Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Celebrate Kwanzaa!

The kids and I try to do a movie night every Saturday night. Wouldn't this be great. A new movie to watch and popcorn too!

I'm going to continue my frugal, simple, organized life in '08.
What are your best tips and/or links?

I get emails from Get Organize Now! which has a newsletter with these cool little checklists. I don't do everything on the lists (I don't have a guest bedroom), but they are good for when I want to do a month of focused clutter busting.

____ Dec 1 Deep-clean the guest bathroom and bedroom. Add items to make guests more comfortable, such as fancy soaps and shampoos, fresh flowers, or seasonal decorations. I'm going to deep-clean my bathroom instead.

____ Dec 2 Prepare a list of preparations for the upcoming holidays.

____ Dec 3 Arrange to have your car checked at a garage prior to taking holiday trips. Make sure your emergency car kit is stocked for the winter weather. Include a shovel, kitty litter or sand, flares, food, water, candles, warm clothing or blankets, first aid kit, etc. Make sure your cell phone is charged prior to leaving. I don't have a car, so I would take the day off, or substitute for something different, like check my emergency kit at home.

____ Dec 4 Weed out outgrown childrens winter clothing. Donate them to a worthwhile charity. Plenty of people need warm clothing during the cold weather.

____ Dec 5 Today is the first day of Hanukkah. Celebrate the Jewish holidays.

____ Dec 6 Finish your Christmas Shopping early. You will be glad you're done. Buy a few generic and hostess gifts (such as candles, wine, hand lotions, kitchen towels, etc.). You'll be prepared for last-minute parties and you won't fret that you forgot to buy something for a friend or co-worker.

____ Dec 7 Finish up any homemade gifts. People will appreciate the effort you put into it.

____ Dec 8 Weed out some old toys and games, before all the new gifts enter your household. The 'one in, one out', rule can be useful in controlling toy volume.

____ Dec 9 Finish and mail out your Christmas cards. Keep a list of all new addresses you receive when others mail their cards to you.

____ Dec 10 Organize your gift wrapping center to ensure everything is at your fingertips. Stock enough gift bags, tags, tape, wrapping paper and bows for the season. I prefer to use gift bags which are so much easier, but I keep 1 roll of generic paper, solid red or gold are good for any occasion.


____ Dec 11 It’s time to start thinking about your goals for 2008. Decide on your New Year’s Resolutions.

____ Dec 12 Clean out your wallet and purse. Make sure you have an envelope or folder for Christmas receipts.

____ Dec 13 Make final plans for New Year’s Eve. Don't forget to confirm a babysitter for any children and stock up on party supplies.

____ Dec 14 Buy your 2008 calendar and note important dates such as birthdays and anniversaries.

____ Dec 15 Unclutter one hot spot in an area guests will see, such as a coffee table, dining room table, kitchen counter top or side table.

____ Dec 16 Arrange yearly doctor and dentist appointments for 2008. Write them on your new calendar. I make the kids appointments during a school break (summer is ideal) and mine on my birthday. Good health is the perfect gift to yourself.

____ Dec 17 Make a batch of cookies. Decorate them with the kids, your spouse, or friends and neighbors.

____ Dec 18 Relax and pamper yourself before the holidays. A day at the spa, a manicure, pedicure, massage, or a haircut could help you relax before the stress of the holidays.

____ Dec 19 Delete at least 20 files you've created on your computer's hard drive that you no longer need.

____ Dec 20 Remove books from a bookshelf and clean the shelf. Then, return each book to the clean shelf when you're done.

____ Dec 21 If you're hosting the holidays at your house, make sure you start making food in advance.

____ Dec 22 Celebrate the first day of winter by enjoying the outdoors with your children or significant other. Have some fun. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, or make some snow angels or a snow fort. You could also go sledding, skating, sliding or skiing.

____ Dec 23 Consolidate everything needed to host any celebrations at your house such as extra napkins, desserts, and other food items.

____ Dec 24 Drive around town and enjoy the holiday lights.

____ Dec 25 Merry Christmas. May this day be one that you'll hold close to your heart for years to come. Spend the day enjoying the people you love. Keep in your thoughts everyone serving our countries and their families, especially those that are far from home.

____ Dec 26 Today is the first day of Kwanzaa. Search online for 'Kwanzaa Recipes' and make one for dinner tonight.

____ Dec 27 Polish your silverware until it shines before putting it away, so it will be ready for the next holiday celebration.

____ Dec 28 After all your Christmas cooking and baking, give your kitchen counters a good scrubbing.

____ Dec 29 Return any gifts you received that you are not happy with or does not fit for store credit or an exchange.

____ Dec 30 Find all your noisemakers. You'll be ringing in the new year in a day!

____ Dec 31 Review your new year's resolutions and get ready to follow them starting at midnight.

I'm still going with my simple and frugal lifestyle, but I love teachers. My first major in college was teaching and after being in the classroom, I have mad respect for teachers (and bus drivers), so I always try to get them something for Christmas, even if it's a simple note saying "Thank you" You would be surprised how little teachers hear those words. So this year for Christmas, I'm going with the mug theme.
Throughout the year, every time I go to the thrift store I scan the coffee mugs and have managed to pick up mugs with "World's Greatest Teacher" or something along those lines all but one was 25 cents. The bus driver is a Buckeye fan, so I found an OSU mug for her.
We are going to fill the OSU mug with candy. A few conversations with her and I found out she loves Tootsie Rolls.
My daughter's teacher is getting a mug with bookmarks we are going to make (printed off the internet and covered with packing tape), a couple of tea bags and a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble.
My son't teacher is getting a mug with sheets of stickers, pens and a giftcard to Office Max.
The teacher's aide is getting a mug with candy and a giftcard to Wal-Mart.

You can defintely leave out the giftcards and keep the cost under $10 for all of them. This time of year even if you don't find teacher mug, the thrift store shelves are overflowing with Christmas mugs. Put the mugs in a nice gift bag or wrap in tissue paper or wrap if you're good at that kind of thing. Easy peasy way to say thanks to the people who are helping you shape your kids.