Are you in a frenzy, tumbling out of one holiday straight into the next? We have the big company party (and I am talking BIG! When the new CEO stepped into office at Activision last year he showed this group how to throw a serious bash. – DANG!), tons of kid and traditional activities to check off our list, and most importantly – mom’s birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! Okay – I’m early, but you can save that in your pocket until the proper day arrives.
Our holiday traditions are filled with countless things we look forward to each year. Like most we start with decorating the outside of the house so our holiday cheer will shine along with the rest of the neighborhood. Please join Krystal Wade as she tells us all about her exploits with hanging the lights for the season. I can tell you, we haven’t climbed up on our roof after our first year in this house. No Sir! – I am not married to Spider Man.
Having completed our shine and twinkle in the yard, we take it inside for the tree trimming and beyond. But none of this can happen without proper holiday melodies and munchies. This year I suggest Myndi’s Mother’s Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies and Shelia Seabrook’s Poppycock for everyone’s delight. A stop at Miss Jillian’s Glitter, Bliss, and Perfect Chaos is just what mommy needs for an ideal tension reducer. Especially after the kids are bouncing off the wall in an insane sugar high tripled with excitement over holiday festivities!
With goodies ready to fill our bellies and tasty drinks to wet mom’s lips the tree trimming can begin. I don’t usually talk writing here since I like to keep it an open forum for everyone, writers and non-writers alike, but K.B. Owens has a wonderful post relating tree decorating to writing your story – check it out.
Every year Gamer, Monkey and I like to cover our tree in unique and special mementoes. Memories of something significant to each of them from that particular year. As a result the tree gets covered in lots of personal and precious memories with each passing year. Here are some of the things we have done in the past. If you’d like to create similar ornaments, click on the picture to reveal its secret!
Are you getting your tree trimmed? You are well on your way to halfway there! It’s always best to get a head start on all those holiday cards. I tell you, I had best start now or who knows what could happen. Last year we never got a single card in the mail. Mud => face. Disney Family is a great source for homemade card ideas as well as Martha Stewart should you be brave enough to make your own.
Okay, so not a whole lot left for you to do, except… THE BIG DAY! The proper meal must be planned and the gifts determined and bought. Oh the pressure! Diana Capri has a wonderful post about how to gift the perfect gift. Need I say it? A book is always an excellent gift choice (unless your ten and fight reading time like it’s the plague, then refer to Tim for help with his weekly posts on children and reading).
Are you shopping for your holiday meal? Check out Ginger Calem’s Grocery Derby post. It’s a hoot! And although it was written with Thanksgiving in mind, I think we can totally relate this to Christmas as well. That’s the holiday I shop for. Fun times pushing that cart up and down the aisles between too many warm bodies. When planning that meal, you can’t do better than to check Nicole’s Daily Dish Recipes. She is bound to have what you need. But you will probably need these amazing pumpkin swirly cheesecake brownies for dessert because they look amazing! And both mommy and daddy will need to return to Glitter, Bliss and Perfect Chaos for more liquid refreshments. This time I can’t decide between the gingerbread or the yummy Coca Liqueur. Mmmm
Did this help you organize your thoughts and get ready for the upcoming holiday? Have fun mixing, baking and creating. Now get out there and get shopping like a pretty pink princess with endless amounts of money!
Let the craziness begin!
I have done nothing to start getting ready for Xmas. How long can I procrastinate on this? Is there a drop dead date? Maybe when my kids start arriving in a few weeks I’ll be ready to get moving. Thanks for the post!
I think if you wait till Xmas day you can get by with the minimum. LOL We are running farther behind than usual but we will also do less than usual this year. Kids have a way of getting us motivated. You are very welcome Kelly!
Thanks so much, Debra, for the shout-out! Your post is the one-stop place for the holiday!
You are welcome Kathy! And thank you. 🙂
I love Sophia & Rosie–so cute 🙂 Great mashup Debra!
Aren’t they just the cutest?! Thanks Coleen!
This mash-up looks like everything I need for the holidays in one place. Just another reason why I gave you the Liebster Blog award. Check it out here: http://www.emmaburcart.com/2011/12/fun-friday-award-time/
Emma, I was so touched! Thanks so very much! I popped over to your blog this morning after dropping the kids off and before knocking out for awhile. The kids are trying to get me sick again. Not gonna happen!
Debra … thanks for the shout out! My first mash-up appearance. You have so many great links compiled in one place. I’m taking notes! I absolutely love LOVE your homemade decorations. Awesome!!
