Christmas in July-Shopping and Deals

Christmas in July
Shopping and Deals

It is here again, the best time before the best best time of year, Christmas in July! During this month, gifts began being bought and there are a lot of deals to enjoy. Reasons to start present buying now are many:

• No Holiday traffic or crowds
• Most likely to spend less on gifts
• Highly likely to save more on sale items
• Shopping is done early
• All that is left to purchase in December is wrapping material
• Black Friday is not the only option when it comes to great prices

These are a few reasons to go Christmas shopping early and one of the best reasons, it will lift spirits and may put one in a very happy holiday mood.

Christmas Savings in July

Many options are available when it comes to saving on gifts in July. Everyone is trying to filter out the previous years Christmas products, even William and Sonoma has fall and holiday goodies that will still be good for the holidays. Here are a few places to look at for great deals and gifts:

• QVC Christmas in July
• Colonial Williamsburg website
• Charleston Postcard Company (ornaments, keychain, calendars)
• Christmas.com
• Kohls
• Lowes and Home Depot (yep, they have Christmas items for decent prices online)
• Amazon
• Local Christmas Shops (look for sales tables upstairs or to the sides in a corner. Many local stores have last year's items reduced up to 80%)
• Avon (doing 60%+ off sales plus free shipping on qualifying orders)
• Shutterfly, Tiny Prints, and other online photo shops

These are some suggestions, but there are more places to look for savings. Christmas gift shopping is so much fun right now because it is summer, and by the end of summer, there are so many bargains and right now is a good time to even stock up on needed winter clothes if able to find them on the sells rack.

Christmas Gift Shopping

For anybody gift shopping now or during the holiday season, these are a few tips to help the day/days enjoyable and to get one in the Christmas spirit.

• Make a list, check it twice (go in knowing what is being sought)
• Keep it simple (ornaments, framed sayings, picture books)
• Go to one store or at least stores that are in walking distance (lets face it, shopping is exhausting sometimes and narrowing gifts down to one spot or general area is less stressful than jumping in the car, getting in traffic, parking, jumping back in, driving, and so on)
• Shop with friends (get up and go out with friends, grab a seasonal coffee-if able-and have fun together)
• Go early. The best time to get out is definitely when the stores open. By midday, everyone is out and about and less crowds is always a plus.
• Take a break. Go have a meal, coffee, tea, snack, or, if with friends, everyone could bake a dozen of their favorite Christmas treat and share.

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Time is Near

Christmas Time is Near

It is summer, time for beaches, cold drinks, laying out, sitting on the porch, and just relaxing, but..... it is also 6 months till CHRISTMAS DAY!!!! Hallmark Channel is already gearing up for their Christmas in July event (begins July 15th) and will be previewing holiday movies and showing old ones for several days, and people, amazingly enough, will begin shopping in order to get a head start.

Most of us know, shopping during the holiday season can be stressful, as well as a bit fun and exciting. However, it can also be extremely expensive. Whereas, getting the ball rolling early might help the pocketbook along with the sanity.

Early Christmas Shopping Tips:

July to September, end of summer sales, end of last years winter, Christmas items, and Fall items is BIG! This is a wonderful time to buy gifts, online and in store. Sell prices are usually very reasonable and there are discounts to be had (always check group on, retail me not, and other websites-including store websites-to slash prices a little more).

• Go through the clothes sell rack (takes time, but last year, I found 2 Sweater perfect for winter reduced from over $50 to under $5, and some stores even have leggings and pants reduced for under $10)
• Wallets and Change purses, look for those 60% to 80% off racks and towards the end of summer there can be a lot to choose from.
• Shoes. Come autumn, boots and closed toed shoes are so expensive, look for those during the summer because many are marked down over 50% off.
• Make-up. Be it through a consultant, a department store counter, or an actual beauty supply store, free gifts are often offered in abundance, prices are lowered because fall and holiday items are soon to follow, and look for those free gifts worth $40 or more because those make excellent Christmas presents.
• QVC Network-I know, possibly not a first pick, however, this channel has some really good deals and the gifts will be Christmas themed, from plates, spreaders, to ornament packs that can be divided up into individual gifts, definitely give it a shot.
• Christmas Shoppe-If able, go to the local Christmas store, many have a section where ornaments, decorations, and more are marked down %60+

Electronics, Appliances, and Toys can be bought during the summer, but in many cases, the deals are about the same and there is always a sale on all three. Even so, if buying appliances as a gift, beginning of fall tends to be a good time due to the fact that most home projects occur during Spring and Summer, so stores will want to filter out some products come fall, but come Christmas, those prices tend to go back up, just be on the look out.

