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Ten things (and more) you can do this week to prepare for a homemade Christmas!
1. Panic. (Just kidding. Or not….) Then check your pantry to make sure you have everything you need. Make a list of everything you’re going to bake/create. Don’t forget the oranges and lemons for dried slices on the tree, and popcorn and cranberries for garlands.
2. Make cookie dough for gingerbread men and sugar cookie stars. Refrigerate the dough till you’re ready to prepare the cookie ornaments for your tree.
3. Make cookie dough for cookies. You know, the ones to eat. Refrigerate the dough till you’re ready to bake.
4. Make at least one candy recipe, one that keeps well. Next week, make two.
5. The world doesn’t have enough corn husk angels. Make some.
6. Drag all the lights out of the attic and check them. That way, you won’t be upset when you put up the tree and find out half of them don’t work. Be sure you have enough ornament hooks, too.
7. Hunt down all the jars you need to finish canning gifts.
8. Make some candles. They make really welcome yet frugal gifts, especially if you recycle candles and use old canning jars. You can also put together potpourri mixes from dried fruit peels and things you collect outside. (For wood stove enthusiasts, try some pretty fire starters.)
9. Check dollar stores and second hand stores and your attic and basement for baskets. (You can also get really pretty gift bags at dollar stores for next to nothing.)
10. Browse this post for a list of links to some of my recipes and other posts with instructions for free (or nearly free) homemade and handmade gifts. I’ll also be posting several new homemade Christmas ideas and recipes between now and Christmas.
Most important thing to do: Prepare your mind. Christmas is not about money, though it’s very easy to be sucked into the commercial excess surrounding the holiday. It’s about giving something from your heart. It takes time, planning, and effort, but it also saves time, stress, and frustration by keeping you out of malls and out of debt. You can put together huge, wonderful gift bags and baskets filled with welcome treats, ornaments, decorations, candles, potpourris, and more that will be a delight for anyone who receives them.
I do make an exception for children, who want, and often actually need stuff, but fortunately my checkbook keeps me from overdoing it! In most cases, adults don’t need more stuff. If you’re part of a somewhat competitive family in the gift-giving arena, remember that you can take the opportunity to be a leader (or a rebel, whichever the case may be). Give them all baskets and bags filled with gifts handmade or home-baked. Let them know in advance if necessary to avoid shock. Many homemade items can be shipped, so that doesn’t have to hamper your plans either, just prepare your gift baskets according to whether you are taking it over to their house or mailing it. (I mailed all sorts of canned gifts and candies to my parents last year while gift baskets to family closer by included baked goods in the mix.) Order your preparations to have items that will be mailed in boxes finished first and items that will be hand-delivered finished last. Line up everything you’ve made and assemble gift boxes, bags, and baskets with each recipient in mind.
MAKE LISTS! A well-planned homemade Christmas is far easier than a store-bought one due its sheer simplicity. All together, it may sound overwhelming, though. Break it down. List what you already have ready from various crafting (including canning) you’ve worked on all year, and list what you still need. Make this cookie dough today, that candy tomorrow, gather potpourri mix items on a walk the next day, string some cranberries the day after that. Can and create and bake. I’m often amazed that the most difficult part of doing anything is getting ready to do it. I like to get all my supplies organized and laid out as if that alone is a task then put it all together–and it’s a snap! Gradual step-by-step preparation is the stress-free key. Remember also not to make everything difficult. Many easy, simple things make wonderful additions to round out a gift mix.
There are two weeks till Christmas. Lay it all out, day by day, a little at a time. The best part is, it’s all FUN, as opposed to finding a parking spot at the mall, and you can do it all at home and almost for free.
Don’t give stuff this year. Give love–everybody always needs more of that! Okay, who’s with me?
And in the interest of helping you make more homemade gifts, see below.
It’s a Ball Blue Book Project day! Today’s Ball Blue Book is sponsored by pamb.
To win: Leave a comment on this post and let me know you want it. One winner will be drawn by random comment number to receive a Ball Blue Book. Eligible entry cut-off is midnight Eastern (U.S.) time tonight. This post will be updated with the winner no later than 9 AM Eastern (U.S.) time tomorrow. Return to this post to see if you won.
