Holidays
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9 tips to survive holiday shopping
Are you a Black Friday shopper, battling the masses to get in on super deals, or do you prefer to purchase holiday gifts from the comfort of home on Cyber Monday? Whatever your preference, this upcoming weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for shoppers.
Did you know this weekend includes Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday? Retailers and merchants focus an enormous amount of time and research to cater to shoppers’ preferences and patterns. According to Fact Retriever, retailers use satellite images of retail parking lots to predict earnings and rely on psychological triggers such as music, visuals and key words to entice shoppers. Read 38 Fascinating Facts about Holiday Shopping for more details.
Holiday shopping can be stressful. It is time consuming and prompts financial anxiety. There may also be concerns about finding the “perfect” gift, obligatory gift giving and trying not to lose sight of the real meaning of the season. Here are nine tips to help you survive–and maybe even enjoy–holiday shopping.
- Make a list and check it twice. Jot ideas for gifts so you don’t wander aimlessly. Having a list can also help you determine your budget.
- Decide on a gift-giving theme. Have fun by deciding to purchase gifts according to a theme – books, crazy socks, food & cooking, gardening, music.
- Buy in bulk. No need to stress about giving each person an individualized gift. If you find an object you think people would enjoy, buy one for everyone on your list.
- Be realistic about your budget. Know what you can afford to spend and plan accordingly. If finances are tight, get creative and give handmade or homemade gifts such as jams/jellies, baked goods or coupons for services such as babysitting, yard work, etc.
- Give an “experiential” gift. Give a gift that allows people to enjoy a special experience – cooking classes, travel, skydiving. Even dinner or movie certificates are great!
- Give of your time, talent or treasures. You don’t have to buy something to give a meaningful gift. People may be even more appreciative of gifts such as preparing a special meal or recipe, piano lessons, creating a painting or handing down a beloved family heirloom.
- Don’t shop when you are tired, hungry or pressed for time. Dealing with long lines, crowds and no parking spots is bad enough, but the experience is even more unpleasant when you’re not at your best. Avoid peak shopping times (such as weekends), fuel up before you go, take your e-reader for long waits in line, leave the kids at home and focus on the spirit behind your gift.
- Shop online. Save time and money by shopping online. Be sure to allow sufficient delivery time, especially if you are ordering gifts that need to be shipped.
- Have fun! Hand out mini candy canes to children (ask parents first!) and store clerks. Wear colorful holiday clothing. Admire the decorations. Indulge in a cup of hot chocolate and cookies. Get your photo taken with Santa.
How do you survive the holiday shopping challenge? Share your tips and strategies. Happy shopping!
What will be on your Thanksgiving table?
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, which means you have exactly one week to finalize your menu, design a tablescape, confirm RVSPs and decide who will sit where to minimize family squabbles. Actually, that is Martha Stewart’s Thanksgiving To Do list. Mine is half as complicated, and I’ve even been tempted to join those individuals who dine out on Thanksgiving or have the meal catered.
Whatever you do or how ever you celebrate Turkey Day, there’s no arguing the joys of splurging on holiday favorites. Some families have secret recipes handed down from generation to generation while others serve up simple but much-loved dishes like the classic green bean casserole made with Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup and French’s French Fried Onions.
This year I’m breaking with tradition and making a Tangerine Curd Tart for dessert. No, I’m not going rogue just for the heck of it. Thanks to the bounty of the Meyer lemon tree I bought last February at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, I have beautiful fruit that needs to be harvested and used soon.
If you’d like to serve something different to your family and friends, here is the Food & Wine recipe I’m using.
Tart shell
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 stick unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
1/4 cup ice water
Tangerine curd
2 teaspoon finely grated tangerine zest plus 1 cup freshly squeezed tangerine juice (not bottled)
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup granulated sugar
12 large egg yolks
Pinch of kosher salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed and at room temperature
Whipped cream
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar
Make the tart shell. In a small bowl, whisk the flour, sugar and salt. Add the butter and, using your fingertips, blend it in until pea-size pieces remain. Stir in the ice water until the dough comes together; add another tablespoon if the dough seems too dry. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate for 1 hour.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to an 8-by-18-inch rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick. Fit the dough into 13-by-4-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim the overhang. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400°. Line the tart shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights. Bake for 40 minutes, until set. Remove the paper and pie weights and bake for 10 minutes, until cooked through. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
Make the tangerine curd. In a medium saucepan, whisk the tangerine zest with the citrus juices, sugar, egg yolks and salt. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring often with a spatula, until the curd is very thick but pourable, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a medium bowl and whisk in the butter. Scrape the curd into the tart shell and press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface. Refrigerate until set and chilled, 3 hours.
