Tips and Tricks Link Party #98

Our last link party of the year is now live.  Thanks so much for all the fun of the past year!  I'll be taking a blogging break through January. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Most Clicked:

Rosemary Cranberry Butternut Squash from Melissa Kaylene

Host Favorites from Last Week:

Jessica (My Life By Jess) - Pinecone String Light Garland from Frugelegance

Kathleen (Fearlessly Creative Mammas) - Printable Christmas Postcards from Tailored by Tiera

Cassie (Southeast by Midwest) - Peppermint Sugar Scrub from The Crafty Blog Stalker

Krysta (KrystaSteen.com) - Gingersnap Cake from Lou Lou Girls

Gabby (Not Too Shabby Gabby) - Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Your Vibrant Family

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Tips & Tricks Link Party #97

We had another great party last week!  AND..... We had a winner for that Amazon Gift Card! Congratulations Betty B!!!

Take a look at all the featured posts and then take some time to link up and browse this weeks shares!

Most Clicked:

Rosemary Cranberry Butternut Squash from Melissa Kaylene

Host Favorites from Last Week:

Jessica (My Life By Jess) - Pinecone String Light Garland from Frugelegance

Kathleen (Fearlessly Creative Mammas) - Printable Christmas Postcards from Tailored by Tiera

Cassie (Southeast by Midwest) - Peppermint Sugar Scrub from The Crafty Blog Stalker

Krysta (KrystaSteen.com) - Gingersnap Cake from Lou Lou Girls

Gabby (Not Too Shabby Gabby) - Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Your Vibrant Family

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My Christmas Shopping Secrets

Are you still working on finishing up your Christmas shopping?  I'm currently sitting on the couch looking over my list of what's been purchased and what can still be gotten that will fit within the budget we've set.  We've been very fortunate this year with our kids' wish list containing very simple and heartfelt desires: to be with family, be with friends, visit our previous home town, package of gum, first loose tooth...... But, it really leaves me in a spot trying to get them gifts they will like and enjoy when they give me nothing to go on!  And while I would love to take everyone back to Missouri for a visit, time and money won't allow it.

This year will be different, too, because we live so much farther away from family.  Our travel accommodations will be different. which means our packing will have to be different.  In other words - I have no space for packing presents!

Since all these other things have been or will be different, my shopping has been different, too.  I want to enjoy this time of year and not fret.  

So, I've done all my shopping online.

Yep.  ALL OF IT.

Here are some of my little secrets for keeping my stress to a minimum and my budget on track this Christmas.

Amazon

Amazon Prime has been a wonderful tool for our family.  There is a yearly fee, but with the amount we order through the year, it more than makes the fee worth it.  (IF you don't order a lot or won't take advantage of the other services, I don't recommend it.)  

Not only have I gotten free shipping on all our orders, but I've also gotten some great deals!  Even better has been the ability to ship gifts for extended family right to their home (or to the grandparents place) so I don't have to worry about packing them for our trip.

Prime also made things really simple for giving gift ideas for my kids to the grandparents.  Simply create a wish list and then you can share it via email.  Made everything so easy!

If you are wondering if it would be good for you - there's a 30 day free trial.  You can give it a go and see if it would be worth the investment.  Other things we take advantage of through Prime are the videos, books, audiobooks, music, pantry and lightening deal early access. 

Here's a glance at the order schedule if you want to guarantee delivery for Christmas through Amazon Prime.

EBATES

This is a new thing for me to be doing this holiday.  I confess, I hadn't payed much attention to this site previously.  Thought it would be too complicated with too many hoops to jump through.  I was surprised, though! Really, REALLY simple!  

There's a convenient button to put on your browser window.

And a pop-up notice of possible cash back offers when you land on an eligible site.

I've only used Ebates for 3 purchases, but I already have a balance of cash back!!

GROUPON

I have found a few great deals here.  What I like most about Groupon.com is being able to find some pretty unique items for special people in our lives.  Items and gifts can be found either by looking in a specific location for local stores or by getting coupons to use online.  Last year we gifted an outdoor heater.  This year we've found a beautiful wall decoration.  (And I have a window open on my computer to see if I can find one more gift.)  

Sign up is free and easy, too!

Okay......

Those have been the most helpful sites in my Christmas shopping this year.  I would love to hear what you've been doing this year to help keep your shopping fun and as stress free as possible.  Comment below or comment on our Facebook page.

