Day #13
Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I hope you all have a very magical and blessed holiday!
The ideal way to do things, is to finish your shopping early so that you can also finish your wrapping without a manic wrapping session. However, that just isn't reality. The reality is that no matter how hard I tried, I will still be up all night racing Santa.

We left tree shaped brownies, meringue santa hats, & peanut butter and chocolate pinwheel cookies out for Santa. I hope he enjoys them and that it gives him enough energy to finish his special deliveries!

Enjoy your families & remember the reason for the season!

Affectionately,
Franci

Day #12
Well, the Christmas shopping is done. Most of the wrapping is finished. Now, on with the baking.

My aunt sent me this recipe years ago. They are such a pleaser that I continue to make them.

MOUNDS BALLS
2 lb. pkg. powdered sugar
1/2 c. melted butter
1 lg. pkg. coconut
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 bar paraffin wax
2 lg. pkgs. chocolate chips
Mix all ingredients. Shape into 1 inch round balls. Freeze. Melt 2/3 bar paraffin wax and 2 large packages chocolate chips. Dip frozen balls into chocolate mixture with a toothpick. Place on wax paper.

Enjoy!

Affectionately,
Franci

Day #11

Well, since I have been sick, I enlisted some help decorating my granddaughter's birthday cake. Her birthday is on Christmas day. She has truly been a gift to all who know her!
Given that she is a Christmas baby, we decided to have that theme for her cake. We made an ornament cake. Now, you can get as fancy and elaborate with this as you want to. We took the simple and easy route this time. I got M&M's, sprinkles, and Christmas marshmallows that I let my granddaughter put on. I used a broken sugar cone and a candy cane for the tip of the ball and the hook. A cake cone fits better, but we didn't have one. We can always make due. We wrote happy birthday on it, but you can use it for a holiday party and decorate the middle too.
Here is the finished product.









Affectionately,
Franci

Day#10
Edible craft that's easy for the children to make.
I have helped with this craft at my children's school. They all seem to enjoy it!

Edible Christmas Tree

You will need (and this is per person);
1 sugar cone
green frosting
5-6 M&M's and/or sprinkles
popsicle stick (spreader)






Place the cone on a plate. Scoop a little green frosting on the side of the plate. Add the M&M's to the plate.
Now, when the child has the popsicle stick, they can start spreading the frosting on the upside down cone. Once it is covered in frosting, add the candy and sprinkles.
Admire. Take photos. Then eat!

Affectionately,
Franci

Day #9
Snowman bag
We are getting even closer to Christmas now! The children are all so excited! My daughter's class Polar Express party was a blast! The snow has fallen, the shopping is done, and now it's time to bake, bake, bake. Oh, and wrap those presents!
Before I get to that though, I want to share something that my daughter did in her class. She made a snowman bag to carry home all the crafted gifts she made for me and her daddy.





You will need;
A white paper lunch bag
Small piece of orange construction paper or scrapbook paper (for the nose)
Red strip of construction paper or scrapbook paper (band on the hat)
Black construction paper or scrapbook paper ( hat, eyes, & mouth)
Glue
Scissors

Lay the bag flat, as you will work on it this way. Cut hat shape and circles from the black paper. Cut your carrot shape nose out of the orange paper. Cut your red strip of paper to fit the hat. Now, you can glue on the snowman face. Have fun with it!


Affectionately,
Franci

Day #8
I have a really great friend that has shared two crafts with me. Now, I am passing them on to you. Here is what she had to say;


Allison Rector Maroclo/ December 17 at 11:20pm
I love your blog! I made these cupcake ornaments last year and they are super easy and cheap. Get some spray foam insulation and spray a little bit in a cupcake paper cup. Then sprinkle beads or glitter on top and stick a hook in it. At the dollar store I got a wreath or garland of red berries. I just clipped one off and stuck it in there! It takes about a day for the cupcake to dry.



Here is the poem she attached with a tag to the snowmen ornament.

These aren't just five snowmen,
as anyone can see.
I made them with my hand,
which is a part of me.
Now each year when you trim the tree,
you'll look back and recall.
Christmas of 2009
when my hand was just this small.



It is really easy. Paint the child's hand with white acrylic paint. Then have them put the handprint on a round ornament. When that dries, add the snowman eyes ect. Spray with clear acrylic sealer. These are great presents for grandparents, aunts ect.


Thank you so much for sharing! These are awesome!

To all of you reading this, I hope you enjoy!

