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A Planner that Takes the Guesswork out of Housework (And a Discount Code)

You’re ready to simplify. You acknowledge that life is too complicated, and you’re so excited to change that you want to throw yourself head first into purging and cleaning and buying matching containers to organize your entire life by this afternoon. I know. That’s how we all start. And then we crash and burn. You know it’s true. This is a no-denial zone.

Remember that you cannot effectively organize an overly scheduled, overly cluttered, overly hectic life until you rid yourself of the excess, or clear your queue as I like to say. Nevertheless, you can use organizational tools to help you on the journey to simplifying.

I have one such tool for you today, and I’m ridiculously excited about it.

Oooo, I’m getting that giddy feeling! Wheee! See, this is why I don’t drink caffeine. Focus, Christy!

Today’s tool is a planner from Susan of The Confident Mom. It is called…wait for it…

The 2013 Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner

Did you hear the Hallelujah Chorus just now, because I think I did…just a little.

This is not your typical planner filled with pages of imposing blank spaces. Let me tell you about it, unless you’d rather check it out for yourself at Susan’s website, The Confident Mom. In that case, arm yourself with the discount code SIMPHOME for $2 off the planner and supplement package.

Visit The Confident Mom (Don’t forget your coupon code!)

Here’s what I love about Susan’s planner:

It takes the thinking out of home management. It’s like someone took your entire household to-do list (even the things you forget about) for the next 52 weeks and laid it out into short daily and weekly tasks. It’s like that, because that’s exactly what Susan did. Don’t believe me? See for yourself.

Isn’t it pretty? Notice how the weekly chores (as well as yearly or seasonal tasks) are assigned a day, so you’re not overwhelmed by the enormity of merely existing in today’s society. The same-old, same old tasks are also included in their own section, and can be checked off as you (or your children) complete them. And there’s plenty of room for personalization, so if, say, your dog ate the neighbor’s pink flamingo lawn ornament, you can add replace flamingo…and dog…on your Saturday list.

The tasks Susan includes in her list are those which she uses in her own home, from daily to annually, as well as those she has garnered from clients and users of last year’s planner. Wow, that girl is thorough! Occasionally some of the tasks won’t apply to you, so you get to plaster a gold sticker on your forehead without even doing anything. That’ll keep the four-year-old inside you happy!

You realize what this planner means, don’t you? No more paralysis from not knowing where to begin. The thinking is done for you! Now who doesn’t like a little vacation for the brain now and then? Okay, my hubby, but who else? Bill Gates, yes, but, you get my point.

All you have to do is find your day, pick something, and do it. Ignore the other days, ignore the empty bubbles, ignore the naked baby running through the house with a bag of chocolate chips…okay, don’t ignore that one. You can jump in where you are. If you’re down and out for a week with the flu or on family vacation for two weeks, who cares! Jump back in when you can, and keep moving forward, not looking back. Just do the next thing.

Sigh. Relief.

Wait…there’s more. (You knew there would be.)

There are two version of the planner available–with or without a Scripture reading plan that will guide you through the Bible in 365 days. (Again, jump in where you are and don’t stress if you miss a day.)

Plus, Susan offers a terrific supplement that can serve as an excellent family organizational tool. You can be ready for emergencies, baby sitters, holidays, grocery shopping, and much, much more that I won’t go into here. You can learn more at The Confident Mom. To enjoy $2 off the planner/supplement combo, use coupon code SIMPHOME at checkout.

Visit The Confident Mom. Take the coupon code with you!

The planner and supplement are available for instant download after purchase, so you can take advantage of your enthusiasm to fly through today’s list. You can print the planner and put it in a binder, have it bound at a print shop (around $4), or hang a page a week on your refrigerator.

Do I recommend the 2013 Confident Mom Planner?

