25 Days of Christmas - Day #23 Our Friends of the Furry Variety

By: Danie

So in case you were wondering.... Ashley's party was great! I hadn't done the "Cupid Shuffle" in a while. It's just like riding a bike though....once you get movin' it all comes back to you!

Well I can't believe we haven't written about gifting for our fur babies?!?! We would be lost without our little Jimmy B and I know the same goes for so many other families. I am also pretty sure he got more gifts than Mike last year :) So what to get??

The Famed Christmas Sweater

While I was checking out the puppy selections online I stumbled upon the jackpot so to speak, Baxter Boo, it is an online emporium of awesome doggy sweaters, snowsuits, boots, goggles, graphic tees and toys. To say the least I was pretty impressed!

Toys & Such

About a year ago Martha Stewart launched her line of pet toys at Petsmart and when I saw the commercial I thought that they were the cutest toys ever (they almost look like toys for kids). They are reasonably priced but beware it looks like most of the toys are plush.

Everlasting Bento Ball

Now this is supposedly the "it" chew toy... I was informed that it is all the rage. There is a cavity for you to put your dogs favorite treat and then you put the everlasting treat on top of that cavity (this comes with the ball), it also has the little massaging bumps, Jimmy loooves toys with that. Supposedly it will last ions because the everlasting treat just chips off a little at a time. They come in three different sizes so if you have a strong chewer get the next size up. It may be available at pet supply stores but I have also seen it at Amazon.

Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Apple Cheddar Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

(Makes about 16)

2 cups barley flour

½ cup old-fashioned oatmeal

1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoons olive oil


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with 3½-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and continue cutting out dog biscuits.
3. Space biscuits 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
4. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Hopefully those cute little fur balls have a very Merry Christmas!!! :)

25 Days of Christmas - Day #20 DIY Reindeer Cards

By: Danie

If you haven't already sent out your Christmas cards... you probably should get on it!! We have already sent out the stock photo cards! Being new parents we are a little overzealous.... well this blog is a first hand account of me being a "crazy mommy." If I didn't have a child, I would probably not be learning to sew, making personalized gifts or decorating my house for any holiday..... just being honest :)

Lucky for you I am a mommy!! So you get to see how I made the Reindeer Cards.

First you will need one of these....

So you can do this with hands or feet (I think it would be really cute if you could get your puppy's paw print!!). We chose feet because when your child is asleep its easier to get his foot prints.

1. Stamp hand print/footprint/paw print on the card

2. Use whatever you have on hand to decorate your card (markers, paper, glue, glitter, sharpies)

3. Put your message on the card- We used some of these for our nieces and nephew's Christmas money but made some of them thank you cards for Christmas gifts. {Ashley's blog yesterday suggested taking Christmas cards to the nursing home, so if you are in the giving back spirit make some extra and try to do that this Sunday. If you haven't read her post from yesterday you should check it out!!} 

4. We made all of our reindeer different and unique!!

These fun personalized cards were so fun to make and it shows your family that you put thought and care into something for them.

25 Days of Christmas - Day #16 Stockings Stockings Stockings!!

By: Danie

BAAAH HAHAH ... I literally think of this song everytime someone says "Friday."

OK, sooo congrats we all made it to "Friday Friday."

I'll stop now :)


Not sure why but I have had stockings on the brain!! Getting into the holiday spirit was not too difficult this year, I actually got the tree out myself! So after decorating I felt like something was missing. Well because something was missing....STOCKINGS!?! I have a legit fireplace this year so there is no reason not to have some 2-legit-2-quit stockings! I did some digging and came up with some great stocking ideas.

The Not-So Traditional

Vintage French Cottage Christmas?

Traditional Red & Green

There are so many creative stocking ideas out there, its AH MAY ZING! I have seen ice skate stockings, ballet stockings, boot stockings.. the list goes on and on. The possibilities are endless too, you can spice up the front door with a stocking instead of a wreath. You could decorate your staircase or another part of your home. It doesnt just have to be the fireplace :O

Even if you aren't that crafty you can purchase cheapy stockings and decorate them with ribbon, puff paint, glitter, felt balls or buttons. If you want it to look more finished you can get them embroidered at your local embroidery store (sometimes people have kiosks at the mall and they can personalize items in 30 minutes or less).

I was a tad inspired by all this stocking talk to make a cute little stocking for my puppy dog, Jimmy!! My final product is not finished but I used felt, fabric tac and puff paint to create a personalized bone shaped stocking :) I am really contemplating making a huge stocking for my front door..... lol I may be going a little overboard.

