What We Love Right Now December 14, 2011: Easy to Make Holiday Treats

Christmastime is a great time to roll up your sleeves and bake. If you’ve baking up a storm maybe you’re looking for an easy treat to make or, if you’re not really into baking, you might be looking for a cookie recipe that requires just a couple of ingredients and just a little time. Our two holiday cookie ideas are perfect for either category you may fall in!

Christmas Cookie Sammies

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We found this cookie idea on another blog and thought it was a great, simple idea to share! All you need are the Pillsbury slice and bake cookies, some yummy icing (homemade or store bought), and some fun, festive sprinkles! These require little effort and they’ll be yummy and, not to mention, cute on a nice little platter. For the full recipe click here.

Christmas Tree Brownies

Another simple creation, these treats take just a few minutes to bake and decorate and it’s the perfect way to involve you little bakers as well. You’ll need one box of brownie mix, candy cane sticks, green gel icing, and peppermint M & M’s.

1. Bake the brownies according to the box.

2. After brownies have cooled, cut into triangle, tree shape with a steak knife.

3. Insert candy cane stick at bottom of brownies for the tree stem.

4. Apply icing and place M & M’s on brownie.

Tips for a Less Stressful Holiday Season

Since the calendar turned to December 1st, my goal has been to enjoy this holiday season. If you have children this can be an especially busy time of year with Christmas projects at home and school, end-of-the-year recitals, and just the everyday hustle and bustle of the holidays. Here are a few tips to help you (try) enjoy and relax a little more this year.

1. Send holiday greetings through email

We do live in the age of technology, right? I am guilty of stressing about choosing just the right Christmas card to send out each year. Then, if you opt to do a photo card, you have to worry about ordering early enough so they arrive in a timely manner. Sending your grettings via email is a great way to touchbase with everyone on your list. You can even add a photo upload to some email greetings. Still not so sure about doing an email card? Then how about greeting everyone with a Happy New Year card! Still just as festive and Shutterfly has a great selection to choose from.

2. Plan your meals and baking days ahead of time.

If you have family coming into town for the holidays, set your plan ahead of time. Your crockpot can be your best friend during these hectic days! Also, look for recipes that have just a few ingredients, so they can be prepared easily. If you’re big on baking, mark a day on your calendar to bake while your kids are at school. Then, if you have young children, set another afternoon aside for cookie making and holiday crafting.

3. Set a budget for gifting.

Buying gifts for others is stressful enough, but if you plan ahead of time it can actually be enjoyable. Try setting up a “gift fund” and start putting a little money aside here and there. You’ll be surprised how much will add up by the end of November! If you didn’t plan early, try using a set amount of money to purchase your holiday gifts. If you’re not into budgeting, you can always start shopping early (hey, who says Santa doesn’t work in July?).

4. Don’t skimp on traditions.

Again, planning early will help you do all that you want to during the month of December. Check your local events calendars to see if there are any programs or other events you’d like to attend. Watch all those great movies together as a family, drive around to find Christmas lights, and make that extra effort to have quality time with your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. We always set a day aside for making gingerbread houses, visiting a local park with a light display, and try to read at least one Christmas storybook every day or so. Just remember, you don’t have to attend every cookie exchange and holiday gathering!

5. Set up a gift-giving strategy with your family.

If you have several brothers and sisters or lots of cousins, try drawing names out of a hat so that you are only buying for one person instead of five. If you have children, set up a wishlist online. Almost all major retailers have this feature and it is a great way for grandparents and, anyone else who might be buying for your children, to see the items they like and do not already have. When your family can buy from a list, then you won’t be spending the day after Christmas returning duplicate items.

How do you destress during the holiday craze?

Pottery Barn Kids Coupon Code Giveaway!

If you love Pottery Barn Kids, then you’re gonna love this giveaway! The holidays are right around the corner and PBK offers such a cute selection of decor and gifts for the upcoming occasions we’ll be celebrating–from Thanksgiving and Hanukkah to Christmas! We’re giving away a 15% code good on your next order from PBK and winning the coupon code is simple!

Here’s all you have to do:

1. Like us on Facebook or Twitter (@sharpmoms). Be sure to tell us in the comments here if you’re you’re a fan/fellow tweep! (share this deal on Facebook or Twitter and earn an extra entry!)

and

2. Leave a comment here telling us what you love from the Holiday selections at PBK.

We’ll choose a winner and announce it on our Facebook page! Giveaway ends Thursday, Nov. 17th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Coupon code can only be used online. Must be redeemed by Nov. 22, 2011.

And, just for fun, here are a few of our holiday favorites from the PBK catalog this year…

Mini Bags for the kiddie table…love!

