Tag Archives: happy holidays

The Christmas Tag

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The Christmas Tag

Hi everyone! I recently got nominated for The Christmas Tag by my darling friend, Vera, over at Love Live Laugh. Being an avid lover of the holiday season, I just had to participate! The rules state to nominate other bloggers, but I say feel free to join in the tag if you choose to spread the fun! Take a look at the rules and let’s discuss:

The Rules:

  • Copy this post
  • Answer the questions
  • Nominate 5 bloggers or more

Q & A:

What’s your best Christmas memory? I love watching my loved ones open their presents. It seriously never gets old!

Your favorite sweet treat? Peppermint Mocha drinks from Starbucks and a well made White Russian.

White Christmas or on the beach? Christmas at my house with no snow!!

Family or out for a wild party? Family. A million times family!

Are you cooking or not? Oh yes, I love to cook – especially during the holidays.

Thank you so much again to Vera for nominating me for The Christmas Tag! If you would like to participate, no nomination is needed. Have fun and happy holidays! Much love. -Sarah

Christmas Surprise Pt. 2

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Christmas Surprise Pt. 2

Hey! Someone who is very dear to me is my neighbor, Alice. After years of living next door to her, we have recently become close and I revel in our almost weekly coffee dates at her place. About a month ago, we ventured to the darling Two Cafe in Solon, Ohio for lunch and had a total blast. Not only is Two a cafe but it’s also a boutique with the most beautiful handcrafted items for sale.

Included in the boutique section of Two was a little red ice skate that we both agreed was made for me, as a former Lil Red skater girl. During our gift exchange, I learned that Alice made the almost forty minute drive back to Two to get me the skate decoration for Christmas. Take a look:

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Besides for absolutely LOVING this gift and how adorable it is, I love the thought behind it the most. Alice literally saved this in her archives as my Christmas gift and made a special trip to get it just for me. That’s better than any gift that I could ever receive. I value my neighborly friendship so much, and her care and beautiful thoughts behind this present are something that I will never forget!

What is one of the most thoughtful gifts that you have ever received? How do you put special thoughts into your gift buying? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Monday Update: Christmas Excitement Edition

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Monday Update: Christmas Excitement Edition

Hey everyone and happy Monday! As of today, there are only SEVEN DAYS left till Christmas! That’s one week and that’s one very happy Sarah!

SEVEN DAYS OMGGGGGGG!!!

It’s so crazy, because it feels like Thanksgiving just happened and now Christmas is a single digits amount away? Where in the world has the time gone?! That’s okay, though, because I don’t know about you guys – but I’m ready for a cozy morning with my family opening presents and cooking a great big dinner.

I’ve always loved Christmas. The food, the gifts, the family time. I am so lucky to say that all of my holiday memories have been fond and happy. And, despite a lot of setbacks this year, I know that the big day next week is going to be filled with tons of good cheer and fun.

As you guys know, I completed all of my shopping very early this year, because it was a possibility that a loved one was not going to be home in the holidays. So, I’ve been sitting with boxes full of prezzies in my room, ticking off the days till the 25th like a madwoman! I love buying and presenting my family and friends with presents and all I’ve wanted to do since mid-November is to shove gifts into everyone’s hands and make them open it! But, self control has gotten the best of me, and there will be presents (That have been waiting over a month to be opened!) under the tree for all!

Although the family Christmas tree has been up all year, the Christmas Excitement is so real! How do you celebrate during the holiday season? What is on your holiday wish list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Top Gift Ideas For The Whole Family

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Top Gift Ideas For The Whole Family

If you want to find a gift that the whole family can enjoy, then you are not alone. Every single year, people try and find gifts for a group of people rather than buying gifts for them individually and this can cause real problems. This is especially the case if the family members in question don’t share many common interests. Thankfully, there are plenty of ideas out there for you to choose from and you’d be surprised at how easy it is to find something that matches your family perfectly!

Family Mugs: A lot of people feel a relentless sense of anger when they find someone else using their mug. We all have a favorite mug, one that we use to get us through those cold winter nights and even those long nights after work. If you want to put an end to those mug-wars then why not consider buying a family mug set? You could personalize each one with the name of the person and even a cartoon picture of them, as well. You can also create one for any guests that come to your home, so there will be no more arguing or bloodshed when the time to make coffee approaches.