Now what to put in those darn stockings?!

150 Stocking Stuffer Ideas!

I think everyone will agree that "Stockings Stockings Stockings" was an appropriate title!

25 Days of Christmas - Day #15 White Elephant

by: Ashley

I know you don't need a reminder (because I certainly don't) but I'm going to say it anyway :)

ONLY 10 MORE DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Many of you probably have Christmas parties and lunches with different groups of friends or co-workers.  One of my favorite Holiday traditions is the White Elephant gift exchange.  There are different ways to play this game and the only constant is that there is a price limit set.  But sometimes the organizers encourage gag gifts, and other times they want you to bring gifts that are actually wanted.

It's hard enough to find a gift for the people we know and love... and now we have to buy a gift without even knowing who is going to receive it??? CRAZY IDEA huh? But that's the fun part!!!

Here are some ideas random but useful gifts I found from Pier1.com

If your White Elephant party encourages GAG gifts you should check this next set out.  The first two items are from FrancescasCollections.com and the second two are from UrbanOutfitters.com - all of the gifts below are under $20. 

I think that bacon frosting would literally make me gag - but I had to include it.  This has been the YEAR of BACON-FLAVORED EVERYTHING

25 Days of Christmas - Day #13 Gifting for Infants

By: Danie

Gifting for an infant can be a little tricky, you want to help out the family but you also can't help but get the cute little outfits and fun toys. When Michael was a newborn we got four of the same outfits all in the same size..... what were the odds! Honestly we had clothes for days... too bad they were only for the 0-3 month days :) Who could blame them?? All those small clothes are so much cuter than the big stuff. Definitely had to do some returning and exchanging. So here are some things that I think are great infant gifts!!

Savings Bonds

Why bonds? Well because it is low risk, you can get them in fairly reasonable denominations starting at twenty dollars up to five thousand. So you really don't need a ton of money to make an investment for the little guy or gal. The only downside is that after December, 2011 they won't be issuing paper bonds any longer (i.e. you cant just go to the bank and purchase a bond you will have to purchase them on the internet and print out a "certificate").

       Carseats

Well this is on my christmas list and to be quite honest I really should have asked for this from the get go, a convertible carseat (5lbs-65lbs), front strap adjusters (comes in soo handy) and cup holders. We had gotten a graco travel system as a gift but unfortunately my son is already too tall for it and getting him in and out without easy access to adjusting the straps is really a pain. These big ticket items can be a little pricey and unexpected (I didn't even think about him outgrowing his car seat! I thought that was a one time deal). Christmas for the baby doesn't really need to be "for the baby"... as long as there is something wrapped in paper you are doing good.

If you rather buy toys think about age approproiateness. Usually the 1yr toys don't work for 4 month olds. If you need a little help check out http://www.ebeanstalk.com/ its a great site that has ratings and awesome toy ideas! My son is 6 months and is obsessed with his baby einstein bouncer and any sort of rattle/teether.

My best advice is to ask mom and dad what they need. Mike and I are trying to focus on saving for baby Mike's college education so family members have been sending cash or bonds. Buying for baby can be pretty easy but you want to get something that baby, mom or dad will find useful and you don't know the family situation so just ask!

25 Days of Christmas - Day #9 Gift Ideas for Grandmas

By: Danie

You don't really realize how enamored your parents will be with your child until you actually see it. My mom has never seemed like a kid person, even when I was a kid. She was never the one to run up to babies in the grocery store and ooo and ahhh over them. She enjoys quiet and watching MSNBC.

You can only imagine my surprise when my son was born and my mother couldn't get enough of him?! Yes, there was baby talk, lots of baby sitting... It was a whole new side of my mom. I would say the same is true of my fiance's mom. She seriously asked us if we wanted her to move to Texas, no joke... She refers to her grandson as the "sweet baby angel sent down from heaven."

How do you show your appreciation to these women that love your child as much as you do? "Wellst, obviously" there is no gift that can hold a candle to their grandbaby but we can try.......

For birthday's I will be giving the grammys a charm from planet jill. They are really great quality and it looks great. Ashley's mom has two in different shapes of her grandkids and its an eye catcher.

The clutch and bag were actually my mother in law's idea. We went to my soon to be sister in laws thirty one party and she got a clutch with all her grandbabys. It is really neat you can choose hair, skin tone, hair color and clothes.

My favorite is the footprint pendant, it's so precious. I love looking at photos of my sons feet so to have his little tootsies on you at all times, who wouldn't love that?

