I honestly was in shock when I realized that Christmas is just 2 weeks away. I thought there was PLENTY of time to still think about Christmas shopping — and there is still time — but only if you get on it now!

I thought I’d do a little round up of some great gift ideas from local shops and online as well, to get the gifts on your list in time to really enjoy the holiday.

We were in Piper Boutique in downtown Valparaiso this morning to get Ivy some new boots. I had planned to give them to her for Christmas but wanted her to try them on and then it DID snow today, so. She got them early!

They also have some really awesome holiday dresses and coats on their 1/2 off clearance rack AND the cutest animal purses & backpacks (for boys and girls) by Eco-Snoopers. Awesome prices, too- starting at just $13. The perfect gift idea especially for that kid who has you stumped!

Know a new or preggy mama? Mothering By Nature Center on Indiana in Valpo has got it ALL. Cloth diapers, slings, BabyLegs, teethers, toys — and at great prices, too. Definitely the best selection in all of Northwest Indiana!

The Bargain Barn in Valparaiso has a great selection of Melissa & Doug items. I’m planning on stopping in there tomorrow to get some puppets for all my kids. Ever since we saw the Muppets, they are so into puppet shows! (Speaking of which, movie theatre gift certificates make GREAT stocking stuffers! And don’t forget iTunes. My boys have iPods and want a new app, like, every day!) PS Bargain Barn will probably have something for every single person on your list. You just have to stop in there. You shall see for yourself!

My friend Janelle makes beautiful hand-stamped jewelry at Grace Tags and is offering 15% off your order through tomorrow! Use code CHRISTMAS at checkout. The I Choose Joy necklace [$24] is a personal favorite. Fab for mom, grandma, or tweens.

For the shabby chic friends and family on your list you must stop into It’s Just Serendipity. One of my favorite places to shop for gifts (and myself!) There’s something for all ages there. While you’re in Hammond, stop and see Santa at the Welcome Center at Christmas Story Comes Home, too. That’s where we see Santa every year. And you can even get a leg lamp for dad while you’re at it. LOL.

What’s on MY list? I’m so glad you asked! Well, really the big thing I want this year is new boots for myself actually. Silcott’s on Washington in downtown Valpo has the best selection of UGG and Emu boots that I’ve seen so far and I think the lattice cardi UGGs in a fun color would really cheer me up. Just sayin.

Where are you doing all your shopping this year? What’s still on your list?

Stephanie is Mom to three boys & a girl in Valparaiso, IN and blogs daily at Adventures In Babywearing . Follow her on Twitter- she’s babysteph And be sure to like Your Family on Facebook..

Not one Christmas present is wrapped. And no one in this house wore matching socks today.

But the presents are bought
and at least we had socks on

I’m not worried about it
because it always gets done

the wrapping, the stuff, the things for Christmas

life would go on even if the presents didn’t get wrapped, and the tangles didn’t get combed, and the dust collects

you do what you do

wish upon that star

make a resolution

and let the holidays be

happy and thankful and knowing.

Merry Christmas!

Stephanie is Mom to three boys & a girl in Valparaiso, IN and blogs daily at Adventures In Babywearing . Follow her on Twitter- she’s babysteph .

Packages came today and I think I’ve finished Christmas shopping. I left the boxes sitting on the couch and it was almost time for the older boys to get off the bus from school. I am so glad I remembered to move the boxes. I just set them in the basement, in view, but the kids don’t really go down there.

Tonight at dinner Carter told me, wide-eyed, of a story Mrs. James told him. SOME kids sneak around their house to find the presents their parents got them for Christmas.

Do you and Daddy go out places when we go to bed and buy presents for us?

Um, yeah, well you’ll have to wait until Christmas!

I DIDN’T tell them about how my brother and I used to look ALL OVER for our presents. In closets, under beds. My parents were good present hiders. I still need to ask where they hid everything.

Every year my brother would “accidentally” fall on one of his presents or shake it and push his finger and tear off a corner exposing the box and clue-ing him in to what it was. Then he’d hound my Mom incessantly I know what it is, you might as well give it to me!

One year it was a metal Transformers TV tray. A TV tray. Really? That could wait until Christmas, but no. He got to open it and because there was one for me, too (I think mine was Carebears?) I got to open mine as well.

Later my boys wanted to “look for something” in the basement. All three together. I blurted out “You better not go in there!”