I do. I really do. I like this planner, and I highly recommend it, but…

I don’t want you to buy it unless you can assure me that you will not obsess over the empty bubbles. Do what you can do and be content with that. You are on the journey of simplifying, and, yes, a safe, clean home is part of a simple life. In our zeal, however, we can put our tools and our end goal ahead of the purpose for those tools and end goal. In other words, sometimes we put “making home safe and clean for the kids” ahead of the kids themselves. Spend time on it with them, spend time on it for them, but don’t spend time on it instead of on them.

Let me reiterate, my favorite part of the planner is this: if it’s not on today’s list, don’t worry about it. Go! Have a snowball fight with the kids. Learn how to bake bread. Take a walk with the love of your life. Then, when tomorrow rolls around, gather your family around you and tackle the new day’s tasks…and just the new day’s tasks.

For more information about the 2013 Confident Mom Planner, to hear what other moms have to say, and to purchase, head on over to The Confident Mom.

Don’t forget your coupon code! The planner alone is $9. The planner/supplement combo is $14, but my readers save $2 off the combo with the code SIMPHOME. Thanks Susan!

If the planner doesn’t work for you, that’s okay. Susan offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Isn’t she a doll?

Click here for more info or to buy! (And don’t forget your coupon code. This is a recording.)

Disclosure: Susan gave me a free copy of the planner and supplement to see if I was interested in promoting it. Would I have promoted it if there was nothing in it for me? Yes, yes I would. Why? Because I share with you anything I believe will benefit you, and which fits in The Simple Homemaker’s guidelines of a simple life…but I will never sell my values or your trust for a few bucks or a free planner…not even one as terrific as this.

If you buy this planner through the links in this post, I will receive a commission, which is one way you can support The Simple Homemaker. Earnings from this site do two things: 1) they are reinvested in The Simple Homemaker, and 2) they buy schoolbooks for my seven children who are chomping at the bit for Spanish lessons and science books. You don’t have to buy through my link, but if you wish to buy, are using my discount code, and appreciated my time investment and honest review, please consider using my link. Thank you! Now go hug somebody.

The Real Truth About Simplifying Your Life

Raise your hand if life has become too complicated. Is your hand up?

Why is life too complicated?

Why is the calendar jammed full of activities? Why are closets bursting and cabinets overflowing? Why is there no time to consistently put healthy meals on the table? Why do we have to schedule time to see our own children and husband?

We tend to blame our personalities: “I’m just not naturally organized.”

Or we play the grown up everybody-is-doing-it card: “The kids have to be well-rounded to fit in.”

Some of us are even resigned fatalists: “That’s just the way life is. You’ve gotta grin and bear it.”

Is that how you want to live? Grinning and bearing it until…until what? The kids are grown and gone and you can’t redeem that lost time? You’re too exhausted and stressed to even remember how to enjoy life? You’re six feet under?

“Of course not! I don’t want to live that way, but…I’m just not naturally organized.” Insert the I’ve-heard-it-all-before excuse of your choice.

It’s confession time.

People assume that, because I homeschool, manage a family of nine, cook from scratch, travel the country with my family, and run The Simple Homemaker, I am born-organized. You’d better sit down.

The only aspect of my being born-organized that’s true is that I was born. Not only am I not born-organized, but it took me nearly 30 years to learn to consistently make my bed. My ridiculously messy bedroom from childhood and early adulthood has become a family joke. It takes me longer than the average person to develop a good habit, and if I push too fast (which is probably half the speed most of you can handle), I crash and burn.

There’s more. I can’t manage the physical “stuff” that seeps into our home. Not only does clutter mentally oppress me and physically suck the breathable space out of a room, but it plays evil games with my hoarder tendencies. I’m naturally bad with a budget, bad with a schedule, bad with follow-through, and bad with self-discipline. Finally, the most humbling to admit is that I have unrealistic expectations regarding my own abilities–I can’t manage all (or even half) of what I think I can manage.

“Then why on earth are we listening to you?”

Because being undisciplined, disorganized, and unstructured is precisely why I had to simplify to survive…and, yes, thrive. And if I can do it…indeed, if I can, so can you, no matter who you are!

