Deck the Halls!

It's decorating time! I'm sure you've all been decorating your homes this weekend.
It's a tradition that I love! On goes the Christmas music, down comes the decoration boxes and away we go. My kiddos even put on their warm pj's and turned on the fireplace!

Today's Task: Decorate the mantel/fireplace!

Here's a quick and easy way to begin by Karen Perkins

If you include these three common elements then most of your work of decorating a Christmas Mantel will be complete!

•Wreath – Hang one over a picture or mirror already on the wall.
•Garland – Woven along the mantel garland instantly says Christmas.
•Stockings – It would not be Christmas without stockings hanging on the fireplace.

With these basics in place, all that is needed is to find pieces that match the holiday decorating style of the home and fill in with other objects that enhance the look.

Here is a great example of how to use what you have by taking ideas from various sources.


Don't know how to hang that garland? Here is a tutorial .

Warm Wishes!

Double Up

Most of us are doing a bit of cooking today -

Why not kill two birds with one stone? (no pun inteaded)

Are there any dishes you could double and freeze?

Here's some "freezable" ideas:

• Apple Pie Filling
  

• Pumpkin Pie


• Green Bean Casserole


• Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes


• Yam & Apple Casserole
  (this is a family tradition in my home -we skip the sherry)

Down & Dirty

Today's Task: De-Clutter, Dust, and Do the Floors

Today's the day to ready your house,
not only for Thanksgiving guests, but also for Christmas Decorating. Concentrate on the community areas of your home - the living room, family room, kitchen, the bathroom.
Make a list of what needs to be done, and divide it up
among family members.

If all else fails, read this: How to fake a clean house!

Can you believe it's been 70 days - 30 more to go! :0)

Treasure Hunt!

Today's Task: FIND your Christmas Decorations!

It's almost Christmas Decorating time - a task can be a little overwhelming!
Make things easier by getting your christmas boxes out today
and stacking them in your garage. (or basement...)

You'll be glad to have them ready to go!

Fa la la la la La la la la!

Avoiding a Harried Christmas

This is how one family took the "stressed-out frenzy" out of their Christmas and replaced it with peace, love and real happiness!

1. We started early. We began purchasing and ordering gifts in September, and we were nearly finished by Thanksgiving. The first weekend in December we gathered for a wrapping session. It turned out to be great fun—and the packages that needed to be mailed were sent speeding to their destinations with time to spare. We also made items for school and for church ahead of time so that when they were requested, we could hand them over with a smile.

2. We simplified our plans. We reviewed the calendar and eliminated every unnecessary activity and appointment. Now we could fill our December days and evenings with joyful and meaningful activities. We carefully selected every commitment; to avoid being out too many nights in the same week, we even turned down some attractive invitations. On the calendar we listed TV Christmas specials as well as a concert and a play we wanted to attend.

3. We let the music ring. Knowing that music ushers in the Christmas spirit as few other things can, we agreed to play only classical or Christmas music in the house and car. We often sang along as we did housework or drove to activities. This simple step lifted our spirits with every note.

4. We learned to relax. Whenever I noticed anyone in the family getting harried (including me!) I would say, “Slow down. Enjoy the process.” Those five words brought more patience when cutting out Christmas cookies, more joy when decorating the tree, and more delight when getting ready for special events.

5. We spent time loving. With a new goal in mind of expressing love, we altered many routines. Instead of going on a stressful shopping blitz with all of my children, I took each of them out alone to purchase their gifts for others. One day our family took a relaxing tour of the city just to see the lights and decorations. The only things we bought were fresh, warm doughnuts, and we ended the day with a Christmas story.

The open dates on our calendar left us time to respond spontaneously to the needs of others: we shoveled sidewalks, dropped secret surprises on doorsteps, and went caroling to shut-ins and to the fire station. The fire chief told us that in his eighteen years, we were the first people to carol at his station.

Our home was filled with joy throughout the Christmas season as a result of these simple changes. What a contrast with the year before! At the end of the holiday season I put away the decorations with regret. Our family had not only found the Christmas spirit, we had kept it. Ensign Magazine

We can do it too!

Ship em' Out!

Today's Task: Package up & mail those out of town gifts!

Yeah! I shipped my packages out today!
It was so easy - I just grabbed the FREE priority mail boxes at the post office, packed & addressed the boxes and sent them off. It feels great to have another thing checked off the list.


