Holiday cups are at Starbucks, so to me that means it’s officially the holiday season! Here are some great ideas for a gingerbread house party to get you in the holiday spirit. Invite some friends, make hot peppermint mochas, and enjoy a fun day indoors.

L to R: Tiny Prints Cheery Gingerbread party invitation, Gingerbread House, Gingerbread-Man Mugs, Gingerbread Cookies, Candy stand, Gingerbread Man Photo Frame Ornaments, Peppermint Candy Candle

I love homemade decorations for the holidays, but I’m a little challenged when it comes to execution. I can’t sew very well, so one of my favorite tricks is to use good old fashioned felt—and there’s no better time than the holidays to try your hand at festive red felt crafts!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Red Felt Placemats from Real Simple

Red Felt Pillows from Better Homes & Gardens

Felt Star Table Settings from All About You

Red Felt Memory Box from Country Living

My family is obsessed with books, poems and all things literary, so as a child I spent every Christmas Eve listening to my mother read Pigs at Christmas—a classic story about a family of pigs who prepares for the holidays by getting a tree, decorating their home and baking burnt blueberry binkies for Santa. The book is no longer in print, but we still cherish reading it every year.

If your family wants to start a new literary tradition for the holidays, try reading one of these classic Christmas stories in online format tomorrow night. Or you can always order a vintage copy of Pigs at Christmas—I promise you won’t regret it!

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi

Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas”

Also, don’t forget to track Santa’s progress with NORAD! The countdown is on for his big debut this year!