3 Easy Steps To Get On My Good Side

Step 1: Leave on a jet plane, late at night from Manhattan, bound for SLC. Tuck a 25 lb. bag of the best cookies ever 'neath your arm:

Step 2: Arrive to SLC in the wee hours of the morn. Leave this on my bathroom counter:

Step 3: Share them with me for breakfast every day for a week, until they're gone. When all hope is lost and the last nibble enjoyed, find the last precious one, and surprise me all over again:

Special thanks to my bro-in-law, B., who shares my eating habits and is therefore officially on my good side.

The Song for the 3 a.m. Sled

Sheesh! I've been gone for a long time. Or so it seems to me. I didn't mean to do it. Its just that I was having too much fun...dashing thru the snow, on my no horse open sled. Down the hill we'd go, laughing all the waaay. Don't even have to walk, 'cuz 'mobiles give us rides, what fun it was to ride and laugh and sled all thru the night. Oh, sleddings great! Sleddings fun! Sledding all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride on my no horse open sleigh!

I just lalalalove it when I break into song.

And yes, in our family, we take sledding seriously. I've got the bruised tailbone, fat lip, and hoarse voice to prove it.

30 Ideas For December: Put Christ In Christmas

During the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, find time to tune your heart. And your mind. Read the Christmas story in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Center yourself.

It's been a difficult Christmas this year. My fizz has fazzled. Other things seem far more important at the moment than Christmas. But when I take a step back and remember the true reason for celebration, my heart swells. I have renewed hope. I'm so so grateful for the birth of Christ. For all he did for us. No matter how buzz-buzz-busy you get this holiday season, don't forget to put some Christ into your Christmas.

30 Ideas For December: Kick Back and Relax

The shopping is done. The presents are wrapped. Grab some Chinese take out, kick your dogs up, and watch the greatest Christmas movie of all time. With some one-liners that'll knock your socks off. Plus, it's got that gorgeous leg lamp.

30 Ideas For December: Stay Sweet

Oh the weather outside is frightful,

Stay inside---make minty 'mallows!

The recipe is simple and easy, so

let it snow let it snow let it snow!

Sister and I made these and ate a whole whole whole bunch. Then we put some in our cocoa and drank them in all their ooegy gooey glory. Mmmmmm. Yummy to my tummy.

For recipe and more on these delicious mallows get thee over to Your Heart Out.

30 Ideas For December: Bundle Up & Stay Warm

With snowstorms in the forecast, there's no excuse for staying inside. Get out and enjoy the winter wonderland. Sledding. Snowmobiling. Skating. Skiing. Snowshoeing. Snowman building. Head for the hills (or your local school yard) and take advantage of a white Christmas season.

Plitter Please

If wishes were kisses...

All I really want for Christmas is a ray or two of warm Arizona sunshine.

Both literally and figuratively.

30 Ideas For December: Lend A Hand

Think of others. Think a little more. Then do something. Lend a hand. Buy a gift. Donate. Spare some change for your local bellringer. Help out. Be someones Santa. Let them know you care. Sorry for the cheesepuff photo, but it expresses things so well. In serving others, we often find ourselves.

30 Ideas For December: Don't Lose Hope

Right now my Christmas spirit is dwindling. Especially since recent events have threatened to snow on my collective Christmas parade. So suddenly Christmas doesn't seem like the most important thing anymore. But I'm determined to get through Christmas with cheer in my heart and a smile on my face. And so should you.

If you don't feel like Christmas, you can at least make it smell like Christmas. Which will make it seem like Christmas. And you'll (er...I) will be back in the swing of things in no time flat. Warm and delightful smelling things are a surefire way to warm the heart and the home. Tiffany's Wondiferous Smelly Stuff could be just the cure for what ails you (er...me). It is simple and spice-like and sure to bring the sensation of Christmas bursting into your home. And smack anyone else who enters it in the face with a powerful dose of Christmas cheer.

Plus, Tiffany says it makes a great neighbor gift too. Great idea, as most of us start thinking of these sorts of things right about now.

