More Style Than Cash

When Good Christmas Trees Go Bad - Day 27

By Ingrid Talpak on November 28, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

A Christmas tree has to be the most recognized symbol of the season and the one decoration in the house that most people want to look perfect.

If you were decorating the inside of your home this weekend then chances are that you were also putting up your tree, if it is an artificial one.

Maybe one of the reasons that artificial trees have become so popular is that you know exactly what they will look like from year to year.

But it doesn't matter if your tree is artificial or real, sometimes things happen and it just doesn't look as good as you would like it.

Here are some solutions you can use to get your Christmas tree looking picture perfect.

Continue reading When Good Christmas Trees Go Bad - Day 27.

Buying and Sending Plants and Flowers - Day 28

By Ingrid Talpak on November 27, 2012 5:00 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Having flowers and plants in your home is a great way to brighten it up since greenery always adds life to a room and we need that now that the days are getting shorter.

Sending seasonal plants and flower arrangements to family and friends is also a great way to keep in touch and make the season brighter for them.

Whether it is a poinsettia, flowering arrangement or Norfolk pine there are things you need to know before you buy or send Christmas greenery.

Continue reading Buying and Sending Plants and Flowers - Day 28.

Rescue Re-cap - If You Haven't Even Started Yet - Day 29

By Ingrid Talpak on November 26, 2012 5:03 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

We all have good intentions and if every one did what they were suppose to do when they were suppose to do it what a different world it would be.

But life happens and we either can't do what we want when we want or we just run out of time.

This is your rescue re-cap and I am going to try to get you all caught up to still make your Christmas a joyful easy holiday to celebrate.

There will be something that you will just have to either scale back on or opt out of all together but Christmas is suppose to be fun not a marathon.

So here is my list for getting caught up.

Continue reading Rescue Re-cap - If You Haven't Even Started Yet - Day 29.

Inside Decorating - Day 30

By Ingrid Talpak on November 25, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

With Thanksgiving over you can really start on the inside decorating of your home.

It dosn't matter if you have loads of Christmas decorations that you put out every year or if you are just starting out in a new home, you need to have some sort of plan.

Have you been flipping through magazines and getting inspiration on how you would like your home to look?

Even if you don't have a lot of cash or specific Christmas themed decorations you can make your home shine at Christmas.

Continue reading Inside Decorating - Day 30.

How Much Do They Eat and Drink? Day 31

By Ingrid Talpak on November 24, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

When it might be easy to figure out how much your own family eats and drinks on a regular basis we tend to get worried about our guests.

Have we bought too much or too little? What is the one thing that you should absolutely stock up on. What can you do if you think you are running low at a party.

It doesn't matter if you are serving 5 or 50 you want to seem like a good hostess so here are some ideas on food and drink.

Continue reading How Much Do They Eat and Drink? Day 31.

Check List for the Party - Day 32

By Ingrid Talpak on November 23, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

It doesn't matter if you have been planning a Christmas party for months now or if you turned to your husband last night and said, lets have everyone over before Christmas, you need a check list to make sure that everything will run smoothly.

Your invitations are out, you have your theme and now how do you pull it all together so everyone has a good time?

It's simple, don't over worry and don't try to make things perfect. The best parties are the ones that the people who are holding them are really relaxed and enjoying themselves.

Continue reading Check List for the Party - Day 32.

Happy Thanksgiving - Day 33

By Ingrid Talpak on November 22, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Thanksgiving Greetings!

If you are the one preparing Thanksgiving dinner I hope that you ask other people for some help, don't try to do it all yourself today.

If you are someone's guest then I hope that you offer to help a little bit today.

In many household Thanksgiving is the kick off to their Christmas season.

Though they are delighted to have the gathering of family around them they starting to decorate the house for Christmas the moment the turkey is off the table.

Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving - Day 33.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving - Day 34

By Ingrid Talpak on November 21, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

You are probably caught up in the hustle and bustle or either getting ready to host Thanksgiving or traveling some where to be with family to enjoy Thanksgiving.

If you need any reminders of how to organize then check back to Day 40 where I listed ideas on how to keep on top of things.

