At our house, Christmas is the time of the year where we do a few extra special things that we might not otherwise do.

• Let kids stay up late.
• Eat chocolate for breakfast.
• Drive aimlessly up and down streets looking for really cool light displays, eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate.
• Fill stockings with lots of chocolate.
• Make a decadent, chocolate dessert.

Did I happen to mention chocolate?

Chocolate is an integral part of our Christmas celebrations. And if the chocolate is extra special, well, then that is really fun. Recently, we got to try out some fun, creative chocolate.

Chocomize is a company that lets you call the shots when it comes to creating a chocolate treat. It’s amazing all the things you could put on a chocolate bar! It’s super simple to order your own custom-made chocolate bar.

1. Choose a flavor of bark: white, dark or milk.
2. Add some embellishments. There is a huge variety of things you can add, including: nuts and seeds, fruits, herbs and spices, candy, decorations, and really crazy things like beef jerky and vegetarian bacon bits!
3. Click submit and within a few days you’ll receive a custom-designed chocolate bar.

I was really surprised by the great selection of customizable options. We tried three combinations: dark chocolate with pretzels, milk chocolate with pecans, and white chocolate with candy Christmas trees. What kid wouldn’t love a tricked out candy bar in his stocking on Christmas morning?

The kids really liked the candy trees with a flavor reminiscent of Sweet Tarts. I’m partial to pecans myself. But, truly there’s something for everyone at Chocomize since you get to choose what goes on your bar.

This week 1 winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Chocomize.

Ways to Enter:

There are three ways that you can enter this giveaway. Pick one, pick ‘em all.

1. Leave a comment, telling us what you would put on a chocolate bar. Pop over to Chocomize for inspiration.

2. Follow @Chocomize and @FishMama on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Then come back here and leave a separate comment with your twitter handle, telling me you did so.

3. Subscribe to LifeasMOM in a reader or via email and leave a separate comment, telling me you subscribe.

This giveaway will be open until Sunday night, August 1st at 8 pm, PST. Winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. You have 48 hours from the time I send the email to respond, otherwise I reserve the right to choose another winner.

- Disclosure: Chocomize provided me with compensation for my time and effort in running this giveaway as well as three chocolate bars to try. My opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Customized Chocolate Bars from Chocomize – A Giveaway! is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall — Life as MOM necessitates some quick “grab and go” recipes, dishes that are easy to take on the road or can be eaten out of hand. The kind of recipe you can grab — and GO! And if that grab and go recipe is dessert, well, so much the better.

I know I’m a little late joining the Cupcake Craze. Better late than never, I say. Truly, what was in my way was that gross frosting that grocery stores use on their cupcakes. Those have always been a deterrent for me. Holdover baggage from my childhood, shall we say.

But, since I discovered homemade buttercream frosting as well as cute, cute, CUTE cupcakes, well, I’m on board.

A Perfect Dessert

Cupcakes are the perfect dessert. Well, almost. Chocolate Cheesecake’s a close contender.

Anyway, as I was saying, cupcakes are the perfect dessert. They are kid sized, especially when you make minis; they require no utensils; and they are easy to transport. Just plop them in a lidded box. And they can be so cute! Proof positive:

Candy Cane Brownie Cupcakes

Rachael from Mommy Topics created these cute and easy Candy Cane Brownie Cupcakes for Christmas in July here at LifeasMOM. She also provided all sorts of wonderful tips for making easy cupcakes. If you are a cupcake novice, you’re going to want to read her cupcake tutorial.

What’s a Grab and Go Recipe that you love?

Share it on Ultimate Recipe Swap! Here’s how to participate in:

1. Post your recipe on your blog. Please mention www.lifeasMOM.com in your post so that your readers know where all the other good recipes are hanging out. Then, come back here to add the link to your post to Mr. Linky below. (Find instructions for Mr. Linky here.) OR

2. If you don’t have a blog, simply post your recipe or tell us about it in the comments section.

3. Above all, please stick to topic. Most weeks there is a theme; this week is Grab and Go Recipes.

Coming up next week on URS: Freezer Friendly Meals and Recipes

URS: Grab and Go Recipes is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

You know how I love cute cakes and cupcakes. As the cupcake craze is taking over my home, I’m realizing how cupcakes can be an especially easy dessert, perfect for the holidays. No need to for utensils, easily portable, Yeah!

