So here we are, four days before Christmas, and you still haven’t finished your Christmas shopping. One gift you can never go wrong with is a gift card. It is so easy to give a gift card these days too, because you don’t even have to go to the actual store where you want to get the gift card. Almost all grocery stores, drugstores, and even gas stations in my area have an area with loads of gift cards. I always tell my son and husband I always love a gift card from Starbucks, Sephora, iTunes, or Amazon. And the great thing about these, and most gift cards, is that if the recipient doesn’t live by you, you can send a gift card via Facebook or email! Could it get any easier for you procrastinators?

So, I hope that wraps up your Christmas shopping for you. I hope I haven’t driven you all crazy over the last month or so with nothing but gift ideas! Merry Christmas!

elfyourself.com allows you to insert your friends or family pictures into these cute dancing elves, for countless grins and giggles. Now, there’s an app for it too!

You can insert up to five faces on the app, and then watch the elves dance around. My six year old niece and I had hours of entertainment over the Thanksgiving holiday. She wanted me to retake her photo and make it over and over again with various other family members!

I tried doing one of the elves with my granddog’s photo, but it turned out a little creepy!

You can purchase additional dances, but honestly, the free one is entertaining enough!

From the developer:

The annual holiday tradition allows you to “elf” yourself and become the star of a personalized video featuring your photos on holiday dancing elves. Simply upload up to five photos of you, your friends, family and more from your camera roll or Facebook. Select a dance theme, and the app will generate a custom ElfYourself video that you can share via email or post on Facebook.

I made this yummy recipe for several years now to have over the Christmas holidays and it is always a hit. So easy! I actually double it because it is so easy to eat more than a couple without even thinking!

Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing*

Makes 16 mini cinnamon rolls

Ingredients:

For the maple icing:

Directions:

1. Preheat oven according to crescent roll dough package directions. Layout half the dough (4 triangles) and pinch all the seams together. Flip over and pinch the seams on the back side together too.

2. Using a rolling pin, smooth the seams and roll the dough into a square about 1/4″ thick. Brush with half the butter, and sprinkle with as much cinnamon and brown sugar as you want. Roll into a log and cut into 8 pieces.

3. Place mini cinnamon rolls into a non-stick sprayed mini muffin tin. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the other half of the crescent roll dough. Bake according to package directions.

4. Meanwhile whisk together maple syrup and milk in a bowl. Add in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls.

*I made the maple icing and it was delish, but you could also use a cream cheese icing.  Here is a basic cream cheese icing recipe:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon roll recipe and photo from iowagirleats.com.

Are you getting a little stressed out with the shopping and wrapping and baking? What about the relatives? No matter what may be causing you tension, I have the solution. It’s better than Calgone.  Trust me.

Bath and Body Works Stress Relief lotion is my favorite. I put it on my shoulders and it instantly releases those tense muscles. I keep this at home and at the office. If you have stiff muscles, or a killer headache, this is the solution. Bath and Body Works Stress Relief is part of the aromatherapy line. They also have Energy, Sleep, and Sensuality. I have blogged before about my love of the Sleep Pillow Mist.

They also have a body wash, which I keep in my shower, and use only on my shoulders. My shoulders always have tension. I think it’s more from the computer usage than actual stress. But don’t kid yourself, I get stressed out too! I have my moments. I’m not always this peaceful zen person you think I am.

And if you are going away for the holidays, pick up the travel size!

It’s a great lotion too. But that’s not why we buy it, is it?  It contains Eucalyptus essential oil to clear the mind while Spearmint Essential Oil uplifts to help improve concentration.

If you are visiting a relative this year, this would make a great hostess gift! That and a big ol’ bottle of booze! Merry Christmas!!!

The Stress Relief line also comes in body scrub, body butter, shampoo, bath soak, and more. You name it and Bath and Body will have this for you.