Red Stick Mom

Why a 24-Hour Christmas Trip to Natchitoches is Totally Worth It If you dream of a Hallmark Christmas experience complete with twinkling lights, charming streets, and holiday cheer around every corner, look no further than Natchitoches, Louisiana. This small Southern town, known as the “City of Lights,” is transformed into a magical winter wonderland during its annual Christmas Festival of Lights. And guess what? Even if you only have 24 hours, a trip to Natchitoches during the holiday season is absolutely worth it. Here’s why. 1. The Enchanting Festival of Lights Natchitoches is famous for its dazzling Christmas Festival of Lights, a tradition that has been lighting up the town for nearly a century. The Cane River Lake glistens under the glow...

Here are six fun ways to celebrate Advent with the entire family. These are simple and fun to do. They make the best memories. Family Advent Calendar: Create a countdown to Christmas with a calendar that has 24 small doors or drawers, one for each day leading up to Christmas. Fill each door with a small treat, activity, or scripture that focuses on Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas. Kindness Chain: Create a paper chain with 24 links, one for each day leading up to Christmas. Each day, write down an act of kindness to do for someone else and add it to the chain. This activity teaches little ones the importance of giving and serving others. Jesus Journey: Create a...

24 Ways to Incorporate Jesus into Elf on the Shelf  Let's dive into some fun ways to celebrate Advent with Elf on the Shelf, incorporating Jesus. Nativity Advent with Elf on the Shelf Create a countdown to Christmas with a nativity-themed Elf on the Shelf. Each day, have your elf reveal a new character from the nativity story, along with a corresponding Bible verse and activity. 24 Ways to Use Elf on the Shelf with a Jesus-Centered Focus 1. Prayer Time: Have your elf pray with your kids each morning 2. Bible Verse: Leave a new Bible verse each day to read 3. Kindness Challenge: Have your elf issue a daily kindness challenge 4. Jesus' Birth Story: Retell the story of Jesus' birth through your elf's adventures 5....

Teacher’s Christmas Gift Ideas for All Budgets The unsung heroes of our children's lives: teachers and support staff! They put up with our tiny humans' antics, teach them actual useful things, and somehow still manage to smile at the end of the day. So, when it comes to Christmas gifts, we want to show our appreciation in a big way! But, let's be real, the best gifts are the ones made with love by our kiddos. Here are some gift options for teachers and support staff that range from inexpensive and handmade to expensive and store-bought: Handmade and Heartfelt: 1. Handprint ornaments made by the kids (priceless!) 2. Personalized picture frames with a special message (around $5) 3. Handmade coupon book with promises to help...

Wicked :: Embracing Individuality and Redefining Villainy with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo There’s a kind of magic that only a story like Wicked can conjure—a tale that flips the script, challenges what we think we know, and leaves us deeply inspired. The musical adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel gave us a reimagined Wizard of Oz, one where the Wicked Witch of the West transforms from a feared villain into a misunderstood and fiercely independent woman. But when the highly anticipated film adaptation cast Wicked into the spotlight once again, it brought two incredible performers to the forefront: Ariana Grande as Glinda and the incomparable Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. These two powerhouses brought new life to an already iconic story, and...