Fun Hanukkah countdown calendar

Elf on the Shelf tableware

Quilted Stocking

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What We Love Right Now December 1, 2010: Best Gifts to Give this Season

If you’re struggling to find a great gift for anyone, young or old, we’ve got you covered. We’ve searched high and low and found some of the best products out there! Check it out and you might even find something you’d like to add to your own personal wish list.

What we love right now are THE best gifts to give your loved ones this holiday season!

1. Pottery Barn Sophie Jewelry Box, $89.00-$179.00

This leather jewelry box is available in two sizes and three colors: porcelain blue, red, and ivory. It looks beautiful on your dresser or nightstand. We love this box particularly because you have a choice of size and it is a nice switch from the wooden jewelry boxes you usually see at many retailers. Buy it here.

2. Prepara Herb Saver, $29.95

Make your meals with the freshest ingredients! This little kitchen gadget is sure to be a cook’s favorite. The Prepara Herb Saver keeps your herbs fresh and crisp for up to 3 weeks and easily fits in your fridge door. Buy it here.

3. Men’s Bison Glove, $89.00

Soft leather, but durable too, these gloves will be the perfect fit for the man in your life. Available in one color, tobacco, and three sizes, M, L, and XL. Buy it here.

4. Remote Controlled Helicopter, $29.95

All boys, young and old, love their toys. Some are bigger than others. Keep it small, but fun with this sleek remote controlled helicopter. It’s fun for the young boys in your life and will remind the men in your life of the fun they can still have with a toy every now and then. Buy it here.

5. Apple iPod Touch, $229.00-$399.00

Download your favorite songs, check emails, play games, chat with friends…This gadget is great for all ages! If  your family is already iPod rich, maybe other Apple gadgets would make their eyes light up. Visit Apple to check out other great gift ideas. Buy the  iPod Touch here.

6. Life is Good Snuggle Sock, $10.00

We guarantee these socks are the softest things that will ever touch your feet. Cozy and comfortable and available in a variety of patterns and sizes for men, women and children. Buy it here.

7. Fisher Price Imaginext Big Foot, $97.99

This is one of the hottest toys this holiday season. Great for ages 3 and up, this toy packs big fun! He talks, walks, and more all with the touch of a remote control. Buy it here.

8. Munchkin Fish Sticks, $4.99

These fun tub toys are easy for little hands to grasp and sure to be a splashing hit with your little one. They are available in a turtle, octopus, and dolphin and for the price we say buy all three! Buy it here.

9. Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse, $75.oo

It’s every little girls dream come true. This dollhouse has everything needed for lots of fun! Plenty of rooms, a family of four, booster seats for the little ones, and built to last for hours of play! Buy it here.

10. PBTeen i-Karaoke, $159.00

Let your Teen be there own idol with this great karaoke system. Includes two microphones and is compatible with their i-Pod. Buy it here.

11. Polaroid 300 Instant Camera, $79.88

The old Polaroid is back and instant fun has returned! See your photos seconds after you take them. The camera has four light settings and an auto flash so your pictures will be perfect every time. Buy it here.

12. Fisher Price Lil’ Zoomers Spinnin’ Sounds Speedway, $29.99

Another hot toy this season, the Lil’ Zoomers Spinnin’ Sounds Speedway comes with two cars that zoom around the light up raceway. Lots of zooming sounds, music, and lights to entertain your little one. Buy it here.

13. See Spot Spell, &17.00

We love a good educational game and this one is great for your early learner. Flip over two dots if it makes a word you get to add it to your dog bowl. It’s colorful, fun, a great teaching tool and it features one of children’s favorite animals-a dog! Buy it here.

14. Barbie Video Girl, $49.99

Barbie may be over 50 years old, but she is still hip. This Barbie had a video camera in the Barbie’s back and a lens in her necklace for fun video making. Buy it here.

15. Plan a Trip for your Family or Friends, Price Vary

Vegas, New York, A Cruise for Two, or maybe Disney World. The options are endless when planning a vacation for you and your family. Invite friends and make it an even bigger celebration. To plan your next big getaway visit Expedia.com.

Easy Advent Calendar

Make a tree by stacking 25 decorated envelopes to a corkboard — a month full of surprises! Get creative with your kids and decorate each envelope with scraps of colorful paper, ribbon and other easily applied craft decor. To make the tree you will need to line up the envelopes in this order: Top row-2 envelopes, next row-3 envelopes, middle row-5 envelopes, next row-6 envelopes, bottom row of tree-7 envelopes, last row (bark)-2 evelopes.

Creating the Perfect Wish List

With Christmas right around the corner, it’s time to start making your list and checking it twice. SharpMoms has found a great site to help you create the perfect Chirstmast List, Wish List, or even a baby/wedding registry! We think you should try TheThingsIWant.com. This site offers a great tool for creating the perfect wish list for yourself and everyone in your family. What better way to let your clueless hubby or ready-t0-shop-grandparents know what you or your loved ones would like this holiday season!