To All The Christmas Elves, HAPPY EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!

Preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas: New Items, Sweet Potato with Cranberry Glaze Stuffing

Thanksgiving and Christmas Cooking

The holidays are here and it is time to cook! It is also time to check out some new items for the holidays hitting store shelves and figuring out ways to incorporate them into favorite recipes or use as appetizers. It is also the season for holiday cooking specials galore, and one of the best shows from which to get inspiration is, The Kitchen, and this year there were two recipes that stuck out, cranberry glazed sweet potatoes, and not only can this recipe be served as is, they can be incorporated into other dishes.

New Holiday Food Items

So many new items are out, along with the staple ones everyone waits for the other 10-10 1/2 months of the year. Several food items hitting the shelves include:

• Mocha Chocolate M&M's
• M&M's Hot Chocolate
• Cranberry and Sage Triscuits
• Salted Caramel Pringles
• Cranberry English Muffins
• Nestle Toll House Candy Cane Morsels
• Hot Cocoa Chips Ahoy
• Tasty Cake Red Velvet Donuts
• Cranberry Salsa
• Keurig Peppermint Bark Coffee

These are a few Holiday items on store shelves and as strange as Salted Caramel Pringles or Cranberry and Sage Triscuits sound, they are really good and can be used at the holiday table.
For the Pringles, use as a savory topping on a sweet potato or pineapple casserole or as broken pieces in glazed apples or an apple salad. For the Triscuits, use with a cranberry cheese ball or a seasonal dip as an appetizer.

Using the M&M's for toppings or inside baked recipes is always a good idea. When baking cookies, brownies, cakes, or even for an ice cream inspired treat, add these or broken up chips ahoy or candy morsels to the mix to add extra flavor, and enjoy those flavors more while sipping a cup of Peppermint Coffee (Keurigs Peppermint coffee is delicious!).

Use the Red Velvet donuts as appetizers as well as the cranberry salsa. Buying the prepared cranberry salsa is actually less expensive than homemade and will safe the cook time and money. As for the Cranberry English muffins, what better to use for the leftover sandwiches during the holidays? All of the foods listed are really good and certain to add flavor to anyone holiday.

Cranberry Glazed Sweet Potato Stuffing

The Food Network show, The Kitchen, featured several holiday favorites from turkey to desert, and one of the side dish items featured was cranberry glazed sweet potatoes. They are easy to make, minimal mess, and very economical friendly, along with delicious! Another plus, this recipe can be turned into a stuffing. Simply follow the recipe used on The Kitchen, but only pour 1/4 cup of the glaze over the sweet potatoes. Stir in the sweet potato glaze mixture into cornbread, sausage and apple, or out-of-the box turkey, chicken, sage, or cornbread stuffing (already prepared). Add about 1/2 cup of the glaze into the mix and spread into a large rectangular baking dish. Bake at 325 to 350 degree Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes. Half way through, butter the top of the stuffing and spread 1/4 cup of the glaze over the top, finish cooking. The result, a sweet and savory stuffing that incorporates everything from cranberry to sweet potato that still goes perfectly with gravy.

Starbucks War on Christmas

Starbucks War on Christmas

Christmas items in Starbucks! The outrage!

Starbucks has decided not to celebrate Christmas this year. Yes, there will be the usual selection of Eggnog, Gingerbread, Chestnut Praline, and Crème Brulee Lattés, and Peppermint Mocha, and the favorite treats including cranberry bliss bar (mouth watering good), but there is no Christmas scene or holiday design on the cup which is obviously a sign that the corporation is totally Anti-Christmas. Seriously, who sells Christmas food items and doesn't put a Christmas tree or Santa face on their cups, napkins, and other items to go with it? What is an Eggnog latte without ornaments on a paper cup that is going to end up in the trash? Come on Starbucks, where's your Christmas Spirit?!?!?