Find out more about the Ball Blue Book Project and become a sponsor.
UPDATE 12/10: I had already decided, with the help of one of the anonymous sponsors, to give away two Ball Blue Books today because everyone wants Sara to have one–and you’ll hardly believe this–I hardly can–but SARA WON THE DRAW! (Comment #45.) The FIRST draw. (Kinda miraculous, huh?) But I’m giving away two books today! The second comment number drawn was #24, Debnfla3. (Email me with your full name and address to have the book shipped!)
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED TO ENTRY.
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on December 9, 2009
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Suzanne, you inspire me daily, and for that I thank you and will remain a faithful reader of your blog.
4:02
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I am adding in potpurri this year – thanks for the idea!
4:13
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Please put me in the draw for the book
4:15
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Wishing you and your family Holidays filled with Peace, Love, Joy, Good Health and Prosperity.
4:42
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I would love to have the canning book if I am lucky enough to be selected! I love your column and I sure hope you get the good mood job!
Renee Leveque
5:36
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Put me in for the BBB! And thank you pamb for sponsoring it!!!!
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Cricket
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And thank you to pamb for being the sponsor this time around.
6:08
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sara
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I would like a chance to win the BBB!
6:42
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I would love the canning book!!! Please!!!
6:56
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I don’t know you or your circumstances, but your reply to Suzanne’s post about getting ready for Christmas made me so sad. Please don’t take what she writes personally as a reflection on what you SHOULD be doing. Do what you are able, have fantasies about what you cannot. Fantasies are free.
I hate to see you giving up something free which you seem to enjoy — reading her blog — because of guilt. I know it is much easier said than done, but try to let the guilt go, do what you can, and enjoy what you are able.
–Johanna
(I hope this doesn’t sound pushy — I really meant to be encouraging and caring but sometimes I see things very black and white.)
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I am hoping to give some homemade candles this year. Thanks to your encouragement, I think I can. tee hee
And yes, I would love the Ball Blue Book!
7:39
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I remember being a child and loving homemade gifts. I think Mama made most of our gifts, all of our cloths. I suppose we were what was considered…”poor” but we sure didn’t know it! Everyone else was in the same boat as us but Mama always loaded the supper table up with food(that she canned) and we never went hungry. To this day I would rather have a homemade gift than any gift bought in a store. Putting that love into it means so much more.
I would love winning that Ball Blue Book so I can learn how to can like Mama always seemed to make it look sooooo easy. Seeing a shelf full of your own canned goods must be so satisfying.
Deb
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Happy Christmas
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Put me in for the Ball Blue Book!
8:00
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And you know our animals love the homemade Christmas just as much as I do…they get the leftovers!…of course if the kids have any say there won’t be any leftovers!
8:01
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Sara – There are so many broken, unloved families in this world. The daily love and care that you give your family is an incomparable gift that you can’t put in a box and tie a ribbon around. For this, you should never feel guilt. Your 12YO may not appreciate this now, but later in life they will. Your gift of love will return ten-fold! Be strong. I hope your circumstances turn around soon.
8:02
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Hi Suzanne–we love our country tree, and you are so right when you say you can do so many thing for nearly nothing, I also have been there About 40 years ago when I was married, we had very little of nothing–I found a small log and drilled holes in it for candles and decorated it with greenery, it was beautiful, and I was so proud. I still do that today.
Sometimes you have to think about what you have and try to dwell on that, I know that is easier said than done. I have had some very sad Christmas days my self.
I think doing the home made decorations will put you in a better mood no matter what–turn on the radio and sing along with the carols, make some cookies out of cereal, it can be done, make pudding fudge, there are recipes on the net for goodies you can make for next to nothing.
Moving on–I starting making my baking list this week, I dont do a lot but I always make fudge and a few batches of cookies, the old fashioned kind, and some gingerbread men, we do love those.
I know this will be a difficult Christmas for a lot of folks with children, but in many places you can get some help from churches etc. I know most of us are too proud, but if you have little ones, do it for them. put your pride and ask for help for the kids, they dont understand no why there are no gifts.
