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Christmas Crafts, Food and Fun!

Dec 21, 2015

Even though it’ll be a hot Christmas this year in Houston – an unseasonable 78 degrees! – I can’t help but be in the Yuletide spirit!!! I love this time of year, not only because I get to visit with family and friends, but also because I can usually carve out some time for cooking, crafts and art projects I’ve been wanting to try.

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Here are a few of the projects I hope to do this week:

Seasons Eatings!!!

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This chicken salad looks delish! Great for a healthy yet filling lunch with my favorite holiday flavors: cranberries and pecans.

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Miniature, edible ornaments!! These Christmas ball cookies from Betty Crocker are too cute – they’d make the perfect homemade gift!

Crafty Gifts!!!

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DIY Cards!!! Turn some of your favorite Instagram pics into one-of-a-kind, personalized cards… You can use them yourself as thank you notes or wrap an assortment of cards in a box and give homemade stationary to a friend! Click here to see all the steps from Say Yes.

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These candles are so chic… and so easy!! You just melt beeswax with some crayon shavings in a crockpot, and then dip in candles of all shapes and sizes. Voila – gorgeous dip-dyed candles!!! The best part is that you can customize the colors to suit your decor. No surprise I like these blue and gray ones! For the full Martha Stewart tutorial, click here.

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Can’t you just see young kids feeling so special when they open these custom playing cards!!! This idea came from the Better After blog, which used MakePlayingCards.com to print photos of the whole fam in one deck. Love, love, love!

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Lemon cypress trees are popping up everywhere! You can dress them up with miniature ornaments and put the mini trees almost anywhere for the holidays – so festive! Or give them out as a hostess gift. They’d make a beautiful centerpiece!!! I found some at World Market for a great price.

Let it snow!!!

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I want one of these!!! These Chanel Snowdomes were given out to VIPs in 2012, and now they’re a collector’s item selling for over $300! Oh well, I guess I’ll have to make my own…

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The easiest way to make your own is with a mason jar, which makes it totally kid-friendly!!! You can glue just about anything to the lid of the jar, but I really like the simplicity of this one from Julie Ann Art. Make sure you use white trees though so the water won’t turn green over time.

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Or, for the wino at heart, check out these wonderful wine glass snow globes from Family Chic!!! I think they’d make such a fun, unique tablescape or mantel arrangement for the holidays. Plus, since they’re waterless, you won’t have to worry about any leaks or breakage when you store year to year!

Happy Holidays!!!

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Hope you all have a very merry Christmas and can get some R&R during the holiday bustle! If you want some more holiday decorating ideas, be sure to check out our Christmas, Segreto Style post from last year or this one that’s all about setting the table and entertaining for the holidays. Have a very Merry Christmas. I am so blessed for all my blog friends and have lots of great stories for you in 2016!!!

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12 Comments
  • Shirley@Housepitality Designs1
    Posted at 08:30h, 21 December Reply

    Great and fun ideas!….Merry Christmas to you and your family and a most happy and healthy New Year!

  • Bara
    Posted at 09:05h, 21 December Reply

    Can you post the recipe for the chicken salad w/ cranberries and pecans?

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 11:34h, 21 December Reply

      I sent you an email hope you received!! Merry Christmas!!!

      • Leslie Sinclair
        Posted at 11:34h, 21 December Reply

        Merry Christmas to you sweet friend!! Happy new year!!!

  • Karena
    Posted at 09:39h, 21 December Reply

    Beautiful Holiday Images, leslie!
    All the best of the Season to you and your and a Happy New Year ahead!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    The Reason for the Season!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 11:33h, 21 December Reply

      I hope you have the best Christmas ever and are healthy and pain free in 2016!

  • Nancy Ahmed
    Posted at 11:10h, 21 December Reply

    I absolutely love everything you post, from the renovation process of your beautiful home, sharing new artists work,food and xmas decor…etc…. Cant wait to have in my living room your new book!!!!
    I am enjoying the wonderful items I found at your sale event at Segreto and enjoyed visiting with you!!!! See you in 2016!!!
    Happy holidays!!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 11:33h, 21 December Reply

      You are so sweet! Thank you so much for your comment!! I have so much fun posting! Happy Holidays!!

  • Cathy Zimmermann
    Posted at 11:26h, 21 December Reply

    This is such a cute post. Great ideas!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 11:32h, 21 December Reply

      Thanks!! Always so many fun things to do for the Holidays! Wish I had time for them all!!

  • Taylor Greenwalt
    Posted at 21:12h, 26 December Reply

    Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 07:40h, 28 December Reply

      And a very Happy New Year to you!!!

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