Forget spring cleaning, I always get the itch to clean up and clear out in January. And my first place of attack is always the kitchen. If the kitchen is clean and organized, I feel like I can handle anything. If the kitchen is a mess, I feel out of sorts. Here are my best tips for a tidy kitchen and pantry. I hope you’ll share yours too.

Repeat in 3 or 4 months. It used to frustrate me when my January organization efforts seemed limp or dead by March or April, until I realized that organization is an ongoing process. I don’t organize once and then it’s done forever.  I know that I’m going to have to “refresh” my organization again in a few months, and now I plan on it as part of the journey. The frustration is gone.

One drawer or cupboard at a time. I don’t know anybody who has the time to overhaul their entire kitchen all at once. I go after one drawer or cupboard at a time, sometimes using as little as 10 or 15 minutes. I empty it, wipe it down, examine the contents, discard anything I don’t need or use, and set everything back in an orderly manner. It’s amazing how good one completed drawer can make you feel, and you get an immediate sense of completion.

Keep necessities within reach. What is it they say about real estate? Location, location, location! I think about my drawers and cupboards as real estate, and only the most used, most important, most necessary items can afford to be within my busy reach. I should never have to grab a stool or walk across the kitchen to retrieve something I use on a daily or almost-daily basis.

Label spice tops. My spice rack is in a lower cupboard, so I have an aerial view of all the containers but not an easy view of their labels. My life changed when I took a few minutes to label the top of each container. I don’t have to guess which bottle is the nutmeg anymore! Yippee!

Rods for pan lids. I recently found these genius ideas for storing pan lids that I plan to implement right away. A simple towel rod on the back of a door, or a tension rod inside of a drawer keep lids stowed neatly!

Categorize food. I organize my pantry shelves as I would a grocery store, with food items grouped by category. And again, I pay attention to real estate. I make sure my most-used items are the most convenient to grab.

Use an over-the-door organizer. I maximize the space in my pantry by using a simple organizer, found at the hardware store, similar to this. It’s shocking how much it holds!

Display beautiful, beloved ingredients. I love the rich, earthy tones of my favorite baking ingredients, like brown sugar, oats, flour, and even chocolate chips. So why have them hiding in bags and containers in the cupboards? They look great in glass jars on the countertop, and they’re so easy to access when I’m ready to bake.

Those are some of my favorite tips for an organized kitchen. What are yours? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

And don’t forget—only a few more days to share your silliest skiing story and be entered to win gourmet prizes from Mrs. Fields! The stories have me in stitches! Contest ends Sunday, January 15.

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Sometimes beating the winter blues requires an exit strategy from your everyday life. Whether you’re going over the river and through the woods to visit grandma, or boarding a plane to escape to somewhere new, I’ve got 5 tips to keep winter travel easy, affordable and enjoyable for everyone.

Seek Off Season Savings. Many airlines, hotels, and resorts offer reduced fares and rates during the winter season. And unless you enjoy crowded spaces, off season travel can be much more enjoyable and relaxing. Do a little bit of research on the Internet to find out where the best deals are at any given time, and go for it. You can also sign up for airfare deal alerts, and use discount travel sites to score great prices on hotels and rental cars.

Stock the Car. Keep blankets, water bottles, and cell phone chargers stocked in the car all winter long, but especially before taking a road trip. Being stranded in the car for a few hours in traffic or because of a flat tire is no fun, but you can avoid danger by having these staples on hand. Keep warm, keep hydrated, and keep connected to help at all times with a little preparation.

Wear and Wear Again. Bulkier winter clothing doesn’t have to equate to more baggage. Sweaters and sweatshirts can be worn twice or three times before washing and pants can easily be worn three or four times. This means that you can pack 2/3 less clothing for a week-long trip, which makes for a very light bag! Pack neutral-colored sweaters and pants, then use accessories like scarves and jewelry to keep your look updated and fresh each day.

