Time's running low if you're still preparing for Christmas day! (as for my family, we'll do gift-giving for Three Kings Day / Epiphany instead of December 25th; not just because it reduces the stress and flurry around Christmas day, but it helps!!)

Here are the links for the best and fastest projects I've found this week. All are great for last-minute cooking, making, and/or giving! The recipes are more of something special to give as a gift or cook as a special treat for family or friends in lieu of a gift (i.e. not so much "Big Christmas Eve Dinner Meal Ideas").

Crafts for Last-Minute Gifts

1. No-Sew Scarves from Little Birdie Secrets
2. Picture Perfect Rubik's Cube from Diary of a Crafty Chica
3. Fridge Magnet Tutorial from Our Daily Chocolate (though Whitney taught me these in college!)
4. Record Baby Sounds from Rookie Moms
5. Quick Quick Mittens from Just Tutes

Alternative Gifts (also take little- to no- time to prep)

1. Alternative Charities from Deliberate Life
2. Give the Gift of "Experience" from Rookie Moms
3. Gift Catalog from Heifer International
4. Alternatives from Buy Nothing Christmas
5. Most Popular Gift Ideas from Rethinking Christmas

Foods for Last-Minute Meals

1. Fluffy (chocolate chip! & plain) Pancakes from Joyful Abode
2. Homemade Cracker Jax from Frugal Village
3. CrockPot Toasted & Spiced Nuts from A Year of CrockPotting
4. Milk Chocolate Fudge from Our Red House
5. Masala Chai of Gratitude (vegan) from Cheap Healthy Good

...and you?

What do you have to add to the list? What are you fervently crafting or baking before the big day arrives? I'd love links to patterns, pictures, and other ideas! Comment here or tag on delicious as for:simplyla.

I love seasons... both for the way they attune us to life's rhythms and for how they refresh us with change. November 30th began the season of Advent (from Latin for "coming," as in, preparing for Jesus' coming). This week's link love focuses on simple ideas to help you prepare for the coming of Christmas!

Here are the best Advent activities I found this week. Because it's important to me, these all focus on holidays that are handmade, meaningful, peaceful, or all three. What links would you add?

Feeling Crafty?

How to Make a Bunting from Joyful Abode
Christmas Tree Card Pattern from Makes and Takes
Holidays by Hand from Simple Mom

Ready to Read?

25 Storybook Surprises from Makes and Takes
Advent & Christmas Read-Aloud Book List from Teaching Mom
Advent Poems from John Piper

Late start on the Advent Calendar?

Our Advent Calendar from A Little Wonky
Countdown Calendar (Christmas, Hanukkah, or Winter Solstice) from maya*made
Advent Calendar from Wood Between the Worlds

Tried a Jesse Tree?

The Jesse Tree from Simple Mom
Make a Jesse Tree from Rocks in my Dryer
Jesse Tree Readings from CRI

And for the little ones?

A Different Kind of Advent from scrumdilly-do
Christmas Activity Garland from Problem Solvin' Mom
Make-your-own Nativity Stable from Disney Family

Tired of 'Buy, buy, buy'?

Advent Conspiracy
Rethinking Christmas
Buy Nothing Christmas
Buy Handmade

Enjoy!

...and you?

Have a link I might consider for a future top 10? Comment here or tag it for:simplyla to my delicious network with "top10".

What are you doing to prepare for this season (Christmas, winter, or whatever it is for you)?