Merry Monday week 3!

Merry Monday is upon us again and we are counting down the last days until Christmas!

Miraculously I became an early bird holiday shopper this year, but if you are anything like I was in holidays past, then you may be a Christmas procrastinator.

Don’t worry, I have good news! I have found some great last-minute holiday shopping resources that will guide you in the direction of some very merry, affordable and fun gifts just in time for Christmas!

For all of you last minute shoppers out there who think that personalized gifts are impossible at this point- think again!

Zazzle.com is the perfect place to create great personalized gifts, and right now they are offering 50% off express shipping! So not only can you give a thoughtful gift, you can actually give it on Christmas day! Hurry, Hurry, Hurry…………. You still have to create it:)

You are short on time, have a tight budget and are stumped about what to give……… Don’t fret, just go to TheLedger.com and check out their article entitled 20 last minute gift ideas for less than $20

If you are still having trouble finding that perfect last minute gift then you may want to visit http://www.redenvelope.com/ and/or http://www.amazon.com/, they both offer overnight shipping on unique gifts, toys, and apparel.

And if you just don’t feel like sorting through all of the listings then check out
www.gifts.com. This site makes shopping a breeze by dividing gifts into categories based on the recipient’s personality.

Now that you (hopefully) have all of the gifts out of the way, you can concentrate on the most important aspect of the season… FOOD!

Weather you are planning a large holiday buffet, or a small cocktail get together, these are the sites where you will find the tastiest recipes around.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Christmas-Recipes

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-events/Christmas/Candy/Main.aspx

http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/index.html

That’s all for this Merry Monday, come back next week for our final Merry Monday and some hot post-Christmas finds!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Merry Monday Week 2!

Merry Monday is technically coming to you on Tuesday this week (sorry for the delay)

However, I still have some very Merry finds for you on this Tuesday evening… I hope you will enjoy!

Today while browsing the web for some yummy new cookie recipes, I stumbled upon www.marthastewart.com and I found so many great recipes, but one in particular caught my eye “Gingerbread Snowflakes”!

Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a cute and fun rendition to the traditional gingerbread man.

Here is what you’ll need to whip up these awesome cookies:

Makes 16 cookies
6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon finely ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 large eggs
1 cup unsulfured molasses
Royal Icing (Links to her recipe)
Fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Directions
1.Sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder into a large bowl. Set aside.

2.Put butter and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt, then eggs and molasses. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Divide dough into thirds; wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.

3.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface to a 1/4-inch thick. Cut into snowflakes with a 7- inch snowflake-shape cookie cutter. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.

4.Bake cookies until crisp but not dark, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

5.Put icing in a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round tip (such as Ateco #7). Pipe designs on snowflakes; immediately sprinkle with sanding sugar. Let stand 5 minutes; tap off excess sugar. Let icing set completely at room temperature, about 1 hour. Store cookies between layers of parchment in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.

Yum Yum Yum.... They are almost too pretty to eat!

Now that we have had our cookies, it’s time to wrap the gifts and Hobby Lobby is having an incredible sale on gift-wrap. They are offering 50% off all gift-wrap from now until December 19th!!

They are also offering 30% 50% off storewide! This is the prefect opportunity to stock up on all of your crafting supplies and find some great gifts too!

The clock may be running down for all of you last minute shoppers, but even if you’re late, you can still be frugal.

Here is a great website I happened upon today that will guide you toward some of the best ways to stretch your buck and still find those great last minute gifts! http://moneysmartlife.com/the-best-websites-for-christmas-shopping-deals/

That’s about all for this late edition of Merry Monday….. Visit us next week for more great holiday finds!

Have a great night!

Merry Monday's

Hello everyone and welcome to Merry Monday’s! We hope you will enjoy the fun finds we have for you today.

First off, I have compiled a list of some awesome holiday shopping deals.

Target - $10 off $40 purchase of select Playskool toys

Rush over to Target for fabulous savings! For a limited time, you can save $10 on your $40 purchase of select Playskool toys. Choose from toys for infants, toddlers and older children as well. Hurry as this offer expires 12/20/2009.

Spiegel - Up to 50% off shoes & accessories

Click over to Spiegel for amazing savings! For a limited time, you can save as much as 50% on shoes and accessories. Shop for boots, pumps, wedges, satchels, totes and so much more. Hurry as this sale ends 12/31/2009.

American Eagle - Save 20% on your order

There's nothing like a great sale to ease the stress of holiday shopping. Click over to American Eagle and use promo code 56871295 to save 20% on your order. Spend $100 or more and receive free shipping as well. American Eagle has tons of hip styles and great holiday deals. This offer ends TODAY 12/07/2009.

Head on over to http://www.bargainist.com/ to get more info on these deals and more!


Holiday crafts are the perfect way to wind down after a stressful day and a fun and creative way to spend quality time with your family.

Here is a wonderful craft that I found at Woman’sDay.com . This activity can be fun for the whole family, not to mention it’s also easy and inexpensive to make:

Simple Stockings

Materials:
Pencil
Paper
Fabric scissors
Felt
Needle and thread
String
Craft glue
Tags and rub-down letters

Instructions:
Draw a stocking shape on paper and cut it out to make a template. Trace the template twice onto felt and cut out.

Stitch the two stocking pieces together along sides, making sure to leave the top open.
Cut out fun shapes from a contrasting colored felt.

Play around with your shapes to create an interesting pattern. When you're happy with the design, adhere shapes with craft glue. Finish stocking by labeling it with a name tag—use rub-down letters to spell out name.

For more creative and fun craft ideas visit Woman's Day.


If this busy season has left you short on time and/or budget then check out Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop.

From now until December 24th all Bass Pro Shops will be offering free games, activities, crafts and even a FREE photo with Santa every weekend!!! To get more info and find a Bass Pro Shop near you visit http://www.basspro.com/


When all of the shopping and crafting is over you’ll want to fill your tummy with something yummy. Therefore, I have found a delightful recipe for some tasty treats that are sure to hit the spot!

Christmas Turtle Candies

Ingredients:
4 ounces pecan halves
24 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
1 teaspoon shortening 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
Cover cookies sheet with aluminum foil, shiny side exposed. Lightly grease foil with vegetable oil spray. Place 3 pecan halves in a Y shape on the foil. Place 1 caramel candy in the center of each Y.

Bake just until caramel is melted, about 9 to 10 minutes.
Heat shortening and chocolate chips over low heat just until chocolate is melted. Spread over candies and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 213 Total Fat: 13g Cholesterol: 1mg

I found the recipe for this scrumptious treat at http://www.allrecipes.com/.

That's all for this Merry Monday, be sure to check back next week for more fun holiday finds:)

Have a great Monday!