Customized gifts like a coffee mug, wine glasses, or tumblers are always sure to please. It’s a useful gift with that little bit extra! You can extend custom options to anything that you please as your selection is vast. Custom Fridge Magnets are perfect to organize the fridge art of kiddos and grandchildren and could be customized with their picture. A dufflebag for the gym could be embroidered with the initials of your giftee. No matter which route you go, it will be a thoughtful gift that they will love!

Ice Cream Machine: An ice-cream machine is a must-have in the summer months. The best thing about having an ice-cream machine is that they are very easy to use and they are also good for the kids to use, as well. All you have to do is add the mixture to the machine and turn it on. The machine will then chill the ice-cream over time and when it’s ready, you can scoop it right out of the machine. This is way better when compared to making it yourself because you don’t have to worry about putting it in the freezer or even blending it properly. You can then add your own flavors if you’re feeling adventurous!

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YUM.

Family Bucket List: We all have things that we want to do before we kick the bucket, so a family bucket list is really fitting if you know that everyone has a mental list of what they want to do. It’s actually possible for you to buy kits that give you the chance to do this, and each one comes with a container and a list of slips for you to write what you want to do on there. Everyone can see the list going down as feats are accomplished, and it’s ideal for those who have adventurous family members!

Games Consoles: A gaming console is a brilliant way for you to get the whole family involved. You can buy quiz games and you can also buy family-fun games as well. If you have a family of console-lovers or even mobile app gamers, then games such as Final Fantasy 15 are great for this. You can even buy in-game extras and this can include currency and so much more, so it’s ideal if you want to give them a head-start.

Family Charades: Charades is quite possibly the game that causes the most arguments in a family. It is incredibly fast-paced and it is also very fun. When you do play charades, you will be given something to act out. It could be a movie, an actor, or anything else. You can get the kids involved with this and it is a great way for you to make sure that everyone is included. These sets don’t cost much, either, so if you want to have something that the kids can play then this is a good option for you.

Sweets Basket: Who doesn’t like sweets? Sweets baskets are the easiest way for you to get something for everyone without breaking the bank. They show that you thought about the recipients and you can put tags on the individual sweets, too. On top of this, you can add extra goodies to the gift basket. This could be a mug or it could be a selection of coffee. You can make something for each family member or you can make a joint one. Either way, this is ultimately the easiest way for you to appeal to everyone and you can do the whole thing yourself with bows, ribbon and more!

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 YUM again!

Finding the whole family a gift is relatively easy and there are plenty of ideas above to get you started. Happy holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hi everyone and happy happy Thanksgiving! I will keep this post short and sweet so that all of you can get back to enjoying quality time with your friends and family. Thanksgiving is easily one of my favorite holidays, mainly because I love to eat! BUT, I also love being able to prepare a big meal with my family and friends and sit down at the table to enjoy it all together. Then, my family always concludes our Thanksgiving feast with movies or games afterwards, which is a total blast because the Mushenheims are a competitive people!

Thanksgiving is an all around fun day. Everyone at home is in a great mood, the house smells amazing from all of the delicious food being cooked, and we even opt to use the fancy dining room table to eat our meal at. In fact, Thanksgiving is the one holiday that I can always recall enjoying throughout the years and I have every intention of adding another exceedingly pleasant holiday to the books today.

I hope that all of my wonderful friends, readers, and followers on lifewithlilred have a beautiful day today! Enjoy yourselves, your family, and your loved ones and EAT ALL THE FOOD! How does your family celebrate Thanksgiving? What is the best Thanksgiving side dish? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Featured Image By: Pinterest

Lil Red’s Holiday Shopping Pro Tips

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Lil Red’s Holiday Shopping Pro Tips

Howdy! I have been asked a lot recently for advice on holiday shopping, since I finished my present purchasing way ahead of the game last week. I take holiday shopping and birthday present buying very seriously, because I love to spoil my family and friends. Of course, random prezzies throughout the year are nice, but it’s fun to go hard on the major gift giving occasions. Now, I’m going to walk you through a step by step guide on my holiday shopping process to help you finish your purchasing with December to spare:

Make a list: I know that I say this all of the time, but it’s true. Type or write out all of the people that you need to shop for and then start narrowing down the best gift for him or her. What are their hobbies? What is their favorite food or type of music? What is something that they would like to have but would never buy for themselves? These are all excellent places to start.

