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Meaningful, Affordable Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

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You’ve watched week after week as your friends, family and strangers braved the chilly weather and crowds to take care of their Christmas shopping. Now it’s getting closer to December 25 and you’re officially a last minute shopper! Here are a few affordable last minute Christmas gift ideas for the procrastinators out there:

Dollar Store Care Basket

Who doesn’t love browsing the aisles at the dollar store? Go in there, grab a pretty $1 basket and fill it with a mixture of the following items:

– Spa gear, like foot scrubbers, bath soap and nail clippers.

– Candy and gum (the dollar store has those really great candy boxes for a buck).

– Scented candles and decorative items.

– A nice mug or cup tied with a bow (the bow is also available at the dollar store).

– Useful knickknacks like lighters, pens, mini notebooks and cellphone accessories.

Once you get in the store, you’re going to be overwhelmed with PLENTY of ideas for your dollar store care basket. It’s an affordable gift that will cost you around $20-$25 and be worth every penny. It’s a great idea for a young person who’s at college or someone who has just moved into a new apartment.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

An Inspirational Audiobook

Inspirational AudiobooksAround the holidays people need a whole lot of inspiration. They are busy, distracted and sometimes stressed about their finances or work. One simple yet very meaningful gift idea is to send someone you love an inspirational audiobook. Amazon has an audiobook service called Audible that allows you give books as gifts electronically. Just click here, redeem your free membership, log into Audible with your Amazon ID and find the title that you want. Press the button on the product page that says “Give As a Gift.” You can also gift someone a membership—scroll down to the bottom of the page at Audible and click the “Gift Center” link.

Fully Loaded Gas Card

If you have a friend who drives a lot, she’ll love you even more than she already does if you buy her a fully loaded gas card. Even if it’s just a $20 card, that is going to make a huge difference to someone who has to spend a lot of money every month on gas. Visit a popular gas station chain to ask about gas gift cards.

A Gift to Promote Good Health

yogiteaMany of us don’t take the vitamin supplements and nutrients that we need for good health simply because we don’t have them in our house. One simple last minute gift idea is a package of vitamins and health supplements (like teas or green powder). Put together a small gift basket containing a multi-vitamin, vitamin C, D, Omega-3 fish oil and other necessary nutrients. Add in health teas like hibiscus and antioxidant rich green tea. Someone who either doesn’t know much about health products or is having health concerns will appreciate this gift, and it may encourage him or her to start new healthy habits in the New Year.

Encourage Their Passion Project

Everyone has a passion project, whether they will openly admit it or not. A passion project is something that you would pursue with great passion and interest, whether it’s painting, writing or traveling the world. Think about what may be your recipient’s passion and then give them a gift that encourages them to pursue it. For instance, if their passion is to travel the world, you might give a gift of a foreign language class, a book about world destinations or an Airbnb gift card toward an international room. If their passion is painting, buy them a couple of canvases and a starter paint set. Your passion project gift can be under $35 and still be priceless.

Meaningful gifts are possible, even if you’re short on time. Use these ideas as inspiration when you’re shopping for affordable last minute Christmas gifts for someone you love.

 

Create a Cozy and Comfortable Dining Area in 5 Easy Steps

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The dining area of a house is often a neglected area of the home, even when cleaning your home. It is so simple to arrange that you barely think about it when planning the home’s decor. After all, what does it really need? A table and a few chairs. Sounds simple enough, so that’s why many people don’t spare a second thought when organising it.

Here you’ll find a few simple tips for creating a cozy and comfortable dining area. These changes might not seem like they’re making a big difference at first, but when you and your family or your guests sit down for a nice dinner in your dining room you’ll notice that it feels much homier and more inviting.

  1. Use lighting to set the mood.

Lighting helps sets the mood for a good dinner. For instance, if you’re having a nice family dinner, you want standard room lighting (about 60 watts incandescent, and 13 watts for an energy efficient fluorescent bulb), but if you are having a romantic dinner, you’ll need a dimmer incandescent bulb of about 25 watts. If you’re having a dinner party gathering with friends, go for a brighter light to help keep the room energetic. (Tip: you might want to hire someone to clean your carpet before inviting guests over under a really bright light!)