Remember to look for our Tips & Tricks Link Party starting up at 8 pm tonight!

**Many of my post contain affiliate links.  When you make a purchase through these links, I get a small percentage back at no extra cost to you.  The small monetary amount I get compensates me for the time I spend blogging and sharing with you.  Thank You!!

Pin The Nose On The Snowman

It's that time of year once again when all the holiday activities, concerts and parties start happening is quick succession.  The kids are excited, but for me it just ends up being more work in my already busy schedule.  {Is that too cynical?}  I always try to get over myself and step up the the proverbial plate for my little ones - whether at home or in helping with school activities.

I ran across some pictures on my computer from either my son or daughter's preschool party game.  Even though this is a classic game, the kids had so much fun with it being made over into a snowman!  Best thing for me was how quick and easy it was to get ready for the party.

Supplies:

Posterboard
Pencil
Markers
Stencils or compass
~ 13.5", 2 1/4", and 1 5/8"

Place plate on poster board leaving enough room on top for a hat and below for body.

Trace around plate with pencil
(using a pencil on this step will keep your plate clean and allow corrections to be easier)

Free hand top hat and body (hard to see, but it's there)

Trace around medicine bottle lid for 'coal lumps' for the mouth and eyes. (1 5/8" circle)

Use small cup for buttons down the body (2 1/4" circle)

Cover pencil lines with markers.

Design a nose for your new snowman.  Or use this free printable I whipped up for you.

And make enough to have for each of the kids participating. Names on the front or back to keep track of who put which nose where is a big help.  (ahem.... experience)

Color in areas you want with markers and embellish however you like.

Now sit back and enjoy watching all the kids' faces light up when you hang the poster on the wall and  give them each a nose of their very own.  AND........ don't forget the blind fold.  😉

If you do this, please share with us over on the Facebook page!  I would love to see any other ideas you all have done as winter or Christmas classroom games, too.

Tips & Tricks Link Party #96

Welcome to another week of creative links and great shares!  We've go the party started for this week and we still have the Amazon Gift Card going on until this Friday.  Don't forget to enter after taking a look at last week's features and this week's new shares!!

Most Clicked:

Christmas in the Master Bedroom from Debbie Dabble

Host Favorites from Last Week:

Jessica (My Life By Jess) - Peanut Butter Cheesecake Balls from A Mama's Story

Krysta (KrystaSteen.com) - Turkey Ham and Cheese Strata from Marilyn's Treats

Kathleen (Fearlessly Creative Mammas) - 12 Cookie Recipes from Around the World from Work Traveling

Cassie (Southeast by Midwest) - How to Make a Washi Tape Christmas Wreath from Crafty Blog Stalker

Gabby (Not Too Shabby Gabby) - 20 Christmas Cookies Santa Would Love from Crafty Blog Stalker

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An InLinkz Link-up

Tips & Tricks Link Party #95

Hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend!  Did you get a couple of great deals with all the sales going on?!  Did you stay on budget? Or have you already spent more than anticipated? It's always an interesting balance of giving to your loved ones and sticking to a money plan.

Here are a couple things to help you out:

1) Download and print these free budget helpers.  Just follow this link.

2) Enter below to win an Amazon gift card.  Who doesn't like a little extra cash to help through the holidays?!

Most Clicked:

The Absolute Best Brownie Recipes from Dreaming of Leaving

Host Favorites from Last Week:

Kathleen (Fearlessly Creative Mammas)
- 13 DIY Christmas Wreaths from Just 2 Sisters

Krysta (KrystaSteen.com)
 - Cranberry Snack Cake from Cooking with Carlee

Jessica (My Life By Jess)
- DIY Corner Block Moulding Caddy from Our Gilded Abode

Cassie (Southeast by Midwest)
 - Homemade California Rolls from Lou Lou Girls

Gabby (Not Too Shabby Gabby)
 - Pumpkin Nutella Earthquake Cake from Lamberts Lately

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Tips & Tricks Link Party #94

Party time is here again!!  Take a look at last week's picks and most clicked and then take a moment to look at all the great shares for this week.

