Monthly Musings: Getting Ready for the Holidays

Holly at Pink Lady and Patty at Good Better Best co-host this monthly sharing of tips, tricks, and conversation starters. We're nearing the very busiest part of the holiday season, and the questions we're considering are all about the last minute holiday tips and getting ready for a New Year.

1. What do you do about last minute gifts you forgot to buy?

I don't think I've ever completely forgotten gifts, but I have procrastinated for various reasons. Gift cards are the fallback plan if I've waited too long or just can't come up with a great gift idea.

2. Favorite last minute holiday recipe?

Honestly, I can't think of anything, and since I need to get to bed, I guess I'll have to skip this one!

3. Favorite part of the holiday season so far?

I think my favorite thing so far this year was last Saturday. We went with a group from our 55+ group at church to a dinner theater to see a stage production of Holiday Inn. We all rode together so we got to visit some on the bus, and my husband and I really enjoyed the conversation over lunch with the couple we sat with. The food was fantastic and the show was very well done and fun. Then in the evening, I subbed bass in a quartet with friends and had a fun time singing Christmas songs at a museum holiday open house.

4. Best stocking stuffer/small gift?

It really depends on the person! But almost everyone on my list would be happy with a small dollar value gift card to a favorite fast food place, or with some of their favorite chocolate or candy.

5. Favorite holiday sweet treat?

Oh I love all of them! I guess shortbread cookies are my favorite since we rarely have shortbread during the rest of the year.

6. Will you make a New Year's Resolution?

I'm sure I'll make goals, choose a Word of the Year, or even make a "25 in '25" list, but I don't typically make resolutions. Even though the beginning of a new calendar year is certainly a great time to start a new healthy habit or start working on a new self-improvement goal.

7. Do you use a planner? Paper or electronic?

So . . . I love planners, but I usually fizzle out and don't continue using them consistently. I work with a combination of paper and electronic. I have the Remember The Milk app to help me keep track of all the things on my various to-do lists and I have been using that for many years. (I still prefer the old web version to the updated website or app though) I also keep a small size paper calendar/agenda planner and make tons of checklists on scrap paper or in a spiral notebook for all sorts of things. A to-do list before vacation. A packing list. Shopping lists. Gift lists. I love lists and checking things off lists!

8. Stay up until midnight or sound asleep when the ball drops?

Oh I'll be up to ring in the new year at midnight! I'm a night owl so I'm seldom asleep before midnight, and certainly not on New Years Eve.

9. What do you do on New Year's Day?

Sleep late! Usually we have a big brunch with breakfast casserole or Waffles and Awesome Sauce. After that it really depends who is with us for the day. Last year our son and his family stayed overnight on New Years Eve but went home after our big brunch, so it was just my husband and me. We just relaxed and later went over to one of the nearby metro parks and walked in the woods. I suspect we'll do something quite similar this year.

On New Year's Day, I love having 'Niejoashe Koake' (Low German for 'New Years Cookies'). This was a favorite treat of mine when I was a kid, and although I don't make them every year, it's still a special treat when I do! It's pretty much the same as Porzelchen (High German), Oliebollen (Dutch), and very similar to Croustillon (French), or Dutchies (English). They are simply sweet fritters with raisins. No one really knows why they're associated with New Years either!

10. Are you taking time off in December?

Yes, we both get Christmas Eve off anyway, and since we'll be traveling to Maryland, we're also taking the 26th and 27th off. We're looking forward to a few days with family and being able to see some friends! We'll head back home after church on the 29th so we can be back to work on Monday. 

Have you got any great last minute holiday advice? Leave a comment and let me know!

I'm linking up with Monthly Musings hosted by Holly at Pink Lady and Patty at Good Better Best.

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

 ©2006-2024 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation.

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.