Deck the Halls for $100 or Less

The arrival of this Christmas season has been highly anticipated by yours truly for two years now. Travis and I have spent the last two Christmases with his family in California and though I've had a great time and they've more than gone out of their way to include me in their family, something felt like it was missing. The first time we went to California I was both ecstatic and anxious to meet my then fiance's family and celebrate Christmas with them. In all honesty though, I was desperate to be leaving my mom at Christmas time. I mean, no mom should be without her favorite child on Christmas! (ha ha ha) On top of that, I was worried about how my mom would handle not having me there on her third Christmas since my dad had died. Being the youngest of seven, I know my "growing up" (don't laugh) has been hard for my mom and that our first Christmas without each other would be tough for both of us.

It was. It was different to celebrate Christmas without all the traditions I grew up with: biscuits and gravy with twisted orange slices and hot cocoa for breakfast Christmas morning, an individual serving size box of sugary cereal, fruit, nuts, yogurt, string cheese and five pennies wrapped in wax paper in my stocking, belting Christmas carols around the piano with my siblings, watching plays my nieces and nephews made-up, having a Christmas bush (for some unknown reason my dad always cut the top of the Christmas tree off to make it fit in the house) and loads of laughter. Because I grew up with all these things, it doesn't feel like Christmas without them.

This year we're staying at our home for Christmas and not only is my mom joining us, but it's our beautiful little boy's first Christmas! Hence my anticipation. Last month, however, I realized that our Christmas decorations were more than a little sparse. This just wouldn't do. I began brainstorming, budgeting and bargain shopping.

I figured we could manage to spent $100 on decorations, not including our Christmas greenery. I grew up in Oregon, so a real Christmas tree and wreath are must haves. So during the last month I took many bargain hunting trips when I needed a break from studying, "researched" Aunt Martha's archives and came up with my game plan. So, without further ado, I bring you...(drum roll)...Deck the Halls in $100 or Less!

The Outside Door

Real Wreath...................Costco.........................x1...................$15
Ribbon............................The Dollar Store....... x2...................$2
Jinglebells......................The Dollar Store........x1...................$1
Berry Picks....................The Dollar Store........x2..................$2
Gold Sash.......................The Dollar Store........x1...................$1
Fake Garland.................Wal-Mart...................x1...................$5

*I already owned: Christmas lights, wire and I bought the grapevine at a garage sale this summer for $1

Total: $26

The Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree...................Rite Aid.................x1............$25
Star Tree topper.................The Dollar Store..x1............$1
Kix (Garland)......................Smith's...................x1...........$1.25 (sweet sale, huh?)
Cranberries.........................Smith's...................x2...........$3
Plastic Candy Canes...........The Dollar Store...x2...........$2
Lights...................................Rite Aid..................x2...........$5

*I already owned: a few sentimental ornaments

Total: $37.25

Homemade Tree Skirt
Fabric....................Wal-Mart...........x1.............$5
Gold Pleats...........Wal-Mart...........x1.............$3
Green Thread......Wal-Mart...........x1.............$1

*I already owned: a sewing machine ;o)

Total: $9

The Bookcases

Panoramic View. Oooo Ahhhh!

Close up of far left bookcase

Close up of my stocking hanging on the far right bookcase

My gingerbread house

Note: I wrapped our picture frames in brown paper and then decorated them as presents using ribbon scraps and things that I had on hand. Uber cheap and very cute. The stockings are an idea I lifted from good ol' Martha herself. She used a stocking template on old sweaters and wah-la!, beautiful stockings. The top of the bookcases are covered with extra bows from our tree and some lights I already owned. I made the gingerbread house with Melanie over Thanksgiving and I think it's my favorite decoration.

Gold Tree...........................The Dollar Store.........x2............$2
Different Gold Tree..........Smith's.........................x1.............$2
Gold Star on Present........Smith's.........................x1.............$2
Star Tree............................The Dollar Store.........x1.............$1
Big Gold Bow......................Hallmark.....................x1.............$2
Sweaters.............................D.I. (Goodwill)............x4............$10
Red Thread........................Wal-Mart....................x1.............$1

Total: $20

The Top of the Piano

Note: I wanted to put something here that we could light up and highlight the beautiful picture of Christ that our friend, Tom, gave us for a wedding present. I don't own a creche and haven't finished the nativity wall quilt that I started when I was 16, so this is what I did to highlight the real reason for the season. When the candles are lit, the bulbs inside the jars sparkle and really draw your attention to the picture of Christ. I love it!

