Picture
Make this cute Snowman Christmas ornament at home with your children if you are a mom looking for this year's addition to your family ornament collection, in your classroom if you are a teacher or by yourself if you are just a creative individual.
Supplies you will need:
Glass or plastic ball ornament
Cotton balls
Orange and pink felt scraps
4" piece of green yarn
2 small glittery green pom poms
1 gold chenille stem
Black paint
Instructions:
Remove hanger top from ornament & set aside. Stuff interior of ornament with cotton balls.
Cut the yarn in half. Measure enough to go from the top of the ornament to the middle and glue in place on both sides of the ornament.
Cut each pom pom on one side to make that side flat and glue toe pom poms to the end of the yarn.
Cut a long triangle from orange felt and two circles from pink felt and glue to the front of the ornament for a nose and two cheeks.
Dot on the eyes and mouth with black paint using a  small paint brush.
Replace the ornament's hanger top. Insert the chenille stem through the loop in the hanger top and enjoy hanging your snowman ornament on your Christmas tree.

Now light a blazing fire in the fireplace. Fix hot chocolate with marshmallows for the children and a little spiked eggnog for yourself! Homemade ornaments always  serve to bring back fond memories every year when they are unwrapped and placed lovingly on the family Christmas tree.







 
Picture
Is there anything little girls (and some adult girls) like better than a fancy tea at a beautiful hotel or tea house?

This year the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead will be hosting the Children's Nutcracker Tea. Dancers from the Atlanta Ballet Company will perform excerpts from the timeless Christmas ballet, the Nutcracker, while children and adults enjoy hot chocolate and yummy holiday sweets. The Dickens Singers will serenade the audience and children will have a chance to decorate a Christmas cookie to take home and enjoy later. Although the event is a bit pricey at $47 per child under 12 and $52 per adult, it is a once a year event and most likely the only opportunity to enjoy a private performance by members of the Atlanta Ballet. The Nutcracker Tea is set for Saturday and Sunday, December 18 and 19 at 11:00am and 2:30pm, Monday, December 20 at 2:30pm and Tuesday, December 21 at 11:00am.

Less costly and almost as much fun is Christmas Tea with Santa at the St. Regis. Hosted by the merry old elf himself, children will enjoy gingerbread Gingerbear cookies and snowflake shortbread window cookies with sweet raspberry jam. Children will be thrilled by a personal visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus as they are invited to share their most cherished Christmas dreams and wishes. Tea with Santa will be offered Thursdays through Sundays from 2:00pm - 5:00pm beginning December 2 and running through Christmas Eve for $24 per child.

For adults with more discriminating tastes, the Swan Coach House hosts the Annual Holiday Tea on December 16 from 4:30pm to 6:30 pm. Featured among the delectable tea goodies will be the popular cheese ring with preserves along with scrumptious tea sandwiches and, of course, the signature French silk swan. Reservations should be made now for this once-a-year holiday event which is modestly priced at $25 per person.

The beloved Teddy Bear Tea is set to be celebrated at the historic Callanwolde mansion. Children, ages four and older, are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear to Christmas Tea at Callanwolde. While being served traditional teatime favorites, children and adults will enjoy an entertaining holiday yarn or two spun by Callanwolde's famed storytellers. Set for 3:00pm on December 12 and 16, The Teddy Bear Tea is $25 per person -- teddy bears get in free!

If you have never experienced one of Atlanta's wonderful holiday teas, do not pass up the opportunity to make some special memories this year with the children and loved ones in your life.