We are almost halfway to Christmas and with Lifetime and Hallmark releasing their Christmas in July lineup, why not get in the spirit with some festive wines, too?
That’s right, The Hallmark Channel has it’s own batch of wines! Not only that, the purveyor has branched out from their OG batch of holiday-only blends into summer and Valentine’s Day options.
Want to relax with a summer glass of Rosé as you sip away the afternoon? Grab a pack of Rosé Wine Seltzer for just $40.
If you want to spread the love, or just stock up in time for next Valentine’s Day, you can also snag a Love or Blush pack.
And if you’re in the mood to celebrate Christmas in July, don’t forget about the Jingle and Joy duo, a combo of cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc.
Jingle bell rock the holiday season with an easy Christmas wreath. We’ve gathered up 20 affordable simple wreaths to make yourself, from reindeer wreaths to horizontal wreaths to easy wreath making for kids. Whether your Christmas decorating style is simple and classic or bold and bright, you’ll find out how to make a Christmas wreath like a pro. Put on your favorite carols, grab your glue gun, scroll down to get started.
We love craft projects that are easy to make and make an elegant statement, and this lovely wreath is both. The aptly named Simple Circle Wreath on store-bought macrame hoops plus seasonal greenery. Plus, it'is easy enough to make that you can create a trio—or more—in less time than it takes to watch Frosty the Snowman. Find out how to make one of your own at Alice and Lois.
Make a candy-colored wreath perfect for Whoville with a bag of bright balloons. It's an easy fun take on the traditional Christmas wreath. Even the biggest Grinch won't be able to resist it. A Subtle Revelry shows you how you can make your own.
You will be parent of the year after baking this delicious gingerbread wreath. We love that it's a fun, festive twist on the traditional gingerbread house. Plus, your kids can get in on the action by decorating gingerbread boys and girls. Bonus? The key ingredient for this edible wreath is Pillsbury's refrigerated gingerbread dough, so even reluctant bakers can make it. Simply roll the dough, cut out shapes with your fave holiday cookie cutters, and layer them on top of an edible wreath. Find the step-by-step instructions here.
MADE Everyday offers up an Acorn Wreath that uses - you guessed it - acorns to create a modern, streamlined look. This DIY wreath doesn't require much in the way of craft skills, but since you have to glue them on one by one it may take an afternoon. Once you're done gluing, you can customize the color to match your holiday decor. Put on your favorite holiday music, get out the hot glue gun, and jingle all the way to MADE Everyday to find out how to make your own.
Impress Dasher, Dancer, and Vixen with this easy DIY reindeer wreath. Pom-poms add a fun touch, and the bells will jingle each time your door opens. Jess at Make and Do Crew shows you how to make your own and add a touch of Rudolph to your Christmas decorations.
Rows of ribbon plus hot glue = an easy DIY wreath. Pick up a few rolls of extra-thick grosgrain ribbon and a wreath form, and follow the step-by-step instructions from Kimbo at A Girl with a Glue Gun. This wreath is also super-affordable, leaving lots of pennies left over for fun stocking stuffers.
Want to add sparkly fairy light fun to your front door? Simply add a strand of lights to any store-bought wreath to make it extra special. In five minutes flat, you’ll have a festive decoration to dangle from your door. Head to Lights4Fun for the step-by-step and photo inspiration. Twinkle twinkle, little wreath.
This wreath includes a fun activity that also gets kids out of the house! Gathering pine cones from the backyard or a local park will provide most of the material for this peppy wreath. Plus, this one comes together for less than $10! Hop over to Make and Do Crew for the full tutorial from DIY wizard Jess.
Make a big statement with a huge wreath that takes a little time, but not a lot in the way of specialized crafty skills. Buy out all the ornaments you can find at the Dollar Store in your fave colors, and get gluing. This beautiful, bold wreath will be one you'll love to use year after year. Sweet Pickins Furniture will tell you how to get it done.
Everything’s more fun in color—especially when they’re extra bright colors, like those in this paper wreath from A Subtle Revelry. Plus, all the cutting required is good practice for your kiddo’s fine motor skills. Start on your way to delightful color block décor by following the DIY details here.
Bubbles of festive burlap come together to create a base for candles in this tabletop wreath. Add a few golden baubles, and you’ll have a centerpiece that will last you until the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. Get the directions for exactly how to scrunch up that burlap at Adina Justina.
Looking for a nontraditional way to spruce up your front door? Gather up greenery to make a dangling horizontal wreath, and then visit Minted Julep for all the steps to build this refreshing wreath. You'll have a simple, organic shape to brighten the inside or outside of your holiday home.