Most Clicked:

Football Party Ideas and Crock Pot Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe
from Intelligent Domestications

Host Favorites from Last Week:

Cassie (Southeast by Midwest)
- Homemade Liquid Castle Soap from County Mouse City Spouse

Krysta (KrystaSteen.com)
 - 30 Day Christmas Countdown Bible Study from Your Vibrant Family

Kathleen (Fearlessly Creative Mammas)
 - Personalized Water Bottle Holder from Simple Practical Beautiful

Jessica (My Life By Jess)
 - Triple Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie from Marilyn's Treats

Gabby (Not Too Shabby Gabby)
 - Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls from Margaret's Morsels

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Christmas Wish List Bundle

Thanksgiving is in just a couple of days and the Christmas shopping saving commercials are in full force!

Keeping everything straight, knowing what to focus on and having a plan, makes the holidays so much more enjoyable.  That's what drove me to come up with a Christmas pack that will help me keep all the items I have to juggle during this time of year from dropping and crumbling around my feet.  Of course I know there are others out there who need some help in this area, too, so I'm offering it for free to anyone who joins the My Life E-club!

Here's what you'll get in the bundle:

My Wish List

A great way to start off the gift buying process is to actually know what your kids (or others) really want this year.  I know my kids pretty well, but there's always something on the list that will surprise me.  And then there are times when I'm sooooo last month on what they like.  (Know the feeling?)

This Wish List has plenty of room for the little ones to put all their wishes down so parents or grandparents have a better idea of what they want.  And, with two list per sheet (with a cut guide line), you'll be able to print as many as you need using less paper.

Christmas Gifting Budget

If you been visiting the blog for long, you know what a stickler I am on staying within our budget.  Spending more that we have, doesn't make for a very merry Christmas for us.  Ever.  It took us years to realized that starting the process with a limit makes it so much easier to stay where we need to monetarily.  This budgeting sheet has a place for a total overall budget and also a spot to write in exactly how much you can spend on each person on your gifting list.

There's a total of three pages, but obviously you can print as many as you need to cover your gifting needs.  On page 2 and 3 there's even a space for jotting down notes for those ideas that might come about while planning or shopping.

Gift Tags

Once you're finished with all your shopping, you're going to need some tags to put on all those prettily wrapped packages.  There's two sheets with 9 tags each and both have cut guide lines to help keep things easy.  Incase you haven't noticed..... all the items in the bundle coordinate with happy teal and red colors.

Bonuses!

So, after I got all of these pages done, I wanted to be able to do a lot of planning to make the actual shopping process quicker and easier.  Keeping track of the amount of money I'm not only spending but saving is a huge thing for me.  Anyone else out there like to see the savings add up?! 

To accomplish this I came up with not only a Black Friday Deals tracker, but also a Cyber Monday Deals tracker!

Both of these will allow you to know which store or site you need to visit to get the deals you need to keep your holiday spending under budget and regret free!  You'll also be able to keep track of sale start time, payment method used, and delivery date.

Want to get your hands on this whole packet?!

Follow the link below and you can get it delivered right to your inbox in time to get all your Christmas ducks in a row!

My Christmas Wish List Packet

If you're already a member of the My Life E-Club, check your inbox!  All club members get a notice of new products early and it should be ready for you to print!

Look for our Link Party starting at 9pm EST later tonight!

Happy Monday!!

Tips & Tricks Link Party #93

Most Clicked:

Christmas in Burlington from Debbie Dabble Christmas

Host Favorites from Last Week:

Krysta (KrystaSteen.com) - DIY Rustic Farmhouse Tray from Redo It Yourself Inspirations

Kathleen (Fearlessly Creative Mammas) - Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting from Pack Mama

Gabby (Not Too Shabby Gabby) - Caramel Apple Lasagna from Marilyn's Treats

Cassie (Southeast by Midwest) - Gift Wrap Organizing from Refined Rooms

Jessica (My Life By Jess) -Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars from Courtney's Cookbook

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An InLinkz Link-up

Tips & Tricks Link Party #92

Welcome to another Link Party!!

Most Clicked:

Holiday Gift Inventory from Refined Rooms

Host Favorites from Last Week:

Kathleen (Fearlessly Creative Mammas) - Super Saturday Crafts from Armchair Decorator

Gabby (Not Too Shabby Gabby) - Turkey Tamale Pie from Cooking with Carlee

Jessica (My Life By Jess) - Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls from Penny Pincher Jenny

Cassie (Southeast by Midwest) - 5 Ways to Simplify Your Morning from Drugstore Divas

Krysta (KrystaSteen.com) - Acorn Decor from Make it Easy Crafts

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