Graduation and Wedding Season Gift Giving

I have to admit, this time of year brings out the worst in me. A girlfriend just asked me how much money she should send to her nephew who is graduating high school. This put me through the roof and now I am on a bit of a tirade.

My friend says that she heard on the radio that she should give between $50-100. Who says I have to give the grocery money for this week to a distant relative? Or worse, an aquaintance? Are we all nuts? Where does this come from? Is this really what is expected? And furthermore, I have a couple of friends who recently suggested to me that when I attend a wedding it is expected that I will give at least as much money as I think my meals cost the bride and groom. Again. . .I tend to start to get hot under the collar at this point and ready to go to war.

So this morning, I started looking around the internet to see what was really expected, and do you know what I found? I found MANY etiquette sites stating that not only is there no expected amount for weddings or graduations, but that it is completely inappropriate for the graduate or bride and groom to expect gifts. Certainly they should not expect guests to pay for or help defer party costs. Wow. . .was my friend ever wrong. Here is a quote from Emily Post:

There is no rule, so it is entirely up to you. Let your affection for the bride and groom and your budget be your guide.

So it seems we have invented these expectations of one another. Each site I visit says that gifts should not be expected (although we should take something). What do you think?

Y-ME Walk In the Rain and Ironman Review

We did it!  We did the Y-Me Walk for Breast Cancer yesterday and here is a picture (that is me, the shorter one, and no, I am not standing in a sink-hole).  It was very rainy on Chicago’s lakefront, but spirits were high and DD and I and our friends had a nice walk.  If you get a chance to participate in one of these events I highly recommend it.  The event was well done from beginning to end and everyone involved was a pleasure to work with. 

I also got to celebrate Mother’s Day with my favorite activity, seeing a movie in the theater.  After much debate we decided on Ironman and we were not disappointed.  I have to agree with the reviews that I read that said this was a smart movie.  I thought everything about this movie was well done, and I had no idea that Jeff Bridges could play such an awesome villian!  If you get a chance to see this one on the giant screen with surround sound, do it.

Another Birthday Post

Since DM and DF are still my most regular readers, I am posting one more Sweet 16 birthday pic for them.

After a full weekend of partying, I believe we are finally done celebrating DDs birthday.  We gave her a present last night, jewelry seemed most appropriate, (since a car was out of the question) and took her to dinner at the restaurant of her choice.  She said that only Bennigan’s would be decorated and festive enough so off we went.  DH was happy to have a green beer to celebrate the day and we all had their new appitizer, the Monte Cristo Egg Rolls and each ordered a sandwhich.  All in all, I think that even though DD won’t be able to drive on her own for several months, she had a very nice birthday and is feeling pretty special.

It may just take DH and I a year to recover and be ready for the next one.

Birthday Blog

It is hard to believe that 16 years ago today at this time (7:50 am CST) I was welcoming into this world one of two really amazing kids.  It is also pretty amazing how fast time really does fly!  16 years of great times and great memories.

We partied all weekend.  We started on Friday night with a sweet 16 slumber party.  There was a theatrical theme, complete with movies and popcorn.  The girls had a good time, and Mom and Dad even got some sleep.

Yesterday we took the kids and in-laws to Medieval Times.  We had more fun than any of us expected.  If you get the chance to visit this display of a time long gone, I highly recommend a visit.  Of course it is a bit cheesy, but even my too cool DS had to admit to a good time.  The horses are great, the actors are ok, but the fight scenes while obviously fake are better than I expected and were well done.  Also, DH had warned us that the food would be small and not very good, and while it wasn’t great, it was not horrible and no one went home hungry.

Dealing With Christmas Stress - Part 3

The last thing about Christmas that usually stresses me out is the thought of having to decorate the entire house.

Not this year.  I have listed a couple of tips below to make holiday decorating quick and easy.

1.  Add Christmas tree lights to mirrors and doorways.  I know, the sprigs of evergreen and lights looks so nice, but I find that a cheap set of multi-colored lights around a mirror or door frame can quickly decorate a small room (like the bathroom).

2.  Place baskets of ornaments on tables and countertops.  We all have baskets lying around, and most of us probably have old ornaments that we don’t  hang on the tree anymore.  Put them in a basket for an instant centerpiece.  Add some ribbon and you have a very nice new decoration.  If you want to do more, paint the basket to match the bulbs.

3.  Add handmade snowflakes to windows and mirrors.  My kids actually love to make snowflakes and tape them to the windows.  Here is a great site with some patterns to use.

4.  Another thing I do is decorate pillows with ribbon from past Christmas presents and wrap wall art and pictures like presents.

5.  All you need to complete this look is to decorate the tree with traditional ornaments, bows and lights.

How I Keep Stress Away at Christmas

I was thinking on my drive to work today that the folks on the radio are special. The woman on the morning talk show was going on and on about how stressed she was and her shopping is almost done, as is her baking and decorating. I was thinking how I had barely started those things and yet for the first year that I remember, I am not at all stressed.

Then, upon arriving to work and checking Christine Kane’s blog as I do each day, I saw that she was also blogging about how to destress, and I figured I may as well add my $.02.

There are three things that usually get me stressed out around Christams time; gifts, baking, and decorating. I will spend the next three days telling you why I am not worried about these things this year.

Gifts: All I had to do to not stress about this is two things. First, I asked myself to quickly list what I received last year. I couldn’t do it. I remember what my thoughtful husband got me, but for the most part, I couldn’t remember the gifts. I am guessing that many people are like me; they remember that they were thought of by friends and relatives, but can’t remember the actual gift. As long as you make the effort, there is absolutely no reason to stress over picking the perfect gift. It doesn’t exist.

Second, I made a list of all the gifts I need to get. I have 22 purchases to make. Now, I don’t know about you, but there are many days, at the outlet malls usually, where I can easily make 22 purchases in a matter of hours. Why is it that we insist on spending several weeekends at the malls this month of the year? Come on ladies, we can do this in a day or less. Again, the key is to quit looking for the perfect gift and instead do the best you can.

Do not let others stress you out, and please realize that none of us have the perfect home, gift, kids, husband, family. Enjoy whatever you do have!

Ah yes, the weekend is coming, and I am preparing for it ahead of time. It has been a very long week both at work and at home, and I have been thinking all morning about some of the fun Christmas Cocktails I have seen and how I can’t wait to try them.

Before the mad cow kicks in (yes, I am a closet Boston Legal fan, and I know it is a terrible show but it is just so darned entertaining and impertinent that I LOVE it) I thought I better jot a couple of these down.

1. I first want to try a Candy Cane Martini. I found this yummy sounding recipe at my new favorite Christmas website; CandyCaneMartini.com. Combine the following: 3/4 oz Peppermint Schnapps, 3/4 oz Creme de Cacao, 1/4 oz Grenadine, 1/4 oz Half & Half, and a splash of 7-up.

2. How about a White Christmas? This recipe comes from the folks over at Fine Living: combine 4 oz of Eggnog, 1/2 oz of White Chocolate Liqueur, and 1 oz of Southern Comfort.

3. Next, I may have to try Emeril’s Candy Cane recipe. To make this, add the following ingredients to a large bowl filled with ice cubes: 3 candy canes, crushed , 1/2 bottle vodka, 1 1/2 cups cranberry vodka, 1/4 cup Grand Marnier, 2 cups macerated cherries, 2 quarts cranberry juice, and 2 tablespoons grenadine.

4. My Grandpa used to make Grasshopper parfaits for all the adults at Christmas when I was a kid, but I had to settle for the fudge parfait instead. This recipe for a Frozen Grasshopper will no doubt be good, and also bring back childhood memories. You blend the following ingredients: 3/4 oz green creme de menthe, 3/4 oz white creme de cacao, and 2 cups vanilla ice cream.

