Boiling caramel

On Christmas’s past, I have packaged what I have officially named “Amish Caramel Corn” for my loved ones. I love this recipe because it is easy to make, ships well in the mail, and is by far the best tasting caramel corn I have ever tasted. I have received nothing but rave reviews from those who have been graced by its presence. The original recipe came from allrecipes.com – a site that I visit often for their multitude of recipes paired with reviews. I do wish they would include more photos of the cooking process. I am not an experienced cook and rely on pictures. For that reason, I have included pictures of each step. I do need to warn you…once you take a bite of this luscious treat, you will not be able to step away!

Light and foamy caramel

Ingredients

• 7 quarts plain popped popcorn *I used popping corn and popped it on the stove top. This fresh popcorn makes a huge difference in the taste.
• 2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional)
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel corn

Directions

1. Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You may use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. Add the peanuts to the popped corn if using. Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.
   

   Tubs from Walmart

3. Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don’t worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated.
4. Bake for 1 hour, removing the pans, and giving them each a good stir every 15 minutes. Line the counter top with waxed paper. Dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags.

This time of the year is supposed to be a joyous time. Christmas music plays on the radio and in the stores. People seem to try small acts of patience, for they know that this is the season in which it should be shown. For many people this year, it won’t be a happy holiday. The unhealthy economy has obviously taken a toll on many families. I heard on the news the other night that the workers from the local post office were reading through the “Letter’s to Santa” (they are of course working part-time for Santa this season to get all those letters read in time!) and many kids were writing to ask Santa to help their parents. Help them because they can’t afford not just Christmas gifts, but the everyday things we often take for granted. What a heart breaker. I just want to encourage all of you to dig deep this year to bless everyone, not just the people you may know. And remember, a blessing doesn’t have to be something material. It can be an act of service or just an act of kindness. After all, isn’t love the best gift of all? This is definitely the season to show what it is all about-that sweet and glorious baby Jesus! Praise God for sending him. I can’t imagine life or this world without the Father of it all…

This Christmas, create a unique card with a personal touch. It is not as difficult as you might think! If you have your own family photo or a layout in mind, there are many tools to create your custom design online.

There are numerous online places to find or create your special holiday card. We spent some time exploring some of the best photo sharing sites, print companies, and online tools. Here are a couple we found that were easy to use and affordable. If you have some others to add or comments on the companies we have listed, please send us an email and we’ll update our list.

OverNightPrints Greeting cards

OvernightPrints has thousands of holiday greeting card templates. Begin with a template and personalize it with the simple online design tools. If you don’t see the perfect template to start with, starting from scratch is not as scary as it seems. The free online design tools allow you to add your own images, text and colors. OverNightPrints.com is one of our favorite printing services. Not only can you create your personalized and unique Christmas card to your exact specifications, you can also have OverNightPrints print and mail your cards to your mailing list. Try out their design tools and build yourself a unique Christmas card this year – It only takes a few minutes. The quality is excellent and the service is great. If you have questions, their exceptional, friendly design team will help you out.

Watch a short demo video. We created a photo Christmas card in under 5 minutes.

30% OFF ALL Greeting Cards at OvernightPrints! use code “PARTYCARDS”

VistaPrint Christmas cards

VistaPrint has hundreds of greeting card templates. In a matter of minutes you can find the perfect Christmas card and add your personal touch. If you don’t find the perfect template create your own family photo Christmas card. Once your order is placed shipping can be arranged in as little as 3 days. VistaPrint is a great affordable printing service. While you are at it check out the calendars.

30% to 60% OFF All Products

PrintingForLess Holiday cards

I did not find a great online design tool at PrintingForLess. But these folks will go the extra mile to make your order perfect. Each order is reviewed by a design expert and the proofs are then approved by you. If you already have a design in a high quality format this could be a good option for you. Create your personal greeting card using your graphics program and place your order. The design team will help you along the way and you might improve your design skills during the process.

