Christmas Shopping "Swap the Kids"

Good Wednesday morning!

First of all, I just want to say I am thankful for my sight. I obviously wore Josh's glasses all day today and have been dizzy, suffered from a massive headache, and although I could read all the road signs, etc., I felt my vision had considerably worsened during the night.

I am also thankful I didn't go to the eye doctor and pay them a $30 co-pay for them to tell me I was wearing someone else's glasses. It's been a good day!

The Gallery Pics this morning show the Cheesy Wild Rice soup from beginning to end. It is delicious. The only thing I would do differently is serve it with the Mexican Cornbread Muffins used with the Turnip Green Soup. But that's just me. I'm sorry to say, Soup Season is now officially over, and we must move on to other food sources... mainly chocolate. (I may change my mind on this one if someone has another great soup idea, so do not hesitate to share if you have a recipe!)

Wednesday Wisdom - I'm going with a theme today. SIMPLIFY! Here are a couple of wise sayings which you (and I) need to tattoo discreetly on our bodies!

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." Hans Hofmann.

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." Laura Ingalls Wilder. Love her!

Holiday Organization Tips - Day 2

Okay. I'm assuming Lists 1 through 4 are well on their way to being completed... or not! Whatever the case, we'll be talking about List 1 and List 2 today (Gifts and Calendars) and ways to simplify our lives.

Buying Gifts - Personally, I try to buy one to three gifts a week beginning in October. Of course, if I fall behind I have to kick it up a notch, but having one or two gifts bought and wrapped is better than NOTHING! And we try to avoid NOTHING at all costs. So, if you haven't bought any gifts (or just a few), this is the week to make a goal to purchase one to three gifts by Saturday afternoon. Go ahead and wrap these gifts. Believe me, it will help your breathing which by this time of the year is becoming increasingly more difficult!

When the kids were small, I would trade out with another mom who had children the same ages as my own. I would power shop for four hours. A few days later, it would be her turn. This is a great way to get things done, and also have a fun play date for your kids.

This is also today's Seasonal Tradition. Check for details below.

Delegate your list. Let your husband be responsible for his side of the family, electronic purchases or gifts for one or more of the kids. Give him ideas and lists, but let him be in charge of several items, and then STEP BACK. Let him know when you need the gifts giving him plenty of time to shop.

I'm a big believer in giving some of the same type gifts every year. Each of my kids will receive a calendar featuring a favorite TV show or activity, an ornament which represents something that happened in their life this past year, and a new devotional book. These are nine gifts I always give the three kids, so it is easy to look for these early in the shopping season.

Also, when the kids became older, I changed their stocking stuffers from small trinkets and gifts and began making Movie Stockings. We go to the movies the day after Christmas each year. (It was a tradition started five years ago, and we have really enjoyed it. It's obviously a tradition for many families because the theaters are usually packed.) Each child's stocking includes a RAVE ticket, their favorite popcorn seasoning salt and favorite candy bar and sucker. (Yes. We take candy bars and suckers into the movie! But we always buy a giant tub of popcorn and a large drink with five straws... ALWAYS!)

Also, all the grandparents receive a photo calendar each year, so these can be purchased ahead of time.

Remember, try to buy at least one to three gifts a week and watch your stash grow and your stress diminish.

Calendars - Calendars are tough. At this time in our lives, we know what to expect. Christmas Band Concert, Mikie's work party, church musical, family parties, etc. But from year to year, there have always been things we have not attended.

Say "no" when you've already received a prior invitation. Party hopping is exhausting and takes away from the enjoyment of sitting down and actually visiting with friends and family during Christmas.

While we always enjoy the Christmas Parade, we have skipped the years we haven't had a child participating in the Parade to have a nice dinner at home and watch a Christmas movie.

If you are looking at a calendar so full there isn't any time to spend with your own little family, see what you can delete. If you host three parties a year at your home, you may need to cut it down to two for a few years until the kids get a little older.

I also know a lady who would have three parties, but she had them all in the same week. While it may sound hectic, the menu stayed the same so she just tripled everything she made, decorated once, cleaned thoroughly for the first party and then straightened up for parties two and three. She enjoyed entertaining, but when the week was over, she could relax and enjoy the rest of her Christmas.

I have a friend who would put no more than one thing per day on her calendar. Once that day had an activity or party, it was CLOSED. She also didn't put anything on her calendar AFTER the 15th day of December except for family parties. This gave her time to finish up her Christmas shopping etc., and enjoy the rest of the season with her own family. When people asked her to do something December 17, she would kindly say she already had plans. And she did... with her family.

As I said before, the Calendar is a tricky thing. It can sneak up on you. Be very wise and prayerful about what you write in INK.

Teacher Gift Ideas

As promised, a couple more Teacher Gift Ideas.

3. A large tin of popcorn. You see these in Wal-Mart all the time. I love these tins. But take it a step further and when the teacher opens the popcorn, have a Movie Gallery Gift Certificate taped to the bottom of the lid. Movie and popcorn. Perfect!

4. If you are buying a gift from the entire class, after you have collected all the money, tape a Gift Certificate from The Summit or The Galleria in the middle of a shirt box. Have all the children sign their names on the inside of the shirt box around the taped Gift Certificate. I know I wouldn't mind a shopping spree for a Christmas gift.

Christmas Shopping "Swap the Kids"

As I stated above, if you can swap the kids with a friend and get some shopping done, make sure they have a festive, easy, inexpensive Christmas outing with their friends during this time.

Here are some ideas to help make that happen.

1. Bake cookies. If you do not want to roll out, cut out and decorate cookies, simplify by making the Cake Box Cookies. This recipe came from Becky Higgins. It is beyond easy, and to make them Christmasy, just add green or red food coloring. Even small children can help with these cookies. You will need the following:

1 cake mix (We like Funfetti Cake Mix)
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup white chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients together. Spoon cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 9 minutes. (Don't forget to add the food coloring when you are making the batter!)

2. Read the children a Christmas story.

3. Let them paint a picture on aluminum foil (Christmas tree, star, etc.).

4. Sing and dance to Christmas music.

5. Pile pillows in the den and settle down to watch a Christmas movie.

6. Buy an inexpensive, age-appropriate Christmas craft kit at Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart or Michael's. They have dozens for each and every age group.

Make it a small, but fun, Christmas party, and ask the other mom to do the same. (This is called a "festive twofer.")

Have a drier Wednesday if possible. Tomorrow I have a fun Thanksgiving date and Blog Linkage. Some of the Blog Linkage has to do with other ideas for organizing and simplifying your holiday season, so please check back. We'll also talk about Christmas cards and some ways to make that process a little more stress-free.

As always, any ideas you might have to share will be greatly appreciated!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda