Home Giveaways A Simple Holiday Tip, PAM Cooking Spray and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

A Simple Holiday Tip, PAM Cooking Spray and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

by Jamie

My daughter Anna (age 5) on Christmas Eve 2002, getting ready to participate in a Nativity re-enactment. 

I am going to admit a little something to you today.

Sometimes I get a big fat pit in the bottom of my stomach when I can see another Christmas season rolling into view. It’s not that I don’t love holiday cheer. I do! I really do! But sometimes I assign myself a few too many holiday projects of wonder, and by the time the jolly day arrives I am down right exhausted, frazzled and full of grinch-itus.

One year, when my oldest three kids were just tiny I decided to tackle several DIY projects as gifts. On my to do list where…1) Re-finish and paint a wooded doll house as a gift for my then 4-year-old daughter Anna, complete with homemade curtains, linens, bed spreads, and some doll clothes. 2) Sew matching robes and pillow cases for all my kids. 3) Make homemade caramel, fudge and toffee for all of my neighbors. 4) Make heaping plates of Cinnamon Rolls for all of my siblings and their families (I have 12, including both sides!). 5) Cross stitch a beautiful Christmas Stocking for my then 8 month old daughter Emily.

Needless to say, it was too much! What was I thinking!  To top it all off, several days before Christmas MyHandsomeHusband got super sick with the flu, and wasn’t able to help me finish up the doll house, deliver goodies to neighbors, or any of the many other tasks of Christmas. With three small children to care for, the doll house half done, none of my presents wrapped, and zero plates of Cinnamon Rolls complete… I showed up at our extended families Christmas Eve party pretty worn out, and frustrated. Fortunately for me, my sweet brother and sister came home with me that night and helped me finish up the doll house and wrap all of the presents. (What would a girl like me do without brothers and sisters!)

I’ve learned a few things since then.  The most important being…keep it simple. Sometimes we women try to complicate life by making things Super Spectacular and Grand, and then feel “less than” when we can’t make it all happen. Did you know my 8 months old daughter had no idea her cross stitched stocking didn’t get hung that year! Crazy, right. 🙂 The doll house we worked hard on ended up being used by Anna to hang her frilly dress ups on. Now that I have driven this motherhood train for 16 years, when I see Christmas on the horizon and I feel that familiar pit in my stomach…I remind myself to simmer down, girl. I don’t want to get so caught up in all of the rush, that I forget to enjoy the simple, fabulous things the holidays can capture. I love snuggling with my kids next to the Christmas tree while we read a story.  I love the beautiful lights shining through the snow. I love hearing MyHandsomeHusband play Christmas songs on the piano. I love the generosity that appears in so many. Keeping my Holiday plans simple, really allows me to enjoy it all so much more.

That is my advice to you.

Plain and simple.

pam cooking spray

Those of you have read my blog for a while, know that cooking spray is pretty much my best friend. I don’t know that I have ever written a recipe post with out typing the words “cooking spray” at least once within it. Truly, I couldn’t function in the kitchen without it. Not only do I use it to coat the bottom of baking dishes and pans, but I often spray it all over my hands when I am working with bread/roll dough. I also spray it on my rolling-pin, and on my counter top to help when I’m rolling out cookies.

PAM Cooking Spray is especially fabulous and works so much better than the generic brands. Did you know that it leaves up to 99% less residue than bargain brands, and has zero calories? Isn’t that great! PAM Cooking Spray is a simple, fabulous way to add ease to your holiday cooking and baking. I highly recommend it.

Below, there are links to 4 fabulous recipes from my archives that are SIMPLE to put together, but taste fabulous and will make any Holiday Breakfast or Brunch a breeze to put together. Pam Cooking Spray plays a big part in all of them. Enjoy!

resized at 9 the one

Cinnamon Roll Cake

This Cinnamon Roll Cake has all the flavors of Cinnamon Rolls…without all of the work. 🙂

IMG_0417Easy Overnight Sticky Buns

These babies can be put together the night before you need them.

Breakfast Casserole Breakfast Casserole with Potatoes, Ham, Eggs and Cheese

This savory casserole can also be made the night before you need it.

gawler

Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast with Strawberries

I am going to sound like a broken record here…but this fabulous recipe is made the night before as well.

Here’s to a super, fabulously simple holiday season, guys. 🙂 My best wishes to all of you and yours.

PC240007My daughters Anna (age 6) and Emily (18 months) and many cousins, on Christmas Eve 2003

PS…PAM Cooking Spray and BlogHer would like to give one of you wonderful readers $100 Visa Gift Card! Super nice of them, right?! To enter all you need to do is leave a comment below telling me how you keep your Christmas season simple.

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winner  will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 11/20/13 – 12/29/13.

Be sure to visit the PAM Cooking Spray page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

 

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559 comments

Terry Langelle November 20, 2013 - 4:13 pm

I keep it simple by starting early… shopping online and buying whenever on sale. I don’t do black friday anymore.. usually am done by then.. and I get grwat deals without the stress.

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Lisa November 20, 2013 - 4:16 pm

I shop before Thanksgiving to avoid the crowds!

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Marilee Packer November 20, 2013 - 4:22 pm

Online shopping!!

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Lisa November 20, 2013 - 4:22 pm

We rotate holidays between my husbands side and my side of the family. That way we aren’t trying to rush around trying to meet up with everyone.

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Lisa November 20, 2013 - 4:29 pm

I just get all my shopping done pre Thanksgiving to avoid the crowds

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Erin R. November 20, 2013 - 4:34 pm

Online shopping, early! I also am pretty good about allowing myself to abandon ideas if I don’t feel like I have time or energy to get them done.

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Mona November 20, 2013 - 4:48 pm

Online shopping definitely!

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Sarah November 20, 2013 - 4:50 pm

Keep it simple by being willing to say no I don’t have time and keeping my family the priority.

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Joyce O. November 20, 2013 - 4:52 pm

I have a written holiday plan I follow every year. I make the same goodies every year, set up the decorations on the same day every year, etc. I do most of my present shopping online. Having a plan to follow keeps things simple.

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Maudie the Maid November 20, 2013 - 4:55 pm

I try to have all my gift shopping done by Thanksgiving and then I have all of December to make candy and Christmas goodies.

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Roxanne J November 20, 2013 - 4:56 pm

I start the first week of Decmber and start making my candies, then I make my chex mix,then comes the dipped Prezels, I have to triple this so many people want it. Then a week before Christmas I make my cookies, cookies, cookies.I love this time of years best and bake a ton for Christmas gifts. Hubby helps decorate the tree, house and yard, then we can relax. We go to our family or friends for Potluck Christmas Dinner.

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Christy November 20, 2013 - 4:58 pm

I bake and freeze as many things as possible for parties, meals and surprise “attacks”. I kind of like a little holiday chaos 🙂

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kathy steadman November 20, 2013 - 5:07 pm

I bake goodies ahead of holidayrush and freeze them. Then when it’s time for parties, or gift giving..i pull out what I have in freezer. so easy.

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marla judy November 20, 2013 - 5:10 pm

Definitely start early but also try to limit the gifts and focus on family and others.

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Shelly November 20, 2013 - 5:28 pm

I do a lot of online shopping which definitely helps.

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Ginger November 20, 2013 - 5:29 pm

I Try to start early…it is still hard for me to simplify 🙂

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Shannon Cote November 20, 2013 - 5:32 pm

I shop on line in the comfort of my own home. Decorate early and enjoy!

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Jen B. November 20, 2013 - 5:37 pm

We keep our holidays simple by shopping online. No crowds and everything is delivered to your front door!

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Lisa November 20, 2013 - 5:51 pm

Making homemade gifts and online shopping!

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Patricia @ ButterYum November 20, 2013 - 5:52 pm

I keep my Christmas simple by making letting my husband and kids decorate the tree. Also, I keep a shopping list of gift recipients, gift ideas, and amount budgeted for each person. I keep the list with me cuntil all the gifts are purchased and wrapped – takes the fear out of forgetting anyone.

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Mami2jcn November 20, 2013 - 5:54 pm

We keep it simple by only getting gifts for the kids and letting them pitch in with the dinner preparations.

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Mami2jcn November 20, 2013 - 5:59 pm

tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/403326669223501824

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Kelli November 20, 2013 - 6:41 pm

The best thing for me is to start early and make a good list that is updated.

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Karen Davis November 20, 2013 - 6:45 pm

Simplify and plan ahead.
We decide in advance what is most important to us for the season. Those are the high priority activities. Freezer meals for busy nights and advanced Christmas shopping helps us enjoy the season more.

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Julianna November 20, 2013 - 6:51 pm

I only have two small children so to keep it simple we do very little gifts for them, they are too young to understand and we get them what they need/want throughout the year. I have also realize it’s OK to say no when it’s just not possible to get something done.

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Meggan Hayes November 20, 2013 - 7:04 pm

I keep the holidays simple by not going overboard on the presents. I have six kids and try to keep the gifts to “something to wear, something to play with, and something to read”.

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Kathy A November 20, 2013 - 7:08 pm

I shop on line. They usually have free shipping, so I save on gas too.

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Tiffaney K. November 20, 2013 - 7:16 pm

I don’t know what anyone ever did without the internet. Shopping online has made things so much easier for me. Also, planning a budget and staying in that budget keeps the stress away.

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Leah November 20, 2013 - 7:27 pm

I love online shopping! I also try to keep my ears tuned throughout the year to things my family and friends say they like, so I’m not scratching my head in December thinking “What should I get them this year?!?”

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Deanna November 20, 2013 - 7:31 pm

Online shopping has been a lifesaver this year with my 3 1/2 year old and 8 month old. 🙂

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Leanna November 20, 2013 - 7:45 pm

I try you start my cooking and shopping early. I also like making lists.

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cw November 20, 2013 - 7:47 pm

I don’t get caught up in the buying hype. We focus on experience gifts

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Linda Gruber November 20, 2013 - 7:53 pm

I keep it simple by limiting the parties and focusing on family. I also try to remember if it doesn’t get done it’s okay. I can try again next year.

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Jenna D November 20, 2013 - 8:02 pm

I plan my holiday meals ahead of time and do all my shopping online.

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Shari Kelley November 20, 2013 - 8:04 pm

Usually a day or two before Christmas everyone wants to wrap presents, and is asking where the tape, wrapping paper, etc. are while I am busy doing last minute everything. I now put everything they need to wrap in a large basket and can just hand them the basket instead of wasting time looking for wrapping supplies 25 times in 2 days. It has helped a lot!

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Jennie November 20, 2013 - 8:28 pm

I try to pick up some gifts when I am out doing my regular running around. That way everything doesn’t hit me at the last minute.

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Jennifer Pratt November 20, 2013 - 8:31 pm

I use the help of my 2 sons to help prepare homemade gifts & educational gifts for others, especially for less fortunate kids.

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Sherilsl November 20, 2013 - 8:37 pm

Amazon and 4 gifts per child. And plenty of sleep!

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Valarie Kingsbury November 20, 2013 - 8:48 pm

I always wrap presents 2-3 weeks in advance. I then store them in a couple of storage bins or boxes, so I can just haul out the boxes a few days before Christmas. Santa never wraps gift at our house. Wrapped gifts come from Mom and Dad.

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Gina November 20, 2013 - 8:53 pm

I shop all year round..but shop mostly online.;)happy thanksgiving.;)

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Amy Jacobs November 20, 2013 - 9:10 pm

Lots of lists, and shopping online….Amazon Prime is awesome with their free second day air shipping.

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Jamie November 20, 2013 - 9:29 pm

I have a lot of goody recipes that I used to try and make. I now choose 2 or 3 of them and leave it at that. It’s such a stress relief….and a load off my hips. (Trust me, I have enough load.) I also used to do neighbor gifts, but don’t do that either. So much less stress.

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A. Jill November 20, 2013 - 9:31 pm

I always try to keep it simple.

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norniea November 20, 2013 - 10:23 pm

Thanks for great recipes!

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Lisa November 20, 2013 - 10:40 pm

Online, online, online. Also, when I do my Christmas shopping at the mall, I have my dear hubby drop me off so I don’t have to find a parking place. He returns later to pick me up.

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Susan November 20, 2013 - 10:59 pm

I have a 3 ring binder that lists all the gifts, recipes etc from Christmas past–keep it simple–make the same homemade food gifts everyyear (I have requests–you ARE making the cheese dip, again as gifts, aren’t you)?? Have everything together in zip lock bags for each project, etc. Keep it simple and sincere!

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Jean Dominik November 20, 2013 - 11:50 pm

I put all thehouse decorations up Oct.That gives me time to bake and freeze.Three times aweek I go to water classes to stay mobile after each class theres a short window of energy so I stop and buy only one gift,so my Christmas is ready,all of this is possible from constant prayer and god walking every step with me, he is the reason for the season and he can handle all that worry,just turn it over to him and you will have best holiday ever.

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Sabrina Radke November 21, 2013 - 2:35 am

I keep my holidays simple by asking family members to help with foods by pitching in and also bringing their own containers for leftovers

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Sabrina Radke November 21, 2013 - 2:36 am Reply
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