Tying the Perfect Bow

Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper

Creative Wrapping Paper

I hope this helps you finish your Christmas preparations!

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Sweet Homemade Gift Ideas (plus clever ways to package them)!

At the Brooklyn bakery One Girl Cookies, owner Dawn Casale rewrites history- updating old family recipes with fresh flavors- and draws upon the past to present the treats in vintage jars, tins, and more. Santa’s not the only one who loves sweets; these unique gifts will make anyone’s holiday deliciously delightful, especially for a cookie swap!

Step 1: Choose your cookie!

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Filling
Makes 24 whoopie pies. Working time 30 min. Total time 1hr. 15 min.

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light-brown sugar
½ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1⁄3 cup canola oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Peppermint Filling (recipe below)

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together sugars, yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla on medium speed until mixed, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix for 30 seconds. Cover and refrigerate batter until chilled, about 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip (about ½ inch wide). Pipe 2-inch circles onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing whoopies 1½ inches apart. (Keep batter refrigerated between batches.)
4. Bake until whoopies spring back when touched, about 9 minutes. Cool completely on pans.
5. To fill pies: Turn half the whoopies over so they’re bottom-side up. Using a pastry bag or butter knife, add a dollop (1½ tablespoons) of Peppermint Filling onto each whoopee bottom. Top with remaining whoopies.

Peppermint Filling
Makes 2 cups. Working time 10 min. Total time 10 min.

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more if needed

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese and butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; add peppermint extract and salt, and mix for 30 seconds. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and mix for 1 minute. If filling is too soft to hold its shape, add more confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency. (Store in refrigerator, in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed onto surface of filling, for up to 5 days.)

Nana Cookies
Makes 36 cookies. Working time 25 min. Total time 40 min.

2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening, at room temperature
½ stick unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk
¼ cup whole milk

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together shortening, butter, and sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add egg and egg yolk, and beat for 1 minute.
3. Reduce mixer speed to low; add a third of flour mixture and a third of milk, and mix for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl. Repeat. Add remaining flour mixture and only enough milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to yield a smooth dough, and mix. (It should not be too sticky.)
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip (about ½ inch wide). Pipe 4-inch-long cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. (Keep batter refrigerated between batches.)
5. Bake cookies until lightly golden around edges, about 15 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Cream Cheese Shortbread with Toasted Walnuts
Makes 36 cookies. Working time 15 min. Total time 30 min.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add chopped walnuts and stir to combine. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together butter, cream cheese, and sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix for 1 minute. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix for 20 seconds. Take bowl off mixer and finish mixing dough with a rubber spatula.
3. Roll about 1½ tablespoons of dough into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently press to flatten top. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing 1 inch apart.
4. Bake cookies until light brown around edges, 14 to 16 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti
Makes 48 biscotti. Working time 25 min. Total time 1 hr. 35 min.

4 navel oranges
2 cups sugar
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¾ cup shelled pistachios, unsalted
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
Fleur de sel, if desired

1. Cut long, thin strips of zest (avoid white pith) from oranges. Place zest in a small saucepan, add enough water to cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Then drain off water. Repeat boiling and draining process 2 more times. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring 1½ cups water and 1 cup sugar to a boil. Add zest and simmer for 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. Place chocolate chips in a food processor and pulse 3 or 4 times to break up. Add pistachios and pulse 2 or 3 times.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together butter and remaining sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and beat on medium speed until incorporated, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Reduce mixer speed to low; using a slotted spoon, add candied orange zest to buttersugar mixture and beat for 30 seconds. Gradually add three-fourths flour mixture, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add chocolate-pistachio mixture and remaining flour mixture, mixing until dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
7. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using damp hands, shape each piece into a 12-inch-long log, ½ inch high.
8. Bake logs until firm, about 24 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Reduce oven temperature to 250°F. Cool
logs on baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes.
9. Transfer logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice each into 24 half inch- thick biscotti. Place biscotti on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing ½ inch apart. Sprinkle with fleur de sel, if desired. Bake biscotti until slightly crisp, about 10 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 2: Wrap it up!

• Cherry vintage tins add a personal touch to baked goods. Striped and polka-dot patterned tins, paired with contrasting ribbon or wrapping paper add a unique touch.
•  Take a bakery fresh approach with printed paper bags. This bright idea is reminiscent of childhood fun at the country fair.
•  Mini-Bundt, cupcake, and loaf pans double as “boxes” that recipients can put to good use. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
•  Mason-jars are a sweet way to wrap up treats. Don’t have any on hand? Try an empty honey or jam jar. Short on time? Layer the dry ingredients into the jar, secure the lid then write the remaining directions on the tag. Don’t forget a bow!
•  For a professional finish, reinvent old holiday cards with stamps and scissors to create a personal tag without spending a dime!

