Christmas Countdown Day 25: Clean Out The Freezer!

   November 20, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer
organized Christmas countdown

The secret to a streamlined kitchen during the holiday season? A well-stocked, organized freezer!

Holding made-ahead entrees, side dishes, cookies and desserts, the freezer is a hard-working Santa's Elf for an organized Christmas.

Christmas cookie trays or gift baskets are easy to assemble from frozen assets, while stockpiled family dinners cut out straight to the "what's for dinner" chase during December's busy nights.

Today's the day to clean out the freezer in anticipation of holiday goodies and freezer meals to come.    Read More >>

Clutter-Free Gift Solution: Think Consumable!

Organized Christmas
   November 19, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

Gift-giving. Seldom do we engage in an activity that invokes so many conflicting values.

On the one hand, we hope our gift will entertain, educate, and amuse.

We dream of seeing our special gift proudly displayed in the home of the recipient.

We hunt and search and shop, trying to find just the right gift to stand for the relationship we're celebrating.

On the other hand, gift-buying brings us up against our limitations. While our emotions urge extravagance, our wallets counsel frugality.    Read More >>

M&M Cookies In A Jar

M&M Cookies in a Jar
   November 19, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

Child-friendly, fun craft gift, M&M Cookies in a Jar is perfect for teacher gifts, Secret Santa or stocking stuffers! For a holiday touch, use M&M-brand chocolate candies in seasonal colors.

Our free printable gift tag carries out the M&M-brand theme! Bold and bright, this two-sided tag comes in three lively colors. Print and fold to create this colorful gift-in-a-jar.

Seven Tips for Sparkling Christmas Letters

Tips To Write Christmas Holiday Letters
   November 18, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

Christmas is coming, holiday cards and letters fill the mailbox--and it's time to write your family's annual Christmas letter.

Want your letter to stand out from the crowd? Looking for ways to spice up the same-old, same-old Christmas greeting?

Try these seven tips for a sparkling holiday letter.    Read More >>

Magic Elf Tradition: Will Santa's Magic Elf Visit Your Home?

elf on the shelf
   November 17, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

What would happen if one of Santa's elves came to your house to visit?

He'd arrive sometime before the holidays began. Sent by Santa to check on good little girls and boys, he'd roam the house at night, popping up in the most unlikely places come morning.

Sometimes, elf mischief would take place--and he'd be caught red-handed! Finally, on Christmas Eve, he'd report to Santa and hitch a ride back to the North Pole ... until next year.

If you can imagine it, you can do it: meet Santa's Magic Elf!    Read More >>

Christmas Countdown: Get Cooking Week

Christmas Countdown 2019
November 17 - November 23, 2019

We move to the kitchen, where it's all things cooking, as we swing into Get Cooking! week at the Christmas Countdown.

We'll plan holiday meals and menus, save money on holiday meals, prepare easy freezer entrees for busy December nights, and make holiday baking easier. Inventorying pantry and freezer means we'll have room to stock up on bargain-priced staples; a refrigerator clean-out sees us into Thanksgiving week with room to spare.

Goal: to clean up life in the kitchen, before the holiday rush begins.    Read More >>

House & Holidays Plan Week 12: Dining Space Week

House and Holidays Plan 2019
November 17 - November 23, 2019

America celebrates Thanksgiving next week, gathering family and friends around the dining table. This week in the House and Holiday Plan, we'll see to it that the celebration takes place in a clean and organized dining area.

Holiday prep focuses on the Thanksgiving celebration: we'll finish planning and shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, plan Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping, and think ahead to seasonal decor for the holiday season.    Read More >>

Holiday Grand Plan Week 12: Attic

Holiday Grand Plan 2019
November 17 - November 23, 2019

Cooler weather makes it easy to check and organize the attic and storage areas during Attic Week at the Holiday Grand Plan!

No attic? Use this week to work on undone tasks, or to tackle a bonus area in the home.

We continue to move toward Thanksgiving in holiday prep, preparing to set a pretty holiday table. Are you working on holiday gifts?    Read More >>

Print, Cut, Celebrate: Cupcake Pan Advent Calendar

Cupcake Pan Advent Calendar
   November 15, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

Count down the days to Christmas with this easy printable craft: a cupcake pan Advent calendar!

Using a 24-count mini-cupcake pan as a base, colorful magnets printed on inkjet magnet sheets hide a treat for each December day before Christmas.

Best, free printable magnet designs make it easy to create this holiday craft project. Choose your favorite design to create a quick family tradition!

Our photo tutorial will have you crafting your cupcake pan advent calendar in record time. Print, cut and celebrate!    Read More >>

Cutting Costs? Christmas Cheats For Frugal Gifts

Frugal ideas for Christmas Gifts
   November 15, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

If the local newscast (egged on by local retail merchants) tells me one more time exactly how many "shopping days" are left until Christmas, I'll scream! No matter what the count, there are never enough days to shop for/buy/craft/bake gifts for family and friends--and this year of all years, disposable income is in short supply.    Read More >>

Pages