Mandarin Mondays: Palstic Model Kits (The Chinglish Files)

DIY Snow Globes

A fun winter project to involve the kiddos in is making snow globes. After you finish your project you have a new decoration and toy to enjoy.

Last year when we made snow globes, me kids played with them for hours and hours.

Homemade Snow Globes

• Small figures or objects that are water safe ( I used buttons to create a snowman, but if you had extra Christmas ornaments that you didn't want for your tree, this would be a great way to use them)
• Water tight jar and lid
• Hot glue (I used crazy glue, but Hot glue would be much better)
• Glitter and/or sequins
• Water

1. An adult can glue the figure or objects into the jar or to the inside lid of the jar.
2. After the glue is dry a child can sprinkle glitter and/or sequins into the jar.
3. Fill almost to the top with water.
4. Screw the lid on securely, glue if desired to make more secure.
5. Enjoy the winter wonderland.

Merry Christmas!

Mandarin Mondays: Don't Try So Hard (The Chinglish Files)

Preschool Holiday Activity: Play Dough Christmas

If you need an activity to keep your little ones busy for a while you are preparing for the holidays or while you are in the middle of entertaining and trying to keep a lot of little people happy and out of trouble, grab some play dough and tell them to make anything they can think of related to the holiday.

Last year my boys spent an entire morning building Christmas trees, Nativity scenes, gifts, Christmas food etc. They even made play dough relatives and a bunch of stories in the process.

You can also have them make letters and try to spell out holiday words. But that might require more adult involvement.

DIY Indoor Snowball Fight Gift

One of my boys' favorite gifts we gave them last year, was the gift of an indoor snowball fight. We live in an area that doesn't really get any snow, so that made is even more special, but I think all kids would like this gift. This could also make a good rainy day activity for January.

I wrapped up mittens and "snowballs" for each of my two older sons and labeled them indoor snowball fight. We had them open the gifts at the same time, and then off they ran chasing each other and throwing their soft fleece balls.

The quickest, easiest way to make this gift would be to pick up some mittens or gloves and white socks (roll them up in balls) for each child. If you want to hand make this gift there are lots of great mitten patterns for free or sale on the internet. Or you can even just trace around the child's hand with enough margin for seam allowance.

You can quickly sew up soft fleece balls by cutting 4 ovals the same size. You want elongated ovals, not to round or you will end up with funny pumpkin shaped snowballs like some of mine were. Although in the end my kids did really like that, because they could stack them up and build "snowmen: as well (like in the top picture), so it is your call. Sew them together right sides together halfway around the oval top to bottom (the long side of the oval). Continue sewing ovals together until you have all four sewn together with only a small opening to turn and stuff. After you turn and stuff the fleece ball whip stitch or invisible stitch it closed, very securely since these are going to be thrown all over.

Either way kids will have a great time with this simple gift and get useful mittens (and perhaps socks) out of it as well. It might just be the most fun way to package mittens and socks for gift giving. :)

I think this would be a great gift if you needed to give something to all of the children in the extended family, unless the gift exchange takes place at Grandma's house in the living room full of crystal. Only Grandpa can bounce a tennis ball off the wall in that room and not get yelled at.

Mandarin Mondays: Newly Add Fortune (The Chinglish Files)

DIY Payday Bars (Caramel Peanut Clusters)

If you like some crunchy or salty with your sweet these caramel peanut clusters are for you. They are a nice twist on some of the more traditional holiday candies.

Homemade Payday Bars (Caramel Peanut Clusters) Recipe

• Soft carmels
• Salted peanuts

1. Take a 1 inch caramel and knead it slightly (with clean fingers of course) until soft.
2. Roll in salted peanuts. Press peanuts in firmly.
3. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
4. Store in an airtight container. Freeze for longer storage (if you can keep them that long)

Want more crunchy caramel goodness?

No Corn Syrup Caramel Corn

Mandarin Mondays: Future Cola (The Chinglish Files)

DIY Chocolate Caramel Walnut Turtles

The only thing better than chocolate or caramel separately is chocolate and caramel together. These decadent turtles combine chewy caramel, rich chocolate, and salty walnuts.

These special chocolates are great for holiday parties or gift giving.

Homemade Turtle Recipe

• Soft caramel candies (Homemade are awesome, but store bought should work too) (one for each turtle you want to make)
• Walnut halves or quarters (5-6 for each turtle you want to make)
• Chocolate to melt and spread over the top

1. Take a 1 inch caramel and knead it slightly (with clean fingers of course) until soft.
2. Place 4 pieces of walnuts for legs, 1 for the head, and 1 small piece for a tail if desired.
3. Place on a plate or cookie sheet, caramel side up. Allow to harden slightly.
4. Melt chocolate and spread a small amount over the top of the caramel.
5. Allow to harden before stacking or serving.
6. Store in an airtight container. Freeze for longer storage (if you can keep them that long).

Want even more chocolatey, caramel goodness?

Dark Chocolate Cake with Caramel Sauce

Turtle Ice Cream