Personalized Gifts

I have to say that January 2010 has been a rough start for me but this past weekend my family and I spent 3 days in Pigeon Forge, TN in an awesome cabin.  The cabin had ammenities that we don’t have at home like a hot tub.  We had our two boys with us who are 5 and 2 and we spent half our time in the hot tub.  Of course it was like a warm swimming pool to them…they loved it and have deemed it necessary to have one at home!

While in the mountains I vowed not to think much about work and I did not take my computer.  I was able to check my email once using my husband’s computer (he had to take his because this was a business trip and we joined him for once).  I did get on my personal Facebook account just to update my status and see what was “new”.  Other than that day I was free from technology and let me tell you it was certainly freeing; refreshing even. 

I’ve taken January “off” to make changes, to get ideas on paper so they can be completed as actions.  So as you visit us daily, weekly or even hourly you may notice subtle changes in both our blog site, here, and our main site at www.sweetexpressionsllc.net .  I’m also taking January as an organizational month to get geared up and de-cluttered for the 2010 year. 

I do have to tell you that even though I left all computers, and to do lists behind there were driving times when my mind was racing and gathering all these new ideas for this year.  What I can bring to you, offer you and how I can change Sweet Expressions to be your gift giving source whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or don’t have enough time to be the thoughtful person you want to be.  Each month we will provide you with great tips for the next holiday in the blog, in our weekly newsletter and on Facebook.  For the do-it-yourselfer you’ll be able to take the idea and just run with them…those of you that need a little more time will have a short cut version but the people you are crafting or gifting with/for will not know the difference!

I know you’re probably looking for some great Valentines ideas and just sit back because we will be churning out some great ideas in the next couple of days and we won’t stop until Valentines Day is here!

Keeping it Unique,

Kristal

If you’re like me you’ve been thinking about and making your New Year’s resolution and if you’re like me you’re also thinking how successful will the resolution last?  Mine usually last about 2 weeks at the most and then I think of them again in February wondering what happened to January since it went by so fast.  This year will be the year I say and once the year passes it really blended in with the year before.  So to you, outloud, I say…..”This year will be the year!”  The year I make the changes I’ve longed for and obviously need.  This year, unlike other years, I have the motivation, the determination and the tools to make 2010 like no other year.  Instead of looking at them as resolutions I’ve turned them into vision and goals.  I have goals for my self personally and I have goals for this blog and my business and will be bringing you a total gift giving solution in the coming months.  There are more details in my weekly newsletter that was just released today so if you haven’t subscribed please do so now and I’ll forward it to you.

Now I don’t know where the new year’s resolution came from or who started it but I did read an interesting fact about New Year’s Day and we actually owe our New Year celebrating to Julius Caesar.  He changed the Roman New Year’s day from March to January in honor of Janus, the god of the beginning.  The Romans had Janus pictured as a two-faced god where one face looked back at the old year and one face looked toward the new year.  I’m guessing that is why you and I now reflecting on 2009 and looking ahead to 2010.  As we get ready to face a new year we bring it in the ringing bells, noisemakers, dancing and laughter while cheering ourselves and each other for a healthy and happy new year!

So here’s to you and wishing you a happy and healthy New Year in 2010!!

Keeping it Unique,

Kristal

I just received this in my email inbox and had to share this with you.  I’ll be printing one of these and leaving it by the plate where we leave Santa’s cookies.  That way my kids will “know” Santa came to visit! 

This is totally FREE and a great idea.  After you click the link to the picture just right click the picture to save to your computer and print later or print without saving it.  Santa Picture

The picture was sent to me by www.santasgoodlist.org

Don’t forget to track Santa at http://www.noradsanta.org you can even use google earth to track him in his sleigh tomorrow!

Last minute gift idea!! Give someone a Gift Certificate from yourself for a free baby sitting service, free car wash, free night out without the kids, etc. Click this link for a FREE pdf file that you can print from your computer!
http://blog.sweetexpressionsllc.net/certificate.pdf

Here is a FREE downloadable candy bar wrapper.  This one is especially great for giving gift certificates.  Where you use the one above or bought one you can hide it with the chocolate bar when you wrap it with this awesome Christmas wrapper.  It fits any 1.55oz chocolate bar (Hershey’s plain, almond, Mr. Goodbar, Krackel, or Nestle Crunch).  After you print it you’ll just need to trim your paper a little but remember to leave some white sides and wrap the candy bar just like you would a gift box!

http://blog.sweetexpressionsllc.net/christmas.pdf

If you have any questions or need assistance please give me a ring at 866.440.3535 or email me by Clicking Here!

Keeping it Unique,

Kristal

According to the calendar countdown on this site there are 3 days, 9 hours and 40 minutes left until Christmas!  And that means you only have a couple of days left to get those last minute gifts.  We all seem to have those 1 or 2 that either we simply forget or we thought it was marked off our list!  I know I’ve been in that situation many times througout the years and this year I can proudly say, I’M DONE!  I laugh when I type that becuase I truly do hope it’s all done. 