Create a Cozy and Comfortable Dining Area in 5 Easy Steps1 (Small)

  1. Add cushions.

Don’t immediately assume that your chairs are comfortable for everyone. Add a sitting cushion to every chair. You might even buy a seat cushion that has both a back and bottom for the ultimate comfort.

  1. Experiment with tableware.

The tableware you use in your dining room can really make your dining area look inviting and attractive. Buy a few different table sets and take out new pieces for every special dinner. Mix and match your tableware (including utensils, plates and napkins) to create interesting combinations.

  1. Make a few quirky changes.

Add decorations to your dining area that will add to the mood. Try a heavily scented seasonal candle, or a flower pot with an exotic flower as the centerpiece on your table. Make thematic changes in the décor when you are inviting friends in and make use of all the décor-related gifts you have ever received from them. The items you add to your dining room will probably be conversation starters.

Create a Cozy and Comfortable Dining Area in 5 Easy Steps2 (Small)

  1. Experiment with different table covers.

Your table covering is like a canvas for your dining area. Choose table cloths of varying styles, designs and colors to complement the room’s décor. Choose your table coverings depending on the holiday or time of year—for instance, for Thanksgiving you might get a tablecloth designed with leaves or cornucopias.

The next time you get your home and carpet cleaned, use these five easy tips to re-organize your dining area in time for your next big dinner with family or friends.

Guest Post by Heather Roberts

Dad’s Manicotti Recipe

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My father, who’s no longer with us, always tried out different recipes on us kids when he was on vacation from work. Truth be told, some recipes were really, really bad but this recipe for Manicotti became a family favorite. This homemade Manicotti recipe is a meal that your family will likely rave about and request for years to come. This recipe is for cooks who really cook with love for their family, because it requires some “hands on” work.

Dad's Manicotti Recipe

Ingredients

1 8 oz box manicotti shells for stuffing (cooked al dente)
1 jar marinara sauce
1 12 oz package shredded mozzarella
1 Jimmy Dean Sage sausage roll
1/2 pound lean chop meat
1 large onion finely diced
1 32 oz container whole milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

In a large saucepan, on medium high heat, add onions, sausage and chop meat. With a large spoon or spatula mince meat together with the onions. You want no large chunks of meat. The mixture is done when the meat is brown and the onions are translucent. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Next, in a large mixing bowl add ricotta cheese, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix ingredients until well combined. Now, add 1/2 package of shredded mozzarella to the mixture. Mix everything together gently until smooth. Then add cooled meat mixture to the bowl and blend that as well.

Manicotti Recipe Mixture

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Now, with a very small spoon or a small tipped piping bag, carefully fill your manicotti pasta. It’s important to hold and stuff each shell carefully to ensure they don’t tear. When you’re done filling a shell, place it on a large deep dish baking pan. Lay them close to one another, like this:

Stuffed Manicotti

Manicotti Recipe

Pour desired amount of marinara sauce on top of the filled shells then sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella evenly on top of the sauce. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it in the oven for 30 minutes. In the last 5 minutes of cooking remove foil and turn temperature up to 375 degrees to allow cheese to slightly brown on top. Serve with a side salad.

Thanks for this delicious Manicotti recipe Dad, and also for being a father who provided for and took care of his children, teaching us how to do the same for ourselves. We love you!!

Dad's Manicotti Recipe

Posted by Lorraine

Best Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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Sweet potato pie is a traditional pie recipe that most enjoy baking during the holidays. There are many different versions of this recipe that vary depending on your geographical location, but this particular recipe is of southern (American) origin. All that you need is a few key ingredients, spices and of course fresh sweet potatoes. This recipe for southern sweet potato pie will yield 1 pie and feed 4-5 people.

 

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1″ round slices
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1-2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

In a 5 quart pot add water and bring to a rapid boil. Carefully, add chopped sweet potatoes, cover and allow to boil. Preheat oven to 350*. Potatoes are ready when they are fork tender. Turn heat off, remove potatoes from boiling water and place in a large mixing bowl. Now add butter and mix with a fork until butter is completely melted. Then add all other spices and mix with a mixer on low speed. Now add 1 egg at a time and blend well. Add both types of sugar and blend until mix is smooth. Slowly add evaporated milk and blend. Taste mixture for flavor and sweetness.

