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Frugal Holiday Ideas for Leftover Wrapping Paper

You know all of those little extra pieces of wrapping paper that are too small to use? Do you save them anyway? I do. I always feel guilty throwing them out, but it is very rare for me to find that I have presents small enough to use them. Most of the presents under our tree are for the kids, so they tend to be larger and usually made out of plastic, not small like jewelry. Then there is the time after the gift are unwrapped. What do you do with all of that leftover gift wrap that winds up … Continue reading →

Easy and Popular Christmas Gifts You Can Make

This year, why not cut your holiday gift budget in half or even more by making some wonderful homemade gifts. Forget the crocheted potholders and the macaroni art, the following popular gifts will be appreciated and used. In fact, they are so popular, you might even find a couple of them among the gifts that you get! Baked Gifts From cookie platters to quick breads, baked goods can certainly hit the spot during the holidays. Pick up some inexpensive dishes, loaf pans and other containers at your local thrift store. Pretty containers that your gift recipient can keep are much … Continue reading →

Caretaker Stories: Crying on Christmas

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For people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, routines are very useful. Breaking the routine can cause stress and confusion for the patient and the caretakers. The holidays have been especially tough for my grandmother and the rest of the family. Christmas is a big change from the normal routine, from decorations around the house to braving the stores and wrapping the presents. For someone who doesn’t remember what time of year it is, thinking it’s summer and seeing a decorated tree can be a shock. Looking back, I think Christmas 2006 was really the point when I became … Continue reading →

Frugal Uses for Tissue Paper

Did you have a good Valentines Day? I hope you enjoyed it. Now, after all of the flowers, candy and jewelry has been given and received, you may find yourself with a flurry of leftover tissue paper. Don’t throw it out! Here are some great frugal uses for that tissue paper. Make them into tissue paper flowers. This is probably one of the easiest and nicest uses for leftover Valentine tissue paper. All of the pinks, whites and reds that are leftover will make beautiful tissue paper flowers. Tear the tissue paper into little squares and use them to decorate … Continue reading →

6 Uses for Used Calendars

Don’t throw out that 2007 calendar just yet. It might be 2008, but there is no reason to let something like that go to waste. After you have recorded the dates and other information you want to remember, follow these creative and clever ideas to use that old calendar in a new way. Nearly every calendar has a pretty picture for each month, here are some ideas to use those pictures. They make a fun and creative gift wrap for small packages. You would wrap the same way you would wrap with wrapping paper leaving the date part on the … Continue reading →

Five Days ‘til Christmas

Even if some of your local stores look like they have been ransacked, take a deep breath. Even if things are looking awfully picked over and the shelves seem bare at this late date, all is not lost. There are still some practical ideas you can use to gather some last minute Christmas gifts. One great idea is to try shops and stores that you would not usually consider when looking for gifts, or specialty stores you may not shop regularly. A good example -now don’t laugh- is the auto parts store. Now, you might be shaking your head, thinking … Continue reading →

Fun, Custom Touches for Gift Wrapping

Try these ideas to make your packages even more special: Candy Toppers While a candy cane makes a cute gift topper, I think you’ll like this idea (and I’m pretty sure your kids will too). Take a “fun size” bag of M&M’s, Skittles, or other favorite candies that come in small bags. Push the candies to either side, pinching the middle. Tie a ribbon around the middle, and curl the ends. The package turns into the shape of a bow and adds a little something extra to your package. Many candies are available in holiday packaging, but even regular packaging … Continue reading →

Fun Stocking Stuffers

For years now my extended family has been doing inexpensive gifts for one another. We call these “stocking presents” and for a lot of years the presents did get stuffed in a stocking at my mother’s house. Now we are more scattered, so the presents get mailed. Stocking presents are a nice way to still buy for a large family. It’s fun to see what people come up and it is fun to still be wrapping up tiny presents for my siblings, and for their spouses and children. The challenge though is to find nice gifts for under five dollars. … Continue reading →

Frugal Living Week in Review: December 3rd through December 9th

Can you believe that it is just a few more weeks until Christmas? I have to confess that I don’t even have all of my decorations up or shopping and gift making done, yet. I hope you are doing better in that department than I am! This past week, we have had plenty of holiday articles, from decorating to gift giving ideas, all crafted with tips to save you money this season. Here is the Frugal Living blog week in review for December 3rd through December 9th December 3rd Free Land In the heart of American, towns from far and … Continue reading →

Gift of the Month Club

Here is another great frugal idea that makes a lasting impression. It won’t cost much, especially if you are creative. You can adapt this gift to fit your budget. Another way that this gift is very frugal, is that it spreads the cost of a big gift out over the entire year (or six months, if you choose), so you aren’t hit with a big bill. Many ideas that you can include are free or under $10. To make this gift, you basically gather twelve different envelopes, if you are going to do this for the entire year. Or, choose … Continue reading →