As I mentioned to weekly newsletter subscribers several weeks ago, I was hoping to make the time to create some sort of non-fire related Hanukkah countdown thing for my son.  Well, I finally figured out a simple project that would work for his age and interest level, but still work for us as a family down the road.  Plus, it's pretty.

8onmantel-wm
8onmantel-wm
Inside each of the little houses is a small toy and a piece of Hanukkah gelt.  After we light the candles each night, he can untie the bow on top of the appropriately labeled little house to release the roof and get to his gift.  Assuming that he doesn't destroy these little houses, we can keep using them year after year.  Yay!

I think they look absolutely adorable on the fireplace mantel.  But the real bonus of having them there is that he can't reach them.  Yet. 😉

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

70 thoughts on “Happy Hanukkah!

  • This is a great idea and I’m sure your little guy will enjoy this year after year. I’m in my 60s and still love gelt!

    Reply
  • This is a great idea and I’m sure your little guy will enjoy this year after year. I’m in my 60s and still love gelt!

    Reply
  • This is a great idea and I’m sure your little guy will enjoy this year after year. I’m in my 60s and still love gelt!

    Reply
  • This is a great idea and I’m sure your little guy will enjoy this year after year. I’m in my 60s and still love gelt!

    Reply
  • This is a great idea and I’m sure your little guy will enjoy this year after year. I’m in my 60s and still love gelt!

    Reply
  • This is a great idea and I’m sure your little guy will enjoy this year after year. I’m in my 60s and still love gelt!

    Reply
  • This is a great idea and I’m sure your little guy will enjoy this year after year. I’m in my 60s and still love gelt!

    Reply
  • What a beautiful idea implemented! I am so impressed how you do it all with such style!
    Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a beautiful idea implemented! I am so impressed how you do it all with such style!
    Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a beautiful idea implemented! I am so impressed how you do it all with such style!
    Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a beautiful idea implemented! I am so impressed how you do it all with such style!
    Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a beautiful idea implemented! I am so impressed how you do it all with such style!
    Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a beautiful idea implemented! I am so impressed how you do it all with such style!
    Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a beautiful idea implemented! I am so impressed how you do it all with such style!
    Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a lovely idea and wonderful decoration! I’m sure he’ll love it! Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a lovely idea and wonderful decoration! I’m sure he’ll love it! Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a lovely idea and wonderful decoration! I’m sure he’ll love it! Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a lovely idea and wonderful decoration! I’m sure he’ll love it! Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a lovely idea and wonderful decoration! I’m sure he’ll love it! Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a lovely idea and wonderful decoration! I’m sure he’ll love it! Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • What a lovely idea and wonderful decoration! I’m sure he’ll love it! Happy Hanukkah!

    Reply
  • Happy Chanukah to you and your family. Love the wonderfully creative idea. You never disappoint. You are amazing to come up with something new each year!!

    Reply
  • Happy Chanukah to you and your family. Love the wonderfully creative idea. You never disappoint. You are amazing to come up with something new each year!!

    Reply
  • Happy Chanukah to you and your family. Love the wonderfully creative idea. You never disappoint. You are amazing to come up with something new each year!!

    Reply
  • Happy Chanukah to you and your family. Love the wonderfully creative idea. You never disappoint. You are amazing to come up with something new each year!!

    Reply
  • Happy Chanukah to you and your family. Love the wonderfully creative idea. You never disappoint. You are amazing to come up with something new each year!!

    Reply
  • Happy Chanukah to you and your family. Love the wonderfully creative idea. You never disappoint. You are amazing to come up with something new each year!!

    Reply
  • Happy Chanukah to you and your family. Love the wonderfully creative idea. You never disappoint. You are amazing to come up with something new each year!!

    Reply
  • Great idea for the little guy and a meaningful decoration for your home.

    Reply
  • Great idea for the little guy and a meaningful decoration for your home.

    Reply
  • Great idea for the little guy and a meaningful decoration for your home.

    Reply
  • Great idea for the little guy and a meaningful decoration for your home.

    Reply
  • Great idea for the little guy and a meaningful decoration for your home.

    Reply
  • Great idea for the little guy and a meaningful decoration for your home.

    Reply
  • Great idea for the little guy and a meaningful decoration for your home.

    Reply
  • Happy Hanukkah! I recently had Thanksgiving, then rushed into Hanukkah party and thinking Christmas should be a breeze.
    When my oldest was in elementary school, he was talking with a friend and friend said, you know Santa Claus isn’t real. My son argued that yes he was real , because no one else would buy me such great presents!
    Enjoy while they’re young. My son is now turning 40!

    Reply
  • Happy Hanukkah! I recently had Thanksgiving, then rushed into Hanukkah party and thinking Christmas should be a breeze.
    When my oldest was in elementary school, he was talking with a friend and friend said, you know Santa Claus isn’t real. My son argued that yes he was real , because no one else would buy me such great presents!
    Enjoy while they’re young. My son is now turning 40!

    Reply
  • Happy Hanukkah! I recently had Thanksgiving, then rushed into Hanukkah party and thinking Christmas should be a breeze.
    When my oldest was in elementary school, he was talking with a friend and friend said, you know Santa Claus isn’t real. My son argued that yes he was real , because no one else would buy me such great presents!
    Enjoy while they’re young. My son is now turning 40!

    Reply
  • Happy Hanukkah! I recently had Thanksgiving, then rushed into Hanukkah party and thinking Christmas should be a breeze.
    When my oldest was in elementary school, he was talking with a friend and friend said, you know Santa Claus isn’t real. My son argued that yes he was real , because no one else would buy me such great presents!
    Enjoy while they’re young. My son is now turning 40!

    Reply
  • Happy Hanukkah! I recently had Thanksgiving, then rushed into Hanukkah party and thinking Christmas should be a breeze.
    When my oldest was in elementary school, he was talking with a friend and friend said, you know Santa Claus isn’t real. My son argued that yes he was real , because no one else would buy me such great presents!
    Enjoy while they’re young. My son is now turning 40!

    Reply
  • Happy Hanukkah! I recently had Thanksgiving, then rushed into Hanukkah party and thinking Christmas should be a breeze.
    When my oldest was in elementary school, he was talking with a friend and friend said, you know Santa Claus isn’t real. My son argued that yes he was real , because no one else would buy me such great presents!
    Enjoy while they’re young. My son is now turning 40!

    Reply
  • Happy Hanukkah! I recently had Thanksgiving, then rushed into Hanukkah party and thinking Christmas should be a breeze.
    When my oldest was in elementary school, he was talking with a friend and friend said, you know Santa Claus isn’t real. My son argued that yes he was real , because no one else would buy me such great presents!
    Enjoy while they’re young. My son is now turning 40!

    Reply

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