And thought, it’s starting. I’m going to have to hide their presents from now on.

This is gonna be fun.

Stephanie is Mom to three boys & a baby girl in Valparaiso, IN and blogs daily at Adventures In Babywearing . Follow her on Twitter- she’s babysteph .

Last year we started the tradition of The Elf On The Shelf. He visits until Christmas and watches over the kids and reports back to Santa what he sees. He came with a story book and in it the kids got to name him- of course my kids had no problems coming up with a totally appropriate elf name: Chazz Star. (For real it’s way better than Buddy or Santa.)

Each night he’d fly to a new spot in the house (if Mom & Dad remembered in their exhausted holiday haze, and amazingly, we did, with a few very close calls in the morning as the kids woke up and we were all Look! Over there! And quickly threw Chazz up on the fridge or in the Christmas tree branches.)

This year hubby asked when I was going to put the elf out and I was like, elf? Oh yeah. Where did I put him? I thought for sure I’d find him as I dug out Christmas decorations but I remember hiding him somewhere less obvious so that the kids wouldn’t know it was US that was behind the magic of Chazz Star.

Anyway, I found him last night and the kids noticed him on the shelf pretty quickly. And that’s when Gray decided that Chazz is SCARY and HE’S LOOKING AT ME and I glanced up at him and he totally WAS looking at Gray.

I keep telling the kids they’re suppose to go talk to Chazz and tell him what they want for Christmas. Noah asked if he could ask for money. No you can’t ask for money I said huffily. Then he turns to me with his puppy dog eyes and says I just wanted money so I could help you buy groceries and stuff.

Ok, suck up. (And I admit it made me misty, that child and his heart.) Also? Total suck up.

Every other hour Gray comes up to me and crouches out of the elf’s view. He’s scaring me, Mommy.

Only 22 days until Christmas!

P.S. I’m going to tell you where I hide Chazz this time and ask you about it next year, so remember, okay?

Stephanie is Mom to three boys & a baby girl in Valparaiso, IN and blogs daily at Adventures In Babywearing . Follow her on Twitter- she’s babysteph .

Good call, Oprah!

Today is her famous (or infamous) Favorite Things episode but Oprah came out acknowledging that this is not the time to be introducing us to a lot of things that cost money. So this year just bringing real meaning back to the holidays is Oprah’s favorite thing!

I’m glad to re-cap the show for you. Such fabulous ideas!

Easy & Thrifty Idea #1:

Kelly in Houston makes Hot Cocoa cones- take a small plastic bag & fill with a layer of hot cocoa, marshmallows & then top with chocolate chips. Tie up the top with a ribbon and you are good to go!

Easy & Thrifty Idea #2:

Vanessa in Houston has a money saving swap party with her friends each month. Friends get together to exchange items they need or want for their kids. Each month has a theme- musical instruments and sporting equipment. The idea is each person brings something and takes something. What a great idea!

Easy & Thrifty Idea #3:

From Fairmont, Minnesota, Tamara pulls fresh from her garden & makes salsa, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, spicy green beans, crucnhy dill pickles at Christmas time she makes holiday gift baskets- I’d LOVE to receieve something wonderful and homegrown like this!

Easy & Thrifty Idea #4:

Nova Scotia couple Yvonne & Dean have created the 12 dates of Christmas- instead of spending money on gifts they spend time together. 12 fun & inexpensive dates from ice skating to bowling to staying home & baking cookies brings them closer without breaking their budget.

Think about it- what would you take if you had to leave your home in an emergency? Most often it isn’t the most expensive things… it’s the most meaningful.

So much you can do with a simple box! Write a letter to your friend or family and present it in a small box- you can buy them for just a dollar or so at the store or even use something you already have around the house. Check goodwill or an antique store! Decorate and embellish if you’d like. Your letter can be a thank you, a story or memory you shared together- whatever you want to say. It is sure to be treasured forever. The words from your heart are more meaningful than anything you can buy.

A great hostess gift- "the gratitude box." Bring a box of any kind- like described above and fill it with blank notecards. At the party have the guests write a special note to the host and present them to her in the box. (Hey kids- Mom would love this FYI!) Find card designs free to download at Oprah.com .