I hope we all have a healthy hoilday season–that is something no amount of money can buy.
Thank you,
JO
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Kathleen H in Indiana
8:19
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First of all, thank you for the excellent post about preparation Suzanne. As usual I found many great ideas for preparing for my own christmas.
Secondly, this is to Sara… I do not know you, I do not know your circumstances, but I do know Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and not about how much money you have to spend on someone for Christmas. I have been flat busted, out of work, with three little ones to feed, clothe, and try to get Christmas for and in this day and age when everyone wants, wants, wants, it is not easy and it does hurt you when you can’t give your child a Christmas that fulfills their dreams…HOWEVER, having said that…twelve years old is old enough to explain the situation and to put on your thinking caps together to think of things he or she would like that are not expensive. No, it won’t be the Christmas of your dreams but you might be surprised if you give it a shot and get a mindset that you are going to focus on the spiritual part of the holiday and not the commercial.
I remember one particular Christmas when my kids got gifts from goodwill, and coloring books from the dollar store and a LOT of attention and time from mom and they still say it was one of their best Christmases.
Please don’t let this Christmas pass with you being in a sad state of mind because of what you can’t do and focus instead on all the blessings you have. I am certain if you put your thinking cap on you can be creative and have a special and joyous holiday and will find looking back that it was one of your best.
Remember no storm lasts forever, and this slump in the road will pass. If I have found anything out in the many years of living it is that live is circular and you will have good times and bad times and the most important part is what you do with it.
Good luck and God bless and my wish for you and all of the readers at Chickens in the Road is that we remember Christmas is about love, and love is not monetary, it comes from within and it’s free. Give abundantly.
I apologize Suzanne for hijacking the comments to post this but it was on my heart and I had to share.
8:24
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Love your site….great information and humor.
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Thank you for the wonderful post today. Christmas has become SO commercialized! The stress of trying to meet everyones expectations can be overwhelming!
Please lets all remember what Christmas is really about. Take a moment to count your blessings.
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I tend to be the rebel in our family, encouraging people to be creative with gift giving. Some of us like to give silly, funny gifts that take a little of planning, but not a ton of money (my brother once made all of us go to the dollar store and buy an oven mitt each, because my dh was complaining that my sister didn’t have an oven mitt nearby when he was barbecuing. By the time he opened the fifth one, he decided he wasn’t going to complain about anything again…and he was laughing). Don’t get me wrong. I love buying presents and I have the Amazon boxes to prove it, but I have much more fun with the creative items, and I know that the recipients do, too. They know the thought that goes into such things.
One year I put together a colorful booklet of activities for toddlers, for a niece who had a two-year old. Such fun to make! And helpful, too. All it took was paper, a computer and a printer (and some ink).
Or, if you were a cook, you could type up and gift some of your recipes in the same way. Or buy an inexpensive box (at the dollar store) and include a few recipes on note cards. Or…simply note cards tied together with a pretty bit of ribbon and a heartfelt note.
My favorite and most fun time was the year when I (not a knitter with any talent at all) knit 3 mini gift bags for my sister, niece and sil and put a couple of trial size lotions in each. They were so cute!
And see, how you’ve got the wheels turning. Now, I have to go off and create!
8:56
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Please enter me into the drawing for the canning book.
9:08
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I do understand. I have lived this, like so many others, and I grew up living this. My mother had to get through each Christmas knowing she could give so little to her three daughters but she did what she could and we all survived. Your child will, too. The very best thing you can give your child right now is the spirit of what Christmas truly is….it’s HOPE and FAITH and LOVE.
If nothing else can be done, you have a computer and access to the internet…you can look online for groups that can help in your extreme circumstances.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Carol
9:09
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I would love to win the book!
9:16
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Sara
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I just love your blog and the wonderful ideas you share. As I’ve said before, it is literally one of the first things I read after checking my email and Facebook each morning. You are such a blessing and encouragement to others. And, as I’ve seen by the comments posted above, it’s like a family and everyone encourages each other. It doesn’t get much better than this. Thank you for sharing your gifts and creativity with so many.