What do I mean when I talk about simplifying here at The Simple Homemaker?

Simplifying is getting rid of the excesses in your schedule, your home, and your life so that you can effectively manage what matters most to you and your family. I call it clearing your queue.

Don’t be disheartened if what you can manage seems small. Manage that smallness to the best of your ability, and all those in your small circle will thrive.

It is not a matter of emulating the likes of Martha Stewart, your mother-in-law, or even The Simple Homemaker–heavens, please don’t try to emulate me! It’s a matter of scaling down to what works in your family. Don’t try to be what you’re not, because your family will be missing out on the unique gifts that only you can offer.

The first step to embracing a simple life is acknowledging your personal need for simplicity, and committing to the process–no excuses. Simplifying, ironically, may be one of the hardest tasks you’ve ever undertaken. It’s painful…uncomfortable at best, but in the end, you will never ever ever (repeat incessantly) want to go back.

Ever.

Do you want to commit to simplifying? Decide today to turn your life in a simpler direction.

Next week, we’ll discuss your first action step to develop a simplifying mindset.

What areas in your life have become too complicated?

Helpful Resources:

While there is no perfect organizational tool, and no tool will negate your need to simplify, here are two great options to keep you on task as you manage your home. I own both of these so that I could properly review them and recommend them.

Get Organized Wizard is offering their popular Organize-In-5 Diary for $4.95, a whoppin’ 83% discount. It includes a 5-minute organizational mission for each day of the year to help you declutter, organixe, and simplify. I own this, and it’s never too late to jump in. (Limited-time offer.)

Confident Mom’s 2013 Household Planner breaks the entire year down into daily and weekly home management tasks to do or delegate. Each week is on its own page, so you can print it out and check items off as you go. It can be purchased with or without daily Bible readings. The supplement adds even more helpful material. Only $9 for the planner, or $12 for the planner plus supplement (regularly $14) using code SIMPHOME. Well worth it in my opinion. Jump in where you are!

Your Votes Are In – Top 12 Posts of 2012

Welcome to The Simple Homemaker’s new and improved 2013 blog? What’s different? Instead of a little “2” at the end of the date, there’s a little “3.” I know, I know. It’s a lot to take in all at once, but you’ll get used to it. Give it time.

It’s going to be a great year here. We have already begun implementing big plans for The Simple Homemaker in 2013, including a free ebook for all you email subscribers. If you’re not a subscriber, jump on board to get the heads up when that’s available.

We’ve also got some great nuts and bolts posts lined up to focus more directly on simplifying your life, decluttering your home, streamlining your schedule, and otherwise making homemaking, parenting, holidays, and living a little less complicated. Less complication means more joy…and more time to make cookies. I’ll even give you a few cookie recipes as the icing on the cake.

Meanwhile, enjoy a trip down memory lane with these golden oldies. Some are my most-read posts. Others are those which, based on personal emails and comments, touched readers the most. And there’s one that made the cut just because it’s got a great picture of my handsome hubby. Hey, a girl can love her man out loud!

My Four Favorite Family New Year’s Traditions

Sixteen years ago I was in labor with my firstborn on New Year’s Eve and gave birth to a very loud, but beautiful New Year’s baby. Every New Year’s Eve since has paled in comparison. Still, we try to send off the old year with a bang, so this is what we do.

Every New Year’s Eve we have a family party. I schedule different simple activities for different times throughout the evening (as well as massive amounts of food to keep Mama awake). I write each activity on a note and place it in a paper bag or envelope, or roll it up like a scroll. I indicate the time it should be opened either by writing the time on the note or bag, or by attaching a paper clock showing the time. Throughout the night, we open the bags or unroll the notes and ~~eat the cookies~~ enjoy the activity. Over the years, these four have become my favorite:

Out With the Old

We each write down something we do not want to repeat in the new year. It’s generally a bad habit or negative personality trait, although one year my young, less-than-coordinated son wrote “I don’t want to fall next year.” More introspective children (or mamas) may write things like impatience, disrespect, or laziness. Sharing our work is optional. We toss the notes in the fireplace and say a prayer as we watch our old habits burn up. It doesn’t miraculously take our bad habits away (Rats!), but it does make us conscious of a need to grow in that area. And it makes a neat little bonfire–who doesn’t love fire! Okay, Smokey the Bear, maybe, but besides him.