Explore the Great Indoors. Take advantage of great indoor options like museums, theatrical performances, expos, and factory tours in the city you’re visiting. Off season travel might force you to dig deeper for some entertainment, but I’ve found that it pays off. You get non-touristy experiences, with no crowds, and usually for a great price. (Our Mrs. Fields factory tours are free, so keep us in mind if you’re ever in Salt Lake City.)

Gotta Get the Apps. Modern technology is making travel easier and easier. Check the status of your flights, avoid unnecessary traffic, and find the best spots to eat with great ( free!) apps for your phone or tablet.

Those are my best tips. What are yours? Share your winter travel ideas in the comments section!

(Image via Pinterest.)

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January – Reconnect with a neighbor. It seems as though everybody disappears into their houses in the winter, making the already cold months feel lonely too. Take a plate of cookies to a neighbor and visit for a while, or invite them over for a homemade dinner of soup and bread. The world will instantly become a warmer place.

February – Spend one-on-one time with each family member. The Valentine month gets our focus on love and nothing says, “I love you” more than quality time together. Set aside a few hours to focus on each member of your family, and make sure it’s just the two of you. Go out to lunch, visit a museum, or make cookies together in the kitchen. Spouses and kids alike will bask in your individual attention.

March – Look up a long lost friend. You’ve been wondering about your best friend from second grade. Did she ever become an archaeologist? Or an opera singer? Modern technology has made it easier than ever to find those important people from the past. Make a goal to rekindle and old friendship. Send an email, make a phone call, or send a surprise tin of cookies. The reward will be sweet.

April – Switch up your routine. As creatures of habit, we can get stuck in a rut without even realizing. Mix up your regular routines this month. Buy a different breakfast cereal, drive a different way home from work, sign up for a different class at the gym, or try a different restaurant. The discoveries you make about yourself and your world might surprise you.

May – Pay it forward. Start a domino effect of goodwill by doing a kindly deed, just because. Pay for the next car’s coffee in the line at the drive-thru, put a few quarters into an almost-expired parking meter, wait a few extra seconds to keep a door open for someone, or anonymously deliver a plate of cookies to somebody who needs a lift. You’ll get a rush of joy, and chances are, all that goodwill will come right back to you.

June – Ask someone older and wiser. Interview a grandparent, great uncle, or elderly friend. Ask them about life when they were your age. How much was a gallon of gas or a loaf of bread? What was communication, transportation, and education like? What have they learned about life, and what do they wish they knew then? Let them reminisce while you soak it in. There’s a lot to be learned if you take time to listen.

July – Make a lemonade stand for charity. Take advantage of warm temperatures and set up a lemonade stand with the kids, then donate the funds to a charity. Enjoy the opportunity to help them learn about giving back. (Check out Alex’s Lemonade Stand for more ideas.)

August – Go for a walk; take a bag. Enjoy a brisk walk or hike outdoors at least once this month, but take a plastic grocery bag with you. Pick up trash along your path and notice how good it feels to leave things better than you found them.

September – Teach or tutor. Back to school time means new opportunities for learning…and teaching. Chances are, you’re really good at something. Consider teaching a free class in your community, or volunteer to tutor a student or an adult. Contact your local library to find out about community programs that might need your help.

October – Fill your trunk and fill your heart. Go through your closet, your garage, and your pantry with a question in mind: What am I not using that could make somebody’s life better? Gather unused coats, hats, boots, bikes, and non-perishable foods to donate to a local shelter, food bank, or charity. If you don’t have enough for one trunk full, let friends and family know your plan—they will likely join forces and fill in any gaps.

November – Give thanks. As in, a lot of thanks. Most people around us do a lot of thankless work every day. See what happens when you take time to express thanks to those around you for all the little otherwise unnoticeable acts of service. You’ll be amazed at the response in others, and you’ll realize how much for which you have to be thankful.