Music to our ears! One of my very favorite gifts to give and get is music. I’ve put a CD or two on my Christmas list this year. And I LOVE making a good mixed CD for my friends. Oprah is offering Holiday Hits 2008 with songs from Faith Hill, Il Divo, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr, Josh Groban, Brian McKnight, Amy Grant & Aretha Franklin- download for free at Oprah.com for the next 48 hours- for FREE!

Easy & Thrifty Idea #5:

Connie Sandler from Golden Valley’s kids love all the top gear but the gifts from the heart are the most special. With four kids and the holidays tight, she gathered up all her children’s keepsakes- school projects and things they’ve made through the years. She saved everything (like me!) and she made touching treasure boxes for each of them.

Cristina Ferrare has creative ideas for a Holiday dinner that won’t break the budget starting with the basics- turkey, dressing, & the pie.

Save money by checking the newspaper for coupons and rewards programs to earn a free turkey, etc. Check out Oprah.com for the recipes for: Cristina’s Turkey Marinade (marinade your turkey the night before), Cristina’s Holiday Turkey, Holiday stuffing, & Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.

This month the new O Magazine also features the favorite favorites of all time that are under $100.

This Christmas I am definitely getting creative and focusing more on relationships than spending big bucks. A favorite gift to give is photos in a simple frame, having the kids write letters and draw pictures to family, & really listening and paying attention to what my friends and family are into and finding something small to compliment that.

Have a great thrifty tip for Christmas? Share it here!

Stephanie blogs daily at Adventures In Babywearing .

Ah, the holidays bring out the best and worst of us, in my experience. We gather together with family we never see and bring gifts that we think they might enjoy, but how do we  know since we never see them to know what they’d really  like? The old folks have new ailments to go on about and the little ones run in circles, high on a sugar-cookies-and-present-opening-anticipation adrenaline. The ones of us in the middle, who want to consider ourselves the less crazy of the bunch, just try to keep it all together. We look forward to the option of falling apart later.

But this is the stuff of life. The human flaws are what makes it all true and real. And although we may not see each other very often, we are family and we know each other better than ourselves sometimes.

My 76-year-old grandfather shuffled to his car from our holiday get together fussing about swollen feet and shoes that hurt to walk. My Dad couldn’t get him out the door fast enough. Later on when we were packing up everyone else to leave, my hubby can’t find his shoes. But a pair of loafers for the senior citizen set were there for the pickings. No wonder he was complaining of swollen feet. His size 10 1/2’s were crammed in hubby’s size 9’s.

I honestly don’t think my Mom has ever laughed so hard in her entire life. Leg-crossing, run to the bathroom, side hurting laughter. Possibly made it the best Christmas ever.

This morning the boys slept in and came down not begging for breakfast, to my relief, but rather pleading to see what Santa left in their stockings. Oh, they must not have gotten the memo that he only comes that one time a year. Sorry to disappoint! And maybe this is my cue to take down the Christmas decorations early. I just might. I think this past Christmas has been fabulous and one of the best. But I am so ready to move onward and upward.

Ok, so I have no idea how that title relates, except that now I have some good ideas of what to do with the kids this winter break, thanks to the awesome Tara at This Military Mama who heard my cry and sent along these suggestions:

-Get in tune with your funny/adventurous/super hero side! Make some comic books. Your kids can come up with a cool story, draw it, and ‘make it a book’ (staple the pages together).

-You could always do some painting! If you are willing to get messy, everyone loves to finger paint or make a hand paint collage (each kid gets a color and they stamp their hands all over on the same canvas). Plus it makes great gifts for family members! They can paint whatever they want or you can have a theme like favorite animal or the North Pole. Themes are easy to get away with during the holidays.

-You can also make videos of the kids to send to family, saying hi, silly songs, and things like that. Upload them to YouTube or your blog and have fun with it!

-Check Michael’s or Hobby Lobby for fun crafts, foam sticker projects, t-shirts and puffy paints are still fun… definitely worth spending a day at Michael’s getting supplies and project ideas! Also last time I was there they had this great piggy bank painting craft. The piggies come in all sizes and can encourage kids to save their pennies! Or make great presents for grandparents!

-Put together a play or skit (based off a movie, book, song, or their own creation) to present to daddy when he gets home!

-I know you want to avoid TV, but a morning in bed with a movie and cuddly kids could be fun! Will probably have to be in your bed to fit all the kids and you or on the couch with lots of pillows and blankets.

