At the last minute we decided to invite the neighbors over for Christmas Eve. Since it was last minute, we didn't have time to attempt to turn our home into a winter wonderland or go overboard with food and drink. I'm proud to say it was fairly simple but was still a great time! Here are some tips to throw your own last minute shindig (quick, call your neighbors and invite them over for NYE!)

Did that title make you chuckle? One day I'll bring you a list of amazing fun and unique Christmas activities. Today is not that day. ;) Today, I bring you the fun we've been having this holiday season and our really average but really sweet traditions.

I mentioned this AH-Mazing kitchen in my "5 Ways to Buy Fewer Toys this Christmas" post. I heart it. Like so much! I do not however have that kind of money to spend on a toy kitchen! (My kids are getting this one). But when I came across the look for less version, I had to pop in real quick and share it! We're talking less than half the price!

You guys! Thanksgiving is next week. Which basically means Christmas is tomorrow. When you have guests coming, preparing your home can feel overwhelming. Suddenly the dingy baseboards that you've happily ignored make you hang your head in shame. I was chatting with my girlfriends about how they clean their home for guests and one quipped- "it depends. Is my mother-in-law coming?" #truth. One way to make it more manageable is to add just a couple of tasks to your weekly routine. Start this week or next and you're finished by Christmas! Side note: I share this as someone who struggles with housekeeping. I don't have it all together friends! But having a plan in place gives me peace and motivation to tackle my to-do list! I'm sharing my 4 week plan, a simple cleaning hack, a free printable cleaning checklist, and place setting inspiration (because that's just fun).