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A Guide to Organized Holiday Shopping: Black Friday, Part 1

November 18, 2007 Leave a Comment

Many people buy into the “day after Thanksgiving” shopping hype, and if you don’t, then you at least know someone who does. And who could blame you, if you do? It is a great opportunity to buy quality Christmas presents at discounted prices. You may even find a few goodies for yourself. But before rushing out to battle the crowds…and I mean literally battle the crowds, here are a few “day after Thanksgiving” shopping strategies to keep in mind.

1. Making a list of what you hope to find – Before ever looking at any ads, think about what kinds of items you are hoping to find. Maybe you’d like to find a deal on a new computer or a digital camera. Or perhaps you are looking for sweaters to buy for family members. Make a list of exactly what you are looking for. This will help you to set limits for yourself and prevent you from going completely overboard.

2. Organizing ads – Nowadays you can view ads on the internet, but I like to do it the old fashioned way. Just buy a newspaper. There will be more ads than you will know what to do with. Start by discarding any ads for stores where you never shop and stores that have no items which you are interested in purchasing. Next sort the remaining ads into organized groups.(For example: Walmart, Kmart, ect. would go in one group. Electronic stores would go in another group.) Now that you’ve put the ads into like groups, you can pick up a small stack of ads at a time and look through them. By dividing the ads into groups, it is easier for you to compare prices and to stay focused on one thing at a time.

3. Viewing & Comparing Ads – As you view the ads, have a pen handy and circle any items that you find interesting. Place any ads you don’t like into the discard pile. As you are looking for the items on your wish list, you will find that some of the stores will have similar items. You may decide to buy one over the other by looking at the price or taking into account how close the store is to your home, or maybe you have a customer rewards card with one of the companies. (These three factors are especially important for items like clothing, movies, cds, and kitchen appliances, where the items will be the same or similar brands, and the items are pretty much interchangeable, regardless of where they are bought) However, some item comparisons are a little more involved. For items like electronics and tools put the ads side by side and read the specs for the items to decide which is actually the better deal. This all sounds like a timely process, but in the end it will save you money and time in the stores.

4. Create a stack of “good” ads. – After discarding all unwanted ads, and any ads that did not win in the price comparison race, you should be left with only small stack of good ads. At this time you may want to make a list of all the stores you plan to go to. If you still have a large stack, keep in mind, there are only so many hours in a day. Think of how much time you want to spend shopping versus how many ads you have, and try to weed out a few more ads.

Check back to read part 2.

Filed Under: Christmas, fall, organizing, shopping, Thanksgiving

12 Tips & Shortcuts for Your Holiday Party

November 14, 2007 Leave a Comment

Whether you are having guests over for the holidays, or you are the guest, nearly everyone is responsible for doing some cooking. It can be stressful, especially if you are not used to cooking for a lot of people and you have several recipes you have to make. Here are some short cuts and tips to help make your holiday cooking a success:

1. Potluck – If you are the host, have your guests to each bring an item. Even if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, if someone asks you if she can bring something, make a suggestion. Chances are if someone asks to bring something, she’s going to bring something even if you say no. You might as well make a kind suggestion like, “yes, i really love your potato salad.” Meanwhile, if you are the guest, try to bring something to the party, even if your host swears she doesn’t need any help.

2. Gathering Recipes – The week before your holiday party, gather all your recipes so that you can begin making a shopping list of everything you’ll need to cook with.

3. Clean out fridge and pantry – You should clean out your refrigerator and you pantry. Check the expiration dates, and throw out old ingredients, in order to make room for all the new food you’re going to buy and so that you’ll have room for all the left overs. Also, you can use this opportunity to do an inventory and make a more accurate list of what you will need to buy.

4. Shop early – Buy everything you’re going to need the week or weekend before the big day. This way you can beat the crowds, and you won’t have to stress about the shopping trip anymore. Plus, if you wait and shop at the last minute, there’s a good chance the store might be out of something you need, and you’ll be more stressed and more likely to forget something.

5. Buy bags and containers – This would be a good time to buy extra ziplock bags and storage containers. Not only will you be storing leftovers, but you may also want to make a few “to go” plates for your guests.

6. Microwave – Consider using the microwave to cook certain items faster. You can use it for baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, canned vegetables, frozen vegetables, and certain breads. It’s also a good place to keep your side items warm till the rest of the food is ready.

7. Rolls – Save time by getting rolls from a bakery, or buy rolls that can be baked within just a few minutes, out of the bread, frozen, and refrigerated sections of your grocery store.

8. Frozen Vegetables – Frozen vegetables are often better than canned and are the next best thing to homegrown. Depending on what you buy and your method of cooking, most frozen veges can be cooked up in 20 minutes for less.

9. Cooking several days before – You can save time by making pies several days before the party. Simply make your pies and then freeze them. Just don’t forget to get them out in time to thaw before the party. If you place pies that are traditionally eaten warm (such as apple) in the oven for a few minutes before your meal, they’ll come out tasting warm and fresh like they were just made. Holiday candies are also a good item to make several days ahead, especially the ones that take a long time to make. Just be sure to look at the instructions on the recipe to find out if they can be stored in a container at room temperature, or whether you need to have them chilled in the fridge.

10. Cooking the night before – Other time consuming recipes can be cooked the night before such as potato salad and deviled eggs. You can also make dressing and casseroles the night before. Simply mix them up, and place them in a dish, and then all you’ll have to do is bake them the next day.

11. Crock Pot – Often people forget about the slow cooker. What is great about it is you can place your ingredients in it, and it does the cooking for you. You don’t have to do a lot of prep work, and you don’t have to constantly watch it. Use it to cook your dressing, a stew, meat, beans, or side items.

12. Clean up – When you have a lot of cooking and baking to do, you may not have much time to clean your house. So try doing the majority of your cleaning the week before your party. Be sure to clean your bathroom, kitchen, and living area, and don’t forget to clean the guest room if you are having people sleep over. If you do most of the cleaning ahead of time, you’ll be a lot less stressed, and then you can do just a quick clean up the day before the guests arrive

Filed Under: fall, party ideas, planning, Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Recipes: Green Bean Casserole

November 14, 2007 Leave a Comment
Green Bean Casserole
Prep: 10 minutesBake: 30 minutes

1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. soy sauce
Dash ground black pepper
4 cups cooked cut green beans
1 1/3 cups French’s® French Fried Onions

Directions:
MIX soup, milk, soy, black pepper, beans and 2/3 cup onions in 1 1/2-qt. casserole.
BAKE at 350°F. for 25 min. or until hot.
STIR . Sprinkle with remaining onions. Bake 5 min.

TIPS: Use 1 bag (16 to 20 oz.) frozen green beans, 2 pkg. (9 oz. each) frozen green beans, 2 cans (about 16 oz. each) green beans or about 1 1/2 lb. fresh green beans for this recipe.
For a change of pace, substitute 4 cups cooked broccoli flowerets for the green beans.
For a creative twist, stir in 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese with soup. Omit soy sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup additional Cheddar cheese when adding the remaining onions.
For a festive touch, stir in 1/4 cup chopped red pepper with soup.
For a heartier mushroom flavor, substitute Campbell’s® Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup for Cream of Mushroom Soup. Omit soy sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped red pepper with green beans.

Filed Under: breads and sides, casseroles and quick meals, fall, recipes, Thanksgiving

An Inviting Thanksgiving Craft

November 13, 2007 Leave a Comment
A lot of people don’t send out invitations for their annual Thanksgiving parties, but if you do, here is a very cute idea for you. This idea could also be used for place cards or thank you cards. And if you change the color of the paper and use poinsetta leaves, it would be great for Christmas invitations. For full instructions on how to make these cards, visit diy network.


Filed Under: crafts, fall, Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

November 13, 2007 1 Comment

Dress up your holiday table or buffet with a nice centerpiece. It will add color, warmth, and personality to your dinner party. You can order them online or at a local florist, or you can save money by making your own at home. Here are a few ideas to get you started.



Filed Under: decorating, fall, Thanksgiving

Top 5 Things to Clean Before Your Holiday Party

November 12, 2007 Leave a Comment

1. Bathroom – Nobody wants to use a dirty bathroom. Be sure to clean your toilet, sink, and your floor. Use cleaners that are antibacterial and deodorizing. I would say, if you’re not having overnight guests, you could probably skip cleaning the tub/shower. Just close the curtain and make sure the outside appears clean. Add potpourri, an automatic sprayer, or a scented oil plug-in for a pleasant, clean smell.

2. Refrigerator and Freezer – Whether people are helping you cook or just looking for a drink refill, they are going to look in your refrigerator. In my opinion, if you’re going to some one’s house for dinner, the last thing you want to see is a dirty fridge. Take the time to do an inventory of your fridge. Check the expiration dates on the food and throw out all foods that are out of date. Also, toss out any old left overs. Empty out your fridge entirely and wipe down the shelves and walls with a sponge or rag. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned the shelves, you may want to take them out and wash them in the sink or dishwasher. This may take a while, but you’ll be surprised how great it will after a good cleaning. Plus, cleaning out the fridge will help you figure out what you need to buy for your Thanksgiving feast, and it will help you to make room for your Thanksgiving groceries & leftovers.

3. Kitchen Counter – Before cooking (and after cooking) you should make sure that counters are cleaned and all spills have been wiped up, especially if you are preparing meat on the counter. If you’re having a lot of company over this may be the perfect time to take everything off your counter top and wipe off any crumbs or dust that might have gotten behind or in between canisters, appliances, and the walls.

4. Kitchen/Dining Room Table – Before decorating or placing food on the table make sure the area is cleaned good with an antibacterial cleaner. Also, inspect the chairs, especially if you have kids, to make sure that there are no crumbs or anything sticky in the seats. You also may want to clear the table of items like fruit baskets, center pieces, or anything else that takes up space, if people will actually be sitting at the table to eat. If you want to have decorative items out, consider placing them on a buffet, a coffee table, or somewhere else in your home where they’ll be seen.

5. Floor – Even if you don’t do a massive clean up job before you have company, you should at least clean the floors in the rooms in which your company will be. This shouldn’t be too big of a job, as this should be limited to the kitchen/dining room, living room, and bathroom. (unless you have overnight guests) First of all, for some reason having a clean floor makes an entire room look so much better. Secondly, if any of your guests have small kids, they will probably be crawling on the floor, playing with toys on the floor, and sometimes they tend to put things in their mouths after it’s been on the floor.

Filed Under: cleaning, fall, party ideas, Thanksgiving

Fall Decor

October 22, 2007 2 Comments

In the stores it already looks like Christmas, and in the last couple of years I’ve seen a few houses that have Christmas lights up 2 days after Halloween. What ever happened to Thanksgiving?

If you haven’t decorated your house for Halloween yet and you hate the idea of putting up decorations only to take them down a week later, consider this: Buy decorations for the entire fall season. Pumpkins, scarecrows, and leaves are great decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving as well.

If you’re a fan of ghosts and goblins consider putting them up for Halloween, along with your pumpkins and other decor. Then after Halloween take the ghosts and ghouls down and leave your “fall decor” up till Thanksgiving.

It is very easy to decorate for the fall season without spending a lot of money. I bought my decorations at Wal-Mart, Big Lots, and the Dollar Tree.
  • Strings of leaves are very cute to hang on the porch, and I’ve seen them priced from $1 to $4 each. (You’ll probably need 3 to 6 of these, depending on the size of you porch.)

  • Large Scarecrows (4′ to 5′ tall) are great for a porch, yard, or garden, and they sell for $7 to $10.

  • Smaller scarecrows (6 inches to 2′) are good for the yard and the inside of your house. I hung one onto a window outside and placed another with a couple of pumpkins in my dining room. You can buy these for $.50 to $3.

  • Pumpkins – If you’re not in to carving pumpkins, you can buy plastic pumpkins that look like the real thing. Buy jack-o-laterns that light up, or plain pumpkins for a festive harvest look. The pumpkins range in size and sell for $2 to $9.

  • Artificial flowers/leaves/berries. – These make a great addition and add a lot of color to your decor. Create an arrangement for your dining room table, or place them outside on your porch. At around $1 a sprig they are also a lot cheaper than buying potted fall plants.

Filed Under: decorating, fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving
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