Time Capsule

Each year we toss something into our family time capsule, a five gallon bucket with a lid which we decorated as one year’s activity. It doesn’t matter what it is–a lonely sock from a favorite pair, a photo, a card from a relative, a lost tooth. Someone tried to talk me into saving the baby’s umbilical cord last year, but I don’t think that made it in. We may or may not jot down a note about the significance of the item…like the sock. On New Year’s Eve we sort through the contents and add more.

Predictions and Memories.

I print out a worksheet for each family member to record predictions for the upcoming year, and a second for recording memories from the previous year. We read predictions from the year before and laugh over them. Sometimes we’re amazed at how close our guesses came to reality. We save all the papers inside our time capsule, although a binder would work just as well.

If you wish to do this, the printable sheets we use are here.

Come as You Are Family Photo

We take a quick annual family photo in which nobody gets dressed up (or dressed, in some cases). Some people are in PJs, some in holey jeans or aprons, some in ballerina outfits or cowboy hats. It’s a true-to-life, just-as-we-are, someday-we’ll-look-back-and-laugh family photo, complete with some random portion of the dog in the shot.

(No, I don’t have a gold tooth, no, I have not slept in 16 years, and no, they are not twins. Did I miss anything? Oh, yes, there is only one boy.)

For more fun and simple New Year’s Eve ideas, read this idea-filled post from last year.
If you’re on Pinterest, visit my New Year’s board.

What are your favorite family New Year’s traditions?

Kindle Fire Giveaway and Over $300 in Ebooks

At the Simple Home, we like to keep Christmas going and going and going. That’s great news for you, and here’s why. I belong to the Positively Real Media Network. It’s a bunch o’ non-judgmental Christian mamas that like to “keep it real” while striving to eat and parent in a wholesome, but realistic manner. (I say “striving” and “realistic” because right now I’m eating the heads off gingerbread men for breakfast, and when the kids get up, I’ll serve them the bodies.) Anyway…

We are giving away a Kindle Fire!

Just think, that could be your beautifully manicured hand in the picture above, delicately cradling that Kindle Fire…which would look pretty weird if you’re a fella. Let’s move on.

To give the winner (which could be you) something worth reading on that brand spankin’ new Kindle Fire (cuz who wants to stare at a blank screen!), we’re also giving away a bundle of ebooks worth a combined value of more than $300. You can find out all about those babies below, or just jump to the bottom and sign up for the giveaway…which is actually what I would do, and THEN I’d go back and look at all the books, because I’m backwards like that.

Here are the books the winner will receive with the Kindle Fire (if you already own one or more of the books, you can re-gift them to someone else who would enjoy them–think late Christmas present.):

Recipes & Whole Foods Cooking

Have Your Fruits… and Veggies, Too! by Laura Coppinger @ Heavenly Homemakers ($5.95)

Real {Fast} Food by Trina Holden @ Trina Holden ($6)

20 Minute Meals by Leigh Ann Dutton @ Intentional by Grace ($4.99)

Real Food… Real Easy by various bloggers @ The Humbled Homemaker ($9.95)

Smart Sweets by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($8.95)

Healthy Snacks To Go by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($8.95)

Sourdough A to Z by Wardee Harmon @ GNOWFGLINS ($20)

Restocking the Pantry by Kresha Faber @ Nourishing Joy ($7.99)

Easy. Homemade. by Mandi Ehman @ Life Your Way ($3.99)

Grain Free Meal Plan Cookbook by Cara Faus @ Health, Home & Happiness ($18)

Toadally Primal Smoothies by Todd @ Primal Toad ($9.95)

