Spreading the Merry... plus Holiday Gift Ideas for the Family

It all kicked off this week, after an amazing community Thanksgiving dinner with my church family on Saturday evening, the Holidays are here - and our hearts are filled with gladness.  Never in the almost 5 years my husband and I have been married has he ever been the first one to put on Christmas music, but Sunday morning I woke to the smell of hot coffee brewing, and classic Christmas music (plus he was doing the dishes...huge indicator that he was in a great mood).

There is something beautiful about collective thankfulness.  When you hear the stories of what God has done and is doing in people's lives all around you - you catch a greater glimpse of His wonder and beauty and faithfulness.  And then, no matter what struggles or challenges you are currently facing, you recognize that He is good, and He is working for good in all of our lives.  We've been pretty much enjoying elevated moods and hearts full of joy as we look forward to our holiday season.

Tomorrow we take a road trip to Ohio to spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws, it will be the first time in 2 years that Zion has been there to see the whole family.  She is so excited to go on a road trip and to visit Grandma & Grandpa at their house.  Jerry and I are equally thrilled.  We anticipate bellies full of the Mom & Dad's good cooking, lots of movie watching, tons of laughter and cheer and warm reunions with family we don't see as much as we'd like.  Saturday will be spent cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes as they demolish their rival that shall not be named or given mention on my blog.  Finally, Monday we will depart early to return to our home.

But the holiday cheer will just continue to build as I host my first Ladies Christmas Social over the weekend.  I've invited my favorite ladies to come spend a couple hours enjoying warm drinks and sweet and savory treats while socializing one last time before I leave NYC to head home.  And that brings me to my big travel adventure - Zion and I will be heading to Seattle to stay with my family the first week of December, through New Year's!  I can't even begin to tell you the excitement and anticipation there.  Over three weeks of time spent enjoying my family and visiting with my sisters who I miss like crazy.  Of course Jerry will join us a couple weeks later, for Christmas and the rest of the fun.  Yep, my heart has so much to look forward to in the coming weeks, and yet so much I'm already incredibly grateful for in the present moment.  I love this time of year!!

Now onto this year's gift wish lists as well as a fun chance to win some Amazon giftcodes to help you in your holiday shopping!

1.  Parka 2. WurkinStiffs Power Stays 3. New Shoes 4. Gaming System

1. Gloves 2. Puffy Coat 3. Boots 4. Makeup 5. Polish 6. Small Purse

1. Wood Educational Toys 2. Play Kitchen 3. Basketball Hoop 4. Music Instruments 5. Doctor Set

And now for your chance to win some Amazon giftcodes for your holiday purchases via BabyHuddle!

To win some extra holiday cash to use via Amazon - simply do the following:

1. Create a profile on Babyhuddle US and make sure you include a profile picture.
2. Create at least one list with a list description and 7 products in the list with product annotations (note on what you like about the product).  You can see my examples here and here!
3. Share your lists with your friends & networks to get "helpful" votes.

Participants will have the chance to win one of three Amazon vouchers for creating the best list. A list must include a description and at least 7 products with product annotations. The list with the most helpful votes will win the prizes:

1. List with the most helpful votes wins $50
2. List with the 2nd most helpful votes wins $30
3. LIst with the 3rd most helpful votes wins $10

Also there is the added bonus that the user who creates the first list automatically wins a $10 Amazon voucher.

ENTER HERE!

Good Luck & Happy Entering!! Share your list with me in the comments below and I'll visit and give you a helpful vote!!

Terms and Conditions:

• Contest will last for 2 weeks only and end on December 4, 2012.
• Winners will be chosen in order of participants with most helpful votes. In a tie situation the winner will be determined by Babyhuddle.
• All participants must create a profile on Babyhuddle US using this unique link (http://us.babyhuddle.com/account/signup/?cid=Baxtron) and include a profile picture. They must create at least one list with a list description and 7 products in the list with product annotations.
• Participants must be based in the United States of America.
• First participant to create an account on Babyhuddle US with a profile picture and create a list with a list description and inclusive of at least 7 products with product annotations will automatically win a $10 Amazon voucher.
• All Amazon vouchers cannot be traded for cash.

Coming soon!

Join the list to be notified for the kick-off.

Beauty Blogger #VoxBox Thanks @Influenster!

Well, I think I've finally used and abused just about everything in my Influenster Beauty Blogger Voxbox! So I'm ready to share "the good, the so-so, and the I think I'll pass" with you lovelies.