Here's what the post office says about the "flat rate" shipping option:

Did you know that you don’t have to pay more to ship heavier items
through the US Postal Service? Using the Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping option, you can send items for one flat cost using free boxes that the Post Office provides. You can mail anything that you can reasonably fit in each USPS flat rate box while allowing it to close properly and staying under 70 pounds.

There are several different sizes:
• Envelop - $4.95 Holds standard copy paper, certificates, contracts and other important documents.
• Small Box - $4.95 Large enough to mail a DVD, CD or a small book.
• Regular Flat Rate Box - $10.35 About the size of a shoe box.
• Large Flat Rate Box, - $13.50 12-by-12 inches

35 more days!

The Stockings Were Hung

Today's Task: Think Stocking Stuffers

While, I love the stockings hanging from the fireplace, stockings aren't a huge deal in our home.
I love the tradition, but choosing and paying for the gifts under the tree are about all THIS Santa & Mrs. Claus can handle. SO they tend to be a bit practical when it comes to stuffing the stocking.

My kiddos find oranges, tape, glue-sticks, mechanical pencils, post-a-notes, markers, keychains, bookmarks, batteries and maybe a candy cane or a pack of gum in their stockings. They find the "good stuff" for under the tree.

What does Santa put in your family's stockings?

Here's a link to all the stuffer ideas you'll ever need.

The best "stocking stuffer" decision I ever made was choosing to stuff the kiddos stockings only. My hubby and I agreed together we'd like to skip the stress of stuffing each other's stockings. It was a splendid decision for us!

Reality Check!

It's time for a REALITY CHECK!

There are 37 more days til Christmas.
We've started early and we've worked hard to "get the holiday things done in time to enjoy the holidays."

Now that Thanksgiving is upon us and December is around the corner, we need to be brutal with the remaining items on our TO-DO's list. We need to cut any extra or NON-ESSENTIAL items so we CAN enjoy the upcoming weeks!

Today's Task: Be REAListic and SIMPLIFY EVERYTHING!

Home-made Items: While there is nothing quite as personal as "home-made" you need to be careful. A wise man once said, "just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it" You need to spend your time on the most important things. Choose wisely and stash the rest of the ideas in your Christmas Binder for next year. Try to finish up your home-made items in the next couple of weeks, in order to leave December open to enjoy the season!

Gifts: The easiest way to simplify gift giving is to pair down your gift list -Do you have friends and family that would agree to stop exchanging gifts? If NOT exchanging gifts seems a little too harsh - try some of these ideas:

• Draw names, and/or set limits on the amount to spend for gifts.


• Give family gifts like games, dvd's, or movie tickets, instead of individual gifts.


• Buy all the adults on your list the same tasteful, simple Christmas gift.


• Meet your friends at a restaurant for a "white elephant" gift exchange!
  

Decorations: Don’t fall into the decoration trap and think you have to decorate every room in your house, (please – does your bathroom really have to be decorated for the holidays?) Simplify by choosing one main room to decorate like the family or living room!

Activities: Do like they do in the ER – Use the triage strategy! Which activities are most vital or adds the most to the Christmas spirit your striving for? Participate in THOSE and let the rest wait.

Baking: Don't try to make 15 different kinds of cookies like Martha. She may seem like super woman, but she has a whole staff to help her look good. Try ONE new recipe and concentrate more on your favorites! Try Hosting a treat exchange!

Be realistic about what you can accomplish while still keeping love in your hearts and homes. Make the choice to enjoy the season this year!

Christmas Music

Today's Task: Gather your Christmas Music

When the Savior was born an angelic choir announced His birth. While songs about snowmen and mistletoe are essential to the fun and traditions of Christmas, there's something special about the sacred music celebrating the Savior's Birth!

Music can inspire, lift, and teach. And this Christmas is the perfect time to use music to draw our families closer to Christ.

Click HERE to listen to one of my favorites!

Neighbor Gifts

"It's a beautiful day in the Neighborhood"
... when we get the neighbor gifts checked off. :0)

Today's Task: Think of Your Neighbors

Here's some ideas:

Apple Pie in a jar! from Little Birdie Secrets!