What are you baking this holiday season? I love finding new recipes so if you’ve blogged your recipe please leave a link!

The post Easy Recipes-Holiday Guide 2011-Holiday Baking Ideas appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Build-a-Bear is the perfect gift because you get to create your own new best friend. Bears, dogs, bunnies, hedgehogs and even elephants are available for you to build, dress and bring home. We love dressing our Build-a-Bear friends and Princess Cuddles has quite an extensive wardrobe that fits her diva-in-training personality.

One of the best things about Build-A-Bear Workshop is the opportunity to make or buy a unique gift, add a customized, signature sound or embroidered message and give it to someone special. From newlyweds to new parents, sports fans to foodies, tweens to tough guys, Build-A-Bear Workshop has something for everyone and every budget.

What could be more personal than LIVE elves, ready to talk to your child about his/her wishlist? Thanks to our friends at Build-A-Bear Workshop, your family has a direct line to Santa and his little helpers! By visiting  http://play.buildabear.com/, your child can create their own wish list with one of Santa’s elves and tell them what they want for Christmas! Parental agreement is needed for all children under 13.

If you are rushing through the mall wondering what to get the people left on your gift list I suggest giving them all Build-a-Bear Workshop gift cards so they can build their own friend.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place. All opinions are my own.

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We have had ours for a few weeks now and it works great. We haven’t lost or left game cartridges in the car or at a friend’s house because they are always attached to the DS. If you have a DS or 2 or 3 in your family get them each a Memorex Universal Game Selector Case. It will keep the missing cartridge chaos at bay.

Disclosure: I received a Memorex Universal Game Selector Case for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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The Internet and television may be dominating leisure activities and zapping outdoor time for kids, but that won’t slow down the fast growing trend millions enjoy: GPS treasure hunting called, geocaching. Thanks to Apisphere, Inc., the company behind Geomate.jr (www.mygeomate.com), children, their families and adventure seekers from all walks of life can get hip with the increasingly popular and fun geocaching phenomenon, a great group activity for scouting, summer camps and schools. Geomate.jr, the first and only device of its kind, combines technology and outdoor play while providing hours of geocaching entertainment; it is preloaded with 250,000 geocache locations.

Sadly, according to the Outdoor Foundation, outdoor activity among children ages 6 to 17 declined 11 percent in 2008. “Geomate.jr offers a way to reconnect our children with family time and nature while encouraging them to be active, get outdoors and explore the environment,” says Warren Hewerdine, co-inventor of Geomate.jr and Apisphere’s vice president of marketing. He says, “Savvy kids will get their technology fix from the easy-to-use device, and it eliminates the traditional fuss of Internet connections, downloads, coordinates and preplanning to provide a spontaneous geocaching experience families can enjoy anytime, anywhere.” Geomate.jr acts as an electronic compass, guiding you to within yards of a geocache.

People all over the world have enjoyed geocaching but up until now, the GPS receivers required were expensive and difficult to use. “Geomate.jr is about the size of a granola bar and built tough so it can take a beating. The contoured grip fits comfortably in the hands of kids and adults,” says Hewerdine. “Then all you have to do is head out to a local park, the back country or just down the street to get started on creating lifelong memories and a new found appreciation for the outdoors.” The Geomate.jr makes a great gift idea any time of year, and thanks to its size, it is a perfect stocking stuffer around the holiday season.

Products available include:
Geomate.jr – Geocaching GPS Retail: $69.95
Pre-loaded with 250,000 geocaches covering all 50 U.S. states, just switch it on and be directed to your closest geocache.  European, Canadian, Australian & New Zealand versions are also available.

Geomate.jr – Update Kit Retail: $24.95
The key to update any Geomate.Jr with the latest and greatest geocaches for the U.S. or for around the world.  Other features such as being able to create a private geocache list and Pocket Query support are also accessible with an Update Kit.

Geomate.jr – Combo Pack Retail: $94.95
Everything you will ever need in one box including a Geomate.jr, an Update Kit, a Geomate.jr Travel Tag, batteries, lanyard, and documentation.

Geomate.jr is available for purchase at major outdoor retailers including REI, L.L. Bean, Gander Mountain and Eastern Mountain Sports.  It is also available through Target, Amazon.com and Geocaching.com. For more information about the Geomate.jr, including demo videos, please visit www.mygeomate.com. Follow on Twitter: @geomatejr and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/geomatejr.

My 16 year old son and I headed out to check out 2 local geocaches. We had no luck locating the first one but we had success at the second one. Here is a video of our expedition:

Geocaching an a fun, affordable family activity that you can do anywhere and the Geomate Jr makes it easy!

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Last spring we got addicted to the television show Make It or Break It. We watched the first 1 1/2 seasons on Netflix to get ready for the second half of season 2 which aired March-May. As the season was wrapping up, ABC Family played commercials for Switched at Birth
which was to premier in June. I set the DVR to record the show, but never got around to watching it. Our DVR died and I lost everything that was recorded Last night hubby and I watched the first two episodes of the show on the season one DVD which hit shelves this week. We are hooked and if it wasn’t already 12:30am when episode 2 ended, we would have watched more.

In case you don’t know about Switched at Birth, it is a groundbreaking new drama about the upheaval that two teen
girls experience when they discover that they were accidentally switched at birth.

Bay Kennish, a talented graffiti artist with an edgy streak, grew up in a wealthy family with happily married parents and an older brother. Daphne
Vasquez, an athletic teenager who lost her hearing at an early age, grew up with a single mother in a working class neighborhood. When the girls’
worlds collide, family bonds are tested, new romances are sparked, and they start to learn that it’s who they are inside that matters, not where they
grew up.

We’ve only watched two episodes so far but this appears to be another great ABC Family show for parents and teens to watch together. There are a lot of topics for great family discussions that come out of the story line and all the changes that happen in the character’s lives. I found it interesting that after watching last night, my husband and I have totally opposite views on how the parents should react in the situation they are in.

Season 2 debuts on ABC Family January 3rd so if you add this Switched at Birth DVD to your teen’s Chrsitmas stocking you can get caught up before season two starts!

**UPDATE 12/20/11 We have watched all but the last episode of season one and we LOVE this family drama. We can’t wait for season two to start in January.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the DVD for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine. There are affiliate links in this post.

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The Bracelet Mate is perfect for a night out on the town or at a club because you always know where your belongings are and they don’t get in your way out on the dance floor like a purse often does. It would also be great for travel, shopping, pretty much anywhere you go.

You can enter to win a Bracelet Mate of your very own! It won’t arrive in time for Christmas though it makes a great gift for yourself.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Ann Taylor
You’ve got 60 days to return Ann Taylor purchases but, if you don’t have the receipt, only a store credit is issued. Gifts returned online will result in an e-gift certificate, so be sure to include your e-mail address on the return receipt. An in-store gift return yields a hardcopy gift certificate in the amount paid by the sender.

Bath & Body Works
Because Bath and Body Works believes “no sale is ever final,” they don’t need to extend their holiday deadline. You don’t need a sales receipt or shipping invoice for gifts, but they can only be returned to brick-and-mortar Bath and Body Works stores.

Cabela’s
You’ve got 90 days to return a Cabela’s purchase, which makes everything nice and easy, until you learn you only receive a store credit or gift card when you don’t have a receipt. If you need to return a gift, print a return form and send it to Cabela’s customer service address or bring it in to any of their retail stores.

Coldwater Creek
There’s no deadline for Coldwater Creek returns by mail or to a retail outlet. If you’re sending it back and don’t have a receipt or packing slip, make sure you include your name and address on a note enclosed with the package.

Best Buy
Enjoy Best Buy free shipping now through Dec. 27, and return gift purchases — with no exclusions — from Nov. 13 through Jan. 4. The electronics behemoth is spreading the holiday cheer even further by removing restocking fees for all products, including special orders, within this timeframe.

Costco
Costco’s standard return policy is a liberal 365 days, so there’s no need to extend their deadline for the holidays. In addition, Costco refunds membership fees if a customer isn’t satisfied. Refunds for Internet purchases include shipping and handling charges.

endless.com
The online-only shoe merchant provides a generous 365 days for returns with guaranteed free shipping. Use the Endless online returns center for proper processing.

JCPenney
The best part of JCPenney’s online returns is they pay for shipping and handling, no matter what your reason for returning the product. You have up to 90 days and, with a gift receipt, will receive a JCPenney gift card in the amount of purchase.

Kmart
You’ll need an original receipt or email confirmation dated within 90 days of the original date of purchase. No exceptions, apparently.

Kohl’s
Return any item, anytime, for any reason. Have your receipt? You’ll get a full refund or even exchange. No receipt? No problem. Kohl’s will give you a refund, an exchange or store credit.

Lands’ End
Now through Nov. 15, enjoy Lands’ End free shipping plus take 25% off your purchase. For returns without an exchange, use the return label for a flat shipping fee of $6.95. You also can return your order to any Sears or Lands’ End store and entirely avoid shipping costs.

L.L.Bean
The sky’s the limit with L.L. Bean, which has no return deadline and doesn’t require authorization before you ship your gift back to them. Just download and fill out an online form or use the form printed on the packing slip.

Macy’s
The return deadline for Macy’s is a generous 180 days and you don’t need a receipt because they have a program that identifies products in their system. Too cool! Gifts will receive a store credit or exchange. Please note the deadline for jewelry purchases is only 30 days.

Mainline Menswear
Basically, you can return any Christmas gifts ordered from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 up to 14 days after Christmas, which only gives you until Jan. 7.

Sears
Return the gift in its original packaging, with the original receipt or email confirmation, within 90 days of purchase for a refund or exchange. Alternately, you can return a purchase from Sears.com to one of their stores.

Shoebacca.com
As with Endless, Shoebacca provides totally free shipping both ways and a 365-day window in which to return or exchange unwanted gifts.

Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post makes it easy. You have up to six months and will receive instant credit plus $2.95 shipping on your next order. If you prefer, STP will give you a refund.

Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us
Online purchases returned by mail within 90 days to their online Returns Center by mail are refunded to the original form of payment, which means the gift giver will know your dirty little secret and you’ll come up empty handed. Instead, make returns to a Toys ‘R’ Us or Babies ‘R’ Us store for a merchandise credit.

Victoria’s Secret
Now through Nov. 16, you can enjoy Victoria’s Secret free shipping, but you’ve got 90 days to return that lacy tidbit for cash. Ater that deadline, Victoria’s Secret will only provide store credit. To return gifts, check the box on the Return/Exchange Form attached to the original invoice indicating you’re returning a gift and provide your shipping information. If you don’t have the original invoice, use their printable return and exchange form.

Walmart
You can return or exchange most store items with a receipt within 90 days of purchase. Visit walmartstores.com to see exceptions for electronic and regulated items. You can return online purchases to any Walmart store.

Zappos
Another great shoe deal: Zappos free shipping is good both for purchases and returns. Whether you’re unhappy with a purchase or simply change your mind, Zappos will provide a full refund or exchange within 365 days of purchase. You’ll need the original packaging, however, to make the return.

 FreeShipping.org is the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by nearly 4,000 online merchants.

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Last year at tax time I shared a bunch of tips for protecting yourself from identity theft in my first Fellowes giveaway, now Fellowes is back with their P-12C Cross-cut shredder which retails for $89.99 and is available at Target stores nationwide.

The Fellowes’ P-12C paper shredder ideal for heavy-duty home use because it features:

• Fellowes’ patented SafeSense® technology, an advanced electronic safety sensor that surrounds the paper entry and automatically disables the shredder when hands touch the paper opening
• High-security Cross-Cut technology, destroying a single sheet of paper into 399 particles
• A slim profile design, which allows it to fit easily in home offices, kitchens and other rooms
• An easy-to-use pull-out bin and has the ability to shred staples, credit cards and paper clips

I have been using my P-12C shredder for a few weeks now and I love how it even shreds staples so i no longer have to make sure they are all removed before shredding!

The folks at Fellowes want you to be safe from identity theft too! One lucky reader of The Mom Maven is going to win the Fellowes P-12C paper shredder.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends at 12:01am on 12/21/11. The winner has 48 hours to respond via email. This prize will not arrive in time for Christmas. Good Luck!

Disclosure: I received a Fellowes P-12c shredder for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Hand-Dipped Chocolate Pears. What’s more delicious than orchard-fresh pears? Pears dipped in chocolate, of course! This innovative new treat makes a stunning centerpiece or dessert plate. Winter pears enrobed in dark, milk, and white chocolate, they come with a warning: Extremely tempting!

Noel Gift Box. This adorable gift box will delight families with the classic flavors of the season including snowball malt balls, peppermint bark, and more sweet treats.
Founders’ Favorite Holiday Gift Box. This gorgeous box unfolds to reveal sweet and savory delights including Harry & David’s famous Royal Riviera Pears, Moose Munch, truffles from the candy kitchen and much more.

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