Christmas Mobile Wish Lists Made EASY at Toys”R”Us!

December 1, 2016 by Jenni 125 Comments

This post brought to you by Toys“R“Us . The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

I just cannot believe that Christmas is less than a month away! Are your kids making their Wish Lists already?! I remember when I was little and how giddy I felt, when it was time to make my Wish List!!

Our Great Big Toys”R”Us Book of Awesome arrived the other day and our kiddo found it before I did. Eeek! He already has “big” plans with his Wish List this year. It’s gettin’ real folks!!! Thankfully, the Toys”R”Us Big Book of AWWWESOME makes creating his Wish List super easy! Check it out…

Kids’ Wish List goes MOBILE!

I noticed on the front of the Toys”R”Us Big Book, this little green circle that says “new! Wish List goes mobile”. Well, in all honesty, mobile = EASY for me! We gave it a try and it’s super duper easy AND convenient! What an #AwesomeMoment!

The best part is that you can create a list for each kiddo and name them! No more confusion, and no more losing all those handwritten wish lists! Now, if your child still insists on writing their own wish list on paper – that’s perfectly fine! I recommend it! Then you can make a mobile version of their hand-written Wish List. Besides…Santa likes to receive both hand-written AND mobile Wish Lists!

All you need to do is go to Toysrus.com/WishList and create your Wish List – or many of them. Get signed in and simply tap the camera icon to start building the Wish List! You can take a picture of any item in the Big Book of Awwwesome and the items or similar items will appear! You can then go ahead and add that item to cart OR scroll on down to add to their wish list. Seeeee? How easy is that?!

As you can see from our own wish list making – I took a picture of the Bop It! Sonic game. It uploaded the image, and then gave me the options that I could click to add to his wish list. You can also use the bar code scanner option if you’re visiting in-store!

Since this week is Cyber Week at Toys”R”Us – now’s the time to get great deals on all of the items on your kid’s Wish Lists! My kiddo has tons of stuff on his Wish List. From Legos to Marvel Comic action figures. Star Wars toys, and many more fun things! If you need a little help, visit some of Toys”R”Us BFF’s and Get Inspired.

You better bet I’ll be shopping this Cyber Week to get the very BEST deals! Don’t you miss out on all of the savings this week at Toys”R”Us!

We do have a few big ticket items that we’d like to get for him from his Wish List. Some things may have to hold out till his birthday, but you never know. Santa may be extra awesome this year!

We will also be donating some toys through some local and national drives! If you donate as well, I suggest using the Cyber deals this week to score some awesome toys at pretty big discounted prices!

What big ticket item is on your kiddo’s wish list this year?

5 Tips to Hosting the Perfect Coffee and Cookie Swap Party

December 14, 2015 by Jenni 106 Comments

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Folgers Perfect Measures. All opinions, delicious coffee, sweet cookies, girl gossip, and FUN was 100% all my own. #FolgersInIndy

5 Tips to Hosting the Perfect Coffee and Cookie Swap

Do you find that with each busy Christmas season, it just gets harder and harder to spend time with your friends and family? I sure do! There’s an annual tradition that I have with my sister, nieces, and some of our cousins. We spend the evening out shopping and then eating an entire boat load of food at some yummy restaurant. It’s our thing, it’s just what we do every. single. year. I wanted to start another fun tradition this year – so we had our first annual Christmas Coffee and Cookie Swap party!

We had entirely too much fun. It was such a great time and it turned out so well, that I wanted to share my tips on hosting the perfect coffee and cookie swap party!

1. Keep Invitations Super Simple

Create a list of people you want to invite…whether it’s for the girls at work, your sisters, friends, extended family, or your church group. Just whatever you do, make sure that you invite someone that has a super cute baby! Cute babies are a MUST HAVE at any coffee party and cookie swap! Create your own invitations, buy some online, or even search for free printables for cookie exchanges on Pinterest…you’ll find lots of great ideas. OR you can keep it as simple as I did – and create a group message on Facebook to invite everyone.