Simple Food {for spring} by Shannon @ Nourishing Days ($10)

Simple Food {for winter} by Shannon @ Nourishing Days ($10)

Well Fed (Paleo Recipes) by Melissa Joulwan @ The Clothes Make The Girl ($14.95)

Crock On by Stacy Walker Myers @Stacy Makes Cents ($5)

Real Food Budgeting

Real Food on a Real Budget by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($18.99)

Plan It, Don’t Panic by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($4.99)

Don’t Compost It, Cook It by April Patel @ An Apple a Day Wisdom ($2.99)

Your Grocery Budget Toolbox by Anne Simpson @Authentic Simplicity ($4.99)

From Debtor to Better by Barry Myers ($10)

Skincare and Beauty

My Buttered Life (Baby edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)

My Buttered Life (Gift edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)

My Buttered Life (Summer edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)

Simple Scrubs to Make and Give by Stacy Karen @ A Delightful Home ($3.99)

Holistic Mama’s Guide to Homemade Skincare by Roxanne King @ The Holistic Mama ($19)

…and one more!

Homesteading, Gardening and Preserving

Your Custom Homestead by Jill Winger @ The Prairie Homestead ($4.99)

Guide to Gardening and Preserving by Laura Coppinger @ Heavenly Homemakers ($7.95)

Apartment Gardening by Jami Leigh @ Young Wife’s Guide ($2.99)

Lifestyle

Simple Living by Lorilee Lippincott @ Loving Simple Living ($2.99)

Herbal Nurturing by Michele Augur @ Click here to visit Frugal Granola.” target=”_blank”>Frugal Granola ($8.95)

Simple Natural Health by Nina Nelson @ Shalom Mama ($17)

Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($12.95)

Music: An Essential Ingredient for Life by Resound School of Music ($6.99)

Breast to Bib by Kate Tietje @ Modern Alternative Pregnancy ($8.95)

First Bites by Hilary Kimes Bernstein @Accidentally Green ($9.99)

Healthy Pregnancy Super Foods by Kate Tietje @ Modern Alternative Pregnancy ($8.95)

Unbound Birth by Jenny Yarborough @ The Southern Institute ($4.99)

The Bootstrap VA by Lisa Morosky @The Home Life and Me ($12.99)

Honoring the Rhythm of Rest by Daniele Evans @Domestic Serenity ($0.99)

Special Deals!

And just in case you don’t happen to win, some of the authors have generously offered discounts on their eBooks for the duration of the contest:

Your Grocery Budget Toolbox is 25% off, making it only $3.75. Use this link to purchase at the discounted price (PDF only).

The Bootstrap VA is also 25% off. Get the PDF version via this link for only $9.74 using the code NEWYEAR. The Kindle and Nook versions will be discounted automatically.

First Bites is 50% off (PDFs only), making it only $4.99. No code necessary.

Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below. The mandatory entry is super simple – just hit Enter! Then you can earn additional entries for following your favorite blogs via Facebook or email subscription. Increase your chances by liking and subscribing to them all!

This giveaway is only available in the United States and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All ebooks were donated by Erin of The Humbled Homemaker. Thanks, Erin!

Linked to: Planet Weidknecht, 3 Boys and a Dog Deals, Cha Ching Queen, All Ruby Cakes, Inspiration for Moms.

Simple and Affordable Last Minute Stocking Stuffers

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you live in my house, do not read this. I’m serious. Do not read! I’ll know if you do, so click away. That goes for you, too, Honey! (Insert angry eyes.)

Okay, folks, it’s officially the last minute. If you forgot the stocking stuffers, I’ve got your back with some great ideas–or at least some bulky ideas that will take up space.

My criteria for stockings are as follows:

Is it affordable? Better yet, is it an item from the regular budget that can be used as a gift? (Such as food, personal care products, clothing, hair accessories, and other necessities, spruced up a bit.)
Is it junk that I will want to throw away 13 seconds after it’s opened? No junk allowed!
Will they like or appreciate it?
Is it light enough that the combined weight of all nine stockings won’t rip my husband’s hand-crafted mantel off the wall? (That’s a biggie.)