1.  Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit ($5.99) - This was my FAVORITE product that came in the box.  Not only are the lashes lightweight and easy to apply, they are made from human hair so they look and feel natural.  The adhesive is latex-free and holds for 24 hours!  Falsies were never easier to wear!

2. Bath & Body Works Mini Candles ($3.50) - The candle I received came in the Nutmeg & Spice scent and I seriously wanted to eat it.  I mean, totally delicious smelling.  I've used the candle 5-6 times for several hours and its still not used up.  The scent is perfect for a small space like the bathroom.  I've seen a few sales on the web for these mini candles - but even better you can get a big version of the same scent!

3. Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream ($6.00) - This product I would pass on. I tried it both on my hair which is naturally wavy but fine, as well as my daughter's spiral curls - it didn't really control frizz or define curls for either of us.

4.  Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion ($8.49) & Night Cream ($13.49) - I thought the lightness of the product was a welcome change compared to most night creams.  It was interesting using the cleanser which is a lotion that you wipe off without ever using water.  I think I'm still on the fence but would likely try more of their product.

5.  NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact ($4.99) - I love the portability of having all that you need for a single look in one compact, but I didn't necessarily love the color scheme of mine.  I think the best part of this is the included eyeshadow primer and highlighter.

6.  Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin ($7.29) - These pins are really neat, I just don't have enough hair to really play around with them.  I did use them in Zion's hair but found it to be difficult to get them to hold her hair - she has so much of it.  I think if you have a lot of hair, and reasonably long you might love these!

Overall, I really enjoyed the Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox.  I received the products totally free to try but all of these opinions are my own.

Avoid the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' With Early Holiday Shopping

We all know the last minute Christmas shopping routine by now-- Rush out of the house at 10 a.m. with your coffee, wait forever to find a parking space at Target or Walmart and hope to come back home with gifts sometime before 10 p.m.! Late shoppers, why torture yourself by wasting an entire day among hoards of other last-minute shopping “crazies” and risk trampling injuries? Do yourself a favor and start a little earlier this year, not a day or a week early, but two whole months early and look forward to an organized “Christmas Countdown.” Start your Christmas shopping in October, and you will be amazed at how enjoyable it can be. Here's why:

More Time to Prepare for the Holiday

The best thing about doing holiday shopping in October is that with the task out of the way, you'll be able focus your energy on preparations for the coming season. You'll also have plenty of time to exchange or return gifts or decorations if needed, and you can assemble everything in a timely manner. Instead of spontaneously grabbing any holiday card in site from the row of greeting cards at the pharmacy, do something out of the ordinary. Find a specialty card from a holiday store or create your own greeting. For example, Minted.com holiday cards give you the option of incorporating your own photos in the greeting, making for a highly personable and crafty creation. With early shopping, you'll also be left with time to make other crafts like dinner table centerpieces and around-the-house decorations that will dazzle your home and win over your guests.

Shorter Check Out Lines

There's nothing like navigating through the store with a full shopping cart to find a clear checkout line and a cashier that doesn't look like he or she is having a nervous breakdown. If you do your holiday shopping as early as October, you'll be able to take advantage of time flexibility and better store conditions. You'll have less of a chance of having to deal with long lines of impatient shoppers, refunds and checkout errors. Online shopping is another option that is easier to do early in the season and will alleviate the need for trips to the store altogether. With the hefty amount of time ahead of you, you can compare gift prices online to find the most affordable purchases. There are resources like Cyber Monday that can be helpful, as they list all the best deals and coupons for major retail outlets.

Peace of Mind

I don't know about you, but for me there's something about last-minute holiday shopping and the knowledge that everyone's in the store for the same reason that kind of gets under my skin. Maybe it's the relentless passer-by chatter of “Welp, it's that time of year again, huh?” Or maybe it's the fact that last-minute shoppers are stressed and frantic and sometimes flat-out mean. A store full of procrastinating shoppers has a certain chaotic, angry feel to it. Why go shopping for happy holiday gifts in an unhappy and stressful environment? Starting your holiday shopping in October is a much smoother alternative, allowing for more focus and peace of mind. It can be inspiring and fun to go browsing for holiday gifts before Halloween even starts.

If you methodically plot out your holiday shopping well in advance, you can have a stress-free holiday season. With all of the craziness that ensues in that special month, why would anyone want to add more craziness by doing your shopping last minute? December should be spent with your family, relatives and friends. It should be enjoyed to max and taken one day at a time with winter trips, ice skating in the park, taking long romantic walks with your special someone and preparing delicious dinners. You should be making sure you and your loved ones are having the time of your lives... Not waiting in lines for hours at department stores!

