Jessica's Friday Five: 7-min declutter game, gift ideas, and new dinner solution
Published 23 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader,
I don't know about you, but I am already feeling the pull of the new year energy when it comes to my plans and the fresh start energy that always comes with that. At the same time, I'm anxious about what is ahead for the most vulnerable members of my community with the transfer of power here in the US. Both are true simultaneously in a complex mix of feelings about the future. Let's get to your Friday Five, shall we?
Gift Guide: I've been saving up a handful of planned gifts to buy today because I anticipate they'll be on sale. I put all my favorite gift ideas (for parents, kids, friends, and colleagues) into this Google Doc with links to give you ideas - almost all of these are on sale today. https://jessicaeastmanstewart.com/giftguide. You can also always check my "what I bought this month" page and see if anything is on sale (you can use the tabs at the top to look by month or category).
7-minute Declutter Game: I made up a game last week that worked beautifully for our family, and I imagine it could work for anyone, whether you have kids or not. I asked my dad, who is visiting, to set a 7-minute timer (you could pick any amount of time - for me, this felt short enough to stay motivated and long enough to be effective) and call out updates to use about how much time remained. My husband, two kids, and I each got a laundry basket. Our task was to spend 7 minutes finding things that we were ready to donate (that belonged to us - no grabbing someone else's stuff!) and put them in our basket. It was amazing how much we could find that we no longer need in just that short time (clothing, shoes, toys, books, etc.). They were picked up a few days later by the VVA as donations. I think we will make this a monthly ritual!
Winter Decor Fundraiser: One of our Friday Fivers shared this opportunity to get beautiful greenery in your home. Proceeds support Boy Scout Troop 203, helping us purchase essential gear and making scouting accessible to everyone through financial assistance. They make beautiful additions to any home and are thoughtful gifts for friends and family. All orders come with free and fast shipping. They are of exceptional quality and will last until April! Visit the Gift It Forward website. Enter the code TR203CA001. Fill in Isaac Afdahl Rice as the Referring Member. Click Apply Now to proceed and order your wreath or table decoration.
2 Tips if You Celebrate Christmas: If you celebrate Christmas in your home, here are two things you might find helpful: my Christmas Countdown (it's free) is excellent for anyone with kids 8 and under, and these scent sicles for your tree to make it smell heavenly. I buy them every year. They would make great and affordable host gift, too, if you're going to a party or visiting family for the holidays.
Cook Unity: At an event earlier this month, a working parent told me how much she loved Cook Unity for meals. I figured it'd be worth trying, but I didn't expect to love it as much as we did. Y'all - we have been Home Chef customers for over 5 years, but I canceled my account last week 😮 because we like Cook Unity so much better. It's cheaper than Home Chef and easier (because the meals are already cooked). The food is great and my kids love it. Also, the portions are big, so 2 meals feed all 4 of us if we add some raw veg or fruit to the table. My friend link gets you $60 off if you want to try it and see if it's useful for your family. My dad tried it this week and immediately signed himself up, too!
Bonus Heartfelt Gesture: Today is a great day to buy toys to donate to kids. I recommend getting classic games - they're classic for a reason - as an easy one to make a kid smile. Here's a page of games on sale today.
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