I interviewed everyone in my family, including the dog and nephews, and copied their ideas down as they spewed them simultaneously. That gives you the perspective of a husband/dad/manly man, wife/mom/country girl, two teen girls, two tween girls, two tween boys, a young boy and girl, a sweet, shnoogly little kissable baby with chubby little toes I could just eat up (a-hem…excuse me), and a dog. If you have teen boys…well…good luck, cuz I got nothin’. Many of these can cross over into other categories, but I won’t be repeating them in this list.

Freebie ideas or things that would otherwise be a part of your regular budget are in bold.

Here are the results of my extensive research and some pics from the year I stuffed my hubbies stocking for free, so, uh, the “Kiss Me” lip balm was for my man, not my daughters.

For the husband/dad/manly man:

(Stephen, I’m not kidding. You better not be reading this.)

Things you always “borrow” from him (for me it’s pens and nail clippers; to make this option free, hunt up all the things you’ve “borrowed” since last Christmas, tie them up in a ribbon, attach a tag reading “stolen merchandise” )
Things he is always losing (chapstick and nail clippers)
Something he can eat that you usually won’t buy due to cost (pistachios, for example)
Gift cards
His favorite bad-for-you snack, which, considering recent events, should maybe be a Twinkie this year (My man says Werther’s that he doesn’t have to share.)
His favorite treat that you make him
Something to fit with his hobbies or interests (my man is a professional musician, so we have given him fingernail hardener, guitar picks, a tuner, guitar strap, strings. For yours it might be ammo, rock climbing chalk, golf tees, clicker batteries, mouse pad.)
No socks or undies! He says they take up too much room–his stocking is the smallest in the family, but if he had a big ol’ stocking, I’d pad it with some socks. (I think I will anyway, since the laundromats across the country have been eating holes in his.)
Pretty negligee…for the wife…yes, in the hubby’s stocking (consider your kids’ curiosity levels before pursuing this idea)
A key to a Harley. (Nice, Honey! How’d you slip that in there? Is there even such a thing as a nine-passenger Harley?)

For the wife/mom/country girl:

Okay, family, you can read this section.

Things that are continually plundered from her purse (small tissue packs, chapsticks, a nail clipper, chiclets)
Little things to make life easier (like a flashlight keychain for her keys, or how about one of those remote buttons that unlocks the van for her, because chances are her arms are full of children and groceries…you know, hypothetically, if, also hypothetically, her husband felt he should have the easy button instead of her; you know, she might hypothetically not be able to let that go)
Some moms love jewelry, some moms don’t. For some practical jewelry, how about Teething Bling, a teething necklace that Mom wears. I love mine!
Homemade coupons for a meal cooked by Dad, a massage, etc. are always great, but in my experience they have NEVER EVER EVER been redeemed, because Mom feels too guilty asking, or everyone seems too busy, so if you give this, follow through without making Mom ask…please.
Clip her coupons. If she’s a coupon clipper, do the work yourself on her behalf and pop them in her stocking…neatly, of course.
Her favorite treat that she would never buy or make for herself, you know, like dark chocolate-covered almonds, or maybe almonds…covered in dark chocolate.
A gift card with orders that it must not be spent on food, toilet paper, or diapers.
Something for her hobby, and a gift certificate for three uninterrupted hours to pursue said hobby. My hobby is napping.

For the teens:

Girls, you know you’re getting coal, so don’t bother reading this.