Got crafty kids? Look no further. These sweet mini-wreaths from Say Yes are a project you and your sidekick can tackle together with little more than a bag of cranberries and a seasonal soundtrack of your favorite carols. Plus, these combine place cards with bright wreaths for holiday-perfect place settings.
Nothing Bundt Fun
Amber Guetebier
If you want some bling for your door but don't have a lot of time, take a peek at this cool upcycled wreath. Using an old bundt pan, ribbon and a little flair, it’s nothing bundt fun for your little helpers. You can even skip the painting step and go with copper or silver to make it extra easy. Get the whole tutorial here.
An eco-friendly take on the classic rag wreath, this version requires the yellow or white pages, paint, and lots of glitter. Get the whole tutorial over at scrumdillydilly.
If you can't possibly imagine making a wreath without evergreen boughs, then this basic wreath tutorial from Delia Creates is just the ticket. Snag a few loose trimmings from your fresh tree, grab twinkle lights, and head over to Delia Creates to discover the secret way to create a perfect circle.
Bells will be ringing, are you listening? Give your jingle bells a place to hang with this charming front door decor. Gather a blank wreath form, burlap, and silver bells—you'll be on your way to holiday cheer in no time. Don’t think you’ve got what it takes to whip up your own? After taking a peek at the how-to over at The Nerd’s Wife, we’re betting you’ll change your tune.
Another creative take on holiday wreaths, this button wreath thought up Jackie over at Happy Hooligans is a great project for a crafternoon with the kids. You’ll need buttons of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Grab the tutorial over at Happy Hooligans.
Is there anything a mason jar can’t do? These adorable wreath ornaments are the work of Sarah, the crafter-mind behind Sadie Season Goods. Using various types of materials and trimmings, you can easily whip up your own. Psst! These make great gifts! Skip over to Sadie Season Goods for the how-to.
For many families, the holidays are synonymous with spending time with family. However, some years that’s just not possible. Whether you can’t spend the holidays with loved ones because of the pandemic, a December due date, or work demands that make travel difficult, we have plenty of tips for staying connected and making the holidays memorable.
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1. Stay connected throughout the festivities. Before the holidays, figure out how everyone who is usually together can get connected virtually. Poll your people before the big day and make a plan in place to chat via FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or Duo. A great gift to ensure this happens would be a Google Nest Hub with video capabilities. Set one up in each household and check in throughout the day. Kids can call just by saying, “Hey Google, call Grandma” to say thank-you for a present, you can leave the video chat open for hours while opening presents Christmas morning. It’s easy for Grandma to use too!
2. Take photos. Keep your cell phones handy throughout the day so you have plenty of memories to share with friends and family later. Document everything from waking up to opening gifts and eating the day’s big meal. Take a photo at least once an hour on the top of the hour, or more often if you feel up to it. If you have an old cell phone lying around, give it to your kid(s) so they can share the day from their perspective too!
3. Focus on who you are with instead of who is missing. It’s okay to feel sad about not being with loved ones during the holidays, but a silver lining is that you have more time and attention to focus on those you are with. Instead of dwelling on what you're missing, take the time to enjoy a low(er) pressure holiday where you can really focus on the small group you have nearby.
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4. Keep old traditions going. Although holidays away from family mean you will miss some holiday traditions, you may be able to figure out modifications for others. Like, if your mother or uncle always makes a special dessert, get the recipe and make it yourself. Or, since having kids sit on Santa’s lap is likely out this year, visit St. Nick virtually. One options is Jingle Ring. For under $25, kids can invite grandparents and cousins to join in the (virtual) magic from afar.
5. Create new family traditions. Find a new favorite light display in your neighborhood, write down something you're grateful for every day and read them all aloud during your holiday celebration, or choose a new book to read together on Christmas Eve. Here are more ideas for holiday traditions to start with your baby.
6. Plan holiday activities to do together. Even though you can't be together, you can still plan activities to do together. Get cousins the same advent calendar like this Elf on the Shelf Advent North Pole Calendar Train that comes with figures kids can use during virtual playdates in the countdown to Christmas. Tracking Santa through NORAD or dishing about great Black Friday deals can be almost as fun virtually as it is in person. Grandma can read The Night Before Christmas or The Very Hungry Caterpiller's Eight Nights of Chanukah over FaceTime. Watch a holiday movie together using Disney+ hangout or Netflix Party while eating the same snacks. Instead of cooking an elaborate meal for just a few people, decide that everyone will order a feast from somewhere that ships nationwide like Veestro. Or, order kits like these from Global Grub that come pre-packaged with almost everything you need to make delicious dishes like mochi ice cream or ravioli together over Facetime or Zoom. Get creative!
