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Christmas Countdown: 75 Days of Christmas

September 10, 2010 By 2 Comments
WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 03: A Christmas wreath ...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

I am already thinking about Christmas.  For those of you who know me… you know that this is what I do.  Once there is a slight chill in the air I feel that it is my job to remind you all that Christmas is coming!  I have decided this year not to stress you all out too early.  I will be changing my 75 days of Christmas countdown to 50 days of Christmas Countdown.  There are a lot of things that I want to cover this year so I hope that beginning November 6th you will join me on a holiday excursion.   Some of the things that I am hoping to cover this year are:

  • Hot Toys This Christmas:  Find out early what will be hot this holiday and what will not!
  • Cookies:  I am planning on baking my way through my 101 cookie recipe book.  This was semi inspired by Julie and Julia.  I will be adding a rate that cookie button which will allow you to tell me what you think once you have baked a certain cookie!
  • How to have a homemade Christmas:  This year our family has all decided we will have a homemade holiday.  Take a look at what I have been crafting, baking and share some of your own ideas.
  • Daily Featured Videos from Youtube.com
  • Holiday Traditions Now and Then
  • How to Pick the Perfect Live Christmas Tree
  • Holiday Christmas Cards
  • Christmas Organizational Tips

There are many more Christmas adventures I hope to share with all of you.  So be sure to mark your calenders for November 6th when Ask Becca launches 50 days of Christmas: A Christmas Countdown!

Becca

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Christmas Countdown 2009: Little Santa Hat Cookies

November 18, 2009 By 4 Comments

38 Days Until Christmas
36 Shopping days remaining

The Cookie Exchange Week

For most of us cookies are an important part of the Christmas season.  Holiday baking can be a fun way to bond with the kids, enjoy extended family or relax alone.  In the 2008 Family Fun Magazine I found the cutest Santa Hat Cookies.  They are simple and fun to make and they come out super cute.

Ingredients:

  • 2 egg whites at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • Red colored

Heat the oven to 200 degrees.  With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until a soft peaks start to form.  .  Beating all the while, add the cream of tartar and vanilla extract,then slowly add the add the 1/2 cup of sugar.  Continue to beat until the peaks stiffen.

Spoon the meringue into a quart-size plastic bag.  Snip off a corner and pipe 2 dozen 1 1/2 inch-tall Santa hat triangles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet ( you should have about 1/4 of the meringue left).  Sprinkle the triangles with the red sugar then use the remaining meringue to add one pom-pom and trim.  Bake until the hats are hard but make sure they do not brown.  It should take a hour and 20 minutes.  Turn off the oven and leave the cookies for an additional hour with the oven off to allow crisping.

Becca


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Christmas Countdown 2009: Holiday Checklist

November 1, 2009 By 2 Comments

75 Days of Christmas Countdown:

55  Days Until Christmas

It is so important as the holidays approach to have a game plan.  I think that there are some simple things that can be done early.  These are not things that will be rushing the holiday.  They are things that will help you to be more prepared when they get here.

Image by disneyspeak.com via Flickr
  • Start Baking: There are many holiday treats that can be frozen and thaw well.  By starting holday baking a little at a time now you will have a chance to enjoy friends and family more at the holidays.
  • Get the calender out: It is never too early to start firming up plans for the holidays.  If you are planning a holiday party discuss them with friends and family now.  If there is a special trip you would like to pick the weekend now.  If there is a special day you would like to go shopping with a friend confirm the date and make the plans now.  If you would like to go see Disney‘s, “A Christmas Carol in 3-D” pick the date now.
  • Update Address Book: All through the year people move, pass away and change their phone numbers.  Go through your address book and make sure that you have all of the correct addresses for friends and family.  This will mean that when it comes time to send out Christmas cards you will be ready.
  • Make a Master Gift List: Write each person you need to shop for.  As you think of things that they will enjoy add it to your list.  Remember to leave room to check off when you buy it.  ALso remember to keep it away from the kids.  This also helps you hunt for the best price.
  • Develop a Budget: This is more important this year than it may have been in years past.  Many people have said that they will be spending less this year.  This means that we will all have to plan more and spend less.  
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Christmas Countdown 2009: 75 Days of Christmas

September 29, 2009 By 4 Comments
Edinburgh on the hill 2 - christmas corner
Image by Today is a good day via Flickr

Well it is almost that time of year again.  Yes I said it… Christmas is upon us.  I know that you are thinking that I am a bit over the edge but it is only 12 more days until my 75 Days of Christmas Countdown.  Day 75 is on coming quickly and I have begun to think a lot about what I am trying to cover this year.

Last year I offered my ideas of what the holidays should be and what they actually are.  If there is one thing that I have learned it is that Christmas never goes the way that I plan it.  It has more bumps then I am ever ready for but in the end the memories are fond when I look back.

I was thinking that this year there are some important things that I would like to cover.  I know that we are all on tight budgets this year.  Many people are out of work and even others are just struggling to make payments on their mortgages each month.  I am going to try and make this year a cheap, yet fun year.  I will be posting budgeting ideas, low cost gift ideas, easy crafts for kids and adults, and of course my insight and humor.  Yet again there is a lot to do and what feels like a lot of time to do it in!

I would like to ask all of you what Christmas topics you are looking for this year?  Shall I post recipies, survival guides, crafts, gift ideas or even a funny story or two?  What are we looking for this year?  What do you want your Christmas to be?

Becca

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