Comments on: Monday Morning Moms – Holiday Sanity Savers

By: Angeline

Angeline — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:14:29 +0000

So, Jim came up with the oh so fabulous idea of “Christmas Dinner in a Box” this year. You come in (before Dec.10th), tell us how many people you are feeding, go home, and come back again 3 days before Christmas to take home everything you need for a lovely meal for your loved ones. The only decision you have to make is “whip cream OR icecream for the pie??” How’s that for the ultimate in feeling organized?!?!?
Love Brambles Market

By: Another Robin

Another Robin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:33:00 +0000

Hi Leanne,
Print out a shape you like (search, say, Google and in advanced search get an ‘outline’ picture).
Grab some thick or corrugated board.
Use the picture as a cutting template over the board but cut when you cut, cut out the inside of the picture. This leaves you with a nice, thick board, stencil. Kids can handle them easily and you can draw the picture, paint it, collage it, sky is the limit. Then perhaps cut out and glue on folded coloured paper? Can probably find lots of use yourself.
We stick to simple shapes: star, tree, Santa head, bow, angel, etc.
And if you are very lucky, the thick board will withstand the children and without too much cleaning, can be used as a stencil again.

I can only do this craft because I am not particularly crafty and won’t take on projects like, say, snow globes!

By: Tips and Advice for Planning Your Family Holiday Road Trip | Our Big Earth

Tips and Advice for Planning Your Family Holiday Road Trip | Our Big Earth — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:51:03 +0000

[...] Note: If you missed Robin’s morning post on holiday sanity savers, you can check it out HERE. There are definitely some tips I need to incorporate! This afternoon we have Alix Wilson with us [...]

By: Leanne

Leanne — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:52:21 +0000

I love the idea of the cookie exchange. Now to find enough new valley friends to do it with, maybe call on my neighboru and use her friend list. Also making homemade xmas cards is fantastic idea …but what simple idea can we do with construction paper, crayons, markers, paints, a few stickers? Any homemade card ideas would be helpful! We have paints too. Do you hvae any idea how to make a homemade stamp of like a tree or star? would a potato work dipped in paint? I want my 3 yr old to make them with me. Glad to see I am not the only one who gets stressed and worried about getting ‘it all’ done.

By: Kirra

Kirra — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:09:39 +0000

Christmas?! I can’t even start to think about it. Since I am not a crafty type and don’t have many to buy for I just focus on food, everyone else gets hugs and kisses. Cookie exchange is a great idea, that I can do.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:59:41 +0000

Getting the whole family involved in the list helps a bit too. We did a “family activity advent” last year (instead of chocolate calendars) and it made things easier in a couple of ways. One, it made me sit down and make a list and assign days to do those things. Two, everyone helped with those activities, which makes it seem less like work.

Here is one internet list of a family activity advent: http://www.quietfish.com/notebook/?p=1244

By: vanessa falle

vanessa falle — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:43:55 +0000

Well, since hubs just left for work out-of-province till Dec 23, I’m forced to keep it simple so my head doesn’t rupture! I’m making & canning a mammoth batch of antipasto for everyone I love and we’re doing the same thing as Bevin; buy less, make more. I’m making felt food for my nieces who have everything (and then some), knitting alligator scarves for my boys, a toque for Hubs and yeah, the cookie swap is already in the works. Making holiday cards and hangin’ with friends LOTS. There will probably be lots of home made hot buttered rum though. Coping mechanism, I guess! LOL

If you want to do the handmade thing but don’t have the time or the know-how, look to Etsy to support the handmade movement. Brilliant creations on there. That’s my go-to shopping destination…and there’s still time for stuff to arrive in time for the holidays.

By: Bevin

Bevin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:51:09 +0000

I’m keeping things simple – buying less, giving more homemade goodies, giving to those less fortunate and watching my carbon footprint (the holidays are always so wasteful).