So what are some last minute gifts to give?  In the last couple of days I’ve been given a few new ideas and then there are the safe super easy options.

You can go the super quick route or get a little more creative with the same amount of time.  For instance if your last minute gift is for a movie buff get a plastic popcorn container, the red and white striped that resembles the retro popcorn bags (you can get a set of 4 for $1 at the Dollar Tree), fill that with a new DVD they haven’t see yet, a bag of microwave popcorn and a box of movie candy or large chocolate bar and soda so when they get ready to watch it they will have all the food items they’d get at the theater.  If you don’t find or don’t have the time to get the retro popcorn bowls just use a gift bag.  You could even get a plain white craft bag and color it with red stripes and write popcorn on the front as well as To: and From:.  You could do this similar thing with just about any gift such as cosmetics or hair items.  You could place some cosmetics in a clear plastic cosmetic bag, add some ribbon and a tag and viola you have a great looking gift!  Another variation for the creative kid is to get a clear box from the storage container section and fill it with crayons, pencils, beads, paints, along with accessories such as brushes, sharpener, etc include a pack of paper and use a permanent marker or paint pen to decorate the box with their name, add a bow to the top and watch their eyes light up. 

The most common last minute gift and where you cannot go wrong most times is the gift card.  Now you can stop in Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Target and other similar stores and get gift certificates for just about anywhere including dining, movies, or just the regular AmEx, MC or Visa that can be used at any store.  Those work out especially well when you don’t know where their favorite store.  Spice up the gift card giving by getting one of those very small Christmas stockings, add a candy cane or gum or chocolate treat.  Even add their name to the stocking with some glitter glue which you can usually find next to the regular size stockings.  If you can’t find glitter glue use fabric paint or the old fashioned craft glue and sprinkle glitter on the glue and let dry, it will look just as good!

Another easy idea that will save you time is to go to the section of your favorite store where they keep the seasonal stuff.  They always have the gift sets like hot chocolate, coffee, candy, hot sauce, and even accessories for ice cream sundaes.  Usually with those the boxes look so great you really don’t need to wrap them or even put them in a bag.  Add some ribbon and tag or a bow and it will be a gift to give!

Here are several more unique ideas that actually just popped in my head.  I’ve done this before and people usually love it.  One is to go online and purchase a subscription for their favorite magazine or one you know they’d like to get.  Buy them the most recent issue since they won’t get one in the mail for a few weeks and give them a card stating that they now have a 1 year subscription to the magazine!  Who says wine bottle bags are just for wine bottles.  Have a last minute giftee that loves Mountain Dew and funyans?  Get a wine bottle bag and fill it with a 16 or 20 oz Mountain Dew bottle and a snack bag of funyans!  That sounds great to me right now, heehee.

Now for the precious and so meaningful gifts that cost little to nothing to give.  Make a coupon for someone stating you’ll give them free baby sitting services.  If you own a business give them a GC for a free item you know they’ve been wanting, a free haircut, manicure or other service/product you can give.  My 5 year old made one of these at school and brought it home to us and it is just so cute and I will definitely keep this one in the memory box.  It is a 5×7 card with a Christmas border and in the middle there are the words:  “This is a very special gift that you can never see.  The reason it’s so special is it’s just for you from me.  You never can unwrap it, please leave the ribbon tied.  Just place it somewhere close to you, it’s filled with love inside.”  Then there was a little faux gift box taped to the side and my son signed it “Love, Zack” and drew hearts on it.  The most adorbale thing I’ve ever seen and one of the best gifts I have ever received.  A perfect example of how money CAN’T buy love. 

More last minute gift ideas/options:

• gather some of your holiday baked treats and give them as gifts
• fill a jar with the dry ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies and include your favorite recipe
• Fill a mug with Hershey kisses, add a little ribbon to the handle and a tag/card “Cup of Kisses from me to You”
• Print your favorite family or child digital picture and put in a frame
• Netflix gift subscriptions http://www.netflix.com/GiftPurchase
• iTunes gift certificates (you can buy them just about anywhere and even buy/print from their website www.itunes.com)
• A virtual Visa debit gift card delivered by email!  http://www.giftcards.com/consumer/virtualgift.html

Hope you have a wonderful last minute shopping experience and I hope I’ve sparked an idea for you that will save you time, money and stress!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Keeping it Unique,

Kristal

Secret Santa is the game we play, hiding gifts on the porch for neighbors to find and they have to wonder what little elf left that on their porch!  This is a great and fun way to keep in the holiday spirit, place a small gift for your neighbors to find at their front door!  If you’ve never played this before the object is to leave a small and festive gift on someone’s porch without being seen and they’ll have to guess who left it.  You leave instructions with them to do it to someone else so you start a chain reaction of fun and giggles, not to mention you may get a small treat back at your door!  Now I read this someone where else after being a recipient to a doorstep gift and it said to set the gift down and ring the bell and then run and or hide so you’re not seen.  Now lets face it, I’m 35 and out of shape so this option wouldn’t work for me this year.  Maybe one of your older kids could pull this off but mine are too little.  However, the stay-at-home mom option is to just wait until they go to work or when you see your neighbor leave, place it at their front door for them to find when they return.  If they don’t use their front door often and you’re worried they won’t see it without you or someone else pointing it out then hang it on their mailbox or at the back door if they use that more often. 

