Today I'm going to share with you my favorite Christmas tradition.
With all the cleaning, shopping, wrapping, baking, etc. that goes on in the weeks before Christmas; and then all the travelling a few hours here and a few hours there to see all the family, like most people I end up exhausted by Christmas day. Then Christmas day itself is about crazier than any other day for us!
To recoup from the hectic pace we take the day after Christmas to do absolutely nothing! We stay in our pjs, clean up nothing, watch new movies, order take out and relax. We look forward to this day through the whole season. When things are crazy and one of us is about to snap we remind each other "the day after Christmas."
Whether before, day of, or after Christmas dedicate some time to just relax. I guarentee it's worth it!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
My Bill Folder
In order to keep myself from going insane and to make sure all my bills get paid I've developed a folder that has worked wonders in our home.
The folder is actually a three ring binder; it contains "extra" paper, envelopes, pocket inserts, bill lists, stamps and a note book.
I type a list of all bills to be paid in a month and as they are paid I write in the amount and date paid. This gives a great overview at a quick glance, helps with sticking to a budget (because you can easily see what is left to be paid) and gives peace of mind that everything has been covered. When a sheet is full I move it to the back of the "bill papers" so I can go back and see how things have gone up, etc.
There is a pocket insert for each bill, as soon as a bill is paid I stick the bill in it(if paid online, if not then the rest of the page after tearing off the bill). When they get filled, after about 3/4 of a year to a year typically, I file them in a cabinet. At this point I shred any bills in the file that are over a year old.
In the note book is our financial vision, goals (short term and long term), what we are saving for and the monthly amounts (ie. Christmas, trips, etc), what we are supposed to be paying extra on each month, home improvements with the dates, and car care with the dates. We look at the note book each time we pay bills to keep us focused and on track.
The folder is actually a three ring binder; it contains "extra" paper, envelopes, pocket inserts, bill lists, stamps and a note book.
I type a list of all bills to be paid in a month and as they are paid I write in the amount and date paid. This gives a great overview at a quick glance, helps with sticking to a budget (because you can easily see what is left to be paid) and gives peace of mind that everything has been covered. When a sheet is full I move it to the back of the "bill papers" so I can go back and see how things have gone up, etc.
There is a pocket insert for each bill, as soon as a bill is paid I stick the bill in it(if paid online, if not then the rest of the page after tearing off the bill). When they get filled, after about 3/4 of a year to a year typically, I file them in a cabinet. At this point I shred any bills in the file that are over a year old.
In the note book is our financial vision, goals (short term and long term), what we are saving for and the monthly amounts (ie. Christmas, trips, etc), what we are supposed to be paying extra on each month, home improvements with the dates, and car care with the dates. We look at the note book each time we pay bills to keep us focused and on track.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This is a dish that has been served with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in our family for as long as I can remember. It could also be served as a dessert!
1st Layer:
2 cup crushed pretzels
3 TBS sugar
3/4 cup melted margarine
Mix and press into bottom of 13x9" pan. Bake 10 min. at 400 degrees. Let cool.
2nd Layer:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 sm cool whip
1 cup sugar
Blend together and spread over cooled crust.
3rd Layer:
1 lg strawberry Jell-O
2 cup boiling water
2 bags 10 oz frozen Strawberries
1 sm can crushed pineapple
Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water. Add strawberries and pineapple. Chill until almost solid. Spoon over cream cheese mixture. Chill for 2 hours before serving.
1st Layer:
2 cup crushed pretzels
3 TBS sugar
3/4 cup melted margarine
Mix and press into bottom of 13x9" pan. Bake 10 min. at 400 degrees. Let cool.
2nd Layer:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 sm cool whip
1 cup sugar
Blend together and spread over cooled crust.
3rd Layer:
1 lg strawberry Jell-O
2 cup boiling water
2 bags 10 oz frozen Strawberries
1 sm can crushed pineapple
Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water. Add strawberries and pineapple. Chill until almost solid. Spoon over cream cheese mixture. Chill for 2 hours before serving.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Keeping Track of Christmas Spending
The easiest way I've found to keep track of my Christmas spending and to stay within budget is super simple. I lable an envelope "Christmas Reciepts" and keep it on hand in the kitchen (where I unload everything). As I'm out shopping I make sure to pay for all Christmas things seperate from anything else. When the cashier hands me the receipt I immedietly stick it in a bag. As I unload at home I put aside the receipts then stick them in the envelope. Not only does it make going over your budget easier but it keeps receits handy for returns!
When the Holidays are over I go through all the receipts and figure out how much I spent in different categories, such as: baking supplies, gifts for each family member, gifts for people outside the family, wrapping, decorations, cards, stamps, etc. It's then easy to budget and figure out where you can cut back or add to for the next year.
Tip: if you are paying cash, then as you put your receipt in the bag put your change in with it. Save it until after Christmas and then spend it on sale stuff or a relaxing night out with your hubby!
When the Holidays are over I go through all the receipts and figure out how much I spent in different categories, such as: baking supplies, gifts for each family member, gifts for people outside the family, wrapping, decorations, cards, stamps, etc. It's then easy to budget and figure out where you can cut back or add to for the next year.
Tip: if you are paying cash, then as you put your receipt in the bag put your change in with it. Save it until after Christmas and then spend it on sale stuff or a relaxing night out with your hubby!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wreath tip
Christmas time is here!!! Now we get to dress up our homes with all the Christmas fun stuff. I recently came across this idea for hanging wreaths....
