It's about that time.

 Christmas is just not my cup of tea. I use to love it, everything about it, the lights, trees, Santa, presents etc. There was something so magical about it, about all of it. But, then my dad died, he was the glue to the family holidays and we all felt the crazy impact, still to this day 8 years later. Add in a husband that did nothing for me for any holiday and after it happened I swore off Christmas forever.

Lately though, since this year has been so weird, I have been trying to accept the holiday again. I mean I get why everyone likes it, but I am going to accept it for a different reason...because my dad wouldn't want me to sit here and be sad about it and him forever. I promised him I would try even though I don't have much to celebrate about. At the end of the day, it isn't how you celebrate, it is who you celebrate with that really matters. Those people who really love you, that is what it is all about.

I wanted a way to start off slowly but still very Christmasey. When I saw this set I knew I had to get it. Very slow, easy, and it's a craft and I can't say no to any crafts. This set includes 95 pieces with 5 different designs and 6 of each design, plus string, markers, and bells. Basically everything you need is included, unless you want to add extras like glitter or lace, if you are really crafty.

To me these would be great for a before Christmas party, craft party, or fun for Christmas Eve night or even Thanksgiving night. Plus there are so many other things you can do with this including a lovely Christmas gift for someone who loves Christmas or just enjoys doing crafts. Lots of people enjoy Christmas all year long and I think this would be the perfect little mid year project as well.

I have really enjoyed coloring these and putting them together. Over the next few weeks my kids and I will enjoy coloring them and I may even put them out when I do Friendsgiving so that people have a little something extra to do and they can even take them home with them or they can leave them so they occupy a little piece of our Christmas tree and hearts.

All in all I am happy with this set. I was a bit worried about the markers at first, because they look a little chincy and like they may dry out quickly. When you color with them you can really tell. You can see all the stroke marks and with only 4 color options to choose from, it doesn't give you too many color options. I solved this by grabbing some of the markers I already had at home and colored it up with them. It seems like any markers will work with them, all that I have tried so far.

The last point I want to make, is about the presentation. I love that it came in its own little wooden box that you can store everything in until you are done with them all and then continue to or you can use it for something else. Plus you can color or paint it as well which I really like. They all seem sturdy enough but you can tell it wouldn't take much to break them in half, so make sure you aren't too rough with them.

I think this was the perfect way to try and push me back into the Christmas spirit. I really enjoyed this product and doing the review for it. Make sure you pick up a set for yourself, your next party, or a gift for the crafty Christmas lover in your life, you won't be disappointed. Hit that link below:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JQ3PZM1

I thank you all for reading this. Please if you have a second, leave a few things in the comments that you love about the holidays and try and get me into the Christmas spirit. I hope you all had an amazing Halloween and great upcoming holidays.

I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review. No matter the price all reviews and opinions are true and 100% my own.

Pumpkin Lanterns

 Halloween is my favorite time of the year. There is something so satisfying about something scary or being scared. I just love it. My home inside and out is always decked out, every single year. No room is spared, not even the bathroom, which people do comment on. It is a lot of fun right now because I have no power, (problems in my divorce, long story.) which means I can hide things in places and no one sees them until the last minute.

Another thing that is fun though, is how you can light things up. Glow sticks are always a great way to do that, but they only last for one night, if that even and then you just have to throw them away. Seems like a waste of money to me. Candles would be my next go to, but I have a crazy sweet but big pit bull no and she gotten into a few candles already and I have had to clean wax off her tail more than once. You would think she could feel the heat.

Any way, that is why these pumpkin lanterns or pumpkin tealights are perfect for me and my home. If they get knocked down, there is no mess and I dont have to worry about wax on the tail or the house getting burnt done. She already tried one and it didn't taste very good, so she leaves them alone for the most part now. They look great as decor and go along with everything I already have/had set up for the best time of the year.

Not only that, but they are perfect for me since, as I stated earlier I have no power. I put all of these around the house in strategic places and it lit it up pretty well. The pumpkins all flicker like real candles and none of them go at the same time so you get an interesting light so for sure. I wanted to test these out, so I left two of these on while I was gone at my third shift job all night. When I got home they had dimmed quite a bit and I was worried about how they all would hold up. I mean that is just eight hours. 

But, when I got up for the day, I went and tried them and they were back to as bright as they had been when I first turned them on. I didn't expect that, but it was a pleasant surprise that makes me think that these lights will last many hours on the tiny batteries that are already included. I think these are worth it for decorating for Halloween or even for Thanksgiving if you turn the Jack O Lantern face around on them, no one would even know. I honestly will use these until the battle is settled and my power is back on.

I know that Halloween is now over, but if you love Halloween, pumpkins, or just shaped tea lights, you need to pick these up right now! The best time to get stuff for the holidays, is right afterwards in my opinion to keep the spirit going on until another year goes by and we get to celebrate again. I'm leaving the link down below, please make sure you click it and check them out!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JPXSB3S

For me it is always Halloween. Please share with me, your favorite holiday memory below. Any holiday is fine by me, I just want to hear and share some stories. As always thank you so much for reading and I hope you have a beautiful day/night.

I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.