means some extra time you can do more ‘older kid’ things with them, after doing some things the little ones would enjoy.

Hope everyone has a spooktacular family Halloween this year!

Father’s Day Star Wars Bottle Gift Printable Set

June 7, 2019 by Danielle 3 Comments

Let your Dad know he’s the ‘Best Dad in the Galaxy’ with this super fun Father’s Day Star Wars Bottle Gift Printable Set! Dark side or light? You don’t have to choose, just do one of each! This is the perfect Star Wars gift for dad, and it’s really easy to put together.

You can also mix and match the bottle wraps – cool backgrounds, just characters or with some text. We just made a few changes to our Graduate Star Wars Bottle Set so it was focused on the Dad in your life, and we know he’ll love it!

Supplies

Download your Printable Sets Here:
- Bottle Wraps: Background Only or Characters or Text
- Front Label & Handle: Dark Side or Light Side
- Side Labels
Scissors & Tape
6-pack Glass Bottle Set

Directions

Download and print the sheets (links above in supplies), then cut them out.
Tape into their spots on your bottle set, then gift away!

Told you it was easy – yet awesome!

Father’s Day Craft Lightning Features:

I wish I’d made these cute Foiled Baby Footprints like Hey Let’s Make Stuff when my twins were born!

You can really have fun with these Personlized Coasters from Tried & True Blog!

Loving this Father’s Day Coupon Book from Jen Gallacher – it’s only $1.99 in her store!

These Star Wars Father’s Day Treats from Clever Pink Pirate are right up our alley

I’m loving this DIY Painted Pint Glass from Laura’s Crafty Life

Have your kids help with this DIY Dad Brag Book from 100 Directions

As you know, I love mason jars – so these fabulous Mason Jar Father’s Day Tags & Treats from Beth Watson Design Studio are perfect!

Get our favorite crafts started, because Father’s Day will be here before you know it!

Mother’s Day Flower Photo Gift

May 6, 2019 by Danielle 2 Comments

I can’t believe it’s almost Mother’s Day – but I guess that happens with every holiday lately! Totally creeps up on me, then it’s gone in a blink. Luckily, this Mother’s Day Flower Photo Gift is adorable, fun and super simple to make! Plus, it’s the type of gift she’ll want to hold on to for a long time to come!

Mother's Day Flower Photo Gift / by BusyMomsHelper.com for ThirtyHandmadeDays.com

Originally shared on Thirty Handmade Days in April 2015.

Growing up, I thought that I had to go all-out for Mother’s Day, spending tons of money and loads of time creating something amazing. Guess what? It never meant as much as the simple things; things that held more memories or sentiment to them! Now that I’m a mom, I totally understand this! Now we focus on really special gifts that don’t take a ton of time or money….but that she’ll want to keep for a long while. This Mother’s Day Gift is perfect for that, so let’s get started!

Contains affiliate links that help keep this blog running. See our Disclosure.

Supplies

The free printable templates (found below)
Cupcake wrappers in color of choice (I use 5-8 per pic for layering/thickness)
Photo to cut for center
Tape (double-sided preferably)
Photo frame, if desired

Directions

Print out one of the Free Printable Templates by clicking these links: Tall Straight Stem in Pink or Blue. Sideways Stem in Pink or Blue. Each of these print 8×10 in size.
Use your tape (either double-sided, or fold over one-sided) to secure the first cupcake liner to the top of the flower stem.
Insert the rest of the liners one-by-one, using tape below to stick it to the bottom liners. I like to make sure the ridges don’t fit together perfectly, to add some fun dimension and texture to it.
Use the center circle of the liners to trace out your photo, then cut it out and tape to the center of the top liner.

That’s it! Now you have a beautiful Mother’s Day Photo Gift for her to display for all to see! A little tip – I found it easier to tape the liners on AFTER putting the print into a frame. If you want, you can put an initial or name in one of the corners to make even more personalized!

My kids had a lot of fun choosing their cupcake liner colors, so even THAT showed a bit of their personality in each framed print!

I know my mom is going to LOVE these special gifts from her grand-babies! Honestly, these would make a fun craft just for Spring, and a gift for anyone, really – gotta love flexibility, right?

Who would YOU give these special Flower Photo Gifts to?

Check out these other great posts that would be PERFECT for Mother’s Day!

Sweet Sunshine Sunflower – a little sweet with a lot of pretty!

Give her something EXTRA special with this Give Extra Gift Idea!

25 Frugal Mothers Day Gifts to Make

April 12, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Mothers Day is coming up next month and I’ve been looking for ways to make sure the amazing moms and grandmothers in my life are recognized in a special way. If you’re also doing the research, here’s this round up of 25 Frugal Mothers Day Gifts to Make. Honestly, there were so many amazing ideas it took may take awhile to pick which DIY Mother’s Day Gift you want to do!

