Christmas Countdown 1: Ellie's Christmas Quiet Book Page

Now that I have scored and posted handmade items from around the web, it might be the time to wish you Happy Holidays with my very own creation.

My toddler Ellie will be getting all kinds of store-bought Christmas presents from friends and family but Mommy Santa has settled for something made just for her: a giant quiet book.

The book is themed seasons and nothing spells winter more than a Merry Christmas page.

The setting is a sitting room at a house. Along with a wreath, a fireplace and a decorated three.

We are waiting for Santa. 

The fire is burning under the jolly wreath and the bag with presents has been dropped unscathed down the chimney.

Our Christmas tree is decorated with big red balls (and a glittery star on top) but something is missing. 

That is right the presents aren't where we are supposed to find them in the morning. Good thing Santa has some tiny fingers to help him arrange the presents under the tree. 

So there you have it, a Christmas quiet book page. 

Happy holidays! 

And see you again next year!

Christmas Countdown 2: A Couple of Super Easy Last Minute Gift Ideas

Well, are you really running out of time (and money) and still want to make Christmas special.

Well, you can always throw candy or cocoa and marshmallows in a jar, wrap it up with a beatiful ribbon and call it a day. Or you can make an extra step and no one will ever suspect that you have not invested a lot of effort, money and time into selecting the one and only gift that is just so perfect.

That said set aside about 30 minutes (+time to the dollar store) and make those loved ones feel special.

2. For him

A key chain can range from the most boring to the most amazing gift ever. Still not sure. Check these out. 

Scrap leather with a cute spin.

Or the cork of his favourite wine (you still get to drink it anyway). Please follow these instructions before drowning the bottle down. 

1. For her

Lip balm will never ever be thrown away. Combine that with a nice dollar store locket and she will be ever grateful. 

Easy Peasy - coconut oil, lipstick, locket and stove. Still not making sense? Check out the step-by-step instructions.

If you are still not sure whether these will work, maybe you should consider a single yet elegant and somewhat precious flower.

And find out some more fun ways of gifting money on Buzzfeed.

Christmas Countdown - 3: Three of My Favourite No Bake Alternatives to Gingerbread Houses

I so wish I could biuld something like this

 with just some gingerbread dough and icing.

In truth I have managed to turn something a lot (a whole lot) easier like this

into a mini baking disaster.

And I still want a house not a junk food somethink that may remotely resemble an arc.

So here they are.

3. Graham Cracker Cuteness

2. Everything tastes better with bacon 

and waffles

or chocolate 

1. You can never go wrong with waffles 

and wafers for that matter

There you have it. And a cute litle marmallow snowman to say goodbye

Christmas Countdown - 4: May the 4th Be With You

I just can't pass The Movie premiere this Xmas season. And with all the buzz you may consider inviting a certain Force into your decor this season.

4. Felt it.

Felt is versatile we know that. Why not put it to good use.

Luckily, some generous geeks have chosen to share their patterns.

3. Or paper it

If you are into papier-mâché, these are amazing.

Unfortunately, I could not find a tutorial online, but my guess is any pinata technique with a dash of artistic flare will work.

And can you really make a Yoda by just folding paper? Now you have to be an origami god to create this surely.

For those of us less skilled, paper snowflakes with a touch of Vader.

Well, at least this one comes with a tutorial.

2. Paint it 

Baubles turn into amazing duo of robots.

I will quietly admit that these are my favourite Star Wars characters, closely followed by the ewoks.

Or a complete set of characters for that matter, made with someone with unholy wielding of the brush.

And this one left me speechless.

Comes with a handy tutorial too.

1. Lego it. 

Simple as that. You are buying the Lego Star Wars series anyway,

or 

Check out the Chris McVeigh building guides, get your Lego out and start building those with your kids.

There you have it, a geeky, shiny, starwarsy Xmas.

Christmas Countdown 5: 5 Cute No Sew Felt Ornaments That You Could Make at Home

Felt is probably among the most versatile materials I have worked with. And comes especially handy if you are having holidays in a toddler-ridden home. Here are my top five picks for now sew Christmas ornaments,

5. Super simple mistletoe

4.Stacked tree ornament

3.  Nearly realistic pinecones 

2. It's not just eye-candy (and unfortunately it is not real candy either)

1. Cute little snowmen

And those of you who still want to have the go at the sewing part, here are some super cute raindeer.

And with a pattern too.

Christmas Countdown - 6: 6 Simple Yet Amazing Decor Ideas

Were you naughty or nice? Six more Thursdays to make amends before Santa packs up that sleigh.

And here are some amazing Christmas decors to make your home more inviting to the good old man from around the web.

6. Use Christmas cookies as ornaments.

You are going to be making a ton of them anyway. Why not put them into good use?

Probably not a safe idea if you have kids or pets around anyway.

5. Eat the cookies and use the cutters to spice up that tree

This one comes with a nice tutorial.

But you can even ditch the paper back and just tie them on a string.

4. Put up a display with Christmas cards

No tree, no problems, see?

Who would have guessed, you could even put those on a lighted frame.

3.  In lieu of living space, put the tree on the wall

Tape and clothespins, simple as that.

Or rolls of festive wrapping paper. You are buying them by the dozen anyway. Just use the spares. 

2. Skip the Christmas wreath 

Well, not entrirely, just sway away from those flower and pinecone arrangement. Use clothespins and washi tape instead.

Or go for a jumbo pack of marshmallows.

1. Go for a hip Christmas tree.

Those huge trees are so 2014. If you refuse to parttake in old school traditions here are some hip ideas.

Stack some books maybe, you are reading them on your handheld device anyway.

Or pillows.

Or use some wine corks (you still have some time, get that wine pouring).

And my personal favourite, a tree that would last exactly 30 seconds before being devoured.

Christmas Countdown - 7: 7 "Boxed" Gifts for kids

Santa Claus is coming to town in just 7 Thursdays.

Still looking for the perfect gift for your little ones? Well, if you have a spare cardboard box, some scissors and paint why not try one of these. Just click on the picture to reach the original site.

7. A Play House maybe?

6. Or just kids' very own kitchen 

'

5. Or washing mashine for that matter

4. Or just click away camera

3. Or a dollhouse on the cuter side

2. Some piraty stuff. Agrh

or even

1. And my personal favourite to-go dress-up suitcase. Unfortunately no tutorial is available, but still you get the idea, right. 

See you next Thursday ;)/