| If you've been to any store lately you've seen | | | | you're "crafty" enough, then these items make |
| that the holiday decorations have hit the stores. | | | | excellent gifts for your friends and neighbors. |
| It's the time of year that puts everyone in a | | | | Presents like pinecone wreaths or candle covers |
| good mood until the time that the family arrives | | | | are easy, fun to make and last for years. |
| on your doorstep. Then of course, the rush is on | | | | 5. Next, comes the cooking! This is the one that |
| to get it all done in time. If you're anything like me | | | | seems like it should wait, but in realty it's a great |
| and my family, there are always last minute trips | | | | time to start right now! We still have a few |
| to the store to get everything that is needed for | | | | weekends before Thanksgiving and those early |
| the dinner and the delivery of presents. | | | | Saturday mornings are a great time to bake up |
| Now is the time to plan out your whole event. | | | | and decorate holiday cookies and bars. In addition, |
| You should know now whether you are traveling | | | | homemade jellies and jams make excellent holiday |
| to a relatives' for the holiday or even just for | | | | gifts to share. My personal favorite is Hot Jezabel. |
| dinner. It's a good time to start planning your | | | | I make it with pineapple and apricot jelly, |
| menu's and your presents for the people on your | | | | horseradish, dry mustard and black pepper. It is |
| list. | | | | delicious on top of cream cheese with crackers. |
| Here are a few things to make your holidays run | | | | Put in a cute jar, with a box of crackers, the |
| a bit smoother: | | | | recipe in a basket makes an affordable and |
| 1. Write a list of each person who is to receive a | | | | delicious gift. |
| present. If you need to draw names, make it | | | | 6. Get your kids dressed and head to the nearest |
| happen via email this week. Then select a budget | | | | hotel lobby for a beautiful holiday picture! Sure, |
| for each person and draw the cash out and put it | | | | you can go to a studio and spend upwards of |
| in envelopes. Make a vow to stay within the | | | | $100, or you can get dressed and go to a nice |
| budget you've set. | | | | hotel where you can take a picture that is classy |
| 2. Start by perusing the catalogs. It's an easier | | | | and will impress your friends! Get them printed at |
| way to shop. There are so many catalogs on line | | | | Walmart and you're good to go for your holiday |
| now so shopping on line will help you stay away | | | | newsletter and card! |
| from that crazy holiday rush. | | | | 7. Last but not least, understand that the holidays |
| 3. Shopping in one place certainly saves time, and | | | | are some of the most stressful times of the |
| places like TJ MAX and Marshalls are old favorites | | | | year. If you have a family and are traveling or |
| and do carry affordable items for the whole | | | | entertaining, you need to schedule some time for |
| family. | | | | relaxing without doing anything. Book your |
| 4. Once you've gotten the shopping done, it's time | | | | manicure ahead of time or a fun cookie exchange |
| to start the decorating. I usually purchase a few | | | | evening out with the gals in advance. |
| magazines specifically for the holidays and do one | | | | Then kick back and enjoy the time this year. If |
| art project that will last. It's been fun to see my | | | | you plan ahead this year, like you SAID you |
| projects through the years that took a day to | | | | would last year, you'll be able to relax and enjoy |
| make, but have been in our family for years. If | | | | the holidays creating memories, instead of stress! |