Affectionately,
Franci

Day 7 - Fun tips

Day #7

   Yeah, it's been a whole week of blogging! The thought of 358 more days to go is exciting and scary. My mind is constantly wondering "what am I going to post today?"

   Well, here is what I came up with this time. It might even give you something to do over the holiday break while the kids are out of school.

Uses for M&M Tubes;

*The tubes that M&M Minis come in are the perfect size for holding quarters. They hold a little more than a roll ($10). I like to keep one in my purse for pop and snacks when we're traveling.

*wash, rinse, and then clean with rubbing alcohol. When dry, store tweezers, cotton balls, q-tips, & other first aid items for easy transporting. Label 

*Keep four basic crayons in one for drawing while waiting at restaurants, doctors office, etc.

*Use for small individual treats for children, like Cheerios, goldfish, or M&M's. Let them decorate their own tube with markers or stickers.

*Use for toothpick holder in your picnic basket.

Fill with beans or rice and make your child maracas.

Uses for Cereal Boxes;

*Boxes can make stylish and colorful bookmarks

* Gift tags

*Save the box and cover with contact paper, or try painting the box. After decorating the box, use it for storing school papers or other items.

*By cutting off the top and part of the side of the box, you can use it as a magazine holder.

*Some boxes can make great treasure chests for young children. 

*Empty boxes are great for arts and crafts collages.

*Use these boxes to protect items when mailing.

*Use empty boxes for kindling to start fires.

*Breakfast Cereal Box Business Cards 

*Cut the boxes and use the cardboard to place between an item that you don't want to be bent when mailing

*Put this on or near desk for trash, and then every few weeks empty this into the kitchen waste basket

*Cut and use front and back as notebook covers. Punch three holes in left side and string ribbon through all holes, including the notebook paper. This is great for kids to have their own drawing notebook.

Uses For Christmas Cards:

*Cut the covers of the cards into 4x6" postcards and write thank-you's on them. You can use the left side for the message, draw a line to the right of it, and then write the address and use a 20-cent stamp. This saves 12 cents plus the cost of note cards - and you "save a tree."

*Cut and use for gift tags, punch a hole in the end to tie ribbon through

*Frame cover for nice wall décor. 

*Cut, punch hole in, tie ribbon through hole, and use for an ornament to hang on the tree.

*bookmarks

    Reading over these and sharing them makes me want to go make something. The problem is, it is way past my bedtime.

Affectionately,

 Franci

Day #6

This one is going to be short and sweet. I am falling asleep as I write.

Custom T-Shirts

Anyone with access to a scanner and a printer can do this. You start out with a picture that you would want on a t-shirt. Get an inexpensive, plain t-shirt from a department store. While you're there, pick up some iron on transfer paper for your printer. Scan in the picture and flip it so that it looks backwards before you print it. After it's printed, you can iron it onto the t-shirt. My husband and I made these one year using a photo of his grandfather. It was for his grandfather's surprise birthday. 

Clay Christmas Ornaments:

            4 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 tsp. powdered alum

1 1/2 cups water

Mix ingredients well in a large bowl. If the dough is too dry, work in another tablespoon of water with your hands. Dough can be rolled or molded and can be colored with a few drops of food coloring.

To roll: Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut with cookie cutters dipped in flour. Insert wire or make hole in top about 1/4 inch down for hanging.

To mold: Shape dough no more than 1/2 inch thick.

Bake ornaments on ungreased cookie sheet for 30 minutes in 250° oven. Turn and bake another 1 1/2 hours until hard and dry. Remove and cool. When done, paint and seal with spray varnish. You can lightly sand before painting to make the paint adhere better.

*Alum can be found in the spice section of your store. (This is what I give my children a taste of on their tongue when they are telling a lie, back talking, or saying bad words.) It works wonders for that purpose!

Play Dough

2 cups flour 2 Tbsp. oil

1 cup salt 2 cups water

1 tsp. cream of tartar food coloring

Mix together all ingredients except food coloring in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture gathers on the spoon and forms dough (about 6 minutes). Dump onto waxed paper until cool enough to handle and knead until pliable. Store in a covered container or plastic bag. Add food coloring for different colors. Makes about 2 pounds.

Edible Play Dough 

1/3 cup margarine

1/3 cup light corn syrup

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract or flavorings

1 lb. powdered sugar

food coloring (optional)

Mix first 4 ingredients together. Add powdered sugar. Knead it. Divide and add food coloring. Keep refrigerated to keep from spoiling when not in use. You can replace vanilla with flavored extracts to give flavor other than just plain sweetness.

Easy Finger Paints

¼ cup cornstarch

2 cups water

Mix in saucepan and boil until thick. Then pour into a jar and add food coloring until the desired shade is achieved. Store covered in the refrigerator.

 Finger Paints

1 pkg. unflavored gelatin 1 ½ cups water

½ cup cold water liquid dish detergent

½ cup cornstarch food coloring

Dissolve gelatin in ½ cup water. Set aside. In a saucepan add cornstarch then slowly stir in 1 ½ cups water until well blended over medium heat. Cook until it boils, becomes smooth, thickens and turns clear. Add gelatin mixture and stir well. Pour into containers and add a drop of liquid dish detergent. Add food coloring until you get the desired shade. Store covered in the refrigerator 4 - 6 weeks.

 

 Bubbles

1/4 cup liquid dish washing detergent

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/2 cup water

Put the dish washing detergent in the water. Carefully stir in sugar, trying to avoid suds. Take a regular drinking straw and cut into 4 pieces. Then dip into the solution and blow your bubbles. Tie a rope loop up to a foot in diameter on the end of a stick and make a gallon of bubbles. Dip the rope in the bubbles and run with them. This will give you giant bubbles.

Sidewalk Chalk

2 qts. plaster of Paris

food colors

water

Mix plaster of Paris with 1 quart water. Mix in desired color. Pour into paper towel or toilet paper tubes (about 3 inches high). Let dry thoroughly (This may take several days). Remove from tubes and let the kids draw away.

Add other recipes for ornaments

Inexpensive Gift Ideas

A year's subscription to a magazine - Go online and look up magazine subscriptions for $5.00. You will find a lot of magazines for a year from $3.00 and up. (Yes! It's true.)

Go to the dollar store and buy the Cd's and/or movies that they sell for $1 each (granted they are old movies, but still a nice gesture). 

Also, the dollar stores sell some pretty good reading books that you can add to the bag instead of the movies (for the people who like to read). I think I calculated for 8 people that this would cost under $30 total. You can also add a candle to each one too... Sometimes you can find them 3/$100 (or you can go to Wal-Mart and get a bag of tea lights for under $5 and it is a lot of candles).

Buy items in sets and divide them among the baskets. Buy a four pack of nail polish for four ladies baskets or buy packs of whistles or other party favors for the kids. Take individual popcorn, coffee or cocoa packets out of their boxes. They will fill the baskets better.

Shop garage sales and thrift stores for baskets and other containers

Dollar stores have lots of great inexpensive gift ideas. Browse!

Use cellophane bags to package your mixes. They are inexpensive when purchased at party stores or florists.

A gift can be as simple as tea bags in a tea cup tied with a pretty ribbon. A large soup mug and saucer with soup mix or a small glass bowl with some potpourri might also make a simple but nice gift.

duplicates and other photos that I wasn't going to put into my scrapbooks. I had enough extras that I ordered simple and inexpensive 2009 photo calendars from a popular mail order catalog. These are the calendars that have a slot for inserting a photograph and the "frame" around the photos is decorated with a theme for each month.

I used photos of my 4-year-old throughout the years to fill up the pages. I am sure my family will adore these functional and thoughtful gifts. Since I had already paid for the developing of the photos, the price was right!

Custom T-Shirts

Anyone with access to a scanner and a printer can do this. You start out with a picture that you would want on a t-shirt. Get an inexpensive, plain t-shirt from a department store. While you're there, pick up some iron on transfer paper for your printer. Scan in the picture and flip it so that it looks backwards before you print it. After it's printed, you can iron it onto the t-shirt. I made a quilt for my mom one year using these same steps but used white fabric instead. It turns out looking like a professional job at less than $1 more than the cost of the shirt!

No, It's Not Trash

I am not a fast-food aficionado, but lots of folks in my office are and the table and drawers at work had accumulated tons of those little ketchup and soy sauce packets. During a recent cleaning binge, all those packets had been gathered up and were going to be tossed out if no one claimed them so I scooped them up, took them home and emptied the contents into my ketchup and soy sauce bottles, filling them completely back up! Great freebie that would have been wasted.

Tangle-Free!

Instead of buying expensive detangler spray, I make up my own and it leaves my hair moisturized and smelling great. First, I take a regular 16-ounce spray bottle and put in two tablespoons of hair conditioner. Then I slowly fill the rest up with warm water and shake until conditioner is completely dissolved. To take care of my curly perm, every morning I spray my concoction on my hair. My hair just comes untangled and I am able to work out curls with my fingers.