-Before Christmas you can get your kids to donate some old toys and clothes to a charity, church, or shelter! Plus it makes room for the new toys they are going to be getting from Santa! Plus it’s a great lesson in the blessings you have and the joy of giving!

-Don’t forget Santa’s cookies! Take an afternoon to bake cookies or brownies or whatever and decorate them with your kids. There is always gingerbread men (or women!) and gingerbread house to make and decorate too.

-One thing my sister and I did as a kid was to make a fort. We had a three room fort made from blankets, sheets, chairs, and expendable mom approved-to-use furniture. It’s fun to make and fun to play in. It can be a cave with a dragon in it, or a castle with hidden treasure (you can be involved with that and have a snack be the treasure they find.)

-Speaking of treasure…you can create a treasure hunt! Hide clues all over the house and having something fun at the end like a movie to watch with popcorn, or again have it lead to a snack! It doesn’t have to be junk food because finding the snack is all the fun!

Thank you, Tara! These tips are awesome!

And here’s a tip from me: you must take pictures of whatever you do! HP has some awesome Photo Books everyone will have fun being a part of making. What a great way to preserve this holiday’s memories, or give proper display to any photos you still need to put in an album. The 12 sheet books come with software, photo paper, and can be used with any inkjet printer. Available in 5×7 [$14.99] and 8×10 [$24.99] sizes.

And Save 20% here on your HP Photo Book purchase by Dec 31!

Put in a last-minute request ot Santa for the HP Photosmart Compact photo printer [$150] and print photos from your home with the touch of a button! It’s the cutest little thing ever- seriously!- and so incredibly easy to use. Just insert your camera’s memory card- no need for the computer! But, if you do have photos on your computer that you’d like to print, just connect to your PC and print away! Add unique touches and creations as you customize your photos using the large LCD touchscreen- it even gives you a slide show of your photos so you know just the one to print. I love it!

Win! I’ve got some HP Photo Books to give away to three winners here! Just leave a comment if you’d like to enter and I’ll give away two 5×7 and one 8×10 HP Photobooks to three winners at random sometime this Sunday December 23. Contest has ended.

The winners are:

Janean who said: WOW, could I have fun with this! I love scrapbooking, but never have time with four kids. Being able to sit down and do it at the computer would be WONDERFUL. Please add my name to the list…

Julie M. wrote: These look so cool! Hope I win!

and Linda who commented: All really great ideas. I agree about taking pictures, but usually forget. I also posted some easy gift ideas yesterday.

Congrats!

Back to Close To Home.

You can also find me blogging at Adventures In Babywearing.

It just hit me yesterday that we’re only at the beginning of winter. I was loving the big snowstorm on Sunday and now we’re left with heaps of heavy snow like jagged icebergs at the end of driveways and randomly throughout choppy parking lots. No signs of melting anytime soon. I would love for us to have a white Christmas, but preferably with some new and improved white stuff.

I also realized that even though the bitter cold and winter has just begun, I’ve already lost all of my gloves. Usually I make it past the New Year with at least one pair. Where do they all go? I chronically put them in my lap when I drive, then I get out of the car and never look back. My kids are even on their first pair still- they manage to go to school and come home every day without losing them. Tips anyone? Other than attaching them through my coat with a string?

Upon waking up this morning I officially decided that I can not wait for Christmas break. Just a few more days until the kids are off for two whole weeks! I can sleep in! Hubby is starting to think that my lack of slumber is seriously causing me to be delirious. “You realize they will all be home all day long for two whole weeks, right?”

All I can think about is the possibility of sleeping past 8 am. We’ll see how the rest of the time goes. They will have lots of new Christmas presents to keep them occupied. That should last about a day or two until the novelty wears off. I’ll have just enough time to get a little extra sleep in the morning and then come up with some good ideas to keep us all sane during the break. My hope is to go as long as possible without turning on the TV or video games. Tips, anyone? Without having to leave the house (with the kids)?

Anyway.

I’ve announced the winner for the latest giveaway and I’ll have another one up later this week. People keep sending me stuff and I’ll keep giving it away!

You just might catch me blogging at Adventures In Babywearing, too.