You are very welcome Ginger! Loved your post. Thank so much on the compliment. 🙂
Your ornaments and lights are so pretty! The only thing I’ve done for the holidays is LOOK at my planner, and look at cards! I used to always decorate the day after Thanksgiving, but anymore if I do, I get tired iof the stuff before Christmas! So now it gets done a week later. So that will get done this weekend, and cards will be ordered. Thankfully, Shutterfly is fast. 😀
This post is much more organized that my house is! LOL My kids are taking five days to decorate their tree! They’ve never done that before. My main tree has light issues – it a sequel to Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in the making. I have faith all your stuff will come together nicely. 🙂
Yay! I’m a step ahead! Now if only I’d remembered to buy those damn cards! *Stomps off to make a list* 🙂 Thank you for the wonderful inclusion of my zany blog in yours. And I love all your homemade decorations!
You were seriously on-top of things this year! Way to go. You are most welcome for the include. You inspired me to pull out our lights. Oh! And Monkey keeps reminding me about the big blow-up Santa. Can’t forget him!
What a clever and creative mashup! The one-stop for all your Christmas needs destination! And thank you for including me in the mashing…
🙂 You are very welcome Tim. Happy Holidays!
Loved the mashup! Maybe this, and some of the other blogs, will motivate me to get started around here. Without fail most everything is up Thanksgiving weekend, but so far this year…not so much as one decoration has been unpacked. I have gotten a few gifts wrapped and, like Jennette, I have LOOKED at the two boxes of cards a few times. Maybe I need to give some serious thought to liquid refreshments. 🙂
I like those liquid refreshments! But the amount of sleep I’ve been giving my body lately they will put me right into la la land. LOL I plan to get a goodnight’s sleep and then give those a try this weekend. They look super yummy!
I can’t get in the Christmas spirit. Well, this is every-year news, mwhahaha. I’m ready to party with the Rudolph and gang around January 3rd, when all our Christmas decor is safely packed away and stashed in the garage.
Awesome links and photos. I love those little robots on the kitchen counter — what the heck are they, Debra?
It’s Friday and I’m gonna fix a Christmas drink tonight — spiced wine, Danish style 🙂
Sorry you are still having trouble getting in the spirit. Sounds like we should be hanging together. 🙂
Let me know how that drink comes out. I want to try Christine Ashworth’s mulled wine from her blog.
The droids are recreations of R2 units from Star Wars. They are beaming out pictures of my kid like R2D2 did of Leah in the 1st movie. Those were gifted last year or I would have taken a picture of one on the tree. Gamer never finished mine so I don’t have one with his picture beaming out. Figures, right?
OMG, these droids are awesome! Of course they are R2D2s, what was I thinking! ha, ha.
I love spiced wine but I make it only in December. It’s a huge tradition in Denmark where I’ve lived for over two years prior to relocating to US. The recipe is very simple – you just warm up any red wine (I use Merlot or Pinot), add sugar, almonds, raisins, cinnamon stick or two and voile, done. I don’t have an actual recipe, but for a half bottle of wine I put maybe three tablespoons of sugar or a bit more (depends on your taste), a handful or raisins and the same of almonds plus a large – or two smaller – cinnamon sticks. The wine shouldn’t boil though; it just needs to get very warm. I hope you try it!
Hugs.
Thanks Angela! And thank you for the recipe. Now I have two to work from. I will definitely have to try some this season. It sounds so yummy.
What a great mashup, and your ornaments look beautiful! I haven’t done ONE thing for Christmas yet, and every time I see a post like this I get heart palpitations – lol!
Thank you Julie. December has only just started. Now is a good weekend to start, or not. It’s all up to you. 🙂 But don’t stress about it. In the end it’s only a day that is meant to celebrate with the people we love. All the rest is just trimmings.
I have got to bake me a batch of Myndi’s cookies. Now I’m hungry! 🙂
Great Mash-up Debra. I’ve got to try doing this soon. It so intimidates me.
Thanks for showing how this is really done!
Don’t they look fabulous Karen? I think those will be the cookies we make this year. Mmmm Numm Numm Num
Don’t be intimidated by a mash-up. Just find something you like and put it together. Emma does a lovely mash-up every Friday. You can reference her if you have any questions. I like to turn my stuff into stories, in case you hadn’t notices. LOL
Wow, awesome links and suggestions, Debra. I love your notes on the tree decorations and I can tell I’m going to be referring to this page a lot as I prepare for the holidays. And thank you so much for adding in the link to my Poppycock recipe. Children around the world will receive an all time sugar high. 🙂
You are very welcome Sheila! I had the sugar high heavily on my mind when I recommended Jillian’s blog for the martinis. Monkey (my daughter) is like the Energizer bunny on crack after one cookie!
