Penelope Loves Lists » Holidays

Skinny jeans be darned, I love a Christmas cookie

Meredith — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:08 +0000

I love to bake for the holidays and this year I wanted to find a few more recipes to add to my tried and true family favorites. I thought I’d share my research with you.

The Food Network’s 30 Days of Holiday Baking

Martha Stewart’s Favorite Cookie Swap Recipes

Real Simple Cookie of the Day

Better Homes & Gardens No Bake Cookie Recipes

Allrecipes 20 Best Baking Recipes for the holidays

Allrecipes Candy recipes

Taste of Home gives us over 910 holiday cookie recipes

Christmas Morning Breakfast recipes

So, what’s your take on goodies at Christmas? Do you just say “what the hey” and enjoy whatever you want for the holidays, or do you stay disciplined? I’d say I’m somewhere in between.

My favorite holiday organization products

Meredith — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:00:35 +0000

You’re not going to be surprised when I tell you that one of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the process of decorating our home each year.

I love going to my special portion of the garage, grabbing my green and red plastic containers full of decorations and taking them into the house to be unloaded in a specific way, in a specific order. It’s such a great way to benefit from being organized, don’t you think? I can rest assured that everything has been put away in an orderly manner the year before and is just waiting for me to unpack it again this year.

Yes, this is the time of year for Penelopes to shine.

Each year, to increase the jolt I get when I take out all my holiday things, I try to add one or two new organizing products to my arsenal. Here are a few of my very favorites:

I hate wrapping gifts, but using this plastic bin to organize my holiday wrapping supplies helps me over the hump.

The Customized Gift Wrap Center

I don’t keep all of my ornaments in special boxes, but the very most special ones go in a box like this one:

Archival Ornament Storage Boxes

These are my true go-to tools for the keeping 99% of my decorations in each year. I have several and they keep everything clean and dry all year long in the garage. I realize I could have bought plain clear ones, but these Christmas colors just do my Penelope heart good.

30-gallon Holiday Storage Tote

This little goodie enables my lazy side. I can wrap it around our artificial tree and put it away without having to take the tree apart to put it back in its original box. That means next year, I just unwrap it and plug it in, perfection!

Tree Storage Bag

And, you knew I’d ask: what are your favorite organizational tools for any aspect of the holidays? What couldn’t you live without?

I bet no other blog is going to post about battery organization

Meredith — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:00:39 +0000

Isn’t it true? All the other blogs out there are doing these fantastic posts with great holiday shopping guides (here and here to name just two), or clever ways to wrap your Christmas gifts. Really cool stuff. And here I am, blogging about battery organization. The excitement is dizzying, I know.

Buuuuut, as we get ready for the holiday, we really need to get totally stocked up on batteries. The WORST thing is to get stuck on Christmas morning not being able to get your toys and gadgets up and running because you’re out of batteries. Buzz kill!

I’ve long had a place in my supply closet where my batteries lived, but I’m considering upgrading to this battery organizer from The Container Store.

Nifty, right? I said nifty, not sexy. It’s not sexy. You’re not getting this out and putting it on your dining room table when your mother-in-law comes to Christmas Dinner. But, it’s useful!

It gives you lots of space for all the different battery sizes you need to have in stock, and offers a handy place to test the battery life left in each one.

For me, having sections for each size battery helps me instantly recognize which ones I’m running low on and need to replish.

There’s also this cute, cheaper number from Organize.com. That’ll do, too.

So, whether or not you want a specific product for organizing your batteries, remember to stock up this week for the holidays. Don’t forget to buy some of those weird, little, flat, round lithium batteries, too. More and more things are requiring those. You’ll be your kids’ hero when they get that favorite toy and you can jump up and hand them just the batteries they need to get it up and running.

I realize batteries and their organization is mind-numbingly boring for most people. But I’m curious, and I bet other Penelopes are, too: how do YOU keep your batteries organized? Where do they live in your home?

Happy Tape makes me want to dance a little jig

Meredith — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:15:03 +0000

Things I love about Happy Tape:

1) that such a thing exists
2) that it’s called Happy Tape, because, really, why shouldn’t tape be happy?
3) that even tape can be pretty. Course, this sets the bar high for other things. Like, toilet paper, you’re going to need to raise your game, dude.
4) that they have products called the “Cool Cranberry 5 pack”. Doesn’t that sound awesome? Or, at least, like an awesome drink?
5) that the internet makes it possible for us to get this fantastic Japanese product here in the USA.