Get $50 off your 1st order over $100! Use coupon code MC5008.

Shutterfly Photo Holiday cards

If you have a couple holiday photos you would like to use on your family Christmas Card, then Shutterfly is another great option. At shutterfly.com there are several greeting card templates that are designed so you can just insert some of your own personal photos. You can also get a Free Card to make sure you card is what you really want.

Watch a short demo video. We created a card in under 5 minutes (from registration to completion).

Have you come to the realization that you are not a professional photographer? If this is a problem for you, shutterfly.com has many images you can use to create the perfect Christmas card.

With Christmas fast approaching, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of people out and about all trying to accomplish the same goal. If you are like me (my relatives can vouch for me here), I DESPISE the act of going to the post office to mail packages! Much to my dismay, my packages are always late for birthdays and holidays. I have recently discovered a way to avoid having to even go to the post office-yeah! Thank goodness for the internet, because now I can even ship things online. Well, sort of. By visiting the United States Postal Service website, anyone can order packing and shipping materials AND schedule a pick-up from the post office! To get started, follow these steps:

1. Go to www.usps.com
2. Under “Order Supplies” , click on the blue button that reads “Stock Up On Supplies”
3. Select the category you wish to order (I order “flat rate” because you can stuff the box for one rate.)
4. Choose your item (I order “Priority Mail Box Flat Rate” because it is a reasonable size to fit a lot of goodies.)
5. Under “Items”, choose how many you would like-10 or 25 boxes.
6. Select quantity (ex. “1″ pack of 10 boxes).
7. Click “order”.
8. You should see your order and that you are not being charged for it. From here, you can continue to checkout or shop.
9. When you are ready to checkout, you will have to set up and online user name and password through the postal service.
10. Once you set up your account, your information will be saved for future purchases. Don’t forget to tip your postal worker this Christmas for all of his/her hard work!

Since Christmas is a holiday to celebrate the birth of our Savior, giving a Christian Christmas gift is a personal way to recognize the reason for the season. Here are the “Top 10 Christian Gifts” to give your loved ones this season. I have included a link for each item to make shopping a breeze. Just click and order online. Many of these companies are offering discounts and specials on shipping to earn your business. Happy shopping!

1. A Bible
   • This is a great gift for everyone, especially for those who may have recently had their faith tested. There are so many different types of Bibles available. Those with daily devotionals , for leaders , for women , for Bible study …the list goes on. You can find a thorough inventory here.
2. A Good Book
   • There are several best sellers out right now. One Christian book that is gaining much recognition is The Shack by William P. Young. You can find a complete list of my Top 10 Christian Books based on the current best sellers as well as the Top 10 Christian Books for Women and the Top 10 Christian Books for Children.
3. An Audio Version of a Good Book
   • Christian audio books are becoming very popular. They allow a person to listen to their favorite book and even the Bible while driving or completing chores. These are a great idea and make the perfect gift for Christmas. Not sure which audio book to purchase? Companies like Booksfree.com offer an unlimited monthly rental of their inventory of audio books. Just pick-up a gift membership-your receipient is sure to be wowed!
4. A Christian Music CD
   • Who doesn’t love a good CD? These obviously make good stocking stuffers. There are many worship CD’s’ that offer a mix of Christian songs. I particularly enjoy the CD’s that are made up of various Christian Christmas songs from different artists.
5. A Christian Movie
   • Many people do not realize that some movies that have been popular within the secular movie scene actually have a Christian connection. For example, The Chronicles of Narnia was originally written by C.S. Lewis who was a Christian apologist (defender of Christianity). So, a wholesome family movie will fulfill the gift requirements for the little ones on your list as well!
6. A Magazine Subscription
   • I love getting magazine subscriptions-they are the gift that keeps on giving! You can find a large inventory at MagsForLess . Don’t forget to put a note in with your gift so the recepient knows that he/she is getting a whole year of the their favorite magazine-what a treat!
7. Jewelry
   • A cross necklace, a scripture band, cuff links, or earrings.
8. A Painting with a Scripture Verse
9. A Gift Card
10. A Cross