Here’s what you do.  You make up a small gift whether you use a small gift bag filled with candy or homemade goodies to a basket with fruit, you decide on the secret gift.  You want to make sure to use your computer or handwrite the instructions.  This is what I’ve used in the past:

“Twas the weeks before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was calm, especially not mom.  When from somewhere in the neighborhood an elf arrived delivering holiday cheer, then running to hide.  An elf has taken time to share, now you can too.  Copy this letter and your elf times two.  Then spread the spirit to those near you.  Keep your elf on your door so others will see that you have a gift under your tree.  Enjoy the holiday Cheer!”

You make up two of these and secretly give them to two neighbors and this little greeting/poem tells them to do the same.  You could also put on there for them to tape the greeting to the door or actually get some little elf at the Dollar Tree for them to place at their front door so as this is passed your neighbors will know you’ve been given a secret gift.  It’s really fun and a great way to get to know your neighbors if you’re new in the community. 

(click on the picture for a full version and print if you’d like to use it!)

If you decide to be a sneaky little elf this Christmas I’d love to hear your stories!  Please Share with an email.

Keeping it Unique,

Kristal =)

A cookie exchange is a great way to get lots of holiday goodies without a lot of baking.  It’s also a great way to have a ladies night in or even a mom’s group activity with kids.  So invite your friends and family over for a sweet and delicous cookie exchange and please don’t forget some samples and the recipe you used.

Coupon and Turkey Size 

Surely by now you’ve bought your turkey but if you haven’t yet you can go to www.butterball.com and you will see a $2 off coupon for any fresh or frozen turkey and on the right hand lower side you will see a turkey serving calculator to let you know what size turkey you should get (even asks if you want leftovers!).  In my town Wal-mart has the best price per pound on Butterball turkeys 98 cents/lb. 

Turkey Tips

• Thaw Turkey 3-4 days in advance in the fridge (or thaw in the sink, still in wrap, in cold water) check your turkey for a thawing chart
• Cook Turkey in a Reynold’s Turkey Size Cooking Bag (this keeps it moist and juicy and no need to baste. Also reduces cooking time by an hour)
• Cook your turkey first-my momma always had only one oven so she always put her 15-18 lb turkey in at midnight on 200 degrees and cooked it all night until about 6am. Let it rest for 15 minutes and slice and put in an airtight container but before putting the lid on the container put some of the turkey juice on top and then put the lid on and put in fridge unless you’ll be eating your dinner within 2 hours. Trust me…it will stay moist and delicious.  If you do need to refrigerate just put a little on your serving platter and heat in the microwave with some saved juice. 

Over the weekend we had a Halloween party at my house.  It was a small party with my 2 sons and my 3 nieces as well as me and my husband and my in-law parents and sister-in-law.  I can’t believe I decided to do that, I have to admit it was a lot of work.  It was also a sleep over since we wanted activities in the dark and they live 3 hours away.  Had to clean the house for the guests, prepare food, decorate the house, etc.  If you’ve ever had a party or just a simple family gathering you know how hard it is to get ready.  But at the same time it was sooo much fun and the party was so worth it.  It is always worth and certainly boast you as a parent when your 5 year old says this was the best Halloween party ever!  He’s never been to a Halloween party but still he kept saying the next day what a great party it was.  All the kids had a blast and really I haven’t tallied up my receipts but my guesstimate is that I only spent about $100 for the party.  That includes food, costumes, deocrations and drinks.  I bought some great decorations at the Dollar Tree, and found a few more at Wal-mart.  We had the usual chips and dip, some cheese dip and tortilla chips, sandwhich rolls, sugar cookies, cake, green punch, a weenie roast and smores. 

When it was time for weenies and smores we went outside on the back deck and fired up the small charcoal grill and we used skewers to do our roasting.  It was a lot of fun.  We also had a costume contest where everyone was a winner and an apple bobbing contest.  That was quite hilarious to see all the kids trying to get an apple.  We told a few stories had some treat bags full of candy and toys.  I had a blast and so did all the kids.  We took pictures of them all and made spider frames to put them in.  So we even had a craft. 

It wasn’t extravagant, it wasn’t expensive…but it was so much fun!!