Having recently tried my hand at cuter cupcakes, I think it’s worth a few trial runs before you take a dreamy batch to a Christmas event. So practice cupcake making between now and December, enjoy the taste-testing, and wow your friends with cute cupcakes come Christmas. Today Rachael from Mommy Topics shows us how it’s done.

Life is always busy, but December can get downright CRAZY! With all the typical family chaos, weekly activities, and household chores, plus additional holiday school functions, church celebrations, and family and friend get-togethers, a Mom can nearly lose her mind. That’s not how you want to spend “the most wonderful time of the year.”

The idea behind Christmas in July is make purchases now at a discount compared to holiday prices and to start storing ideas, both mentally and in your web browser’s bookmarks, for holiday crafts, decorations, gifts, and recipes. When the holiday season arrives, you will be prepared to deliver with frugality and beauty, and without a skyrocketing stress level.

Here is a great “Grab and Go” recipe for a holiday cupcake that works for both children and adult centered functions. It tastes great, looks amazing, and is quick, easy, and inexpensive to make and take a moments notice. An added plus is that these cupcakes can be made up to 48 hours in advance.

Candy Cane Cupcakes

Makes 18 Cupcakes

You Will Need:

• 2 boxes favorite store bought brownie mix, prepared according to package directions or a double batch of Cocoa Brownies
• 2 tubs classic white or vanilla cake frosting or a double batch of Homemade Buttercream Frosting
• 10 candy canes – if you’re not a big fan of peppermint, beautiful festive red and white candy canes can be found in cherry and cinnamon flavors
• 2 quart size Ziploc freezer bags or a cupcake decorating kit
• 18 cupcake papers – red, white, or holiday print
• 2 cupcake tins that can each hold at least 9 cupcakes each

Step 1. Pre-heat oven according to the directions on the brownie mix box, and prepare both brownie batters together in a large bowl according to box directions, doubling the recipe.

Step 2. Fill the cupcake tins with festive cupcake papers.

Step 3. Fill each cupcake paper nearly to the top with brownie batter.

Cupcake Tip: When using standard cake mix, fill cupcake papers 2/3 full. Though brownies do still rise a bit when baked, they don’t rise as much as cake mix, so the cupcake papers must be filled more than 2/3 full, about 2 cm from the top. Also, brownie mix boxes provide less batter than cake mix, which is why one box of brownie mix only yields about 9 standard cupcakes as opposed to the typical 24 when using cake mix.

Cupcake Tip: Keeping the top rims of your cupcake papers clean and free from accidental batter drips that brown and burn when baked, is one way to ensure elegant professional looking cupcakes. Using an ice cream scoop is a great way to neatly and evenly dispense batter into cupcake papers. Simply scoop the batter out of a bowl, scrape the bottom of the scoop on the rim of the batter bowl to avoid drips, transfer the scoop directly into the center of a cupcake paper, and pour. Multiple scoops may be needed to achieve desired amount for each cupcake.

Step 4. Place both tins of 9 brownies each, side by side in the oven, and bake according to the box directions allotted to the thickest style of brownies. – Usually about 30 + minutes.

Step 5. While the brownies are cooking, place 6 candy canes in a Ziploc bag and seal. Using a soup can, or any other can in your pantry, hammer the candy canes to create candy cane morsels. Do not hammer the candy canes into dust. You want to create pretty candy morsels, ranging in size between that of a chocolate chip and a mini chocolate chip, so that the red and white stripes can still be seen.

Cupcake Tip: When you remove your finished cupcakes from the oven, make sure they are fully baked by inserting a toothpick into the cake and being sure it comes out mostly clean. If the toothpick comes out heavily covered with cake, or gooey batter, bake for 3 – 5 minutes and test again. Repeat until the toothpick comes out clean, and the cupcakes are fully done baking. Always allow your cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.

Cupcake Tip: To top your cupcakes with frosting any time of year, you can use a professional piping bag and tip or a fancy frosting dispenser. But, if you don’t have either of these baking tools, there’s no need to run out and purchase any. Cupcakes can be beautifully frosted by using a simple quart or gallon size Ziploc freezer bag. Simply fold the top half of the bag over, and scoop the frosting down into one corner of the bag. Once the bag is close to full, press out the air, and seal the bag with the Ziploc strip. Cut a very small tip off of the corner of the bag and test your piping on a piece of foil, napkin, or plate. If the hole is too small for the design you desire, cut it a bit bigger.