2. Simple Party Foods

Serving something simple to eat is a good idea. Yes, people are there for the coffee and cookies – but depending on the time of day you’re having your party…people may be hungry. Our party was in the evening, so I made a large pot of broccoli cheddar soup and served it with french bread. Chili would be a fun option too, or finger sandwiches and party appetizers. No worries about dessert since there will be a large variety of cookies making their appearance at your party!

3. Perfect Cuppa Coffee Bar

Nothing goes better with a cookie, than coffee! Have your coffee bar prepared by the time everyone is ready to devour the cookies. I used Folgers Perfect Measures coffee varieties for people to choose from and we made a couple of different pots. Everyone made their own perfect cup of coffee. Folgers Perfect Measures are little round tabs that makes making your coffee a breeze. No more scooping and measuring…just drop in a few tabs to make your favorite pot!

You can find the Folgers Perfect Measures in select cities, including Indianapolis and surrounding areas. Check for them at your local Kroger, Kmart, or Marsh! Make sure to grab this $1.50 off Folgers Perfect Measures coupon before you head to the store!!

For extra fun, I had prizes for those that made the best tasting coffee! Their prizes were containers of the new Folgers Perfect Measures coffee!!

4. Winner Winner, Cookie Dinner

A good idea is to place rows of each cookie on a large tray and then give each persons cookie a number. After everyone has sampled the cookies, have each guest anonymously “vote” for their favorite cookie by writing down the cookie number on a piece of paper and placing in a bowl or container. Whoever has the most votes is the Cookie Swap Winner!! Use something fun, like a cookie platter as a prize. TeAnna was the winner at our coffee and cookie swap with her chocolate covered peanut butter filled cookies. NOM!! Third cookie, over from the left in the photo.

(Cassie and Della were going in after the same cookie)

Cassie and Mikki are super duperly posing for this “heartwarming” cookie exchange moment. It was so funny, I had to share it. Don’t let this photo fool you….these two are a RIOT!

5. Swap Cookies…and Don’t Forget the Selfie

After the party is over, let everyone take extra cookies home. I had some extra cookie platters left over that everyone could take their swapped cookies home on. Sooo….Many….Cookies! Another great idea is to ask your guests to have their own cookie recipes handy in case other guests want to swap recipes. Ohh, and before everyone goes home…make sure to take that RIDICULOUS group selfie, or “ussie” whatever you wanna call it! Such a fun way to capture the memory!

Finally, our ridiculously fun group photo! At this point, we had consumed so much coffee and so many cookies.

Have you ever been to a Coffee and Cookie Swap Party?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark Recipe

December 10, 2015 by Jenni 36 Comments

This post brought to you by The Hershey Company. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark Recipe

It’s time ya’ll. Christmas movies are playing ’round the clock at my house right now, and the candy and treat makin’ has begun. I’ve been working with The Hershey Company on a few fun things lately, including this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark recipe. They’re really working hard to help families and friends create #NewTraditions with their loved ones this year.

Since Hershey’s is a company that I consider – “ancestor approved” – I’ve got a nice stash of their products on the corner of my countertop to make all kinds of yummies.

We created a really fun video for our Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark recipe. Just click to watch the video above!! We had entirely too much fun shooting it. Family and friends devoured the bark EACH time I made it. I’ve made quite a few batches already – and will be making more ahead for Christmas. We made it as a fun spin on our traditional chocolate covered peanut butter ball recipe.

Did you notice the cute Hershey’s plate at the end of the video? I actually bought that plate for my mom in 1996 when I was on my senior class trip! I bought it from Hershey PA – so it was definitely fitting for this post!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark Ingredients:

11.5 oz bag of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips
10 oz bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips
12 oz bag of Reese’s Miniatures Peanut Butter Cups

Instructions:

Begin by unwrapping Reese’s Miniatures and chopping into chunks. Set aside for later.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.

Pour chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl, and melt in microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds on medium power. Stir. Continue microwaving in 15 second intervals, on medium and stirring until thoroughly melted.