5. And just in case it is as cold by you as it is by me these days, I thought I should add at least one hot drink. How about a Hot Nuts: pour 1 oz of Amaretto almond liqueur and 1 oz of Frangelico hazelnut liqueur in a coffee mug, then fill with hot chocolate. Top with whipped cream and pour 1/8 oz of Cherry Brandy carefully over the whipped cream. Top with a cherry.

Finally Friday Fun

The weather forcast for here in Chicago this weekend is not so pretty. Lots of cold wet stuff, either snow or slush or slushy rain, so we are making plans at our house to do lots of baking.
One of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes has been handed down from generation to generation. It is an odd recipe, but a good one. My daughter and I will be making some of these up tomorrow. . .

CANDY LASSES (Christmas cookies)

Cream: 2/3 cup butter

¼ cup sugar
¼ cup brown sugarBlend: 1 egg
2 tbsp. MolassesAdd: ½ cup peppermint candy canes crushed

Sift: 2 cups flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. ginger

Beat well after blending in egg and molasses—then stir in peppermint candy and dry ingredients—drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheets—bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

Cool cookies for at least 5 minutes before removing from sheets.

Frost cookies with peppermint frosting.

To make peppermint frosting, add red food coloring, a few drops of peppermint flavoring, and some crushed peppermint candy canes to plain vanilla frosting.

5 Board Games Everyone Will Enjoy

I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to add another gift list, but I have to for two reasons. First, I want to record all my good ideas for myself, and second, everyone I talk to these days is looking for gift ideas. Let’s face it, it is the most important thing on all our minds right now. So, on to the board games.

My husband hates board games, but the kids and I love them. We also find that especially in the winter months, lots of couples like to come over for game night. . .and the food and fun is magical.

So, for those “gamers” on your holiday gift list, here are a few board games that I will be picking up for my friends this year (just so I can use them when I invite them over).

1. Eat It! Snacks & Sweets Trivia Game was feature in the December issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray. Not only does it get great reviews, and include questions about my favorite food group, chocolate, it comes with coupons also. Who wouldn’t enjoy this gift?! ($28)

2. I need to add the Jumbo Sequence game to a list for my family, as we play this all the time with friends. It is a team game, and so the competitiveness in us all comes out, but it usually provides hours of entertainment for anyone who likes card games. ($33)

3. We LOVE Cranium. This is the board game that we go back to time after time, and now there is a new version out. I may even put Cranium Wow on my own Christmas list this year. ($30)

4. Another food related game for the magazine above is one called Celebrity Chef the Game. I’ll admit it, there is nothing I like to do better on a Saturday morning than make a cup of coffee, have some eggs, and sit down to an hour or two of the Food Network. This game will at least validate some of my time spent! ($30)

5. And finally, another game we play over and over again at our get togethers is Scene It. If the person you are buying for has an XBox 360, another GREAT game that I can’t wait to try is the XBox 360 verion of Scene It. ($60)

5 Inexpensive Gifts for Kids

I was looking for stocking stuffers for my kids, and some small gifts for nieces and nephews and found some really good ideas both online and the December issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray.

1. My son has had a rough year, and so I have promised his Dad that I will put only coal in his stocking this year, but at least with Christmas Coal, I have found a fun way to do that!

2. I like these little watches for the elementry aged kids on my list. I like that it was designed by a child at St Jude’s and I also like the price.

3. These gloves are just too funky. I plan to get a pair for my dauther and all the girls on my list.

4. Ever since Jeff Foxworthy came on and challenged us to be smarter than our 5th graders, the kids in my house have been clamoring to play a game where they can beat the parents. I am putting this game under the tree, friendly competition never hurt anyone, just as long as the parents win! This website is also nice, as there is free shipping, and the option to choose only gifts made in the US.

5. And although the Wobble Deck is made in China, I think this is too fun to pass up. I think my teenagers will like this, and I am sure their dad will be anxious to show just how young he is with this game.