They even have their own dispenser, which is pretty in and of itself.

Check out their blog for great ideas for cool uses for Happy Tape.

What do you think? Is Happy Tape useful and cool?

Inspired by: a Pretty way to organize your gift ideas

Meredith — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:15:30 +0000

I just ran across this pretty little book from Russell and Hazel (one of my favorite places to score lovely office supplies) and it inspired me.

They suggest you use their Gift List Book for keeping track of ideas you have during the year for a great gift for someone.

Sure, this makes sense. That’s happened to me a million times. I run across something and think “oh, that would be just the right thing for (fill in the blank)” but I don’t immediately capture the thought and -poof- it’s gone. This book, carried in your purse with you, would help.

But, I think a further use for this kind of list-keeping would be to keep track of what you actually gave to people.

Go with me on this: I love to give books as presents. (Maybe this is because I love to receive books more than almost anything.) I’ll take time and great care to choose the right book for my giftee. But later, most often, a whole year later, I can’t remember specifically what book I gave. This happens LOTS with my nieces and nephews. (“Did I get Knuffle Bunny for Nephew A or Nephew B?”) And then I’ll stand in Barnes and Noble and panic thinking I might duplicate.

I wish they would add another 20 pages of plain grid paper to this book for just this kind of list keeping. I think I’ll email the good folks at R&H and suggest it, in fact. That might be obnoxious, but I’ll do it anyway.

If I just took 10 minutes each holiday to make a quick list in my handy Gift List Book (or, really, any notebook), this problem would be solved. And peace would reign in the land.

Genius, no? Part genius, part Crazy Lady? Tell me.

A sweet way to say thanks

Meredith — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:15:26 +0000

I love the idea of sending thank you notes after Christmas. Maybe not for every single gift, but for the ones that were really special or useful.

I’m loving these small, simple and sweet cards (which come with envelopes) from Chewing the Cud for just this purpose. I love the “school days” feel to it. Totally unexpected.

Sweet Thank You Cards from Chewing the Cud

Or, for a more vintage, elegant statement, their “Thank you THIS much” card. These make my heart hurt, they’re so pretty:

"Thank you THIS much" cards from Chewing the Cud

Either one of these, or a simple note from your current stash, and you’ll be making a beautifully grateful statement to that thoughtful gift-giver.

Mama needs an upgrade

Meredith — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:15:39 +0000

Boxing Day (December 26th) finds me cleaning up from this Christmas and setting myself up for next year. This calls for some upgraded gift wrap organization. I’ve had my current no-frills system for years now and it’s gotten ungainly. I think it’s time I separate my Christmas wrapping stuff from the other holiday wrapping gear.

I saw this Gift Wrap “kit” from The Container Store over at Deliciously Organized (a great new blog find, by the way – I love these girls!) and decided to make the switch. I like that I can have separate spaces for the gift wrap and the ribbon, tape, etc, all in one box. I even splurged on some new rolling scissors. Fancy.

I think this will make next Christmas’ wrapping session less of a pain in the patootie.

Gift Wrap Center from The Container Store

Tips for a stress-free Christmas morning: the one day to curb your Penelope ways

Meredith — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:15:04 +0000

Photo Courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Ah, Christmas morning. That wondrous time, where your home is beautiful, your gifts are perfect and gratefully received, your kids are well behaved and everything goes as it should. Right?

Not at my house. I actually think Christmas morning as a mom can be kinda stressful. Maybe it’s the pressure we put on ourselves to have that glossy, holiday magazine perfection.

Your best tool to ensure that you’re not a stress ball on Christmas morning is a “go with the flow attitude.” I know. Stop laughing.

Ok, two things you can do that really may help:

1) Think ahead about how things will go from the minute the kids wake up (early!):

Who is sitting where to open gifts? Does everyone have a comfortable place with plenty of space to move? Make sure this is decided beforehand, as kids love to argue over this kind of thing.
Where are the bags to collect the gift wrapping as it’s ripped off the presents? Get them out and have them ready.
Where’s your camera? Is it charged up?
Are you and your significant other on the same page about whether or not you’ll allow the kids to get into the gifts they receive? As in, can Little Jill open the new beading set she just received or does she need to wait until a later time? If so, when? Talk this through beforehand, I can’t tell you how many fights I’ve seen start over this very thing.
If the kids get candy in their stockings, are they allowed to eat it right then? Again, get on the same page here.
What are you going to wear? Have you dug out your cutest Christmas PJs? I know you have. You know you want lots of photos, which brings us to:
Are you going to put make up on before you let the kids go see what Santa brought them? You laugh, but I remember several Christmas mornings waiting anxiously for my mom to get her “face” on. I don’t care about this personally, but some people do. It bears planning in advance. Again, another place where fights can ensue. And nothing ruins Christmas morn like fighting between Mom and Dad.

