During our 12 days of Christmas festivities, we always try to work in some of our favorite movies as well as dedicate each day to a holiday theme. Today is all about snowmen. Living in Mississippi, unfortunately we do not get a lot of snow, especially prior to Christmas. If we have snow, it usually shows up in January or even February. Our chances of getting out and making a snowman are slim but if we get the opportunity, we are all over it. Eyes, nose, hat, scarf, and the inevitable snowball fight that occurs once the snowman is complete. If you are lucky enough to have a ready supply of snow during the holidays, then get out there! Build a snowman, take the winter wonderland pictures the rest of us wish we could take and then come in, warm up by the fire and settle in for a holiday movie.
Just like our Christmas tree theme day, we started off with a hearty breakfast of snowman pancakes. To make these, just whip up three small pancakes and stack them in the shape of a snowman. Add a bacon scarf, some chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth and either an M&M or skittle for the nose. Top it off with some powdered sugar and the first snowman of the day is done which means they have all the energy they need for building the real thing.
We watched Frozen so we could enjoy the adorable Olaf in honor of our day dedicated to snowmen. Even though the colder weather, beloved characters, and cute songs are reasons enough to pull this flick out, it’s relevant for a couple of other reasons this year. Sure, the obvious reference is Elsa’s epic “Let it Go,” song that we can all relate to in one way or another. In 2020 especially. How many things have we all had to let go of? Routines we were used to. In person learning for our kids. Vacations. Our favorite restaurants and coffee shops. Birthday parties, weddings, and graduations the way we had always envisioned them. Most recently, holiday traditions. Maybe your Thanksgiving table had fewer chairs because of fewer faces. Perhaps your Christmas holiday will look different as well. I, like, Olaf enjoy warm hugs but those are scarce in 2020. Aside from Elsa’s frosty freedom ballad, I too, find it therapeutic to sing along with Anna in, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” This sweet girl just wants to get out and play. So, do I and so do my kids.
My favorite part is:
Do you want to build a snowman?
Or ride a bike around the halls?
I think some company is overdue
I’ve started talking to
The pictures on the walls!
It gets a little lonely
All these empty rooms
Just watching the hours tick by
(tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock)
Preach, sister. I’m pretty sure I’ve had conversations with things that can’t talk back too. So, settle in and enjoy Frozen with the kiddos. The name alone goes hand in hand with 2020.
In honor of Olaf, we also made melted snowman cookies. These are super easy and given that they involve a sugar cookie, icing and marshmallows, what is not to love?
Melted Snowman Cookies: Instructions here
Our favorite snowman books include these two by Caralyn Buehner.
- Snowmen at Night: This is an adorable book about all the things your snowman might be up to while you are sleeping warm and snug in your beds. My son, Wood, had a school play based on this book. A really cute, imaginative book. Check it out
- Snowmen at Christmas: The same snowmen are back at it again, this time showing their holiday spirit while the rest of us are dreaming of sugar plum fairies. Check it out
Let’s Build A Snowman
Whether you have some real powder outside to work with or are somewhere that is uncharacteristically (or characteristically) warm this time of year, you can make a snowman. We made this snowman craft last year with all the kids in Graham’s pre-k class for his Christmas party and it was so cute. The snowmen are made of socks and are squishy to hold so the kids loved them. I saved ours and got him out this this year so we can continue to enjoy his sweet face. Follow instructions in the link below to make one with your kiddos. You will need a good bit of rice, more than you think to make a nice, round snowman. I love this craft because you can get all sorts of cute ribbons and socks so the kids can give their snowman any style they want. You can make great little girl snowmen, boy snowmen, plaid snowmen, or striped snowmen just to name a few options. What about your favorite team snowmen? Better yet, go through your pile of unmatched socks. You have one. I have one. Everyone has one. So why not grab that crazy sock that has been lonely for too long and turn it into a cute snowman?
Snowman sock craft: Instructions here
I love the snow. It’s beautiful when it’s falling and once it stops everything is wrapped in a soft blanket that is crisp and white. The trees all looked like they have been frosted and it feels like you have stepped into your very own winter landscape. I love everything that comes with snow, too. Hats and scarves, hot cocoa, and a roaring fire in the fireplace. Growing up, on snow days, I remember getting all dressed up with gloves, a hat, a puffy jacket, and boots, and then only being able to play outside for about 30 minutes before wanting to come in and get warm. Then repeat.
My Christmas playlist is in full swing and I love the classics. I could listen to Bing Crosby sing just about anything. I hope we each get to experience a winter wonderland at least once this season so we can “frolic and play the Eskimo way,” as the song goes.
Dear 2020,
As Dean Martin put it,
“And since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
Stay tuned for more of the 12 Days of Christmas!