I think the ones that tug at my heartstrings the most are the ones made out of tiny handprints, and itty bitty fingerprints! What mama wouldn’t want something with little hands on it?

There’s a little something for everyone on your list here. Happy crafting!

25 Frugal Mothers Day Gifts to Make

1. Mothers Day Craft Butterfly DIY Jewellery Box
2. Mothers Day Foot Soaks
3. Handmade Mothers Day Craft
4. Mamas Day Handprint Apron
5. Mothers Day Flower Garden
6. Mothers Day Mason Jar Spring Vases
7. Heart Thumbprint Platter
8. Make A Huggy Mothers Day Craft Card
9. Mother Day Popsicle Stick Flowers
10. Mothers Day Button Letter Craft
11. Mothers Day Craft Crepe Paper Flower
12. Mothers Day Craft Dry Wall Tape Decoupaged Pot
13. Mothers Day Button Chalkboard Craft
14. DIY Super Cute Fingerprint Bird Mothers Day Card
15. DIY Yarn Bowls
16. Mothers Day Photo Lid Keepsakes
17. Mothers Day Clay Finger Print Crafts
18. Floral Handmade Mothers Day Card
19. Adorable DIY Flower Pens
20. Flower Cupcakes
21. DIY Tile Coasters
22. DIY Stationary Set
23. Homemade Mothers Day Gift Idea DIY Floral Picture Frame
24. DIY Watering Can Flower Arrangement
25. DIY Nail Polished Marbeled Mug

Are you making something special for mom this year?

Fun Easter Treat Tubes with Printable Stencils

April 1, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

It’s almost Easter! Seriously, HOW is it almost Easter?! Luckily I can throw together a super quick & fun treat/gift for my kiddos and their friends – like these Easter Treat Tubes!

I based these off of the Christmas treat tubes I shared a couple years ago, but instead of Elves and Santa I did Bunnies and Chickies, of course.

Head over to Pretty My Party, where I’m sharing the instructions and FREE PRINTABLE stencils for these fabulous Easter treat tubes! They’d be perfect for baskets, egg hunts or Easter gifts – so head over and make yours today 🙂

originally shared March 2016

Other Easter & Spring crafts you may like…

Paper Plate Easter Baskets

March 29, 2019 by Danielle 6 Comments

Who’s ready for this month’s Craft Lightning post? I sure am, and this month the theme is recycled crafts. I wanted something totally customizable, super cute and give it an Easter twist. There were plenty ideas to choose from, but I really wanted to share these Paper Plate Easter Baskets!

Everyone has paper plates around, right? I find uses for them all the time, and mostly it’s not for holding foods! They work perfectly for make this baskets, and you can switch it up to go along with any holiday or occasion…even just for fun! The best part about them is how quick and simple they are to make….just a few minutes from start to finish!

Supplies

Round Paper Plate
Tape
Ribbon
Scissors
Stuff for Inside

Directions

Cut two slits on opposite sides of the plate. Go in until the cuts are past the ‘ruffled rim’ edge.
Fold along the bottom of the cuts all the way across on both sides, so there’s a crease.
Fold right along the cuts across, bringing the sides up. Have the little cut ‘side’ folded behind.
Tape the two sides securely.
You’re done with your basket! Fill as desired 🙂

I filled mine with some fake grass, then some baskets have Easter Eggs inside.

In others, I put some wax paper and then a bunch of my Dad’s Healthier Cookies. The average cookie is the PERFECT size to fit in a row inside these fabulous baskets!

I also added ribbon on the outsides for a fun little POP of color! Pretty pastels in green and purple just shout SPRING to me! I’m letting my kiddos color the white part of the plates to create their own, unique ones to take to a couple friends because, well, why not?

What would you put in YOUR paper plate basket?

Now don’t forget to go see all of the other amazing recycled crafts joining in this month’s Craft Lightning fun!

More Easter Crafts…

Printable Valentine Superhero Bookmarks

February 11, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I’m all for encouraging reading in my kiddos, so fun bookmarks can be a huge help. With the upcoming holiday where they’ll exchange tons of Valentine’s with their classes and friends, these Printable Valentine Superhero Bookmarks are just the ticket for the little (or big) hero in your family!

