"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
- Ebenezer Scrooge
December 7, 2018
Forty-first Edition
Greetings!

Christmas time is here, once again. With all the stress and craziness of Christmas I thought you might need some fun ideas to help keep you and your kiddos sane and regulated but still in the Christmas spirit.

For those of you that are supporting a family with children with RAD: pray for them, support them, and bring them Christmas cookies and a hot meal. You will be hugely appreciated!

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ . Through him we have also
obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and
we rejoice in hope of the glory of God ." -Romans 5:1-2


Merry Christmas to all!

With love,
Cheese and Cracker House

What to buy:
  • Building crackers - soda crackers, square seeded crackers, log-type bread sticks (or large pretzel sticks), etc.
  • Decorative crackers
  • Cream cheese (for cementing)
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Parmesan cheese (for snow)
  • Salami or pepperoni
  • Olives and/or pickles
  • Veggies for outdoor shrubbery, shingles, pathways, etc.
These are a fun alternative to gingerbread houses for our kiddos who can't handle sugar, candy, chocolate, and dyes!
What to do:
Construct your house frame out of crackers and cream cheese. Whip the cream cheese with an electric or stand mixer and put it in a piping bag for easier use.

Decorate with cheddar cheese, crackers, olives & pickles, and add your favourite veggies. Be creative and have fun!

P.S. Be sure to refrigerate your house - unlike gingerbread houses these don't last on the table for too long.
Snowflake/Star Hunt

This is a fun way to add some pizzazz to your day!

  1. Click the PDF you want to use and print out both pages (12 images).
  2. Cut each one out and write a number, letter, or symbol on the back of each one.
  3. Tuck them into corners around your house where your little people will find them throughout the day.
  4. At breakfast time tell your kids that you have hidden a dozen snowflakes/stars around the house for them to hunt up during the day.
  5. Give each child a piece of paper and a pencil to carry around with them. When they find a snowflake/star have them write down the number (letter or symbol) on the back and the location they found it in.
  6. Once they have found all 12 throw a tickle party!
Click image to download PDF
Click image to download PDF
These are easy to make with your kids and can look festive and colourful without using dyes or sugary candies!
Thumbprint Cookies

  • 1 cup softened butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • Chopped nuts for rolling (optional)
  • Jams or jellies of your choice, white chocolate kisses, almonds, etc. for centers

Beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Separate eggs. Place whites in a small bowl, lightly beat, and set aside; then add yolks and vanilla to butter mixture.
In another bowl stir together flour and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, blending thoroughly.
Roll dough into 1" balls; dip in egg whites and then roll in chopped nuts (if not using nuts you can skip the egg white part). Place on a greased baking sheet 1" apart. Make a whole in the center of each ball with your thumb - children with little thumbs may need to use two thumbs. Fill each whole with a small amount of jam or jelly, or place a white chocolate kiss or almond in the center (I like to make all different kinds to make it look more festive!).
Bake at 375* for 12 - 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.
Just for laughs...
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"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE."  Jeremiah 29:11