More on gift selecting: Still stuck? Let’s talk about some of my go to present selections:

  • Alcohol is always a good choice if you’re buying for one of your girlfriends or brothers. Who wouldn’t want a six pack of Christmas ale or a bottle of vino?
  • If you’re buying for a couple, how about treating them to a date night? Gift cards for restaurants and movie theaters are a great place to start.
  • Groupon vouchers can also be a nice surprise. I received two vouchers for a Paint Nite event at a bar one year and my guest and I had an absolute ball.
  • Lotions, candles, and other bath and body care treats are also a fool proof selection if you are buying for a sister, your mom, or a girlfriend. Customize a gift set for them filled with smell goods, fuzzy socks, and a sleeping mask for the ultimate pampering party.
  • Buying a subscription is another really good option. Popping for a few months of a Netflix, Hulu, Ipsy, or Birch Box subscription is the gift that keeps on giving and they are not overly expensive.

Purchasing time: After you’ve made your list and checked it twice, it is time to move on to the actual purchasing of the presents. I prefer to do every possible bit of my shopping online, and then buy the rest of my presents in store as needed. I am a faithful member of Amazon and a majority of my shopping was done on there this year. I then went to the shops on a week day afternoon to do the rest of my buying and eliminated all of my holiday purchasing in one huge swoop.

Online shopping tips: If, like me, you prefer to shop online, then there are some steps that you can take to ensure that you are always getting the best deal. Such as:

  1. Signing up for emails or rewards programs. Most websites will give you an extra incentive to sign up for their email updates, like ten percent off a purchase or free shipping. Every little bit helps!
  2. Using websites like Retail Me Not or Honey to find coupon codes for different websites. Note that some websites rarely have promotion codes like Amazon, TJMaxx, and Zara.
  3. Do your research. Read reviews of the products that you are going to buy and Google them, as well. You can’t physically touch and look at what you’re thinking of purchasing so this is the online equivalent.
  4. Check out multiple different websites to ensure that you are getting the best deal.

In store shopping tips: I avoid shopping in store during the holidays like the plague. However, it has to be done sometimes and this is how I avoid the hustle and bustle of hitting the shops:

  1. Go shopping during non peak traffic times. A week day afternoon is ideal, but if your schedule doesn’t allow for that, then try going late in the evening or early in the morning. The less people around while you’re shopping, the better.
  2. It’s also important to make a game plan while shopping in store. Know exactly who you’re shopping for and where each item that you need is located in the store. Wandering aimlessly can be stressful and ain’t nobody got time for that.
  3. Use coupons, in store sales, and apps. Plenty of stores now use apps and rewards programs to give their customers great deals. Find them, use them, and love them. Every little bit helps!

And finally, make sure that you double check all of your items that you purchased in store or online for any defects in the products. The sooner you find a problem and correct it, the less you have to stress about it – especially if you have to ship back the item and rebuy it.

So there you have it, Lil Red’s Holiday Shopping Pro Tips! Was this guide helpful to you? What are some of your tips to holiday shopping that I didn’t cover? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

All Done Holiday Shopping!!

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All Done Holiday Shopping!!

HURRAY HURRAY! As of this week, I am officially all done holiday shopping and I seriously could not be happier. Being finished with gift buying less than halfway through November might seem obscenely early to some but, for me, it is just right. For as long as I can remember, I have never been one that enjoys last minute shopping or even going to the shops as Christmas draws closer. Don’t get me wrong, I love holiday set ups in stores and magnificent window displays just as much as the next person but, my god, the stress can be unbearable.

What if I can’t find just the right present in store? What if the gift arrives broken or the shipment gets delayed? What if the present is out of stock by the time I get to buying it? What if, what if, what if. AHHH! Just typing this out gives me anxiety!! I am far from the home stretch, just because Amazon packages still have to arrive, but the fact that I’m ninety-nine percent done makes me breathe easier.