GORGEOUS, Debra! In appearance and more so in meaning. Celebrating the specialness of our loved ones and shared memories is what the holidays are all about. In my book, you’re a holiday rockstar! And your kids have a super-duper mom.
Aw, thanks so much August. Once again you have made me blush. I can only hope they will carry these memories in a special place in their heart until they are old and grey.
Great mashup Debra. I love all the links. I have barely started shopping but I have a few things bought.
This year, I’m hosting my chapter’s Christmas party. and we’re going to skype in our out of town members, so it should be great fun. I brought out the ‘christmas pretties’ last night – the things that go around the house to make it Christmassy. No tree until next weekend – there’s no room for the chapters folks and my tree in the same house.
I have had the same dcorations for years. I am a traditionalist at heart. But I’ve boxed up a bunch of my Christmas pretties for Goodwill. I know others will love them and appreciate them the way I have and giving them away allows space for new pretties.
It feels good to share the history of our christmases past with another family, whether they know us or not.
The party sounds like wonderful fun Louise! I like the skype idea. I bet your house looks beautiful and everyone will appreciate all your hard work! That’s a really great thing you’re doing, both hosting the party and passing on decorations for others less fortunate. You are very correct; it feels very good to share. Happy Holidays Louise!
Debra…
Loving the ornaments! Among my most treasured ornaments are the homemade ones given to me by friends like the little felt sheep with an aluminum foil bell around its neck and a fabric covered styrofoam ball, gifts from my roommates in college. Last year, they came over for our holiday open house and were shocked to see that I had kept them all these years.
I have a friend who puts up eight, yes, EIGHT full-size Christmas trees every year in his house. He starts in October and keeps the drapes drawn so the neighbors won’t think he’s off his rocker. The man should be a window dresser for Berdgorf’s because each tree is beautifully done in a specific theme. Even his dogs got their own themed tree. Anyway, he’s inspired me. Still haven’t decided what kind of tree, real, fake or bare branches that I’m going to do this year.
That’s awesome Jennifer! I bet your friend’s house is a delight at the holidays. I was inspired by a home in my hometown growing up. I don’t recall exactly how many trees there were, but there was about one per room, each themed. Even the laundry room had a small tree themed to laundry! The tree in the entry was the biggest deal because it was hung upside down from the ceiling. I doubt I will ever get that crazy. I don’t have the energy for it. We have the two big trees, mine and the kids. Each kid has a smaller tree in their room and then we have a smaller cluster of three trees in our family room. The tallest tree is probably about four feet tall. We don’t decorate the ones in the family room other than light them up with colored lights. I’m guessing your friend has all full sized trees. That’s a lot of tree and ornaments! Does he throw a big party so that everyone can enjoy all his hard work?
I have had all kinds of trees and am now a fan of high quality fake trees because they show off the ornaments the best. But that’s just my take on it. Lots of people swear by the real thing.
You have one crazy schedule, Debra! No wonder you can’t get caught up with everything. I love how you wrote this mashup. This is so entertaining and a great mashup to boot! And the video of those little princesses on that shopping spree, well, that sure made my day! So darn cute!
And that’s why I wish I never needed to sleep – like those sparkly vamps in Twilight. LOL Thanks so much for the compliment Lynn. Sometimes I can’t just get to the point but have to wrap it up in a little story. Mashups like this are often the result. 🙂 It’s more fun that way.
Aren’t the princesses great? I want to go on a shopping spree like that. Well, maybe in a different store. Although that store would help Santa out a lot. Hehe
I don’t know what a “mashup” is..but this is a great one Honey. Thank you for the Birthdaty shout-out!! Love the pics and the wonderful directions for all your special ornaments – I think I have most all of them on my tree from Monkey and Gamer. Got to go back now and look at all the wonderful links you included.
Wow! Great post and I think I’m on schedule. Love those droid ornaments! They look super fabulous and fun to make. Thanks for all the amazing links. I have a few to check out, so I must dash!!
Thank you! It was my first attempt at a mashup and a little early in the season, but there were still some find choses to pull from. Hope you like what you find. Happy dashing!
Debra thank you so much for including me! This was awesome and that video you included was the cutest thing I’ve seen in awhile! Those little girls were sooo cute! Thanks so much Debra – hugs!!
Hey Nicole! You are very welcome! I had to include you! Your blog is beyond awesome!!! I’m so glad you liked the video. It was so cute and very fun. My daughter was jealous of their shopping spree. LOL