Countdown to Christmas Adam: It's Here!

Christmas Adam: December 23, 2012

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Happy Christmas Adam! You have a day to spare for anything you may have forgotten.

Worship Well and give an extra hug and smile away today!

Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day One

Day One: December 22, 2012

Finish up any final shopping or baking.

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Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Two

Day Two: December 21, 2012

Take a dust rag and mop to the house for a final once over.   Remember, guests aren't coming to see your house they are coming to visit you!  Don’t stress but get you home to a level of clean you are comfortable with.Take time for fun tonight.  Don’t think of one detail for Christmas.  Just let your mind drift off to Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman...best of all A Charlie Brown Christmas.

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Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Three

Day Three: December 20, 2012

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A Little Wrapping Rap

Well the shopping is all done and you know its complete

Why on earth is it piling in a heep

Grab the sissors and a little tape

We are going to whip these gifts into shape

The one that need assembly and batteries make a list

For all the other they do insist

That a bow be placed on them today

This way on Christmas no one will be in disarray!

Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Four

Day Four: December 19, 2012

Who has ever heard tell of parents rushing out the night before Christmas to find stocking stuffers at the local QT?  I honestly believe that is how fruit made it’s first appearance on the stocking stuffer scene.  Parents just grabbed fruit and whalla, a stuffed stocking! Well, avoid the last minute stuff entirely!  Grab one of those wonderful shopping bags you have acquired and go to all your secret hiding places to gather the little stuffers.  Once you have relocated items and gotten them safely in the shopping bag hide them together one last time (don’t be too sneaky lest you forget where you put them) ready to pull out when Santa Arrives.

Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Five

Day Five: December 18, 2012

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Let the food preparations begin.  Pull all your recipes and decide what you can pre chop, pre brown, ore bake (and freeze) or "pre" anything.  Put on some Christmas music and go to town.  Let the kids take a spot at the counter with you.  Don’t forget to snap a few shots with your camera for posterity!  The child’s rehearsal dinner won’t be the same without them.

Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Six

Day Six: December 17, 2012

1. It is always important to make your guest room feel warm and welcoming. These are just a few ways to go the "extra mile." 

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2. There is nothing worse than getting chilly at night and not seeing a spare throw to put on the bed. I love how these blankets are wrapped with a little ribbon.

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3. No one wants to go sneaking through there host's pantry and fridge when they get a sudden burst of hunger. Solution: cute little midnight snack box (would also make a cute out of town guest gift for a wedding).

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Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Seven

Day Seven: December 16, 2012

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Worship Well today and celebrate the Third week of Advent.  Let us recommend a great stocking stuffer; The Answer, by Randy Pope.  Great short read dispelling the negative connotations of the Christian Faith.

Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Eight

Day Eight: December 15, 2012

The best secret I can give you here is hit the grocery store this weekend and the mall next week.  This is the opposite of most people’s thinking.  Take the morning with a warm cup of cocoa and plan your menus.  Let me recommend that you go ahead and type your grocery list and menu plan to pull out for next year.  Work smart! 

Just in case you need a recipe for the best instant hot chocolate – you will never go back to the packages – here you go:

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Hot Chocolate Mix

- 8 Quarts Dry Milk
- 1 Lb Nestle Chocolate Milk Mix
- 1 Box Confectioner’s Sugar
- 12 Oz Cremora
Blend all ingredients and store in airtight container. Mix desired amount with hot water and serve.  (One to two teaspoons per cup of water pleases most taste buds.)

Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Nine

Day Nine: December 14, 2012

The Gifts!  Wow, a lot of gifts are coming your way, the best way to say thank you is a hand written note.  Did you hear that, a hand written note?  

It’s something unique these days.  It requires using a pen and a card or piece of paper.  Yes, it will cost you less than 50 cents for a stamp, but I promise it will be worth it.  While you are out doing your last minute shopping grab a box of blank cards.  Also, plan for the entire year and order custom designed or personalized stationary from 521 Designs. 

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Countdown to Christmas Adam: Day Ten

For those of you not steeped in the rich tradition of the Hart Family, Christmas Adam is an annual tradition that falls, naturally on Dec 23^rd.  Everyone knows Adam came before Eve!  Long ago Christmas Adam was created in honor of the Hart’s son Adam. So, Welcome to countdown to Christmas Adam!

Day Ten: December 13, 2012

Most of the holiday parties are in full swing.  Our Advice- be outwardly focused!  Don’t forget to take your host or hostess a little something to tell them you appreciate them hosting.  This item should be something thoughtful and not extravagant.  Perhaps holiday napkins with a funny saying (avoid crude ones), a small candle for the powder room, or a cute ornament to name a few.  Take the time to wrap it with a colorful ribbon at the very least.