Not only the aforementioned, but I’m happy to get one big bill out of the way now, rather than have it broken up into December when I’ll be trying to save moolah again. Hello, holiday cash! This is the earliest that I’ve ever completed my holiday shopping before, and I find myself wondering why I haven’t done it like this every year. The major stress of the season is gone and now I can sit back, relax, and sip my hot chocolate while the rest of my family and friends do the December Dash to get all of their shopping done in time! But that’s none of my business. 😉 😉 😉

Who else is all done holiday shopping? Who is a last minute gift buyer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Merry Christmas!!

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Merry Christmas!!

Hello everyone and a Merry Merry Christmas to all of you!! I hope that you guys have a wonderful day celebrating or doing whatever it is that you do today. No matter what holiday you celebrate, my wish is that you have a joyous holiday season with your friends and loved ones. I am SO excited to give all of my gifts to their recipients because I have literally been waiting ALL MONTH to do so! I am also really looking forward to ringing in the New Year with all of you here on lifewithlilred.

I am keeping this Christmas post short and sweet so that you can get back to going about your day so I will talk to all of you later. Remember that you are each so special to me and please accept a big, virtual holiday hug from me to you! What was in your holiday haul? How do you celebrate the holiday season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

The Guests Are Coming: Last Minute Christmas Preparations

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The Guests Are Coming: Last Minute Christmas Preparations

There’s a point in December when you suddenly realize that you’re running out of time. Only a week ago you were telling your friends, rather smugly, that you’ve finished your Christmas shopping and are well ahead of the game. But you still have the food shopping to do, the Christmas Day meal to prepare, and your guests are due to arrive. It’s all a bit stressful. Take a deep breath and follow these last minute preparations:

Make A List: Make a list of everything you have to do between now and Christmas. Work out what can be delegated and get other family members involved. You can’t do everything yourself, and you shouldn’t have to. Are there any tasks that could, at a pinch, be completed after your guests arrive? For example, last minute wrapping, etc.? If so, move these items to the bottom of the list and start with the more pressing issues.

Comfort: Is everything in place to ensure everyone’s comfort during the holiday? Is the house warm enough? Do you need to bleed the radiators? Do you have adequate seating? If not, consider investing in some giant bean bags. Check the dimensions of the room and find the perfect sized bean bag for you. Find it at Fombag or other retailers. Also, ensure that you have adequate dining room chairs.

Food: You should also get the big food shop out of the way before your guests arrive. You don’t want to leave them to their own devices and then head off to the shops. Try to find a quiet time to do this and avoid the crowds. Late at night or early morning often works well.

Have you catered to all tastes and dietary requirements? If you’re entertaining new guests such as new girlfriends, husbands, etc., check whether they have any specific dietary requirements. You don’t want to find out that your mother’s new partner is vegetarian just as you’re serving the turkey.

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 So cute!

Guest Bedroom: Is your spare room ready to receive your guests? Temporarily relocate any large storage items such as furniture, boxes, and exercise equipment. Dust and vacuum thoroughly. Strip the bed and make it with fresh linen. Clear a space in the closet for hanging clothes and storing shoes, etc. A carefully placed string of fairy lights will provide some festive cheer. Leave some spare towels for your guests and ensure that the bathroom is adequately stocked (and clean!).

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 Love the lights!

A Warm Welcome: Provide a warm welcome to your visitors by paying attention to the front of the house and entrance. Clear any leaves and debris from the yard and wash the front door and windows. A Christmas wreath and string lights will add a little Christmas cheer. Ensure the hallway is also welcoming. Remove any clutter and make it as easy as possible for guests to enter with suitcases and boxes of gifts. Add garlands to banisters and decorate the walls.

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Love these little guys!

All’s that’s left is to put the kettle on or mull some wine. Then you can sit back and enjoy the Christmas tree lights and wait for the doorbell to ring. AND THEN OPEN PRESENTS!!!!!!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hello everyone and happy happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! I’ll keep this post short and sweet because I am sure all of you have some driving, cooking, and HELLA eating to do! I just wanted to wish everyone the happiest of Thanksgivings today and a most wonderful holiday season. All of my readers and blogging friends already know how thankful I am for each and every one of you but I will say it again: I’M THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. Thank you for always offering me your support, kind words, and friendship!

Have an amazing day and don’t get too down on yourself if you have to unbutton your pants button or add a few more notches to your belt! As always, I plan on going hard this Thanksgiving and hope everyone does the same! What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? What is your favorite holiday tradition? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah