Jill from Valentine in the Morning is sharing her tips on activities that can be done from the comfort of your own home! She’ll be providing ideas on how to focus on yourself, pastimes to keep your kids entertained, and home ideas that will keep all of us safe at home.
You can listen to MY Home Sweet Home live “here” as she shares these tips at 1p, 4p, 6p, 8p as well as follow us on Instagram @1043myfm for videos!
Holiday 'MY Home Sweet Home' Ideas!
JEWELRY HIDEAWAY
Its hard to find something that will hold ALL of your jewelry and accessories. Especially necklaces. Mine are always getting tangled.
If you have some empty wall space in your bedroom closet- USE IT!! You can organize jewelry and accessories using small nails or towel hooks. Your necklaces, hats, belts, even ties - all on display - yet hidden from your guests.
See what I mean here:
https://makespace.com/blog/posts/how-to-organize-your-closet/
TIKTOK BUTTER HACK
I saw this on Tiktok - and started doing it immediately!
You know how you take a stick of butter out of the fridge and it’s really hard? I’ll microwave it, but I can never get it the right consistency. It’s usually way too melted.
If you have to soften butter, put some really hot water in a glass, then empty the water out. Immediately put the same glass over the stick of butter. In a few minutes, it will be nice and soft. Perfect for that piece of toast!!
NO-MESS POPSICLE
Popsicles are great… but they can get messy. Especially when kids are enjoying them.
Next time you go for the tasty treat, poke the popsicle stick through a cupcake liner. It will catch the drips and your hands can stay clean!
CORK BOARD CABINET
If one of your new year resolutions is to be more organized, I have an idea that can help in your kitchen!
You can attach a roll of cork board to the inside of your cabinets. Use this to pin up recipes or hang measuring cups and spoons for easy access. You’ll save space in your drawers too!
Check out step-by-step instructions here:
http://mamitalks.com/2017/04/diy-kitchen-cabinet-corkboard.html
TO UNPLUG… OR NOT TO UNPLUG
I saw this on Pinterest and it has become VERY handy at home. If you have a bunch of different cords plugged into a power strip and always end up unplugging the wrong one… this can help!
When you finish a loaf of bread, keep the tab from the bag. You can use it to label each cord. Use a sharpie to write “monitor” “lamp” “router” – and clip on each tab to the appropriate cord.
See what I mean here:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/57843176436966987/
NO BAKE GF CAKE POPS
Lisa Foxx sent me this recipe she found on instagram and now I cant wait to make them! You’ll need almond flour and almond butter, some maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla. You roll them into balls, coat them in melted white chocolate and stick them in the fridge! They’re gluten free too… which is an added bonus for me and everyone else allergic to gluten!
Check out @EatRockTravel’s step by step instructions here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CItQg8UBXEo/?igshid=1s6a12i7txoad
HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH
My niece loves playing with play dough - and we’ve had some fun making our own at home!
All you need is flour, salt, cream of tarter, oil and water. You can even use a packet of Kool Aid to change the color (and it will smell good too)!
You pour all the ingredients in a large pot and stir over medium heat, so you’ll need an adult to help!
See how to make it:
https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/home-made-play-dough/
DISNEY MAGIC MOMENTS
You can bring a little Disney magic into your home for the holidays!
The candy makers from the Disneyland Resort have shared their recipe for Peppermint Marshmallow Wands - so you and your family can make and enjoy at home! You’ll need marshmallows of course, but also melting chocolate, hot caramel topping, candy canes and lollipop sticks
Check out the recipe here:
CANDY CANE VASE
This is a really easy, festive way to transform a flower arrangement into a holiday bouquet!
Using a hot glue gun, attach candy canes all the way around a glass vase. Tie a ribbon around the center and then fill the vase with flowers. It’s a simple way to add to your home’s Christmas decor!
See an example here:
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SCAVENGER HUNT
While out on a walk - or driving around looking at Christmas lights, you can safely go on a scavenger hunt! Keep an eye out for a Nutcracker, a candy cane… even Santa himself! Everyone in your family can play - and you can even make it a fun competition.
See the printable Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt Checklist here:
https://www.justwhatweeat.com/christmas-light-scavenger-hunt/
12 DAYS OF ZOOM
I know you might be over Zoom… but hear me out on this one! What about virtual caroling?
Pick 11 different family members or friends who would be open to this idea and have them join you on Zoom - to sing the 12 days of Christmas. Assign each household a day to sing and then make your way from 12 drummers drumming - all the way down to a partridge in a pear tree. This is going to require a bit of patience and rehearsal, but you can record it and keep it as a reminder of this crazy year we’ve had.
21 AND OVER CHRISTMAS CALENDAR
It might be a little late to start this this year… but keep this in mind for Christmas 2021 (if you’re over 21!) I’ve seen a few friends on Instagram who are enjoying A Wine Advent Calendar - and after doing a little digging online, I saw there are Craft Beer, Hard Seltzer... even a Whiskey countdown calendar. All with little tasters inside. So if you or someone you know is tired of eggnog, this would make a great gift!!
Check out a few favorites here:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g29704218/best-alcohol-advent-calender-ideas/
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL FROM THE BOYS IN BLUE
2020 wasn’t all bad… The Dodgers did win the World Series!! They are hosting a drive-thru Holiday Festival at Dodger Stadium - now through Christmas Eve! Complete with a holiday light show, LED video displays, fake snow and Dodger elves. If you want to get out of the house, but stay in the comfort and safety of your own car… This is for you!
