If you have Luke Skywalkers, Darth Vaders, and Boba Fet want-to-bes at your house like I do at mine, you might want to visit Williams Sonoma and check out these amazing little cookie/sandwich cutters.  I imagine an X-Wing Spaceship sandwich in a lunch might just make some little Jedi’s day.

I’m thinking this looks like a great Scroggins Stocking Stuffer. 

My mother often quoted Emily Post to shape my view on proper manners.  I learned to write thank you notes, how to address invitations, how to properly set the table…you name it and we went to Emily for advice.  The one thing that didn’t quite sink in though, was the RSVP.  I always intend to call the host and give them my attendance information, but inevitably, I forget.  I even forget to send the self addressed AND STAMPED wedding response cards.  I know.  It’s truly unforgivable.

But, that is one reason why Evite.com is perhaps one of my most favorite websites ever.  We use it constantly around here, from big bashes to family gatherings.  It’s just such a fast, easy way to send information on a gathering, and also-people actually RSVP to an evite!  Including me!  I am super-awesome at responding with a simple click of a button verses making a phone call, sending an email, or licking an envelope.  I think other people out there have my same RSVP affliction too, because I rarely get a response on a paper invitation, but an Evite?  Almost 100% every time.  It’s awesome to be able to plan for attendance, for which I know the RSVP was invented.  But, we all have our deficiencies, right?

I wonder if we can start sending Wedding Evites?  I’m sure Emily would not approve…anyone up for rewriting that Big Book of Etiquette?

I was blessed with a few Starbucks and Sonic gift cards this Christmas, which might seem silly, but they have given me such moments of happiness.  I love a little coffee treat on those really cold mornings, and a Sonic Diet coke on those really trying afternoons.  But, spending dollars for drinks just seems silly and frivolous (even if it is half price Happy Hour).  So the chance to indulge in these little treats for FREE?  Just happiness in a cup.

And let’s be honest, how often do we moms really take the time to treat ourselves, even if it is just a Diet Coke with some really fantastic ice.  I’d venture to guess that it’s not that frequent, so keep that in mind for the moms in your life.  You might just make their day with a simple $5 gift card, and then earn bonus points for you. 

This past year has been a year of coffee education for me.  After attempting to give up my precious Diet Coke, I substituted coffee for the caffeine fix, and actually learned to appreciate it.  The problem was, I was absolutely horrible at making it for myself, subsequently spending millions at the local Starbucks for my four bucks of coffee.  With a little encouragement from my husband, my sister-in-law researched this little doozy of a coffee maker, and gave it to me for Christmas.  IT IS THE BEST INVENTION EVER.  Since I don’t drink gallons of coffee a day, its brew- by-the-cup strategy is perfect for me.  I can brew 2 sizes, and pick any flavor I have on hand.  In addition, it can make hot tea and hot chocolate amazingly fast, which we used daily when we had that terrible WIND CHILL OF FOUR going on, and the kids were demanding hourly shots of the stuff. Every cup is super yummy, super fast, and super perfect.

I’d almost say it was life-changing, but I reserve that stamp of approval for REALLY amazing things, like Tivo.