Re: Last weeks post about frugal gift ideas........

Ok, so I didn't read ALL of the 64 ideas. It has been brought to my attention (by my smart ass sister) that some of the items are either obsolete or just plain stupid. She said she was going to get me a small radio, Post It's, and some blank cassettes. I told her I was giving her some deli cheese, roll of film and a pound of pistachios. Let's keep it going....any other's???? Please share!

Winter's Here!!!

We woke up to this today, and we're expecting more all day! Last night, we taught Olivia how to make snow angels an the carpet so she'd be ready to make one today. Yesterday afternoon, Olivia and I went to Target and it had already started snowing. I got diapers and a few things and came home. About 8pm, the Target manager called and said they found my purse in the snow! How sad, I didn't even know it was missing! Rob went out in the storm to pick it up. I had exactly ONE dollar in my purse and it was still there, sandwiched between a Kohl's receipt and a WalMart receipt (classy, right?) Everything else was still there; my checkbook with no checks left in it, dental floss, a blue crayon, a piece of mango fruit leather and my acorn (don't ask, it's for good luck.)

Flagstaff Christmas Parade

I think it's officially called the APS Parade of Lights, or something like that, but we'll just pretend. We went with James, Arcelia and Isaac (Olivia's good friend) It was snowing all day, but they still went ahead with it. We bundled the kids in Arcelia's double jogger and pushed them to the parade route. They were a big hit! Everyone stopped and commented on them, all snug in the stroller like little bugs. The pictures aren't that great. Our battery was low and we had no flash, so I made them sepia and I think it kind of looks like an old fashioned Christmas movie...or maybe they are just bad pictures! Afterwards, we went to their house for hot chocolate and cookies. Olivia and Isaac cried when we pulled them apart.

Christmas Lighting at Little America

I'm a little behind on posting these; this was about 2 weeks ago, but we're snowed in so it's a great time to blog! Every year we try to go to this at Little America. We try to eat dinner there at 5 or so, so that we can be done by 6:30pm when they flip the switch and turn on all of the lights around the grounds of the hotel. This year, we ate with Clif, Nekol, Kaleb and Klara, and Jason, Tami, Kendall and Sydney. It was freezing outside (literally) but we bundled up tight and walked the grounds. They were showing "Elf" on a big screen outside, and they served hot cider and cookies afterwards. We ran into Pete, Eilise and Isabella and many other friends, too. It's a fun tradition that we hope to keep up!

My Advent Calender

Well, I actually finished a project! I loved this idea and wanted to make one, but I had no luck finding boxes to use. Chipboard boxes are nowhere in this town. I ended up at the scrapbook store and they had a diecut machine in back that you could use to make little boxes and purses out of cardstock. All you needed was paper! The store had lots of fancy, expensive embellishments to buy, but I was determined to use stuff I already had. I found black sticker letters that I bought 4 years ago to scrapbook our wedding....(didn't get to that yet) I'm surprised they still had "stick" to them! I found the frame in the garage (it didn't sell in our last garage sale) Now I need to add the "treats" for Olivia each day. I'm thinking stickers, bouncy balls, anything with Santa on it.

Love these ideas....

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/money/63giftsunder10dollars.htm

I was surfing around looking for "frugal" yet special gift ideas for this Christmas and I came upon this article. It gave me some good ideas, especially the food ones!
These frugal gifts are great for any occasion all throughout the year, including Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, end-of-school teacher gifts and more. They also make great hostess gifts during the holidays.

There are hundreds of great gifts that can be purchased or made by hand for under $10, gifts that are both thoughtful and frugal at the same time. Put them in an inexpensive basket or wrap them with a pretty ribbon and you'll truly have a beautiful gift--without breaking the bank!

I know you've probably heard it before but it's really true that you don't have to spend a lot of money to find that perfect gift for someone. Just be sure to put some time and thought into it and your gift will be well received...

Our loved ones probably appreciate our time and love more than anything.

Here's a few of my favorite inexpensive gift ideas...

1. Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
2. Pound of pistachios
3. Child's artwork, framed
4. Journal with special inscription inside
5. Teacup with box of herbal tea
6. Deck of cards and book of card game rules
7. Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
8. Collage of special photos
9. Gel pens and pretty stationary
10. Bottle of sparkling cider
11. Home baked bread, include recipe
12. Disposable camera or rolls of film
13. Basket filled with deli cheese and fruit
14. Craft supplies
15. Holiday serving bowl or platter
16. Pretty basket filled with special jams or mustards
17. Decorative napkins and napkin rings
18. Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
19. Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
20. Photo album, hand decorated is even better
21. Makeup tote
22. Prepaid photo developing envelopes
23. Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
24. Variety of bread mixes
25. Special coffee cup filled with candy
26. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
27. Gourmet popcorn and flavored oil
28. Locally made barbeque or steak sauce with basting brush
29. Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
30. Movie theater gift certificates
31. Board games
32. Jar of sourwood or pure honey with biscuit mix
33. Note cards and book of stamps
34. Picture frames, buy them on sale!
35. Specialty cookbook
36. Pretty glass jar filled with candy
37. Collectible sports cards
38. Muffin mixes with muffin pan
39. Books, there are still a few for under $10
40. Set of dish towels and dish cloths
41. Nail polish kit
42. Pretty night shirt
43. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
44. Video rental gift certificates
45. Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
46. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
47. For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
48. Baking pans and supplies
49. Prepaid long distance phone cards
50. Small clock or radio
51. Pretty box for keepsakes
52. Colorful Post-It notepads
53. Address book
54. Christmas ornaments
55. Puzzles
56. Blank video or cassette tapes
57. Sewing supplies
58. Flashlight with batteries
59. Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief
60. Makeup brush set
61. Expensive socks, still under $10
62. Special soaps and bath puff
63. and don't forget my absolute favorite... home baked cookies!

I hope you will be inspired by this list, after all, it's not the amount of money you spend for a gift that matters the most, but that you cared enough to give something special.

Cool Idea

I came upon a scrapbooker's blog that I love. Her name is Ali Edwards. I saw this on her blog and I want to try to make it. I better hurry, it's already the 3rd! I think I'll go to the dollar store tomorrow to see if they have the boxes. I should have most of the other supplies in my collection. Wish me luck!