The Perfect Gift for that Special Someone

I need to back up a few weeks. While everyone is excited and talking about Valentines Day, I'm still stuck on Christmas. Specifically, the gift I gave Mr. T this year...I called it the "Bucket of Fun" and it is what the name says...a bucket filled with fun things for us to do! After 16 years, two kids, a mortgage, a dog, work and everything else, it can be hard to carve time out of the day week month for each other. Mr. T loves to go out...dinner, movies, anything! It's not that easy to coordinate his call schedule with baseball, dance, school activities, and life. By putting this together, dates are planned and paid for...all we have to do is schedule the babysitter.

Here's the breakdown of what was in the bucket:

The Bucket...a refillable movie theatre popcorn bucket. We can take it to the movies and have it filled for $3.50 every time we go.

Movie Tickets...a booklet of $25 in coupons that are good for movie tickets and snacks. This should give us two movie dates.

Bowling Gift Card...I know its hokey, but we like to go bowling. This gift card will pay for our shoes and four games.

Dinner Gift Cards times Two...I included two gift cards to two different restaurants. We can add this with something else or just go out for a nice dinner.

Theatre Tickets I...I am excited about this. It is one of two things that had a specific date. Next weekend we get to see Frost/Nixon. He made sure to ask for the weekend off and the babysitter is already lined up...yay!

Theatre Tickets II...I'm even more excited about this date. In March we have tickets to see Damn Yankees. Friends of ours have tickets for the same night, so it will be a fun double date!

Zip lining...You read that right...Mr. T's favorite thing to do! While he is super excited, my palms are already sweaty!! I bought these from Groupon in the fall and they don't expire until the end of April. A few friends purchased them as well, so it will be a scary but fun group date.

Mr. T was thrilled with this! It was all about him and what he likes to do. When it comes to gifts there is always something we want or need for the house and let's face it, while 7 pallets of sod for your anniversary or new wiring in the living room for Christmas are great...this year it was about him. With a birthday in May, the bucket might need to be refilled then. Something tells me I might have started a new tradition!

Fill a bucket and give it to your loved one...

Rachel :)

Chirstmas Card Pictures...

How many people stress about the picture that they put on their Holiday/Hanukkah/Christmas/New Years card? A few days ago I pulled out some decent clothes, moved the Chesterfield sofa from the bedroom to the backyard, and set up the tripod. Seriously...why is this such a difficult process...

I even tried to get a family photo, but apparently my neck was broken and the Smurfs were...



100 pictures and 20 minutes later I had a few good pictures of the kids...

another of the family..

but ended up using this...

happy holidays...

rachel :)

Let it Snow Vignette

In 2007 my favorite aunt started a Santa collection for us. It really is a great idea...she does this for her sisters and my sister and me every year. She labels them with the date, so I know if I'm ever missing one (I can't find 2008 this year...) I've started putting them in one spot which is currently over the china cabinet. While I have a few so far, I am looking forward to this collection growing every year...

ho ho ho!!!
Rachel :)

Burlap and Green Holiday Table

Here's my super cheap, super easy holiday table...

I used a scrap piece of burlap for a makeshift runner...

The 18" wreaths were on sale at Michaels last week for $2.49...

The candles came from Pier 1 and if I tell you how much they cost Mr. T will make me take them back...

The water goblets are from Tuesday Morning...

The plates are from the Dollar Tree...

And the monogrammed napkins I found on clearance at Steinmart...

I have a super-allergic to anything green Smurf. A few years ago we made the switch to artificial, which has kept him healthier, but has me decorating with fake greenery (not my favorite). This year, I snipped a few pieces of boxwood and tucked them into the wreaths to break them up a just a little...let the sneezing begin...

Rachel :)

Elf on the...Swing?!?

This little guy made his grand appearance this morning...

That's our Elf on the Shelf, Blake...only he made his debut on a swing, not a shelf. A swing attached to our 1950's chandelier. Awesome.

I am hoping he will work his magic on the Smurfs! Happy first (your shopping days are numbered) weekend of December!!

Rachel :)

Getting Ready for the Holidays...

Since Thanksgiving was a little early this year, I feel really on top on things! The tree is up...and decorated...the holiday china is out...the wreath in the kitchen is up...and my dining room is a mess!Everything that doesn't have a holiday home yet is currently hanging out on the dining room table. My goal is to have it cleaned up by next week AND to have the mantle, and rest of the house, somewhat decorated. While I will not go out and purchase all new holiday decor this year, I am leaning towards a more neutral and green color pallet...

Talk about inspiration...just looking at these pictures make me want to get to work!!!

Rachel :)

...more pictures and all sources can be found on my Christmas Pinterest board...