The holidays can be expensive but decorating your home doesn’t have to be! We’ve rounded up some fun holiday-inspired craft ideas using the Mermaid’s favorite seafood! From tuna can Santas to pincushions, you can do a lot with a can of tuna! Here are two crafts to try:

Chicken of the Sea Ornaments

What you’ll need (makes one ornament):

• One medium to large clear ornament
• One Chicken of the Sea 5-oz. can label
• Hot glue or carpenter’s glue

Instructions:

1. Make sure your ornaments are clean and dry, and the label is free of any adhesive.
2. Roll the label so it’s small enough to fit through the opening of the ornament but do not coil it too tight or it won’t open freely.
3. Drop in the label and use hot or carpenters glue to seal the ornament’s lid.
4. Attach a thin wire hook and hang on your tree or wreath.

More crafts from Chicken of the Sea

The holidays are a special time to celebrate with family and friends and that often means coming together around the dinner table or gathering in an inviting kitchen. These meals can easily become the centerpiece for special memories but you shouldn’t have to spend a lot of time coming up with and cooking the perfect one.

Here is a round up of quick and easy holiday recipes from the Chicken of the Sea kitchen as you plan for the holidays:

• Oyster Stuffing, there’s nothing like a delicious twist on a classic. Complete with celery, onions and chicken broth.
• Quick Holiday Brunch Bake, a great brunch recipe that can be made up to 24 hours before baking and serving.
• Holiday Tuna Tree, a creamy holiday dip shaped like a Christmas tree. Serve with toasted bread rounds or crackers.
• Party Clam Dip, another quick and easy dip to share with your loved ones for the holidays.
• Salmon Medley, a deliciously hot dish of pink salmon, hollandaise sauce and broccoli top off steamed rice.
• Snowman Party Dip, a guaranteed hit with the kids. You don’t have to feel bad about letting them build this snowman indoors.
• Sautéed Vegetables and Oysters with Horseradish Sauce, this colorful dish will definitely catch a hungry guest’s eye.
• Seafood Lovers Quiche, a true treat for seafood lovers with a delectable combination of oysters, crabmeat, shrimp and clams.
• Crabmeat Stuffed Mushrooms, savory stuffed mushrooms make for a great appetizer at any holiday event.
• Creamy Clam Stuffed Celery and Endive, tender clams in a delicious cream cheese pepper sauce. What a treat!

The new school year is upon us and whether your children are starting at a new school, going back to familiar faces or being taught from home, revamping their snacks and lunches is a great way to get everyone excited for the upcoming academic year.

“Remember, growing boys and girls will one day need to fend for themselves so teaching them now about nutrition is not only important, but it can be a fun family moment, too,” said registered dietitian, Sharon McNerney. “Teach them the importance of eating a rainbow’s worth of colorful foods and share with them that lean proteins like seafood are full of benefits to keep them healthy and strong.”

Packing snacks to lunches for school doesn’t have to be a tedious task. If you found yourself reaching for that good old sliced bread regularly last year, shake up your child’s lunchtime with a yummy salad or wrap. If you’re going for a salad, throw in something sweet like strawberry slices or cranberries to discourage cafeteria swaps.

Also, continuing to think outside the snack bag is a great way to teach kids to snack healthy with treats like carrots, roasted pumpkin seeds, baby brussels sprouts, hummus or dried fruit.

Here are other great lunchtime and snack ideas:

• Cucumbers paired with a Chicken of the Sea Tuna Salad Cup will give your child the option to eat them together or separate.
• A colorful berry salad with raspberries, blueberries and strawberries coupled with a veggie wrap with hummus packs a tasty and healthy punch.
• Delicious salmon patties, a handful of cherry tomatoes and some crisp pear slices make a healthy and balanced lunch box.
• Pair cottage cheese, peach slices and a walnut salad with a tuna or salmon to go cup for another well-rounded lunch or snack.

Source: RealSimple.com