Advent Baskets --- Project for August

Christmas Scent...

Put into a small ziplock bag:

5-6 whole cinnamon sticks
2-3 TBSP whole cloves
2-3 TBSP whole allspice
3 bay leaves
Attach this note to the package:

In a medium saucepan or teakettle, mix package contents and orange and lemon slices with water. Bring to a boil, then turn down to low to simmer. Check the pan periodically to make sure there is enough water. DO NOT leave unattended. This will leave a wonderful scent in your home!!

I am doing this NOW. I think I need this to help get me in the mood to craft. Peg you are an angel! HUGS!!!

I can't wait to start these baskets...do we put these monthly projects in an archive?

Snowball Fight....

Fill a clear ornament with fake snow and attach the following poem:



This little ornament you've received,

Is for you to hang upon your tree.

To remind you that there is someone

Who appreciates the things you've done.

But please note, there is a catch...

You must make another and throw it back.

Pass one onto another who's kind,

And very quickly you will find,

You've helped make someone's

day so bright

By including them

In your snowball fight!

NYBonnieBlue54 wrote:I can't wait to start these baskets...do we put these monthly projects in an archive?

Yes, If you look at the home page and scroll down you should see the Monthly Projects and the BOMs once completed.

Festive Bell...

This is a quick and easy one. Just attach following poem to a large jingle bell (I got them in a package of 9, I think at the dollar store). Tie it on with either a ribbon or ornament thread:

"With each ring of this festive bell,
may a Christmas wish come true, and
bring you peace and happiness to last
the whole year through."

how cute. have to start collecting things to make these.
Beckie

Holly Jolly Christmas

This is another quick and easy idea for your Advent baskets:

Package some Jolly Rancher candies into a small ziplock bag and attach sign to the bag

Have a
"Holly Jolly" Christmas!

The Christmas Nail...

I haven't made this one yet, but I did buy the nails and have the poem saved on my computer. I hope to put this in my baskets this year.

Here is the link:

http://www.gemscottage.com/Projects-The_Christmas_Nail.html



and here is the poem:

*The Christmas Nail
*It's Christmas time at our house
*and we're putting up the tree.
*I wish I could find some simple way
*to remember Christ's gift to me.
*Some little sign or symbol
*to show friends stopping by,
*The little babe was born one day
*but he really came to die.
*Some symbol of His nail-pierced hands,
*the blood He shed for you and me.
*What if I hung a simple nail
*on my shining Christmas tree?
*A crimson bow tied around the nail
*as His blood flowed down so free,
*To save each person from their sin
*and redeem us for eternity.
*I know it was His love for us
*that held Him to the tree.
*But when I see this simple nail
*I know He died for me.

*by John Patton

I haven't made this one yet...but maybe this year!



~The Christmas Star~

You can either make a stuffed star or make a wooden star. And
accompany it with this note:

~A Christmas Star~

This is a little Christmas star
To give us Christmas cheer
It helps us keep this joyous day
Throughout the coming year.
There is a little task involved
And each must do his part
To do a kindly deed each day
And do it from the heart.
If you find upon your pillow
The star has found its way
Then you can do a secret deed
For someone that very day.
As soon as you are finished
Don't tell a soul it's done
Leave the star upon their pillow
Then it's their turn for the fun.
So take this little Christmas star
And give some Christmas cheer
It helps us keep this joyous day
Throughout the coming year.

Angel Kisses

Wrap up several Hershey kisses in some tulle, tie with a bow and attach the following poem:

Angels led the shepherds,
To the promised one,
Sang to all His glory,
Gave hope to everyone.
They send you these sweet kisses,
Full of Hope and Love,
To remind you that this season,
Is about God's only son.

Friendship Tea

This recipe makes a whole lot....but it keeps in a jar for a long time. You can also give in small jars as a gift too, but for the advent baskets, I just put 2 TBSP in a tiny ziplock bag with the attached instructions.

