1. Nuttin’ for Christmas:  This song made its first appearance on the radio in 1955.  It is amazing how these songs live on generation after generation.  I am amazed that the kids keep watching a youtube video and sing along.  Even with technology this song lives on with children around the world.
   <iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/B_7xqqt1Vgs” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
2. Up on the Housetop:  This is one of my favorites that you do not get to hear very often these days.  I am hoping that by singing it with my children again and again it will become one of their favorites as well.  <iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/Yep2d7H974w” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer:  Who does not love the story of Rudolph all wrapped up in one fun and fast song?  This is one of the best and most popular Christmas songs for Children in the USA. <iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/T5VdsuQ-YfM” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
4. Must be Santa:  I love this one because it is super fun and fast paced.  The kids catch on quickly as well.  <iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/JeKaV-yhN3c” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
5. Frosty the Snowman:  What is more fun than a snowman who comes to life and leads the children on the adventure of a lifetime?  <iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z1RoN3CnxFw” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
6. The 12 Days of Christmas:  This song is a huge challenge but we always have a great time trying to get through it all.  <iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/FF1xcKW2e-g” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
7. All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth:  We all remember the Christmas that we lost our two front teeth.  Even better is that there is a song about it all.  <iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/duMdZkuOGGg” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
8. Santa Clause is Coming to Town: What is better than a song that reminds children how to behave?  I love this one and it is one of my personal favorites!  <iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/HWv72L4wgCc” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

These are our favorite Christmas songs for children this year.  Which ones are on your children’s top Christmas songs this year?  I hope that they have a blast singing… because… It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Becca

Image by gwen via Flickr

I know that it seems like it is too early to even think about Christmas, but the fact of the matter is that it is time to being AskBecca’s Christmas Countdown.  The goal of this years Christmas Countdown is to actually keep up with it.  For the past three years I have tried and tried to do a Christmas Countdown and the truth is that life tends to get in my way.  In September and October I am able to accomplish all of the posts and topics I want to.  From there it is all down hill.  Time becomes a problem and then poof Christmas is here.  This year I would like it all to go a little better!  So on Saturday, September 17th I will begin the Christmas Countdown 2011.  Here is what I have in store this year:

• What is hot and what is not.  I will be in search of wonderful new products for kids and the family this coming Christmas season.
• Sing a song… This year I would like to include some Lyrics to my all time favorite Christmas Carols.  One of my goals is to bring Christmas Caroling back this Christmas season.  In order to do that we will need to know all of the words to all of the favorites.
• Movie time anyone?  We all know that Christmas time is the time for movies.  Christmas movies are a wonderful way to share time with your family and a way to look back to your childhood.  Christmas movies are not all I intend to post about.  We also know that many movies are released Christmas day.  Check in with me to see what movies you may want to stop into the theaters to see!
• Santa Clause‘s Cookie Corner… We all know how the big guy loves his cookies.  The Christmas season is not complete without cookies.  I know that our family is not alone in baking dozens and dozens of cookies.  I will be sharing a cookie recipe a week to add to your recipe box.  If you have a favorite cookie recipe I would love to hear about it!  We all know that Christmas cookies are the key to a Merry Christmas!
• Homemade Christmas Craft ideas.  Last year our family had a homemade Christmas.  For some members of our family this caused great stress, but for others it was wonderful.  There is nothing more special than creating a homemade Christmas craft!  We even encouraged the kids to get involved!  They loved making their cousins Christmas gifts!

As you can see there is a lot in store in this years Christmas Countdown.  You will not want to miss a day.

Just a reminder… Christmas is not about shopping and buying.  It is about sharing a magical time of year with our family and friends.  Do not get caught up in the hype.  Do not let it all stress you out.  Be sure to plan and I am sure that your family will have a wonderful Christmas 2011!

Becca

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PLAY-DOH Mega Fun Factory playset

A PLAY-DOH Shape and Spin Elmo

2 Build a Bear Small Fries

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes

3D Sneaky Puzzle Singin’ Sea Creatures

PlayMobile First Day at School set

We gave the kids a chance to play with each of these new and exciting products, do crafts, eat some  yummy holiday treats and even spend some time with Santa and Mrs. Clause. The kids had a chance to hear “The Night Before Christmas” and play “Santa” says.  We also had a snowball race and played Christmas Bingo where there were prizes to be won!  I think that the kids all had a blast.  I know that many of them did not want to go home.

I think that this party was a huge success.  Emma had a great birthday with great toys to play with.  The kids loved the puzzle and play-doh play sets. And the moms enjoyed seeing all of these great toys out of their boxes!  Thanks to MomSelect for another great opportunity to share a party with friends  and family!  I know that the kids all loved it!

