I hope this quickie little post serves as a bit of inspiration for some of those last minute situations we all find ourselves in this time of year…where you just come up a little short. No matter how much I prepare, or think I have it all pulled together, those moments of last minute panic always seem to strike about now…
Do you need some yummy, festive cookies fast?? Forget the flour and butter, run to Trader Joe’s and buy these hunks of peppermint love. Seriously, they are incredible…. TJ’s version of oreos, with a thick coating of dreamy dark chocolate sprinkled with bits of peppermint. These confections were astounding, even before I put them in the freezer to make them especially cool and crunchy!
If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near, you could whip these together pretty quickly on your own. Temper the chocolate, {click on chocolate for a little “how to”} dip in some oreos {it might look cool to just half~dip them} and then sprinkle them with coarse chunks of broken candy canes as they cool on a sheet of waxed paper… they’ll be fabulous, truly.
After they have cooled, pile them into a little cello bag, tie them up with a string and call it a hostess gift! Even if you buy the cookies from Trader Joe’s, you could slip them into the cello bag, they look homemade, {I won’t tell} and your hostess will be too busy enjoying them to ask any probing questions about their creation.
Are you going out and about today? This is my day to do a final retail sweep, checking off every last item on my list. I’m okay on the gift front, but I do need a few items to stuff in the stockings.
Here is something I do have on hand: the thank you notes. I always try to buy some fun printed notes for the stockings, in hopes of encouraging enthusiasm for writing engaging notes of gratitude in the near future. I found this perfect pile of papyrus at Paper Source this year. I was especially thrilled to find a salty selection for Captain Splendid and his first mate.
I shall be composing my words of appreciation on these beautiful notes, which remind me of the amaryllis which have positively exploded at the market this year. They are made in the Himalayas of bark from the Lokta plant. The paper is textured and thick, yet slightly transparent. Really lovely.
Onto the Amaryllis… because it was the only thing handy, and they had already started to capsize and were near the breaking point, I supported these top heavy beauties with a fir branch, I really like the look, don’t you?
BTW, back to Captain Splendid, the sea is truly in his blood. The framed chart behind the flower is one from his great grandfather’s sea chest, complete with added details he had written on it during his journeys.
What is left on your list? Do you have any last minute solutions to share?
Any good thing to make us all merry.
No solutions just try to preserve your sanity and be thankful for all we HAVE done and not think abou all that we SHOULD have done! Thankfully I am down to a handful of things to do which I am setting out for in just a bit to get done…..love the look of those cookies and amaryllis are a staple around here during the holidays.
Thanks again for the wreath, I thanked you on my post today…Merry Christmas!
The cookies look fabulous, and the fir idea is genius! Looks beautiful.
I hope that you have a Merry Christmas, Emily!
Teresa
xoxo
Great last minute tips, Emily. Such a clever solution for the Amaryllis – I found mine in a slump yesterday. I'm sending Mr. H over to the toy store in the village today because I realized the tea set I bought for my 18 month old niece is for ages 8 and up! Ooops.
I hope that you and your family enjoy a beautiful Christmas. Looking forward to sharing some cheer in the new year!
Great ideas! I went to Pasta & Company a few days ago and bought pre-made cookie dough! So easy when you are a little behind schedule. Is that cheating? 🙂
Some excellent ideas here. Merci beaucoup! I love the cards you found for your favorite boater. I have a sailor at home too and will start searching for some. It's never too late! 😉 Thank you for stopping by today and Joyeux Noël to you and your family! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Leslie ~ not cheating at all ~ nothing like fresh baked cookies.
Jeanne ~ I think I have made a couple of age in appro. purchases too ~ I sort of forgot about those rules!
EH ~ sanitiy, YES, sanity, and always reminding ourselves how much we HAVE accomplished!!
xo ebh