It seems like they left that spirit on the menu and on the sale floor. Sure, go ahead and sell $12.95 mugs with ornaments on them, Christmas K-cups and Coffee for $9.95 to $16.95, and big travel mugs and even a $2 refillable cup that says "JOY" on, making millions have to skip out on TWO or THREE or FOUR holiday lattés in order to buy a cup they will have at home with Christmas designs on it, but don't bother giving your patrons a beautifully designed Christmas scene on the cup that will go into the trash. That's fine, your customers will gladly go roam the country for a store with holiday coffees that offer them a holiday cheer paper or Styrofoam or whatever cup, because of all the things to boycott Starbucks over, this is it!


Now, honestly, the cups are pretty boring and blah as far as Christmas cheer go, and as painful as it is, most people will probably still be drawn to your company because of the delicious Christmas beverages and treats and possible gift items, and the fact that gold card members get awesome deals, and because the company is doing the buy 5 grande or venti holiday beverages and get 1 free offer, with the little ornaments stickers. Even so, the point is, this company has gone too far, and the cup issue must be fixed, ASAP! To all the Bah Humbuggers, from now on my name for the baristas will be "Merry Christmas!" Take that, Starbucks.


(P.S. this is satire)

Thanksgiving Leftover Baked Burrito

topped with sour cream

Thanksgiving Leftover: Baked Burritos

Thanksgiving or Christmas, this is a leftover recipe that can be used with chicken, duck, turkey, pork, or beef, and it could even be made as a quick pre-Thanksgiving meal for the family the night before a holiday because it is so easy to put together. Using shredded turkey, cheese, salsa (or make it interesting and mix in some cranberry with the salsa), rice (even a thin layer of mashed potatoes), and flour or corn wraps, this is a great meal for Black Friday or after the holidays, and extremely versatile.

Ingredients:

• 1/2-1 lb. shredded meat
• 12-15 Flour or Corn Wraps
• 2-3 cups of Mild or Medium Salsa or (if using mashed potatoes) 1-2 cups gravy (yea, it gets interesting in a good way)
• 3 lb. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 2 cups cooked rice or 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 1-2 cups baked, black, pinto, or kidney beans (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread about 1/2 cup salsa (if using the mashed potatoes, use leftover gravy instead of salsa) on the bottom of a casserole dish (9X9 or 13X9).
3. Fill each wrap with meat, beans, and some cheese. Roll and place side by side in the baking dish.
4. Spread the rice on top and the rest of the salsa on top of the rice, then top with lots of cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes (until cheese is melted and slightly bubbling).
6. Wait 5 minutes, then dig in!!

Another way to make this-

1. Follow the 1st step above.
2. Spread some Cranberry sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, along with some gravy.
3. Fill the wraps with some stuffing and turkey, roll and place side by side in the dish.
4. Spread Mashed Potatoes on top, then top with cranberry sauce and gravy. Add some Italian Cheese if desired.
5. Bake 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are slightly browned and the top is bubbling and warmed.
6. Wait 5 minutes and EAT!!

This is such a fun way to take leftovers and incorporate them in a dish that is totally different and one that kids will love to eat, because it is not the same old leftover meal. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Toys 2015

Christmas Toys 2015

The Holiday season is coming up quick, as it approaches updates on latest sales, toys, and other children's gifts will be given. Even so, it is the time of year to start the looking, shopping, and the laying away. So far, several items are on boys and girls toy lists for the year, here are some to consider looking for now:

Girls:

