Holiday Hints

Every year, I look forward to Valentine’s Day because I know it means getting delicious sweets from loved ones. This year, I thought I’d return the favor and bake up some goodies for my friends and loved ones to enjoy. (Not that I don’t still want that heart-shaped box of chocolates for myself, too!) And what better way to show others you care than with some tasty treats made just for them! So for our weekly round-up, I’ve found some yummy recipes worth sharing for anyone else in the mood to bake this weekend! And make sure you check out the fun project I whipped up at the end to go along with the goodies! ...read more

When you’re thinking about what to give for Valentine’s Day, you may be tired of the same old gift ideas — chocolates, roses, jewelry, etc. This year, consider a handmade gift for the people you love, because they always seem to be the ones that are treasured long after the holiday has passed.

An easy-to-make gift is a booklet of love coupons. The coupons themselves can be for anything – cooking a meal, doing a chore or errand for your loved one, or just a fun activity. And because it’s totally customizable you can do this for absolutely anyone – a significant other or friend, kids, parents, and more. Think of it as giving the gift of time.

Here’s a picture of the booklet I created last weekend for my fiancé. My booklet included five coupons printed on cardstock, which cost around $7.

I’m so happy with how they turned out! ...read more

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and even though I’m single I still love the holiday! The blogosphere is absolutely overflowing right now with holiday projects. Next week we'll feature some drool-worthy food finds, but for today's post I’ve spent a few hours surfing the Web looking for some of the most creative ideas for fun or romantic gifts, home decor, and family projects. (I have a rough job, right?!) I absolutely adore the ideas below and I hope you will too. ...read more

Now that the holidays are over, I’ve got about a half dozen rolls of holiday paper taking up space in my already-crowded hall closet. Instead of storing it until this time next year I’ve come up with some ways to use it all year round. I admit many seem to involve lamination, but if you have any you think I’ve missed (lamination or no!), please leave it in the comments section for us to check out. ...read more

If you’re like me, you hate waiting until the last minute for anything, especially preparing for Christmas. But sometimes it just can’t be avoided. Never fear, there’s still time to ship your holiday goodies and treats! But don’t delay - today is THE LAST DAY to ship your packages to ensure arrival before Christmas. FedEx Express is delivering through December 24^th for all the procrastinators and last minute shoppers out there!

And if you need some last minute gift ideas, here are some easy-to-grab things that you can pick up at any 24-hour drugstore.  ...read more

I come from an extremely close family. So when my grandfather passed away in 1999, we all felt the loss. As Christmas approached, my mother decided she didn’t want everyone to focus on what had been lost as a family, but instead highlight all the good that occurred over the year. Thus the State of the Moyles Address was created. 

It started as the typical family holiday letter on a simple plain piece of paper with an opening statement about what had transpired to the Moyle family as a whole, and then included a little blurb about each family member. It was then inserted into the yearly Christmas cards she sent to friends and family all over the country. 

The positive reviews were staggering. This simple paper opened up communication between friends and family alike, and initiated “wow, I didn’t know that happened….” and “remember when...” conversations. It also added a personal touch to the standard Christmas card.  ...read more

I’m going to go ahead and declare it: What you are about to read is the best gift idea for the person who has everything. And by “person,” I mean your mother.   ...read more

I am a parent in the unconventional sense. My child is a feisty and fun white and dark gray (almost black) rat terrier fittingly named Oreo. And like most pet owners I know, I can’t imagine life without him. Neither can my parents…who take care of him when I’m traveling for work or just because they want their only “grandchild” to visit. So in my search for some last-minute stocking stuffer ideas, I decided to create them a small Oreo-themed 2010 calendar so they could see his smiling snout even when Oreo’s home with me! ...read more

With only one week until Christmas Eve, I know I need to buckle down and find meaningful gifts that won’t break my budget. I’ve always found it best to give a few trinkets that are useful and unique, along with a special note to remind friends and family how much I care. ...read more

Christmas is sneaking up on me this year, and I was just about to decide I wasn't doing cards. Between e-mail and Facebook, I keep my family and friends up to speed, so who needs printed cards, right? But let's face it: nothing beats getting real mail. And how hard is it really to mail something once a year?

Fellow procrastinators, take heart! It's not too late to order your holiday cards or photo calendars. You can place an order at fedex.com/gifts all the way up until December 20 to get free rush shipping of your items in time for Christmas. Whew!

So I snapped some pictures of my son, and I dropped them in the template and ordered my cards today. FedEx Office has a new online ordering system, and I was really happy with how easy it was. With the free rush shipping, I will have them in time to get them out before Christmas. No need to do “Happy New Year” cards because I waited too long again this year! ...read more