Pour melted chocolate onto parchment paper and spread into a thin layer.

Pour peanut butter chips into a microwave safe bowl, and melt in microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds on medium power level. Stir. Continue microwaving in 15 second intervals, on medium power level and stirring until thoroghly melted. About halfway through melting, add 1 tablespoon of shortening to thin out the texture.

Immediately spoon dollops of the melted peanut butter chips onto the chocolate. Use as much or as little as you like, depending on your preference. You may have some melted peanut butter left over.

Using a skewer, toothpick, or knife, begin marbling the mixture using a circular or swirling motion until you get the desired effect.

Place chopped Reese’s Miniatures on top and press into the mixture, using your hand.

Place the baking sheet into the fridge to allow the bark to chill for 1-2 hours or overnight. Once it’s set, break into large chunks and serve! Store leftovers in an airtight container.

This Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Bark recipe is a fun twist on an old family classic holiday recipe. So easy and so delicious...only using 4 ingredients! It's the perfect no bake holiday recipe! www.sweetpenniesfromheaven.com

Do you have any fun twists that you can make on an old family favorite holiday recipe? Get the kids in the kitchen with you to create NEW memories this Christmas! Let us know what yummy recipes you make! We’d love to hear, and if you decide to make this easy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup bark recipe, let us know what you think!

4 Tips to Make Christmas Cozy This Year for Family + Give the Gift of Home

November 10, 2015 by Jenni 50 Comments

This post was sponsored by Air Wick as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

What scents remind you of home, and the holidays? There are so many for me. Cinnamon is a big one because my mom, my sisters, and I used to make homemade ornaments each year and we’d pour cinnamon in the salt dough, like there was no tomorrow!

I’m blessed to live in the old farmhouse that I grew up in. Most folks, move away from home and only get to visit every once in awhile. Trying to find those feelings of home and comfort in a brand new place can be really hard…especially during the holidays.

When family comes, we should welcome them with things that remind them that they’re back home. Things they remember from their childhood. Scents can play SUCH a big role in that! Scents spark happy memories! Holiday scents are one of the tips I use below, to help make Christmas cozy for your family and friends this season!

4 Tips to Make Christmas Cozy This Year…

1. Smell good holiday scents.

As soon as we walk through the door, something that smells good is usually the first thing we notice! I love it when someone comes through the door and says, “Oooohhh, what’s that smell?!?!”

With scents like Spiced Apple Crumble, Snowflake Vanilla Cookie, Emerald Woodland, and Berry Cool Winter you can’t go wrong. These are from the Life Scents Collection by Air Wick. Each is available in plugin refills, Freshmatic® Auto Spray Refills as well as candle and wax melts in select fragrances, you’re sure to find something that strikes a chord no matter your home décor.

2. Pretty holiday decor.

Place a few Christmas decorations on your front porch or a wintry wreath on the door! Let some Christmas decor be the first thing they see when they arrive. This instantly puts everyone in a festive mood!

3. Christmas music.

You know it!! Everyone loves a little Christmas music! I have a couple of playlists that are my favorite. Some are just instrumental and others are the oldie classics, like Bing Crosby!

4. Holiday traditional food.

Prepare some of your family tradition food favorites. Maybe it’s grandma’s banana pudding recipe that you only make once a year. Or that fudge pecan pie that your sister in law ooohs and aaaahs over every Christmas! Or the mulled cider recipe that your mom used to make every year!

Give the Gift of Home – Sometimes It’s the Sweetest Gift of All!

Air Wick wants everyone to feel like they’re home and they’ve created this “Give The Gift of Home” video for those who are missing home the most. It’s such a heartwarming video! This video brought tears to my eyes, literally! It’s just amazing to me, how much power there is in the scents that we associate with home.

In celebration of the new Life Scents Holiday Collection, Air Wick is donating $250,000 through a portion of their profits to benefit families in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International!