Less than 9 shopping days left until Christmas. I can’t believe I am even pointing that out. Normally I have my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. Yeah- I’m one of those people. Well, used to be. Now, I’m much more laid back about it and have managed to completely avoid the mall this year. I enjoy shopping at stores with short lines, or those of the online variety where I can stay in the safety and comfort of my own home. And have you been Christmas shopping with three little boys? I rest my case. But still, I do have some last minute presents to buy and am starting to feel the pressure

Enter the Easy Button. Staples has got just what you need for last minute stocking stuffers and gifts sure to wow. If Santa has got deep pockets this year, any blogger (hint, hint) would be thrilled to open this Compaq Presario Notebook [just $459.98 after instant rebates!]

Not sure what to get the grandparents? I am big on group gifts to the relatives. The new digital picture frames are a hot item this Christmas, and what Grandma & Grandpa doesn’t love pictures of their grandchildren?

When buying a digital frame, the minimum recommended size is 7″ or larger. Look for one with a multi-card reader. If you don’t plan on storing too many photos, the internal memory should be just fine. If you’d like to hold a lot of pictures, purchase a separate memory card for ample storage. Get free delivery just in time for Christmas on the impressive Pandigital 8″ Digital Picture Frame [$129.98] or the multi-tasking lover’s Edge 7″ Digital Picture Frame plus MP3 player [$69.98.]

Staples isn’t only all about tech gifts- you can make any budding artist happy with great Crayola gifts like the Deluxe Art Case [$15.99]. High School Musical fans will scream over Disney’s Karaoke High School Musical 2 CD [$9.99] and the High School Musical Encore Edition DVD [$19.99.]

Win! I’ve got the very hard to find High School Musical Disney 1GB Mix Stick MP3 Digital Music Player to giveaway (a $50 value!), courtesy of Staples. Certainly will make someone happy this Christmas! Just leave a comment here to enter & a winner will be randomly chosen sometime Wednesday Dec 19. Contest is now closed.

Congrats  to Paige, the winner of the High School MP3 player. She commented: What a great present for a certain someone in my family!

Check back later this week for the next great giveaway!

There’s panic in the streets this Christmas- which toys are safe? What toys won’t drive parents crazy? Which ones won’t be tossed aside within 5 minutes?

While I can’t guarantee just how long the kids will play with any certain toy- my own children find more enjoyment out of the boxes their toys come in and those darn plastic-tie thingies that hold every single little piece in place (they’re weird like that)- here’s some safer suggestions to help finish off your Christmas list.

You can trust K’NEX lead-free products with core-parts all made in America (imagine that!) Big spenders might splurge on the GIANT Double Ferris Wheel [$199] recommended for the older kids age 16 & up. Or if a smaller version suits your giftee, this Double Ferris Wheel [$29.99] for ages 8 & up is truly a winner and it even won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Lead-Free Platinum Award. KID K’NEX doesn’t leave the little ones out - geared for ages 3 & up with bright, chunky pieces and easy-connect rods and connectors. The Undersea Pals [$9.99] is great for any budget!

End the We forgot the batteries! guilt! SEE Toys , a new product from Zen Design Group, is the first eco-friendly kid-powered toy line. They never need batteries but still light up, make cool sounds and offer endless hours of play- you’ll have to see it to believe it!

The Dyna Fly [$19.99] and Dyna Car [$14.99] are in demand, and with just a turn of a crank they are ready to go!

With the philosophy: "When the toy does less, the child does more," Parents Magazine’s line of colorful educational toys are something you can count on. They are also phthalate -free. Gray gets so involved with the Under Lock & Key Garage by Parents, and although the age recommendation is for 18 months & up, my 5-year-old Carter loves it, too! The keys are easy to use to unlock the garage where three vehicles can be stored and then played with separately. I personally like the colors of Parents products because they are so gender neutral, and their idea of combining education with play is refreshing. Find a great selection of Parents toys and classic wooden toys online or also at Target.

Win! I’m giving away two Under Lock & Key Garages from Parents! Just leave a comment here and two winners will be chosen at random Friday Dec 14! You don’t have to have a blog to enter, but be sure to include a valid email address where I can contact you. Contest has ended.

Congrats to winner Alisha who commented: How cute! My 2 boys would love this as much as yours do, I’m sure! and Artsweet who said: Very cool. My son would love this.

Check back Sunday for another great giveaway!

Back to Close To Home .

You can also find me blogging at Adventures In Babywearing .