December 23, 2005

Helpful Hints for the Holidays!

Fa-So-La-La
photos by The Shieldmaiden
(well, all but the first two)


We all know what all you have on your plates this holiday season-- cooking, hosting, party-going, shopping, and all the other festivities of Christmas. So we decided to share some of our little secrets to help you get throught the holidays without unnecessary muss and fuss!

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As the big day approaches, make a to-do list like this one so that you can see at a glance what needs to be done.
(click to enlarge)








Make sure you include lots of little tasks for the youngsters!



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Head for the sales racks first thing for some spiffy bargains!


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If you find yourself giving in to stress, take a break! Go out for a quiet dinner with old friends.

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And last but not least, when the time comes to trim the tree, make sure you have a nice, stable ladder (don't climb up the back! It could topple!), don a festive apron to keep all that gooey pine sap off your fresh clothes, and slip into some comfortable, stylish shoes to make the job go easily and cheerily! Play some festive music to keep things cheery. Another tip for the tree-- red balls are a sure way to make a tree festive without fuss!



Make sure you add in other ornaments for variety!

15 comments:

Lynn Bruce said...

::whispering::

We are waiting for Fa to recover from reading Girls On The Go!, a glib and cheesy 1950's era homemaking book for girls that she found in her grandmother's abandoned desk.

I'm afraid it may have left a permanent impression upon her tender young sensibilities.

Mama Squirrel said...

Ponytails says, "High-heeled shoes on a ladder?"

Leslie Noelani Laurio said...

Ah, thank you, this is just what I needed to help me get organized! It's a little too late for this year, but I'll be sure to write all this down so I can be prepared, comfortable, stylin' and spiffy next year!

Pipsqueak said...

I agree with Ponytails. Plus I don't think heels are very comfortable anyway. *grin*
But you look absolutely adorable- I mean gorgeous on the ladder.

JennyAnyDots said...

Those are some sweet pictures! I love the ones of the Christmas to do list ;)
We need some pics of the Shieldmaiden, is she wearing a cute 1950's out fit,too?

GravyGal said...

This is great yall! Fa-so-la, I'd love to see that book. ;)

Anonymous said...

cool pictures!

Anonymous said...

Hilarious. Absolute comedy! I LOVE the picture of you on the ladder and...I think I will have to read that book.

Life is better in the South said...

Shieldmaiden, good pics.
Fa, you looks sooooo GORGEOUS and CUTE in all the pics...little miss 50's trimming your tree. Happy Homemaker, who frets over whether or not to have Apple Pie, or Peach Cobbler.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! (Jesus is the reason for the season)

Dodger of Sheep said...

Hmmm.I'm looking at the state of your mom's wine glass...and if it started out anywhere near as full as your dad's is, then she's good for several communions.

Owl of the Desert said...

I laughed out loud at "Christmas Adam" and "Christmas Eve." A great way to get organized. I think Mom did something similar this year...she made a list of everything that she wanted to cook, so she wouldn't forget anything. We spent the whole day yesterday cooking. I learned a lot...like how to tell the difference in "soft ball," "hard ball," and "hard crack" when making candy. Very interesting.

I also loved the picture of you, FSLL, on the ladder. I thought of 50's homemaker, as it seems everyone else did, too. You looked lovely.

Merry Christmas to each of you, and much love! :-)

Headmistress, zookeeper said...

I thought of Christmas in Connecticut when looking at those pictures.=)

Gem said...

Oh, my goodnes, you are WAY too organized!!! Can you put that list into a spreadsheet and make it available to the (disorganized) public?

Lynn Bruce said...

I'm actually NOT organized by nature, which is why I know I must make charts like that when the crunch is on.

And I'm almost sure I'm allergic to spreadsheets.

;-)

rachel tsunami said...

What's a spreadsheet? :-p