Getting ready for the holidays

Before you say I'm rushing things a bit, I'll explain! I purchase my basic pantry ingredients for the entire month during the first week of each month. That means I only have one more "pantry shopping day" before the Thanksgiving and Christmas baking season begins.

This week I purchased three boxes of pure vanilla while it was half price at my grocery store. I purchased a peppermint extract and replaced one spice that was getting too old. I bought one large bag of brown sugar to set aside, too. The local Super Wal Mart has Ghirardelli chocolate chips for $1.88 this week. I bought about ten bags, putting a couple in my kitchen pantry and the rest set aside for Holiday baking.

Except for my husband and children, everyone gets homemade baked goods from me for Christmas. I learned long ago that it is easier on my budget and people love receiving them. It always surprises me how few people bake these days (which is why baked goods are so expensive at the stores!). By shopping for the ingredients ahead of time, I don't have much expense at Christmas when I need extra cash.

Through the year, I look for serving dishes at garage sales, thrift stores, etc. that make my baked goods even more special. By keeping a watch for such items, I've been able to find very pretty glass and silver plates/trays for $1.00 or less. I have some tins ready to hold candies, too.

When my kids were younger, I'd look for Christmas presents all year round (especially stocking stuffers). One year, my son's favorite present were the gold coins in a velvet bag (this was when he was in his pirate stage, about age four). They had been purchased at a gift shop in July when we were at an amusement park. It was a little difficult to think about Christmas when it was 100 degrees in the shade but that little gift shop had the best stocking stuffers.

Hmmmm...while I'm thinking ahead for the Holidays, I need to be more diligent about the cleaning schedule Mrs. Catherine has been sharing. I know what I need to do this afternoon.