December – Use time as a gift. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of the holidays, searching out the perfect gifts for friends and family. Before your calendar gets filled up with 101 holiday obligations, block out time for things that matter most to you as a gift to yourself. (And a less-stressed you is a gift to others!) Is it time reading with the kids by the fire? A quiet dinner with your significant other? Or an uninterrupted bubble bath all by yourself? Remember that there’s no gift like the present, so spend your time wisely.

Those are my goals. What are your feel-good resolutions? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

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Let’s be honest, not everyone is cut out to party until the wee hours on New Year’s Eve. So, why not adopt another time zone for the evening? This party idea lets you have your pot-banging hurrah and still be in bed at a decent hour, an especially great idea if you’re celebrating with little ones. All you need to do is pick a location with a time zone that is a bit (or a lot) ahead of your own. Plan decorations, foods, and games specific to the city or country you’ve picked, and then set your clock to their time. Eat, drink, be merry, and then have a fabulous countdown to welcome in the new year. Need some ideas to get you started?

New Orleans: Serve gumbo, jumbalaya, and freshly fried beignets. Stock up on beads, hats, and other glittery adornments. Create a jazzy playlist and parade around the house or the street.  Set up a table and have guests make their own Mardi Gras masks.

Chicago: Serve deep-dish pizza, bratwurst, and caramel and cheese popcorn, and giant jelly beans in honor of the giant jelly bean-shaped Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park. Have everyone don thick mustaches, reminiscent of the SNL guys who loved “da Bears and da Bulls” so very much.

New York City: Serve thin-crust pizza, cheesecake, hot dogs, and of course, big apples. Designate your party room as Times Square and dangle a ball (even a soccer ball will do) to be dropped for your countdown.

Philadelphia: Serve cheesesteak sandwiches (with Cheese Whiz if you want to be authentic!), soft pretzels, and an assortment of Italian Ice treats. Have a contest to see who can give the best Rocky impression.

Miami: Serve Cuban sandwiches, colorful fruity drinks, and lots of latin dance music. Learn some salsa dance moves, teach your party guests, and have a dance off!

London: Serve fish and chips, bangers and mash, finger sandwiches and assorted teas or hot wassail.  Create a Big Ben clock to announce your countdown, and have a William and Kate lookalike contest.

Those are my ideas. What are yours? What city would you like to be in to ring in the New Year?

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Dear Mrs. Fields,

My small family recently made a cross-country move for a new job and we are spending our first Christmas far from family, friends, and the holiday traditions we’ve always known. Before we moved, Christmas Eve was always spent feasting and partying with parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. While we’re excited for our new opportunities, we’re battling a bit of homesickness and not quite sure how to make it feel like Christmas when everything is so different. Any ideas?

Sincerely,
Lucy

This is a great question and one that many people will relate. My advice is to make the most of things by sitting down together as a couple or a family and creating your own new Christmas Eve traditions. Most people have traditions handed down to them, but few people get to tailor-make their own! If you need some inspiration, here are some ideas to jump start your planning:

• Family Game Night. Wrap up a few favorite (old or new) board or video games to play. Unwrap and play them one at a time. Think of creative ways to mix things up, like silly prizes or treats for the winners.
• Pajama Night. Everybody can always use a new pair of pajamas. Wrap up a new set for each person, then pose for pictures, read favorite storybooks, watch movies, or play games.
• Christmas Scavenger Hunt. Grab the family and a list of holiday items (Christmas lights, Santa suit, candy canes, manger scenes, reindeer, etc.) and snap photos of your group with each item. You’ll have fun hunting down each item, and you’ll have a photo history of your fun night.
• Karaoke Night. A simple microphone, speaker, and your favorite holiday music turns your home into a fabulous karaoke lounge. Most of us know all the words to holiday music anyway, so it’s especially easy for everyone to participate!
• Progressive Dinner. You can do this one of two ways.  Join up with new friends to host a progressive dinner (appetizer, entreé, and dessert) at three different houses. Or, if you’re solo, pick three favorite restaurants and have each course of dinner at a different spot.
• Christmas Lights Tour. Most local newspapers feature the best holiday light displays in the area. Look it up and buckle up the family for a tour of the garish displays.
• Egg Nog Taste Test. Purchase 4 or 5 brands of egg nog and have a blind taste test to determine which is the best. You can do this with practically anything, such as fudge brownies, potato chips, or any favorite snack or treat.
• Soup Kitchen Service. Sometimes the best way to beat the blues is to do something nice for someone else. Contact a local soup kitchen or shelter and help serve a meal. It’s a guaranteed feel-good moment.