We also have a girl superhero version available HERE

There are 3 designs, and they print on an 8.5×11 sheet. I highly recommend printing it onto cardstock paper so it’s more durable. My kids like to fiddle with their bookmarks while reading, so they sure get worn out fast. I’ve found that laminating them really helps the superhero bookmarks to last longer – and less paper trash from ripped edges 🙂

Download the Valentine Superhero Bookmarks Here

My boys can’t wait to give these out for Valentine’s Day at their schools! We’re printing a bunch, then tying ribbon in the hole at top (just use a hole punch, super easy) – then they’re all set to go! And can I just say I’m THRILLED that my kids are old enough to sign their own names on their Valentines – I can’t imagine having to ‘help’ with the name on every single superhero bookmark for their whole class!

DIY New Year’s Eve Shakers

December 27, 2018 by Danielle

I’ll admit, we use to do more of a ‘party’ as a family for New Year’s Eve when we lived in Utah. There’d be tons of food, some fireworks in the road in front of the house, and countdowns (one of the kids, one of the adults) – I loved it! The past few years we’ve been much more mellow, watching some movies together then going to bed before midnight. Blah! This year, we’re hoping to do more with our kids – letting them stay up, doing more activities, and really enjoying our time together (and hopefully sleep in). These DIY New Year’s Eve Shakers will be a fun addition to create AND celebrate with!

I know, they’re going to be NOISY – but letting the kids make some crazy noise after the ball drop is a rare treat that we can deal with. I can only imagine how excited they’ll be, and their smiled will be worth the few minutes of shakers 🙂

Supplies

8 Empty Keurig Cups
4 Dowel Rods or Popsicle Sticks
Popcorn Kernels
Washi Tape (Any Colors/Designs)
Scissors

Directions

Decorate the outside of each Keurig cup with the tape. Create your own designs and have fun with it!
Fill one cup about ½ full with popcorn kernels.
Place another cup on top and wrap washi tape around the middle, securing them together. Go around 2-3 times.
Take your dowel rod or popsicle stick and place it on the back. Secure it with 3-4 strips of washi tape.
Now, they are ready to shake and have fun!!

What’s your New Year’s Eve traditions?

20 Winter Handprint Crafts

December 22, 2018 by Danielle

This weekend is Christmas (crazy, right?!) and some kids will soon be bored with the holiday vacation already. If you’re looking for a fun winter activity for kids, these 20 Winter Handprint Crafts are just the ticket! I’m partial to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle handprints myself, and I know my kiddos would love the salt dough ornaments, too!

DIY Handprint Ornament: Christmas Craft from blog.consumercrafts.com
Handprint Angel Craft For Kids You’ll Cherish Forever from alittlepinchofperfect.com
Handprint And Footprint Angel Craft from easypeasyandfun.com
Hand And Footprint Reindeer from freekidscrafts.com
Fingerprint Christmas Tree Salt Dough Ornament from easypeasyandfun.com
Handprint Reindeer Christmas Ornament Craft For Kids from buggyandbuddy.com
Handprint Christmas Wreath from icanteachmychild.com
Snowman Handprint Christmas Ornament from littleredwindow.com
Handprint Reindeer Puppets And Treat Bags from icanteachmychild.com
Family Handprint Christmas Tree from mamasmiles.com
Family Hand Print Christmas Tree Canvas from muminthemadhouse.com
Handprint Reindeer Ornaments from kidsstuffworld.com
Homemade Christmas Decorations from kidscraftroom.com
Handprint Christmas Tree from theimaginationtree.com
Make A Paper Plate Reindeer from education.com
Handprint Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Salt Dough Ornament from iheartartsncrafts.com
Toilet Paper Roll Reindeer Kid Craft from theresourcefulmama.com
Snowy Owl Handprint Craft from funhandprintartblog.com
Polar Bear Handprint Winter Craft from intheplayroom.co.uk
Handprint Polar Bear from funhandprintartblog.com

Making Christmas Wreaths

Play a Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Pick Out a Christmas Tree

Go Ice Skating

Create a Hand-Made Christmas Cards

For Your Little Boy

For Your Baby Girl

For Your Hardworking Husband

For Your Sister/Best Friend

For Your Loving Mom

#1 Too Scary or Just Right?

#2 Pick Their Favorites

#3 Costumes for Everyone

#4 Share in Decorating

#5 Matchy?

Final Tip

Supplies

Directions

Father’s Day Craft Lightning Features:

Supplies

Directions

Who would YOU give these special Flower Photo Gifts to?

Check out these other great posts that would be PERFECT for Mother’s Day!

25 Frugal Mothers Day Gifts to Make

Are you making something special for mom this year?

Other Easter & Spring crafts you may like…

Supplies

Directions

What would you put in YOUR paper plate basket?

More Easter Crafts…

Supplies

Directions

What’s your New Year’s Eve traditions?

Which of these cute and creative Winter Handprint Crafts are your kids most excited to try?