This is one of those moments of the season that you can get so caught up in getting things done that you might loose track of what it is all about.

It's not suppose to be perfect. It is suppose to be about being thankful and enjoying your time with your family.

No one has a perfect family so there will be bumps in the day, you just have to accept them as part of what life is about.

Continue reading Tomorrow is Thanksgiving - Day 34.

Black Friday Craziness - Day 35

By Ingrid Talpak on November 20, 2012 8:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Traditionally named for the Friday after Thanksgiving Thursday because it was thought to be the day retailers would start making profits and moving from the red to the black but it really is just a marketing ploy.

And what a marketing ploy.

People are camping out for the sales and making plans that would rival military campaigns. Is it worth it? How can you use Black Friday to your Christmas advantage.

Continue reading Black Friday Craziness - Day 35.

Television and Movies of the Season - Day 36

By Ingrid Talpak on November 19, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

There have been some great movies made and remade for the holidays but for the most part I enjoy the originals.

Starting at Thanksgiving some of the great classic holiday movies will start showing on television (probably with the 1942 classic Holiday Inn which features the famous music, I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, for the first time).

There are going to be times over the holidays were you are gong to just want to crash and watch movies. Here are some ideas of some great old Christmas classics you might enjoy.

Continue reading Television and Movies of the Season - Day 36.

Christmas Books - Day 37

By Ingrid Talpak on November 18, 2012 10:33 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

One of the simplest and quietest ways to enjoy Christmas is to read either about it or read stories set during it.

If you have very young children than reading to them is considered one of the most important things that you can do as it helps you bond with them but also it will help make them readers when they get older.

Is there anything better than curling up on a cold winters night and reading a really good book? It doesn't matter if your tastes run from humor to fiction there is a book out there for you written with the Christmas spirit in mind.

Find one for yourself and a few for the children and consider making it a Christmas tradition.

Continue reading Christmas Books - Day 37.

What Are You Listening To - Day 38

By Ingrid Talpak on November 17, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

While we are all familiar with Christmas carols like Silent Night and Christmas songs like Frosty the Snowman there is a world of music out there that was meant to be heard at Christmas.

This can be a great time to expand your Christmas music list by checking out different styles of music and incorporate them into your festivities.

What could be cooler than playing some interesting Christmas themed Jazz during a dinner party or when you are trying to calm down children before bedtime let them listen to music sung by children.

There is so much more out there than what you hear being piped through those tinny sound systems at every mall, shopping center and grocery store.

Continue reading What Are You Listening To - Day 38.

Recap - Day 39

By Ingrid Talpak on November 16, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I have given you a lot to think about in the last 60 days! I hope that is has been all in manageable bits that have made everything easier for you!

If you need to you could skim through all the re-caps to make sure that you are all caught up and re-read the days where you want more tips and information.

The stores are now filled with merchandise but remember that you don't have to spend your holidays spending.

Christmas should never just be about the stuff, it should be about the memories.

Continue reading Recap - Day 39.

Planning for Thanksgiving- Day 40

By Ingrid Talpak on November 15, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Thanksgiving is coming up quickly and while you don't have a lot of the same traditions for it as you do for Christmas as far as entertaining and dinner goes you can use it to polish your Christmas dinner latter on.

For many of us Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner are very similar as we both have turkeys on the table along with ham and sides and seasonal desserts.

This is when you really will find out if you have enough glasses, plates, chairs and everything else that you need. Are you organized or frazzled?

Continue reading Planning for Thanksgiving- Day 40.

Music for the Season - Day 41

By Ingrid Talpak on November 14, 2012 5:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Do you play an instrument? Guitar? Piano? Flute? Every year before Christmas do wish that you had started to learn some Christmas music? Why not pick a few carols to learn properly this year, the way that you have always wanted.

Most Christmas standards are actually very easy to play and the you will find versions of them that are to your skill level. Even if you play the easiest version that you can find there is a great sense of accomplishment to it.

If you don't play an instrument why not dust of a book of carols and learn the words to them properly. Everyone can start the first line of a Christmas Carol and then it tends to fizzle out very quickly.

Continue reading Music for the Season - Day 41.