Old Glass Bulbs................... D.I. (Goodwill)..........x4...........$2
Gold Ornament Tree..........Family Dollar............x1............$5
Candles.................................The Dollar Store.......x8............$8
Canning Jars........................D.I. (Goodwill)..........x4............$1
Gold Sash.............................The Dollar Store.......x1............$1
Table Runner......................The Dollar Store.......x1............$1
Ribbon..................................The Dollar Store.......x1............$1

*I already owned: a few regular size canning jars

Total: $19

Christmas Card Display
Picture frame..............D.I. (Goodwill).........x1............$2
Ribbbon.......................Michael's...................x1............$3
Gold Glitter Spray......Wal-Mart.................x1............$3

*I already owned: a hot glue gun

Total: $8

Table Centerpiece
Picture frame...................D.I. (Goodwill)............x1.............$1
Feather Boa......................JoAnn's........................x1.............$7
(I don't think the boa should count since I'm just waiting
for an excuse to wear it out on the town.)
Red Picture Frame..........JoAnn's.......................x1.............$2
8x10 Photo.......................Costco..........................x1.............$1

*I already owned: green craft paint and paintbrushes

Total: $11

Grand Total: $130.25
Total without Greenery: $90.25

Yippee! I came in under budget! I think you'll agree with me that our house looks festive and darling (smile and nod). But it wouldn't be complete without the giggles and squeals that Ethan fills our house with. This year, not only do I get to spend Christmas at home with my mom, but I get to enjoy it as a mom. That's enough to make all my days merry and bright.

P.S. I gave up trying to get all formatting to line up. Sorry!

What's Christmas Without Sugar Cookies?

Four years ago, during my first semester at college, I needed some Christmas Spirit in a bad way. Finals were weighing down on me, a boy was making me miserable, it was bitter cold (-9 degrees in the morning) and I missed home terribly. I mulled over the situation and realized that what I needed was some Christmas cookies. No easy drop cookie would suffice, I had to break out the big dogs and roll out some Christmas sugar cookies. Now, this was no easy task for me. As much as I love cooking, I think rolled cookies are about the most pointless, aggravating things on earth. Let me explain:

1. Generally, cookie cravings are sporadic and insatiable .
2. Rolled cookies have to be chilled for at least three hours before you dare attempt to roll them out. Why? Otherwise the butter is too warm and the edges burn. I've tried several shortcuts and none of them work. You have to wait. (Unless you use Crisco which is a heinous offense that I won't speak of.)
3. Mess factor. Not only do you have your standard cookie mess to clean up, but then you have to flour your work surface, flour your rolling pin and don the apron because it's impossible to not flour yourself in the process.
4. Tick... Tock... Tick... Tock... Good sugar cookies are a day long project. That's sad.
   

As you can see, exhibits 2-4 greatly postpone the fulfillment of 1 which is why sugar cookies infuriate me. Yet, I knew that nothing else could do. I was trapped. I went to www.epicurious.com and searched for a sugar cookie recipe, surveyed my prospects and picked what seemed to be the most promising recipe. Having been softening butter while I searched, I got straight to work.

I'll never forget the first bite of that dough. A euphoric trance slipped over me and my worries melted away. I'm not much of comfort food eater, but boy, these cookies defy all my logic. My self-control, which is usually reliable, goes right out the window. With every tasty morsel I said, "Yikes! This stuff is pure butter. I'm stopping after this piece. " And the cookie dough said, "Eat me Kristin. I'm yummy. I make you happy." And I said, "Okay. I guess you know best cookie dough."

A tradition was born. I have to make these cookies at Christmas and limit myself to making them only then. Even now, I can't stop eating the dough. Don't get me wrong, the baked version of the cookie is out of this world too. They have the ideal butter cookie crumb and crunch that's accented perfectly by the clean zing of the lemon and orange zest. The only problem is that most of the dough never makes it to the oven.

Tammy, Becky, Katie and Robert came to see my house decorated for Christmas and decorate cookies with me today. Because I knew they were coming I was able to overcome my desire to eat all the cookies. Though, for a minute, I did think I could get away with blaming it on Lexie. I mean, doesn't this expression just say:

"Mmmm.... look at the cookies. I'll just jump on the table and nibble a little.
You know, quality control."

Then, all I'd have to say is, "Lexie! Eh-eh! Well can you believe that? She ate two dozen cookies!" But my conscience won and I constrained myself to eating only a couple cookies before they arrived and the cookies were successfully frosted, sprinkled, and saved from my ravaging.

Ethan and Robert had a fun time playing together and I continue to get a kick out of how different they are. Robert now weighs 20 lbs. and Ethan just eeked past 15 lbs. Ethan is an incredibly active, exploratory baby and Robert is mostly content to be where you put him and take the world in. They've cemented my belief that babies are born with personality.

Becky and Katie had a great time decorating cookies, but my personal highlight came when every girl's favorite subject came up: boys! I was decorating cookies for my friend Natalie that has a 4 year-old boy and I told Katie he could be her boyfriend. She accepted this new assignment and exuberantly decorated a cookie with mounds of frosting and double sprinkles for him. When they had to get ready to go Katie desperately pleaded to be able to take her cookie to her boyfriend. Tammy told her no and her little heart was so crushed that she burst into tears.

Becky turned beet red when I asked her if she had a crush on a certain boy who shall remain nameless. I'm guessing from her reaction, evidenced by her face color matching the sprinkles lid, that I'm right.

I, of course, had to catch these moments to share with their kids, or better yet their husbands, in the future.


If all the afore mentioned merriment doesn't make you want to try out these cookie than I don't know what will. The recipe is below. I know you'll need it.