My husband recently shared a website with me that offers some really unique Christmas gifts. The site is called cafepress.com. You are sure to find a gift for those people on your list that are always hard to buy for. I especially like the canvas tote bags. Each bag comes with a funny quote or creative design on it. There are many that would be perfect for all of those hard working teachers, speech pathologists, and assistants that care for our children each day. I have included some of my favorites. The site also offers ornaments, stationary, calendars, clocks, t-shirts…again, all with a special touch of design! Order from the site and have your special gift shipped directly. Happy shopping!

1. IEP Tote Bag
2. Biking Tote Bag
3. Save the Bunnies Tote Bag
4. Labrador Mom Tote Bag
5. Teacher Voice Tote Bag
6. Grandmother of Twins Tote Bag
   
7. Teal RibbonTote Bag
   
8. CraftyTote Bag
9. OwlTote Bag
10. Speech Therapist

When I was a child, there were a handful of Christmas movies that my brother and I loved to watch year after year. That tradition is one that I have now carried on into my adult life. Here is a holiday list of some of my favorites as well as some of the most popular Christmas movies available. In case you don’t already have some of these beloved Christmas Classics, I have provided a links for easy shopping. I have found Walmart to be one of the most inexpensive places to purchase Christmas DVD’s.

Wal-Mart – Movies

1. Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
2. A Christmas Story
3. Elf
4. Classic Christmas Favorites
5. Christmas Vacation
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
8. A Christmas Carol
9. Miracle on 34th Street
10. It’s a Wonderful Life
11. Vintage Christmas Classics
12. The Christmas Star
13. The Christmas Child
14. Pink Panther: A Pink Christmas
15. Little House on the Prairie: Christmas at Plum Creek/A Christmas They Never Forgot

You will find some great holiday DVD sets that include a variety of holidays favorites in one collection! Don’t forget how great DVD’s make as stocking stuffers! Children and Family-Holidays-

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift this season? Look no further! Gift cards are actually one of the most desired Christmas gifts. They are also easy to purchase and cost less to ship than a typical wrapped gift. Plus, the recipient can choose store items specific to his/her needs without having to worry with the guilt and the hassle of returning any unwanted items. So, here is the Top 50 Holiday Gift Cards to send your loved ones this season. Just click on the perfect gift card you want to purchase and ship from any of the vendors listed. Happy shopping!

1. Target
2. Starbucks
3. Spa Finder
4. Amazon
5. Borders
6. Cabela’s
7. Bass Pro Shop
8. Old Navy
9. Sear’s
10. BLOCKBUSTER
11. Banana Republic
12. Gap
13. Macy’s
14. Walmart
15. Joann Fabrics
16. Darden Restaurants
17. babyGap
18. Dick’s
19. The Sport’s Authority
20. K B Toys
21. Claim Jumper Restaurants
22. Walden Books
23. AMC Theaters
24. Cineplex Odeon Theaters
25. Olive Garden
26. Cooking.com
27. iTunes
28. Carrabba’s Italian Grill
29. Foot Locker
30. Kmart
31. L.L. Bean
32. Outback Steakhouse
33. Land’s End
34. Panera Bread
35. Marriot Hotels and Resorts
36. Chili’s Grill and Bar
37. Tickmaster
38. Pottery Barn
39. The Great Indoors
40. Hollywood Video
41. Practice Range
42. Piperlime
43. Bath and BodyWorks
44. Williams-Sonoma
45. The White Barn Candle Company
46. Uno Chicago Grill
47. Barnes and Noble
48. Brookstone
49. A Pea in the Pod
50. Motherhood Maternity

Shutterfly Photo Cards

If you have a some special holiday photos that you would like to use on your family Christmas Card, then Shutterfly is a great greeting card choice. At shutterfly.com there are several Christmas card templates. Using these greeting card templates, insert your own personal photos. You can also get a Free Card to make sure you card is what you really want.