The new Life Scents Collection from Air Wick smell absolutely wonderful. Each is multi-layered so you get several scents in one. The new Life Scents Collection is also the perfect way to give someone the gift of Home this holiday! If they’re missing home, choose the scents that will remind them of home the most!

What scents remind you of home?

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles | An Easy Holiday Recipe

November 2, 2015 by Jenni 153 Comments

This post brought to you by The Hershey Company. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

It’s that sweet time of year. The time when the family gets together and makes yummy holiday treats! We spend hours in the kitchen, making our favorite family recipes. This year – I wanted to put a fun spin on one of our faves and I created these chocolate peppermint truffles!

Peppermint and chocolate just go together. Kinda like Lucy and Ethel. Don’tcha think?! I’m thinking Lucy is the peppermint (cause she’s a hot little number) and Ethel is the chocolate. Always consistent. Yeah.

Do you have any family traditions for the holidays? What fun family favorite recipes can you put a twist on? These chocolate peppermint truffles have been family approved, and devoured. They’re for sure a new treat tradition of ours for the holidays!

Since the holidays are the sweetest time for our family, my sister and I usually get together with a ginormous list of treats to create. We head to the grocery store, with lists in hand, and come home with bags and bags of goodies. You can’t plan on baking and treat makin’ without the time tested and ancestor approved baking products from The Hershey Company. They have stood the test of time. From the classic ingredients like Hershey’s Chocolate Chips and Hershey’s Cocoa – even to the iconic Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates.

Hershey’s products help make our treat traditions for the holidays fun and delicious! Take our lead, and let them help you start new sweet traditions with your family this year! If you’re on social media, chat about your new traditions using #NewTraditions! We’d love to see your sweet posts and photos in the kitchen!

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Ingredients:

2 cups chocolate hazelnut spread
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
12 oz. bag of Hershey’s Kisses Candy Cane Mint candies
12 oz. bag of Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 cup shortening
crushed candy canes for dusting the tops of truffles (I used 3 candy canes)

Instructions:

1.) In a large bowl and using your hands, combine chocolate hazelnut spread, confectioners sugar, butter, and vanilla. Combine well. You want the “dough” to be able to hold together well enough to roll into a ball without crumbling. If it’s too dry, add more hazelnut spread. If it’s too moist – add more confectioners sugar.

2.) Scoop out enough dough to roll into a ball (roughly about 1 to 1 1/2 ” in diameter) using your hands. Place ball into your palm, and with your finger or thumb, press down into the ball to create a “pocket” for the Hershey’s Kisses Candy Cane Mint candies to sit into.

3.) Then press the dough up around the candies, and roll into a ball again. Lay them on a wax or parchment paper lined baking sheet.

** Tip: Have the Hershey’s Kisses Candy Cane Mint candies already opened and ready to go. It makes the process much easier. (wink)

4.) Melt the Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips according to the packages melting directions. Add shortening to the melted chocolate, and combine really well. You may need to stick back in the microwave for 15 seconds to finish melting. The shortening thins out the chocolate and adds a nice sheen to the finished product.

5.) Add candy canes to a zippered plastic bag and crush using a rolling pin. Place the candy cane dust into a shallow dish, for easy grabbing in a few minutes.

6.) Dip a truffle into the melted chocolate, using a fork. Roll it around to make sure the whole truffle is coated and then let the excess chocolate drip through the fork prongs. Use a butter knife to scoop the truffle off the fork onto another sheet of wax paper.

I have two baking sheets, so I just transfer them from one onto another. While the chocolate is still wet – sprinkle with candy cane dust. Repeat this process till all truffles are finished. Let dry on wax paper for a few hours or overnight. Yields approximately 2 and 1/2 dozen.

Storing Chocolate Peppermint Truffles:

You have a couple of options here. You can either leave out in an airtight container at room temperature or keep chilled in the refrigerator. I like them at room temp. but my husband likes them cold out of the fridge. The Hershey’s Kisses Candy Cane Mint candies stay hard when kept in the fridge. Make sure to include all of these awesome Hershey products to your shopping list to create your yummy sweet traditions:

Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Hershey’s Cocoa Powder
Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate chocolates in red, green, and silver foils
Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips
Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits
Hershey’s Kisses Candy Cane Mint candies
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips
Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Chips
Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder

What are your family holiday baking traditions?

Do you have any new traditions you’d love to create or recreate?

Favorite Christmas Traditions for Families #MomsCheckIn

December 19, 2014 by Jenni 43 Comments

Favorite Christmas Traditions for Families

Do you have special Christmas traditions? Maybe new Christmas pj’s or shaking out some reindeer food on Christmas eve?! We have all kinds of traditions, new and old. We try to keep up with the ones that both my husband and I grew up with plus we’ve added more for our own little family. Those traditions are what makes Christmas so special. Our Moms Check In moms are sharing their family Christmas traditions and we want to hear yours too, so make sure to leave us a comment with your own. You can find out more about Moms Check In and who we are below!

“Our Christmas tradition is Josh will get to open a Christmas Eve package. It always has new PJ’s in it, reindeer food and a special flavor of hot cocoa. On Christmas he is allowed to open his stocking before he wakes anyone up, but he has to wait for the gifts! Through out the Christmas season you can find us writing letters to Santa, watching Christmas movies and driving around looking at the lights.“

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

“We have a few Christmas traditions. We always spend an entire day making candy and baking cookies. Our normal treats are peanut butter blossom cookies, peanut butter balls and then fudge. We also make new salt dough ornaments each year. Those are so much fun! My mom started this tradition when I was younger and we just kept it going. On Christmas Eve, we finish one family dinner on my husband’s side and then we end the night opening up new Christmas pajamas and reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Of course, we lay cookies and milk out for Santa! On Christmas morning, we open stockings first, then presents. Lounge around for a few hours playing with our new things and then we get ready for my family’s side Christmas dinner. We always play the “Dirty Santa” gift exchange too. So much fun!!“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

“We have so many favorite Christmas traditions. You can find my top 10 here. Probably my favorite is church on Christmas Eve. There’s no more time to shop or hustle and bustle. We can finally just take a deep breath and remember what we’re celebrating.”

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“My favorite Christmas traditions revolve around the rituals that go with Christmas Eve. We always get new pajamas, eat delicious Christmas cookies straight from the oven and we each open one gift. We also leave cookies and milk out for Santa. We finish the evening with some reading. It’s magical! As Sam gets older and is more aware of why we’re celebrating, we’re trying to make it more special for him.”

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 4 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!! If you happen to be a blogger also, and want to be a guest host one week, please fill out this form. We’d love to have you join us!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite family Christmas traditions?

4 Helpful Holiday Entertaining Tips to Save Your Time and Sanity #MomsCheckIn

December 13, 2014 by Jenni 50 Comments

4 Holiday Entertaining Tips
to Save Your Time & Sanity

Holiday entertaining can be so stressful. Honestly. Don’t we all already have enough to be stressed out about? Without the worries of cooking, cleaning, decorating, wrapping, shopping, and the list goes on and on! Our Moms Check In Moms have some useful tips – some that we hope will make your Christmas entertaining a little less stressful.

“One day I will host (maybe) but I love attending! I say always be prepared and never go empty handed. I always make sure to bring something whether it is a hostess gift, a dish or dessert or a bottle of wine. Just to say thanks. You rock. And you are braver than I am for hosting.”

“Our holiday dinners are always VERY casual. We have a fairly large family and the house is always full of people. My biggest entertaining tip is to worry less about making your home look perfect for guests and think about ways to make your time spent with family and friends more enjoyable, especially for yourself! Consider using holiday plastic dinnerware so you don’t have to deal with cleanup afterwards. Buy a new game to play with family after dinner. Games are always on our list of things to do after dinner. One more thing I’ve learned, less is more! I’m talking food! We always end up with wayyyyyy too many leftovers. Less cooking means less stress on you, and more time to enjoy with the family.“

“Getting together with friends and family is one of the best parts of the holiday season for me, but let’s be honest. It can stress me out. I’ve got two entertaining tips. Number 1: Don’t try to be Martha Stewart. The whole point is to spend time with your loved ones. Enjoy that and don’t stress about every little detail. Keep it simple. Number 2: Delegate. Get some help with the food and have every guest bring their favorite dish to share. People love to show off their yummy recipes so it’s a win for your guests and a win for you. You should enjoy your own celebrations so don’t try to overdo it, and don’t try to do it all yourself.”

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“Since time is an especially precious commodity during the holidays, I often serve “medley” meals for company. That means I prepare some dishes but buy some items from the Farmer’s Market or grocery store. For example, whenever I serve Yorkshire pudding, everyone raves…and it’s from the grocery store frozen section! Because I serve favorite homemade appetizers, salads and the main protein, the entire meal is perceived as homemade. It’s a great time saver!“

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite holiday entertaining tips?

7 Yummy Christmas Cookie Recipes #MomsCheckIn

December 5, 2014 by Jenni 25 Comments

7 Christmas Cookie Recipes

Have you fired up your holiday baking yet? This time of the year, I can’t hardly drag myself out of the kitchen. I don’t much like to cook, but I love to bake and make candy. Especially THIS time of year! The Moms Check In moms and myself have put together an awesome list of 7 different and yummy Christmas Cookie recipes for you. Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie? Tell us the delicious details….drop us a comment! You can learn more about Moms Check In and who we are below.

Click on the links below the photos below to get the recipe!

Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls
(no, they’re not cookies….but they’re delicious and worth sharing!)

Triple Chocolate Nutella Cookies

Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies

Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Caramel Apple Pie Christmas Cookies

Rosemary Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

“Our motto is if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Josh absolutely loves my secret ingredient chocolate chip cookies and he insists that we make them for every kind of occasion – including Christmas! So I love going to Cookie Exchanges where everyone brings all their fancy cookies.”

“My favorite Christmas cookies are the peanut butter cookies with the Hershey Kisses on top! Doesn’t get much better than that in my book. My husband and kiddo though, love these Triple Chocolate Nutella Cookies. My all time personal favorite Christmas treat though (besides cookies), are these yummy-licious Peanut Butter Balls. They are absolutely heaven on earth! They’re also Eli’s favorite. We can polish off a batch of those in no time.“

“We love Christmas cookies! It’s definitely one of our favorite holiday traditions. My Mom always baked with me when I was a kid and I do the same with my kids. Our favorites are Chocolate Crinkles, Peanut Butter Kisses, and Sugar Cookie Cut-outs. But I love to try new ones every year too. The Red Velvet Cookie Cupcakes are so easy and festive, and the Nutella Stuffed Cookies are honestly the best things in the entire WORLD!!“

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“I love to bake, especially during the holiday season! My little helper, Sam joins me in the kitchen — just like I used to join my grandmother. He loves to help measure and mix… but of course his favorite part is tasting! We have a few classics we create each year that are family favorites, but we also loves to experiment with new recipes. It’s definitely one of my favorite ways to create memories together. Two of our favorites are these Caramel Apple Pie Christmas Cookies and then these Rosemary Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies.“

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Christmas Cookies?

No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls (12 Days of Christmas Desserts)

December 1, 2014 by Jenni Leave a Comment

I know that Christmas is the time of year that we all love to bake and make candy! At least I do!! I’m always on the hunt for a new recipe to try – so I am super excited!! I have joined up with some of my amazing blog friends to bring you 12 Days of Christmas Desserts!! Each day I will be sharing a new dessert that you can add to your “arsenal”.

Make sure to come back each day over the course of the next 12 days to find a brand new recipe!

The first one up, is this yummy recipe for NO BAKE chocolate chip cookie dough balls from Janell at Saving You Dinero! You do not want to miss this one….it’s sure to be a hit and best yet, it’s a no-bake dessert!

Click here to get this recipe!

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the next awesome Christmas dessert recipe! Ohh and you can find all of them added to the linky below daily…enjoy!

15 Must-See Christmas Movies the Whole Family Will Love #MomsCheckIn

December 1, 2014 by Jenni Leave a Comment

15 Must-See Christmas Movies for the Whole Family

I admit that I begin watching Christmas movies long before it’s even Thanksgiving. I would be satisfied watching them all year long to be honest, but then I guess they wouldn’t be as special come Christmas time. Do you have any Christmas movie faves? Myself and our Moms Check In moms are sharing our favorites plus we’ve rounded up the top 15 and linked to them in case you’d like to add them to your own physical Christmas DVD collection. We’d love to hear yours too, so make sure to leave us a comment sharing your favorites! You can learn more about Moms Check In and who we are below.

“I love, love, love the classics! Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Gosh, actually, I really just love all of them. Eek! So excited for this time of year! Christmas movies are on NON-STOP at our house!“

“I get so excited when the Christmas movies start each year. Our absolute favorite is A Christmas Story. Our entire family has actually called it “the You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Movie” for years! Our second favorite is Elf. Then I’d say Jim Carrey’s The Grinch and Polar Express tie for our third favorite.”

“Christmas movies are a huge part of our holiday celebrations. They definitely get us in the spirit! Some of our favorites are Elf, Arthur Christmas, and A Christmas Story. The kids were already asking to watch Elf this weekend but I’m holding them off til Thanksgiving is over. Then, popcorn and movie time! Bring on Christmas!”

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“My favorite Christmas movie of all time is White Christmas. I love the numerous set and costume changes. The will-they/won’t they love story. The behind the scenes of a variety show. And the poignancy today of a generation of soldiers who kept their wartime experiences bottled up inside.”

Christmas Mobile Wish Lists Made EASY at Toys”R”Us!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark Recipe

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark Recipe

4 Tips to Make Christmas Cozy This Year for Family + Give the Gift of Home

4 Tips to Make Christmas Cozy This Year…

Give the Gift of Home – Sometimes It’s the Sweetest Gift of All!

What scents remind you of home?

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles | An Easy Holiday Recipe

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Ingredients:

Instructions:

Storing Chocolate Peppermint Truffles:

What are your family holiday baking traditions?

Do you have any new traditions you’d love to create or recreate?

Favorite Christmas Traditions for Families #MomsCheckIn

Favorite Christmas Traditions for Families

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite family Christmas traditions?

4 Helpful Holiday Entertaining Tips to Save Your Time and Sanity #MomsCheckIn

4 Holiday Entertaining Tips
to Save Your Time & Sanity

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite holiday entertaining tips?

No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls (12 Days of Christmas Desserts)

15 Must-See Christmas Movies the Whole Family Will Love #MomsCheckIn

15 Must-See Christmas Movies for the Whole Family

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Quick Links

5 Tips to Hosting the Perfect Coffee and Cookie Swap

1. Keep Invitations Super Simple

2. Simple Party Foods

3. Perfect Cuppa Coffee Bar

4. Winner Winner, Cookie Dinner

5. Swap Cookies…and Don’t Forget the Selfie

Have you ever been to a Coffee and Cookie Swap Party?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark Recipe

4 Tips to Make Christmas Cozy This Year…

Give the Gift of Home – Sometimes It’s the Sweetest Gift of All!

What scents remind you of home?

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Ingredients:

Instructions:

Storing Chocolate Peppermint Truffles:

What are your family holiday baking traditions?

Do you have any new traditions you’d love to create or recreate?

Favorite Christmas Traditions for Families

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite family Christmas traditions?

4 Holiday Entertaining Tips to Save Your Time & Sanity

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite holiday entertaining tips?

7 Christmas Cookie Recipes

Click on the links below the photos below to get the recipe!

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls (no, they’re not cookies….but they’re delicious and worth sharing!)

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Christmas Cookies?

15 Must-See Christmas Movies for the Whole Family

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Quick Links

4 Holiday Entertaining Tips
to Save Your Time & Sanity

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls
(no, they’re not cookies….but they’re delicious and worth sharing!)