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October 28, 2014

Fun Holiday Traditions for Kids with Hallmark’s “Once Upon a Northpole Christmas” Book plus a Giveaway!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NorthPoleFun #CollectiveBias
It’s never too early to start planning for the holidays, so I’m excited to be sharing with you some fun traditions that my kids and I enjoy during the most wonderful time of the year.  Hallmark’s “Once Upon a Northpole Christmas”, Snowball Cookies, and hot chocolate with peppermint candy cane marshmallow stirrers are included in our festivities, so be sure to read on for all the exciting details!
I know it’s not even Halloween, but my little ones are already getting excited for Christmas!  Yes, the trick-or-treat buckets are out and ready to roll, I’ve stocked up on candy and the costumes are just waiting to be donned, and yet the hot chocolate, along with the candy cane stirrers and snowball cookies have already made their first debut.  Ha!  We just couldn’t help it. 🙂
Every year, we can’t wait to make our delicious hot chocolate, accompanied by some homemade candy cane chocolate marshmallow stirrers.  Don’t they just scream “Christmas!”?

 

Simply unwrap a few peppermint candy canes, dip in melted chocolate, let set, then pop a jumbo marshmallow on the end.  The chocolate dip and marshmallow will melt to perfection while stirring in the hot chocolate, creating a dreamy holiday drink!  Mmmmmm….!!!
Since we don’t see snow very often here, we like to bring it into our home in a the form of a dessert with these Snowball Cookies.  The kids love helping me make them, and they come together in a jiff!

{SNOWBALL COOKIES}

1/2 c. salted butter, softened but cooled
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. pecans, chopped
Powdered sugar for rolling and sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar, egg and vanilla or almond extract.  Add flour, salt, and chopped pecans and mix until blended.  Form dough into 1″ balls and arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Remove from oven and immediately roll in powdered sugar.  Let cool completely, then roll in additional powdered sugar if desired.  Makes approximately 15 cookies.

 

Hot chocolate and cookies aside, quite possibly the highlight of our holiday season each year is our book advent.  Each evening in December leading up to Christmas, the kids get to unwrap a festive story and read it by the glow of the tree while in their pajamas.  Most of the books are from our collection that we’ve built up over the years, but the kids just beam when they get the occasional surprise of one with crisp pages and the amazing “new book” smell.
So you can imagine the scene when the kids opened Hallmark’s “Once Upon a Northpole Christmas” this past weekend.  We’ll be adding it to our book advent rotation in December.
It comes with a pretty snowflake ornament that glows to let Santa know where to visit on the night of Christmas Eve.  We haven’t decided who will get to put their name on it.  🙂
I have to tell you about the adorable Northpole Communicator device that Santa and his elves sent too.  Each day in December, the kids get to “dial in” to the North Pole and speak to some special friends there.  The kids have been trying to cheat the system, but when they turn the knob, an elf relays a message to check back later on December 1st. 🙂 We’re working on the patience thing.
These items from Hallmark are based off of a new movie coming out and will be launching exclusively in Walmart stores on November 1st!
“Once Upon a Northpole Christmas” is a heartwarming tale and reminder of a huge part of what the holidays are all about…the happiness that comes from enjoying family and loved ones.
It’s a rhyming story about finding true joy during the holiday season, a magical snowfall, and the importance of a close-knit family.
The kids were completely drawn to the bold, beautiful illustrations and of course the cute story involving Santa and his elves and children just like them.
My son has been attached to the snowflake.  He even sleeps with it. 🙂  When we set up the tree, it will earn a special place there until Christmas Eve when the kids will take it to their room and set it to glow all night as a beacon for Santa and his reindeer.
We are looking forward to our book advent and including Hallmark’s “Once Upon a Northpole Christmas”!  I hope you enjoyed reading about some of our family’s favorite holiday traditions.  I’d love to hear about yours in the comments below!
Enter below for your chance to win a Northpole item!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Christmas, Desserts, Promotions, Recipes, Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melanie @ bear rabbit bear says

    October 28, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Lovely photos. We've made something like those cookies before and they are fun!
  2. Melanie @ bear rabbit bear says

    October 28, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    I would buy a book for my daughter!
  3. Amiejo Smith says

    October 28, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    My kids are still really little but I am starting to get some family traditions started. I love the book idea and the hot chocolate stirrers. I am going to have to try these out. Last year we started a tradition of new pj's, a movie and snack on Christmas Eve. We have a family movie night.
  4. jscheldberg says

    October 28, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    I love the book for my younger nieces and nephews!
  5. Lindi V says

    October 28, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    I'm always looking for great books for my daughter!
  6. Kimberly Alumbaugh says

    October 28, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    love the cookie and cocoa set and story, we love reading Christmas stories
  7. DarlaB3 says

    October 29, 2014 at 1:32 am

    Definitely would get a book, we are all about traditions at Christmas time. For the kids!
  8. Kathy E. says

    October 29, 2014 at 1:50 am

    I love the Northpole Communicator! I'd give it to my darling niece who is just learning about Christmas and all of its beauty.
  9. Scott Blomfield says

    October 29, 2014 at 4:57 am

    I love the chocolate dipped candy canes.
    My kids would love the book and star!
  10. Nicole Elliott says

    October 29, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    Ooohhh that is such an awesome idea for the hot chocolate stirrers and we will be trying out those cookies this year too! Pair those with the magical new Hallmark products and you have a season that is going to be one to remember! #client
  11. Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods says

    October 30, 2014 at 12:15 am

    I'm pinning that Snowball Cookie recipe! Love the fun toy from Hallmark too!
    ~ Ashley
  12. Lindsay @Artsy-Fartsy Mama says

    October 30, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    We love reading, and adding a new Christmas book to our collection every year! Thanks for the great giveaway!
  13. pbjones80 says

    October 31, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    I would buy the Once Upon A North pole Christmas book for my grandaughter. She loves books and we always get her a Hallmark book for Christmas. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this contest!
  14. A Journey For Life says

    November 2, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    Those choc dipped candy canes with marshmallows, genius idea!!
  15. s huneke says

    November 3, 2014 at 9:45 am

    I would like the Hallmark book. We have a few from other years and really enjoy them. thx
  16. ashley says

    November 5, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    I would choose the Once UPon a Northpole Christmas. We love to read!

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Hi! I'm Christine, and I'm addicted to Pinterest! I love sharing creative "pin"-spiration by way of delicious recipes, fun crafts, party ideas, and DIY projects. I hope you'll stop by often!

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