Any other ideas for Lucy? What are your favorite Christmas Eve traditions? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

P.S. DON’T FORGET! Today is Free Shipping Friday at Mrs. Fields! Get free standard shipping today on select holiday gifts! Use code 11YEZ at checkout.

And if you haven’t already, share your favorite Mrs. Fields memory as part of our 35th Anniversary Giveaway! You could win free cookies for a year!

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1. Santa’s Suspender’s Tote –  $19.99
2. Winter Wishes Mini Ribbon Box – $19.99
3. Santa’s Goodie Bag – $19.99
4.  Chocolate Covered Cookie Extravaganza – $24.99

1. Holiday Wreath Tin – $25.99
2. Merriest Mailbox – $34.99
3. Winter Moose – $34.99
4. Happy Holidays Book Box – $32.99
5. Teddy Elf & Cookies – $29.99

1. Winter Flurry Tin – $39.99
2. Alpine Polar Bear Cookie Jar – $49.99
3. Decadent Dream Box – $44.99
4. Traditional Polka Dot Bundle – $49.99
5. Winter Delights Customizable Basket – $49.99
6. Holiday Hand-Out Tins – $49.99

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One of my favorite holiday traditions is a Christmas countdown. I tell myself it’s for the kids, but the truth is that I get just as excited about  I gathered some of my favorite ideas for inspiration and wanted to share them with you.

1. A variety of holiday envelopes arranged into the shape of a tree is too cute for words.

2. Paper cones create a forest of Christmas trees. Tiny surprises can hide underneath.

3. Tiny buckets, twine, and twigs create this darling display.

4. Trim Santa’s beard day by day until Christmas Eve.

5. Decorated clothespins hold brown paper packages tied up with string.

6. A simple paper chain contains holiday activities to share together.

The problem now is deciding my favorite. What about you? Do you have a favorite Christmas countdown idea?

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This idea is equal parts simple craft project, entertainment for kids, Thanksgiving centerpiece, and feel-good activity. With a few simple items, you can create this Thanksgiving Thankful Tree and fill it with all the things you and your guests are grateful for this year. It’s a perfect gathering activity as your guests arrive, and simple enough that you can put the kids in charge of putting it together while you’re taking care of last-minute details for dinner. You’ll need the following items:

• One sturdy branch from outside, about 3 or 4 feet tall
• One vase, preferably tall and narrow
• Whole nuts or smooth pebbles to secure the branch
• Leaves cut out from colored paper (find a free template here)
• Twine to secure leaves to tree
• Pens, pencils, markers, or crayons for guests to use to write

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can spray paint the tree branch in advance to create more of a contrast. Otherwise, hold the branch in the center of the vase and fill the sides in with nuts or pebbles to secure it and keep it straight. Cut strips of twine just long enough to tie leaves to branches. Cut out multiple leaves, at least one per guest. Each guest can write his or her name on a leaf, along with what they are thankful for this year, before securing it to the tree. Once complete, place the tree in the center of the table for everyone to enjoy.

My favorite part of the Thankful Tree? It can be used again and again each year, and the leaves become a sweet way to remember Thanksgivings past!

One more thing—don’t forget to enter our 3rd Annual “Give Thanks with the Gift of Cookies” Giveaway! Entries accepted until midnight Sunday!

(Image via BHG.)

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Next week is Veterans Day in the US, a day set aside to honor those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces. Most of us have overwhelming feelings of gratitude for those who serve, but rarely know how to “celebrate” the day and give honor.