FRIENDSHIP TEA MIX

(Makes about 5-6 cups)

1 (18-oz.) Tang (or orange-flavored instant drink mix)

1/2 cup pre-sweetened lemonade mix

1/2 cup instant tea (not flavored)

1 (3-oz.) pkg. apricot jello

2-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well. Store in an airtight container.

To give as a gift: Put 2 TBSP mix into a snack-size ziplock bag and attach instructions.

Directions: Empty contents of bag into a coffee cup or mug and add boiling water..stir and enjoy!

I love the one about the nail!!!!
Even if I do not get all the advent baskets done this year, each family I know will get that one!!!

Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix:

1/2 cup dried cranberries
6-8 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp. whole cloves
2 TBSP whole allspice
In a small bowl, stir the cranberries and spices together. Store in a snack-size ziplock bag.

Attach instructions:

Spiced Cranberry Cider
2 quarts apple cider
1 quart water
1 package Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
2 oranges, sliced
In a large saucepan combine the cider, water and the spiced cranberry cider mix. Heat through but do not boil. Add the orange slices. Simmer for 1-2 hours and then remove the spices. Serve warm. This can also be done in the crockpot.
Serves 12-14.




If you don't want to make that much, you can just get a Hot cider mix (You can get in the grocery store by where the cocoa mixes are)...just put one packet in a cup or mug and add a little ziplock bag with some cranberries in it and a cinnamon stick and add this tag:

Hope your holidays are “spiced” just right!

Add mix to cup and throw in some dried cranberries, add boiling water, stir with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cake Mix in a Can

Chocolate Chip Cake Mix in a Can
3/4 cup yellow cake mix

1/3 cup chocolate chips
1. Mix chocolate chips with the cake mix.
2. Place mixture into a ziplock sandwich bag. Place bag into a 14-16 oz. decorated can.
3. Attach a recipe card with the following instructions:

CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE TO BAKE IN A CAN
1. Remove mix from the can. Empty bag of mix into a medium bowl.
2. Add 1 TBSP water, 1 TBSP oil and 1 egg. Mix well.
3. Remove any labels or decorations from can. Grease can well with some shortening or margarine on a paper towel. (Don't spray can with cooking spray-recipe will not work in a sprayed can.)
4. Spoon batter into can. Put can onto a cookie sheet and put into oven and bake for 32-35 minutes at 350. Cake is done when a broom straw or bamboo skewer placed in middle of cake comes out with no wet batter sticking to it.)
5. When cake is done let it cool 15 minutes in the can. Run plain table knife around edge of cake to loosen it from the can. Shake can to allow cake to slide out.
6. To serve, cut cake into slices the desired thickness.



I decorated the can by using scrapbooking paper.(or you can print something up on the computer).just fit it to wrap around the can and use scotch tape to tape it on....makes it easy to remove for when you bake the cake in the can in the oven.

Bumping up .

----I almost forgot to post this idea today!!

I have not made these because I don't crochet, but I know a lot of you guys do...so thought you might like this one!

Victorian Candy Cane Covers

http://www.crochetmemories.com/archive/december9.html

Yo-Yo Angel


Here is the link to the directions:
http://craftsayings.com/projects/small_gifts/yo_yo_angels/index.shtml

Ok, y'all....this is the last day of August! I hope you have enjoyed the idea of makiing advent baskets!!

Nativity bookmark

I save this one for Christmas day....I put it in the envelope for December 25th. You can make a bookmark however you want, just put this verse on it (Luke 2:10-11). I made the bookmarks on printshop, but you can make on whatever print program you have.....or just print out the verse and decorate a bookmark however you want. I printed out on white card stock.



This is a closeup of one of the bookmarks

Peg thank you so much for doing this I have really enjoyed it and shared with a friend of mine. God Bless you .
Beckie

Beckie.

I am so glad you have enjoyed it!!

hugs,

peg

Peg thank you sooooo much for hosting this! I am way behind in getting any of it done but am slowly working on it. thank you again!!!

You are so welcome Dawn!