Chocolate Popcorn Recipe

Printable popcorn bags

Order a Framed Thought from Etsy

Potpourri Pack by Dandee

You gotta love this Smore's Kit

Ice escape: Sonic Box

OR check out these clever saying: from Deseret News
• Bag of mini carrots and veggie dip — We know you are 24 "carrot" neighbors! What a treasure!

• Set of measuring spoons and cups — Wishing you joy beyond "measure" this holiday season.

• Christmas paper plates, napkins, cups and plastic utensils — A bit of "disposable" Christmas cheer! What could be better? No dishes, my dear!

• Bolt of Christmas ribbon — This simple gift is meant to help you "tie" up those loose ends this Christmas season!

Roll of wrapping paper — "Wrap" yourself up in a wonderful holiday season

Need more clever sayings - check out Tip Junkie

Last, but not least - don't forget the traditional favorites: Wreaths or poinsettias.

Got Tags?

from Living Locurto

Todays Task: Purchase, Create or Print out tags!

Tons Free Gift Tags from Little Window Shoppe

Tags for the kiddos to color: Tags by mushy

Darling Tags from Delight

Silly Tags by Angry Chicken

how to personalize by can't stop making things

You're It!

It's a Wrap

I really enjoy gift wrapping as long as it’s not 2:00 AM on Christmas Eve!

If we get our gift shopping done early – we can take our time and enjoy the wrapping. Some suggest wrapping each gift as you purchase them. I prefer to have several gift wrapping sessions. I try to include the kiddos too. If wrapping isn’t something you love, I’ve included some hints for you too .

Don't know how to wrap? Click Here for Instructions.

Here's some Gift Wrap Ideas from little birdie (printable tags too!)


Creative, Budget-wise Gift Wrapping:

• Wrap gifts in brown paper grocery bags - add a large bow.
• Use fabric. You can even cut strips of fabric to make bows
  
• Use Freezer paper, Ikea Art Paper, or even inexpensive aluminum foil from the dollar store - be sure to use thick Christmas ribbon for a POP – metallic or red velvet looks extra nice.
  
• Give your gift an antique look by using old books of poetry, sheet music, outdated atlases and maps or illustrations from old books you no longer needed.
  
• Stock up on plenty of $1 ornaments - tie or glue to your packages. If you really want to get creative, you can write the recipient’s name in permanent marker on the ornaments and use them as nametags for Christmas as well.
  
• Use empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls to disguise many gifts, such as necklaces, ties, belts, and even gift certificates. When you place the gift inside the empty roll, wrap the roll in wrapping paper and tie the ends with ribbon.
  
• Giving a cookbook to someone for Christmas? Wrap it in a tea towel. Tie your package up with colorful ribbon and add some measuring spoons to the bow. Practically any kitchen gift can be wrapped in tea towels, dish cloths, table clothes or decorative tins.


• Kids love to open gifts wrapped in the Sunday Comics – use a big Christmas Ribbon to dress it up a bit. Black and white newspaper with red ribbon looks great too.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE TO WRAP

• Get some help: Have a Family “wrapping night” or Hire a local teen to help.
  
• Have the Store wrap them.
  
• Use gift bags – The Dollar store even has HUGE Christmas Gift Bags
  
• Most online stores offer a gift wrapping service for a small fee. At some point during the ordering process, you may be asked if you would like to add gift wrap or a name tag. Its as easy as the click of a button.
  
  
  Today's Task: Wrap a Few Gifts
  
  
  

Teacher Gifts

Today's Task: Decide on Teacher Gifts!

This qu0te from Family Fun: says it all:

"Kid-made gifts or gifts that benefit the entire class, such as a set of books or piece of equipment, are best,...and the child has to play a role, otherwise it's meaningless, and the parent is just trying to impress the teacher."

Here's some amazing gift ideas from some amazing bloggers:

Givers Log teacher ideas


Polka Dot Chair popcorn bucket


Skip to my Lou teacher ideas.

Modge Podge Clipboard

Here's some miscellaneous Kid-Made Gifts Ideas.

MOST IMPORTANT: Include a note of gratitude from you & your child!

Create a WONDERFUL Christmas this year!

Each of us can CREATE a wonderful Christmas for our families this year!

Click here to get some inspiration: Create

Todays Task: Brainstorm ways to use YOUR talents to CREATE an amazing Christmas!