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7. Make a shared playlist. Another way to experience the holidays together while apart is to create a virtual musical playlist. Make your playlist full of holiday classics or include everyone’s non-holiday favorites, from grunge to Cardi B. Sharing the same soundtrack for the day can make you feel closer together and bring back shared memories tied to the songs.
8. Have a matchy holiday. Not only will matching clothing make your holidays Insta-ready, it’s another way to feel connected when you are far apart. Matching attire can also double as a great gift. Check out affordable matching PJs from Pat-Pat or custom shirts from Etsy shop MinnieMadeit. For a less expensive but still super cute option, coordinate socks with funny sayings from Lavley; wear socks with the same message or customize them to each person's interests or personality. These would be especially appealing to anyone who is reluctant to go full-fledged matchy-matchy.
9. Exchange gifts. When you mail gifts to family and friends, include a note letting them know what you love about them and what you miss about spending the holidays with them. To simplify gift-giving, create a virtual secret Santa. Also, keep in mind that when you are apart, gifts from the heart are even more meaningful. A Little Love Jar filled with personalized notes from friends and family from all over will be treasured and will keep giving as the lucky recipient reads the notes over and over again.
ABC has announced its star-studded lineup for The Disney Holiday Singalong, the third iteration in the ratings phenomenon franchise, with Ryan Seacrest returning to host the night of merry music and magic on Mon. Nov. 30 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Celebrity performances and appearances for the festive special include Andrea Bocelli, BTS, Michael Bublé, Ciara, Chloe x Halle, Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert, Julianne Hough, Adam Lambert, Leslie Odom Jr., Katy Perry, P!NK and Kerry Washington.
For the first time since Broadway’s shutdown, Disney Theatrical Production’s Broadway casts of The Lion King and Aladdin and the North American Touring companies of Frozen return to The New Amsterdam Theatre to sing a special performance of “Let It Go.” Led by Caroline Bowman and Aisha Jackson, the number also features Tracee Beazer, Austin Colby, Lindiwe Dlamini, Olivia Donaldson, Bongi Duma, Nicholas Edwards, April Holloway, Ben Jeffrey, Nina LaFarga, Telly Leung, Isabelle McCalla, Paul HeeSang Miller, Kyle Mitchel, Nteliseng Nkhela, Amber Owens, Adam Perry, John Riddle, Ann Sanders, Dennis Stowe, L. Steven Taylor and Nicholas Ward.
Disney Music Group’s acclaimed seven-member a cappella group DCappella also joins in for some seasonal sounds as they will carol throughout the show encouraging viewers at home to sing along.
The jolly one-hour musical event will once again include animated on-screen lyrics to allow viewers at home to sing along to the beloved Disney melodies and classic holiday carols.
The Disney Holiday Singalong performances include the following:
Andrea Bocelli – “Silent Night”
BTS – “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
Michael Bublé – “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”
Ciara – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
Chloe x Halle – “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert – “Hey Santa” and “Jingle Bells”
Julianne Hough – “Whistle While You Work” and “Let It Snow”
Adam Lambert – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Leslie Odom Jr. – “What’s This?”
Katy Perry – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Cozy Little Christmas”
P!NK – “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”
Kerry Washington – “Joy to the World”
The special also raises awareness about Disney’s Feed the Love campaign, driving to Feeding America, Toys for Tots, and One Simple Wish to inspire hope when it’s needed the most in our communities. Viewers can visit Disney.com/FeedTheLove to learn how they can give back to kids and families in need this holiday season and elevate resources for those who need them.
“The Disney Holiday Singalong” is sponsored by T-Mobile, Walmart and Clorox.
Earlier this year, ABC’s The Disney Family Singalong and The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II drew in a combined 22.3 million Total Viewers after 35 days of delayed viewing on linear and digital platforms. The Disney Holiday Singalong is produced by Done+Dusted. Executive producers include Done+Dusted’s Hamish Hamilton, Katy Mullan, Raj Kapoor, Patrizia Di Maria, Nick Florez and RJ Durell.
Get in the holiday spirit! Children’s musician Laurie Berkner invites everyone to share the magic of the season at two special “Holiday Party” Live Virtual Family Concerts on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET on Berkner’s website. For double the fun, a family ticket grants admission to one or both livestreams.
