chewy red velvet cookies

I don't know if your family is like mine, but I feel like we always have somewhere we need to be during the month of December. I also feel like we have a million places we need to take some treats. These cookies are my new holiday favorite. They are so easy and such a crowd pleaser!

                               

Red Velvet Christmas Cookies 

1 box red velvet cake mix 

1/3 cup oil 

2 eggs 

Cream cheese frosting (I just use the  stuff from the store)

Sprinkles (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix together cake mix, oil and eggs until well combined. Scoop out onto a baking sheet. Bake cookies for 10-13 minutes. Allow to cool, then top with frosting and sprinkles.

                                             

My husband absolutely loved these! He also came up with the idea of topping the frosting with crushed candy canes instead of sprinkles. You know we'll be trying that next time!

elf on the shelf ideas

I love Christmas time! Teaching made it even better. I loved being around excited kiddos that help spread the Christmas spirit. I'm not quite ready to start the elf with Elle, so I thought I would share some ideas from when I used The Elf on the Shelf in my classroom.

He started out on our Christmas tree with his book wrapped underneath. My students loved it! We named him Elfis. Here are some places that he decided to hide throughout the month.

The reading room with a book of Christmas jokes.

Making snowflakes by the school supplies.

Making snowflakes by the school supplies.

Dressed up like Harry Potter flying on his paintbrush.

Playing Candyland with Mr. Sock Monkey.

Hanging around the lunch count.

Some students were getting a little stinky and were choosing not to believe. Elfis didn't like that and decided to take their pencils for a dive.

 He also helped keep the classroom clean.

Elfis was so loved in our classroom that the students even made things for him.

Needless to say, it was a great way to add a little fun to the Christmas season, and it was also a great classroom management tool. I can't wait to start this tradition with Elle! Next year she should be a lot more into it.