Becca

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So as many of you have noticed I fell off of the Christmas countdown wagon yet again!  I have been having some personal medical issues but am hoping that I will be posting again, daily.  Thank you all for making sure that you have stuck in there and kept on watching to see what is new in the world of Christmas.  This Friday is the official start of the Christmas season and of course the biggest shopping day of the year.  Black Friday ads are already online and the secrets are already out!  So for today, a post of fun…A few questions to answer for you.  I guess you will get my answers as well… Please play along.

1. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
2. What is your favorite Christmas Movie?
3. What is your families most precious Christmas tradition?
4. When do you put your Christmas tree up?
5. How early is too early to turn on your Christmas lights?
6. What was the best present you ever received under the Christmas tree?

OK so here are my answers:

1. My favorite Christmas song is the “Christmas Shoes” by NEWSONG.  I cry each and every time I hear it.  It makes me remember how blessed we are this and every Christmas to have each other.  I also love the classics with Bing Crosby and the gang!  “Santa Baby” still makes me feel cute and in a fun mood.
2. My favorite Christmas movie is a tough one.  I am not sure that I can pick just one.  I love “It’s a Wonderful Life” because it again shows that all we need is one another.  I also love the original “Miracle on 34th Street”.  This is the movie that I must see Thanksgiving night.  It is a child who has no faith who sees that things are not always what they seem to be.  “Love Actually” is a movie that I usually watch this time of year as well.   I love British film and this movie met all of my expectations.  As far as some funny Christmas comedy, “Scrogged”  takes the cake.  It is a non traditional story with a whole lot of laughs.  So as I said earlier… how can I pick just one.
3. I think that my most precious Christmas tradition is Elmer the Elf.  He has blessed the children in our family for almost a century.  Elmer works for Santa Clause himself.  He watched the children in the family and reports back to Santa daily.  If you are good he leaves a few small trinkets through out the Christmas season.
4. We usually wait with our tree until a few weeks before Christmas.  We always get a real tree and if we put it up any sooner it would die before the new year.  My mother-in-law has an all white and silver tree.  It looks so beautiful but I cannot copy… so I have my miss match tree and it looks beautiful!
5. I stand strong in the belief that the day after Thanksgiving is the EARLIEST you should turn on your Christmas lights.  Now I know here on the east coast the weather has been warm so I can understand if you have put them up so that you do not have to do it in the freezing cold weather.   On the other hand… this in no way means that you should be lighting those lights before we celebrate Thanksgiving.
6. I would have to say that the best present under my tree was a shadow box that my husband made for me.  All of our children were in there and the things we like to do together.  It is a special thing that will live with me forever.

So there you have it.  I have shared… now it is your turn…

Becca

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Another favorite in our family are magic cookie bars.  They have a special grandma touch that makes them extra gooey!  Magic cookie bars are sure to please everyone young and old!  Here is what you will need to do to make Grandma’s Magic Cookie Bars:

Ingredient:

1/2 Cup of Butter

1 and 1/2 Cups graham cracker crumbs

1 and 1/2 (21 oz.) cans of condensed milk

2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 and 1/3 Cups of flaked Coconut

1 Cup Chopped Nuts

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for a glass dish)
2. Melt butter
3. Pour the butter into a 13×9 inch pan
4. Add crumbs over the butter
5. Pour the milk evenly over the crumbs
6. Layer remaining ingredients evenly
7. Press down firmly with a fork
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until you notice a slight browning of the magic cookie bars.
9. Chill in the pan over a cooling rack
10. Cut into bars and serve
    

One thing to note is that this recipe calls for more condensed milk than other recipes.  It makes the magic cookie bars extra gooey.  If you wish to have a drier bar only use 1 (14 oz.) can of milk.

I hope that you enjoy this recipe.  I know that we love them each and every year!  I would love to know how they come out!

Becca

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48 Days Until Christmas

Here is one of my personal favorite cookie recipes.  Peanut Butter Blossoms taste great and  add a great look to your cookie plates.

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 Bag of Hershey kisses
• 1/2 cup of Shortening
• 3/4 cup of creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup of Sugar
• 1/3 Cup of packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 Tbsp. Milk
• 1tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Steps for baking Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

1. Preheat you oven to 375 degrees
2. Beat the shortening and peanut butter together until blended
3. Add 1/3 cup of Granulated sugar and 1/3 cup of brown sugar to the peanut butter/ shortening mixture; beat until light and fluffy
4. Add 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla; beat well
5. In a separate bowl stir together 1 1/2 C. flour, 1 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp. salt
6. Gradually beat dry ingredients into wet mixture
7. Shape cookie dough into one inch balls
8. Roll cookie ball in granulated sugar and place on an un-greased cookie sheet
9. Bake Peanut butter blossoms for 8-10 minutes until light brown.
10. Immediately press Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie
11. Cool on a cooling rack

Let me know how they come out this holiday.  I love to hear new adaptions to old recipes.  I was thinking about trying Hershey Kisses with Caramel.  Also check out Hershey’s website for great holiday crafts, cookie recipes and more!