“With all that’s going on in the world, I feel so lucky to still be able to share our annual Holiday Concert and celebrate with families this year! These will be my final virtual family concerts of 2020, and I’m so proud and moved by the community that we have built together in these past months,” says Berkner. “Seeing videos of kids and families sharing loving moments and dancing together to my music makes all of the hard work that we put into each of these livestreamed events completely worth it. I truly can’t wait!”
Berkner encourages fans of all ages to decorate their homes and wear their holiday outfits to this show, whether it be a fun sweater, fancy holiday clothes, cozy winter pajamas, or even a Santa suit.
“Get out your holiday lights, dreidels, nutcrackers, candy canes, Hanukkah gelt, wreaths, and stockings!” says Berkner. “Maybe your Christmas tree or menorah is already out. You could make a gingerbread house, an ornament, or some hot cocoa, and bring them to the show. Let’s build a winter wonderland together!”
Longtime Laurie Berkner Band member Susie Lampert will be a special guest at these holiday concerts, which will feature such traditional, secular songs as “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman,” along with originals from Laurie Berkner’s well-loved album, A Laurie Berkner Christmas, like “Santa’s Coming to My House Tonight.” Laurie will also celebrate Hanukkah with “Candle Chase” and “The Dreidel Song.” She’ll perform an array of her greatest hits, too, including “We Are The Dinosaurs,” “Victor Vito,” and “Pig On Her Head.”
Your little ones should plan on bringing their instruments (jingle bells if you have them), dancing shoes and a stuffed animal to participate in the sing along.
A fun-filled virtual lobby will feature pre-show music and videos, holiday games and a fun snowflake craft activity to bring to the concert. For those who’d like to spend a few minutes chatting one-on-one with Laurie after the show, special Meet-and-Greet tickets are available.
Get your jingle bells ready! We’re all still eagerly awaiting to enjoy Disney magic again when the theme parks fully open and to gear up for the holiday season, the parks have just released a new recipe!
Disneyland chefs are sharing their fave gingerbread recipe and it does not disappoint. The Mini Gingerbread Bundt Cakes with Orange-Vanilla Sauce are the perfect-sized treat packed with spices and creamy goodness.
The tiny bundt cakes are whipped up using flavorful spices that include cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Then they are filled with a homemade orange vanilla sauce that’s made with the scrapings of real vanilla beans.
Once cooled, pour the sauce in the center of your bundt cakes, drizzle with glaze and enjoy while you think about the holidays to come. You can find the full recipe over at Disney Parks.
During the past week while you have been socially distancing yourself and unexpectedly homeschooling, you may have been searching for fun and educational things for the kids to access online. Now you can set aside an hour or two for yourself this afternoon. John Legend will live-stream a concert from his home on his Instagram page at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT.
On Twitter, Legend shared that he was inspired by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. He wrote, “My friend Chris Martin did a lovely little concert from home today. I’ll be doing one tomorrow at 1pm Pacific time. See you soon. We’ll try to get through this together!”
Legends wife, Chrissy Teigan announced on her Twitter that she would be there too. She writes, “I’ll be there!! because I literally have no choice.”
While you will be tuning in to hear Legend’s popular hits, he will also be performing the Office theme song, the Kars4Kids jingle, and Vanderpump Rules star Scheana Shay’s song, “Good as Gold.”
John Legend will perform a livestreamed solo concert today as part of “Together, at Home,” a new series of online concerts presented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Citizen. Together, the organizations have launched a campaign called the Solidarity Response Fund that aims to raise $675 million throughout the month of April towards COVID-19 relief. Coldplay frontman, Martin kicked off the series Monday, performing his own song “Yellow” as well as a cover of David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?”
Barbie and KIDZ BOP are throwing a rocking holiday bash with a line-up of new videos to keep you singing and dancing all season long.
For the first time ever, a star will join the KIDZ BOP singers as Barbie lends her voice and animated dance moves to a new video series of holiday songs.
The video series kicked off with the KIDZ BOP original song, “KIDZ BOP Shuffle,” featuring Barbie. It will be followed by four other videos including another original song and three remixed holiday classics. The videos will alternate premiering on KIDZ BOP and Barbie’s YouTube channels between now and Dec. 5. Here is the full line up:
Halloween is in the books. That means it’s time to turn out attention to December’s fabulously festive season—and the heaping helpings of holiday programming that comes with it!
Freeform recently announced its “25 Days of Christmas” holiday lineup. Starting Dec. 1 you can watch everything from timeless classics to new original content on the network.
