Well, here we are, the last weekend before the big day. I still have a lot I want to do! Even starting early, time always seems to run out before I have done all the things on my list. Are you like that, too? Today, I’ll give you some ideas for those last minute needs with easy solutions to make Christmas more relaxed. Most of these are fun things that I enjoy like baking cookies, making cards and visiting with friends. This past week, I made the Cranberry Eggnog Biscotti to go with the Fantasy Cookies, and gave the cookie boxes to my friends. Baking is fun, and if I don’t give away some of these goodies, I’ll eat too many myself, LOL!!

Wrap those last minute gifts this weekend in a special way with my post on Making Packages Bright. I’ll show you alternatives to bows, and how to add just a touch of fun to your wrappings.

Save those small bits cut from wrapping paper. You can use them to make Iris Folded Christmas Cards. This technique is easy, and thin wrapping paper is great for the colors. Starting with a simple triangle for a tree that comes out so impressive your family may want to frame them for future decor.

Did you hang on to the cards you received last year? See my post on Christmas Card Crafting for ideas on using them on wrapping, bags, bookmarks and gift tags for this year. With paper punches, or just a pair of scissors, you can recycle your cards into fun stocking stuffers, package add-ons and more.

Need a fast table runner for the holiday meal? Make up my free pattern on my post Quickie Christmas Projects. With just a holiday print and some squares, it goes together very fast.

For those who have no time left for decorating, you can still have a festive table or kitchen counter by filling a sleigh or even just a bowl with Christmas ornament balls and adding a couple of small poinsettias. A bit of artificial greenery and a couple of apples (real or artificial) complete the centerpiece. Fast and easy! I added a little moose, just because they are cute and I have two of them (one for each side). See the whole table on my post Christmas Tablescape 2017.

If you don’t have a wreath for the door, here’s my tutorial on how to whip one up in a jiffy with a grapevine wreath base, and some ornaments. Christmas Wreaths.

Get out your buttons and some cookie cutters to make ornaments for the tree. This is a fun thing to do with kids using a low temp glue gun. Older kids can use the glue gun, younger ones can pick out the buttons while you do the gluing. Tree and candy cane metal ornaments are available at the discount retailers, and on Amazon. See the tutorial on my post Cookie Cutter Ornaments.

Need a fast gift for that everyone will love? Download my pdf on Gifts From the Kitchen for easy mixes to give with printable labels. All you need are some nice jars from the thrift store. Then see my post on Christmas From The Kitchen for ideas on baking and wrapping fresh baked goodies for friends, and even the furkids.

Be sure to pick up some egg nog this weekend. Christmas breakfast is super special with my Cinnamon Egg Nog French Toast.

Gift Ideas for Guys will give you some ideas for that hard-to-buy-for guy. Spray paint a cardboard bottle caddy, then fill it with things that fit his favorite pastime. On the post, you find more ideas. Here’s a download with filler ideas for the car buff, gardener, sportsman, cook and more – Gifts For Guys. These work for gals too, and make great hostess gifts.

Handmade ornaments with a sewing theme are fun for your quilting buddies. See how to do easy ones with things you likely already have on my post Handmade Christmas Ornaments.

So, there are a few ideas to help complete your holiday prep with ease. I’m going to stamp my Christmas cards and try to get them in the mail on Monday. Then I have stocking stuffers to get, along with the final items for our Christmas dinner and I will be done.

What is on your to-do list this weekend?

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Check out Fat Quarter Shop’s Countdown to Christmas! On the eighth day of Christmas, my favorite blogger said to me 5 Days of Deals left! From December 13-24, Fat Quarter Shop is sharing a new 24-hour deal every day (in addition to our daily flash sales). Customers can check the website each day at 8 AM and keep saving all through the holidays! Click on the banner to see what is on sale today!

Shop the Milk Street Store this weekend and save 30% Sitewide from today until Sunday with Code: SANTASALE. Check out my favorite cookbook, World in a Skillet, and the new Milk Street 365 with over 600 recipes, along with the Precision Rolling Pin I showed in a previous post and amazing knife deals. Visit the Milk Street Pantry to find wonderful sauces and flavors to broaden your meal planning and that wonderful gift for yourself or a foodie friend.