Get all the details and ticket info:
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/fans/holiday-festival
HOLIDAY IN THE PARK
Through the end of January, Six Flags Magic Mountain is offering a Holiday in the Park Drive-thru Experience! Its a great date night idea or fun for the entire family - without having to get out of your car! You’ll see millions of twinkling lights through eight distinctly different areas, festive holiday theming, seasonal music favorites and choreographed light shows. You might even get to see Santa and Mrs. Claus!
For more info and ticket details, click here:
https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/events/holiday-in-the-park
SANTA CANDY POT
If you want to spread a little holiday cheer to your neighbors, give them a Santa Candy Pot!
It’s really simple to make:
Paint a small flowerpot red. Once it dries, glue on a black ribbon at the top of the pot to resemble Santa’s belt and add an embellishment for the buckle. Then, fill the pot with candy and wrap in cellophane!
See step-by-step instructions:
https://fun-squared.com/elf-santa-candy-pot-gift-idea/
PINTEREST PERFECT
Mason jars can be used for all sorts of things, but one of my favorite ways to use them is as a holiday decoration.
Find different sized mason jars and paint them with chalk paint. You could choose white or add a pop of color with red or green paint. Then use leaves, pinecones, red berries - basically any type of holiday items found at craft stores to make your own arrangements and put them in the jars!
Use a festive ribbon or twine to tie a bow at the top of each jar and then line them up side-by-side or put them in a planter box.
They can go on your mantle or be used as a centerpiece!
See examples here:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/712976184741684237/?d=t&mt=login
HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS POTPOURRI
You can make your home smell like the holidays - without baking or lighting a candle… you just need your stove!
In a saucepan, boil:
4 cups of water
1 cup of cranberries
3 cinnamon sticks
1 sliced orange
2 teaspoons of cloves.
Once it starts to all boil together, bring it to a very low simmer and enjoy. You can keep adding water to keep the fragrance going all day!
See step-by-step instructions:
https://www.onelovelylife.com/stovetop-christmas-potpourri/
HOT CHOCOLATE BOARD
Take a break from the meats and cheese - and create a Hot Chocolate Dessert Board for you holiday parties!!
Use marshmallows, peppermint sticks, caramel squares, a whipped cream dish - the possibilities are endless.
Keep the hot chocolate nearby in a crockpot - and your guests will love adding their toppings to a comforting cup of hot cocoa!
Spring 2020 MY Home Sweet Home' Ideas:
“BLUE” EASTER EGGS
Universal Studios Hollywood has a fun way to turn your Easter eggs… into Dinosaur Eggs!
They have a really easy paper craft to print out and you can end up with a velociraptor [Blue from Jurassic World] holding your Easter goodies! All you need is scissors, a printer, some double-sided tape and a fork!
Print the free download here!
QUARANTINE SCAVENGER HUNT
This idea is for anyone who is trying to date while self-distancing. You can go on a scavenger hunt - while each staying in your own neighborhoods.
I’ve created a list of things to look for while out on a walk. Each item is worth a different amount of points. You and your date can leave the house at the same time, set the timer for 30 minutes and see who can find the most items on the list and score the most points. You’ll need the pictures on your phone to prove it!
Then, head back to the house (maybe FaceTime) and tally up your scores.
BEAT BUDS
This idea was inspired by my 4-year-old niece Hazel because she loves these guys: THE BEAT BUDS. It’s two best friends (Jonny and Matty) - and they get kids and parents feeling the beat and expressing themselves through music! They are live streaming their daily jam sessions every morning Monday through Friday at 9:30. Its educational, its interactive and you and your kids will love it!
Check out their YouTube Channel here!
CRITTER CAM
The Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe has a livestream every Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm
You get to see rabbits, puppies, kittens, baby goats! All week long, they rotate in their adoptable pets and Educational Animal Ambassarors for you to watch
It’s the cutest thing! Your kids will love it! Click here for more!
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW - FAMILY STYLE
Since we aren’t going anywhere for a while, it’s the perfect opportunity to get to know our family a little better.
This activity is inspired buy a segment we do on Valentine in the Morning called: Three Things You Need To Know. We use it to give you the day’s biggest news stories, but your kids can use it as sort of a Q&A with a family member.
Have your son or daughter write down three questions.
Then call or FaceTime Grandma… Grandpa… Uncle Steve… (whoever they want) and have them interview them. It will keep your family connected… and your kids might learn something pretty great about someone they love.
AT-HOME SCAVENGER HUNT
We talk to a lot of teachers on Valentine in the Morning - and we recently talked to Miss Dean who had a great suggestion:
Create a Home Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things they can look for in your house. She suggested using certain colors… like “anything with the color red”. Have your kids go room to room, searching for things on their list. Then have them take a picture of what they find - using a phone or iPad.
When they’re done, you can go through what they found together - and delete the photos after!
DISNEY ANIMATION
Since we can’t go to the Disneyland Resort at the moment, we can still get a little bit of Disney magic at home!
You can learn how to draw Mickey Mouse! Theres a complete series of how-to tutorials on the Disney Parks Blog - and tons of other characters too (like Anna, Genie and Tinkerbell)!
And you’re not just learning from anyone… an actual Disney Parks Artist is showing you how to bring these characters to life!
TEDDY BEAR HUNT
Now this is something we can all participate in - no matter how old you are! If you have a stuffed animal at your house, especially a teddy bear, put it in your window.
Teddy Bear Hunts are happening RIGHT NOW around the world!
When kids are on a walk with their family, they can have a fun scavenger hunt. If you don't have a stuffed animal, maybe make a sign or message to stick in your window - for people to enjoy as they walk by!