Citrus sugar cookie dough

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 1/4 grated tangerine peel or orange peel
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter, lemon peel and tangerine peel in large bowl until light. Add 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in egg. Add dry ingredients. Using spoon, stir until mixture forms dough (dough will be soft). Divide dough into thirds. Gather each third into ball; flatten into disks. Wrap each disk in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let soften slightly, if necessary, before rolling out.)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously flour work surface and rolling pin. Place 1 dough disk on work surface (keep remaining 2 dough disks refrigerated). Press rolling pin into dough several times to flatten slightly for easier rolling. Roll out dough to 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness, frequently lifting and turning dough to prevent sticking. Using assorted cookie cutters dipped into flour, cut out cookies. Transfer cookies to ungreased nonstick baking sheets, spacing 1/2 inch apart. Gather dough scraps together and reserve.

Bake until cookies turn brown on edges, about 15 minutes. Let cookies stand on sheets 1 minute. Using metal spatula, transfer cookies to racks and cool completely.

Repeat rolling, cutting and baking with remaining 2 dough disks as described above, being sure to cool cookie sheets before making each batch. Combine all reserved dough scraps and shape into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap disk in plastic and freeze until firm enough to roll, about 30 minutes. Repeat rolling, cutting and baking as described above. Store cooled cookies in airtight container at room temperature until ready to decorate.

Back to the Blog!

Okay, okay, I guess I fully deserve any chastisement that I receive for not keeping the blog updated. But in my defense, I haven't exactly had loads of free time, or any to be precise. Since we got back from California our lives have been CA-RAZY! I never even successfully blogged our first vacation with Ethan, but it was so long ago now that it seems ridiculous to try. So, I'm moving on. Here's the update since our last entry.

• Kristin finished her classes. Whew! I have one more final to take, but the bulk of it is over and this merits a huge sigh of relief. Independent Study is a lot harder than I anticipated. Not because the classes themselves are more challenging, but because of the complete lack of a teacher/student relationship. Maybe that isn't as big of a deal with hard sciences, but with English it's vital. For example, one of my teachers asked for a one paragraph explanation of the effect of industrialization on the Romantic Period. I wrote 5 lengthy, thorough sentences and put a lot of work into the whole assignment. He gave me a C+ and wrote a little note next to the paragraph that said, "Write more." As if the grade didn't peeve me enough, his lack of feedback made it even worse. If you want more, ask for 2-3 paragraphs! He only wrote one other negative thing on my assignment and yet I got a C+. Considering the fact that its the worst grade I've gotten in college and it had no explanation whatsoever, it was a little infuriating.

• Bill and Connie came to visit for Thanksgiving weekend and we had a great time. We went to the Joseph Smith movie in SLC, toured Logan and, my personal favorite, visited the reindeer farm in Corrine. The reindeer farm is operated by one family and they put up darling kiosks of North Pole scenes, cut-outs for pictures, their reindeer and other critters and they even have a visiting Santa with an authentic beard for pictures. Check it out!
  

Dasher, Prancer & Vixen

Santa's Elves

Reindeer Quality Inspectors

The Big Man meets The Little Man

• Lexie reverted to her bad behavior and chewed the binding off one of Ethan's books when I was running an errand. Furthermore, she committed the crime while sprawled out on the couch. I can't talk anymore about this because it disappointed me too much.

• Several home improvements took place including getting a new outside door for the side of the house, finally getting a door for Ethan's room and getting a dog house for Lexie. (The result of her misbehavior when she's inside alone.)

• We mailed all our Christmas packages and cards! Check your mailboxes!

• Ethan eats in his big boy highchair. Do any of my siblings recognize his highchair? That's right, I recovered our old highchair and feel nostalgic every time I put Ethan in the highchair that I used as a baby.

Ethan enjoying his new hang out

• Ethan jumps! Grandma and Grandpa Fixmer got Ethan a Johnny Jump Up for Christmas and we had to open it early because he loves jumping right now. It took him a couple days to figure it out, but now he loves jumping in it. I have a video of him jumping to posts, but I'm waiting for YouTube to upload it.

• Travis' classes finish this week. Please keep him in your prayers. He has presentations and tests on Tuesday and Friday. It's been another grueling semester and he's very ready for a break.

• We've all had our run with a horrible bug. Of course, we were nice enough to give it to Melanie, Mom and Dave at Thanksgiving, too. There's no fever, but lots of coughing, sneezing, sore throats and runny noses.
  

• We went to Melanie's Christmas party and had a blast. We saw Happy Feet, watched the kids decorate cookies, sang around Mel's new piano while Steve displayed his amazing skills, ate incredible food (ham, potatoes au gratin with gruyere and fennel, brocollini, asparagus, and beans, rolls, croissant bread pudding and banana pudding), opened gifts (mittens that Melanie knitted for all the nephews and nieces, and The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook for the adults) and laughed a lot.
  

• Our house is decorated for Christmas! This topic will be further expanded tomorrow in a post dedicated entirely to the decoration of our first house for our first Christmas in it! Yippee!

Okay, I think that's pretty much everything. I'm sure I forgot things, but I did my best. Thanks for being understanding and I hope I don't encounter such a long absence from the blog again.