December 8th—17 days until Christmas—Holiday Pet Peeves

It’s crazy, crazy December, so I need to tell you my Christmas pet peeves.

1. Christmas has evolved into a commercial bonanza, so people too easily forget the true meaning of the day—Peace on earth and good will to men, and women, and children, and all living creatures.
2. Stores start decorating in October!  While I’m all for you preparing early, there’s something about Christmas making its appearance before Halloween and Thanksgiving.
3. Malls play the worst bland canned music.
4. Too many people feel the need to overspend.  Remember it isn’t the cost of the gift, but the thought that counts.
5. When you take the children to see Santa, there’s always someone snapping a picture that you feel compelled to buy.  
6. Too many holiday parties!  Why can’t at least some people wait until January or February for an open house?
7. Sugar highs become the normal.
8. Too much drinking—Please don’t drink and drive.
9. Egg nog?  Is there anything richer and heavier?
10. Everyone is frazzled and tempers are short.
11. Not one single mall Santa is as handsome as the original, my dear husband.

Maybe you have some pet peeves you’d like to share.

Hope that all your early preparation has paid off and that you’re enjoying a stress-free, love-filled holiday.

September 1—115 days until Christmas—School Bells and Christmas Bells

School bells, like this one,
are waiting to be rung. From the Atlantic to the Pacific they will call boys and girls to class.
They remind me of other bells, the Christmas kind and I was inspired to write this poem.

BELL

The word bell rings
sprinkling silver tunes—
ting a ling, a ling.
Its graceful dome
won’t complain
when struck, just sings
ting-a-ling,-a-ling-a ling.

Remember these knitted bells from last year?

Follow these simple directions
Next post I’ll share an even simpler bell to make.

August 27–120 days until Christmas–Another Holiday Card

Here’s another unique card that shows how the holiday wears out even Mr. Snow Man.

Here’s the sympathetic message inside

Order here.

Ever wonder how your tree feels each Christmas?
Check out our next post.

August 26–121 Days until Christmas–At Last, the Card Surprise

If you’re like me, you’ve probably tired of the usual sappy, holiday
greetings. Then I have a treat for you—cards that are honest about the holidays like this one.

Haven’t we all felt like this at Christmas?
Here’s the message inside.

This card was created with an illustration by the talented Nancy Hayashi from that charming book about me.
‘TWAS THE LATE NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS.

Don’t like this card?
Tomorrow I’ll share another. We have four designs in all. Each folded card is 5 by 7. Set of ten is $16.99 which includes handling and postage.

Order here now and get them in plenty of time for the holidays.

133 days until Christmas–Santa Decoration

Since we just finished a poem about Mr. Saint Nick, let’s make a decoration in his honor. I discovered this charming one on Etsy.

Unfortunately when I went to the creator’s web-site, the language was not one I could read. So . . . I winged it.

You can too. Download directions here.

How long did it take?

Less than the length of a TV movie.

Think of how many you can make between now and December. Your tree could be filled with this sweet decoration or you could give them as hostess gifts or to your special friends.

Speaking of friends, stay tune for my next post for a darling, inexpensive and meaningful gift for all the special girls and women in your life.

143 days until Christmas—Yarn Frames

In the last posting we decorated old frames with buttons.

Now let’s decorate a frame with yarn.

Nothing could be easier. Just wind your yarn around and around, gluing it in the back every so often to keep it in place. It’s mindless work, perfect for watching a baseball game or TV movie. Using a perfectly boring, perfectly plain frame, I worked two different strands of yarn—one bright red and the other with variegated various colors. One and a half hour later, I had this bright, cheerful frame.

Now all I have to do is find a picture to put inside and attach wire for hanging.

Here are some easy-to-follow online directions

What are you waiting for?
Get busy.
Use up your extra yarn and give those old frames a new life and a great gift for someone special.

Focus on Kids

We’re getting close to the big day.  Let’s spend it with our kids, grandchildren, neighbors, nieces and nephews.  Make a kid-friendly dinner like this Lasagna, filled with the colors of Christmas—green spinach, red tomato sauce and the star-white of cheese.  It’s so good, kids won’t even know they’re eating a leafy vegetable.  Serve it with crusty garlic bread and a salad.  Then while sitting around the table, play this game.  WHAT MIGHT ANIMALS WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?  The inspiration for this game came from a poem and while spiders aren’t often seen up here in the frigid North Pole, it’s still fun to imagine.

 

  WHAT DOES SPIDER WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

A shoe for every foot?  That’s eight.

A shiny silver dinner plate

for eating bugs?  Bright red lights

to decorate its web at night?

Using this poem as a starting point, ask the youngest at your table, to pick an animal—a rabbit perhaps?  An elephant?  A whale?  Then she poses the question, “What will ________ want for Christmas?” 

Others will suggest possible Christmas gifts for that animal.  When no one can think of anymore, it’s time for the next older person to suggest an animal and ask the question all over again.

I guarantee laughter at your table.

For desert, bring out a selection of those cookies you have in the freezer.  What could be easier?  What could be better?

Then after everyone, each like a helpful elf, has pitched in to clean up, bundle warmly and walk, or drive, around town to enjoy the bright holiday lights.

 

With everyone home for the weekend, it’s a perfect time to start making a Christmas-themed puzzle like this one.  You can order it here.  Also you can draft your young helpers into making these holiday pinwheels, a favorite kid-friendly, kid-delicious appetizer.

Can you suggest other fun family activities? 

          Next post on December 23^rd we’re going to pause from last-minute preparations and count our blessings

Until then, let’s all strive for a stress-free, love-filled Christmas . . .

My Apologies

        I’m sorry there was no post, as promised on the 6^th. 

       Unfortunately much as we plan ahead in this holiday season, something happens that throws everything off.

My dear husband, who’s not getting any younger, worked too hard this month and had to take a few days off.  Because, it’s the big push now, someone—yours truly—needed to supervise the elves.  This interruption initially annoyed me for I have my own share of responsibilities, but it turned out well for I discovered they were putting on all the doll legs backwards!  Why no one had realized that before me, I’ll never know!

How are you all doing with your preparations? 

I’ll be back, as promised, on the 9^th with recipes you can prepare now, store in your freezer and bring them out for Christmas Breakfast.

Until then, let’s all strive for a stress-free, love-filled Christmas . . .

Boxes and Paper, Bags and Bows and a Recipe, too

It’s time to start wrapping all the presents you’ve bought. Some people recommend you spread this over several days.  Or wrap each present as purchased. 

Not me! 

Just as I devote one day to sending out cards, I devote another day to wrapping.  While I’m busy wrapping, I let the broth for Spicy Shrimp simmer on my stove.  Served with crusty bread for dipping and salad, this is a simple dinner with plenty of leftovers that only improve in flavor. 

Don’t have wrapping paper, but get a newspaper delivered daily.  Save the environment and use that as your wrapping paper.    Brown paper bags from your grocery store also wrap up very nicely.  

 

Each year I recycle the Christmas cards we receive by trimming them into fun shapes.  They make darling gift tags and the price can’t be beat. 

Ribbon can be expensive.  These pictured cost $4.00 for three yards.  For $5.00 buy 185 yards of thick knobby red yarn.  Your presents will be distinctive and colorful.

 

And while we’re talking about presents, why not give the fabulous book about me.

 Wrap it up for any parents on your guest list, teachers, too.   The books can be purchased on-line, in stores, or autographed copies are available here.

Did you do the crossword puzzles mentioned in the last post?  Hope you had fun.  Here are both the puzzle and answers for Christmas Crossword and Christmas Colors.

Next post December 6^th, we’ll talk about your friend the freezer where you can put the leftover Spicy Shrimp Broth and begin cooking in earnest.

Until then, let’s all strive for a stress-free, love-filled Christmas . . .

A Not-so-Fruity Fruitcake, Decorations and Crosswords

I love the idea of fruitcake for the holidays, but each one I try overwhelms with its strong liquor taste, damp heaviness and too much fruit.  To please myself and other ambivalent fruitcake fans, I’ve created this recipe using only currants and chopped dates.  You can substitute your favorite dried fruits.

          Prepare this and while it bakes, begin putting out your Christmas Decorations. 

Not your tree!

Have mercy on me!  If you put it out this early, by Christmas night, I’ll have to clean wrappings and ribbons, AND all those pesky needles on your floor and carpet. 

          Even if you don’t have lots of decorations!  You can still make your house festive.  Invite everyone in the family to help.  They might have some great ideas.  Here are mine:  Candle sticks call out for red or green candles this month.     Don’t worry if nothing matches.

Tie Christmas ribbons on door knobs andbanisters.  

Necklaces tucked into small vases add a festive touch. 

Place a tree decoration in a plant. 

          Do you have any stuffed toys around?  Bears look great cuddled on chairs.               

These are all small and inexpensive ways to bring the holiday spirit into your home.  Do you have any ideas you’d like to share?  When you’re finished decorating, sit down, make yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy a slice of your-Not-Too-Fruity Fruit Cake.  And while you’re relaxing, see if you can complete this Christmas crossword And here’s a simpler one for your youngest helpers.  Solutions will come in my next post.

          Our next post, December 4^th will be about inexpensive ways to wrap presents.

Until then, let’s all strive for a stress-free, love-filled Christmas . . .