 

Ok, I'm going to bed and hope for a better day tomorrow.

:)

Affectionately,

Franci

Day #5! 

    Woo Hoo! I'm on a roll. 

    Here I am, still thinking about Christmas. It'll be here before we know it. I sure wish I had the time to actually work on more of my ideas. Instead, I'll share some with you and hope that I will get to them during the course of the year. When I do, I will add photos.

    People all over are looking for more ways to save money. I have personally always made at least some of my Christmas gifts. It started when I was a kid and had zero money for gift giving. I would craft all sorts of things. Many, many years later I am still crafting and being frugal.

   I am going to list a bare minimum of ideas to help you save money over the holidays. I may add more in the next few days. Just have to wait and see.

   The first one comes to mind because of a conversation I had with my mother in law this evening. She was admiring the decorations on her house and said it looked like a postcard. I told her she should have somebody take a picture of it and then she could use it for Christmas cards next year. That someone of course, is me, the photographer. :) It also reminded me of a card I received one year. My grandparents had a photo of their home done in a sketch on the front of the cards. It was awesome!

    Moving on, here are some more things to keep in mind;

   *Save all those brown paper sacks from the grocery store to use as Christmas wrapping paper 

Cut them open, let your kids(or you) draw their favorite holiday scenes on the unmarked side, add some brightly colored bows and you're done! 

    * I buy an ornament for each child every year, so they will have them to start out with when they leave home. They have their own boxes to keep them in and love going through them when we bring them out each year.

    *Stickers are fun! Work together to create a big batch of homemade stickers and you'll always have plenty on hand. You can find clip art on your computer or type your own words in a document. Then print them out on sticker paper. These can be used for gifts or on gift tags and wrapping paper. Use your imagination.

    *Dress-Up Boxes: Buy clearance Halloween costumes or visit thrift stores and garage sales to buy various dress-up materials. Kids love capes, dresses, costume jewelry, etc., for dramatic play. I bought my daughter a Hannah Montana costume this year on clearance. It was a $20 costume that I got for $4. She is so going to love dressing up to perform!

   * I buy holiday material when it is on sale after the holidays. Then I make pillow cases for each holiday. It only takes 1yd. per twin size pillow case. You can use one that you already have for a pattern. You can give them individually or as a collection of holidays. My son especially likes the one I made him for Halloween because it glows in the dark. It is very easy and something that will get used over and over. People love having things that are special!

    * Pillows- I plan on making pillows out of my boys sports shirts that they no longer wear, at least with some of them.

    *Blankets- I may use the rest of the shirts to make quilts for them. I have been working on a quilt for my oldest daughter with pieces of her favorite clothes from childhood. I'm almost there! You can also turn your old jeans into a snuggly-warm denim pocket quilt. The pockets are perfect for stashing stuffed animals and all of those other kid treasures.

   *Bookmarks- Putting a new spin on homemade bookmarks, you can use playing cards. I think UNO cards would be fun. Just punch a hole at the top and tie ribbon through the hole. You can also embellish the ribbon with beads if you like. There are playing cards to fit all sorts of personalities.

    *Personalized CDs (with music, family photos, etc.). My husband and I once made a DVD with photos from that particular year and added music to it. It was a huge hit!

    *Collage Journal - Buy a plain journal with a cover that you can glue paper onto. Decorate the cover with a collage of paper, photos, mementos, stamps, quotes, or anything else that can be glued on.

    *Baked Goods

    *Make magnets using those flat clear marbles they sell at the dollar store. Cut out printed images and glue printed side on to the flat surface. Use a special glue which willstick to glass. Glue on magnet. People love these!

    *You can make a booklet, either with stories, articles, poetry, drawings, crafts...then photocopy give everyone the same booklet!

    *Candy cane vase. Use a coffee can, rubber band, 40 candy canes and ribbon. Put the rubber band around can put candy canes behind the band. Then tie a ribbon to cover the rubber band and add flower, greens, or whatever else you may think of. They will love their Christmas center piece and it is inexpensive to do.

    *Copy The Legend of the Candy Cane (you can find it online) onto a piece of paper, cut the edges with your scrapbooking scissors and attach to candy canes to use as gifts or as extra special gift tags. Another good idea to add to the candy cane vase!

    *Gift certificates to a local theater and fast food place for the teens and tweens. It will give them a night out with little or no expense.

    *"SnowMan Soup"- just tuck a packet of hot chocolate, 2 Hershey's Kisses, marshmallows and a Candy Cane all in a dollar store mug. The Candy Cane is for stirring. 

    *Don't forget to leave a little something for Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve. They love magic reindeer food! Simply put 1/2 cup uncooked oats in a plastic baggie and mix in a TBSP. or so of crytal colored sugar. They love the stuff and kids love to get it as a little gift before the big night! (Add a little note to the baggie to sprinkle on the front lawn just before bed!)

    *Memories are the best gift to give! You can do this in so many ways. Hmmm, maybe that will be my next blog.

    I hope this helps!

    Affectionately,

    Franci

    Here goes Day 4! It might be after midnight, but that still counts as my day if I haven't gone to bed yet. I do have to say it hasn't been easy. My life is crazy right now with nine people living in the house. There are six children under the age of 12. However, this is important to me too.

      Still in the holiday spirit, I made some gift tags to share. Feel free to copy and print them out. We are use to making our own tags, as purchasing them gets so expensive. We also love that it can add such a personal touch!

    Affectionately,

     Franci

 

    Day 3! 

    How do very moist and tasty pumpkin muffins sound? So many folks are using pumpkin for holiday treats, pumpkin pie, pumpkin rolls, pumkpin soup, etc.  I do also make the pies (with a secret ingredient), and the pumpkin rolls, but I have been making more of the muffins lately. 

    The recipe I use is so yummy, not to mention a huge hit to all that I share with. So now, I will share with all of you! I wish I had a photo to go along with the recipe. However, the photos will come in time. I'm still getting use to this whole blog idea. I thank you all in advance for your patience with me. 

    If you never try these, you don't know what you are missing!  I may just be giving some of these out for Christmas gifts!

PUMPKIN MUFFINS


Makes 1 dozen
 / Active time: 15 min.
/ Start to finish: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:


1.5 cups all-purpose flour


1 tsp baking powder        


1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin (from a 15-oz can) (I accidentally put the entire 15 oz. can in, with no ill effects at all)


1/3 cup vegetable oil


2 large eggs


1 tsp pumpkin-pie spice (a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice)


1.25 cups plus 1 Tbsp sugar


1/2 tsp baking soda


1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Equipment: 12 foil or paper muffin liners; a muffin pan with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

DIRECTIONS:
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350F. Put liners in muffin cups.

Whisk together flour and baking powder in a small bowl.

Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin-pie spice, 1.25 cups sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined.

Stir together cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in another bowl.

Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about 3/4 full), then sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake until puffed and golden brown and a wooden pick or skewer inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then transfer muffins from pan to rack and cool to warm or room temperature.

Enjoy!

Affectionately,

Franci

Polar Express Class Party

     Here I am. Day two and 363 more to go. 

     After I finished my blog yesterday, I wondered "what in the world was I going to post tomorrow?" Then I had to start working on the planning and organizing of my first grader's class holiday party.  I forgot to add to my list of many titles that I am the class "Room Mom." As I got deeper into the project, the light went off in my head. I already had it done for me. I would just make this about the party. 

     Party planning and organizing CAN be fun! Just follow simple steps and it becomes easy. I will walk you through it and then tell you about ours.

   

  1. Plan (start a list)- Decide if you are having a theme or not.

                                  You need to write up a menu so you know what to ask parents to send in.

                                  Know how many you are planning for (students, teachers, & helpers).

                                  Decide if you are having decorations

                                  Decide on activities

  2. Names, phone numbers, & emails- You need these to contact parents for their assignments

      It's that simple. Once you have your ideas and your list of people to call. You simply call them, explain why you are calling and what you would like them to send in. Then, thank them very much because without our parent volunteers, these wonderful experiences for our children wouldn't happen.

      Now, here is my plan for our party.

First Grade Class/ Polar Express Party

Menu & Supplies needed;

Hot chocolate & marshmallows with candy canes for stirring

cookies

yogurt covered raisins (snowballs)

red & green rice krispie treats

bell necklaces

plates, cups, napkins

Activities;The students will be wearing pajamas to school. The class will have a bathroom break before party time. On the way back they will be given a custom ticket, that I found online, to have punched as they come in the door.  They will watch the movie, The Polar Express, and have their goodies. 

   At some point, we will have taped the bells under their seats and then when they are moving around somebody will "accidentally" find them.

