All She Wants for Christmas

I'm mostly ready for Christmas. Are you?

My gifts are wrapped and out of town packages are ready to go to the post office. My decorations are in the apartment waiting for December 1st to be put up and my Christmas cards are ordered.

Tip from Christmas Connie:


Keep an inventory of what is in each of your totes of decorations so that it is easy to find your elves each year. You don't want a child accidentally opening a tote and discovering your little secret.

I feel SO peaceful and I've put that dreadful nasty elf situation behind me!

If you missed it last week....I had an altercation with Head Elf Cheryl.  You can read all about it here.

It was so funny on Saturday....iKeith and I were racing through the mall to the LEGO store when Cheryl was walking with Santa to the photo booth North Pole and she recognized me and a look of terror crossed her face!  I greeted Santa enthusiastically and then when they passed me I flipped Cheryl the bird.

Remember this little girl?

Well....she asked Santa for a pink robot that makes cookies, cleans her room, makes her bed and gives her dollars.

I told her that she already had one of those.  It's called a Mommy!

How to Win Christmas

Happy Tuesday! My son is on Fall Break this week so we are being lazy and watching lots of movies. Today, I want to talk with you and Impulsive Addict and Shawn about planning for Christmas.

1.  When shopping for presents for your friends and family....always throw something in for yourself.  A pair of gloves here, a sweater there....especially when they're on sale. You work hard to win Christmas and you deserve nice things.


2.  Make lists and check them thrice.

•  gift ideas
•  gift lists
•  menu ideas
•  actual menu 
•  grocery list
•  christmas card list
•  things to do
•  holiday activities

3.  Keep a detailed calendar with school events, family activities and deadlines for getting things done.  


4.  Buy wrapping paper as soon as something catches your eye.  This will be your color theme for the year.  


5. Buy LOTS of tape.  You can never have too much.


6. When shopping for gifts, if all else fails....buy the person on your list Starbucks or Target gift cards.  


7. Download the GLEE Christmas Album.  


8.  Mail your out of town packages early....you will beat the crowd and save your sanity.


9.  Don't over schedule your holiday.  Pick a couple fun things and spread them out through the month of December.  Allow for plenty of downtime....hot chocolate drinking and movie watching.


10.  Buy Hot Chocolate, Marshmallows and Wine in bulk.



If you plan ahead and shop early.....you can relax and enjoy the holiday with your family!

Connie's Christmas List

• Silpat Mats
• A Waffle Maker
• Knee High Boots that fit
• Elementary School Peace
• A Coach Hangbag
• Cheese
• A case of red wine
• A lifetime supply of K-Cups
• Gluten Free Cookies

Are you addicted to Pinterest and need a Pintervention? Check out what I made here.

LEGO Winter Village

Hello friends and Impulsive Addict and Shawn! Today...I want to talk to you about something very dear to my heart.

LEGOS* for Mommy!

Over the weekend, we went to a LEGO store.  I'm usually not the least bit interested in this and just count the minutes until we can leave.  But this time.....I saw something I like.  A Christmas Village!

This village started in 2009 and the building from that year will be discontinued soon.  If you want this collection GET IT NOW!

Winter Toy Shop
Released: 2009
Pieces: 815
$59.99 at LEGO.com

Winter Village Bakery
Released: 2010
Pieces: 687
$54.99 at LEGO.com

Winter Village Post Office
Released: 2011
Pieces: 822
$69.99 at LEGO.com


* I have permission from my DANISH friend to call them LEGOS.  Did you know that LEGOS came from Denmark?  Well...they did.  And my friend Helle says I can call them LEGOS.

Because, really....who is ever playing with ONE lego?

Planning for Christmas: 152 Days

152 Days.

21 Weeks and 5 days.

.

.

.

.

.

Until the big day.

The day that most kids wait all year for.

Christmas. 

Jesususus Birthday! (if you're a fan of Melissa Gorga of Real Housewives of New Jersey)

It's time to start planning....is what I'm trying to say.

I can hear it already.....But Connie....It's July and it's 105 degrees.

I know, I know...but this is the perfect time to make your list and start thinking of gift ideas and pinning things on pinterest.

You ARE on pinterest right?

Credit

All I want you to do this month.....is make a list of people you need/want to buy gifts for and write a few out a few ideas. Dream big.  You can always pare it down later.  Really think about these people and what they love and would love to get from you.  Sometimes...when we think about what would make someone really happy...we find a great idea that is grand..but doable.  Especially if you start NOW.

And if you are still in the mood.  BUY ONE GIFT THIS MONTH.  

Crossing one gift off your list for your kids or husband....will make you feel great and put you one step toward having your gifts all purchased. 

Now....go have a cup of iced Hot Chocolate and pat yourself on the back.