Holidays Made...Easier

Chinoiserie Red

We crossed over the Halloween hump and that means one thing - Holiday decorations are going up in the stores faster than children can gobble their candy. Each time this year, I have to remind myself that I don't have to rush around to parties, shopping, school events, etc.  Though I would love to do it all - "all" can be quite massive. I have to convince myself now, while I have a chance, to not over commit. 

When I am planning my family's Holiday commitments - I have to look at the whole picture - of every family members schedules and invites.  For the children, they only see their events and not the parent's commitments.  I take this short break after Halloween and I remind myself that our schedule is times 4 in their eyes. If children are overloaded that makes a trickle down effect through to us as parents.  This also helps me keep the planing and committing to a realistic basis.

Madison Damask

Some ways to keep the Holidays under control: 

Partner with some friends or neighbors and do a meal swap between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  One day a week you cook, double recipe for your friend's family and on another day, they do the same.  At least two nights a week are dedicated and planned. Also helps when there are activities after school to pick that day for them to cook.

Keep multiple list. I title each list by store and keep it handy (or on my smart phone) so when I am out and about, random stops by shop widdles down my to do list. 

When throwing a party, layout the food arrangement the night before by putting dishes out and sticky notes near them to identify what dish goes where.   Also, make a schedule counting backwards from the start of the party of what needs to be made when (don't forget those yummy drinks need to be scheduled too). This also helps if anyone is there to help you - you can direct them to the list.

Make a list of some of the unforgettable gifts you have received and keep this in mind when you are looking for someone else.

OR.....let Buckle in a Snap make your Holiday shopping easier!   Girlfriends, family, and wives will find our buckles much more fun then a scarf and glove combo set! Check out our recently added Holiday line by Boatman Geller. Line will be available through Dec. 15th. 

Suzani Holiday

Candy Control

Candy Control With New Traditions

It is that time of the year….candy, candy and more CANDY!  As a mom, I get overwhelmed with how much sugar is dancing in front of our children. If we go to one Halloween party, then trick or treating….the sugar and future tooth decay screams in my ear.  So to help control my mental sanity and my children’s dentist bills, I have applied new rules to trick or treating. Why not! I find it fun to create new traditions around any holiday.  It creates new memories and cuts back on the commercialization that surrounds it.

Our night begins with a healthy dinner.  This is a staple – I feel like this is my one free-pass-a-year where I can make any meal and it will be the only one they don’t complain about eating it (not that my cooking is bad).  This one is my best recipe that contains the most amount of veggies and protein or I will choose a dish that they would not normally try.  And they will eat it…because it is Halloween!

I do allow my children to be kids at Halloween.  They get to go to as many houses as their little legs can carry them.  By not putting any restrictions on this way, they  surrender into going home much earlier than expected.  One reason they don’t feel the need to collect a ton of candy is because they now know they won’t and are not allowed to eat it all.  The new tradition we applied to Halloween is once at home, they can pick out a few candies to try that night and then a few to keep.   Then, they can exchange the rest in for money to save or a toy.  Money to save gets a higher rate, which is often chosen over a toy (and they must save that money for a month before spending it).

Do you have new traditions to the holidays?  Please share!

To celebrate the coming of the trick-or-treating season, we are giving-away a treat to our fans:: an ode to all the candy-corns that are swirling around in every kids dreams of Halloween (also known as Pretty in Paisley Tangerine by artist Kara K. Bigda).  Enter to win this treat of this buckle by sharing our blog and you are automatically entered to win!!

Enjoy this season of vibrant, rich, colors to  dark, spooky nights!

Holiday line will be launched soon.

BELT OUT YOUR TRUE COLORS!

Broach Tree:: Unique Accessories!

Gift Idea: Broach Tree

A friend of mine was getting married and loves wearing broaches – the more antique-y the better.  

Three times a year our town gets infested with flees – the kind that flock to our area for the Brimfield Flee Market in Brimfield, MA.  It is known for its miles of antiques and hidden treasures. 

When the Brimfield Market  came to town this past summer, I took the opportunity to scout out some collectible gems.  As I combed from costume jewelry to out-of-my-price-range sparklers; I couldn't decide.  As I had a few broaches in my hands - they looked like buds petals.  Then, the idea of a “broach tree” came.  I went to my local TJ Maxx to find a jewelry tree to display them on.  Then, headed through the crowds and combed through the fair looking for unique bobbles and treasures that would fit her personality and fit different occasions. Each broach with its own story, now understated and unappreciated sitting in a box...and now were beautifully decorated on a jewelry-tree; sparkling with pride.    

 I couldn't help but grab a few for me to compliment my fall outfits.  I have been dressing up drab shirts and reinventing them with a pop of color from the broaches.  Even dawning them on hats and scarves.  My favorite is a small, simple butterfly (broaches don’t have to be huge) where I place on random spots such as on my cuff or collar.  

I topped off this gift with a few antique hair combs to finish it out. I added some fabric bows to fill in the branches and a little tissue paper to dress up the base like a tree still in a burlap bag waiting to be planted.  I save a piece of the environment by using second hand jewelry that just needed a new home and no box or wrapping paper to recycle. Plain and simple can be much more then all the bells and whistles that go with giving a gift.  

My friend appreciated  the thought and it inspired many others to rethink their way of giving gifts.  There is so much "stuff" already out there that we need to get creative and feel good about reusing instead of making more "stuff." Imagine the stories that come with something that is regifted - one of her broaches could have told tales of  traveling around the world.