30 Ideas for December: Spice Things Up

Make a gingerbread house. If you're feeling ambitious (or lonely) make a whole flippin' neighborhood. We recently went to a gingerbread house-making party, and it was loads and loads of fun. Especially when we could use those pre-made kits that keep popping up these days (ours were from Costco). They smell good (but don't necessarily taste as good as they smell), and come with all the fixin's you could possibly imagine. Great great idea. A Holiday tradition made simple. Love it.

30 Ideas For December: Think Of Others

Head to the Sevey, buy all your friends a bevy

The cocoa station is delicious, though not necessarily nutritious

But it warms the soul, and that is the goal

Now remember there is nothing to fear

For you can easily spread some good Christmas cheer.

Stuff The Socks: Sweet Treats

In lalalalove with the packaging for these Juicy Couture boy shorts. How fun is it to get a beautiful treat in your stocking that looks tasty yet doesn't pack on the calories. Talk about guilt-free goods. I must be in heaven.

30 Ideas For December: Get Some Culture

Make a kissing ball with fresh mistletoe. Then make like the French and kiss your lover underneath it. Like you mean it. Every single day. Encourage others to do the same. Mwah! Mwah! Double Mwah!

You can always go with hanging a simple sprig of fresh mistletoe and getting your groove on that way. But I find the kissing ball to be much more charming and romantical. Plus it smells sooooo much better. Marthas how-to is here.

30 Ideas For December: Keep It Classic

For idea 8, I encourage you to watch a Christmas movie every night this weekend. Curl up with a blankie, and start with It's a Wonderful Life. Move on to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Finish things off with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Or make it a marathon with cookies and cocoa for all!

By the way, I always find this to be a good time to write out all my Christmas cards and send them on their way. Nothing passes the time better than a classic film.

30 Ideas For December: Add Some Sparkle

Get Glitterati. The ultimate holiday candy. Idea number 7 is delicate, delicious, dazzling. Sittin' pretty in a dish on the table, don't be surprised if they're mistaken for gems and jewels.

30 Ideas For December: Lighten Up

Idea number 6 is a favor you can do for yourself. Buy an Aunt Sadie's candle. The Tree-In-A-Can is TDF (to die for), though I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Burn it every single night for at least an hour. Your nose will thank you.

*I know they have them at Anthropologie this time of year. Usually a few local boutiques sell them too. I'll keep my eyes peeled while I'm out and about.*

Stuff the Socks: Scarves

I'm such a sucker for a lovely and inexpensive scarf. I hoard them. Scarves make good sense for gift giving because they are practical, yet whimsical and pretty to look at. Paired with gloves or a hat, they make great gifts. Better yet, on their own they are the best stocking stuffers.

All from F21.

30 Ideas For December: Make A Friend

I think Mastercard (click on the 'carrots' commercial) expresses idea number 5 best:

"Carrots, raisins, charcoal, and hot cocoa: $16"

"Having the best snowman on the block: Priceless"

There's plenty of snow out. Go big or go home.

30 Ideas For December: Shop 'Til You Drop

Ok, so I know what you're thinking right now. Idea number 4 isn't my best idea ever. Trust me, you'll thank me for it later. The best favor you can do yourself this weekend is to get ALL your shopping done. If that seems like too much, at least get the gifts done. Stocking stuffers are easier to buy in a crunch. If you're stumped for ideas, head on over to YHO, where this week (and next, I think) are gift guide week. I've used a few of their ideas already. Which brings me to my next point. I much prefer online shopping this time of year. Every other month of year I'm drawn to the stores like a moth to the flame. But I despise it during December. I'd much rather do my shopping from the comfort of my own home.

Nothing feels better than being able to (kind of) relax and enjoy the rest of the holiday season with the stress of shopping gone. So no matter which way you go, just get it done. Really, I guess the idea here is to relax after this weekend. Or stress out about all the other things you don't have done. Pick your poison.

30 Ideas For December: Love Actually

Ok, I'm giving you a head start on idea number 3. Cancel all weekend plans (or make some), and watch Love Actually. Watch it with friends, watch it with your lover, watch it with besties, watch it by yourself. All are acceptable options. This is my favorite Christmas movie. I like to call it a Christmas kick-off film, as it takes place 5 weeks before Christmas and builds up to the big day. Plus, I love airports just as much as they (the filmakers) do. When you work(ed) for an airline, you're bound to end up in them from time to time.

P.S. It's on sale at Target for $7.50. Hip hip...