Today's share is a different type of post with one of our family's favorite appetizer/party foods and the recipe!  There is not a holiday family gathering without this Cream Cheese Ball on the table.  It is yummy and easy to make!  I've shared this several times before but it's definitely worth sharing again!

Does your family have favorite dishes that you enjoy for the holidays?  This is just one of our must-haves for every gathering!

Below is the link to the recipe that you may save or print for your file.  Enjoy and please let me know if you try it!

--->Lisa's Cream Cheese Ball for the Holidays

I hope you'll make enjoy one of the Brown Family's favorite Christmas Eve Dishes!

Here's a fun project from several years ago that you can do with your littles... cookies for Santa box! 

It's the idea to leave cookies in a package instead of a plate for the jolly old elf.  Lyla was 4 years old here (before she'd mastered the art of coloring) but she contributed to this project with lots of love.

Here's the video so you can re-create the box with the supplies you have on hand.

Lisa's Inklings:

• You will need two pieces of card stock cut at 6" x 6".
• Score at 1-1/2" on three sides of each piece.
• The designer paper is cut just for the front at 2-3/4" x 4-1/4".
• You will need a Christmas image appropriate for the occasion.  It doesn't have to be a Santa.  Any holiday image will do!

Have the little ones color the holiday image before adhering to the box.  They can use Watercolor Pencils or crayons for the coloring.  Maybe this will start a tradition with your children and grandchildren.  Let me know if you try this...I'd love to know!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas 2022 and today's projects feature two easy holiday gift bags to help you with your packaging!

These two projects were featured on my LIVE broadcast on Tuesday evening on Facebook and YouTube.

Do you know those stacks of patterned paper that you've been "collecting"?  Now is the time to put those babies to good use. Watch the video below for the assembly and for a tip on storing the large bags.

Lisa's Inklings:

Large Bag

• Two pieces of patterned paper, 12 x 12
• Score both pieces on what will be the top side at 1 1/2".
• Score the bottom and two sides of both pieces at 3".

Small Bag

• Cut patterned paper 6 x 8 1/2.
• Score on the long side at 3,4,7,8.
• Score on the short side at 1" for what will be the bag bottom and 4 1/2 for the bag top.

Here's another bag idea.  This one is more narrow and uses just one piece of 12 x 12 paper.

Try one or all of these gift bags and send me a photo!

REMINDER! Tomorrow for 24 Hours ONLY, Tomorrow December 15th!

• Place an order  of $35 or more in my Online Store using  Host Code: QDR3439T by Midnight tonight, December 12th,
• I will do my best to have these in the mail by December 15th so that you can complete and use for these Christmas! 
   

Let me help you prepare for Christmas!  Order Now so I can get these kits to you in time for Christmas!
 

Today is Christmas Card Day is today, December 9th and as card makers, this is a special day for us to celebrate.  Many Christmas cards are created and mailed this time of year!

On December 9, 1843, the world's first Christmas card was ordered to be produced by Sir Henry Cole, the first Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

From the Bath Chronicle:

He commissioned John Calcott Horsley to design two cards, a coloured example that cost people sixpence, and an uncoloured version for fivepence.

The uncoloured one, depicting a Victorian family eating and drinking, was sent to a lady called Marinda Cundy, and (was) passed down through the family since that Christmas (for) 170 years .

It was sold at an auction for 4200 pounds in 2013.  Read more about that first Christmas Card HERE.

And, that's where this much-loved holiday tradition all started! 

Celebrate Christmas Card Day this week by sending someone one of your beautiful handmade Christmas cards!

Even during December, there may be a little time for crafting, and these easy gift card holders with Stampin' Up! products are easy to put together and require just a few supplies.

Gather your holiday papers, embellishments, and a sentiment stamp set and you are ready to create these in minutes.  Here are a few ways that you can use these:

• Gift card holders
• Cash holders
• Tuck a small piece of candy inside
• To share a wallet-size Christmas photo
• Share a recipe
• Leave a note for Santa

These were featured on my Facebook and YouTube Live this week and you can see the assembly in the video below.

• Place an order  of $35 or more in my Online Store using  Host Code: QDR3439T by next Monday, Midnight, December 12th,
• I will do my best to have these in the mail to you by December 15th so that you can complete and use them for these Christmas!
  
  
  I'd love to help you get ready for Christmas 2022 with these three kits for three easy gift card holders so place your Stampin' Up! order today!