Pour the mixture into a frozen pie crust. Place your pie on the middle rack of the oven and allow to cook for 45 minutes. (For a crispier pie crust, bake at 300* for 5 minutes until light golden brown).

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy your southern sweet potato pie!

Posted by Lorraine

 

Image courtesy Flickr/F_A

Teaching Kids to Love Themselves

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In today’s age of new technology, sadly kids are much more prone to be negatively influenced by what their family members, friends and even strangers have to say about them. Bullying has evolved due to social media.

Unfortunately, many children are not given the proper tools to deal with and cope with the negative influences that invade their daily lives.

Another sad fact is that most American youth now transform their personalities to emulate who they idolize. That may be a professional athlete, pop star or rapper with a questionable message.

First Love Yourself

Parents have to “STOP THE MADNESS” and instill a sense of self-esteem in their children. Here are some helpful tips for how to teach your kids to love themselves that will be useful to all parents; no matter their socioeconomic status.

Start As Early As Possible

The process of instilling self-love should begin when the child is an infant — babies are born with blank slates. Every bit of outside stimuli can affect their development.

Installing confidence within your child begins at an early age as well. For example, when they have accomplished a task and you feel that they have done their best, give them praise. Money and material things are not as valuable as your words of encouragement.

Be the Person You Want Your Children to Be

The saying “do as I say, not as I do” just doesn’t register with children. You are their first role model, so they are going to mimic what you do. Your child sees what you do and who you are every day you are together, so everything from how you cope with stress to how you let others speak to you means a lot. So if you want your child to love him or herself, you have to show love to yourself first and foremost.

Put Pop Stars In Their Place

Let your children have their favorite pop group, actors or rappers etc. But make them aware that these are privileged people — when they do certain things it may be accepted by society and thought of as “cool,” but if your child does it probably will not be. For instance, the famous women who choose to show their bodies to the world have highly paid security guards to protect their bodies — the average young woman does not have that level of protection and freedom. The famous rapper who posts images of himself using drugs has the money to hire a great lawyer if he gets into trouble — the average young man will have to rely on a poorly paid public defender.

Teach your child that those people are paid to act a certain way while on a stage performing, but it’s all for show.

Explain to them that idolizing others will only make them less like themselves and more like something or someone they are not. Tell them to be proud of who they are — teach them not to live vicariously through others by helping them bring out their own individuality.

Show Them Love

Your child’s sense of self-love really does begin at home. Show and tell your children that you love them everyday, and add an occasional hug to the mix. Children learn to express themselves with their parents first, and that is how they learn to love themselves. You have to demonstrate this to them in the most meaningful ways possible.

When they are little kids love to hug and express their love to you — encourage that throughout their lives.

Remember that the children of today are living in a different world from when you were young. Yet at the same time, certain facts of life are still the same. Show genuine love to your children and they will love you — most importantly they will learn to love themselves.

Posted by Eve

Chicken Parmigiana with Linguine

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This recipe for chicken parmigiana with linguine is great for lunch or dinner. In fact it tastes even better the next day! You probably already have all the ingredients you need. Put it over linguine or on a soft Italian hero (bread). So let’s get started!

 

Chicken Parmigiana with Linguine Recipe
Ingredients

2 large chicken breasts (or thighs) sliced in half so that they’re thinner (marinate for at least an hour in Italian dressing)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
3 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
2 8oz cans of crushed tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (contains basil and other Italian spices)
1/2 block of mozzarella cheese (shredded)
4 large garlic cloves finely chopped
1 box of cooked linguine or 4 soft heroes

Instructions

Begin by taking the chicken breasts and lightly pounding it with a meat tenderizer. Then put the cans of tomato sauce in a pot on medium heat and add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt to taste and allow the sauce to simmer for 15 minutes.

Next, in a bowl add bread crumbs, oregano, parsley and salt. Combine well. Then shred your mozzarella and set it aside. Bread chicken on both sides and place it in an oven safe frying pan that’s been coated with your olive oil. Let chicken to fry until golden brown on both sides. Remember that chicken breast cooks fast, so don’t over cook it.

Place your oven on 375. Cover the cooked chicken with plenty of tomato sauce and then add your shredded mozzarella cheese. Place pan in oven for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve over linguine for dinner or on hero bread (best for lunch).

Enjoy this delicious recipe for Chicken Parmigiana with Linguine.

Posted by Eve