A friend of mine whose husband has been serving overseas over the past several years during several back-to-back tours of duty shared her thoughts about ways you and I can show our support to veterans, active duty soldiers, and their families too:

1. Visit a veteran. Bake a plate of cookies and visit a veteran and his or her family. Everybody appreciates a sweet treat and especially the genuine concern for how everyone in the family is doing. A soldier can often feel a lot of support while in active duty, but not as much after coming home, which can be a difficult time of adjustment. Keep in mind that they don’t leave the war just because they’ve come home.

2. Say thanks. When you see a member of the military or their family, take time to thank them for their service and sacrifice. It takes almost no time and effort, but it is so appreciated to know that people care and understand the sacrifice involved for the entire family.

3. Send treats and letters. When possible, send treats to an active duty soldier. When it comes to food, most soldiers are subject to cafeteria-type food or MREs. Something good to eat from back home is a wonderful and appreciated gift. Most soldiers have access to email, so take time to write a note to share your gratitude. Include photos, funny stories, or updates on people he or she knows. If you are friends with the soldier’s family, express your support for them as well.

4. Be a friend to the family back home. A soldier worries just as much about his family back home as they worry about him in a war zone. Consider “adopting” a soldier’s family and offer to help with yard work, home repairs, and other tasks that are often shared by two adults. Watching over a soldier’s family is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for someone watching out for your family elsewhere.

5. Volunteer. A great way to give back is through your local VA hospital. Contact them and ask for opportunities to serve. Most will have needs and ideas of how you can help by donating time or goods. (We at Mrs. Fields Gifts are honored to be donating hundreds of cookies to the VA hospital in Salt Lake City to be shared with patients on Veterans Day.) A little from you can mean a lot, so don’t hesitate to offer what you can.

My thanks to my friend, to her husband, and to all our active duty and veteran soldiers. Here’s hoping they all have a sweet Veterans Day!

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I’m excited to give you a sneak peek into my favorite gifts from this year’s lineup, plus a fabulous discount for early bird shoppers! Buckle up your tastebuds and prepare to be thrilled.

This year, it’s all about personalization. We have several options for you to create custom gifts filled with our gourmet best. Our Personalized Stocking is a long-lasting gift, perfect for anyone on your list.

Personalized Stocking

Our Holiday Personalized Cookie Jar can become a one-of-a-kind gift for grandparents, parents, friends, and sweethearts. You choose the photo and the caption to create a gift like no other.

Holiday Personalized Cookie Jar

There’s something so classic about a tin filled with delicious cookies. I love the modern twist we took with our Holiday Wreath Tin. It’s an absolutely beautiful gift.

Holiday Wreath Tin

We’ve heard from many happy customers that our  Ultimate Snowman has a wow-factor that can’t be beat. At 26 inches tall, he is loaded with a lavish assortment of treats in each of his five layers. He becomes a practical gift for years to come, able to store ornaments, and other decorations inside!

Ultimate Snowman

Our bulk options are hugely popular for those who like to give a lot, but save a lot too. Our Embossed Snowflake Tin by the case comes with 24 individual tins, filled with 36 bite-sized cookies in each one. (A favorite for businesses.)

Embossed Snowflake Tin by the Case

Is there anything more adorable than our Santa’s Suspenders Tote? No, there isn’t. I think you know at least three people who need this gift. I know I do.

Santa's Suspenders Tote

The Sparkling Snowflake Tub is one of my favorite ideas for a family gift. There’s a variety of treats to please everyone and the gorgeous tub begs to be part of any holiday decor.

Sparkling Snowflake Tub

You can check out our entire line of holiday offerings on our website, MrsFields.com. And don’t forget—early birds save big at Mrs. Fields! Use discount code 11WEB to save 15% off your order before 11/11/11, and 10% off before 12/2/11.

Happy shopping and happy upcoming holidays to you!

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