Oh, and I’d love the Ball Blue Book, so toss my name into the hat!
~Teresa
9:18
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also try freecycle – & there are plenty of people here who have been in your shoes and would be able to give you ideas and suggestions of what they did….this site is a wonderful resource!
Suzanne – i made the marshmallow lollipops and took some to work, i already have requests to made some for people so they can give them as gifts!
Also please enter me in the BBB contest! thank you pamB!
9:25
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Blessings,
Gert
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For kids, I think they’d rather get more time with Mom and/or Dad. Give them an “experience” gift…..give them a coupon to go on a picnic with Mom/Dad, a coupon to go on a hike, to spend a day doing what the child wants to do (instead of mom/dad making the decisions), etc…
Anyways, I probably haven’t said anything that’s hasn’t already been said.
I’m going to be making some of your G’ma Bread for gifts, Suzanne.
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Please enter me for the Ball Book drawing.
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10:01
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I’m working my way up to a completely handmade Christmas. I started in July, and I’m done except for the binding on three quilts and a pair of pajama pants. Next year there will be more food gifts, for sure!
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I’d also LOVE to win the canning book :-)
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Thank you Melinda–I was just going to leave a comment much like yours.
The additude we have about Christmas csn affect how those around us feel as well.
You cant escape Christmas by not reading a blog, it is every where and will come no matter if you like it or not.
I have been in Melinda,s situation too, with out 2 cents in my pocket, but I made it through. Christmas as a child was very lean, and when I was 11, my father told me that I was old enough now that I should understand Christmas gift were for children, it was sad, but I made it through another 57 Christmas.
We need to think more of the true meaning of Christmas.
I hope you will try hard to make this a happy Christmas for you family no matter what your circunstances may be.
JO
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Euni in Colorado
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I made the cranberry sauce and I Love It, it is better than anything you can get in the store.
I look foreward to reading your blog everyday. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
10:58
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This year my teenage and older kids don’t need presents because they have their own money. I have written out 6 cards from a pack of 10 charity cards. I found a book about Christmas decorations at the library. It had a great pattern for knitted reindeer ornaments. I have knitted them as gifts for 6 people that we really want to give presents to. They are wrapped and ready to go.
The only thing left to make is Christmas dinner and this year we are using your sour cream enchilada recipe. My family love mexican food and for several years I have been making what we want to eat instead of what the tv people tell us to eat.
My husband is conducting the music at the church carol service and that will be the real Christmas for us. I believe that Christmas should really be about family, love and the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
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Love the ideas for a hand made Christmas. And I would love to have the Ball book, too.
Julia
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I enjoy reading your thoughts each day and look forward to reading about heartfelt made Christmas gifts.
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I would love a copy of the book.
Rose
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My son, who has a November birthday, used his birthday money from Grandma to buy a tiny little tree from the Salvation Army. He was so proud of himself! We used scrap paper and bits of foil to decorate that tree with chains and sparkle. We put the few gifts under the tree. My kids never had Santa, so they weren’t expecting any more than what we had.
Do you know, those kids remember that Christmas as the best one of their lives? Don’t feel guilty. This isn’t about stuff or having or getting, or it shouldn’t be. Just, like others have said, love your daughter. Explain what’s going on financially. She’ll understand, trust me. Kids understand a lot more than we sometimes give them credit for.
We don’t have Christmas now. Well, we do, but we do Christmas after Christmas, so we can hit those sales, and avoid any of the crowds. We don’t actually spend a lot on each other, anyway, and we make a lot of homemade items, too, to flesh out the giving. But it’s more about spending time together and just loving each other that makes us happy. I don’t know. I hope maybe some of what I said helps. Hang in there. Things do tend to cycle, and it’ll get better.
11:37
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I wasn’t much older than your daughter when I recieved my most cherished christmas gift from my mother. There tucked between all the store bought goodies was a simple folder. Inside were all the poems and prose my mother had written and kept from her childhood on. She had spent months typing them out so we could read them. She made a copy for each of my sisters too. I don’t remember what else I got that year….shoot…I don’t remember things I got most years. But I still have that folder, and I understand my mother better, better each time I read from it. Presents that are thought out, made with love, and your own hands’ from your heart, mean the most…even to 12 year old girls.