Initially my idea for the wrapped canvas wasn't just to give your mom the canvas with a cute photo of the baby, really it was to set up a photo shoot with just the grandparents and give them the photo on canvas for christmas. A lot of times the grandparents are behind the lens so giving them the opportunity to have photos of just them and their grandchildren is so special and something everyone can cherish.

...OR you could just give them another grandbaby, just sayin'

Happy Friday :)

25 Days of Christmas - Day #8 Another.....DIY Ornament

By: Danie

Hope everyone is having a great hump day! Well today I wanted to show everyone my DIY ornament. I have actually made these before as keepsakes for my friends Grandma and Mom with him in his army class a's minus the glitter! Its a great gift to give around the holidays especially to grammys and poppys!

Supplies

• Clear Ornaments
• Glitter
• Clear Stamp Pad
• Ribbon or Christmas Paper
• Picture
• Clear Spray Paint

First we stamped Mikey's tootsies with the clear stamp pad glue then rolled it on the ornament and dipped in glitter. At first it wont look great because the static makes glitter stick where there is no glue just use a little brush to get it off.

{couldn't get him to open his hand for anything but if you can get your little person's hand to open let me know how you did it!}.

I didn't have ribbon so I just curled some Christmas paper to spruce up the back of the ornament.

The final step is to trace the circle of the ornament on the picture you want use then cut and stick it in the top of the ornament. Seal with clear spray paint to keep the glitter on it.

{be very careful with the top of the ornament, I have had a ton break on me getting the top on and off}

Donesky!

Grammy's gift is ready to stick in the cute Christmas themed Chinese take out box with some tissue paper for cushioning. Great gift for everyone!!

25 Days of Christmas - Day #7 "The Elf on the Shelf"

By: Danie

Happy seventh day of Christmas!

So if you are like me, you had no idea what the heck "The Elf on the Shelf" was... apparently this thing has been around for-ev-er. Well I suppose when you enter the "mommy hood" you start caring a little more about things targeted for the little dudes and dudettes. Thanks to pinterest, I am now in the know about this magical elf business.

The story of the elf is as follows:

"Based on the tradition Carol Aebersold began with her family in the 1970s, this cleverly rhymed children's book explains that Santa knows who is naughty and/or nice because he sends a scout elf to every home. During the holiday season, the elf watches children by day and reports to Santa each night. When children awake, the elf has returned from the North Pole and can be found hiding in a different location. This activity allows The Elf on the Shelf to become a delightful hide-and-seek game."

First, this would be the most awesome gift for any little ones in your life. It is so special and you will be thought of when their little elf appears each year! This year my son will be seven months old on Christmas day and he will receive his elf. I know, a little premature but I really wanted to be the one to get him his elf and it felt extra special since it was his first Christmas.

We will have to name our little Elf since Mikey isn't quite able to and I believe his name will be Siggy or Schatzi {this is German slang for sweetie, my grandma called me that when I was little and Christmas was generally when we would see her}. I am so excited to start our little holiday tradition! Check out what some people have done with their elf on a shelfs {looks like I have to get a little creative}.

Pinterest {more Elfin' good ideas}

So I think you should get to ordering your elf!

25 Days of Christmas - Day #4 Personalized Gifts

by: Ashley

Wow these days keep flying by and I still have a huge to-do list before Christmas!!

Here are some gifts that are more personalized for your close friends.  My very close friend introduced me to this site called ThirtyOneGifts.  Their mission statement is awesome! All about celebrating, encouragng and empowering women :)

Just remember that you have to place your order by December 12 for guaranteed Christmas delivery (that gives you a week to shop their catalog online!).  Oh and the monthly special is really great too - for every $31 you spend, you get a gift (like a wallet or flat iron case) for just $5.  Here are a few items from the catalog below, but check out the website because there is so much more including totes, organizers, and lunch bags. 

Happy Shopping!!!! (21 more days!)

25 Days of Christmas - Day #3 Gift Ideas for the Men in our Lives

by: Ashley

I'm really excited about this post!!! Because not only do I get to hopefully help you guys figure out what to get the boys in your life, but it has definitely helped me do my research as well.  I hope you feel inspired with this list!

1. For the Fitness-Obsessed Guy

2. For the Techie
(Prices quoted for products are from Bestbuy.com)

3. Gifts for the Quirky Guy (all products below from Uncommongoods.com)

4. For the Fashion-Impaired Guy who needs some help!!
(Jeans from Lucky, Sweater from Macy's, and Scarf from Banana Republic)

5. For the Beer Connoisseur (all products below are from RedEnvelope.com)