• Frozen items-pretty much goes without says-even so, for preschoolers there is Frozen Karaoke and also, probably a huge item, Sing-A-Long Elsa-prepare yourselves folks
• Barbie Style your Way House and Style your Way Fashion-accessories and items for the house can be purchased separately but aids in creativity as well as story telling and development
• Calico Critters-this series is absolutely wonderful for younger children. Kids will have fun creating a town full of friendly critters who take care of each other and may even help kids in developing a town with a sense of community and realizing how all professions and people come together to see that everyone is happy and needs are met.
• Princess Peppa- For toddlers
• Little Live Pets-this is a bird cage with a bird that will sing and be a fun addition to a kids room-also, easy pet to take care of
• Monster High Castle and Play sets-This series has really kicked off and kids will have fun recreating scenes using the "Freaky Fusion Catacomb" Set

Boys

• Star Wars Lego- As a mom of 3 boys, all that has been talked of for weeks now is the new Star Wars film and toys! One of the best gifts to give a boy or girl is legos, and what better way to celebrate the highly anticipated opening of the new film than with legos? Several have caught the eyes, including the Wookie Gun and Sandcrawler, but there are many to choose from and all will inspire young Jedi's everywhere to build a galaxy of their own.
• Star Wars Blade Builders Master Jedi Light Saber-oh yea, this and Kylo Ren's light saber are going to be popular with the fans.
• Star Wars Interactive R2-D2-Yea, another popular toy (also, there is an interactive Yoda who will teach young Jedi's to become masters and is actually pretty cool), he walks, spins, moves in any direction, can be programmed to do 1000 different commands, is voice activated, and even projects images of Leia on the wall. Talk about a popular item for the holidays, this is it.
• Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster-Last year it was bows and arrows from the Nerf company, this year it is back to a blaster. This is pretty much an updated version of all other Nerf blasters, just new, but look for the sales on the item on Black Friday andCyber Monday and know, they go fast.
• MeccaNoid G15 KS Personal Robot-Anyone remember the movie, "Short Circuit?" Well, this robot will bring back memories and create new ones for children. This robot talks, communicates with people, but it will require a long assembly time.

Other toys for the holidays include:

• Paw Patrol Patroller (also, look for the Paw Patrol Playtime Rug)
• Dancing Stuart (a fun minion toy)
• Minions-everyone loves these little creatures from "Despicable Me," whether it is the movie or some toys or the fart gun, these are a win win.
• Guitar Hero Live
• Tegu Blocks-colorful and encourages imaginative building
• Board Games-so many fun ones and kids love playing board games as a family or with friends
• Movie Tickets-considering much of the popular toys are Star Wars based, why not get movie coupons or tickets and offer to take the kids to see a movie over the holiday break.

Keep an eye out for Black Friday Ads, which are already beginning, and get ready for the big season but most of all, remember what Christmas is really about and have a very Merry one with loved ones. Merry Christmas!

Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Line Up

Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Line-up

Hallmark Channel's, "Home and Family," finally previewed the line-up of original movies for the 2015 Christmas season, beginning on Halloween! The best part, this year-there is 17 new original movies and a FIVE night movie event during Thanksgiving. One has to admit, the movies have gotten better over the years, and continue to do so. Last year's movies were huge hits for the Hallmark Channel, more so than year's past, many premiering at number 1 and even being the most watched show on television.


Hallmark Christmas Movie Line-up 2015:

The Christmas line-up includes stars such as Candance Cameron Bure, Danica McKeller, everyone's favorite teacher on the show When Calls the Heart, Rachael Boston, Lori Laughlin, Baily Madison, Dermot Mulroney, William Shatner, Christopher Lloyd, and what seems to be the headliner, Mariah Carey. Mariah Carey directs and acts in the last movie to première of the season (Dec. 19th), Melody and Mistletoe. Even so, the most anticipated movie is most likely, Northplole: Open for Christmas and for Debbie Macomber's Dashing through the Snow.


Northpole was an instant hit with viewers last year. Hallmark stores sold the Christmas tree light up device from the movie and the Elf/Santa talker (can't remember the names of the items), and people fell in love with the heartwarming story, and Debbie Macomber is a Hallmark staple now and her books are absolutely wonderful and perfect for those looking for an easy heartfelt reading experience, but no matter what, all these movies (17!) will make for one Holly Jolly Christmas on the Hallmark Channel.

So get ready, Oct. 31st is when the holiday madness begins and it is going to be wonderful! Merry Christmas!