forgot about it friday

oops...it's friday!!

thanks to my dear friend with red hair and rick rack teeth, i now have a back up plan when "think about it thursdays" don't fit in with my non e-life: "forgot about it fridays."

to be honest, i really didn't forget, i just didn't have time to meet my self-assigned deadline! as everyone knows, this is a fast time of year, in which it's nearly impossible to go slow when you add shopping, wrapping, making, celebrating, worshipping, and giving (just to name a few) to an already busy life!

so for my debut for "forgot about it fridays" (just in the nick of time i might add, or i may have to start some entries called "sorry about that saturdays"), i thought i would share some of my favorites from the extra Christmas activity in the fast lane.

Best shopping bargains of the season:
My bargain genes kick into overdrive at this time of year. Here are a few of the places that blessed me with great deals this year:

• overstock.com: open 24/7, no tax, free shipping, no lines
• walmart.com: open 24/7, no-cost site-to-store shipping, no lines
• vistaprint.com: open 24/7, lots of free printed stuff like business cards, decals, notepads, pens...use their stock images and just pay for shipping (great teacher gifts!)

Present wrapping for perfectionists:
For a perfectionist, present wrapping can be a scary topic. The perfect size box. Just the right paper design for the recipient's tastes. Straight lines. Square corners. The perfect size, style, and color of bow. Yikes! That is way too much stress for this percfectionista. Here is how I overcome the wrap trap:

• I use bags over boxes. Quick, painless and so merry! I buy them at the Target dollar spot or the local dollar store. Bags and tissue for a buck...what a bargain for me!
  
  
• Don't wrap the gifts from Santa...just fill the stockings and put all the gifts under the tree.

Making is just what I do:
I make stuff all year long, and Christmas just adds to my "gotta make it" list. Here are some that are on my list this year:

• Candy Cane Milk
• S'mores Shooters
  
• Paper Snowflakes
• Stockings From Scarves
• Reindeer Food
• Peppermint Snap Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Crockpot crayons (a way to rescue and recycle the old crayons when Santa brings new ones)
• White chocolate covered snack mix:
  melt almond bark in microwave according to directions. gradually mix in pretzel sticks, m-n-m's, peanuts, raisins and rice chex. spread on wax paper and let chocolate harden. break into small clusters. store in airtight container. (this is a big hit wherever i take it!)
  

Celebrating goes without saying:
Between going to parties, hosting parties, family traditions, and attending church and school programs...there is no lack of celebrating here.

• My DD and I went to our first cookie exchange this year. It was so much fun making cookies together and then going to the party to share our creations and to see what others made. If you've never been to one, think about hosting one!
  
  
• The gals in my Bible study always close out our year with a breakfast and ornament exchange. It's great to have an ornament that will always remind you of your friend.

• Celebrate with family tradition! Here are a few in my family: I always give my kids a new pair of Christmas pj's to kick off the Christmas season. Our family loves to watch Christmas specials on tv, and I found this site that lists them out by date. We drive around (with the kids in their pjs) and look at Christmas lights. We also enjoy fires in the fireplace, s'mores and hot chocolate!
  

Worshipping is a must:
Christmas is not Christmas without Christ. Go and worship the newborn King! Each year my church offers three services that have been part of the church's traditions for decades:

• the "Hanging of the Greens" service, featuring Christmas carols interwoven with a narrative describing the history of traditional decorations
  

• the "Walk to the Manger" service, featuring a dramatic reenactment of the birth of Jesus which closes with the congregation bringing gifts to the foot of the manger to be given to underprivileged, inner-city youth
  

• the Christmas Eve service, featuring a sweet time of singing carols by candlelight
  

Giving is a given:
Giving is one of the highlights of the season for me. I make it a personal challenge to find the perfect gift for my loved ones. (This is one area I let my perfectionism go to work for me!) To me, the perfect gift requires a lot of thought and includes being unique, useful, affordable and hopefully surprising! The best is watching them open it...their reaction makes it all worth it. Tears of joy are the ultimate reward! It's fun to shop for the perfect gift for my family and friends, and fortunately for all of us, these gifts are all about want, not need. We are very blessed in that way. However, we all know there are people all over the world who are much less fortunate. Here are a few of my favorite ways to give to those in real need.

• Operation Christmas Child: brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love.

• Salvation Army red kettles: now you can even ring a virtual bell and collect money in your own red kettle online
  

• Meet a need anonymously and sign it: Love, Jesus. (I'd tell you what I'm doing, except then it wouldn't be anonymous!!)

• Remember the troops. Their commitment to protect our freedom is what allows us to freely celebrate Christmas. Send them a card through the American Red Cross Program: Holiday Mail for Heroes
  

So there you have it...my very first "forgot about it friday." i'll try not to make it a habit :-)