A treat or snack they would not normally get (chocolate bar, chocolate-covered nuts, chocolate, gum…chocolate-flavored)
Special pen, art tool, guitar pick, bow resin, anything to support their passions or hobbies)
Chapstick or lip gloss
Stuffed animal or other toy or item they enjoy (make it extra special and free by fixing up an old favorite from early childhood and regifting it.)
Things that usually have to be shared (nailclippers, uhhh, other stuff)
Pomegranate or other “treat” fruit. (A neat old man in the grocery store hyped up Jazz apples to us this year, which are more expensive than our usual picks, so my kids are getting Jazz in their stockings.)
A gift certificate to Redbox for,perhaps, five movie rentals of her choice
A note from my teens: toothbrushes and underwear have now achieved “lame” status, but fun socks are still good. Personally, I think a new toothbrush or toothbrush head is fab!
Nice personal care items, like a mud masque or hair accessories we wouldn’t normally spend money on. Make a gift certificate for a girls’ night.
Key to the car…your car, not theirs…because there’s nothing simple, affordable, or last-minute about a car.
SD card for their cameras or…oh, I won’t even pretend to be tech-savvy here. Just some gizmo that techies need and that will fit in a stocking for not very much money, okay!
Something useful, like a new cami in a different color.
Something hobby related, like drawing pencils or new thread…or a flame thrower.
Puppy (Is this to fit on the Harley with the rest of the family, Girls?)

For the Tweens:

Avert your eyes, children.

Chocolate
Chapstick
Fun socks
Stuffed animal
Small toy (make it free by passing along a favorite from your childhood)
Toothbrush
Homemade treat
Reading light
Something from their collections, if they have one.
Activity booklet
A coupon to get out of a chore (thanks to my nephews for this great idea).
Puppy (um, I’m detecting a theme.)

For the kids:

Ice skates, roller skates (seriously, kids, how big do you think a stocking is). How about a homemade gift certificate to go ice skating (or for any other family activity).
Chocolate, fudge, or caramel, especially a big box of chocolate not to share (Can you tell my four-year-old wrote this list?)
Snack or favorite fruit
Spinny toothbrush
Hair pretties. Restock the hair bands and ties that get lost throughout the year, or cut some ribbons.
Bandaids. Get the ones with pictures.
Favorite movie
Small version of their favorite toys, like a Lego mini-figure, matchbox car, or small doll (Make it free by passing something down from older siblings or your own childhood collection.)
Stuffed cat or dog
Keychain flashlight to hook to their backpack or to hang on a hook by the bed
Puppy (Attention, please! We are not getting a puppy…are we?)

For Baby

Something recognizable, like a favorite toy or “wooby”
Something recognizable and edible, like a banana
Her favorite book from her collection, or pass one down from an older sibling.
If your baby is big enough, a container of something she can eat without help. Think immediate gratification, and also preoccupation while the other children are saying “Mama, look-it!”
A pocket pack of tissues she can pull out and shred (Thanks to my amazing sister-in-law for this idea.)
A sippy or bottle if your baby uses either…filled with whatever your baby drinks. Since my little ones nursed, and I don’t fit into a stocking, a sippy of water worked. It was just a sippy from our cupboard that they knew was theirs.
An ornament to start her collection…or a football to start his career–ha ha. That was a joke. Laugh.
Stuff it with diapers 🙂
Don’t get her a puppy.

For the dog:

He likes food
He needs flea and tick control
He does not need expensive toys that he’ll only rip the squeaker out of
He gets a few of his old tennis balls thrown in.
He is not getting a kitten, although that would be interesting

Here are some stocking stuffer ideas from others:

Your turn! What are your best simple and affordable stocking stuffer ideas

Festive Traditions Review and Giveaway and a Kitchen Miracle

Please note: This review is for an e-cookbook. If you purchase or win this cookbook, you will be able to download it instantly onto your computer. It is not a hard copy, although you can print it yourself.

To skip my review and buy Festive Traditions for instant download, make sure you go armed with the discount code SIMPLE25 for 25% off:

Buy Festive Traditions.

To skip down to the giveaway, click here:

Skip all the fun and go straight to the giveaway!

