With the last of the leaves of the season finally (mostly) raked up and bagged, I could finally turn my attention to decorating the porch this weekend. I swear, I have as much fun (and take as much time!) decorating the porch as I do the inside of the house. It takes a long time to hang 25 feet of garland, lights and balls and affix them firmly enough that they don’t blow away before spring thaw!!
And with that, I officially give myself permission to start getting excited about the holidays! I feel like I’m a wee bit ahead of the curve this year, but I’m sure whatever lead on the season I have now will be lost by mid-December. I’ve got the fixin’s for my famous shortbread and peanut brittle in the cupboard, and I bought a new set of cookie cutters so we could try one of those stacked-stars-into-a-Christmas-tree thingees this year. I’ve got some wrapping paper and tags stashed away, and I’ve even started my Christmas shopping. Yay!
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Are you an online shopper, or do you still prefer to head out to the shops? I was quite pleased with myself on the weekend when I knocked off a good chunk of my to-do list with two online stores and a visit to the Third World Bazaar sale here in Manotick. What a great selection they had this year!
If you’re an online shopper, you might enjoy this. As you know, I’m blogging for Fisher-Price this year, and Mattel is pleased to offer this online gift-finder. Or, if you’re more of a hands-on shopper, the Mattel Holiday helpers will be at various stores this Christmas season providing useful advice on appropriate toys for kids of all ages. If you’re in the Ottawa area, you can visit them on the following dates and locations:
- November 24 – 25, Zellers at Place d’Orleans
- November 26 – 27, Zellers at Billings Bridge
- December 3 – 4, Sears at Rideau Centre
- December 10 – 11, Sears at St Laurent Shopping Centre
- December 15 – 16, Zellers at Bayshore Shopping Centre
- December 17 – 18, Zellers at Hazeldean Mall
Mattel has also partnered with Holiday Helper Tarra Stubbins, a professional organizer. Mattel’s partnership with Tarra gives consumers access to expert shopping and organizational advice this holiday season on a series of YTV vignettes and on Mattel’s Facebook page. Mattel’s Holiday Helper will give families everywhere tips for holiday travel with the kids, efficient shopping strategy and advice for gift-giving.
Between now and Christmas, I’ll write a couple of posts with my recommendations for some of the best toys and gear I’ve seen this year with Fisher-Price. I’ll start this week with my favourite ideas for older kids, and we’ll work our way down to the wee ones. Sound good?
In the meantime, tell me: are you feeling the holiday spirit yet? Are you like me, a bit of a kid who delights in the anticipation? Or are you dreading the extra work you’ll have between now and the end of the year? What do you do that makes you feel like Christmas is finally on the way?
Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
I love Christmas, and I’m looking forward to getting started on decorating, etc. this weekend when things get rolling with the First Sunday of Advent.
I’ve started the planning for Christmas shopping but haven’t actually done it yet. I’m a mix of on-line and in-person shopping. Online is winning me over for its ease, but I’m too thrifty to pay for shipping, so unless there’s a really good online discount or an offer for free shipping, I tend to browse online, make my decisions, and then pick the items up in the store.
I like Fisher-Price, but so far none of their toys have made it onto my girls’ (still skinny) wishlists this year, so I’m looking forward to reading your suggestions.
I love Christmas and I have already felt the spirit around our house for a few weeks which seems early to me. But then my 6yo adores Christmas so that is probably why. Unfortunately I haven’t started shopping yet and I am thinking online will be the way to go.
Our garland and lights are up outside but I don’t turn them on yet…too early for me. My baking is well on its way and I’m almost done my shopping. The tree doesn’t go up until mid December at the earliest otherwise I’d tire of it before New Year’s. Once I mail my Christmas Cards I know it’s coming for sure once again. I love Christmas…and I love shopping for stocking stuffers, leave that for the final thing to check off my naughty and nice list 🙂
P.S. You do have the strangest Captcha Codes LOL