I also have a book, to be printed up (also found online). It can be done in class or stapled together for them to take home and do.  

       Everyone I have talked to about our party is very excited. I think it's going to be awesome. I'll let you know.

     hint; I am going to have the hot chocolate sent in a day or two early so I can make it ahead of time. I am going to put it in my round, gatorade cooler with a spout. It will stay hot and makes for much easier serving. I did this and took it to our town's Christmas parade because it was freezing. My family was very happy that I did!

    There ya go! Hope your party turns out simply, wonderful!

Affectionately,

Franci

  I have been inspired to do this by a movie. Crazy, I know. I will spend the next year posting new crafts, recipes, and tips. If it goes well, I may just write that book I've had burning a hole in my brain. 

  I've named my blog Franci vs. Martha because I have always liked Martha Stewart and her work, in addition to also being very creative and good with crafts, baking, and household tips. I'm not really competing with her. I'm merely expressing that I can do those things too!

   I love to write. This will be good for me. I also like to help people and if I can make their lives easier with my ideas and work, that makes me happy. Some days I might even make you laugh. I will theme certain blogs to different holidays. My only problem is sometimes I have so many ideas that I don't know if I can put them all in one place at one time. We'll see. 

   My hope is that when you read my blog you will actually try things out. If you do, I'd love to hear how that works for you!  

   Since this is all so new to me, I am starting small & simple today. Look for something grander tomorrow!

Tip #1; Start a Holiday Binder

  The holidays can get hectic. I have found that when I keep a binder, with all of my Christmas information in it, everything goes so much more smoothly. This is not a new idea, but one that works. I get a red or green binder. I use Christmas colors so it is easy to spot. Fill it with dividers, some notebook paper, pocket pages, zippered pouch, and some clear page protectors. You can even use the clear pages that are used for postcards or photos and put recipes in them.

   Here is what you should have;

• page with Christmas list (who you are buying a gift for, gift ideas, price, where to find it, etc.) Start this list just after the holidays, unless you are just now starting.  Use it to write down ideas for next year’s gifts as they come up. If your child tells you of a certain thing they want, don’t leave it to your memory. Then as you purchase gifts for your family, write it down. The best way not to over-gift someone is to keep a record.
• Christmas card list ( This is invaluable.  It can be referred to every year when preparing to send out cards again. No more starting lists from scratch and no more hunting for last year’s list.)
• calendar for the month with dates filled in of your parties and cookie swaps, etc.  
• You can also include a list of gifts received. It can serve as a reminder of how loved you are and what interest your families had, as well as a reminder if you send thank you notes out.  
• page for notes
• fill pocket pages with cards you receive, 
• use zippered pouch for pens and receipts (so they are handy in case you need to return anything)
• fill page protectors with Christmas photos you receive. (These are fun to look and see the changes in people every year.)
• fill page protectors with Christmas letters
•  a section for crafts (there may templates of gingerbread men or angels or any craft idea you might want to do or have done )
• recipe section (include old ones, favorites, and new ones. You can tear them out of magazines and place in page protectors or write on cards and place in page pockets, or print them out on a computer and put in a page protector.)
• page of traditions (this is good for remembering and passing down through the family)
• coupons (Sales adds to help you remember who has what on sale. And don't forget to include those coupons you get for fast food restaurants. They will be nice to have when you get lunch on your shopping days. :))
• menu plan and grocery list for the big "Christmas dinner"
• party planner page (with guest list, meal plan, grocery list, decorations, etc.)
• memories (This is my favorite. A section with recorded memories of your holiday experiences. Include parties, crafts you made, places and people you visited, who visited you, special ornaments received,  first cookie swap, etc. I once recorded how my two year old son came down the stairs Christmas morning ,after we had to wake him, saw the presents Santa  had left under the tree, then said "Can I go back to bed now?")

      Ok, so maybe that wasn't so small and simple. However, I think it's awesome. I simply love my Christmas Binder! My family enjoys it too!

      Once you do this, take it with you everywhere you go. You may find yourself stopping by a store unexpectedly, or needing to jot something down in your notes, or having to add somebody to one of your lists (including address and phone numbers).

      You can get as creative with this as you like. You might want to add an 8x 11.5 scrapbook page, or decorate it and pages with stickers, colored pens, or tie a ribbon around the top ring and use as a bookmark. Ideas are limitless! 

       Get started, enjoy, and may it help you! Have a blessed Holiday season!

       

    Affectionately,

           Franci