Becca

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50 Days Until Christmas 2010

So here we are!  Welcome to the 2010 Christmas Countdown.  I am so excited to be sharing the holiday season with you for the third year in a row!  This time of year can be busy and stressful but we will get through it together.  Here is a taste of what we have in store this year!

1. Cookies:  Every day I will be posting one of my favorite holiday cookie recipes.  Nothing says Christmas like cookies!  I am hoping the husband can get a rate that cookie system up and running in the next few weeks.  Remember that many cookies freeze well.  It is not to early to begin baking your Christmas cookies!
2. Homemade Holiday:  This year we are doing something extra special. Stay tuned for this exciting, money saving tip.
3. Christmas Budget:  I know it is that B word again!  I think that it is important to know how much money you will have available to you this holiday and try to spend only cash.  Times are hard and digging a deeper hole is not advised.
4. Christmas Movies:  If you are wondering when your beloved Christmas movie will be on… Stay tuned to Ask Becca!  I will let you know what will be on and when.  I know that I hate missing “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street“.   As soon as I hear about it I will let you know!
5. Christmas Traditions:  I know that every family has their own traditions and I would love to hear about them!  I think that it is important to celebrate your traditions and perhaps steal a few to make your own.
6. Fun:  We all know that with Christmas comes fun times.  Parties, caroling, the Christmas at Church and day trips for the family.

This is not all.  It is just a sweet taste of what is to come in the next 50 days!  So off we go… 50 Days of Christmas really means 48 Shopping Days remaining.  Have fun and remember when you need a laugh, idea or break… stop by and say hi!

Becca

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54 Days to Christmas!

Today is the big day.  With 54 days to go until Christmas Target is starting their sale prices early.  Starting today, Target stores will be offering great deals on toys.  Beginning November 2, 2010, which is today, you can examine all of the great deals in their Target Toy Book.  It is a clear sign that black Friday is just around the corner!

In looking at the Target Toy Book I am deciding that Christmas is closer than I think.  There are some great toys in the Target Toy Book, I just want to shop around some and make sure that they are good deals.  I am pretty sure that I am not alone in thinking about my budget this year!  I did notice that there are a lot of coupons.  I guess this is so that they can put the item in the Target toy book and not give everyone the discount.

I am not even sure what the kids want this year.  They are not excited about  any toys!  What toys do your children want this year?  What items do you all see as being hot sellers?  I would love some ideas!

Check out Black Friday Ads.  Shop till you drop on black Friday and Get ready for 50 days of Christmas beginning this weekend on November 6, 2010!  My 50 Days of Christmas Countdown is sure to help make your holiday special yet again this year!

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The Cookie Exchange Week

For most of us cookies are an important part of the Christmas season.  Holiday baking can be a fun way to bond with the kids, enjoy extended family or relax alone.  In the 2008 Family Fun Magazine I found the cutest Santa Hat Cookies.  They are simple and fun to make and they come out super cute.

Ingredients:

• 2 egg whites at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Red colored
  

Heat the oven to 200 degrees.  With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until a soft peaks start to form.  .  Beating all the while, add the cream of tartar and vanilla extract,then slowly add the add the 1/2 cup of sugar.  Continue to beat until the peaks stiffen.

Spoon the meringue into a quart-size plastic bag.  Snip off a corner and pipe 2 dozen 1 1/2 inch-tall Santa hat triangles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet ( you should have about 1/4 of the meringue left).  Sprinkle the triangles with the red sugar then use the remaining meringue to add one pom-pom and trim.  Bake until the hats are hard but make sure they do not brown.  It should take a hour and 20 minutes.  Turn off the oven and leave the cookies for an additional hour with the oven off to allow crisping.

Becca

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75 Days of Christmas Countdown:

55  Days Until Christmas

It is so important as the holidays approach to have a game plan.  I think that there are some simple things that can be done early.  These are not things that will be rushing the holiday.  They are things that will help you to be more prepared when they get here.

• Start Baking: There are many holiday treats that can be frozen and thaw well.  By starting holday baking a little at a time now you will have a chance to enjoy friends and family more at the holidays.
• Get the calender out: It is never too early to start firming up plans for the holidays.  If you are planning a holiday party discuss them with friends and family now.  If there is a special trip you would like to pick the weekend now.  If there is a special day you would like to go shopping with a friend confirm the date and make the plans now.  If you would like to go see Disney‘s, “A Christmas Carol in 3-D” pick the date now.
  
• Update Address Book: All through the year people move, pass away and change their phone numbers.  Go through your address book and make sure that you have all of the correct addresses for friends and family.  This will mean that when it comes time to send out Christmas cards you will be ready.
• Make a Master Gift List: Write each person you need to shop for.  As you think of things that they will enjoy add it to your list.  Remember to leave room to check off when you buy it.  ALso remember to keep it away from the kids.  This also helps you hunt for the best price.
  
• Develop a Budget: This is more important this year than it may have been in years past.  Many people have said that they will be spending less this year.  This means that we will all have to plan more and spend less.  
  

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