Watch a short demo video. We created a card in under 5 minutes (from registration to completion).

VistaPrint Christmas cards

VistaPrint has hundreds of greeting card templates. If you are on a budget the free cards are a great option. In just a couple clicks you can find the perfect greeting card and add your personal touch. If you don’t find the perfect template create your own family photo Christmas card.

FREE Holiday Cards at VistaPrint. Qty 10.

Christmas Card Etiquette

Now that you have your perfect holiday card created, there are some rules of etiquette you should follow.

Write on your cards – use a pen

You really should write the names of the recipients on the card you’re sending AND on the envelope. Write it by hand and write it in ink. You should also write your name in the card too. Again…write it by hand and write it in ink. This means you shouldn’t just upload some files and have the printing company send the cards for you. Handwriting really does add the ultimate personal touch. If you have horrible handwriting (so bad that the mail carrier can’t read it), consider using a script-like font if you really must use your printer.

Don’t just send e-cards

E-cards aren’t a complete no-no, but you should also send a real printed Christmas card to your friends and family. The tiny bit of effort will show you really do care. The convenience of an e-card might just show that you were too lazy to send the real thing.

Religious card – Yes or No?

I know I will get some disagreement here. I can’t always be politically correct! It is just not right. If you are sending a Christmas card, take a minute to think about what Christmas is. Do you even know? Well, it is similar to Christian and contains the word Christ. This is what the holiday is really about. If you want to be cautious about “expressing” your faith, this might not be the holiday for you to celebrate. If your list contains people you know well enough to send a Christmas card to, then those people should know if you are a Christian or not. If you are, you should not be ashamed to express it. If you are not a Christian, then you probably won’t be sending an overly religious card anyway. We have really lost touch with what Christmas really is and it is OK to share with others what it is really about!

When to send your greeting cards

You can start sending your cards right after Thanksgiving. Many people will use the cards they receieve to build a holiday display. Make your best effort to have the cards arrive before Christmas. However, if you are sending a holiday card, seasons greeting card or some other card that is not specifically a Christmas card, you can take up until the end of the year. If you are ordering custom holiday cards, begin to think about what you want in early November and try to get the order placed before November is over. Most companies will have a reasonable turn around time, but the mail is just a little slower around Christmas time. You will want to take that into consideration!

Who do you send the cards to?

Typically, cards are sent to friends, family, neighbors, and close business associates. If you are a newly married couple, start with your wedding guest list and add new friends or acquaintances to it. Your Christmas card list will grow and change over the years. Some people will move and never tell you. Others will send you cards and it is a good idea to return the favor.

Include your return address – always! Put your return address on every card. This will help you keep your list current when those undeliverable cards show back up in your mail box. It also helps others keep their Christmas card list accurate.

The countdown is on to the big day when family and friends get together and indulge in holiday festivities. What a fun and relaxing time…thank goodness, because every day leading up to it is a bit chaotic and stressful as we race to get everything done! Here are some tips to help you be prepared for those days leading up to Christmas.

1. Christmas Cards~When sending Christmas cards, have a place that contains an updated list of all the people you will be sending cards to. You should begin checking this list before Thanksgiving to give yourself plenty of time to do any updating that is required. If finding the right time to call a friend is a problem, use e-mail, myspace, or facebook to reconnect with friends and get their current info. Cards should be personalized by having a handwritten message and signature from you. If you are down to the wire and need to get your cards out pronto, use an online greeting card company to order your cards. These companies, like Shutterfly, have a variety of designs to choose from. If you are really pressed for time, the company will even mail your cards out for you.
2. People of Service~Because Christmas is a time of giving and showing our love to mankind, don’t forget to bless those who have blessed you throughout the year. Teachers are rarely forgotten, but the other professionals that work with our little ones often are. Those would be the assistants, aides, tutors, speech pathologists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists-all of those “behind the scenes” people that help the teacher make it happen each day for every child. In addition, the UPS and postal workers, hairstylists, staff at your dentist or doctor office. The list could go on. This doesn’t mean you have to buy for EVERYONE you come in contact with. Just offer a little something special to let them know you notice the hard work and service they provide for you and that you appreciate it.
3. The Little Things~As you fly through the month of December, the goal should be to work smarter not harder. Being prepared for all the little things will avoid stress and make more time for you to really enjoy the season with your loved ones. What are some of those little things? Food. Make sure to keep your pantry stocked with healthy snacks and your fridge full of fruits and veggies. It is really easy to let your nutrition (and your family’s) fall by the wayside with all of the sweet and savory treats offered during the holidays. Keep your health (it is cold and flu season) and weight in check by keeping those items readily available. Also, take advantage of your crock pot. Meals in the crock are huge time savers and they are just as delicious. You can also take advantage of all those left overs form Thanksgiving–make casseroles and freeze them for the month of December! Need help with meal planning? I have devised a monthly meal plan for the entire month of December that offers quick and tasty meals for you and your family. House Cleaning. Keeping the house tidy during this time can be tough. Your time is already limited, but it is likely that friends and neighbors will drop by to offer their gifts to you. This is the perfect time to get the kids involved! Kids can also get overwhelmed and feel a sense of urgency during the days leading up to the big day. To help tame behavior(s), keep them focused and expending that energy. Have them help out a little more at home. I am not endorsing child labor! As a teacher, I do know that children will work for what they want! Does johnny want a Wii for Christmas? Remind him that Santa is watching and every chore done exceptionally well is relayed to the big man! Children should also be taught the personal value of doing a good job and working as a team to get things done. Christmas is a time for giving! Let your children know how much that is giving to mom and dad! 
4. Scheduling. Between church and school events, holiday parties, relatives arriving in town-there is a lot to keep track of! Calendars are obviously a vital tool to help you keep track of life’s details. My husband and I differ in this area. He prefers to have his schedule visible by means of his phone or the computer. I prefer the “old fashion” method of actually penciling in things on a calendar. Whatever your preference, a calendar is essential to keeping your life prioritized.
5. Last Minute Gifts~As you shop for those on your Christmas list, pick up a few extra items for those you might have forgotten-the neighbor that loaned you foil, a co-worker, the school bus driver…whoever it may be, here are a few gifts that are sure to please the recipient and your wallet! ~a mug with a bag of hot chocolate mix and marshmallows ~a scarf ~some homemade cookies wrapped in a decorative bag ~a loaf of homemade bread with the recipe attached ~a wrapped candle ~a “winter kit” =1 pair of gloves, 1 bottle of moisture rich lotion, and a tube of lip balm ~an ornament ~a stamp, ink pad, and a set of blank cards ~a pretty teacup with teabags and a jar of honey ~a picture frame with a picture of you!
6. Baked Goodies~Christmas is probably the most popular time of year to bake edible art. Because I live with a cookie monster, any kind of cookie disappears fast. In order to keep up with the demand, I choose an afternoon to bake a stockpile of cookies and tasty treats. In order to make it all last throughout the season, I will divide everything up into freezer-safe Ziploc bags and freeze them until I am ready to use them. This is a great time saver! As you need something for company or Santa, just pull out what you need. If it turns out that you have some left over after Christmas, you’ll be ready for the next holiday!
7. Shipping Out~Have a lot of packages to ship, but not a lot of time or patience to wait in line at the post office? The United States Postal Service now makes it possible for you to order shipping materials online and have them delivered to your home. In addition to that, once you have packed your boxes, you can print labels, pay for your shipping, and schedule a pick up for those packages by your local mail carrier. Don’t forget to thank your mail carrier for this wonderful service! You can find tips on how to use this service here.