Corey Knows Best: Tis The Season Tidbits

Christmas pj's: If you want them and don't have them yet for your kids, go now.  Seriously.  I've made the mistake of waiting before.  The pictures aren't as cute when they're in truck pj's.

Santa visits: You're going for the magic.  Remember that.  You're going because to your kids, he is magic.  You're not going to get the best photo of your kids this season.  Cause it won't happen.  And although he is magic. In the eyes of a baby, he is kinda scary.  The picture and memory are even more precious when someone is screaming.  On that note, the Santas at both International Plaza and Citrus Park are excellent and include a twinkle in their eyes.

Santa visits revisited:  Don't go on the weekend if you can avoid it.  Unless your kids are superstars.  There's no way I could get my one year old and three year olds to stand in line for an hour in their cutest holiday getup (flip flops included, thank you Florida!).  I don't care if Santa, Mickey and Elmo are at the end of the line, it won't happen.  Mall Santas keep pretty good hours. Try the weekdays.

If you haven't already, go here portablenorthpole.tv and create a video for Santa to email to your kiddos.  It's amazing.  And free.  Trust me on this one.

By the end of the season your Christmas tree is going to be dry.  Doesn't matter when you buy it.  So why not buy it now and enjoy the smell for the whole month?  Plus, there's something so warm and cozy about a tree filled with memories in your house.  Oh and it's not like the lots you see on every corner are cutting fresh trees daily.  Just saying.

I always buy extra ornaments and have them on hand this time of year. You never know when the neighbor from eighteen houses away who you have said hi to once will come over bearing homemade chocolate and a poinsetta.  No one wants to be the neighbor with nothing to give back.  Ornaments are excellent for this. 

And I make extra Christmas candy, always. It's kind of like how I prefer to be over dressed to underdressed. I would rather have too much then not enough.

An advent calendar with numbers on it is a terrific way to help your kids learn their numbers. 

More tidbits to come.  Until then, merry merry!