2) Make breakfast ahead of time so you can just pop it into the oven while you’re opening gifts. I love to make gooey cinnamon rolls. My good friend Jennifer makes a delicious apple cake and has graciously shared her recipe:

Apple Cake

2 cups of sugar (try a mix of white and brown sugar)

1 cup of vegetable oil

2 eggs*

3 cups of flour (either white or whole wheat or a mixture of the two works well)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

3 cups diced, peeled apples (more or less…and don’t worry about the kind of apple–this recipe is forgiving)

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Put all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix with your hands.

(OK, if you can’t stand the thought of gunking up your hands, you can use a spoon. You know who you are. But really, here’s your chance to live a little on the wild side.)

Leave it all lumpy on top in the pan.

Bake at 350 to 375 in an ungreased 9×13 inch pan for about an hour. I give a temperature range because I like to cook more than one thing in my oven at a time, even if the second item is just some potatoes. (If you have pre-baked potatoes on hand, you’ve got an easy basis for a quick lunch.)

Cuts better when it’s cool, but if you serve hot it’s great with vanilla ice cream.

* To make it eggless (and vegan), use 2 tbsp of ground flax + 4 tbsp water as an egg substitute.

Let’s all vow to one another that we’ll try as hard as we can to let the morning unfold as it wants to, rather than the way we think it needs to go. This is hard stuff for us, but necessary. The best family memories happen spontaneously, so let’s take a deep breath, put down our mental lists and let Christmas happen.

Finally, a last bit of festive photo inspiration from one of my very favorite bloggers, Heather Bullard. If you get a chance, take a look at her website. It’s incredibly beautiful.

Have a great holiday, Penelopes. I’ll see you next week, as we turn our attention to ways to get our acts together in 2010.

Out-Martha Martha: mini gingerbread houses for your mug

Meredith — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:15:36 +0000

Seriously? I love these gingerbread houses. The author of NotMartha.org is pure crafty genius.

This brings me great joy. It’s entirely impractical, but wholly clever:

From NotMartha.org

She not only shares her inspiration, but gives you step-by-step instructions, using Martha Stewart’s recipes and templates.

How to Make Gingerbread Houses for your Mug

Assignment: Pre-Christmas de-cluttering, or: do this now, you’ll be glad you did later

Meredith — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:15:31 +0000

Given that the kids are off school this week, I started thinking that it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some time in each kid’s room, making piles of toys, books, clothes and shoes that can be donated this year. (It’s also a good chance for you to do the same in your own closet.)

This doesn’t have to be a huge thing, this is a busy week. Just set the timer for 20-30 minutes and see what you can get done. If you’re working from home while your older kids are off for the holiday, assign this to them. Give them a large black plastic bag and tell them they need to fill it with things they don’t use or wear anymore.

This assignment serves two important purposes:

we know there’s a tremendous need at all the donation charities, this year more than ever. Get those outgrown clothes, books and toys into the hands of people who can use them. Click here to find your local Goodwill.
this clears out room in your house for the gifts your family will receive for Christmas.

Parent alert: If, during this process, your kids balk at giving away toys you know they’ve outgrown and don’t play with, go through that pile together and let them choose 3 toys to keep. You’ll still be way ahead of the game. And take that opportunity to talk about how much other kids will love playing with those toys. It’s a great teachable moment.

Or, and I’ve totally done this: have your husband take the kids out to see a movie and get hot chocolate and go through their stuff while they’re gone. Sure, you’ll look like a crazy person madly trying to get this task done before they return, but 5 bucks says your kids don’t notice the stuff is gone. Your choice. Whatever feels right…

Taking the time to do this task early this week will make things much easier when it comes time to find homes for all the new Christmas gifts your family received. It’ll keep the clutter down and make the new stuff easier to enjoy.