If I could choose between stabbing a fork in my eye and doing family photos, I would choose the fork. However, family photos (even with toddlers) are a necessary evil. You gotta have them. So, I’ve got five tips to make the experience a happy one. Check it out.

So, we’ve all been there. It’s family photo day. You spend all week getting haircuts and organizing outfits. On the day of, you end of yelling at your kids to smile and trying to pretend for at least one hour that you have a happy functioning family. Yeah, well, I didn’t want history to repeat itself, so I made a few changes that made a world of a difference. Here’s what I did.

Tip #1: Don’t overthink the outfits

Whether you believe it or not, you don’t need to buy brand new outfits for every person. Just find neutral solid colors. You can even do something with a small print too. More than anything, you just want everyone to be comfortable. There is no rule. Everyone can be wearing their PJs or shorts. Who cares? Do what you want but you don’t need to spend a fortune doing it.

Tip #2: Don’t leave haircuts for the same day

This is probably self-explanatory but if you try to do haircuts the same day as the photo session, you’ll get burned out for sure. Within the same week is perfect.

Tip #3: Let your photographer do the work

This will solve most of the stresses related to family photos. Don’t worry about getting your kids to smile. Stop trying to position everyone. And don’t worry about the lighting. Let the photographer do his/her job and you just smile. That’s why you’re paying them, right? Our photographer did an amazing job and if you hire the right professional, it will make your life so much easier.

Tip #4: Pick a location close to home

If it will take you more than 30 minutes to get to your photo session location, it is too far. By the time you get there, everyone will be super grumpy. We picked a quaint wooded park about 10 minutes from our house. Don’t draw out these family photos any longer than you have to.

Tip #5: Bribery works best

Sometimes kids need a bit of motivation to be on their best behavior. Our kids knew that if they wanted ice cream afterwards, they had to smile. Of course, it doesn’t always work but it’s worth a try. Think of what your kids want most and use that as your bribe.

Bonus tip: Stop comparing family photos

Who cares if your family photo isn’t as cute as the one your neighbor posted on Facebook? If you are happy with your family photos, then that is all that matters.

What ideas do you have for planning a stress-free family photo session? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Your soon-to-be favorite family tradition

The post Family photos: Five stress-free tips to success appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

Thanksgiving dinner shouldn’t be ordinary. That’s why these extraordinary turkey table favors will have your guests in stitches. Plus, you can download the free printable PDF right now! Check it out.

This year for Thanksgiving, we are going to my in-laws. They always have a HUGE dinner. There will be about 50 people there (which is small compared to years past). So, I wanted to make some favors that weren’t to difficult but cute at the same time. Here’s how I did it.

Gather your turkey table favor supplies

You don’t have to buy anything fancy for these table favors. Here’s your supply list:

• 3 oz disposable snack cups (I bought mine at Hobby Lobby)
• Trail mix
• Werther’s caramel apply soft caramels
• Any other treats you want to include
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors

Print your FREE turkey printables

I purposely designed these turkeys with minimal curves to cut out. So hopefully that will save you some time. I wanted each favor to be unique so I added speech bubbles with jokes on each of them. There are 24 different jokes total. Just download below, then print and cut them out.

Get your Turkey Table Favors HERE.

After cutting out 50 of these, my hands were a little bit tired. But it didn’t take as long as I thought it would. Plus, they are so stinking cute. It was worth it.

Assemble your table favors

Using a hot glue gun, glue the turkey to the front of the snack cup and the tail feathers to the opposite side of the cup. Make sure you hold the feathers and turkey until the hot glue has completely cooled. Otherwise, they won’t hold to the snack cup.

As a last and final step, fill each snack cup up with trail mix and caramels. Some other fun ideas for treats are candy corn, peanut M&Ms and Sixlets.

Hopefully these turkey table favors will welcome a few chuckles and smiles to your Thanksgiving feast this year. Here’s the downloadable PDF file below one more time.

Get your Turkey Table Favors HERE.

What traditions do you have on Thanksgiving? Leave your comments below.

Related link: FREE Christmas tree advent calendar

The post Turkey Thanksgiving Table Favors that will crack you up appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

A caramel apple bar is all the craze right now. They are super easy and super cute. Check out these simple steps to make one yourself.

It doesn’t take much to make this fun buffet and your guests will love it. My friend is actually the one who put together this delectable buffet. So, thanks for letting me share the wealth! Take a look.

Gather caramel apple bar ingredients

The sky is the limit when putting together a caramel apple bar. Check out the list below and decide what you want:

• Caramel (6 lbs)
• Melting chocolate (4 lbs)
• White chocolate
• Pretzel rods
• Shredded coconut
• Crumbled pie crust
• Sprinkles
• M&Ms
• Pecans
• Toffee Bits
• Crushed Oreos
• Cinnamon and sugar
• Cinnamon Bears
• Peanut butter chips
• 6-inch skewers

Prepare chocolate fountains or slow cookers

My friend used three chocolate fountains for the caramel, milk chocolate and white chocolate. They were beautiful and so fun to dip your apples in. Follow the instructions on the chocolate fountains to ensure they work properly the entire evening. If you don’t have chocolate fountains, you can use a trio slow cooker and food warmer.

Print and display topping idea signs

To spice of your bar, you can use the free downloadable signs below to display on the buffet table.

Click HERE for your Topping Signs

Place them on these adorable easels. They will give your guests different ideas of how to dip their apples. Some of the ideas include the following:

• Cheesecake
• German chocolate
• M&M
• Skor
• Apple Pie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Almond Joy
• Double Chocolate
• Oreo

Arrange apples and toppings

Slice your apples and place them in a bowl. Place all of your toppings in separate tiny white ceramic serving bowls and place the cute signs next to them. Don’t forget the skewers!

I hope this post will help you as you prepare your own apple bar. What other ideas do you have? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Five free and elegant bridal shower printables

The post How to make a caramel apple bar (with free printable topping labels) appeared first on My Silly Squirts.