Blessings,
Emily
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I saw those too! Nearly $40.
JO
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Thanks for all the great gift tips!
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PS Would also love a Ball Blue Book.
12:11
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I’d like the canning book. I can’t wait to hear how the contest (kinda) turned out. Good luck!
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I visited your website and you are obviously very creative. You could make your child something special or maybe you could trade something you have made for something your child wants. You need to think positive and get creative. There are always people out there willing to help if you ask.
Take care. Merry Christmas.
12:26
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I don’t wish to be in the BBB give a way – no offense, I already own it and it is awesome! So I appreciate your give a way, but is there a way to opt out and still leave a comment? Or if someone wins that doesn’t wish to receive it can pass it on?
And to Sara, and all the wonderful responders, you all brought tears to my eyes today. You are a loving, caring bunch. Thank you. And Sara – they are right and I know you get it, I saw it in your second response.
Take care to y’all and a very Merry Christmas!
12:30
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http://www.masonjarbeading.com/product-list.html
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As for all the comments to and from sara…I am so glad that you can come here and post and be that comfortable, and so glad that we can all rally around you and cheer you up. I think we as parents (moms especially)we feel alot deeper about what our children need than even our children do. I know that I wish all the wonderful times I had as a child I could recreate for my kids just so they can feel that joy and happiness. I try but sometimes fall flat. They still love me and know I have the best intentions at heart.
I was a single mom for 2 yrs. I was married to a marine for 7 so pretty much a single mom for 9 years. You will find a way to make this a great christmas and we are here to help. Suzannes is a great place to stop if you ever need a lift up.
Thank you Suzanne for all the great ideas! I have already made the gingerbread men, have started my gifts for neighbors and friends…its going to be a great fun month just cuz I get to try lots of new things. Can’t wait to hear about the voting!
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And I would love to win a BBB!
Beth aka oneoldgoat
1:06
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I’d love to go all out and do a big homemade Christmas this year, but I can’t. Instead I’m going to make it very small and give lots and lots of love. I know my son is going to remember that better than any else I could have bought him.
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Thanks for all the great memories and wonderful ideas everyone has shared! The warmth that people exhibit here really touches the heart.
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Please enter me for the Ball Blue Book.
1:29
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I’d love to do the garlands. I’ll save the idea for one of those years when chaos doesn’t run through the house on four paws.
Or I could string them along the curtain rods. The kitten can’t get there—yet.
Baking still needs to be done but that’s Girl’s area of fun.
We’re making new traditions this year to ring in a better year.
BBB, please toss my name into the hat.
1:30
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I wouldn’t receive anything for Christmas myself. So one year, my youngest son who was 3 years old at the time, took his “baby” (part of an old top sheet that he dragged everywhere with him), put his most loved favorite toys on the sheet, then wrapped them up in the sheet and presented it to me…saying “Merry Christmas Mommy!” That was the BEST Christmas! It really tugged my heart strings and made me teary eyed. To this day….my youngest son (he’s 26 now) and I have been very VERY close, even though he lives far away.
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I’d love to be entered for the book!
I am, too, making almost all of my gifts this year. I am knitting things, sewing things, making lotions and candles and Cleansing Grains. Yay!
2:10
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Please add my name to the growing list of book wanters. Canning is high on my *really want to do’s*.
2:32
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When I was a single Mom raising 3 children with barely nothing, the best gift my children asked for was serving food at the local homeless shelter.
Instead of dwelling on what we don’t have, give what you can.
Because there is always someone less fortunate than you.
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I’d love to have the Blue Ball book! :-)
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~~HUGS~~
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3:15
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Would love to win the BBB
3:29
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The Italian cream cake recipe I used years ago….70′s…used three cups of nuts….one cup pecans, one cup english walnuts, and one cup black walnuts….
I was so wanting to make that cake one year and we were running sort of tight on everything…I bought the supplies a few at a time and kept a record of how much it cost to make…A three layer cake cost over 5.99 back in the late 60′s early 70′s….