So what can you catch on Freeform? Highlights of the holiday lineup include the iconic Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Santa Clause trilogy and Home Alone. You can also catch originals such as Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas and Good Trouble (with the full cast of The Fosters).
Along with the roster of holiday happiness, Freeform is also releasing its first “25 Days of Christmas Jingle,” featuring Good Trouble’s Emma Hunton and Freeform Santa.
The full 25 days of programming includes:
Sunday, Dec. 1
7:00 a.m – “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish”
9:05 a.m. – “Deck the Halls” (2006)
11:10 a.m. – “Arthur Christmas”
1:15 p.m. – “The Simpsons” Holiday-thon
2:45 p.m. – “The Santa Clause”
4:50 p.m. – “The Santa Clause 2”
6:55 p.m. – “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
9:00 p.m. – “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)
11:30 p.m. – “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist”
1:30 a.m. – “The Little Drummer Boy” (1968)
Monday, Dec. 2
7:00 a.m. – “The Little Drummer Boy” (1968)
7:30 a.m. – “The Muppets Christmas Carol”
11:00 a.m. – “Wrap Battle”
12:00 p.m. – “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist”
2:05 p.m. – “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish”
4:15 p.m. – “Deck the Halls” (2006)
6:20 p.m. – “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)
9:00 p.m. – “Wrap Battle” – New Episode
10:00 p.m. – “Wrap Battle” – New Episode
Tuesday, Dec. 3
7:30 a.m. – “Santa Baby”
11:00 a.m. – “The Preacher’s Wife”
1:40 p.m. – “Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic”
2:40 p.m. – “Rise of the Guardians”
4:45 p.m. – “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”
5:50 p.m. – “Home Alone”
8:20 p.m. – “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”
12:00 a.m. – “The Simpsons” Holiday-thon
Wednesday, Dec. 4
7:30 a.m. – “Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe”
11:00 a.m. – “Rise of the Guardians”
1:00 p.m. – “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”
2:00 p.m. – “The Simpsons” Holiday-thon
4:00 p.m. – “Home Alone”
6:30 p.m. – “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”
9:00 p.m. – “Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas” – Freeform Original Feature Premiere
12:00 a.m. – “Deck the Halls” (2006)
Thursday, Dec. 5
7:30 a.m. – “Holiday in Handcuffs”
11:00 a.m. – “Wrap Battle”
12:00 p.m. – “Kung Fu Panda Holiday”
12:30 p.m. – “Unaccompanied Minors”
2:30 p.m. – “Deck the Halls” (2006)
4:35 p.m. – “Arthur Christmas”
6:40 p.m. – “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”
8:20 p.m. – “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)
12:00 a.m. – “Unaccompanied Minors”
Friday, Dec. 6
7:30 a.m. – “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish”
11:00 a.m. – “Kung Fu Panda Holiday”
11:30 a.m. – “Home Alone 3”
1:35 p.m. – “Arthur Christmas”
3:40 p.m. – “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”
5:20 p.m. – “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)
8:00 p.m. – “Frosty the Snowman” – Freeform Premiere
8:30 p.m. – “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Freeform Premiere
9:30 p.m. – “The Santa Clause”
11:30 p.m. – “The Santa Clause 2”
1:30 a.m. – “The Little Drummer Boy” (1968)
Saturday, Dec. 7
7:00 a.m. – “Cricket on the Hearth”
8:00 a.m. – “Home Alone 3”
10:00 a.m. – “Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House”
12:00 p.m. – “The Santa Clause”
2:05 p.m. – “The Santa Clause 2”
4:10 p.m. – “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
The holidays are coming to the Disneyland Resort! Disney has released this year’s “Deck the Halls” guest experience and starting Nov. 8, you can head to the park to get your dose of yuletide cheer.
Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will get a holiday makeover that includes special festive attraction overlays, seasonal foods, entertainment and unique merchandise. The two-month-long season will run from Nov. 8 through Jan. 6., 2020.
When you visit Disneyland, be sure to catch a glimpse of the nighttime transformation that is Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle and the stunning “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show. On Main Street, settle in for the “A Christmas Fantasy” parade before heading over to see the special seasonal transformations of “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Over at Disney California Adventure park, the “World of Color – Season of Light” returns with tons of holiday-themed lights, lasers, water, fire and hundreds of fountains. Festival of Holidays is also coming back to the park with celebrations of Christmas/Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day from Jan. 3-6. Over in Cars Land, Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree will be can’t miss attractions.