Step 6. Using a Ziploc bag, pipe frosting starting around the rim of the cake, and spiraling into the center like you would when dispensing your own soft serve ice cream cone. You can continue to build up the frosting in spirals to create a pretty little mound on the top of your cake, finishing it off in the center with a hook.

Step 7. Place the candy cane morsels one at a time around the rim of the frosting, taking care to press each piece in, with the red stripped side of the candy facing out.

Step 8. Serve cupcakes immediately, or store covered in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Cupcake Tip: For extra embellishment, add a festive cupcake wrapper and topper to each cupcake. A great selection of wrappers and toppers, including the ones shown here, can be found in my online cupcake store, or at your local craft or baking supply store. It’s a great idea to buy your cupcake toppers, wrappers, and even box mixes, early, and store them until needed. Waiting until the last minute during the busy holiday season, can result in difficulty finding what you need, and in some cases items being sold out completely.

– Rachymommy is the author of MommyTopics. She’s a Southern California native, wife to a software engineer, and mother of three young children. Visit her site for creative cupcake ideas as well as reflections on a wide variety of topics, important to Mommies.

Candy Cane Brownie Cupcakes – A Guest Post is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

Christmas was always a fun holiday for me and my siblings when we were growing up. It was one of my mom’s favorite occasions and her enthusiasm was definitely infectious. She made memories for us that have lasted a lifetime.

Special Meals

Since we lived in Southern California and all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins lived in Minnesota, we didn’t have typical extended family celebrations. But, my dad’s cousin lived down the road from us for a number of years, and so we would often celebrate the holidays with “distant relations” who were actually closer to us than most of our next of kin.

My mom would also round up any friends and acquaintances who didn’t have a special place to be at Christmas. She made it special for them to come to our home and made every effort to pull out all the stops. She always planned for extra gifts to be under the tree so that no one would feel left out.

We used the good dishes, lit candles, and hung her special silver Christmas ornaments so that everything sparkled. Toffee Dream was always on the menu as was Apple Pie, and those two desserts are forever linked to sweet memories of my mom.

Special Ornaments

Mom always wanted us to have Christmas ornaments to take with us when we left home. She planned ahead! Early on she collected ornaments and saved those we received as gifts. Today I have an assortment of beautiful ornaments with notes from my mom as to who gave them to me and what year. She also tried to find ornaments that “fit us.” Because I called it a “cagebird,” she bought me a small golden bird cage ornament.

I’ve followed her example by making sure each of my kids has a big Rubbermaid tote that contains the ornaments they’ve received over the years. They love pulling out their boxes at holiday time and choosing ornaments to decorate the tree with.

While our house is certainly no holiday showplace, come December it’s filled with books and decorations that have meaning to our family and conjure all sorts of happy memories.

Special Stockings

My cousin Ed and I were the first grandkids on my mom’s side of the family, born six months apart. Granny handknit us both these very 1970s Santa Claus stockings that have become family heirlooms. All of our siblings and cousins have similar stockings that we would never part with. And over time I’ve discovered that many of my friends have similar stockings that they’ve had since childhood as well!

Granny passed away in 2001. My mom took up the knitting needles, retaught herself to knit and has proceeded to make heirloom, handknit stockings for all the cousins’ spouses and children. We’re a big Polish family, so that’s a lot of stockings!

The poor woman has even reknit some of the FishFam stockings because her daughter is so fickle. Yes, yes, I am. I changed my mind on colors a few times. But, digging into the stockings is a highlight of Christmas morning.

Over the years Nanna, as she is now known, has created a number of new designs, including this Keepsake Tree Stocking. You can leave the tree au naturel, or you can embellish it with button “ornaments” that have special meaning to your child. Perhaps a ducky button for his first Christmas or a ballet shoe button for her first recital. So fun!

Nanna has been a longtime supporter of Christmas in July (as well as my biggest fan), so once again this year, she has created some stockings to give away to LifeasMOM readers.

Two winners will each receive one handknit, heirloom stocking.

(Style or color may vary slightly from what is pictured here.)

How to Enter:

There are three ways that you can enter this giveaway. Pick one, pick ‘em all.

1. Leave a comment, telling us your favorite Christmas memory.

2. Follow @NannaKnits and @FishMama on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Then come back here and leave a separate comment with your twitter handle, telling me you did so.