Haven’t made one in years but this has brought back the memories..so may jump in with both beaters….LOL
Also, making towel toppers for my daughter-in-laws this year…
One Christmas hand towel….–$1.50 (cut in half for two towels)
Scrap 10 cent (yard sale) yarn scraps…–.10
2 big buttons from the saved button jar…-.0
My time while watching TV….0
result 2 cute homemade croched Christmas towels..cost .75 each to hang on the stove or fridge….
Have the Ball Blue Book but if I win redraw and give to Sara or someone else…Thanks
3:38
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I make a lot of my own decorations too. I like the gingerbread tree decorations. I made a lot of those when the kids were small. Tiny little wrapped presents with ribbon also make pretty tree decorations. I also like little pieces of gathered lace with a small Christmas bow at the top. I have some small bows made from Christmas decor ribbon on my tree that I like too. There are so many things one can make from scraps that look good on a tree.
I would love that Blue Ball book!
3:42
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Just another post, then I promise to be quiet!
I dont know about a lot of you gals, but I think some of you are with me on this.
I buy my clothes at thrift stores! And I have to tell you I dress better than most people I know. I dont mean that my clothes are all second hand, so many of them still have the sale tags on them. I mean nice high end items. People buy stuff and they dont wear it, so they donate it. I have seen unbeleiveable buys–stuff in style today. I bought a all leather started jacket for a gift, it retailes for $245 there is no way I could ever pay this price—-I bought it for $35. It is perfect.
Christmas is the same date every year–plan ahead.
If you need gifts or things for your self–check these stores out, you maybe surprized what you can afford.
JO
3:46
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I got to thinking about what my sister would want. I remembered having 2 quilt wall hanging that Mama started but never finished amoung all these quilt tops I got. I fished those 2 out…I think my sister would LOVE getting one of these. It would almost be like getting a Christmas present from Mama…just one more time! Cindy(sister) is going to be so happy when she unwraps this present!
Deb
3:47
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from thepioneerwoman.com
http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2009/10/what-do-styrofoam-and-sea-shells-have-in-common/
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I printed the directions out for my daughter to make….
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My husband’s family has a lovely tradition- we give each other very small gifts, and then we play music together – my father in law and I on the violins and my husband on the horn. Everybody has to sing. It’s corny and, honestly, we’re not that good but we LOVE it! We have fun, we talk, and it’s just really so much better that way.
I stopped giving pricey gifts to my family when I married. Instead, we give small, reasonable and thoughtful gifts, under a strict limit. But next year I am giving everyone walnut liqueur – homemade vin de noix. I can’t wait to collect the green walnuts in June, pick out the bottles and watch the magic happen.
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and would love a BBB!!!
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Sarah, Your comment made me so sad all day. Wish I could help but it seems we are all in the same boat these days~ money is tight for everyone. Too much emphasis is put on gifts~ try to not feel bad.. this too shall pass and we will all come through stronger people.
7:24
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I would love to win the canning book!
7:41
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You could make garland and door swags too!
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7:55
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Today I shopped for my ingredients for all my Christmmas baking.
Can’t wait to hear about your new job!!
A faithful voter.
8:51
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I would love to win the BBB!
8:53
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9:42
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Thanks for having the project!
And thank you for inspiring me with every post!
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10:27
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How’s the weather in your neck of the woods?
We were flooded in this morning. No one made it out to school or work! Then our electric went off for a few hours. We were fine because of our generator. Did you learn how to get yours on yet?
I’m planning on making some homemade powdered laundry detergent for family this year. I’ve been making lace snowflakes and my Victorian Christmas stockings this year too!
Angela
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I’d love the book.
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New reader here. I’m totally enjoying your blog and your upbeat and personable attitude.
At any rate, please enter me in your BBB drawing.
See ya!
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Thanks for the tips on preparing for the last minute rush of creating a loving Christmas! I’m knitting and sewing for much of mine.
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Suzanne, I apologize profusely if you don’t allow links, please delete my comment if this is against the rules!!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/05/20/WIG346O0371.DTL