If you have several wreaths here is a great idea for hanging one on each side of the door! Decide how far down you want them to hang (it needs to be even). Measure one side and cut ribbon a few inches longer than double what it measured. Attach a wreath to each end of the ribbon. Hang it over the door, they will balance each other. For added security place a piece of masking tape across the ribbon on the top of the door.
If you have several wreaths here is a great idea for hanging one on each side of the door! Decide how far down you want them to hang (it needs to be even). Measure one side and cut ribbon a few inches longer than double what it measured. Attach a wreath to each end of the ribbon. Hang it over the door, they will balance each other. For added security place a piece of masking tape across the ribbon on the top of the door.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Frozen Peppermint Chocolate Pie
An easy seasonal pie that keeps in the freezer for weeks! It's always a hit.
Frozen Peppermint Chocolate Pie
2 Oreo cookie pie crust
1 gallon peppermint ice cream(Eddy's is great), slightly softened
1 whipped topping, thawed
1 jar hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
Crushed peppermint candy
Spread ice cream over crust, about 3/4 full; top with whipped topping. Cover and freeze until solid. May be frozen for up to 2 months. Just before serving, drizzle with hot fudge topping and sprinkle with peppermint candy.
Frozen Peppermint Chocolate Pie
2 Oreo cookie pie crust
1 gallon peppermint ice cream(Eddy's is great), slightly softened
1 whipped topping, thawed
1 jar hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
Crushed peppermint candy
Spread ice cream over crust, about 3/4 full; top with whipped topping. Cover and freeze until solid. May be frozen for up to 2 months. Just before serving, drizzle with hot fudge topping and sprinkle with peppermint candy.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Look Good in Your Holiday Photos
If you are getting professional Christmas pictures or just want to look good in your regular holiday photos, here are a few suggestions to help.
Hair:
Don't cut your hair or change the style. Keep it natural.
Face and body:
1. Makeup needs to be a little heavier than normal. Avoid anything with sparkles, it could create a white spot that could look like a blemish. Foundation with SPF makes skin look shiney. Mascara should be clump free.
2. Tan lines look very bad in photos and sunburns look worse. Avoid excessive sun or tanning for a week or so before hand. Try to cover any tan lines with your clothing.
3. If you have tattoos you don't want shown, let the photographer know and they can help you hide them.
4. If you have braces don't try to hide them by holding back smiles; in the end it only looks worse. Let yourself smile normally.
5. Don't pull your head back. If you gently pull your chin out and slightly down it is much more flattering.
Clothes:
1. Don't wear stripes or plaid; solids photograph better.
2. Wear clothing that flatters you. If you don't like your arms then don't wear sleeveless tops, etc.
3. If you're wearing light bottoms make sure you are also wearing plain, light underwear. Same with shirts and bras.
4. No bra straps showing please! They are unattractive in real life and worse in pictures. Also make sure the bra doesn't create unsightly lines in your top.
5. Light clothes look better on light backgrounds and dark clothes look better with dark backgrounds.
6. Jewelry should be kept simple, so that you are the focal point and not your necklace.
7. Nail polish: Your toes and nails will show up, so make sure you remember to do them. Avoid bright or dark colors, natural photographs better.
For guys:
1. A clean shave photographs best.
2. If he's wearing a dark outer shirt he needs to wear a grey or dark undershirt. Otherwise the white will stand out.
For Professional Photographs:
Bring your own props and as many as you want. Anything from toys or musical instruments to sports equipment. Whatever can help define you. This is typically done for children, teens or whole families.
For at Home Photography:
Don't be afraid to pose you and your spouse in front of a mirror. Try several ways of standing or sitting to see what best flatters or that feels most natural. This way when there is someone around to take your picture you can pose instead of having that same old sitting or standing side by side look.
Hair:
Don't cut your hair or change the style. Keep it natural.
Face and body:
1. Makeup needs to be a little heavier than normal. Avoid anything with sparkles, it could create a white spot that could look like a blemish. Foundation with SPF makes skin look shiney. Mascara should be clump free.
2. Tan lines look very bad in photos and sunburns look worse. Avoid excessive sun or tanning for a week or so before hand. Try to cover any tan lines with your clothing.
3. If you have tattoos you don't want shown, let the photographer know and they can help you hide them.
4. If you have braces don't try to hide them by holding back smiles; in the end it only looks worse. Let yourself smile normally.
5. Don't pull your head back. If you gently pull your chin out and slightly down it is much more flattering.
Clothes:
1. Don't wear stripes or plaid; solids photograph better.
2. Wear clothing that flatters you. If you don't like your arms then don't wear sleeveless tops, etc.
3. If you're wearing light bottoms make sure you are also wearing plain, light underwear. Same with shirts and bras.
4. No bra straps showing please! They are unattractive in real life and worse in pictures. Also make sure the bra doesn't create unsightly lines in your top.
5. Light clothes look better on light backgrounds and dark clothes look better with dark backgrounds.
6. Jewelry should be kept simple, so that you are the focal point and not your necklace.
7. Nail polish: Your toes and nails will show up, so make sure you remember to do them. Avoid bright or dark colors, natural photographs better.
For guys:
1. A clean shave photographs best.
2. If he's wearing a dark outer shirt he needs to wear a grey or dark undershirt. Otherwise the white will stand out.
For Professional Photographs:
Bring your own props and as many as you want. Anything from toys or musical instruments to sports equipment. Whatever can help define you. This is typically done for children, teens or whole families.
For at Home Photography:
Don't be afraid to pose you and your spouse in front of a mirror. Try several ways of standing or sitting to see what best flatters or that feels most natural. This way when there is someone around to take your picture you can pose instead of having that same old sitting or standing side by side look.
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