3. Subscribe to LifeasMOM in a reader or via email and leave a separate comment, telling me you subscribe.

This giveaway will be open until Sunday night, August 1st at 8 pm, PST. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email. You have 48 hours from the time I send the email to respond, otherwise I reserve the right to choose another winner.

- Disclosure: Nanna has provided these resources for giveaway. I was not compensated to post positive comments. I love my mom! Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Making Christmas Memories to Last a Lifetime (& a FishFam Giveaway) is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

As Lauren mentioned earlier today, moms with young babies will do well to plan ahead and simplify for the holidays. She mentioned some great ways in which she is going to make this Christmas a little more peaceful and a little easier on Mom.

It’s important to keep in mind that some ways that are easier for some are not necessarily easier for others. For instance, let’s consider feeding. I breastfed all my babies. That worked well for us.

But, I have known many moms for varying reasons for whom exclusive breastfeeding was not a realistic or preferred option. In their lives as MOM, bottle-feeding works for them.

Steribottle can make bottle-feeding easier.

Steribottle has been popular in the United Kingdom since 2000. Now, it’s come to the New World.

Here are some of the advantages of this disposable and recyclable baby bottle:

• No need to wash or sterilize – just open the box, take out one ready-to-use bottle and nipple, fill, and feed.
• Perfect for traveling – when you don’t want to take a full kit of bottles and sterilizers with you. And there’s no need to carry home half-finished bottles that have been sitting around for hours – once you’ve done feeding, just dispose or recycle.
• Ideal for those 3 a.m. feeds when you don’t have any clean bottles and just want another 10-15 minutes of rest. Steribottle helps you feed your child and get back to sleep faster.
• Perfect for daycare too because Steri-bottle is a single-use bottle that features a locking cap so you can be sure your baby gets the feed that you’ve prepared.

Each package comes with complete bottles and nipples that are ready to use, BPA-free and phthalate-free and 100% recyclable.

While I didn’t use bottles for my babies, I must confess one of the reasons I resisted bottle-feeding, even part-time, was the hassle washing bottles appeared to be. This appears to me to be a great solution to that dilemma. And in examining the Steribottle product up close, I see a quality bottle and nipple.

I think these could be a great asset for grandparents and daycare providers to keep on hand. If you know you’re going to have babies staying with you over the holidays, it couldn’t hurt to have a box on hand. Moms who bottle feed may want to keep a pack in their emergency kits as well as in the car for those days when you just don’t have the time to mess with washing bottles. And these would make great baby gifts as well.

This week five readers will each win a 10-pack box of Steribottle Ready To Use Baby Bottles.

How to Enter:

There are three ways that you can enter this giveaway. Pick one, pick ‘em all.

1. Leave a comment, telling us your favorite baby gift to give.

2. Follow @Steribottle and @FishMama on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Then come back here and leave a separate comment with your twitter handle, telling me you did so.

3. Subscribe to LifeasMOM in a reader or via email and leave a separate comment, telling me you subscribe.

This giveaway will be open until Sunday night, August 1st at 8 pm, PST. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email. You have 48 hours from the time I send the email to respond, otherwise I reserve the right to choose another winner.

- Disclosure: Steribottle has provided these bottles for giveaway. I was not compensated to post positive comments. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Easy Bottle Feeding with Steribottle – A Giveaway! is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

Today’s post is from Lauren Hill, the Mama in Mama’s Laundry Talk. We are so much on the same wavelength. I love reading what she writes. Today she shares how she’s preparing for a new baby at the holidays. I can so relate since two FishBabies were born in November. It’s a wonderful time to have a baby, especially when you plan ahead.

I have never had the pleasure of having a “Holiday Baby” – one that comes right around the Thanksgiving/Christmas Holidays.  My other three children have birthdays in March and April.  Having a baby so close to Thanksgiving and Christmas makes me realize that things are going to be a little different for us this year.

My Baby #4 is due on November 18th, and as you all know that means he/she could arrive a few weeks early, or even into December.  Even though it is just July, I’ve given a lot of thought to what our Thanksgiving/Christmas Season may look like this year with a new baby to swoon over.  And what I would like for it to look like.

Thinking Ahead

My biggest goal this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season? For it to be simple and peaceful. No running around at the last minute, no fighting crowds and minimal anxiety to “get it all done.”  As with any newborn, I want to cherish this time when they are little and soak it in to my core.  Those newborn days are so fleeting and I don’t want to miss them because I’m worried about other things like shopping and baking.

Setting Goals

So I’ve mapped out my Master Plan of having a peaceful holiday season.  Here’s what I’m planning:

All of my Christmas Gifts are going to be purchased by November 1st.

I will tolerate no excuses from myself, as I am determined to have this hefty item checked off of my to-do list by November 1.  The thoughts of going  shopping in those post-partum days instead of snuggling with a new little one are not happy thoughts for this Mama.  My goal is to have my complete Christmas List made by August 15th and start quickly thereafter to check them off.  This list includes everyone we buy for: family, friends, teachers, etc.

All of my Christmas Cards will be signed, addressed and stamped, also by November 1st.

We don’t send nearly as many cards as we used to, so this task shouldn’t take terribly long.  Because I bought Christmas Cards at an After-Christmas Sale last year, I’ve already got what I need and can get started any time.

I’m going to stock our freezer with at least 30 meals.

That sounds a little daunting to a very pregnant mom-to-be, but I know what a tremendous blessing it is to walk to the freezer and pull out dinner.  Especially when you are in the last days of pregnancy or enjoying a new little one.  People are very willing to bring meals to a new mom, but not so eager during the holidays since schedules are always more hectic.  So I plan for my freezer to be fully stocked going into the Thanksgiving Season.  This includes a couple of quick breads and batches of cookies for us to enjoy since I doubt I’ll be up for much baking.

We are staying home this year.

We typically do quite a bit of in-state traveling during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Being with my family is truly one of the highlights of the Season for me.  But this year, my husband and I have decided to stay home.  Being in our own home is the ultimate peacefulness to me.  Traveling with 4 small children? Not so much.  Hopefully some family will visit us!

Remembering The WHY

I’m going to focus on the Real reason of Christmas.

Whether you have a new baby or not during the Christmas Season, it is so easy to lose sight of the Real reason we celebrate this time of year.  Between shopping and crowds and all of the hubbub associated with that, it’s easy to believe that gift giving is why we celebrate.  My family celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ during the Holiday Season, and I don’t want to dare lose sight of that this year.  He is The Gift I am most grateful for.  While I am cherishing the baby days, my prayer is for Him to be ever present on my mind.

Are you having a Holiday Baby?  How are you preparing?

Are you utilizing Amazon Prime shipping and ordering only online?  Are you skipping the formal Christmas pictures this year?  Are you freezer cooking your entire Thanksgiving meal? Have you thought about creating a to-do list?

Share your ideas on preparing for a Holiday Baby.

We can’t wait to hear how you’re planning ahead this year! See you in the comments.

– Lauren Hill is the ‘Mama’ behind Mama’s Laundry Talk.  She is so grateful for the opportunity to have a Holiday Baby and cannot wait to meet him or her!

Planning for a Holiday Baby is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

Long time readers will know how much respect FishPapa and I have for Dave Ramsey. Following the methods that he lays out in his book, The Total Money Makeover, we paid off $18,000 in consumer debt over the course of 18 months. Reading Dave’s book and listening to the free podcast of The Dave Ramsey Show gave us the tools as well as the hope to fight back debt.

I know, I sound like an info-mercial, but it’s true.

We’re Debt-Free!

Today, thanks to God, Dave, and a lot of hard work, we are debt-free! Except for a rental property in Kansas City which I would be happy to sell to you. In February I had the opportunity to meet Dave in person and to tell him our story. I bawled. He gave me a high five.

Dave Ramsey has put together a number of resources to help people get wise with their money.

The book, The Total Money Makeover, is exceptional. I’ve reviewed it several times already. And last Christmas I gave a copy to everyone in the family who didn’t already own one.

When we were heavily into debt, I read the whole book, but focused on Baby Steps 1 and 2: Set up an emergency fund and pay off all debts. It took us about 18 months to do both those things.

In the early part of this year, I reread the book to get a perspective on what to do now that we’ve climbed out of the hole and took some time to catch our breath. It’s been an ongoing discussion over the last few months as we devise a plan to invest and be more fiscally fit.

Envelope Budgeting

Another great tool that we used to get out of debt was the envelope system. While we were learning to budget, we got into the habit of pulling cash from the bank each month to pay for groceries, incidentals, and mad money. The idea is that you can’t bust your budget if the cash is all gone. You just stop spending. At the time I just used regular envelopes and those worked fine.

Last Christmas I bought a few wallet systems, one to keep and two to give away to family members who already had the book. This was my little treat to myself and an encouragement to keep with the envelope budgeting that has served us so well in the past.

Obviously, these are tools that have served our family extremely well. So, it comes as no surprise that I am so excited to share today’s giveaways from Dave Ramsey.

Five winners will each receive a copy of The Total Money Makeover and another five will receive a Designer Envelope System.

What great resources to help you get ready for Christmas!

How to Enter:

There are three ways that you can enter this giveaway. Pick one, pick ‘em all.

1. Leave a comment, telling us how you plan to save for Christmas.

2. Follow @RamseyShow and @FishMama on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Then come back here and leave a separate comment with your twitter handle, telling me you did so.

3. Subscribe to LifeasMOM in a reader or via email and leave a separate comment, telling me you subscribe.

This giveaway will be open until Sunday night, August 1st at 8 pm, PST. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email. You have 48 hours from the time I send the email to respond, otherwise I reserve the right to choose another winner.

- Disclosure: Dave Ramsey has provided these resources for giveaway. I was not compensated to post positive comments. I have been personally helped by his instruction. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Budgeting Tools from Dave Ramsey – A Giveaway! is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

Christmas of 2007 seemed bleak in some ways. That was the year we woke up and smelled the debt. About six months prior to the holiday season, we gave up using our credit cards and headed to uncharted territory. We started using cash to pay for everything. We got crazy that summer and aggressively started attacking our debt. Every penny was accounted for.

By the time Christmas rolled around, we had made some progress on our debt. But, despite extra monies that came in that December, we didn’t feel right about spending money on things we probably didn’t need with money that really belonged to someone else. Of course, I kicked myself for not having planned better. And though difficult, it was a good feeling to keep costs low.

We bought a $10 table top Christmas tree, I made our presents for the kids, and the grandparents outdid themselves making sure there was more than enough under the tree to make any kid smile.

Fast forward a few months to Christmas time 2009. I found shopping to be a very painful experience. Unlike past years, we actually had money to spend. We were debt-free and even saving a little money every month. But because we hadn’t earmarked it as “Christmas money,” it felt like I was stealing from savings to pay for Christmas.

A wise friend suggested that I start a Christmas savings fund. Ah, yes, give every dollar a name — even the dollars you’re saving.

Spending struggles?

I’m sure each of us has different burdens to bear when it comes to Christmas spending. Maybe times are tough, and you are barely making ends meet during a regular month – forget about having extra at the holidays. Perhaps you compare the abundance your family enjoys with the want in others’ lives and have a hard time buying more. Or maybe you have no qualms whatsoever about spending, spending, spending, regardless of whose money it is — until the January bills start rolling in.

See? We all struggle in some way.

Let’s make this year different.

This year, let’s be purposeful in our Christmas spending. Let’ s not deal with guilt, panic, and a January bill.

But, how? The year is half over already. It’s already too late.

Too late? You’re still gonna spend money at the holidays, aren’t you? Well, plan for it today. Save for it. Budget for it.

Think through all your holiday expenses and allot for them, as this article illustrates,

When you’re doing your normal written budget—the one you do every month before the month begins—remember there are added expenses during the holidays. If you’re taking your famous green bean casserole to 15 Christmas potlucks, you’ll have a larger grocery bill; add to the budget. If for the past 10 years you have fallen off the ladder hanging lights on your house, budget for the emergency room visit. Sit down and think for a minute about the expenses you normally have during the season and plan for every one of them.

Usually our December celebrations follow a certain pattern. We can look back and see what we did, where we went, what we spent and then plan for it next time by setting aside a portion of that money now. I created this Holiday Budget Worksheet to help you and me plan for the holidays.

(True confessions, I didn’t start my Christmas savings fund until this month. But better now than not at all.)

As you do the math problem at the end of the Holiday Budget Worksheet, you’ll see the amount of money you’ll need to save in August, September, October and November in order to have the December you dream of.

FishBoy6 back in 2007 – just as happy as could be

Adjust Your Budget

If that number is too big to squeeze out of your current monthly earnings, then you get to make some choices — now instead of December 24th.

• Find areas where you can cut costs. Chances are you do things that aren’t essential at the holidays. You may like them, but they may not be absolutely necessary. For instance, you don’t have to send Christmas cards every year. {gasp} I stopped doing that about three years ago (say 2007?) and no one complained. I save precious time as well as about $100 every year by not sending them.
• Find ways to earn more money. Have a garage sale, look for a part time job, sell some stuff on Ebay. Despite a “down” economy, there are still ways to make a little pocket change.
• Adjust your expectations. My kids were just as happy in 2007 as they were in 2009. In fact, they may have been happier. 2007 was a lean year in many ways for our family, and it bred thankfulness in our hearts for the truly important things. We focused on experiences more than expenses. And I think we’re the better for it.
• Remember the WHY. Jesus doesn’t measure you by the decorations on your tree or the feast on your table. So why should you?

How do you handle holiday expenses?

Budgeting for Christmas is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

There is so much to do at the holidays. And unless you have a list and check it twice, you may find yourself scrambling in the final hour. Scrambling does not promote peace and harmony.

And while Christmas is, indeed, five months away, sometimes it serves us well to plan ahead. The lazier days of summer allow us a little thinking space and action time. A little forethought now could bring you a few steps closer to a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday season.

Plan Ahead with a Master To Do List

Not sure what to put on your list? Try these on for size:

• Create holiday budget
• Start saving in a special account or envelope
• Plan Advent/devotional activities with family
• Decide on Christmas cards
• Buy or make cards
• Address envelopes
• Sign, stamp, and mail cards
• Find decorations

Looking for a little more direction? Then download this Holiday Planning To Do List. This 2-page printable has detailed information about a multitude of holiday tasks as well as space to write in your own. There are also spots to make deadlines for yourself and a place to check it off.

How do you keep track of your Christmas tasks?

Christmas To Do – Make a List and Check it Twice is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.

Several years ago — when we were in the throes of debt and disappointment — FishPapa and I attended a Christmas concert on Thanksgiving weekend. We didn’t really know what to expect, except that we knew the music being played. We owned the album, Behold the Lamb of God, by Andrew Peterson.

The concert itself was amazing. There were no flashy costumes or elaborate props. There were no actors. Just real people with real voices and impeccable musicians.

The lyrics and music of this album tell “the TRUE tall tale of the coming of Christ.” From Genesis through the Bible in its entirety, the story unfolds, showing how Jesus is in it all. Jesus is the WHY and the who, what, and how of a life well-lived.

And attending that concert was such a poignant reminder to us that no matter our circumstances, Jesus is the Great I Am. And how blessed we are to know Him.

The Behold the Lamb of God album is a tradition in our family as it is for many others, just as Andrew Peterson recounts in this video interview about his reasons and heart for this project:

Singing these songs together has become a major part of our life at the holidays.

(Actually, at any time of year. The music is soothing to me and one of the few I knew would help me relax. So, we played it in the delivery room when FishBaby was born two years ago. Yes, yes, we did. And, “Labor of Love” was the song she was born to. Yeah, how’s that for wild and crazy trivia?!)

Good music at the holidays is essential. I think this album is a must-have in your Christmas collection.

This week 5 winners will each receive a copy of Behold the Lamb of God, original mix CD.

Ways to Enter:

There are three ways that you can enter this giveaway. Pick one, pick ‘em all.

1. Leave a comment, telling us your favorite Christmas music memory.

2. Follow @AndrewPeterson and @FishMama on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Then come back here and leave a separate comment with your twitter handle, telling me you did so.

3. Subscribe to LifeasMOM in a reader or via email and leave a separate comment, telling me you subscribe.

This giveaway will be open until Sunday night, August 1st at 8 pm, PST. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email. You have 48 hours from the time I send the email to respond, otherwise I reserve the right to choose another winner.

- Disclosure: Andrew Peterson Music has provided these CDs for giveaway. I was not compensated to post positive comments. We genuinely love his work. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Behold the Lamb of God – A Giveaway! is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved. Visit our Christmas in July sponsors: :: Tired of money fights? Overwhelmed by debt? Dave Ramsey's common-sense tools and resources can help! Learn more today! :: Find elegant and modest skirts for women and expectant mothers at The Modest Mom. :: Try disposable and recyclable Steribottle for easy bottle feeding.