Today I am sharing with you a new e-cookbook called Festive Traditions: A Real Food Guide to the Holidays by Jill Marks of Modern Alternative Kitchen. It’s full of festive real food recipes suitable for a holiday dinner, New Year’s Eve buffet, Christmas morning breakfast, Christmas Eve dessert, you name it! The author calls it Festive Traditions, but I call it Little Miracle Worker. Here’s why:

If there’s anything my husband dislikes more than beans, it’s Brussels sprouts. I have a distant, blurred memory of our early years of marriage when he absolutely forbade me from ever feeding him Brussels sprouts. My memory has faded with age (wink, wink), and I served my husband Brussels sprouts prepared according to a recipe in Festive Traditions. The conversation went like this:

Me (with the build up): Great news! I’m not feeding you beans for dinner tonight.

Kids (tag-teaming him): Daddy, they’re delicious. You should try them.Hubby (happy, then suspicious): Yes! Wait. What is this? Are these…? You didn’t! These aren’t…Brussels sprouts are they?

My marriage and my book review hinged on the next few moments. My kids and I decided that if Daddy liked them, the book was a keeper. It all rested on him. You know, I’ve got to give him ~~just a wee bit of~~ credit, because ~~after some cajoling~~ he tried the Brussels sprouts without whining ~~quite as much as I had expected~~.

In fact, he had seconds. And this is what he said:

“If Brussels sprouts tasted like this, I would eat them.”

I know, that doesn’t make any sense whatsoever, but the fact is, he loved the Brussels sprouts. In fact, we’re serving them again on Christmas Eve, and the kids are super excited.

(I didn’t think, back when I was sitting through college calculus and advanced writing, that I would someday be publicly singing the praises of Brussel sprouts, but here I am…singing.)

My Review of Festive Traditions

My family tested Festive Traditions extensively and we enjoyed a number of recipes that would work to make your holiday meals healthy and delicious. Here are some of our favorites:

Brussels sprouts (big, victorious grin)
Stuffed mushrooms
Spinach artichoke dip
Cheesy potatoes
Salmon with dill dip
Potato-Crusted Quiche
Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal
Lemon-Poppy Seed Biscuits

Here’s what I like about Festive Traditions:

At a time when people typically indulge, these foods taste indulgent, without using any processed foods.
Some of the recipes are absolutely fantastic.
We had most of the ingredients in our cupboard (mind you, we’ve been eating this way for a long time). There was nothing too far out there, although we did replace a few ingredients for more easily attained items.
Some of the recipes are very simple to make, such as the spinach dip, stuffed mushrooms, and chicken soup for starters.
There are symbols on each recipe indicating which are dairy-free, egg-free, etc., so that you can meet the needs of your guests or family.
It’s festive!

Did we like all the recipes?

No, we did not like the butternut squash soup, and next time I’ll leave the pecans out of the pecan waffles. I know, they won’t be pecan waffles anymore, but it’s a texture thing for my kids. Everything else went over very well, especially the salmon, the mushrooms, and indeed, the Brussels sprouts.

Was it simple?

I have been cooking from scratch for years, so to me, it was relatively simple. If you are new to real foods, a small number of these recipes (green bean casserole comes to mind) may be overwhelming to you. It’s okay. You can relax and enjoy the many simple recipes (stuffed mushrooms anyone?), and work your way up to the less simple options. Alternatively, you might consider Modern Alternative Mama’s more basic book, Real Food Basics as a launching pad. If you know your way around a kitchen, you’ll do just fine with Festive Traditions.

Are the ingredients readily available?

A few of the ingredients I did not have in my cupboard or “normal” grocery store. When cooking real foods, if you find you don’t have a special ingredient, you can generally substitute it with ingredients you have available in your pantry, so don’t worry about that too much. We happen to have things like coconut flour, but if you’re not ready to experiment with that, you can use something you have on hand, like wheat flour.

If you’re interested in purchasing Festive Traditions for your holiday meal prep so you can download and start cooking instantly, use the code SIMPLE25 to get 25% off through December 27.

Buy Festive Traditions here.

The Festive Traditions Giveaway

Enter to win a copy right here: