Tag: Christmas

Gifts, Gifts And More Gifts!

Gifts, Gifts And More Gifts!

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By Jenny Jiménez on December 17, 2018

Happy Monday!  I don’t know about you but I’ve been so busy lately, it’s crazy! I pretty much finished my Christmas shopping weeks ago but every once in a while may pick up something minor for my kids if I’m in Target or at the mall.  By the way if you haven’t checked out my post on ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS… and printed your shopping list then no worries because you can print your FREE copy of the Christmas Shopping List here.  

 

Christmas Shopping List

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Most parents this time of year are stressed out, overwhelmed and down right exhausted.  The holidays, although they should be a joyful time can put a lot on our plates.  We often feel like we need to have everything perfect for our loved ones or the holiday is ruined.  That is the furthest from the truth.  What we don’t usually admit is that we put the stress on ourselves. (Wait, wait, don’t leave yet, keep reading).  The truth is that if we really want to enjoy and get the most out of the holidays, we need to stop trying to control everything.  That was hard for me to say AND do considering I’m a bit of a control freak by nature but the truth is that I stepped back this year and stopped trying to do it all alone or perfect.  Nothing is perfect!  Nothing!  Plus if we’re cranky then who really wants to be around us?  

I’m just trying to keep it real here because that’s what I do.   This year I lost control of everything I thought I had control over, especially my kitchen renovation project.  Considering my living room is full of cabinets and I couldn’t put a Christmas tree up there, the only trees are the pencil trees I purchased for my kids’ rooms.  Normally I would go crazy with fancy decorating on the gifts and bows but this year I was too tired.  I deserve a pat on the back for just having wrapped everything and a week and a half early at that.  No fancy bows as you can see up top but guess what… the kids won’t care.  They are going to rip open those gifts so fast, it doesn’t matter to them how it’s wrapped.

Which brings me to my next comment.  Do not go crazy purchasing things for your kids.  I specifically say kids because too often I see parents trying to buy their child’s affection.  I’m included in that as well.  We want to give the world to our kids but this is not the way.  One thing I did learn over the years is to by my children practical gifts.  I remember one year in particular.  Elisa and Jonah were so excited to open these large gifts under the tree.  That year I purchased then each a bed in a bag and new pillows, and you got it! LOL I wrapped them all.  my kids were wondering what the large gifts were and it was the pillows they were looking at.  I did get them some things on their list also but have you noticed that the most expensive things are usually the most tiniest.  You could practically go broke and there’s this tiny little gift taking up hardly no real estate under your tree, I’m mean what’s up with that? lol 🙂 

Be creative, buy things they can use.  If they are in sports or clubs, buy them something they can use.  For example, my daughter does field hockey and my son does baseball.  Equipment can be costly so if someone gifted my son new baseball pants (usually around $30) then that is a load off of my back.  As mentioned in my previous post.  Be thoughtful and creative.  Pillows like the one I purchased that year are approx $4 each, so very inexpensive but they enjoyed new fluffy pillows.  If you have a Five Below by you then $5 blankets are always nice.  In fact the tree skirt in my daughters room is an older blanket.  They are so cheap but the kids walk around with them.  In the car when traveling in the winter or on cold days, they bring their blankets.  They walk around the house with them also instead of messing up their beds after they are made up and again all for $5.  It’s the small stuff that makes a world of difference.  

As you venture into the last few days before the bid day, remember to take deep breaths and take a moment to just enjoy life.  Enjoy your family, your friends and another year you’ve been blessed with an opportunity to spend it with them.  #RememberTheLittleThings

Also if you have preteens and live where there will be snow this winter, then don’t forget to stock up on gloves and scarfs (great cheap gifts or stocking stuffers).  You can purchase sleds or snowboards at Target or WalMart for really cheap and also don’t forget the vehicle snow and ice scrapper.  I guarantee you someone will be thanking you for those.  A Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts gift card (nothing large) for hot chocolate on those cold days or perhaps a lovely bag of coffee, because you know we ALL need that one 😉 .

Now go out and finish up that last minute shopping so you can enjoy the next few days relaxing and enjoying good company AND don’t forget your lists.  Remember I’m watching! 😉

 

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If you would like to recommend a specific topic for a future post or just have comments, feel free to reach out to me.  

 

Merry Christmas!

Jenny

The post Gifts, Gifts And More Gifts! appeared first on Tenacious Jenny Jiménez.

MAKING TIME FOR YOU

MAKING TIME FOR YOU

Tenacious Jenny JiménezLeave a comment

By Jenny Jiménez on November 26, 2018

Why hello there!  Are you over your food coma yet? LOL, not me!  In fact I was pretty lazy most of the holiday.  I’m usually complaining about not having enough time but this time was different.  I relaxed and just decided to take it easy and surprisingly my time off went by very slow… I LOVED IT!!!  That never happens so it was great and I made the most of it.  Most of my time was spent hopping between Hallmark, Lifetime, Food Network and yes, the ID channel (don’t judge).

I know this time of year can be extremely stressful for many people so I’m here to remind you that in between the hustle and bustle of the upcoming shopping and Christmas season, don’t forget  to treat yourself.  If you’re anything like me, I have a hard time putting myself first.  I’m usually focused on my kids and loved ones but it’s very important that you don’t overlook yourself.  We have to make sure we’re doing good if we want to make this an enjoyable season for others.  No one is going to love this time of year if we’re sick or depressed and not doing well.  Check out my blog post on Proper Planning For Maximum Productivity to help you out.  

I pulled this piece from that post…

Make time for YOU.  Do not forget to make time for yourself.  This could be time to pray, meditate, exercise, self care or anything you like but you NEED TO make time for you.  Often as single mothers we put everyone else’s needs above our own and that’s okay to an extent but we have to make ourselves a priority also.  When we make time for self love, we are building the necessary foundation so we can be the proper leaders that our children need us to be.

 

We each have things we like to do to wind down and relax.  For me, I personally find that when I take care of myself physically, I feel better.  One thing I like to do is to do my nails. I used to get them done professionally for over ten years but now I do it myself.  I use soak off gel polish.  I find that it gives a professional look for not much money.  I bought a beginner kit a few years back for $50 at my local Wegmans that brought the LED lamp the base and top coat plus a color.  They don’t sell it at the supermarket anymore but you can find similar ones online.  I’ve purchase more colors on Amazon and again it’s not much money but it’s something I like to do to make myself feel better. 

Gel kit

Extra colors

This is what came in my original kit and some of the other colors I have.  I will continue to keep adding more colors over time.

 

Keeping a budget is important so when you decide what it is that you would like to do to treat yourself remember to keep within budget.  Even if you pay someone to do your nails or hair, etc., just be sure to budget for it.  The last thing you want is to not be able to pay a bill because you pampered and treated yourself.  Think ahead, like I always say and you’ll be able to plan for them both.  

My other little indulgence is chocolate.  We have local chocolate shops so I will head over once or twice a year and purchase some quality chocolate.  I’m obsessed with Josh Early Candies and Gertrude Hawk.  There is nothing better than real quality chocolate (with a glass of vino 😉 ).  Once you’ve had some, it’s so hard to go back to the kind you find at the grocery or department store.  I know… I’m a bit bougie, lol BUT in this case, I don’t mind 🙂 .

Any hoot, my point here is to make sure you are making time for YOU.  Don’t forget about you!  Do not push yourself to the side while you serve others.  Make sure during this season that you are maintaining your well being and exercising.  Be sure to eat healthy so that when you indulge at gatherings there is no guilt involved.  Plan for this month and I bet it’ll be one of your best holidays yet.  Don’t forget to squeeze in some breakfast or lunch dates with friends or loved ones… or you could do your gift shopping together.  This will give you time to socialize while tackling an errand.  

With shopping season at it’s peak, scroll down to read my earlier posts to help you plan the month a little better so you’re not overwhelmed or too stressed out.  Remember, you can get it all done and still make time for YOU!

 

If you have any specific questions or some topics you would like to see on the blog, feel free to leave me a comment.

Stay tuned to future blog posts by subscribing to my blog on the right so you’ll be the first to know when I post! 

Now go make time for YOU!

Jenny

The post Making Time For You appeared first on Tenacious Jenny Jiménez.