Contributed by:

Heather Wood

Heather is a blogger and Twitter fanatic who follows anything that has to do with home interiors.

Thoughts on Trying to Conceive Non-Traditional Baby Shower Ideas

This post could also be titled, "waaaahhhh I wanteeeeee baby now!!!!" But don't worry, I'm not going to get all ugly-cry on you, not just yet anyway.  It seems as though when you really want something to happen (read: a new car, marriage, baby) everyone seems to have or be getting what you want.

I mean just in the last month I've heard of at least 4 new pregnancies of people I am acquainted with.  And I'm not jealous, I'm sincerely thrilled for these ladies, but it does leave that question of wonder.  More like a mix between bewilderment and frustration.  I mean, seriously, you do all these things in your adolescent years to prevent pregnancy (unless you abstained - God knows I wish I had, but that is for another post)...and then you get married and you have your first baby rather unexpectedly and then you think okay great, it's time for another.  You start actually trying to make it happen and then ... nada.

They say to give it a full year of best effort before looking into it, but man is that hard to do when your biological clock is ticking like crazy.  Needless to say, I'm not pregnant yet.  But, I'm ready.  And I'm not desperate or discouraged but believing and waiting on God for His timing.  It is so hard to wait for those things which our heart's so eagerly desire!  So to all of you that are waiting for something right now...just know...I feel you!

On that note, thought it would be fun to share some Non-traditional Baby Shower Ideas predicted by Beau-coup!

1. Diaper Showers

How it works: Diapers are the one thing every new parent needs – and they will need a mountain of diapers in the coming months. Each guest is asked to bring diapers and diaper changing supplies like wipes and ointments in lieu of gifts. Diaper showers are common for mothers who are having a second or third child, but they are also a great way to help out a new mom.

2. Casserole Showers

How it works: It is important for mom and dad to stay happy and healthy while they focus on those crucial first months of their new baby’s life. With a casserole shower, friends and family can ensure the new parents have enough food to last them through those first few weeks of sleepless nights spent looking after the little one. Between caring for baby and work, many a mom and dad would forget to eat entirely if it were not for caring friends and family.

3. Book Showers

How it works: Parents who are bibliophiles may hope to pass on their love of books to their little ones. By having a book shower complete with cute bookmark favors, mom and dad can build a child-friendly library of books that will help their little bookworm grow and learn.

4. "Dadchelor" Parties

How it works: New dads are celebrating their impending fatherhood the same way they are celebrating their weddings – with one last day of freedom before the big day. With a “dadchelor” party, the father-to-be gets to spend a day with his buddies doing…well, whatever he wishes.

5. Girls Night Out/In

How it works: Instead of showering the new mom with gifts, her best gal pals can get together with mom-to-be and spoil her rotten before baby arrives. Many new moms truly enjoy one last day of pampering with close friends before their lives become all about baby.

6. Gender Reveal

How it works: A gender reveal party requires early planning. Parents-to-be have to keep the baby’s gender a secret from friends and family, and maybe even themselves, for it to work. Ask the ultrasound technician to write the sex down on a piece of paper, and seal it in an envelope. That envelope gets handed to the baker who then bakes either a pink cake or blue cake depending on whether the baby is a girl or a boy. The cake then gets covered in white frosting until the pink or blue cake is completely hidden. Have guests show up at the party dressed in either pink or blue to indicate which sex they believe the cake will reveal. The fun and exciting moment arrives when everyone finds out the gender at the same time as the new mom and dad cut into the cake to discover whether they are welcoming a boy or girl!

7. Adoption Celebration

How it works: Many new parents adopt or foster rather than conceiving traditionally. Many of these new parents may have adoption celebrations called “Welcome Home” parties, or “Meet the Baby” gatherings. Adoption celebrations are a great way to ensure the new parents have everything they need to help raise their adoptive child.

8. Sip'N'See

How it works: A sip 'n' see is a “meet the baby” party. It is the perfect opportunity for friends and family to come visit the new parents and their little bundle of joy a few weeks after the birth. A smaller production than a traditional baby shower, a sip ‘n’ see is a great way to get in some quiet bonding time with light refreshments.

9. Baby Naming

How it works: A baby naming ceremony is a non-religious way for parents to make a spiritual and emotional commitment to their baby. Traditionally, the new parents choose the baby’s name and reveal it to close friends and family, while making a vow to love and protect the child. This is an increasingly popular event where parents can publicly welcome the new addition to their family.

Information above used with permission from Beau-Coup - a great resource for baby shower favors and more!