Make the whipped cream. In a medium bowl, beat the cream with the confectioners’ sugar until medium peaks form. Dollop on top of the tart and serve.
For the Thanksgiving purists around my table, I’ll also be serving pumpkin pie.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving Day classic food item ? Does your family have any non-traditional dishes, without which Turkey Day wouldn’t be the same?
Whatever is on your table next Thursday, I hope it is seasoned with love, friendship, good health and happiness.
A Veterans Day giveaway in honor of 'war dogs'
Friday, November 11, is Veterans Day. This national holiday is dedicated to honoring veterans of the armed services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard) who served to protect our country.
Did you know Veterans Day originated from Armistice Day, a holiday enacted in recognition of WW I soldiers? Click HERE to read more about the history of Veterans Day.
In addition to honoring the men and women who have served, I like to acknowledge the contributions of canine service members. I’m not the only American in awe of “war dogs.” There are several organizations dedicated to honoring and assisting active and retired military dogs.
The United States War Dogs Association – features war dog history, information about the U.S. War Dogs Memorial, and how to participate with this organization.
Save a Vet – provides adoption and rescue support for military and law enforcement working dogs.
Operation Military Care K9 – collects and distributes care packages to military working dogs and their handlers.
Kevlar for K9s – works to provide bulletproof vests for working canines.
If you would like more stories or information about military working dogs, check out these sites or click HERE for a full listing of military working dog organizations/resources.
10 Things You Might Not Know About Soldier Dogs
Dogs of War: 23 Facts You Never Knew About Military Working Dogs
As an author, I’ve incorporated my passion, respect and enthusiasm for working military dogs into my contemporary romantic suspense fiction. Sergeant Nick Welby and his bomb-sniffing golden lab are leading characters in Men Under Fire, Book 3 in the Grayce Walters series.
This book is one of more than 60 titles featured in the Military Romance Book Giveaway, which includes a Kindle Fire. If you’re a fan of military heroes and heroines, be sure to enter for a chance to win.
In honor of Veterans Day, I’m giving a way an ebook copy of Men Under Fire. For a chance to win, simply comment on my Veterans Day Facebook post. Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/2fD26DI
DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte
If you follow social media, you may have noticed that Pumpkin Spice Latte has become synonymous with autumn. Starbucks may have started the trend, but several other chains have jumped on the #PSL bandwagon, including McDonalds and Dunkin’ Donuts. There are even memes poking fun at the seasonal phenomenon.
While the chain drinks are delicious, they are also expensive and tend to be high in sugar and calories. Here’s a quick and easy recipe to whip up your own Pumpkin Spice Latte…and this one has real pumpkin in it!
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup hot espresso or strong brewed coffee
Sweetened whipped cream, for serving
Combine the first five ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until hot. You can also use a small saucepan. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is foamy. Pour coffee or espresso in large mug and add the milk mixture. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.
Click here for a Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy pumpkin? Share your suggestions and recipes with other #PSL fans.
Labor Day Giveaway
Goodbye summer, hello autumn! Labor Day, which was established as a federal holiday in 1894 to honor achievements of American workers, unofficially marks the end of summer and start of fall. One of my favorite fall treats is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte so I’m celebrating by giving away a $25 Starbucks gift card and To Be Read pile of signed romance novels from different authors.
Visit my Facebook page and comment with what you love most about autumn for a chance to win. One lucky winner will be announced Monday, September 5.
This autumn holds lots of tricks and treats so visit my website, sign up for my newsletter, or connect with me on social media at Facebook or Twitter. Be sure to watch for the upcoming release of A Cantata of Love on audiobook this fall. You can preview the story, narrated by Pearl Hewitt, here.
#amreading #amwriting #amlistening