Top Five Gifts for Overtired Mommies

It’s beginning to look a lot like…Christmas. Hanukkah. Kwanzaa. No matter what you celebrate, time is not on your side. Sorry if I am slapping you in the face with the reality that the holidays are creeping up on us like a cheap pair of underwear, but that’s what I am here for. A little tough love (and a subtle plea to spend some money on your skivvies at your age).

Whether you’re a SuperMommy who shopped throughout the year, stashed your gifts in places you won’t forget, and are sitting back waiting for the festivities to begin (so not me), or a SlowerMommy who knows she can get it all done the night before if need be (I consider it a personal triumph I sent out holiday cards instead of New Year’s cards this year), you have something in common, I bet. You aren’t thinking about yourselves. Who has the time, really?

Well, I do. I made time this year. I decided to use my extra long days–thanks to 5:20 a.m. wake-up calls by my resident rooster–wisely by thinking about my Top Five Gifts for Overtired Mommies. Suspend your MommyGuilt for one minute and think about yourself. You can do it. Read the freaking list before you fall asleep, okay?

Below are the items that help me get through my everyday life: 6:00 a.m. chants for “blueberries please” (yes, Alex begs for them every morning politely, and I am constantly searching for organic ones during this off-season), chasing him everywhere (kid’s gotten fast…I seriously need to hit the gym), hiding items he shouldn’t have, tricking him into giving them up when he finds them, driving to activities, preparing meals, drawing baths, reading stories…you know the deal because you made it, too. Here’s my secret stash of stuff that helps me function:

Top Five Gifts for Overtired Mommies

1) Hallelujah for Bra-llelujah! This Spanx invention is giving sexy back, yeah! It’s an all-hoisery bra with a front closure designed for maximum comfort and minimum back fat. Even if you’re supermodel thin (um, I don’t think we can be friends anymore if you are), you can still fall victim to back bulge and it’s so not hot. It is pricey (’tis the season for splurging), but worth every penny. Your girls will defy gravity, your back will look smooth, and you’ll gain a few minutes of time not wrestling your bra straps into place. This is the only bra I have ever owned that I didn’t want to burn.

http://www.spanx.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3769277&cp=3010052&parentPage=family

2) Starbucks K-Cups. I believe I’ve talked about my genuine love and admiration for the almighty coffee bean many times, and now…just in time for the holidays…industrial strength Starbucks coffee is available for your Keurig. Hello, lover.

http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/k-cup

3) Clinique All About Eyes Serum: It de-puffs. It cools. It brightens. Tired eyes look less sleepy. Really, it’s a Mommy’s BFF for $26–and it’s even better if you store it in the fridge. My husband bought this for me on Mother’s Day. (He went to Clinique and showed the sales girl photos of me to fill a big yellow box with goodies I’d like. I am a make-up/skin care junkie, and this was one of my favorite finds.)

http://www.clinique.com/products/1683/Skincare/Eye_Lips/index.tmpl

4) Borghese Exact Match Concealer

I was accosted by a Borghese associate recently, right at the time when Alex was about to freak from too much shopping. He was right there. I knew I had moments to spare. She quickly talked me into this concealer without Alex losing it, and I am so grateful. You can mix and match the colors to find your perfect shade. Mine changes with the day, depending on how much sleep I did–or didn’t–get. Love it.

http://www.borghese.com/product_detail.cfm?c=c&pid=492469

5) Andes Creme De Menthe Baking Chips: I was browsing through my second home Target recently and stumbled on Andes Creme De Menthe Baking Chips. Yes, the divine little mints I used to get under my pillow when I had a life and stayed in hotels now come in itty bitty chips. I bought a bag (or two…don’t judge), went home, and started baking. I came up with my own version of Thin Mints. Baking de-stresses me; if you’re the type who doesn’t like to bake, make someone do it and eat my festive cookies! They’re so good they’ll keep you up! Promise.

“Thin Mint” Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup white sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1  1/4 unsweetened cocoa powder

1  3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups Andes Creme De Menthe Baking Chips

Pinch of salt

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla.

Combine the the cocoa, flour, and baking soda, and gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Fold in the Andes Creme De Menthe Baking Chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake for about 9-10 minutes (depending on size). Yum!